 CHAPTER IX THE ROYAL FAMILY OF EV THE TEN WOODMAN WAS THE FIRST TO ADDRESS THE MEETING. To begin with, said he, word came to our noble and illustrious ruler, Osma of Oz, that the wife and ten children, five boys and five girls, of the former king of Ev by name Evoldo, have been enslaved by the known king, and are held prisoners in his underground palace. Also that there was no one in Ev powerful enough to release them. Naturally, our Osma wished to undertake the adventure of liberating the poor prisoners, but for a long time she could find no way to cross the great desert between the two countries. Finally, she went to a friendly sorceress of our land named Glinda the Good, who heard the story and at once presented Osma with the magic carpet, which would continually unroll beneath our feet and so make a comfortable path for us to cross the desert. As soon as she had received the carpet, our gracious ruler ordered me to assemble our army, which I did. You behold, in these bold warriors, the pick of all the finest soldiers of Oz, and if we are obliged to fight the known king, every officer, as well as the private, will battle fiercely unto death. Then Tik Tok spoke. Why should you fight the known king? He asked. He has done no wrong. No wrong! cried Dorothy. Isn't it wrong to imprison a queen mother and her ten children? They were sold to the known king by King Evoldo. replied Tik Tok. It was the king of Ev who did wrong, and when he realized what he had done, he jumped into the sea and drowned himself. This is news to me. said Osma thoughtfully. I had supposed the known king was all to blame in the matter, but in any case he must be made to liberate the prisoners. My uncle Evoldo was a very wicked man. declared the princess line-wider. If he had drowned himself before he sold his family, no one would have cared. But he sold them to the powerful known king in exchange for a long life, and afterward destroyed the life by jumping into the sea. Then, said Osma, he did not get the long life, and the known king must give up the prisoners, where they can find. No one knows exactly. replied the princess. For the king, whose name is Roquette of the Rocks, owns a splendid palace underneath the Great Mountain, which is at the north end of this kingdom, and he has transformed the queen and her children into ornaments and bric-a-brac, with which to decorate his rooms. I'd like to know, said Dorothy, who this known king is. I will tell you, replied Osma. He is said to be the ruler of the underground world, and commands the Rocks and all that the Rocks contain. Under his rule are many thousands of the gnomes, who are clearly shaped but powerful sprites that labor at the furnaces and forages of their king, making gold and silver and other metals which they conceal in the crevices of the Rocks, so that those living upon the earth's surface can only find them with great difficulty. Also they make diamonds and rubies and emeralds, which they hide in the ground, so that the kingdom of the gnomes is wonderfully rich, and all we have of precious stones and silver and gold is what we take from the earth and the Rocks, where the gnome king has hidden them. I understand. said Dorothy, nodding her little head wisely. For the reason that we often steal his treasures. continued Osma. The ruler of the underground world is not fond of those who live upon the earth's surface, and never appears among us. If we wish to see King Rokai of the Rocks, we must visit his own country, where he is all powerful, and therefore it will be a dangerous undertaking. But for the sake of the poor prisoners, said Dorothy, we ought to do it. We shall do it, replied the scarecrow. Although it requires a lot of courage for me to go near to the furnaces of the gnome king, for I am only stuffed with straw, and a single spark of fire might destroy me entirely. The furnaces may also melt my tin. said the tin woodman. But I am going. I can't bear heat. remarked the Princess Langwider, yawning lazily. I shall stay at home, but I wish you may have success in your undertaking, for I am heartily tired of ruling this stupid kingdom, and I need more leisure in which to admire my beautiful heads. We do not need you. said Osma. For if with the aid of my brave followers I cannot accomplish my purpose, then it would be useless for you to undertake the journey. Quite true. said the Princess. So if you will excuse me, I shall now retire to my cabinet. I've worn this head quite a while, and I want to change it for another. When she had left them, and you may be sure no one was sorry to see her go, Osma said to Tik Tok. Will you join our party? I am the slave of the girl Dorothy, who rescued me from prison. replied the machine. Where she goes, I will go. Oh, I am going with my friends, of course. said Dorothy quickly. I wouldn't miss the fun for anything. Will you go too, Belina? I'll come in sure. said Belina in careless tone. She was smoothing down the feathers of her back, and not paying much attention. Heat is just in her line. remarked the scarecrow. If she is nicely roasted, she will be better than ever. Then, said Osma, We will arrange to start for the Kingdom of the Gnomes at daybreak tomorrow. And, in the meantime, we will rest and prepare ourselves for the journey. Although Princess Langwider did not again appear to her guests, the palace servants waited upon the strangers from Oz, and did everything in their power to make the party comfortable. There were many vacant rooms at their disposal, and the brave army of twenty-seven was easily provided for and liberally feasted. The cowardly lion and the hungry tiger were unharnessed from the chariot, and allowed to roam at will throughout the palace, where they nearly frightened the servants into fits, although they did no harm at all. At one time Dorothy found the little maid Nanda crouching in terror in a corner, with the hungry tiger standing before her. You certainly look delicious! the beast was saying, Will you kindly give me permission to eat you? No, no, no! cried the maiden reply. Then, said the tiger yawning frightfully, Please, get me about thirty pounds of tenderloin steak cooked rare, with a pack of boiled potatoes on the side, and five gallons of ice cream for dessert. I'll, uh, I'll do the best I can. said Nanda, and she ran away as fast as she could go. Are you so very hungry? asked Dorothy in wonder. You can hardly imagine the size of my appetite. replied the tiger, sadly. It seems to fill my whole body, from the end of my throat to the tip of my tail. I'm very sure the appetite doesn't fit me, and it's too large for the size of my body. Someday, when I meet a dentist with a pair of foresips, I'm going to have it pulled. What, your tooth? asked Dorothy. No, my appetite. said the hungry tiger. The little girl spent most of the afternoon talking with the scarecrow and the tin woodman, who related to her all that had taken place in the land of Oz since Dorothy had left it. She was much interested in the story of Osma, who had been, when a baby, stolen, by a wicked old witch, and transformed into a boy. She did not know that she had ever been a girl until she was restored to her natural form by a kind sorceress. Then it was found that she was the only child of the former ruler of Oz and was entitled to rule in his place. Osma had many adventures, however, before she regained her father's throne, and in these she was accompanied by a pumpkin-headed man, a highly magnified and thoroughly educated waggle-bug, and a wonderful saw-horse that had been brought to life by means of a magic powder. The scarecrow and the tin woodman had also assisted her, but the cowardly lion, who ruled the great forest as the king of the beasts, knew nothing of Osma until after she became the reigning princess of Oz. Then he journeyed to the emerald city to see her, and on hearing she was about to visit the land of Evve to set free the royal family of that country, the cowardly lion begged to go with her and brought along his friend the hungry tiger as well. Having heard this story, Dorothy related to them her own adventures, and then went out with her friends to find the saw-horse that Osma had caused to be shod with plates of gold so that his legs would not wear out. They came upon the saw-horse standing motionless beside the garden gate, but when Dorothy was introduced to him he bowed politely and blinked his eyes, which were knots of wood, and wagged his tail, which was only the branch of a tree. What a remarkable thing to be alive! exclaimed Dorothy. I quite agree with you. replied the saw-horse on a rough but not unpleasant voice. A creature like me has no business to live, as we all know, but it was the magic powder that did it so I cannot justly be blamed. Of course not, said Dorothy. And you seem to be of some use, because I noticed the scarecrow riding upon your back. Oh, yes, I'm of use. Returned the saw-horse? And I never tire, never have to be fed or cared for in any way. Are you intelligent? asked the girl. Not very. It would be foolish to waste intelligence on a common saw-horse when so many professors need it. But I know enough to obey my masters and to gear it up, nor woe when I'm told to, so I'm pretty well satisfied. That night Dorothy slept in a pleasant little bed-chamber next to that occupied by Osmo Vaz, and Belina perched upon the foot of the bed and tucked her head under her wing and slept as soundly in that position, as did Dorothy upon her soft cushions. But before daybreak everyone was awake and stirring, and soon the adventurers were eating a hasty breakfast in the great dining-room of the palace. Osmo sat at the head of a long table on a raised platform with Dorothy on her right hand and the scarecrow on her left. The scarecrow did not eat, of course, but Osmo placed him near her so that she might ask his advice about the journey while she ate. Lower down the table were the twenty-seven warriors of Oz, and at the end of the room the lion and the tiger were eating out of a kettle that had been placed upon the floor, while Belina fluttered around to pick up any scraps that might be scattered. It did not take long to finish the meal, and then the lion and the tiger were harnessed to the chariot and the party was ready to start for the Gnome King's Palace. First rode Osmo with Dorothy beside her in the golden chariot and holding Belina fast in her arms. Then came the scarecrow on the saw-horse with the tin woodman and tiktok marching side by side just behind him. After these tramped the army, looking brave and handsome in their splendid uniforms. The generals commanded the colonels, and the colonels commanded the majors, and the majors commanded the captains, and the captains commanded the private, who marched with an air of proud importance because it required so many officers to give him his orders. And so the magnificent procession left the palace and started along the road just as day was breaking. And by the time the sun came out, they had made good progress toward the valley that led to the Gnome King's Domain. End Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Of Osmer of Oz This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to find out how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Osmer of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 10 The Giant with the Hammer The road led for a time through a pretty farm country and then passed a picnic grove that was very inviting. But the procession continued to steadily advance until Belina cried in an abrupt and commanding manner. Wait! Wait! Osmer stopped her chariot so suddenly that the scarecrow's saw-horse nearly ran into it and the ranks of the army tumbled over one another before they could come into a halt. Immediately the yellow hens struggled from Dorothy's arms and flew into a clump of bushes by the roadside. What's the matter? Called the tin woodman