 CHAPTER XII When the flatheads had gone away, the diamond swan swam back to the boat, and one of the young skisers named Eravik said to her eagerly, How can we get back to the island, Your Majesty? Am I not beautiful? asked Coeo, arching her neck gracefully and spreading her diamond-sprinkled wings. I can see my reflection in the water, and I'm sure there is no bird, nor beast, nor human, as magnificent as I am. How shall we get back to the island, Your Majesty? pleaded Eravik. When my fame spreads throughout the land, people will travel from all parts of this lake to look upon my loveliness, said Coeo, shaking her feathers to make the diamonds glitter more brilliantly. But, Your Majesty, we must go home, and we do not know how to get there, persisted Eravik. My eyes, remarked the diamond swan, are wonderfully blue and bright, and will charm all beholders. Tell us how to make the boat go. How to get back to the island, begged Eravik, and the others cried just as earnestly. Tell us, Coeo, tell us. I don't know, replied the Queen in a careless tone. You are a magic worker, a sorceress, a witch. I was, of course, when I was a girl, she said, bending her head over the clear water to catch her reflection in it. But now I've forgotten all such foolish things as magic. Swans are lovelier than girls, especially when they're sprinkled with diamonds. Don't you think so? And she gracefully swam away, without seeming to care whether they answered or not. Eravik and his companions were in despair. They saw plainly that Coeo could not or would not help them. The former Queen had no further thought for her island, her people, or her wonderful magic. She was only intent on admiring her own beauty. Truly, said Eravik, in a gloomy voice, the flat heads have conquered us. Some of these events had been witnessed by Osma and Dorothy and Lady Oric, who had left the house and gone close to the glass of the dome in order to see what was going on. Many of the skeezers had also crowded against the dome, wondering what would happen next. Although their vision was to an extent blurred by the water and the necessity of looking upward at an angle, they had observed the main points of the drama and acted above. They saw Queen Coeo's submarine come to the surface and open. They saw the Queen standing erect to throw her magic rope, then her sudden transformation into a diamond swan and a cry of amazement went up from the skeezers inside the dome. Good! exclaimed Dorothy, I hate that old zutic, but I'm glad Coeo is punished. This is a dreadful misfortune, cried Lady Oric, pressing her hands upon her heart. Yes, agreed Osma, nodding her head thoughtfully, Coeo's misfortune will prove a terrible blow to her people. What do you mean by that, as Dorothy in surprise seems to me the skeezers are in luck to lose their cruel Queen. If that were all, you would be right, responded Lady Oric. And if the island were above water it would not be so serious, but here we all are at the bottom of the lake and fast prisoners in this dome. Can't you raise the island, inquired Dorothy? No, only Coeo knew how to do that was the answer. We can try, insisted Dorothy, if it can be made to go down it can be made to come up. The machinery is still here I suppose. Yes, but the machinery works by magic and Coeo would never share her secret power with any of us. Dorothy's face grew grave, but she was thinking, Osma knows a lot of magic, she said, but not that kind of magic, Osma replied. Can't you learn how by looking at the machinery? I'm afraid not, my dear, it isn't fairy magic at all, it is witchcraft. Well said Dorothy, turning to Lady Orecs, you say there are other sub-sub-sinking boats? We can get in one of those and shoot out to the top of the water, like Coeo did and so escape, and then we can help to rescue all the skisers down here. No one knows how to work the underwater boats but the queen, declared Lady Orecs, isn't there any door or window in this dome that we can open? No, and if there were the water would rush in to flood the dome and we could not get out. The skisers, said Osma, could not drown. They only get wet and soggy and in that condition they would be very uncomfortable and unhappy, but you are a mortal girl, Dorothy, and if your magic belt protected you from death, you would have to lie forever at the bottom of the lake. No, I'd rather die quickly, asserted the little girl, but there are doors in the basement that open to let out the bridges in the boats and that would not flood the dome, you know. Those doors open by a magic word and only Coeo knows the words that must be uttered, and Lady Orecs, dear me, exclaimed Dorothy, that dreadful queen's witchcraft upsets all my plans to escape. I guess I'll give it up, Osma, and let you save us. Osma smiled, but her smile was not so cheerful as usual. The Princess of Oz found herself confronted with a serious problem, and although she had no thought of despairing, she realized that the skisers and their island, as well as Dorothy and herself, were in grave trouble, and that unless she could find a means to save them, they would be lost to the land of Oz for all future time. In such a dilemma, she said musingly, nothing is gained by haste, careful thought may aid us, and so may the course of events. The unexpected is always likely to happen, and cheerful patience is better than reckless action. All right, returned Dorothy, take your time, Osma, there's no hurry. How about some breakfast, Lady Orecs? Her hostess led them back to the house, where she ordered her trembling servants to prepare and serve breakfast. All the skisers were frightened and anxious over the transformation of their queen into a swan. Coeo was feared and hated, but they had depended on her magic to conquer the Flatheads, and she was the only one who could raise their island to the surface again. Before breakfast was over, several of the leading skisers came to Orecs and asked her advice, and to question Princess Osma, of whom they knew nothing except that she claimed to be a fairy, and the ruler of all the land, including the lake of the skisers. If what you told Queen Coeo was the truth, they said to her, you are our lawful mistress, and we may depend on you to get us out of our difficulties. I will try to do that, Osma graciously assured them, but you must remember that the powers of fairies are granted to bring comfort and happiness to all who appeal to them. On the contrary, such magic as Coeo knew and practiced is unlawful witchcraft, and her arts are such as no fairy would condescend to use. However, it is sometimes necessary to consider evil in order to accomplish good, and perhaps by studying Coeo's tools and charms of witchcraft, I may be able to save us. Do you promise to accept me as your ruler and to obey my commands? They promised willingly, then continued Osma, I will go to Coeo's palace and take possession of it, perhaps what I find there will be of use to me. In the meantime, tell all the skisers to fear nothing, but have patience. Let them return to their homes and perform their daily task as usual. Coeo's loss may not prove a misfortune, but rather a blessing. This speech cheered the skisers amazingly. Really they had no one now to depend on, but Osma, and in spite of their dangerous position, their hearts were lightened by the transformation and absence of their cruel queen. They got out their brass band and a grand procession escorted Osma and Dorothy to the palace where all of Coeo's former servants were eager to wait upon them. Osma invited Lady Ulrex to stay at the palace also, for she knew all about the skisers and their island and had also been a favorite of the former queen, so her advice and information were sure to prove valuable. Osma was somewhat disappointed in what she found in the palace. One room of Coeo's private suite was entirely devoted to the practice of witchcraft. And here were countless queer instruments and jars of ointment and bottles of potions labeled with queer names and strange machines that Osma could not guess the use of. And pickled toads and snails and lizards and a shelf of books that were written in blood, but in a language which the ruler of Oz did not know. I do not see, said Osma to Dorothy, who accompanied her in her search, how Coeo knew the use of the magic tools she stole from the three adept witches. From all reports, these adepts practiced only good witchcraft, such as would be helpful to their people. While Coeo practiced only evil, perhaps she turned the good things to evil uses, suggested Dorothy, yes, and with the knowledge she gained, Coeo doubtless invented many evil things quite unknown to the good adepts, who are now fish, added Osma. It is unfortunate for us that the queen kept her secret so closely guarded, for no one but herself could use any of these strange things gathered in this room. Couldn't we capture the diamond swan and make her tell the secrets? Asked Dorothy. No. Even were we able to capture her, Coeo has now forgotten all the magic she ever knew. But until we ourselves escaped from this dome, we could not capture the swan, and were we to escape, we would have no use for Coeo's magic. That's a fact, admitted Dorothy. But say Osma, here is a good idea. Couldn't we capture the three fish, the gold and silver and bronze ones, and couldn't you transform them back to their own shapes? And then, couldn't the three adepts get us out of here? You are not very practical, my dear Dorothy. It would be as hard for us to capture the three fish from among all the other fish in the lake, as to capture the swan. But if we could, it would be more help to us, persisted the little girl. This is true, answered Osma, smiling at her friend's eagerness. You find a way to catch the fish. And I'll promise when they are caught, to restore them to their proper forms. I know you think I can't do it, replied Dorothy, but I'm going to try. She left the