L. Frank Baum - Oz 36

by Lucky Bucky In Oz

  Uppermost in the minds of Bucky and the uncles was the thought of reaching the famous Emerald City. And the wooden heart of Davy beat in tune with this desire. A mile or two to the north arose the splendor of the great city with its domes and minarets gleaming under the sunlight. Davy turned his head toward the north shore.

  The whale’s mind was made up. He knew that he could wiggle himself overland from the lake shore to the city gate. But the uncles would not listen to such a plan: “We will help you all the way,” they promised. Already several of them had taken off their coats in preparation for the long push.

  Following the natural course of the lake, the whale swam close to the shore, expecting to run aground. Try as he would, he never seemed to reach the beach, yet the castle drew closer and closer. Before anyone realized it, they were near enough to see watchmen running around the top of the upper parapet. They could even make out the details of the brightly colored pictures on the city walls.

  They were heading straight for this wall! Davy kept

  on sailing.

  “Turn to the right!” yelled Bucky, stamping his right foot as hard as he could

  The Scarecrow raised his aching head to see what the excitement was about and staggered to his feet

  “Stop! Stop!!” he screamed in agony. “This is simply awful!” he moaned, wildly tearing straw from his stuffed bosom.

  So thrilled was the whale by the excitement of the moment that he did not hear the order, nor feel Bucky’s stamping foot, and he continued to push on his way around the castle wall.

  Overcome by despair, with loose straw dangling from every opening of his clothes, the Scarecrow fell backward, clutching the empty air with his cotton fingers.

  Hearing the commotion on deck, the Tin Woodman dashed out of the cabin just in time to see his comrade totter. With a bound, he hurried to catch him before he hit the deck. But by the time Nick reached the Scarecrow it was too late to save him and both old friends tumbled over the wooden side of Davy and were lost to view.

  The whale, covered with happy uncles, continued on his way gaily, encircling the wall. It took them exactly seven minutes by the great clock in the north tower to complete the trip. Not until they had gone all the way around, did the voyagers discover that they had brought the borrowed river with them.

  And not until the whale came face to face with the Emperor and the Woodchopper sitting on the river at the exact spot where they had fallen overboard, did his facial expression change from pure dellght to one of chagrin.

  With all the fantastic run of luck they had had, it was almost beyond belief that it should end in such a tragedy with the loss of the two good friends who had befriended him so gallantly. Davy hurried to the rescue as the uncles made ready to lift the two unfortunates from the river. The whale, conscience stricken and filled with remorse, tried to make his voice heard above the tumult, but it was impossible for by now the city had joined in the clamor. A general alarm bellowed and roared, far and wide. Since it was the second alarm of the day—a most unheard of state of affair—the people came running to the walls. They were prepared to repel any invasion; the bellmen pealed and the houses leaned backward in terror, prepared to strike, and strike hard.

  The whale slowed down, gliding over the surface of the river toward the lost friends. Bucky, wishing ardently to save them, jumped overboard and received the greatest shock that he had yet met with in Qz. Instead of splashing into water, he bounced over a

  yielding surface and slid to the place where the two celebrated favorites were sitting on the top of the river, calm and unconcerned. The Tinman, when he noticed the look of amazement on the boy’s face, burst into a tinny laugh.

  “An unlooked for twist in things!” he cried. “Our luck has proved itself. A most favorable situation for my dear old chum and me. Why, bless my bolts and rivets, this water is dry and harmless. It’s so light we could not sink, even if we wanted to. The Wizard always does give us such surprises.”

  By this time, the river was filled with uncles slipping and sliding over the tough surface. Some ventured to step ashore but they were met by such a violent attack that they quickly retreated to the river. The Guardian of the Gate, swinging a heavy key and the soldier with the green whiskers, poking a broken blundergun at them, drove the uncles back, while the town crier added a dismal note of warning to all the other distressing sounds.

  After several vain attempts to get the Scarecrow up on his feet, they formed a double line and pushed him to shore in a sitting position.

  The battered whale and the spruce uncles were in a pretty pickle. Had the beautiful city suddenly gone mad? It certainly seemed so, with the Town Crier running back and forth, bawling at the top of his voice and wringing his hands.

  Bucky helped the Scarecrow push his loose straw back into his body, button up his coat, and restore his head to its proper shape. This assistance completely revived him and he got to his feet with all the grand manners of an Emperor.

  When the Guardian identified this distinguished personage, he stopped short and summoned his two companions to his side. Together they stood at attention, saluting the Emperor of the Munchkins with all deference due his high position.

  At the same moment Number Nine arrived at the Scarecrow’s side. He had relegated to the tall clock the duty of closely following the flight of the Royal Scalawagon over the Nonentic Ocean and come to find out what the hullabaloo was all about, for, during an absence of the Wizard, Number Nine always assumed certain duties that carried with them a certain amount of influence. He immediately quieted the alarm, and this checked the excitement which had been spreading dangerously.

  From inside the castle, Royal Visitors and permanent residents hurried to the edge of the wall, until it was crowded with Kings, Queens, Princes, Animals,

  Pretty Girls and Rulers of small countries from far and wide.