anxiously. Why, Belina wants to lay her egg, that's all. Said Dorothy. Lay her egg? Repeated the tin woodman in astonishment. Yes, she lays one every morning about this time, and it's quite fresh. Said the girl. But does your foolish hen suppose that this dire cavalcade, which is bound on an important adventure, is going to stand still while she lays her egg? Inquired the tin woodman earnestly. What else can we do? Asked the girl. It's a habit of Belina's and she can't break herself of it. Then she must hurry up. Said the tin woodman impatiently. No, no, exclaimed the scarecrow. If she hurries she may lay scrambled eggs. That's nonsense. Said Dorothy. But Belina won't be long, I'm sure. So they stood and waited, although all were restless and anxious to proceed. And by and by the yellow hen came from the bushes saying, What is she doing? Seeing her lay? Asked the scarecrow. Forward march! Shouted the tin woodman waving his axe, and the procession started just as Dorothy had once more grabbed Belina in her arms. Isn't anyone going to get my egg? Cried the hen in great excitement. I'll get it. Said the scarecrow, and at his command the saw-horse pranced into the bushes. The straw-man found the egg, which he placed in his jacket pocket. The cavalcade, having moved rapidly on, was even then far in advance. But it did not take the saw-horse long to catch up with it, and presently the scarecrow was riding in his accustomed place behind Osmas chariot. What shall I do with the egg? He asked Dorothy. I do not know. The girl answered. Perhaps the hungry tiger would like it. It would not be enough to fill one of my back teeth. Remarked the tiger. A bushel of them, hard-boiled, might take a little of the edge off my appetite. But one egg isn't good for anything at all that I know of. No, it wouldn't even make a sponge-cake. Said the scarecrow thoughtfully. The tin woodman might carry it with his axe and hatch it, but after all I may as well keep it myself for a souvenir. So he left it in his pocket. They had now reached the part of the valley that lay between the two high mountains which Dorothy had seen from her tower window. At the far end was the third great mountain which blocked the valley and was the northern edge of the land of Elve. It was underneath this mountain that the Gnome King's palace was said to be, but it would be some time before they reached that place. The path became rocky and difficult for the wheels of the chariot to pass over, and presently a deep gulf appeared at their feet, which was too wide for them to leap. So Osma took a small square of green cloth from her pocket and threw it upon the ground. At once it became the magic carpet and unrolled itself far enough for all the cavalcade to walk upon. The chariot now advanced and the green carpet unrolled before it, crossing the gulf on a level with its banks so that it all passed over in safety. That's easy enough! said the scarecrow. I wonder what will happen next. He was not long in making the discovery. For the sides of the mountain came closer together until finally there was but a narrow path between them along which Osma and her party were forced to pass in single file. They now heard a low, deep, thump, thump, thump, which echoed throughout the valley and seemed to grow louder as they advanced. Then turning a corner of rock, they saw before them a huge form which towered above the path for more than a hundred feet. The form was that of a gigantic man built out of plates of cast iron and it stood with one foot on either side of the narrow road and swung over its right shoulder an immense iron mallet with which it constantly pounded the earth. These resounding blows explained the thumping sounds they had heard. For the mallet was much bigger than a barrel and where it struck the path between the rocky sides of the mountain it filled all the space through which our travelers would be obliged to pass. Of course they had once halted, a safe distance away from the terrible iron mallet. The magic carpet would do them no good in this case for it was only meant to protect them from dangers upon the ground beneath their feet and not from dangers that appeared in the air above them. Whoa! said the cowardly lion of the shutter. It makes me dreadfully nervous to see that big hammer pounding so near my head. One blow would crush me into a doormat. The iron giant is a fine fellow, said Tiktok, and works as steadily as a clock. He was made for the gnome king by Smith and Tinker, who made me, and his duty is to keep folks from finding the underground palace. Is he not a great work of art? Can he think and speak as you do? Asked Osma regarding the giant with wandering eyes. No. Replied the machine. He is only made to pound the road and has no thinking or speaking attachment, but he pounds very well, I think. Too well! said the scarecrow. He is keeping us from going farther. Is there no way to stop his machinery? Only the gnome king, who has the key, can do that. answered Tiktok. Then, said Dorothy anxiously, what shall we do? Excuse me for a few minutes, said the scarecrow, and I will think it over. He retired then to a position in the rear where he turned his painted face to the rocks and began to think. In the meantime, the giant continued to raise his iron mallet high in the air and to strike the path terrific blows that echoed through the mountains like the roar of a cannon. Each time the mallet lifted, however, there was a moment when the path beneath the monster was free, and perhaps the scarecrow had noticed this for when he came back to the others, he said. The matter is a very simple one, after all. We have but to run under the hammer one at a time when it is lifted to the other side before it falls again. It will require great work if we escape the blow, said the tin woodman with the shake of his head. But it really seems the only thing to be done. Who will make the first attempt? They looked at one another hesitatingly for a moment, then the cowardly lion who was trembling like a leaf in the wind said to them, I suppose the head of the procession must go first. And that's me. But I'm terribly afraid of the big hammer. What will become of me? Asked Osma. You might rush under the hammer yourself, but the chariot would surely be crushed. We must leave the chariot, said the scarecrow. But you two girls can ride upon the backs of the lion and the tiger. So this was decided upon, and Osma, as soon as the lion was unfastened from the chariot, at once mounted the beast's back and said she was ready. Cling fast to his mane, advised Dorothy. I used to ride him myself, and that's the way I held on. So Osma clung fast to the mane, and the lion crouched in the path and eyed the swinging mallet carefully until he knew just the instant it would begin to rise in the air. Then, before anyone thought he was ready, he made a sudden leap straight between the iron giant's legs and before the mallet struck the ground again, the lion and Osma were safe on the other side. The tiger went next. Dorothy sat upon his back and locked her arms around his striped neck, for he had no mane to cling to. He made the leap straight and drew as an arrow from a bow and, as Dorothy realized it, she was out of danger and standing by Osma's side. Now came the scarecrow on the saw-horse and, while they made the dash in safety, they were within a hare's breath of being caught by the descending hammer. Tick-tock walked up to the very edge of the spot the hammer struck and, as it was raised for the next blow, he calmly stepped forward and escaped its descent. That was an idea for the ten woodmen to follow and he also crossed in safety while the great hammer was in the air. But when it came to the twenty-six officers and the private, their knees were so weak that they could not walk a step. In battle we are wonderfully courageous," said one of the generals, and our foes find us very terrible to face. But war is one thing and this is another. When it comes to being pounded upon the head by an iron hammer and smashed into pancakes, we naturally object. Make a run for it. Here's the scarecrow. Our knees shake so that we cannot run. Answer to Captain. If we should try it, we would all certainly be pounded to a jelly. Well, well, sighed the cowardly lion, I see, friend tiger, that we must place ourselves in great danger to rescue this bold army. Come with me and we will do the best we can. So Osma and Dorothy, having already dismounted from their backs, the lion and the tiger leaped back again under the awful hammer and returned with two generals clinging to their necks. They repeated this daring passage twelve times when all the officers had been carried beneath the giant's legs and landed safely on the further side. By that time the beasts were very tired and panted so hard that their tongues hung out of their great mouths. But what is to become of the private? asked Osma. Oh, leave him there to guard the chariot! said the lion. I'm tired out and won't pass under that mallet again. The officers at once protested that they must have the private with them else there would be no one for them to command. But neither the lion or the tiger would go after him and so the scarecrow sent the saw-horse. Either the wooden horse was careless or it failed to properly time the descent of the hammer for the mighty weapon caught it squarely upon its head and thumped it against the ground so powerfully that the private flew off its back high into the air and landed upon one of the giant's cast-iron arms. There he clung desperately while the arm rose and fell with each one of the rapid strokes. The scarecrow dashed in to rescue his saw-horse and had his left foot smashed by the hammer before he could pull the creature out of danger. They then found that the saw-horse had been badly dazed by the blow. For while the heart would not of which his head was formed could not be crushed by the hammer both his ears were broken off and he would be unable to hear a sound until some new ones were made for him. Also his left knee was cracked and had to be bound up with a string. Bellina having fluttered under the hammer it now remained only to rescue the private who was riding upon the iron giant's arm high in the air. The scarecrow lay flat on the ground and called the man to jump upon his body which was soft because it was stuffed with straw. This the private managed to do. Waiting until a time when he was nearest the ground and then letting himself drop upon the scarecrow. He accomplished the feat without breaking any bones and the scarecrow declared he was not injured in the least. Therefore the tin woodman having by this time fitted new ears to the saw-horse the entire party proceeded upon its way leaving the giant to pound the path behind them. End Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of Osmo of Oz This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Osmo of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 11 The Gnome King By and by when they drew near to the mountain the path and which was the furthest edge of the kingdom of Ev the way grew dark and gloomy for the reason that the high peaks on either side shed out the sunshine. And it was very silent too as there were no birds to sing or squirrels to chatter the trees being left far behind them and only the bare rocks remaining. Osma and Dorothy were a little odd by the silence and all the others were quiet and grave with a tall horse which as it trotted along with the scarecrow upon its back hummed a queer song of which this was the chorus. Would a wooden horse in a woodland go ay, ay, ay, sigh he would although had he not a wooden head he'd mount the mountain top instead. But no one paid any attention to this they were now close to the Gnome King's dominions and his splendid underground palace could not be very far away suddenly they heard a shout of jeering laughter and stopped short they