palace and went to a place where she could look through a clear pane of the glass dome into the surrounding water. Immediately she became interested in the queer sights that met her view. The lake of the skeezers was inhabited by fish of many kinds and many sizes. The water was so transparent that the girl could see for a long distance, and the fish came so close to the glass of the dome that sometimes they actually touched it. On the white sands at the bottom of the lake were starfish, lobsters, crabs, and many shellfish of strange shapes and with shells of gorgeous hues. The water foliage was of brilliant colors, and to Dorothy it resembled a splendid garden. But the fish were the most interesting of all. Some were big and lazy, floating slowly along, or lying at rest with just their fins waving. Many with big round eyes looked full at the girl as she watched them, and Dorothy wondered if they could hear her through the glass as she spoke to them. In Oz, where all the animals and birds couldn't talk, many fish were able to talk also. But usually they are more stupid than birds and animals because they think slowly and haven't much to talk about. In the lake of the skeezers, the fish of smaller size were more active than the big ones and darted quickly in and out among the swaying weeds as if they had important business and were in a hurry. It was among the smaller varieties that Dorothy hoped to spy the gold and silver and bronze fish. She had an idea the three would keep together, being companions now as they were in their natural forms. But such a multitude of fish constantly passed and the scene shifting every moment that she was not sure she would notice them even if they appeared in view. Her eyes couldn't look in all directions and the fish she sought might be on the other side of the dome or far away in the lake. Perhaps because they were afraid of Coeo, they've hid themselves somewhere and don't know their enemy has been transformed, she reflected. She watched the fish for a long time until she became hungry and went back to the palace for lunch, but she was not discouraged. Anything new, Osma, she asked. No, dear, did you discover the three fish? Not yet, but there isn't anything better for me to do, Osma. So I guess I'll go back and watch again. CHAPTER XIII. A GLEND OF OZ. This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibraVox.org. Recording by Evelyn Clark. Glenda of Oz by L. Frank Baum CHAPTER XIII. The Alarm Bell. Glenda the Good in her palace in the Quadland country had many things to occupy her mind. For not only did she look after the weaving and embroidery of her bevy of maids, and assist all those who came to her to implore her help, beasts and birds, as well as people. But she was a close student of the arts of sorcery and spent much of her time in her magical laboratory where she strove to find a remedy for every evil and to perfect her skill and magic. Nevertheless she did not forget to look in the great book of records each day to see if any mention was made of the visit of Osma and Dorothy to the enchanted mountain of the Flatheads and the magic isle of the Schesers. The records told her that Osma had arrived at the mountain, that she had escaped with her companion and gone to the island of the Schesers, and that Queen Coeo had submerged the island so that it was entirely underwater. Then came the statement that the Flatheads had come to the lake to poison the fish and that their supreme dictator had transformed Queen Coeo into a swan. No other details were given in the great book, and so Glenda did not know that since Coeo had forgotten her magic, none of the Schesers knew how to raise the island to the surface again. So Glenda was not worried about Osma and Dorothy until one morning, while she sat with her maids, there came a sudden clang of the great alarm bell. This was so unusual that every maid gave a start, and even the sorcerers for a moment could not think what the alarm meant. Then she remembered the ring she had given Dorothy when she left the palace to start on her venture. When giving the ring, Glenda had warned the little girl not to use its magic powers unless she and Osma were in real danger. But then she was to turn it on her finger once to the right, and once to the left, and Glenda's alarm bell would ring. So the sorcerers now knew that danger threatened her beloved ruler and Princess Dorothy, and she hurried to her magic room to seek information as to what sort of danger it was. The answer to her question was not very satisfactory, for it was only Osma and Dorothy are prisoners in the great dome of the Isle of the Schesers, and that the dome is under the water of the lake. Wasn't Osma the power to raise the island to the surface? Enquired Glenda. No, was the reply, and the record refused to say more, except that Queen Coeo, who alone could command the island to rise, had been transformed by the flathead Pseudic into a diamond swan. Then Glenda consulted the past records of the Schesers in the great book. After diligence search, she discovered that Coeo was a powerful sorceress who had gained most of her power by treacherously transforming the adepts of magic, who were visiting her into three fish, gold, silver, and bronze. After which, she had them cast into the lake. Glenda reflected earnestly on this information and decided that someone must go to Osma's assistance. While there was no great need of haste, because Osma and Dorothy could live in a submerged dome a long time, it was evident they could not get out until someone was able to raise the island. The sorceress looked through all her recipes and books of sorcery, but could find no magic that would raise a sunken island. Such a thing had never before been required in sorcery. Then Glenda made a little island covered by a glass dome and sunk it in a pond near her castle, and experimented in magical ways to bring it to the surface. She made several such experiments, but all were failures. It seemed a simple thing to do, yet she could not do it. Nevertheless the wise sorceress did not despair of finding a way to liberate her friends. Finally she concluded that the best thing to do was to go to the skis or country and examine the lake. While there she was more likely to discover a solution to the problem that bothered her, and to work out a plan for the rescue of Osma and Dorothy. So Glenda summoned her storks and her aerial chariot and telling her maid she was going on a journey and might not soon return, she entered the chariot and was carried swiftly to the emerald city. In Princess Osma's palace the scarecrow was now acting as ruler of the land of Oz. There wasn't much for him to do, because all the affairs of state moved so smoothly. But he was there in case anything unforeseen should happen. Glenda found the scarecrow playing croquet with Trot and Betsy Bobbin, two little girls who lived in the palace under Osma's protection and were great friends of Dorothy and much loved by all the Oz people. Something's happened, cried Trot, as the chariot of the sorceress descended near them. Glenda never comes here, except something's gone wrong. I hope no harm has come to Osma or Dorothy, said Betsy anxiously, as the lovely sorceress stepped down from her chariot. Glenda approached the scarecrow and told him of the dilemma of Osma and Dorothy and she added, we must save them somehow, scarecrow. Of course, replied the scarecrow, stumbling over a wicket and falling flat on his painted face. The girls picked him up and padded his straw stuffing into shape, and he continued as if nothing had occurred. But you'll have to tell me what to do, for I never have raised a sunken island in all my life. We must have a council of state. As soon as possible, proposed the sorceress, please send messengers to summon all of Osma's counselors to this palace. Then we can decide what is best to be done. The scarecrow lost no time in doing this. Fortunately, most of the royal counselors were in the Emerald City or near to it, so they all met in the throne room of the palace that same evening. Glenda of Oz by L. Frank Baum No ruler ever had such a queer assortment of advisors as the princess Osma had gathered about her throne. Indeed, in no other country could such amazing people exist. But Osma loved them for their peculiarities and could trust every one of them. First, there was the tin woodman. Every bit of him was tin, brightly polished. All his joints were kept well oiled and moved smoothly. He carried a gleaming axe to prove he was a woodman, but seldom had caused to use it, because he lived in a magnificent tin castle in the winky country of Oz, and was the emperor of all the winkeys. The tin woodman's name was Nick Chopper. He had a very good mind, but his heart was not of much account, so he was very careful to do nothing unkind or to hurt anyone's feelings. Another counselor was Straps, the patchwork girl of Oz, who was made of a gaudy patchwork quilt cut into shape and stuffed with cotton. This patchwork girl was very intelligent, but so full of fun and mad pranks that a lot of more stupid folks thought she must be crazy. Straps was jolly under all conditions, however grave they might be, but her laughter and good spirits were of value in cheering others, and in her seemingly careless remarks much wisdom could often be found. Then there was the shaggy man, shaggy from head to foot, hair and whiskers, clothes and shoes, but very kind and gentle, and one of Ozma's most loyal supporters. Tick Tock was there, a copper man with machinery inside him, so cleverly constructed that he moved, spoke and thought by three separate clockworks. Tick Tock was very reliable, because he always did exactly what he was wound up to do, but his machinery was liable to run down at times, and then he was quite helpless until wound up again. A different sort of person was Jack Pumpkinhead, one of Ozma's oldest friends