第4章

"Comein，"calledOz，andtheWoodmanenteredandsaid，"Ihavecomeformyheart。"

"Verywell，"answeredthelittleman。"ButIshallhavetocutaholeinyourbreast，soIcanputyourheartintherightplace。

Ihopeitwon’thurtyou。"

"Oh，no，"answeredtheWoodman。"Ishallnotfeelitatall。"

SoOzbroughtapairoftinsmith’sshearsandcutasmall，squareholeintheleftsideoftheTinWoodman’sbreast。

Then，goingtoachestofdrawers，hetookoutaprettyheart，madeentirelyofsilkandstuffedwithsawdust。

"Isn’titabeauty？"heasked。

"Itis，indeed！"repliedtheWoodman，whowasgreatlypleased。

"Butisitakindheart？"

"Oh，very！"answeredOz。HeputtheheartintheWoodman’sbreastandthenreplacedthesquareoftin，solderingitneatlytogetherwhereithadbeencut。

"There，"saidhe;"nowyouhaveaheartthatanymanmightbeproudof。I’msorryIhadtoputapatchonyourbreast，butitreallycouldn’tbehelped。"

"Nevermindthepatch，"exclaimedthehappyWoodman。"Iamverygratefultoyou，andshallneverforgetyourkindness。"

"Don’tspeakofit，"repliedOz。

ThentheTinWoodmanwentbacktohisfriends，whowishedhimeveryjoyonaccountofhisgoodfortune。

TheLionnowwalkedtotheThroneRoomandknockedatthedoor。

"Comein，"saidOz。

"Ihavecomeformycourage，"announcedtheLion，enteringtheroom。

"Verywell，"answeredthelittleman;"Iwillgetitforyou。"

Hewenttoacupboardandreachinguptoahighshelftookdownasquaregreenbottle，thecontentsofwhichhepouredintoagreen-golddish，beautifullycarved。PlacingthisbeforetheCowardlyLion，whosniffedatitasifhedidnotlikeit，theWizardsaid：

"Drink。"

"Whatisit？"askedtheLion。

"Well，"answeredOz，"ifitwereinsideofyou，itwouldbecourage。

Youknow，ofcourse，thatcourageisalwaysinsideone;sothatthisreallycannotbecalledcourageuntilyouhaveswallowedit。ThereforeIadviseyoutodrinkitassoonaspossible。"

TheLionhesitatednolonger，butdranktillthedishwasempty。

"Howdoyoufeelnow？"askedOz。

"Fullofcourage，"repliedtheLion，whowentjoyfullybacktohisfriendstotellthemofhisgoodfortune。

Oz，lefttohimself，smiledtothinkofhissuccessingivingtheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanandtheLionexactlywhattheythoughttheywanted。"HowcanIhelpbeingahumbug，"hesaid，"whenallthesepeoplemakemedothingsthateverybodyknowscan’tbedone？ItwaseasytomaketheScarecrowandtheLionandtheWoodmanhappy，becausetheyimaginedIcoulddoanything。

ButitwilltakemorethanimaginationtocarryDorothybacktoKansas，andI’msureIdon’tknowhowitcanbedone。"

17。HowtheBalloonWasLaunchedForthreedaysDorothyheardnothingfromOz。Theseweresaddaysforthelittlegirl，althoughherfriendswereallquitehappyandcontented。TheScarecrowtoldthemtherewerewonderfulthoughtsinhishead;buthewouldnotsaywhattheywerebecauseheknewnoonecouldunderstandthembuthimself。WhentheTinWoodmanwalkedabouthefelthisheartrattlingaroundinhisbreast;andhetoldDorothyhehaddiscoveredittobeakinderandmoretenderheartthantheonehehadownedwhenhewasmadeofflesh。TheLiondeclaredhewasafraidofnothingonearth，andwouldgladlyfaceanarmyoradozenofthefierceKalidahs。

ThuseachofthelittlepartywassatisfiedexceptDorothy，wholongedmorethanevertogetbacktoKansas。

Onthefourthday，tohergreatjoy，Ozsentforher，andwhensheenteredtheThroneRoomhegreetedherpleasantly：

"Sitdown，mydear;IthinkIhavefoundthewaytogetyououtofthiscountry。"

"AndbacktoKansas？"sheaskedeagerly。

"Well，I’mnotsureaboutKansas，"saidOz，"forIhaven’tthefaintestnotionwhichwayitlies。Butthefirstthingtodoistocrossthedesert，andthenitshouldbeeasytofindyourwayhome。"

"HowcanIcrossthedesert？"sheinquired。

"Well，I’lltellyouwhatIthink，"saidthelittleman。

"Yousee，whenIcametothiscountryitwasinaballoon。Youalsocamethroughtheair，beingcarriedbyacyclone。SoIbelievethebestwaytogetacrossthedesertwillbethroughtheair。

Now，itisquitebeyondmypowerstomakeacyclone;butI’vebeenthinkingthematterover，andIbelieveIcanmakeaballoon。"

"How？"askedDorothy。

"Aballoon，"saidOz，"ismadeofsilk，whichiscoatedwithgluetokeepthegasinit。IhaveplentyofsilkinthePalace，soitwillbenotroubletomaketheballoon。Butinallthiscountrythereisnogastofilltheballoonwith，tomakeitfloat。"

"Ifitwon’tfloat，"remarkedDorothy，"itwillbeofnousetous。"

"True，"answeredOz。"Butthereisanotherwaytomakeitfloat，whichistofillitwithhotair。Hotairisn’tasgoodasgas，foriftheairshouldgetcoldtheballoonwouldcomedowninthedesert，andweshouldbelost。"

"We！"exclaimedthegirl。"Areyougoingwithme？"

"Yes，ofcourse，"repliedOz。"Iamtiredofbeingsuchahumbug。

IfIshouldgooutofthisPalacemypeoplewouldsoondiscoverIamnotaWizard，andthentheywouldbevexedwithmeforhavingdeceivedthem。

SoIhavetostayshutupintheseroomsallday，anditgetstiresome。

I’dmuchrathergobacktoKansaswithyouandbeinacircusagain。"

"Ishallbegladtohaveyourcompany，"saidDorothy。

"Thankyou，"heanswered。"Now，ifyouwillhelpmesewthesilktogether，wewillbegintoworkonourballoon。"