would have to stop in a minute anyway for the huge mountain barred their further progress and the path ran close up to the wall of the rock and ended. Who was that laughing? asked Osma there was no reply but in the gloom they could see strange forms flit across the face of the rock whatever their creations might be they seemed very like the rock itself for they were a colour of the rocks and their shape was raw and rugged as if they'd been broken away from the side of the mountain. They kept close to the steep cliff facing our friends and gliding up and down this way and that with a lack of regularity that was quite confusing and they seemed not to need places to rest their feet but clung to the surface of the rock as it lied us to a window pane and were never still for a moment do not mind them said Tiktok as Dorothy shrank back they are only the gnomes and what are gnomes asked the girl half frightened they are rock ferries and serve the gnome king replied the machine but they will do us no harm you must call for the king because without him you can never find the entrance to the palace you call said Dorothy to Osma just then the gnomes laughed again and the sound was so weird and disheartening that twenty six officers commanded the private to right about face and they all started to run as fast as they could the tin woodman at once pursued his army and cried HOT and when they had stopped their flight he asked where are you going I I've forgotten the brush for my whiskers said the general trembling with fear so we're going back after it that is impossible replied the tin woodman for the giant with the hammer would kill you all if you tried to pass him oh I had forgotten the giant said the general turning pale you seem to forget a good many things remarked the tin woodman I hope you won't forget that you are brave men NEVER cried the general slapping his gold embroidered chest NEVER cried all the other officers indignantly slapping their chests for my part said the private meekly I must obey my officers so when I am told to run I run when I am told to fight I fight that is right agreed the tin woodman and now you must all come back to osma and obey her orders and if you try to run away again I will have her reduce all the 26 officers to privates and make the private your general this terrible threat so frightened them that they had once returned to where osma was standing beside the cowardly lion then osma cried out in a loud voice I demand that the gnome king appear to us there was no reply except that the shifting gnomes upon the mountain laughed in derision you must not command the gnome king said tiktok for you do not rule him as you do your own people so osma called again saying I request the gnome king to appear to us only the mocking laughed a reply to her and the shadowy gnomes continued to flit here and there upon the rocky cliff try in treaty said tiktok to osma if he will not come at your request then the gnome king may listen to your pleading osma looked around her proudly do you wish your ruler to plead with this wicked gnome king she asked shall osma of Oz humble herself to a creature who lives in an underground kingdom no they all shouted with big voices and the scarecrow added if he will not come we will dig him out of his hole like a fox and conquer his stubbornness but our sweet little ruler must always maintain her dignity just as I maintain mine I'm not afraid to plead with him said Dorothy I'm only a little girl from Kansas and we've got more dignity at home than we know what to do with I'll call the gnome king do said the hungry tiger and if he makes hash of you I'll willingly eat you for breakfast tomorrow morning so Dorothy stepped forward and said please mr. gnome king come here and see us the gnome started to laugh again but a low growl came from the mountain and in a flash they had all vanished from sight and were silent then a door in the rock opened and the voice cried enter isn't it a trick asked the tin woodman never mind replied osma we came here to rescue the poor queen of ebb and her ten children and we must run some risks to do so the gnome king is honest and good-natured said tiktok you can trust him to do what is right so osma led the way hand in hand with Dorothy and they passed through the arch doorway of rock and entered a long passage which was lighted by jewels set in the walls and having labs behind them there was no one to escort them or to show them the way but all the party pressed through the passage until they came to a round, domed cavern that was grandly furnished in the center of this room was a throne carved out of a solid boulder of rock rude and rugged in shape but glittering with great rubies and diamonds and emeralds on every part of its surface and upon the throne sat the gnome king this important monarch of the underground world was a little fat man clothed in grey-brown garments that were the exact color of the rock throne in which he was seated his bushy hair and flowing beard were also colored like the rocks and so was his face he wore no crown of any sort and his only ornament was a broad, jewel-studded belt that encircled his fat little body as for his features they seemed kindly and good-humored his eyes were turned merrily upon his visitors as Osma and Dorothy stood before him with their followers ringed in close order behind them why, he looks just like Santa Claus only he isn't the same color whispered Dorothy to her friend but the gnome king heard the speech and it made him laugh aloud he had a red face and a round little belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly quoth the monarch in a pleasant voice and they could all see that he really did shake like jelly when he laughed both Osma and Dorothy were much relieved to find the gnome king so jolly and a minute later he waved his right hand and the girls each found a cushioned stool at their side sit down, my dears said the king and tell me why you've come all this way to see me and what I can do to make you happy while they seated themselves the gnome king picked up a pipe with a red coal out of his pocket he placed it in a bowl of a pipe and began puffing out clouds of smoke that curled in rings above his head Dorothy thought this made the little monarch look more like Santa Claus than ever but Osma now began speaking and everyone listened intently to her words your majesty said she I am the ruler of the land of Oz and I have come here to ask you to release the good queen of Ev and her ten children whom you have enchanted and hold as your prisoners oh no you are mistaken about that replied the king they are not my prisoners but my slaves whom I purchased from the king of Ev but that was wrong said Osma according to the laws of Ev the king can do no wrong answered the monarch I am a ring of smoke he had just blown from his mouth so that he had a perfect right to sell his family to me in exchange for a long life you cheated him though declared Dorothy for the king of Ev did not have a long life he jumped into the sea and was drowned that was not my fault said the gnome king crossing his legs and smiling contentedly I gave him the long life alright but he destroyed it then how could it be a long life asked Dorothy easily enough was the reply now suppose my dear that I gave you a pretty doll in exchange for a lock of your hair and that after you had received the doll you smashed it into pieces and destroyed it could you say that I had not given you a pretty doll no answered Dorothy and could you in fairness ask me to return to you the lock of hair just because you smashed the doll no said Dorothy again of course not the gnome king returned nor will I give up the queen and her children because the king of Ev destroyed his long life by jumping into the sea they belong to me and I shall keep them but you are treating them cruelly said Osma who was much distressed by the king's refusal in what way he asked come your slaves said she cruelty remarked the monarch puffing out wreaths of smoke and watching them float into the air it's a thing I can't abide so as slaves must work hard and the queen of Ev and her children were delicate and tender I transformed them all into articles of ornament and bric-a-brac and scattered them around the various rooms of my palace being obligated to labor they merely decorate my apartments and I really think I have treated them with great kindness but what a dreadful fate is theirs exclaimed Osma earnestly and the kingdom of Ev is in great need of its royal family to govern it if you will liberate them and restore them to their proper forms I will give you ten ornaments to replace each one you lose the gnome king looked grave suppose I refuse he asked then said Osma firmly I am here with my friends and my army to conquer your kingdom and oblige you to obey my wishes the gnome king laughed until he choked and he choked until he coughed and he coughed until his face turned from grayish brown to bright red and then he wiped his eyes with a rock-colored handkerchief and grew grave again you are as brave as you are pretty my dear he said to Osma but you have little idea of the extent of a task you have undertaken come with me for a moment he arose and took Osma's hand leading her to a little door at one side of the room this he opened and they stepped out upon a balcony for once they obtained a wonderful view of the underground world a vast cave extended for miles and miles under the mountain and in every direction where furnaces and forges glowing brightly and gnomes hammering upon precious metals or polishing gleaming jewels all around the walls of the cave were thousands of doors of silver and gold built into the solid rock and these extended and rose far away into the distance as far as Osma's eye could follow them wild little maid from Oz gazed wonderingly upon the scene the gnome king uttered a shrill whistle and at once all the silver and gold doors flew open in solid rinks of gnome soldiers marched out from every one so great were their numbers that they quickly filled the immense underground cavern and forced the busy workmen to abandon their tasks although this tremendous army consisted of rock-colored gnomes all squat and fat they were clothed in glittering armor of polished steel inlaid with beautiful gems upon his brow each wore a brilliant electric light and they bore sharp spears and swords and battle axes of solid bronze it was evident they were perfectly trained for they stood in straight rows rank after rank with their weapons held erect and true as if awaiting but the word of command to level them upon their foes this said the gnome king is but a small part of my army no ruler upon earth has ever dared to fight me and no ruler ever will I am too powerful to oppose he whistled again and at once the marshal of ray filed through the silver and gold doorways and disappeared after which the workmen again resumed their labors at the furnaces then sad and discouraged Osma of Oz turned to her friends and the gnome king calmly receded himself on his rock throne it would be foolish for us to fight the girl said to the tin woodman for our brave 27 would be quickly destroyed I am sure I do not know how to act in this emergency ask the king where his kitchen is suggest the tiger I am hungry as a bear I might pounce on the king and tear him in pieces remarked the cowardly lion try it said the monarch lighting his pipe with another hot coal in his pocket the lion crashed low and tried to spring upon the gnome king but he hopped only a little way into the air and came down again in the same place not being able to approach the throne by even an inch it seems to me said the scarecrow thoughtfully that our best plan is to weedle his majesty into giving up his slaves since he is too great a magician to oppose this is the most sensible thing any of you have suggested declared the gnome king it is