The Cowardly Lion of Oz - L. Frank Baum

8/10/2019 The Cowardly Lion of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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The Cowar dly Li on Of Oz – Oz 17

L . F ra nk B au m

T hi s b oo k i s d ed icated t o M y s is ter D or ot hy T ho mp so n C ur ti ss

and all other lovely Dorothys including Dorothy of Oz

* Ruth Plumly Thompson

T he C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z

L is t o f C hapt ers

Chapter

1 Mustafa of Mudge

2 M ag ic a t t he C ir cus

3 At the Court of Mudge

4 M us t af a's M and ate

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5 T wo C ow ar dl y L io n H un ters

6 T he S eve n D oo rs

7 T he E sc ap e F ro m D oo rw ay s

8 T he C ow ar dl y L io n' s Q ue st

9 In Search of a Brave Man

10 On the Isle of Un

11 A Strange Fishing Party

12 S av ed b y a F ly ab ou ta bu s

13 Mustafa's Blue Magic

1 4 F ly in g i n a D el ug e

1 5 Mu st afa K eep s W atch

16 A Fall From the Sky

1 7 The Stone Man of Oz

1 8 N ot t a' s L as t D is gu is e

19 In theEmeraldCity

20 T he C ow ar dl y L io n' s P er i l

21 Oz Magic Triumphs

2 2 A Happy Home in Oz

C HA PT ER 1 M us ta fa o f M ud ge

"TAZZYWALLER, I must have another lion," said Mustafa of Mudge, giving his blue

whiskers a terrible tweak. "Another lion, Tazzywaller, at once!"

"Your Highness already has nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine lions and a half!" said

Tazzywaller bowing humbly.

"Oh, that! "interrupted Mustafa impatiently. "Very careless of you, Tazzywaller, to bring me

h al f a l ion -t he w ron g h al f, t oo ! M on st ro us a nn oy in g t o s ee t he ba ck l eg s a nd t ai l of a l io n j um pi ng a bou t

in the reservation. Unnatural, I call it."





" Bu t, y ou r H ig hn es s w il l r em em ber t hat h ad n ot a f or tu nate b lo w o f m y s ci mi tar cut o ff t he r ig ht

h al f o f t he l io n I w ou ld h av e b een d ev ou red, eat en , d es tr oy ed !" T azzy wall er 's eyes b ul ged at t he u nh ap py

recollection.

"I'd have endeavored to console myself," sniffed Mustafa disagreeably, "and Panapee would

m ak e a n e xc el le nt c ha mb er la in. Bu t t hi s i s w as ti ng t im e. I m us t h av e a no th er l io n. A l io n, I t el l y ou , a tonce!"

M us ta fa 's v oi ce r os e t o a r oa r. S pr in gi ng f ro m h is t hr on e, h e b eg an s ta mp in g f ir st o ne f oo t,

t he n t he o th er . T he r ou nd f ac e o f p oo r T az zy wa ll er g re w p al er a t e ac h s ta mp . " Bu t t he re a re n o m or e

l io ns i n M ud ge," h e p lead ed . " Yo ur H ig hn es s m us t k no w t hat. T he r oy al h un ters h av e t rack ed t hem all

d ow n, a nd e ve n i f t he re w er e m or e, w e c an no t a ff or d a no th er s in gl e l io n. I b eg o f y ou r H ig hn es s t o

con si der t he n in e t ho us an d n in e h un dr ed and n in et y- ni ne alr eady eat in g u s o ut o f o ur s an dals . T he

M ud gers are com pl ai ni ng o f t he l io n t ax -" Si lence! " s cr eamed M us tafa, j um pi ng i nt o t he air s o t hat h e

c ou ld s ta mp b ot h f ee t a t t he s am e t im e.

"You're making most of the noise yourself," said Tazzywaller sulkily.

" Wh at i s a ll t hi s a rg ui ng a bo ut ?" d em an de d a s le ep y v oi ce , a nd t hr ou gh a c ur ta in a t t he b ac k o f

t he a pa rt me nt a pp ea re d t he h ug e, t ur ba ne d h ea d o f M ix tu pp a, Q ue en o f M ud ge .

"Lions! your Majesty," sighed the chief chamberlain, looking uneasily at Mustafa's wife, who

w as even m or e u nr easo nabl e t han h er r oy al h us band . " Hi s H ig hn es s d es ir es ano th er l io n. "

" Well , w hy d on 't y ou g et h im o ne? Y ou k no w I can 't s tand t hi s s tamp in g, " w heezed M ix tu pp a

irritably.

" Neit her can I ," g ru mb led M us tafa. " It h ur ts m y r oy al f eet. "

" No o ne a sk ed y ou t o s ta mp . W hy d on 't y ou s to p i t? " s ni ff ed T az zy wa ll er .

" Wi ll y ou g et m e t he l io n?" ask ed M us tafa, p au si ng w it h f oo t u pr ai sed.

" I w ou ld i f t he re we re a ny m or e, b ut t he re a re n o m or e l ion s i n M ud ge !" w ai le d T az zyw al le r.

D ow n came M us tafa's f oo t w it h a t er ri bl e s tamp .

" Gr eat G azup p! " s cr eamed t he m on ar ch o f M ud ge. " Wh at k in d o f a chamb er lain are y ou ? I 'l lappoint Panapee chamberlain in your place and you-you may feed the lions!" he finished furiously.

M us ta fa c la pp ed h is h an ds s ha rp ly a nd t o t he s ma ll M ud ge r w ho b ou nc ed i nt o t he r oo m h e

s na pp ed , " Te ll P an ap ee t o a pp ea r b ef or e m e a t o nc e. " H e p ai d n o a tt en ti on t o t he p le ad in gs o f

T azzy wall er , w ho w as b um pi ng h is h ead o n t he f lo or , n or t o t he adv ice o f M ix tu pp a, w ho w as w ag gi ng

h er h ea d t hr ou gh t he c ur ta in . T he n ex t m om en t P an ap ee s to od b ef or e t he t hr on e. H e w as a s t al l a nd t hi n

as T azzy wall er w as r ou nd and f at . H is l it tl e eyes s napp ed w it h g lee at s ig ht o f t he chamb er lain r ol li ng

a bo ut o n t he f lo or . A s p ur se b ea re r h e a lw ay s h ad t o w al k b ac k o f T az zy wa ll er i n r oy al p ro ce ss io ns , a nd

t o s ee h is r iv al i n di sg ra ce w as a n e xq ui si te p le as ur e t o t he e nv io us o ld M ud ge r.

" Yo ur E xcel lency s en t f or m e?" ask ed P an ap ee b ow in g d eepl y.

"Yes," shrilled Mustafa, pushing back his turban and pointing a trembling finger at Tazzywaller.





"H e s ay s t he re a re n o m or e l io ns i n M ud ge a nd I , M us ta fa , m us t ha ve a no th er l io n. "

" Yo ur H ig hn es s k no ws b es t, " m ur mu red P an ap ee, r ol li ng u p h is eyes and p ut ti ng h is f in ger t ip s

together.

" Yo u kn ow a s w el l a s I t ha t t he re a re n o m or e l io ns i n M ud ge ," c ri ed T az zyw al le r, s pr in gi ng t oh is f eet and s haki ng h is f is t u nd er P an ap ee's n os e.

" Th er e are o th er cou nt ri es b es id es M ud ge," s ai d P an ap ee l of ti ly . " No w I p resu me y ou r

H ig hn es s w as t hi nk in g o f an o dd , u nu su al s or t o f l io n; s om et hi ng b ig ger and b et ter t han t he k in d n ow

fighting amiably in the royal reservation?"

"How well you understand me," sighed Mustafa, sinking back among his cushions. "That's just

w ha t I do w an t, Pa nny a s tr an ge , r ar e, r oya l s or t of l ion ; on e w ho w il l ke ep t he r es t i n or de r a nd a dd t o

t he h on or and d ig ni ty o f o ur cou rt ."

" I h av e a b oo k, " con fi ded P an ap ee, p laci ng h is f in ger m ys teri ou sl y b es id e h is n os e, " a b oo k o f

l io ns , and i f y ou r H ig hn es s w il l b ut excus e m e I w il l f et ch i t f ro m m y t en t. "

" Ar e y ou g oi ng t o g et a l io n o ut o f a b oo k? " a sk ed M ix tu pp a s le ep il y. " Ho w s tu pi d o f

Tazzywaller not to have thought of that."

No w, wh il e Pa na pe e go es f or h is bo ok , I mu st t el l y ou t ha t M udg e i s a bl ue a nd b ar ba ro us

c ou nt ry i n t he s ou th we st er n p ar t o f t he M un ch ki n c ou nt ry o f O z. I t i s a h ot , d ry , d es er t l an d a nd t he

M ud gers t hems el ves are a s ho rt -t em pered, l on g- legg ed t ri be o f t ro ub le-m ak er s. T hey l iv e i n b lu e, s tr ip ed

t en ts a nd , i f i t w er e n ot f or t he ir b ri gh t b lu e w hi sk er s, y ou w ou ld t ak e t he m f or A ra bs , a s t he y w ea r

s we ep in g w hi te r ob es a nd t ur ba ns t o p ro te ct t he ms el ve s f ro m t he h ea t a nd d es er t s an ds .

I n o ld en O z t im es t he M ud ge rs u se d t o d es ce nd u po n t he h el pl es s l it tl e c ou nt ri es t ha t

s ur ro un de d t he m a nd c ar ry o ff e ve ry th in g o f v al ue . B ut G li nd a, t he g oo d s or ce re ss o f O z, p ut a s to p t o

t ha t. O ne n ig ht , f ly in g o ve r M ud ge i n h er s wa n c ha ri ot , s he h ad d ro pp ed a b lu e b oo k a nd i t h ad f al le n o n

t he o ld es t M ud ge r i n t he k ing do m, h it ti ng hi m a t er ri bl e b low o n t he n os e. I t h ad b ee n a b lo w t o t he m a ll ,

f or i n g ol d l et te rs o n t he f ir st p ag e o f t he b oo k s to od t hi s s en te nc e:

" F ro m t hi s d ay o n, any M ud ger l eavi ng t heland of Mu dg es hall l os e h is h ead. B y o rd er o f O zm a,

R ul er o f all O z. "

Th er e w er e o th er w ar ni ng s i n t he b lu e b oo k, b ut t he f ir st h ad c ha ng ed t he w ho le h is to ry o f t he

c ou nt ry . N o M ud ge r w as b ra ve e no ug h t o v en tu re o ut o f M ud ge a ft er t ha t, s o t he t hi ev in g r ai ds o n o th er

cou nt ri es h ad s to pp ed i ns tant ly , and t he M ud gers , d ep ri ved o f t he p leas ur e o f s teal in g f ro m t heir

n ei gh bo rs , s to le f ro m each o th er , and w er e alw ay s q uarr el in g amo ng t hems el ves and m ov in g t heir t en ts

f ro m p la ce t o p la ce . T he p eo pl es o f t he s ur ro un di ng c ou nt ri es w ou ld c om e t o t he b or de rs o f M ud ge t o

bargain for the dates, figs and cocoanuts for which the land was famous, but Mustafa's grandfather, who

w as t hen r ul er o f t he d es er t k in gd om , d is ag reeabl y d ecid ed t hat s in ce n o M ud ger m ig ht l eave M ud ge n o

o ut si de r s ho ul d e nt er h is c ou nt ry . W ar ni ng s w er e p os te d o n a ll t he b or de rs o f M ud ge a nd s oo n n o o ne

c am e n ea r t he h or ri d l it tl e k in gd om , s o t ha t i t w en t on gr ow in g m or e b lue a nd b ar ba ro us a ll t he t im e, a s

people are bound to do who have no friends or neighbors.

W he n M us ta fa , w ho r ea ll y w as n ot a b ad f el lo w a t h ea rt , a ss um ed t he t hr on e h e t ri ed t o d iv er t

t he m in ds o f h is q uarr el so me s ub ject s b y o rg an izin g h un ts . T here w er e m an y l io ns i n t he u ni nh ab it ed p ar ts





o f t he d es er t, a nd f or a t im e hu nt in g l io ns k ep t t he M ud ge rs o ut o f m is ch ie f. B ut s oo n t he y w er e

q uarr el in g o ver even t hat, and t he r oy al h un ti ng exp ed it io ns w er e m or e i n t he n at ur e o f b at tl es t han

pleasure excursions.

M us tafa, i n d es pair , con fi ded t o T azzy wall er t hat h e m uch p referr ed t he l io ns t o h is s ub ject s.

S o T az zy wa ll er h ad m il dl y s ug ge st ed t ha t h e k ee p a f ew f or c om pa ny . M us ta fa , w ho w as t er ri bl y b or ed

w it h hi s d ut ie s a s K in g, w as d el ig ht ed w it h t he i de a a nd i ss ue d o rd er s t ha t h er ea ft er a ll l io ns s ho ul d b e brought to the royal tents.

At f ir st h e ha d ke pt t wo or t hr ee i n a l ar ge e nc lo se d c ag e i n hi s ga rd en, b ut a s hi s s ubj ec ts

g rew m or e u nm an ag eabl e, h is aff ecti on f or l io ns i ncreas ed . H e i ns is ted u po n m or e and m or e l io ns , u nt il ,

as T azzy wall er h ad s tated, t here w er e n in e t ho us an d n in e h un dr ed n in et y- ni ne and o ne-h al f i n t he r oy al

col lect io n. M us tafa p retend ed t hat h e k ep t t hese l io ns t o f ri gh ten away t he enemi es o f M ud ge, and f or

t hi s p ur po se h e h ad a l ar ge i ro n e nc lo su re e re ct ed a ll a ro un d t he k in gd om , s o t ha t n o o ne c ou ld c om e i n

o r g o o ut w it ho ut p as si ng t hr ou gh t he r oy al l io n r es er vati on . I nd eed, w hen t he l it tl e M un ch ki n b oy s and

g ir ls r ecit ed t heir l es so ns , t hey alw ay s d es cr ib ed M ud ge as a cou nt ry ent ir el y s ur ro un ded b y l io ns . B ut

t hi s w as o nl y a n e xc us e. M us ta fa k ne w w el l e no ug h t ha t n o o ne d ar ed l ea ve M ud ge , a nd t ha t n o o new an te d t o c om e t he re , b ut i t s ou nd ed w el l w he n t he p eo pl e c om pl ai ne d o f t he l io n t ax .

M us tafa's l io ns w er e a t er ri bl e t ri al t o p oo r T azzy wall er . T o k eep h is p os it io n as chi ef

chamb er lain o f M ud ge, h e m us t p ro du ce a l io n w henever M us tafa d em an ded o ne. T hi s w as p rett y o ft en ;

B y hi s or de rs t he wh ol e c oun tr y ha d be en c om be d f or l ions a nd on ly t he w ee k b ef or e wo rd ha d be en

brought that there was not another lion left in the whole country. Then Tazzywaller himself had gone

h un ti ng , and aft er an exh au st in g t ri p h ad com e u po n t he v er y l as t o ld l io n o f M ud ge. W hen T azzy wall er

t ri ed t o cap tu re h im , t he b east h ad s el fi sh ly t ri ed t o d ev ou r t he f at chamb er lain . I n p ro tect in g h im self

T azzy wall er cut t he o ld l io n i n t wo w it h h is s ci mi tar. B ef or e h e cou ld r em ed y t he d is as ter t he f ro nt , and

best part, of the lion had jumped over the lion enclosure and disappeared.

I n t he Fa ir y K in gdo m o f O z no th in g c an r ea ll y be k il le d, s o t ha t b ot h h al ve s of t he l ion w er e

q ui te u nh ur t and l iv el y, b ut M us tafa h ad b een v er y ang ry w hen T azzy wall er b ro ug ht h im t he h al f h e h ad

m an ag ed t o c at ch . I t h ad a lm os t c os t h im h is p os it io n.

"T o t hi nk i t w as I w ho s ug gest ed l io ns i n t he f ir st p lace," g ro an ed p oo r T azzy wall er . " Li ons !

Ba h! M us ta fa ha s a t ast e f or l ions a nd l ions ha ve a t as te f or me !"

" Th at 's o dd o f t he m, " d ra wl ed M ix tu pp a, r ol li ng h er b lu e e ye s a t T az zy . " Po or t as te I c al l i t! "

" Si lence! " exp lo ded M us tafa s o s harp ly t hat M ix tu pp a h as ti ly d rew i n h er h ead. M us tafa w as alr eady

r eg re tt in g h is u nk in dn es s, b ut h e w as t oo p ro ud t o t ak e b ac k h is w or ds . Y es , T az zy w ou ld h av e t o f ee dt he l io ns . H e s ig hed m ou rn fu ll y; b ut j us t t hen P an ap ee cam e w hi rl in g t hr ou gh t he t en t f lap, a l ar ge b oo k

u nd er h is arm .

" Th is b oo k, " p uf fed P an ap ee p ro ud ly -b ut h e g ot n o f ur th er .

" Gi ve i t t o m e, " com mand ed M us tafa, s natch u p t he v ol um e f ro m P an ap ee. E ven T azzy wall er

edg ed n earer, and t he s leep y h ead o f M ix tu pp a w as again t hr us t t hr ou gh t he cur tain .

" Famo us L io ns o f O z, " r ead M us tafa, and o pened t he d us ty v ol um e w it h t remb li ng f in gers . B ut

he got no f ur the r t ha n t he s ec ond pa ge , f or t he re w as a pi ct ur e of t he mo st s pl end id l ion he ha d e ve r s ee n

i n h is w ho le M ud ger exi st en ce, and u nd er neat h, i n b lu e l et ters , s to od t he w or ds " Th is i s t he f am ou s

C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z, K in g o f all f or es t creat ur es ."





" Co ward ly L io n?" g as ped M us tafa. " Ho w s in gu lar! H ow r ar e! W hy , h e d oesn 't l oo k cow ar dl y

at all."

" If y ou r H ig hn es s w il l b ut r ead, " exu lt ed P an ap ee, p oi nt in g t o t he o pp os it e p ag e. B reat hl es sl y

Mustafa began.

"T he C ow ar dl y L io n i s o ne o f t he m os t u nu su al a nd c el eb ra te d l io ns i n O z. F or m an y y ea rs h er ul ed o ve r t he f or es t ki ng do ms , b ut i n t he r ei gn o f t he f am ou s W iz ar d of O z t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as

d is co vered b y a l it tl eK ans as gi rl n am ed D or ot hy . H e b ecam e s o at tach ed t o D or ot hy t hat h e

accom pani ed h er o n h er j ou rn ey t o t heEm er al dC it y, s av in g h er l if e m an y t im es o n t he w ay , and p ro vi ng

s o br ave , i n s pi te of hi s c ow ar di ce , t ha t he w on t he l ove a nd a dmi ra ti on of a ll Oz . Si nc e t he n he h as s pe nt

m os t o f h is t im e i n t he c ap it al c it y, s ha ri ng i n a ll t he a dv en tur es o f c our t c el eb ri ti es , a nd o f D or ot hy , w ho

h as b ee n m ad e a R oy al P ri nc es s.

H e h as , b y h is m an y b ra ve d ee ds , e nd ea re d h im se lf t o t he w ho le p op ul ac e a nd -"

" Pann y! " b ur st o ut M us tafa, w it ho ut w ai ti ng t o r ead any m or e, " Pann y, t hat i s t he l io n I w an t,t he C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z! "

" Th at i s t he l io n h e w an ts !" r ep eated M ix tu pp a, n od di ng h er h ead app ro vi ng ly .

" An d o f cou rs e h e s hall h av e i t, " s ni ff ed T azzy wall er , r el ieved t o t hi nk h e w as n o l on ger

chamberlain. "Panapee, produce this Cowardly Lion. At once!"

" It w il l t ak e a l it tl e t im e, " b eg an t he n ew chamb er lain o f M ud ge n er vo us ly . " An exp ed it io n m us t

be fitted out and-"

" H ow abo ut t he w ar ni ng i n t he b oo k o f M ud ge?" ask ed T azzy wall er s ar cast ical ly . " Do y ous upp os e a ny on e i s g oi ng t o r is k h is h ea d j us t f or t he ho no r o f c at ch in g t hi s C ow ar dl y L io n? "

" It w ou ld b e a g re at h on or ," s ai d P an ap ee , l oo ki ng s ly ly a t h is r iv al , " a v er y g re at h on or . I w as

abo ut t o s ug gest t hat y ou , d ear T azzy wall er , u nd er take t he j ou rn ey . E ven t ho ug h y ou w er e t o l os e y ou r

h ead, y ou cou ld s ti ll f eed t he l io ns o f M ud ge."

" Me!" s cr eamed T azzy wall er , alm os t t ur ni ng a s om er saul t. " Oh , n o, m y b rave P an ap ee, i t

woul d be t oo gr ea t an honor for m e. I a m onl y t he l ion fe ede r. I m ust f ee d t he m a t onc e! " Ta zz ywa ll er

s ta rt ed o n a r un f or t he d oo r, bu t Mu st af a c al le d h im b ac k.

" Yo u u se d t o g iv e m e g oo d a dvi ce , T az zy wa ll er ," s ig he d t he r ul er o f M udg e. " Wh o do y ou

t hi nk cou ld cat ch t hi s C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z?"

" Wh y n ot P an ap ee?" ask ed t he f or mer chamb er lain w ickedl y. " He i s a s tr on g, b rave m an ."

" Yes, b ut w hat w ou ld y ou r H ig hn es s d o w it ho ut an adv is er ?" q uavered P an ap ee i n a t remu lo us

tone.

" He cou ld t ak e m y adv ice, " d rawl ed M ix tu pp a, " an d t o b eg in w it h I 'd -" W hat M ix tu pp a w as

a bo ut t o a dv is e w il l n ev er be k now n, f or r ig ht he re f if te en M ud ge rs b ur st i nt o t he r oy al t en t. " L ion !"

screamed the first. "Lion! Lion.-Lion!" screamed all the others, whirling their scimitars until the confusion

was terrible.





" L et m e cat ch h im !" cri ed T azzy wall er , b ut P an ap ee clu tched at h is s leev e.

" No , l et m e! " s qu ealed P an ap ee, b ru sh in g p as t h im . " I am chi ef chamb er lain o f M ud ge!"

"Perhaps it is the Cowardly Lion," puffed Mustafa, springing rapturously from his throne, and

n ext m in ut e t he y h ad a ll r ol le d, r un o r t um bl ed o ut o f t he t en t, s cr ea mi ng i n a w ay t o c ur dl e t he b lo od o f

t we nt y l io ns . U nd er t he l ar ge st p al m t re e i n t he s an dy w as te M us ta fa w as p le as ed t o c al l h is g ar de n s to oda very lumpy and peculiar-looking lion!

*************************************************************

C HA PT ER 2

M ag ic a t t he C ir cu s

It wa s ra ining outs ide , i t was hot a nd s tuf fy i nsi de and i t was t he l ast da y of t he c irc us in

S tu mp to wn . A ll o ve r t he b ig t en t p eo pl e m ov ed a bo ut r es tl es sl y o n t he h ar d s ea ts , a nd g ru mb le d w he n

s ud den s pl as hes o f r ai n cam e p el ti ng t hr ou gh t he t en t t op . M ot hers w er e t hi nk in g anx io us ly o f t he w et

journey home, young ladies were worrying about their spring bonnets, and even the boys and girls were

o nl y app laud in g h al f- hear tedl y as o ld B il ly , t he eleph an t, r an g d in ner b el ls i n o ne r in g and t he G li ck o

s is ters s wu ng d izzi ly f ro m t rapezes i n t he o th er . T he chi ef clo wn r an d is tr actedl y aro un d b ot h r in gs . H e

s too d on hi s h ea d, he w al ke d o n h is h and s, h e l ea pe d ov er t he e le ph an t, h e p re te nd ed he w as a b al ky

d on ke y. B ut n o o ne l au gh ed . T he y d id n' t e ve n s mi le a t h is o ld es t j ok es .

" Th is i s t oo t er ri bl e, " g ul ped t he clo wn , s tepp in g b eh in d a p il lar " No t o ne r eal l au gh t he w ho le

aft er no on ! W hat' s t he m at ter w it h t hese f ol ks any way?" H e w ip ed t he p er sp ir at io n f ro m h is f or eh ead,h as t il y p ow dered h is n os e and d as hed o ut agai n.

I t w as b eg in ni ng t o t hu nd er n ow , a nd t he a ni ma ls i n t he o ut si de t en t s et u p a d re ad ful r oa ri ng .

F ro m l oo ki ng b or ed , t he p eo pl e b eg an t o l oo k f ri gh tened. S om et hi ng m us t b e d on e. T he w or ri ed clo wn

r us he d i nt o t he c en te r r in g a nd s pr an g t o t he b ac k o f t he b ig e le ph an t.

" Ladi es and g en tl em en !" s ho ut ed t he clo wn , w av in g h is arm s t o att ract att en ti on . " Ladi es and

g en tl em en , I am abo ut t o p er fo rm o ne o f t he m os t ast on is hi ng and amazi ng f eats ever execu ted- a t ri ck

t hat h as as to un ded t he cr ow ned h eads o f E ur op e, A si a and A fr ica. L ad ies and g en tl em en -"

P eo pl e o n t he b ac k r ow s, w ho w er e a lr ea dy p us hi ng t he ir w ay t ow ar d t he e xi ts , p au se d. A

l it tl e g ir l i n t he t went y- fi ve-cen t s eats cheer ed f ai nt ly . T hu s encou raged, t he clo wn t ur ned a r eall y

m ar velo us s om er saul t and l an ded o n t he t ip o f t he eleph an t' s t ru nk .

"Will some small boy kindly step forward," begged the clown, glancing hurriedly along the

f ront r ows . "F or t hi s t ri ck I ne ed a s ma ll , a ct ive boy . A h, t he re he i s! "

U rg in g t he e le ph an t t o t he v er y e dg e o f t he r in g, t he c lo wn s na tc he d a s ma ll , r ed -h ea de d b oy

f ro m a g ro up o f s ol em n- ey ed o rp ha ns , w ho h ad b ee n b ro ug ht t o t he c ir cu s f or a s pe ci al t re at . T he c ro wd

g as pe d w it h s ur pr is e, a nd t he o rp ha n t ri ed t o w ri gg le o ut o f h is c oa t, b ut t he c lo wn h el d o n f ir ml y.

" One t os s o f t hi s bo y i nt o t he a ir , a nd he w il l d is app ea r; a t os s o f m y c ap a nd he wi ll r ea ppe ar .

W at ch !" cri ed t he clo wn , p ut ti ng h is f in gers t o h is l ip s.





" Wh at are y ou t ry in g t o d o?" d em an ded t he r in gm as ter i n a h oars e w hi sp er . " Yo u can 't r eall y

m ak e h im d is ap pear , y ou k no w. "

T he clo wn r eali zed t hi s, b ut h e w as g oi ng t o m ak e t hat cro wd l au gh er d is ap pear h im self . W it h

a s hr il l w hi st le t ha t m ad e e ve n t he o ld e le ph an t p ri ck u p h is e ar s, h e t os se d t he o rp ha n t o h is s ho ul de r a nd

r ee le d o ff t he f ir st r id ic ul ou s r hy me t ha t p op pe d i nt o h is h ea d. A nd t hi s w as i t:

" Ud ge ! B ud ge ! G o t o M ud ge ! U dg er b ud ge r, Y ou 'r e a M ud ge r! "

A r oa r of d el ight we nt up f rom t he c rowd, a nd a r oa r of t er ror f rom t he r ing ma st er , f or t he

o rp ha n h ad d is ap pe ar ed - d is ap pe ar ed a s c om pl et el y a s a p un ct ur ed b al lo on !

" Help !" s cr eamed t he clo wn , d an ci ng f rant ical ly u p and d ow n o n t he eleph an t' s h ead. T he

aud ience w as enchant ed and r ocki ng t o and f ro w it h m er ri ment .

" Th at 's t he b es t t ri ck I 'v e e ve r s ee n, " g ur gl ed a f at m an , m opp in g h is f ac e. " Lo ok a t h im pretending to be frightened. Come on now, bring him back, you!"

Th e clo wn cri ed o ut ano th er v er se:

" Ud ge ! B ud ge ! G o t o M ud ge ! U dg er b ud ge r, I 'm a M ud ge r! "

Th er e wa s a t ea ri ng r ip a nd a c la p o f t hund er . T he c ro wd s ta re d, r ub be d i ts e ye s a nd s ta re d

again . N o clo wn , n o o rp han! W hy , t hi s w as t remend ou s! T hey s tamp ed w it h g lee and s ho ut ed t heir

app ro val. B ut t he r in gm as ter f el l b reat hl es sl y again st a p os t, and t he o wn er o f t he cir cu s, w it h p op pi ng

e ye s, s ta rt ed on a r un for t he dr es sing t ent. Not a bit too s oon, ei ther , for i n a fe w s ec onds t he cr owd

s to pp ed l au gh in g as s ud denl y as i t h ad b eg un . U mb rell as w er e b rand is hed f ur io us ly , and p eo pl e s ho ut eda t t he r in gm as te r t o p ro du ce t he o rp ha n a t o nc e. T he r in gm as te r w as s ha ki ng i n h is s hi ny s ho es , b ut h e

r es ol ved t o s av e h im self i f h e cou ld . R ai si ng h is w hi p f or s il en ce, h e ann ou nced i n h is m os t i mp ress iv e

v oi ce t ha t t he b es t p ar t o f t he t ri ck w as t o c om e- th at t he c lo wn a nd o rp ha n w er e a t t ha t m in ut e s ta nd in g

a t t he c ir cus g at e t o w av e g ood by e t o t he c om pa ny , o ne o f t he m os t d is ti ng ui sh ed a nd d el ig ht fu l

c om pa ni es i t h ad e ve r b ee n t he ir p le as ur e t o e nt er ta in . H e c li ck ed h is h ee ls t og et he r, m ad e a d ee p b ow

a nd t he c ro wd , c on vi nc ed t ha t h e w as s pe ak in g t he t ru th , b eg an t o s tr ea m o ut o f t he b ig t en t.

W it ho ut w ai ti ng ano th er s econ d, t he r in gm as ter g rasp ed o ld B il ly b y t he ear and r an h im

t ow ar d t he ani mal t en t. I n f iv e m in ut es t he w ho le cir cu s f or ce w as d as hi ng abo ut i n t he p el ti ng r ai n,

d ragg in g o ut cag es , p ro dd in g t he eleph an ts , t ug gi ng at t he b ig h or ses, p ul li ng d ow n t he t en ts .

" So me th in g t er ri bl e h as h ap pe ne d; w e' ve g ot t o m ov e o ut o f h er e, " c ha tt er ed t he o wn er o f t he

s ho w, r us hi ng f ro m g ro up t o g ro up . B y t he t im e t he i nd ig nant o ld g en tl em an w ho h ad b ro ug ht t he o rp hans

t o t he c ir cu s h ad be en t o t he ga te a nd b ac k, t he f ir st o f t he h ea vy c ir cus wa go ns wa s a lr ea dy r at tl in g o ve r

t he h il l. T he f ew w or km en , h as teni ng t he l as t b it s o f l oadi ng , s ho ok t heir h eads d ul ly w hen h e d em an ded

t he o rp han and , aft er t hr eateni ng and s tamp in g i n v ai n, t he d is tr acted o ld g en tl em an r an o ff t o f et ch t he

police, with the thirty-nine other orphans splashing delightedly behind him.

P ol ic e! W ha t c ou ld p ol ic e d o a ga in st m ag ic ? H ow d id t he c lo wn k no w t ha t t he r hy me t ha t h ad

popped into his head was an old Oz formula? It had carried off the orphan like a skyrocket, and when

t he c lo wn h ad f ra nt ic al ly r ep ea te d t he m ag ic w or ds , h e t oo h ad b ee n s na tc he d i nt o t he a ir , h ur le d t hr ou gh

t he t en t t op , a nd f lu ng d ow n b es id e t he f ri gh te ne d l it tl e b oy i n t he s tr an ge st l an d h e h ad e ve r s ee n.

F or tu na te ly t he y h ad f al le n on a s of t du ne o f s an d, a nd a rou nd t he m f or m il es a nd m il es s tr et ch ed a f la t





and silvery desert.

C HA PT ER 3 A t t he C ou rt of M ud ge

NEITHER the clown nor the boy spoke for several minutes. To tell the truth, they were

breathless. Then the clown sat up and looked doubtfully at the orphan.

" Well , h er e w e are," h e s ai d, w in ki ng m or e f ro m f or ce o f h ab it t han b ecau se h e f el t p ar ti cu larl y

jolly.

"Yes, sir!" gulped the orphan, swallowing hard.

" No w d on 't cal l m e s ir ," b eg ged t he clo wn , m ak in g con vers at io n t o g ai n t im e. " Do n' t cal l m e s ir because I worked in a circus. My name is Notta-Notta Bit More. I was the last of twelve children, and

m y m ot he r a nd f at he r c ou ld n ot a gr ee o n a na me f or m e. E ve ry t im e m y m ot he r s ai d, ' Ca ll h im Au gu st us

El me r Mor e, ' my f at he r s ai d, ' not a b it of i t.' Af te r whi le , be ing a c lown h im se lf a nd a j oke r by t ra de , h e

began calling me 'Notta Bit More' and Notta I've been ever since." The clown winked again. "Call me

Notta, won't you?"

" Yes, s ir ," r ep li ed t he o rp han, s wall ow in g again and t ry in g n ot t o cry . S eein g t hi s, N ot ta t ur ned

a d ou bl e s om er sa ul t a nd s to od o n h is h ea d.

" An d w hat i s y ou r n am e?" h e ask ed , w av in g h is l eg s cheer fu ll y. " Bo bb ie D ow ns ," s ni ff ed t he

orphan, with another swallow.

"H ow d id y ou g et i t? " T he c lo wn d ro pp ed d ow n b es id e t he l it tl e b oy .

"I t hi nk i t cam e w it h m e, s ir ," s ai d B ob bi e f ai nt ly .

" We ll , i f y ou d on 't m in d, w e' ll c ha ng e i t t o B ob U p- fo r t ha t' s w ha t w e' ve d on e- an d B ob U p

s ou nd s m or e l iv el y t han B ob bi e D ow ns , d on 't y ou t hi nk ?"

While Notta was talking he was glancing anxiously around him. "Bob," he said finally, "I think

w e' ve f al le n i n w it h a not he r c ir cus . S ee , t he re a re t en ts , a nd I h ea r l io ns r oa ri ng ." " So d o I ," s ai d B ob bi e beginning to look more interested than frightened.

" Ye s, i t' s e it he r a c ir cu s o r a s ea s ho re w it ho ut a ny s ea ," c on ti nue d t he c lo wn , r un ni ng hi s

f inge rs t hr ou gh t he s an d. " But a nyw ay, he re I a m a nd he re you a re , a nd s o l ong a s y ou a re he re we 'l l bob

up t oge the r. Le t' s go o n t o t he m ai n t ent a nd s ee t he s ho w. "

Bo bb ie s to od up a nd s hoo k t he w at er f rom h is c ap. T he y w er e b ot h d ri ppi ng we t f rom t he

s to rm t he y h ad p as se d t hr ou gh , b ut t he s un a nd w in d o f t hi s q ue er d es er t c ou nt ry s oo n d ri ed t he m o ff

and , con vers in g alm os t cheer fu ll y, t hey t ru dg ed t hr ou gh t he d eep s an d t ow ar d a l ar ge b lu e, s tr ip ed t en t.

" I' ve do ne a h ea p of t ra ve li ng i n m y t im e, " c on fi de d N ot ta , " bu t n eve r i n j us t t hi s wa y. I 'v e r un

i nt o s om e s tr an ge p la ce s a nd w al ke d i nt o o th er s; b ut t hi s i s t he f ir st t im e I e ve r t al ke d m ys el f i nt o a

c ount ry. The re w e we re i n a c ir cus , qui et a nd n atu ra l l ik e, t he n t ha t r hyme pops i nt o my he ad . I s ay i t a nd





of f we go l ike a c oupl e of s kyr oc ke ts . We we re j us t t al ke d i nt o t hi s c ount ry, B ob, m y b oy, a nd a mi gh ty

t ri ck y b us in es s I cal l i t. B ut n ev er m in d, w e' ll j us t f ol lo w t he r ul es any way.

" Wh at r ul es ?" ask ed B ob , l oo ki ng cur io us ly at s om e t al l p al m t rees , w av in g i n t he d is tance. H e

h ad n ev er s up po sed p al m t r ees exi s ted o ut s id e o f g eo gr aph y b oo ks .

"W hy ," e xp la in ed N ot ta , " ju st f ou r s im pl e l it tl e r ul es I m ad e u p t o u se i n c as e o f d ang er o r t ro ub le. F ir st ," h e p ul led o ut h is l it tl e f in ger, " fi rs t I d is gu is e m ys el f. I f t hat f ai ls , I 'm ext reem ly p ol it e. I f

politeness doesn't do, I tell a joke. If the joke fails, I shout something no one can understand and run like

s ix ty . S o d on 't y ou w or ry , B ob; s ti ck t o m e a nd r un w he n I r un a nd e ve ry th in g w il l t ur n o ut r ig ht . D o yo u

kno w w ha t ma ke s me s o f at ?"

Bo b s ho ok h is h ea d.

"Disguises!" whispered Notta triumphantly. "I use them for padding. Mighty handy when I

t um bl e abo ut . Y es , s ir , i n h er e. " N ot ta f on dl y p at ted h is b ul gi ng S ui t. " In h er e I h av e s ix m ar velo us

d is gu is es r ea dy t o p ut o n a t a m om en t' s n ot ic e, a nd i n h er e, " N ot ta t ap pe d h is p ow de ry f or eh ea d, " inh er e, I 'v e s ix ty d if fe re nt j ok es , a nd l ot s o f t hi ng s I d on 't u nd er st an d m ys el f, s o y ou s ee w e a re p re pa re d

f or every th in g. " " Yes, s ir ," s ai d B ob bi e s ol em nl y, f or h e w as a v er y s ol em n l it tl e b oy . L iv in g i n an o rp han

a syl um h ad m ad e h im t ha t w ay a nd , a s f or a dv en tu re s, h e h ad n ev er h ad a n a dv en tu re i n h is l if e. T he re

w er e l es so ns a nd m ea ls a nd pu ni sh me nt s, a nd o nc e i n a w hi le a f ig ht a mo ng t he ol de r b oy s, b ut n o o ne i n

t ha t b ig , b us y h om e h ad t im e t o t al k t o B ob bi e D ow ns , n or a ns we r h is q ue st io ns . S o B ob bi e h ad g ro wn

q ui et er a nd m or e s ol em n e ac h y ea r o f t he s ev en h e h ad s pe nt i n t he du ll g ra y a sy lu m.

N ot ta l oo ked at t he l it tl e b oy cur io us ly as h e t ru dg ed alo ng b es id e h im . T he k in dl y clo wn

de ci de d t ha t he w as g oi ng t o l ike B ob U p, a nd r igh t t he re he de ci de d t ha t B ob U p wa s go ing t o ha ve a

l it tl e f un . " I' ll b et h e' s n ev er l au gh ed o ut l ou d i n h is w ho le l if e, " t ho ug ht t he clo wn t o h im self , and b eg an

r un ni ng o ve r i n h is h ea d t he f un ni es t j ok es t ha t h e k ne w. H e h ad j us t d et er mi ne d o n t he o ne a bo ut t he p iga nd t he p oun d of b ac on , w he n a n e ar s pl it ti ng s cr ee ch k no ck ed a ll t ho ugh t o f j ok in g o ut o f h is m in d. A

h ug e f ig ur e, w it h b ri st li ng b lu e w hi sk er s, h ad s te pp ed ou t f ro m b ehi nd a p al m t re e, t ak en on e l oo k a t t he

t wo s tr an ge rs a nd t he n d is ap pe ar ed i n t he d ir ec ti on o f t he b lu e t en t, s ho ut in g a t t he t op o f h is l un gs .

" I s i t B lu e B eard ?" q uavered B ob , clu tchi ng N ot ta.

" Bo b, " s ai d t he clo wn , s wall ow in g h ar d, " I d on 't k no w, b ut w e' ll j us t t ry r ul e o ne." F um bl in g i n

t he b os om o f h is s ui t h e d ra gg ed o ut a b ro wn b un dl e, a nd b ef or e t he l it tl e b oy c ou ld w in k h ad s te pp ed

i nt o i t a nd d ro pp ed o n a ll f ou rs .

" I 'm a l io n, " p an te d N ot ta , " an d i f I r oa r l oud ly e no ugh I m ay f ri gh te n t he m of f. S ti ck c lo se t o

m e, B ob , a nd t ry t o r em em be r t he r ul es . I f I r un , y ou r un -u nd er st an d? "

" Ye s, s ir !" g as pe d B ob, h is e ye s a s r ou nd a s c ook ie s, f or N ot ta 's d is gui se w as s o r ea l t ha t h e

w as a lm os t a fr ai d h im se lf . S ca rc el y h ad N ot ta c le ar ed h is t hr oa t f or a g ro wl t ha n a w hi te r ob ed c om pa ny

burst out of the blue tent, and descended upon them in a whirl of sand and scimitars. Bob was as brave

a s a ny bo y, bu t h is r et ir ed l if e i n a n or ph an a sy lu m h ad no t p re pa re d h im f or a nyt hi ng l ik e t hi s. T ea rs

s ta rt ed t o h is e ye s. W it h a s cr ea m. o f f ri gh t, h e g ra sp ed N ot ta 's w oo ll y m an e.

" Yo u' d b et ter s to p cry in g and g et r eady t o r un ," w hi sp er ed t he clo wn n er vo us ly and f in is hed

h is s en te nc e w it h s uc h a r oa r t ha t B ob j um pe d q ui te t hr ee f ee t. B ut t he w il d w hi te c om pa ny k ep t r ig ht o n

c om in g a nd , b ef or e N ot ta c ou ld g et a no th er g ro wl g oi ng , a n et w as t hr ow n o ve r h is h ea d, a d oz en o f t he

blue whiskered villains were upon him and next instant he was rolling over and over in the sandy road.





B ob h ad s hu t h is eyes t ig ht , exp ecti ng t o b e s natched h im self , b ut w hen n ot hi ng h ap pened h e

o pe ne d t he m a nd s aw w it h a l it tl e g as p t ha t t he y w er e h us tl in g N ot ta , w it h p ri ck s a nd p ro ds , t ow ar ds t he

billowing blue tent. This was Bob's first adventure and he might have run away, but something inside of

h im , t ha t h e h ad n' t k no wn a bo ut , k ep t h im t he re . R ig ht i n t ha t m om en t, a nd a ll o f a s ud de n, B ob

d is co ve re d t ha t h e w as f on de r o f t hi s c lo wn w ho m h e h ad k no wn o nl y a f ew m om en ts t ha n o f a ny on e h e

h ad e ve r k no wn b ef or e. H e f el t t ha t i f s om et hi ng t er ri bl e w as g oi ng t o h ap pe n t o N ot ta i t m ig ht a s w el lh ap pe n t o h im t oo .

" Bo b U p, " t he c lo wn ha d c al le d h im . W el l, b ob u p he w ou ld . W it h t re mb li ng l eg s, he r an a ft er

t he s ho ut in g c om pa ny , a nd m an ag ed t o s qu ee ze i nt o t he r oy al t en t u nn ot ic ed , b eh in d t he b ro ad b ac k o f

T az zy wa ll er . F or a s y ou h av e a ll g ue ss ed l on g b ef or e n ow , i t w as t o M ud ge t ha t N ot ta h ad t ra ns po rt ed

himself and the little boy.

N ot ta's d is gu is e, t ho ug h s om ew hat ask ew , s ti ll h el d t og et her and h e w as g ro wl in g t er ri bl y t o

k ee p u p h is c ou ra ge , a t t he s am e t im e l oo ki ng a nx io us ly a ro un d f or B ob . H is l io n h ea d h ad b ee n

kn oc ke d s ide wa ys , s o t ha t he c ou ld o nl y s ee ou t of o ne e ye , b ut w ha t he m ana ge d t o s ee w it h on e e yew as e no ug h t o m ak e h im q ua ke w it h t er ror . T he M ud ge rs w er e s ho ut in g a nd h op pi ng a bo ut i n f ro nt o f a

large blue throne, pointing at him with their flashing scimitars.

T he n a t al l, p ar ti cu la rl y t hi n f el lo w s ei ze d h im by t he e ar . I t w as P an ap ee .

"Lion," cried Panapee haughtily, "this is your new master, Mustafa of Mudge. Your Highness,

h er e i s t he l io n y ou w er e j us t w is hi ng f or !"

" A n o dd l oo ki ng b east ," p uf fed t he r ul er o f M ud ge, t ug gi ng at h is m us tach e.

" An awf ul l oo ki ng creat ur e I cal l i t, " s ni ff ed T azzy wall er , w ho w as j ealo us t o t hi nk ano th er l io nr ea ll y h ad b ee n c apt ur ed a ft er h e s ai d t he re w er e no mo re .

" Ma yb e i t' s t he C ow ar dl y L ion ," m us ed M us ta fa . " I s ee t ha t h is k ne es a re t re mb li ng . A re y ou

t he C ow ar dl y L io n?" h e d em an ded, p oi nt in g h is s ci mi tar at p oo r N ot ta. T he clo wn r oared d is mall y, t o

prove he was no coward. How was he to know that in the land of Oz all animals can and are expected to

talk? Why, he did not eve n know he was in Oz, and in t he hands of the Mudgers.

" He r ef us es t o a ns we r," s ai d M us ta fa gl oom il y. " We ll , a d um b l io n i s b et te r t ha n n o l io n a t a ll .

Ta ke hi m a wa y, Pa nn y, a nd l oc k hi m up w it h t he ot he r l ions . I h ope he 's a go od f ight er . Le t me s ee , t ha t

m ak es t en t ho us an d f or y ou t o f ee d, T az zy wa ll er , i f t he o th er s d on 't c he w t hi s o ne u p. H e r ub be d h isha nds j oyf ul ly t oget he r. " I'l l c ome out l at er on a nd s ee how t hey ta ke t o hi m. But I a m not goi ng t o be

s at is fi ed u nt il I h av e t he C ow ar dl y L io n, P an ny . T hi s l io n i s a cow ar dl y l io n b ut n ot t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

Take him away!"

M us ta fa p ic ke d u p t he l io n b oo k a nd , w av in g N ot ta o ut o f t he t en t, f el l t o l oo ki ng a t t he

picture of the Cowardly Lion of Oz.

A ll d ur in g t hi s con vers at io n N ot ta's h ai r h ad b een p ri ck li ng u nd er h is m an e. T en t ho us an d

l io ns ! S izzl in g s aw du st ! B et ter f ace t hese w il d- lo ok in g m en t han t hat. R ul e o ne h ad f ai led, i t w as t im e t o

t ry r ul e t wo .

" Co me on ," gr owl ed t he M udg er a t h is he ad a nd ga ve t he r ope a rou hd hi s n ec k a s ha rp t ug .

B ut be fo re t he c low n h ad a c ha nc e t o m ove o r s pe ak , t he re w as a s hr il l s cr ea m, a nd ou t r us he d B ob U p,





almost upsetting old Tazzywaller. He flung both arms around the trembling lion.

" Yo u s han' t t ak e h im away, " cri ed t he l it tl e b oy s to rm il y. " It i sn 't a l io n. I t' s N ot ta!"

"Notta?" roared Mustafa, lurching forward and looking at Bobbie with astonishment.

" No t a l io n, " cri ed t he clo wn , r is in g o n h is h in d l eg s and h as ti ly r em ov in g h is l io n h ead.

C HA PT ER 4 M us t af a's M and ate

T HE RE w as a m om en t o f abs ol ut e s il en ce f ol lo wi ng N ot ta's d is cl os ur e. W it h h is l io n b od y and

clo wn h ead h e p resent ed an amazi ng and r id icul ou s app earance. N ot hi ng l ik e t hi s h ad ever b een s een i n

Mudge, and the Mudgers simply gaped with astonishment.

" St eady n ow , B ob ," w hi sp er ed t he clo wn , p ut ti ng h is l io n p aw aro un d t he l it tl e b oy . " Al l w e

ha ve t o do i s t o be p ol it e- rul e t wo , yo u kn ow !"

M us ta fa w as t he f ir st t o r ec ov er . " No t a l io n! " c ri ed t he M on ar ch o f M ud ge h oa rs el y. " Wh y,

h ow d ar e y ou d is ap po in t m e l ik e t hi s? D id y ou h ear t hat, T azzy wall er , P an ny , M ix tu pp a- al l o f y ou ? H e

s ays he 's n ot a l io n. " A s ob o f r age c ho ke d M us ta fa 's v oi ce .

" I apo lo gi ze f or n ot b ei ng a l io n, " s ai d N ot ta, i n a p ol it e, s li gh tl y s haky v oi ce. " Ten t ho us an d

pardons!"

"Ten thousand puddings!" screamed Mustafa furiously.

" Pu dd in gs b y all m eans , i f y ou r H ig hn es s p refers t hem, " cor rect ed N ot ta h as ti ly . " I t ol d y ou

t here w er e n o m or e l io ns i n M ud ge," w heezed T azzy wall er w it h a t ri um ph an t g lance

a t P an ap ee . " I k ne w i t w as n' t a l io n a ll a lo ng ." " We ll , w ha t i s i t t he n? " a sk ed M us ta fa a ng ri ly .

" Th e l it tl e f el lo w' s a bo y o f s om e ki nd , b ut t hi s o th er ?" H e w ave d s co rn fu ll y a t t he p oo r c lo wn .

" A w izar d, y ou r H ig hn es s?" h is sed P an ap ee. " A w izar d, t hat' s w hat h e i s.

" No w d on 't cal l m e n am es ," b eg ged N ot ta, ext en di ng t he f ro nt p aw s o f h is d is gu is e. " I' m

Notta."