SoDorothytookaneedleandthread，andasfastasOzcutthestripsofsilkintopropershapethegirlsewedthemneatlytogether。

Firsttherewasastripoflightgreensilk，thenastripofdarkgreenandthenastripofemeraldgreen;forOzhadafancytomaketheballoonindifferentshadesofthecoloraboutthem。Ittookthreedaystosewallthestripstogether，butwhenitwasfinishedtheyhadabigbagofgreensilkmorethantwentyfeetlong。

ThenOzpainteditontheinsidewithacoatofthinglue，tomakeitairtight，afterwhichheannouncedthattheballoonwasready。

"Butwemusthaveabaskettoridein，"hesaid。Sohesentthesoldierwiththegreenwhiskersforabigclothesbasket，whichhefastenedwithmanyropestothebottomoftheballoon。

Whenitwasallready，OzsentwordtohispeoplethathewasgoingtomakeavisittoagreatbrotherWizardwholivedintheclouds。

Thenewsspreadrapidlythroughoutthecityandeveryonecametoseethewonderfulsight。

OzorderedtheballooncarriedoutinfrontofthePalace，andthepeoplegazeduponitwithmuchcuriosity。TheTinWoodmanhadchoppedabigpileofwood，andnowhemadeafireofit，andOzheldthebottomoftheballoonoverthefiresothatthehotairthatarosefromitwouldbecaughtinthesilkenbag。

Graduallytheballoonswelledoutandroseintotheair，untilfinallythebasketjusttouchedtheground。

ThenOzgotintothebasketandsaidtoallthepeopleinaloudvoice：

"Iamnowgoingawaytomakeavisit。WhileIamgonetheScarecrowwillruleoveryou。Icommandyoutoobeyhimasyouwouldme。"

Theballoonwasbythistimetugginghardattheropethatheldittotheground，fortheairwithinitwashot，andthismadeitsomuchlighterinweightthantheairwithoutthatitpulledhardtoriseintothesky。

"Come，Dorothy！"criedtheWizard。"Hurryup，ortheballoonwillflyaway。"

"Ican’tfindTotoanywhere，"repliedDorothy，whodidnotwishtoleaveherlittledogbehind。Totohadrunintothecrowdtobarkatakitten，andDorothyatlastfoundhim。Shepickedhimupandrantowardstheballoon。

Shewaswithinafewstepsofit，andOzwasholdingouthishandstohelpherintothebasket，when，crack！wenttheropes，andtheballoonroseintotheairwithouther。

"Comeback！"shescreamed。"Iwanttogo，too！"

"Ican’tcomeback，mydear，"calledOzfromthebasket。

"Good-bye！"

"Good-bye！"shoutedeveryone，andalleyeswereturnedupwardtowheretheWizardwasridinginthebasket，risingeverymomentfartherandfartherintothesky。

AndthatwasthelastanyofthemeversawofOz，theWonderfulWizard，thoughhemayhavereachedOmahasafely，andbetherenow，forallweknow。Butthepeoplerememberedhimlovingly，andsaidtooneanother：

"Ozwasalwaysourfriend。WhenhewasherehebuiltforusthisbeautifulEmeraldCity，andnowheisgonehehaslefttheWiseScarecrowtoruleoverus。"

Still，formanydaystheygrievedoverthelossoftheWonderfulWizard，andwouldnotbecomforted。

18。AwaytotheSouthDorothyweptbitterlyatthepassingofherhopetogethometoKansasagain;butwhenshethoughtitallovershewasgladshehadnotgoneupinaballoon。AndshealsofeltsorryatlosingOz，andsodidhercompanions。

TheTinWoodmancametoherandsaid：

"TrulyIshouldbeungratefulifIfailedtomournforthemanwhogavememylovelyheart。IshouldliketocryalittlebecauseOzisgone，ifyouwillkindlywipeawaymytears，sothatIshallnotrust。"

"Withpleasure，"sheanswered，andbroughtatowelatonce。

ThentheTinWoodmanweptforseveralminutes，andshewatchedthetearscarefullyandwipedthemawaywiththetowel。Whenhehadfinished，hethankedherkindlyandoiledhimselfthoroughlywithhisjeweledoil-can，toguardagainstmishap。

TheScarecrowwasnowtheruleroftheEmeraldCity，andalthoughhewasnotaWizardthepeoplewereproudofhim。

"For，"theysaid，"thereisnotanothercityinalltheworldthatisruledbyastuffedman。"And，sofarastheyknew，theywerequiteright。

ThemorningaftertheballoonhadgoneupwithOz，thefourtravelersmetintheThroneRoomandtalkedmattersover。

TheScarecrowsatinthebigthroneandtheothersstoodrespectfullybeforehim。

"Wearenotsounlucky，"saidthenewruler，"forthisPalaceandtheEmeraldCitybelongtous，andwecandojustasweplease。

WhenIrememberthatashorttimeagoIwasuponapoleinafarmer’scornfield，andthatnowIamtherulerofthisbeautifulCity，Iamquitesatisfiedwithmylot。"

"Ialso，"saidtheTinWoodman，"amwell-pleasedwithmynewheart;

and，really，thatwastheonlythingIwishedinalltheworld。"

"Formypart，IamcontentinknowingIamasbraveasanybeastthateverlived，ifnotbraver，"saidtheLionmodestly。

"IfDorothywouldonlybecontentedtoliveintheEmeraldCity，"

continuedtheScarecrow，"wemightallbehappytogether。"

"ButIdon’twanttolivehere，"criedDorothy。"IwanttogotoKansas，andlivewithAuntEmandUncleHenry。"

"Well，then，whatcanbedone？"inquiredtheWoodman。

TheScarecrowdecidedtothink，andhethoughtsohardthatthepinsandneedlesbegantostickoutofhisbrains。Finallyhesaid：

"WhynotcalltheWingedMonkeys，andaskthemtocarryyouoverthedesert？"

"Ineverthoughtofthat！"saidDorothyjoyfully。"It’sjustthething。I’llgoatoncefortheGoldenCap。"

WhenshebroughtitintotheThroneRoomshespokethemagicwords，andsoonthebandofWingedMonkeysflewinthroughtheopenwindowandstoodbesideher。