folly to threaten me but I am so kind-hearted that I cannot stand coaxing or weedling if you really wish to accomplish anything by your journey my dear osma you must coax me very well said osma more cheerfully let us be friends and talk us over in a friendly manner to be sure agreed the king has his eyes twinkling merrily I am very anxious she continued to liberate the queen of ebb and her children who are now ornaments in brigabrack in your majesty's palace and to restore them to their people tell me sir how this may be accomplished the king remained thoughtful for a moment after which he asked are you willing to take a few chances and risks yourself in order to set free the people of ebb indeed answered osma eagerly then said the gnome king I will make you this offer you shall go alone and unattended into my palace and examine carefully all that the rooms contain then you shall have permission to touch eleven different objects pronouncing at the time the word ebb and if any one of them or more than one proves to be the transformation of the queen of ebb or any of her ten children then they will instantly be restored to their true forms and may leave the palace of my kingdom in your company without any objection whatsoever it is possible for you in this way to free the entire eleven but if you do not guess all the objects correctly and some of the slaves remain transformed then each one of your friends and followers may in turn have the same privilege I grant you oh thank you thank you for this kind offer said osma eagerly I make but one condition added the gnome king his eyes twinkling what is it she inquired if none of the eleven objects you touch proves to be the transformation of any of the royal family of ebb then instead of freeing them you will yourself become enchanted and transformed into an article of bric-a-brac or an ornament this is only fair and just and is the risk you declared you were willing to take End of Chapter 11 Chapter 12 of Osma of Oz this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Osma of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 12 The Eleven Guesses hearing this condition imposed by the gnome king Osma became silent and thoughtful and all her friends looked at her uneasily don't you do it exclaimed Dorothy if you guess wrong you will be enslaved yourself but I shall have eleven guesses answered Osma if you guess one object in eleven correctly and if I do I shall rescue one of the royal family and be saved myself then the rest of you may attempt it and soon we shall free all of those who are enslaved what if we fail inquired the scarecrow I'd look nice as a piece of bric-a-brac wouldn't I we must not fail cried Osma courageously having come all this distance to free these poor people it would be weak and cowardly enough to abandon the adventure therefore I will accept the gnome king's offer and go at once into the royal palace come along then my dear said the king climbing down from his throne with some difficulty because he was so fat I'll show you the way he approached the wall of the cave and waved his hand instantly an opening appeared Osma, after a smiling farewell to her friends boldly passed she found herself in a splendid hall that was more beautiful and grand than anything she had ever beheld the ceilings were composed of great arches that rose far above her head and all the walls and floors were a polished marble exquisitely tinted in many colours thick velvet carpets were on the floor and heavy silk and draperies covered the arches leading to the various rooms of the palace the furniture was made of rare old woods richly carved and covered with delicate satins and the entire palace was lighted by a mysterious rosy glow that seemed to come from no particular place but flooded each apartment with its soft and pleasing radiance Osma passed from one room to another greatly delighted by all she saw the lovely palace had no other occupant for the gnome king had left her at the entrance which closed behind her and in all the magnificent rooms there appeared to be no other person upon the mantles and on many shelves and brackets and tables were clustered ornaments of every description seemingly made out of all sorts of metals glass, china, stones and marble there were vases and figures of men and animals and graven platters and bowls and mosaics of precious gems and many other things pictures too were on the wall and the underground palace was quite a museum of rare and curious and costly objects after her first hasty examination of the rooms Osma began to wonder which of all the numerous ornaments they contained were the transformations of the royal family of Ev there was nothing to guide her without a spark of life so she must guess blindly and the first time the girl came to realize how dangerous was her task and how likely she was to lose her own freedom in striving to free others from the bondage of the gnome king no wonder the cunning monarch laughed good naturedly with his visitors when he knew how easily they might be entrapped but Osma, having undertaken the venture would not abandon it she looked at a silver candelabra that had ten branches and thought this may be the queen of Ev and her ten children so she touched it and uttered aloud the word Ev as the gnome king had instructed her to do when she guessed but the candelabra remained as it was before then she wandered into another room and touched a china lamb thinking it might be one of the children she sought but again she was unsuccessful three guesses four guesses five six seven eight nine and ten she made and still not one of them was right the girl shivered a little and grew pale even under the rosy light for now but one guess remained and her own fate depended upon the result she resolved not to be hasty and strolled through all the rooms once more gazing earnestly upon the various ornaments and trying to decide which she would touch finally in despair she decided to leave it entirely to chance she faced the doorway of a room shut her eyes tightly and then thrusting aside the heavy draperies she advanced blindly with her right arm outstretched before her slowly softly she crept forward until her hand came in contact with an object upon a small round table she did not know what it was but in a low voice she pronounced the word as the rooms were quite empty of life after that the gnome king had gained a new ornament for upon the edge of the table rested a pretty grasshopper that seemed to have been formed from a single emerald it was all that remained of osma of oz in the throne room just beyond the palace the gnome king suddenly looked up and smiled next with a silent voice dorothy, the scarecrow and the tin woodman who had been sitting in anxious silence each gave a start of dismay and stared into one another's eyes as she failed asked tiktok so it seems answered the little monarch cheerfully but that is no reason one of you should not succeed the next may have 12 guesses instead of 11 for there are now 12 persons transformed into ornaments well well which of you goes next I'll go said dorothy not so replied the tin woodman as commander of osma's army it is my privilege to follow her and attempt her rescue a way you go then said the scarecrow but be careful old friend I will promised the tin woodman and then he followed the gnome king to the entrance to the palace and the rock closed behind him end of chapter 12 recording by david laurance in brampton ontario august 2009 chapter 13 of osma avaz this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org osma avaz by elfrank balm chapter 13 the gnome king laughs in a moment the king returned to his throne and relighted his pipe and the rest of the little band of adventurers settled themselves for another long wait they were greatly disheartened by the failure of their girl ruler and the knowledge that she was now an ornament in the gnome king's palace a dreadful creepy place in spite of all its magnificence without their little leader they did not know what to do next and each one down to the trembling private of the army began to fear he would soon be more ornamental than useful suddenly the gnome king began laughing what's happened? nest the scarecrow why your friend, detain woodsman has become the funniest thing you can imagine said the king no one would ever believe he could make such an amusing ornament next they gazed at each other with sinking hearts one of the generals began to weep duly what are you crying for? asked the scarecrow indignant at such a display of weakness he owed me six weeks back pay said the general and I hate to lose him then you shall go and find him declared the scarecrow me well greatly alarmed certainly it is your duty to follow your commander march I won't said the general I'd like to of course but I just simply won't the scarecrow looked inquiringly at the gnome king never mind said the jolly monarch if he doesn't care to enter the palace and make his guesses I'll throw him into one of my fiery furnaces I'll go of course I'm going yelled the general as quick as scat where is the entrance where is it let me go at once so the gnome king escorted him into the palace and again returned to wait the result what the general did no one can tell but it was not long before the king called for the next victim and a colonel was forced to try his fortune thus one after another all of the 26 officers filed into the palace and made their guesses and became ornaments meanwhile the king ordered refreshments to be served to those waiting and it is command a rudely shaped gnome entered bearing a tray this gnome was not unlike others that Dorothy had seen but he wore a heavy gold chain around his neck to show that he was the chief steward of the gnome king and he assumed an air of much importance and even told his majesty not to eat too much cake late at night or he would be ill Dorothy however was hungry and she was not afraid of being ill so she ate several cakes and found them good and also she drank a cup of excellent coffee made of a richly flavored clay browned in the furnaces and then ground fine and found it most refreshing and not at all muddy of all the party which had started upon this adventure the little Kansas girl was now left alone with the scarecrow, tiktok and the private for counselors and companions of course the cowardly lion tiger were still there but they having also eaten some of the cakes had gone to sleep at one side of the cave while upon the other side stood the saw horse, motionless and silent as become a mere thing of wood Bilna had quietly walked around and picked up the crumbs of cake which had been scattered and now as it was long after bedtime she tried to find some dark place in which to go to sleep presently the hand has spied a hollow underneath the king's rocky throne and crept into it unnoticed she could still hear the chattering of all those around her but it was almost dark underneath the throne so that soon she had fallen fast asleep next called the king and the private whose turn it was to enter the fatal palace shook hands with Dorothy and the scarecrow and bade them a sorrowful goodbye and passed to the rocky portal they waited a long time for the private was in no hurry to become an ornament and made his guesses very slowly the gnome king who seemed to know by some magical power all it took place in his beautiful rooms of his palace grew impatient finally and declared he would sit up no longer I love ornaments said he but I can't wait until tomorrow to get more of them so as soon as that stupid private is transformed we will all go to bed and leave the job to be finished in the morning is it so very late asked Dorothy why it is after midnight said the king and that strikes me as being late enough there is neither night nor day in my kingdom because it is under the earth's surface where the sun does not shine but we have