"Not a wizard, I suppose," said Tazzywaller scornfully.

" Wh y d on 't y ou as k h im h ow h e g ot h er e?" s ig hed M ix tu pp a, r easo nabl y eno ug h. N ot ta s tared

cur io us ly at t he l ar ge h ead o f M ix tu pp a, w ag gi ng t hr ou gh t he b lu e cur tain . P er haps h er e w as s om eo ne

who would understand politeness.

" Madam, y ou r H ig hn es s, g raci ou s and l ov el y l ad y, " b eg an t he clo wn w it h a d eep b ow , " we f el l

i nt o t hi s charm in g cou nt ry t hr ou gh n o f au lt o f o ur o wn .

" W el l, i t w as n' t o ur f au lt ; w e h av e n o f au lt s h er e, " s napp ed M us tafa u ng raci ou sl y. " Ho w d id





y ou g et p as t t he l io n enclo su re?" d em an ded P an ap ee. " Ho w d o y ou exp lain t hi s b ei ng a l io n o ne m in ut e

a nd a c re at ur e o f a no th er s or t t he n ex t? "

" Well , t here i s s om et hi ng v er y q ueer abo ut i t, " adm it ted N ot ta, r ub bi ng h is f or eh ead i n a

puzzled way. "One minute Bob and I were in a circus doing a bit of a trick and-"

" I k new i t w as a t ri ck ," exclaim ed P an ap ee t ri um ph an tl y. " He adm it s i t! "

" Si lence! " cri ed M us tafa, w ho w as b eg in ni ng t o enj oy t he r ecit al . " Yo u w er e i n a cir cu s?

Tazzywaller, what is a circus?"

" It 's a s ho w, " e xp la in ed N ot ta h as ti ly, f or h e c ou ld t el l b y t he p uz zl ed f ac es o f t he M ud ge rs

t ha t t he y ha d ne ve r he ar d of s uc h a t hi ng. " And we we re in i t. I put Bob on m y s houl de r a nd s hou te d a

si ll y r hyme, a nd in a fl as h he i s gone . I shout i t aga in and I 'm gone t oo!"

"Gone where?" asked Mustafa, rubbing his chin.

" To h er e, " r ep li ed N ot ta, g azin g abo ut h im u neas il y. " Fu nn y h ow a l it tl e v er se cou ld car ry u s s o

far." He recited:

" Ud ge ! B ud ge ! G o t o M ud ge ! U dg er b ud ge r, I 'm a M ud ge r! "

No s oone r h ad he don e s o t ha n M us ta fa s pr ang i nt o t he a ir a nd a ll t he M ud ge rs be ga n r oa ri ng

with fright and fury.

" He's d is co vered t he s ecret o f M ud ge," s hr il led M us tafa, p ul li ng o ut a h an df ul o f h is w hi sk er s.

"How dare you use our own privately patented, particular, magic transformation formula? Now you'll be wishing all sorts of people into the country!"

" He 's a w iz ar d! " s cr ea me d P an ap ee . " I t ol d y ou h e w as a w iz ar d! T wi st h is t ai l; o ff w it h h is

h ead; t hr ow h im t o t he l io ns !"

" Wait , l et m e exp lain ," p lead ed t he clo wn , b ut h is v oi ce w as d ro wn ed i n t he ang ry h ub bu b.

T he n a ll a t o nc e a g on g a t t he b ac k o f t he t en t r an g t hu nd er ou sl y. M us ta fa , w ho h ad a lr ea dy s ei ze d t he

t ai l o f N ot ta 's di sg ui se , p au se d. S o d id t he ot he rs . O n a p la tf or m a t t he ot he r e nd of t he t ent s to od

T azzy wall er , t hu mp in g t he g on g w it h all h is m ig ht . T he n oi se w as s o t er ri bl e t hat even N ot ta and B ob ,

f ri gh te ne d t ho ug h t he y w er e, h ad t o c ov er t he ir e ar s. N ot u nt il M us ta fa r an t o t he l it tl e p la tf or m a ndcom mand ed T azzy wall er t o s to p, d id t he awf ul clang or cease.

" Wh at d o y ou m ean b y t hi s i mp er ti nence?" p an ted M us tafa, s ei zi ng T azzy 's arm .

" It w as t he o nl y w ay I cou ld g et y ou r att en ti on ," s ai d T azzy wall er cal ml y. " I h av e s om et hi ng

important to say. About lions," he finished meaningly.

" Well , w hat i s i t?" p uf fed M us tafa eag er ly . " Be q ui et !" h e cal led t o t he M ud gers w ho w er e

a ga in c lo si ng i n o n N ot ta a nd B ob .

" Th at p er so n, " cri ed T azzy wall er , w it h a w av e t ow ar d N ot ta, " is u nd ou bt ed ly a- w izar d.

I ns te ad o f s na tc hi ng of f hi s he ad , w hi ch w il l b e o f n o us e t o u s, e ve n a s a n or na me nt , w hy n ot c om pe l h im

to serve us? He is a wizard, or he would not be in Mudge . Well then, let him go to the Emerald City and





bring back the Cowardly Lion!"

Mustafa stared at his former chamberlain in amazed admiration, then flinging both arms about

h is n ec k, h ug ge d h im a lm os t t o s uf fo ca ti on. N ex t i ns ta nt h e h ad c la pp ed h is h and s a nd i ss ue d a d oz en

o rd er s t o a s m an y l it tl e s er vi to rs . A t t he f ir st t he s ho ut in g M ud ge rs r et ir ed b ac kw ar d f ro m t he t en t, a t t he

s ec on d P an ap ee a ls o r et ir ed , l ea vi ng B ob a nd N ot ta a lo ne w it h T az zy a nd t he ir M aj es ti es . O ut si de , t he

m ar ch in g and cou nt er marchi ng o f t he b lu e g uard cou ld b e h eard as t hey s ur ro un ded t he r oy al t en t.

" Th e r ul es aren' t w or ki ng at all w el l, B ob ," b reat hed N ot ta anx io us ly . B ob s ai d n ot hi ng .. H e

just clutched the clown's hand a little tighter and stared at Mustafa in open-eyed wonder.

" No w t hen, " chu ck led t he m on ar ch o f M ud ge, " no w t hen, m y h an ds om e w izar d, w hat d o y ou

call yourself?"

" N ot ta ," b eg an t he c lo wn , r es ol ve d t o b e p ol it e a s l on g a s p os si bl e, " No tt a B it M or e. "

" No tt a! " cou gh ed M us tafa, o peni ng h is eyes w id e. T hat d oesn 't s ou nd l ik e a n am e. I t s ou nd slike-"

" A joke ," put i n t he cl own, wi th one of hi s br oa d s mi le s, "a l itt le joke on me . You s ee i t i s

m eant t o b e f un ny ."

" We ll , i t d oe sn 't a mu se m e a t a ll ." M us ta fa s ta re d s ol em nl y i nt o t he c lo wn' s f ac e. " Wh y a re y ou

s o w hi te ? A nd w hy i s h is h ai r, " M us ta fa j er ke d h is t hu mb a t B ob -" so r ed ?"

" Fo r t he s ame r eas on t hat y ou r M aj est y' s w hi sk er s are b lu e, " r ep li ed N ot t a p ro mp tl y. M us tafa

d id n ot q ui te l ik e t hi s ans wer.

" Yo ur b us in es s?" h e i nq ui red n ex t. " I s up po se y ou d en y b ei ng a w izar d?"

" Oh , a bs ol ut el y! " s ai d N ot ta . " Bu t m y bu si n es s, i f y our M aj es ty i ns is ts , i s f un . I m ake p eo pl e

laugh and thus prolong their lives."

"A funny business," sniffed Mustafa, with a puzzled look at Tazzywaller. "Well, you will have

t o m ak e me l aug h t o pr ol on g yo ur l if e, a nd t he o nl y t hi ng t ha t m ak es m e l au gh i s l ions !"

" Li ons !" N ot ta w ri nk le d u p h is f or eh ea d. " I' m a fr ai d l io ns a re n ot i n m y l ine a t a ll . Y ou s ee I

d id n' t w or k i n t ha t p ar t o f t he s ho w. "

" Yo u p retend ed t o b e a l io n, " i nt er ru pt ed M us tafa s tern ly , " an d y ou h ay e p ro ved y ou rs el f a

w iz ar d. S o u nl es s y ou c an c ap tu re t he C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z a nd b ri ng h im b ac k t o M ud ge , y ou s ha ll b e

thrown into the lion reservation, whereby nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine lions will tear you to

bits. Do you agree?"

" Te ar m e t o bi ts !" gul pe d t he c lown. " My f at he r of te n s ai d I 'd g o t o t he do gs , but he ne ve r

d re am ed I 'd b e t hr ow n t o t he l io ns . S ay , i s t hi s C ow ar dl y L io n v er y f ie rc e? " I ns te ad o f a ns we ri ng ,

M us tafa h an ded h im P an ap ee's l io n b oo k, s ay in g, " Yo u m ay r ead t hat w hi le I m ak e p reparati on s f or y ou r

journey.

Smiling almost pleasantly, the Monarch of Mudge linked his arm through Tazzywaller's and

di sa ppe ar ed be hi nd t he b lue c ur ta in a t t he ba ck o f t he t en t. Mi xt upp a a ls o d re w i n h er he ad a nd B ob Up





a nd N ot ta w er e l ef t a lo ne .

" Is n' t i t t im e t o r un ?" a sk ed t he l it tl e bo y a nxi ou sl y. He ha d ne ve r i n h is w ho le l if e h ea rd s o

m uc h a bo ut l io ns . B ut N ot ta p ut h is f in ge rs t o h is l ip s a nd s ho ok h is h ea d.

" No u se ," w hi sp er ed t he c lo wn . " Th e t en t' s s ur ro un de d. W e m us t p re te nd , m y b oy p re te nd w e

a re g oi ng t o h un t t hi s C ow ar dl y L io n. T he n, on ce o ut of t he c ou nt ry, w e' ll t ak e t he f ir st t ra in h om e. " H es at d ow n o n a h ug e c us hi on a nd b eg an t ur ni ng t he p ag es o f t he l io n b oo k, B ob U p l oo ki ng c ur io us ly o ve r

h is s ho ul der. T hey w er e b ot h q ui te i nt er es ted i n a d es cr ip ti on o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n and P ri nces s

D or ot hy , w hen M us tafa cam e w hi rl in g b ack. H e w as f ol lo wed b y a s mall M ud ger s er vant , w it h t hr ee

w hi te p acket s u po n h is h ead.

" He re ," s ai d M us ta fa , w it h a w av e a t t he p ac ke ts , " ar e p ro vi si on s f or t hr ee d ay s. T ra ve l

s tr ai gh t n or th u nt il yo u r ea ch a y el lo w b ri ck r oa d a nd f ol lo w t ha t r oa d t il l y ou c om e t o t he E me ra ld C it y.

There you will find the Cowardly Lion."

" Bu t, s ee h er e, " b eg an N ot ta , w ho h ad b ee n d oi ng s om e q ui ck t hi nk in g, " wh y d oe s n ot y ou r M aj es ty t rans po rt t hi s l io n t o M ud ge b y t he m ag ic v er se?"

"For a wizard," sniffed Mustafa, "you are astonishingly stupid. That verse only transports

people, and one must touch the person.

" We ll t he n, w hy n ot s en d s om e o f y ou r v al ia nt t ri be sm en t o c ap tu re h im ? I , I a m a s tr an ge r

h er e a nd ha ve ne ve r c ap tu re d a l ion i n m y l if e. "

" Be ca us e i t i s w ri tt en i n t he bo ok of M udg e t ha t a ny M ud ge r l ea vi ng hi s c ou nt ry w il l l os e h is

h ead, " d ro ned M ix tu pp a, t hr us ti ng h er t ur ban t hr ou gh t he cur tain . " An d i f y ou t ak e m y adv ice y ou w il l g o

a t onc e. A ll t hi s a rgu ing k ee ps me a wa ke , a nd whe n I 'm a wa ke I l os e m y t empe r, a nd w he n I l os e m yt em pe r o th er f ol ks l os e t he ir h ea ds , a nd w he n t ha t- "

" I' ll g o, " s ig he d N ot ta , s ee in g t ha t n o s en se a t a ll w as t o b e h ad f ro m t hi s r id ic ul ou s p ai r. H e

s te pp ed o ut of hi s l io n d is gui se a nd , r ol li ng i t u p i nt o a s ma ll bu ndl e, t hr us t i t i nt o h is t rou se r l eg . N ex t h e

s lu ng t he t hr ee p ac ke ts a ro un d h is n ec k a nd , t ak in g B ob 's h an d, d ec la re d h im se lf r ea dy t o g o.

R ub bi ng h is h an ds g leef ul ly , M us tafa l ed t hem o ut o f t he r oy al t en t, t hr ou gh a d ou bl e l in e o f t he

M ud ger G uard , t o t he g reat i ro n enclo su re t hat s ur ro un ded h is k in gd om . T he l io ns w er e s narl in g and

q uarr el in g amo ng t hems el ves, b ut as s oo n as M us tafa cam e i n s ig ht t hey b eg an cal li ng h im n am es and

screaming for their dinner.

" Be q ui et , m y l it tl e p et s, " chu ck led t he M on ar ch o f M ud ge g oo d- natu redl y. " Th is i s n ot d in ner,

only a silly wizard."

" Gi ve u s t he b oy, t he n, " r oa re d t he l ar ge st o f t he l ion s, l ic ki ng h is c ho ps . " Gi ve us t he b oy ,"

r oa re d a ll t he o th er l io ns i mm ed ia te ly . N ot ta a nd B ob U p s ta re d a t M us ta fa 's p et s i n h or ro r a nd d is be li ef ,

f or n ei th er h ad i n t he ir l iv es e ve r h ea rd a l io n t al k b ef or e. B ob , e spe ci al ly , w as t er ri bl y d is ma ye d b y t he

personal nature of their conversation. But, while they were still trembling, two heavy doors were slipped

t hr ou gh t he b ar s, abo ut f iv e f eet apart , m ak in g a s af e and n ar ro w p as s ag ew ay t hr ou gh t he enclo su re. T he

g at es o n t he i ns id e and o ut si de o f t he enclo su re w er e u nl ocked and M us tafa w av ed i mp er io us ly f or t hem

t o go .

T hi s N ot ta a nd B ob l os t n o t im e i n d oi ng.





"Remember," called Mustafa warningly, as they scurried through, "if you run away instead of

h un ti ng f or t he C ow ar dl y L io n, I s hall k no w o f i t. W hen a m es seng er d is ob ey s m e, m y m ag ic r in g t ur ns

black. If it turns black I shall know you are deceiving me, and in that case Mustafa held up his thumb so

t hat Not ta c oul d s ee hi s r ing" in t ha t c as e I sha ll ta ke i t of f, a nd if I t ake i t of f you wi ll bot h t urn a s bl ue a s

m y w hi sk er s a nd f in d y ou rs el ve s u na bl e t o m ov e u nt il y ou d ec id e t o d o a s I h av e c om ma nd ed . G oo db ye ,

m y chalk -f aced w izar d, a p leas an t j ou rn ey and a s wi ft r et ur n! "

No tt a w as t oo s ho ck ed a nd a st ou nd ed t o a ns we r. G ra sp in g B ob U p m or e f ir ml y t ha n b ef or e,

h e r us he d o ut t he i ron ga te a nd of f t hr ou gh a f ie ld of bl ue d ai si es , un ti l t he dr ea df ul r oa ri ng of t he l io ns of

M ud ge c ou ld n o l on ge r b e h ea rd .

" An d t hi s, " p uf fe d t he c lo wn a t l as t, s in ki ng d ow n un de r a g re at t re e, " thi s i s w ha t c om es o f

t ry in g t o b e f un ny . Ne ve r t ry t o b e f un ny, m y b oy. "

" No , s ir ," ans wered B ob , s tari ng anx io us ly o ver h is s ho ul der t o s ee w heth er any o f M us tafa's

lions had followed them.

C HA PT ER 5

Two Cowardly Lion Hunters

FO R a t ime No tt a a nd Bob U p s at qui et ly u nde r t he t re e, e ac h bu sy wi th hi s ow n t hou ght s.

T he clo wn w as r ep eati ng t o h im self M us tafa's w ar ni ng , and t ry in g t o r ecal l s om e m en ti on o f s uch ac ou nt ry a s M udg e i n t he g eo gr ap hi es h e ha d s tu di ed. T he l it tl e b oy w as t hi nki ng t ha t a t t hi s t im e

y es terd ay h e w as cal ml y eat in g o at meal and app le s au ce, w it h n ot hi ng m or e excit in g ahead t han l es so ns

a nd b ed . P er ha ps h e w as a sl ee p, a nd d re am in g a bo ut l io ns a nd b lu e w hi sk er ed M ud ge rs . H e t ou ch ed

Notta experimentally, to see if he would disappear or turn suddenly to the harsh-voiced matron of the

o rp ha n a sy lu m. B ut t he c lo wn o nl y t ur ne d a n ea t s om er sa ul t, w al ke d a f ew p ac es o n h is h an ds a nd s at

down again.

" Bob, " a ske d t he c lown, t il ti ng h is c ap f or wa rd s o h e c oul d s cr at ch hi s e ar , " do I l ook l ike a

lion hunter?"

Bob Up shook his head slowly and almost laughed. Something inside tickled tremendously,

but he remembered, just in time, that laughing was against the rules of the orphan home, so he swallowed

instead.

" We'r e b ot h l io n h un ters ," o bs er ved t he clo wn r ef lect iv el y, " an d t hat b ei ng t he cas e w e h ad

better start hunting at once, for it would never do for the lions to find us first. It's like a game of

h ide -a nd -s ee k, B ob . S o l on g a s w e a re h un ti ng h im , t hi s C ow ar dl y L io n i s i t. B ut i f w e s top h un ti ng , t he n

we 'r e i t. I n a ga me of h ide -a nd -s ee k wi th a l ion, i t' s y our hi de or hi s. Bei ng i t, me ans be ing et,

hide-and-seek and all!"

Not ta gl anc ed s lyl y a t B ob ou t of t he c or ne r of hi s e ye t o s ee w he the r he w er e go ing t o s mi le .

B ob w as l oo ki ng u ncer tain ly at t he f or es t, s tr et ch in g s o d ar kl y ahead , and t hi nk in g h e w ou ld j us t as s oo n

n ot p la y t hi s g am e of hi de -a nd -s ee k a t a ll . B ut a s No tt a h ad a lr ea dy s ta rt ed t owa rd t he f or es t, t he re w as





n ot hi ng f or h im t o d o b ut f ol lo w. T he s ho rt , s pr in g a ft er no on w as d ra wi ng t o a c lo se a nd a r ou nd s il ve r

m oo n s ho we d f ai nt ly o ve r t he t re e t op s.

" Th in gs m ig ht b e a l ot b et te r, a nd a ga in t he y m ig ht b e a l ot w or se ," m us ed N ot ta , a s t he y

w al ke d a lo ng u nd er t he t re es . " Wh y, i f y ou w er e i n t he h om e, y ou w ou ld p ro ba bl y b e e at in g c or n m ea l

m us h f or s up per and -"

" Wha t a re w e go ing t o ha ve f or s up pe r, N ot ta ?" a ske d Bo b, l oo ki ng up a t t he c low n

inquiringly. "Well, hurrah!" shouted the clown, turning a rapid cartwheel. "You're getting on, my lad;

c al le d m e N ot ta a s n at ur al a s a b ro th er . A s t o s upp er , t ha t d ep en ds on M us ta fa . L et 's s ee w ha t t he o ld

r as cal h as g iv en u s. "

On a f lat s tump t ha t happe ne d t o be ne ar , Nott a ope ne d one of the pa cke ts a nd s et out a

r eg ul ar f ea st . T he re w er e d oz en s o f s ma ll m ea t s an dw ic he s, t he re w er e r ip e f ig s, a j ar o f h on ey , a nd a

l it tl e j ug f ul l o f b lu e t ea, w hi ch t hey f ou nd m os t r ef resh in g. A ft er t hey h ad f east ed , N ot ta car ef ul ly p acked

u p t he r es t and , f eeli ng m or e cheer fu l, t he t wo cow ar dl y l io n h un ters s tepp ed alo ng t hr ou gh t he f or es t.

" I c an 't m ak e o ut w he re w e a re , a t a ll ," s ai d t he c lo wn p re se nt ly , " bu t i n a c ou nt ry w he re l io ns

t al k, a nd v er se s f li ng o ne a bo ut , i t' s s af er t o ob ey o rd er s, d on 't y ou t hi nk s o, B ob U p, m y b oy ? So l ong

a s w e t ra ve l t ow ar ds t hi s E me ra ld C it y w e a re o be yi ng o rd er s a nd a re s af e f ro m M us ta fa 's r in g. W he n

we ge t t he re i s t im e e nou gh t o wor ry a bou t t he C owa rdl y L io n. No w t ake a n E me ra ld C it y, B ob ; di d yo u

e ve r h ea r o f s uc h a p la ce ? W hy , i t' s a s s tr an ge a s b lu e w hi sk er s a nd c ow ar dl y l io ns . E ve ry th in g' s s tr an ge .

I n f ac t, I t hi nk w e' ve f al le n i nt o o ne o f t he se f ai ry t al es . I a lw ay s h ad a k in d o f n ot io n t he y w er e t ru e! "

" Bu t t he C ow ar dl y L io n l ik ed D or ot hy ," b ur st o ut B ob q ui te u nexp ectedl y, " so m ay be h e w il l

l ik e u s. " H e ha d be en t ur ni ng s lo wl y o ve r i n hi s m ind t he f ew f ac ts h e h ad m an age d t o r ea d i n t he l io n

book.

" Wh y, b less m y h eart !" cri ed t he clo wn , l oo ki ng d ow n at B ob adm ir in gl y, " so h e d id , and

f ur t herm or e, d id n' t t hat b oo k s ay D or ot hy w as f r om K an sas ?"

B o b U p n od ded s ol em nl y.

"Well, then everything's clear as candy!"

N ot ta t ur ned a s om er saul t f ro m p ur e r el ief. " We'l l g o s tr ai gh t t o t hi s E merald C it y and t el l o ur

t ro ub le s t o D or ot hy , a nd w he n s he l ea rn s t ha t w e a re f ro m t he U ni te d S ta te s, s ur el y s he w il l h el p u s t o

g et b ac k, a nd i f w e c ou ld t ak e a c ou pl e o f t al ki ng l io ns a lo ng o ur f or tu ne w ou ld b e m ad e. W hy , e ve nBarnum and Bailey never showed a talking lion."

N ot ta w as s o e nt hu si as ti c b y t hi s t im e t ha t h e f ai rl y b ou nc ed a lo ng . B ut B ob w as g row in g

s le ep y. H e f ou nd i t h ar de r a nd h ar de r t o k ee p p ac e w it h N ot ta 's l on g l eg s, a nd f in al ly f el l s pr aw li ng o ve r

t he r oot s of a l ar ge t re e. Not ta ha d hi m up i n a m inut e.

" Li gh ts o ut ?" chu ck led t he clo wn , t ou ch in g B ob 's eyeli ds g en tl y. " Well , t hen, l et 's g o t o b ed .

I t' s t oo da rk t o go on, a nywa y.

" I d on 't s ee any b ed s, " s ig hed B ob , l eani ng w eari ly again st t he clo wn 's k nee.

" Ne it he r d o I ," a dm it te d t he c lo wn , " bu t w e' ll j us t p re te nd w e' re f lo we rs , a nd s le ep o n t he

gr ound. " I n a mi nut e t he c low n ha d r ake d a pi le o f l ea ve s t oge the r unde r t he t re e a nd pl ac ed B ob





carefully in the center.

" Ar e t he re a ny b ea rs i n t hi s w oo d? " a sk ed B ob , l oo ki ng a ro un d d ou bt fu ll y. I t w as q ui te d ar k

n ow , and t he m oo nl ig ht s if ti ng t hr ou gh t he l eaves m ad e q ueer s hapes o ut o f all t he s hado ws . " Th is i sn 't a

bear forest," said Notta positively. "I think it's a fairy forest, Bob, and that reminds me of a song I used to

know."

R each in g o ver, N ot ta p ul led t he l it tl e b oy i nt o h is b ig , com fo rt ab le l ap , and w it h a t wi nk le i n h is

e ye s he put h is ba ck a ga ins t t he t re e a nd be ga n t o s in g:

" Oh t he m oo n' s a b al lo on O n a s il ve ry s tr in g, A nd t he S an dm an h ol ds on t o i t t ig ht ! ' Ti s a

t ic kl is h t as k- Wh at w ou ld h app en, I a sk , I f he l et i t f ly o ff s om e f in e n igh t?

" But he know s t ha t t he re a re Se ve n poi nt s t o a s ta r, Tha t mi gh t pun ct ur e t he m oon; a nd a

s te ep le W ou ld f in is h i t q ui te ! H ow w e' d m is s i t a t ni gh t, F or t he m oo n m ea ns s o m uc h t o s om e p eo pl e! "

T her e w as ano th er v er se t o t he s on g, and B ob , l eani ng d ro ws il y agai ns t N ot ta's ches t, t ho ug hthe ha d ne ve r he ar d a nyt hi ng s o pe rf ec tl y b ea ut if ul . H e h ad n eve r s at o n a r ea l l ap be for e, n or h ad a s on g

s un g esp eciall y f or h im . S o t he l it tl e b oy s nu gg led d ow n con tent ed ly , h is eyes s tr ay in g t o t he m oo n, j us t

v is ib le a bo ve t he t re e t op s. W hy , t he re w as a s tr in g o n i t, a b ri gh t s il ve r s tr in g, a nd a l it tl e, o ld m an w as

ho ldi ng t o t he e nd, j us t a s No tt a ha d s un g!

" Fa st a sl ee p, " m ut te re d t he c lo wn , h ol di ng B ob a b it t ig ht er . A nd s o h e w as f as t a sl ee p a nd

d re am in g o f t he s and ma n' s ba ll oo n. N ot ta me an t t o k ee p a wa ke , f or h e w as no t s o s ur e t he re w er e n o

bears in this dark forest, but the day's experiences had so tired him that, in a short time, he was sound

asleep himself.

N o s oo ne r h ad N ot ta 's e ye s c lo se d, t ha n a l it tl e, b en t f ai ry ma n c am e t ip to ei ng f ro m b eh in d t het re e. He he ld hi s l ant er n c lo se t o N ot ta 's f ac e.

" Su ch a b eaut if ul v oi ce," s ig hed t he l it tl e f el lo w t o h im self . " It w ou ld b e a s hame t o h av e i t

s wa ll ow ed up b y on e of t he f or es t c re at ur es . And t his mus t be a c hil d." He he ld hi s l ant er n c los e t o Bob' s

r ed h ead. H e w at ch ed t hem f or a w hi le i n s il en ce, t hen p ul li ng h is s il very b eard t ho ug ht fu ll y, s et t he l it tl e

r ed l an te rn b es id e t he m a nd p at te re d o ff i nt o t he d ar kn es s.

No tt a ha d be en r igh t. I t wa s a f ai ry f or es t. Eve ry fore st i n t he wonde rful l and of Oz is a fa ir y

f or es t, i nh ab it ed b y s tr an ge c re at ur es a nd p eo pl es . B ut t he c lo wn 's s on g h ad s o p le as ed t he o ld f ai ry ma n

t ha t h e d et er mi ne d t o p ro te ct t he t wo s tr an ge rs f ro m a ll h ar m, a nd t ho ug h m an y b ea rs a nd o th er b ea st sc am e s nu ff li ng p as t, t he y d ar ed n ot a pp ro ac h, f or t he r ed l an te rn t ol d t he m pl ai nl y i t w as " Cl aw s o ff ." S o

grumbling and growling, they went searching further for their dinners.

T he l it tl e l an tern d is ap pear ed w it h t he f ir st r ay o f s un sh in e and , q ui te u ncon scio us o f t he

d an ge rs t he y h ad s le pt t hr ou gh , N ot ta a nd B ob a wo ke a lm os t a t t he s am e m in ut e.

" We ll ," y aw ne d N ot ta , w in ki ng t he o nl y e ye h e h ad o pe n, " we 'r e s ti ll h er e, I s ee ." H e r ol le d

o ve r a nd o ve r a nd t ur ne d a d oz en h an ds pr in gs t o g et t he k in ks o ut o f h is b ac k. " I' ve o ft en w on de re d

wh at m ade f lo we rs s o s ti ff a nd now I k now. I t' s s le epi ng on t he gr ound . I 'm g la d I 'm n ot a f lowe r, a re n' t

you, Bob?"

B ob n od de d a nd ho ppe d u p qu it e br is kl y. Th er e w as a f in e br ee ze b lowi ng, a nd t he da y wa s

s o s un ny a nd b ri gh t t ha t h e f el t r ea dy f or a ny th in g, a nd j us t t o l oo k a t N ot ta m ad e h im f ee l h ap py .





" Do y ou t hi nk w e' ll f in d t he E merald C it y t od ay ?" h e ask ed , s ki pp in g alo ng b es id e t he clo wn ,

w ho w as m ak in g f or a l it tl e b ro ok j us t a he ad .

" We ll , a cc or di ng t o M us ta fa , i t o ug ht t o t ak e t hr ee d ay s, " a ns we re d N ot ta . " Bu t M us ta fa w as

ne ve r i n a c ir cus , a nd a nyo ne wh o h as be en i n a c ir cu s c an t ra ve l t hr ee t ime s a s f as t a s ot he r f ol ks , s o I

s ho ul dn 't b e s ur pr is ed a t a ll i f w e w er e t o be e at ing ou r s up pe r i n t hi s E me ra ld C it y t on ig ht . I f I h ad o nl yw is hed o ld B il ly alo ng h e cou ld h av e car ri ed u s i n s ty le."

" T he eleph an t?" exclaim ed B ob , w it h r ou nd eyes. T he clo wn n od ded and , k neel in g d ow n o n

the e dge of the brook, began to spla sh wat er on hi s f ac e a nd hands . Bob di d t he sa me, a nd ha d just

t ak en of f h is s hoe s i n o rde r t o p add le pr ope rl y, w he n a c ry f ro m N ot ta m ade h im p aus e.

" No w I 'v e d on e i t, " w ai led t he clo wn d ol ef ul ly , j um pi ng u p and d ow n.

"What?" asked Bob curiously.

" Wa sh ed m y f ac e. " N ot ta p oi nt ed t o h is f ac e, w hi ch w as q ui te r ed a nd s hi ny f ro m t he c ol d

w at er . ' An d I ha ve n' t a ny po wde r! H av e y ou a ny p ow de r, B ob ? Oh , m y! C ol d p ie ! I t' s h ar d e no ug h t o

be funny with a white face, but without one I simply could not joke at all. Whatever's to become of us?

I 'm n o c lo wn t hi s w ay.

B ob w as t er ri bl y d is tr es se d, f or i f N ot ta c ou ld n' t b e f un ny n ot hi ng w ou ld s ee m t he s am e. H e

f el t h as ti ly i n h is p oc ke ts -n ot t ha t h e e xp ec te d t o f in d a ny th in g, b ut b ec au se h e d id n' t k no w w ha t e ls e t o

do a nd i n t he l as t one h is ha nd c los ed on a ba g of c andy t he ol d ge nt le ma n ha d bought f or him a t t he

c ir cu s. I t w as s qu as he d a nd s ti ck y f ro m b ei ng s le pt o n, . b ut m ec ha ni ca ll y B ob h an de d i t o ve r.

" Wh y, i t' s m ar sh mall ow s! " cri ed N ot ta i n d el ig ht . " Bo b, y ou h av e s av ed t he h on or o f m y profession. We must preserve these carefully." He patted his face with a small sugary marshmallow and

surveyed his reflection with pleased satisfaction. "I feel funny already," he announced cheerfully. Bob was

m uch r el ieved and N ot ta d id l oo k m or e n at ur al w it h h is f ace w hi tened.

" No w f or b re ak fa st ," s ai d t he c lo wn , l ic ki ng t he s uga r o ff h is l ip s. I t w as g re at f un , B ob

t ho ug ht , w as hi ng i n a b ro ok and h av in g b reak fast u nd er t he t rees . A ft er f in is hi ng o ff s om e m or e o f

Mustafa's sandwiches, they started quite briskly through the forest.

" I t hi nk t he r ul es a re go in g t o w or k b et te r t od ay, " c huc kl ed t he c lo wn, " I w il l us e d is gu is e

n um be r t hr ee . N um be r t hr ee 's a b ea r, B ob U p. N ow , h er e' s o ur p ro gr am , f ir st d is gu is e, t he n p ol it en es s,t he n j ok e a nd r un . W e s ha ll g et a lo ng f am ou sl y. " N ot ta s pr an g i nt o t he a ir a nd c li ck ed h is he el s t og et he r

for very light-heartedness.

B ob w as t hi nk in g t o h im se lf t ha t N ot ta 's l as t d is gu is e h ad n ot h el pe d t he m m uc h, bu t h e w as

t oo pol it e t o me nt ion s uc h a t hi ng, a nd a s t he re s ee me d t o be n o da ng er i n s ight h e t rot te d a long

con tent ed ly , s to pp in g n ow and t hen t o p ick t he b ri gh t b lu e f lo wers t hat g rew every wh er e u nd er t he t rees .

The forest was not so la rge as it had seemed in the night, and in an hour they had c ome to the end of it

a nd s ta rt ed d ow n a n ar ro w l an e.

" We ll , w e' re s ti ll g oi ng n or th ." N ot ta l oo ke d c om pl ac en tl y a t a l ar ge s ig n p os t t ha t s to od a t t he

beginning of the lane.

" No rt h R oa d t o D ," s ai d t he s ig n b ri ef ly .





" Wo nd er w hat D s tand s f or ?"

" Be ca us e i t c an 't s it d ow n. " T he s ig n s na pp ed o ut t he s en te nc e s o s ud de nl y t ha t N ot ta t ri pp ed

and f el l o ver a s to ne, and B ob s im pl y g as ped w it h ast on is hm en t.

" Th ey d id n' t p ai nt any l in e f or i t t o s it o n, " exp lain ed t he s ig n p os t p at ient ly .

" Wh er e d oe s t hi s l an e g o t o? " g ul pe d t he c lo wn , e dg in g o ve r a nd t ak in g B ob 's h an d.

" It do es n' t go a ny pl ac e. I t s ta ys w he re i t i s.

" Se e h er e, " p uf fe d t he c lo wn i n e xa sp er at io n, " I n ev er h ea rd o f a t al ki ng s ig n p os t, b ut s o l on g

a s y ou c an t al k, y ou m ig ht g ive u s a f ew d ir ec ti ons .

" I o nl y g iv e o ne d ir ec ti on a nd t ha t' s n or th . Y ou c an t ak e i t, o r l ea ve i t. "

N ot ta t ri ed t he p os t w it h a f ew m or e q ue st io ns , b ut i t j us t s ni ff ed s ul ki ly , a nd s ee in g n o m or e

was t o be got out of it , t he two hur rie d on.

" Ma yb e D s ta nd s f or D or ot hy ," s ai d B ob , a ft er a l it tl e s il en ce .

" Mayb e, " m us ed t he clo wn , l oo ki ng u neas il y o ver h is s ho ul der, " bu t t hi s i s a s tr an ge cou nt ry ,

a nd we 'l l ha ve to ta ke i t a s we f ind i t. He ll o, wha t' s t his ?"

A s udde n tur n br ought t he m up s hort , f or t he l ane wa s c los ed of f by a gr ay wa ll , so hi gh one

c oul d not pos si bl y c li mb ove r a nd s o w ide t ha t i t w oul d t ake da ys t o wa lk ' round . A nd i n t he wa ll we re

s ev en h ea vy o ak d oo rs .

" Th is i s t he K in gd om o f D oo rw ay s, " ann ou nced a l ar ge s ig n, p os ted h al f w ay u p t he w al ls . " Be

s ur e t o u se t he r ig ht d oo r. "

" Bu t w hi ch i s t he r ig ht d oo r?" g as ped t he clo wn , h al f exp ecti ng t he s ig n t o ans wer h im .

" Th er e are s ev en ," exclaim ed B ob , w ho h ad b een cou nt in g t hem u p o n h is f in gers .

" An d o nl y o ne o f t hem r ig ht ," cho ked t he clo wn anx io us ly . T he t wo s to od p er fect ly s ti ll , g azin g

i n f as ci nati on at t he s ev en d oo rs .

" Wh ich i s t he r ig ht d oo r?" r ep eated N ot ta, s cr at ch in g h is ear d ou bt fu ll y.

C HA PT ER 6 T he S ev en D oo rs

A s B ob a nd N ot ta c am e c los er , t he y n ot ic ed t ha t e ac h do or h ad a b ra ss p la te na il ed o n t he

cen ter p an el , eng raved w it h v ar io us n am es and i ns tr ucti on s. " Keep o ut !" d ir ected o ne s ho rt ly .

" Well , t hat s ur el y can no t b e t he r ig ht o ne, exclaim ed t he clo wn , m ov in g h as ti ly t o t he n ex t.







" Sh or t! " m ut tered t he d oo r t ri um ph an tl y t o i ts el f. " No , y ou 'd b et ter s tay o ut , I t hi nk . H er

h ig hne ss i s v er y s la mm is h t od ay , a nd t he l as t t im e I l et s tr ang er s i n s he ne ar ly t wi st ed m y k nob o ff . Th at 's

t he t ro ub le aro un d h er e- wh en any th in g g oes w ro ng , every bo dy s lams t he d oo r. S om et im es I alm os t w is h

I w er e a s of a c us hi on ."

" I w is h y ou w er e, m ys el f, " f ro wn ed t he c low n, " fo r t he n I 'd t os s y ou o ut of t he w ay i ns te ad of

wa st ing my br eat h her e. Are you goi ng to l et us in or not ?"

" No t! " s na pp ed t he d oo r, r at tl in g i ts k no b v in di ct iv el y. " An d I d on 't c ar e a s la m w ha t y ou

wish."

" Bo b, " s ai d N ot ta , t ur ni ng h is b ac k o n t he d oo r, " di d y ou e ve r h ea r a ny th in g l ik e t ha t? L et 's t ry

Number Two. I'd rather risk wakening a baby than trying to argue with a door that answers itself."

" I' m n ot afr ai d o f b ab ies, " s ai d B ob f ol lo wi ng m an fu ll y. T he k no b o f N um ber T wo t ur ned

e as il y a nd t he d oo r s wu ng o pe n w it h s uc h a r us h t ha t b ot h N ot ta a nd B ob f el l t hr ou gh . A t t he f ir st

g li mp se o f t hat b ab y, N ot ta clapp ed h is h an d o ver B ob 's m ou th and , r is in g w it h q uaki ng k nees ; p ul ledhi m t owa rd t he do or . Fo r yo u s ee i t w as a ba by d ra go n- a s nor ing , r oa ri ng ba by d ra go n a s l on g a nd

he avy a s a f re ight t ra in . I t ga ve a s hr il l whi st le a nd s no rt a s t he door s la mm ed s hut a nd Not ta a nd B ob s at

down i n a we ak he ap.

" Baby ," cho ked t he clo wn , r ub bi ng h is eyes, w hi ch w er e f ul l o f d rago n s mo ke. " Well , i f t hat' s

t he b ab y, p re se rv e m e f ro m t he r es t o f t he f am il y! "

" Wi ll i t com e aft er u s?" s hu dd er ed B ob , i n a f ri gh tened w hi sp er .

"H ow d id y ou l ik e o ur l it tl e d oo rt er ?" T he s ev en th d oo r l oo ke d s id ew ay s a t t he t wo a nd

chuckled wickedly. "Still want to get in?"

" Cert ai nl y, " s ai d N ot ta, t ur ni ng a d ozen car tw heel s t o r el ieve h is n er vo us ness , " bu t n ot t hat

w ay ." H e w in ke d r ea ss ur in gl y a t B ob . " Be fo re I d o a ny th ing e ls e I m us t p ut o n m y d is gui se . N o w on de r

things are going so badly."

" Do n' t y ou t hi nk y ou l oo k s il ly eno ug h?" w heezed t he d oo r r ud el y, as t he clo wn d rew o ut

d is gu is e n um ber t hr ee. N ot ta p ai d n o att en ti on t o t hi s r em ar k b ut , t ur ni ng h is b ack, s tr ug gl ed h as ti ly i nt o

n um be r t hr ee . E ve n B ob f el t r ea ss ur ed , f or t hi s t im e N ot ta w as d is gu is ed a s a b ea r- a h ug e a nd

t er ri bl e- lo ok in g b ear. G rasp in g B ob 's h an d h e r us hed at t he d oo r m ar ked " Pu sh ," w it h s uch a f er ocio us

g ro wl t ha t N um be r S ev en s ho ok l ik e a l ea f.

" Oh , m y h in ges, " chatt er ed t he d oo r, " th at w en t t hr ou gh m e l ik e a s wo rd ." B ut i mm ed iately

a ft er wa rd i t b ro ke i nt o d er is iv e l au gh te r. F or n o s oo ne r h ad N ot ta a nd B ob p us he d N um be r S ix , t ha n

Number Six pushed back, and so hard that the two went flying into a clump of blueberry bushes.

" Th at 's t he d oo r w ay t o t re at ' em , b ro th er ," r oa re d S ev en , a nd N ot ta p ic ke d h im se lf u p a nd

straightened his bear skin.

" No w s om e p eo pl e, " m ut tered t he clo wn , h el pi ng B ob bi e o ut o f t he b ru sh es and s haki ng h is

paw at the door, "some people would be discouraged. But no more side shows, Bob. Let's try the

Q ue en 's d oo r, i f w e' re t o b e t hr ow n o ut i t m ig ht a s w el l b e d on e r oy al ly ."

T he re w as a s il ve r b el l o n t he Q ue en 's d oo r a nd N ot ta r an g i t q ui ck ly , b ef or e e it he r o f t he m





h ad t im e t o c ha ng e t he ir m in ds . F or a m om en t n ot hi ng a t a ll h ap pe ne d. T he n t he d oo r k no b d is ap pe ar ed .

B ut h or ro rs ! N ex t i ns ta nt i t s ho t o ut , s ei ze d t he t wo i n a t er ri bl e c lu tc h, a nd d ra gg ed t he m t hr ou gh t he

k ey ho le. Y es , i t r eall y d id !

N ot on ly h ad t he y b ee n pu ll ed t hr oug h t he k eyh ol e, b ut t he y f el t a s i f t he y h ad b ee n pu ll ed

t hr ou gh t he k ey ho le . E ve n N ot ta h ad n ot hi ng t o s ay . H e j us t l ay o n h is b ac k a nd p an te d. W he th er t he

k ey ho le h ad s tr et ch ed a s t he y w en t t hr ou gh o r w he th er t he y h ad s hr un k, I c an no t s ay . I o nl y k no w t he yw en t t hr ou gh s om eh ow a nd w er e o n t he o th er s id e o f t he Q ue en 's d oo r. " Ca rd s, p le as e! " A d oo rm an i n

a h an ds om e b lu e s at in u ni fo rm w as l eani ng o ver t hem. " Ar e y ou d eaf?" h e ask ed ang ri ly . " Ar e y ou

d um b? " H e t hu mp ed N ot ta o n t he h ea d w it h h is s il ve r c ar d p la te .

" Neit her, " g ro an ed t he clo wn . " Wh at d o y ou w an t?"

" Yo ur t it les, " s napp ed t he d oo rm an , l oo ki ng n er vo us ly o ver h is s ho ul der. A s h e d id s o, a v as e,

t hr ee bo ok s a nd a p ai r of f ir e t on gs s tr uc k t he wa ll j us t a bo ve hi s h ea d.

" Oh , t he Q ue en i s i n a f ur y, w ha te ve r s ha ll I d o ne xt ," h e m um bl ed t o hi ms el f, dr opp in g t hes il ver p late and t hen p icki ng i t u p again .

" Le t' s r un ," s ai d B ob , p re ss in g c lo se t o N ot ta . B ut t he c lo wn h ad a lr ea dy r ec ov er ed h is s pi ri ts

a nd w as f um bl ing i n h is p oc ke ts u nde r hi s be ar s ki n.

" Th er e y ou a re . H e c al ml y d ro pp ed t wo l ar ge b ut to ns o n t he d oo rm an 's p la te . " Ju st l ea d u s t o

h er M aj es ty a t o nc e.

" So meon e' s b een at t he j am again ," q uavered t he d oo rm an w it ho ut l oo ki ng at t he b ut to ns .

" Oh , t he Q ueen 's i n a f ur y- a f ur y- a f ur y! "

A t ea ch f ur y he gave a l it tle hop.

" Yo u s ai d t hat b ef or e," o bs er ved N ot ta, l oo ki ng aro un d cur io us ly .

" A f ur y! A f ur y! A f ur y! " p er si st ed t he d oo rm an , c on ti nu in g t o h op, a nd a s e ac h h op c ar ri ed

h im f ar th er a wa y h e w as s oo n o ut of s ig ht .

"Wait!" cried Notta, lumbering after him, for his disguise made him clumsy.

" Wait !" cri ed B ob U p, r un ni ng aft er N ot ta. D ow n t he l on g h al l t hey b ot h r an , and , t ur ni ngs ud denl y, f ou nd t hems el ves i n a l ar ge, i mp ress iv e t hr on e r oo m. T he ent ir e w al l s pace w as t ak en u p b y t he

d oo rs o f e ve ry s iz e a nd s ha pe i ma gi na bl e a nd b ef or e e ac h d oo r s to od a d oo rm an s im il ar t o t he o ne t he y

h ad a lr ea dy s ee n. I n t he c en te r o f t he r oo m w er e t wo m ag ni fi ce nt t hr on es . O n t he f ir st s at a l ar ge ,

h an ds om e Q ue en a nd o n t he s ec on d a s ma ll n er vo us K in g. T he K in g' s c ro wn w as e nt ir el y m ad e o f c hi na

do or kn ob s, m oun te d on g ol d ba rs , w hi le t he Q ue en' s w as m ad e o f ma ny go ld d oo r ke ys . T he Q ue en

w as l ook ing a t t he b ut to ns a s B ob a nd N ot ta e nt er ed .

"Buttons!" hissed her Majesty contemptuously. "What do buttons stand for?"

" U s, y ou r H ig hn es s! " r ep li ed N ot ta, b ow in g as l ow as h is d is gu is e w ou ld p er mi t, and d rawi ng

Bob forward.

T he K in g t wi dd led h is t hu mb s and r ecit ed :





" B s ta nd s f or b ut to ns A nd B s ta nd s f or b ea rs , B s ta nd s f or b ut to ns a nd b oy -B ri ng t wo c ha ir s! "

"N on sens e!" t hu nd er ed t he Q ueen . T he d oo rm en h as ti ly b ro ug ht t wo chair s and B ob and

Notta sat down.

"I think he'll appreciate rule two," whispered the clown. "He's quite polite himself."

" Th eo do re," s ai d t he Q ueen , h er f ace b eg in ni ng t o w or k cur io us ly , " Th eo do re, I b el ieve t hey

s to le t he j am . B ea rs a nd l it tl e b oy s a re a lw ay s s te al in g j am . A nd w ha t r ig ht h ave t he y h er e w it ho ut t it le s?

W here are t heir t it les?"

" Ad or ab le Q ueen ," s ai d t he clo wn , h al f r is in g and p oi nt in g w it h h is p aw t o t he b ut to ns , " th os e

a re t he b ad ge s o f o ur o rd er . W e b el on g, y ou r H ig hn es s, t o t he a nc ie nt a nd h on or ab le O rd er o f

B ac he lo rs , a nd a re a t p re se nt l or ds o f a ll w e s ur ve y. "

" Do y ou b el ieve t hat?" T he Q ueen t ur ned and s qu ar el y f aced t he K in g.

" N o! " s ai d T heod or e emp hati call y, t ur ni ng t o s qu ar el y f ace t he Q ueen . " Ho w cou ld I , w hen

t he re i s n o s uc h p la ce . W he re i s t hi s A ll -w e- su rv ey ?" h e a sk ed s te rn ly . " Is i t i n O z? "

N ot ta w as s o s ur pr is ed a t t he s ud de n t ur n t he c onv er sa ti on ha d t ake n t ha t h e s at d ow n w it h a

thump.

" He's a d or m! " s cr eech ed t he Q ueen , h er v oi ce r is in g h ig her and h ig her. " He's a d or m- th at 's

w hat h e i s! "

" Wh at 's a d or m? " g as pe d B ob , s o s ur pr is ed t ha t h e f or go t t o b e f ri gh te ne d.

" A dor m i s a n a ni ma l th at l ie s dor ma nt i n c ol d we at he r, l ike a be ar or a ' pos sum, m y de ar

B ut to ns ," exp lain ed t he K in g, s haki ng h is f in ger at B ob , " bu t h e' s g ot n o b us in es s h er e n ow .

" I s ee i t a ll ," p an te d t he Q ue en b eg in ni ng t o w av e h er a rm s. " He d id n' t c om e h er e t o s le ep b ut

t o s te al ! T he od or e, h e h as s to le n t he j am !"

The Ki ng w agge d hi s he ad f rom s ide t o s ide a s he r epe at ed t hi s ve rs e:

" He 's c om e w it ho ut r ea so n A nd q ui te o ut o f s ea so n; I a gr ee w it h y ou , M a' am , H e h as s to le nthe jam!"

" Pu t o ut y ou r t on gu e! " c om ma nd ed t he Q ue en , w av in g a b un ch o f k ey s a t N ot ta . T hi s N ot ta

w as un ab le t o d o, f or h is be ar h ea d h ad no t ong ue .

" Yo u s ee!" s hr il led t he Q ueen t ri um ph an tl y, " he i s afr ai d t o p ut o ut h is t on gu e. S lamm er ," s he

c al le d, t ur ni ng t o a hu ge d oo rm an , w ho s to od b eh in d t he t hr on e, " wh at i s t he p un is hm ent f or d oo r j am

stealing?"

