"Then four Generals are enough," announced Jo Clock "I advise you to rest Colonels "

Ann tried his advice The next four men she visited--who were Jo Plum, Jo Egg, Jo Banjo and Jo Cheese, named trees in their orchards--she made Colonels of her Army; but the fifth one, Jo Nails, said Colonels and Generals were getting altogether too common Army of Oogaboo and he preferred Major So Jo Nails, Jo Cake, Jo Ham and Jo Stockings were all four made Majors, while the next four--Jo Sandwich, Jo Padlocks, Jo Sundae and Jo Buttons--were appointed Captains Army

But now Queen Ann was in quandary There remained but two other men in all Oogaboo, and if she made these two Lieutenants, while there were four Captains, four Majors, four Colonels and four Generals, likely jealousy in her army, and perhaps mutiny and desertions

men, however, was Jo Candy, and go at all No promises could tempt him, nor could threats move him remain at home to harvest his crop of jackson-balls, lemon-drops, bonbons and chocolate-creams Also he had large fields of crackerjack and buttered pop corn mowed and threshed, and determined not to disappoint the children of Oogaboo by going away to conquer the world and so let the candy crop spoil

Finding Jo Candy so obstinate, Queen Ann let him have his own way and continued her journey house eighteenth and last man in Oogaboo, who was young fellow named Jo Files This Files had twelve trees which bore steel files of various sorts; but also he had nine book-trees, grew choice selection of story-books never seen books growing upon trees, explain in Jo Files' orchard were enclosed in broad green husks which, when fully ripe, turned to deep red color Then the books were picked and husked and were ready to read were picked too soon, the stories were found confused and uninteresting spelling bad However, if allowed to ripen perfectly, the stories were fine reading spelling and grammar excellent

Files freely gave his books to all who wanted them, but the people of Oogaboo cared little for books and so he had to read most himself, spoiled For, probably know, books were read the words disappeared leaves withered and faded-- the worst fault of all books which grow upon trees

When Queen Ann spoke young man Files, who was both intelligent and ambitious, he thought it great fun to conquer the world But her attention fact that far superior other men of her army Therefore, one of her Generals or Colonels or Majors or Captains, but claimed the honor of being sole Private

Ann like this idea at all

"I hate Private Soldier in my army," she said; "they're so common told that Princess Ozma once had private soldier, but she made him her Captain-General, good evidence private was unnecessary "

"Ozma's army doesn't fight," returned Files; "but your army must fight like fury to conquer the world read in my books always the private soldiers who fighting, for no officer is ever brave enough the foe Also, it stands to reason that your officers some one to command and to issue their orders to; therefore I'll be the one I long to slash and slay the enemy and become hero Then, when we return to Oogaboo, I'll take all the marbles away children and melt them up and make marble statue of myself for all to look upon and admire "

Ann was much pleased with Private Files indeed such warrior as she needed in her enterprise, and her hopes of success took sudden bound when Files told her where gun-tree grew and would go there at once and pick the ripest and biggest musket the tree bore

Chapter Two

Out of Oogaboo

Three days later the Grand Army of Oogaboo assembled square in front royal palace The sixteen officers were attired in gorgeous uniforms and carried sharp, glittering swords The Private had picked his gun and, although not very big weapon, Files tried to look fierce and succeeded that all his commanding officers were secretly afraid of him

The women were there, protesting that Queen Ann Soforth had no right their husbands and fathers ; but Ann commanded them silent, hardest order to obey they had ever received

The Queen appeared before her Army dressed in an imposing uniform of green, covered with gold braid She wore green soldier-cap with purple plume and looked so royal and dignified that everyone in Oogaboo except the Army was glad she was going The Army was sorry she was not going alone

"Form ranks ! " she cried in her shrill voice

Salye leaned palace window and laughed

"I believe your Army can run better than it can fight," she observed

" ," replied General Bunn, proudly "We're not looking for trouble, , but for plunder The more plunder less fighting we get, the better like our work "

" part," said Files, "I prefer war and carnage to anything The only way hero is to conquer, story-books all say easiest way to conquer is to fight "