to sleep just the same as the upstairs people do and for my part I am going to bed in a few minutes indeed it was not long after this that the private made his last guess of course he guessed wrongly and of course he at once became an ornament so the king was greatly pleased and clapped his hands to summon the steward show these guests to some of the sleeping apartments he commanded and be quick about it too for I am dreadfully sleepy myself you've no business to sit up so late replied the steward gruffly you'll be as cross as a griffon tomorrow morning his majesty made no answer to this remark and the chief steward led Dorothy through another doorway into a long hall where comfortable sleeping rooms opened the little girl was given the first room and the scarecrow and tiktok the next although they never slept and the lion and the tiger the third the saw horse hobbled after the steward into the fourth room to stand stiffly in the center of it until morning each night was rather abhorred to the scarecrow, tiktok and the saw horse but they had learned from experience silently and quietly since all their friends who were made of flesh had to sleep and did not like to be disturbed when the chief steward had left them alone the scarecrow remarked sadly I am in great sorrow over the loss of my old comrade the tin woodman we have had many dangerous adventures together and escape them all and now it grees me to know that he has become an ornament to me forever he was always an ornament to society he said tiktok true but now the gnome king laughed at him and calls him the funniest ornament in all the palace it will hurt my poor friend's pride to be laughed at continued the scarecrow sadly we will make rather absurd ornaments ourselves to-morrow in his monotonous voice just then Dorothy ran into the room in a state of great anxiety crying where's Belina? have you seen Belina? is she here? no answered the scarecrow then what has become of her? asked the girl why, I thought she was with you said the scarecrow yet I do not remember seeing since she picked up the crumbs of cake we must have left her in the room where the king's throne is decided Dorothy and at once she turned and ran down the hall to the door through which they had entered but it was fast closed and locked on the other side and the heavy slab of rock proved to be so thick that no sound could pass through it so Dorothy was forced to return to her chamber and surely Lion stuck his head into her room to try to console the girl for the loss of her feathered friend the yellow hen is well able to take care of herself said he so don't worry about her but try to get all the sleep you can it has been a long and weary day and you need rest I'll probably get lots of rest tomorrow when I become an ornament said Dorothy sleepily but she laid down upon her couch nevertheless and in spite of all her worries was soon in the land of dreams End of Chapter 13 Recorded by Lyle Wilson Haymarket, Virginia, August 2009 Chapter 14 of Osma of Oz this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Osma of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 14 Dorothy tries to be brave meantime the chief steward had returned to the throne room where he said to the king what? cried his majesty in so enraged a voice that it awoke Belina who was asleep under his throne how dare you call me a fool because I like to speak the truth said the steward why didn't you enchant them all at once instead of allowing them to go one by one into the palace and guess which ornaments are the queen of eve and her children why you stupid rascal it's more fun return to the king and it serves to keep me amused for a long time but suppose some of them happened to guess a right persisted the steward then you would lose your old ornaments and these new ones too there is no chance of their guessing a right replied the monarch with a laugh how could they know that the queen of eve and her family are all ornaments of a royal purple color there are no other purple ornaments in the palace said the steward there are so many other colors however and a purple ones are scattered throughout the rooms and are of many different shapes and sizes take my word for it steward they will never think of choosing the purple ornaments Belina squatting under the throne had listened carefully to all this talk and now chuckled softly to herself as she heard the king disclose his secret still you are acting foolishly by running the chance continued the steward roughly and it is still more foolish of you to transform all those people from Oz into green ornaments I did that because they came from the emerald city replied the king and I had no green ornaments in my collection until now I think that they will look quite pretty mixed with the other colors don't you the steward gave an angry grunt have your own way since you are the king he growled but if you come to grief through your carelessness remember that I told you so if I wore the magic belt which enables you to work all your transformations and gives you so much other power I am sure I would make a much wiser and better king than you are oh cease your tiresome chatter commanded the king getting angry again because you are my chief steward you have an idea you can scold me as much as you please but the very next time you become impudent I will send you to work in the furnaces and get another gnome to fill your place now follow me to my chamber for I am going to bed and see that I am wakened early tomorrow morning I want to enjoy the fun of transforming the rest of these people into ornaments what color will you make the Kansas girl ask the steward gray I think said his majesty and the scarce and the scarecrow and the machine man oh they shall be of solid gold because they are so ugly in real life then the voices died away and Belina knew that the king and his steward had left the room she fixed up some of her tail feathers that were not straight and then tucked her head under her wing again and went to sleep in the morning Dorothy and the lion and the tiger were given their breakfast in their rooms and afterward joined the king in his throne room the tiger complained bitterly that he was half starved and begged to go into the palace and become an ornament so that he would no longer suffer the pangs of hunger haven't you had your breakfast asked the gnome king oh I just had a bite replied the beast but what good is a bite to a hungry tiger he ate seventeen bowls of porridge a platter full of fried sausages eleven loaves of bread and twenty one minced pies said the steward what more do you want demanded the king a fat baby I want a fat baby said the hungry tiger a nice plump juicy tender fat baby but of course if I had one my conscience would not allow me to eat it so I'll have to be an ornament and forget my hunger impossible exclaimed the king I'll have no clumsy beasts enter my palace to overturn and break all my pretty knickknacks when the rest of your friends are transformed you can return to the upper world and go about your business as for that we have no business when our friends are gone said the lion so we do not much care what becomes of us Dorothy begged to be allowed to go first into the palace but TikTok firmly maintained that the slave should face danger before the mistress the scarecrow agreed with him in that so the gnome king opened the door for the machine man who dreamt into the palace to meet his fate then his majesty returned to his throne and puffed his pipe so contentedly that a small cloud of smoke formed above his head by and by he said I'm sorry there are so few of you left very soon now my fun will be over and then for amusement I shall have nothing to do but admire my new ornaments it seems to me said Dorothy that you are not so honest as you pretend to be how's that asked the king while you made us think it would be easy to guess what ornaments the people of Ev were changed into it is easy declared the monarch if one is a good guesser but it appears that the members of your party are all poor guessers what is TikTok doing now asked the girl uneasily nothing replied the king with a frown he is standing perfectly still in the middle of a room oh I expect he's run down said Dorothy I forgot to wind him up this morning how many guesses has he made all that he is allowed except one answered the king suppose you go in and wind him up and then you can stay there and make your own guesses all right said Dorothy it is my turn next declared the scarecrow why you don't want to go away and leave me all alone do you asked the girl besides if I go now I can wind up TikTok so that he can make his last guess very well then said the scarecrow with a sigh run along little Dorothy and may good luck go with you so Dorothy trying to be brave in spite of her fears passed through the doorway into the gorgeous rooms of the palace the stillness of the place awed her at first and the child drew short breaths and pressed her hand into her heart and looked all around with wondering eyes yes it was a beautiful place but enchantments lurked in every nook and corner and she had not yet grown accustomed to the wizardries of these fairy countries so different from the quiet and sensible common places of her own native land slowly she passed through several rooms until she came upon TikTok standing motionless it really seemed then that she had found a friend in this mysterious palace so she hastened to wind up the machine man's action and speech and thoughts thank you Dorothy were his first words I have now one more guess to make I'll be very careful TikTok won't you? cried the girl yes but the gnome king has us in his power and he has set a trap for us I fear we are all lost he answered I fear so too said Dorothy sadly if Smith and Tinker had given me a guessing clockwork attachment continued TikTok I might have defied the gnome king but my thoughts are plain and simple and are not of much use in this case do the best you can said Dorothy encouragingly and if you fail I will watch see what shape you are changed into so TikTok touched a yellow glass vase that had daisies painted on one side and he spoke at the same time the word ev in a flash the machine man had disappeared and although the girl looked quickly in every direction she could not tell which of the many ornaments the room contained had a moment before been her faithful friend and servant so all she could do was to accept the task set her and make her guesses and abide by the result it can't hurt very much she thought for I haven't heard any of them scream or cry out not even the poor officers dear me I wonder if Uncle Henry or Aunt M will ever know I've become an ornament in the gnome king's palace and must stand for ever and ever in one place and look pretty except when I'm moved to be dusted by her and out at all but I suppose it can't be helped she walked through all the rooms once more and examined with care all the objects they contained but there were so many they bewildered her and she decided after all as Osma had done that it could be only guesswork at the best and that the chances were much against her guessing a right timidly she touched an alabaster bowl and said ev she thought but how am I to know which thing is enchanted and which is not next she touched the image of a purple kitten that stood on the corner of a mantel and as she pronounced the word ev the kitten disappeared and a pretty fair-haired boy stood beside her at the same time a bell rang somewhere in the distance and as Dorothy started back partly in surprise and partly in joy the little one exclaimed where am I and who are you and what has happened to me well I declare said Dorothy I've really done it done what asked the boy saved myself from being an ornament replied the girl with a laugh and saved you from being forever a purple kitten a purple kitten he repeated there is no such thing I know she answered but there was a minute ago don't you remember standing on a corner of the mantel of course not I am a prince of Ev and my name is Evering the little one announced proudly but my father the king sold my mother and all her children to the cruel ruler of the gnomes and after that I remember nothing at all a purple kitten can't be expected to remember Evering said Dorothy but now you are yourself again and I'm going to try and save some of your brothers and sisters and perhaps your mother as well so come with me she seized the child's hand and eagerly hurried here and there trying to decide which object to choose next the third guess was another failure and so was the fourth and the fifth little Evering could not imagine what she was doing but he trotted along beside her very willingly for he liked the new companion he had found Dorothy's further quest proved unsuccessful but after her first disappointment was over the little girl was filled with joy and thankfulness to think that after all she had been able to save one member of the royal family of Ev and could restore the little prince to his sorrowing country now she might return to the terrible gnome king in safety carrying with her the prize she had won in the person of the fair-haired boy so she retraced her steps until she found the entrance to the palace and as she approached the massive doors of rock opened of their own accord allowing both Dorothy and Evering to pass the portals and enter the throne room End of Chapter 14 Narrated by Kara Schellenberg www.kray.org on July 30th 2009 in San Diego, California Chapter 15 of Osma of Oz This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Osma of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 15 Belina Frightens the Gnome King Now when Dorothy had entered the palace to make her guesses and the scarecrow was left with the gnome king the two sat in moody silence for several minutes and their mark exclaimed in a tone of satisfaction Very good Who is very good? Asked the scarecrow The Machine-man He won't need to be wound up any more for he has now become a very neat ornament very neat indeed How about Dorothy? The scarecrow inquired Oh she will begin to guess pretty soon Said the king cheerfully and then she will join my collection she will join my collection, and it will be your turn." The good scarecrow was much distressed by the thought that his little friend was about to suffer the fate of Osma and the rest of their party. But while he sat in gloomy reverie, a shrill voice suddenly cried. The gnome-king nearly jumped off his seat, he was so startled. "'Good gracious! What's that?' he yelled. "'Why, it's Billina,' said the scarecrow. "'What do you mean by making a noise like that?' shouted the king angrily, as the yellow hen came from under the throne, and strutted proudly about the room. "'I've got a right to cackle, I guess,' replied Billina. "'I've just laid my egg.' "'What, laid an egg in my throne room? How dare you do such a thing?' asked the king in a voice of fury. "'I lay eggs wherever I happen to be,' said the hen, ruffling her feathers, and then shaking them into place. "'But thunder-nation! Don't you know that eggs are poison?' roared the king, while his rock-colored eyes stuck out in great terror. "'Poison? Well, I declare,' said Billina indignantly. "'I'll have you know all my eggs or warranted strictly fresh and up to date. Poison, indeed.' "'You don't understand,' retorted the little monarch nervously. "'Eggs belong only to the outside world, to the world on the earth's surface, where you came from. Here, in my underground kingdom, they are rank poison, as I said, and we gnomes can't bear them around.' "'Well, you'll have to bear this one around,' declared Billina. "'For I've laid it.' "'Where?' asked the king. "'Under your throne,' said the hen. The king jumped three feet into the air, so anxious was he to get away from the throne. "'Take it away! Take it away at once,' he shouted. "'I can't,' said Billina. "'I haven't any hands.' "'I'll take the egg,' said the scarecrow. "'I'm making a collection of Billina's eggs. There's one in my pocket now that she laid yesterday.' Hearing this, the monarch hastened to put a good distance between himself and the scarecrow, who was about to reach under the throne for the egg, when the hen suddenly cried. "'Stop!' "'What's wrong?' asked the scarecrow. "'Don't take the egg, unless the king will allow me to enter the palace and guess as the others have done,' said Billina. "'Pasha!' returned the king. "'You're only a hen. How could you guess my enchantments?' "'I can try, I suppose,' said Billina. "'And if I fail, you will have another ornament.' "'A pretty ornament you'd make, wouldn't you?' growled the king. "'But you shall have your way. It will properly punish you for daring to lay an egg in my presence. After the scarecrow is enchanted, you shall follow him into the palace. But how will you touch the objects?' "'With my claws,' said the hen. "'And I could speak the word, Ed, as plainly as anyone. Also, I must have the right to guess the enchantments of my friends and to release them if I succeed.' "'Very well,' said the king. "'You have my promise.' "'Then?' said Billina to the scarecrow. "'You may get the egg.' "'He knelt down and reached underneath the throne and found the egg, which he placed in another pocket of his jacket, fearing that if both eggs were in one pocket they would knock together and get broken. Just then a bell above the throne rang briskly, and the king gave another nervous jump. "'Well, well,' said he, with a rueful face. "'The girl has actually done it.' "'Done what?' asked the scarecrow. "'She has made one guess that is right, and broken one of my neatest enchantments. By rickety it's too bad. I never thought she would do it. "'Do I understand that she will now return to us in safety?' "'Enquired the scarecrow, joyfully wrinkling his painted face into a broad smile. "'Of course,' said the king, fretfully pacing up and down the room. "'I always keep my promises, no matter how foolish they are, but I shall make an ornament to the yellow hen to replace the one I have just lost.' "'Perhaps you will, and perhaps you won't,' murmured Belina, calmly. "'I may surprise you by guessing right.' "'Guessing right?' snapped the king. "'How could you guess right? Well, your bettors have failed, you stupid fowl!' Belina did not care to answer this question, and a moment later the doors flew open, and Dorothy entered, leading the little prince evering by the hand. The scarecrow welcomed the girl with a close embrace, and he would have embraced evering too in his delight, but the little prince was shy, and shrank away from the painted scarecrow, because he did not yet know his many excellent qualities. But there was little time for the friends to talk, because the scarecrow must now enter the palace. Dorothy's success had greatly encouraged him, and they both hoped he would manage to make at least one correct guess. However, he proved as unfortunate as the others, except Dorothy, and although he took a good deal of time to select his objects, not one did the poor scarecrow guess a right. So he became a solid gold card receiver, and the beautiful but terrible palace awaited its next visitor. "'It's all over!' remarked the king, with a sigh of satisfaction. "'And it has been a very amusing performance, except for the one good guess the Kansas girl made. I am richer by a great many pretty ornaments.' "'It's my turn now,' said Belina briskly. "'Oh, I'd forgotten you,' said the king. "'But you need to go if you don't wish to. I will be generous and let you off.' "'No, you won't,' replied the hen. "'I insist upon having my guesses as you promised.' "'Then go ahead, you absurd feathered fowl,' grumbled the king. And he caused the opening that led to the palace to appear once more.' "'Don't go, Belina,' said Dorothy earnestly. "'It isn't easy to guess those ornaments, and only luck save me from being one myself. Stay with me and we'll go back to the land of Ev together. I'm sure this little prince will give us a home.' "'Indeed I will,' said Evering, with much dignity. "'Don't worry, my dear.' cried Belina, with a cluck that was meant for a laugh. "'I may not be human, but I'm no fool, even if I am a chicken.' "'Oh, Belina,' said Dorothy. "'You haven't been a chicken in a long time. Not since you—you've been grown up.' "'Perhaps that's true,' answered Belina thoughtfully. "'But if a Kansas farmer sold me to someone, what would he call me? A hen or a chicken?' "'You are not a Kansas farmer, Belina,' replied the girl. "'And you said?' "'Never mind that, Dorothy. I'm going. I won't say goodbye because I'm coming back. Keep up your courage, for I'll see you a little later.' Then Belina gave several loud That seemed to make the fat little king more nervous than ever, and marched through the entrance into the enchanted palace. "'I hope I've seen the last of that bird,' declared the monarch, seating himself again in his throne, and mopping the perspiration from his forehead with his rock-colored handkerchief. "'Hands are bothersome enough at their best, but when they can talk they're simply dreadful.' "'Belina's my friend,' said Dorothy quietly. "'She may not always be exactly polite, but she means well, I'm sure.' End of Chapter 15. Narrated by Kara Schellenberg, www.kray.org, on July 30, 2009, in San Diego, California. Chapter 16 of Osma of Oz This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Miriam Esther Goldman. Osma of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Chapter 16, Purple, Green, and Gold. The yellow hen, stepping high and with an air of vast importance, walked slowly over the rich velvet carpets of the splendid palace, examining everything she met with her sharp little eyes. Belina had a right to feel important, for she alone shared the Gnome King's secret, and knew how to tell the objects that were transformations from those that had never been alive. She was very sure that her guesses would be correct, but before she began to make them she was curious to behold all the magnificence of this underground palace, which was perhaps one of the most splendid and beautiful palaces in any fairyland. As she went through the rooms, she counted the purple ornaments, and although some were small and hidden in queer places, Belina spied them all, and found the entire tent scattered about the various rooms. The green ornaments she did not bother to count, for she thought she could find them all when the time came. Finally, having made a survey of the entire palace and enjoyed its splendor, the yellow hen returned to one of the rooms where she had noticed a large purple footstool. She placed a claw upon this and said, and at once the footstool vanished, and a lovely lady, tall and slender and most beautifully robed, stood before her. The lady's eyes were round with astonishment for a moment, for she could not remember her transformation, nor imagine what had restored her to life. Good morning, ma'am, said Belina in her sharp voice. You're looking quite well, considering your age. Who speaks? Demanded the queen of Ev, drawing herself up proudly. Why, my name is Bill, by rights. Answered the hen, who was now perched upon the back of a chair. Although Dorothy has put scallops on it and made me Belina. But the name doesn't matter. I've saved you from the gnome king, and you are a slave no longer. Then I thank you for the gracious favor. Said the queen to the graceful curtsy. But my children, tell me, I beg of you, where are my children? And she clasped her hands together in anxious entreaty. Don't worry, advised Belina, pecking at a tiny bug that was crawling over the chair back. Just at present they are out of mischief and perfectly safe, for they can't even wiggle. What mean you, O kindly stranger? Asked the queen, striving to repress her