\"Tobeginwith，\"saidhe，\"wordcametoournobleandillustriousRuler，OzmaofOz，thatthewifeandtenchildren——fiveboysandfivegirls——oftheformerKingofEv，bynameEvoldo，havebeenenslavedbytheNomeKingandareheldprisonersinhisundergroundpalace。AlsothattherewasnooneinEvpowerfulenoughtoreleasethem。
NaturallyourOzmawishedtoundertaketheadventureofliberatingthepoorprisoners;butforalongtimeshecouldfindnowaytocrossthegreatdesertbetweenthetwocountries。FinallyshewenttoafriendlysorceressofourlandnamedGlindatheGood，whoheardthestoryandatoncepresentedOzmaamagiccarpet，whichwouldcontinuallyunrollbeneathourfeetandsomakeacomfortablepathforustocrossthedesert。AssoonasshehadreceivedthecarpetourgraciousRulerorderedmetoassembleourarmy，whichIdid。YoubeholdintheseboldwarriorsthepickofallthefinestsoldiersofOz;and，ifweareobligedtofighttheNomeKing，everyofficeraswellastheprivate，willbattlefiercelyuntodeath。\"
ThenTiktokspoke。
\"WhyshouldyoufighttheNomeKing？\"heasked。\"Hehasdonenowrong。\"
\"Nowrong！\"criedDorothy。\"Isn’titwrongtoimprisonaqueenmotherandhertenchildren？\"
\"TheyweresoldtotheNomeKingbyKingEv-ol-do，\"repliedTiktok。
\"ItwastheKingofEvwhodidwrong，andwhenhere-al-izedwhathehaddonehejumpedin-totheseaanddrownedhim-self。\"
\"Thisisnewstome，\"saidOzma，thoughtfully。\"IhadsupposedtheNomeKingwasalltoblameinthematter。But，inanycase，hemustbemadetoliberatetheprisoners。\"
\"MyuncleEvoldowasaverywickedman，\"declaredthePrincessLangwidere。\"Ifhehaddrownedhimselfbeforehesoldhisfamily，noonewouldhavecared。ButhesoldthemtothepowerfulNomeKinginexchangeforalonglife，andafterwarddestroyedthelifebyjumpingintothesea。\"
\"Then，\"saidOzma，\"hedidnotgetthelonglife，andtheNomeKingmustgiveuptheprisoners。Wherearetheyconfined？\"
\"Nooneknows，exactly，\"repliedthePrincess。\"Fortheking，whosenameisRoquatoftheRocks，ownsasplendidpalaceunderneaththegreatmountainwhichisatthenorthendofthiskingdom，andhehastransformedthequeenandherchildrenintoornamentsandbric-a-bracwithwhichtodecoratehisrooms。\"
\"I’dliketoknow，\"saidDorothy，\"whothisNomeKingis？\"
\"Iwilltellyou，\"repliedOzma。\"HeissaidtobetheRuleroftheUndergroundWorld，andcommandstherocksandallthattherockscontain。UnderhisrulearemanythousandsoftheNomes，whoarequeerlyshapedbutpowerfulspritesthatlaboratthefurnacesandforgesoftheirking，makinggoldandsilverandothermetalswhichtheyconcealinthecrevicesoftherocks，sothatthoselivingupontheearth’ssurfacecanonlyfindthemwithgreatdifficulty。Alsotheymakediamondsandrubiesandemeralds，whichtheyhideintheground;sothatthekingdomoftheNomesiswonderfullyrich，andallwehaveofpreciousstonesandsilverandgoldiswhatwetakefromtheearthandrockswheretheNomeKinghashiddenthem。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"saidDorothy，noddingherlittleheadwisely。
\"Forthereasonthatweoftenstealhistreasures，\"continuedOzma，\"theRuleroftheUndergroundWorldisnotfondofthosewholiveupontheearth’ssurface，andneverappearsamongus。IfwewishtoseeKingRoquatoftheRocks，wemustvisithisowncountry，whereheisallpowerful，andthereforeitwillbeadangerousundertaking。\"
\"But，forthesakeofthepoorprisoners，\"saidDorothy，\"weoughttodoit。\"
\"Weshalldoit，\"repliedtheScarecrow，\"althoughitrequiresalotofcourageformetogoneartothefurnacesoftheNomeKing。ForI
amonlystuffedwithstraw，andasinglesparkoffiremightdestroymeentirely。\"
\"Thefurnacesmayalsomeltmytin，\"saidtheTinWoodman;
\"butIamgoing。\"
\"Ican’tbearheat，\"remarkedthePrincessLangwidere，yawninglazily，\"soIshallstayathome。ButIwishyoumayhavesuccessinyourundertaking，forIamheartilytiredofrulingthisstupidkingdom，andIneedmoreleisureinwhichtoadmiremybeautifulheads。\"
\"Wedonotneedyou，\"saidOzma。\"For，ifwiththeaidofmybravefollowersIcannotaccomplishmypurpose，thenitwouldbeuselessforyoutoundertakethejourney。\"
\"Quitetrue，\"sighedthePrincess。\"So，ifyou’llexcuseme，Iwillnowretiretomycabinet。I’vewornthisheadquiteawhile，andI
wanttochangeitforanother。\"
Whenshehadleftthem（andyoumaybesurenoonewassorrytoseehergo）OzmasaidtoTiktok：
\"Willyoujoinourparty？\"
\"IamtheslaveofthegirlDor-oth-y，whorescuedmefrompris-on，\"
repliedthemachine。\"WhereshegoesIwillgo。\"
\"Oh，Iamgoingwithmyfriends，ofcourse，\"saidDorothy，quickly。
\"Iwouldn’tmissthefunforanything。Willyougo，too，Billina？\"
\"Tobesure，\"saidBillinainacarelesstone。Shewassmoothingdownthefeathersofherbackandnotpayingmuchattention。
\"Heatisjustinherline，\"remarkedtheScarecrow。\"Ifsheisnicelyroasted，shewillbebetterthanever。\"
\"Then\"saidOzma，\"wewillarrangetostartfortheKingdomoftheNomesatdaybreaktomorrow。And，inthemeantime，wewillrestandprepareourselvesforthejourney。\"
AlthoughPrincessLangwideredidnotagainappeartoherguests，thepalaceservantswaiteduponthestrangersfromOzanddideverythingintheirpowertomakethepartycomfortable。Thereweremanyvacantroomsattheirdisposal，andthebraveArmyoftwenty-sevenwaseasilyprovidedforandliberallyfeasted。
TheCowardlyLionandtheHungryTigerwereunharnessedfromthechariotandallowedtoroamatwillthroughoutthepalace，wheretheynearlyfrightenedtheservantsintofits，althoughtheydidnoharmatall。AtonetimeDorothyfoundthelittlemaidNandacrouchinginterrorinacorner，withtheHungryTigerstandingbeforeher。
\"Youcertainlylookdelicious，\"thebeastwassaying。\"Willyoukindlygivemepermissiontoeatyou？\"
\"No，no，no！\"criedthemaidinreply。
\"Then，\"saidtheTiger，yawningfrightfully，\"pleasetogetmeaboutthirtypoundsoftenderloinsteak，cookedrare，withapeckofboiledpotatoesontheside，andfivegallonsofice-creamfordessert。\"
\"I——I’lldothebestIcan！\"saidNanda，andsheranawayasfastasshecouldgo。
\"Areyousoveryhungry？\"askedDorothy，inwonder。
