"Oh, are we ? " asked Trot, looking around her curiously

She the shadows of stately trees outlines of rolling hills; beneath her feet was soft turf, but otherwise the subdued light moon disclosed nothing clearly

"Seems jus' like country," was Cap'n Bill's comment

"But it isn't," the Scarecrow assured him " now borders most glorious fairyland in all the world This part of just corner Quadling Country, least interesting portion of it It's not very thickly settled, around here, I'll admit, but --"

interrupted by sudden whir and rush of air four Orks mounted sky

"Good night ! " called the shrill voices strange creatures, and although Trot shouted "Good night ! " as loudly as , the little girl was almost ready to cry because the Orks waited properly thanked for all their kindness to her and to Cap'n Bill

But the Orks were gone, and thanks for good deeds amount to much except one's politeness

"Well, friends," said the Scarecrow, "we mustn't stay here meadows all night, so find pleasant place to sleep Not matters , least, for I never sleep; but that meat people like to shut their eyes and lie still during the dark hours "

"I'm pretty tired," admitted Trot, yawning as she followed the straw man along tiny path, "so, don't find house handy, Cap'n Bill sleep under the trees, or even soft grass "

But house was not very far off, although Scarecrow stumbled upon it no light whatever Cap'n Bill knocked door , and there being no response the Scarecrow boldly lifted the latch and walked in, followed others And no sooner had they entered than soft light filled the room Trot couldn't tell where it came from, for no lamp of any sort was visible, but she waste much time problem, because directly center room stood table set for three, with lots of good food and several dishes smoking hot

The little girl and Button-Bright both uttered exclamations of pleasure, but they looked in vain for any cook stove or fireplace, or for any person prepared this delicious feast

"It's fairyland," muttered the boy, tossing his cap in corner and seating himself table "This supper smells 'most as good turkey-leg I had in Jinxland Please pass the muffins, Cap'n Bill "

Trot thought strange that no people but themselves were house, but wall opposite the door was gold frame bearing in big letters the word:

"WELCOME "

So she had no further hesitation in eating food so mysteriously prepared

"But only places for three ! " she exclaimed

"Three are quite enough," said the Scarecrow "I never eat, because stuffed full already, and I like my nice clean straw better than food "

Trot sailor-man were hungry and made hearty meal, for not since they had left home had they tasted such good food surprising that Button-Bright could eat so soon after his feast in Jinxland, but the boy always ate whenever an opportunity "If I don't eat now," , "the I'm hungry I'll wish I had "

"Really, Cap'n," remarked Trot, when she found dish of ice-cream appear beside her plate, "I b'lieve fairyland, sure enough "

"There's of it, Trot," he answered gravely

"I've been here before," said Button-Bright, "so "

After supper they discovered three tiny bedrooms adjoining the big living room house, and in each room was comfortable white bed with downy pillows tired mortals long in bidding the Scarecrow good night and creeping into their beds, where they slept soundly until morning

first time since they set eyes terrible whirlpool, Trot and Cap'n Bill were free from anxiety and care Button-Bright never worried about anything The Scarecrow, not being able to sleep, looked window and tried to count the stars

Chapter Twenty-One

Dorothy, Betsy and Ozma

I suppose many readers have read descriptions beautiful and magnificent Emerald City of Oz, so not describe it here, except to state that never has any city in any fairyland ever equalled in stately splendor It lies almost exactly center Land of Oz, and center Emerald City rises the wall of glistening emeralds that surrounds the palace of Ozma The palace is almost city in itself inhabited by Ruler's especial friends and those won her confidence and favor As for Ozma herself, no words in any dictionary find fitted to describe this young girl's beauty of mind and person Merely her is to love her for her charming face and manners; her is to love her for her tender sympathy, her generous nature, her truth and honor Born of long line of Fairy Queens, Ozma is as nearly perfect as any fairy , and noted for her wisdom as for her other qualities Her happy subjects adore their girl Ruler and considers her comrade and protector

