"But what happened?" gasped Dorothy, leaning so far forward she nearly tumbled from her chair. "Where did she take you?"
"To her hut in the mountains," answered the Queen sadly. "There, shutting me up in a huge closet, she began an incantation to change me into a witch, old and ugly as she herself."
"I know what happened! I know what happened!" cried the little Wizard, springing entirely out of his chair and spinning 'round three times. "You were too sweet and beautiful to turn into a bad witch and the worst she could do only changed you into a good one." Orin blushed at the Wizard's little speech.
"I don't know about that," she went on modestly, "but I do know that I became a witch, forgetting entirely my former life in Gilkenny and on the Ozure Isles, and living for several months in the forest without home or shelter.
Coming one morning on Mombi, at one of her wicked enchantments, I raised my staff and bade her stop. To my astonishment, I found I was a better witch than she. Magic phrases and spells came easily to my lips, and without difficulty or trouble I drove her out of the forest and took possession of her hut. Then, at the earnest request of the Gillikens, I stayed in the North and ruled over that great country as Tattypoo."
"Ruled wisely and well," added Ozma, giving Orin an affectionate pat on the shoulder.
"But did you know then that Mombi had changed you to a witch?" demanded Trot, looking up at the Queen with round eyes, "and how did you change back to yourself?" Orin, with a rueful little laugh, shook her head at Trot.
"I didn't realize, then, that Mombi had changed me to a witch," she admitted frankly and went on to relate how Agnes, the amiable dragon, had persuaded her to look in the witch's window. Her first glance through the blue window pane had showed her Cheeriobed and Philador, just as they were when she had left the Ozure Isles. Remembering at once who she really was, Tattypoo had recklessly and joyfully jumped out the window, thus breaking the witch's spell and becoming her own true self again.
"What became of the dragon?" asked Sir Hokus, rattling his sword hopefully.
"Why, Agnes turned out to be my maid-in-waiting, who had been bewitched by Mombi too, and when she jumped after me she also was restored to her own shape and immediately set off for my father's castle, to tell him the good news. I, myself, started at once for the Ozure Isles."
"I wish you had met us," whinnied High Boy, who had taken a great fancy to the Queen. "Did you have to walk or swim, Ma'am?"
"A basket bird carried me nearly all the way," explained Orin. "The rest of the distance I walked and when I reached the shores of Orizon an old fisherman agreed to row me across.
"He shall be well rewarded!" puffed Cheeriobed. "Did the fellow know nothing of Quiberon?"
"I guess not," sighed the Queen, "neither did I, for that matter, but here I am, and now tell me how you, dear Ozma, and all of these brave people happened to be here just in time to save me?"
"It was Akbad," the King informed her joyfully. "Our brave Soothsayer picked the golden pear, carried Philador to the Emerald City and begged Ozma to come to our assistance. Where is the fellow anyway? Akbad! Akbad! Fetch the Soothsayer, some of you!"
"Akbad," murmured Ozma half aloud and looking from one to the other in amazement. "Why, I never heard of Akbad!"
"Akbad didn't carry me to the capital!" cried Philador, jumping up indignantly. "The Grand Mogul took me to the good witch's hut and the rest of the way I went with Herby and Trot and Benny and High Boy."
Cheeriobed was so stunned by this strange news he sank back on his throne in perfect as-tonishment and, at Orin's earnest solicitation, Phil and Trot told their stories.
"Akbad shall be punished well for this," promised Cheeriobed. He was shocked at the dreadful dangers Philador and Trot had encountered, and the deceitfulness of his trusted Soothsayer. While a dozen guards ran to fetch Akbad, the Queen put her hand gently on Cheeriobed's arm.
"Remember that he snatched me from the very jaws of Quiberon," she reminded him softly. "Perhaps he can explain." But the King kept muttering under his breath and when the Guards returned, dragging Akbad by the wings, his feelings overcame him and rushing forward he began to shake the old Islander violently to and fro.
"Let Akbad speak, if he has anything to say, suggested Ozma, as Cheeriobed paused for breath. At once Akbad flung himself on his knees and begged the good King's forgiveness.
"These heavy wings are punishment enough," groaned the Soothsayer.
"Stolen wings are never of use to the thief," said Ozma, leaning forward gravely, "but since you have saved Queen Orin and suffered a little yourself, I hope Cheeriobed will pardon you.
As Trot and the Queen added their pleas to Ozma's, the King finally consented to pardon Akbad, dismissing him from the court and giving him a small cottage at the end of the island to live in.
"And must I wear these wings forever?" asked Akbad, turning sorrowfully toward the door.
"I believe I could remove them," whispered the Wizard, and after a short conference the two sovereigns agreed to let the Wizard remove the golden wings. It took about ten minutes and ten powders to accomplish this feat, but as they finally crumpled into gold dust, Akbad sprang joyfully from the court room, so glad to be rid of the heavy pinions that he did not even mind his banishment.
"There!" sighed Ozma, "that settles everything and now we can all be happy again.