  Princess Dorothy with her group of close friends, ventured down the broad stairway to the level of the river and were introduced to all the uncles with whom they immediately became very popular.

  Led by the Scarecrow, the Tinwoodman with Trot, Betsy, Jellia and Princess Dorothy, followed closely by the hundred uncles, all mounted the emerald stairway to the top of the wall. The uncles met many old friends and distant relatives among the Kings and Queens as they strayed through the elaborate corridors and great halls of the castle.

  Lucky Bucky had remained quietly with Davy. He felt a little shabby in his old clothes that were much the worse for wear. His pirate’s coat looked frayed and dilapidated beside the fine clothes he saw all around him.

  His old pal, the whale, was not changed. The same quiet twinkle shone in his eye. Bucky laughed up at him fondly:

  “You lucky old whopper, you made the grade,” he said, “here we are at last, right in the center of everything,” and he gave the whale a friendly smack on the nose.

  He turned when he heard his name called. The same

  boy who had helped them in the Gnome King’s cavern stepped onto the deck and waved his hand.

  “I certainly am pleased to meet you fellows again,” he said as he shook Bucky’s hand. “Sorry I didn’t have more time to stay before. But you are here now, and I want you to feel welcome.”

  “And I want to thank you,” replied Bucky, “for your help when we were among those stubborn Gnomes.”

  “I have been watching you for a long time. Both of you fine fellows deserve a lot of credit for what you have accomplished.” Turning to the whale, Number Nine laid his two hands on either side of the battered face and looked into the honest eyes, asking: “Can you spare Lucky Bucky for a few minutes? I . .

  “Certainly, my boy, certainly…”

  Number Nine almost dragged Bucky up Strawberry Street in his haste, talking a blue streak until they reached Jennie’s Style Shop. But, before they opened the door, the little Flummux swooped down out of the sky and stood before them, her manner one of defiance.

  “Take your hands off Mr. Jones,” she
snapped in a most unladylike tone of voice and, before Number Nine could recover from his surprise, she let him have a perfectly aimed blast of wind that sent him head over heels across the lawn. The three brothers had

  grouped themselves around Bucky with angry nozzles pointed toward Number Nine as he scrambled to his feet. Tom, the biggest Gabooch, spoke up:

  “We may be plain ordinary Flap Doodles but we always protect our friends when we see them taken to prison. We have been on guard ever since they arrived here and will protect them to the last snort!”

  “It’s all for the best,” laughed Number Nine. “There is no prison-and certainly no ill feeling toward such loyal friends as you have proven yourselves to be.” He brushed himself off. “Come, see for yourselves…” He opened the door and ushered them into the shop. The place was empty. Jenny and her assistants had gone to the castle to see the magic new river that encircled the wall.

  Number Nine had no time to waste waiting for her. He quickly adjusted several push-buttons on a highly glazed turnstyle that stood in the center of the room and asked Lucky Bucky to pass through, which he did.

  “There you are! How do you like yourself now?” he asked, leading the other boy to a mirror. Bucky was so pleased he could not speak. He was now dressed in the finest suit of clothes he had ever worn.

  The Flummux was not so speechless: “Now see what you can do for me.” She coaxed her prettiest.

  Number Nine readjusted the buttons and allowed

  the funny little Gabooch to pass through the style.

  Even the assistant wizard was astonished when she reappeared; one of the loveliest little girls he had ever seen.

  Tom, Dick and Harry nearly wrecked the turnstyle in their wild rush to be put through.

  “Patience, my friends, one at a time,” warned Number Nine, as three transformed young men came out and lifted their little sister in the air with many words of heartfelt thanks to their deliverer. “Mr. Bucky,” called the little sister. “Now what do you say? Isn’t there plenty of magic in Oz? We were real people all the time instead of being just creatures, and please don’t let me hear anyone call me the ‘Flummux’; I’m Little Sister,” she added as they hurried back to the whale.

  Davy’s face was blank as they came aboard. They were all so changed he didn’t know them in their fine clothes. Bucky laid his head against his cousin’s scarred cheek.

  “Old chum of mine,” he said. “I see we need to be introduced all over again. Tom, Dick, Harry and Little Sister. We haven’t changed. It’s only our new clothes.”

  “A whale of a place,” whispered Davy, his voice subdued with awe. He cast his eyes to the top of the wall

  above him from which Princess Dorothy leaned, call-mg to them to come up.

  The sunny, smiling uncles ran down the emerald stairway, carrying a long rope which they attached to Davy’s body. Then, with everybody pulling he slid up the steps without any mishap. The uncles, carried away by their whole hearted welcome, never stopped pulling until they had the astonished Davy inside the castle. They took him right into the throne room.

  Number Nine, Lucky Bucky, Tom, Dick, Harry and Little Sister were still clinging to Davy’s deck when he came to a stop.

  Eager to be friendly, Number Nine introduced them all to everybody. And the uncles, who by now had been all around, took Little Sister into their care and found her to be as quick-witted as she was attractive. Dorothy and Trot entertained the three big brothers. Suitable apartments were found for them all at the end of the crystal corridor.

  Bucky decided that he would stay in the whale’s cabin. “Davy is kind of bashful and timid,” he explained to Number Nine.

  “Will it make him feel more comfortable if I stay there too?” asked Number Nine. “May I? I’ve always wanted to sleep in a ship’s bunk.”

  Davy was delighted with the opportunity to welcome

  such a delightful fellow inside when that same fellow had made him feel so welcome outside.

  After the livened servants of the castle had served an elaborate supper, Number Nine introduced Jenny Jump to Bucky and Davy, then excused himself. He hurried back to the laboratory to find out what the clock had seen during the time he had been away.

  CHAPTER 21

  Lake Quad

  EXACTLY what took place inside the crater happened so quickly, it is impossible to tell. Powerful magic, no doubt. Those three rulers made quick work of any danger. This was evident when they arose from the dark interior of the volcano in such a short time.

  On reaching the outer air they circled twice around the crater, then settled comfortably on a pink wave, leaving old Mombi inside to screech to her heart’s content.

  Scarcely had they landed on the ocean than a low grinding sound was heard inside the volcano, and it slowly started to shrink— From the highest peak to

  its base it diminished in size, without splitting or falling apart.

  The little bakers were dumbfounded by the sudden disturbance that seemed to drop out of the sky. Never had one of them supposed such ruin could have happened to their solid little volcano. Slowly but surely it was crumbling to destruction under their feet.

  As the volcano contracted the bakers huddled closer together until there was not enough room to hold them all. As the mountain dwindled the baker’s caps swelled until they were inflated to the size of balloons that lifted them off their feet and carried them into the air.

  So surprised were they at their swelling headpieces they clung desperately together for mutual protection, and clasping hands they formed a long chain that swayed ip the breeze while their cherished dough-main melted away.

  By then, the volcano was reduced to seven feet at the base, with Mombi’s scowling head sticking out of the crater. The old witch had not been reduced in size and filled the whole interior of the volcano. It was a tight fit. So tight she could not move about. This made her angrier than ever and increased her scolding.

  “Blast your spectacles,” she cackled, every time she

  managed to turn her head far enough to glare at the Wizard.

  Other weak maledictions and incantations she hurled at Ozma and Glinda when she noticed them making passes that lifted the volcano out of the water and started it floating toward the Emerald City.

  Rising smoothly and happily up from the ocean the royal party started for home. The volcano followed the swift gliding scalawagon at a lively speed, with all the biscuit shooters tagging along after them in an endless string.

  Glinda took a final look at the little bakers, to make sure their balloons were working properly, then removed her wishing cap.

  She folded it over and over until it was small enough to slip into a tiny button she wore on her sleeve, and turned to the Wizard with a questioning smile.

  Without waiting for her to speak the nimble witted sorcerer answered, “Yes, yes, - I know, you are wondering what I could want with a dusty smoky old volcano?”

  “Exactly.”

  “We need it for an ornament.” “An ornament?” repeated Ozma, very much puzzled. “You do have the strangest notions sometimes,

  you adorable old magic maker.”

  “Kindly have patience until I carry out a few notions I have for this baby volcano,” and he chuckled. “It might be our best contribution to the city’s new decoration. Sitting in the middle of Lake Quad it would look decoratooting.”

  “What earthly use will it be?” insisted Ozma.

  “I might as well tell you,” replied the practical Wizard. “During the day the Doughboys can use the volcanic ovens to make their delicious pies and doughnuts without being tormented with thieving pirates. At night we will have fireworks and special illuminations that everyone will enjoy.”

  “As usual, your ideas are splendid, and I am sure such a gift will be something we’ll all be proud of.”

  Slackening their speed, as they swooped toward the Emerald City, they splashed through a dark cloud with the volcano close at their heels. Somehow the bakers became
confused in the mist and floated around in straggling disorder until they heard the witch’s scolding voice and found their way out.

  From the crater’s mouth Mombi still croaked, “Blast your suspender buttons, shoe laces, belts and buckles. Yah! Bust everything, Yah yah yah!”

  Ozma was becoming annoyed, “If you expect to put that sour old witch back into Jack Pumpkinhead’s

  picture, my dear Councillor, I hope you will find some way to curb her loose tongue. We sometimes are-” Here she hesitated a moment, then stopped short and stared.

  “What’s this, what’s this?” exclaimed the Wizard with a low surprised whistle. “Now isn’t that the luckiest break? Just what I have been hoping for-a place to drop the volcano into while we take old Mombi

  out”

  Looking down, they were all puzzled at a mysterious new river flowing close to the castle wall.

  “Please do something to keep that witch quiet, and do it quickly,” pleaded Ozma, as they splashed into the strange river beside the emerald steps.

  “If it’s quick action you want, you certainly shall have it,” said the little Wizard obligingly. At that same instant Jack appeared with his magic paint brush, and Mombi was transferred to the wall where she struggled to break away until Jack had painted all her edges tight

  She sputtered with disgust and ground her teeth. “Tutty tutty,” soothed the Wiaard, turning to the Pumpkinhead. “Now see if you can paint out all that ill-humor, and make her a little more pleasant.”

  “I won’t be pleasant, you old humbug,” she snarled.