\"Youcanhardlyimaginethesizeofmyappetite，\"repliedtheTiger，sadly。\"Itseemstofillmywholebody，fromtheendofmythroattothetipofmytail。Iamverysuretheappetitedoesn’tfitme，andistoolargeforthesizeofmybody。Someday，whenImeetadentistwithapairofforceps，I’mgoingtohaveitpulled。\"
\"What，yourtooth？\"askedDorothy。
\"No，myappetite，\"saidtheHungryTiger。
ThelittlegirlspentmostoftheafternoontalkingwiththeScarecrowandtheTinWoodman，whorelatedtoherallthathadtakenplaceintheLandofOzsinceDorothyhadleftit。ShewasmuchinterestedinthestoryofOzma，whohadbeen，whenababy，stolenbyawickedoldwitchandtransformedintoaboy。Shedidnotknowthatshehadeverbeenagirluntilshewasrestoredtohernaturalformbyakindsorceress。ThenitwasfoundthatshewastheonlychildoftheformerRulerofOz，andwasentitledtoruleinhisplace。Ozmahadmanyadventures，however，beforesheregainedherfather’sthrone，andintheseshewasaccompaniedbyapumpkin-headedman，ahighlymagnifiedandthoroughlyeducatedWoggle-Bug，andawonderfulsawhorsethathadbeenbroughttolifebymeansofamagicpowder。TheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanhadalsoassistedher;buttheCowardlyLion，whoruledthegreatforestastheKingofBeasts，knewnothingofOzmauntilaftershebecamethereigningprincessofOz。ThenhejourneyedtotheEmeraldCitytoseeher，andonhearingshewasabouttovisittheLandofEvtosetfreetheroyalfamilyofthatcountry，theCowardlyLionbeggedtogowithher，andbroughtalonghisfriend，theHungryTiger，aswell。
Havingheardthisstory，Dorothyrelatedtothemherownadventures，andthenwentoutwithherfriendstofindtheSawhorse，whichOzmahadcausedtobeshodwithplatesofgold，sothatitslegswouldnotwearout。
TheycameupontheSawhorsestandingmotionlessbesidethegardengate，butwhenDorothywasintroducedtohimhebowedpolitelyandblinkedhiseyes，whichwereknotsofwood，andwaggedhistail，whichwasonlythebranchofatree。
\"Whataremarkablething，tobealive！\"exclaimedDorothy。
\"Iquietagreewithyou，\"repliedtheSawhorse，inaroughbutnotunpleasantvoice。\"Acreaturelikemehasnobusinesstolive，asweallknow。Butitwasthemagicpowderthatdidit，soIcannotjustlybeblamed。\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidDorothy。\"Andyouseemtobeofsomeuse，’causeInoticedtheScarecrowridinguponyourback。\"
\"Oh，yes;I’mofuse，\"returnedtheSawhorse;\"andInevertire，neverhavetobefed，orcaredforinanyway。\"
\"Areyouintel’gent？\"askedthegirl。
\"Notvery，\"saidthecreature。\"ItwouldbefoolishtowasteintelligenceonacommonSawhorse，whensomanyprofessorsneedit。
ButIknowenoughtoobeymymasters，andtogid-dup，orwhoa，whenI’mtoldto。SoI’mprettywellsatisfied。\"
ThatnightDorothysleptinapleasantlittlebed-chambernexttothatoccupiedbyOzmaofOz，andBillinapercheduponthefootofthebedandtuckedherheadunderherwingandsleptassoundlyinthatpositionasdidDorothyuponhersoftcushions。
Butbeforedaybreakeveryonewasawakeandstirring，andsoontheadventurerswereeatingahastybreakfastinthegreatdining-roomofthepalace。Ozmasatattheheadofalongtable，onaraisedplatform，withDorothyonherrighthandandtheScarecrowonherleft。TheScarecrowdidnoteat，ofcourse;butOzmaplacedhimnearhersothatshemightaskhisadviceaboutthejourneywhilesheate。
Lowerdownthetablewerethetwenty-sevenwarriorsofOz，andattheendoftheroomtheLionandtheTigerwereeatingoutofakettlethathadbeenplaceduponthefloor，whileBillinaflutteredaroundtopickupanyscrapsthatmightbescattered。
Itdidnottakelongtofinishthemeal，andthentheLionandtheTigerwereharnessedtothechariotandthepartywasreadytostartfortheNomeKing’sPalace。
FirstrodeOzma，withDorothybesideherinthegoldenchariotandholdingBillinafastinherarms。ThencametheScarecrowontheSawhorse，withtheTinWoodmanandTiktokmarchingsidebysidejustbehindhim。AfterthesetrampedtheArmy，lookingbraveandhandsomeintheirsplendiduniforms。Thegeneralscommandedthecolonelsandthecolonelscommandedthemajorsandthemajorscommandedthecaptainsandthecaptainscommandedtheprivate，whomarchedwithanairofproudimportancebecauseitrequiredsomanyofficerstogivehimhisorders。
Andsothemagnificentprocessionleftthepalaceandstartedalongtheroadjustasdaywasbreaking，andbythetimethesuncameouttheyhadmadegoodprogresstowardthevalleythatledtotheNomeKing’sdomain。
10。TheGiantwiththeHammerTheroadledforatimethroughaprettyfarmcountry，andthenpastapicnicgrovethatwasveryinviting。ButtheprocessioncontinuedtosteadilyadvanceuntilBillinacriedinanabruptandcommandingmanner：
\"Wait——wait！\"
OzmastoppedherchariotsosuddenlythattheScarecrow’sSawhorsenearlyranintoit，andtheranksofthearmytumbledoveroneanotherbeforetheycouldcometoahalt。ImmediatelytheyellowhenstruggledfromDorothy’sarmsandflewintoaclumpofbushesbytheroadside。
\"What’sthematter？\"calledtheTinWoodman，anxiously。
\"Why，Billinawantstolayheregg，that’sall，\"saidDorothy。
\"Layheregg！\"repeatedtheTinWoodman，inastonishment。
\"Yes;shelaysoneeverymorning，aboutthistime;andit’squitefresh，\"saidthegirl。
\"Butdoesyourfoolisholdhensupposethatthisentirecavalcade，whichisboundonanimportantadventure，isgoingtostandstillwhileshelaysheregg？\"enquiredtheTinWoodman，earnestly。
\"Whatelsecanwedo？\"askedthegirl。\"It’sahabitofBillina’sandshecan’tbreakherselfofit。\"
\"Thenshemusthurryup，\"saidtheTinWoodman，impatiently。
\"No，no！\"exclaimedtheScarecrow。\"Ifshehurriesshemaylayscrambledeggs。\"
\"That’snonsense，\"saidDorothy。\"ButBillinawon’tbelong，I’msure。\"
Sotheystoodandwaited，althoughallwererestlessandanxioustoproceed。Andbyandbytheyellowhencamefromthebushessaying：
\"Kut-kut，kut，ka-daw-kutt！Kut，kut，kut——ka-daw-kut！\"
\"Whatisshedoing——singingherlay？\"askedtheScarecrow。
\"For-ward——march！\"shoutedtheTinWoodman，wavinghisaxe，andtheprocessionstartedjustasDorothyhadoncemoregrabbedBillinainherarms。
\"Isn’tanyonegoingtogetmyegg？\"criedthehen，ingreatexcitement。
