That was how to recollect the Metal Forest

"Aha ! " said he to himself, "I alone know the way Forest, and once there fill my pockets finest jewels in all the world "

He glanced at his pockets and was grieved them so small Perhaps enlarged, hold more of poor woman who lived in cottage foot mountain, so he went to her and begged her to sew pockets all over his robe, paying her gift of diamond ring which he had worn upon his finger The woman was delighted to possess so valuable ring and she sewed pockets on Ruggedo's robe as she possibly could

Then he returned up the mountain and, after gazing cautiously around sure not observed, he touched spring in rock and it swung slowly backward, disclosing broad passageway This he entered, swinging the rock in place behind him

However, Ruggedo had failed to look as carefully as done, for Polychrome was seated only little distance off and her clear eyes marked exactly the manner Ruggedo had released the hidden spring So she rose and hurried cavern, where she told Kaliko and her friends of her discovery

"I've that way Metal Forest," exclaimed Shaggy "Come, follow Ruggedo at once and rescue my poor brother ! "

They agreed and King Kaliko called together band of nomes to assist them by carrying torches to light their way

"The Metal Forest has brilliant light own," said he, "but the passage across the valley is likely dark "

Polychrome easily found the rock and touched the spring, so in an hour after Ruggedo had entered they were all passage and following swiftly former King

"He means to rob the Forest, I'm sure," said Kaliko; "but no longer of any account Kingdom and my nomes throw him out "

"Then please throw him as hard ," said Betsy, "for he deserves it I don't mind an honest, out-an'-out enemy, who fights square; but changing girls into fiddles and ordering 'em put into Slimy Caves is mean and tricky, and Ruggedo doesn't deserve any sympathy But you'll have to let him take treasure as get pockets, Kaliko "

"Yes, the Jinjin said so; but we won't miss it much more treasure Metal Forest than million nomes could carry in their pockets "

not difficult to walk passage, especially torches lighted the way, so they made good progress But it proved long distance and Betsy had tired herself with walking and was seated back mule passage made sharp turn and wonderful and glorious light burst upon them The next moment they were all standing edge marvelous Metal Forest

It lay under another mountain and occupied great domed cavern, the roof of higher than church steeple space the industrious nomes had built, during many years of labor, the most beautiful forest The trees--trunks, branches and leaves--were all of solid gold, while the bushes and underbrush were formed of filigree silver, virgin pure The trees towered as high as natural live oaks do and were of exquisite workmanship

ground were thickly strewn precious gems of every hue and size, while here and there trees were paths pebbled with cut diamonds clearest water Taken all together, more treasure was gathered Metal Forest than is contained in all the rest world-- except the land of Oz, where perhaps its value is equalled famous Emerald City

Our friends were so amazed sight that for while they stood gazing in silent wonder Then Shaggy exclaimed

"My brother ! My dear lost brother ! Is he indeed prisoner place ? "

"Yes," replied Kaliko "The Ugly One here for years, to my positive knowledge "

"But what could he find to eat ? " inquired Betsy "It's an awfully swell place to live in, but one can't breakfast on rubies and di'monds, or even gold "

"One doesn't need to, my dear," Kaliko assured her "The Metal Forest fill all great cavern, by any means Beyond these gold and silver trees are other trees real sort, which bear foods very nice to eat walk direction, for we Shaggy's brother part cavern, rather than "

So they began to tramp over the diamond-pebbled paths, and at every step they were more and more bewildered wondrous beauty golden trees with their glittering foliage

Suddenly they heard scream Jewels scattered in every direction as some one hidden bushes scampered away before them Then loud voice cried: "Halt ! " and the sound of struggle

Chapter Twenty-One

Bashful Brother

With fast beating hearts they all rushed forward and, beyond group of stately metal trees, came full upon most astonishing scene

Ruggedo hands officers of Oogaboo, dozen of whom were clinging old nome and holding him fast efforts to escape There also was Queen Ann, looking grimly scene of strife; but when she observed her former companions approaching she turned away in shamefaced manner

