"This，"saidhe，"istheRoyalBushoftheMangaboos。AllofourPrincesandRulershavegrownuponthisonebushfromtimeimmemorial。"
Theystoodbeforeitinsilentadmiration。OnthecentralstalkstoodpoisedthefigureofagirlsoexquisitelyformedandcoloredandsolovelyintheexpressionofherdelicatefeaturesthatDorothythoughtshehadneverseensosweetandadorableacreatureinallherlife。
Themaiden’sgownwassoftassatinandfellaboutherinamplefolds，whiledaintylace-liketraceriestrimmedthebodiceandsleeves。Herfleshwasfineandsmoothaspolishedivory，andherpoiseexpressedbothdignityandgrace。
"Whoisthis？"askedtheWizard，curiously。
ThePrincehadbeenstaringhardatthegirlonthebush。Nowheanswered，withatouchofuneasinessinhiscoldtones：
"SheistheRulerdestinedtobemysuccessor，forsheisaRoyalPrincess。WhenshebecomesfullyripeImustabandonthesovereigntyoftheMangaboostoher。"
"Isn’tsheripenow？"askedDorothy。
Hehesitated。
"Notquite，"saidhe，finally。"Itwillbeseveraldaysbeforesheneedstobepicked，oratleastthatismyjudgment。Iaminnohurrytoresignmyofficeandbeplanted，youmaybesure。"
"Probablynot，"declaredtheWizard，nodding。
"Thisisoneofthemostunpleasantthingsaboutourvegetablelives，"
continuedthePrince，withasigh，"thatwhileweareinourfullprimewemustgivewaytoanother，andbecoveredupinthegroundtosproutandgrowandgivebirthtootherpeople。"
"I’msurethePrincessisreadytobepicked，"assertedDorothy，gazinghardatthebeautifulgirlonthebush。"She’sasperfectasshecanbe。"
"Nevermind，"answeredthePrince，hastily，"shewillbeallrightforafewdayslonger，anditisbestformetoruleuntilIcandisposeofyoustrangers，whohavecometoourlanduninvitedandmustbeattendedtoatonce。"
"Whatareyougoingtodowithus？"askedZeb。
"ThatisamatterIhavenotquitedecidedupon，"wasthereply。"I
thinkIshallkeepthisWizarduntilanewSorcererisreadytopick，forheseemsquiteskillfulandmaybeofusetous。Buttherestofyoumustbedestroyedinsomeway，andyoucannotbeplanted，becauseIdonotwishhorsesandcatsandmeatpeoplegrowingalloverourcountry。"
"Youneedn’tworry，"saidDorothy。"Wewouldn’tgrowunderground，I’msure。"
"Butwhydestroymyfriends？"askedthelittleWizard。"Whynotletthemlive？"
"Theydonotbelonghere，"returnedthePrince。"Theyhavenorighttobeinsidetheearthatall。"
"Wedidn’tasktocomedownhere;wefell，"saidDorothy。
"Thatisnoexcuse，"declaredthePrince，coldly。
Thechildrenlookedateachotherinperplexity，andtheWizardsighed。Eurekarubbedherpawonherfaceandsaidinhersoft，purringvoice：
"Hewon’tneedtodestroyME，forifIdon’tgetsomethingtoeatprettysoonIshallstarvetodeath，andsosavehimthetrouble。"
"Ifheplantedyou，hemightgrowsomecat-tails，"suggestedtheWizard。
"Oh，Eureka！perhapswecanfindyousomemilk-weedstoeat，"
saidtheboy。
"Phoo！"snarledthekitten;"Iwouldn’ttouchthenastythings！"
"Youdon’tneedmilk，Eureka，"remarkedDorothy;"youarebigenoughnowtoeatanykindoffood。"
"IfIcangetit，"addedEureka。
"I’mhungrymyself，"saidZeb。"ButInoticedsomestrawberriesgrowinginoneofthegardens，andsomemelonsinanotherplace。
Thesepeopledon’teatsuchthings，soperhapsonourwaybacktheywillletusgetthem。"
"Nevermindyourhunger，"interruptedthePrince。"Ishallorderyoudestroyedinafewminutes，soyouwillhavenoneedtoruinourprettymelonvinesandberrybushes。Followme，please，tomeetyourdoom。"
5。DorothyPicksthePrincessThewordsofthecoldandmoistvegetablePrincewerenotverycomforting，andashespokethemheturnedawayandlefttheenclosure。Thechildren，feelingsadanddespondent，wereabouttofollowhimwhentheWizardtouchedDorothysoftlyonhershoulder。
"Wait！"hewhispered。
"Whatfor？"askedthegirl。
"SupposewepicktheRoyalPrincess，"saidtheWizard。"I’mquitesureshe’sripe，andassoonasshecomestolifeshewillbetheRuler，andmaytreatusbetterthanthatheartlessPrinceintendsto。"
"Allright！"exclaimedDorothy，eagerly。"Let’spickherwhilewehavethechance，beforethemanwiththestarcomesback。"
SotogethertheyleanedoverthegreatbushandeachofthemseizedonehandofthelovelyPrincess。
"Pull！"criedDorothy，andastheydidsotheroyalladyleanedtowardthemandthestemssnappedandseparatedfromherfeet。Shewasnotatallheavy，sotheWizardandDorothymanagedtolifthergentlytotheground。
Thebeautifulcreaturepassedherhandsoverhereyesaninstant，tuckedinastraylockofhairthathadbecomedisarranged，andafteralookaroundthegardenmadethosepresentagraciousbowandsaid，inasweetbuteventonedvoice：
"Ithankyouverymuch。"
"WesaluteyourRoyalHighness！"criedtheWizard，kneelingandkissingherhand。
JustthenthevoiceofthePrincewasheardcallinguponthemtohasten，andamomentlaterhereturnedtotheenclosure，followedbyanumberofhispeople。
InstantlythePrincessturnedandfacedhim，andwhenhesawthatshewaspickedthePrincestoodstillandbegantotremble。
"Sir，"saidtheRoyalLady，withmuchdignity，"youhavewrongedmegreatly，andwouldhavewrongedmestillmorehadnotthesestrangerscometomyrescue。Ihavebeenreadyforpickingallthepastweek，butbecauseyouwereselfishanddesiredtocontinueyourunlawfulrule，youleftmetostandsilentuponmybush。"
"Ididnotknowthatyouwereripe，"answeredthePrince，inalowvoice。
"GivemetheStarofRoyalty！"shecommanded。
SlowlyhetooktheshiningstarfromhisownbrowandplacedituponthatofthePrincess。Thenallthepeoplebowedlowtoher，andthePrinceturnedandwalkedawayalone。Whatbecameofhimafterwardourfriendsneverknew。
ThepeopleofMangaboonowformedthemselvesintoaprocessionandmarchedtowardtheglasscitytoescorttheirnewrulertoherpalaceandtoperformthoseceremoniespropertotheoccasion。ButwhilethepeopleintheprocessionwalkeduponthegroundthePrincesswalkedintheairjustabovetheirheads，toshowthatshewasasuperiorbeingandmoreexaltedthanhersubjects。
Noonenowseemedtopayanyattentiontothestrangers，soDorothyandZebandtheWizardletthetrainpassonandthenwanderedbythemselvesintothevegetablegardens。Theydidnotbothertocrossthebridgesoverthebrooks，butwhentheycametoastreamtheysteppedhighandwalkedintheairtotheotherside。Thiswasaveryinterestingexperiencetothem，andDorothysaid：