\"I’llgetit，\"saidtheScarecrow;andathiscommandtheSawhorseprancedintothebushes。Thestrawmansoonfoundtheegg，whichheplacedinhisjacketpocket。Thecavalcade，havingmovedrapidlyon，waseventhenfarinadvance;butitdidnottaketheSawhorselongtocatchupwithit，andpresentlytheScarecrowwasridinginhisaccustomedplacebehindOzma’schariot。
\"WhatshallIdowiththeegg？\"heaskedDorothy。
\"Idonotknow，\"thegirlanswered。\"PerhapstheHungryTigerwouldlikeit。\"
\"Itwouldnotbeenoughtofilloneofmybackteeth，\"remarkedtheTiger。\"Abushelofthem，hardboiled，mighttakealittleoftheedgeoffmyappetite;butoneeggisn’tgoodforanythingatall，thatIknowof。\"
\"No;itwouldn’tevenmakeaspongecake，\"saidtheScarecrow，thoughtfully。\"TheTinWoodmanmightcarryitwithhisaxeandhatchit;butafterallImayaswellkeepitmyselfforasouvenir。\"Soheleftitinhispocket。
TheyhadnowreachedthatpartofthevalleythatlaybetweenthetwohighmountainswhichDorothyhadseenfromhertowerwindow。Atthefarendwasthethirdgreatmountain，whichblockedthevalleyandwasthenorthernedgeoftheLandofEv。ItwasunderneaththismountainthattheNomeKing’spalacewassaidtobe;butitwouldbesometimebeforetheyreachedthatplace。
Thepathwasbecomingrockyanddifficultforthewheelsofthechariottopassover，andpresentlyadeepgulfappearedattheirfeetwhichwastoowideforthemtoleap。SoOzmatookasmallsquareofgreenclothfromherpocketandthrewitupontheground。Atonceitbecamethemagiccarpet，andunrolleditselffarenoughforallthecavalcadetowalkupon。Thechariotnowadvanced，andthegreencarpetunrolledbeforeit，crossingthegulfonalevelwithitsbanks，sothatallpassedoverinsafety。
\"That’seasyenough，\"saidtheScarecrow。\"Iwonderwhatwillhappennext。\"
Hewasnotlonginmakingthediscovery，forthesidesofthemountaincameclosertogetheruntilfinallytherewasbutanarrowpathbetweenthem，alongwhichOzmaandherpartywereforcedtopassinsinglefile。
Theynowheardalowanddeep\"thump！——thump！——thump！\"whichechoedthroughoutthevalleyandseemedtogrowlouderastheyadvanced。
Then，turningacornerofrock，theysawbeforethemahugeform，whichtoweredabovethepathformorethanahundredfeet。Theformwasthatofagiganticmanbuiltoutofplatesofcastiron，anditstoodwithonefootoneithersideofthenarrowroadandswungoveritsrightshoulderanimmenseironmallet，withwhichitconstantlypoundedtheearth。Theseresoundingblowsexplainedthethumpingsoundstheyhadheard，forthemalletwasmuchbiggerthanabarrel，andwhereitstruckthepathbetweentherockysidesofthemountainitfilledallthespacethroughwhichourtravelerswouldbeobligedtopass。
Ofcoursetheyatoncehalted，asafedistanceawayfromtheterribleironmallet。Themagiccarpetwoulddothemnogoodinthiscase，foritwasonlymeanttoprotectthemfromanydangersuponthegroundbeneaththeirfeet，andnotfromdangersthatappearedintheairabovethem。
\"Wow！\"saidtheCowardlyLion，withashudder。\"Itmakesmedreadfullynervoustoseethatbighammerpoundingsonearmyhead。
Oneblowwouldcrushmeintoadoor-mat。\"
\"Their-ongi-antisafinefel-low，\"saidTiktok，\"andworksasstead-i-lyasaclock。HewasmadefortheNomeKingbySmith&
Tin-ker，whomademe，andhisdu-tyistokeepfolksfromfind-ingtheun-der-groundpal-ace。Ishenotagreatworkofart？\"
\"Canhethink，andspeak，asyoudo？\"askedOzma，regardingthegiantwithwonderingeyes。
\"No，\"repliedthemachine;\"heison-lymadetopoundtheroad，andhasnothink-ingorspeak-ingat-tach-ment。Buthepoundsve-rywell，Ithink。\"
\"Toowell，\"observedtheScarecrow。\"Heiskeepingusfromgoingfarther。Istherenowaytostophismachinery？\"
\"On-lytheNomeKing，whohasthekey，candothat，\"answeredTiktok。
\"Then，\"saidDorothy，anxiously，\"whatshallwedo？\"
\"Excusemeforafewminutes，\"saidtheScarecrow，\"andIwillthinkitover。\"
Heretired，then，toapositionintherear，whereheturnedhispaintedfacetotherocksandbegantothink。
Meantimethegiantcontinuedtoraisehisironmallethighintheairandtostrikethepathterrificblowsthatechoedthroughthemountainsliketheroarofacannon。Eachtimethemalletlifted，however，therewasamomentwhenthepathbeneaththemonsterwasfree，andperhapstheScarecrowhadnoticedthis，forwhenhecamebacktotheothershesaid：
\"Thematterisaverysimpleone，afterall。Wehavebuttorununderthehammer，oneatatime，whenitislifted，andpasstotheothersidebeforeitfallsagain。\"
\"Itwillrequirequickwork，ifweescapetheblow，\"saidtheTinWoodman，withashakeofhishead。\"Butitreallyseemstheonlythingtobedone。Whowillmakethefirstattempt？\"
Theylookedatoneanotherhesitatinglyforamoment。ThentheCowardlyLion，whowastremblinglikealeafinthewind，saidtothem：
\"Isupposetheheadoftheprocessionmustgofirst——andthat’sme。
ButI’mterriblyafraidofthebighammer！\"
\"Whatwillbecomeofme？\"askedOzma。\"Youmightrushunderthehammeryourself，butthechariotwouldsurelybecrushed。\"
\"Wemustleavethechariot，\"saidtheScarecrow。\"ButyoutwogirlscanrideuponthebacksoftheLionandtheTiger。\"
Sothiswasdecidedupon，andOzma，assoonastheLionwasunfastenedfromthechariot，atoncemountedthebeast’sbackandsaidshewasready。
\"Clingfasttohismane，\"advisedDorothy。\"Iusedtoridehimmyself，andthat’sthewayIheldon。\"
SoOzmaclungfasttothemane，andthelioncrouchedinthepathandeyedtheswingingmalletcarefullyuntilheknewjusttheinstantitwouldbegintoriseintheair。
Then，beforeanyonethoughthewasready，hemadeasuddenleapstraightbetweentheirongiant’slegs，andbeforethemalletstruckthegroundagaintheLionandOzmaweresafeontheotherside。
TheTigerwentnext。Dorothysatuponhisbackandlockedherarmsaroundhisstripedneck，forhehadnomanetoclingto。Hemadetheleapstraightandtrueasanarrowfromabow，andereDorothyrealizeditshewasoutofdangerandstandingbyOzma’sside。
NowcametheScarecrowontheSawhorse，andwhiletheymadethedashinsafetytheywerewithinahair’sbreadthofbeingcaughtbythedescendinghammer。
Tiktokwalkeduptotheveryedgeofthespotthehammerstruck，andasitwasraisedforthenextblowhecalmlysteppedforwardandescapeditsdescent。ThatwasanideafortheTinWoodmantofollow，andhealsocrossedinsafetywhilethegreathammerwasintheair。
Butwhenitcametothetwenty-sixofficersandtheprivate，theirkneesweresoweakthattheycouldnotwalkastep。