T he d oo rm an w hi sk ed a l it tl e b oo k f ro m h is p oc ke t a nd , a ft er f li pp in g o ve r a n um be r o f p ag es ,

r ea d i n a h igh n as al vo ic e, " Any o ne c au ght s te al in g t he Q ue en 's d oo r j am s ha ll ha ve h is k no b t wi st ed a nd

every d oo r i n t he k in gd om s lamm ed o n h im b es id es ."





"How fearfully unhealthy," muttered Notta, rising to protest his innocence. But the Queen

w av ed h im b ac k, a nd b an gi ng h er k ey s o n t he a rm o f h er t hr on e c al le d l ou dl y, " Sl am me r, c ar ry o ut t he

sentence!"

S lamm er i mm ed iately b lew a s harp w hi st le and every d oo rm an i n t he r oo m s pr an g t ow ar d t he

trembling Notta.

" St op !" c ri ed B ob , d ou bl in g u p h is f is ts . " He d id n' t s te al y ou r o ld j am . ' Ti sn 't a b ea r a t a ll , i t' s

Notta!"

" No tt a?" g as ped t he K in g, r ub bi ng h is w at er y b lu e eyes, and l eani ng f or ward .

"N ot a b ea r! " p uf fe d t he c lo wn , h as ti ly s na tc hi ng o ff h is b ea r h ea d, j us t a s t he f ir st o f t he

d oo rm en g rasp ed h im b y t he s ho ul ders .

C HA PT ER 7 T he E sc ap e F ro m D oo rw ay s

" Wh at d o y ou m ea n b y s ta nd in g t he re a nd t el li ng u s y ou 'r e n ot a b ea r? " p uf fe d t he K in g, a s

soon a s he had got his br ea th.

" I t w as a m is ta ke , I s ee t ha t n ow ," s ai d t he c lo wn, ha st il y s te pp in g o ut o f h is d is gu is e. " If y ou r

H ig hn es s w il l o verl oo k i t t hi s o nce, i t w il l n ev er o ccur again .

" Sh al l w e o ve rl oo k i t? " a sk ed t he K in g, t ur ni ng t o s qu ar el y f ac e t he Q ue en . A do ra w as s ta ri ngi n a ma ze me nt a t t he c lo wn , a nd b ei ng a v er y c ur io us Q ue en s he d ec id ed n ot t o h av e t he i nt ru de r

s lamm ed t il l s he f ou nd o ut all abo ut h im . " We w il l o verl oo k i t f or t he p resent ," s he ans wered h au gh ti ly ,

w av in g t he d oo rm en b ack t o t hei r p laces.

T he K in g s mi led and chant ed t hi s cou pl et :

" Sh e' ll o ve rl oo k i t f or t he p re se nt ; B e s ea te d, p le as e, a nd b ot h l oo k p le as an t! "

B ob s at d ow n w it h a s ig h o f r el ie f. W ha t q ue er b ei ng s t hi s K in g a nd Q ue en w er e! Everything

w as q ue er , bu t f or s om e r ea son or ot he r Bo b r at he r e nj oye d i t. Ki ng Th eo do re wa s n ot n ea rl y s o f ie rc eas M us tafa, and h is s in gu lar h ab it o f b reak in g i nt o v er se s im pl y f as ci nated t he l it tl e b oy . " Th is b ri ng s u s t o

r ul e t hr ee ," c on fi de d N ot ta i n a h oa rs e w hi sp er . " Jo ke a nd r un , y ou k no w! "

" Wh en i s a d oo r n ot a d oo r? " a sk ed t he Q ue en , p oi nt in g h er f in ge r s ud de nl y a t t he c lo wn .

" Wh en i t' s a do ra bl e, l ik e y ou r M aj es ty ," r ep li ed N ot ta w it h a g ri n. " Or w he n i t' s a j ar o f d oo r

jam, like the one your Highness has just lost!"

B ef or e A do ra h ad r ec ov er ed f ro m h er s ur pr is e, N ot ta p oi nt ed h is f in ge r a t t he K in g a nd

s ho ut ed , " Wh y i s a t om at o l ik e a b oo k? "

" Be ca us e i t g ro ws o n a v in e, " a ns we re d K in g T he od or e s ul ki ly , " an d y ou n ee dn 't s cr ea m a t m e

like that!"





" W ro ng !" s ai d N ot ta t ri um ph an tl y. " A t om at o' s l ik e a b oo k b ecau se i t' s r ed t hr ou gh ."

" Do y ou b el ieve t hat?" ask ed t he K in g, t ur ni ng t o s qu ar el y f ace t he Q ueen .

"N o! " s ai d h er M aj es ty s ho rt ly , " I d on 't ."

"B ut a b oo k c ou ld n' t g ro w o n a v in e, " o bj ec te d B ob U p m il dl y.

" My b oo ks d o, " i ns is ted T heod or e, p ur si ng u p h is l ip s.

" Wh er e w er e y ou b ro ug ht u p? " a sk ed t he Q ue en , s ta ri ng a t B ob s ev er el y.

" Yo u n eedn 't ans wer i f y ou d on 't w an t t o, " w hi sp er ed t he K in g, as B ob s qu ir med u neas il y

aro un d i n h is chair . " Th e m ai n t hi ng i s, w hat b ro ug ht y ou u p h er e?

" If i t' s a s to ry , r is e a nd s pe ak. W ha t d o y ou w an t? W hom d o y ou s ee k? "

" It i s a s to ry ," s ai d N ot ta, s pr in gi ng u p q ui ck ly , and g lad o f t hi s o pp or tu ni ty t o t el l t heir s tr an ge

adv en tu res and t o ask a f ew q uest io ns abo ut t he E merald C it y. " A l on g s to ry , y ou r H ig hn es s, " con ti nu ed

Notta. In as few words as possible he told of his former life in the circus, of their flight to Mudge, of

M us tafa's d et er mi nati on t o h av e t hem cap tu re t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

As N ot ta p au se d f or b re at h, t he K in g s ai d, " Sh al l w e l et t he m p as s t hr ou gh D oo rw ay s, m y

l ov e?" I ns tead o f ans weri ng t he Q ueen l eaned o ver and w hi sp er ed i n T heod or e' s ear.

" Her H ig hn es s w is hes t o b e amu sed, " ann ou nced t he K in g, s tr ai gh teni ng u p. " Yo u s ai d i n t hi s

c ir cu s i t w as y ou r bu si ne ss t o m ak e p eop le l au gh . W el l, i f yo u c an m ak e us l au gh y ou m ay c on ti nu e y our journey. You may begin now and you may have three trials."

T he K in g f ol ded h is h an ds o n h is s to mach and l eaned b ack v as tl y p leas ed w it h h im self . N o t ta' s

f or eh ea d w ri nk le d a nx io us ly , f or Q ue en A dor a l oo ke d a s i f s he h ad n eve r l au gh ed i n h er l if e. B ut w it h a

w in k a t B ob t he c lo wn b eg an . F ir st h e l et o ut a n e ar s pl it ti ng s cr ee ch t ha t s o a la rm ed t he K in g h is c ro wn

fell off. T he n h e t ur ne d a c om pl et e s om er sa ul t, c ha ir a nd a ll , r an a cr os s t he r oo m o n h is h an ds a nd

c ar twh ee le d b ac k s o f as t o ne c oul d n ot h av e t ol d w he th er h e w as a pe rs on or a pi nw he el . N ext h e b en t

double, seized his ankles with his hands and jumped in this singular position entirely over Bob, finishing

w it h a n ea t b ow b ef or e t he Q ue en 's t hr on e.

" Do y ou t hi nk t hat' s f un ny ?" p uf fed t he Q ueen , t ur ni ng t o s qu ar el y f ace t he K in g, w ho w as

mopping his brow with a silk handkerchief.

" No -n o! " s tu tt er ed T heod or e, i n a s li gh tl y crack ed v oi ce. " It q ui te u ps et m e, m y l ov e.

S lamm er , w here' s m y cro wn ?" S lamm er r ecov er ed t he K in g' s cro wn and t hen b ot h t heir M aj es ti es s tared

s ol em nl y a t N ot ta . T he c lo wn s ta re d b ac k, a p uz zl ed e xp re ss io n o n h is r ou nd j ol ly f ac e. T he n, d ra gg in g a

h ug e h an dk er ch ief f ro m h is p ocket, h e w hi rl ed i t o ver h is h an d and i ns tant ly i t t ied i ts el f i nt o a f oo li sh r ag

baby, which the clown clasped to his bosom, crooning:

" I l ov e m y ba by , ' de ed I do , I nd ee d, i nde ed I do ! H e ha s no ha ir u po n h is h ea d, B ut n ei the r,

S ir , h av e y ou !

"But hi s wi ll grow, it wil l, I know, As soon a s he is big, But your s wil l ne ve r gr ow- and s o





Y ou 'd b et te r b uy a w ig !"

" Wh - at! " s cr eam ed K in g T heod or e f ur io us ly , and N ot ta, d ro pp in g t he h an dk er ch ief b ab y,

n ot ic ed f or t he f ir st t im e t ha t t he K in g' s h ea d w as e nt ir el y b al d. B ob U p w as h ol di ng h im se lf t og et he r a nd

smiling into his collar.

" Sh ocki ng !" cou gh ed A do ra, l oo ki ng at t he clo wn t hr ou gh h er eye g lass es .

" I w as s in gi ng abo ut S lamm er ," g ul ped N ot ta, n ot in g i n an i ns tant t hat t he chi ef d oo rm an w as

bald too. "Now just let me tell you a little joke. There was once a triangular pig, who could dance a

triangular jig, and-"

" Do y ou b el ieve t hat?" s hr il led K in g T heod or e, again t ur ni ng t o f ace h is Q ueen .

" No ," s napp ed t he Q ueen , s hu tt in g h er l ip s v er y t ig ht . " Ho w cou ld I ?"

" Th en , i f t he c lo ud s r ol le d a wa y, w ou ld t he y b e m is t? " r oa re d N ot ta , b ef or e t he y c ou ldcon ti nu e t heir d is ag reei ng . H e b ou nced f ou r f eet i nt o t he air and p oi nt ed p layf ul ly at t he K in g.

" I w ou ld n' t m is s ' em ," r ep li ed t he K in g s ul lenl y. " Do y ou t hi nk t hat' s f un ny ?" A gain h e t ur ned t o

t he Q ueen , w ho s ho ok h er h ead emp hati cal ly .

" Well , I t hi nk i t' s f un ny !" s ai d B ob , j um pi ng o ut o f h is chair . H e l oo ked i nd ig nant ly f ro m t he

K in g t o t he Q ue en .

" Th en w hy d on 't y ou l au gh ?" ask ed t he K in g accus in gl y. P oo r B ob cou ld n' t exp lain t hat

l au gh in g w as a h ar d m at te r f or a n o rp ha n, s o h e s at d ow n r at he r s ud de nl y, w hi le N ot ta b eg an l oo ki ng a ll

a ro un d a s i f h e w er e h un ti ng s om et hi ng . H e s ea rc he d o n e ac h s te p o f t he K in g' s t hr on e, t he n h e l oo ke di nt o h is M aj es ty 's l ap and , f in al ly , r un ni ng aro un d t o t he b ack p eered u nd er T heod or e' s col lar.

" W hat' s t he m at ter?" ask ed h is M aj es ty i rr it ab ly . " Wh at are y ou l oo ki ng f or n ow ?"

" My j oke ," s ig he d t he c lo wn , " I' m l oo ki ng f or m y po or l it tl e j ok e. I t w as l os t o n y ou . W he n I

a sk ed , ' If t he c lo ud s r ol le d a wa y, w ou ld t he y b e m is t, ' y ou s ho ul d h av e s ai d i t' s a cc or di ng t o t he w ay y ou

spell 'em-see?"

" N o, " s aid T heod or e, s ter nl y, " I d on 't ,

"I onl y s ee you a re a dunc e; Y ou ha ve n' t m ade us l augh, not onc e! "

T he Q ueen n od ded emp hati call y at t hi s and , g lari ng s co rn fu ll y at t he t wo i nt ru ders , s wept o ut

o f t he t hr on e r oo m.

" La st r ul e, " w hi sp er ed N ot ta , w in ki ng a t B ob f or o ut o f t he t ai l o f h is e ye , h e c ou ld s ee t he

King signaling Slammer. Rushing forward impetuously he flung up his hand. "Could your Majesty tell me

a w or d t o r hy me w it h t ob og gan?" h e ask ed p lead in gl y. I mm ed iately K in g T heod or e' s f ace l it u p w it h

pleasure. He closed his eyes and began to drum with one hand on the arm of his throne. If there was one

t hi ng h e ado red i t w as r hy mi ng .

H e f or go t t o f in is h h is d ir ecti on s t o S lamm er and i ns tead m um bl ed h ur ri ed ly u nd er h is b reat h,

"Choggin, foggin, doggon, noggin, loggin, joggin. Ah, I have it-joggin!" He opened his eyes and looked





a ro und t ri um pha nt ly, b ut t he c lo wn a nd Bo b U p we re now he re t o b e s ee n. I n f ac t t he y h ad r un a s s oon

a s t he K in g' s e ye s c lo se d. F or N ot ta , w hi le e nd ea vo ri ng t o m ak e t he ir M aj es ti es l au gh , h ad d is co ve re d

t ha t o ne o f t he d oo rs s ai d " Ou t. " A nd o ut t he y w en t, b ow li ng o ve r d oo rm en l ik e t en p in s i n t he ir h ea dl on g

f li gh t. A s t he d oo r s la mm ed t he y s li d d ow n a s te ep d ar k p as sa ge wa y a nd i n a bo ut t wo m in ut es s ho t o ut

i nt o t he mi ddl e o f a d us ty r oa d. A bov e t he m on a h ig h hi ll r os e t he g ra y w al ls of t he s in gu la r K ing dom o f

Doorways.

"Toboggan was right," muttered the clown, rising stiffly. "This country grows odder and odder,

B ob . W ha t d o t he y c al l i t n ow -O z? B ut n ev er m in d, w e s ha ll h av e l ot s t o t el l e ac h o th er o n s to rm y n ig ht s

w he n w e r ea ch t he s ta te s. L ot s a nd l ot s! "

Bo b d id n ot a ns we r. I ns te ad h e c lu tc he d N ot ta 's w id e p an ta lo on a nd p oi nt ed t ow ar d a l ar ge

c lu mp o f b us he s. L oo ki ng o ut f ro m t he l ea ve s w as t he h ea d o f a h ug e, s ha gg y l io n. A s hu dd er r an d ow n

t he c lo wn 's b ac k. H e t ri ed t o r em em be r t he p ro ce du re o f B il l, t he o ld l io n t am er i n t he c ir cu s. ' Su bd ue

t he c re at ur e w it h y ou r e ye ," B il l s ai d. Y es , t ha t w as w ha t h e h ad s ai d. N ot ta 's k ne es r at tl ed l ik e

c as ta ne ts , b ut w it h a f ri gh te ne d g ul p h e s ta re d t he l ion s tr ai gh t i n t he e ye . F or a m om en t n ot hi ng

h ap pe ne d, t he n w it h a g us ty s ig h t he l io n b eg an t o s pe ak .

" Wh at h av e t hey d on e w it h t he r es t o f m e?" i t r oared m ou rn fu ll y.

" Wh o? " s tu tt er ed N ot ta , g et ti ng a g oo d h ol d o n B ob a nd m ak in g r ea dy t o r un a t t he l io n' s f ir st

move.

" Th e M ud gers ," w heezed t he l io n, t wo t ears r ol li ng d ow n i ts n os e. W it h m an y g ul ps and s ig hs

i t t ol d t he m ho w T az zyw al le r h ad c ut i t i n t wo a nd i mpr is on ed i ts ba ck ha lf i n t he l io n e nc lo su re .

"You mea n to s ay t ha t you we re cut in hal f and st ill li ve t o te ll the ta le? " ga spe d Not ta i n

astonishment.

" I don 't kn ow w ha t y ou m ea n by t el li ng t he t ai l. H ow c an I t el l t he t ai l a nyt hi ng wh en a ll m y

c on ne ct ion s w it h i t a re C ut of f? O h, m y p oo r t ai l, h ow i t m us t m is s m e! " mo an ed t he ha lf l io n. " The n y ou

o nl y h ave t wo l eg s, " s ai d B ob i n a r el ie ve d t on e a nd c om in g o ut f ro m b eh in d N ot ta . T he l io n n od de d

g lo om il y. " If I h ad f ou r, d o y ou t hi nk I 'd b e s ta nd in g p ro pp ed u p a ga in st t he se b us he s. I 'd h av e e at en y ou

long ago.

" Wh at a b less in g, " m ur mu red t he clo wn u nd er h is b reat h, " th at i t' s o nl y h al f a l io n. "

" I' d l ik e a l it tl e s ym path y, " con ti nu ed t he l io n i n i ts m ou rn fu l v oi ce. " If t he l it tl e f el lo w w ou ld p atme on the head, I think it would ease me a bit."

" Sh al l I ?" ask ed B ob U p d ou bt fu ll y.

" Ho w d o w e k no w y ou w on 't b it e h im ?" a sk ed N ot ta c au ti ou sl y.

" I h av en 't t he cou rage," r ep li ed t he l io n d ol ef ul ly . " Besi des m y s to mach i s g on e and t hat r at her

t ak es t he a pp et it e a wa y, y ou k no w. O h, m y p oo r l it tl e e mp ty s to ma ch , h ow d re ad fu ll y i t m us t f ee l! T he n,

to bite a pe rson I should have t o work myse lf up into a rage , and tha t I cannot do without a ta il t o l ash.

An d ha lf my he ar t i s m is si ng s o I -"

"Do everything half-heartedly," finished Notta, with a wink at Bob.





" Ex ac tl y, " b lu bb er ed t he h al f l io n. T wo m or e t ea rs r ol le d d ow n i ts n os e, a nd t he se s o a ff ec te d

B ob U p t ha t he s te pp ed b ra ve ly o ve r a nd pa tt ed i ts m an e.

" Ha rd er !" c ri ed t he h al f l io n, c los ing i ts e ye s. " Ha rd er ! H ar de r! " N ot ta s ei ze d a s ti ck a nd f el l t o

patting the lion's head with this, but it kept roaring harder until Bob Up and Notta were perfectly

breathless.

" Sor ry," puf fe d t he c low n a t l as t, " but we 'l l h ave t o s ay go odby e n ow. We 'r e o n o ur wa y t o

the Emerald City."

" Ar e y ou ?" T he h al f l io n o pe ne d i ts e ye s a nd r ega rd ed t he m w it h n ew i nt er es t. " Th er e' s a

w on derf ul w izar d i n t he E merald C it y, " i t b eg an i n a m or e cheer fu l r oar. " Co ul d y ou , w ou ld y ou , t el l h im

a bo ut m y s ad s ep ar at io n? T el l h im I a m pi ni ng f or m y b et te r h al f a nd pe rh ap s h e w oul d p ut m e t og et he r

a ga in. P ro mi se t o t el l h im ." T he p oo r b ea st w as s o e ar ne st t ha t h e a lm os t l os t h is b al an ce .

"Why, certainly we will tell him," said Notta, who was the most obliging soul imaginable.

" We 'l l b e g la d t o, o ld f el lo w, b ut I d id n' t t hi nk t he re w er e a ny m or e w iz ar ds ."

" No w izar ds ?" cou gh ed t he l io n, s ur veyi ng t he clo wn i n amazement . " Wh y, O z i s f ul l o f

w iz ar ds . J us t k ee p g oi ng n or th a nd y ou 'l l s oo n f ind t ha t o ut . I w ou ld g o a lo ng w it h y ou , b ut I h av en 't q ui te

l ea rn ed t o t ra ve l o n t wo l eg s, a nd I 'm s o t ir ed o f s ta nd in g. "

" Wh y d on 't y ou s it d ow n, " ask ed B ob t ho ug ht less ly . T he l io n g ro an ed and l oo ked at h im

r epr oa ch fu ll y, a nd s ee in g i t w as g oi ng t o c ry a ga in N ot ta b ega n t o m ov e o ff .

" By t he w ay ," h e ask ed , p au si ng s ud denl y, " di d y ou com e t hr ou gh D oo rw ay s?"

"Yes!" sobbed the lion, sniffing with each word, "through the right door."

" W hi ch d oo r w as t hat?"

" I d on 't r em em ber, " s ig hed t he h al f l io n d rear il y. " I r em em ber n ot hi ng n ow ad ay s. W hen I u sed

t o f or ge t a f ac t a ll I ha d t o do w as t o s cr at ch my he ad wi th my hi nd l eg a nd i ns ta nt ly it c ame ba ck, b ut

n ow -. " T he l io n b eg an t o s ob h eavi ly .

" Well , g oo db ye!" s ai d N ot ta u neas il y, t ak in g B ob 's h an d. " If w e s ee t hi s w izar d y ou 'v ementioned we'll tell him your sad story."

" Go od by e, " cho ked t he l io n, w av in g h is p aw f eebl y.

" I' d l ike t o s ee a r ea l w iz ar d, No tt a, " s ai d B ob U p, a s t he y t ru dg ed d ow n t he du st y r oa d.

"O dd er and o dd er !" m ur mu red t he clo wn , s haki ng h is h ead i n b ew il derm en t. " I d eclare, B ob ,

i f yo u w er en 't a lon g I s ho ul d t hi nk I w er e a sl ee p a nd d re am in g a ll t hi s. "

"H er e' s a no th er s ig n, " w hi sp er ed B ob U p i n a l ow v oi ce s o t he s ig n w ou ld n ot h ea r h im .

" Wo nd er i f i t t al ks t oo ."

"I da re s ay t he y a ll c an i f the y w ant t o r epl ie d Not ta . "A t a ny r at e a s or t of s ign l anguage ."





" No rt h R oa d t o U ," s ai d t hi s s ig n, i n l ar ge b lu e l et te rs .

" D s too d f or d oor wa ys . I w onde r w ha t U s ta nds f or ?" mus ed t he l it tl e boy , s ta ri ng u p a t t he

s ig n w it h b ot h h an ds i n h is p ockets .

" Mayb e i t s tand s f or u s?" chu ck led t he clo wn , t ur ni ng a h an ds pr in g.

"Y ou !" s neer ed t he s ig n, g iv in g i ts el f a l it tl e s hake. " Wh y, I w ou ld n' t s tand f or y ou a s in gl e

m in ut e. I 'd r at he r- ." W ha t i t w ou ld r at he r N ot ta a nd B ob d id n ot w ai t t o h ea r. S ei zi ng h an ds , t he y r an

g ai ly d ow n t he r oa d t ow ar d t he u nk no wn a nd c ur io us c ou nt ry o f U .

C HA PT ER 8 T he C ow ar dl y L io n' s Q ues t

Q ui te u nc on sc io us o f M us ta fa 's e vi l p la ns f or h is c ap tu re , t he C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z p ac ed t o

a nd f ro o n t he w id e v er an da o f t he l ov el ie st p al ac e i n O z. I t w as e ar ly m or ni ng i n t he E me ra ld C it y, a nd

O zma a nd he r c our t ha d n ot ye t r is en, but m any o f t he pa la ce pe ts w er e a br oa d a nd t al ki ng s oc ia bl y

t og et her i n t he g ar den. O zm a' s S aw H or se w as r un ni ng r aces w it h H an k, B et sy B ob bi n' s s mall m ul e, t he

C om fo rt ab le C am el and D ou bt fu l D ro me d ar y w er e amb li ng d ow n t he p at hs i n t heir w ob bl y- kn eed

f as hi on , w hi le D or ot hy 's l it tl e d og , T ot o, and t he G lass C at w er e arg ui ng o ver t he P at ch wo rk G ir l' s l as t

v er ses. T hey all s eemed h ap py and con tent ed and t he C ow ar dl y L io n, n ot in g t hi s, s ig hed h eavi ly . " No t

on e o f t he m i s e ve r a fr ai d, " he m ur mur ed s or row fu ll y. " I, of a ll c re at ur es i n O z, a m t he o nl y c ow ar dl y

one.

" Wh at s ay ?" T he C ow ar dl y L io n j um pe d, a s h e a lw ay s d id a t a n u ne xp ec te d s ou nd , t he n g av e

a l it tl e r oa r o f r el ie f a s t he S ol di er w it h t he G re en W hi sk er s s te pp ed o ut f ro m b eh in d a p il la r.

" Wh at s ay ?" r ep eated t he S ol di er , p ut ti ng d ow n h is g un w hi ch w as n ev er l oaded, and

regarding the Cowardly Lion inquiringly.

" I w as s ay in g t ha t I a m t he o nl y c ow ar dl y p er so n i n O z. "

" Well , y ou can f ig ht , can 't y ou ?" T he S ol di er t ug ged h is g reen w hi sk er s t ho ug ht fu ll y as h e

a ske d t hi s qu es ti on. " Now , I a m a v er y b ra ve m an , bu t I c an ne ve r f ig ht , s o t he re you a re . Thi s was perfectly true. The Soldier with the Green Whiskers, who was Ozma's entire army, never was afraid, but

h e alw ay s r an at t he f ir st s ig n o f d an ger. W hi le t he C ow ar dl y L io n t remb led t er ri bl y as enemi es

app ro ached, h e alw ay s f ou gh t u nt il h e o vercam e t hem.

" So w hat' s t he d if ference, " s ai d t he S ol di er w it h t he G reen W hi sk er s, s ho ul deri ng h is g un and

m ar ch in g d ow n t he s te ps . " Yo u f ee l c ow ar dl y a nd a ct b ra ve ly . I f ee l b ra ve a nd a ct c ow ar dl y. " " It m ak es

a g re at d if fe re nc e t o m e, " m um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " I w an t t o f ee l b ra ve . O h, i f o nl y o nc e I c ou ld

f eel b rave!" S haki ng h is m an e m ou rn fu ll y, h e p ad ded d ow n t he s teps aft er t he S ol di er w it h t he G reen

W hi sk er s, and s oo n cam e u po n t he C om fo rt ab le C am el and D ou bt fu l D ro medary , w ho w er e s wayi ng

i dl y u nd er a t al l b re ak fa st t re e.

"Morning," wheezed the Comfortable Camel, twitching his crooked nose. "Handsome as ever,

I s ee ."





"I doubt that, Camy," said the Doubtful Dromedary, eyeing the Cowardly Lion solemnly.

"He's always doubting things," smiled the Comfortable Camel, rolling his large, limpid eyes.

" No w, I n ev er d o. "

" He 's r ig ht t hi s t im e. I 'm no t h an ds om e a t a ll ; n o c ow ar d c ou ld be h an ds om e, " s ai d t he l iongruffly, flinging himself on the ground beside the strange pair. "Ah, if I could only feel courageous!"

" Yo u' re n ic e a s y ou a re , y ou d ea r c ow ar dl y o ld t hi ng ," s no rt ed t he c am el , w ag gi ng h is h ea d

aff ecti on at el y. " Wh y, i f y ou w er e b rave, y ou w ou ld b e j us t l ik e any o th er l io n. I t' s b ei ng cow ar dl y t hat

makes you so interesting."

" I' d r at her b e b rave t han i nt er es ti ng ," r um bl ed t he l io n s ad ly . " Yo u k no w p er fect ly w el l t hat

cou rage i s t he f in es t t hi ng i n t he w or ld ."

" I d ou bt t ha t, " p ut i n t he d ro me da ry , s hi ft in g a m ou th fu l o f g ra ss f ro m o ne c he ek t o t he o the r," I d ou bt t hat v er y m uch. "

" Wh at 's t he m at ter?" cri ed t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, b ou ncin g o ut m er ri ly f ro m t he o th er s id e o f t he

t re e. " Yo u a ll s ou nd a s s ol em n a s P ok es !"

The Pa tc hw or k Gi rl i s a g re at fa vor it e i n th e Eme ra ld C ity. She wa s ma de l ong a go b y a

m ag ic ia n' s w if e a nd b ro ug ht t o l if e by t he p ow de r o f l if e. B ut O jo , a l it tl e M un ch ki n b oy, w ho h ap pe ne d

t o b e p re se nt w hi le t he m ag ic ia n w as m ix in g S cr ap 's b ra in s, p ut i n a l ar ge p or ti on o f c le ve rn es s a nd

c ur io si ty w hi le t he o ld w iz ar d' s b ac k w as t ur ne d, s o t ha t i ns te ad o f b ei ng a g oo d a nd o be di en t s er va nt a s

t he w iz ar d h ad i nt en de d h er t o b e, t he P at ch wo rk G ir l w as f ul l o f f un a nd m is ch ie f. I nd ee d, s he r ef us ed t o

be a servant at all, and ran off to the Emerald City, where Ozma has allowed her to live ever since. TheE me ra ld C it y i s t he c ap it al o f O z a nd l oc at ed i n t he e xa ct c en te r o f t ha t g re at a nd m ag ic w on de rl an d. I ts

palace of green marble and emeralds, its flowering gardens and quaint green cottages make it the loveliest

o f all f ai ry cit ies, and s o m an y s tr an ge and d el ig ht fu l p eo pl e l iv e t here i t i s t he m os t i nt er es ti ng p lace y ou

c ou ld i ma gi ne . F ir st i n i nt er es t i s O zm a, t he f ai ry r ul er o f O z. N o on e c ou ld h el p l ov in g h er . T he n t he re i s

D or ot hy , w ho h as h ad m or e a dv en tu re s t ha n a ny l it tl e g ir l y ou h av e e ve r h ea rd o f a nd w ho p re fe rs t o b e

a P ri nc es s i n O z t o r et ur ni ng t o h er ol d h om e i n K an sa s. T he re i s T ik T ok , a m ar ve lo us m ac hi ne m an

w ho i s br ight a s t he c opp er t ha t h e i s ma de of , a nd w ho c an t hi nk , wa lk a nd w or k w he n pr op er ly w ou nd.

A nd t he re 's t he S ca re cr ow , a s l iv el y a nd a cc om p li sh ed a g en tl em an a s e ve r a dv is ed a Q ue en . O h, t hi nk

o f a l iv e S carecr ow ! T here' s J ack P um pk in head , m ad e ent ir el y o f w oo d, excep ti ng h is p um pk in h ead,

a nd t he re 's Si r Hokus of Pok es , a kni ght s o ma ny c ent ur ie s ol d t ha t onl y i n Oz c oul d he be a li ve a t a ll .T he re 's t he T in W oo dm an , E mp er or o f t he W in ki es , w ho c om es o ft en t o t he c ap it al t o v is it h is o ld

friends.

T he re a re h un dr ed s o f t he g en tl e O z f ol k, w ho l iv e i n t he l it tl e gr ee n c ot ta ge s a nd b ow p ol it el y

w he n f ri en ds p as s. T he re a re t he m ag ni fi ce nt c ou rt ie rs a nd p al ac e s er va nt s, r ea dy a t a m om en t' s n ot ic e t o

pass round lemonade, while the Scarecrow dishes out Oz-cream and cake. And last but not least there

a re t he a mu si ng a ni ma ls w ho h av e c om e t o l iv e i n t he r oy al s ta bl es . N o w on de r e ve ry on e i s a nx io us t o

v is it t he E me ra ld C it y. I f I c oul d j us t f ind a m ag ic u mbr el la o r a ha nd y c yc lo ne I w ou ld go my se lf . W hy , i t

w ou ld b e w or th t he j ou rn ey j us t t o h ear t he C ow ar dl y L io n and C om fo rt ab le C am el t al ki ng t og et her l ik e

o ld cro ni es . T he C om fo rt ab le C am el and t he D ou bt fu l D ro medary w er e r ecen tl y d is co vered b y S ir

H ok us o f P ok es a nd D or ot hy , a nd a re c om pa ra ti ve n ew c om er s i n t he E me ra ld C it y, b ut t he C ow ar dl y

Li on w as one of t he ve ry fi rs t of t he Oz c re at ur es t o a rr ive a t t he c api ta l a nd i s a pr ime f av ori te w it h

every on e f ro m P ri nces s D or ot hy t o t he r oy al coo k.





B ut a ll t he t im e I 'v e b ee n t el li ng y ou t hi s, t he c on ve rs at io n u nd er t he b re ak fa st t re e h as b ee n

growing more interesting.

" I t ho ug ht t he W iz ar d o f O z g av e y ou a l ar ge d os e o f c ou ra ge w he n y ou f ir st c am e h er e, "

d rawl ed t he cam el , l oo ki ng anx io us ly u p at t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, w ho w as s wi ng in g h ead d ow n f ro m t he

breakfast tree.

" He d id ," m ou rn ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n d ream il y, " bu t i t h as w or n o ff and , t ho ug h h e h as t ri ed

a nd t ri ed , he c an' t s ee m t o m ix up a ny mo re .

" Wha t i s c ou ra ge ? D oe s i t gr ow L ik e po ta toe s i n a r ow ? D on 't a sk m e f or I d on 't k no w! "

s ho ut ed S cr ap s, t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, d iv in g s ud denl y f ro m t he t ree t op and b ou ncin g u po n t he

Doubtful Dromedary. Being stuffed with cotton made Scraps very daring.

" I' ve a h un ch ," b eg an t he C om fo rt ab le C am el , v er y m uch r el ieved t hat t he P at ch wo rk G ir l h adfallen on his friend.

" Wh er e? O n y ou r b ack?" s cr eamed S cr ap s, f li ng in g h er arm s abo ut h is n eck.

"I 'v e a h un ch ," con ti nu ed t he cam el cal ml y, p ay in g n o att en ti on at all t o t he P at ch wo rk G ir l,

" th at c ou ra ge i sn 't t he w ay y ou f ee l, b ut t he w ay y ou a ct . A s y ou a lw ay s a ct b ra ve ly , w hy w or ry a bo ut

t he w ay y ou f eel?"

" Bu t y ou n ev er f el t as f ri gh tened as I f eel, " o bj ected t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

" Hi s k ne es d o qu ak e, Hi s t ee th d o c ha tt er , H is b ig o ld he ar t g oe s pi tt er pa tt er ! B ut w ha t' s t heodds-Though stiff with fright He still can fight with mane and might!"

cri ed S cr ap s, s it ti ng d ow n w it h a t hu d. " Th e m or e m an e t he m or e m ig ht ," s he f in is hed

brilliantly.

" So r ub s om e t on ic o n yo ur br ai n A nd j us t i nc re as e y ou r m igh t a nd m an e! "

"I doubt that," mumbled the Doubtful Dromedary, looking at Scraps reprovingly.

" The re m igh t b e s ome th ing i n i t, " s ai d t he c ame l, c he wi ng a wi sp o f gr as s i n h is s low pr ec is efashion.

"My mane is a little thin," mused the Cowardly Lion, rubbing it thoughtfully with his paw.

" If I w er e y ou ," s ai d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, r is in g u ns tead il y, " I s ho ul d f in d a v er y b rave p er so n

a nd t he n e at hi m up. Tha t ought t o gi ve you a bi g d os e of c our age .

" I d ou bt t hat, " s ai d t he D ou bt fu l D ro medary s harp ly .

" Th in k h ow u ncom fo rt ab le i t w ou ld b e f or t he p oo r b rave p er so n, " s ig hed t he cam el . " My

de ar , I a m a fr ai d you ha ve n o he ar t. "

" Of c our se I ha ve no h ea rt ," c ri ed S cr ap s, s ta rt ing t o r un d own t he p at h, " bu t I h ave a





marvelous head."

T he C om fo rt ab le C am el s ig hed and g lanced u neas il y at t he C ow ar dl y L io n. T he C ow ar dl y

L ion h ad a f ar aw ay l oo k i n h is e ye , a s i f S cr ap s' n aug ht y s ug ge st io n h ad g iv en h im a n i de a, a nd i t w as n ot

l on g b ef or e h e m ad e s om e e xc us e t o g et a wa y f ro m t he t wo g en tl e c re at ur es . H e w an te d t o t hi nk . A ft er

a ll , w hy s hou ld h e, t he m os t f am ous l ion i n a ll O z, f or ev er b e c al le d c ow ar dl y? H e w ou ld t el l n o o ne , b ut

h e w ou ld g o o ff o n a l on g j ou rn ey a nd p er ha ps ev en t o h im se lf t he C ow ar dl y L io n d id n ot s ay i t, b ut t hei de a o f s wa ll ow in g a b ra ve p er so n d id s ee m a r ea so na bl e w ay t o a cq ui re c ou ra ge . " I n ee d n ev er t el l l it tl e

D or ot hy ," m ut tered t he g reat b east u ncom fo rt ab ly , " bu t h ow p ro ud s he w il l b e w hen I r et ur n f ul l o f

courage!"

He s li pp ed n oi seless ly o ut o f t he q ui et , l ov el y g ar den and , avo id in g t he y el lo w b ri ck r oad,

s tr uc k o ff t hr ou gh a d ee p f or es t t ow ar d t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry t o t he s ou th . M an y b ra ve w oo dc ut te rs

l iv e i n t he M un ch ki n f or es ts , a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as r es ol ve d d ar kl y t o s wa ll ow t he b ra ve st of t he m,

a x a nd a ll . " If o nl y m y c ow ar dl y h ea rt d oe s no t f ai l m e a t t he l as t m om en t, " h e g ro an ed n er vo us ly , a s h e

w en t crack li ng t hr ou gh t he h eavy u nd er br us h. " I cou ld s wall ow o ne w ho le, and t hat o ug ht n' t t o h ur t

m uch. " A lr eady h is k in d, cow ar dl y, com fo rt ab le o ld h eart w as b eg in ni ng t o q uake at t he t ho ug ht o f s wall ow in g a w oo dcut ter. B ut , arg ui ng and r um bl in g t o h im self , h e con ti nu ed h is r ace t ow ar d t he s ou th .

B y t he t im e t he c as tl e c lo ck s c hi me d e ig ht , h e w as m il es a nd m il es a wa y f ro m t he s af e a nd d el ig ht ful

E merald C it y o f O z.

CHAPTER 9 In Se ar ch of a Br ave Man

T he C ow ar dl y L io n w as f am il iar w it h all t he f or es ts i n O z, and t ho ug h t he o ne t hr ou gh w hi chh e w as p as si ng w as s o de ns e t ha t, e ve n i n t he m or ni ng , o nl y a d im l ig ht f il te re d t hr ou gh t he t re es , he h ad

n o d if fi cu lt y f in di ng h is w ay . I n t he cen ter o f t hi s f or es t l iv ed a s mall col on y o f w oo dcut ters , and t he

C ow ar dl y L io n w as h eadi ng s tr ai gh t f or t hi s col on y, r oari ng and g ro wl in g t o k eep u p h is cou rage. T he

m or e h e t ho ug ht a bo ut d ev ou ri ng a b ra ve m an , t he f as te r h e r an . T he t hi ng w ou ld h av e t o b e d on e

q ui ck ly o r n ot a t a ll -q ui ckl y be fo re h is he ar t f ai le d h im e nt ir el y. A s t he ho ll ow b low s of a n a x c ame

ech oi ng t hr ou gh t he s ti ll ness , a s hi ver r an d ow n h is b ack and , w hen a s ud den l eap b ro ug ht h im alm os t

u po n a t al l M un ch ki n f or es te r, h e s to pp ed a lt og et he r. A t t he s ou nd o f t he c ra ck li ng b ra nc he s, t he m an

t ur ned, but whe n he sa w t he ne w c ome r wa s a li on, he c alm ly we nt on wi th hi s wor k.

" Th er e' s b ravery f or y ou ," g ul ped t he C ow ar dl y L io n t o h im self . N ow w as h is chance, f or t hema n' s ba ck w as t urne d. But i t wa s no us e; he s impl y c oul d not s pr ing on a ma n br ave e nough t o tur n hi s

back, so instead he sighed heavily and sat down.

"H ow 's t he h un ti ng ?" ask ed t he w oo dcut ter g ru ff ly , aft er h e h ad b ro ug ht d ow n h is t ree.

" Wh y, n ot v er y g oo d, t hank y ou ," r ep li ed t he l io n p en si vely . T hi s w as w or se s ti ll . C ou ld o ne

e at up a ma n i n t he mi ddl e of a c onve rs at ion?

" Well , n ow t hat' s t oo b ad ." T he w oo dcut ter m op ped h is b ro w and t ur ned ' ro un d s lo wl y. " Tell

m e, " ask ed t he l io n, b li nk in g h is eyes u nh ap pi ly , " ar e y ou a b rave m an ?"

" We ll , t ha t, " p on de re d t he w oo dc ut te r, s it ti ng d ow n o n a s tu mp a nd w ip in g o ff h is a x w it h a

bunch of leaves, "that I hardly know."





" Do n' t y ou t hi nk t al ki ng t o a l io n i s p re tt y b ra ve ?" a sk ed t he g re at b ea st h op ef ul ly . H e g at he re d

hims elf for a s pr ing. If t he ma n s aid yes , he would ce rta inl y e at him up a nd have an e nd t o t his

disagreeable business. But instead, the woodcutter regarded him closely.

" Say! " h e b ur st o ut , h op pi ng t o h is f eet and g iv in g t he C ow ar dl y L io n a r es ou nd in g w hack o n

t he b ac k, " sa y, t hi s i s a n h on or . S or ry I d id n' t r ec og ni ze y ou a t o nc e. B oy s! " H e r ai se d h is v oi ce j oy fu ll y," Bo ys , h er e' s t he g oo d o ld C ow ar dl y L io n, t he C ow ar dl y L io n h im se lf . C om e o n o ut . W e' ve o ft en h ea rd

a bo ut y ou ," e xp la in ed t he bi g m an, f ai rl y be am ing u po n t he e mba rr as se d l io n, " bu t a s n on e o f u s e ve r g o

t o t he Em er al d Ci ty t hi s i s t he f ir st we 'v e s ee n of you . Ho w i s t he Sc ar ec row a nd Oz ma , a nd how 's

P ri nc es s D or ot hy ? Y ou s ee , e ve n t ho ug h w e l iv e i n t he w oo ds , w e k no w a ll a bo ut y ou f am ou s f ol ks ."

T he Cow ar dl y Li on put hi s p aw t o hi s h ea d a nd t ri ed t o t hi nk. I t wa s u ps et ti ng t o ha ve a m an

yo u i nt end ed t o d evo ur s o f ri gh tf ul ly po li te . " Ho w d id y ou k no w I w as t he C ow ar dl y L io n? " h e a sk ed i n a

husky voice.

"W hy, fi rs t I t hought you we re li ke a ny othe r l ion, t he n I s aw you w er e a ll of a t rem bl e, a nd Is ays t o m ys el f, s ays I , ' Wi lby , m y l ad , y ou 'r e l ook in g s tr ai gh t a t t hi s f am ou s C ow ar dl y Li on o f O z. ' I t el l

you i t' s a pr oud da y for me . To t hi nk I 'm t al ki ng f ac e t o f ac e w it h a l ion wh o ha s s ave d his c ount ry a s

m an y t im es a s y ou h av e. I d ec la re n ow , i t' s a p le as ur e. "

B ef or e t he C ow ar dl y L io n cou ld ans wer , a d ozen m or e w oo dcut ters cam e r un ni ng t ow ar d

t he m a nd w he n he h ad b ee n i nt roduc ed by W il by Whu t t o e ac h woo dc ut te r i n t ur n, a nd t o t he w ive s a nd

chi ld ren o f each w oo dcut ter, h e h ad n ei th er t he b reat h n or t he i ncli nati on t o d ev ou r any bo dy . T he

chi ld ren h as ti ly w ov e h im a f lo wer chain and cro wed w it h d el ig ht w hen h e t ro tt ed t hem abo ut o n h is

back. The women brought out their choicest meats and dishes of honey to refresh him, while the men sat

a ro und a nd l is te ne d s ol em nl y t o a ll h e h ad t o s ay o f d oi ng s i n t he E me ra ld C it y. W hy , t he re h ad n ot b ee n

s uc h a h ol id ay i n t he f or es t s in ce t he w ic ke d W it ch o f t he W es t h ad b ee n d es tr oy ed b y l it tl e D or ot hy .

T he C ow ar dl y L io n, a sh am ed o f t he d re ad fu l p ur po se t ha t h ad b ro ug ht h im t o t he f or es t,

o ut di d h im self t o ent er tain t hem. A nd s o enchant ed w er e t he k in dl y w oo dcut ters w it h h is con vers at io n

t hat h e cou ld n ot t ear h im self away u nt il l at e i n t he aft er no on .

" I' ll n ev er b e abl e t o eat a w oo dcut ter, " g ro an ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t ro tt in g s lo wl y alo ng i n

t he g at he ri ng d us k. " Ne ve r a ft er t he w ay t he y h av e t re at ed m e. I 'l l h av e t o f in d s om e o th er s or t o f b ra ve

person to swallow." Scraps' advice was proving difficult right at the start, and very thoughtfully the

Cowardly Lion continued his journey.

I t w as ni ght t ime when he r ea ched t he e dge of the f or est -ni ght t ime a nd not a bra ve ma n i n

s ig ht . B ut i n t he s ou th er n p ar t o f t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry t here are m an y g reat m ou nt ai ns and amo ng t he

s tu rd y M unc hk in m ou nt ai ne er s s ur el y t he re w ou ld b e a b ra ve m an. So t he l io n, w ho di d n ot m in d a t a ll

traveling in the dark, ran steadily toward the south, through quiet little villages, through fragrant fields and

m eado ws , even s wi mm in g t he b ro ad and t ur bu lent M un ch ki n r iv er . I t w as r at her l on el y, and h e w is hed

D or ot hy o r S ir H ok us o f P ok es w er e a lo ng , b ut h e w el l k ne w t ha t n ei th er w ou ld a pp ro ve o f h is p la n f or

a cq ui ri ng c ou ra ge . H e w as n ot s ur e t ha t h e a pp ro ve d o f i t h im se lf , b ut h e k ep t o n a rg ui ng i n h is h ea d a nd

s hu dde ri ng i n hi s he ar t, a nd s ighi ng be ca us e he wa s s o g re at a c owa rd. J us t a s t he s un r os e h e c ame up on

a bra ve ma n, a sle ep under a bl ue ros e bush. H e kne w he mus t be br ave, bec aus e he wa s dr ess ed a s a

huntsman and beside him lay a terrible-looking gun.

T he C ow ar dl y L io n' s h ea rt b eg an t o t hu mp l ik e a t ri ph am me r, f or he w as m uc h a fr ai d of g un s.

B ut i t d id n ot s ee m a t a ll f ai r t o s wa ll ow a m an i n h is s le ep a nd , t ho ugh h e t re mb le d s o vi ol en tl y h e c ou ld





s ca rc el y s ta nd , h e d et er mi ne d t o w ak en t he h un ts ma n a nd t o a sc er ta in a t t he s am e t im e w he th er h e w er e

brave enough for his purpose. Gathering himself together as best he could, he sprang upon the sleeping

h un ts ma n. T he re w as a c ra ck le a nd s na p a s i f h e h ad s te pp ed u po n a p il lo w s tu ff ed w it h t wi gs . The n a n

ear s pl it ti ng s hr iek f latt en ed b ack t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s ear s and f ai rl y cur dl ed h is b lo od . A t t he s am e t im e

his tail was seized from behind, and twisted terrifically.

"Help! Help!" screamed the huntsman, trying to rise.

" Ou ch , S to p! " r oa re d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w hi le t he p er so n w ho h ad h ol d o f h is t ai l s cr ea me d

i n s ev en d if ferent k ey s. T he C ow ar dl y L io n r em ov ed h is p aw f ro m t he h un ts man' s chest . " Ar e y ou a

brave man?" he asked in a quavering voice.

" No t v er y, " chatt er ed t he h un ts man, j um pi ng u p and b acki ng cau ti ou sl y t ow ar d a t ree.

" Well , y ou d on 't s ou nd b rave," con ti nu ed t he l io n i n a r el ieved v oi ce. " A b rave m an w ou ld n ot

c al l f or h el p. L et g o o f m y t ai l, l it tl e b oy . I t' s a ll a m is ta ke . I d on 't w an t t hi s h unt sm an a ft er a ll ."

"H e' s n ot a h un ts man, " w ai led t he l it tl e b oy , r un ni ng o ver and clasp in g t he m an aro un d t he

knees.

" No t a h un ts man?" r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w av in g h is t ai l v er y f as t. " Th en w hat- "

"I'm a clown, you rude monster," spluttered the man indignantly.

A c lo wn ! W el l, I s ho ul d s ay -a nd n on e o th er t ha n o ur o ld f ri en d N ot ta B it M or e. S na tc hi ng o ff

h is ha t a nd f al se w hi sk er s, h e s wu ng B ob U p i nt o a t re e a nd n im bl y f ol low ed h ims el f. W he n t he y w er e

both seated on a branch, far above the ground, he looked anxiously through the leaves to see what the

l io n w ou ld d o n ex t. " Never s aw s uch a cou nt ry f or l io ns !" h e p uf fed r es en tf ul ly . T he l io n, w it h o ne p aws hadi ng h is eyes, w as l oo ki ng u p at t hem. " Ar e y ou afr ai d?" h e cal led p leas an tl y. " Ar e y ou afr ai d? W el l,

d on 't b e, f or b ei ng a c ow ar d m ys el f m ak es m e v er y s ym pa th et ic ." A t t he w or d c ow ar d N ot ta a lm os t f el l

f ro m t he t re e.

" Bo b, " w hi sp er ed t he clo wn h oars el y, " it 's t he C ow ar dl y L io n h im self ! N ow w e m us tn 't l et h im

k no w w e' re g oi ng t o cap tu re h im ."

" He 's a v er y ba d l io n, " i nt er ru pt ed B ob U p t ea rf ul ly . " He t ri ed t o b it e y ou !"

"What say?" called the lion, who could only hear an indistinct muttering.