"Thisisthesecondtimeyouhavecalledus，"saidtheMonkeyKing，bowingbeforethelittlegirl。"Whatdoyouwish？"

"IwantyoutoflywithmetoKansas，"saidDorothy。

ButtheMonkeyKingshookhishead。

"Thatcannotbedone，"hesaid。"Webelongtothiscountryalone，andcannotleaveit。TherehasneverbeenaWingedMonkeyinKansasyet，andIsupposethereneverwillbe，fortheydon’tbelongthere。Weshallbegladtoserveyouinanywayinourpower，butwecannotcrossthedesert。

Good-bye。"

Andwithanotherbow，theMonkeyKingspreadhiswingsandflewawaythroughthewindow，followedbyallhisband。

Dorothywasreadytocrywithdisappointment。"IhavewastedthecharmoftheGoldenCaptonopurpose，"shesaid，"fortheWingedMonkeyscannothelpme。"

"Itiscertainlytoobad！"saidthetender-heartedWoodman。

TheScarecrowwasthinkingagain，andhisheadbulgedoutsohorriblythatDorothyfeareditwouldburst。

"Letuscallinthesoldierwiththegreenwhiskers，"hesaid，"andaskhisadvice。"

SothesoldierwassummonedandenteredtheThroneRoomtimidly，forwhileOzwasaliveheneverwasallowedtocomefartherthanthedoor。

"Thislittlegirl，"saidtheScarecrowtothesoldier，"wishestocrossthedesert。Howcanshedoso？"

"Icannottell，"answeredthesoldier，"fornobodyhasevercrossedthedesert，unlessitisOzhimself。"

"Istherenoonewhocanhelpme？"askedDorothyearnestly。

"Glindamight，"hesuggested。

"WhoisGlinda？"inquiredtheScarecrow。

"TheWitchoftheSouth。SheisthemostpowerfulofalltheWitches，andrulesovertheQuadlings。Besides，hercastlestandsontheedgeofthedesert，soshemayknowawaytocrossit。"

"GlindaisaGoodWitch，isn’tshe？"askedthechild。

"TheQuadlingsthinksheisgood，"saidthesoldier，"andsheiskindtoeveryone。IhaveheardthatGlindaisabeautifulwoman，whoknowshowtokeepyounginspiteofthemanyyearsshehaslived。"

"HowcanIgettohercastle？"askedDorothy。

"TheroadisstraighttotheSouth，"heanswered，"butitissaidtobefullofdangerstotravelers。Therearewildbeastsinthewoods，andaraceofqueermenwhodonotlikestrangerstocrosstheircountry。ForthisreasonnoneoftheQuadlingsevercometotheEmeraldCity。"

ThesoldierthenleftthemandtheScarecrowsaid：

"Itseems，inspiteofdangers，thatthebestthingDorothycandoistotraveltotheLandoftheSouthandaskGlindatohelpher。For，ofcourse，ifDorothystayshereshewillnevergetbacktoKansas。"

"Youmusthavebeenthinkingagain，"remarkedtheTinWoodman。

"Ihave，"saidtheScarecrow。

"IshallgowithDorothy，"declaredtheLion，"forIamtiredofyourcityandlongforthewoodsandthecountryagain。

Iamreallyawildbeast，youknow。Besides，Dorothywillneedsomeonetoprotecther。"

"Thatistrue，"agreedtheWoodman。"Myaxemaybeofservicetoher;soIalsowillgowithhertotheLandoftheSouth。"

"Whenshallwestart？"askedtheScarecrow。

"Areyougoing？"theyasked，insurprise。

"Certainly。Ifitwasn’tforDorothyIshouldneverhavehadbrains。

SheliftedmefromthepoleinthecornfieldandbroughtmetotheEmeraldCity。Somygoodluckisallduetoher，andIshallneverleaveheruntilshestartsbacktoKansasforgoodandall。"

"Thankyou，"saidDorothygratefully。"Youareallverykindtome。ButIshouldliketostartassoonaspossible。"

"Weshallgotomorrowmorning，"returnedtheScarecrow。"Sonowletusallgetready，foritwillbealongjourney。"

19。AttackedbytheFightingTreesThenextmorningDorothykissedtheprettygreengirlgood-bye，andtheyallshookhandswiththesoldierwiththegreenwhiskers，whohadwalkedwiththemasfarasthegate。WhentheGuardianoftheGatesawthemagainhewonderedgreatlythattheycouldleavethebeautifulCitytogetintonewtrouble。Butheatonceunlockedtheirspectacles，whichheputbackintothegreenbox，andgavethemmanygoodwishestocarrywiththem。

"Youarenowourruler，"hesaidtotheScarecrow;

"soyoumustcomebacktousassoonaspossible。"

"IcertainlyshallifIamable，"theScarecrowreplied;

"butImusthelpDorothytogethome，first。"

AsDorothybadethegood-naturedGuardianalastfarewellshesaid：

"IhavebeenverykindlytreatedinyourlovelyCity，andeveryonehasbeengoodtome。IcannottellyouhowgratefulIam。"

"Don’ttry，mydear，"heanswered。"Weshouldliketokeepyouwithus，butifitisyourwishtoreturntoKansas，Ihopeyouwillfindaway。"Hethenopenedthegateoftheouterwall，andtheywalkedforthandstartedupontheirjourney。

ThesunshonebrightlyasourfriendsturnedtheirfacestowardtheLandoftheSouth。Theywereallinthebestofspirits，andlaughedandchattedtogether。Dorothywasoncemorefilledwiththehopeofgettinghome，andtheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanweregladtobeofusetoher。AsfortheLion，hesniffedthefreshairwithdelightandwhiskedhistailfromsidetosideinpurejoyatbeinginthecountryagain，whileTotoranaroundthemandchasedthemothsandbutterflies，barkingmerrilyallthetime。

"Citylifedoesnotagreewithmeatall，"remarkedtheLion，astheywalkedalongatabriskpace。"IhavelostmuchfleshsinceIlivedthere，andnowIamanxiousforachancetoshowtheotherbeastshowcourageousIhavegrown。"