and her companion on many adventures. Jack's body was very crude and awkward, being formed of limbs of trees of different sizes jointed with wooden pegs. But it was a substantial body, and not likely to break or wear out, and when it was dressed, the clothes covered much of its roughness. The head of Jack Pumpkinhead was, as you have guessed, a ripe pumpkin with the eyes, nose and mouth carved upon one side. The pumpkin was stuck on Jack's wooden neck, and was liable to get turned sideways or backward, and then he would have to straighten it with his wooden hands. The worst thing about this sort of a head was that it did not keep well, and was sure to spoil sooner or later. So Jack's main business was to grow a field of fine pumpkins each year, and always before his old head spoiled, he would select a fresh pumpkin from the field and carve the features on it very neatly, and have it ready to replace the old head whenever it became necessary. He didn't always carve it the same way, so his friends never knew exactly what sort of an expression they would find on his face, but there was no mistaking him, because he was the only pumpkin-headed man alive in the land of Oz. A one-legged sailor man was a member of Ozma's council. His name was Caponbill, and he had come to the land of Oz with trot, and had been made welcome on account of his cleverness, honesty and good nature. He wore a wooden leg to replace the one he had lost, and was a great friend of all the children in Oz, because he could whittle all sorts of toys out of wood with his big jackknife. Professor H.M. Walgobug T.E. was another member of the council. The H.M. meant highly magnified, for the professor was once a little bug who became magnified to the size of a man, and always remained so. The T.E. meant that he was thoroughly educated. He was at the head of Princess Ozma's Royal Athletic College, and so that the students would not have to study, and so lose much time that could be devoted to athletic sports such as football, baseball, and the like. Professor Walgobug had invented the famous educational pills. If one of the college students took a geography pill after breakfast, he knew his geography lesson in an instant. If he took a spelling pill, he at once knew his spelling lesson, and an arithmetic pill enabled the student to do any kind of sum without having to think about it. These useful pills made the college very popular, and taught the boys and girls of Oz their lessons in the easiest possible way. In spite of this, Professor Walgobug was not a favorite outside his college, for he was very conceited, and admired himself so much, and displayed his cleverness and learning so constantly that no one cared to associate with him. Ozma found him of value in her councils nevertheless. Perhaps the most splendidly dressed of all those present was a great frog as large as a man, called the Frogman, who was noted for his wise sayings. He had come to the Emerald City from the Yip country of Oz, and was a guest of honor. His long-tailed coat was a velvet, his vest of satin, and his trousers of finest silk. There were diamond buckles on his shoes, and he carried a gold-headed cane and a high silk hat. All of the bright colors were represented in his rich attire, so it attired one's eyes to look at him for long, until one became used to his splendor. The best farmer in all Oz was Uncle Henry, who was Dorothy's own uncle, and who now lived near the Emerald City with his wife Aunt M. Uncle Henry taught the Oz people how to grow the finest vegetables and fruits and grains, and was of much use to Ozma in keeping the royal storehouses well filled. He too was a counselor. The reason I mention the little wizard of Oz last is because he was the most important man in the land of Oz. He wasn't a big man in size, but he was a man in power and intelligence, and second only to glinda the good in all the mystic arts of magic. Glinda had taught him, and the wizard and the sorcerers were the only ones in Oz permitted by law to practice wizardry and sorcery, which they applied only to good uses and for the benefit of the people. The wizard wasn't exactly handsome, but he was pleasant to look at. His bald head was as shiny as if it had been varnished. There was always a merry twinkle in his eyes, and he was as spry as a schoolboy. Dorothy says the reason the wizard is not as powerful as Glinda is because Glinda didn't teach him all she knows, but what the wizard knows he knows very well, and so he performs some very remarkable magic. The ten I have mentioned assembled with the Scarecrow and Glinda in Ozma's throne room right after dinner that evening, and the sorcerers told them all she knew of the plight of Ozma and Dorothy. Of course we must rescue them, she continued, and the sooner they are rescued the better pleased they will be, but what we must now determine is how they can be saved. That is why I have called you together in council. The easiest way, remarked the shaggy man, is to raise the sunken island of the skeezers to the top of the water again. Tell me how, said Glinda. I don't know how, Your Highness, for I have never raised a sunken island. We might all get under it and lift, suggested Professor Walgo Bug. How can we get under it when it rests on the bottom of the lake? asked the sorcerers. Couldn't we throw a rope around it and pull it ashore? inquired Jack Pumpkinhead. Why not pump the water out of the lake? suggested the patchwork girl with a laugh. Do be sensible, pleaded Glinda. This is a serious matter, and we must give it serious thought. How big is the lake, and how big is the island? was the frog man's question. None of us can tell, for we have not been there. In that case, said the Scarecrow, it appears to me we ought to go to the skeezer country and examine it carefully. Quite right, agreed the tin woodman. We will have to go there anyhow, remarked Tick-Tock in his jerky machine voice. The question is, which of us shall go, and how many of us, said the wizard. I shall go, of course, declared the Scarecrow. And I, said Scraps. It is my duty to Osmond to go, asserted the tin woodman. I could not stay away, knowing our loved princesses in danger, said the wizard. We all feel like that, Uncle Henry said. Finally, one and all present decided to go to the skeezer country, with Glinda and the little wizard to lead them. Magic must meet magic in order to conquer it, so these two skillful magic-workers were necessary to ensure the success of the expedition. They were all ready to start at a moment's notice, for none had any affairs of importance to attend to. Jack was wearing a newly-made pumpkin-head, and the Scarecrow had recently been stuffed with fresh straw. Tick-Tock's machinery was in good running order, and the tin woodman always was well-oiled. It is quite a long journey, said Glinda, and while I might travel quickly to the skeezer country by means of my stork chariot, the rest of you will be obliged to walk. So as we must keep together, I will send my chariot back to my castle, and we will plan to leave the Emerald City at sunrise tomorrow. End of Chapter 14. Osmond's Counselors. Recording by Linda Lee Paquette. Chapter 15 of Glinda 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 Linda Lee Paquette. Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Chapter 15. The Great Sorceress. Betsy and Trot, when they heard of the rescue expedition, begged the wizard to permit them to join it, and he consented. The glass cat, overhearing the conversation, wanted to go also, and to this the wizard made no objection. This glass cat was one of the real curiosities of Oz. It had been made and brought to life by a clever magician named Dr. Pippt, who was not now permitted to work magic, and was an ordinary citizen of the Emerald City. The cat was of transparent glass, through which one could plainly see its ruby heart beating and its pink brains whirling around in the top of the head. The glass cat's eyes were emeralds. Its fluffy tail was of spun glass, and very beautiful. The ruby heart, while pretty to look at, was hard and cold, and the glass cat's disposition was not pleasant at all times. It scorned to catch mice, did not eat, and was extremely lazy. If you complimented the remarkable cat on her beauty, she would be very friendly, for she loved admiration above everything. The pink brains were always working, and their owner was indeed more intelligent than most common cats. Three other additions to the rescue party were made the next morning, just as they were setting out upon their journey. The first was a little boy called Button Bright, because he had no other name that anyone could remember. He was a fine manly little fellow, well-mannered and good-humored, who had only one bad fault. He was continually getting lost. To be sure, Button Bright got found as often as he got lost, but when he was missing, his friends could not help being anxious about him. Some day, predicted the patchwork girl, he won't be found, and that will be the last of him. But that didn't worry Button Bright, who was so careless that he did not seem to be able to break the habit of getting lost. The second addition to the party was a munchkin boy of about Button Bright's age, named Ojo. He was often called Ojo the Lucky, because good fortune followed him wherever he went. He and Button Bright were close friends, although of such different natures, and Trot and Betsy were fond of both. The third and last to join the expedition was an enormous lion, one of Osma's regular guardians, and the most important and intelligent beast in all Oz. He called himself the Cowardly Lion, saying that every little danger scared him so badly that his heart thumped against his ribs. But all who knew him knew that the Cowardly Lion's fears were coupled with bravery, and that however much he might be frightened, he summoned courage to meet every danger he encountered. Often