"Iwonderwhyitisthatwecanwalksoeasilyintheair。"
"Perhaps，"answeredtheWizard，"itisbecauseweareclosetothecenteroftheearth，wheretheattractionofgravitationisveryslight。
ButI’venoticedthatmanyqueerthingshappeninfairycountries。"
"Isthisafairycountry？"askedtheboy。
"Ofcourseitis，"returnedDorothypromptly。"Onlyafairycountrycouldhaveveg’tablepeople;andonlyinafairycountrycouldEurekaandJimtalkaswedo。"
"That’strue，"saidZeb，thoughtfully。
Inthevegetablegardenstheyfoundthestrawberriesandmelons，andseveralotherunknownbutdeliciousfruits，ofwhichtheyateheartily。Butthekittenbotheredthemconstantlybydemandingmilkormeat，andcalledtheWizardnamesbecausehecouldnotbringheradishofmilkbymeansofhismagicalarts。
AstheysatuponthegrasswatchingJim，whowasstillbusilyeating，Eurekasaid：
"Idon’tbelieveyouareaWizardatall！"
"No，"answeredthelittleman，"youarequiteright。InthestrictsenseofthewordIamnotaWizard，butonlyahumbug。"
"TheWizardofOzhasalwaysbeenahumbug，"agreedDorothy。"I’veknownhimforalongtime。"
"Ifthatisso，"saidtheboy，"howcouldhedothatwonderfultrickwiththeninetinypiglets？"
"Don’tknow，"saidDorothy，"butitmusthavebeenhumbug。"
"Verytrue，"declaredtheWizard，noddingather。"ItwasnecessarytodeceivethatuglySorcererandthePrince，aswellastheirstupidpeople;butIdon’tmindtellingyou，whoaremyfriends，thatthethingwasonlyatrick。"
"ButIsawthelittlepigswithmyowneyes！"exclaimedZeb。
"SodidI，"purredthekitten。
"Tobesure，"answeredtheWizard。"Yousawthembecausetheywerethere。Theyareinmyinsidepocketnow。Butthepullingofthemapartandpushingthemtogetheragainwasonlyasleight-of-handtrick。"
"Let’sseethepigs，"saidEureka，eagerly。
Thelittlemanfeltcarefullyinhispocketandpulledoutthetinypiglets，settingthemuponthegrassonebyone，wheretheyranaroundandnibbledthetenderblades。
"They’rehungry，too，"hesaid。
"Oh，whatcunningthings！"criedDorothy，catchinguponeandpettingit。
"Becareful！"saidthepiglet，withasqueal，"you’resqueezingme！"
"Dearme！"murmuredtheWizard，lookingathispetsinastonishment。
"Theycanactuallytalk！"
"MayIeatoneofthem？"askedthekitten，inapleadingvoice。"I’mawfullyhungry。"
"Why，Eureka，"saidDorothy，reproachfully，"whatacruelquestion！
Itwouldbedreadfultoeatthesedearlittlethings。"
"Ishouldsayso！"gruntedanotherofthepiglets，lookinguneasilyatthekitten;"catsarecruelthings。"
"I’mnotcruel，"repliedthekitten，yawning。"I’mjusthungry。"
"Youcannoteatmypiglets，evenifyouarestarving，"declaredthelittleman，inasternvoice。"TheyaretheonlythingsIhavetoproveI’mawizard。"
"Howdidtheyhappentobesolittle？"askedDorothy。"Ineversawsuchsmallpigsbefore。"
"TheyarefromtheIslandofTeenty-Weent，"saidtheWizard，"whereeverythingissmallbecauseit’sasmallisland。AsailorbroughtthemtoLosAngelesandIgavehimnineticketstothecircusforthem。"
"ButwhatamIgoingtoeat？"wailedthekitten，sittinginfrontofDorothyandlookingpleadinglyintoherface。"Therearenocowsheretogivemilk;oranymice，orevengrasshoppers。AndifIcan’teatthepigletsyoumayaswellplantmeatonceandraisecatsup。"
"Ihaveanidea，"saidtheWizard，"thattherearefishesinthesebrooks。Doyoulikefish？"
"Fish！"criedthekitten。"DoIlikefish？Why，they’rebetterthanpiglets——orevenmilk！"
"ThenI’lltrytocatchyousome，"saidhe。
"Butwon’ttheybeveg’table，likeeverythingelsehere？"askedthekitten。
"Ithinknot。Fishesarenotanimals，andtheyareascoldandmoistasthevegetablesthemselves。Thereisnoreason，thatIcansee，whytheymaynotexistinthewatersofthisstrangecountry。"
ThentheWizardbentapinforahookandtookalongpieceofstringfromhispocketforafish-line。Theonlybaithecouldfindwasabrightredblossomfromaflower;butheknewfishesareeasytofoolifanythingbrightattractstheirattention，sohedecidedtotrytheblossom。Havingthrowntheendofhislineinthewaterofanearbybrookhesoonfeltasharptugthattoldhimafishhadbittenandwascaughtonthebentpin;sothelittlemandrewinthestringand，sureenough，thefishcamewithitandwaslandedsafelyontheshore，whereitbegantofloparoundingreatexcitement。
Thefishwasfatandround，anditsscalesglistenedlikebeautifullycutjewelssetclosetogether;buttherewasnotimetoexamineitclosely，forEurekamadeajumpandcaughtitbetweenherclaws，andinafewmomentsithadentirelydisappeared。
"Oh，Eureka！"criedDorothy，"didyoueatthebones？"
"Ifithadanybones，Iatethem，"repliedthekitten，composedly，asitwasheditsfaceafterthemeal。"ButIdon’tthinkthatfishhadanybones，becauseIdidn’tfeelthemscratchmythroat。"
"Youwereverygreedy，"saidthegirl。
"Iwasveryhungry，"repliedthekitten。
Thelittlepigshadstoodhuddledinagroup，watchingthisscenewithfrightenedeyes。
"Catsaredreadfulcreatures！"saidoneofthem。
"I’mgladwearenotfishes！"saidanother。
"Don’tworry，"Dorothymurmured，soothingly，"I’llnotletthekittenhurtyou。"
Thenshehappenedtorememberthatinacornerofhersuit-casewereoneortwocrackersthatwereleftoverfromherluncheononthetrain，andshewenttothebuggyandbroughtthem。Eurekastuckuphernoseatsuchfood，butthetinypigletssquealeddelightedlyatthesightofthecrackersandatethemupinajiffy。
"Nowletusgobacktothecity，"suggestedtheWizard。"Thatis，ifJimhashadenoughofthepinkgrass。"
Thecab-horse，whowasbrowsingnear，liftedhisheadwithasigh。
"I’vetriedtoeatalotwhileIhadthechance，"saidhe，"forit’slikelytobealongwhilebetweenmealsinthisstrangecountry。ButI’mreadytogo，now，atanytimeyouwish。"
So，aftertheWizardhadputthepigletsbackintohisinsidepocket，wheretheycuddledupandwenttosleep，thethreeclimbedintothebuggyandJimstartedbacktothetown。
"Whereshallwestay？"askedthegirl。
"IthinkIshalltakepossessionoftheHouseoftheSorcerer，"
repliedtheWizard;"forthePrincesaidinthepresenceofhispeoplethathewouldkeepmeuntiltheypickedanotherSorcerer，andthenewPrincesswon’tknowbutthatwebelongthere。"
Theyagreedtothisplan，andwhentheyreachedthegreatsquareJimdrewthebuggyintothebigdoorofthedomedhall。