"I can't be happy till I eat," moaned High Boy in a weak voice, the effects of Herby's pills hav-ing worn off long ago. "Is there no food in this castle?" Laughing heartily, Cheeriobed sent Toddledy to waken the cook and, though it was long past midnight, the whole company presently sat down to such a feast as had not been held in that Kingdom for many a long year. High Boy had his yummy jummy, and though the Patch Work Girl, Benny, the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow were not constructed to partake of refreshments, they enjoyed the party quite as much as the others.
And when at last the feast was over, and Cheeriobed led his visitors to splendid apartments, these four celebrities sat talking in the throne room for the rest of the night, spending the hours most pleasantly while High Boy snored comfortably on a great bearskin rug before the door.
And not till the silver bells in the castle tower tolled ten did anyone above stairs stir from. his silken couch.
CHAPTER 19
Another Wishing Pill
AFTER a merry breakfast in the gardens, Cheeriobed conducted the royal party over the entire Sapphire City. High Boy carried Ozma, Scraps, Trot, Betsy and Dorothy, and they all agreed that, next to the capital, the Sapphire City was the fairest city in Oz. The sun shone with dazzling brightness on the glittering spires, the jeweled sands and rocks had never sparkled more beautifully. Even the waters of Orizon seemed bluer since the Queen's return. Everywhere the cheers and shouts of the delighted Islanders greeted the visitors and lovely Orin.
"If we just had our sea horses," mused Cheeriobed, putting one arm around the Queen and the other around Philador, "everything would be as it was before." The old mer-man who stood close by the King looked so unhappy at this remark that Ozma bade High Boy stop, and jumping down hurried over to the Wizard. After a whispered conference which nobody seemed to notice, Ozma and the little man tip-toed off by themselves. And when next Cheeriobed looked out over the lake, he gave a shout of delight and pleasure. In toward the shore, with flying manes and flashing tails, raced the whole herd of white sea horses, lively and lovely as they ever were.
"I wish Joe King could see this," whinnied High Boy, wading out to meet them and neighing a greeting in the high horse tongue. Orpah was already in the water, caressing first one and then another of his former pets, while the little Prince jumped in with all his clothes, to mount his own prancing sea charger.
"How did you do it?" begged Cheeriobed, turning back to Ozma, who stood smiling at him from her perch on an opal rock.
"Ask the Wizard," replied the little fairy mysteriously, but when they all crowded curiously around the Wizard he merely shook his head and mutter
ed that restoring a herd of sea horses from a pile of bones was quite easy-if you just knew how. And with this answer they were forced to be satisfied.
Next the Wizard, with another of his magic powders, moved the great figure of Quiberon to the mouth of his cave, where it stands to this day for all to see.
"The fire from his nostrils must have eaten away the sides of the passage-way and enabled him to squeeze out," explained the Wizard, who had been puzzling over this particular problem ever since his arrival. As this cleared up the last of the mysteries, Ozma and her courtiers now made ready to depart. Philador was so loath to say goodbye to Trot that Ozma persuaded the King, the Queen and the little Prince to return with them to the Emerald City. So again a magic ring was formed, with High Boy in the center, and again the Wizard's wishing pills transported them over hills and valleys to the most splendid castle in Oz.
CHAPTER 20
Rulers East and North
IT WAS noon time when they dropped down lightly in the gardens of Ozma's castle. "Let's dance" proposed Benny, blinking across the vistas of velvet lawns, flowering arches and sparkling fountains.
"Why, Benny!" exclaimed Trot, "do you really feel like dancing?"
"Don't you?" questioned the stone man, smiling down at the little girl with whom he had come through so many exciting adventures. Trot nodded delightedly and, as the royal band grouped on the castle steps to welcome them home broke into a lively tune, the whole company, still in the ring they had formed in Cheeriobed's garden, danced 'round and 'round and 'round, High Boy cavorting hilariously in the center.
Benny could have danced tirelessly on for hours, but Cheeriobed and Sir Hokus were soon out of breath. So Ozma clapped her hands and, bidding them form in a long line, placed herself at the head and marched merrily into the palace. There, drawn up to meet them were all the celebrities they had not already met. Jack Pumpkin Head, stiffly extending his arms, Tik Tok, clicking off short sentences of pleasure, the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, bowing almost to the ground, the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy's small dog, Toto, not to mention the famous Saw Horse and so many more I could not begin to name them all. Philador kept close to Trot, for he wanted to hear about each one and the Scarecrow, taking Benny and the medicine man under his wing, saw that they were everywhere introduced. Ozma herself, with the King of the Ozure Isles on one arm and the Queen on the other, led the way to the grand banquet hall. The Hungry Tiger, peering in from the castle kitchen, where he had been anxiously awaiting their return, sprang out joyously as they entered.