he had saved Dorothy and Osma in times of peril, but afterward he moaned and trembled and wept, because he had been so scared. If Osma needs help, I'm going to help her, said the Great Beast. Also I suspect the rest of you may need me on the journey, especially Trot and Betsy, for you may pass through a dangerous part of the country. I know that wild Gilecan country pretty well. Its forests harbor many ferocious beasts. They were glad the Cowardly Lion was to join them, and in good spirits the entire party formed a procession and marched out of the Emerald City amid the shouts of the people, who wished them success and a safe return with their beloved ruler. They followed a different route from that taken by Osma and Dorothy, for they went through the winky country and up north toward Ugaboo. But before they got there they swerved to the left and entered the Great Gilecan Forest, the nearest thing to a wilderness in all Oz. Even the Cowardly Lion had to admit that certain parts of this forest were unknown to him, although he had often wandered among the trees, and the Scarecrow and Tin Woodmen, who were great travelers, never had been there at all. The forest was only reached after a tedious tramp, for some of the rescue expedition were quite awkward on their feet. The patchwork girl was as light as a feather and very spry. The Tin Woodmen covered the ground as easily as Uncle Henry and the Wizard. But TikTok moved slowly, and the slightest obstruction in the road would halt him until the others cleared it away. Then, too, TikTok's machinery kept running down, so Betsy and Trott took turns in winding it up. The Scarecrow was more clumsy but less bother, for although he often stumbled and fell, he could scramble up again, and a little padding of his straw-stuff body would put him in good shape again. Another awkward one was Jack Pumpkinhead, for walking with Jar his head around on his neck, and then he would be likely to go in the wrong direction. But the Frogman took Jack's arm, and then he followed the path more easily. Cap and Bill's wooden leg didn't prevent him from keeping up with the others, and the old sailor could walk as far as any of them. When they entered the forest, the cowardly lion took the lead. There was no path here for men, but many beasts had made paths of their own which only the eyes of the lion, practiced in woodcraft, could discern. So he stalked ahead, and wound his way in and out, the others following in single file, Glinda being next to the lion. There are dangers in the forest, of course, but as the huge lion headed the party, he kept the wild denizens of the wilderness from bothering the travelers. Once to be sure, an enormous blepard sprang upon the glass cat and caught her in his powerful jaws. But he broke several of his teeth, and with howls of pain and dismay, dropped his prey and vanished among the trees. Are you hurt? Trot anxiously inquired of the glass cat. How silly! exclaimed the creature in an irritated tone of voice. Nothing can hurt glass, and I'm too solid to break easily. But I'm annoyed at that blepard's impudence. He has no respect for beauty or intelligence. If he had noticed my pink brain's work, I'm sure he would have realized I'm too important to be grabbed in a wild beast's jaws. Never mind, said Trot consolingly. I'm sure he won't do it again. They were almost in the center of the forest when Ojo, the munchkin boy, suddenly said, Why, where's Button Bright? They halted and looked around them. Button Bright was not with the party. Dear me, remarked Betsy, I expect he's lost again. When did you see him last, Ojo? inquired Glinda. It was some time ago, replied Ojo. He was trailing along at the end, and throwing twigs at the squirrels in the trees. Then I went to talk to Betsy and Trot, and just now I noticed he was gone. This is too bad, declared the wizard, for it is sure to delay our journey. We must find Button Bright before we go any further, for this forest is full of ferocious beasts that would not hesitate to tear the boy to pieces. But what shall we do? asked the scarecrow. If any of us leaves the party to search for Button Bright, he or she might fall a victim to the beast, and if the lion leaves us, we will have no protector. The glass cat could go, suggested the frogman. The beast can do her no harm as we have discovered. The wizard turned to Glinda. Can not your sorcery discover where Button Bright is, he asked. I think so, replied the sorceress. She called to Uncle Henry, who had been carrying her wicker box, to bring it to her, and when he obeyed, she opened it and drew out a small round mirror. On the surface of the glass, she dusted a white powder and then wiped it away with her handkerchief and looked in the mirror. It's reflected a part of the forest, and there, beneath a wide-spreading tree, Button Bright was lying asleep. On one side of him crouched a tiger, ready to spring. On the other side was a big gray wolf, its bared fangs glistening in a wicked way. Goodness me! cried Trot, looking over Glinda's shoulder. They'll catch and kill him, sure. Everyone crowded around for a glimpse at the magic mirror. Pretty bad, pretty bad, set the scare close sorrowfully. Clums of getting lost, said Cap and Bill, sighing. Guess he's a goner, said the frogman, wiping his eyes on his purple silk handkerchief. But where is he? Can't we save him? asked Ojo the Lucky. If we knew where he is, we could probably save him, replied the little wizard. But that tree looks so much like all the other trees that we can't tell whether it's far away or nearby. Look at Glinda, exclaimed Betsy. Glinda, having handed the mirror to the wizard, had stepped aside and was making strange passes with her outstretched arms and reciting in low, sweet tones a mystical incantation. Most of them watched the sorceress with anxious eyes, despair giving way to the hope that she might be able to save their friend. The wizard, however, watched the scene in the mirror while over his shoulders peered trot, the scarecrow, and the shaggy man. What they saw was more strange than Glinda's actions. The tiger started to spring on the sleeping boy, but suddenly lost its power to move and lay flat upon the ground. The gray wolf seemed unable to lift its feet from the ground. It pulled first at one leg and then at another and finding itself strangely confined to the spot, began to back and snarl angrily. They couldn't hear the barkings and snarls, but they could see the creature's mouth open and its thick lips move. But in bright, however, being but a few feet away from the wolf, heard its cries of rage, which wakened him from his untroubled sleep. The boy sat up and looked first at the tiger and then at the wolf. His face showed that for a moment he was quite frightened, but he soon saw that the beast were unable to approach him and so he got upon his feet and examined them curiously with the mischievous smile upon his face. Then he deliberately kicked the tiger's head with his foot and catching up a fallen branch of a tree, he went to the wolf and gave it a good whacking. Both the beasts were furious at such treatment but could not resent it. But in bright, now threw down the stick and with his hands in his pockets wandered carelessly away. Now, said Glinda, let the glass cat run and find him. He is in that direction, pointing the way, but how far off I do not know. Make haste and lead him back to us as quickly as you can. The glass cat did not obey everyone's orders, but she really feared the great sorceress, so as soon as the words were spoken, the crystal animal darted away and was quickly lost to sight. The wizard handed the mirror back to Glinda, for the woodland scene had now faded from the glass. Then those who cared to rest sat down to await button-brights coming. It was not long before he appeared through the trees, and as he rejoined his friends, he said in a peevish tone. Don't ever send that glass cat to find me again. She was very impolite, and if we didn't all know that she had no manners, I'd say she insulted me. Glinda turned upon the boys sternly. You have caused all of us much anxiety and annoyance, said she. Only my magic saved you from destruction. I forbid you to get lost again. Of course, he answered, it won't be my fault if I get lost again, but it wasn't my fault this time. Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 16 The Enchanted Fishes I must now tell you what happened to Ervick and the three other skisers who were left floating in the iron boat after Queen Cuyo had been transformed into a diamond swan by the magic of the Flathead Sudic. The four skisers were all young men, and their leader was Ervick. Cuyo had taken them with her in the boat to a sister if she captured the Flathead Chief, as she hoped to do by means of her silver rope. They knew nothing about the witchcraft that moved the submarine, and so, when left floating upon the lake, were at a lost what to do. The submarine could not be submerged by them, or made to return to the sunken island. There were neither oars nor sails in the boat, which was not anchored but drifted quietly upon the surface of the lake. The diamond swan had no for the thought or care for her people. She had sailed over to the other side of the lake, and all the calls and pleadings of Ervick and his companions were unheeded by the vain bird. As there was nothing else for them to do, they sat quietly in their boat and waited as patiently as they could for someone to come to their aid. The Flatheads had refused to help them, and had gone back to their mountain. All the skisers were imprisoned in the Great Dome, and could not help even themselves. One evening came, they saw the diamond swan, still keeping to the opposite shore of the lake, walk out of the water to the sands, shake her diamond-sprinkled feathers, and then disappear among the bushes to seek a resting place for the night. I'm