"Itdoesn’tlookveryhomelike，"saidDorothy，gazingaroundatthebareroom。"Butit’saplacetostay，anyhow。"
"Whatarethoseholesupthere？"enquiredtheboy，pointingtosomeopeningsthatappearednearthetopofthedome。
"Theylooklikedoorways，"saidDorothy;"onlytherearenostairstogettothem。"
"Youforgetthatstairsareunnecessary，"observedtheWizard。"Letuswalkup，andseewherethedoorsleadto。"
Withthishebeganwalkingintheairtowardthehighopenings，andDorothyandZebfollowedhim。Itwasthesamesortofclimboneexperienceswhenwalkingupahill，andtheywerenearlyoutofbreathwhentheycametotherowofopenings，whichtheyperceivedtobedoorwaysleadingintohallsintheupperpartofthehouse。Followingthesehallstheydiscoveredmanysmallroomsopeningfromthem，andsomewerefurnishedwithglassbenches，tablesandchairs。Buttherewerenobedsatall。
"Iwonderifthesepeopleneversleep，"saidthegirl。
"Why，thereseemstobenonightatallinthiscountry，"Zebreplied。
"Thosecoloredsunsareexactlyinthesameplacetheywerewhenwecame，andifthereisnosunsettherecanbenonight。"
"Verytrue，"agreedtheWizard。"ButitisalongtimesinceIhavehadanysleep，andI’mtired。SoIthinkIshallliedownupononeofthesehardglassbenchesandtakeanap。"
"Iwill，too，"saidDorothy，andchosealittleroomattheendofthehall。
ZebwalkeddownagaintounharnessJim，who，whenhefoundhimselffree，rolledoverafewtimesandthensettleddowntosleep，withEurekanestlingcomfortablybesidehisbig，boneybody。Thentheboyreturnedtooneoftheupperrooms，andinspiteofthehardnessoftheglassbenchwassoondeepinslumberland。
6。TheMangaboosProveDangerousWhentheWizardawokethesixcoloredsunswereshiningdownupontheLandoftheMangaboosjustastheyhaddoneeversincehisarrival。
Thelittleman，havinghadagoodsleep，feltrestedandrefreshed，andlookingthroughtheglasspartitionoftheroomhesawZebsittinguponhisbenchandyawning。SotheWizardwentintohim。
"Zeb，"saidhe，"myballoonisofnofurtheruseinthisstrangecountry，soImayaswellleaveitonthesquarewhereitfell。Butinthebasket-cararesomethingsIwouldliketokeepwithme。I
wishyouwouldgoandfetchmysatchel，twolanterns，andacanofkeroseneoilthatisundertheseat。ThereisnothingelsethatI
careabout。"
Sotheboywentwillinglyupontheerrand，andbythetimehehadreturnedDorothywasawake。Thenthethreeheldacounseltodecidewhattheyshoulddonext，butcouldthinkofnowaytobettertheircondition。
"Idon’tliketheseveg’tablepeople，"saidthelittlegirl。"They’recoldandflabby，likecabbages，inspiteoftheirprettiness。"
"Iagreewithyou。Itisbecausethereisnowarmbloodinthem，"
remarkedtheWizard。
"Andtheyhavenohearts;sotheycan’tloveanyone——noteventhemselves，"declaredtheboy。
"ThePrincessislovelytolookat，"continuedDorothy，thoughtfully;
"butIdon’tcaremuchforher，afterall。Iftherewasanyotherplacetogo，I’dliketogothere。"
"ButISthereanyotherplace？"askedtheWizard。
"Idon’tknow，"sheanswered。
JustthentheyheardthebigvoiceofJimthecab-horsecallingtothem，andgoingtothedoorwayleadingtothedometheyfoundthePrincessandathrongofherpeoplehadenteredtheHouseoftheSorcerer。
Sotheywentdowntogreetthebeautifulvegetablelady，whosaidtothem：
"Ihavebeentalkingwithmyadvisorsaboutyoumeatpeople，andwehavedecidedthatyoudonotbelongintheLandoftheMangaboosandmustnotremainhere。"
"Howcanwegoaway？"askedDorothy。
"Oh，youcannotgoaway，ofcourse;soyoumustbedestroyed，"wastheanswer。
"Inwhatway？"enquiredtheWizard。
"WeshallthrowyouthreepeopleintotheGardenoftheTwiningVines，"saidthePrincess，"andtheywillsooncrushyouanddevouryourbodiestomakethemselvesgrowbigger。TheanimalsyouhavewithyouwewilldrivetothemountainsandputintotheBlackPit。Thenourcountrywillberidofallitsunwelcomevisitors。"
"ButyouareinneedofaSorcerer，"saidtheWizard，"andnotoneofthosegrowingisyetripeenoughtopick。Iamgreaterthananythorn-coveredsorcererthateverygrewinyourgarden。Whydestroyme？"
"ItistrueweneedaSorcerer，"acknowledgedthePrincess，"butIaminformedthatoneofourownwillbereadytopickinafewdays，totaketheplaceofGwig，whomyoucutintwobeforeitwastimeforhimtobeplanted。Letusseeyourarts，andthesorceriesyouareabletoperform。ThenIwilldecidewhethertodestroyyouwiththeothersornot。"
AtthistheWizardmadeabowtothepeopleandrepeatedhistrickofproducingtheninetinypigletsandmakingthemdisappearagain。Hediditverycleverly，indeed，andthePrincesslookedatthestrangepigletsasifshewereastrulyastonishedasanyvegetablepersoncouldbe。Butafterwardshesaid：
"Ihaveheardofthiswonderfulmagic。Butitaccomplishesnothingofvalue。Whatelsecanyoudo？"
TheWizardtriedtothink。Thenhejointedtogetherthebladesofhisswordandbalanceditveryskillfullyupontheendofhisnose。ButeventhatdidnotsatisfythePrincess。
JustthenhiseyefelluponthelanternsandthecanofkeroseneoilwhichZebhadbroughtfromthecarofhisballoon，andhegotacleverideafromthosecommonplacethings。
"YourHighness，"saidhe，"Iwillnowproceedtoprovemymagicbycreatingtwosunsthatyouhaveneverseenbefore;alsoIwillexhibitaDestroyermuchmoredreadfulthatyourClingingVines。"
SoheplacedDorothyupononesideofhimandtheboyupontheotherandsetalanternuponeachoftheirheads。
"Don’tlaugh，"hewhisperedtothem，"oryouwillspoiltheeffectofmymagic。"
Then，withmuchdignityandalookofvastimportanceuponhiswrinkledface，theWizardgotouthismatch-boxandlightedthetwolanterns。Theglaretheymadewasverysmallwhencomparedwiththeradianceofthesixgreatcoloredsuns;butstilltheygleamedsteadilyandclearly。TheMangaboosweremuchimpressedbecausetheyhadneverbeforeseenanylightthatdidnotcomedirectlyfromtheirsuns。
NexttheWizardpouredapoolofoilfromthecanupontheglassfloor，whereitcoveredquiteabroadsurface。Whenhelightedtheoilahundredtonguesofflameshotup，andtheeffectwasreallyimposing。
"Now，Princess，"exclaimedtheWizard，"thoseofyouradvisorswhowishedtothrowusintotheGardenofClingingVinesmuststepwithinthiscircleoflight。Iftheyadvisedyouwell，andwereintheright，theywillnotbeinjuredinanyway。Butifanyadvisedyouwrongly，thelightwillwitherhim。"