"This party's been ready since last night," he roared accusingly. "Where have you been?" While High Boy dropped down a few pegs to explain, the great company seated itself at the long green banquet table. Soon dishes and silver began to clink merrily, footmen to rush to and fro with delicious trays of goodies, while the Oz orchestra struck up that good old favorite, "Oz and Ozma, forever." Benny, to his great satisfaction, sat next to the Wizard of Oz, and between courses the little man explained that he was a native of Omaha and had first come to Oz in a circus balloon. The inhabitants had immediately taken him for a wizard, so he had decided to stay and be a wizard. For many years he had ruled over Oz, practicing the trick magic he had learned in the circus and superintending the building of the Emerald City. Later he returned to America and Ozma, the rightful ruler of the fairy kingdom was disenchanted by Glinda and placed upon the throne. When the Wizard returned to Oz, the little fairy made him Royal Wizard of the realm and by hard study and constant practice he had become the most famous magician in any country out of the world.
"So you think you can change me to a real man?" queried Benny, looking admiringly at the famous wonder-worker.
"Certainly," replied the Wizard carelessly, tossing off a glass of emeralade. "Whenever you wish!"
"Think it over carefully," cautioned the Scarecrow, who sat on the other side. "Is it not better to be big and hard than small and weak, like most natural beings? You're a very famous person as you are,"' he finished, flatteringly, "but as a meat man you will be quite like everybody else. I was once a real person, he confided solemnly, "and did not care for it at all. Take my advice and stay as you are, old boulder!"
"Please do!" begged Trot from her place across the table. "You're so strong and handsome and you can dance as well as anyone. You didn't tread on my toe even once," declared the little girl stoutly. Benny would have blushed at Trot's words, had such a thing been possible. As it was, he smiled so happily that he did not look like a public benefactor at all. The stone frown that was carved on Benny's forehead had gradually melted away, and his expression was now so pleasant and jolly, I am sure none of the worthy fathers of Boston would have recognized their former citizen.
"It shall be as Trot wishes," and Benny, with a fond glance across the table, and amid the cheers and claps of the celebrities, he agreed to stay as he was.
"And live at our capital always," invited Ozma, from the head of the table. "And Herby, too. He shall be our Court Physician," declared Ozma, and coming 'round to where they sat, she touched them both on the shoulder with her emerald scepter, to show they now belonged to her court. Benny was too overcome to say a word, but Herby, with a great jingling of pill boxes, arose and, with one hand on his medicine chest, made a lengthy speech of thanks.
"Every time he comes near, you can hear his pills rattle," observed High Boy in a low voice to the Saw Horse. One end of the table had been reserved for the palace pets and High Boy had the seat of honor at the head. Next to him stood the Saw Horse, Ozma's little wooden, gold-shod steed, taking in every thing but the refreshments and making short sharp answers to High Boy's remarks. High Boy secretly thought him a poor looking creature, but as he wisely kept this thought to himself they got along famously.
The Hungry Tiger's appetite amazed High Boy. After several bowls of horse-radish, two bales of hay and a pail of yummy jummy, High Boy himself could not eat another morsel. But the tiger kept sleepily and competently on cleaning his plate. As soon as it was empty it was hastily replenished with rare roasts and undone steak and mutton. The Hungry Tiger, as many of you know, has lived in the Emerald City for many years and is great company for the Cowardly Lion, who came to the capital with Dorothy on her very first visit. This big beast, with long sighs, and with tears in his voice, explained how dreadfully cowardly he was and High Boy, to see if this really were so, trumpeted suddenly in the Cowardly Lion's ear.
With a terrible squeal, the Cowardly Lion slid under the table and they were just pulling him out, when the Tin Woodman arose and rapped loudly for order. The Wizard had left the banquet hall a few minutes before and, now returning, whispered a few words to Ozma. At once the little fairy stood up and, facing the King and Queen of the Ozure Isles, began to speak.
"Our Wizard," explained Ozma in her gentle voice, "has been trying to discover the where-abouts of Cheeriobed's father. But all of his questions have brought no change in the magic picture, showing that Mombi has utterly destroyed the good King of the Munchkins. As Mombi is no longer here to remedy what has been done and we ourselves are powerless to remedy it either, I now pronounce you, Cheeriobed, and you, Orin, King and Queen of the East, and rulers of all of the Munchkins and the Sapphire City of Oz shall be your capital."
The applause brought forth by this announcement was simply deafening. When it had subsided somewhat, the Scarecrow, jumping up, held out his hand to Orin and then the King.
"May I be the first to congratulate Your Majesties?" cried the straw man, impulsively. "I, myself, am a Munchkin and hereafter please consider me a loyal friend and subject."
The King and Queen both assured him that they would be pleased to do so and in a short address Cheeriobed promised to rule to the best of his ability the great empire of the East. Trot and Philador, who sat side by side, heard Ozma's proclamation with great pleasure and satisfaction.
"I hope you'll visit us often," whispered Philador. "You can ride on my sea horse and wear my crown, and I'm going to ask my fa
ther to make you a Princess, Trot." At this, Cheeriobed, who had overheard Philador's remark, jumped up and announced that his first act as King of the East would be to create Trot a Princess of the Ozure Isles with the privilege of living in the Sapphire City at any time and for as long as she wanted.
"That makes Trot twice a Princess," chuckled the Scarecrow to Benny, as the little girl slipped the sapphire ring Cheeriobed held out to her in place of a crown (which he promised to give her later) on her middle finger.
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