TheynowturnedandtookalastlookattheEmeraldCity。

Alltheycouldseewasamassoftowersandsteeplesbehindthegreenwalls，andhighupaboveeverythingthespiresanddomeofthePalaceofOz。

"OzwasnotsuchabadWizard，afterall，"saidtheTinWoodman，ashefelthisheartrattlingaroundinhisbreast。

"Heknewhowtogivemebrains，andverygoodbrains，too，"

saidtheScarecrow。

"IfOzhadtakenadoseofthesamecouragehegaveme，"

addedtheLion，"hewouldhavebeenabraveman。"

Dorothysaidnothing。Ozhadnotkeptthepromisehemadeher，buthehaddonehisbest，sosheforgavehim。Ashesaid，hewasagoodman，evenifhewasabadWizard。

Thefirstday’sjourneywasthroughthegreenfieldsandbrightflowersthatstretchedabouttheEmeraldCityoneveryside。

Theysleptthatnightonthegrass，withnothingbutthestarsoverthem;andtheyrestedverywellindeed。

Inthemorningtheytraveledonuntiltheycametoathickwood。

Therewasnowayofgoingaroundit，foritseemedtoextendtotherightandleftasfarastheycouldsee;and，besides，theydidnotdarechangethedirectionoftheirjourneyforfearofgettinglost。

Sotheylookedfortheplacewhereitwouldbeeasiesttogetintotheforest。

TheScarecrow，whowasinthelead，finallydiscoveredabigtreewithsuchwide-spreadingbranchesthattherewasroomforthepartytopassunderneath。Sohewalkedforwardtothetree，butjustashecameunderthefirstbranchestheybentdownandtwinedaroundhim，andthenextminutehewasraisedfromthegroundandflungheadlongamonghisfellowtravelers。

ThisdidnothurttheScarecrow，butitsurprisedhim，andhelookedratherdizzywhenDorothypickedhimup。

"Hereisanotherspacebetweenthetrees，"calledtheLion。

"Letmetryitfirst，"saidtheScarecrow，"foritdoesn’thurtmetogetthrownabout。"Hewalkeduptoanothertree，ashespoke，butitsbranchesimmediatelyseizedhimandtossedhimbackagain。

"Thisisstrange，"exclaimedDorothy。"Whatshallwedo？"

"Thetreesseemtohavemadeuptheirmindstofightus，andstopourjourney，"remarkedtheLion。

"IbelieveIwilltryitmyself，"saidtheWoodman，andshoulderinghisaxe，hemarcheduptothefirsttreethathadhandledtheScarecrowsoroughly。WhenabigbranchbentdowntoseizehimtheWoodmanchoppedatitsofiercelythathecutitintwo。

Atoncethetreebeganshakingallitsbranchesasifinpain，andtheTinWoodmanpassedsafelyunderit。

"Comeon！"heshoutedtotheothers。"Bequick！"Theyallranforwardandpassedunderthetreewithoutinjury，exceptToto，whowascaughtbyasmallbranchandshakenuntilhehowled。

ButtheWoodmanpromptlychoppedoffthebranchandsetthelittledogfree。

Theothertreesoftheforestdidnothingtokeepthemback，sotheymadeuptheirmindsthatonlythefirstrowoftreescouldbenddowntheirbranches，andthatprobablythesewerethepolicemenoftheforest，andgiventhiswonderfulpowerinordertokeepstrangersoutofit。

Thefourtravelerswalkedwitheasethroughthetreesuntiltheycametothefartheredgeofthewood。Then，totheirsurprise，theyfoundbeforethemahighwallwhichseemedtobemadeofwhitechina。

Itwassmooth，likethesurfaceofadish，andhigherthantheirheads。

"Whatshallwedonow？"askedDorothy。

"Iwillmakealadder，"saidtheTinWoodman，"forwecertainlymustclimboverthewall。"

20。TheDaintyChinaCountryWhiletheWoodmanwasmakingaladderfromwoodwhichhefoundintheforestDorothylaydownandslept，forshewastiredbythelongwalk。TheLionalsocurledhimselfuptosleepandTotolaybesidehim。

TheScarecrowwatchedtheWoodmanwhileheworked，andsaidtohim：

"Icannotthinkwhythiswallishere，norwhatitismadeof。"

"Restyourbrainsanddonotworryaboutthewall，"repliedtheWoodman。

"Whenwehaveclimbedoverit，weshallknowwhatisontheotherside。"

Afteratimetheladderwasfinished。Itlookedclumsy，buttheTinWoodmanwassureitwasstrongandwouldanswertheirpurpose。

TheScarecrowwakedDorothyandtheLionandToto，andtoldthemthattheladderwasready。TheScarecrowclimbeduptheladderfirst，buthewassoawkwardthatDorothyhadtofollowclosebehindandkeephimfromfallingoff。WhenhegothisheadoverthetopofthewalltheScarecrowsaid，"Oh，my！"

"Goon，"exclaimedDorothy。

SotheScarecrowclimbedfartherupandsatdownonthetopofthewall，andDorothyputherheadoverandcried，"Oh，my！"justastheScarecrowhaddone。

ThenTotocameup，andimmediatelybegantobark，butDorothymadehimbestill。

TheLionclimbedtheladdernext，andtheTinWoodmancamelast;butbothofthemcried，"Oh，my！"assoonastheylookedoverthewall。Whentheywereallsittinginarowonthetopofthewall，theylookeddownandsawastrangesight。

Beforethemwasagreatstretchofcountryhavingafloorassmoothandshiningandwhiteasthebottomofabigplatter。

Scatteredaroundweremanyhousesmadeentirelyofchinaandpaintedinthebrightestcolors。Thesehouseswerequitesmall，thebiggestofthemreachingonlyashighasDorothy’swaist。

Therewerealsoprettylittlebarns，withchinafencesaroundthem;

andmanycowsandsheepandhorsesandpigsandchickens，allmadeofchina，werestandingaboutingroups。

Butthestrangestofallwerethepeoplewholivedinthisqueercountry。Thereweremilkmaidsandshepherdesses，withbrightlycoloredbodicesandgoldenspotsallovertheirgowns;

andprincesseswithmostgorgeousfrocksofsilverandgoldandpurple;andshepherdsdressedinkneebreecheswithpinkandyellowandbluestripesdownthem，andgoldenbucklesontheirshoes;andprinceswithjeweledcrownsupontheirheads，wearingerminerobesandsatindoublets;andfunnyclownsinruffledgowns，withroundredspotsupontheircheeksandtall，pointedcaps。