TheadvisorsofthePrincessdidnotlikethistest;butshecommandedthemtostepintotheflameandonebyonetheydidso，andwerescorchedsobadlythattheairwassoonfilledwithanodorlikethatofbakedpotatoes。SomeoftheMangaboosfelldownandhadtobedraggedfromthefire，andallweresowitheredthatitwouldbenecessarytoplantthematonce。
"Sir，"saidthePrincesstotheWizard，"youaregreaterthananySorcererwehaveeverknown。Asitisevidentthatmypeoplehaveadvisedmewrongly，IwillnotcastyouthreepeopleintothedreadfulGardenoftheClingingVines;butyouranimalsmustbedrivenintotheBlackPitinthemountain，formysubjectscannotbeartohavethemaround。"
TheWizardwassopleasedtohavesavedthetwochildrenandhimselfthathesaidnothingagainstthisdecree;butwhenthePrincesshadgonebothJimandEurekaprotestedtheydidnotwanttogototheBlackPit，andDorothypromisedshewoulddoallthatshecouldtosavethemfromsuchafate。
Fortwoorthreedaysafterthis——ifwecalldaystheperiodsbetweensleep，therebeingnonighttodividethehoursintodays——ourfriendswerenotdisturbedinanyway。TheywereevenpermittedtooccupytheHouseoftheSorcererinpeace，asifithadbeentheirown，andtowanderinthegardensinsearchoffood。
OncetheycameneartotheenclosedGardenoftheClingingVines，andwalkinghighintotheairlookeddownuponitwithmuchinterest。
Theysawamassoftoughgreenvinesallmattedtogetherandwrithingandtwistingaroundlikeanestofgreatsnakes。Everythingthevinestouchedtheycrushed，andouradventurerswereindeedthankfultohaveescapedbeingcastamongthem。
WhenevertheWizardwenttosleephewouldtaketheninetinypigletsfromhispocketandletthemrunaroundonthefloorofhisroomtoamusethemselvesandgetsomeexercise;andonetimetheyfoundhisglassdoorajarandwanderedintothehallandthenintothebottompartofthegreatdome，walkingthroughtheairaseasilyasEurekacould。Theyknewthekitten，bythistime，sotheyscamperedovertowhereshelaybesideJimandcommencedtofriskandplaywithher。
Thecab-horse，whoneversleptlongatatime，satuponhishaunchesandwatchedthetinypigletsandthekittenwithmuchapproval。
"Don’tberough！"hewouldcallout，ifEurekaknockedoveroneoftheround，fatpigletswithherpaw;butthepigsneverminded，andenjoyedthesportverygreatly。
Suddenlytheylookeduptofindtheroomfilledwiththesilent，solemn-eyedMangaboos。Eachofthevegetablefolksboreabranchcoveredwithsharpthorns，whichwasthrustdefiantlytowardthehorse，thekittenandthepiglets。
"Here——stopthisfoolishness！"Jimroared，angrily;butafterbeingprickedonceortwicehegotuponhisfourlegsandkeptoutofthewayofthethorns。
TheMangaboossurroundedtheminsolidranks，butleftanopeningtothedoorwayofthehall;sotheanimalsslowlyretreateduntiltheyweredrivenfromtheroomandoutuponthestreet。Hereweremoreofthevegetablepeoplewiththorns，andsilentlytheyurgedthenowfrightenedcreaturesdownthestreet。Jimhadtobecarefulnottostepuponthetinypiglets，whoscamperedunderhisfeetgruntingandsquealing，whileEureka，snarlingandbitingatthethornspushedtowardher，alsotriedtoprotecttheprettylittlethingsfrominjury。SlowlybutsteadilytheheartlessMangaboosdrovethemon，untiltheyhadpassedthroughthecityandthegardensandcometothebroadplainsleadingtothemountain。
"Whatdoesallthismean，anyhow？"askedthehorse，jumpingtoescapeathorn。
"Why，theyaredrivingustowardtheBlackPit，intowhichtheythreatenedtocastus，"repliedthekitten。"IfIwereasbigasyouare，Jim，I’dfightthesemiserableturnip-roots！"
"Whatwouldyoudo？"enquiredJim。
"I’dkickoutwiththoselonglegsandiron-shodhoofs。"
"Allright，"saidthehorse;"I’lldoit。"
AninstantlaterhesuddenlybackedtowardthecrowdofMangaboosandkickedouthishindlegsashardashecould。Adozenofthemsmashedtogetherandtumbledtotheground，andseeinghissuccessJimkickedagainandagain，chargingintothevegetablecrowd，knockingtheminalldirectionsandsendingtheothersscatteringtoescapehisironheels。Eurekahelpedhimbyflyingintothefacesoftheenemyandscratchingandbitingfuriously，andthekittenruinedsomanyvegetablecomplexionsthattheMangaboosfearedherasmuchastheydidthehorse。
Butthefoesweretoomanytoberepulsedforlong。TheytiredJimandEurekaout，andalthoughthefieldofbattlewasthicklycoveredwithmashedanddisabledMangaboos，ouranimalfriendshadtogiveupatlastandallowthemselvestobedriventothemountain。
7。IntotheBlackPitandOutAgainWhentheycametothemountainitprovedtobearugged，toweringchunkofdeepgreenglass，andlookeddismalandforbiddingintheextreme。Halfwayupthesteepwasayawningcave，blackasnightbeyondthepointwheretherainbowraysofthecoloredsunsreachedintoit。
TheMangaboosdrovethehorseandthekittenandthepigletsintothisdarkholeandthen，havingpushedthebuggyinafterthem——foritseemedsomeofthemhaddraggeditallthewayfromthedomedhall——theybegantopilebigglassrockswithintheentrance，sothattheprisonerscouldnotgetoutagain。
"Thisisdreadful！"groanedJim。"Itwillbeabouttheendofouradventures，Iguess。"
"IftheWizardwashere，"saidoneofthepiglets，sobbingbitterly，"hewouldnotseeussufferso。"
"WeoughttohavecalledhimandDorothywhenwewerefirstattacked，"
addedEureka。"Butnevermind;bebrave，myfriends，andIwillgoandtellourmasterswhereyouare，andgetthemtocometoyourrescue。"
Themouthoftheholewasnearlyfilledupnow，butthekittengavealeapthroughtheremainingopeningandatoncescamperedupintotheair。TheMangaboossawherescape，andseveralofthemcaughtuptheirthornsandgavechase，mountingthroughtheairafterher。
Eureka，however，waslighterthantheMangaboos，andwhiletheycouldmountonlyaboutahundredfeetabovetheearththekittenfoundshecouldgonearlytwohundredfeet。SosheranalongovertheirheadsuntilshehadleftthemfarbehindandbelowandhadcometothecityandtheHouseoftheSorcerer。TheresheenteredinatDorothy’swindowinthedomeandarousedherfromhersleep。
AssoonasthelittlegirlknewwhathadhappenedsheawakenedtheWizardandZeb，andatoncepreparationsweremadetogototherescueofJimandthepiglets。TheWizardcarriedhissatchel，whichwasquiteheavy，andZebcarriedthetwolanternsandtheoilcan。
Dorothy’swickersuit-casewasstillundertheseatofthebuggy，andbygoodfortunetheboyhadalsoplacedtheharnessinthebuggywhenhehadtakenitofffromJimtoletthehorseliedownandrest。Sotherewasnothingforthegirltocarrybutthekitten，whichsheheldclosetoherbosomandtriedtocomfort，foritslittleheartwasstillbeatingrapidly。
SomeoftheMangaboosdiscoveredthemassoonastheylefttheHouseoftheSorcerer;butwhentheystartedtowardthemountainthevegetablepeopleallowedthemtoproceedwithoutinterference，yetfollowedinacrowdbehindthemsothattheycouldnotgobackagain。
BeforelongtheynearedtheBlackPit，whereabusyswarmofMangaboos，headedbytheirPrincess，wasengagedinpilingupglassrocksbeforetheentrance。
"Stop，Icommandyou！"criedtheWizard，inanangrytone，andatoncebeganpullingdowntherockstoliberateJimandthepiglets。Insteadofopposinghiminthistheystoodbackinsilenceuntilhehadmadeagood-sizedholeinthebarrier，whenbyorderofthePrincesstheyallsprangforwardandthrustouttheirsharpthorns。
Dorothyhoppedinsidetheopeningtoescapebeingpricked，andZebandtheWizard，afterenduringafewstabsfromthethorns，weregladtofollowher。AtoncetheMangaboosbeganpilinguptherocksofglassagain，andasthelittlemanrealizedthattheywereallabouttobeentombedinthemountainhesaidtothechildren：
"Mydears，whatshallwedo？Jumpoutandfight？"
"What’stheuse？"repliedDorothy。"I’dassoondiehereaslivemuchlongeramongthesecruelandheartlesspeople。"
"That’sthewayIfeelaboutit，"remarkedZeb，rubbinghiswounds。
"I’vehadenoughoftheMangaboos。"
"Allright，"saidtheWizard;"I’mwithyou，whateveryoudecide。Butwecan’tlivelonginthiscavern，that’scertain。"
Noticingthatthelightwasgrowingdimhepickeduphisninepiglets，pattedeachonelovinglyonitsfatlittlehead，andplacedthemcarefullyinhisinsidepocket。
Zebstruckamatchandlightedoneofthelanterns。Theraysofthecoloredsunswerenowshutoutfromthemforever，forthelastchinkshadbeenfilledupinthewallthatseparatedtheirprisonfromtheLandoftheMangaboos。
"Howbigisthishole？"askedDorothy。
"I’llexploreitandsee，"repliedtheboy。
Sohecarriedthelanternbackforquiteadistance，whileDorothyandtheWizardfollowedathisside。Thecaverndidnotcometoanend，astheyhadexpecteditwould，butslantedupwardthroughthegreatglassmountain，runninginadirectionthatpromisedtoleadthemtothesideoppositetheMangaboocountry。
"Itisn’tabadroad，"observedtheWizard，"andifwefollowedititmightleadustosomeplacethatismorecomfortablethanthisblackpocketwearenowin。Isupposethevegetablefolkwerealwaysafraidtoenterthiscavernbecauseitisdark;butwehaveourlanternstolighttheway，soIproposethatwestartoutanddiscoverwherethistunnelinthemountainleadsto。"
Theothersagreedreadilytothissensiblesuggestion，andatoncetheboybegantoharnessJimtothebuggy。WhenallwasinreadinessthethreetooktheirseatsinthebuggyandJimstartedcautiouslyalongtheway，ZebdrivingwhiletheWizardandDorothyeachheldalightedlanternsothehorsecouldseewheretogo。
Sometimesthetunnelwassonarrowthatthewheelsofthebuggygrazedthesides;thenitwouldbroadenoutaswideasastreet;butthefloorwasusuallysmooth，andforalongtimetheytravelledonwithoutanyaccident。Jimstoppedsometimestorest，fortheclimbwasrathersteepandtiresome。
"Wemustbenearlyashighasthesixcoloredsuns，bythistime，"
saidDorothy。"Ididn’tknowthismountainwassotall。"
"WearecertainlyagooddistanceawayfromtheLandoftheMangaboos，"
addedZeb;"forwehaveslantedawayfromiteversincewestarted。"
Buttheykeptsteadilymoving，andjustasJimwasabouttiredoutwithhislongjourneythewaysuddenlygrewlighter，andZebputoutthelanternstosavetheoil。
Totheirjoytheyfounditwasawhitelightthatnowgreetedthem，forallwerewearyofthecoloredrainbowlightswhich，afteratime，hadmadetheireyesachewiththeirconstantlyshiftingrays。Thesidesofthetunnelshowedbeforethemliketheinsideofalongspy-glass，andthefloorbecamemorelevel。Jimhastenedhislaggingstepsatthisassuranceofaquickrelieffromthedarkpassage，andinafewmomentsmoretheyhademergedfromthemountainandfoundthemselvesfacetofacewithanewandcharmingcountry。
8。TheValleyofVoicesByjourneyingthroughtheglassmountaintheyhadreachedadelightfulvalleythatwasshapedlikethehollowofagreatcup，withanotherruggedmountainshowingontheothersideofit，andsoftandprettygreenhillsattheends。Itwasalllaidoutintolovelylawnsandgardens，withpebblepathsleadingthroughthemandgrovesofbeautifulandstatelytreesdottingthelandscapehereandthere。
Therewereorchards，too，bearinglusciousfruitsthatareallunknowninourworld。Alluringbrooksofcrystalwaterflowedsparklingbetweentheirflower-strewnbanks，whilescatteredoverthevalleyweredozensofthequaintestandmostpicturesquecottagesourtravelershadeverbeheld。Noneofthemwereinclusters，suchasvillagesortowns，buteachhadamplegroundsofitsown，withorchardsandgardenssurroundingit。
Asthenewarrivalsgazeduponthisexquisitescenetheywereenrapturedbyitsbeautiesandthefragrancethatpermeatedthesoftair，whichtheybreathedsogratefullyaftertheconfinedatmosphereofthetunnel。Severalminuteswereconsumedinsilentadmirationbeforetheynoticedtwoverysingularandunusualfactsaboutthisvalley。Onewasthatitwaslightedfromsomeunseensource;fornosunormoonwasinthearchedbluesky，althougheveryobjectwasfloodedwithaclearandperfectlight。Thesecondandevenmoresingularfactwastheabsenceofanyinhabitantofthissplendidplace。Fromtheirelevatedpositiontheycouldoverlooktheentirevalley，butnotasinglemovingobjectcouldtheysee。Allappearedmysteriouslydeserted。
Themountainonthissidewasnotglass，butmadeofastonesimilartogranite。WithsomedifficultyanddangerJimdrewthebuggyoverthelooserocksuntilhereachedthegreenlawnsbelow，wherethepathsandorchardsandgardensbegan。Thenearestcottagewasstillsomedistanceaway。
"Isn’titfine？"criedDorothy，inajoyousvoice，asshesprangoutofthebuggyandletEurekarunfrolickingoverthevelvetygrass。
"Yes，indeed！"answeredZeb。"Wewereluckytogetawayfromthosedreadfulvegetablepeople。"
"Itwouldn’tbesobad，"remarkedtheWizard，gazingaroundhim，"ifwewereobligedtoliveherealways。Wecouldn’tfindaprettierplace，I’msure。"
Hetookthepigletsfromhispocketandletthemrunonthegrass，andJimtastedamouthfulofthegreenbladesanddeclaredhewasverycontentedinhisnewsurroundings。
"Wecan’twalkintheairhere，though，"calledEureka，whohadtrieditandfailed;buttheothersweresatisfiedtowalkontheground，andtheWizardsaidtheymustbenearerthesurfaceoftheearththentheyhadbeenintheMangaboocountry，foreverythingwasmorehomelikeandnatural。
"Butwherearethepeople？"askedDorothy。
Thelittlemanshookhisbaldhead。
"Can’timagine，mydear，"hereplied。
Theyheardthesuddentwitteringofabird，butcouldnotfindthecreatureanywhere。Slowlytheywalkedalongthepathtowardthenearestcottage，thepigletsracingandgambollingbesidethemandJimpausingateverystepforanothermouthfulofgrass。
Presentlytheycametoalowplantwhichhadbroad，spreadingleaves，inthecenterofwhichgrewasinglefruitaboutaslargeasapeach。
Thefruitwassodaintilycoloredandsofragrant，andlookedsoappetizinganddeliciousthatDorothystoppedandexclaimed：
"Whatisit，doyous’pose？"
Thepigletshadsmelledthefruitquickly，andbeforethegirlcouldreachoutherhandtopluckiteveryoneoftheninetinyoneshadrushedinandcommencedtodevouritwithgreateagerness。
"It’sgood，anyway，"saidZeb，"orthoselittlerascalswouldn’thavegobbleditupsogreedily。"
"Wherearethey？"askedDorothy，inastonishment。
Theyalllookedaround，butthepigletshaddisappeared。
"Dearme！"criedtheWizard;"theymusthaverunaway。ButIdidn’tseethemgo;didyou？"
"No！"repliedtheboyandthegirl，together。
"Here，——piggy，piggy，piggy！"calledtheirmaster，anxiously。
Severalsquealsandgruntswereinstantlyheardathisfeet，buttheWizardcouldnotdiscoverasinglepiglet。
"Whereareyou？"heasked。
"Why，rightbesideyou，"spokeatinyvoice。"Can’tyouseeus？"
"No，"answeredthelittleman，inapuzzledtone。
"Wecanseeyou，"saidanotherofthepiglets。
TheWizardstoopeddownandputouthishand，andatoncefeltthesmallfatbodyofoneofhispets。Hepickeditup，butcouldnotseewhatheheld。
"Itisverystrange，"saidhe，soberly。"Thepigletshavebecomeinvisible，insomecuriousway。"
"I’llbetit’sbecausetheyatethatpeach！"criedthekitten。
"Itwasn’tapeach，Eureka，"saidDorothy。"Ionlyhopeitwasn’tpoison。"
"Itwasfine，Dorothy，"calledoneofthepiglets。
"We’lleatallwecanfindofthem，"saidanother。
"ButWEmus’n’teatthem，"theWizardwarnedthechildren，"orwetoomaybecomeinvisible，andloseeachother。Ifwecomeacrossanotherofthestrangefruitwemustavoidit。"
Callingthepigletstohimhepickedthemallup，onebyone，andputthemawayinhispocket;foralthoughhecouldnotseethemhecouldfeelthem，andwhenhehadbuttonedhiscoatheknewtheyweresafeforthepresent。
Thetravellersnowresumedtheirwalktowardthecottage，whichtheypresentlyreached。Itwasaprettyplace，withvinesgrowingthicklyoverthebroadfrontporch。Thedoorstoodopenandatablewassetinthefrontroom，withfourchairsdrawnuptoit。Onthetablewereplates，knivesandforks，anddishesofbread，meatandfruits。
Themeatwassmokinghotandtheknivesandforkswereperformingstrangeanticsandjumpinghereandthereinquiteapuzzlingway。
Butnotasinglepersonappearedtobeintheroom。
"Howfunny！"exclaimedDorothy，whowithZebandtheWizardnowstoodinthedoorway。
Apealofmerrylaughteransweredher，andtheknivesandforksfelltotheplateswithaclatter。Oneofthechairspushedbackfromthetable，andthiswassoastonishingandmysteriousthatDorothywasalmosttemptedtorunawayinfright。
"Herearestrangers，mama！"criedtheshrillandchildishvoiceofsomeunseenperson。
"SoIsee，mydear，"answeredanothervoice，softandwomanly。
"Whatdoyouwant？"demandedathirdvoice，inastern，gruffaccent。
"Well，well！"saidtheWizard;"aretherereallypeopleinthisroom？"
"Ofcourse，"repliedtheman’svoice。
"And——pardonmeforthefoolishquestion——but，areyouallinvisible？"
"Surely，"thewomananswered，repeatingherlow，ripplinglaughter。
"AreyousurprisedthatyouareunabletoseethepeopleofVoe？"
"Why，yes，"stammeredtheWizard。"AllthepeopleIhaveevermetbeforewereveryplaintosee。"
"Wheredoyoucomefrom，then？"askedthewoman，inacurioustone。
"Webelonguponthefaceoftheearth，"explainedtheWizard，"butrecently，duringanearthquake，wefelldownacrackandlandedintheCountryoftheMangaboos。"
"Dreadfulcreatures！"exclaimedthewoman’svoice。"I’veheardofthem。"
"Theywalledusupinamountain，"continuedtheWizard;"butwefoundtherewasatunnelthroughtothisside，sowecamehere。Itisabeautifulplace。Whatdoyoucallit？"
"ItistheValleyofVoe。"
"Thankyou。Wehaveseennopeoplesincewearrived，sowecametothishousetoenquireourway。"
"Areyouhungry？"askedthewoman’svoice。
"Icouldeatsomething，"saidDorothy。
"SocouldI，"addedZeb。
"Butwedonotwishtointrude，Iassureyou，"theWizardhastenedtosay。
"That’sallright，"returnedtheman’svoice，morepleasantlythanbefore。"Youarewelcometowhatwehave。"
AshespokethevoicecamesoneartoZebthathejumpedbackinalarm。Twochildishvoiceslaughedmerrilyatthisaction，andDorothywassuretheywereinnodangeramongsuchlight-heartedfolks，evenifthosefolkscouldn’tbeseen。
"Whatcuriousanimalisthatwhichiseatingthegrassonmylawn？"
enquiredtheman’svoice。
"That’sJim，"saidthegirl。"He’sahorse。"
"Whatishegoodfor？"wasthenextquestion。
"Hedrawsthebuggyyouseefastenedtohim，andwerideinthebuggyinsteadofwalking，"sheexplained。
"Canhefight？"askedtheman’svoice。
"No！hecankickprettyhardwithhisheels，andbitealittle;butJimcan’t’zactlyfight，"shereplied。
"Thenthebearswillgethim，"saidoneofthechildren’svoices。
"Bears！"exclaimedDorothy。"Arethesebearshere？"
"Thatistheoneevilofourcountry，"answeredtheinvisibleman。
"ManylargeandfiercebearsroamintheValleyofVoe，andwhentheycancatchanyofustheyeatusup;butastheycannotseeus，weseldomgetcaught。"
"Arethebearsinvis’ble，too？"askedthegirl。
"Yes;fortheyeatofthedama-fruit，aswealldo，andthatkeepsthemfrombeingseenbyanyeye，whetherhumanoranimal。"
"Doesthedama-fruitgrowonalowbush，andlooksomethinglikeapeach？"askedtheWizard。
"Yes，"wasthereply。
"Ifitmakesyouinvis’ble，whydoyoueatit？"Dorothyenquired。
"Fortworeasons，mydear，"thewoman’svoiceanswered。"Thedama-fruitisthemostdeliciousthingthatgrows，andwhenitmakesusinvisiblethebearscannotfindustoeatusup。Butnow，goodwanderers，yourluncheonisonthetable，sopleasesitdownandeatasmuchasyoulike。"
9。TheyFighttheInvisibleBearsThestrangerstooktheirseatsatthetablewillinglyenough，fortheywereallhungryandtheplatterswerenowheapedwithgoodthingstoeat。Infrontofeachplacewasaplatebearingoneofthedeliciousdama-fruit，andtheperfumethatrosefromthesewassoenticingandsweetthattheyweresorelytemptedtoeatofthemandbecomeinvisible。
ButDorothysatisfiedherhungerwithotherthings，andhercompanionsdidlikewise，resistingthetemptation。
"Whydoyounoteatthedamas？"askedthewoman’svoice。
"Wedon’twanttogetinvis’ble，"answeredthegirl。
"Butifyouremainvisiblethebearswillseeyouanddevouryou，"
saidagirlishyoungvoice，thatbelongedtooneofthechildren。"Wewholiveheremuchprefertobeinvisible;forwecanstillhugandkissoneanother，andarequitesafefromthebears。"
"Andwedonothavetobesoparticularaboutourdress，"
remarkedtheman。
"Andmamacan’ttellwhethermyfaceisdirtyornot！"addedtheotherchildishvoice，gleefully。
"ButImakeyouwashit，everytimeIthinkofit，"saidthemother;
"foritstandstoreasonyourfaceisdirty，Ianu，whetherIcanseeitornot。"
Dorothylaughedandstretchedoutherhands。
"Comehere，please——Ianuandyoursister——andletmefeelofyou，"
sherequested。
Theycametoherwillingly，andDorothypassedherhandsovertheirfacesandformsanddecidedonewasagirlofaboutherownageandtheotheraboysomewhatsmaller。Thegirl’shairwassoftandfluffyandherskinassmoothassatin。WhenDorothygentlytouchedhernoseandearsandlipstheyseemedtobewellanddelicatelyformed。
"IfIcouldseeyouIamsureyouwouldbebeautiful，"shedeclared。
Thegirllaughed，andhermothersaid：
"WearenotvainintheValleyofVoe，becausewecannotdisplayourbeauty，andgoodactionsandpleasantwaysarewhatmakeuslovelytoourcompanions。Yetwecanseeandappreciatethebeautiesofnature，thedaintyflowersandtrees，thegreenfieldsandtheclearblueofthesky。"
"Howaboutthebirdsandbeastsandfishes？"askedZeb。
"Thebirdswecannotsee，becausetheylovetoeatofthedamasasmuchaswedo;yetweheartheirsweetsongsandenjoythem。Neithercanweseethecruelbears，fortheyalsoeatthefruit。Butthefishesthatswiminourbrookswecansee，andoftenwecatchthemtoeat。"
"Itoccurstomeyouhaveagreatdealtomakeyouhappy，evenwhileinvisible，"remarkedtheWizard。"Nevertheless，weprefertoremainvisiblewhileweareinyourvalley。"
JustthenEurekacamein，forshehadbeenuntilnowwanderingoutsidewithJim;andwhenthekittensawthetablesetwithfoodshecriedout：
"Nowyoumustfeedme，Dorothy，forI’mhalfstarved。"
Thechildrenwereinclinedtobefrightenedbythesightofthesmallanimal，whichremindedthemofthebears;butDorothyreassuredthembyexplainingthatEurekawasapetandcoulddonoharmevenifshewishedto。Then，astheothershadbythistimemovedawayfromthetable，thekittenspranguponthechairandputherpawsupontheclothtoseewhattherewastoeat。Tohersurpriseanunseenhandclutchedherandheldhersuspendedintheair。Eurekawasfranticwithterror，andtriedtoscratchandbite，sothenextmomentshewasdroppedtothefloor，"Didyouseethat，Dorothy？"shegasped。
"Yes，dear，"hermistressreplied;"therearepeoplelivinginthishouse，althoughwecannotseethem。Andyoumusthavebettermanners，Eureka，orsomethingworsewillhappentoyou。"
Sheplacedaplateoffooduponthefloorandthekittenategreedily。
"Givemethatnice-smellingfruitIsawonthetable，"shebegged，whenshehadcleanedtheplate。
"Thosearedamas，"saidDorothy，"andyoumustnevereventastethem，Eureka，oryou’llgetinvis’ble，andthenwecan’tseeyouatall。"
Thekittengazedwistfullyattheforbiddenfruit。
"Doesithurttobeinvis’ble？"sheasked。
"Idon’tknow，"Dorothyanswered;"butitwouldhurtmedre’fullytoloseyou。"
"Verywell，Iwon’ttouchit，"decidedthekitten;"butyoumustkeepitawayfromme，forthesmellisverytempting。"
"Canyoutellus，sirorma’am，"saidtheWizard，addressingtheairbecausehedidnotquiteknowwheretheunseenpeoplestood，"ifthereisanywaywecangetoutofyourbeautifulValley，andontopoftheEarthagain。"
"Oh，onecanleavetheValleyeasilyenough，"answeredtheman’svoice;"buttodosoyoumustenterafarlesspleasantcountry。Asforreachingthetopoftheearth，Ihaveneverheardthatitispossibletodothat，andifyousucceededingettingthereyouwouldprobablyfalloff。"
"Oh，no，"saidDorothy，"we’vebeenthere，andweknow。"
"TheValleyofVoeiscertainlyacharmingplace，"resumedtheWizard;
"butwecannotbecontentedinanyotherlandthanourown，forlong。
Evenifweshouldcometounpleasantplacesonourwayitisnecessary，inordertoreachtheearth’ssurface，tokeepmovingontowardit。"
"Inthatcase，"saidtheman，"itwillbebestforyoutocrossourValleyandmountthespiralstaircaseinsidethePyramidMountain。
Thetopofthatmountainislostintheclouds，andwhenyoureachityouwillbeintheawfulLandofNaught，wheretheGargoyleslive。"
"WhatareGargoyles？"askedZeb。
"Idonotknow，youngsir。OurgreatestChampion，Overman-Anu，onceclimbedthespiralstairwayandfoughtninedayswiththeGargoylesbeforehecouldescapethemandcomeback;buthecouldneverbeinducedtodescribethedreadfulcreatures，andsoonafterwardabearcaughthimandatehimup。"
Thewanderswereratherdiscouragedbythisgloomyreport，butDorothysaidwithasigh：
"IftheonlywaytogethomeistomeettheGurgles，thenwe’vegottomeet’em。Theycan’tbeworsethantheWickedWitchortheNomeKing。"
"ButyoumustrememberyouhadtheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmantohelpyouconquerthoseenemies，"suggestedtheWizard。"Justnow，mydear，thereisnotasinglewarriorinyourcompany。"
"Oh，IguessZebcouldfightifhehadto。Couldn’tyou，Zeb？"askedthelittlegirl。
"Perhaps;ifIhadto，"answeredZeb，doubtfully。
"Andyouhavethejointedswordthatyouchoppedtheveg’tableSorcererintwowith，"thegirlsaidtothelittleman。
"True，"hereplied;"andinmysatchelareotherusefulthingstofightwith。"