\"Inbattlewearewonderfullycourageous，\"saidoneofthegenerals，\"andourfoesfindusveryterribletoface。Butwarisonethingandthisisanother。Whenitcomestobeingpoundedupontheheadbyanironhammer，andsmashedintopancakes，wenaturallyobject。\"
\"Makearunforit，\"urgedtheScarecrow。
\"Ourkneesshakesothatwecannotrun，\"answeredacaptain。\"Ifweshouldtryitwewouldallcertainlybepoundedtoajelly。\"
\"Well，well，\"sighedtheCowardlyLion，\"Isee，friendTiger，thatwemustplaceourselvesingreatdangertorescuethisboldarmy。Comewithme，andwewilldothebestwecan。\"
So，OzmaandDorothyhavingalreadydismountedfromtheirbacks，theLionandtheTigerleapedbackagainundertheawfulhammerandreturnedwithtwogeneralsclingingtotheirnecks。Theyrepeatedthisdaringpassagetwelvetimes，whenalltheofficershadbeencarriedbeneaththegiant’slegsandlandedsafelyonthefurtherside。Bythattimethebeastswereverytired，andpantedsohardthattheirtongueshungoutoftheirgreatmouths。
\"Butwhatistobecomeoftheprivate？\"askedOzma。
\"Oh，leavehimtheretoguardthechariot，\"saidtheLion。\"I’mtiredout，andwon’tpassunderthatmalletagain。\"
Theofficersatonceprotestedthattheymusthavetheprivatewiththem，elsetherewouldbenooneforthemtocommand。ButneithertheLionortheTigerwouldgoafterhim，andsotheScarecrowsenttheSawhorse。
Eitherthewoodenhorsewascareless，oritfailedtoproperlytimethedescentofthehammer，forthemightyweaponcaughtitsquarelyuponitshead，andthumpeditagainstthegroundsopowerfullythattheprivateflewoffitsbackhighintotheair，andlandedupononeofthegiant’scast-ironarms。Hereheclungdesperatelywhilethearmroseandfellwitheachoneoftherapidstrokes。
TheScarecrowdashedintorescuehisSawhorse，andhadhisleftfootsmashedbythehammerbeforehecouldpullthecreatureoutofdanger。
TheythenfoundthattheSawhorsehadbeenbadlydazedbytheblow;
forwhilethehardwoodenknotofwhichhisheadwasformedcouldnotbecrushedbythehammer，bothhisearswerebrokenoffandhewouldbeunabletohearasounduntilsomenewonesweremadeforhim。Alsohisleftkneewascracked，andhadtobeboundupwithastring。
Billinahavingflutteredunderthehammer，itnowremainedonlytorescuetheprivatewhowasridingupontheirongiant’sarm，highintheair。
TheScarecrowlayflatuponthegroundandcalledtothemantojumpdownuponhisbody，whichwassoftbecauseitwasstuffedwithstraw。
Thistheprivatemanagedtodo，waitinguntilatimewhenhewasnearestthegroundandthenlettinghimselfdropupontheScarecrow。
Heaccomplishedthefeatwithoutbreakinganybones，andtheScarecrowdeclaredhewasnotinjuredintheleast。
Therefore，theTinWoodmanhavingbythistimefittednewearstotheSawhorse，theentirepartyproceededuponitsway，leavingthegianttopoundthepathbehindthem。
11。TheNomeKingByandby，whentheydrewneartothemountainthatblockedtheirpathandwhichwasthefurthermostedgeoftheKingdomofEv，thewaygrewdarkandgloomyforthereasonthatthehighpeaksoneithersideshutoutthesunshine。Anditwasverysilent，too，astherewerenobirdstosingorsquirrelstochatter，thetreesbeingleftfarbehindthemandonlythebarerocksremaining。
OzmaandDorothywerealittleawedbythesilence，andalltheotherswerequietandgraveexcepttheSawhorse，which，asittrottedalongwiththeScarecrowuponhisback，hummedaqueersong，ofwhichthiswasthechorus：
\"Wouldawoodenhorseinawoodlandgo？
Aye，aye！Isigh，hewould，althoughHadhenothadawoodenheadHe’dmountthemountaintopinstead。\"
ButnoonepaidanyattentiontothisbecausetheywerenowclosetotheNomeKing’sdominions，andhissplendidundergroundpalacecouldnotbeveryfaraway。
Suddenlytheyheardashoutofjeeringlaughter，andstoppedshort。
Theywouldhavetostopinaminute，anyway，forthehugemountainbarredtheirfurtherprogressandthepathrancloseuptoawallofrockandended。
\"Whowasthatlaughing？\"askedOzma。
Therewasnoreply，butinthegloomtheycouldseestrangeformsflitacrossthefaceoftherock。Whateverthecreationsmightbetheyseemedveryliketherockitself，fortheywerethecolorofrocksandtheirshapeswereasroughandruggedasiftheyhadbeenbrokenawayfromthesideofthemountain。Theykeptclosetothesteepclifffacingourfriends，andglidedupanddown，andthiswayandthat，withalackofregularitythatwasquiteconfusing。Andtheyseemednottoneedplacestoresttheirfeet，butclungtothesurfaceoftherockasaflydoestoawindow-pane，andwereneverstillforamoment。
\"Donotmindthem，\"saidTiktok，asDorothyshrankback。\"Theyareon-lytheNomes。\"
\"AndwhatareNomes？\"askedthegirl，halffrightened。
\"Theyarerockfair-ies，andservetheNomeKing，\"repliedthemachine。
\"Buttheywilldousnoharm。YoumustcallfortheKing，be-causewith-outhimyoucanne-verfindtheen-trancetothepal-ace。\"
\"YOUcall，\"saidDorothytoOzma。
JustthentheNomeslaughedagain，andthesoundwassoweirdanddishearteningthatthetwenty-sixofficerscommandedtheprivateto\"right-about-face！\"andtheyallstartedtorunasfastastheycould。
TheTinWoodmanatoncepursuedhisarmyandcried\"halt！\"andwhentheyhadstoppedtheirflightheasked：\"Whereareyougoing？\"
\"I——IfindI’veforgottenthebrushformywhiskers，\"saidageneral，tremblingwithfear。\"S-s-soweareg-goingbackafterit！\"
\"Thatisimpossible，\"repliedtheTinWoodman。\"Forthegiantwiththehammerwouldkillyouallifyoutriedtopasshim。\"
\"Oh！I’dforgottenthegiant，\"saidthegeneral，turningpale。
\"Youseemtoforgetagoodmanythings，\"remarkedtheTinWoodman。
\"Ihopeyouwon’tforgetthatyouarebravemen。\"
\"Never！\"criedthegeneral，slappinghisgold-embroideredchest。
\"Never！\"criedalltheotherofficers，indignantlyslappingtheirchests。
\"Formypart，\"saidtheprivate，meekly，\"Imustobeymyofficers;sowhenIamtoldtorun，Irun;andwhenIamtoldtofight，Ifight。\"
\"Thatisright，\"agreedtheTinWoodman。\"AndnowyoumustallcomebacktoOzma，andobeyHERorders。AndifyoutrytorunawayagainI
willhaveherreduceallthetwenty-sixofficerstoprivates，andmaketheprivateyourgeneral。\"
ThisterriblethreatsofrightenedthemthattheyatoncereturnedtowhereOzmawasstandingbesidetheCowardlyLion。
ThenOzmacriedoutinaloudvoice：
\"IdemandthattheNomeKingappeartous！\"
Therewasnoreply，exceptthattheshiftingNomesuponthemountainlaughedinderision。
\"YoumustnotcommandtheNomeKing，\"saidTiktok，\"foryoudonotrulehim，asyoudoyourownpeo-ple。\"
SoOzmacalledagain，saying：
\"IrequesttheNomeKingtoappeartous。\"
Onlythemockinglaughterrepliedtoher，andtheshadowyNomescontinuedtoflithereandthereupontherockycliff。
\"Tryen-treat-y，\"saidTiktoktoOzma。\"Ifhewillnotcomeatyourre-quest，thentheNomeKingmaylist-entoyourplead-ing。\"
Ozmalookedaroundherproudly。
\"DoyouwishyourrulertopleadwiththiswickedNomeKing？\"sheasked。\"ShallOzmaofOzhumbleherselftoacreaturewholivesinanundergroundkingdom？\"
\"No！\"theyallshouted，withbigvoices;andtheScarecrowadded：
\"Ifhewillnotcome，wewilldighimoutofhishole，likeafox，andconquerhisstubbornness。Butoursweetlittlerulermustalwaysmaintainherdignity，justasImaintainmine。\"
\"I’mnotafraidtopleadwithhim，\"saidDorothy。\"I’monlyalittlegirlfromKansas，andwe’vegotmoredignityathomethanweknowwhattodowith。I’LLcalltheNomeKing。\"
\"Do，\"saidtheHungryTiger;\"andifhemakeshashofyouI’llwillinglyeatyouforbreakfasttomorrowmorning。\"
SoDorothysteppedforwardandsaid：
\"PLEASEMr。NomeKing，comehereandseeus。\"
TheNomesstartedtolaughagain;butalowgrowlcamefromthemountain，andinaflashtheyhadallvanishedfromsightandweresilent。
Thenadoorintherockopened，andavoicecried：
\"Enter！\"
\"Isn’titatrick？\"askedtheTinWoodman。
\"Nevermind，\"repliedOzma。\"WecameheretorescuethepoorQueenofEvandhertenchildren，andwemustrunsomeriskstodoso。\"
\"TheNomeKingishon-estandgoodna-tured，\"saidTiktok。\"Youcantrusthimtodowhatisright。\"
SoOzmaledtheway，handinhandwithDorothy，andtheypassedthroughthearcheddoorwayofrockandenteredalongpassagewhichwaslightedbyjewelssetinthewallsandhavinglampsbehindthem。
Therewasnoonetoescortthem，ortoshowthemtheway，butallthepartypressedthroughthepassageuntiltheycametoaround，domedcavernthatwasgrandlyfurnished。
Inthecenterofthisroomwasathronecarvedoutofasolidboulderofrock，rudeandruggedinshapebutglitteringwithgreatrubiesanddiamondsandemeraldsoneverypartofitssurface。AnduponthethronesattheNomeKing。
ThisimportantmonarchoftheUndergroundWorldwasalittlefatmanclothedingray-browngarmentsthatweretheexactcoloroftherockthroneinwhichhewasseated。Hisbushyhairandflowingbeardwerealsocoloredliketherocks，andsowashisface。Heworenocrownofanysort，andhisonlyornamentwasabroad，jewel-studdedbeltthatencircledhisfatlittlebody。Asforhisfeatures，theyseemedkindlyandgoodhumored，andhiseyeswereturnedmerrilyuponhisvisitorsasOzmaandDorothystoodbeforehimwiththeirfollowersrangedincloseorderbehindthem。
\"Why，helooksjustlikeSantaClaus——onlyheisn’tthesamecolor！\"
whisperedDorothytoherfriend;buttheNomeKingheardthespeech，anditmadehimlaughaloud。
\"’HehadaredfaceandaroundlittlebellyThatshookwhenhelaughedlikeabowlfullofjelly！’\"
quoththemonarch，inapleasantvoice;andtheycouldallseethathereallydidshakelikejellywhenhelaughed。
BothOzmaandDorothyweremuchrelievedtofindtheNomeKingsojolly，andaminutelaterhewavedhisrighthandandthegirlseachfoundacushionedstoolatherside。
\"Sitdown，mydears，\"saidtheKing，\"andtellmewhyyouhavecomeallthiswaytoseeme，andwhatIcandotomakeyouhappy。\"
WhiletheyseatedthemselvestheNomeKingpickedupapipe，andtakingaglowingredcoaloutofhispocketheplaceditinthebowlofthepipeandbeganpuffingoutcloudsofsmokethatcurledinringsabovehishead。DorothythoughtthismadethelittlemonarchlookmorelikeSantaClausthanever;butOzmanowbeganspeaking，andeveryonelistenedintentlytoherwords。
\"YourMajesty，\"saidshe，\"IamtheruleroftheLandofOz，andI
havecomeheretoaskyoutoreleasethegoodQueenofEvandhertenchildren，whomyouhaveenchantedandholdasyourprisoners。\"
\"Oh，no;youaremistakenaboutthat，\"repliedtheKing。\"Theyarenotmyprisoners，butmyslaves，whomIpurchasedfromtheKingofEv。\"
\"Butthatwaswrong，\"saidOzma。
\"AccordingtothelawsofEv，thekingcandonowrong，\"answeredthemonarch，eyingaringofsmokehehadjustblownfromhismouth;\"sothathehadaperfectrighttosellhisfamilytomeinexchangeforalonglife。\"
\"Youcheatedhim，though，\"declaredDorothy;\"fortheKingofEvdidnothavealonglife。Hejumpedintotheseaandwasdrowned。\"
\"Thatwasnotmyfault，\"saidtheNomeKing，crossinghislegsandsmilingcontentedly。\"Igavehimthelonglife，allright;buthedestroyedit。\"
\"Thenhowcoulditbealonglife？\"askedDorothy。
\"Easilyenough，\"wasthereply。\"Nowsuppose，mydear，thatIgaveyouaprettydollinexchangeforalockofyourhair，andthatafteryouhadreceivedthedollyousmasheditintopiecesanddestroyedit。
CouldyousaythatIhadnotgivenyouaprettydoll？\"
\"No，\"answeredDorothy。
\"Andcouldyou，infairness，askmetoreturntoyouthelockofhair，justbecauseyouhadsmashedthedoll？\"
\"No，\"saidDorothy，again。
\"Ofcoursenot，\"theNomeKingreturned。\"NorwillIgiveuptheQueenandherchildrenbecausetheKingofEvdestroyedhislonglifebyjumpingintothesea。TheybelongtomeandIshallkeepthem。\"
\"Butyouaretreatingthemcruelly，\"saidOzma，whowasmuchdistressedbytheKing’srefusal。
\"Inwhatway？\"heasked。
\"Bymakingthemyourslaves，\"saidshe。
\"Cruelty，\"remarkedthemonarch，puffingoutwreathesofsmokeandwatchingthemfloatintotheair，\"isathingIcan’tabide。So，asslavesmustworkhard，andtheQueenofEvandherchildrenweredelicateandtender，Itransformedthemallintoarticlesofornamentandbric-a-bracandscatteredthemaroundthevariousroomsofmypalace。Insteadofbeingobligedtolabor，theymerelydecoratemyapartments，andIreallythinkIhavetreatedthemwithgreatkindness。\"
\"Butwhatadreadfulfateistheirs！\"exclaimedOzma，earnestly。\"AndtheKingdomofEvisingreatneedofitsroyalfamilytogovernit。
Ifyouwillliberatethem，andrestorethemtotheirproperforms，I
willgiveyoutenornamentstoreplaceeachoneyoulose。\"
TheNomeKinglookedgrave。
\"SupposeIrefuse？\"heasked。