hungry, said Ervick. I'm cold, said another skiser. I'm tired, said a third. I'm afraid, said the last one of them. But it did them no good to complain. Night fell, and the moon rose, and cast a silver sheen over the surface of the water. Go to sleep, said Ervick to his companions. I'll stay awake and watch, for we may be rescued in some unexpected way. So the other three laid themselves down in the bottom of the boat, and were soon fast asleep. Ervick watched. He rested himself by leaning over the bow of the boat, his face near to the moonlit water, and thought dreamily of the day's surprising events, and wondered what would happen to the prisoners in the Great Dome. Suddenly a tiny goldfish popped its head above the surface of the lake, not more than a foot from his eyes. A silver fish then raised its head beside that of the goldfish, and a moment later a bronze fish lifted its head beside the others. The three fish, all in a row, looked earnestly with their round, bright eyes into the astonished eyes of Ervick the Schiezer. We are the three adepts whom Queen Cuyo betrayed and wickedly transformed, said the goldfish, its voice low and soft, but distinctly heard in the stillness of the night. I know of our Queen's treacherous deed, replied Ervick, and I am sorry for your misfortune. Have you been in the lake ever since? Yes, was the reply. I hope you are well and comfortable, stammered Ervick, not knowing what else to say. We knew that someday Cuyo would meet with the fate she so richly deserves, declared the bronze fish. We have waited and watched for this time. Now, if you will promise to help us and will be faithful and true, you can aid us in regaining our natural forms and save yourself and all your people from the dangers that now threaten you. Well, said Ervick, you can depend on my doing the best I can, but I'm no witch nor magician you must know. All we ask is that you obey our instructions, returned the silver fish. We know that you are honest, and that you served Cuyo only because you were obliged to in order to escape her anger. Do as we command, and all will be well. I promise, exclaimed the young man, tell me what I need to do first. You will find in the bottom of your boat the silver cord which dropped from Cuyo's hand when she was transformed, said the goldfish. Tie one end of that cord to the bow of your boat and drop the other end to us in the water. Together we will pull your boat to the shore. Ervick much doubted that the three small fishes could move so heavy a boat, but he did as he was told and the fishes all seized their end of the silver cord in their mouths and headed toward the nearest shore, which was the very place where the flatheads had stood when they conquered Queen Cuyo. At first the boat did not move at all, although the fishes pulled with all their strength, but presently the strain began to tell. Very slowly the boat crept toward the shore, gaining more speed at every moment. A couple of yards away from the sandy beach the fishes dropped the cord from their mouths and swam to one side, while the iron boat, being now under way, continued to move until it's prowl grated upon the sands. Ervick leaned over the side and said to the fishes, What next? You will find upon the sand, said the silver fish, a copper kettle, which the sudic forgot when he went away. Cleanse it thoroughly in the water of the lake, for it has had poison in it. When it is cleaned, fill it with fresh water and hold it over the side of the boat so that we three may swim into the kettle. We will then instruct you further. Do you wish me to catch you then? asked Ervick in surprise. Yes, was the reply. So Ervick jumped out of the boat and found the copper kettle. Carrying it a little way down the beach, he washed it well, scrubbing away every drop of the poison it had contained with sand from the shore. Then he went back to the boat. Ervick's comrades were still sound asleep and knew nothing of the three fishes or what strange happenings were taking place about them. Ervick dipped the kettle in the lake, holding fast to the handle until it was under water. The gold and silver and bronze fishes promptly swam into the kettle. The young skizer then lifted it, poured out a little of the water so it would not spill over the edge, and said to the fishes, What next? Carry the kettle to the shore. Take 100 steps to the east along the edge of the lake, and then you will see a path leading through the meadows, uphill and down dale. Follow the path until you come to a cottage which is painted a purple color with white trimmings. When you stop at the gate of this cottage, we will tell you what to do next. Be careful, above all, not to stumble and spill the water from the kettle, or you would destroy us and all you have done would be in vain. The goldfish issued these commands, and Ervick promised to be careful and started to obey. He left his sleeping comrades in the boat, stepping cautiously over their bodies, and on reaching the shore took exactly 100 steps to the east. Then he looked for the path, and the moonlight was so bright that he easily discovered it, although it was hidden from view by tall weeds until one came full upon it. This path was very narrow, and did not seem to be much used, but it was quite distinct, and Ervick had no difficulty in following it. He walked through a broad meadow, covered with tall grass and weeds, uphill and down into a valley, and then up another hill and down again. It seemed to Ervick that he had walked miles and miles. Indeed, the moon sank low, and the day was beginning to dawn when finally he discovered by the roadside a pretty little cottage, painted purple with white trimmings. It was a lonely place. No other buildings were anywhere about, and the ground was not tilled at all. No farmer lived here. That was certain. Who would care to dwell in such an isolated place? But Ervick did not bother his headlong with such questions. He went up to the gate that led to the cottage, set the copper kettle carefully down, and bending over it asked. What next? CHAPTER 17 OF GLINDA OF OZ. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. When Glinda the Good and her followers of the Rescue Expedition came inside of the enchanted mountain of the Flatheads, it was a way to the left of them, for the route they had taken through the great forest with some distance from that followed by Osma and Dorothy. They halted a while to decide whether they should call upon the supreme dictator first, or go on to the land of the Skeezers. If we go to the mountain, said the wizard, we may get into trouble with that wicked su-dick, and then we would be delayed in rescuing Osma and Dorothy, so I think our best plan will be to go to the Skeezer country, raise the sunken island, and save our friends and the imprisoned Skeezers. That is sensible! Approved the shaggy man, I quite agree with you. The others, too, seemed to think the wizards planned the best, and Glinda herself commended it, so on they marched toward the line of palm trees that hid the Skeezers' lake from view. Pretty soon they came to the Palms. These were set closely together, the branches, which came quite to the ground, being so tightly interlaced that even the glass cat could scarcely find a place to squeeze through. The path which the flatheads used was some distance away. Here is a job for the tin woodman, said the scarecrow. So the tin woodman, who was always glad to be of use, set to work with his sharp gleaming axe, which he always carried, and in a surprisingly short time had shopped away enough branches to permit them all to pass easily through the trees. Now the clear waters of the beautiful lake were before them, and by looking closely they could see the outlines of the great dome of the sunken island, far from shore and directly in the centre of the lake. Of course every eye was at first fixed upon this dome, where Osma and Dorothy and the Skeezers were still fast prisoners. But soon their attention was caught by a more brilliant sight, for here was the diamond swan swimming just before them, its long neck arched proudly, the amethyst eyes gleaming, and all the diamond sprinkled feathers glistening splendidly under the rays of the sun. That, said Glinda, is the transformation of Queen Cuyo. The haughty and wicked witch who betrayed the three adepts at magic and treated her people like slaves. She's wonderfully beautiful now, remarked the frogman. It doesn't seem like much of a punishment, said Trot. The flat-head pseudic ought to have made her a toad. I am sure Cuyo is punished, said Glinda, for she has lost all her magic power at her grand palace and can no longer misrule the poor Skeezers. Let us call to her and see what she has to say, proposed the wizard. So Glinda beckoned the diamond swan, which swam gracefully to a position near them. Before anyone could speak, Cuyo called to them in a rasping voice, for the voice of a swan is always harsh and unpleasant, and said with much pride, admire me, strangers, admire the lovely Cuyo, the hansomest creature in all laws, admire me. Hansom is as hansom does, replied the scarecrow. Are your deeds lovely, Cuyo? Deeds, what deeds can a swan do but swim around and give pleasure to all beholders? Said the sparkling bird. Have you forgotten your former life? Have you forgotten your magic and witchcraft? Inquired the wizard. Magic witchcraft pshaw, who cares for such silly things? Retorted Cuyo. As for my past life, seems like an unpleasant dream. I wouldn't go back to it if I could. Don't you admire my beauty, strangers? Tell us, Cuyo, said Glinda earnestly, if you can recall enough of your witchcraft to enable us to race the sunken island to the surface of the lake. Tell us that, and I'll give you a string of pearls to wear around your neck and add to your beauty. Nothing can add to my beauty, for I'm the most beautiful creature anywhere in the whole world. But how can