AFaithfulRecordofTheirAmazingAdventuresinanUndergroundWorld;andHowwiththeAidofTheirFriendsZebHugson，EurekatheKitten，andJimtheCab-Horse，TheyFinallyReachedtheWonderfulLandofOzbyL。FrankBaum"RoyalHistorianofOz"
——ToMyReaders——
1。TheEarthquake2。TheGlassCity3。TheArrivaloftheWizard4。TheVegetableKingdom5。DorothyPicksthePrincess6。TheMangaboosProveDangerous7。IntotheBlackPitandOutAgain8。TheValleyofVoices9。TheyFighttheInvisibleBears10。TheBraidedManofPyramidMountain11。TheyMeettheWoodenGargoyles12。AWonderfulEscape13。TheDenoftheDragonettes14。OzmaUsestheMagicBelt15。OldFriendsareReunited16。Jim，theCab-Horse17。TheNineTinyPiglets18。TheTrialofEureka，theKitten19。TheWizardPerformsAnotherTrick20。ZebReturnstotheRanchToMyReadersIt’snouse;nouseatall。Thechildrenwon’tletmestoptellingtalesoftheLandofOz。Iknowlotsofotherstories，andIhopetotellthem，sometimeoranother;butjustnowmylovingtyrantswon’tallowme。Theycry："Oz——Oz！moreaboutOz，Mr。Baum！"andwhatcanI
dobutobeytheircommands？
ThisisOurBook——mineandthechildren’s。Fortheyhavefloodedmewiththousandsofsuggestionsinregardtoit，andIhavehonestlytriedtoadoptasmanyofthesesuggestionsascouldbefittedintoonestory。
Afterthewonderfulsuccessof"OzmaofOz"itisevidentthatDorothyhasbecomeafirmfixtureintheseOzstories。ThelittleonesallloveDorothy，andasoneofmysmallfriendsaptlystates："Itisn’tarealOzstorywithouther。"Soheresheisagain，assweetandgentleandinnocentasever，Ihope，andtheheroineofanotherstrangeadventure。
Thereweremanyrequestsfrommylittlecorrespondentsfor"moreabouttheWizard。"ItseemsthejollyoldfellowmadehostsoffriendsinthefirstOzbook，inspiteofthefactthathefranklyacknowledgedhimself"ahumbug。"Thechildrenhadheardhowhemountedintotheskyinaballoonandtheywereallwaitingforhimtocomedownagain。
SowhatcouldIdobuttell"whathappenedtotheWizardafterward"？
Youwillfindhiminthesepages，justthesamehumbugWizardasbefore。
TherewasonethingthechildrendemandedwhichIfounditimpossibletodointhispresentbook：theybademeintroduceToto，Dorothy’slittleblackdog，whohasmanyfriendsamongmyreaders。Butyouwillsee，whenyoubegintoreadthestory，thatTotowasinKansaswhileDorothywasinCalifornia，andsoshehadtostartonheradventurewithouthim。InthisbookDorothyhadtotakeherkittenwithherinsteadofherdog;butinthenextOzbook，ifIampermittedtowriteone，IintendtotellagooddealaboutToto’sfurtherhistory。
PrincessOzma，whomIloveasmuchasmyreadersdo，isagainintroducedinthisstory，andsoareseveralofouroldfriendsofOz。
YouwillalsobecomeacquaintedwithJimtheCab-Horse，theNineTinyPiglets，andEureka，theKitten。Iamsorrythekittenwasnotaswellbehavedassheoughttohavebeen;butperhapsshewasn’tbroughtupproperly。Dorothyfoundher，yousee，andwhoherparentswerenobodyknows。
Ibelieve，mydears，thatIamtheproudeststory-tellerthateverlived。ManyatimetearsofprideandjoyhavestoodinmyeyeswhileIreadthetender，loving，appealinglettersthatcametomeinalmosteverymailfrommylittlereaders。Tohavepleasedyou，tohaveinterestedyou，tohavewonyourfriendship，andperhapsyourlove，throughmystories，istomymindasgreatanachievementastobecomePresidentoftheUnitedStates。Indeed，Iwouldmuchratherbeyourstory-teller，undertheseconditions，thantobethePresident。Soyouhavehelpedmetofulfillmylife’sambition，andIammoregratefultoyou，mydears，thanIcanexpressinwords。
Itrytoanswereveryletterofmyyoungcorrespondents;yetsometimestherearesomanylettersthatalittletimemustpassbeforeyougetyouranswer。Butbepatient，friends，fortheanswerwillsurelycome，andbywritingtomeyoumorethanrepaymeforthepleasanttaskofpreparingthesebooks。Besides，Iamproudtoacknowledgethatthebooksarepartlyyours，foryoursuggestionsoftenguidemeintellingthestories，andIamsuretheywouldnotbehalfsogoodwithoutyourcleverandthoughtfulassistance。