anxiety. They're enchanted, just as you have been. All that is except the little fellow Dorothy picked out. And the chances are that they have been good boys and girls for some time, because they couldn't help it. Oh, my poor darlings! cried the queen with a sob of anguish. Not at all, returned the hen. Don't let their condition make you unhappy, man, because I'll soon have them crowding round to bother and worry you as naturally as ever. Come with me, if you please, and I'll show you how pretty they look. She flew down from her perch and walked into the next room, the queen following. As she passed a low table, a small green grasshopper caught her eye, and instantly Belina pounced upon it and snapped it up in her sharp bill. For grasshoppers are her favorite food with hen, and they usually must be caught quickly before they can hop away. It might easily have been the end of Osma of Oz, had she been a real grasshopper instead of an emerald one. But Belina found the grasshopper hard and lifeless, and suspecting it was not good to eat, she quickly dropped it instead of letting it slide down her throat. I might have known better, she muttered to herself, for where there is no grass there are going to be no live grasshoppers. This is probably one of the king's transformations. A moment later she approached one of the purple ornaments, and while the queen watched her curiously, the hen broke the known king's enchantment, and a sweet-faced girl whose golden hair fell in a cloud over her shoulders stood beside them. Ivana! cried the queen. My own Ivana! And she clasped the girl to her bosom and covered her face with kisses. That's all right, said Belina contentedly. Am I a good guesser, Mr. Known King? Well, I guess. Then she disenchanted another girl, whom the queen addressed as Evrose, and afterwards a boy named Evardo, who was older than his brother Evring. Indeed, the yellow hen kept the good queen exclaiming and embracing for some time, until five princesses and four princes, all looking very much alike, except for the difference in size, stood in a row beside their happy mother. The princesses were named Ivana, Evrose, Ev Ella, Ev Irene, and Ev Edna, while the princes were Ev Robb, Evington, Evardo, and Ev Roland. Of these, Evardo was the eldest, and would inherit his father's throne and be crowned king of Ev when he returned to his own country. He was a grave and quiet youth, and would doubtless rule his people wisely and with justice. Belina, having restored all of the royal family of Ev to their proper forms, now began to select the green ornaments, which were the transformations of the people of Oz. She had little trouble in finding these, and before long all the twenty-six officers, as well as the private, were gathered around the yellow hen joyfully congratulating her upon their release. The thirty-seven people who were now alive in the rooms of the palace knew very well that they owed their freedom to the cleverness of the yellow hen, and they were earnest in thanking her for saving them from the magic of the gnome king. Now, said Belina, I must find Ozma. She is sure to be here somewhere, and of course she is green, being from Oz, so look around, you stupid soldiers, and help me in my search. For a while, however, they could discover nothing more that was green. But the queen, who had kissed all her nine children once more, and could now find time to take an interest in what was going on, said to the hen. May hap, my gentle friend, it is the grasshopper whom you seek. Of course it's the grasshopper, exclaimed Belina. I declare I'm nearly as stupid as these brave soldiers. Wait here for me, and I'll go back and get it. So she went into the room where she had seen the grasshopper, and presently Ozma of Oz, as lovely and dainty as ever, entered and approached the queen of Ev, greeting her as one high-born princess greets another. But where are my friends, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodmen? Asked the girl ruler when these courtesies had been exchanged. I'll hunt them up, replied Belina. The Scarecrow was solid gold, so was TikTok, but I don't know exactly what the Tin Woodmen is, because the known king said he had been transformed into something funny. Ozma eagerly assisted the hen in her quest, and soon the Scarecrow and the Machine Man, being ornaments of shining gold, were discovered and restored to their accustomed forms. But searchers they might, in no place could they find a funny ornament that might be the transformation of the Tin Woodmen. Only one thing can be done, said Ozma at last. And that is to return to the known king and oblige him to tell us what has become of our friend. Perhaps he won't, suggested Belina. He must. Returned Ozma firmly. The king has not treated us honestly. For under the mask of fairness and good nature he entrapped us all. And we would have been forever enchanted, had not our wise and clever friend the Yellow Hen found a way to save us. The king is a villain. Declared the Scarecrow. His laugh is worse than another man's frown, said the private with a shiver. I thought he was honest, but I was mistaken. My thoughts are usually correct, but it is Smith and Tinker's fault if they sometimes go wrong or do not work properly. Smith and Tinker made a very good job of you, said Ozma kindly. I do not think they should be blamed, if you are not quite perfect. Thank you, replied Tinker. Then, said Belina and her brisk little voice, let us all go back to the Dome King and see what he has to say for himself. So they started for the entrance, Ozma going first with the queen and her train of little princes and princesses following. Then came Tick Tock and the Scarecrow with Belina perched upon his straw-stuffed shoulder. The twenty-seven officers and the private brought up the rear. As they reached the hall, the doors flew open before them, but then they all stopped and stared at the Dome Cavern, with faces of astonishment and dismay. For the room was filled with the male-clad warriors of the Dome King, rank after rank standing in orderly array. The electric lights upon their brows leaned brightly, their battle-axes were poised as if to strike down their foes, yet they remained motionless as statues, awaiting the word of command. And in the center of this terrible army sat the little king upon his throne of rock, but he neither smiled nor laughed. Instead his face was distorted with rage and most dreadful to behold. End of Chapter 16 Read by Miriam Esther Goldman Chapter 17 of Ozma of Oz This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 17 The Scarecrow Wins the Fight After Belina had entered the palace, Dorothy and Evering sat down to await the success or failure of her mission, and the Dome King occupied his throne and smoked his long pipe for a while in a cheerful and contented mood. Then the bell above the throne, which sounded whenever an enchantment was broken, began to ring, and the king gave a start of annoyance and exclaimed, RICKETY ROCKETS! When the bell rang a second time, the king shouted angrily, SMUDGET BLASES! and at a third ring he screamed in a fury, HIPPA-COLORIC! Which must be a dreadful word, because we don't know what it means. After that the bell went on ringing time after time, but the king was now so violently enraged that he could not utter a word, but hopped out of his throne and all around the room in a mad frenzy, so that he reminded Dorothy of a jumping jack. The girl was, for her part, filled with joy at every peel of the bell, for it announced the fact that Belina had transformed one more ornament into a living person. Dorothy was also amazed at Belina's success, for she could not imagine how the yellow hen was able to guess correctly from all the bewildering number of articles clustered in the rooms of the palace. But after she had counted ten and the bell continued to ring, she knew that not only the royal family of Ev, but Osma and her followers also were being restored to their natural forms, and she was so delighted that the antics of the angry king only made her laugh merrily. Perhaps the little monarch could not be more furious than he was before, but the girl's laughter nearly drove him frantic, and he roared at her like a savage beast. Then as he found that all his enchantments were likely to be dispelled, and his victims every one set free, he suddenly ran to the little door that opened upon the balcony and gave the shrill whistle that summoned his warriors. At once the army filed out of the golden silver doors in great numbers, and marched up a winding stairs and into the throne room, led by a stern-featured gnome who was their captain. When they had nearly filled the throne room, they formed ranks in the big underground cavern below, and then stood still until they were told what to do next. Dorothy had pressed back to one side of the cavern when the warriors entered, and now she stood holding little Prince Evering's hand while the great lion crouched on one side and the enormous tiger crouched on the other side. Seize that girl! shouted the king to his captain, and a group of warriors sprang forward to obey. But both the lion and tiger snarled so fiercely and bared their strong sharp teeth so threateningly that the men drew back in alarm. Don't mind them, cried the gnome king. They cannot leap beyond the places where they now stand. But they can bite those who attempt to touch the girl, said the captain. I'll fix that, answered the king. I'll enchant them again so they can't open their jaws. He stepped out of the throne to do this, but just then the saw-horse ran up behind him and gave the fat monarch a powerful kick with both his wooden hind legs. Ow, murder, treason! yelled the king, who had been hurled against several of his warriors and was considerably bruised. Who did that? I did. growled the saw-horse viciously. You let Dorothy alone or I'll kick you again. We'll see about that, replied the king, and at once he waved his hand toward the saw-horse and muttered a magical word. Aha! he continued. Now let us see you move, you wooden mule. But in spite of the magic the saw-horse moved, and he moved so quickly toward the king that the fat little man could not get out of his way. Thump, bang, came the wooden heels, right against his round body, and the king flew into the air and fell upon the head of his captain, who let him drop flat upon the ground. Well, well, said the king, sitting up and looking surprised. Why didn't my magic belt work, I wonder. The creature is made of wood, replied the captain. Your magic will not work on wood, you know. Ah, I'd forgotten that, said the king, getting up and limping to his throne. Very well, let the girl alone. She can't escape us anyway. The warriors, who had been rather confused by these incidents, now formed their ranks again, and the saw-horse pranced across the room to Dorothy and took a position beside the hungry tiger. At that moment the doors that led to the palace flew open, and the people of Ev and the people of Oz were disclosed to view. They paused, astonished, at sight of the warriors and the angry gnome king seated in their midst. Surrender! cried the king in a loud voice. You are my prisoners! Go long! answered Belina from the scarecrow's shoulder. You promised me that if I guessed correctly, my friends and I might depart in safety, and you always keep your promises. I said that you might leave the palace in safety. Retorted the king. And so you may, but you cannot leave my dominions. You are my prisoners, and I will hurl you all into my underground dungeons, where the volcanic fires glow and the molten lava flows in every direction, and the air is hotter than blue blazes. That will be the end of me, all right? said the scarecrow sorrowfully. One small blaze, blue or green, is enough to reduce me to an ash heap. Do you surrender? demanded the king. Belina whispered something in the scarecrow's ear