" He s ay s y ou a re a v er y b ad l io n, " r ep ea te d N ot ta , l oo ki ng s er io us ly a t t he g re at c re at ur e

below. "He's right," sighed the lion dolefully. "I am a bad lion. A good lion would have eaten you up by

t hi s t ime , but a b ad l ion of te n ma ke s a good f ri end. Co me on d own. I t wa s a ll a mi st ake ."

" Ar e y ou a f ri en d o f D or ot hy 's ?" a sk ed B ob , l ea ni ng f ar o ut o ve r t he b ra nc h. A t m en ti on o f

Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion gave a guilty little jump.

" We ll , I s ho ul d s ay s o. A re y ou f ri en ds o f D or ot hy 's ?"

"N o, b ut w e' re f ro m t he s am e c ou nt ry ," s ai d t he c lo wn , " an d i f y ou 'r e q ui te s ur e y ou d on 't

want t o ea t me up, we'd like to a sk you a f ew que sti ons."





" I' ve n ev er eat en a m an i n m y l if e, " r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n, r ol li ng h is eyes s ad ly .

" Th en w hy s ta rt o n m e? " a sk ed N ot ta , s cr at ch in g h is e ar a nd w in ki ng a t B ob U p. N ow t ha t

t he i nc id en t w as o ve r i t s tr uc k h im a s t er ri bl y f un ny t o b e p er ch ed i n a t re e c on ve rs in g w it h t he C ow ar dl y

Li on. He wi she d s om e of hi s ol d pa ls in t he c ir cus c oul d s ee hi m. He 'd ne ver e xpe ct t he m t o be li eve i t

o th er wi se . S o N ot ta a nd B ob c li mb ed d ow n a nd t he t hr ee r eg ar de d e ac h o th er w it h f ra nk i nt er es t.

T he C ow ar dl y L io n h ad n ev er s ee n a c lo wn a nd t he c lo wn h ad n ev er s ee n a C ow ar dl y L io n,

s o t he re w as m uc h t o b e e xp la in ed a nd a cc ou nt ed f or . F ir st , N ot ta t ol d o f t he ir s ud de n t ra ns po rt at io n t o

M ud ge, o f D oo rw ay s, and every th in g els e excep t M us tafa's d et er mi nati on t o h av e t hem capt ur e t he

C ow ar dl y L io n h im self . T hey w er e o n t heir w ay , exp lain ed t he clo wn , t o t he E merald C it y t o s ee w heth er

or n ot D or ot hy c ou ld f ind a wa y t o s en d t he m b ac k t o t he U ni te d St at es .

" Oz ma c an d o t ha t ve ry e as i1 y w it h h er m ag ic b el t, " s ai d t he l io n, " but I w il l go w it h yo u, f or

O z i s f ul l of d an ge rs f or m or ta l f ol ks l ik e y ou , a nd D or ot hy w ou ld n ot w an t a ny th ing t o ha pp en t o a ny one

f rom he r c ount ry, I a m ve ry s ur e. He t hen t old t hem a l ot about t he ma rve lous l and of Oz, wi th it s four bi g

cou nt ri es and i ts m an y l it tl e o nes.

" Th is ," r oa re d t he C ow ar dl y L ion w it h a s we ep o f hi s p aw , " is t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry . T o t he

n or th i s t he K in gd om o f t he G il li ke ns , t o t he w es t i s t he W ink ie C ou nt ry a nd t o t he s ou th t he Q ua dl in g

C ou nt ry , r ul ed o ve r b y t he g oo d s or ce re ss , G li nd a. B ut a ll o f O z i s u nd er t he r ul e o f O zm a. "

Bo b' s e ye s gr ew r ound er a nd r oun de r a s he t ol d t he m h ow D or ot hy w as f ir st bl ow n t o O z by

a c yc lo ne , o f h er d is co ve ry o f t he s ca re cr ow , h ow s he h ad l if te d h im d ow n h is p ol e a nd , w it h t he

C ow ar dl y L io n a nd T in W oo dm an , t ra ve le d t o t he E me ra ld C it y, t he n r ul ed o ve r b y t he W iz ar d o f O z.

The n he t old how Oz ma , t he l it tl e f ai ry r ul er , w ho w as t he r ea l Que en of Oz , ha d b ee n f ound a nd pl ac ed

up on t he t hr on e. T he n c am e t he s to ry o f Sc ra ps a nd S ir H ok us a nd o f Ti k To k, a nd of e ve ry o the r

amazing person living in the amazing Emerald City.

W he n t he C ow ar dl y L io n p au se d f or b re at h B ob w as j um pi ng u p a nd d ow n w it h e xc it em en t.

" Oh , I d o w an t t o s ee D or ot hy a nd t he S ca re cr ow ! L et 's h ur ry ," c ri ed t he l it tl e o rp ha n,

t hr ow in g h is arm s ' ro un d t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s n eck. T he k in d o ld C ow ar dl y L io n b li nk ed w it h p leas ur e.

"I 'm gl ad you di d tha t," he r umble d i n a hus ky voi ce , " for now I know tha t you tr us t m e, and

have forgotten all about that unfortunate mistake!"

"B ut w hy d id y ou a sk i f I w as b ra ve ?" m us ed t he c lo wn , w ho c ou ld s ca rc el y b el ie ve t ha t t hi sm er ry l it tl e b oy h ug gi ng t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as t he s am e B ob bi e D ow ns w ho h ad f al len i nt o M ud ge.

" Becaus e, " t he l io n s wall ow ed s el f- co ns ci ou sl y, " becaus e I am l oo ki ng f or t he b ravest m an i n

Oz."

" Wh at w il l y ou d o w hen y ou f in d h im ?" ask ed N ot ta, car ef ul ly f ol di ng u p h is h un ts man s ui t and

powdering his nose with another marshmallow.

" No w, d on 't a sk m e t ha t, p le as e. " T he C ow ar dl y L io n r ai se d h is p aw p le ad in gl y a nd l oo ke d

s o u nc om fo rt ab le N ot ta d ro pp ed t he s ub je ct a t o nc e. H e f el t a l it tl e u nc om fo rt ab le h im se lf , f or h e h ad

d et er mi ne d, a s s oo n a s t he o pp or tu ni ty p re se nt ed i ts el f, t o t ie u p t he g re at c re at ur e a nd s om eh ow o r

o th er d el iv er h im t o M us ta fa . W ha t e ls e c ou ld h e d o? T he c lo wn s ig he d r eg re tf ul ly , f or a lr ea dy h e h ad

t ake n a gr ea t f anc y t o t he Cow ar dl y Li on. But f an cy or not , one c oul d n ot r is k t ur ni ng bl ue , a nd h e ha d





B ob U p t o t hi nk o f. T o g ai n t he l io n' s c on fi de nc e h e d ec id ed t o t ra ve l w it h h im f or a w hi le t ow ar d t he

E me ra ld C it y a nd , s o l on g a s t he y d id t ha t w it h t he f ix ed p ur po se o f c ap tu ri ng t he C ow ar dl y L io n,

M us tafa's r in g cou ld n ot t ur n b lack .

Not ta s aid nothi ng of his pl ans t o B ob, f or t he boy wa s s o happy a t the thought of vi si ti ng t he

E me ra ld C it y, a nd s o de li gh te d w it h h is n ew a nd i nt er es ti ng f ri end , h e h at ed t o s po il a bi t o f h is p le as ur e.

S o h e m er el y o pe ne d a no th er p ac k o f M us ta fa 's s an dw ic he s a nd t he y a ll h ad a c he er fu l b re ak fa stt og et her. T hen, w it h B ob p ro ud ly r id in g t he l io n, t hey s tart ed o ff o nce again t ow ar d t he n or th .

" Wo ul d y ou m in d t el li ng m e w hy y ou p retend ed t o b e a h un ts man?" ask ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

H e h ad b ee n l oo ki ng s id ew ays a t N ot ta f or s om e t im e, t ry in g t o p uz zl e t he t hi ng o ut f or hi ms el f. " Not a t

all ," chu ck led t he clo wn , chi nn in g h im self o n t he b ranch o f a t ree. " I d is gu is ed m ys el f as a h un ts man t o

f ri gh ten o ff any w il d ani mals w hi le w e w er e asl eep. I alw ay s d is gu is e m ys el f w hen t here i s d an ger i n t he

w in d- do n' t I , B ob bi e?" T he l it tl e b oy n od ded h is h ead s ol em nl y.

" Do es i t h el p?" ask ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n i n an i nt er es ted v oi ce. B ob U p l oo ked t ho ug ht fu l,

but as the clown nodded emphatically, he said nothing. It seemed to Bob that Notta always picked thew ro ng d is gu is e, b ut t he c lo wn w as s o c on fi de nt a nd c he er fu l a bo ut i t h e c ou ld n ot b ea r t o d is co ur ag e

h im . S o h e l is tened p ol it el y w hi le N ot ta exp lain ed h is r ul es o f d is gu is e, p ol it en es s, j ok e and r un . W hen h e

h ad f in is hed t he C ow ar dl y L io n s ho ok h is h ead.

" I s up po se , s ai d h e, h al f c lo si ng h is e ye s, " th at y ou c an no t h el p y ou r d is gu is es a ny m or e t ha n I

can h el p m y cow ar di ce."

" It i sn 't t ha t I a m a fr ai d, " e xp la ine d N ot ta h as ti ly , " but I c an f igh t be tt er w he n I 'm n ot l ook ing

l ik e m ys el f. W hen I l oo k l ik e m ys el f I f eel f un ny and w hen I f eel f un ny , I can 't f ig ht ."

" Well , w it h m e, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho l ik e m os t o f u s enj oy ed t al ki ng abo ut h im self ," the f unn ie r I l ook , t he h ar de r I f igh t. S o do n' t f ri gh te n m e, I b eg o f y ou, f or w he n I 'm f ri ght en ed I f ig ht

terrifically."

" I' ll r em em ber w hat y ou s ay ," s ai d N ot ta, t ur ni ng a s om er saul t, and w on deri ng u neas il y w hat

t he C ow ar dl y L io n w ou ld d o w he n h e t ri ed t o c ap tu re h im . B ut t he t ho ug ht o f b ei ng c ap tu re d n ev er

e nt er ed t he l ion 's he ad . H e wa s r at he r gl ad t o h av e t he t wo s tr ang er s t ur n up t hi s w ay . I t po st pon ed t ha t

d is ag re ea bl e b us in es s o f e at in g a b ra ve m an . O f c ou rs e, i f t he y s ho ul d r un a cr os s o ne o n t he j ou rn ey , w el l

e no ugh , b ut f ir st i t w as h is p la in d ut y t o c on du ct t hi s c low n a nd l it tl e b oy s af el y t o t he E me ra ld C it y.

N ot ta w as s o c he er fu l a nd j ol ly a nd m ad e s o m uc h f un o ut o f e ve ry th in g t ha t t he C ow ar dl yLi on f el t r epa id f or a ny t roub le he w as t aki ng a nd B ob Up ha d not be en s o ha ppy s inc e th ey ha d f al le n

i nt o t hi s b ew il deri ng cou nt ry . T ow ar d n oo n, as t he s un g rew r at her h ot , t he C ow ar dl y L io n t ur ned i nt o a

s ma ll i nv it in g w oo d w hi ch h e f el t w as a s ho rt c ut t o t he ye ll ow b ri ck r oa d. B ut o n t he v er y f ir st t re e, a

l ar ge s ig n m ad e t he m p aus e. T he s ig n s ai d, " Tw en ty t re es t o U ."

" I n ev er h eard o f any cou nt ry cal led U " m um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, b li nk in g u p at t he s ig n i n

surprise.

" Th er e wa s on e j us t l ik e t hi s on t he r oa d w e c ame dow n y es te rd ay ," s ai d N ot ta . " Bo b a nd I

w on der ed w hat i t s t oo d f or ."

" We ll , I d on 't k no w, " m us ed t he l io n. " Th at 's t he q ue er t hi ng a bo ut O z. E ve n o ld r es id en ts l ik e

m ys el f a re o ft en a ma ze d t o f in d n ew c ou nt ri es a nd p eo pl es w he re w e n ev er e xp ec te d t o f in d t he m.





A cc or di ng t o t he m ap s t he re a re o nl y s ca tt er ed f ar ms b et we en h er e a nd t he E me ra ld C it y. B ut s o l on g a s

we ha ve t o go t hr ough t hi s w ood, w e mi ght as we ll s ee w ha t U s ta nds f or ."

Bo b w as t he f ir st t o d is co ve r t ha t e ve ry n ow a nd t he n t he t re es w er e n um be re d a nd , f ol lo wi ng

t he m i n t he o rd er o f t he ir n um be rs , t oo k t he m d ee pe r a nd d ee pe r i nt o t he f or es t. W he n t he y r ea ch ed t he

t re e n um be re d n in e- te en , t he y w er e a la rm ed t o n ot e t ha t a ll t he o th er n um be rs t ha t h ad g ui de d t he m h ad

d is ap pe ar ed . T he w oo d h ad m ea nw hi le g ro wn s o d en se t ha t t he y c ou ld h ar dl y p us h o n a nd , w he n N ot tas ug ge st ed t ha t t he y g o b ac k, t he y f ou nd t he y ha d l os t t he w ay e nt ir el y. T he C ow ar dl y L ion w as f ul l o f

s ti ck er s and t ho rn s and , w hi le B ob p icked t hem o ut o f h is w oo ll y m an e, t he clo wn cli mb ed t he n in et eent h

t re e t o m ak e a l it tl e s ur ve y o f t he c ou nt ry .

Wi th a s hou t h e c am e s cr am bl in g do wn . " Th er e' s a c le ar in g j us t b ey on d, a nd I t hi nk I m ad e

o ut t we nt y o n t he t re e i n t he c en te r, " p uf fe d N ot ta . " Co me o n! " T he c lo wn w as g ro wi ng m or e i nt er es te d

i n t hi s s tr an ge c ou nt ry e ve ry m inu te . H e c ou ld h ar dl y w ai t t o s ee w ha t w as g oi ng t o ha pp en n ext .

" Le t m e go f ir st . My hi de doe sn 't t ea r a s e as il y a s y our s," s ai d t he Co wa rdl y Li on, a nd he

began pushing through the heavy thicket in the direction pointed out by Notta. Holding up their arms to protect their faces, the others followed and in almost no time had come out on a small clearing. As they

l oo ked t he clo wn clu tched B ob , w hi le t he C ow ar dl y L io n b li nk ed w it h ast on is hm en t. T he t went ieth t ree

was knitting furiously, holding in its long fingers nearly a hundred gleaming needles, and bending its witchy

h ea d e ve ry o nc e i n a w hi le t o e xa mi ne t he g re at , c lo ud y n et t ha t f lo we d a ll a ro und i t. F or s om e m om en ts

t he y wa tc he d i n pu zz le d s il enc e. T he n B ob s cr ea me d, t he C ow ar dl y L io n r oa re d a nd N ot ta g as pe d w it h

a la rm . F or t he ne t s udd enl y s woo pe d d ow n a nd s co op ed t he m u p l ik e a s ch oo l o f f is h. T he t re e ga ve a

d is ag reeabl e l it tl e l au gh , q ui ck ly k ni tt ed t he t op o f t he n et t og et her and , l if ti ng all i ts b ranches at o nce,

t os sed t he l uckl es s t ravelers h ig h o ver i ts h ead.

M ir ac ul ou sl y, a s i t s tr uc k t he a ir , t he b ig p or ou s b ag f il le d ou t l ike a ba ll oo n a nd w en t s ai li ng

u pw ar d a t a t er ri bl e r at e- th e C ow ar dl y L io n, B ob U p a nd N ot ta r ol li ng o ve r a nd o ve r i n t he b ot to m a nd bumping and banging together in a most painful and unpleasant fashion.

CHAPTER 10 On the I sle of Un

I f Y ou c ou ld j us t s to p t re mb li ng ," p uf fe d t he c lo wn , t ryi ng t o k ee p o ut o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s

w ay , " I t hi nk i t w ou ld h el p. "

" Bu t h ow can I s to p t remb li ng w hen I am s o f ri gh tened, " com pl ai ned t he l io n, clu tchi ng t he

s wayi ng n et w it h all f ou r p aw s.

" I' m f ri gh tened t oo !" w ai led B ob , w ho w as r ol li ng and b ou ncin g f ir st again st o ne, t hen again st

t he o th er .

" It s eems t o m e y ou 'r e s haki ng abo ut a l ot y ou rs el f, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n r ep ro achf ul ly , as

Notta dove suddenly into his ribs. "What are you trying to do?"

" My d is gu is e! " p an ted t he clo wn , clu tchi ng at h is chest . " If I cou ld o nl y p ut o n m y d is gu is e. "

" Ah o! " m um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, and s to pp ed t remb li ng l on g eno ug h t o g ri n. B ut j us t t hen





t he b al lo on cal med d ow n, and chang in g i ts cou rs e s ai led g en tl y and l ev el ly t hr ou gh t he s ky , s o t hat t he

t hr ee h ud dl ed t og et her i n t he b ot to m w er e f ai rl y com fo rt ab le.

" I g ue ss U s ta nd s f or U p. Y ou s ur el y b ob be d u p t hi s t im e, d id n' t y ou ?" N ot ta w in ke d m er ri ly

a t t he l it tl e o rph an, a nd t he n p ee re d c ur io us ly t hr ou gh t he h ol es i n t he n et . " Th is r em in ds m e of a b al lo on

t ri p I o nc e m ad e f or t he c ir cu s. W on de r w he re w e' ll l an d? "

" Ar e w e t o l an d a t a ll ?" s ig he d t he C owa rdl y L io n un ha pp il y. T wo o f hi s l egs h ad s li ppe d

t hr ou gh ho le s i n t he ne t a nd he w as f ee li ng un ea sy a nd un co mf or ta bl e. " Cl im b o n m e, B ob, m y b oy. I t w il l

be a little softer. When you've been in Oz as long as I have, you'll take nothing for granted." He looked

m ou rn fu ll y at t he clo wn w ho w as t hat m om en t b el ow h im .

" Th en I 'l l j us t t ak e i t O z i s, " l au gh ed N ot ta . " Wh y, h er e' s l an d n ow ! A nd w e' re s lo wi ng d ow n. "

S o t he y w er e, d ow n d ow n d ow n, u nt il t he y w er e o ve r a r oc ky i sl an d. W he n t he n et w as a lm os t r es ti ng

o n a l it tl e g reen h il l, i t t ur ned com pl et el y and s ud denl y u ps id e d ow n, and s ho ok t hem o ut w it h s uch

v io lence t hat t hey r ol led all t he w ay t o t he b ot to m. T he C ow ar dl y L io n j um ped u p f ir st and h ur ri ed ly

placed himself in front of Bob. Though he was trembling even more than usual, he knew that he was a better fighter than these helpless mortals. And that there would be fighting he felt reasonably sure, for a

g reat cro wd w as com in g n oi si ly t ow ar d t hem.

N ot ta n er vo us ly j er ke d B ob t o h is f ee t a nd s to od b es id e t he C ow ar dl y L io n. T he re w as n o

time for disguising. "We'll just start with rule two," panted the clown, running his finger hurriedly 'round his

col l ar . " Let 's b e ex- tr e-eem ly p ol it e. T hat 's t he w ay t o m eet s tr an gers ."

" Al l r ig ht ," agr eed t he C ow ar dl y L io n i n a r at her cho ked v oi ce, " yo u m eet ' em w it h p ol it en es s,

a nd i f t ha t f ai ls , I 'l l m ee t ' em w it h s om et hi ng e ls e. " H e gn as he d h is t ee th t o ke ep t he m f ro m c ha tt er in g. A s

t he f ir st o f t he c om pa ny r ea ch ed t he f oo t o f t he h il l B ob g av e a l it tl e s cr ea m, b ut N ot ta c al ml y s te pp ed

forward.

" Ladi es and g en tl em en !" b eg an t he clo wn i n h is b es t cir cu s m an ner, " Let m e i nt ro du ce y ou t o

t he mo st f am ous l ion i n the wor ld, t he Cowa rdl y Li on of Oz , a s br ave a s he is c owa rdl y; a ll ow m e t o

present Bob Up, the brightest little boy in the United States, and myself, a harmless clown whose tricks

h av e ast on is hed t he cro wn ed h eads o f t wo con ti nent s. L ad ies and g en tl em en , l et -"

" Tw o creat ur es and a b east ," cal led t he l eader o f t he com pany , i nt er ru pt in g N ot ta i n t he m id dl e

o f a s en te nc e. " Tw o c re at ur es a nd a b ea st ," r ep ea te d t he o th er s, s ta ri ng d ul ly a t t he n ew co me rs . T he

C ow ar dl y L io n g ro wl ed t hr eateni ng ly at t hi s and N ot ta b eg an r un ni ng o ver all t he j ok es t hat h e k new. A s

f or B ob , h e w as t oo a ma ze d t o d o a ny th in g b ut s ta re , f or t he se w er e c er ta in ly t he m os t c ur io us b ei ng s h eha d e ve r s ee n i n hi s l if e.

T o b egi n w it h, t he y h ad f ea th er s i ns te ad o f h ai r. T he se f ea th er s w er e s ma ll a nd f in e a nd g re w

s mo ot hl y b ack f ro m t heir f or eh eads , b ecom in g l on ger at t he b ack and cur li ng s of tl y b eh in d t he ear s. T heir

e ye s w er e p er fe ct ly r ou nd a nd t he ir n os es a lm os t l ik e b ir d b ea ks . O th er wi se t he y w er e t he s am e a s

r eg ul ar f ol ks , e xc ept i n t he ir m an ne r o f w al ki ng , f or t he ir f ee t t ur ne d i n s o m uc h t ha t t he y ha d t o ho p,

putting one foot down and then hopping over it. Before Notta could start a joke, the leader of these

singular creatures motioned to two behind him. They immediately stepped forward, unfurling as they did

s o a l ar ge b an ne r.

"U nw el co me t o U n, " s ai d t he b an ner i n cro ok ed y el lo w l et ters .

" No u se b ei ng p ol it e t hen, " r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n and , t ak in g m at ters i nt o h is o wn p aw s,





h e g av e s uch a t hu nd er in g r oar t hat t he v er y g ro un d t remb led.

" Gi ng er p op pa!" g as ped t he clo wn , alm os t as f ri gh tened as t he F eath er heads . T he ef fect o n t he

cro wd w as s im pl y b reat h- taki ng . B eg in ni ng at t he b ack o f t heir n ecks , t heir f eath er s s lo wl y r os e s tr ai gh t

o n e nd u nt il e ac h h ea d l oo ke d l ik e a h ug e a nd q ui ve ri ng f ea th er d us te r. T he C ow ar dl y L io n t ri ed t o r oa r

a ga in, bu t t he be st t ha t h e c ou ld ma na ge wa s a c huc kl e. No tt a t ook on e l oo k, t he n f el l up a ga in st a t re e

and l au gh ed u nt il t he t ears r ol led d ow n h is cheek s. E ven B ob g ig gl ed . " Tr y ' em again ," w heezed t heC ow ar dl y L io n. " I t hi nk t hey' ll l is ten t o y ou n ow ." W ip in g h is eyes o n h is s leev e, N ot ta s tepp ed f or ward

a nd a dd re ss ed t he l ea de r.

" Co ul d y ou t el l u s a l it tl e a bo ut t hi s i nt er es ti ng c ou nt ry o f yo ur s, a nd t he q ui ck es t w ay ou t o f

i t? " h e i nq ui re d p ol it el y. S lo wl y t he f ea th er s o n t he h ea ds o f t he . c ro wd b eg an t o s et tl e.

" 'T ai nt a cou nt ry , i t' s a s ky le," ans wered t he F eath er head , b li nk in g r ap id ly .

" A s ky le?" r ep eated t he clo wn , g lancin g d ou bt fu ll y at t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho app eared t o b e

a s p uz zl ed a s h e w as . " Wh at i s a s ky le ?" a sk ed N ot ta c ur io us ly .

" Th is i s, " s napp ed t he l eader d is ag reeabl y. " Yo u' re as i gn or an t as a f is h, aren' t y ou ?" T hen as

t he C ow ar dl y L io n g av e a t hr eateni ng g ro wl h e con ti nu ed g ru dg in gl y, " A s ky le i s an i sl e i n t he s ky , and

a ny on e w ho h as s tu di ed s ky og ra ph y o ug ht t o k no w t ha t. I s up po se y ou d on 't e ve n k no w w ha t a n i sl e i s? "

H e l oo ked con temp tu ou sl y at t he t hr ee s tr an gers .

" I d o. A n i sl e i s a s ma ll b od y o f l an d e nt ir el y s ur ro un de d b y w at er ," c ri ed B ob , d el ig ht ed t o

f in d t ha t ge og ra ph y w as o f s om e u se a ft er a ll .

" Well ," s ai d t he F eath er head u neas il y, " th en I g uess y ou 'l l u nd er st an d w hen I t el l y ou t hat a

s ky le i s a s mall b od y o f l an d ent ir el y s ur ro un ded b y air ."

" Ai r! " s pl ut te re d N ot ta . " I s ay , h ow d oe s o ne g et o ff a s ky le ?"

" Yo u' ll s oo n f in d t hat o ut !" m ut tered t he F eath er head , and all t he o th er s b eg an n od di ng and

c lu ck in g f or a ll t he wo rl d l ik e a c om pa ny o f h en s.

" Wh at d o y ou c al l y ou rs el ve s? " a sk ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. N ow t ha t h e k ne w h ow t o f ri gh te n

t hem, h e n o l on ger f el t afr ai d.

"W e' re U ns , w e a re , a nd no bo dy bu t Un s a re a ll ow ed on t hi s s kyl e. W e' ll h av e t o t ak e yo ua lo ng t o t he p al ac e a nd h is r oy al S ky ne ss w il l d ec id e w ha t' s t o b e d on e w it h y ou ."

"Another king," groaned the clown.

" Is n' t i t t im e t o r un ?" a sk ed B ob , t ug gi ng a t N ot ta 's p an ta lo on , f or t he U ns w er e d ra wi ng

c lo se r t hi s t im e, p ay in g n o a tt en ti on t o t he r oa rs o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

" No us e r unni ng, B ob. W e mi ght f al l of f. P er ha ps t hi s K in g i s a b et te r f el lo w t ha n h is s ub je ct s.

" Take u s t o y ou r K in g! " cri ed t he clo wn , s et tl in g h is cap d et er mi nedl y. H op pi ng and m ut teri ng ,

t he U ns f or me d t wo c ro ok ed l in es , a nd w it h t he t hr ee t ra ve le rs i n t he c en te r m ar ch ed a wa y t o t he p al ac e.

T he re w er e m an y t al l t re es o n t he s ky le o f U n a nd , m or e r em ar ka bl e s ti ll , e ve ry t re e h ad a r ou gh b ox li ke

s tr uctu re b ui lt i n i ts b ranches, l ik e eno rm ou s b ir d h ou ses. T hey w er e r each ed b y r ou gh l ad ders and t he





Uns s ee me d to be a s muc h at home on the branches a s on the gr ound.

S om e o f t he w om en s ta nd in g o n l ow er b ra nc he s w er e h an gi ng c lo th es o n u pp er o ne s a s c al ml y

a s o rd in ar y f ol k s tr in g t he w as hi ng u p i n t he y ar d. B ut , a s N ot ta w hi sp er ed t o B ob , w ha t c ou ld o ne

ex pect o f F eat her heads ?

T he s ky le i ts el f w as r oc ky a nd b ar re n a nd t he re s ee me d t o b e n o f ar ms , b ui ld in gs n or i nd us tr ie s o f a ny k ind . " Wha t d o y ou d o h er e f or a l ivi ng ?" a sk ed N ot ta , t ur ni ng t o t he U n b es ide h im .

"Fish, mostly," said the Un.

" Wh at f or ?" a sk ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t re ad in g o n N ot ta 's h ee ls i n h is e ag er ne ss t o h ea r.

"Birds," sniffed the Un, looking over his shoulder scornfully. "What did you think we'd fish

for?"

" Oh , b ut y ou c ou ld n' t f is h f or b ir ds ," o bj ec te d B ob U p, s to pp in g s ho rt , w hi le N ot ta b ur st i nt oa l oud r oa r of l aught er . The Un gl ar ed a t a ll t hr ee .

" Th e air 's f ul l o f ' em ," h e ann ou nced s harp ly , and t hen, as t he clo wn con ti nu ed t o l au gh

immoderately, his feathers began to ruffle with rage.

" Y ou 'r e i di ot s! " h e s cr eamed, t hr us ti ng h is s harp b eak alm os t i n N ot ta's f ace. " Id io ts !" ech oed

a ll t he o th er U ns i mm ed ia te ly . S ev er al t ro d o n t he c lo wn 's t oe s a nd , s ee in g t ha t B ob w as r at he r p al e,

Notta hastily changed the subject. Not long after that they came to the palace. To Bob it looked like a

hu ge b ar n s tuc k be tw ee n f our t re es . I t w as a bo ut t en f ee t f rom t he gr oun d a nd f ro m t he t op o f e ac h t re e

f lu tt er ed a b ri gh t y el lo w f lag b eari ng t he w or d, U N.

The C owa rdl y Li on t re mbl ed a go od de al a s t he y w ent up t he r ic ke ty g re en l add er , bu t w it h a

l it tl e h el p f ro m N ot ta h e m an age d i t, a nd ne xt i ns ta nt t he y w er e i n t he p re se nc e of t he K in g. " Tw o

c re at ur es a nd a b ea st , y ou r S ky ne ss !" a nn ou nc ed t he l ea de r o f t he d el eg at io n. T he n s te pp in g c lo se t o

Notta he shouted at the top of his voice, "His Majesty, I-wish-I-was, King of Un!" Notta's cap fell off

a nd he c la ppe d h is ha nd t o hi s e ar . Th e Co wa rdl y Li on ma de a l it tl e s pr ing a t t he Un a nd ha d t he

pleasure of seeing the King's feathers rise erect upon his head and wave to and fro.

" Ap pr oach, cr eatu res and b east ," com mand ed I -w is h- I -w as i n a s li gh tl y s haky v oi ce. H e w as

s it ti ng o n a h ig h w oo de n p er ch , s wi ng in g hi s f ee t. G ro upe d a bo ut h im w er e a nu mb er o f U ns i n b ri ght

g re en u ni fo rm s t ha t e xa ct ly m at ch ed t he ir f ea th er h ai r. N ot ta m ad e a d ee p b ow a nd B ob a nd t heCowardly Lion moved forward together.

" Ho w d id y ou c om e t o c om e h er e? " a sk ed I -w is h- I- wa s, a dj us ti ng a p ai r o f s pe ct ac le s o n h is

terrible beak.

" We d id n' t c om e t o c om e a t a ll ," s ai d N ot ta h as ti ly . " We w er e s ta nd in g u nd er a t re e, w at ch in g

i t k ni t- a v er y s tr an ge s ig ht , y ou r S ky ness w il l agr ee."

" Wh y s ho ul dn 't i t k ni t?" s napp ed t he K in g i mp at ient ly . " Th er e' s n o l aw again st i t, i s t here? I n

f ac t, i f i t we re not f or t ha t t re e, we 'd be i n a pr et ty s ta te f or f is hi ng ne ts ."

" We ll , we we re c aught i n t he t re e' s n et , t he ne t f le w u p a nd he re we a re ," f ini sh ed N ot ta ,

d et er mi ne d n ot t o qu ar re l i f h e c ou ld h el p i t.





" A m ig ht y p oo r cat ch , I cal l y ou ," m ut tered t he K in g com pl ai ni ng ly . H e t ur ned t o h is g uard t o

s ee w he th er t he y a gr ee d w it h h im a nd t he y a ll n od de d s o h ar d i t m ad e B ob d iz zy .

" Ar e y ou w il li ng t o b ecom e U ns ?" h e ask ed g lo om il y.

" I' ll n ot g ro w f eath er s f or any bo dy ," g ro wl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, s haki ng h is p aw atI-wish-I-was.

" Wait t il l y ou 'v e t ri ed ," ans wered t he K in g l of ti ly . " Bu t w hat I m ean i s t hi s: E ach o f y ou m us t d o

s om et hi ng u ni sh , f or w e are all U ns h er e. I 'm u nf ai r any U n w il l t el l y ou t hat. B il l, t here," h e p oi nt ed

proudly at the commander of the Guard, "Bill, he's ungrateful." Then he waved to the Un beside him.

" An d T om 's u nk in d. S ee w ha t I m ea n? W e' re a ll U ns t og et he r. " T he K in g r ub be d h is c la wl ik e h an ds

gleefully.

" But I n ev er h ea rd of s uc h a p la ce !" g as pe d N ot ta .

" Of cou rs e n ot ! U n' s p os it iv el y u nh eard o f, " con fi ded t he K in g, s mo ot hi ng b ack h is f eath er s

com pl acen tl y. B ob 's eyes g rew r ou nd er and r ou nd er , N ot ta s wall ow ed , and t he C ow ar dl y L io n t i lt ed

on e e ar f or wa rd t o be s ur e h e wa s h ea ri ng a ri ght .

" Wh y, y ou 'r e U ns alr eady ," s ai d I -w is h- I- was, w it h a m ean l it tl e chu ck le.

" Yo u, " h e p oi nt ed h is l on g t hi n f in ger at N ot ta, " ar e u nn at ur al . Y ou ," h e p oi nt ed t o t he

Cowardly Lion, "are unpleasant. And you," he wiggled his finger teasingly at Bob, "you're uninteresting!"

" Th an ks !" s ai d t he clo wn , t ak in g o ff h is cap . " An d b es id es t hat, " cr ied I -w is h- I- was, h is v oi ce

rising to a shrill squeak, "you're all uninvited."

" An d b ou nd t o b e u nl ucky ," g ur gl ed B il l o f t he G uard .

"And terribly unhappy," squealed another, dancing up and down.

"And terrifically uncomfortable," added a third. Hereupon the Uns began hopping frantically

abo ut , each s ho ut in g s om et hi ng u ni sh , t il l B ob cov er ed h is ear s and t he C ow ar dl y L io n b eg an t o l as h h is

tail with fury.

" St op ! S to p! " s ho ut ed t he clo wn , s tamp in g h is f oo t. " I b el ieve t hi s i s t he u np leas an test i sl an dI 'v e e ve r be en o n. " Lo ud c he er s f ro m t he U ns i nt er rup te d hi m h er e. " An d i f yo u wi ll t el l u s t he w ay o ff

w e' ll g o a t on ce .

I -w is h- I- wa s r ai se d h is c la w f or s il en ce , p ul le d a p ad f ro m h is p oc ke t, a l on g f ea th er q ui ll f ro m

h is h ea d a nd , d ip pi ng i t i n i nk , w ro te s om et hi ng i n a g re at h ur ry . T hi s h e h and ed t o t he C om ma nde r o f t he

G uard and N ot ta l oo ki ng o ver h is s ho ul der r ead, " Pu sh t hem o ff at t he f ir st o pp or tu ni ty ." T he G uard , n ot

k no wi ng t hat t he clo wn h ad r ead t he m es sage, b ow ed and b eg an w hi sp er in g t o h is com rades, w hi le

Notta scratched his ear and wondered what he should do.

" Co ul d y ou r S ky ne ss g iv e u s a b it e t o e at ?" h e a sk ed p re se nt ly . T ha t, h e r ef le ct ed , w ou ld g iv e

him time to think.

" Cert ai nl y n ot ," ans wered t he K in g, s napp in g h is b ir dl ik e eyes. " If y ou 'r e h un gr y, g o f is h, t he





s am e a s t he r es t o f u s d o. B il l, g iv e t he m s om e r od s. " H e w in ke d w ic ke dl y a t t he g re en g ua rd sm an . N ot ta

s aw h im m ak e a l it tl e p us h i n t he a ir . B il l w it h a c huc kl e w in ke d b ac k; t he n b ro ug ht t hr ee r od s a nd r ee ls

a nd h an de d t he m t o t he c lo wn .

" Oh !" c ri ed Bo b U p, " I' d l ov e t o g o f is hi ng ."

" Wh er e d o y ou f is h aro un d h er e?" ask ed N ot ta, w ri nk li ng u p h is f or eh ead.

" Jus t go t o t he e dge of t he s kyl e a nd d rop yo ur l ine ove r," s ai d t he Ki ng, a nd nudg ed t he Un

n ea re st hi m. At t hi s a ll t he U ns be ga n nu dgi ng a nd w in ki ng f ir st o ne e ye a nd t he n t he o th er . " Co me o n, "

w hi sp er ed N ot ta a nd , t uc ki ng t he r od s u nd er h is a rm , r an t ow ar d t he d oo r. T he C ow ar dl y Li on, i n hi s

ha st e t o f ol lo w, f el l a ll t he wa y dow n t he l add er , b ut a t a qu ic k w or d f rom N ot ta j um pe d up, a nd a s B ob

joined them they all started on a run for a little clump of trees. "I tell you," puffed the clown, pausing at

l en gt h t o m op h is b ro w, " th ey a re b ad U ns , s ur e e no ug h. T he y m ea n t o p us h u s o ff t he s ky le . T ha t' s w hy

they sent us fishing."

" Ju st l et ' em t ry i t! " r oa re d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, s ha ki ng h is m an e. H e h ad s ki nne d h is k ne es i nh is f al l d ow n t he l ad de r a nd w as f ee li ng qu it e r ea dy f or a b at tl e.

" Bu t s hall w e g o f is hi ng o r n ot ?" ask ed t he clo wn u ncer tain ly . B ob U p s ai d n ot hi ng , b ut h e

l oo ked w is tf ul ly at t he f is hi ng r od s. B ob h ad n ev er b een f is hi ng i n h is l if e, and even t he t ho ug ht o f b ei ng

pushed off the skyle did not seem as dreadful as being deprived of this pleasure. Notta saw the look.

" I' m h un gr y as a l io n, " s ai d t he clo wn s ud denl y, " an d w e' ve l os t M us tafa's p ackets s om ew here

between Oz and Un."

" We ll , y ou 'r e no t a s h un gr y a s t hi s l ion ," r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w it h a w in k a t B ob . " It

m us t b e l on g p as t n oo n. L et 's r is k i t. Y ou f is h a nd I 'l l w at ch , a nd i f a ny o f t he se U ns s ta rt p us hi ng u s- ."T he C ow ar dl y L io n g av e a r oa r a nd s ho ok h is p aw s t hr ea te ni ng ly a t t he p al ac e o f I -w is h- I- wa s.

C HA PT ER 1 1 A S tr an ge F is hi ng P ar ty

To t he ir s ur pri se , none of t he U ns f ol lowe d th em, a nd i n a bout a n ho ur t he y ha d c ome t o t he

e dg e o f t he s ky le . T he C ow ar dl y L io n s hu dd er ed a s h e l oo ke d d ow n i nt o t he c le ar b lu e a ir , a nd e ve n Notta had a queer feeling in the pit of his stomach as the white clouds went rolling and tumbling past

them.

" Do y ou t hi nk w e' ll c at ch a ny b ir ds , N ot ta ?" a sk ed B ob U p, v en tu ri ng s o n ea r t he e dg e t ha t

t he C ow ar dl y L io n g av e a r oa r o f t er ro r. " Re me mb er y ou 'r e n ot a b ir d, " h e w ar ne d.

" I' ll f ix h im ," s ai d N ot ta . C ut ti ng t he l in e f rom o ne o f t he r od s h e d ou bl ed i t m an y t im es a nd

f as te ne d B ob s ec ur el y t o t he t re e. W it h w ha t w as l ef t, h e m ad e a s af et y b el t f or h im se lf . The n, whi le t he

C ow ar dl y Li on s hi ve re d w it h f ri gh t, t he y s at up on t he e dg e o f t he s ky le a nd c as t t he ir l in es f ar i nt o t he a ir

below. "Now, Bob my lad, don't expect a bite too soon," said the clown, "for fishing is a mortal slow

business, but a fine one for thinking, and all of us must think of a way to get off this island before we're

pushed off by the Uns."





T he C ow ar dl y L io n, w it h h is b ac k t o t he t wo f is he rm en , k ep t a s ha rp l oo ko ut f or t he e ne my ,

a nd a ll t hr ee t ri ed t o t hi nk . B ut t hi nk in g w he n y ou 'r e h un gr y i s h ar d w or k. B es ide s, t he re w er e s o m any

t hi ng s t o d is tr ac t o ne 's a tt en ti on . T he s ky , a s t he a ft er no on a dv an ce d, t ur ne d a s of t a nd d re am y p in k, a nd

t he clo ud s d ri ft in g b y w er e o f every s hape and col or i magi nabl e- gr een, p ur pl e, amb er and g ol d- an d o f

s uch m ar velo us f or m t hat each s eemed l ov el ier t han t he l as t. T here w er e cas tl es and t al l m as ted s hi ps ,

t he re w er e c ar av an s a nd c ha ri ot s, a nd o nc e a w hi te a nd w on de rf ul P ri nc es s w av ed t o t he l it tl e b oy f ro m

t he ba ck o f a f ea the ry s wa n. S o i t w as s ma ll w ond er N ot ta a nd B ob f or got t he Un s, a nd e ve n t he ir f is hi ng l in es , b low ing g ent ly t o a nd f ro i n t he s of t pi nk a ir w ave s. T he n, a ll a t o nc e, B ob 's l in e g av e a j er k

a nd ha d he no t be en t ie d t o t he t re e he woul d c er ta inl y ha ve be en p ul le d o ff t he s kyl e.

"Oh! Oh!" screamed the little boy in delight, "I've caught something!"

G iv in g h is r od t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho w as b li nk in g d ream il y at a w on derf ul clo ud cit y, t he

c lo wn r an t o h el p Bo b, a nd ha nd o ve r ha nd t he y pu ll ed up t he l ine . W ha t d o you s uppo se wa s on i t? A

g oo se -a s im pl y e no rm ou s g oo se . I t w as s mo ki ng g en tl y a s t he y d re w i t o ve r t he e dg e.

" Wh y, i t' s coo ked! " m ar veled N ot ta, u nf as teni ng t he l in e w hi ch h ad cau gh t i n t he b ir d' s l eg s.And s o i t wa s c ook ed i n a ll i ts f ea the rs wi th i ts he ad t uc ke d unde r i ts wi ng.

" Ah a, s o o ur g oo se i s coo ked, i s i t?" o bs er ved t he C ow ar dl y L io n, s ni ff in g t he air h un gr il y.

" Mus t h ave f low n t oo n ea r t he s un .

" Well ," chu ck led N ot ta, " th at I d on 't p retend t o k no w. F is hi ng f or b ir ds i s s tr an ge eno ug h, b ut

c at ch in g a c oo ke d go os e i s a lm os t t oo g oo d t o be t rue ."

" Bu t i t i s t ru e, " exu lt ed B ob , clapp in g h is h an ds , " an d I cau gh t i t! " W hi le t he C ow ar dl y L io n

w at ch ed t he t wo r od s, a nd B ob p ro ud ly p ic ke d h is go os e, No tt a r an of f i n s ea rc h o f w at er . I n a f ewm in ut es h e c am e r unn in g ba ck w it h a bu ck et f ul l w hi ch h e h ad dr aw n f rom a s ma ll s ky w el l. T he b uc ke t,

o ne o f t he can vas col laps ib le k in d u sed i n cir cu ses, t he clo wn h ad f or tu nately s to wed u nd er h is cap acio us

belt. As neither meat nor drink was now lacking, they sat down under a small tree and dined quite

m er ri ly . T he C ow ar dl y L io n a te o ne h al f t he g oo se , b on es a nd a ll , a nd N ot ta a nd B ob f in is he d o ff t he

rest.

" It l ooks ," a nd t he c lown, r is ing to t ake a dr ink o f wa te r out of th e buc ke t, wh ic h he hung o n a

branch of the tree, "it looks as if the Uns had forgotten us.

" Mayb e, " m us ed t he l io n, s haki ng h is m an e, " bu t w e m us tn 't f or get t hem. H av e y ou t ho ug ht o f anything yet?"

" No t a t hi ng ," con fess ed t he clo wn cheer fu ll y. H e t ur ned a d ozen car tw heel s, w al ked a f ew

paces on his hands, and ended up with a somersault over Bob. "You're a spry one," said the Cowardly

Li on a dm ir in gl y, a s t he c lown s at do wn w it h hi s ba ck a ga ins t a t re e, a s s pr y a one a s I 've e ve r m et ."

" T hank y ou ," l au gh ed N ot ta. " If t hi nk in g cam e as eas il y as car tw heel in g w e' d b e o ff t hi s s ky le

i n n o t im e. B ut n ow t ha t w e' re f ed a nd c om fo rt ab le , s up po se w e t hi nk a ga in ."

" I' d r at her f is h, " s ai d B ob U p p ro mp tl y.

"C an 't w e f is h a l it tl e l on ger, N ot ta?"





" Well , t here's n o h ar m i n i t, " r ep li ed t he clo wn , w in ki ng at t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " an d as w e' ll

probably have to spend the night here we may as well catch something for breakfast."

" Tr y t o cat ch m e s om et hi ng u ncoo ked t hi s t im e, w on 't y ou ?" ask ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n,

t hu mp in g h is t ai l l azil y o n t he g ro un d. " Yo u k no w I p refer m y f oo d u ncoo ked. " B ob s mi led a l it tl e at t hi s

and , m ov in g h is r od g en tl y t o and f ro , t ho ug ht abo ut t he com ical adv en tu res h e w as h av in g. N ot ta, w it h

h is b ac k t o t he t re e, w as f is hi ng t oo , a nd e ve ry th in g w as ve ry qu ie t. A ll a ro un d t he m t he l igh t w as f ad in g,a nd t he c lou ds t ur ne d f ro m p in k t o a d ul l gr ay a nd r us he d pa st w it h a n a ngr y s or t o f s ig hi ng . N ig ht w as

c om in g o n, a nd s oo n t he s ta rs b eg an t o t wi nk le a bo ve a nd b el ow t he l it tl e s ky la nd . B ob h ad n ev er s ee n

s ta rs s o l ar ge n or s o b ri ght , b ut t he n B ob h ad ne ve r b ee n s o c los e t o t he m b ef or e. H e wa s t hi nki ng r at he r

s ol em nl y t ha t i t w ou ld b e f un t o c at ch a s ta r, w he n N ot ta , o pp re ss ed b y t he s il en ce , b ur st i nt o a m er ry

song:

" A l it tl e c ho co la te c oo ky m an W en t c al li ng o n a p la te . S he s ai d, ' Si r, i t i s t en o 'c lo ck ! W hy d o

y ou c om e s o l at e? '

' Be ca us e I 'm m ad e t ha t w ay ,' s ai d h e, ' My l it tl e c hi na g ir ly , I 'm a lw ay s c ho co -l at e, y ou s ee , S oh ow c ou ld I c om e e ar ly ?

" 'A nd i s i t n ot , m y d ar li ng , B et te r c ho co la te t ha n n ev er ?' T he w ee p la te c ra ck ed a l it tl e s mi le .

' Oh , s ir ,' s ai d s he , ' yo u' re c le ve r!

" ' An d y ou m ay cal l t o- mo rr ow -E ven t ho ug h y ou 'r e cho co -l at e! ' B ut p sh aw ! H e n ev er came,

because That cooky man was ate!"

B ob l au gh ed r ig ht o ut l ou d, a nd N ot ta , w ho h ad b ee n t ry in g t o m ak e B ob m er ry , t os se d h is

cap triumphantly into the air.

" Very g oo d, " m ur mu red t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w av in g h is t ai l g en tl y, " ex cept t hat l as t l in e. ' W as

ate.' Is n' t t hat a b it u ng ramm at ical , even f or O z?"

" Th er e y ou g o g et ti ng u ni sh ," t eased N ot ta. " I g uess I can b e u ng ramm at ical i n U n. "

" No tt a! N ot ta ! I 'v e g ot a no th er b it e, " s cr ea me d B ob , h op pi ng a bo ut o n o ne f oo t. T ha t f in is he d

the argument.

" Ho pe i t' s a b it e f or m e, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. T he n h e g av e a l it tl e r oa r o f s ur pr is e, f or

ove r the e dge of t he s kyl e c ame a dog-a s de ar a nd s ha ggy a li tt le bow- wow a s ha d e ver bar ked at a n i cem an . T he h oo k h ad c au gh t n ea tl y i n i ts c ol la r a nd , t hou gh i t w as a l it tl e o ut of b re at h, i t w as o th er wi se

unhurt.

" Well ," r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, r is in g o n h is h au nches, " so t hi s i s b reak fast ? B ob , w hat d o

y ou m ea n b y c at ch in g a d og f or m y b re ak fa st ?"

" Oh , p leas e, " w hi mp er ed t he d og , r ol li ng i ts s of t eyes i n t er ro r. " Yo u w ou ld n' t eat a l it tl e f el lo w

who wa s onl y out f or a wa lk, woul d you? " He s at up a nd be gged so pre tt ily B ob c aught hi m up in his

arms and hugged hi m. " Oh , N ot ta , m ay I k ee p hi m? I 've ne ve r h ad a d og !"

" We ll , n ow ," s ai d t he c lo wn , s cr at ch in g h is e ar , " I d on 't s ee w hy n ot ."

" Do n' t k ee p m e, " w ai le d t he d og p it eo us ly , " fo r I b el on g t o a l it tl e b oy o n a no th er s ta r, a nd h e





would miss me very much."

" Wh at k in d o f a d og a re y ou ?" g as pe d t he c lo wn , s ta ri ng a t t he l it tl e c re at ur e. " Wh at d o y ou

m ea n b y t ak ing a w al k t hr ou gh t he s ky , a nd l iv in g on a s ta r? "

" I a m a s ky e t er ri er ," a ns we re d t he l it tl e d og, l oo ki ng a nxi ou sl y f ro m o ne t o t he o th er . "You

w ou ld n' t h ur t a l it tl e f el lo w l ik e m e, w ou ld y ou ?"