I write, Ozma's best friend and most constant companion was little Kansas girl named Dorothy, mortal who had come Land of Oz in very curious manner and offered home in Ozma's palace Furthermore, Dorothy made Princess of Oz, and was at home royal palace as gentle Ruler She knew almost every part great country and almost all numerous inhabitants Next to Ozma she was loved better than anyone in all Oz, for Dorothy was simple and sweet, seldom became angry and had such friendly, chummy way that she made friends where-ever she wandered she who first brought the Scarecrow Tin Woodman Cowardly Lion Emerald City Dorothy had also introduced to Ozma the Shaggy Man Hungry Tiger, as Billina the Yellow Hen, Eureka the Pink Kitten, and delightful characters and creatures Coming as she did world, Dorothy was much like girls ; so there were times when she was not so wise as she , and other times when she was obstinate and got herself into trouble But life in fairy-land had taught the little girl to accept all sorts of surprising things as matters-of-course, for while Dorothy was no fairy -- but just as mortal -- she had seen more wonders than most mortals ever do

Another little girl outside world also lived in Ozma's palace Betsy Bobbin, whose strange adventures had brought her Emerald City, where Ozma had cordially welcomed her Betsy was shy little thing and could never get used marvels that surrounded her, but she and Dorothy were firm friends and thought themselves very fortunate in being together delightful country

One day Dorothy and Betsy were visiting Ozma girl Ruler's private apartment, and things that especially interested them was Ozma's Magic Picture, set in handsome frame and hung wall room This picture was magic one because it constantly changed its scenes and showed events and adventures happening in all parts world Thus really "moving picture" of life, and one who stood before it wished what any absent person was doing, the picture instantly showed that person, or her surroundings

The two girls wishing anyone , occasion, but merely enjoyed watching the shifting scenes, some were exceedingly curious and remarkable Suddenly Dorothy exclaimed: "Why, there's Button-Bright ! " and this drew Ozma also to look picture, for she and Dorothy knew the boy well

" Button-Bright ? " asked Betsy, who had never met him

"Why, he's the little boy just getting off the back strange flying creature," exclaimed Dorothy Then she turned to Ozma and asked: "What thing, Ozma ? bird ? I've never seen anything like it before "

" an Ork," answered Ozma, for they were watching the scene where the Ork three big birds were first landing their passengers in Jinxland long flight across the desert "I wonder," added the girl Ruler, musingly, "why those strangers dare venture into that unfortunate country, ruled by wicked King "

"That girl, one-legged man, mortals outside world," said Dorothy

"The man isn't one-legged," corrected Betsy; "he has one wooden leg "

"It's almost as bad," declared Dorothy, watching Cap'n Bill stump around

" three mortal adventurers," said Ozma, " seem worthy and honest But treated badly in Jinxland, and meet with any misfortune there reflect upon me, for Jinxland is part dominions "

"Can't we help them in ? " inquired Dorothy "That seems like nice little girl I'd be sorry if anything happened to her "

" watch the picture for awhile," suggested Ozma, and so they all drew chairs Magic Picture and followed the adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill and Button-Bright Presently the scene shifted and showed their friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains into Jinxland, somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety, for she knew at once that Glinda the Good had sent the Scarecrow to protect the strangers

The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting three girls in Ozma's palace, who during the succeeding days spent much time in watching the picture like story

"That girl's reg'lar trump ! " exclaimed Dorothy, referring to Trot, and Ozma answered:

"She's dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing very bad will happen to her The old sailor is fine character, too, for he has never once grumbled over being grasshopper, as done "

Scarecrow was so nearly burned up the girls all shivered little, clapped their hands in joy flock of Orks came and saved him

So it when all the exciting adventures in Jinxland were over four Orks had begun their flight across the mountains to carry the mortals Land of Oz, Ozma called the Wizard to her and asked him place strangers to sleep

The famous Wizard of Oz was quaint little man who inhabited the royal palace and attended to all the magical things that Ozma wanted done not as powerful as Glinda, , but do wonderful things He proved this by placing house uninhabited part Quadling Country where the Orks landed Cap'n Bill and Trot and Button-Bright, and fitting it with all the comforts described last chapter

Next morning Dorothy said to Ozma: