Without saying a word Jack did what he was told and with a few direct brush strokes painted a bright sunny smile over her face. It was all done in an instant.
“There will be no need to chain her,” Glinda assured them, coming forward. “An angelic expression such as Jack has painted clearly shows an amiable disposition,” and the Red Sorceress held up a magic mirror for Mombi to see herself.
“Look at me! I’m simply irresistible,” crooned the transformed old girl. “What a gorgeous creature I am, she whispered, and begged to have the mirror left where she could always see herself.
“My dearest Glinda, you certainly know how to handle witches,” said Ozma, as they mounted the steps and entered the castle, leaving the Wizard with the volcano and all the bakers who were dropping around in amazement.
In the sapphire corridor Glinda and the Queen passed eleven well fed uncles. And as they approached the emerald throne room they met four more, dressed in sport clothes and having the time of their lives.
Inside the grand throne room were many more strangers gathered around an enormous wooden whale. He was entertaining them with sailors’ tales and sea chanties which he sang in a deep bass voice.
Upon their entrance a respectful silence fell, and the Queen mounted the throne. The Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion took their places on either side of the throne with the Elegant Elephant in the rear.
With a friendly gesture of welcome the popular little Queen turned to Davy. “Please continue your singing, Mr. Whale; you have a really appealing voice.
So Davy sang all his songs over again, with a few extra pirate ditties that brought roars of applause ringing through the vaulted hall.
Kabumpo felt neglected behind the throne and sneezed so loud and so often he finally spoiled Davy’s singing. Princess Dorothy, who had just heard of the Queen’s return, ran in sparkling with excitement to report to her Majesty all the stirring incidents that had happened during her absence.
“Such an eventful day!” she panted, snuggling close beside the Queen on the throne as she presented Little Sister and her three brothers, Tom, Dick, and Harry, who didn’t want it known that they were once door knobs.
Then, uncle after uncle was introduced. Every one had a joke or a cheerful word.
Ozma acknowledged each new subject with a cordial
bow. Then they all strolled away onto the high terraced gardens, leaving Davy and Number Nine alone.
“Now is my chance to slip back into the river where I belong,” said the whale, and he slid along the halls and corridors, then down the grand stairway into the magical river where hundreds of Ozians were now skating.
These happy people were used to odd visitors and, after the first inspection of the whale, accepted him and the river without any more curiosity.
Lucky Bucky, who had been walking around the city arm in arm with the Tinman and Scarecrow, met Davy as he started out. They all climbed aboard. The crowd cheered as he got under way to reach Lake Quad before dark.
They were joined in their cheering by the Queen’s party leaning from the high balconies in the castle where they had been enjoying the fragrance of the flowers and the delicious fruit that hung in clusters from the rare fruit trees.
The Sky in the south suddenly became illuminated with a brilliant light. Colored flares blazed; darts and rockets burst in the air in a lavish display of fireworks. Ozma caught her breath, “My goodness gracious, that was quick work.”
The Wizard had kept his promise. The volcano was
restored to its former size, with all the little biscuit shooters returned to their precious ovens.
On the whale, Number Nine was impatient to make his report to the Wizard; he felt responsible for the river that had forced its way into the city, although he had not invited it. There was no way of getting around the fact it was a little out of the ordinary. Even in Oz, rivers with dry water that you can’t sink in are not common. He enjoyed this one himself; but how, in the name of mischief, to get rid of it, he didn’t know.
Upon entering the lake, he was greatly relieved to see the Wizard himself sitting on a lonely rock directing the fireworks.
“Ahoy! your excellency!” hailed Number Nine, “I’ve been looking for you all afternoon. I’d like you to meet some new friends,” and Davy sailed close to the rock and the busy Wizard was safely landed on board.
With the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman adding their eloquent approval, Number Nine delivered a short report of the eventful trip of Lucky Bucky and his huge companion, which he had been observing for days. He complimented them on their valor and courage during the many undertakings that finally
brought them to the Emerald City. In the incredible exploit of passing through the “clutch” in the witches’ mountains, at night, they had taken chances no Ozian would have risked.
The Scarecrow’s eyes rolled around in his funny face and his fidgety cotton fingers opened and closed nervously, as the sparks fell around him. Seeing his tense expression, the Wizard called, “Put your mind at ease about the sparks; I have removed all the fire from them,” and he picked up a handful as proof.
He then turned to Davy, with a genial chirp, “You spry old Whopper, you certainly have livened things up around here!”
“I greatly appreciate your good opinion,” answered Davy in a humble voice, “but a tub-headed wobble-tailed old Flunkus like me-Oh, what use am I, among all the grand people around here?”
“USE?” exploded the Wizard in amazement. “You are the very person I have been looking all over for-both you and your river. You can solve a most difficult problem for me, if you only will.”
“All you have to do is let me know what’s bothering you, and if a blockhead can help you, I wilL”
“You see, it’s this way. The new bakers are baking pies and buns, doughnuts and cookies, and all sorts of good things. Early each morning you might deliver
them to the city. This makes you a person of considerable importance, as you can readily understand.”
“A little job like that? Why, that’s nothing at all. And-” wistfully Davy asked, “Is it a permanent
job?”
“From now on-Forever,” the great man assured
him.
Davy was dazed with so much good luck and started to stutter his thanks when, just in time to relieve his embarrassment, there came a call from a group of friends on shore. “YOO HOO !” and all hands turned to answer the call.
Assembled on the beach were many ladies of distinction, escorted by all the uncles, and as the space was limited, only ladies were asked aboard-Queens, Duchesses, Countesses and high ranking girls from Ozma’s court.
Ozma and Glinda were given the place of honor on Davy’s head, and they stayed until the display was ended. Then, with many thanks for the popular entertainment the Wizard had provided, they all returned merrily to the city.
After the ladies had left, the Wizard turned to Davy,- “Have you a spare bunk in your cabin for me to sleep tonight?”
“What a question to ask! I most certainly have. To have such distinguished guests aboard is so far beyond my fondest hopes that they exceed all my humble expectation,” said Davy, getting his words into shape.
“I’m glad that’s settled,” said the Queen’s advisor as they drifted slowly around the volcano where they could hear the biscuit shooters, high up on the slopes rattling their pans, slamming the oven doors and singing-
Oz high Oz low
Thump and kneed the dough To keep awake We’ll bake a cake In our old volcano
Floating dreamily, they sniffed the fragrant odor of a thousand pies and all manner of luscious pastry that was wafted down the mountain by the breeze.
The big whale whispered to Bucky, in a tremulous voice, “Do you notice any difference in my appearance?”
“Now that you mention it, I think I do,” and the boy passed his hand lightly over Davy’s planks in the dark. “I’ll bet Queen Ozma put a magic touch to your
batte
red old boards and restored the enamel. Oh boy, what a perfect polish.”
“By the way, Cousin Bucky,” inquired the wooden whale, “What did you do with that old red coat when you got all these fine new clothes?”
“I clean forget!”
“If that coat is lost, our map is gone. How will we ever find our way out of Oz?”
“Do you think we will need it sometime?”
“I won’t. The new job I have will keep me here forever.”
“Perhaps I could get a job helping you.” “Then you like the place enough to stay here always?”
“Yes, I’m sure I do.”
The End
Table of Contents
CHAPTER
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7 Beginning a Long Journey
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
L. Frank Baum - Oz 36 Page 13