Every grove of trees from distance he visited, for he remembered King's castle was near grove of trees and Pon's hut was near the King's castle; but always he met with disappointment Finally, passing through groves, out open and found himself Ork

"Hello ! " said Button-Bright "Where did you come from ? "

"From Orkland," reply "I've found my own country, at last, and far from here, either come back sooner, how getting along, my family and friends welcomed my return so royally that great celebration was held in my honor So I couldn't leave Orkland again until the excitement was over "

" find your way back home again ? " asked the boy

"Yes, easily; for now exactly where But where are Trot and Cap'n Bill ? "

Button-Bright related Ork their adventures since it had left them in Jinxland, telling of Trot's fear King had done something wicked to Cap'n Bill, and of Pon's love for Gloria, and how Trot and Button-Bright turned King's castle That was all the news boy had, but it made the Ork anxious safety friends

" go at once, for need us,"

"I don't know where ," confessed Button-Bright "I'm lost "

"Well, take you back hut gardener's boy," promised the Ork, "for when I fly high air look down and easily spy the King's castle That was how I happened to spy you, just entering the grove; so I flew down and waited until you came out "

"How carry me ? " asked the boy

"You'll have to sit straddle my shoulders and put your arms around my neck keep from falling off ? "

"I'll try," said Button-Bright So the Ork squatted down boy took his seat and held on tight Then the skinny creature's tail began whirling and up they went, far above all the tree-tops

Ork had circled around , its sharp eyes located the towers castle and away it flew, straight toward the place As it hovered air, near castle, Button-Bright pointed out Pon's hut, so they landed just before it and Trot came running out to greet them

Gloria was introduced Ork, who was surprised Cap'n Bill transformed into grasshopper

"How like it ? " asked the creature

"Why, it worries me ," answered Cap'n Bill, perched upon Trot's shoulder "I'm always afraid o' bein' stepped on, and I don't like the flavor of grass an' can't seem used It's my nature to eat grass, , but I begin to suspect it's an acquired taste "

" molasses ? " asked the Ork

"I guess I'm not that kind of grasshopper," replied Cap'n Bill "But 't say what do if squeezed -- which I won't be "

"Well," said the Ork, "it's great pity, and I'd like to meet that cruel King Wicked Witch and punish them both severely You're awfully small, Cap'n Bill, but recognize you anywhere by your wooden leg "

Then the Ork and Button-Bright were told all about Gloria's frozen heart and how the Scarecrow had come Land of Oz to help them The Ork seemed rather disturbed when it learned Scarecrow had gone alone to conquer King Krewl

"I'm afraid he'll make fizzle of it," said the skinny creature, "and there's no telling what that terrible King might do poor Scarecrow, who seems like very interesting person So I believe I'll take hand conquest myself "

"How ? " asked Trot

"Wait ," reply "But, first of all, fly home again -- back to my own country -- so 'll forgive my leaving you so soon, I'll be off at once Stand away from my tail, please, so wind , when it revolves, won't knock you over "

They gave the creature plenty of room and away it went like flash and soon disappeared sky

"I wonder," said Button-Bright, looking solemnly Ork, "whether he'll ever come back again "

" ! " returned Trot "The Ork's pretty good fellow, and depend on him An' mark my words, Button-Bright, whenever our Ork does come back, there's one cruel King in Jinxland that'll wish he hadn't "

Chapter Eighteen

The Scarecrow Meets an Enemy

The Scarecrow was not bit afraid of King Krewl Indeed, he rather enjoyed the prospect of conquering the evil King and putting Gloria throne of Jinxland place So he advanced boldly royal castle and demanded admittance

Seeing that stranger, the soldiers allowed him to enter his way straight throne room, where his Majesty was settling the disputes among his subjects

"Who ? " demanded the King

"I'm the Scarecrow of Oz, and I command you to surrender yourself my prisoner "

"Why should I ? " inquired the King, much astonished straw man's audacity

"Because I've decided too cruel King to rule so beautiful country remember that Jinxland is part of Oz, and therefore you owe allegiance to Ozma of Oz, whose friend and servant "

Now, when he heard this, King Krewl was much disturbed in mind, for the Scarecrow spoke the truth But no one had ever before come to Jinxland Land of Oz King intend put out throne if help it Therefore harsh, wicked laugh of derision and said:

"I'm busy, now Stand out way, Scarecrow, and I'll talk by and by "

But the Scarecrow turned assembled courtiers and people and called in loud voice:

"I hereby declare, name of Ozma of Oz, man is no longer ruler of Jinxland moment Princess Gloria is your rightful Queen, and I ask all of you loyal to her and to obey her commands "

The people looked fearfully King, whom they all hated in their hearts, but likewise feared Krewl was now in terrible rage and he raised his golden sceptre and struck the Scarecrow so heavy blow that he fell floor

But up again, in an instant, and with Pon's riding-whip he switched the King so hard wicked monarch roared with pain as with rage, calling soldiers to capture the Scarecrow

They tried to , and thrust their lances and swords straw body, but without doing any damage except holes Scarecrow's clothes However, they were many against one and finally old Googly-Goo brought rope which he wound around the Scarecrow, binding his legs together arms sides, and the fight was over

The King stormed and danced around in dreadful fury, for he had never been so switched since boy -- and perhaps not then He ordered the Scarecrow thrust castle prison, no task at all because one man could carry him easily, bound as

Even prisoner was removed the King control his anger He tried to figure out some way revenged straw man, but could think of nothing that could hurt him At last, terrified people frightened courtiers had all slunk away, old Googly-Goo approached the king with malicious grin upon his face

"I'll tell you what ," said he "Build big bonfire and burn the Scarecrow up, and the end of him "

The King was so delighted suggestion that he hugged old Googly-Goo joy

" ! " he cried "The very thing Why did I not think of it myself ? "

So he summoned his soldiers and retainers and bade them prepare great bonfire in an open space castle park Also he sent word to all his people to assemble and witness the destruction Scarecrow who had dared to defy his power Before long vast throng gathered park servants had heaped up enough fuel fire that seen for miles away -- even daytime

When all was prepared, the King had his throne brought out for him to sit upon and enjoy the spectacle, and then he sent his soldiers to fetch the Scarecrow

Now the in all the world straw man really feared was fire burn very easily his ashes wouldn't amount to much afterward It wouldn't hurt him destroyed , but he realized that many people Land of Oz, and especially Dorothy Royal Ozma, would feel sad learned that their old friend the Scarecrow was no longer in existence

, the straw man was brave and faced his fiery fate like hero marched him out concourse of people he turned King with great calmness and said:

"This wicked deed will cost you your throne, suffering, friends will avenge my destruction "

"Your friends here, nor will they know what , gone and can-not tell them," answered the King in scornful voice

Then he ordered the Scarecrow bound to stout stake that he had had driven ground, materials fire were heaped all around him done, the King's brass band struck up lively tune and old Googly-Goo came forward with lighted match and set fire pile