" Bu t h ow w il l y ou g et h om e? " a sk ed N ot ta .

" Jus t t hr ow m e b ac k i nt o t he a ir ," ba rk ed t he do g, a nd l ic ke d B ob on t he no se s o c oa xi ngl y h e

cou ld n' t b ear t o r ef us e, t ho ug h h is h eart w as h eavy at t he t ho ug ht o f l os in g h im .

" I g uess t hat o th er l it tl e b oy w ou ld m is s y ou , s ig hed B ob . S o, k is si ng t he s hagg y l it tl e t er ri er

r ig ht on t he n os e, he dr oppe d h im ge nt ly ov er t he e dge of t he s kyl e, a nd a s t he y wa tc he d h e s ca mpe re d

hur ri edl y ove r a c loud a nd t hen a long t hr ough t he s ky, a s e as ily as i f he ha d be en on l and i ns te ad of ai r.

He pa us ed onc e a nd l ook ed ove r hi s s houl de r, t he n w it h a j oyf ul b ar k a nd wa ve of hi s t ai l r an of f,v an is hi ng l ik e a s peck i n t he d is tance. N ot ta, s eein g t hat B ob w as d ow nh eart ed at l os in g t he l it tl e f el lo w,

s ug gest ed t hat t hey s tart f is hi ng again . " Wh o k no ws w hat w e m ay cat ch t hi s t im e?" exclaim ed t he clo wn ,

pushing back his cap, and snapping his line energetically.

A lm os t a t o nc e b ot h l in es b ec am e t au t, a nd w he n t he y w er e d ra wn u p, t wo s hi ny s il ve r

packages fell from the slender hooks. "Dreams for a little boy," said a small label on Bob's package.

" Dr eams f or a b ig b oy ," s ai d t he l ab el o n N ot ta's p ackage. W it h t remb li ng f in gers t hey u nt ied t he s il ver

r ib bo ns , a nd h ad n o s oo ne r d on e s o t ha n B ob d ro op ed g en tl y a ga in st N ot ta , a nd t he c lo wn f el l b ac k

a ga in st a t re e. I n a no th er s ec on d b ot h w er e f as t a sl ee p- dr ea mi ng t he l ov el y s to ri es t he y h ad c au gh t i n t he

s ky . I t h ap pe ne d s o q ui ck ly t ha t t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as c om pl et el y t ak en b y s ur pr is e. H e s ni ff ed t he

s il ver p ap er s. " Dr eams ," r ead t he C ow ar dl y L io n b y t he l ig ht o f t he s tars . " Well , I g uess t hey' re r eg ul ar s le ep in g p ow de rs . I t' s a g oo d t hi ng I d id n' t c at ch a d re am , f or s om ebo dy m us t s ta y a wa ke a nd k ee p

g ua rd ." T he b ig b ea st y aw ne d a nd s tr et ch ed , t he n c ar ef ul ly d ra gg in g B ob a nd N ot ta b ac k f ro m t he e dg e

o f t he s ky le , s et h im se lf t o k ee p t he w at ch w hi le t he y s le pt . H e w as t er ri bl y s le ep y h im se lf a nd k ee pi ng

a wa ke w as a h ar d f ig ht , b ut t he C ow ar dl y L io n k ne w t ha t t he l iv es o f t he se t wo m or ta ls d ep en de d u po n

hi m s o he w al ke d up a nd do wn , a nd d ow n a nd u p t he e dge o f t he Sk yl and , a nd p re se nt ly he h ea rd a

s ou nd t ha t m ad e h im q ua ke w it h t er ro r. F oo ts te ps i n t he w oo ds ! H un dr eds o f t he m c om in g ne ar er e ve ry

minute!

" Th e U ns ," c ho ke d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, a nd h es it at ed b et we en w ak in g N ot ta a nd B ob , o r

adv an ci ng t o m eet t he enemy . B ef or e h e cou ld m ak e u p h is m in d, a w ho le p ar ty , t heir f eath er s g leam in gs tr an gely i n t he m oo nl ig ht , b ur st o ut o f t he t rees .

" P us h ' em o ff ! S ho ve ' em o ff !" s cr ea me d t he l ea de r, w av in g o n t he r es t. I t w as I -w is h- I- wa s,

and i n l it tl e h op s and s pr in gs t hey cam e t um bl in g t ow ar d h im .

W it h a r oar t hat s ou nd ed m or e t er ri bl e t han any th in g y ou cou ld i magi ne, b ecau se i t w as m os tl y

m ad e u p o f t er ro r, t he C ow ar dl y L io n s pr an g s tr ai gh t a t t he m. D ow n w en t I -w is h- I- wa s a nd a d oz en o f

h is w ar ri or s. S haki ng and q uaki ng w it h f ear, t he C ow ar dl y L io n m ad e q ui ck s pr in gs and s natches, and

w he n t he U ns w it h l it tl e s cr ea ms o f r ag e, d re w b ac k, hi s m ou th w as f ul l o f f ea th er s. B ut t he y w er e f ar

f rom g iv in g up a nd a ft er a b ri ef p ar le y c am e o n a ga in . O nc e m or e t he C ow ar dl y L io n s tr uc k o ut , l ef t a nd

r ig ht . T hi s t im e t wo d oz en m or e w er e d ow n, b ut t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as s lo wl y b ei ng f or ce d t ow ar d

Notta and Bob, and the treacherous edge of the Skyle.





A rm ed w it h f eath er ed s ti ck s and s cr eami ng h or ri bl y, t he U ns cam e o n a t hi rd t im e, and t ho ug h

t he C ow ar dl y L io n f ou gh t t hem w it h m ig ht , m an e, claw, t oo th and n ai l, h e w as alm os t s mo th er ed b y t he

att ack. S om et hi ng o f t he alarm m ad e t he clo wn s ti r i n h is s leep , and t he t ri um ph an t s ho ut o f I -w is h- I- was

brought him wide awake. He sat up just in time to see the Cowardly Lion go down under a perfect wave

o f U ns .

" He lp! H el p! " s cr ea me d No tt a, b ut t he re w as no o ne t o he lp t he m. He m ad e a l it tl e d as h t o t hel ef t, but t he li ne t ha t t ied hi m t o the t re e ca ught hi m wi th a j erk. He ma de a l itt le da sh to t he ri ght, s pun

aro un d and clasp ed h is s to mach i n d es pair . J us t t hen t he C ow ar dl y L io n; g ro wl in g l ik e a w ho le

m en ag er ie , s ho ok o ff t he m as s o f U ns a nd b ou nd ed t o h is s id e. F ea th er s w er e s tr ew n i n e ve ry d ir ec ti on ,

a nd a h un dr ed o f t he U ns l ay w he re t he y h ad f al le n.

T he p oo r C ow ar dl y L io n w as s haki ng w it h exh au st io n and f ri gh t, b ut n ev er t ho ug ht o f g iv in g

u p, a nd w he n t he U ns m ad e a no th er r us h, h e m et t he m a s v al ia nt ly a s e ve r. W il d s cr ea ms f ro m t he

F ea th er he ad s i n t he r ea r m ad e h im p au se a nd l oo k o ve r i n a la rm a t N ot ta . T he c lo wn , w it h s ta ri ng e ye s,

w as m um bl in g con ti nu ou sl y u nd er h is b reat h, and t ou ch in g f ir st o ne and t hen ano th er o f t he cro wd

s wa rm in g a ro un d h im , a nd e ac h t im e h e t ou ch ed a n U n, t he U n d is ap pe ar ed .

T he C ow ar dl y L io n s to pp ed f ig ht in g and s at d ow n w it h a t hu d. T he U ns s to pp ed f ig ht in g, and

t ho se i n f ro nt be ga n t o t re ad on t he t oe s of t he one s i n ba ck, i n t he ir a nxi et y t o ge t a wa y. Whe n twe nty

h ad v an is he d i n a s m an y s ec on ds , t he r es t r an h ow li ng t o t he w oo ds .

" Well ," p an ted t he C ow ar dl y L io n, r ol li ng h is eyes w il dl y at N ot ta.

"You saved my life, old fellow," cried the clown, giving him an impulsive hug.

" And you s ave d m ine ," ga spe d t he l ion, a s s oon a s he ha d br ea th e nough t o ga sp. " Bu t how

di d yo u d o i t a nd w he re a re t he y? "

" In M ud ge," exp lain ed t he clo wn , d rawi ng h is k nees u p t o h is chi n and w in ki ng at t he

C ow ar dl y L io n, " in M ud ge and s cari ng t he l if e o ut o f M us tafa, I 'l l w ag er . R em em ber t he m ag ic v er se t hat

brought us here? Well, every time an Un came near I said:

" Ud ge ! B ud ge ! G o t o M ud ge ! U dg er b ud ge r, Y ou 'r e a M ud ge r! "

" Marv el ou s! " s ig hed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " Bu t h ow d id y ou t hi nk o f i t s o q ui ck ?"

" I h ad t o, " r ep li ed N ot ta m od es tl y. " Yo u s ee , w he n t he re 's n ot hi ng e ls e t o d o I t hi nk , a nd n ott hi nk in g v er y o ft en m ake s m e d o i t r at he r w el l. B ut d o y ou s up po se t he o th er U ns w il l c om e b ac k? "

T he C ow ar dl y L io n s ho ok h is h ea d. " No t i n a n ' un dr ed y ea rs ," h e y aw ne d. " An d n ow t ha t

t he y a re g oo d a nd f ri gh te ne d l et 's a ll g et s om e s le ep ."

T he C ow ar dl y L io n w as b ru is ed a nd r uf fl ed , a nd s o t ir ed h e c ou ld n ot k ee p h is e ye s o pe n

ano th er m in ut e. S tr et ch in g h im self b es id e B ob , w ho h ad n ot even h eard t he b at tl e, h e f el l i ns tant ly i nt o a

h ea vy s lu mb er . N ot ta , l yi ng o n t he o th er s id e o f t he l it tl e b oy , w as s oo n e nj oy in g t he r es t o f t he d re am s i n

his silver package.

T ow ar ds m or ni ng f ai nt cri es aro us ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. T ho ug h o nl y h al f awake h e s pr an g

u p b li nk in g h is e ye s n er vo us ly . T he n h e g av e a h ow l o f d is ma y, f or N ot ta a nd B ob w er e n ow he re t o b e

seen!





C HA PT ER 1 2 S av ed b y a F ly ab ou ta bu s

G RO AN IN G b ec au se h e h ad b ee n f oo li sh e no ug h t o t ru st t he U ns , t he C ow ar dl y L io n r an u p

a nd do wn t he e dg e of t he s kyl e. T he re w as no do ub t a bou t i t, B ob a nd N ot ta h ad be en p us he d o ff w hi le

h e w as a sl ee p. T he n a t re e, j ut ti ng f ar o ve r t he e dg e, a tt ra ct ed h is a tt en ti on . I t w as s wa yi ng a nd t re mb li ng

i n a m os t u nu su al f as hi on . A t t he s am e t im e t he f ai nt c ri es t ha t h ad a wa ke ne d h im w er e r ep ea te d. W it h a

f ri gh tened g ul p, t he l io n s aw t he t wo f is hi ng l in es t ied t o t he t ree and , w in di ng h is t ai l f ir ml y aro un d t he s li m

t runk, be ga n pul li ng up t he f ir st of t he l ine s. I t wa s ha rd wor k a nd t wo or t hr ee t im es he wa s al mos t

d ra wn o ve r t he e dg e, b ut h e n ev er h es it at ed , a nd p re se nt ly h e h ad d ra gg ed N ot ta s af el y b ac k t o l an d. Th e

c lo wn w av ed h is h an ds f ee bl y, t he n l ay o n hi s s to ma ch a nd p ant ed l ik e a f is h. W it ho ut w ai ti ng t o r es to re

h im , t he C ow ar dl y L io n b eg an t o p ul l u p t he o th er l in e, and p resent ly B ob , als o b reat hl es s and p an ti ng ,

l ay b es id e t he clo wn . T hey w er e n ot o nl y b reat hl es s, b ut q ui te w et -h av in g f al len i nt o a clo ud . T he l io n, puffing a little himself, watched anxiously. Notta, with a long and final gasp, sat up and gave a little sigh of

relief.

"T hat m ak es t he s econ d t im e y ou 'v e s av ed m y l if e, " s ai d N ot ta f ai nt ly .

" Wh at h ap pened?" as ked t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

" Well , f ir st ," s ai d t he clo wn , t al ki ng i n l it tl e j er ks and p au si ng every f ew m in ut es t o p at B ob o n

t he b ac k, " fi rs t, I f el l a sl ee p, t he n, I f el l a wa ke . A nd i f i t h ad n' t b ee n f or t he se d is gu is es I s ho ul d h av e

been cut in two."

" Th e U ns ?" ask ed t he l io n, o peni ng h is eyes v er y w id e.

" Ye s, " s ai d N ot ta , a nd t ol d h ow t he F ea th er he ad s h ad p us he d b ot h B ob a nd h im se lf f ro m t he

s ky le a nd , w it ho ut s to pp in g t o n ot ic e t ha t t he y w er e t ie d o r t o t ou ch t he C ow ar dl y L io n, h ad r un o ff

w it ho ut m ak in g a s ou nd . " It w as a m ig ht y g oo d t hi ng w e w er e a nc ho re d, e h, B ob , m y b oy ? F ee l b et te r? "

B ob s ho ok h is h ead u ncer tain ly , f or h e w as s ti ll f ri gh tened and d izzy f ro m s wi ng in g t hr ou gh t he

air.

The s ta rs ha d f ade d ou t a nd t he s un ha d not ye t r is en a nd i n t he c ol d g ra y mi st of e ar lym or ni ng t he t hr ee h ud dl ed t og et he r a nd t ri ed t o t hi nk w ha t t o d o.

" Fi rs t, l et 's g et away f ro m t he edg e, " s hu dd er ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. C ut ti ng t he f is hi ng l in es

t ha t h ad s av ed t he ir l iv es , N ot ta s et B ob o n t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s b ac k a nd t he y m ov ed s lo wl y i n t he h al f

d ar kn es s t ow ar d t he c en te r o f t he s ky le . T he U ns e vi de nt ly h ad g on e o ff t o t he ir h om es , a nd w it h s om e

m at ch es N ot ta h ad t uc ke d u nd er h is w on de rf ul b el t t he y k in dl ed a l it tl e f ir e a nd s oo n w er e d ry a nd m uc h

m or e c he er fu l. B ob i mm ed ia te ly w en t t o s le ep , b ut N ot ta a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n k ep t w at ch .

F or a n h ou r t he re w as n ot a s ou nd . T he n t he n oi se o f s om eo ne s aw in g w oo d c am e d is ti nc tl y

t hr ou gh t he s ti ll air . L eavi ng t he C ow ar dl y L io n o n g uard , N ot ta w en t t o i nv es ti gate. H e t ip to ed alo ng

q ui et ly , r es ol ve d i f i t w er e a n U n t o w is h h im a wa y t o M ud ge . A s h e a dv an ce d t he s aw in g g re w l ou de r

a nd l ou de r a nd , p ee ri ng a ro un d a l ar ge t re e, h e s aw a h ug e a nd r id ic ul ou s b ir d f lo pp ed o ve r a ga in st a

r oc k, s no ri ng a t a gr ea t r at e.





A s N ot ta l oo ked t he b ir d o pened o ne eye, s tamp ed i ts b ig claws f retf ul ly , and i mm ed iately f el l

t o s no ri ng a ga in . T he c lo wn t oo k o ff h is c ap , s cr at ch ed h is e ar a nd t he n b ur st i nt o a l ou d p ea l o f l au gh te r,

w hi ch he c ou ld n ot h av e h el pe d h ad h e d ie d t he n ex t m in ut e. T he b ir d s to pp ed s nor in g i ns ta nt ly , a nd

o pe ne d b ot h e ye s.

" Wha t do you m ea n by wa ki ng m e whe n I wa s so und a sl ee p, " i t c hi rpe d c ros sl y. "A gr ea tm an y s ou nd s o f s leep ," cor rect ed N ot ta, w in ki ng at t he s in gu lar creat ur e. " I t ho ug ht s om eo ne w as s aw in g

d ow n a t re e. "

" Di d y ou ?" T he b ir d l oo ke d r at he r p ro ud a nd b eg an t o p uf f o ut i ts f ea th er s. " I' m t he l ou de st

s no rer i n t he s ky ," i t ann ou nced , s tr ut ti ng abo ut s el f- co ns ci ou sl y. " Th at 's w hy m y b eak cur ls i n t hi s

convenient fashion."

I t wa s t he b ir d' s be ak t ha t h ad m ade N ot ta l aug h i n t he f ir st p la ce . I t w as l ong a nd bl ue , a nd

c ur ve d s o t ha t i t c ou ld f it o ve r t he c om ic al c re at ur e' s e ar l ik e a p er so na l t el ep ho ne c on ne ct io n. " Bu t w hy

d oe s i t c ur l? " a sk ed N ot ta , s it ti ng d ow n a nd s ta ri ng a t t he b ir d i nt en tl y.

"So I c an hear myself snore, r epl ied t he bird. "As soon a s I snore in my own e ar I wake up

a nd s top s no ri ng ." Wi th i ts c la w t he S nor er a dj us te d i ts be ak , mu ch a s one w oul d a dj us t a pa ir of

s p ect acl es , an d l oo ked b lan dl y at N ot t a. " I' m u nu su al d on 't y ou t hi nk ?"

" Un us ua l, " w hi st le d t he C lo wn. " I' ll s ay yo u a re ! A nd n ev er h ave I s ee n s uc h a c ou nt ry . W hy ,

i f I c oul d t ak e a long a f ew of t he se f re aks , I 'd ha ve t he f ine st s ho w on e ar th ." He r ub be d hi s f or ehe ad

thoughtfully as he thought of the Mudgers, the Half-Lion, and now this bewildering bird.

S no re r w as a bo ut t he s iz e o f a s ma ll c hi ld , w it h e no rm ou s f ee t, s ho rt l eg s a nd p in k f ea th er s.

H is he ad w as s om ew ha t l ike t ha t o f a l ar ge c ra ne , a nd hi s e ye s we re a s b lue a s hi s b ea k.

" Wh y a re you on t he I sl e of Un? " a sk ed No tt a, a s t he c re at ur e c ont inu ed t o l ook s ol em nl y a t

h im . " Becaus e I 'm u nu su al ," s ai d t he b ir d w it h a t ri um ph an t l it tl e h op . " Bu t w hy are y ou h er e?"

" Becaus e I 'm u nl ucky , I g uess ," s ig hed t he clo wn r uefu ll y. " Wo n' t y ou com e alo ng and m eet

my friends?"

" Ye s, I 'l l c ome wi th yo u," s ai d t he bi rd c al ml y. I t put i ts he ad on on e s ide a nd l ooke d a t N ot ta .

"You're beautiful," it sighed tremulously, "beautifully beautiful. I love you!"

N ot ta h ad a ll h e c ou ld d o t o k ee p f ro m l au gh in g, b ut s ee in g t ha t S no re r w as r ea ll y i n e ar ne st ,

h e p at te d i t a wk wa rd ly o n t he h ea d, a nd s ta rt ed b ac k, t he b ir d h op pi ng h ap pi ly b es id e h im .

" Wh at 's t hi s y ou 'v e cau gh t?" ask ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, b li nk in g s us pi ci ou sl y at N ot ta's o dd

c om pa ni on . A s f or B ob , w ho h ad w ak en ed a m om en t b ef or e, h e g av e a l it tl e s ho ut o f l au gh te r. " It 's

because I'm so unusual," whispered Snorer, putting up a claw and winking at Notta. "Tell them my

name's Nickadoodle."

S o N ot ta g ra ve ly i nt ro du ce d N ic k t o B ob a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd , a ft er N ic k c ar ef ul ly

exp lain ed h is q ueer t eleph on e n os e, t he f ou r r egard ed o ne ano th er w it h d eep i nt er est . " Mayb e y ou can

t el l u s t he w ay t o e sc ap e f ro m U n, " s ug ge st ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n i n a r at he r c ho ke d v oi ce , f or e ve ry t im e

h e l oo ke d a t N ic k, h e f el t l ik e r oa ri ng . B ef or e S no re r c ou ld a ns we r, B ob , w ho h ad b ee n s ta ri ng f ix ed ly a t

the Cowardly Lion, burst out laughing.





"What's the matter?" demanded the Cowardly Lion gruffly.

" Wha t' s t he m at te r? " a ske d No tt a. Th en h e t oo c la pp ed h is ha nd t o h is m out h a nd b eg an t o

r oc k b ac kw ar d a nd f or wa rd . " Fe at he rs !" g as pe d t he c lo wn , " Yo u' ve a b ig b un ch o f b lu e f ea th er s i n y ou r

mane!"

"W hat?" r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n, ang ri ly p ut ti ng h is p aw t o h is h ead.

" Oh , every on e g ro ws f eath er s i n U n, " chi rp ed N ick cheer il y, h op pi ng t ow ar d B ob . " Take o ff

y ou r c ap a nd s ee ."

S natchi ng o ff h is h at B ob r an h is f in gers h as ti ly t hr ou gh h is h ai r. H or ro rs ! R ig ht at t he cro wn o f

hi s he ad we re a t l ea st t en s ti ff r ed f ea th er s. Not ta ha d a s ma ny gr ee n one s, but h is hu ng d own ove r hi s

r igh t e ye w he n h e t oo k o ff h is c ap . T he de si re t o l aug h a t S no re r s ud de nl y l ef t t he m. T o l au gh a t s om eo ne

w ho w as f unn y wa s o ne t hi ng , bu t t o b e f un ny y ou rs el f- we ll , t ha t w as di ff er en t! h ea d o n o ne s id e. " I t hi nk

they're quite becoming!"

" Beco mi ng !" s cr eamed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " Well , t hey' ll b e com in g o ut b y t he r oo ts . I t' s b ad

e no ug h t o b e c hi ck en h ea rt ed , b ut b ei ng f ea th er ed h ea de d, I s im pl y w il l n ot s ta nd !" H e g av e t he b un ch o f

f ea the rs a f ur io us t we ak, bu t h e m ig ht a s w el l h ave t ri ed t o p ul l o ff h is e ar s.

" We'v e g ot t o g et o ff t hi s s ky land ," b lu st er ed t he p oo r l io n, s tamp in g aro un d i n a f ur y. " I' ll j um p

o ff b ef or e I g ro w ano th er f eath er ." B ob w as t hi nk in g t hat h is w ou ld com e i n m ig ht y h an dy f or p layi ng

Indian.

" I s up po se w e' ll s oo n g ro w e no ug h t o f ly o ff ," s ai d N ot ta , b lo wi ng t he g re en f ea th er s o ut of h is

e ye a nd pu shi ng t he m ba ck unde r hi s c ap. "I s ay, Ni cka doodl e, c an' t yo u t el l us a wa y out of t hi s? "

" I' ll t el l y ou o ne t hi ng ," m ur mu red t he g reat b ir d, n es tl in g clo se t o N ot ta. " Yo u' re b eaut if ul ,

beauti-ful!" He rolled his eyes rapturously.

" We ll , i f yo u d on' t w ant m y b ea ut y br ok en t o pi ec es t el l us a wa y t o e sc ap e, be gge d t he

clo wn , l oo ki ng n er vo us ly t ow ar d t he edg e o f t he s ky land .

" Th er e' s o nl y o ne w ay f or y ou t o l ea ve ," s ai d S no re r, " an d t ha t i s i n t he r oy al F ly ab ou ta bu s. "

" Wh at i s i t? " c ho ke d N ot ta .

" Wh er e i s i t?" r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

" Ti ed t o a t re e ne ar t he p ala ce . But we 'l l ha ve t o wa it t il l t he Uns go t o wi sh, " r epl ie d Ni ck,

r ub bi ng h is h ead again st N ot ta's k nee. A nd w hi le t he t hr ee l is tened i n amazement S no rer t ol d t hem a b it

a bo ut l if e o n t he I sl e o f U n. N o o ne o n U n, e xp la in ed N ic k g ra ve ly , e ve r w or ke d, b ut e ac h m or ni ng t he y

w en t r eg ul ar ly t o w is h, and n ot hi ng w as all ow ed t o i nt er ru pt t heir w is hi ng . F or t hr ee h ou rs t hey s ho ut ed

t he ir w is he s a s l ou dl y a s t he y c ou ld , a nd I -w is h- I- wa s, b ec au se h e c ou ld w is h f as te r a nd s ho ut l ou de r

t ha n a ny o f t he r es t, ha d be en m ade ki ng .

" Yo u' ll h ea r t he m a t i t s oo n, " s ai d S no re r, a dj us ti ng h is n os e, " an d t ha t' s t he b es t t im e f or y ou

t o l eave. A ft er no on s t hey f is h and eveni ng s t hey f ig ht . W is h, f is h and f ig ht -t hat' s t he p ro gr am h er e. "





" Bu t h ow d o t he y g et a ny th in g d on e? " a sk ed N ot ta , s ta nd in g o n h is h ea d t o s et tl e h is f ea th er s.

"They don't," replied Snorer calmly. "Everything is undone; and about your feathers," he

pointed his claw at the Cowardly Lion's mane, "every time anything unish happens to you you'll grow

a no th er . F ir st y ou w er e u nw is e t o c om e h er e. T ha t a cc ou nt s f or o ne ; t he n y ou w er e u nc om fo rt ab le a nd

unsafe."

"Unlucky, unhappy and unfed!" spluttered the clown, turning a somersault with each word.

" Le ad u s t o t he F ly ab ou ta bu s, o ld f el lo w, o r w e' ll s oo n b e a s f ea th er ed a s g ee se .

" A ll r ig ht ," chi rp ed N ickado od le o bl ig in gl y, " bu t s tep s of tl y and d o j us t as I t el l y ou .

" Ar en 't t he re a ny g oo d U ns ?" a sk ed B ob w it h a l it tl e s ig h.

" Well , t here w as o ne," N ick p au sed t o adj us t h is n os e, w hi ch w as con ti nu al ly f al li ng o ff i ts

h oo k, " bu t I 'v e f or go tt en h is n am e, and t he o th er s t reat ed h im s o u nk in dl y t hat h e' s h id den h im self i n s om e

c av e s om ew he re o n t he s ky le . B ut t he y d o s ay i f h e e ve r b ec om es k in g, t he U ns w il l a ll h av e t o r ef or m. "

Bob wa s hung ry a nd f ar f ro m r es te d, but a s he s tumbl ed a lon g t he r oc ky be ac h he f el l t o

t hi nk ing a bou t t hi s g oo d U n a nd w is hi ng h e m ig ht s ee h im b ef or e t he y l ef t t he s ky la nd. B ut N ot ta w as s o

c he er ed a t t he t ho ug ht o f l ea vi ng U n t ha t e ve ry f ew s ec on ds h e s pr an g i nt o t he a ir o r s om er sa ul te d o ve r

t he C ow ar dl y L io n. T he C ow ar dl y L io n w as d read fu ll y d ow n- hear ted. T he f eath er s p reyed o n h is m in d,

h is e ar s d ro pp ed a nd h is t ai l d ra gg ed a nd n ot hi ng N ot ta c ou ld s ay m ad e h im f ee l a ny b et te r.

"I t' s a ll v ery we ll f or you a nd Bob. You c an we ar h at s a nd hi de your f ea the rs , but a l ion in a

h at w ou ld l oo k a s r id ic ul ou s a s a l io n w it h f ea th er s. I s ha ll b e t he l au gh in g s to ck o f O z, " g ro an ed t he p oo r

beast.

" We ll , i t' s n ot s o b ad t o m ak e p eo pl e l au gh ," c om fo rt ed N ot ta . " Th at i s m y b us in es s, a nd I

k now . C om e w it h m e t o A me ri ca a nd y ou r f or tu ne w il l b e m ad e. " B ut t he C ow ar dl y L ion o nl y s ho ok h is

h ea d a nd p ad de d s ad ly o ve r t he r ou gh s to ne s.

"This is a punishment," thought the poor lion, "a punishment for my wickedness in planning to

d ev ou r a b ra ve m an ." A nd p er ha ps h e w as r ig ht .

B y t hi s t im e t he y w er e s o n ea r t he pa la ce t ha t N ic k h el d u p h is c la w f or s il en ce . H id in g b eh in d

a hug e r oc k, th ey wa tc he d the Uns c li mb down f rom t he ir t re e hous es a nd hur ry of f t o w is h, j us t a s

s en si bl e f ol k h ur ry o ff t o w or k. " To o b ad I d id n' t s en d I -w is h- I- wa s t o M ud ge ," w hi sp er ed N ot ta ." Hu sh ," s ai d N ic ka do od le . " As s oo n a s y ou h ea r a n e ar fu ll o f n oi se r un f or t ha t t hi rd j un ip er t re e. " H e

pointed out the tree with his claw and the three watchers waited anxiously for the signal. Soon there was

no t a n U n i n s ig ht a nd a s ec on d l at er a p er fe ct e xpl os ion o f s cr ee ch es r en t t he a ir . I t w as , a s No tt a

e xpl ai ne d a ft er wa rd , a n e le ph an t e ar fu ll of n oi se , f or e ve ry U n o n t he s kyl e w as w is hi ng a t t he t op o f h is

lungs.

A s s oo n a s t he y ha d r ec ov er ed f ro m t he f ir st s hoc k, N ot ta , B ob a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n

r us hed t ow ar d t he j un ip er t ree. N ick h ad f lo wn ahead and w as alr eady cal li ng d ow n d ir ecti on s w hen t hey

r eached i t .

F ro m t he t op b ranch o f t he j un ip er t ree t he k in g' s f eath er y F ly ab ou tabu s w as t ug gi ng m er ri ly at

i ts r op e. F ol lo wi ng N ic k' s i ns tr uc ti on s, N ot ta c li mb ed t o t he t op o f t he t re e a nd , h an gi ng o n t o t he r op e,

m an ag ed t o b ri ng i t d ow n a b it . N ic k, b id di ng B ob c at ch h im a ro un d t he n ec k, f le w u p n ex t, a nd t he ir





w ei gh t b ro ug ht i t d ow n s ti ll f ur th er . I t w as s ti ll t er ri bl y h ig h f or t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho cou ld n ot v er y

w el l cli mb t he t ree.

"Hurry! Hurry!" croaked Nick, flapping his wings warningly. "There's an Un." And sure

e no ug h, a t ar dy F ea th er he ad w as s ta ri ng a t t he m i n a st on is hm en t f ro m t he d oo r o f h is t re e h ou se . W it h a n

ear s pl it ti ng s qu al l, h e f el l d ow n t he l ad der and r us hed o ff t o t he w is hi ng p lace t o t el l t he o th er s. P ri ck li ng

w it h t er ro r, t he C ow ar dl y L io n m ad e s pr in g aft er s pr in g, b ut each t im e h e j us t m is sed t he F ly ab ou tabu s.A nd every t im e h e m ad e an u ns uccess fu l l eap, ano th er f eath er s pr ou ted g ai ly i n h is m an e. " Bett er cut

l oo se and l eave h im ," w hi sp er ed N ick anx io us ly , b ut N ot ta and B ob h us hed h im u p i nd ig nant ly and b y

jumping tried to bring the bus lower.

" Go o n a nd s av e y ou rs el ve s, " c ou gh ed t he l io n a ft er t he t en th a tt em pt . H e m op pe d h is

f or eh ead d ej ectedl y w it h h is t ai l, and g ro wl ed t er ri bl y as each f eath er p ri ck ed t hr ou gh . A s ho ut f ro m t he

clo wn m ad e h im t ur n. R us hi ng t ow ar d t hem i n t um bl in g w av es o f f ur y w er e t he U ns , l ed b y I -w is h- I- was.

I n a l as t d es pair in g f renzy, t he C ow ar dl y L io n h ur led h im self i nt o t he air , and t hi s t im e h is f ro nt p aw s

c au gh t t he f ea th er w he el s o f t he b us , a nd B ob a nd N ot ta , p ul li ng t og et he r, h el pe d h im a bo ar d. T he re w as

n ot a m in ut e t o l os e, f or t he U ns w er e a lr ea dy s ur ro un di ng t he t re e. J us t a s I -w is h- I- wa s s pr an g i nt o t hel ow er b ra nc he s, S no re r c ut t he r op e w it h h is k ni fe li ke b ea k a nd u p s ai le d t he F ly ab ou ta bu s l ik e a b al lo on

r el ea se d f ro m i ts s tr in g. U p, u p, u p t he y w en t, t il l t he . w il d s cr ea ms o f t he U ns c ou ld n o l on ge r b e h ea rd .

U p, u p, a nd ' ro un d a nd ' ro un d, p lu ng in g n ow t hi s w ay a nd n ow t ha t, t il l N ot ta , B ob a nd t he C ow ar dl y

L io n w er e t oo s ha ke n a nd d iz zy t o k no w o r c ar e w ha t w as h ap pe ni ng .

B ut S no rer, m or e u sed t o f ly in g t han t he o th er s, k ep t h is h ead and , w ai ti ng h is o pp or tu ni ty ,

s ei ze d a l ong l eve r t ha t s wung l oos el y t o a nd f ro i n t he f ront of t he bus . He ha d ne ve r be en i n t he

F ly ab ou tabu s b ef or e, b ut s om et hi ng t ol d h im t hat t he l ev er m us t g ui de t he m ov em en ts o f t he s tr an ge

v eh ic le . S ur e e no ug h, a s s oo n a s h e t oo k h ol d o f i t, t he d ar ti ng a bo ut s to pp ed a nd i t f le w q ui te s te ad il y.

" Ar e w e s ti ll g oi ng u p?" q uavered N ot ta, w it ho ut o peni ng h is eyes. T he clo wn l ay f lat o n h is back in the bottom of the bus with Bob sprawled on top of him. The Cowardly Lion had become

w ed ged u nd er a s eat and w as h eavi ng and p uf fi ng u nh ap pi ly .

" Ye s, b ut t he re 's s om e w ay t o b ri ng i t dow n, " c hi rpe d N ic k. " Com e ha ve a l ook. I kno w ho w

t o f ly m ys el f, b ut I do n' t k no w h ow t o f ly a F ly ab ou ta bus ."

C HA PT ER 1 3 M us tafa's B lu e M ag ic

NOTTA rose unsteadily and lifted Bob into one of the side seats. Then he staggered over to

t he f ro nt o f t he b us a nd , h ol di ng h is h ea d w it h o ne h an d, p ee re d d ow n a t t he g ea r a nd m ac hi ne ry . T he re

w as a r ow o f b ut to ns u nd er t he s te er in g w he el a nd t he f ir st b ut to n s ai d " Sl ow er ." N ot ta h as ti ly p us he d

t hi s o ne and t he g reat f eath er w heel s o n each s id e i mm ed iately s lack en ed t heir f rant ic w hi rl in g, and w hi le

Nick held the lever Notta investigated their strange flying machine still further. It was shaped like an

i mm en se h ol lo we d- ou t g oo se , w it h s ea ts o n e ac h s id e a nd a h ig h s ea t n ea r t he h ea d. T he h ea d t ur ne d

w it h t he s teer in g w heel and h on ked l ou dl y w hen y ou p us hed t he b ut to n m ar ked " Bl ow ." T he t ai l o f t he

g oo se m ov ed f ro m s id e t o s id e, and t he f ou r p ow er fu l w heel s w hi rl ed aro un d con ti nu ou sl y, s o t hat t he

n oi se, w hen t he b us f lew s wi ft ly , w as t er ri fi c. N ow , h ow ev er , i t w as r un ni ng m or e q ui et ly , and B ob , n o

l on ger f eeli ng g id dy , b eg an t o l oo k aro un d w it h k een i nt er es t.





N ot ta h ad p ress ed ano th er b ut to n m ar ked " Mi dd le A ir -D ow n, " and t hey w er e s lant in g g en tl y

t ow ar d t he ear th , f lo at in g alm os t w it ho ut m ov em en t o f t he g reat f eath er w heel s.

" Is n' t t hi s f un ?" c ri ed B ob , gi vi ng t he c lo wn a l it tl e hu g a s h e s at d ow n i n t he s ea t a he ad .

" Well ," chu ck led N ot ta, " I d on 't u su al ly f ly b ef or e b reak fast , b ut I 'd f ly f ro m U n any t im e. " S no rer, w ho

s ti ll h el d t he l ev er , b ea me d ov er h is s ho ul de r a t t he c lo wn .

" Di dn 't I ma na ge we ll ?" h e c hi rpe d ha ppi ly. " I s ay , w he n a ny th in g' s t o b e d on e j us t l ea ve i t t o

old Nickadoodle."

" We can n ev er t hank y ou eno ug h, " d eclared N ot ta. " Bu t h ow w il l y ou g et b ack? W il l y ou f ly ?"

" I' m n ot g oi ng b ack, " exu lt ed S no rer, f lapp in g h is w in gs . " I' d b e u nu su al any wh er e and I am n ev er g oi ng

to leave you, you beautiful creature."

"The n our f or tune i s m ade ," s ai d t he cl own, wi th a wink at B ob, "f or i n a c irc us you' d be mor e

than half the show."

" I' ll s ho w t he m h ow t o s no re ," c hu ck le d N ic k. " I d o t ha t b et te r t ha n a ny th in g e ls e. B ut I 'd d o

a ny thi ng f or y ou , f or I l ove y ou w it h a ll m y h ea rt ," c on ti nu ed Sn or er c al ml y, " and t he b oy , t oo . A nd I

love-"

" Do n' t y ou d ar e l ov e m e, " r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w rath fu ll y j er ki ng h is h ead f ro m

beneath the seat. "I won't allow it!"

" Al l r igh t," s igh ed Ni ck , a dj us ti ng hi s n os e. " I' ll t ry n ot t o l ov e y ou , b ut i t' s g oi ng t o b e h ar d

w or k, y ou 'r e s o h an ds om e."

"There! There!" interrupted the Cowardly Lion gruffly, but he couldn't help looking pleased." Yo u m ay l ik e m e i f y ou w is h, " h e add ed m il dl y. " An y l an d i n s ig ht ?"

Not ta l ea ne d f ar ove r t he e dge of t he bus . " I t hi nk I s ee a v il la ge of s ome ki nd f ar down

below. Here, Bob, you come help steer." So, while Nick grasped the lever to hold the bus steady, Bob

s at i n t he hi gh s ea t a nd t ur ne d t he gr ea t g oo se he ad a s N ot ta d ir ec te d, no w t o t he l ef t a nd no w t o t he

r igh t, a nd i n l es s t ha n a n h our , t he y w er e f lo at in g s lo wl y ov er a qu ai nt b lu e c it y.

"We're still in the Munchkin country," rumbled the Cowardly Lion, standing on his hind legs

and l oo ki ng o ver t he s id e.

" Well , w e' ll j us t f ly o ver t hi s t ow n and l an d i n o ne o f t ho se f ield s, " p uf fed N ot ta u neas il y. H e

w as n ot s ur e h e w ou ld n' t i mp al e t he F ly ab ou ta bu s o n a s te ep le , o r r un o ve r s om e o f t he i nh ab it an ts , i f h e

a tt em pt ed t o l an d i n t he c it y i ts el f. A s i t w as t he y f le w q ui te a d is ta nc e b ef or e h e l oc at ed a ll t he b ut to ns

n ec es sa ry t o m ak e a l an di ng . T he F ly ab ou ta bu s c am e t o e ar th w it h s uc h a b ou nc e t ha t t he y a ll f le w u p

l ik e r ub be r b al ls , w hi le t he b us c on ti nu ed t o f ly a nd b um p a ro un d t he f ie ld u nt il N ot ta r an a ft er i t a nd t ie d

it to a tree.

"A nd n ow w hat?" ask ed N ick, car ef ul ly p ut ti ng h is t ro ub leso me n os e o n i ts h oo k.

" Br eakf as t! " w heezed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, r ol li ng o ut o f a h ug e b ramb le b us h. " Ar en 't y ou

hungry, Bob?"

Bo b n od de d. " Bu t w he re a re w e g oi ng t o g et i t? " h e a sk ed , l oo ki ng r at he r p uz zl ed .





" On e n eve r k no ws i n O z, b ut i f w e l oo k c ar ef ul ly , w e' ll b e s ur e t o f ind s om et hi ng ," a ns we re d

the lion easily.

" Let' s m ak e i t a g am e, " s ug gest ed N ot ta, p at ti ng h is f ig ur e i n v ar io us i mp or tant p laces t o s ee

w he the r h is d is gui se s w er e s ti ll s af e. " No w t he n, a ll r ea dy f or a b re ak fa st h un t. I 'l l t ak e t hi s f ie ld , N ic k c an

t ak e t he a ir a nd B ob a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n m ay h av e t he w oo ds ." B ob s mi le d a l it tl e t o h im se lf . H un ti ng breakfast in the woods did seem ridiculous but, as the Cowardly Lion went poking his head in bushes

a nd s ni ff in g a ro un d t re es i n a b us in es s- li ke m an ne r, B ob b eg an t o l oo k t oo . T he re w er e p le nt y o f f lo we rs

i n t he wo ods , a nd f or a t im e B ob f ou nd no thi ng e ls e. A t l as t p us hi ng t hr ou gh a t ang le o f v in es , t he l it tl e

boy found himself standing under a stout little tree that rattled curiously when the wind passed through its

branches. There was a sign on the tree. Standing on his toes Bob spelled it out laboriously. Then he

cal led N ot ta i n excit ed l it tl e s hr ieks .

" Wh at i s i t?" p an ted t he clo wn , b reak in g t hr ou gh t he v in es w it h t he C ow ar dl y L io n o ne l eap

behind him. "Are you hurt?"

" No ," c ri ed B ob , " bu t I 'v e w on !" H e p oi nt ed g le ef ul ly t o t he t re e.

'T ra ve le rs ' T re e, ' " r ea d N ot ta , " ' pl an te d by t he W iz ar d W am i n t he y ea r 11 20 0 . Z. ' W el l,

h ur rah f or W am !" cho rt led t he clo wn , and b eg an w al ki ng all aro un d t he t ree, w hi le t he C ow ar dl y L io n s at

d ow n a nd pa nt ed a l it tl e f ro m hi s l ong r un .

T he l ow er b ra nc he s w er e g ay w it h m an y p in k c up s a nd o n t he n ex t, p oi se d o ve r t he c up s,

w er e t he s au ci es t l it tl e t ea, cocoa and cof fee p ot s i magi nabl e. H ig her u p g rew clu st ers o f cov er ed d is hes

of e ve ry k ind . I n t he ve ry t op of t he t re e w as a l ar ge ne st o f s ome s or t. Snor er , who ca me fl yi ng ba ck

just then, declared it was full of eggs. Instead of leaves, the tree flaunted many bright paper napkin

blossoms.

" Be s ur e t o p lant y ou r d is hes w hen y ou h av e f in is hed eat in g, " d ir ected ano th er s ig n q ui te

s te rn ly . W it h a h ap py l it tl e c hu ck le , B ob p ic ke d a n ap ki n f or e ac h, a nd t hr ee f or t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

T he n N ot ta b ro ke a c of fe e c up f ro m i ts s te m, a nd no s oon er h ad he t ou ch ed t he c up t ha n t he c of fe e po t

o n t he n ex t b ra nc h t il te d g en tl y a nd f il le d t he c up w it h f ra gr an t h ot c of fe e. T he c lo wn w as s o s ta rt le d t ha t

he a cc ide nt al ly br us he d o ff a no the r c up, a t w hi ch a c oc oa pot po ur ed a c up f ul l o f c oc oa ove r h is he ad

before he had time to duck. Spluttering and coughing, Notta drew back, but that was the only accident,

a nd a s t he c lo wn s ai d, i t s av ed h im f ro m w as hi ng h is f ac e. T he C ow ar dl y L io n d ra nk a d oz en c up s o f

c of fe e, on e r igh t a ft er t he o th er . B ob h ad t wo c ups o f c oc oa , a nd S no re r, h ol di ng a t ea c up i n on e c la w,

s ip ped t he b ev er ag e s us pi ci ou sl y, t hen f lew o ff t o f in d s om et hi ng m or e t o h is t as te. N ex t, N ot ta p ickedf iv e d is he s o f O zi sh s te w f or t he C ow ar dl y L io n, a p la te f ul l o f m ea t ha sh f or h im se lf a nd a c hop a nd

baked potato for Bob Up. Nothing could have been jollier than that breakfast. The Cowardly Lion forgot

t o wo rr y a bou t hi s f ea th er s, B ob f or go t he ha d e ve r b ee n a n or pha n, a nd N ot ta f or got t ha t he w as l os t i n

a s tr an ge m ag ic c ou nt ry a nd i n t he p ow er o f t he w ic ke d m on ar ch o f M ud ge . W he n t he y c ou ld n ot e at

a no th er b it e, S no re r f le w t o t he t op o f a t re e a nd b ro ug ht d ow n d oz en s o f e gg s f ro m t he n es t. S tr an ge ly

e no ug h, t he y w er e h ar d b oi le d a nd B ob f il le d h is b lo us e w it h t he m, f or a s N ot ta s ai d, t he re w as n o t el li ng

whe re t he y woul d be b y noo n. The C owa rdl y l ion now dug a de ep hol e a nd t he y bur ie d a ll t he di she s,

w hi ch w as l ot s l es s t ro ub le t han w as hi ng t hem, t hen b ack t hey w en t t o t he F ly ab ou tabu s.

B ob c ha tt er ed q ui te g ai ly t o N ic ka do od le , b ut N ot ta a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n w al ke d a lo ng i n

s il en ce . N ot ta , a ft er t he v al ia nt w ay t he l io n h ad d ef en de d t he m f ro m t he U ns , c ou ld n ot b ea r t he i de a o f

betraying this strange new friend. Better a thousand times turn blue than have the kind-hearted Cowardly

L io n f al l i nt o t he m er ci less h an ds o f M us tafa.







magic!"

" It 's M us tafa!" g ro an ed N ot ta, l oo ki ng d is mall y at B ob . " I g uess I 'l l h av e t o t el l y ou t he w ho le

s tor y." I n s hor t j er ks a nd ga sps , f or h e c oul d ba re ly mo ve h is l ip s, he t ol d how M us ta fa ha d s en t t he m t o

c apt ur e t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd o f h ow h e h ad t hr ea te ne d t he m w it h t he m ag ic r in g i f t he y f ai le d t o o be y

him.

" Bu t y ou d id d is ob ey h im ," b reat hed t he l io n, l as hi ng h is t ai l. " Ev en w hen y ou k new w hat

w ou ld h ap pe n, y ou m ad e n o a tt em pt t o c ap tu re m e! " T ea rs o f g ra ti tu de r ol le d d ow n h is n os e. " Yo u' re t he

bravest man in Oz," he choked miserably, "but look what it has brought you to?"

" W er en 't y ou l oo ki ng f or t he b ravest m an i n O z?" ask ed N ot ta, s ud denl y r em em beri ng t heir

f ir st con vers at io n. " Th at 's h ow w e h ap pened t o m eet y ou , I t hi nk ."

T he C ow ar dl y L io n n od ded g lo om il y, f or i t w as n ow h is t ur n t o con fess . W it h m an y apo lo gi es

a nd s ig hs h e t ol d N ot ta o f h is q ue st f or c ou ra ge a nd h is d et er mi na ti on t o d ev ou r a b ra ve m an , t he b ra ve st

m an t ha t h e m et .

" Bu t y ou d id n' t d o i t! " s ho ut ed N ot ta t ri um ph an tl y. " An d m an y a chance y ou 'v e h ad i f y ou h ad

c ar ed t o t ake i t. C he er u p, ol d f el lo w, t he re 's s om e wa y ou t of i t. "

S no re r w it h s up pr es se d g ur gl es a nd s ob s h ad l is te ne d t o b ot h s to ri es . N ow h e h el d u p h is

c la w. " As I u nd er st an d, " c ro ak ed t he b ir d, p us hi ng h is c ur ly n os e b ac k o f h is e ar , " Mu st af a' s r in g h as

t ur ned b lack b ecau se y ou h av e n ot capt ur ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n?"

" Th at 's abo ut i t, " adm it ted N ot ta, t ry in g t o w in k at B ob , b ut f in di ng i t i mp os si bl e t o m ov e h is

eyelid.

" We ll , t he n, " s ni ff le d S nor er w it h a l it tl e h op, " wh y no t c ap tur e h im ? W ai t, I 'l l g et a r op e. H e

f lew o ff t o t he F ly ab ou tabu s, f ir st s to pp in g t o com fo rt B ob U p. " Let u s m eet m ag ic w it h s tr at eg y, " caw ed

Nick, flying back with a long piece of rope in his bill.

" I' ll ne ve r u rge h im a s te p, " d ec la re d N ot ta f ir ml y. " No t i f I ha ve t o s ta y bl ue a nd s ti ll f or t he

r es t o f m y l if e. "

" Yo u w on 't h av e t o, " r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho w as b eg in ni ng t o l oo k q ui te cheer fu l.

" I' ll r un a ll t he w ay t o M udg e a nd g ive my se lf u p t o t hi s r idi cul ou s M us ta fa ." H e m ad e a l it tl e s pr in g, bu t

S nor er w it h a s cr ee ch b ar re d t he w ay.

" Have y ou n o s en se?" s hr il led N ick s harp ly . " I s ai d s tr at eg y. " H e t ied t he r op e h as ti ly aro un d

t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s ne ck a nd p la ce d t he e nd i n N ot ta 's s ti ff h an d. An d no s oon er ha d h e do ne s o t ha n

B ob , w it h a l it tl e s ho ut , r an o ve r t o N ot ta a nd t he c lo wn a ls o f ou nd h im se lf a bl e t o m ov e a bo ut o nc e

m or e. W hi le N ick and t he C ow ar dl y L io n w at ch ed anx io us ly , t he o ff en si ve b lu e f ad ed o ut , l eavi ng

Notta's face white and powdery and Bob's rosy and freckled.