And，strangestofall，thesepeoplewereallmadeofchina，eventotheirclothes，andweresosmallthatthetallestofthemwasnohigherthanDorothy’sknee。

Noonedidsomuchaslookatthetravelersatfirst，exceptonelittlepurplechinadogwithanextra-largehead，whichcametothewallandbarkedattheminatinyvoice，afterwardsrunningawayagain。

"Howshallwegetdown？"askedDorothy。

Theyfoundtheladdersoheavytheycouldnotpullitup，sotheScarecrowfelloffthewallandtheothersjumpeddownuponhimsothatthehardfloorwouldnothurttheirfeet。Ofcoursetheytookpainsnottolightonhisheadandgetthepinsintheirfeet。

WhenallweresafelydowntheypickeduptheScarecrow，whosebodywasquiteflattenedout，andpattedhisstrawintoshapeagain。

"Wemustcrossthisstrangeplaceinordertogettotheotherside，"

saidDorothy，"foritwouldbeunwiseforustogoanyotherwayexceptdueSouth。"

Theybeganwalkingthroughthecountryofthechinapeople，andthefirstthingtheycametowasachinamilkmaidmilkingachinacow。Astheydrewnear，thecowsuddenlygaveakickandkickedoverthestool，thepail，andeventhemilkmaidherself，andallfellonthechinagroundwithagreatclatter。

Dorothywasshockedtoseethatthecowhadbrokenherlegoff，andthatthepailwaslyinginseveralsmallpieces，whilethepoormilkmaidhadanickinherleftelbow。

"There！"criedthemilkmaidangrily。"Seewhatyouhavedone！

Mycowhasbrokenherleg，andImusttakehertothemender’sshopandhaveitgluedonagain。Whatdoyoumeanbycominghereandfrighteningmycow？"

"I’mverysorry，"returnedDorothy。"Pleaseforgiveus。"

Buttheprettymilkmaidwasmuchtoovexedtomakeanyanswer。

Shepickedupthelegsulkilyandledhercowaway，thepooranimallimpingonthreelegs。Assheleftthemthemilkmaidcastmanyreproachfulglancesoverhershoulderattheclumsystrangers，holdinghernickedelbowclosetoherside。

Dorothywasquitegrievedatthismishap。

"Wemustbeverycarefulhere，"saidthekind-heartedWoodman，"orwemayhurttheseprettylittlepeoplesotheywillnevergetoverit。"

AlittlefartheronDorothymetamostbeautifullydressedyoungPrincess，whostoppedshortasshesawthestrangersandstartedtorunaway。

DorothywantedtoseemoreofthePrincess，sosheranafterher。

Butthechinagirlcriedout：

"Don’tchaseme！Don’tchaseme！"

ShehadsuchafrightenedlittlevoicethatDorothystoppedandsaid，"Whynot？"

"Because，"answeredthePrincess，alsostopping，asafedistanceaway，"ifIrunImayfalldownandbreakmyself。"

"Butcouldyounotbemended？"askedthegirl。

"Oh，yes;butoneisneversoprettyafterbeingmended，youknow，"

repliedthePrincess。

"Isupposenot，"saidDorothy。

"NowthereisMr。Joker，oneofourclowns，"continuedthechinalady，"whoisalwaystryingtostanduponhishead。Hehasbrokenhimselfsooftenthatheismendedinahundredplaces，anddoesn’tlookatallpretty。Herehecomesnow，soyoucanseeforyourself。"

Indeed，ajollylittleclowncamewalkingtowardthem，andDorothycouldseethatinspiteofhisprettyclothesofredandyellowandgreenhewascompletelycoveredwithcracks，runningeverywhichwayandshowingplainlythathehadbeenmendedinmanyplaces。

TheClownputhishandsinhispockets，andafterpuffingouthischeeksandnoddinghisheadatthemsaucily，hesaid：

"Myladyfair，WhydoyoustareAtpooroldMr。Joker？

You’requiteasstiffAndprimasifYou’deatenupapoker！"

"Bequiet，sir！"saidthePrincess。"Can’tyouseethesearestrangers，andshouldbetreatedwithrespect？"

"Well，that’srespect，Iexpect，"declaredtheClown，andimmediatelystooduponhishead。

"Don’tmindMr。Joker，"saidthePrincesstoDorothy。"Heisconsiderablycrackedinhishead，andthatmakeshimfoolish。"

"Oh，Idon’tmindhimabit，"saidDorothy。"Butyouaresobeautiful，"shecontinued，"thatIamsureIcouldloveyoudearly。

Won’tyouletmecarryyoubacktoKansas，andstandyouonAuntEm’smantel？Icouldcarryyouinmybasket。"

"Thatwouldmakemeveryunhappy，"answeredthechinaPrincess。

"Yousee，hereinourcountrywelivecontentedly，andcantalkandmovearoundasweplease。Butwheneveranyofusaretakenawayourjointsatoncestiffen，andwecanonlystandstraightandlookpretty。

Ofcoursethatisallthatisexpectedofuswhenweareonmantelsandcabinetsanddrawing-roomtables，butourlivesaremuchpleasanterhereinourowncountry。"

"Iwouldnotmakeyouunhappyforalltheworld！"exclaimedDorothy。

"SoI’lljustsaygood-bye。"

"Good-bye，"repliedthePrincess。

Theywalkedcarefullythroughthechinacountry。Thelittleanimalsandallthepeoplescamperedoutoftheirway，fearingthestrangerswouldbreakthem，andafteranhourorsothetravelersreachedtheothersideofthecountryandcametoanotherchinawall。

Itwasnotsohighasthefirst，however，andbystandingupontheLion’sbacktheyallmanagedtoscrambletothetop。ThentheLiongatheredhislegsunderhimandjumpedonthewall;butjustashejumped，heupsetachinachurchwithhistailandsmasheditalltopieces。

"Thatwastoobad，"saidDorothy，"butreallyIthinkwewereluckyinnotdoingtheselittlepeoplemoreharmthanbreakingacow’slegandachurch。Theyareallsobrittle！"

