Hearing this, the officers became quite worried and gathered closer about their soldier

" the thing like ? " asked one

"The only picture of Rak that I ever saw in book was rather blurred," said Files, "because the book was not quite ripe when picked But the creature can fly air and run like deer and swim like fish Inside its body is glowing furnace of fire, Rak breathes in air and breathes out smoke, which darkens the sky for miles around, wherever it goes bigger than hundred men and feeds on any living thing "

The officers now began to groan and to tremble, but Files tried to cheer them, saying:

"It may not be Rak, after all, that we see approaching us, and not forget that we people of Oogaboo, part fairyland of Oz, killed "

"Nevertheless," said Captain Buttons, " Rak catches us, and chews us up into small pieces, and swallows us-- happen then ? "

"Then each small piece will still be alive," declared Files

"I how ," wailed Colonel Banjo "A hamburger steak is hamburger steak, whether alive or not ! "

"I tell you, not be Rak," persisted Files " know, cloud gets nearer, whether breath of Rak or not has no smell at all, probably fog; but has an odor of salt and pepper, Rak and prepare for desperate fight "

They all eyed the dark cloud fearfully Before long it reached the frightened group and began to envelop them Every nose sniffed the cloud-- and detected the odor of salt and pepper

"The Rak ! " shouted Private Files, and with howl of despair the sixteen officers fell ground, writhing and moaning in anguish Queen Ann sat down upon rock and faced the cloud more bravely, although her heart was beating fast As for Files, he calmly loaded his gun and stood ready to fight the foe, as soldier should

They were now in absolute darkness, cloud which covered the sky setting sun was black as ink Then gloom appeared two round, glowing balls of red, and Files at once decided these the monster's eyes

He raised his gun, took aim and fired

There were several bullets gun, all gathered from an excellent bullet-tree in Oogaboo, were big and hard They flew toward the monster and struck it, and with wild, weird cry the Rak came fluttering down and its huge body fell plump forms sixteen officers, who thereupon screamed louder than before

"Badness me ! " moaned the Rak "See what you've done dangerous gun of yours ! "

" 't see," replied Files, " cloud formed by your breath darkens my sight ! "

"Don't tell me an accident," continued the Rak, reproachfully, as it still flapped its wings in helpless manner "Don't claim you didn't know the gun was loaded, I beg of you ! "

"I don't intend to," replied Files "Did the bullets hurt you very badly ? "

"One has broken my jaw, 't open my mouth notice that my voice sounds rather harsh and husky, because with my teeth set close together Another bullet broke my left wing, 't fly; and still another broke my right leg, 't walk It most careless shot I ever heard of ! "

"Can't you manage to lift your body off from my commanding officers ? " inquired Files "From their cries I'm afraid your great weight is crushing them "

" ," growled the Rak " to crush them, if possible, for bad disposition If only open my mouth, I'd eat all of you, although my appetite is poorly this warm weather "

the Rak began to roll its immense body sidewise, so crush the officers more easily; but in doing this it rolled completely off entire sixteen scrambled feet and made off as fast as run

Private Files them go but sound voices had escaped, so he ceased to worry

"Pardon me if I now bid you good-bye," Rak "The parting is caused by our desire our journey die, blame me, for obliged to shoot you as matter of self-protection "

" die," answered the monster, "for I bear charmed life But I beg you not to leave me ! "

" ? " asked Files

"Because my broken jaw will heal in about an hour, and then to eat you My wing will heal in day and my leg will heal in week, when as ever Having shot me, and so caused me all this annoyance, only fair and just that you remain here and allow me to eat you open my jaws "

"I beg to differ ," returned the soldier firmly " an engagement with Queen Ann of Oogaboo to help her conquer the world, and break my word sake of being eaten by Rak "

"Oh; that's different," said the monster " 've an engagement, don't let me detain you "

So Files felt around dark and grasped the hand trembling Queen, whom he led away flapping, sighing Rak They stumbled over the stones for way but presently began dimly the path ahead , got farther and farther away dreadful spot where the wounded monster lay By and by they reached little hill and the last rays sun flooding pretty valley beyond, for now they had passed beyond the cloudy breath Rak Here were huddled the sixteen officers, still frightened and panting from their run They had halted only because impossible to run any farther

Queen Ann gave them severe scolding for their cowardice, same time praising Files courage

" wiser than he, however," muttered General Clock, "for by running away now able to assist Your Majesty in conquering the world; whereas, had Files been eaten Rak, deserted your Army "

After brief rest they descended valley, and they were out of sight Rak the spirits entire party rose quickly Just at dusk they came to brook, banks Queen Ann commanded them camp night

Each officer carried pocket tiny white tent This, when placed ground, quickly grew in size until large enough to permit the owner to enter it and sleep within its canvas walls Files was obliged to carry knapsack, in his own tent but an elaborate pavilion for Queen Ann, besides bed and chair and magic table This table, when set ground in Ann's pavilion, became of large size, and in drawer table was contained the Queen's supply of extra clothing, her manicure and toilet articles and other necessary things The royal bed camp, the officers and private sleeping in hammocks attached tent poles

also knapsack flag bearing the royal emblem of Oogaboo, and this flag Files flew upon its staff every night, to show country they were in conquered Queen of Oogaboo , no one but themselves had seen the flag, but Ann was pleased it flutter breeze and considered herself already famous conqueror

Chapter Four

Betsy Braves the Billows

The waves dashed lightning flashed thunder rolled ship struck rock Betsy Bobbin was running across the deck shock sent her flying air until she fell with splash dark blue water The same shock caught Hank, thin little, sad-faced mule, and tumbled him also sea, far ship's side

When Betsy came up, gasping for breath because the wet plunge had surprised her, she reached out dark and grabbed bunch of hair At first she thought it end of rope, but presently she heard dismal "Hee-haw ! " and knew she was holding fast end of Hank's tail

Suddenly the sea was lighted up by vivid glare The ship, now far distance, caught fire, blew up and sank beneath the waves

Betsy shuddered sight, but just then her eye caught mass of wreckage floating near her and she let go the mule's tail and seized the rude raft, pulling herself up she rode upon it in safety Hank also saw the raft and swam , but so clumsy he never able to climb upon it Betsy helped him aboard

They had to crowd close together, for their support was only hatch-cover torn ship's deck; but it floated them fairly well and both the girl mule knew it would keep them from drowning

The storm was not over, by any means, ship went down Blinding bolts of lightning shot from cloud to cloud clamor of deep thunderclaps echoed far over the sea The waves tossed the little raft here and there as child tosses rubber ball and Betsy had solemn feeling that for hundreds of watery miles in every direction no living thing besides herself small donkey

Perhaps Hank had the same thought, for he gently rubbed his nose against the frightened girl and said "Hee-haw ! " softest voice, to comfort her

"You'll protect me, Hank dear, won't you ? " she cried helplessly, mule said "Hee-haw ! " again, in tones that meant promise