" So l on g as y ou k eep h ol d o f t he r op e every th in g w il l b e all r ig ht ," chu ck led S no rer s tr ut ti ng

proudly up and down, "for while you have the rope the Cowardly Lion is captured." "Then we'll just run

d ou bl e h ar ness u nt il w e t hi nk o f s om et hi ng els e, " s ai d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " Ti e t he r op e ' ro un d y ou r

w ai st , N ot ta , o ld b oy . T he n y ou 'l l b e s ur e n ot t o l os e m e. R at he r t ho ug ht fu ll y N ot ta o be ye d, b ut h e c ou ld

n ot h el p t hi nk in g t hat b ei ng t ied t o a C ow ar dl y L io n m ig ht p ro ve awf ul ly awk ward at t im es . T he

C ow ar dl y L io n, h ow ev er , w as i n f in e s pi ri ts , s o N ot ta, s wall ow in g h is m is gi vi ng s, s tepp ed w it h t he o th er s





i nt o t he F ly ab ou tabu s. " An d n ow t hat

I'm captured," chuckled the Cowardly Lion mischievously, "what next?"

" Oh , l et s om eo ne e ls e d ec id e t ha t, " y aw ne d S no re r. F lo pp in g d ow n i n t he l as t s ea t o f t he b us

h e w as s oo n s ou nd asl eep and s no ri ng l ou dl y.

C HA PT ER 1 4 F ly in g i n a D el ug e

L ET 'S f in d D or ot hy ," s ho ut ed B ob . I t w as n ec es sa ry t o s ho ut , f or N ic k' s s no re s r at tl ed i n t he ir

e ar s l ik e a s er ie s o f e xp lo si on s. T he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd N ot ta l oo ke d d ou bt fu ll y a t e ac h o th er . T he y

w er e n ot s ur e t ha t M us ta fa 's m ag ic r in g w ou ld a ll ow t he m t o p ro ce ed t ow ar d t he E me ra ld C it y.

"W e' ll t ry i t, " s ho ut ed N ot ta. " Wh ich w ay i s i t?"

"I d on 't k no w, " r oa re d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " Le t' s f ly up a nd l oo k a rou nd t il l I s ee a f am il ia r

l an dm ar k. " S o No tt a p re ss ed a ll t he b ut to ns n ec es sa ry t o s ta rt t he bus , a nd up t he y w en t w it h s uc h a r us h

t ha t B ob a lm os t l os t h is c ap a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s m an e w av ed l ik e a f la g. B ob p ut b ot h f in ge rs i n h is

e ar s, f or w it h N ic k' s s no re s a nd t he w hi r o f t he f ea th er w he el s t he n oi se w as d ea fe ni ng . W he n t he y w er e

a bo ut a h un dr ed f ee t a bo ve g ro un d, N ot ta s lo we d t he b us d ow n a nd r an i t g en tl y a nd e ve nl y o ve r t he

pleasant blue fields and forests of the Munchkins. Bob, slipping into the seat beside Snorer, put his nose,

w hi ch h ad f al le n o ff h is e ar , b ac k o n i ts h oo k. I mm ed ia te ly S no re r a wo ke a nd s ta mp ed h is f oo t, b ut i n a

w in k h e w as a sl ee p a ga in a nd B ob w at ch ed i n o pe n- ey ed w on de r, f or s no ri ng i n h is o wn e ar w ak en ed

h im abo ut every t hr ee m in ut es , and w hen h e w ak en ed h e s tamp ed , s o t hat b et ween s no ri ng and s tamp in gt he n oi se w as w or se t ha n e ve r.

" I w is h o ur f ri en d w as n ot s uc h a l ou d s le ep er ," g ro wl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " I c an 't e ve n h ea r

m y o wn h ea rt b ea t. S ay , w as t ha t t hu nd er o r S no re r? "

" Th un der, " q uavered N ot ta anx io us ly . " See h ow d ar k i t' s g ro wi ng ! L et 's g o d ow n! "

" It 's r ai ni ng ," c ri ed B ob U p i n t he s am e b re at h.

N ot ta t ou ch ed t he b ut to n m ar ke d " Fa st er ," a nd w as a bo ut t o p re ss t he o ne m ar ke d " Do wn ,"w hen a b li nd in g f lash o f l ig ht ni ng zig -zag ged acr os s t heir p at h. T he C ow ar dl y L io n, w it h a r oar o f t er ro r,

d as he d u nd er t he l as t s ea t of t he b us , d ra gg in g N ot ta w it h h im . I n h is c lu tc h t o s av e h im se lf t he c lo wn

pressed the button marked "Turn," so that the Flyaboutabus not only increased its speed but churned

' ro un d and ' ro un d t i ll t he f ou r o ccup an ts w er e al mo st k no ck ed s ens eless .

T o m ak e m at te rs w or se , t he r ai n c am e d ow n i n p er fe ct t or re nt s. S no re r, a wa ke ne d b y t he

a wf ul c la mo r, p ut h is w in g a ro un d B ob a nd c lu tc he d t he a rm o f t he s ea t w it h h is c ur li ng c la ws . E ve n s o

t he y w er e s ha ke n u p a nd d ow n t il l B ob 's t ee th c ha tt er ed a nd n ea rl y d ro wn ed b y t he s to rm . N ot ta a nd t he

C ow ar dl y L io n i n t he b ot to m o f t he b us w er e f ar in g e ve n w or se . E ve ry t im e t he c lo wn s cr am bl ed t o h is

f eet, t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t er ri fi ed b y a n ew f lash o f l ig ht ni ng , w ou ld s pr in g i n ano th er d ir ecti on and , t ied t o

h im b y t he s to ut r op e, N ot ta w ou ld b e d ra gg ed a lo ng .

"Help! Help! I'm drowning," gurgled Notta after the eighth fall. A sudden flash of lightning





s ho wed S no rer t hat t he F ly ab ou tabu s w as m or e t han h al f f ul l o f w at er , and N ot ta l yi ng ent ir el y i mm er sed.

" B ob ," c ri ed N ic k, " ca n y ou h ol d o n a m in ut e b y y ou rs el f? " B ob n od de d h is h ea d a nd w it h

c lo se d e ye s g ra spe d t he s ide of t he bu s. He d id n ot da re op en hi s e ye s, f or f lyi ng i n a c ir cl e ha d m ade

him dreadfully dizzy.

S no re r s id le d c au ti ou sl y t o t he e dg e o f t he s ea t a nd w it h a l it tl e s pr in g j um pe d o n t heC ow ar dl y L io n' s b ac k. T he b ig b ea st w as t re mb li ng l ik e a r un aw ay r ac e h or se , a nd t he b ea ti ng o f h is

h ea rt s ho ok S no re r u p a nd d ow n. But hol ding on to hi s mane with one cl aw, he f elt a bout in t he wa ter t ill

h is o th er o ne f as tened i n t he b el t o f N ot ta's b ag gy s ui t. T hen h e p ul led w it h all h is m ig ht t il l, d ri pp in g and

breathless, the poor clown lay across the Cowardly Lion's back. "Climb on the seat," directed Nick

s tern ly . " Do y ou w an t t o d ro wn t he m os t b eaut if ul p er so n i n O z?" W it h s haki ng l eg s t he C ow ar dl y L io n

o be ye d, N ic k h ol di ng N ot ta s af el y i n p la ce , a nd w he n t he y w er e b ot h o n t he s ea t h e b eg ge d t he l io n,

w it h t ea rs i n h is e ye s, t o c on tr ol h im se lf . T he C ow ar dl y L io n, c at ch in g a g li mp se o f p oo r N ot ta , a nd

r eali zi ng f or t he f ir st t im e w hat h e h ad d on e, w ep t w it h emb ar rass ment .

" T hi s i s w ha t c om es o f b ei ng t ie d t o a c ow ar d, " h e r oa re d d is ma ll y, " bu t s om eo ne c la pp ed m eo n t he b ac k. "

" It w as a t hu nd er cl ap ," c ha tt er ed S no re r. " Ju st c lo se y ou r e ye s a nd h an g t og et he r, a nd B ob

a nd I w il l d o t he s am e. " H as ti ly h e f le w b ac k t o t he l it tl e bo y, w ho w as r ol li ng a nd s li pp in g a ro un d o n t he

w et s eat . N ot ta, w is e f ro m p as t exp er iences, f as t en ed h is ar ms t ig ht ly aro un d t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s n eck.

" Di vi de d w e f al l, t og et he r w e s ta nd ," h e p an te d w ea kl y. " If y ou 'r e go ing t o j um p g iv e m e a

s ig na l, w on 't y ou ?" T he C ow ar dl y L io n m ad e n o a ns we r b ut j us t d ug h is c la ws i nt o t he s ea t a nd c lo se d

h is eyes t ig ht er . T he w in d w hi st led s hr il ly i n t heir ear s, t he r ai n p el ted m er ci less ly u po n t heir h eads and t he

bus tumbled and tossed through the air like a rudderless ship.

S ud de nl y S no re r, w ho w as l es s a ff ec te d b y t he m ot io n o f t he b us t ha n t he o th er s, f el t w at er o n

his feet.

" Som eb od y b ai l o ut t he bo at ," h e s hr ie ke d i n r ea l t er ro r, " it 's s in ki ng !" A nd s o i t w as . T he

f ea th er w he el s, w et a nd d ra gg le d b y t he r ai n, m ov ed s lo we r a nd s lo we r, a nd t he b us w as n ow s o f ul l o f

w at er t hat every t im e i t l ur ch ed s id ew ay s t he l uckl es s v oy ag er s w er e s ub merg ed . I t w as l ik e f ly in g i n a

v er y d ee p a nd d an ge ro us t ub .

" I n ev er e xp ec te d t o b e d ro wn ed i n t he a ir ," s cr ea me d N ot ta . " Sh al l w e j um p o ve rb oa rd ?"

" Do y ou w ant t o be d as he d t o pi ec es ?" s hout ed Ni ck i n r epl y. " Ho ld on t o t he s ide s." H e c al le d m or ed ir ec ti on s, b ut t he f ur y o f t he s to rm d ro wn ed e ve n h is s hr il l v oi ce , a nd e ac h f ou nd h e h ad e no ug h t o d o t o

ke ep f rom b ei ng w as he d ove r t he e dg e. Th e w at er r os e hi ghe r a nd h ighe r a nd t he bu s s ank l owe r a nd

l ow er . W it h e ye s c lo se d, a nd o nl y t he ir h ea ds a bo ve w at er , t he f ou r c lu ng g ri ml y t o t he f ea th er y e dg es .

W he n t he b us f ina ll y s tr uc k t he g ro un d i t di d s o w it h s uc h f or ce t ha t t he y a ll l et g o a nd f el l b ac k i nt o t he

w at er . T he C ow ar dl y L io n s pr an g o ut f ir st , p ul li ng N ot ta alo ng w it h h im . T hen, r eali zi ng B ob w as s ti ll

s tr ug gl in g i n t he w at er , h e i mp ul si vely s pr an g b ack, s ei zed t he l it tl e b oy i n h is t eeth and j um ped o ut again .

A s hout f rom Snor er ma de hi m pa us e. No tt a wa s bum pi ng a long on t he e nd of t he r ope l ike a bi g b ag of

clothes.

" Yo u' ve k il led h im ," w ai led N ick ang ri ly . B ut j us t t hen, w it h a w at er y s ig h, t he clo wn o pened

h is eyes. I mm ed iately h e b eg an f um bl in g i n h is chest p ocket. " Wh at are y ou t ry in g t o d o?" s cr eamed

Snorer.





" My d is gu is e, " cho ked t he clo wn . " I m us t p ut o n m y d is gu is e- fi rs t d is gu is e, t hen j ok e and r un ,

you know!"

"You don't need any disguise," wailed the Cowardly Lion remorsefully. "You look like almost

anyone.

" I f ee l t he s am e w ay ," c ou gh ed t he c lo wn . " Am I d as he d o r d ro wn ed o r b ot h? "

"Neither," croaked Snorer sorrowfully. "Only tied to a very forgetful friend." The disguises,

con ceal ed i n v ar io us p ar ts o f N ot ta's app ar el , w er e d ragg ed d ow n i n d is fi gu ri ng l um ps abo ut h is k nees .

Th er e w er e f our bum ps on hi s f or ehe ad a nd o ne wa s c om ing on t he ba ck of hi s he ad . Bob, t hough

s hi ve ri ng a nd w et , w as o th er wi se u nh ur t, s o h e a nd N ic k h el pe d N ot ta t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s b ac k,

a nd , d ri pp in g a nd s ha ke n, t he a ir -w re ck ed p ar ty s ta rt ed t ow ar d a l it tl e h ut n ea r w hi ch t he y h ad f al le n.

" Wh er e' s t he F al labo ut ab us ?" m ut tered N ot ta t hi ck ly , as t he C ow ar dl y L io n s tu mb led o ver t he

sill.

" I do n' t c ar e w he re i t i s, " gr oa ne d t he l ion ." I h op e i t' s bu st ed. I 'm a ga in st f lyi ng i n a ll i ts

branches." He dropped panting on the hearth, and Notta did not even move from his back. The hut

e vi de nt ly b el on ge d t o s om e t hr if ty w oo dc ut te r. I t w as q ui te n ea t a nd c om fo rt ab le a nd t he re w as a f ir e a ll

r eady t o l ig ht .

B ob , f eeli ng v er y i mp or tant , s tart ed a cheer fu l b laze, and t ho ug h t he r ai n s ti ll r at tl ed o n t he

r oo f, i ns id e i t w as q ui te c oz y a nd c om fo rt ab le . N ot ta , w it h B ob 's h el p, t oo k o ut a ll o f h is d is gu is es , a nd

t he t hr ee t ha t h ad a lr ea dy b ee n u se d h e h un g o ut i n f ul l v ie w. B ut t he c lo wn w as s o d ow nh ea rt ed w he n

B ob s ta rt ed t o s ha ke ou t t he ot he rs , a nd s ee me d t o a tt ac h s o m uc h i mpo rt anc e t o k ee pi ng t he m s ec re t,

t hat S no rer, w it ho ut u nr ol li ng t hem, car ri ed t hem i nt o t he n ex t r oo m and h un g t hem o n h oo ks t o d ry .

Notta was quite thin and fallen without them, but when his suit had dried and he had powdered his nosew it h s om e o f t he w oo dc ut te r' s f lo ur h e f el t q ui te r es to re d, a nd i t w as n ot u nt il t he n t ha t h e d is co ve re d h is

f ea th er s w er e g on e. W it h a l it tl e s ho ut h e l oo ke d a t t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd B ob .

" We'v e all s hed o ur f eath er s, " h e cri ed exu lt an tl y. " Th ey m us t h av e w as hed away. T he

C ow ar dl y L io n w as s o p le as ed t ha t h e j um pe d f or j oy , a nd s ta rt ed t o r un a nd l oo k i n t he w oo dc ut te r' s

mirror, upsetting Notta as usual.

" It 's b ecau se y ou 'r e n o l on ger u ni sh ," exp lain ed S no rer w is el y, as N ot ta s cr am bl ed t o h is f eet

and h as tened t o accom pany t he l io n t o t he m ir ro r. " Wh en y ou b ot h s to pp ed p lann in g u nw is e and u nf ai r

t hi ng s t he f eath er s j us t n at ur al ly d ro pp ed o ut , and B ob 's f ol lo wed s ui t, f or t here i sn 't an u ni sh b on e i n t hat boy's body," continued Snorer, rolling his eyes knowingly. "And now that we've all decided to stick

t og et her every th in g w il l b e as h ap py as p os si bl e. "

" We d on 't s ti ck t og et her v er y w el l, " s ig hed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, h an gi ng h is h ead. " Di d I h ur t

you, Notta, old fellow?"

"N ot m uch, " s ai d t he c low n, " but I 'l l ha ve to us e m ore pa ddi ng i f you a re goi ng t o be s o

i mp et uo us ." B ei ng t ie d t o a C ow ar dl y L io n w as p ro vi ng e ve n w or se t ha n h e h ad e xp ec te d. T he

Cowardly Lion himself felt uncomfortable and ill at ease.

" Se e h er e, " h e r um bl ed , a s t he y g at he re d r ou nd t he f ir e a ga in , " I t hi nk w e h ad b et te r s ep ar at e.

I 'l l go on t o Mud ge a nd you t hr ee go t o the Eme ra ld C it y f or he lp."





" No ," o bj ected N ot ta, w ri nk li ng h is p oo r b um ped f or eh ead, " let' s s ti ck t og et her a b it l on ger,

f or I d on 't k no w t he w ay t o t he E me ra ld C it y, a nd t he n in e t ho us an d ni ne h und re d a nd n in et y- ni ne l io ns

m ig ht t ear y ou t o p ieces b ef or e w e g ot b ack. T raveli ng i n t hi s cou nt ry i s d read fu ll y u ncer tain . W hy , w e

d on 't e ve n k no w w he re we a re no w? "

" Bu t t he s un 's o ut ," cri ed B ob , r un ni ng t o t he w in do w. " Let' s s ee i f t he F ly ab ou tabu s i s s ti ll

a ro un d. " T he C ow ar dl y L io n s ta rt ed a t o nc e t o r un t ow ar d t he d oo r, b ut N ot ta , w it h a f ly in g l ea p j um pe do n h is b ac k a nd t hu s a vo id ed a no th er f al l. T he b us w as f ul l o f w at er , b ut t he f ea th er w he el s, a lr ea dy

s om ew ha t d ri er , w er e s lo wl y r ev ol vi ng . A s t he y d re w n ea re r t he b us b eg an t o r un ' ro un d i n c ir cl es ,

spraying water in every direction.

" I' ll s to p i t, " v ol un teer ed S no rer and , s wo op in g d ow n o ver t he w heel , q ui ck ly p us hed t he

button marked "Stop." Then Notta and the Cowardly Lion, shoving with all their strength, turned the huge

bus over on its side so the water could run out. After this they went back to the hut to fetch the clown's

di sgui se s, a nd t he n t he y a ll s at dow n un de r a t re e a nd w ait ed f or t he bus t o dr y. J us t be yon d a l it tl e f ri nge

o f t re es t he y c ou ld s ee t he r oo fs o f a s ma ll c it y, a nd S no re r, s en si bl y e no ug h, p ro po se d t ha t t he y r un t he

bus into the city and inquire of its inhabitants just where they were. "Though as far as I can make out,"f in is hed N ick, " if w e m ov e t ow ar d M ud ge all w il l b e w el l, b ut i f w e t ak e any o th er d ir ecti on t hi s b eaut if ul

person," he pointed his claw at Notta, "will turn blue."

"Regular signals, aren't we, Bob?" The clown thoughtlessly turned a handspring, but the short

r op e s po il ed i t a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as q ui te c ho ke d.

" We d on 't t wi n v er y w el l, o ld f el lo w, d o w e? " s ig he d N ot ta . " Bu t l et 's s ee w hi ch i s t he w ay t o

M ud ge , f or i t s ee ms t ha t t o M ud ge w e m us t t ru dg e. "

Ho ppi ng on t he C ow ar dl y Li on' s ba ck he w ave d h im t o t he l ef t, b ut a t t he f ir st s te p b ot h No tt a

a nd B ob t ur ne d q ui te b lu e.

" Tr y t he r ig ht ," s ug gest ed t he clo wn , p ul li ng t he l io n' s r ig ht ear . S o t he C ow ar dl y L io n p ranced

t o t he r igh t, b ut h ad no t g one a d oz en s te ps b ef or e B ob a nd N ot ta w er e bl ue r t ha n e ve r.

"Back!" directed Notta, swinging around and seizing the lion's tail. But their blueness only

increased.

" St raig ht ahead t hen, " cri ed N ot ta, s tand in g u p and w av in g h is arm s. S o t he C ow ar dl y L io n

o bl ig in gl y t ro tt ed a f ew p ac es s tr ai gh t a he ad , a nd a s B ob a nd t he c lo wn p ro mp tl y t ur ne d b ac k t o t he ir

n at ur al com pl ex io ns , t hey con cl ud ed t hat s tr ai gh t ahead w as t he r oad t o M ud ge.

Bo b c ou ld h ar dl y h el p f ee li ng p le as ed t ha t i t a ls o l ed t ow ar d t he s tr an ge c it y, f or B ob w as v er y

cur io us abo ut O z and i ts s in gu lar p eo pl es , and t he l it tl e f el lo w w as enj oy in g every m in ut e o f h is

adv en tu res. E ven t he w reck and t he t hu nd er st or m h ad g iv en h im a n ew k in d o f t hr il l.

"W e m us t a ll t hi nk of a wa y t o ou tw it Mus ta fa ," s ai d N ot ta , a s t he y too k t he ir pl ac es i n t he

F ly ab ou tabu s. " Bu t u nt il w e d o I s hall s im pl y f ol lo w m y u su al r ul es ." S o s ay in g, h e u nt ied, f or a m om en t,

t he r op e t ha t b ou nd h im t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd s te pp ed i nt o a no th er o f h is d is gu is es . T hi s w as a lm os t

t he s tr an ge st o f t he l ot . I t c ov er ed h im a ll b ut t he f ee t, a nd i n p la ce o f t he ir j ol ly c om pa ni on s to od a hu ge

g og gl e- ey ed f is h. T he f is h s ki n b ut to ned d ow n t he f ro nt , and N ot ta's arm s p ro tr ud ed u nd er t he f in s, b ut

h e w as u nabl e t o s it d ow n. T hi s, h ow ev er , h e b or e q ui te cheer fu ll y and , s tand in g u p v er y s tr ai gh t and s ti ff ,

s ei ze d t he w he el o f t he F ly ab ou ta bu s, p re ss ed t he b ut to n m ar ke d " Go ," a nd a wa y t he y d id g o i n a s er ie s

o f b um ps a nd b ou nc es , f or t he f ea th er y v eh ic le c ou ld n ot s ee m t o k ee p i ts w he el s o n t he g ro un d.





" To o b ad yo u d id n ot p ut o n t ha t r ig d ur in g t he s to rm ," c hu ck le d N ic k, h an gi ng on w it h b ot h

c la ws . " Th en y ou c ou ld h av e s wum t o e ar th . B ut w ha t g oo d i s i t n ow ?"

" Ju st y ou w ai t, " p ro mi sed N ot ta con fi dent ly . " Wh en t hes e p eo pl e, w ho ev er t hey are, s ee a f i sh

wa lki ng a bou t o n dr y l an d, t he y wi ll d o j us t a s I a sk t he m t o. You s ee !" Ni ck l ook ed r at he r n er vo us a s he

adj us ted h is n os e, and t he C ow ar dl y L io n s ho ok h is h ead d ou bt fu ll y.

" Bu t h e c ann ot h el p h is di sg ui se s a ny m or e t ha n N ic k c an h el p h is s nor in g, or I , m y

c ow ar di ce ," w hi sp er ed t he b ig b ea st h us ki ly t o B ob . B ob U p s ai d n ot hi ng , b ut h e a lw ay s f el t

u nc om fo rt ab le w he n N ot ta p ut o n o ne o f h is q ue er c os tu me s. T he b us w as b ou nc in g a nd j er ki ng s o

c ra zi ly t ha t c on ve rs at io n w as n ow i mp os si bl e. A s t he y c am e n ea re r a nd n ea re r t o t he s tr an ge c it y, i t

became at once apparent that it was unlike any city or town any of them had ever seen or visited. Even

t he C ow ar dl y L io n, o ld O z a dv en tu re r t ha t h e w as a nd a cc us to me d t o u nu su al s ig ht s a nd p la ce s, g av e a

s no rt o f s ur pr is e as t he F ly ab ou tabu s r us hed t hr ou gh t he g li tt er in g g lass g at es .

C HA PT ER 1 5 M us ta fa K ee ps W at ch

M US TA FA , s ea te d o n h is b lu e t hr on e, s ta re d s te ad il y a t h is m ag ic r in g. H e h ad d on e l it tl e e ls e

s in ce B ob and N ot ta's d ep ar tu re, and i n con sequ en ce w as b eg in ni ng t o s qu in t f earf ul ly . O n h is l ap l ay t he

l io n b oo k, and w hen h e w as n ot g azin g at h is r in g, t he b lu e- wh is kered M on ar ch l oo ked l on gi ng ly at t he

picture of the Cowardly Lion.

I n on e c or ne r of t he t en t, i n a l ar ge c ag e, c ro uc he d t he t we nt y Uns N ot ta h ad wi she d i nt oM ud ge , a nd i n t he t en t t op w er e t we nt y b lu e p at ch es w he re t he y h ad b ur st t hr ou gh . A t f ir st M us ta fa h ad

been terribly angry and ordered the Featherheads thrown to the lions. But Mixtuppa, pleased by the

col or and b ri ll iancy o f t heir f eath er s, b eg ged t hat t hey b e s av ed , s o s he m ig ht alw ay s h av e f resh f eath er s

f or h er t ur ba ns . T he n t he U ns , s ee in g t ha t M us ta fa w as a lm os t a s w ic ke d a nd b ad t em pe re d a s

t hems el ves, p ro mi sed t o t each h im all t he U ni sh t hey k new- so t hat every h ou r M us tafa w as g ro wi ng

unhappier and unpleasanter.

P an ap ee s te pp ed a bo ut b re at hl es sl y o n t ip to e, f or e ac h t im e N ot ta h ad d on e a ny th in g t o t ur n

M us tafa's r in g b lack t he r ul er o f M ud ge h ad f lo wn at h is r oy al chamb er lain and s haken h im u nm er ci fu ll y.

" He i s escap in g, y ou v il lain !" s cr eamed M us tafa t he f ir st t im e- th at w as w hen N ot ta h ad

determined not to betray his faithful four-footed friend.

" He lp ! O uc h! D oe s y ou r M aj es ty e xp ec t t o s to p h im b y p ul li ng m y b ea rd ? L et g o! T ak e o ff

y ou r r in g, " s pl ut tered t he u nh ap py M ud ger, " th er e i s n o m ag ic i n m y w hi sk er s. "

Realizing the truth of this, Mustafa snatched off his ring, with what alarming consequences to

B ob a nd N ot ta w e a ll k no w. S in ce t he n h is w at ch fu ln es s h ad i nc re as ed , a nd e ve n w hi le h e a te h e h el d h is

t hu mb b ef or e h is e ye s s o t ha t n o m ov e o f t he c lo wn w ou ld e sc ap e h im . W hi le M us ta fa k ep t w at ch , t he

r oy al j ew el er s w or ke d d ay a nd n ig ht u po n a g ol d c ol la r, s tu dd ed w it h s ap ph ir es , a nd t he f or ge r o f

s wo rd s and s ci mi tars h am mered ear ly and l at e u po n a h eavy g ol d chain -f or o nce t he C ow ar dl y L io n

ent er ed M ud ge, M us tafa w as d et er mi ned h e s ho ul d n ev er l eave t he k in gd om . T azzy wall er , w ho w as s ti ll

l io n f eeder, p eeri ng at i nt er vals t hr ou gh t he t en t f lap t hank ed h is l ucky s tars h e w as n o l on ger h ig h





chamberlain of Mudge.

" Wh en t hi s C ow ar dl y L io n act uall y app ears w il l b e t im e eno ug h f or m e t o b e r ei ns tated, "

muttered the wily fellow to himself. "Meanwhile let Panny take his Majesty's ill-tempered thumps and

shakings!"

C HA PTE R 16 A F al l Fr om t he S ky

T EN TS a nd t ra pe ze s! " s ho ut ed N ot ta B it M or e, a s h e t ri ed t o k ee p t he F ly ab ou ta bu s i n t he

c en te r o f t he g la ss s tr ee t.

" I t hi nk w e h ad b et ter r un s tr ai gh t t hr ou gh ," r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n, b eg in ni ng t o t remb le

s li gh tl y. " I d on 't l ik e t he l oo k o f t hi s at all ."

" Well , w hatever h ap pens , t ry t o r em em ber y ou 'r e t ied t o m e, " b eg ged N ot ta, s tr ai gh teni ng h is

fish head hastily.

" T hen w oe b et id e u s, " s ig hed t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

N ick p ut h is w in g aro un d B ob and all o f t hem g azed i n b ew il derm en t at t hi s b ew il deri ng cit y.

" Pr es er va to ry ," s ai d a l ar ge s ig n j us t b ey on d t he g la ss g at es , a nd o ve r t he w ho le c it y h un g a s we et ,

s mo ky h aze. T he h ou ses h ad g lass f ro nt s and w er e m or e l ik e cup bo ar ds t han o rd in ar y d well in gs . E ach

h ad t hr ee s to ri es , o r a s B ob U p e xp la in ed l at er t o D or ot hy , t hr ee s he lv es . A nd o n t he se s he lve s, s wi ngi ng

t he ir l eg s, s at t he o dd es t i nd iv id ua ls i n O z. F ro m h ea d t o k ne e t he y w er e e nc lo se d i n g la ss j ar s. T he ir a rm s a nd l eg s c am e t hr ou gh e sp ec ia ll y c ut p la ce s, b ut t he se w er e c ar ef ul ly s ol de re d s o a s n ot t o l et i n a ny

a ir . A nd t he ir h ea ds , s om ew ha t f la tt en ed b y t he g la ss l id s, h ad a s qu as he d a nd f oo li sh l oo k.

A s t he F ly ab ou tabu s b ou nced m er ri ly alo ng t he m ai n s tr eet, t hey b eg an t o t um bl e o ff t he

s he lv es a nd r un d own t he gl as s s te ps of t he ir c om ic al h ous es . The y ma de n o a tt empt t o ke ep out of t he

w ay , s o N ot ta h as ti ly s to pp ed t he bu s. B ut e ve n s o, on e m ana ge d t o ge t un de r t he w he el s a nd B ob

s hi ve re d a s t he c re at ur e' s j ar s pl in te re d t o b it s o n t he g la ss p av in g s to ne s.

" N ow y ou 'v e d on e i t, " g ro an ed N ic k, s la mm in g h is n os e b ac k o n i ts h oo k. T he j ar re d

populace evidently thought so too, for they began hopping up and down, shouting all sorts of threats anda bu se . T he f ou r t ra ve le rs c ou ld o nl y h ea r a d ul l m ut te ri ng , f or t he v oi ce s o f t he c re at ur es d id n ot c ar ry

t hr ou gh t heir l id s, b ut t he V is it or s cou ld t el l f ro m t he d read fu l f aces t hey w er e m ak in g t hr ou gh t he g lass

t ha t t he y w er e b ei ng t hr ea te ne d a nd a bu se d. T he c ri es o f t he u nh ap py v ic ti m u nd er t he w he el s w er e q ui te

distinct.

" Sa ve m e! S av e m e, o r I s ha ll s po il !" h e c ri ed i n h ea rt re nd in g t on es . N ot ta w as s o m ov ed b y

h is evi dent d is tr es s h at h e i mp ul si vely s tart ed t o j um p o ut o f t he b us , f or gett in g t he t ie b et ween h im self

a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n. H e t he re fo re g ot a t er ri bl e w re nc h t ha t t wi st ed h is f is h h ea d s id ew ay s, s o h e

cou ld n ot s ee at all . W hi le B ob w as s tr ai gh teni ng t hi s o ut , t he j ar men d ragg ed t heir com pani on f ro m

beneath the feather wheels, and a simply enormous fellow came running down the street. In one hand he

h ad a p ad a nd i n t he o th er a p en ci l, " Lo ok s l ik e t he P ri me P ic kl e, " c ha tt er ed S no re r, a s t he j ar ma n b eg an

s cr ib bl in g o n h is p ad . " Yo u h av e b ro ke n t he p ea ce ," r ea d N ot ta , a s t he a ng ry o ff ic ia l h el d u p h is p ad . H e

w as m ag ni fi cent ly att ir ed u nd er h is j ar and w as evi dent ly a p er so n o f s om e i mp or tance. H e h ad , h ow ev er ,





been preserved by pickling and was of an unhealthy shade of green.

N ot ta l ea ne d o ut o f t he b us a nd , s ei zi ng t he p en ci l a nd p ad , w ro te b ac k, " He b ro ke h im se lf ,

s av e t he p ieces ."

T he r ag e o f t he P re se rve s, a s t he y r ea d t he se w or ds , i nc re as ed t o a p er fe ct f ur y. O ne ,

evi dent ly a r el at io n o f t he b ro ken m an , s natched o ff h is l id and cri ed s hr il ly , " Yo u' ll b e m in ced f or t hi s! "

T he P ri me P reserv e again s cr at ch ed f ur io us ly o n h is p ad . " Yo u are u nd er arr es t. C om e w it h

m e," di re ct ed t he pa d, wh en he h el d i t u p.

"T hi s i s b ec au se I f or go t t he r ul es ," s ig he d N ot ta . " If I h ad b ee n m or e p ol it e t hi s w ou ld n ot

h av e h ap pened. S hall w e f ly o r f ol lo w?"

" Le t' s f ol lo w, " r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " We c an f ly a ny t im e, a nd I 'd l ik e t o s ee a ll t he

P re se rv es w hi le I 'm a bo ut i t, f or I t hi nk D or ot hy w il l e nj oy h ea ri ng a bo ut t he m. " N ot ta r an t he

F ly ab ou tabu s s lo wl y and car ef ul ly d ow n t he g lass s tr eet aft er t he s ol em n j ar men, t he r es t o f t he population following at a safe distance. Bob's eyes grew larger and larger and when a preserved dog ran

briskly in front of the bus he gave a shout of glee. "I think Oz is the funniest place in the world, don't you,

Nick?" cried the little boy merrily. "Well," chirruped Snorer, "as I was never any place else, I can hardly

s ay. Look, l ook! The re goe s a ca nne d c at !" A nd s o i t wa s, a s ca nne d a ca t a s you' d e ve r want t o s ee.

B ut r ig ht h er e t heir g ui de t ur ned t he cor ner and t hey f ou nd t hems el ves i n t he p resence o f ano th er Q ueen .

T he y k ne w s he w as a Q ue en , f or o n t he p ad h el d u p f or t he ir i ns pe ct io n t he g ui de h ad w ri tt en , " Pr es er va

t he G re at ." N ot ta s top pe d t he b us be fo re t he l ow gl as s t hr on e a nd t he y s ta re d i n w on de r a t h er M aj es ty .

P re se rv a s ee me d a s m uc h s ur pr is ed a s t he y.

" Well , I 'l l b e j el li ed !" w heezed t he Q ueen , t ak in g o ff h er l id and t hr us ti ng o ut a m oi st h ead.

B ob t ho ug ht s he n ee d n ot h av e s ai d t hi s, f or s he w as j el li ed a lr ea dy -h er f ac e a nd r oy al r ob es b ei ng aquivery and delicious pink.

T he P ri me P re se rv e s ee me d v er y m uc h a la rm ed a t t he Q ue en 's a ct io n a nd q ui ck ly w ro te o n

h is p ad , " Sh ut y ou r l id ." B ob con si dered t hi s d read fu ll y d is resp ectf ul , and S no rer b eg an t o chu ck le w it h

e nj oym ent . P re se rv a q ui te m ee kl y o be ye d, b ut h er e ye s, b eh in d t he t hi ck g la ss o f t he j ar , g re w l ar ge r a nd

l ar ger, and f in al ly , s natchi ng t he p ad f ro m t he P ri me P reserv e, s he d as hed o ff i n g reat excit em en t t hese

w or ds , " A t om at o c an w ou ld b e a bo ut r ig ht f or h im !" H ol di ng u p t he p ad s he p oi nt ed j oy fu ll y a t N ot ta .

" Se rv es y ou r ig ht f or c om in g a s a f is h, " c ho rt le d t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " So w e' ll ha ve t o t ak e y ou

back in a can. Well, well!"

Th en he c ra ne d hi s ne ck t o s ee w ha t e ls e t he Qu ee n ha d w ri tt en. A r ap id c onv er sa ti on wa s

goi ng o n be twe en P re se rva a nd t he ir gui de . O ne w oul d wr it e a me ss age a nd pa ss i t t o t he o the r. Th e

ot he r w ou ld s na tc h t he p age a nd da sh of f a n a ns we r, a nd s o qui ck ly wa s i t don e, t he f our i n t he b us ha d

a ll t he y c ou ld d o t o k ee p u p w it h t he c on ve rs at io n.

" Pi ck le t he b oy , C an t he f is h, M in ce t he l ion A nd p ot t he f ow l, "

commanded the Queen.

" No w t ha t' s w ha t I 'd c al l t ak in g p ot l uc k, " c hi rp ed N ic k, b al an ci ng h im se lf o n t he e dg e o f t he

bus.





B ut t he P ri me P reserv e r ep li ed , " Wh y n ot p reserv e t hem w ho le f or t he r oy al m us eu m?"

W hi le t he Q ueen w as con si deri ng t hi s s ug gest io n, N ot ta b eg an f eeli ng i n t he p ockets u nd er h is

d is gu is e f or a p ap er a nd p en ci l, s o t ha t h e c ou ld g et i nt o t he c on ve rs at io n, b ut w it ho ut r es ul t.

" No u se b ei ng p ol it e! L et 's j ok e and r un ," p uf fed t he clo wn , aft er an u ns uccess fu l s earch.

L ea ni ng ov er t he e dge o f t he b us , h e t app ed t he Q ue en s ha rp ly o n t he j ar . P re se rv a d rop pe d h er p ad a nd pencil and almost rolled from the throne. Inside the jar, they could see her jellied figure bubbling with

f ri gh t and i ndi gn at io n. T he P ri me P reserv e als o t remb led i n h is j ar , t hen l eani ng d ow n t o r ead t he l as t

c om ma nd of h er M aj es ty, he r an of f a s f as t a s hi s c rooke d gr ee n l egs w oul d c ar ry hi m.

" Fetch t he I mp er ial S qu aw mo s, " r ead t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w it h an amu sed t wi nk le i n h is y el lo w

e ye s a s Nott a t or e of f the pa ge .

" If we s ta y he re i t i s pl ai n w e s ha ll b e pi ckl ed to de at h, " s cr awl ed t he c lown, " so w e bi d you a

fond but final farewell."

T he Q ue en l ea ne d f or wa rd , t he b et te r t o r ea d N ot ta 's m es sa ge a nd , w hi le N ic k, Bo b a nd t he

Cowardly Lion fairly rocked with merriment at her discomfited expression, she suddenly unscrewed her

l id . " Help !" s cr eamed P reserv a l ou dl y, s ti ck in g h er h ead o ut o f t he j ar . " Help ! H el p! " T hen b ack w en t h er

h ea d a nd d ow n w en t t he l id , o nl y t o h av e t he w ho le p er fo rm an ce r ep ea te d t he n ex t s ec on d. T hi s s he

k ep t u p at r eg ul ar i nt er vals u nt il t he w ho le p ar ty w er e s im pl y con vu ls ed . B ut i t w ou ld h av e b een w is er

h ad t he y, i ns te ad o f l aug hi ng , l oo ke d b eh in d t he m, f or p re se nt ly a t er ri bl e t hum p o n t he b ac k s en t a ll t he

s cales o n N ot ta's d is gu is e t o t remb li ng . I t w as t he I mp er ial S qu aw mo s, f ol lo wed b y all t he P reserv es i n

t he c it y. W hi le a d oz en r an t o c al m t he a gi ta te d Q ue en , w ho w as s ti ll q ui ve ri ng i n h er j ar , t he r es t

s ur ro un de d t he F ly ab ou ta bu s. M os t a la rm in g o f a ll , t he I mp er ia l S qu aw mo s w as n ot i n a j ar . S he w as , i n

f ac t, a h ug e a nd t ow er in g c oo ky wi tc h w it h a p as si on f or p re se rv in g. A nd a c oo ky wi tc h, I d on 't m in d

t el li ng y ou , i s ne xt i n w iz ar dr y t o a s or ce re ss . S he h ad p ut u p t he i nh ab it an ts o f t he e nt ir e c it y a nd w as t her ea l r ul er o f t he P re se rv e.

" A f is h! " s hr il led t he C oo ky wi tch, p ro dd in g N ot ta w it h a f or k as l on g as an u mb rell a. " Ah ,

w ha t a n e xt re me p le as ur e. I h av e c ann ed c at s, d og s a nd p eo pl e, b ut ne ve r a f is h. An d a b oy ," s he

chu ck ed B ob f am il iarl y u nd er t he chi n. " Sp ar e t he j ar and s po il t he chi ld ," s he q uo ted w it h a d read fu l

w in k t ha t s ent S no re r c ir cl in g i nt o t he a ir , wh er e h e f le w u ne as il y o ve r t he h ea ds of h is l uc kl es s

companions.

" Of f t o t he p reserv in g k et tl es w it h y ou !" s hr il led t he S qu aw mo s, and N ot ta, i n r eal alarm , m ad e

a d as h t ow ar d t he bu tt on s t o s ta rt t he b us , b ut t he Co ok yw it ch br ou gh t do wn a h ea vy i ro n s poo n, t ha ts he c ar ri ed i n o ne h an d, a nd c ru sh ed t he e nt ir e s te er in g g ea r. T he c lo wn , s ee in g t ha t e sc ap e f or t he t im e

being was impossible, decided to go back to rule two and gain a little time by politeness.

"Imperial and Imperious Squawmos," began Notta, speaking somewhat stuffily through the fish

h ea d, " wh y a re y ou s o d et er mi ne d t o p re se rv e u s a ga in st o ur w il ls , a nd w hy h av e y ou p re se rv ed t he se

others?"

T he S qu aw mo s i mm ed iately p ut d ow n h er f or k, f or s he w as t er ri bl y f on d o f con vers at io n, and

s he cou ld n ot v er y w el l con vers e w it h t he P reserv es , w ho se l an gu ag e at b es t w as an i nd is ti nct j ar go n.

" St ra ng er s, " w he ez ed t he S qu aw mo s, " si nc e I a m t o h av e t he p le as ur e o f p ut ti ng y ou u p I d on 't

m in d exp lain in g m y l it tl e s ys tem. I n a j ar , b ar ri ng b reak s, y ou w il l l as t f or y ears , and n eedi ng n ei th er f oo d

nor dr ink w il l f ind it qui te u nne ce ss ar y t o wo rk. S o yo u s ee , we put o ur se lve s u p he re f or t he s ame





reason most housewives preserve their fruit-to keep from working."

" Pu t y ou rs el ve s u p t o k ee p f ro m w or ki ng ," g as pe d N ot ta . " Bu t I l ov e m y w or k! "

" Th en y ou are v er y d if ferent f ro m m os t p eo pl e, " o bs er ved t he S qu aw mo s, l oo ki ng at t he

C ow ar dl y L io n w it h g reat i nt er es t. " Bu t, n ev er m in d, y ou w il l s oo n b e a p er fect P reserv e. A nd t hi s

l io n- he w il l l oo k p er fe ct ly ha nds om e i n a j ar . L et m e s ee , s ha ll I pu t h im u p i n v ine ga r o r p re se rv e hi m i nspices?"

T he C oo ky wi tch clo sed h er eyes and N ot ta, w in ki ng w ar ni ng ly at t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho

w as a bo ut t o s pr in g o n t he I mp er ia l m on st er , c aut io us ly m ov ed h is h an d t ow ar d t he o nl y b ut to n i n t he

F ly ab ou ta bu s t ha t t he i ro n s po on h ad n ot s ma sh ed -t he b ut to n t ha t s ai d " Up !" T he P ri me P re se rv e s aw

h im a nd m ad e i ndi st in ct g ur gl es o f p ro te st u nd er h is l id, b ut b ef or e h e c ou ld w ar n t he C oo kyw it ch o r t he

P ri me P re se rv a, N ot ta h ad p re ss ed t he b ut to n, a nd t he F ly ab ou ta bu s, w it h a j er k t ha t s en t h un dr ed s o f

t he j ar me n c ra sh in g t o t he g la ss p av em en t a nd k no ck ed S qu aw mo s h ea d o ve r h ee ls , r os e i nt o t he a ir .

S no re r m ad e a f ly in g l ea p a nd c au gh t i t o n t he w in g, s o t o s pe ak , a nd i n a f la sh t he y w er e h ur tl in g t ow ar d

t he s ky . N ot ta, j er ki ng o ff h is d is gu is e, f rant ical ly f el t f or all t he b ut to ns , b ut t hey w er e h op el es sl y b ro ken." Th is con ti nu al f ly in g abo ut m ak es m e l ig ht -h eaded, " g ro an ed t he l io n, h an gi ng o n t o t he arm s o f t he s eat

w it h b ot h p aw s.

" Wh er e a re w e g oi ng , N ot ta ?" g as pe d B ob , e dg in g c lo se t o S no re r a nd p ee ri ng g id di ly o ve r

the edge of t he bus .

" Up a s f ar a s i t t ake s us , a nd t he n- " N ot ta s hudde re d a nd c lung di zz il y t o t he wh ee l. And up

t he y di d go, f as te r a nd f as te r, unt il t he y l os t a ll t ra ck of t im e a nd pl ac e a nd ha d n ot e ve n br ea th e no ugh t o

t al k. T he n, w it h a t er ri fi c c ra sh , t he F ly ab ou ta bu s r an i nt o a s ma ll d ay s ta r, t ur ne d c om pl et el y o ve r a nd

spilled out the whole company.

T he re , c au gh t b y i ts f ea th er w he el , i t h un g o n t he p oi nt o f t he s ta r, w hi le N ot ta , B ob , N ic k a nd

t he C ow ar dl y L io n f el l h ead o ver h eels t hr ou gh t he air . N ick cau gh t h im self f ir st and , f ly in g aft er B ob ,

edg ed h im self aro un d u nt il t he l it tl e b oy w as o n h is b ack. N ot ta and t he C ow ar dl y L io n w er e f al li ng

t og et he r, f ir st o ne a nd t he n t he o th er o n t op , a nd N ic k h ad t o f ly r ap id ly t o k ee p p ac e w it h t he ir f al li ng .

" Oh , m y q ui ll s and f eath er s! " s pl ut tered t he f ai th fu l b ir d, " th ey 'l l b e s hatt er ed t o b it s! O h, m y

t ai l a nd t op knot ! W ha t s ha ll I do? Bo b I c an s ave , b ut t ha t be aut if ul c low n w il l b e br oke n t o p ie ce s! "

T ho ug h f al li ng , as N ot ta exp lain ed aft er ward , d id g iv e o ne a s in ki ng s en sati on , i t w as n ot n earl y s o

u np le as an t a s he ha d e xp ec te d a nd , w he n h e l oo ke d u p a nd s aw B ob s af el y on S no re r' s ba ck , he f el l

m or e cal ml y, t ry in g n ow and t hen t o d o t he s id e s tr ok e and cal li ng encou ragement t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n.E ar th a s i t c am e i n v ie w w as n ot ve ry e nc ou ra gi ng a nd S nor er s cr ea me d w it h f ri gh t w he n h e s aw t he

r ocky n at ur e o f t he cou nt ry i nt o w hi ch h is f ri en ds w er e t um bl in g. " Go od by e! " r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n,

l oo ki ng u p m ou rn fu ll y at t he clo wn , w ho w as at t hat m in ut e a l it tl e abo ve h im . " I' ll n ev er f or get y ou , f or

you a re a br ave ma n i n s pi te of you r di sg ui se s." The c lown wa s t oo a ff ec te d b y t hi s s pe ec h t o a ns we r

a nd, wh en h e gl imp se d t he j agg ed r oc ks be low , h e de ci de d t ha t s oon he w ou ld be d is gui se d a s a pa n

c ak e. S o he m er el y wa ve d t o t he ot he rs a nd c lo se d hi s e ye s.

Li ke a f la sh Ni ck da rt ed d ow n a nd s et B ob o n a hug e bo ul de r. T he n, w it h w ing s s pr ea d, he

f le w u p a nd d ow n, i nt en di ng , i f p os si bl e, t o b re ak N ot ta 's f al l w it h h is o wn f ea th er y b od y. B ut N ot ta a nd

t he C ow ar dl y L io n n ev er d id f in is h t heir f al l- fo r as t hey w hi zzed p as t a t al l, cragg y r ock, j ut ti ng o ut f ro m

t he s id e o f a m ou nt ai n, a s to ne a rm r ea ch ed o ut a nd m ir ac ul ou sl y c au gh t t he r op e t ha t h el d t he m t og et he r.

"S cr ag s a nd s cr iv et s! W ha t k in d o f b ir ds a re t he se ?" c ri ed a g ra ti ng v oi ce , a nd d ow n f ro m t he





l ed ge s te pp ed a r ou gh ly h ew n m an o f s to ne . Sw in gi ng N ot ta a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n e as il y i n o ne h and ,

h e c am e c ru nc hi ng t ow ar d N ic k a nd B ob .

C HA PTE R 1 7 Th e S to ne M an of O z

B OB p ut hi s a rm a ro un d Sn or er 's n ec k, a nd N ic k, c la ppi ng hi s n os e on i ts h oo k, pr ep ar ed t o

f ly f ro m t hi s n ew d an ger. D an gl in g f ro m h is end o f t he r op e, N ot ta s ig hed m ou rn fu ll y t o t hi nk h e h ad n ot

d is gu is ed h im se lf , a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n, a ft er o ne l oo k a t t he s to ne h an d t ha t h el d t he m, c lo se d h is e ye s

a nd b eg an t o t re mb le v io le nt ly . T he S to ne M an w as a bo ut t hr ee t im es t he s iz e o f a n o rd in ar y m an a nd

c ar ve d o ut o f a h ug e b lo ck o f g ra ni te . H is f ea tu re s, t ho ug h r ou gh h ew n, w er e n ot u np le as an t a nd N ot ta ,

a ft er a f ew f al se s ta rt s, v en tu re d a r em ar k.

" It w as v er y k in d o f y ou t o c at ch u s, " f al te re d t he c lo wn .

" It w as n' t k in dn es s; i t w as cur io si ty ," r as ped t he S to ne M an f rank ly . " I' ve b een w at ch in g y ou

f al l f or s om e t im e, a nd I mu st s ay y ou' re t he od de st l ook ing c re at ur es I 've s ee n i n a s to ne a ge .