"Theyare，indeed，"saidtheScarecrow，"andIamthankfulI

ammadeofstrawandcannotbeeasilydamaged。ThereareworsethingsintheworldthanbeingaScarecrow。"

21。TheLionBecomestheKingofBeastsAfterclimbingdownfromthechinawallthetravelersfoundthemselvesinadisagreeablecountry，fullofbogsandmarshesandcoveredwithtall，rankgrass。Itwasdifficulttowalkwithoutfallingintomuddyholes，forthegrasswassothickthatithidthemfromsight。However，bycarefullypickingtheirway，theygotsafelyalonguntiltheyreachedsolidground。Butherethecountryseemedwilderthanever，andafteralongandtiresomewalkthroughtheunderbrushtheyenteredanotherforest，wherethetreeswerebiggerandolderthananytheyhadeverseen。

"Thisforestisperfectlydelightful，"declaredtheLion，lookingaroundhimwithjoy。"NeverhaveIseenamorebeautifulplace。"

"Itseemsgloomy，"saidtheScarecrow。

"Notabitofit，"answeredtheLion。"Ishouldliketolivehereallmylife。Seehowsoftthedriedleavesareunderyourfeetandhowrichandgreenthemossisthatclingstotheseoldtrees。Surelynowildbeastcouldwishapleasanterhome。"

"Perhapstherearewildbeastsintheforestnow，"saidDorothy。

"Isupposethereare，"returnedtheLion，"butIdonotseeanyofthemabout。"

Theywalkedthroughtheforestuntilitbecametoodarktogoanyfarther。DorothyandTotoandtheLionlaydowntosleep，whiletheWoodmanandtheScarecrowkeptwatchoverthemasusual。

Whenmorningcame，theystartedagain。Beforetheyhadgonefartheyheardalowrumble，asofthegrowlingofmanywildanimals。

Totowhimperedalittle，butnoneoftheotherswasfrightened，andtheykeptalongthewell-troddenpathuntiltheycametoanopeninginthewood，inwhichweregatheredhundredsofbeastsofeveryvariety。Thereweretigersandelephantsandbearsandwolvesandfoxesandalltheothersinthenaturalhistory，andforamomentDorothywasafraid。ButtheLionexplainedthattheanimalswereholdingameeting，andhejudgedbytheirsnarlingandgrowlingthattheywereingreattrouble。

Ashespokeseveralofthebeastscaughtsightofhim，andatoncethegreatassemblagehushedasifbymagic。ThebiggestofthetigerscameuptotheLionandbowed，saying：

"Welcome，OKingofBeasts！Youhavecomeingoodtimetofightourenemyandbringpeacetoalltheanimalsoftheforestoncemore。"

"Whatisyourtrouble？"askedtheLionquietly。

"Weareallthreatened，"answeredthetiger，"byafierceenemywhichhaslatelycomeintothisforest。Itisamosttremendousmonster，likeagreatspider，withabodyasbigasanelephantandlegsaslongasatreetrunk。Ithaseightoftheselonglegs，andasthemonstercrawlsthroughtheforestheseizesananimalwithaleganddragsittohismouth，whereheeatsitasaspiderdoesafly。Notoneofusissafewhilethisfiercecreatureisalive，andwehadcalledameetingtodecidehowtotakecareofourselveswhenyoucameamongus。"

TheLionthoughtforamoment。

"Arethereanyotherlionsinthisforest？"heasked。

"No;thereweresome，butthemonsterhaseatenthemall。And，besides，theywerenoneofthemnearlysolargeandbraveasyou。"

"IfIputanendtoyourenemy，willyoubowdowntomeandobeymeasKingoftheForest？"inquiredtheLion。

"Wewilldothatgladly，"returnedthetiger;andalltheotherbeastsroaredwithamightyroar："Wewill！"

"Whereisthisgreatspiderofyoursnow？"askedtheLion。

"Yonder，amongtheoaktrees，"saidthetiger，pointingwithhisforefoot。

"Takegoodcareofthesefriendsofmine，"saidtheLion，"andIwillgoatoncetofightthemonster。"

Hebadehiscomradesgood-byeandmarchedproudlyawaytodobattlewiththeenemy。

ThegreatspiderwaslyingasleepwhentheLionfoundhim，anditlookedsouglythatitsfoeturneduphisnoseindisgust。

Itslegswerequiteaslongasthetigerhadsaid，anditsbodycoveredwithcoarseblackhair。Ithadagreatmouth，witharowofsharpteethafootlong;butitsheadwasjoinedtothepudgybodybyaneckasslenderasawasp’swaist。ThisgavetheLionahintofthebestwaytoattackthecreature，andasheknewitwaseasiertofightitasleepthanawake，hegaveagreatspringandlandeddirectlyuponthemonster’sback。Then，withoneblowofhisheavypaw，allarmedwithsharpclaws，heknockedthespider’sheadfromitsbody。Jumpingdown，hewatchedituntilthelonglegsstoppedwiggling，whenheknewitwasquitedead。

TheLionwentbacktotheopeningwherethebeastsoftheforestwerewaitingforhimandsaidproudly：

"Youneedfearyourenemynolonger。"

ThenthebeastsboweddowntotheLionastheirKing，andhepromisedtocomebackandruleoverthemassoonasDorothywassafelyonherwaytoKansas。

22。TheCountryoftheQuadlingsThefourtravelerspassedthroughtherestoftheforestinsafety，andwhentheycameoutfromitsgloomsawbeforethemasteephill，coveredfromtoptobottomwithgreatpiecesofrock。

"Thatwillbeahardclimb，"saidtheScarecrow，"butwemustgetoverthehill，nevertheless。"

Soheledthewayandtheothersfollowed。Theyhadnearlyreachedthefirstrockwhentheyheardaroughvoicecryout，"Keepback！"

"Whoareyou？"askedtheScarecrow。

Thenaheadshoweditselfovertherockandthesamevoicesaid，"Thishillbelongstous，andwedon’tallowanyonetocrossit。"

"Butwemustcrossit，"saidtheScarecrow。"We’regoingtothecountryoftheQuadlings。"

