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〃It is an Ork;〃 answered Ozma; for they were watching
the scene where the Ork and the three big birds were
first landing their passengers in Jinxland after the long
flight across the desert。 〃I wonder;〃 added the girl
Ruler; musingly; 〃why those strangers dare venture into
that unfortunate country; which is ruled by a wicked
King。〃
〃That girl; and the one…legged man; seem to be mortals
from the outside world;〃 said Dorothy
〃The man isn't one…legged;〃 corrected Betsy; 〃he has
one wooden leg。〃
〃It's almost as bad;〃 declared Dorothy; watching Cap'n
Bill stump around。
〃They are three mortal adventurers;〃 said Ozma; 〃and
they seem worthy and honest。 But I fear they will be
treated badly in Jinxland; and if they meet with any
misfortune there it will reflect upon me; for Jinxland is
a part of my dominions。〃
〃Can't we help them in any way?〃 inquired Dorothy。
〃That seems like a nice little girl。 I'd be sorry if
anything happened to her。〃
〃Let us watch the picture for awhile;〃 suggested Ozma;
and so they all drew chairs before the Magic Picture and
followed the adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill and
Button…Bright。 Presently the scene shifted and showed
their friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains into
Jinxland; and that somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety; for
she knew at once that Glinda the Good had sent the
Scarecrow to protect the strangers。
The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting to
the three girls in Ozma's palace; who during the
succeeding days spent much of their time in watching the
picture。 It was like a story to them。
〃That girl's a reg'lar trump!〃 exclaimed Dorothy;
referring to Trot; and Ozma answered:
〃She's a dear little thing; and I'm sure nothing very
bad will happen to her。 The old sailor is a fine
character; too; for he has never once grumbled over being
a grasshopper; as so many would have done。〃
When the Scarecrow was so nearly burned up the girls
all shivered a little; and they clapped their hands in
joy when the flock of Orks came and saved him。
So it was that when all the exciting adventures in
Jinxland were over and the four Orks had begun their
flight across the mountains to carry the mortals into the
Land of Oz; Ozma called the Wizard to her and asked him
to prepare a place for the strangers to sleep。
The famous Wizard of Oz was a quaint little man who
inhabited the royal palace and attended to all the
magical things that Ozma wanted done。 He was not as
powerful as Glinda; to be sure; but he could do a great
many wonderful things。 He proved this by placing a house
in the uninhabited part of the Quadling Country where the
Orks landed Cap'n Bill and Trot and Button…Bright; and
fitting it with all the comforts I have described in the
last chapter。
Next morning Dorothy said to Ozma:
〃Oughtn't we to go meet the strangers; so we can show
them the way to the Emerald City? I'm sure that little
girl will feel shy in this beautiful land; and I know if
'twas me I'd like somebody to give me a welcome。〃
Ozma smiled at her little friend and answered:
〃You and Betsy may go to meet them; if you wish; but I
can not leave my palace just now; as I am to have a
conference with Jack Pumpkinhead and Professor Wogglebug
on important matters。 You may take the Sawhorse and the
Red Wagon; and if you start soon you will be able to meet
the Scarecrow and the strangers at Glinda's palace。〃
〃Oh; thank you!〃 cried Dorothy; and went away to tell
Betsy and to make preparations for the journey。
Chapter Twenty…Two
The Waterfall
Glinda's castle was a long way from the mountains; but
the Scarecrow began the journey cheerfully; since time
was of no great importance in the Land of Oz and he had
recently made the trip and knew the way。 It never
mattered much to Button…Bright where he was or what he
was doing; the boy was content in being alive and having
good companions to share his wanderings。 As for Trot and
Cap'n Bill; they now found themselves so comfortable and
free from danger; in this fine fairyland; and they were
so awed and amazed by the adventures they were
encountering; that the journey to Glinda's castle was
more like a pleasure trip than a hardship; so many
wonderful things were there to see。
Button…Bright had been in Oz before; but never in this
part of it; so the Scarecrow was the only one who knew
the paths and could lead them。 They had eaten a hearty
breakfast; which they found already prepared for them and
awaiting them on the table when they arose from their
refreshing sleep; so they left the magic house in a
contented mood and with hearts lighter and more happy
than they had known for many a day。 As they marched
along through the fields; the sun shone brightly and the
breeze was laden with delicious fragrance; for it carried
with it the breath of millions of wildflowers。
At noon; when they stopped to rest by the bank of a
pretty river; Trot said with a long…drawn breath that was
much like a sigh:
〃I wish we'd brought with us some of the food that was
left from our breakfast; for I'm getting hungry again。〃
Scarcely had she spoken when a table rose up before
them; as if from the ground itself; and it was loaded
with fruits and nuts and cakes and many other good things
to eat。 The little girl's eyes opened wide at this
display of magic; and Cap'n Bill was not sure that the
things were actually there and fit to eat until he had
taken them in his hand and tasted them。 But the Scarecrow
said with a laugh:
〃Someone is looking after your welfare; that is
certain; and from the looks of this table I suspect my
friend the Wizard has taken us in his charge。 I've known
him to do things like this before; and if we are in the
Wizard's care you need not worry about your future。〃
〃Who's worrying?〃 inquired Button…Bright; already at
the table and busily eating。
The Scarecrow looked around the place while the others
were feasting; and finding many things unfamiliar to him
he shook his head and remarked:
〃I must have taken the wrong path; back in that last
valley; for on my way to Jinxland I remember that I
passed around the foot of this river; where there was a
great waterfall。〃
〃Did the river make a bend; after the waterf