"WhattheGargoylesmostdreadisanoise，"saidtheman’svoice。
"OurChampiontoldmethatwhenheshoutedhisbattle-crythecreaturesshudderedanddrewback，hesitatingtocontinuethecombat。Buttheywereingreatnumbers，andtheChampioncouldnotshoutmuchbecausehehadtosavehisbreathforfighting。"
"Verygood，"saidtheWizard;"wecanallyellbetterthanwecanfight，soweoughttodefeattheGargoyles。"
"Buttellme，"saidDorothy，"howdidsuchabraveChampionhappentoletthebearseathim？Andifhewasinvis’ble，andthebearsinvis’ble，whoknowsthattheyreallyatehimup？"
"TheChampionhadkilledelevenbearsinhistime，"returnedtheunseenman;"andweknowthisistruebecausewhenanycreatureisdeadtheinvisiblecharmofthedama-fruitceasestobeactive，andtheslainonecanbeplainlyseenbyalleyes。WhentheChampionkilledabeareveryonecouldseeit;andwhenthebearskilledtheChampionweallsawseveralpiecesofhimscatteredabout，whichofcoursedisappearedagainwhenthebearsdevouredthem。"
Theynowbadefarewelltothekindbutunseenpeopleofthecottage，andafterthemanhadcalledtheirattentiontoahigh，pyramid-shapedmountainontheoppositesideoftheValley，andtoldthemhowtotravelinordertoreachit，theyagainstartedupontheirjourney。
Theyfollowedthecourseofabroadstreamandpassedseveralmoreprettycottages;butofcoursetheysawnoone，nordidanyonespeaktothem。Fruitsandflowersgrewplentifullyallabout，andthereweremanyofthedeliciousdamasthatthepeopleofVoeweresofondof。
AboutnoontheystoppedtoallowJimtorestintheshadeofaprettyorchard，andwhiletheypluckedandatesomeofthecherriesandplumsthatgrewthereasoftvoicesuddenlysaidtothem：
"Therearebearsnearby。Becareful。"
TheWizardgotouthisswordatonce，andZebgrabbedthehorse-whip。
Dorothyclimbedintothebuggy，althoughJimhadbeenunharnessedfromitandwasgrazingsomedistanceaway。
Theowneroftheunseenvoicelaughedlightlyandsaid：
"Youcannotescapethebearsthatway。"
"HowCANwe’scape？"askedDorothy，nervously，foranunseendangerisalwaysthehardesttoface。
"Youmusttaketotheriver，"wasthereply。"Thebearswillnotventureuponthewater。"
"Butwewouldbedrowned！"exclaimedthegirl。
"Oh，thereisnoneedofthat，"saidthevoice，whichfromitsgentletonesseemedtobelongtoayounggirl。"YouarestrangersintheValleyofVoe，anddonotseemtoknowourways;soIwilltrytosaveyou。"
Thenextmomentabroad-leavedplantwasjerkedfromthegroundwhereitgrewandheldsuspendedintheairbeforetheWizard。
"Sir，"saidthevoice，"youmustrubtheseleavesuponthesolesofallyourfeet，andthenyouwillbeabletowalkuponthewaterwithoutsinkingbelowthesurface。Itisasecretthebearsdonotknow，andwepeopleofVoeusuallywalkuponthewaterwhenwetravel，andsoescapeourenemies。"
"Thankyou！"criedtheWizard，joyfully，andatoncerubbedaleafuponthesolesofDorothy’sshoesandthenuponhisown。Thegirltookaleafandrubbedituponthekitten’spaws，andtherestoftheplantwashandedtoZeb，who，afterapplyingittohisownfeet，carefullyrubbedituponallfourofJim’shoofsandthenuponthetiresofthebuggy-wheels。Hehadnearlyfinishedthislasttaskwhenalowgrowlingwassuddenlyheardandthehorsebegantojumparoundandkickviciouslywithhisheels。
"Quick！Tothewateroryouarelost！"criedtheirunseenfriend，andwithouthesitationtheWizarddrewthebuggydownthebankandoutuponthebroadriver，forDorothywasstillseatedinitwithEurekainherarms。Theydidnotsinkatall，owingtothevirtuesofthestrangeplanttheyhadused，andwhenthebuggywasinthemiddleofthestreamtheWizardreturnedtothebanktoassistZebandJim。
Thehorsewasplungingmadlyabout，andtwoorthreedeepgashesappeareduponitsflanks，fromwhichthebloodflowedfreely。
"Runfortheriver！"shoutedtheWizard，andJimquicklyfreedhimselffromhisunseentormentersbyafewviciouskicksandthenobeyed。
Assoonashetrottedoutuponthesurfaceoftheriverhefoundhimselfsafefrompursuit，andZebwasalreadyrunningacrossthewatertowardDorothy。
AsthelittleWizardturnedtofollowthemhefeltahotbreathagainsthischeekandheardalow，fiercegrowl。Atoncehebeganstabbingattheairwithhissword，andheknewthathehadstrucksomesubstancebecausewhenhedrewbackthebladeitwasdrippingwithblood。Thethirdtimethathethrustouttheweapontherewasaloudroarandafall，andsuddenlyathisfeetappearedtheformofagreatredbear，whichwasnearlyasbigasthehorseandmuchstrongerandfiercer。Thebeastwasquitedeadfromtheswordthrusts，andafteraglanceatitsterribleclawsandsharpteeththelittlemanturnedinapanicandrushedoutuponthewater，forothermenacinggrowlstoldhimmorebearswerenear。
Ontheriver，however，theadventurersseemedtobeperfectlysafe。
Dorothyandthebuggyhadfloatedslowlydownstreamwiththecurrentofthewater，andtheothersmadehastetojoinher。TheWizardopenedhissatchelandgotoutsomesticking-plasterwithwhichhemendedthecutsJimhadreceivedfromtheclawsofthebears。
"Ithinkwe’dbettersticktotheriver，afterthis，"saidDorothy。
"Ifourunknownfriendhadn’twarnedus，andtolduswhattodo，wewouldallbedeadbythistime。"
"Thatistrue，"agreedtheWizard，"andastheriverseemstobeflowinginthedirectionofthePyramidMountainitwillbetheeasiestwayforustotravel。"
ZebhitchedJimtothebuggyagain，andthehorsetrottedalonganddrewthemrapidlyoverthesmoothwater。Thekittenwasatfirstdreadfullyafraidofgettingwet，butDorothyletherdownandsoonEurekawasfriskingalongbesidethebuggywithoutbeingscaredabit。
Oncealittlefishswamtoonearthesurface，andthekittengrabbeditinhermouthandateitupasquickasawink;butDorothycautionedhertobecarefulwhatsheateinthisvalleyofenchantments，andnomorefisheswerecarelessenoughtoswimwithinreach。
Afterajourneyofseveralhourstheycametoapointwheretherivercurved，andtheyfoundtheymustcrossamileorsooftheValleybeforetheycametothePyramidMountain。Therewerefewhousesinthispart，andfeworchardsorflowers;soourfriendsfearedtheymightencountermoreofthesavagebears，whichtheyhadlearnedtodreadwithalltheirhearts。
"You’llhavetomakeadash，Jim，"saidtheWizard，"andrunasfastasyoucango。"
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