"Butyoushallnot！"repliedthevoice，andtheresteppedfrombehindtherockthestrangestmanthetravelershadeverseen。

Hewasquiteshortandstoutandhadabighead，whichwasflatatthetopandsupportedbyathickneckfullofwrinkles。

Buthehadnoarmsatall，and，seeingthis，theScarecrowdidnotfearthatsohelplessacreaturecouldpreventthemfromclimbingthehill。Sohesaid，"I’msorrynottodoasyouwish，butwemustpassoveryourhillwhetheryoulikeitornot，"andhewalkedboldlyforward。

Asquickaslightningtheman’sheadshotforwardandhisneckstretchedoutuntilthetopofthehead，whereitwasflat，strucktheScarecrowinthemiddleandsenthimtumbling，overandover，downthehill。Almostasquicklyasitcametheheadwentbacktothebody，andthemanlaughedharshlyashesaid，"Itisn’taseasyasyouthink！"

Achorusofboisterouslaughtercamefromtheotherrocks，andDorothysawhundredsofthearmlessHammer-Headsuponthehillside，onebehindeveryrock。

TheLionbecamequiteangryatthelaughtercausedbytheScarecrow’smishap，andgivingaloudroarthatechoedlikethunder，hedashedupthehill。

Againaheadshotswiftlyout，andthegreatLionwentrollingdownthehillasifhehadbeenstruckbyacannonball。

DorothyrandownandhelpedtheScarecrowtohisfeet，andtheLioncameuptoher，feelingratherbruisedandsore，andsaid，"Itisuselesstofightpeoplewithshootingheads;noonecanwithstandthem。"

"Whatcanwedo，then？"sheasked。

"CalltheWingedMonkeys，"suggestedtheTinWoodman。"Youhavestilltherighttocommandthemoncemore。"

"Verywell，"sheanswered，andputtingontheGoldenCapsheutteredthemagicwords。TheMonkeyswereaspromptasever，andinafewmomentstheentirebandstoodbeforeher。

"Whatareyourcommands？"inquiredtheKingoftheMonkeys，bowinglow。

"CarryusoverthehilltothecountryoftheQuadlings，"

answeredthegirl。

"Itshallbedone，"saidtheKing，andatoncetheWingedMonkeyscaughtthefourtravelersandTotoupintheirarmsandflewawaywiththem。

AstheypassedoverthehilltheHammer-Headsyelledwithvexation，andshottheirheadshighintheair，buttheycouldnotreachtheWingedMonkeys，whichcarriedDorothyandhercomradessafelyoverthehillandsetthemdowninthebeautifulcountryoftheQuadlings。

"Thisisthelasttimeyoucansummonus，"saidtheleadertoDorothy;"sogood-byeandgoodlucktoyou。"

"Good-bye，andthankyouverymuch，"returnedthegirl;andtheMonkeysroseintotheairandwereoutofsightinatwinkling。

ThecountryoftheQuadlingsseemedrichandhappy。Therewasfielduponfieldofripeninggrain，withwell-pavedroadsrunningbetween，andprettyripplingbrookswithstrongbridgesacrossthem。

Thefencesandhousesandbridgeswereallpaintedbrightred，justastheyhadbeenpaintedyellowinthecountryoftheWinkiesandblueinthecountryoftheMunchkins。TheQuadlingsthemselves，whowereshortandfatandlookedchubbyandgood-natured，weredressedallinred，whichshowedbrightagainstthegreengrassandtheyellowinggrain。

TheMonkeyshadsetthemdownnearafarmhouse，andthefourtravelerswalkeduptoitandknockedatthedoor。Itwasopenedbythefarmer’swife，andwhenDorothyaskedforsomethingtoeatthewomangavethemallagooddinner，withthreekindsofcakeandfourkindsofcookies，andabowlofmilkforToto。

"HowfarisittotheCastleofGlinda？"askedthechild。

"Itisnotagreatway，"answeredthefarmer’swife。

"TaketheroadtotheSouthandyouwillsoonreachit。

Thankingthegoodwoman，theystartedafreshandwalkedbythefieldsandacrosstheprettybridgesuntiltheysawbeforethemaverybeautifulCastle。Beforethegateswerethreeyounggirls，dressedinhandsomereduniformstrimmedwithgoldbraid;andasDorothyapproached，oneofthemsaidtoher：

"WhyhaveyoucometotheSouthCountry？"

"ToseetheGoodWitchwhoruleshere，"sheanswered。

"Willyoutakemetoher？"

"Letmehaveyourname，andIwillaskGlindaifshewillreceiveyou。"Theytoldwhotheywere，andthegirlsoldierwentintotheCastle。AfterafewmomentsshecamebacktosaythatDorothyandtheothersweretobeadmittedatonce。

23。GlindaTheGoodWitchGrantsDorothy’sWishBeforetheywenttoseeGlinda，however，theyweretakentoaroomoftheCastle，whereDorothywashedherfaceandcombedherhair，andtheLionshookthedustoutofhismane，andtheScarecrowpattedhimselfintohisbestshape，andtheWoodmanpolishedhistinandoiledhisjoints。

WhentheywereallquitepresentabletheyfollowedthesoldiergirlintoabigroomwheretheWitchGlindasatuponathroneofrubies。

Shewasbothbeautifulandyoungtotheireyes。Herhairwasarichredincolorandfellinflowingringletsoverhershoulders。

Herdresswaspurewhitebuthereyeswereblue，andtheylookedkindlyuponthelittlegirl。

"WhatcanIdoforyou，mychild？"sheasked。

DorothytoldtheWitchallherstory：howthecyclonehadbroughthertotheLandofOz，howshehadfoundhercompanions，andofthewonderfuladventurestheyhadmetwith。

"Mygreatestwishnow，"sheadded，"istogetbacktoKansas，forAuntEmwillsurelythinksomethingdreadfulhashappenedtome，andthatwillmakeherputonmourning;andunlessthecropsarebetterthisyearthantheywerelast，IamsureUncleHenrycannotaffordit。"

Glindaleanedforwardandkissedthesweet，upturnedfaceofthelovinglittlegirl。

"Blessyourdearheart，"shesaid，"IamsureIcantellyouofawaytogetbacktoKansas。"Thensheadded，"But，ifIdo，youmustgivemetheGoldenCap。"