L。FRANKBAUM
Coronado，1908。
1。TheEarthquakeThetrainfrom’Friscowasverylate。ItshouldhavearrivedatHugson’sSidingatmidnight，butitwasalreadyfiveo’clockandthegraydawnwasbreakingintheeastwhenthelittletrainslowlyrumbleduptotheopenshedthatservedforthestation-house。Asitcametoastoptheconductorcalledoutinaloudvoice：
"Hugson’sSiding！"
Atoncealittlegirlrosefromherseatandwalkedtothedoorofthecar，carryingawickersuit-caseinonehandandaroundbird-cagecoveredupwithnewspapersintheother，whileaparasolwastuckedunderherarm。Theconductorhelpedheroffthecarandthentheengineerstartedhistrainagain，sothatitpuffedandgroanedandmovedslowlyawayupthetrack。Thereasonhewassolatewasbecauseallthroughthenightthereweretimeswhenthesolidearthshookandtrembledunderhim，andtheengineerwasafraidthatatanymomenttherailsmightspreadapartandanaccidenthappentohispassengers。Sohemovedthecarsslowlyandwithcaution。
Thelittlegirlstoodstilltowatchuntilthetrainhaddisappearedaroundacurve;thensheturnedtoseewhereshewas。
TheshedatHugson’sSidingwasbaresaveforanoldwoodenbench，anddidnotlookveryinviting。Asshepeeredthroughthesoftgraylightnotahouseofanysortwasvisiblenearthestation，norwasanypersoninsight;butafterawhilethechilddiscoveredahorseandbuggystandingnearagroupoftreesashortdistanceaway。Shewalkedtowarditandfoundthehorsetiedtoatreeandstandingmotionless，withitsheadhangingdownalmosttotheground。Itwasabighorse，tallandbony，withlonglegsandlargekneesandfeet。
Shecouldcounthisribseasilywheretheyshowedthroughtheskinofhisbody，andhisheadwaslongandseemedaltogethertoobigforhim，asifitdidnotfit。Histailwasshortandscraggly，andhisharnesshadbeenbrokeninmanyplacesandfastenedtogetheragainwithcordsandbitsofwire。Thebuggyseemedalmostnew，forithadashinytopandsidecurtains。Gettingaroundinfront，sothatshecouldlookinside，thegirlsawaboycurledupontheseat，fastasleep。
Shesetdownthebird-cageandpokedtheboywithherparasol。
Presentlyhewokeup，rosetoasittingpositionandrubbedhiseyesbriskly。
"Hello！"hesaid，seeingher，"areyouDorothyGale？"
"Yes，"sheanswered，lookinggravelyathistousledhairandblinkinggrayeyes。"HaveyoucometotakemetoHugson’sRanch？"
"Ofcourse，"heanswered。"Trainin？"
"Icouldn’tbehereifitwasn’t，"shesaid。
Helaughedatthat，andhislaughwasmerryandfrank。JumpingoutofthebuggyheputDorothy’ssuit-caseundertheseatandherbird-cageonthefloorinfront。
"Canary-birds？"heasked。
"Ohno;it’sjustEureka，mykitten。Ithoughtthatwasthebestwaytocarryher。"
Theboynodded。
"Eureka’safunnynameforacat，"heremarked。
"InamedmykittenthatbecauseIfoundit，"sheexplained。"UncleHenrysays’Eureka’means’Ihavefoundit。’"
"Allright;hopin。"
Sheclimbedintothebuggyandhefollowedher。Thentheboypickedupthereins，shookthem，andsaid"Gid-dap！"
Thehorsedidnotstir。Dorothythoughthejustwiggledoneofhisdroopingears，butthatwasall。
"Gid-dap！"calledtheboy，again。
Thehorsestoodstill。
"Perhaps，"saidDorothy，"ifyouuntiedhim，hewouldgo。"
Theboylaughedcheerfullyandjumpedout。
"GuessI’mhalfasleepyet，"hesaid，untyingthehorse。"ButJimknowshisbusinessallright——don’tyou，Jim？"pattingthelongnoseoftheanimal。
Thenhegotintothebuggyagainandtookthereins，andthehorseatoncebackedawayfromthetree，turnedslowlyaround，andbegantotrotdownthesandyroadwhichwasjustvisibleinthedimlight。
"Thoughtthattrainwouldnevercome，"observedtheboy。"I’vewaitedatthatstationforfivehours。"
"Wehadalotofearthquakes，"saidDorothy。"Didn’tyoufeelthegroundshake？"
"Yes;butwe’reusedtosuchthingsinCalifornia，"hereplied。"Theydon’tscareusmuch。"
"Theconductorsaiditwastheworstquakeheeverknew。"
"Didhe？ThenitmusthavehappenedwhileIwasasleep，"
hesaidthoughtfully。
"HowisUncleHenry？"sheenquired，afterapauseduringwhichthehorsecontinuedtotrotwithlong，regularstrides。