\"Then，\"saidOzma，firmly，\"Iamherewithmyfriendsandmyarmytoconqueryourkingdomandobligeyoutoobeymywishes。\"
TheNomeKinglaugheduntilhechoked;andhechokeduntilhecoughed;
andhecougheduntilhisfaceturnedfromgrayish-browntobrightred。
Andthenhewipedhiseyeswitharock-coloredhandkerchiefandgrewgraveagain。
\"Youareasbraveasyouarepretty，mydear，\"hesaidtoOzma。\"Butyouhavelittleideaoftheextentofthetaskyouhaveundertaken。
Comewithmeforamoment。\"
HearoseandtookOzma’shand，leadinghertoalittledooratonesideoftheroom。Thisheopenedandtheysteppedoutuponabalcony，fromwhencetheyobtainedawonderfulviewoftheUndergroundWorld。
Avastcaveextendedformilesandmilesunderthemountain，andineverydirectionwerefurnacesandforgesglowingbrightlyandNomeshammeringuponpreciousmetalsorpolishinggleamingjewels。Allaroundthewallsofthecavewerethousandsofdoorsofsilverandgold，builtintothesolidrock，andtheseextendedinrowsfarawayintothedistance，asfarasOzma’seyescouldfollowthem。
WhilethelittlemaidfromOzgazedwonderinglyuponthisscenetheNomeKingutteredashrillwhistle，andatonceallthesilverandgolddoorsflewopenandsolidranksofNomesoldiersmarchedoutfromeveryone。Sogreatweretheirnumbersthattheyquicklyfilledtheimmenseundergroundcavernandforcedthebusyworkmentoabandontheirtasks。
Althoughthistremendousarmyconsistedofrock-coloredNomes，allsquatandfat，theywereclothedinglitteringarmorofpolishedsteel，inlaidwithbeautifulgems。Uponhisbroweachworeabrilliantelectriclight，andtheyboresharpspearsandswordsandbattle-axesofsolidbronze。Itwasevidenttheywereperfectlytrained，fortheystoodinstraightrows，rankafterrank，withtheirweaponshelderectandtrue，asifawaitingbutthewordofcommandtolevelthemupontheirfoes。
\"This，\"saidtheNomeKing，\"isbutasmallpartofmyarmy。NoruleruponEarthhaseverdaredtofightme，andnorulereverwill，forI
amtoopowerfultooppose。\"
Hewhistledagain，andatoncethemartialarrayfiledthroughthesilverandgolddoorwaysanddisappeared，afterwhichtheworkmenagainresumedtheirlaborsatthefurnaces。
Then，sadanddiscouraged，OzmaofOzturnedtoherfriends，andtheNomeKingcalmlyreseatedhimselfonhisrockthrone。
\"Itwouldbefoolishforustofight，\"thegirlsaidtotheTinWoodman。\"ForourbraveTwenty-Sevenwouldbequicklydestroyed。I’msureIdonotknowhowtoactinthisemergency。
\"AsktheKingwherehiskitchenis，\"suggestedtheTiger。\"I’mhungryasabear。\"
\"ImightpounceupontheKingandtearhiminpieces，\"remarkedtheCowardlyLion。
\"Tryit，\"saidthemonarch，lightinghispipewithanotherhotcoalwhichhetookfromhispocket。
TheLioncrouchedlowandtriedtospringupontheNomeKing;buthehoppedonlyalittlewayintotheairandcamedownagaininthesameplace，notbeingabletoapproachthethronebyevenaninch。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidtheScarecrow，thoughtfully，\"thatourbestplanistowheedlehisMajestyintogivinguphisslaves，sinceheistoogreatamagiciantooppose。\"
\"Thisisthemostsensiblethinganyofyouhavesuggested，\"declaredtheNomeKing。\"Itisfollytothreatenme，butI’msokind-heartedthatIcannotstandcoaxingorwheedling。Ifyoureallywishtoaccomplishanythingbyyourjourney，mydearOzma，youmustcoaxme。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidOzma，morecheerfully。\"Letusbefriends，andtalkthisoverinafriendlymanner。\"
\"Tobesure，\"agreedtheKing，hiseyestwinklingmerrily。
\"Iamveryanxious，\"shecontinued，\"toliberatetheQueenofEvandherchildrenwhoarenowornamentsandbric-a-bracinyourMajesty’spalace，andtorestorethemtotheirpeople。Tellme，sir，howthismaybeaccomplished。\"
Thekingremainedthoughtfulforamoment，afterwhichheasked：
\"Areyouwillingtotakeafewchancesandrisksyourself，inordertosetfreethepeopleofEv？\"
\"Yes，indeed！\"answeredOzma，eagerly。
\"Then，\"saidtheNomeKing，\"Iwillmakeyouthisoffer：Youshallgoaloneandunattendedintomypalaceandexaminecarefullyallthattheroomscontain。Thenyoushallhavepermissiontotouchelevendifferentobjects，pronouncingatthetimetheword’Ev，’andifanyoneofthem，ormorethanone，provestobethetransformationoftheQueenofEvoranyofhertenchildren，thentheywillinstantlyberestoredtotheirtrueformsandmayleavemypalaceandmykingdominyourcompany，withoutanyobjectionwhatever。Itispossibleforyou，inthisway，tofreetheentireeleven;butifyoudonotguessalltheobjectscorrectly，andsomeoftheslavesremaintransformed，theneachoneofyourfriendsandfollowersmay，inturn，enterthepalaceandhavethesameprivilegesIgrantyou。\"
\"Oh，thankyou！thankyouforthiskindoffer！\"saidOzma，eagerly。
\"Imakebutonecondition，\"addedtheNomeKing，hiseyestwinkling。
\"Whatisit？\"sheenquired。
\"IfnoneoftheelevenobjectsyoutouchprovestobethetransformationofanyoftheroyalfamilyofEv，then，insteadoffreeingthem，youwillyourselfbecomeenchanted，andtransformedintoanarticleofbric-a-bracoranornament。Thisisonlyfairandjust，andistheriskyoudeclaredyouwerewillingtotake。\"
12。TheElevenGuessesHearingthisconditionimposedbytheNomeKing，Ozmabecamesilentandthoughtful，andallherfriendslookedatheruneasily。
\"Don’tyoudoit！\"exclaimedDorothy。\"Ifyouguesswrong，youwillbeenslavedyourself。\"
\"ButIshallhaveelevenguesses，\"answeredOzma。\"SurelyIoughttoguessoneobjectinelevencorrectly;and，ifIdo，Ishallrescueoneoftheroyalfamilyandbesafemyself。Thentherestofyoumayattemptit，andsoonweshallfreeallthosewhoareenslaved。\"
\"Whatifwefail？\"enquiredtheScarecrow。\"I’dlookniceasapieceofbric-a-brac，wouldn’tI？\"
\"Wemustnotfail！\"criedOzma，courageously。\"Havingcomeallthisdistancetofreethesepoorpeople，itwouldbeweakandcowardlyinustoabandontheadventure。ThereforeIwillaccepttheNomeKing’soffer，andgoatonceintotheroyalpalace。\"
\"Comealong，then，mydear，\"saidtheKing，climbingdownfromhisthronewithsomedifficulty，becausehewassofat;\"I’llshowyoutheway。\"
Heapproachedawallofthecaveandwavedhishand。Instantlyanopeningappeared，throughwhichOzma，afterasmilingfarewelltoherfriends，boldlypassed。