As he said this, the Stone Ma n placed them on a flat rock that was on a level with his nose.

A nd a s h e c ou ld n ot s it d ow n, h e l ea ne d u p a ga in st a no th er r oc k a nd r eg ar de d t he m i nq ui si ti ve ly .

"C om e o n u p h er e, " h e cal led g ru ff ly t o S no rer, " an d b ri ng t hat l it tl e f el lo w w it h y ou ." R at her

r el uc ta nt ly , N ic k f le w u p w it h B ob , a nd t he f ou r f al le rs t ri ed t o c om po se t he ms el ve s a nd c at ch a b it o f t he

breath they had lost on the trip down. The stone eyes of the Stone Man rested longest on the Cowardly

L io n. " I l ik e y ou b es t, " h e r em ar ke d p re se nt ly . " Yo u' re b et te r m ad e t ha n t he se o th er s a nd n ot s o l ik el y t ocru mb le. T hey l oo k t oo s of t t o l as t l on g. " H e p ok ed h is s to ne f in ger exp er im en tall y i nt o N ot ta's r ib s, and

only the clown's disguises saved him from serious injury.

" Do n' t d o t hat, " g ro wl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n s harp ly .

" Wh at a l ov el y v oi ce," m us ed t he S to ne M an alm os t t o h im self . " Tell m e, w hat are y ou ?"

" I' m a C ow ar dl y L io n, " r oa re d t he b ig b ea st h us ki ly , " so d on' t f ri ght en m e, f or i f y ou d o I 'l l

pound you to pebbles."

" I d on 't b el ie ve h e c ou ld d o i t, " c re ak ed t he S to ne M an , t ur ni ng t o N ot ta . " Do y ou ?"

" Well , h e' s a t er ri bl e f ig ht er ," adm it ted t he clo wn , w it h a r eass ur in g w in k at B ob , " bu t l et 's n ot

t al k o f s uc h d is ag re ea bl e t hi ng s. S in ce y ou w er e k in d e no ug h t o c at ch u s p er ha ps y ou w il l t el l u s w ho y ou

are.

" C ru nc h i s m y n am e, " a ns we re d t he S to ne M an , p ic ki ng u p a r oc k a nd c ru mb li ng i t t o p ow de r

i n h is h an d.

" I t hi nk w e' d b et te r b e g oi ng ," q ua ve re d S no re r t re mu lo us ly . " We 'r e l at e a s i t i s. " N ic k h ad n o

d es ir e t o f al l i nt o t he S to ne M an 's c lu tc he s.

" Do n' t g o, " b eg ged C ru nch. " I h av en 't t al ked t o any on e s in ce I w as excav at ed ."





" Ho w l on g a go w as t ha t? " a sk ed N ot ta , s cr at ch in g h is e ar .

" Oh , s ev er al a ge s a go ," r ep li ed t he S to ne M an c ar el es sl y. " Bu t I 'm m uc h o ld er t ha n t ha t, f or I

w as ha cke d ou t by a pr im it ive Oz m an t o de cor at e t hi s c ave . Bu t a l ands li de c ave d i n t he c av e a nd I wa s

buried for several centuries."

"W ho d ug y ou u p, " r oa re d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " and h ow i s i t y ou a re a li ve ?"

" A w izar d n am ed W am d ug m e u p, " exp lain ed C ru nch i n h is s cr at ch y v oi ce, " an d b ro ug ht m e

t o l if e wi th a s ha ke r of m agi c p owde r. I t ri ed t o t ha nk hi m, b ut he r an a wa y be for e I c ou ld c at ch hi m, s o

I 'v e s to od a ro un d e ve r s in ce t ry in g t o f in d o ut w ha t o ne d oe s w it h a l if e. "

"Great Grandfathers!" choked the clown. "Fancy being alive for centuries and not knowing

w ha t t o d o. W hy , t he re a re h un dr ed s o f t hi ng s t o i nt er es t y ou , e sp ec ia ll y i n a m ag ic c ou nt ry l ik e O z.

Y ou c ou ld t ra ve l, a nd h el p o th er f ol ks n ot s o s tr on g a s y ou rs el f. Y ou c ou ld o ff er y ou r s er vi ce st o t he Que en, or e ve n bui ld a c it y! "

" Co ul d I ?" g as pe d C ru nc h. H e s ta re d o ff i nt o s pa ce a s i f h e s aw h im se lf d oi ng a ll t he se t hi ngs ,

a nd t he i de a w as a lm os t t oo a ma zi ng t o b el ie ve . T he n, b ri ngi ng h is s to ne h ee ls t og et he r w it h a c li ck , h e

ann ou nced d et er mi nedl y, " I' ll d o i t! I 'l l t ravel, I 'l l h el p p eo pl e, I 'l l s ee t he Q ueen and b ui ld a cit y! "

" Hu rr ah !" c ri ed N ot ta . " Th at 's t he w ay t o t al k. A nd s in ce w e a re t ra ve li ng , w hy n ot j oi n u s? "

C ru nch, h e d ecid ed , m ig ht p ro ve u sefu l i n a b at tl e.

" Ca n I w al k b es id e h im ?" a sk ed t he S to ne M an , p oi nt in g a t t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

" If y ou 'r e s te ad y o n y ou r p in s, " r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " an d p ro mi se n ot t o f al l on m e.

" W he re d oe s t he Q ue en o f t hi s c ou nt ry l iv e? " a sk ed C ru nc h, a ft er h e h ad p ro mi se d n ot t o f al l

o n t he C ow ar dl y L io n.

" In t he E me ra ld C it y, " p ip ed u p B ob , w ho h ad b ee n l is te ni ng t o t he S to ne M an 's c on ve rs at io n

with deep interest.

" Oh , t ha t m us t b e o ve r t he re ," s ai d C ru nc h, w av in g t ow ar d t he e as t, " fo r o ft en a t n ig ht , w he n

I've climbed Stone Mountain, I've seen bright green lights twinkling in the darkness."

" Wh y, o f cou rs e i t i s, " r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n i n g reat excit em en t, " th ou gh w hy y ou h av e

n ev er g on e o ver t o f in d o ut I can no t i magi ne!"

" T hat' s b ecau se y ou w er e n ev er a s to ne m an ," s ig hed C ru nch s ol em nl y.

" Th en w e' ll s oo n s ee D or ot hy a nd t he S ca re cr ow !" c ri ed B ob , c la pp in g h is h an ds . " Co me o n,

l et 's g o t o t he E me ra ld C it y r ig ht a wa y.

N ick f lew o ff t o t he t op o f t he m ou nt ai n t o i nv es ti gate f or h im self .

" Yo u f or get M us tafa's enchant ment ," s ig hed N ot ta, p oi nt in g s ad ly t o t he r op e t hat s ti ll b ou nd

h im t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n. " I d ar es ay i f w e t oo k a s te p t ow ar d t he E me ra ld C it y, M us ta fa w ou ld r in g u s





up again."

" Wh o i s M us tafa and w hy h as h e enchant ed y ou ?" d em an ded C ru nch, r ub bi ng h is s to ne

f or eh ead n oi si ly . N ot ta exp lain ed as m uch o f t heir s to ry as h e t ho ug ht t he S to ne M an w ou ld u nd er st an d,

a nd w he n he ha d f ini sh ed C run ch g av e a l it tl e s pr in g t ha t a lm os t kn oc ke d t he m f rom t he l ed ge . " Wh y, i t i s

a s c le ar a s c ob bl es ," h e r oa re d, b ri ng in g d ow n h is f is t u po n a r oc k a nd s pl in te ri ng i t t o f ra gm en ts . " Yo u

a re w ea ke r t ha n I a nd, a s I ha ve f ul ly de te rmi ne d t o h el p s om eone , l et me he lp y ou. Whe re is t hi sMus ta fa of Mudge ? Ta ke me t o hi m a nd I wil l pound hi m to pow der a nd di spe rs e him t o t he wi nds ."

B ef or e N ot ta c ou ld a ns we r N ic k c am e f ly in g b ac k t o a ss ur e t he m t ha t h e h ad r ea ll y s ee n t he

E me ra ld C it y f ro m t he m ou nt ai n t op a nd t ha t i t l ay s ca rc el y a ha lf d ay 's j our ne y a wa y. " Th en i t s ee ms t o

m e, " s ai d N ot ta , w ho h ad b ee n d oi ng s om e q ui ck t hi nk in g, " th at t he t im e h as c om e f or u s t o s ep ar at e.

Bo b, N ic k a nd I wi ll ha st en t o t hi s Em er al d Ci ty a nd a ppe al t o O zma , Dor ot hy a nd t he W iz ar d o f O z.

M eanw hi le t he C ow ar dl y L io n can s tart t ow ar d M ud ge and t hu s M us tafa's r in g w il l n ot b et ray u s. B ut

before he reaches there we will have found a way to help him."

" An d I w il l g o w it h t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " d eclared C ru nch p ro mp tl y, " fo r I w ou ld r at her h el ph im t han any o ne els e. "

" Hu rr ah! " c ri ed B ob U p, a nd s o i t w as a ll d ec ide d. T he n N ot ta s at o n t he Co wa rdl y L io n' s

back and he sprang down from the ledge. Next Snorer flew down with Bob, and the clown untied the

r ope t ha t t ie d hi m t o t he l io n. I mm ed ia te ly h e a nd B ob t ur ne d b lu e, b ut w he n t he C ow ar dl y L io n t oo k a

f ew s te ps s out h, t he bl ue qui ckl y f ad ed ou t. N ot ta wa s s o r el ie ve d t o b e f re e t ha t h e t ur ne d s ix

s om er sa ul ts , s to od o n h is h ea d, a nd r an s ev er al p ac es o n h is h an ds , w hi le B ob a nd N ic k s ho ut ed w it h

glee.

" Cr us h a nd c ru mb le m e! " r as pe d t he St on e M an, e ye ing t he c lo wn i n a la rm , " is t ha t t he w ay

me n ge t a bou t nowda ys ? The me n I wa tc he d i n t he s ton e a ge ne ve r di d t ha t a nd I s im pl y c ou ld notmanage it, you know."

" Do n' t t ry ," b eg ge d N ot ta , a nd N ic k h as te ne d t o a ss ur e h im t ha t m os t m en w al ke d i n t he u su al

f as hi on o ne f oo t b ef or e t he o th er .

" Mu dg e s ho ul d b e e xa ct ly s ou th we st f ro m h er e, s o c om e o n, o ld C av e M an , l et 's b e m ov in g.

T og et her w e' ll con qu er t he w ho le t ri be o f M ud gers ," s ai d t he l io n.

" Yo u w on 't h av e t o, " cri ed N ot ta, g iv in g t he C ow ar dl y L io n an aff ecti on at e h ug , " if t hi s W izar d

of Oz is as clever as he's said to be."

C ru nch w ai ted i mp at ient ly w hi le N ick and B ob b ad e t he C ow ar dl y L io n g oo db ye. H av in g

s to od a ro un d f or s ev en c en tu ri es , h e c ou ld n ot b ea r t o w as te a no th er s ec on d, a nd w he n t he C ow ar dl y

L io n a t l as t d ec la re d h im se lf r ea dy t o g o he t ra mp ed o ff j oy fu ll y, e ac h s te p s ha ki ng t he g rou nd l ik e a s ma ll

e ar th qu ak e a nd e nv el op in g t he p oo r l io n i n a c lo ud o f d us t.

" Go od by e! " c al le d B ob U p s hr il ly , a s t he y t ur ne d i nt o a n ar ro w r oc ky p at h a nd d is ap pe ar ed

behind a small mountain.

" Go od by e! " r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n, b ravely w av in g h is t ai l i n f ar ew el l. S o m uch h ad

h ap pe ne d s in ce t he ir f li gh t f ro m U n t ha t N ot ta h ad f or go tt en a ll a bo ut t he t im e o f d ay , b ut w he n he

s ta rte d up the mount ai n, he gre w so fa int, he ha d t o s it down on a roc k. Bob, t oo, looke d pal e a nd

w ea ry , a nd e ve ry f ew h op s N ic k w ou ld c lo se h is e ye s a nd i nd ul ge i n a t re mu lo us s no re .





" Gr eat E leph an ts !" p uf fed N ot ta at l as t, s qu in ti ng u p at t he s un . " It m us t b e n earl y f iv e o 'clo ck

a nd w e' ve h ad n ot hi ng t o e at s inc e m or ni ng . H ave y ou s ti ll g ot t hos e e gg s, B ob U p? " B ob f el t h ur ri edl y i n

h is b lo us e a nd , w it h a t ri um ph an t s mi le , p ro du ce d t he e gg s t he y h ad p ic ke d f ro m t he t ra ve le rs ' t re e. T he y

w er e s om ew hat s qu as hed, b ut w hen t he s hell s h ad b een r em ov ed t hey t as ted d el icio us t o t he f am is hed

t ravelers . W as hed d ow n w it h s om e w at er f ro m a l it tl e s pr in g, t he f oo d r en ew ed t heir s tr en gt h and

cou rage f or t he j ou rn ey ahead.

" I h op e n ot hi ng h ap pe ns t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " s ai d B ob , a s t he y s ta rt ed u p t he m ou nt ai n

again, "for I love him."

" So d o I ," c ro ake d t he S no re r, w ho w as f ly in g a l it tl e a he ad , " an d I s ha ll m is s h im v er y m uc h

w he n w e g o t o A me ri ca t o m ak e o ur f or tu ne . B ut , o f c ou rs e I c ou ld n ot l ea ve t ha t b ea ut if ul p er so n. " H e

r ol led h is eyes p ro ud ly at N ot ta, and t he clo wn q ui te u ncon scio us ly s ig hed. L if e i n a cir cu s w ou ld s eem

terribly tame after this marvelous trip through Oz.

" We o ug ht t o b e h om e t om or ro w, i f e ve ry th in g w or ks o ut ," h e r em ar ke d s ob er ly , w it h a na nx io us g la nc e a t B ob. A t t he w or d " hom e" t he l it tl e b oy s hi ve re d s li ght ly , f or h om e t o hi m m ea nt a g re at ,

dreary institution where little boys whom nobody wanted were grudgingly sheltered and eternally shaken.

I n hi s he ar t he h ope d t he m agi c of t hi s W iz ar d of O z wo ul d no t be s tr ong e nough t o s en d t he m ba ck.

Notta was wondering to himself whether the managers of the home would trust a little boy's future to a

clo wn and r es ol vi ng d ar kl y t hat, i f t hey w ou ld n' t, h e' d t ak e h im any ho w. B ut h e s ai d n ot hi ng o f t hi s t o

B ob U p, a nd p re se nt ly b ro ke i nt o s uc h a c om ic al s on g B ob f or go t a ll a bo ut g oi ng b ac k. T hi s w as t he

song:

" A g ob li n' s e ar s a re v er y l on g, A g ob li n' s n os e g oe s w ob bl e, B ut w ha t I 'd r ea ll y l ik e t o k no w

I s w hat m ak es g ob li ns g ob bl e? P er haps t hey g ob bl e ' caus e t hey' re i mp s- An d d read fu ll y i mp -o li te!

P sh aw , all t hey d o i s s qu ab bl e h ob bl e, G ob bl e t hr ou gh t he n ig ht !"

" Sp eaki ng o f n ig ht ," chu ck led S no rer, b al an ci ng o n t he b ranch o f a l ow t ree, " we'l l p ro babl y

ha ve t o s pe nd i t i n t ha t f or es t b el ow , f or i t w oul d ha rd ly b e s af e t o t ra ve l i n t he da rk a nd i t' ll be d ar k by

t he t im e w e' re d ow n t hi s m ou nt ai n.

" We ll ," l aug he d N ot ta , " it w ou ld n' t b e t he f ir st t im e B ob a nd I h av e s le pt i n a f or es t, a nd y ou r

s no res o ug ht t o s care o ff any w il d ani mals ."

" Th at 's s o, " s ig he d N ic k, a dj us ti ng h is n os e, a nd q ui te s at is fi ed h e f le w o n a he ad . T he p at h w as

r ou gh and u neven and , t ho ug h N ot ta and B ob f requ en tl y s li pp ed and s li d, i n ano th er h ou r t hey w er es af el y d ow n t he m ou nt ai n. I t w as d us k a s t he y s te pp ed i nt o t he s tr an ge f or es t, a nd B ob f an ci ed t he t re es

w er e p ee ri ng d ow n a t h im k in dl y. T he y w er e s o t ir ed N ot ta p au se d u nd er a n i mm en se m ap le t re e a nd

Nick leaned up against the trunk and fell instantly to snoring and stamping, while Notta began gathering

branches and leaves for beds. The clown spread his old lion disguise over Bob's pile and the little boy,

s tr et ch in g o ut com fo rt ab ly , g azed u p at t he f ir st s tar t wi nk li ng m er ri ly i n t he eveni ng s ky and t ho ug ht h ow

s tr an ge h is n ar ro w b ed a t t he h om e w ou ld s ee m a ft er t hi s. T he w ind s ig he d i n t he t re e t ops w it h a g en tl e

and s oo th in g s ou nd , and even N ick' s s no ri ng s eem ed com fo rt in g and p leasant t o B ob U p.

" Bo b, " s ai d N ot ta , a s h e d ro pp ed d ow n b es id e h im , " th is i s t he f ri en dl ie st f or es t I w as e ve r i n.

B ob n od de d, a nd a t t hi s a l it tl e r us tl e w en t r ip pl in g t hr ou gh t he f or es t a s i f t he t re es h ad a ct ua ll y he ar d

h im , a nd i n t he s am e i ns ta nt e ac h t re e q ui et ly o pe ne d i ts t ru nk a nd d re w f or th a f id dl e.

B ef or e N ot ta a nd B ob h ad r ec ov er ed f ro m t he ir s ur pr is e a w av e o f m us ic s we pt t hr ou gh t he





w oo d, n ow s of t, n ow l ou d, b ut m or e e nt ra nc in g t ha n a ny t he y h ad e ve r h ea rd . A nd t he t re es , s wa yi ng

and b en di ng i n t he d im s tarl ig ht , p li ed t heir b ow s w it h m or e s ki ll t han any o rchest ra i n t he m or tal w or ld .

F or B ob a nd N ot ta , y ou s ee , h ad c om e t o t he F id dl es ti ck F or es t o f O z.

C HA PT ER 1 8 N ot t a' s L as t D is gu is e

O F all h is adv en tu res, B ob r em em bered t hi s s tr an ge con cert l on gest . T he f ai ry li ke m us ic, t hat

e ve n m ad e t he M oo n b en d d ow n t o l is te n, t he d ru ml ik e a cc om pa ni me nt o f N ic k' s s no re s a nd t he m is ty

f aces o f t he t rees t hems el ves, b en di ng d ow n i n t he d im s tarl ig ht , all add ed t o t he enchant ment . B ob cou ld

n ot r em em ber f al li ng asl eep, f or all t hr ou gh h is d ream s m ar ch ed t he m us ic o f t he f id dl es -b ut h e m us t h av e

s le pt , f or o pe ni ng h is e ye s s ud de nl y, h e f ou nd t he s un o ut a nd s hi ni ng m er ri ly . H e l oo ke d a ro un d t o a sk

Notta whether he had dreamed about the fiddles or really heard them, but Notta was nowhere to be

s ee n. N ic k, t oo , h ad v an is he d.

Ra the r a la rm ed, Bob ju mpe d up. As he di d s o a l ar ge gr ee n l ea f w it h whi te l ine s t ra ce d o n i t

f lu tt er ed t o t he g ro un d.

"Y ou m ay u se t he F id dl eb ow B oa t, " s ai d t he l ea f a nd , l oo ki ng u p, B ob f an ci ed t he b ig t re e

w as s mi li ng a t h im . So h e m ade a s ti ff l it tl e b ow a nd, h ol di ng f as t t o t he l ea f, s ta rt ed o ff u ne as il y t o f in d h is

f ri en ds . T he s ou nd o f w at er r ip pl in g o ve r s to ne s t oo k h im t o t he l ef t, f or h e w as t er ri bl y t hi rs ty a nd i n a

f ew s ec ond s he h ad c om e ou t on a r ap id l it tl e s tr ea m. Th e wa te r w as s o c le ar Bo b c oul d s ee t he w hi te

s to nes g leam in g o n t he b ot to m. T hr ow in g h im self d ow n, h e t oo k a l on g, s at is fy in g d ri nk . W hen h e

s tr ai ght ene d up h e wa s a st on is he d t o s ee a b oa t t ie d t o a s li m bi rc h t ha t l ea ne d f ar o ut o ve r t he w at er 's

edge.

" Wh y, t hi s m us t b e t he F id dl eb ow B oat, " cri ed t he l it tl e b oy , h as teni ng o ver t o exami ne i t. I t

w as o f a s mo ot h a nd s at in y g ar ne t, a nd e xa ct ly t he s ha pe o f a h ug e, h ol lo we d- ou t f id dl e. I t r od e g ai ly a t

t he e nd o f i ts pi nk l in e, a nd t hi s d is co ve ry o nl y m ade B ob m or e a nx io us t ha n e ve r t o f in d t he c lo wn .

C al li ng f ir st No tt a a nd t he n N ic k, h e r an ba ck t o t he bi g t re e, a nd j us t a s h e r ea che d i t wa s h or ri fi ed t o

s ee a wi tc h be ndi ng o ve r t he pi le of l ea ve s he ha d s le pt o n. W ith a s hr il l s cr ea m Bob t ur ne d to f le e but

t he w it ch cam e b ou nd in g and h ob bl in g aft er , cal li ng t o h im i n p lead in g t on es n ot t o r un away. B ut t he

m or e t he w it ch c al le d, t he f as te r B ob r an , a nd h e m ig ht h av e b ee n r un ni ng y et , h ad h e n ot t ri pp ed o ve r

t he r oot s of a t re e a nd f al le n he adl on g. I n a n i ns ta nt t he bl ac k ha nd s of hi s pur sue r j er ke d h im t o hi s f ee t.

" Bo b! B ob !" cri ed t he w it ch r em or sefu ll y, " do n' t y ou k no w m e? B ob , i t' s N ot ta o nl y o ld

Notta!"

" No tt a? " g as pe d B ob , f or h e w as e nt ir el y o ut o f b re at h a nd t re mb li ng l ik e a l ea f.

" Th er e! T here!" coaxed t he clo wn . " It 's o nl y o ne o f m y d is gu is es ." A s B ob con ti nu ed t o r eg ar d

h im w it h d is favo r, h e exp lain ed h ur ri ed ly , " Yo u s ee w e' re g oi ng t o t hi s E merald C it y, B ob U p, w here

e ve ry o th er p er so n i s m or e o r l es s m ag ic . N ow , w ha t a tt en ti on w ou ld t he y p ay t o a s il ly c lo wn ? W hy ,

t he y m ig ht n ot e ve n l is te n t o m e. B ut i f I p re te nd t o b e a p ow er fu l w it ch , P ri nc es s O zm a a nd t he W iz ar d

of O z, w hom we 've be en he ar ing s o m uc h a bout , w il l ha st en t o do w ha t I s ay."

" Yo u' ll f ri gh ten t hem, " s ai d B ob s tu bb or nl y, b ut N ot ta s ho ok h is h ead. " Peop le i n f ai ry cit ies

aren' t f ri gh tened as eas il y as l it tl e b oy s, " h e chu ck led k no wi ng ly . " An d j us t l oo k w hat I 'v e f ou nd y ou f or





breakfast!"

I n B ob 's c ap h e h ad g at he re d nu ts a nd be rr ie s o f e ve ry k ind , a nd Bo b, s ee in g N ot ta w as

d et er mi ne d t o g o t o t he E me ra ld C it y a s a w it ch , s ai d n ot hi ng m or e b ut b eg an t o e at h un gr il y. A ft er a

h ea rt y b re ak fa st , N ic k c am e f la pp in g b ac k a nd w as s o s ta rt le d b y t he c lo wn 's d is gu is e t ha t h is n os e f el l

o ff t he h oo k w it h a c ra sh . B ut N ot ta s oo n r ea ss ur ed h im a nd , a s B ob w as t in gl in g w it h i mp at ie nc e t o

s ho w t he m t he b oa t t he y f in is he d t he b er ri es i n g re at h as te .

"T hi s i s t he f ri en dl iest f or es t I ever w as i n, " r ep eated t he clo wn , v iewi ng B ob 's d is co very w it h

d el ig ht . " Th is w il l t ak e u s ou t f as te r t ha n w e c ou ld w al k a nd i t' s m uc h s af er t ha n t he F ly abo ut ab us . N ow

t hen, all abo ar d f or t he E merald C it y! "

G at heri ng u p h is w it ch s ki rt s, N ot ta l eaped i nt o t he F id dl eb ow B oat and , s ei zi ng . t he l on g o ar ,

pushed it in close to the bank. Snorer alighted on the end, and Bob settled himself cozily among the

cus hi on s. M er ri ly t he b oat w en t d an ci ng d ow n t he s t ream , p ro pel led b y N ot ta' s s tr on g arm . T he o nl y

t hi ng t hat m ar red B ob 's p leas ur e w as t he t ho ug ht o f N ot ta's d is gu is e. B ut h e d et er mi ned t o t el l D or ot hy ,

o r t he f ir st pe rs on t he y m et , t ha t t he c lo wn w as n ot a w it ch , b ut t he j ol li es t f el lo w i n t he w or ld . S om ew ha tcom fo rt ed b y t hi s t ho ug ht , B ob g av e h im self u p t o p ur e enj oy ment .

" D id y ou h ear t he f id dl es l as t n ig ht ?" ask ed t he l it tl e b oy p resent ly .

"B ob ," s ig he d N ot ta , " I di d, a nd ne ve r h ea rd a ny l ik e i t i n t he w ho le o f m y t ra ve ls ."

" It m us t h av e b een m y s no ri ng y ou h eard ," s ai d N ick, p reen in g h is f eath er s b us il y, f or h e

w is he d t o a pp ea r a t h is b es t i n t he E me ra ld C it y. N ot ta l au gh ed u pr oa ri ou sl y a t t hi s a nd a lm os t u ps et t he

boat. They all felt light-hearted and gay, and Bob was no more like the solemn little orphan who had

f al len i nt o M ud ge t han N ick' s s no ri ng w as l ik e t he m us ic i n t he F id dl es ti ck F or es t.

" I w on de r i f t he re a re a ny o th er b oy s a nd g ir ls i n t he E me ra ld C it y b es id es D or ot hy ?" a sk ed

B ob , a ft er a l it tl e p au se . " An d I w on de r i f D or ot hy e ve r h ea rd o f U n o r D oo rw ay s? "

" Yo u' ll h av e p lent y t o t el l t hi s l it tl e g ir l f ro m K an sas, eh, B ob U p?" s mi led t he clo wn , and

S no rer, aft er adj us ti ng h is n os e, r el at ed all t hat h e k new o f t he E merald C it y, w hi ch u nf or tu nately w as n' t

m uc h, a s v er y l it tl e n ew s o f t he c ap it al e ve r c am e t o U n.

" I h op e t he C ow ar dl y L io n i s h av in g a s p le as an t a j ou rn ey a s t hi s, " s ai d N ot ta , a s t he y

s ki mm ed alo ng u nd er t he b ranches o f t he t rees , " an d I h op e C ru nch i s b eh av in g h im self p ro perl y. "

" I s ho ul d t hi nk h e' d b e a h ar d p er so n t o g et a lo ng w it h, " c hi rp ed N ic k, g iv ing t he c lo wn a

nudge s o he woul d be s ur e t o s ee t he joke .

" Be ca us e h e' s m ad e o f s to ne , y ou m ea n? " r ep li ed N ot ta . " We ll , t ru st t he C ow ar dl y L io n t o

ma na ge hi m. He ll o! Lo oks a s i f we we re out of t he woods ."

A t ur n o f t he r ap id l it tl e s tr ea m h ad b ro ug ht t he m i nt o a b ro ad m ea do w a nd t he F id dl eb ow

B oa t s to pp ed o f i ts o wn a cc or d.

" Gu es s t hi s i s a s f ar a s i t g oe s, " p uf fe d t he c lo wn, a ft er va in ly e nd ea vo ri ng t o p us h i t f or wa rd

wi th t he oa r. So h e gui de d i t t o t he ba nk a nd t he y a ll hop pe d o ut , "B ut i t doe sn' t s ee m r ight t o l ea ve i t

here," observed Notta, scratching his ear anxiously.





N o s oo ne r ha d h e s pok en t ha n a t al l t re e n ea r t he e dg e o f t he w at er l ea ne d do wn, s ei ze d t he

boat in its branches, and passed it along to the next tree, and in a second it was being tossed lightly from

t re e t o t re e, m uc h t o t he a ma ze me nt o f N ot ta a nd B ob.

Wi th w on de rs h ap pe ni ng e ve ry m om en t, y ou w ou ld e xp ec t t he m t o b e u se d t o i t, b ut e ac h

t im e t he y w er e n ew ly a st on is he d. W he n t he l as t t ra ce o f t he m ag ic b oa t d is ap pe ar ed , t he y s tr uc k o ut

a cr os s t he m ea do w, f or a lr ea dy o ve r t he t op o f a l it tl e h il l t he y c ou ld s ee t he s pa rk li ng g re en t ow er s o f t he E me ra ld C it y o f O z.

N ic k, h op pi ng s id ew is e, p au se d e ve ry f ew m in ut es t o s ee t ha t h is c ur ly n os e w as s af el y o n i ts

h oo k. N ot ta b eg an r eh ea rs in g l on g s pe ec he s h e m ea nt t o m ak e t o t he l ov el y l it tl e r ul er o f O z, w hi le B ob

s ki pp ed b et we en t he t wo , n ea rl y b ur st in g w it h e xc it em en t. O n t he o th er s id e o f t he m ea do w t he y c am e t o

t he y el lo w b ri ck r oad m en ti on ed b y M us tafa. F ro m t he w in do ws o f t he l it tl e g reen cot tages s catt er ed

h er e and t here, t he i nh ab it an ts l oo ked at t hem cur io us ly , and s ev er al o f t he q uain tl y d ress ed t ow n f ol k

w hom t he y m et o n t he r oa d, a t s igh t of a w it ch , t oo k i mm edi at el y t o t he ir h ee ls . B ut w it ho ut w ai ti ng t o

e xp la in t he ms el ve s o r t al k t o a ny one , t he t hr ee hu rr ie d on t o t he g at es o f t he E me ra ld C it y i ts el f.

B ob g az ed w it h r ou nd -e ye d d el ig ht , N ic k b eg an t o s no rt w it h s ur pr is e, a nd N ot ta , w ho h ad

s ee n i n t he c ou rs e o f h is t ra ve ls e ve ry g re at c it y on t wo c on ti ne nt s, w as s tr uc k d um b w it h a ma ze me nt , f or

t he cap it al cit y o f O z o ut sh on e t hem all i n b eaut y and m ag ni fi cence. I ts s tr eets o f g reen m ar bl e s park led

with emeralds, and the palace, rising majestically from its flowering gardens, shone with splendor in the

bright morning sunshine. The Guardian of the Gate was breakfasting in his cottage, and Nick flew over

t he b ar s a nd , t ur ni ng t he e me ra ld k ey , q ui et ly a dm it te d B ob a nd N ot ta .

" Le t us p ro ce ed t o t he m ai n t en t, " p uf fe d t he c lo wn a b it n er vo us ly , f or h e f el t i ll a t e as e a mo ng

s o m uc h m ag ni fi ce nc e. H e h ad f or go tt en e ve ry w or d o f h is s pe ec h a nd , w it h a s ig h, r es ol ve d t o s ti ck t o

h is o ld r ul es d is gu is e, P ol it en es s, j ok e a nd r un . " Th ou gh I s ee n o r ea so n w hy w e s ho ul d h av e t o r un ," h e

muttered uneasily, settling his witch hat a bit more firmly.

I t w as s ti ll r at he r e ar ly a nd t he ga rd en s w er e de se rt ed, bu t a ll a t o nc e B ob , w ho w as a bi t

a he ad of t he o th er s, s pi ed a l it tl e g ir l i n p ink , s it ti ng o n t he e dg e o f a f ou nt ai n, r ea di ng .

"It's Dorothy!" cried Bob, waving excitedly.

" She l oo ks j us t l ik e a p ic tu re i n t he l io n b oo k! C om e o n! " I mm ed ia te ly S no re r s pr ea d h is

w in gs a nd f lu ng h im se lf i nt o t he a ir . N ot ta g ra sp ed h is b la ck c lo ak a nd c at ch in g B ob 's h an d s ta rt ed o n a

run for the fountain.

T h e f la pp in g o f N ic k' s w in gs m ad e D or ot hy l oo k u p. W it h a l it tl e s cr ea m s he j um pe d t o h er

f ee t, f or a ny l it tl e g ir l, e ve n t ho ugh s he i s a P ri nc es s o f O z, c an no t h el p b ei ng a fr ai d o f w it che s.

" He lp !" c ri ed D or ot hy , t ur ni ng t o r un. B ut j us t t he n s he c au gh t s ig ht o f a g ol d b uc ke t t ha t

a lw ay s s to od b es id e t he f ou nt ai n, a nd s he r em em be re d a n e xp er ie nc e s he h ad h ad l on g a go w it h t he

w ic ke d w it ch o f t he W es t. W at er h ad m el te d o ne w it ch -w hy n ot a no th er ? S ei zi ng t he b uc ke t, s he f il le d i t

h as ti ly a t t he f ou nt ai n a nd , j us t a s t he w it ch , s tr an ge b ir d a nd l it tl e b oy r ea che d h er , s he f lu ng i ts c on te nt s

o ver t he w it ch 's h ead.

" Oh ! O h! " s cr eamed S no rer. " Yo u h av e i ns ul ted t he m os t b eaut if ul p er so n i n O z. "

N ot ta, t aken com pl et el y b y s ur pr is e, cou ld d o n ot hi ng b ut cho ke and s pl ut ter .





" W ai t! " p an te d B ob , f or D or ot hy w as r ef il li ng t he b uc ke t. B ut h e w as t oo l at e a nd d ow n

s pl as he d a no th er b uc ke t o n N ot ta 's h ea d, c ar ry in g a wa y h is h at a nd d re nc hi ng h is b la ck w ig . U na bl e t o

s pe ak , N ot ta b eg an t o w av e h is a rm s, a nd t hi s w as a ny th in g b ut r ea ss ur in g t o D or ot hy . S na tc hi ng a l it tl e

s il ver w hi st le t hat h un g o n a r ib bo n o n h er n eck, s he b lew o n i t s hr il ly . T he n ex t i ns tant r un ni ng f eet cou ld

be heard on all the garden paths and in a twinkling Bob and Notta were surrounded.

" Wh at i s i t?" b oo med S ir H ok us o f P ok es , D or ot hy 's K ni gh t E rr an t. H e b ro ug ht h is m ai led f is th eavi ly d ow n u po n N ot ta's w it ch s ho ul der. T he S ol di er w it h t he G reen W hi sk er s , n ot t o b e o ut do ne,

g ra spe d B ob U p a nd T ik To k l ea ne d ov er s ti ff ly a nd s ei ze d S no re r by t he ne ck . M or e a nd m or e p eo pl e

k ep t arr iv in g, and t ho ug h B ob t ri ed h is b es t t o m ak e h im self h eard , i n t he g en er al con fu si on h is v oi ce w as

d ro wn ed o ut , a nd i n d is gr ac e t he y w er e m ar ch ed t o t he p al ac e. O zm a w as h av in g a q ui et g am e o f

c he ck er s w it h t he S ca re cr ow a nd l oo ke d u p i n a ma ze me nt a s t he c om pa ny b ur st i nt o t he t hr on e r oo m.

"A w it ch !" s hr il led t he P at ch wo rk G ir l, d an ci ng m ad ly at t he h ead o f t he p ro cess io n,

" A w it ch, a w it ch, As bl ac k a s pi tc h, H as c om e t o s te al your th rone A nd s ic h! "

"If they would only stop screaming," thought poor Bob, looking anxiously at the lovely little

f ig ur e o f O zm a o f O z. J us t t he n t he y d id , f or O zm a, gl an ci ng i n s ur pr is e a nd d is pl ea su re a t t he w it ch ,

r ais ed h er s cept er f or s i lence.

C HA PT ER 1 9 I n t he E me ra ld C it y

W HO f ou nd t hi s w it ch ?" ask ed O zm a anx io us ly , f or w it ch es o f any s or t d is tr es sed t he k in dlittle fairy ruler.

" Wh o f ou nd w it ch ?" r ep eated S cr ap s, w av in g h er cot to n arm s w il dl y; b ut at a r ep ro vi ng n od

f ro m t he S ca re cr ow s he s ub si de d. B ef or e D or ot hy c ou ld a ns we r, T ik T ok 's m ac hi ne ry r an d ow n a nd h is

i ro n h ol d o n N ic k' s n ec k r el ax ed , m uc h t o h is r el ie f.

" V il lain s! " s qu al led S no rer, f lapp in g i nt o t he air . " Th is i s a f in e w ay t o r ecei ve f ri en ds . I 'v e a

m in d t o pu ll ou t y our be ar d," he s cr ea me d a ngr il y, b ea ti ng h is w in gs i n t he f ac e o f t he S ol di er w it h t he

Green Whiskers.

" Ru n, B ob ," h e c ri ed , a s t he t er ri fi ed s ol di er l et g o o f t he l it tl e o rp ha n. E ve ry on e w as s o

s ur pr is ed at S no rer 's s ud den o ut br eak and h is u nu su al app earance t hat t hey s i mp ly g as ped. B ut N ot t a,

r eali zi ng w hat a b ad i mp ress io n t hey w er e m ak in g, cal led p lead in gl y f or S no rer t o t ak e h is claws o ut o f

t he s ol di er 's w hi ske rs , a nd a s B ob U p a dd ed h is v oi ce t o N ot ta 's , Sn or er l et go a nd r et ir ed s ul ki ly t o t he

t op o f a g ol den cab in et . " Th ey 'r e w or se t han U ns ," h e m ut tered, s tamp in g h is f oo t.

" I t hi nk t he re i s n o h ar m i n t he b oy ," w hi sp er ed t he S ca re cr ow t o O zm a, f or h e n ot ic ed t ha t

B ob m ad e n o a tt em pt t o e sc ap e.

" Wh y d o y ou t ra ve l i n t he c om pa ny o f a w it ch ?" a sk ed O zm a r at he r s te rn ly .

" He 's n ot a w it ch !" c ri ed B ob U p m is er ab ly .





"He's Notta!"

" No t a w it ch ?" p uzzl ed O zm a, w ri nk li ng u p h er b ro ws .

A ll t he cel eb ri ti es s tared s us pi ci ou sl y at t heir p ri so ner, b ut as S ir H ok us h ad h im f ir ml y b y o ne

a rm a nd t he T in W oo dm an b y t he o th er , N ot ta c ou ld n ot r em ov e h is d is gu is e. " Th e b oy h as s po ke n t he

t ru th ," qu ave re d t he c lo wn. " If t he se g en tl em en wi ll l et m e go f or a m om en t I w il l pr ov e t ha t I a m n ot awitch."

"D on 't l et g o, " adv is ed t he S carecr ow , w ri nk li ng h is cot to n f or eh ead, " fo r s he m ay b ew it ch u s.

H av e l it tl e D or ot hy t el l h er s to ry ." S o, w hi le B ob f um ed w it h i mp at ience and N ot ta g ro an ed at t he d el ay ,

D or ot hy t ol d h ow t he y h ad c om e f ly in g t ow ar d h er i n t he g ar de n.

" Bu t i f i t h ad b ee n a w it ch , w ou ld n' t s he h av e m el te d w he n y ou t hr ew t he w at er o n h er ?" a sk ed

T ro t, w ho h ad l is te ne d s o f ar i n s il en ce . S he l ik ed t he l oo ks o f t hi s l it tl e bo y a nd f el t t ha t s om e m is ta ke

h ad b ee n m ad e.

" Call t he W izar d o f O z! " cri ed J ack P um pk in head . T hi s w as s uch a r easo nabl e s ug gest io n B ob

w on de re d h ow a p um pk in he ad c ou ld h av e t ho ug ht o f i t. A s t he re s ee me d n o w ay o f c on vi nc in g t he se

i nt er es ti ng f ol ks t ha t t he c lo wn w as no t a w it ch, B ob g ave i t u p f or t he m om en t a nd b eg an e xa mi ni ng

them with close attention.

T ik T ok s im pl y f as ci nated t he l it tl e b oy , and h e i mm ed iately d ecid ed t hat, n ex t t o N ot ta, h e

h ad n ev er s ee n a ny on e m or e j ol ly t ha n t he S ca re cr ow . E ve n t he K ni gh t, n ow t ha t h e h ad h is v is or u p, n o

l ong er a la rm ed B ob U p. A nd w he n t he C om fo ro ta bl e C am el t hr us t h is l on g n ec k i n t hr ou gh o ne o f t he

w in do ws t o i nq ui re w hat w as t he m at ter B ob b ur st o ut l au gh in g i n s pi te o f h im self . R ig ht h er e t he l it tl e,

bald Wizard of Oz came bouncing into the throne room, a small black grip clutched in one hand.

"I f t hi s p er so n i s a w it ch ," s ig he d O zm a, a ft er t he S ca re cr ow h ad r el at ed a ll t ha t h ad

h ap pe ne d, " sh e m us t b e d es tr oy ed . C an y ou d is co ve r b y y ou r m ag ic w he th er o r n ot i t i s a w it ch ?"

"Certainly," said the sprightly little wizard, laying out his tools in a businesslike manner. Snorer

f lew d ow n f ro m t he cab in et i n alarm .

"Will it hurt?" he cawed uneasily.

" If s he i s no t a w it ch s he ha s no thi ng t o f ea r, " r epl ie d t he W iz ar d, e yi ng Sn or er w it h

amazement . T he W izar d, s en di ng f or a t um bl er , f ir st m ix ed a p in k and g reen p ow der t og et her and t hena dd ed a d ro p o f r ed l iq ui d t ha t i mm ed ia te ly s et t he p ow de r t o s iz zl in g. W he n i t b ub bl ed t o t he t op h e

f lu ng t he c on te nt s o f t he t um bl er d ir ec tl y i n t he w it ch 's f ac e. S ir H ok us a nd t he T in W oo dm an d uc ke d

and N ot ta s pl ut tered, b ut t he f iery l iq ui d t ri ck led h ar ml es sl y o ff h is n os e.

"I t i s no t a wi tc h! " s mi le d t he W iz ar d o f O z, t ur ni ng t o O zm a.

" Th en w hy d o y ou p re te nd t o b e? " a sk ed t he l it tl e Q ue en . H er v oi ce , t ho ug h s ti ll s te rn ,

s ou nd ed v er y m uc h r el ie ve d. T ak in g h ea rt , N ot ta b eg ge d h is t wo c ap to rs t o r el ea se h im . T hi s t he y di d,

a nd t he c lo wn h as ti ly t or e o ff h is w ig a nd s te pp ed o ut o f t he b la ck c lo ak .

" Wh y, i t' s a clo wn !" cri ed D or ot hy i n d el ig ht .

" I t ol d y ou h e w as n' t a w it ch ," s hr il led B ob U p, w ri gg li ng away f ro m t he S ol di er w it h t he





G re en W hi sk er s a nd r us hi ng o ve r t o N ot ta B it M or e.

" We ll , b le ss m y h ea rt !" c ri ed t he W iz ar d o f O z, b ou nd in g d ow n t he s te ps o f t he t hr on e t wo a t

a t ime . " Thi s i s a s ur pri se . Si r, le t me e mbr ace you! " And a s Not ta m ade no o bje ct ion he ga ve hi m

s ev er al g oo d hu gs . " I u se d t o w or k i n a c ir cus m ys el f, " be am ed t he l it tl e w iz ar d, " an d I t el l y ou a c lo wn i s

a s ig ht t hat m ak es m e h om es ick! "

" As t o t ha t, " s ai d N ot ta w it h a l it tl e b ow t o O zm a, " th is c ou nt ry s ur pa ss es a ny c ir cu s I w as

ever in!"

" Can y ou d o f un ny t ri ck s?" ask ed D or ot hy .

" He c an s om er sa ul t, c ar tw he el , s ta nd o n h is h ea d, w al k o n h is h an ds a nd h e k no ws l ot s o f

s on gs d on 't y ou , N ot ta?" cri ed B ob , d an ci ng w it h excit em en t.

" So d o I ," s hr il le d S cr ap s j ea lo us ly , " an d i f he t hi nk s I c an no t s ta nd o n m y he ad , l et h im

watch."

S ir H ok us o f P ok es r es tr ai ne d t he r ec kl es s g ir l, a nd O zm a, t ap pi ng o n t he a rm o f h er t hr on e

f or o rd er , b eg ge d N ot ta t o e xp la in h is p re se nc e i n t he E me ra ld C it y a nd h is r ea so n f or c om in g a s a w it ch .

" We a re s or ry t o h av e t re at ed y ou s o r ud el y, " s ai d O zm a g ra ve ly , " bu t w e m us t b la me y ou r

costume for that."

" Ce rt ai nl y, " s ai d S cr ap s, s ha ki ng h er c ot to n f in ge r a t N ot ta . " If y ou c om e a s a w it ch y ou m us t

e xp ec t t o b e t re at ed e ve ry w it ch w ay ." N ot ta l oo ke d r at he r e mb ar ra ss ed a s h e e xp la in ed h is r ul es o f

disguise, politeness, joke and run.

" I alw ay s s eem t o cho os e t he w ro ng d is gu is e, " s ig hed t he clo wn .

" Do n' t y ou t hi nk i t i s b et ter t o b e n at ur al ?" ask ed t he S carecr ow i n h is j ol ly v oi ce. " Es peci al ly

w hen y ou are n at ur al ly s o n ice?" N ot ta w as q ui te f lu st er ed at t hi s charm in g s peech.

" Fi rs t b e n ic e a nd t he n b e n at ur al . H ow 's t ha t f or a r ul e? " c ri ed S cr ap s b ri ll ia nt ly , a nd t he y

w er e a ll s o r el ie ve d t ha t t he c lo wn h ad t ur ne d o ut s o w el l t he y l au gh ed he ar ti ly .

" Ver- ry g oo d, " t icked T ik T ok , w ho m s om eb od y h ad w ou nd u p. " I am n at ur al ly b ri gh t

be-cause I am nat-u-ral-ly cop-per!"

" Well , aft er t hi s, " s ai d N ot ta, w hen t he m er ri ment h ad s ub si ded, " af ter t hi s, I w il l b e m ys el f, f or

I gue ss i t i s be tt er t o be your se lf e ve n i f you a re a c low n."

" Bu t h ow d id y ou r ea ch O z? W ho i s t hi s l it tl e b oy ? A nd d o i nt ro du ce u s t o y ou r f ea th er ed

f ri en d, " b eg ged t he S carecr ow , w ho h ad b een g lancin g cur io us ly f ro m o ne t o t he o th er .

" Th is ," s ai d N ot ta, d rawi ng B ob clo se t o h im , " is B ob U p, an o rp han f ro m P hi ladelp hi a, and

t he b ravest and b es t l it tl e b oy i n A meri ca."

"Hello, orphan!" cried Scraps genially:

" Or ph an , o rp ha n, h ow de do , Y ou l ov e m e a nd I 'l l l ov e y ou ! F ir st y ou 'r e h er e, t he n g on e a ga in ,





D o com e o rp han o n again !"

A s tern " hu sh " f ro m t he K ni gh t s il en ced h er , and N ot ta i nt ro du ced N ickado od le f ro m U n.

Nick immediately took the floor, and carefully demonstrated his telephone nose, which he explained had

been invented by Uncle Billy. So, everyone, including the Scarecrow, came down and shook him gravely

by the claw. Then, as they were all anxious to hear what had brought the three travelers to the Emerald

C it y, t he y g ro up ed t he ms el ve s a bo ut t he t hr on e a nd N ot ta s ta rt ed t o t el l t he h is to ry o f h is a ma zi ng t hr eeda ys i n Oz .

B ut j us t a s h e w as e xpl ai ni ng i n a s pi ri te d m an ne r t he ir f li ght t o M ud ge , a bu st le i n t he g re at h al l

w it ho ut i nt er ru pt ed t he s to ry , and a b reat hl es s f oo tm an cam e r us hi ng i n t o ann ou nce t he arr iv al o f G li nd a,

t he G oo d S or ce re ss , w ho r ul ed o ve r t he Q ua dl in g c ou nt ry o f O z.

"Something must have happened!" cried Ozma, jumping up in distress.

" Do n' t b e s o p re vi ou s, m y d ea r, " b eg ge d t he S ca re cr ow , h im se lf f al li ng d ow n t he s te ps o f t he

t hr on e t o s ho w h ow c ol le ct ed h e w as . B ut a t t ha t i ns ta nt G li nd a h er se lf s we pt i nt o t he t hr on e r oo m.T welv e l it tl e m ai dens i n l ov el y r ed d ress es h el d u p h er l on g t rain and B ob U p, l oo ki ng at G li nd a' s

beautiful face and lovely flame-colored robes, thought he had never seen a more radiant fairy. The

courtiers and celebrities hastily made way for Glinda.

H ur ry in g u p t o O zm a t he s or ceress ask ed anx io us ly , " Wh er e i s t he C ow ar dl y L io n? H as

anyone seen the Cowardly Lion?"

N ow , s tr an ge ly e no ug h, n o o ne i n t he p al ac e h ad m is se d t he ir b ig c hu m, b ut a t G li nd a' s w or ds

t hey all b eg an s haki ng t heir h eads and l oo ki ng u neas il y at o ne ano th er .

" Wh y, I h av en 't s een h im f or t wo d ay s, " cri ed D or ot hy , w it h a w or ri ed l it tl e f ro wn .