we raise the island? I don't know, and I don't care. If ever I knew, I'd forgotten, and I'm glad of it. Was the response? Just watch me circle around and see me glitter. It's no use. Said Button Bright. The old swan is too much in love with herself to think of anything else. That's a fact, agreed Betsy with a sigh. But we've got to get Osma and Dorothy out of that lake somehow or other. And we must do it in our own way, added the scarecrow. But how? Asked Uncle Henry in a grave voice, for he could not bear to think of his dear niece Dorothy being out there underwater. How shall we do it? Leave that to Glinda, advised the wizard, realizing he was helpless to do it himself. If it were just an ordinary sunken island, said the powerful sorceress, there would be several ways by which I might bring it to the surface again. But this is a magic isle, and by some curious art of witchcraft unknown to any but Queen Cuyo, it obeys certain commands of magic and will not respond to any other. I do not despair in the least, but it will require some deep study to solve this difficult problem. If the swan could only remember the witchcraft she invented and knew as a woman, I could force her to tell me the secret, but all her former knowledge is now forgotten. It seems to me, said the wizard, after a brief silence had followed Glinda's speech, that there are three fishes in this lake that used to be adepts at magic, and from whom Cuyo stole much of her knowledge. If we could find those fishes and return them to their former shapes, they could doubtless tell us what to do to bring the sunken island to the surface. I have thought of those fishes, replied Glinda, but among so many fishes that this lake contains, how are we to single them out? You will understand, of course, that had Glinda been at home in her castle, where the great Book of Records was. She would have known that Irvick the Schiezer already had taken the gold and silver and bronze fishes from the lake, but that act had been recorded in the book after Glinda had sat on on this journey, so it was all unknown to her. I think I see a boat yonder on the shore, said Ojo the munchkin boy, pointing to a place around the edge of the lake. If we could get that boat and row all over the lake, calling to the magic fishes we might be able to find them. Let us go to the boat, said the wizard. They walked around the lake to where the boat was stranded upon the beach, but found it empty. It was a mere shell of blackened steel with a collapsible roof that, when in position, made the submarine watertight, but at present the roof rested in slots on either side of the magic craft. There were no oars or sails, no machinery to make the boat go, and although Glinda promptly realized it was meant to be operated by witchcraft, she was not acquainted with that sort of magic. However, said she, the boat is merely a boat, and I believe I can make it obey a command of sorcery, as well as it did the command of witchcraft. After I have given a little thought to the matter, the boat will take us wherever we desire to go. Not all of us, returned the wizard, for it won't hold so many. But most noble sorcerers, provided you can make the boat go, of what use will it be to us? Can't we use it to catch the three fishes? Asked button bright. It will not be necessary to use the boat for that purpose. Replied Glinda. Wherever in the lake the enchanted fishes may be, they will answer to my call. What I am trying to discover is how the boat came to be on this shore, while the island on which it belongs is under water yonder. Did Cuyo come here in the boat to meet the flatheads before the island was sunk, or afterward? No one could answer that question, of course, but while they pondered the matter, three young men advanced from the line of trees, and rather timidly bowed to the strangers. Who are you, and where did you come from? inquired the wizard. We are skeezers, answered one of them, and our home is on the magic isle of the lake. We ran away when we saw you coming and hid behind the trees, but as you are strangers and seem to be friendly we decided to meet you, for we are in great trouble and need assistance. If you belong on the island, why are you here? demanded Glinda. So they told her all the story. How the queen had defied the flatheads and submerged the whole island so that her enemies could not get to it or destroy it. How, when the flatheads came to the shore, Cuyo had commanded them, together with their friend, Irvic, to go with her in the submarine to conquer the sudic, and how the boat had shot out from the basement of the sunken isle, obeying a magic word, and risen to the surface, where it opened and floated upon the water. Then followed the account of how the sudic had transformed Cuyo into a swan, after which she had forgotten all the witchcraft she ever knew. The young men told how, in the night when they were asleep, their comrade Irvic had mysteriously disappeared, while the boat in some strange manner had floated to the shore and stranded upon the beach. That was all they knew. They had searched in vain for three days for Irvic. As their island was under water, and they could not get back to it, the three skeezers had no place to go, and so had waited patiently beside their boat for something to happen. Being questioned by Glinda and the wizard, they told all they knew about Osmond Dorothy, and declared the two girls were still in the village under the great dome. They were quite safe, and would be well cared for by Lady Arex, now that the queen who opposed them was out of the way. When they had gleaned all the information they could from these skeezers, the wizard said to Glinda, If you find you can make this boat obey your sorcery. You could have it return to the island, submerge itself, and enter the door in the basement from which it came. But I cannot see that our going to the sunken island would enable our friends to escape. We would only join them as prisoners. Not so, friend wizard, replied Glinda. If the boat would obey my commands to enter the basement door, it would also obey my commands to come out again, and I could bring Osmond Dorothy back with me. And leave all of our people still imprisoned? Asked one of the skeezers reproachfully. By making several trips in the boat, Glinda could fetch all your people to the shore. Replied the wizard. But what could they do then? Inquired another skeezer. They would have no homes and no place to go, and would be at the mercy of their enemies, the flatheads. That is true, said Glinda the Good. And as all these people are Osmond's subjects, I think she would refuse to escape with Dorothy and leave the others behind, or to abandon the island which is the lawful home of the skeezers. I believe the best plan will be to summon the three fishes, and learn from them how to raise the island. The little wizard seemed to think that this was rather a forlorn hope. How will you summon them? He asked the lovely sorceress, and how can they hear you? That is something we must consider carefully, responded State Lake Glinda with a serene smile. I think I can find a way. All of Osmond's councillors applauded this sentiment, for they knew well the powers of the sorceress. Very well, agreed the wizard, some of them most noble, Glinda. CHAPTER XVIII of Glinda 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 Evelyn Clark Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum CHAPTER XVIII THE CLEVERNESS OF ARIVIC We must now return to Aravic the skeezer, who, when he had set down the copper kettle containing the three fish at the gate of the lonely cottage, had asked, What next? The goldfish stuck its head above the water in the kettle, and said in its small but distinct voice, You are to lift the latch, open the door, and walk boldly into the cottage. Do not be afraid of anything you see. For however you seem to be threatened with dangers, nothing can harm you. The cottage is the home of a powerful Yokoho named the Re-era the Red, who assumes all sorts of forms, sometimes changing her form several times a day, according to her fancy. What her real form may be, we do not know. This strange creature cannot be bribed with treasure or coaxed through friendship or won by pity. She has never assisted anyone or done anything wrong to anyone that we know of. All her wonderful powers are used for her own selfish amusement. She will order you out of the house, but you must refuse to go. Remain and watch Re-era closely, and try to see what she uses to accomplish her transformations. If you can discover the secret, whisper it to us, and we will then tell you what to do next. That sounds easy, returned Arabic, who had listened carefully, but are you sure she will not hurt me or try to transform me? She may change your form, replied the goldfish, but do not worry if that happens, for we can break the enchantment easily. You may be sure that nothing will harm you, so you must not be frightened at anything you see or hear. Now, Arabic was as brave as any ordinary young man, and he knew the fish who spoke to him were truthful and to be relied upon. Nevertheless, he experienced a strange sinking of the heart as he picked up the kettle and approached the door of the cottage. His hand trembled as he raised the latch, but he was resolved to obey his instructions. He pushed the door open, took three strides into the middle of the one room the cottage contained, and then stood still and looked around him. The sights that met his gaze were enough to frighten anyone who had not been properly warned. On the floor, just before Arabic lay a great crocodile, its red eyes gleaming wickedly and his wide mouth displaying rows of sharp teeth. One toad's hopped about. Each of the four upper corners of the room was festooned with a thick cobweb, in the center of which sat a spider as big around as a wash basin and armed with pincher-like claws. A red and