Shefoundherselfinasplendidhallthatwasmorebeautifulandgrandthananythingshehadeverbeheld。Theceilingswerecomposedofgreatarchesthatrosefaraboveherhead，andallthewallsandfloorswereofpolishedmarbleexquisitelytintedinmanycolors。
Thickvelvetcarpetswereonthefloorandheavysilkendraperiescoveredthearchesleadingtothevariousroomsofthepalace。Thefurniturewasmadeofrareoldwoodsrichlycarvedandcoveredwithdelicatesatins，andtheentirepalacewaslightedbyamysteriousrosyglowthatseemedtocomefromnoparticularplacebutfloodedeachapartmentwithitssoftandpleasingradiance。
Ozmapassedfromoneroomtoanother，greatlydelightedbyallshesaw。Thelovelypalacehadnootheroccupant，fortheNomeKinghadleftherattheentrance，whichclosedbehindher，andinallthemagnificentroomsthereappearedtobenootherperson。
Uponthemantels，andonmanyshelvesandbracketsandtables，wereclusteredornamentsofeverydescription，seeminglymadeoutofallsortsofmetals，glass，china，stonesandmarbles。Therewerevases，andfiguresofmenandanimals，andgravenplattersandbowls，andmosaicsofpreciousgems，andmanyotherthings。Pictures，too，wereonthewalls，andtheundergroundpalacewasquiteamuseumofrareandcuriousandcostlyobjects。
AfterherfirsthastyexaminationoftheroomsOzmabegantowonderwhichofallthenumerousornamentstheycontainedwerethetransformationsoftheroyalfamilyofEv。Therewasnothingtoguideher，foreverythingseemedwithoutasparkoflife。Soshemustguessblindly;andforthefirsttimethegirlcametorealizehowdangerouswashertask，andhowlikelyshewastoloseherownfreedominstrivingtofreeothersfromthebondageoftheNomeKing。Nowonderthecunningmonarchlaughedgoodnaturedlywithhisvisitors，whenheknewhoweasilytheymightbeentrapped。
ButOzma，havingundertakentheventure，wouldnotabandonit。Shelookedatasilvercandelabrathathadtenbranches，andthought：
\"ThismaybetheQueenofEvandhertenchildren。\"Soshetoucheditandutteredaloudtheword\"Ev，\"astheNomeKinghadinstructedhertodowhensheguessed。Butthecandelabraremainedasitwasbefore。
Thenshewanderedintoanotherroomandtouchedachinalamb，thinkingitmightbeoneofthechildrenshesought。Butagainshewasunsuccessful。Threeguesses;fourguesses;five，six，seven，eight，nineandtenshemade，andstillnotoneofthemwasright！
Thegirlshiveredalittleandgrewpaleevenundertherosylight;
fornowbutoneguessremained，andherownfatedependedupontheresult。
Sheresolvednottobehasty，andstrolledthroughalltheroomsoncemore，gazingearnestlyuponthevariousornamentsandtryingtodecidewhichshewouldtouch。Finally，indespair，shedecidedtoleaveitentirelytochance。Shefacedthedoorwayofaroom，shuthereyestightly，andthen，thrustingasidetheheavydraperies，sheadvancedblindlywithherrightarmoutstretchedbeforeher。
Slowly，softlyshecreptforwarduntilherhandcameincontactwithanobjectuponasmallroundtable。Shedidnotknowwhatitwas，butinalowvoiceshepronouncedtheword\"Ev。\"
Theroomswerequiteemptyoflifeafterthat。TheNomeKinghadgainedanewornament。Forupontheedgeofthetablerestedaprettygrasshopper，thatseemedtohavebeenformedfromasingleemerald。
ItwasallthatremainedofOzmaofOz。
InthethroneroomjustbeyondthepalacetheNomeKingsuddenlylookedupandsmiled。
\"Next！\"hesaid，inhispleasantvoice。
Dorothy，theScarecrow，andtheTinWoodman，whohadbeensittinginanxioussilence，eachgaveastartofdismayandstaredintooneanother’seyes。
\"Hasshefailed？\"askedTiktok。
\"Soitseems，\"answeredthelittlemonarch，cheerfully。\"Butthatisnoreasononeofyoushouldnotsucceed。Thenextmayhavetwelveguesses，insteadofeleven，fortherearenowtwelvepersonstransformedintoornaments。Well，well！Whichofyougoesnext？\"
\"I’llgo，\"saidDorothy。
\"Notso，\"repliedtheTinWoodman。\"AscommanderofOzma’sarmy，itismyprivilegetofollowherandattemptherrescue。\"
\"Awayyougo，then，\"saidtheScarecrow。\"Butbecareful，oldfriend。\"
\"Iwill，\"promisedtheTinWoodman;andthenhefollowedtheNomeKingtotheentrancetothepalaceandtherockclosedbehindhim。
13。TheNomeKingLaughsInamomenttheKingreturnedtohisthroneandrelightedhispipe，andtherestofthelittlebandofadventurerssettledthemselvesforanotherlongwait。TheyweregreatlydisheartenedbythefailureoftheirgirlRuler，andtheknowledgethatshewasnowanornamentintheNomeKing’spalace——adreadful，creepyplaceinspiteofallitsmagnificence。Withouttheirlittleleadertheydidnotknowwhattodonext，andeachone，downtothetremblingprivateofthearmy，begantofearhewouldsoonbemoreornamentalthanuseful。
SuddenlytheNomeKingbeganlaughing。
\"Ha，ha，ha！He，he，he！Ho，ho，ho！\"
\"What’shappened？\"askedtheScarecrow。
\"Why，yourfriend，theTinWoodman，hasbecomethefunniestthingyoucanimagine，\"repliedtheKing，wipingthetearsofmerrimentfromhiseyes。\"Noonewouldeverbelievehecouldmakesuchanamusingornament。Next！\"
Theygazedateachotherwithsinkinghearts。Oneofthegeneralsbegantoweepdolefully。
\"Whatareyoucryingfor？\"askedtheScarecrow，indignantatsuchadisplayofweakness。
\"Heowedmesixweeksbackpay，\"saidthegeneral，\"andIhatetolosehim。\"
\"Thenyoushallgoandfindhim，\"declaredtheScarecrow。
\"Me！\"criedthegeneral，greatlyalarmed。
\"Certainly。Itisyourdutytofollowyourcommander。March！\"
\"Iwon’t，\"saidthegeneral。\"I’dliketo，ofcourse;butIjustsimplyWON’T。\"
TheScarecrowlookedenquiringlyattheNomeKing。
\"Nevermind，\"saidthejollymonarch。\"Ifhedoesn’tcaretoenterthepalaceandmakehisguessesI’llthrowhimintooneofmyfieryfurnaces。\"
\"I’llgo！——ofcourseI’mgoing，\"yelledthegeneral，asquickasscat。
\"Whereistheentrance——whereisit？Letmegoatonce！\"
SotheNomeKingescortedhimintothepalace，andagainreturnedtoawaittheresult。Whatthegeneraldid，noonecantell;butitwasnotlongbeforetheKingcalledforthenextvictim，andacolonelwasforcedtotryhisfortune。
Thus，oneafteranother，allofthetwenty-sixofficersfiledintothepalaceandmadetheirguesses——andbecameornaments。