" We h av e! " c ri ed B ob U p, f or ge tt in g f or a m om en t h e w as i n t he p re se nc e o f r oy al ty . " We

saw him yesterday."

" Wh at 's h ap pe ne d? " c ri ed N ot ta . " I s ee n ow w e n ev er s ho ul d h av e l ef t h im ."

" Wh y, d o y ou k no w t he C ow ar dl y L io n? " a sk ed O zm a i n s ur pr is e, f or N ot ta h ad n ot y et

c om e t o t he ir m ee ti ng , n or e ve n t ol d t he m o f M us ta fa 's d et er mi na ti on t o a dd t he C ow ar dl y L io n t o h is

collection.

S o, a s q ui ck ly a s h e c ou ld , a nd w it ho ut s to pp in g t o d es cr ib e D oo rw ay s o r U n, t he c lo wn t ol d

his story.

"A h, " s ig hed G li nd a, as h e f in is hed, " th at exp lain s t he ent ry i n t he M ag ic R ecor d B oo k. H ur ry

u p, m y f ri en ds . S om e of us m us t g o i ns ta nt ly t o M ud ge ."

" Wh at d id t he r ecor ds s ay ?" ask ed D or ot hy , and al l t he cel ebr it ies l oo ked f ri gh tened and

a nx io us , f or t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as a g re at f av or it e. T he M ag ic R ec or d B oo k i s o ne o f t he t re as ur es o f

O z. I t t el ls , j us t a s t he y h ap pe n, a ll t he e ve nt s i n t ha t m ar ve lo us c ou nt ry a nd i n e ve ry o th er c ou nt ry .

" It s ai d, " b ega n G li nda i n h er s of t v oi ce , " th at t he C ow ar dl y L ion i s i n gr ave d an ge r, a nd u nl es s

h el p c om es b ef or e n oo n h e w il l b e d es tr oy ed ."





" Wh a- aat?" s hr il led N ot ta i n h or ri fi ed t on es , w hi le S ir H ok us o f P ok es b eg an s harp en in g h is

d ag ge r o n h is l eg a nd t he s ca re cr ow f el l o n h is no se f ro m t he ve ry s ho ck o f t he t hi ng .

"Where's my Magic Belt?" cried Ozma, clapping her small hands frantically. "Jellia, fetch my

M ag ic B el t! " O zm a, w it h t hi s b el t, m ea nt t o t ra ns po rt a s m an y o f t he c om pa ny a s p os si bl e t o M ud ge .

But before the little serving maid returned, Notta himself had accomplished that very thing.G lancin g aro un d h ur ri ed ly , h e b eg an t ou ch in g every on e w ho l oo ked as i f h e m ig ht p ro ve u sefu l i n a b at tl e.

S ir H ok us v an is hed f ir st , f or N ot ta w as v er y m uch i mp ress ed b y t he K ni gh t' s w ar li ke app earance, t hen

t he T in W oo dma n, b ec au se hi s a x l ook ed s o s ha rp, t he n T ik To k, b ec au se he wa s s o s ol id a nd

d ep en da bl e, t he n G li nd a b ec au se s he w as a s or ce re ss a nd t he W iz ar d b ec au se h e w as a ls o v er se d i n

m ag ic , t he n D or ot hy , b ec au se s he w as c ry in g a nd B ob b ec au se N ot ta c ou ld n ot b ea r t o l ea ve h im b eh in d

and t hen S no rer, b ecau se h e h ad p ro ven h im self s o f ai th fu l. O zm a, w ho h ad f or go tt en abo ut t he m ag ic

v er se , w as s ta rt le d a lm os t o ut of h er s en se s by t he se s ud de n di sa pp ea ra nc es . S he p ut u p he r s ce pt er t o

o bj ec t, b ut N ot ta r an f or wa rd a nd t ou ch ed h er t oo a nd s he w as g on e w it h t he o th er s.

" Help !" w ai led S cr ap s, t um bl in g o ut o f t he w in do w, and t he r es t o f t he com pany b eg an backing into corners. But the clown, now satisfied with his army of invasion, seized the yellow hand of the

S ca re cr ow a nd r ep ea te d h is v er se f or t he l as t t im e:

" Ud ge ! B ud ge ! C om e t o M ud ge ! U dg er s B ud ge rs , W e a re M ud ge rs !"

I n a f la sh t he y w er e i n M ud ge -e ve ry s in gl e p er so n t he c lo wn h ad t ou ch ed . A nd t he s ig ht t ha t

met their eyes was simply terrifying.

C HA PT ER 2 0 T he C ow ar dl y L io n' s P er il

T o u nd er st an d h ow t he C ow ar dl y L io n m ad e t he j ou rn ey t o M ud ge i n o ne d ay i ns te ad o f

t hr ee , w e mu st go ba ck t o t he a ft er no on he s ta rt ed d ow n t he m oun ta in w it h t he S tone M an o f O z.

C ru nc h, a s h e t ra mp ed a lo ng b es id e t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w as t hi nk in g h ar de r t ha n i n a ll t he s to ne a ge s o f

h is h ar d l if e. T he W iz ar d W am h ad g iv en h im b ra in s o f a s or t, a nd t ho ug h t he y h ad n ot b ee n u se d b ef or e

t he event s o f t he aft er no on h ad b ro ug ht t hem q ui te s ud denl y i nt o act io n. T he m ou nt ai n w here C ru nch h ad

s to od f or s o m an y c en tu ri es , w hi le q ui te n ea r t he E me ra ld C it y, w as n ev er v is it ed b y a ny on e; s o t ha t t he

S to ne M an k ne w v er y l it tl e o f l if e a s i t w as l iv ed i n O z. N ot ta 's s ug ge st io ns h ad a ro us ed h is c ur io si ty , a ndf or t he C ow ar dl y L io n h e w as d ev el op in g a g re at f on dn es s. A s t he a ft er no on p ro gr es se d t he C ow ar dl y

L io n g rew p os it iv el y emb ar rass ed b y h is t er ms o f end earm en t.

" Yo u a re t he h an ds om es t c re at ur e i n O z, " i ns is te d C ru nc h o ve r a nd o ve r, " an d i f y ou w er e

o nl y o f s to ne y ou w ou ld b e m or e b eaut if ul s ti ll ."

" V er y s ti ll ," r um bl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, p ut ti ng b ack h is ear s. " Th ou gh I s up po se," h e add ed

t ho ug ht fu ll y, " a s to ne l io n i s n ev er afr ai d. " T o chang e t he s ub ject h e b eg an t el li ng C ru nch abo ut h is

cow ar di ce, and h ow h e h ad s tart ed o ut o ri gi nall y t o f in d h im self s om e cou rage.

" Wo ul d i t m ak e y ou h app y t o b e a fr ai d o f n ot hi ng? " a sk ed t he S ton e M an i n h is g ri nd in g vo ic e.

" Perf ectl y h ap py ," s ig hed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, " fo r t ho ug h I f ig ht w hen d an ger t hr eatens ; I





s uf fer t er ri bl y f ro m a d es ir e t o r un away. "

" Th en i f y ou h ad n o d es ir e t o r un a wa y y ou w ou ld b e p er fe ct ly h ap py ?" a sk ed C ru nc h, w it h a

s ta mp t ha t t hr ew t he C ow ar dl y L io n of f h is f ee t. " Why , I c an e as il y f ix t ha t! "

" Do y ou m ea n t o s ay y ou c ou ld g iv e m e c ou ra ge ?" r oa re d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, s to pp in g

perfectly still in his tracks.

"I know a tr ic k t o fi x you s o t ha t you wi ll ne ve r a ga in be a fr ai d," a ns we re d t he St one Ma n,

r ol li ng hi s e ye s f ro m s ide t o s ide . " Tha t i s o ne t hi ng I c an do ."

"Who taught you magic?" rumbled the Cowardly Lion suspiciously.

" No o ne ," g ra te d C ru nc h, " bu t t hi s h ar d l it tl e s ec re t w as i n t he b ra in s W am w is he d i nt o m y

block head. Shall I change you now?"

T he C ow ar dl y L io n s at d ow n a nd s cr at ch ed h is e ar w it h hi s h in d l eg . H e ha d l iv ed l on g e no ug hin a magic country to believe anything Possible, but somehow this huge, craggy giant filled him with

misgivings.

" I' d l ik e t o t hi nk abo ut t hi s a l it tl e l on ger, i f y ou d on 't m in d, " h e ans wered cau ti ou sl y. " Tell m e

m or e a bo ut i t, c an 't y ou ?"

C ru nc h s ho ok h is h ea d s ol em nl y. " If I t ol d y ou i t w ou ld n' t w or k. B et te r l et m e c ha ng e y ou , o ld

fellow."

" No ," w he ez ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n u ne as il y, " I t hi nk I 'l l w ai t a b it . I t el l y ou ," h e a dd ed ,

brightening up, "let's not try it until this little Mudge affair is over. It isn't quite right to think of ourselvesw he n m y g oo d f ri en d N ot ta i s i n d an ge r. H el p m e f ir st a nd c ha ng e m e a ft er wa rd ."

" Al l r ig ht ," agr eed t he S to ne M an , s tart in g s to li dl y f or ward , b ut s ev er al t im es t he C ow ar dl y

Lion, glancing up unexpectedly, caught him moving his stiff lips and looking at him with such a stony glare

t ha t i t s ent a s hi ve r of te rr or down his s pi ne .

"Now, see here," roared the lion, planting himself determinedly in Crunch's path. "You must

promise me not to try that trick till I'm ready. I've been frightened all my life and I don't wish to be

frightened into a courageous lion without knowing it."

" Oh , a ll r ig ht ," g ru mb le d t he S to ne M an a ga in , " bu t I d on' t s ee a ny s ens e i n a ll t hi s d el ay . W ha t

i f yo ur f ri en ds do t ur n b lu e? I t w on 't h ur t t he m, a nd wh y s ho ul d y ou p ut yo ur se lf i n t he c lu tc he s of t hi s

wicked old Mudger?"

" Th at i s m y aff ai r, " r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n, s ho ck ed at C ru nch' s u nf eeli ng w or ds . " I

s up po se a p er s on ent ir el y com po sed o f s t on e can no t h el p b ei ng h ar d and u ns ym pat heti c, " h e r ef lect ed t o

h im self . A lo ud h e cal led, " Co me alo ng , l et 's h ur ry ," and h ur ry t hey d id as f as t as t heir l eg s w ou ld car ry

them.

A M un ch ki n f ar me r, w ho se c ot ta ge t he y p as se d j us t a t d us k, g av e t he C ow ar dl y L io n a h ea rt y

d in ne r, bu t h e s ho ok h is h ea d d ou bt fu ll y a t C ru nc h, w ho ha d p ro pp ed h im se lf u p a ga in st a ba rn w hi le t he

lion ate.





" He'l l b reak s om et hi ng ," w hi sp er ed t he f ar mer n er vo us ly . " He's t oo h eavy t o b e w al ki ng abo ut .

W ha t' s h e d oi ng a li ve a ny wa y? H as O zm a s ee n h im ? O r t he S ca re cr ow ? H er e, h er e! " h e c al le d a ng ri ly ,

a s t he b ar n b eg an t o c re ak a nd l ea n t o o ne s id e, " yo u' ll h av e t o l ea n a ga in st s om et hi ng e ls e! "

"I'll stand right here, and nothing will budge me," grumbled Crunch disagreeably. At this the

Co wa rdl y L ion s wa ll owe d t he r es t of hi s d inne r a t o ne gu lp a nd s ta rt ed t o r un dow n t he r oa d. H e kne w

t ha t t he S to ne M an w ou ld f ol lo w h im a nd h e d id n ot w an t t he p oo r f ar me r' s b ar n d em ol is he d.

" I t ho ug ht y ou w er e g oi ng t o h el p p eo pl e, " h e r oared r ep ro achf ul ly , as C ru nch o vert oo k h im .

" No , I 'v e chang ed m y m in d, " ann ou nced C ru nch w it h a t er ri bl e g ri n, " I' m o nl y g oi ng t o h el p y ou ." T he

C ow ar dl y L io n s ta rt ed t o l ec tu re t he S to ne M an , b ut , a s h e p ai d n ot t he s li gh te st a tt en ti on , h e f in al ly g av e

i t u p a nd t ro tt ed a lon g i n s il en ce . He w as g ro wi ng w ea ri er e ve ry m inu te , a nd f ina ll y o n t he e dge of a l it tl e

w oo d h e s to pp ed a lt og et he r. N ig ht w as c om in g o n, a nd a ft er t he f li gh ts a nd e xc it em en t o f t he p as t t wo

d ays t he C ow ar dl y L io n f el t h e m us t s na tc h a l it tl e r es t.

" Cr un ch , o ld r oc k, w il l y ou k ee p w at ch w hi le I g et a l it tl e s le ep ?" h e y aw ne d. T he S to ne M an

n od de d i mp as si ve ly . H e h ad w at ch ed m en s le ep i n t he l on g a go s to ne a ge a nd , t ho ug h h e c ou ld n ot s eea ny u se i n t hi s s tr an ge c us to m, h e c on cl ud ed i t w as a no th er t ir es om e h ab it o f t he se c re at ur es n ot b ro ug ht

t o l if e b y m ag ic.

W it h a l on g s ig h, f or h e s ad ly m is sed h is j ol ly com pani on s, t he C ow ar dl y L io n s tr et ch ed

h im se lf o ut u nde r a t re e a nd a lm os t i ns ta nt ly f el l i nt o a he av y s lu mb er . F or a t im e t he S to ne M an s to od

perfectly still. Then he began to mutter crossly to himself. The idea of waiting until they reached Mudge to

t ry h is t ri ck w as n ot p le as in g t o t he s to ny f el lo w, f or a ft er t he c ha ng e, t ho ug h h e h ad b ee n c ar ef ul n ot t o

s ay s o, t he C ow ar dl y L io n w ou ld b e a bs ol ut el y i n h is p ow er . A nd , w it h t he C ow ar dl y L io n, h e m ea nt t o

r et ur n t o h is l on el y m ou nt ai n and s tand h ap pi ly ever aft er ward . A lr eady t he t ho ug ht o f o ff er in g h is

s er vi ce s t o t he Q ue en a nd b ui ld in g a c it y h ad b eg un t o b or e hi m. T hi s p ou nd in g a bo ut c hi pp ed h is t oe s

a nd j ar re d h is g ra ni te . W hy h ad h e e ve r m ad e t ha t r id ic ul ou s p ro mi se t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n? B ut m ad e i tw as , a nd a S to ne M an c an n o s oo ne r b re ak h is p ro mi se t ha n h is h ea d. Ki ck ing t he e ar th up f re tf ul ly,

C run ch t ri ed t o t hi nk o f a w ay ou t o f t he d if fi cu lt y. J us t a s t he t we nt ie th s ta r c am e pr ic ki ng o ut i n t he

h eavens , h e h ad an i dea. C ru nch, b ei ng o f s to ne, n ev er t ir ed and cou ld t herefo re t ravel i nd ef in it el y. I f t hi s

M ud ge b us in es s h ad t o b e g ot t hr ou gh w it h, t he n t he s oo ne r t he y a rr iv ed i n M ud ge t he b et te r. H e k ne w

t ha t h e c ou ld g o t hr ee t im es a s q ui ck ly a s a n o rd in ar y f le sh a nd b on e m an , t he re fo re h e o ug ht t o r ea ch

Mustafa's Kingdom by morning.

S natchi ng i nt o t he air a s tart led M un ch ki n s heph er d, w ho w as s tr ol li ng alo ng w it h h is h an ds i n

h is p oc ke ts , h e a sk ed h im t he w ay t o M ud ge . W he n t he l ad 's t ee th s to pp ed c ha tt er in g l on g e no ug h t o t el l

h im , h e d ro pp ed h im c ar el es sl y o n t he g ro un d a nd p ic ke d u p t he C ow ar dl y L io n. T he n ex t i ns ta nt h e w asr un ni ng w it h all h is m ig ht t ow ar d M us tafa's d read fu l d es er t, t ramp li ng u nd er h is f eet any f en ces o r s mall

buildings that got in the way, and jarring the whole country with his heavy strides. The Cowardly Lion

awakened alm os t i mm ed iately and t ri ed t o w ri gg le o ut o f h is g rasp , b ut escap e f ro m t ho se m ig ht y arm s

was an impossibility.

" Wh er e are y ou g oi ng ?" h e g ro wl ed ang ri ly , t he w or ds b ei ng f ai rl y j ol ted o ut o f h im .

" To M ud ge!" s ho ut ed C ru nch w it ho ut s lack en in g h is s peed . " I p ro mi sed n ot t o chang e y ou t o

a cou rageou s l io n t il l w e f in is hed w it h M us tafa. W el l, n ow , I am g oi ng t o f in is h M us tafa."

" St op! " i mp lo re d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, b ut h e m igh t a s w el l h av e a rgu ed w it h t he w ind , a nd t o

con ti nu e t he arg um en t, w hen C ru nch' s every s tep d ep ri ved h im o f h is b reat h, t oo k t he w ho le o f h is

s tr en gt h and d et er mi nati on . B ut con ti nu e i t h e d id , w it h r oars , t hr eats and r um bl in gs . T o t hes e t he S t on e





M an p ai d n ot t he s li gh test att en ti on , and f in al ly t he C ow ar dl y L io n w as t oo exh au st ed and s haken t o u tt er

another roar.

" Th er e' s n o u se r ea so ni ng w it h m e, " C ru nc h h ad i ns is te d s tu bb or nl y, " fo r I a m a h ar d m as s o f

m in er al ma tt er . I wi ll t ake y ou t o M ud ge b ec au se t ha t I p ro mi se d t o d o, bu t a s s oo n a s w e r ea ch M ud ge

you will be mine forever!"

T he C ow ar dl y L io n h ad n ot e ve n s tr en gt h t o t re mb le a t t he se a wf ul w or ds , s o h e c lo se d h is

eyes and t ri ed n ot t o t hi nk abo ut M us tafa and h is n in e t ho us an d n in e h un dr ed and n in et y- ni ne l io ns , n or

C ru nc h a nd h is t er ri bl e t hr ea t. I t w ou ld b e i mp os si bl e f or N ot ta a nd B ob t o r ea ch M ud ge i n t im e t o h el p

h im n ow , s o t he p oo r C ow ar dl y L io n r es ol ve d t o f ig ht a s l on g a s h e c ou ld , a nd t he n b ra ve ly r es ig n

h im se lf t o w ha te ve r f at e h ad i n S to re f or h im . A t e ve ry s te p o f t he S to ne M an , h e m or e b it te rl y r eg re tt ed

t he m om en t h e h ad t ru st ed h im self t o t he com pany o f t hi s t reachero us g iant .

W heth er h e f el l asl eep, o r w as s haken i nt o u ncon scio us nes s, t he C ow ar dl y L io n n ev er k new.

T he n ex t t hi ng h e r em em bered w as l eani ng u p again st an i ro n encos ur e and h eari ng C ru nch cal li ng l ou dl y

f or a dm it ta nc e i nt o M ud ge . F or t he S to ne M an h ad r un , w it ho ut t ur ni ng s o m uc h a s a n i nc h o ut of t hew ay , d ir ec tl y t o t he l an d o f t he M ud ge rs .

T he s un w as h ig h i n t he H ea ve ns , a nd w ind s f ro m M us ta fa 's d es er t b le w h ot ly i n t he ir f ac es .

T he M ud ger G uard , h eari ng t he t er ri bl e clamo r, cam e r un ni ng t o s ee w ho w as h am meri ng o n t he g at es ,

a nd w he n t he y s aw C ru nc h a nd t he C ow ar dl y L io n t he y t ur ne d a nd f le w t ow ar d t he ir m as te r' s s tr ip ed

tent.

Mustafa, still gazing fixedly at his ring, hardly heard their terrified description of the stone giant.

A ll t ha t h e h ea rd w as t he w on de rf ul n ew s t ha t a l io n, u nd ou bt ed ly t he C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z, h ad a t l as t

been delivered into his power. Calling Panapee, and running so fast he lost both of his sandals, Mustafa

r us hed o ut t o t he l io n enclo su re and w it h t remb li ng h an ds u nl ocked t he g at es . F or tu nately t he n in et ho us an d n in e h un dr ed and n in et y- ni ne l io ns w er e i n ano th er p ar t, and w hen h e w av ed f or C ru nch and t he

C ow ar dl y L io n t o ent er , t hey d id s o w it ho ut d is tu rb in g M us tafa's f er ocio us p et s. T he C ow ar dl y L io n

w ob bl ed s li gh tl y, f or h e w as s ti ll s haken b y h is t er ri bl e j ou rn ey , b ut t he S to ne M an t ramp ed d ef iant ly

t ow ar d t he b lu e w hi s kered m on ar ch o f M ud ge.

"Welcome!" wheezed Mustafa, waving his scimitar. Panny, with an outraged glance at the

S to ne M an , c li mb ed t he n ea re st p al m t re e.

" I u nd er st an d y ou w is hed t o h av e m e cap tu red, " g ro wl ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n, t remb li ng

slightly, but resolved to go through with this disagreeable business.

" Do n' t s ay c ap tu re d, " c ri ed M us ta fa s ly ly . " Le t u s s ay t ha t I w is he d t o h av e m y c ou rt h on or ed

by your cowardly and perfect presence. I understand you are a terrible fighter," he added, tugging at his

whiskers joyfully.

"Shall I crush or crumble him?" asked Crunch, interrupting Mustafa's further remarks and

r am bl in gs . A nd t he n M us ta fa f or t he f ir st t im e be ca me r ea ll y a wa re o f t he S to ne M an . T he m or e h e

exclaim ed , t he m or e h or ri bl y aware o f h im h e b ecam e.

"Panny!" he shrilled, looking all around for his chief chamberlain, "Panny, call out the Guard!"

"Call them out yourself," chattered the trembling chamberlain, frightened out of his usual

s ub mi ss iv en es s. " I' ll n ot s ti r f ro m t hi s t ree. " C ru nch m ad e a s natch at M us tafa, b ut t he C ow ar dl y L io n





h as ti ly i nt er vened. W icked t ho ug h M us tafa h ad b een, t he k in d- hear ted l io n w as n ot g oi ng t o s tand b y and

s ee h im c ru sh ed t o a c ru mb le . H e m ot io ne d f or C ru nc h t o f ol lo w h im a f ew s te ps a si de a nd qu it e s ul ki ly

t he S to ne M an o be ye d.

" Thi s i s m y f igh t," pu ff ed t he Co wa rd ly Li on . " No w b e a g oo d f el lo w a nd ke ep o ut of i t t il l I

need you."

" Ho w l on g w il l i t t ak e?" g rated C ru nch, s li gh tl y m ol li fi ed . T o t el l t he t ru th , h e w an ted t o t hi nk

o ve r t he f or mu la n ee de d t o c ha ng e t he C ow ar dl y L io n. O ne o f t he m ag ic w or ds h ad s li pp ed h is s to ne

memory.

" Oh , a n h ou r o r t wo ," a ns we re d t he l io n u ne as il y, d et er mi ne d, i f h e c ou ld , t o e sc ap e f ro m b ot h

of these treacherous villains.

" Al l r ig ht , o ld f el lo w. " C ru nc h s mi le d a s h e s ai d t hi s. H e f el t h e c ou ld a ff or d t o b e g ene rou s, f or

i n a f ew h ou rs t he C ow ar dl y L io n w ou ld b el ong t o h im f or g oo d. S o h e l ea ne d s to li dl y a ga ins t t he

enclo su re, w hi le t he C ow ar dl y L io n h ur ri ed aft er M us tafa, w ho w as r un ni ng i n a clo ud o f s an d t ow ar d h istent.

"Where's that animated tombstone?" gasped Mustafa, sinking down on his throne. "Outside,"

panted the Cowardly Lion, too tired to notice the signal that passed between Mustafa and two

G ua rd sm en i n t he o pe ni ng o f t he t en t. I n a n i ns ta nt a g ol d c ol la r a nd c ha in h ad b ee n c la pp ed ' ro un d h is

tawny neck.

" No w t hen, " exu lt ed M us tafa, " wh o s ay s y ou 'r e n ot cap tu red. " F or geti ng all abo ut t he S to ne

M an a nd h is t hr ea ts , h e b ad e t he t wo G ua rd sm en d ra g t he C ow ar dl y L io n t o t he r oy al e nc lo su re . A s t he y

l ef t t hr ou gh an o peni ng i n ano th er s id e o f t he t en t, C ru nch k new n ot hi ng o f t heir g oi ng . T he C ow ar dl y

L io n p la nt ed a ll f ou r f ee t a nd r oa re d t er ri bl y b ut s ix m or e G ua rd sm en c am e t o h el p t he o th er s a ndignominiously he was dragged along.

" No w w e s ha ll s ee a f am ou s f ig ht , a nd d is co ve r w he th er t hi s C ow ar dl y L io n i s a s b ra ve a s h e

i s s ai d t o b e, " chu ck led M us tafa, s hu ff li ng alo ng b es id e h im . T he p ar t o f t he enclo su re t o w hi ch t hey w er e

t ak in g t he l io n w as w id en ed o ut i nt o a r eg ul ar arena. A lr eady t he n in e t ho us an d n in e h un dr ed and

n in et y- ni ne l io ns , w it h n os es p ress ed again st t he b ar s, w er e w at ch in g t he app ro ach o f t heir r iv al . F or

M us ta fa h ad t al ke d s o l on g a nd t ir es om el y o f t he C ow ar dl y L io n, w ho w as c om in g t o f ig ht t he w ho le

c om pa ny o f t he m, t ha t t he y c on si de re d h im a n e ne my t o b e d es tr oy ed u po n t he s po t. T he y d id n ot h av e

l on g t o w ai t, f or w hi le t wo G ua rd sm en o pe ne d t he g at es o f t he e nc lo su re , s ix m or e w it h t he e nd s o f t he ir

s ci mi tars u rg ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n f or ward . S tars ! W hat an arr ay o f eyes, t ai ls and g leam in g t eeth ! W hata t hu nd er o f s av ag e g ro wl s, r oars and r um bl es !

B ef or e t hey m ad e a s pr in g at t he C ow ar dl y L io n an u nexp ected i nt er ru pt io n s tart led t hem. I t

w as S ir H ok us o f P ok es , f al li ng d ow n l ik e a t on o f k it ch en t in s b es id e t he m on ar ch o f M ud ge . A nd

before the lions had stopped blinking at that, down rattled the Tin Woodman and Tik Tok, Glinda and

t he l it tl e W iz ar d o f O z, f ol lo we d b y D or ot hy , S no re r a nd B ob a nd l as t o f a ll , O zm a, t he S ca re cr ow a nd

Notta Bit More.

"Help!" screeched the Guards running in every direction.

"It's raining royalty!" shrilled Tazzywaller, who had sneaked out to witness the fight. "Fly for

y ou r l if e! " T he f at l it tl e l io n f ee de r t ug ge d a t M us ta fa 's r ob e, f or h e h ad a t o nc e r ec og ni ze d P ri nc es s

D or ot hy a nd O zm a o f O z. B ut b ef or e M us ta fa c ou ld f le e, o r t he c om pa ny f ro m t he E me ra ld C it y h ad





cau gh t t heir b reat h, M us tafa's l io ns , r ecov er in g f ro m t he s ho ck o f s o m an y f al lers , s pr an g w it h n in e

thousand different dreadful roars toward the Cowardly Lion.

D or ot hy s cr eam ed and t he S carecro w r eckl es sl y t ri ed t o s qu eeze h im sel f t hr ou gh t he b ar s, b ut

before anyone from the Emerald City could raise a hand, Crunch, aroused by the thumps and roars,

cam e p ou nd in g u po n t he s cene. J us t as t he C ow ar dl y L io n cro uched t o m eet t he o verw helm in g r us h o f

M us ta fa 's l io ns , t he S to ne M an h el d u p h is a rm a nd s ho ut ed s ev en m ag ic w or ds !

C HA PT ER 2 1 O z M ag ic T ri um ph s

S EV EN m ag ic w or ds ! N o s oo ne r w er e t he y u tt er ed t ha n t he n in e t ho us an d n in e h un dr ed a nd

n in et y- ni ne l io ns w er e t ur ne d t o s o m an y s to ne s ta tu es -s om e j us t a s t he y w er e a bo ut t o s pr in g, s om e h al f

wa y i n t he a ir , s o t ha t t he y c ame c la tt er ing he avi ly do wn one on t op o f t he ot he r, a nd t he po or C owa rd lyLi on a t t he bo tt om of t he he ap!

" So me bod y s top h im !" g as pe d O zm a w ho w as s it ti ng e xa ct ly a s s he h ad f al le n on a s ma ll s an d

d un e. S ir H ok us o f P ok es s pr an g b ra ve ly a t C ru nc h, b ut h is s wo rd s na pp ed a t t he f ir st t hr us t, a nd t he

S to ne M an , p ay in g n o m or e a tt en ti on t o t he p eo pl e f rom t he E me ra ld C it y t ha n i f t he y h ad b ee n s o m an y

f li es , b eg an b en di ng o ut t he i ro n b ar s o f t he l io n enclo su re. M us tafa, p et ri fi ed w it h t er ro r, m ig ht h av e b een

a s ta tu e h im se lf , a nd t he M ud ge r G ua rd s h ad l on g s in ce t ak en t o t he ir h ee ls .

" Wh at h av e y ou d on e? " w ai le d N ot ta , t ry in g t o a tt ra ct t he S to ne M an 's a tt en ti on . H e s ei ze d a n

i ro n b ar t hat C ru nch h ad l oo sened and b eg an v al iant ly b el ab or in g C ru nch abo ut t he s hi ns .

" Oh , h el lo !" r as ped C ru nch, g lancin g d ow n at t he clo wn . " Back again ? W el l, I 'v e t ak en y ou r

adv ice, y ou s ee.

"My advice!" groaned Notta.

" Yes. " C ru nch, w ho h ad n ow b ro ken an o peni ng f or h im self , s tepp ed i nt o t he enclo su re.

" I' ve h el ped t he C ow ar dl y L io n b y chang in g h im t o s to ne. N ow h e w il l n ev er f eel cow ar dl y

a ga in , a nd w ha t' s m or e, h e b el on gs t o m e! " L ea ni ng o ve r, h e b eg an t os si ng M us ta fa 's l io ns a si de a s i f

t he y h ad b ee n s o m an y p ap er w ei gh ts .

" Oh , h el p! " s cr ea me d S no re r. " Ar en 't t he re a ny w iz ar ds h er e t o s to p t hi s f el lo w? A re y ou

goi ng t o s it l ike i ma ge s whi le he r un s of f w it h t he b ra ve st l ion i n Oz ?"

"I m us t t hi nk !" g ro an ed t he S carecr ow , p ut ti ng h is w hi te cot to n g lo ve t o h is h ead, w hi le

D or ot hy a nd B ob r an c lo se t o t he b ar s a nd l oo ke d a nx io us ly f or t he f ir st g li mp se o f t he ir o ld f ri en d. B ut

G li nd a a nd t he W iz ar d o f O z a lr ea dy h ad t he ir h ea ds t og et he r. " Fi rs t, " w hi sp er ed t he l it tl e W iz ar d o f O z,

" we w il l l et hi m f in d t he C ow ar dl y L io n, f or t ho se s ta tue s w oul d b e t oo h ea vy f or u s t o l if t. Th en, w e w il l

d epr iv e hi m o f a ll p ow er t o m ov e.

T ik T ok a nd S ir H ok us h ad f ol lo we d t he S to ne M an i nt o t he e nc lo su re , b ut a s to ne l io n f lu ng

c ar el es sl y t o o ne s id e, k no ck ed T ik T ok h ea d o ve r h ee ls , a nd S ir H ok us , d ec id in g t ha t f li gh t w as t he

better part of valor, retired to a safe distance, where he began threatening the Stone Man with every sort





of destruction from hammering to hanging. But Crunch continued calmly tossing the lions about, and at

l as t u nc ov er ed t he C ow ar dl y L io n h im se lf . H e r ec og ni ze d h im a t on ce , f or h is m ane , a m as s o f s to ny

w av es , s to od s tr ai gh t o n e nd . T he C ow ar dl y L io n, y ou s ee , h ad b ee n p et ri fi ed i n o ne o f h is m os t t ry in g

m om en ts , and , w hi le h e w as p repari ng t o f ig ht w it h all h is m ig ht , h e cou ld n ot con tr ol h is m an e and h en ce

l oo ked as n at ur al as p os s ib le.

D or ot hy cou ld n ot h el p cry in g as C ru nch t ucked t hi s l if el ik e i mage o f h er o ld chu m u nd er h isa rm a nd pr epa re d t o t ra mp of f. Bu t he go t no f ur th er t ha n t wo s te ps , f or a t t he s ec on d s te p t he c omb in ed

m ag ic o f G li nd a a nd t he W iz ar d o f O z d ep ri ve d h im o f a ll p ow er t o m ov e. C ru nc h d ro pp ed t he

Cow ar dl y L ion w it h a c ra sh t ha t c hi ppe d of f a pi ec e of hi s m ane , a nd w it h one f oot r ai se d i n t he a ir s to od

perfecly motionless. The Stone Man was no longer alive!

" Oh !" cri ed N ot ta, f ri gh tened b y t he eas e w it h w hi ch G li nd a h ad d ep ri ved t he s to ne g iant o f

l if e, " wh o w il l b ri ng t he C owa rdl y L ion t o h im se lf a ga in ?" A nd a t o nc e e ve ry one r an ov er t o t he p oor

petrified lion, and tugging and pulling, managed to get him to his feet.

" It w as t he o nl y t hi ng w e c ou ld d o, " p uf fe d t he l it tl e W iz ar d o f O z, g az in g up w or ri ed ly a t t heh ug e s ta tu e o f C ru nc h. " He d id n ot k no w h ow t o u se t he g if t o f l if e, a nd w ou ld on ly h ave b ro ug ht m or e

trouble upon us."

" Is n' t t hi s t ro ub le eno ug h?" cri ed D or ot hy , t hr ow in g h er arm s aro un d t he col d, s ti ll f ig ur e o f t he

Cowardly Lion.

" Th er e, t he re , m y d ea r! G li nda w il l f in d a w ay o ut o f a ll t hi s, " c om fo rt ed t he S ca re cr ow , a nd

Notta and Bob joined him in his efforts to console the little girl, while Sir Hokus and the Tin Woodman

ran to help Tik Tok to his fe et.

" Al l t hi s h as h ap pened b ecau se o f y ou !" d eclared O zm a, s tamp in g h er f oo t f or t he f ir st t im e i nher gentle little life, and looking sternly at Mustafa.

" An d f or a p un is hm en t, " s he p oi nt ed at t he h ug e, cragg y f ig ur e o f C ru nch, " fo r a p un is hm en t

t hi s S to ne M an s hall s tand f or ev er i n M ud ge, a m on um en t t o y ou r g reed in es s and f ol ly ."

" Ta ke a wa y hi s r in g, " w hi sp er ed B ob , t ip to ei ng u p t o t he l it tl e f ai ry r ul er , f or h e ha d s ee n

M us tafa s ly ly b eg in ni ng t o t ak e i t o ff and B ob k new i ts d read fu l p ow er . W it ho ut l os in g a m in ut e, O zm a

com mand ed M us tafa t o h an d o ver t he r in g. T remb li ng ly , t he w retched o ld M ud ger o beyed. S o m uch h ad

h ap pened i n t he l as t f ew m in ut es , h e w as p os it iv el y s tu nn ed b y h is m is fo rt un e. N ot o nl y h ad h e o ff en ded

t he r ul er of a ll O z, l os t t he C ow ar dl y L io n a nd h is r in g, b ut a ll o f h is o th er l io ns w er e t ur ne d t o s to ne .J er ki ng h is t ur ban o ver o ne eye, t he m is er ab le m on ar ch s hu ff led m ou rn fu ll y t o h is t en t, and n o o ne car ed

e no ug h t o s to p h im . T he n, a s t he w ho le p ar ty w as h ea rt il y d is gu st ed w it h t he h ot , d es er t c it y o f t he

M ud gers , G li nd a, b y a q ui ck t rans po rt at io n p hr as e, w is hed t hem all s af el y b ack t o t he E merald C it y.

Th er e, f or s ev er al h ou rs G li nd a, t he W iz ar d o f O z, a nd O zm a w or ke d o ve r t he C ow ar dl y

L io n, b ut a ll o f t he ir m ag ic f ai le d t o u nd o t he S to ne M an 's s pe ll , a nd i t l oo ke d a s i f t he h ug e b ea st w ou ld

ha ve t o s pe nd t he r es t of hi s l if e a s a ga rd en o rna me nt . T we nt y of t he p al ac e s er va nt s bor e hi m down t he

s te ps a nd p la ce d h im g ent ly i n t he c en te r o f a l ar ge f lo we r b ed , a nd a ll t he i nh ab it an ts o f t he c it y c am e

and g azed s ad ly at t heir o nce l iv el y and cow ar dl y com rade.

" He i s t he i mage o f h im self ," cho ked t he S carecr ow , h an gi ng a w reat h o f d ai si es r ou nd h is

n eck, w hi ch w as s ti ll ado rn ed w it h M us tafa's g ol d col lar.





" Bu t I d on 't w an t an i mage," cri ed P ri nces s D or ot hy and , cli mb in g o n t he C ow ar dl y L io n' s

s to ne b ac k, s he c ri ed a s i f h er he ar t w ou ld b re ak. N ot ta a nd B ob w er e t oo ov er com e b y t hi s d re ad ful

m is fo rt un e t o t hi nk abo ut t hems el ves. I t d id n ot even s eem r ig ht t o enj oy t he l ov el y s ig ht s i n t he E merald

C it y, s o t he c lo wn a nd l it tl e b oy s at o n a b enc h i n t he g ar de n a nd g az ed s or ro wf ul ly a t t he m on um en t o f

their faithful old friend.

T he n, a ll a t o nc e B ob j um pe d u p w it h a l it tl e s ho ut . " Loo k, " h e c ri ed, w avi ng h is c ap j oy fu ll y." Lo ok ! H e' s c om in g a li ve a ga in !" A nd s o h e w as ! F or t ea rs a re m or e m ag ic t ha n a ny th in g e ls e, w he n i t

com es t o m el ti ng s to ne, and every s po t w here D or ot hy 's t ears f el l w as b eg in ni ng t o q ui ver w it h l if e. W hen

Notta ran to the palace with the news, the excitement was tremendous. Everyone, from Ozma down to

t he l it tl es t k it ch en m ai d, c am e t o w ee p o ve r t he C ow ar dl y L io n, a nd b ri ng h im b ac k t o l if e. The Tin

W oo dm an c ri ed a p er fe ct t or re nt o f t ea rs a nd q ui te r us te d h is c ha in . T he S ca re cr ow a nd S cr ap s h ad n ot

a t ear i n t heir cot to n con st it ut io ns , b ut S no rer m ad e u p f or t hi s b y cry in g eno ug h f or t hr ee. E very bo dy

cri ed , and i n l es s t han a m in ut e t he d ear, o ld k in d- hear ted l io n o pened h is eyes. S haki ng h im self s leep il y,

h e l oo ke d i nq ui ri ng ly a t t he w ee pi ng c om pa ny a nd w an te d t o k no w w ha t w as t he m at te r. A ll t al ki ng a t

o nce, and each t ry in g t o h ug h im f ir st , t hey exp lain ed w hat h ad h ap pened. T he C ow ar dl y L io n

r em em bered n ot hi ng aft er b ei ng p us hed i nt o t he l io n enclo su re. Y ou can w el l i magi ne h is r el ief w hen h ed is co ve re d w ha t a h ar d a nd h or ri bl e f at e h e h ad e sc ap ed .

" A ll t hi s com es o f m y f oo li sh w is h f or cou rage," r oared t he C ow ar dl y L io n, s haki ng h is m an e,

w hi ch w as q ui te p er fe ct e xc ep t f or t he p ie ce C ru nc h h ad b ro ke n o ff . " I w ou ld r at he r b e a C ow ar dl y L io n

f or f iv e m in ut es t ha n a s to ne l io n f or a c ent ur y. W hy , a s to ne l io n h as no t e no ug h s en se t o b e f ri gh te ne d. "

" Hu rr ah f or t he C ow ar dl y L io n o f O z! " s ho ut ed t he S ca re cr ow , a nd B ob U p, w ho f el t m or e a t

h om e a mon g t he se o dd a nd f ri end ly p eop le t ha n h e h ad e ve r f el t a nyw he re i n h is l if e, c li mb ed o n t he

C ow ar dl y L io n' s b ac k a nd h ug ge d h im w it h b ot h a rm s. D or ot hy h op pe d u p a ga in t oo , a nd i n t ri um ph

t he y a ll t ro ope d b ac k t o t he t hr on e r oo m.

CH AP TE R 2 2 A Ha pp y H om e i n O z

" AN D n ow ," s ig hed t he l it tl e Q ueen o f O z, s in ki ng d ow n amo ng t he s of t cus hi on s o f h er

emer al d t hr on e, " let' s h av e t he w ho le s to ry !" N ot hi ng cou ld h av e exceeded h er amazem en t, as N ot ta t ol d

o f t he ir m ar ve lo us a dv en tu re s i n O z o f D oo rw ay s a nd U n a nd P re se rv a t he G re at , o f t he F ly ab ou ta bu s

a nd t he F iddl ebow B oa t. D or ot hy wa s s o c ur ious a bo ut t he Sky le o f U n t ha t t he y a ll r an t o l oo k i nO zm a' s M ag ic P ic tu re , w hi ch s ho ws a ny p la ce o r p er so n o ne w is he s t o s ee . " Sh ow u s t he U ns ,"

com mand ed O zm a b reat hl ess ly , and B ob and N ot ta alm os t t um bl ed o ver b ackw ar ds w hen t he M ag ic

P ic tu re s ho we d t he m I -w is h- I- wa s a nd h is F ea th er he ad s. A g re at b at tl e w as i n p ro gr es s, f or

I -w is h- I- wa s w as f ur io us a t t he l os s o f t he F ly ab ou ta bu s. T he G ua rd s a nd t he ir f ri en ds o n o ne s id e a nd

the wicked ruler on the other were fighting tumultuously.

S ti ck s and f eath er s w er e f ly in g i n every d ir ecti on and t hey w er e even p ul li ng d ow n t heir t ree

houses.

O zm a s ho ok h er h ea d g ra ve ly , b ut B ob U p, w ho h ad b ee n t hi nk in g a bo ut t he o nl y g oo d U n

ever s in ce t hey l ef t t he s ky land , s ud denl y r em em bered h is n am e and t ri um ph an tl y w hi sp er ed i t t o O zm a.

I ns ta nt ly O zm a, w it h t he h el p o f G li nd a a nd t he W iz ar d, c om ma nd ed t he g oo d U n t o c om e o ut f ro m h is

h id in g a nd s it u po n t he t hr on e. T he f ig ht in g c ea se d a t o nc e a nd t he U ns b eg an t o l oo k a t o ne a no th er w it h





puzzled expressions, as if they could not remember what they had been quarreling about. Bob and Notta

and t he C ow ar dl y L io n s ho ut ed w it h app ro val, f or gett in g i n t heir i nt er es t t hat t he U ns i n t he p ictu re cou ld

n ot h ear t hem.

T he g oo d U n' s n am e w as U ns el fi sh a nd , a s G li nd a a ss ur ed O zm a t ha t t he s ky le w ou ld

t he re af te r b e r ul ed w is el y a nd w el l, t he y a ll r et ur ne d t o t he t hr on e r oo m. A ft er D or ot hy h ad h ug ge d N ot ta

a d oz en t im es f or h is d ev ot io n t o t he C ow ar dl y L io n, a nd t he c lo wn h ad t ur ne d h is b es t s om er sa ul ts , t ol dh is b es t j ok es and g en er al ly m ad e h im self s o f un ny t hat every on e w as d ou bl ed u p w it h l au gh ter, O zm a

again r ai s ed h er s cept er f or s il ence.

" I s up pos e, " s ai d t he l it tl e f ai ry r eg re tf ul ly , f or s he h ad t ak en a g re at f an cy t o t he c lo wn a nd

Sn or er a nd Bo b Up , " I s upp os e t ha t n ow y ou a re a nx iou s t o r et ur n t o A me ri ca ."

N ot ta t oo k of f hi s c ap a nd s cr at ch ed hi s e ar , a ha bi t h e h ad wh en p uz zl ed or e mb ar ra ss ed .

"D on 't g o y et !" b eg ged D or ot hy , s ei zi ng t he clo wn 's arm i mp lo ri ng ly . A s f or B ob U p, h e

r et ir ed b eh in d a n e me ra ld p il la r s o t ha t n o o ne c ou ld s ee t ha t h e w as c ry in g.

" Oh , y es ," c aw ed S no re r, f la pp in g d ow n f ro m t he b ac k o f a t al l c ha ir w he re h e h ad b ee n

e nj oy in g a no is y l it tl e n ap . " Oh, y es , w e m us t g o t o A me ri ca a nd m ak e o ur f or tu ne . I a m g oi ng t o h av e

m y n os e p at en te d a nd t ea ch t he p eo pl e t he re h ow t o s no re p ro pe rl y. "

" Th at 's r ig ht ," a gr ee d N ot ta s ob er ly . " I' m a f am il y m an n ow a nd m us t go ba ck a nd e ar n e no ug h

t o s end Bob t o c ol le ge , a nd I mu st s av e up f or my ol d a ge , f or c low ns c an' t b e t um bl ing a roun d t he

country forever."

" Wh y, i t' s n ot hi ng b ut f un ," c ri ed S cr ap s, w ho h ad b ee n q ui et a s l on g a s s he c ou ld c on ta in

herself.

" No t a lw ay s, " s ig he d N ot ta . " Ma ki ng p eo pl e l au gh i s t he h ar de st w or k i n t he w or ld . L oo k

how ea sy it i s to ma ke the m c ry? But come a long, Bob Up. It 's hi gh ti me we wer e going, a nd i f thi s li ttl e

l ady wil l j ust sa y the magi c wor d we 'l l bi d you al l goodbye . I mus t be sa ving up f or my old age ," he

repeated mournfully.

Wh en N ot ta wa s s ad, he a lwa ys t ho ught a bout hi s ol d a ge , a nd t he i de a of l ea vi ng t he

C ow ar dl y L ion a nd a ll of t hi s m er ry a nd c hi ld li ke c om pa ny m ad e h im s ad i nd ee d. A nd O zm a, w ho i s t he

cleverest l it tl e m in d and h eart r eader any wh er e i n t he w or ld o r o ut -O zm a g uess ed h is s ecret.

"Don't go!" cried the little Queen impulsively.

"S ta y wi th us a nd you won' t ha ve any ol d a ge .

S ta y i n O z, d ea r N ot ta , a nd b e h ap py f or ev er ."

A t t hi s t he excit em en t w as t er ri fi c. E very m an , w om an , chi ld , ani mal, and cel eb ri ty add ed h is

o r h er v oi ce t o O zm a' s, a nd w he n t he c lo wn , w it h t ea rs i n h is e ye s, a cc ep te d t he l it tl e Q ue en 's g en er ou s

o ff er , t he y s ei ze d h an ds o r p aw s, a s t he c as e m ig ht b e, a nd d an ce d m er ri ly ' ro un d B ob , S no re r a nd

Notta Bit More.

" Yo u s hall h av e t he j ol li es t cot tage i n O z, " p ro mi sed t he S carecr ow , w hen t he excit em en t h ad

s ub si de d a b it .





" A t en t w ou ld s eem m or e h om el ik e, " w hi sp er ed N ot ta i n t he clo th ear o f t hat charm in g

g en tl em an . A nd a t en t h e d id h av e, o n t he o ut sk ir ts o f t he E me ra ld C it y- a t en t s ha re d w it h S no re r a nd

B ob, w he re , w it h t he he lp o f t he c ha rm ing a nd u nu su al i nh ab it an ts o f Oz , t he c lo wn ga ve t he m os t

s ur pr is in g s ho ws t hat h ad ever b een s een i n t hat m ag ical cou nt ry .

B ob , i n h is g oo d f or tu ne , d id n ot f or ge t t he h al f a l io n, a nd t he W iz ar d o f O z r eu ni te d t heu nf or tu nate creat ur e, aft er b ri ng in g b ot h h al ves, w it h t he aid o f O zm a' s m ag ic b el t, t o t he E merald C it y.

T he p oo r b ea st , w ho se h in d q ua rt er s h ad f or tu na te ly e sc ap ed C ru nc h' s s to ne s pe ll , w as s o o ve rj oy ed t o

s ee h is t ai l a ga in t ha t h e r ac ed r ou nd i n c ir cl es f or s ev er al h ou rs a ft er h is r eu ni on.

A s f or M us ta fa , h e gr ew a ma zi ng ly r ic h f rom t he s al e o f h is s to ne l io ns , a nd y ou c an s ee t he m

any f in e d ay , g uard in g t he d oo rs o f p ub li c b ui ld in gs o r s tand in g p ro ud ly i n t he v ar io us p ar ks o f O z. B ut i n

s pi te of hi s gr eat we al th, he wa s f ar f rom ha ppy, f or hi s e ye s, f rom s ta ri ng s o ha rd a t hi s r ing, ha d b ec ome

h op el es sl y c ro ss ed , a nd c ro ss -e ye d h e r em ai ne d t o t he e nd o f h is d ay s. B ob U p i s f ri en ds w it h e ve ry on e,

but most of all with Button Bright, a little boy who once visited Sky Island and who could not hear

e no ug h of t he S ky le o f U n.

N ot ta h as s av ed u p e no ug h f or B ob 's e nt ir e e du ca ti on a nd h as g on e o ff t o c on fe r w it h

P ro fess or W og gl eb ug , P resi dent o f t he C ol lege o f A rt and A th leti c P er fect io n, abo ut t he f ut ur e o f t he

little boy.




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The Cowardly Lion of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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