For Ann and her officers were indeed sight to behold Her Majesty's clothing, once so rich and gorgeous, was now worn and torn into shreds by her long crawl tunnel, which, , had led her directly Metal Forest , indeed, three secret passages, and by far the most difficult three Ann had torn her pretty skirt and jacket, but her crown had become bent and battered and even her shoes were so cut and slashed were ready from her feet

The officers had fared somewhat worse than their leader, for holes were worn knees trousers, while sharp points of rock roof and sides tunnel had made rags of every inch once brilliant uniforms more tattered and woeful army never came out of battle, than these harmless victims rocky passage But it had seemed their only means of escape cruel Nome King; so they had crawled on, regardless sufferings

reached the Metal Forest their eyes beheld more plunder than they had ever dreamed of; yet they were prisoners huge dome and escape riches heaped Perhaps more unhappy and homesick lot of "conquerors" never existed than this band from Oogaboo

After of wandering in their marvelous prison they were frightened discovery that Ruggedo had come among them Rendered desperate by their sad condition, the officers exhibited courage first time since they left home and, ignorant fact that Ruggedo was no longer King nomes, they threw themselves upon him and had just succeeded in capturing him when their fellow adventurers reached the spot

"Goodness gracious ! " cried Betsy "What has happened all ? "

Ann came forward to greet them, sorrowful and indignant

"We were obliged to escape pit through small tunnel, lined with sharp and jagged rocks," said she, "and was our clothing torn to rags but our flesh is so bruised and sore that stiff and lame in every joint To add to our troubles still prisoners; but now that succeeded in capturing the wicked Metal Monarch force him to grant us our liberty "

"Ruggedo is no longer Metal Monarch, or King nomes," Files informed her "He deposed and cast out kingdom by Quox; but new King, whose name is Kaliko, and pleased to assure Your Majesty that our friend "

"Glad to meet Your Majesty, I'm sure," said Kaliko, bowing as courteously as Queen still wore splendid raiment

The officers, having heard this explanation, now set Ruggedo free; but, as he had no place , he stood by and faced his former servant, who was now King place, in humble and pleading manner

" you doing here ? " asked Kaliko sternly

"Why, promised treasure as carry in my pockets," replied Ruggedo; "so here it, not wishing to disturb Your Majesty "

"You were commanded to leave the country nomes forever ! " declared Kaliko

" ; and I'll go filled my pockets," said Ruggedo, meekly

"Then fill them, and be gone," returned the new King

Ruggedo obeyed Stooping down, he began gathering up jewels handful and stuffing them into his many pockets They were heavy things, these diamonds and rubies and emeralds and amethysts like, so before long Ruggedo was staggering weight he bore, while the pockets yet filled When no longer stoop over without falling, Betsy and Polychrome Rose Princess came assistance, picking up the finest gems and tucking them into his pockets

At last these were all filled and Ruggedo presented comical sight, for surely no man ever before had pockets, or any at all filled choice collection of precious stones He neglected to thank the young ladies for their kindness, but gave them surly nod of farewell and staggered down the path he had come They let him depart in silence, for with all he had taken, the masses of jewels ground seemed scarcely disturbed, so numerous were they Also they hoped they had seen the last degraded King

"I'm awful glad he's gone," said Betsy, sighing deeply "If he doesn't get reckless and spend his wealth foolishly, he's got enough to start bank when he gets to Oklahoma "

"But my brother--my dear brother ! Where is he ? " inquired Shaggy anxiously " seen him, Queen Ann ? "

"What does your brother look like ? " asked the Queen

Shaggy hesitated to reply, but Betsy said: "He's called the Ugly One Perhaps you'll know him "

"The only person seen cavern," said Ann, "has run away whenever we approached him He hides over yonder, trees gold, and never been able to catch sight face So not tell whether ugly or not "

" be my dear brother ! " exclaimed Shaggy