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time the Head of the finest Flying Machine that was ever known to
exist； and we did many wonderful things。 Afterward the Gump was taken
apart and I was put back on this wall； but I can still talk when I
feel in the mood； which is not often。〃
〃It's very strange；〃 said the girl。 〃What were you when you were
first alive？〃
〃That I have forgotten；〃 replied the Gump's Head； 〃and I do not think
it is of much importance。 But here comes Ozma； so I'd better hush up；
for the Princess doesn't like me to chatter since she changed her name
from Tip to Ozma。〃
Just then the girlish Ruler of Oz opened the door and greeted Dorothy
with a good…morning kiss。 The little Princess seemed fresh and rosy
and in good spirits。
〃Breakfast is served； dear；〃 she said； 〃and I am hungry。 So don't let
us keep it waiting a single minute。〃
17。 The Nine Tiny Piglets
After breakfast Ozma announced that she had ordered a holiday to be
observed throughout the Emerald City； in honor of her visitors。 The
people had learned that their old Wizard had returned to them and all
were anxious to see him again； for he had always been a rare favorite。
So first there was to be a grand procession through the streets； after
which the little old man was requested to perform some of his
wizardries in the great Throne Room of the palace。 In the afternoon
there were to be games and races。
The procession was very imposing。 First came the Imperial Cornet Band
of Oz； dressed in emerald velvet uniforms with slashes of pea…green
satin and buttons of immense cut emeralds。 They played the National
air called 〃The Oz Spangled Banner；〃 and behind them were the standard
bearers with the Royal flag。 This flag was divided into four
quarters； one being colored sky…blue； another pink； a third lavender
and a fourth white。 In the center was a large emerald…green star； and
all over the four quarters were sewn spangles that glittered
beautifully in the sunshine。 The colors represented the four
countries of Oz； and the green star the Emerald City。
Just behind the royal standard…bearers came the Princess Ozma in her
royal chariot； which was of gold encrusted with emeralds and diamonds
set in exquisite designs。 The chariot was drawn on this occasion by
the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger； who were decorated with
immense pink and blue bows。 In the chariot rode Ozma and Dorothy； the
former in splendid raiment and wearing her royal coronet； while the
little Kansas girl wore around her waist the Magic Belt she had once
captured from the Nome King。
Following the chariot came the Scarecrow mounted on the Sawhorse； and
the people cheered him almost as loudly as they did their lovely
Ruler。 Behind him stalked with regular； jerky steps； the famous
machine…man called Tik…tok； who had been wound up by Dorothy for the
occasion。 Tik…tok moved by clockwork； and was made all of burnished
copper。 He really belonged to the Kansas girl； who had much respect
for his thoughts after they had been properly wound and set going； but
as the copper man would be useless in any place but a fairy country
Dorothy had left him in charge of Ozma； who saw that he was suitably
cared for。
There followed another band after this； which was called the Royal
Court Band； because the members all lived in the palace。 They wore
white uniforms with real diamond buttons and played 〃What is Oz
without Ozma〃 very sweetly。
Then came Professor Woggle…Bug； with a group of students from the
Royal College of Scientific Athletics。 The boys wore long hair and
striped sweaters and yelled their college yell every other step they
took； to the great satisfaction of the populace； which was glad to
have this evidence that their lungs were in good condition。
The brilliantly polished Tin Woodman marched next； at the head of the
Royal Army of Oz which consisted of twenty…eight officers； from
Generals down to Captains。 There were no privates in the army because
all were so courageous and skillful that they had been promoted one by
one until there were no privates left。 Jim and the buggy followed；
the old cab…horse being driven by Zeb while the Wizard stood up on the
seat and bowed his bald head right and left in answer to the cheers of
the people； who crowded thick about him。
Taken altogether the procession was a grand success； and when it had
returned to the palace the citizens crowded into the great Throne Room
to see the Wizard perform his tricks。
The first thing the little humbug did was to produce a tiny white
piglet from underneath his hat and pretend to pull it apart； making
two。 This act he repeated until all of the nine tiny piglets were
visible； and they were so glad to get out of his pocket that they ran
around in a very lively manner。 The pretty little creatures would
have been a novelty anywhere； so the people were as amazed and
delighted at their appearance as even the Wizard could have desired。
When he had made them all disappear again Ozma declared she was sorry
they were gone； for she wanted one of them to pet and play with。 So
the Wizard pretended to take one of the piglets out of the hair of the
Princess （while really he slyly took it from his inside pocket） and
Ozma smiled joyously as the creature nestled in her arms； and she
promised to have an emerald collar made for its fat neck and to keep
the little squealer always at hand to amuse her。
Afterward it was noticed that the Wizard always performed his famous
trick with eight piglets； but it seemed to please the people just as
well as if there had been nine of them。
In his little room back of the Throne Room the Wizard had found a lot
of things he had left behind him when he went away in the balloon； for
no one had occupied the apartment in his absence。 There was enough
material there to enable him to prepare several new tricks which he
had learned from some of the jugglers in the circus； and he had passed
part of the night in getting them ready。 So he followed the trick of
the nine tiny piglets with several other wonderful feats that greatly
delighted his audience and the people did not seem to care a bit
whether the little man was a humbug Wizard or not； so long as he
succeeded in amusing them。 They applauded all his tricks and at the
end of the performance begged him earnestly not to go away again and
leave them。
〃In that case；〃 said the little man； gravely； 〃I will cancel all of my
engagements before the crowned heads of Europe and America and devote
myself to the people of Oz； for I love you all so well that I can deny
you nothing。〃
After the people had been dismissed with this promise our friends
joined Princess Ozma at an elaborate luncheon in the palace； where
even the Tiger and the Lion were sumptuously fed and Jim the Cab…horse
ate his oatmeal out of a golden bowl with seven rows of rubies；
sapphires and diamonds set around the rim of it。
In the af