"That's the idea, my brave man ! " agreed Ann "To fight is to conquer and to conquer is to secure plunder and to secure plunder is hero noble determination to back me, the world is mine ! Good-bye, Salye When we return rich and famous Come, Generals; march "

the Generals straightened up and threw out their chests Then they swung their glittering swords in rapid circles and cried Colonels:

"For-ward March ! "

Then the Colonels shouted Majors: "For-ward March ! " Majors yelled Captains: "For-ward March ! " Captains screamed Private:

"For-ward March ! "

So Files shouldered his gun and began to march, and all the officers followed after him Queen Ann came last of all, rejoicing in her noble army and wondering why she decided to conquer the world

order the procession marched out of Oogaboo and took the narrow mountain pass which led lovely Fairyland of Oz

Chapter Three

Magic Mystifies the Marchers

Princess Ozma was all unaware Army of Oogaboo, led by their ambitious Queen, was determined to conquer her Kingdom The beautiful girl Ruler of Oz was busy welfare of her subjects and had no time of Ann Soforth and her disloyal plans But one who constantly guarded the peace and happiness Land of Oz and the Official Sorceress Kingdom, Glinda the Good

In her magnificent castle, which stands far north Emerald City where Ozma holds her court, Glinda owns wonderful magic Record Book, in printed every event that takes place anywhere, just it happens

The smallest things biggest things are all recorded book If child stamps its foot in anger, Glinda reads ; if city burns down, Glinda finds the fact noted in her book

The Sorceress always reads her Record Book every day, and so she knew that Ann Soforth, Queen of Oogaboo, had foolishly assembled an army of sixteen officers and one private soldier, she intended to invade and conquer the Land of Oz

no danger but that Ozma, supported magic arts of Glinda the Good powerful Wizard of Oz--both her firm friends--could easily defeat far more imposing army than Ann's; but it shame the peace of Oz interrupted by any sort of quarreling or fighting So Glinda even mention the matter to Ozma, or to anyone else She merely went into great chamber of her castle, known Magic Room, where she performed magical ceremony which caused the mountain pass that led from Oogaboo several turns and twists The result when Ann and her army came end pass they Land of Oz at all, but in an adjoining territory that was quite distinct from Ozma's domain and separated from Oz by an invisible barrier

Oogaboo people emerged country, the pass they had traversed disappeared behind them and not likely ever find their way back valley of Oogaboo They were greatly puzzled, indeed, by their surroundings and know had ever visited Oz, so it took them to discover they in Oz at all, but in an unknown country

"Never mind," said Ann, trying to conceal her disappointment; " started out to conquer the world, and part of it , pursue our victorious journey, doubtless come to Oz; but, until we get there, conquer whatever land ourselves in "

"Have we conquered this place, Your Majesty ? " anxiously inquired Major Cake

"Most certainly," said Ann " met no people, , but when , inform them our slaves "

"And afterward plunder them of all their possessions," added General Apple

" not possess anything," objected Private Files; "but fight us, just the same peaceful conquest wouldn't be any fun at all "

"Don't worry," said the Queen " fight, whether our foes do or not; and perhaps find it more comfortable the enemy surrender promptly "

barren country and not very pleasant to travel in Moreover, little to eat, and officers became hungry they became fretful Many deserted had they been able their way home, but Oogaboo people were now hopelessly lost in strange country they considered it more safe together than to separate

Queen Ann's temper, never very agreeable, became sharp and irritable as she and her army tramped over the rocky roads without encountering either people or plunder She scolded her officers until they became surly, and few were disloyal enough to ask her to hold her tongue Others began to reproach her for leading them into difficulties and space of three unhappy days every man was mourning orchard pretty valley of Oogaboo

Files, however, proved different sort The more difficulties he encountered the more cheerful he became, sighs officers were answered merry whistle Private His pleasant disposition did much to encourage Queen Ann and before long she consulted the Private Soldier more often than she did his superiors

third day pilgrimage encountered their first adventure Toward evening the sky was suddenly darkened and Major Nails exclaimed:

"A fog is coming toward us "

" fog," replied Files, looking with interest approaching cloud "It seems more like the breath of Rak "

" Rak ? " asked Ann, looking about fearfully