Ozma smiled at her little friend and answered:

"You and Betsy may go to meet them, , but not leave my palace just now, as conference with Jack Pumpkinhead and Professor Wogglebug on important matters Sawhorse Red Wagon, and start soon to meet the Scarecrow strangers at Glinda's palace "

"Oh, ! " cried Dorothy, and went away Betsy and preparations journey

Chapter Twenty-Two

The Waterfall

Glinda's castle was long way mountains, but the Scarecrow began the journey cheerfully, since time was of no great importance Land of Oz and he had recently made the trip and knew the way It never mattered much to Button-Bright where or what doing; the boy was content in being alive and having good companions to share his wanderings As for Trot and Cap'n Bill, they now found themselves so comfortable and free from danger, fine fairyland, were so awed and amazed adventures they were encountering, journey to Glinda's castle was more like pleasure trip than hardship, wonderful things were there

Button-Bright in Oz before, but never part of it, so the Scarecrow who knew the paths and could lead them They had eaten hearty breakfast, which they found already prepared and awaiting them table arose from their refreshing sleep, so they left the magic house in contented mood and with hearts lighter and more happy than they had known for many day marched along fields, the sun shone brightly breeze was laden with delicious fragrance, carried with it the breath of millions of wildflowers

At noon, stopped to rest bank of pretty river, Trot said with long-drawn breath that was much like sigh:

" we'd brought food that was left breakfast, for I'm getting hungry again "

Scarcely had she spoken when table rose up before them, ground itself, and loaded with fruits and nuts and cakes and good things to eat The little girl's eyes opened wide display of magic, and Cap'n Bill was not sure things were actually there and fit to eat until he had taken them hand and tasted them But the Scarecrow said with laugh:

"Someone is looking after your welfare, certain, and looks table I suspect my friend the Wizard has taken us charge I've known him things like this before, and Wizard's care not worry future "

"Who's worrying ? " inquired Button-Bright, already table and busily eating

The Scarecrow looked around the place while the others were feasting, and finding many things unfamiliar to him he shook his head and remarked:

" taken the wrong path, back last valley, for on my way to Jinxland I remember that I passed around the foot river, where great waterfall "

"Did the river make bend, waterfall ? " asked Cap'n Bill

"No, the river disappeared Only pool of whirling water showed what had become river; but I suppose under ground, somewhere, and will come surface again in another part country "

"Well," suggested Trot, as she finished her luncheon, "as no way to cross this river, I s'pose we'll have that waterfall, and go around it "

"Exactly," replied the Scarecrow; so they soon renewed their journey, following the river until the roar waterfall sounded in their ears By and by they came waterfall itself, sheet of silver dropping far, far down into tiny lake which seemed no outlet top fall, where they stood, the banks gradually sloped away, so descent by land was quite easy, while the river could do nothing but glide over an edge of rock and tumble straight down depths below

" ," said the Scarecrow, leaning over the brink, " called by our Oz people the Great Waterfall, because certainly the highest one in all the land; but -- Help ! "

He had lost his balance and pitched headforemost river They saw flash of straw and blue clothes, painted face looking upward in surprise The next moment the Scarecrow was swept over the waterfall and plunged basin below

The accident had happened so suddenly that for moment they were all too horrified or move

"Quick ! go to help him or drowned," Trot exclaimed

Even while speaking she began to descend the bank pool below, and Cap'n Bill followed as swiftly as his wooden leg would let him Button-Bright came more slowly, calling girl:

" 't drown, Trot; he's Scarecrow "

But she wasn't sure Scarecrow couldn't drown and never relaxed her speed until she stood edge pool, spray dashing in her face Cap'n Bill, puffing and panting, had just voice enough to ask, as he reached her side:

"See him, Trot ? "

"Not speck of him Oh, Cap'n, what s'pose has become of him ? "

"I s'pose," replied the sailor, "that he's water, more or less far down, and I'm 'fraid it'll make his straw pretty soggy But as fer his bein' drowned, I agree with Button-Bright can't "

small comfort assurance and Trot stood for searching with her eyes the bubbling water, the Scarecrow would finally come surface Presently she heard Button-Bright calling: "Come here, Trot ! " and looking around she saw boy had crept over the wet rocks edge waterfall and seemed peering behind it Making her way toward him, she asked:

"What do ? "

"A cave," he answered "Let's go in P'r'aps we'll find the Scarecrow there "

She was little doubtful , but the cave interested her, and so did it Cap'n Bill just space enough edge sheet of water to crowd in behind it, but dangerous entrance they found room enough to walk upright and after time they came to an opening wall of rock Approaching this opening, they gazed within it and found series of steps, cut easily descend cavern

Trot turned to look inquiringly at her companions The falling water made such din and roaring that her voice heard Cap'n Bill nodded his head, but before enter the cave, Button-Bright was before him, clambering down the steps without particle of fear So the others followed the boy

The first steps were wet with spray, and slippery, but the remainder were quite dry rosy light seemed interior cave, and this lighted their way steps short tunnel, high enough to walk erect in and then they reached the cave itself and paused in wonder and admiration

They stood edge of vast cavern, the walls and domed roof were lined with countless rubies, exquisitely cut and flashing sparkling rays from one to another This caused radiant light that permitted the entire cavern distinctly seen, effect was so marvelous that Trot drew in her breath with sort of gasp, and stood quite still in wonder

But the walls and roof cavern were merely setting for more wonderful scene center was bubbling caldron of water, for here the river rose again, splashing and dashing till its spray rose high air, where it took the ruby color jewels and seemed like seething mass of flame And while they gazed tumbling, tossing water, the body Scarecrow suddenly rose center, struggling and kicking, next instant wholly disappeared from view

"My, but he's wet ! " exclaimed Button-Bright; but others heard him

Trot and Cap'n Bill discovered that broad ledge -- covered, like the walls, with glittering rubies -- ran all around the cavern; so they followed this gorgeous path rear and found where the water made its final dive underground, before it disappeared entirely Where it plunged dim abyss the river was black and dreary looking, stood gazing in awe until just beside them the body Scarecrow again popped up water

Chapter Twenty Three

The Land of Oz

The straw man's appearance water was so sudden startled Trot, but Cap'n Bill had the presence of mind to stick his wooden leg out over the water Scarecrow made desperate clutch and grabbed the leg with both hands He managed to hold on until Trot and Button-Bright knelt down and seized his clothing, but the children powerless to drag the soaked Scarecrow ashore Cap'n Bill now assisted them laid him ledge of rubies he most useless looking Scarecrow imagine -- his straw sodden and dripping with water, his clothing wet and crumpled, while even the sack his face was painted had become so wrinkled old jolly expression stuffed friend's features was entirely gone But still speak, and when Trot bent down her ear she heard him say:

"Get me out of here "

That seemed wise thing , so Cap'n Bill lifted his head and shoulders, and Trot and Button-Bright each took leg; among them they partly carried and partly dragged the damp Scarecrow Ruby Cavern, along the tunnel, and up the flight of rock steps somewhat difficult him past the edge waterfall, but they succeeded, after much effort, and later laid their poor comrade on grassy bank where the sun shone upon him freely and beyond the reach spray

Cap'n Bill now knelt down and examined the straw Scarecrow was stuffed with

"I don't believe it'll be of much use to him, any more," said he, " 's full of polliwogs an' fish eggs, an' the water has took all the crinkle out o' the straw an ruined it I guess, Trot, best thing is to empty out all his body an' carry his head an' clothes along the road till we come to field or house where get some fresh straw "

"Yes, Cap'n," she agreed, "there's nothing else But how shall we ever find the road to Glinda's palace, without the Scarecrow to guide us ? "

"That's easy," said the Scarecrow, speaking in rather feeble but distinct voice "If Cap'n Bill will carry my head shoulders, eyes front, tell him "

So they followed that plan and emptied all the old, wet straw Scarecrow's body Then the sailor-man wrung out the clothes and laid them sun till they were quite dry Trot took charge head and pressed the wrinkles face as it dried, after while the Scarecrow's expression became natural again, and as jolly as before