that made him smile and put his hands in his jacket pockets. No! returned Osma boldly answering the king. Then she said to her army. Forward, my brave soldiers, and fight for your ruler and yourselves, unto death. Pardon me, most royal Osma. replied one of her generals. But I find that I and my brother officers all suffer from heart disease, and the slightest excitement might kill us. If we fight, we may get excited. Would it not be well for us to avoid this grave danger? Soldiers should not have heart disease. said Osma. Private soldiers are not, I believe, afflicted that way. declared another general, twirling his mustache thoughtfully. If your rule haunts his eyes, we will order our private to attack yonder warriors. Do so, replied Osma. Forward march! cried all the generals with one voice. Forward march! yelled the colonels. Forward march! shouted the majors. Forward march! commanded the captains. And at that the private leveled his spear and dashed furiously upon the foe. The captain of the gnomes was so surprised by the sudden onslaught that he forgot to command his warriors to fight, so that the ten men in the first row, who stood in front of the private spear, fell over like so many toy soldiers. The spear could not go through their steel armor, however, so the warriors scrambled to their feet again, and by that time the private had knocked over another row of them. Then the captain brought down his battle-axe with such a strong blow that the private spear was shattered and knocked from his grasp, and he was helpless to fight any longer. The gnome king had left his throne and pressed through his warriors to the front ranks so that he could see what was going on. But as he faced Osma and her friends, the scarecrow, as if aroused to action by the valor of the private, drew one of Balina's eggs from his right jacket pocket and hurled it straight at the little monarch's head. It struck him squarely in his left eye, where the egg smashed and scattered as egg's will, and covered his face and hair and beard with its sticky contents. Help! help! screamed the king, clawing with his fingers at the egg in a struggle to remove it. An egg, an egg, run for your lives! shouted the captain of the gnomes in a voice of horror. And how they did run! The warriors fairly tumbled over one another in their efforts to escape the fatal poison of that awful egg, and those who could not rush down the winding stair fell off the balcony into the great cavern beneath, knocking over those who stood below them. Even while the king was still yelling for help, his throne room became emptied of every one of his warriors. And before the monarch had managed to clear the egg away from his left eye, the scarecrow threw the second egg against his right eye, where it smashed and blinded him entirely. The king was unable to flee because he could not see which way to run. So he stood still and howled and shouted, and screamed in abject fear. While this was going on, Bellina flew over to Dorothy, and perching herself upon the lion's back, the hen whispered eagerly to the girl. Get his belt! Get the known king's jewel belt! It unbuckles in the back! Quick, Dorothy, quit! For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Dorothy obeyed. She ran at once behind the gnome king, who was still trying to free his eyes from the egg. And in twinkling, she had unbuckled his splendid jewel belt, and carried it away with her to her place beside the tiger and lion, where, because she did not know what else to do with it, she fastened it around her own slim waist. Just then, the chief steward rushed in with a sponge and a bowl of water, and began mopping away the broken eggs from his master's face. In a few minutes, and while all the parties stood looking on, the king regained the use of his eyes, and the first thing he did was to glare wickedly upon the scarecrow and exclaim, I'll make you suffer for this, you haste-stuff dummy! Don't you know the eggs are poison to gnomes? Really, he said the scarecrow. They don't seem to agree with you, although I wonder why. They were strictly fresh and above suspicion, said Bilna. You ought to be glad to get them. I'll transform you all into scorpions, cried the king angrily, and began waving his arms and muttering magic words. But none of the people became scorpions, so the king stopped and looked at them in surprise. What's wrong? he asked. Why, you are not wearing your magic belt, replied this chief steward, after looking the king over carefully. Where is it? What have you done with it? The gnome king clapped his hand to his waist, and his rock-colored face turned white as chalk. It's gone! he cried helplessly. It's gone, and I am ruined! Dorothy now stepped forward and said, Royal Osma, and you, queen of Ev, I welcome you and your people back to the land of the living. Bilna has saved you from your troubles, and now we will leave this dreadful place and return to Ev as soon as possible. While the child spoke, they could all see that she wore the magic belt, and a great cheer went out from all her friends, which was led by the voices of the scarecrow and the private. But the gnome king did not join them. He crept back on his throne like a whipped dog, and lay there bitterly bemoaning his defeat. But we have not yet found my faithful follower, the tin woodman, said Osma to Dorothy, and without him I did not wish to go away. Nor I replied Dorothy quickly. Was it he in the palace? He must be there, said Bilna, but I had no clue to guide me in guessing the tin woodman, so I must have missed it. We will go back into the rooms, said Dorothy. This magic belt I am sure will help us to find our dear old friend. So she re-entered the palace, the doors of which still stood open, and everyone followed her except the gnome king, the queen of Ev and Prince Evering. The mother had taken the little prince in her lap, and was fondling and kissing him lovingly, for he was her youngest born. But the others went with Dorothy, and when she came to the middle of the first room, the girl waved her hand as she'd seen the king do, and commanded the tin woodman, whatever form he might have had to resume his proper shape. No result followed this attempt, so Dorothy went into another room and repeated it, and so through all the rooms of the palace, yet the tin woodman did not appear to them. Nor could they imagine which among the thousands of ornaments was the transformed friend. Sadly they returned to the throne room, where the king, seeing that they had met with failure, cheered at Dorothy, saying, You do not know how to use my belt, so it is of no use to you. Give it back to me, and I will let you all go free. You and all the people who came with you, as for the royal family of Ev, they are my slaves, and shall remain here. I shall keep the belt, said Dorothy. But how could you escape without my consent? Asked the king. Easily enough. Answered the girl. All we need to do is to walk out the way that we came in. Oh, that's all, is it? Sneered the king. Well, where is the passage through which you entered this room? They all looked around, but could not discover the place, for it had long since been closed. Dorothy, however, would not be dismayed. She waved her hand toward the seemingly solid wall of the cavern, and said, I command the passage to open. Instantly the order was obeyed. The opening appeared, and the passage lay plainly before them. The king was amazed, and all the others overjoyed. Why, then, if the belt obeys you, were we unable to discover the tin woodman? Asked Osma. I can't imagine. Said Dorothy. See here, girl! Proposed the king eagerly. Give me the belt, and I will tell you what shape the tin woodman was changed into, and then you can easily find him. Dorothy hesitated, but Vilna cried out, Don't you do it! If the known king gets the belt again, he will make every one of us prisoners, for we will be in his power. Only by keeping the belt, Dorothy, will you ever be able to leave this place in safety. I think that is true, said the scarecrow. But I have another idea, due to my excellent brains. Let Dorothy transform the king into a goose egg, unless he agrees to go into the palace, and bring out to us the ornament which is our friend Nick Chopper, the tin woodman. A goose egg! Echoed the horrified king. How dreadful! Well, a goose egg you will be, unless you go and fetch us the ornament we want. Declared Vilna with a joyful chuckle. You can see for yourself that Dorothy is able to use the magic belt all right, added the scarecrow. The known king thought it over and finally consented, for he did not want to be a goose egg. So he went into the palace to get the ornament, which was the transformation of the tin woodman, and they all awaited his return with considerable impatience. For they were anxious to leave this underground cavern, and see the sunshine once more. But when the gnome came, came back, he brought nothing with him except a puzzled and anxious expression upon his face. He's gone, he said. The tin woodman is nowhere in the palace. Are you sure? Asked Osma sternly. I'm very sure, answered the king trembling. For I know exactly what I transformed him into, and exactly where he stood. But he is not there, and please don't change me into a goose egg, because I've done the best I could. They were all silent for a time. And then Dorothy said, There is no use punishing the gnome king any more, and I'm afraid we'll have to go away without our friend. If he is not here, we cannot rescue him. Agreed the scarecrow sadly. Poor Nick, I wonder what has become of him. And he owed me six weeks back pay. Said one of the generals, wiping the tears from his eyes with his gold-laced coltsley. Very sorrowfully, they determined to return to the upper world without their former companion. And so Osma gave the order to begin the march through the passage. The army went first, and then the royal family of Ev. And afterwards came Dorothy, Osma, Billna, the scarecrow, and Tiktok. They left the gnome king scowling at them from his throne, and had no thought of danger until Osma chanced to look back and saw a large number of the warriors following them in full chase, with their swords and spears and axes raised to strike down the fugitives as soon as they drew near enough. Evidently, the gnome king had made this last attempt to prevent their escaping him. But it did him no good, for when Dorothy saw the danger they were in, she stopped and waved her hand and whispered a command to the magic belt. Instantly, the foremost warriors became eggs, which rolled upon the floor of the cavern, and such numbers that those behind could not advance without stepping upon them. But when they saw the eggs, all desire to advance departed from the warriors, and they turned and fled madly into the cavern and refused to go back again. Our friends had no further trouble in reaching the end of the passage, and soon were standing in the outer air upon the gloomy path between the two high mountains. But the way to Ev lay plainly before them, and they fervently hoped that they had seen the last of the gnome king and his dreadful palace. The cavalcade was led by Osma, mounted on the cowardly line, and the queen of Ev, who rode upon the back of the tiger. The children of the queen walked behind her hand in hand, Dorothy rode on the soft horse, while the scarecrow walked and commanded the army in the absence of the tin woodmen. Presently the way began to lighten and more of the sunshine to come in between the two mountains, and before long they heard the thump, thump, thump of the giant's hammer upon the road. How may we pass the monstrous man of iron? asked the queen anxious for the safety of her children, but Dorothy solved the problem by a word to the magic belt. The giant paused, with his hammer held motionless in the air, thus allowing the entire party to pass between his cast-iron legs and safety.