green lizard was stretched at full length on the window sill, and black rats darted in and out of the holes they had gnawed in the floor of the cottage. But the most startling thing was a huge gray ape which sat upon a bench and knitted it wore a lace cap such as old ladies wear and a little apron of lace, but no other clothing. Its eyes were bright and looked as if coals were burning in them, the ape moved as naturally as an ordinary person might and on Arabic's entrance stopped knitting and raised its head to look at him. Get out! cried his sharp voice, seeming to come from the ape's mouth. Arabic saw another bench, empty, just beyond him, so he stepped over the crocodile, sat down on the bench and carefully placed the kettle beside him. Get out! Again cried the voice. Arabic shook his head, no. He said, I'm going to stay. The spiders left their four corners, dropped to the floor and made a rush towards the young skizer, circling around his legs. With their pinches extended, Arabic paid no attention to them. An enormous black rat ran up Arabic's body, passed around his shoulders and uttered piercing squeals in his ears, but he did not wince. The green and red lizard, coming from the windowsill, approached Arabic and began spitting a flaming fluid at him, but Arabic merely stared at the creature and its flame did not touch him. The crocodile raised its tail and swinging around, swept Arabic off the bench with a powerful blow, but the skizer managed to save the kettle from upsetting, and he got up, shook off the horn toads that were crawling over him, and resumed his seat on the bench. All the creatures after this first attack remained motionless, as if awaiting orders, the old gray ape knitted on, not looking toward Arabic now, and the young skizer stowardly kept his seat. He expected something else to happen, but nothing did. A full hour passed, and Arabic was growing nervous. What do you want? The ape asked at last. Nothing, said Arabic. You may have that! retorted the ape, and at this all the strange creatures in the room broke into a chorus of chuckling laughter. Another long wait. Do you know who I am? questioned the ape. You must be Riera, the red, the Yoku, Arabic answered. Knowing so much, you must also know that I do not like strangers. Your presence here in my home annoys me. Do you not fear my anger? No, said the young man. Do you intend to obey me and leave this house? No, replied Arabic, just as quietly as the Yoku who had spoken. The ape knitted for a long time before resuming the conversation. Curiosity, it said, has led to many a man's undoing. I suppose in some way you may have learned that I do tricks of magic, and so through curiosity. You have come here. You may have been told that I do not injure anyone. So you are bold enough to disobey my commands to go away. You imagine that you may witness some of the rites of witchcraft, and that they may amuse you. Have I spoken truly? Well, remarked Arabic, who had been pondering on the strange circumstances of his coming here. You are right in some ways, but not in others. I am told that you work magic only for your own amusement. That seems to me very selfish. Few people understand magic. I'm told that you are the only real Yoku who in all odds. Why don't you amuse others as well as yourself? What right have you to question my actions? None at all. And you say you are not here to demand any favors of me? For myself, I want nothing from you. You are wise in that. I never grant favors. That doesn't worry me, declared Arabic. But you are curious. You hope to witness some of my magic transformations. If you wish to perform any magic, go ahead, said Arabic. It may interest me, and it may not. If you rather go on with your knitting, it's all the same to me. I am in no hurry at all. This may have puzzled Red Riera, but the face beneath the lace cap could show no expression being covered with hair. Perhaps in all her career, Yoku who had never been visited by anyone who, like this young man, asked for nothing, expected nothing, and had no reason for coming except curiosity. This attitude practically disarmed the witch, and she began to regard the skeezer in a more friendly way. She knitted for some time. Seemingly in deep thought. And then she arose and walked to a big cupboard that stood against the wall of the room. When the cupboard door was opened, Arabic could see a lot of drawers inside, and into one of these drawers, the second from the bottom, Red Riera thrust a hairy hand. Until now, Arabic could see over the bent form of the ape, but suddenly the form, with its back to him, seemed to straighten up and blot out the cupboard of drawers. The ape had changed to the form of a woman dressed in a pretty gilligan costume, and when she turned around, he saw that it was a young woman, whose face was quite attractive. Do you like me better this way? Red Riera inquired with a smile. You look better, he said calmly, but I'm not sure I like you any better. She laughed, saying, during the heat of the day, I like to be an ape. For an ape doesn't wear any clothes to speak of, but if one has gentlemen callers, it is proper to dress up. Arabic noticed her right hand was closed, as if it held something. She shut the cupboard door, bent over the crocodile, and in a moment the creature had changed to a red wolf. It was not pretty, even now, and the wolf crouched beside its mistress, as a dog might have done. Its teeth looked as dangerous as had those of the crocodile. Next, the Yokuhu went about touching all the lizards and toads, and at her touch they became kittens. The rats she changed into chickmunks. Now the only horrid creatures remaining were the four great spiders which hid themselves behind their thick webs. There, Riera cried, now my cottage presents a more comfortable appearance. I love the toads and lizards and rats, because most people hate them, but I would tire of them if they always remained the same. Sometimes I change their forms a dozen times a day. You are clever, said Arabic. I did not hear you utter any incantations or magic words. All you did was to touch the creatures. Oh, do you think so, she replied. Well, touch them yourself if you like, and see if you can change their forms. No, said the skeezer. I don't understand magic. And if I did, I would not try to imitate your skill. You're a wonderful Yokuhu. Well, I am only a common skeezer. This confession seemed to please Riera, who liked to have her witchcraft appreciated. Will you go away now, she asked. I prefer to be alone. I prefer to stay here, said Arabic. In another person's home, where you are not wanted? Yes. Is not your curiosity satisfied, demanded Riera with a smile? I don't know. Is there anything else you can do? Many things. But why should I exhibit my powers to a stranger? I can think of no reason at all, he replied. She looked at him curiously. You want no power for yourself, you say. And you're too stupid to be able to steal my secrets. This isn't a pretty cottage, while outside are sunshine, broad prairies, and beautiful wildflowers, yet you insist on sitting on that bench and annoying me with your unwelcome presence. What have you in that kettle? Three fish, he answered readily. Where did you get them? I caught them in the lake of the skeezers. What do you intend to do with the fish? I shall carry them to a home of a friend of mine who has three children. The children will love to have the fish as pets. She came over to the bench and looked into the kettle where the three fish were swimming quietly in the water. They're pretty, said Riera. Let me transform them into something else. No, objected the skeezer. I love to transform things, it's interesting, and I've never transformed any fish in all my life. Let them alone, said Ervik. What shapes would you prefer to have? I can make them turtles or cute little seahorses, or I can make them piglets or rabbits or guinea pigs, or if you like, I can make chickens of them or eagles or blue jays. Let them alone, repeated Ervik. You're not a very pleasant visitor, laughed Red Riera. People accuse me of being cross and crabbed and unsociable, and they're quite right. If you had come here pleading and begging for favors and half afraid of my Yokuhu magic, I'd have abused you until you ran away. But you're quite different from that. You're the unsociable and crabbed and disagreeable one, and so I like you, and bear with your grumpiness. It's time for my midday meal. Are you hungry? No, said Ervik, although he really desired food. Well, I am, Riera declared, and clapped her hands together. Instantly, a table appeared, spread with linen and bearing dishes of various foods, some smoking hot. There were two plates laid, one at each end of the table, and as soon as Riera seated herself, all her creatures gathered around her, as if they were accustomed to be fed when she ate. The wolf squatted at her right hand, and the kittens and chick monks gathered at her left. Come, stranger, sit down and eat, she called cheerfully. And while we're eating, let us decide into what forms we shall change your fish. They are all right as they are, asserted Ervik, drawing his bench to the table. The fish are beauties, one gold, one silver, and one bronze. Nothing that has life is more lovely than a beautiful fish. What? Am I not more lovely? Riera asked, smiling at his serious face. I don't object to you for a yoku, who you know, he said, helping himself to the food and eating with good appetite. And you don't consider a beautiful girl more lovely than a fish, however pretty the fish may be. Well, replied Ervik, after a period of thought, that might be, if you transformed my three fish into three girls, girls who would be adepts at magic. You know, that might please me as well as the fish do. You won't do that, of course, because you can't with all your skill. And should you be able to do so, I fear my troubles would be more than