MeantimetheKingorderedrefreshmentstobeservedtothosewaiting，andathiscommandarudelyshapedNomeentered，bearingatray。ThisNomewasnotunliketheothersthatDorothyhadseen，butheworeaheavygoldchainaroundhisnecktoshowthathewastheChiefStewardoftheNomeKing，andheassumedanairofmuchimportance，andeventoldhismajestynottoeattoomuchcakelateatnight，orhewouldbeill。
Dorothy，however，washungry，andshewasnotafraidofbeingill;sosheateseveralcakesandfoundthemgood，andalsoshedrankacupofexcellentcoffeemadeofarichlyflavoredclay，brownedinthefurnacesandthengroundfine，andfounditmostrefreshingandnotatallmuddy。
Ofallthepartywhichhadstarteduponthisadventure，thelittleKansasgirlwasnowleftalonewiththeScarecrow，Tiktok，andtheprivateforcounsellorsandcompanions。OfcoursetheCowardlyLionandtheHungryTigerwerestillthere，butthey，havingalsoeatensomeofthecakes，hadgonetosleepatonesideofthecave，whileupontheothersidestoodtheSawhorse，motionlessandsilent，asbecameamerethingofwood。Billinahadquietlywalkedaroundandpickedupthecrumbsofcakewhichhadbeenscattered，andnow，asitwaslongafterbed-time，shetriedtofindsomedarkplaceinwhichtogotosleep。
PresentlythehenespiedahollowunderneaththeKing’srockythrone，andcreptintoitunnoticed。Shecouldstillhearthechatteringofthosearoundher，butitwasalmostdarkunderneaththethrone，sothatsoonshehadfallenfastasleep。
\"Next！\"calledtheKing，andtheprivate，whoseturnitwastoenterthefatalpalace，shookhandswithDorothyandtheScarecrowandbadethemasorrowfulgood-bye，andpassedthroughtherockyportal。
Theywaitedalongtime，fortheprivatewasinnohurrytobecomeanornamentandmadehisguessesveryslowly。TheNomeKing，whoseemedtoknow，bysomemagicalpower，allthattookplaceinhisbeautifulroomsofhispalace，grewimpatientfinallyanddeclaredhewouldsitupnolonger。
\"Iloveornaments，\"saidhe，\"butIcanwaituntiltomorrowtogetmoreofthem;so，assoonasthatstupidprivateistransformed，wewillallgotobedandleavethejobtobefinishedinthemorning。\"
\"Isitsoverylate？\"askedDorothy。
\"Why，itisaftermidnight，\"saidtheKing，\"andthatstrikesmeasbeinglateenough。Thereisneithernightnordayinmykingdom，becauseitisundertheearth’ssurface，wherethesundoesnotshine。
Butwehavetosleep，justthesameastheup-stairspeopledo，andformypartI’mgoingtobedinafewminutes。\"
Indeed，itwasnotlongafterthisthattheprivatemadehislastguess。Ofcourseheguessedwrongly，andofcourseheatoncebecameanornament。SotheKingwasgreatlypleased，andclappedhishandstosummonhisChiefSteward。
\"Showthesegueststosomeofthesleepingapartments，\"hecommanded，\"andbequickaboutit，too，forI’mdreadfullysleepymyself。\"
\"You’venobusinesstositupsolate，\"repliedtheSteward，gruffly。
\"You’llbeascrossasagriffintomorrowmorning。\"
HisMajestymadenoanswertothisremark，andtheChiefStewardledDorothythroughanotherdoorwayintoalonghall，fromwhichseveralplainbutcomfortablesleepingroomsopened。Thelittlegirlwasgiventhefirstroom，andtheScarecrowandTiktokthenext——althoughtheyneverslept——andtheLionandtheTigerthethird。TheSawhorsehobbledaftertheStewardintoafourthroom，tostandstifflyinthecenterofituntilmorning。EachnightwasratheraboretotheScarecrow，TiktokandtheSawhorse;buttheyhadlearnedfromexperiencetopassthetimepatientlyandquietly，sincealltheirfriendswhoweremadeoffleshhadtosleepanddidnotliketobedisturbed。
WhentheChiefStewardhadleftthemalonetheScarecrowremarked，sadly：
\"Iamingreatsorrowoverthelossofmyoldcomrade，theTinWoodman。Wehavehadmanydangerousadventurestogether，andescapedthemall，andnowitgrievesmetoknowhehasbecomeanornament，andislosttomeforever。\"
\"Hewasal-waysanor-na-menttoso-ci-e-ty，\"saidTiktok。
\"True;butnowtheNomeKinglaughsathim，andcallshimthefunniestornamentinallthepalace。Itwillhurtmypoorfriend’spridetobelaughedat，\"continuedtheScarecrow，sadly。
\"Wewillmakerath-erab-surdor-na-ments，our-selves，to-mor-row，\"
observedthemachine，inhismonotonousvoice。
JustthenDorothyranintotheirroom，inastateofgreatanxiety，crying：
\"Where’sBillina？HaveyouseenBillina？Isshehere？\"
\"No，\"answeredtheScarecrow。
\"Thenwhathasbecomeofher？\"askedthegirl。
\"Why，Ithoughtshewaswithyou，\"saidtheScarecrow。\"YetIdonotrememberseeingtheyellowhensinceshepickedupthecrumbsofcake。\"
\"WemusthaveleftherintheroomwheretheKing’sthroneis，\"
decidedDorothy，andatoncesheturnedandrandownthehalltothedoorthroughwhichtheyhadentered。Butitwasfastclosedandlockedontheotherside，andtheheavyslabofrockprovedtobesothickthatnosoundcouldpassthroughit。SoDorothywasforcedtoreturntoherchamber。
TheCowardlyLionstuckhisheadintoherroomtotrytoconsolethegirlforthelossofherfeatheredfriend。
\"Theyellowheniswellabletotakecareofherself，\"saidhe;\"sodon’tworryabouther，buttrytogetallthesleepyoucan。Ithasbeenalongandwearyday，andyouneedrest。\"
\"I’llprob’lygetlotsofresttomorrow，whenIbecomeanorn’ment，\"
saidDorothy，sleepily。Butshelaydownuponhercouch，nevertheless，andinspiteofallherworrieswassooninthelandofdreams。
14。DorothyTriestobeBraveMeantimetheChiefStewardhadreturnedtothethroneroom，wherehesaidtotheKing：
\"Youareafooltowastesomuchtimeuponthesepeople。\"
\"What！\"criedhisMajesty，insoenragedavoicethatitawokeBillina，whowasasleepunderhisthrone。\"Howdareyoucallmeafool？\"
\"BecauseIliketospeakthetruth，\"saidtheSteward。\"Whydidn’tyouenchantthemallatonce，insteadofallowingthemtogoonebyoneintothepalaceandguesswhichornamentsaretheQueenofEvandherchildren？\"
\"Why，youstupidrascal，itismorefunthisway，\"returnedtheKing，\"anditservestokeepmeamusedforalongtime。\"
\"Butsupposesomeofthemhappentoguessaright，\"persistedtheSteward;
\"thenyouwouldloseyouroldornamentsandthesenewones，too。\"
\"Thereisnochanceoftheirguessingaright，\"repliedthemonarch，withalaugh。\"HowcouldtheyknowthattheQueenofEvandherfamilyareallornamentsofaroyalpurplecolor？\"
\"Buttherearenootherpurpleornamentsinthepalace，\"saidtheSteward。