"Willingly！"exclaimedDorothy;"indeed，itisofnousetomenow，andwhenyouhaveityoucancommandtheWingedMonkeysthreetimes。"

"AndIthinkIshallneedtheirservicejustthosethreetimes，"

answeredGlinda，smiling。

DorothythengavehertheGoldenCap，andtheWitchsaidtotheScarecrow，"WhatwillyoudowhenDorothyhasleftus？"

"IwillreturntotheEmeraldCity，"hereplied，"forOzhasmademeitsrulerandthepeoplelikeme。TheonlythingthatworriesmeishowtocrossthehilloftheHammer-Heads。"

"BymeansoftheGoldenCapIshallcommandtheWingedMonkeystocarryyoutothegatesoftheEmeraldCity，"saidGlinda，"foritwouldbeashametodeprivethepeopleofsowonderfularuler。"

"AmIreallywonderful？"askedtheScarecrow。

"Youareunusual，"repliedGlinda。

TurningtotheTinWoodman，sheasked，"WhatwillbecomeofyouwhenDorothyleavesthiscountry？"

Heleanedonhisaxeandthoughtamoment。Thenhesaid，"TheWinkieswereverykindtome，andwantedmetoruleoverthemaftertheWickedWitchdied。IamfondoftheWinkies，andifI

couldgetbackagaintotheCountryoftheWest，Ishouldlikenothingbetterthantoruleoverthemforever。"

"MysecondcommandtotheWingedMonkeys，"saidGlinda"willbethattheycarryyousafelytothelandoftheWinkies。YourbrainmaynotbesolargetolookatasthoseoftheScarecrow，butyouarereallybrighterthanheis——whenyouarewellpolished——

andIamsureyouwillruletheWinkieswiselyandwell。"

ThentheWitchlookedatthebig，shaggyLionandasked，"WhenDorothyhasreturnedtoherownhome，whatwillbecomeofyou？"

"OverthehilloftheHammer-Heads，"heanswered，"liesagrandoldforest，andallthebeaststhatlivetherehavemademetheirKing。IfIcouldonlygetbacktothisforest，Iwouldpassmylifeveryhappilythere。"

"MythirdcommandtotheWingedMonkeys，"saidGlinda，"shallbetocarryyoutoyourforest。Then，havingusedupthepowersoftheGoldenCap，IshallgiveittotheKingoftheMonkeys，thatheandhisbandmaythereafterbefreeforevermore。"

TheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanandtheLionnowthankedtheGoodWitchearnestlyforherkindness;andDorothyexclaimed：

"Youarecertainlyasgoodasyouarebeautiful！ButyouhavenotyettoldmehowtogetbacktoKansas。"

"YourSilverShoeswillcarryyouoverthedesert，"repliedGlinda。

"IfyouhadknowntheirpoweryoucouldhavegonebacktoyourAuntEmtheveryfirstdayyoucametothiscountry。"

"ButthenIshouldnothavehadmywonderfulbrains！"criedtheScarecrow。

"Imighthavepassedmywholelifeinthefarmer’scornfield。"

"AndIshouldnothavehadmylovelyheart，"saidtheTinWoodman。

"Imighthavestoodandrustedintheforesttilltheendoftheworld。"

"AndIshouldhavelivedacowardforever，"declaredtheLion，"andnobeastinalltheforestwouldhavehadagoodwordtosaytome。"

"Thisisalltrue，"saidDorothy，"andIamgladIwasofusetothesegoodfriends。Butnowthateachofthemhashadwhathemostdesired，andeachishappyinhavingakingdomtorulebesides，IthinkIshouldliketogobacktoKansas。"

"TheSilverShoes，"saidtheGoodWitch，"havewonderfulpowers。

Andoneofthemostcuriousthingsaboutthemisthattheycancarryyoutoanyplaceintheworldinthreesteps，andeachstepwillbemadeinthewinkofaneye。Allyouhavetodoistoknocktheheelstogetherthreetimesandcommandtheshoestocarryyouwhereveryouwishtogo。"

"Ifthatisso，"saidthechildjoyfully，"IwillaskthemtocarrymebacktoKansasatonce。"

ShethrewherarmsaroundtheLion’sneckandkissedhim，pattinghisbigheadtenderly。ThenshekissedtheTinWoodman，whowasweepinginawaymostdangeroustohisjoints。Butshehuggedthesoft，stuffedbodyoftheScarecrowinherarmsinsteadofkissinghispaintedface，andfoundshewascryingherselfatthissorrowfulpartingfromherlovingcomrades。

GlindatheGoodsteppeddownfromherrubythronetogivethelittlegirlagood-byekiss，andDorothythankedherforallthekindnessshehadshowntoherfriendsandherself。

DorothynowtookTotoupsolemnlyinherarms，andhavingsaidonelastgood-byesheclappedtheheelsofhershoestogetherthreetimes，saying：

"TakemehometoAuntEm！"

Instantlyshewaswhirlingthroughtheair，soswiftlythatallshecouldseeorfeelwasthewindwhistlingpastherears。

TheSilverShoestookbutthreesteps，andthenshestoppedsosuddenlythatsherolledoveruponthegrassseveraltimesbeforesheknewwhereshewas。

Atlength，however，shesatupandlookedabouther。

"Goodgracious！"shecried。

ForshewassittingonthebroadKansasprairie，andjustbeforeherwasthenewfarmhouseUncleHenrybuiltafterthecyclonehadcarriedawaytheoldone。UncleHenrywasmilkingthecowsinthebarnyard，andTotohadjumpedoutofherarmsandwasrunningtowardthebarn，barkingfuriously。

Dorothystoodupandfoundshewasinherstocking-feet。

FortheSilverShoeshadfallenoffinherflightthroughtheair，andwerelostforeverinthedesert。

24。HomeAgainAuntEmhadjustcomeoutofthehousetowaterthecabbageswhenshelookedupandsawDorothyrunningtowardher。

"Mydarlingchild！"shecried，foldingthelittlegirlinherarmsandcoveringherfacewithkisses。"Whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom？"

"FromtheLandofOz，"saidDorothygravely。"AndhereisToto，too。Andoh，AuntEm！I’msogladtobeathomeagain！"