I can bear. They would not consent to be my slaves, especially if they were adepts at magic, and so they would command me to obey them. No, Mistress Riera, let us not transform the fish at all. The skeezer had put his case with remarkable cleverness. He realized that if he appeared anxious for such a transformation, the yoku who would not perform it, yet he had skillfully suggested that they be made adepts at magic. CHAPTER XIX. Red Riera, the yoku who. After the meal was over, and Riera had fed her pets, including the four monster spiders which had come down from their webs to secure their share, she made the table disappear from the floor of the cottage. I wish you'd consent to my transforming your fishes. She said as she took up her knitting again. The skeezer made no reply. He thought it unwise to hurry matters. All during the afternoon they sat silent. Once Riera went to her cupboard, and after thrusting her hand into the same drawer as before, touched the wolf and transformed it into a bird with gorgeous colored feathers. This bird was larger than a parrot, and of a somewhat different form, but Irvick had never seen one like it before. Sing! said Riera to the bird, which had perched itself on a big wooden peg, as if it had been in the cottage before and knew just what to do. The bird sang jolly, rollicking songs with words to them, just as a person who had been carefully trained might do. The songs were entertaining, and Irvick enjoyed listening to them. In an hour or so the bird stopped singing, tucked its head under its wing and went to sleep. Riera continued knitting, but seemed thoughtful. Now Irvick had marked this cupboard drawer well, and had concluded that Riera took something from it which had enabled her to perform her transformations. He thought that if he managed to remain in the cottage, and Riera fell asleep, he could slyly open the cupboard, take a portion of whatever was in the drawer, and by dropping it into the copper kettle transform the three fishes into their natural shapes. Indeed, he had firmly resolved to carry out this plan when the Yuccahu put down her knitting and walked toward the door. "'I'm going out for a few minutes,' said she. "'Do you wish to go with me, or will you remain here?' Irvick did not answer, but sat quietly on his bench, so Riera went out and closed the cottage door. As soon as she was gone Irvick rose and tiptoed to the cupboard. "'Take care, take care,' cried several voices coming from the kittens and the chipmunks. "'If you touch anything we'll tell the Yuccahu.' Irvick hesitated a moment, but remembering that he need not consider Riera's anger if he succeeded in transforming the fishes, he was about to open the cupboard when he was arrested by the voices of the fishes, which stuck the heads above the water in the kettle, and called out, "'Come here Irvick.' So he went back to the kettle and bent over it. "'Let the cupboard alone,' said the goldfish too eminously. "'You could not succeed by getting that magic powder, for only the Yuccahu knows how to use it. The best way is to allow her to transform us into three girls. For then we will have our natural shapes and be able to perform all the arts of magic we have learned and well understand. You are acting wisely and in the most effective manner. We did not know you were so intelligent, or that Riera could be so easily deceived by you. Continue as you have begun and try to persuade her to transform us, but insist that we be given the form of girls.' The goldfish ducked its head down, just as Riera re-entered the cottage. She saw Irvick bent over the kettle, so she came and joined him. "'Can your fishes talk?' she asked. "'Sometimes,' he replied, "'for all fishes in the land of Oz know how to speak. Just now they were asking me for some bread. They are hungry.' "'Well, they can have some bread,' said Riera. "'But it is nearly supper time, and if you would allow me to transform your fishes into girls, they could join us at the table and have plenty of food, much nicer than crumbs. Why not let me transform them?' "'Well,' said Irvick, as if hesitating, "'ask the fishes. If they consent, why, why then I'll think it over?' Riera bent over the kettle and asked, "'Can you hear me, little fishes?' "'All three pop their heads above water. We can hear you,' said the bronze fish. "'I want to give you other forms, such as rabbits or turtles or girls or something, but your master, the surly Schiezer, does not wish me to. However, he has agreed to the plan, if you will, consent.' "'We'd like to be girls,' said the silver fish.' "'No, no,' exclaimed Irvick. "'If you promise to make us three beautiful girls, we will consent,' said the goldfish. "'No, no,' exclaimed Irvick again. "'Also make us adepts at magic,' added the bronze fish. "'I don't know exactly what that means,' replied Riera amusingly. "'But as no adept at magic is as powerful as Yukohu, I'll add that to the transformation. "'We won't try to harm you or interfere with your magic in any way,' promised the goldfish. "'On the contrary, we will be your friends. "'Will you agree to go away and leave me alone in my cottage whenever I command you to do so?' asked Riera. "'We promise that,' cried the three fishers. "'Don't do it! Don't consent to the transformation,' urged Irvick. "'They have already consented,' said the Yukohu, laughing in his face, and you promised me to abide by their decision. "'So, friend Schiezer, I shall perform the transformation whether you like it or not.' Irvick seated himself on the bench again, a deep scowl on his face, but joy in his heart. Riera moved over to the cupboard, took something from the drawer, and returned to the copper kettle. She was clutching something tightly in her right hand, but with her left she reached within the kettle, took out the three fishers, and laid them carefully on the floor, where they gasped into stress at being out of water. Riera did not keep them in misery for more than a few seconds. She touched each one with her right hand, and instantly the fishers were transformed into three tall and slender young women, with fine intelligent faces, and clothed in handsome, clinging gowns. The one who had been a goldfish had beautiful golden hair, and blue eyes, and was exceedingly fair of skin. The one who had been a bronze fish had dark brown hair, and clear gray eyes, and her complexion matched these lovely features. The one who had been a silver fish had snow-white hair with a finest texture, and deep brown eyes. The hair contrasted exquisitely with her pink cheeks and ruby red lips, nor did it make her look a day older than her two companions. As soon as they secured these girly shapes, all three bowed low to the yukuhu, and said, We thank you, Riera. Then they bowed to the skeezer, and said, We thank you, Irvik. Very good, cried the yukuhu, examining her work with critical approval. You are much better and more interesting than fishes, and this ungracious skeezer would scarcely allow me to do the transformations. You surely have nothing to thank him for. But now let us dine in honour of the occasion. She clapped her hands together, and again a table loaded with food appeared in the cottage. It was a longer table this time, and places were set for the three adepts, as well as for Riera and Irvik. Sit down, friends, and eat your fill, said the yukuhu. But instead of seating herself at the head of the table, she went to the cupboard, saying to the adepts, Your beauty and grace, my fair friends, quite outshine my own, so that I may appear properly at the banquet table. I intend, in honour of this occasion, to take upon myself my natural shape. Scarcely had she finished the speech when Riera transformed herself into a young woman, fully as lovely as the three adepts. She was not quite so tall as they, but her form was more rounded and more handsomely clothed, with a wonderful jeweled girdle and a necklace of shining pearls. Her hair was a bright, orbened red, and her eyes large and dark. Do you claim this is your natural form, asked Irvik of the yukuhu? Yes, she replied. This is the only form I am really entitled to wear, but I seldom assume it, because there is no one here to admire or appreciate it, and I get tired admiring it myself. I see now why you are named Riera the Red, remarked Irvik. It is on account of my red hair, she explained, smiling. I do not care for red hair myself, which is one reason I usually wear other forms. It is beautiful, asserted the young man, and then remembering the other women present, he added, But of course all women should not have red hair, because that would make it too common. Gold and silver and brown hair are equally handsome. The smiles that he saw into change between the four filled the poor scissor with embarrassment, so he felt silent and attended to eating his supper, leaving the others to do the talking. The three adepts frankly told Riera who they were, how they became fishes, and how they planned secretly to induce the yukuhu to transform them. They admitted that they had feared, had they asked her to help, that she would have refused them. You were quite right, returned the yukuhu. I make it my rule never to perform magic to assist others, for if I did there would always be a crowd at my cottage demanding help, and I hate crowds and want to be left alone. However, now that you are restored to your proper shapes, I do not regret my action, and I hope you will be of use in saving the scissor people by raising their island to the surface of the lake where it really belongs. But you must promise me that after you go away, you will never come here again, nor tell any one what I have done for you. The three adepts in Irvik thanked the yukuhu warmly. They promised to remember her wish that they should not come to her cottage again, and so, with a good-bye, took their departure. End of chapter 19, Red Riera, the yukuhu. Recording by Linda Ferguson.