"He’sprettywell。HeandUncleHugsonhavebeenhavingafinevisit。"
"IsMr。Hugsonyouruncle？"sheasked。
"Yes。UncleBillHugsonmarriedyourUncleHenry’swife’ssister;
sowemustbesecondcousins，"saidtheboy，inanamusedtone。
"IworkforUncleBillonhisranch，andhepaysmesixdollarsamonthandmyboard。"
"Isn’tthatagreatdeal？"sheasked，doubtfully。
"Why，it’sagreatdealforUncleHugson，butnotforme。I’masplendidworker。IworkaswellasIsleep，"headded，withalaugh。
"Whatisyourname？"saidDorothy，thinkingshelikedtheboy’smannerandthecheerytoneofhisvoice。
"Notaveryprettyone，"heanswered，asifalittleashamed。"MywholenameisZebediah;butfolksjustcallme’Zeb。’You’vebeentoAustralia，haven’tyou？"
"Yes;withUncleHenry，"sheanswered。"WegottoSanFranciscoaweekago，andUncleHenrywentrightontoHugson’sRanchforavisitwhileIstayedafewdaysinthecitywithsomefriendswehadmet。"
"Howlongwillyoubewithus？"heasked。
"Onlyaday。TomorrowUncleHenryandImuststartbackforKansas。
We’vebeenawayforalongtime，youknow，andsowe’reanxioustogethomeagain。"
Theboyflickedthebig，boneyhorsewithhiswhipandlookedthoughtful。Thenhestartedtosaysomethingtohislittlecompanion，butbeforehecouldspeakthebuggybegantoswaydangerouslyfromsidetosideandtheearthseemedtoriseupbeforethem。Nextminutetherewasaroarandasharpcrash，andathersideDorothysawthegroundopeninawidecrackandthencometogetheragain。
"Goodness！"shecried，graspingtheironrailoftheseat。
"Whatwasthat？"
"Thatwasanawfulbigquake，"repliedZeb，withawhiteface。"Italmostgotusthattime，Dorothy。"
Thehorsehadstoppedshort，andstoodfirmasarock。Zebshookthereinsandurgedhimtogo，butJimwasstubborn。Thentheboycrackedhiswhipandtouchedtheanimal’sflankswithit，andafteralowmoanofprotestJimsteppedslowlyalongtheroad。
Neithertheboynorthegirlspokeagainforsomeminutes。Therewasabreathofdangerintheveryair，andeveryfewmomentstheearthwouldshakeviolently。Jim’searswerestandingerectuponhisheadandeverymuscleofhisbigbodywastenseashetrottedtowardhome。
Hewasnotgoingveryfast，butonhisflanksspecksoffoambegantoappearandattimeshewouldtremblelikealeaf。
Theskyhadgrowndarkeragainandthewindmadequeersobbingsoundsasitsweptoverthevalley。
Suddenlytherewasarending，tearingsound，andtheearthsplitintoanothergreatcrackjustbeneaththespotwherethehorsewasstanding。Withawildneighofterrortheanimalfellbodilyintothepit，drawingthebuggyanditsoccupantsafterhim。
Dorothygrabbedfastholdofthebuggytopandtheboydidthesame。
Thesuddenrushintospaceconfusedthemsothattheycouldnotthink。
Blacknessengulfedthemoneveryside，andinbreathlesssilencetheywaitedforthefalltoendandcrushthemagainstjaggedrocksorfortheearthtocloseinonthemagainandburythemforeverinitsdreadfuldepths。
Thehorriblesensationoffalling，thedarknessandtheterrifyingnoises，provedmorethanDorothycouldendureandforafewmomentsthelittlegirllostconsciousness。Zeb，beginaboy，didnotfaint，buthewasbadlyfrightened，andclungtothebuggyseatwithatightgrip，expectingeverymomentwouldbehislast。
2。TheGlassCityWhenDorothyrecoveredhersensestheywerestillfalling，butnotsofast。Thetopofthebuggycaughttheairlikeaparachuteoranumbrellafilledwithwind，andheldthembacksothattheyfloateddownwardwithagentlemotionthatwasnotsoverydisagreeabletobear。Theworstthingwastheirterrorofreachingthebottomofthisgreatcrackintheearth，andthenaturalfearthatsuddendeathwasabouttoovertakethematanymoment。Crashaftercrashechoedfarabovetheirheads，astheearthcametogetherwhereithadsplit，andstonesandchunksofclayrattledaroundthemoneveryside。Thesetheycouldnotsee，buttheycouldfeelthempeltingthebuggytop，andJimscreamedalmostlikeahumanbeingwhenastoneovertookhimandstruckhisboneybody。Theydidnotreallyhurtthepoorhorse，becauseeverythingwasfallingtogether;onlythestonesandrubbishfellfasterthanthehorseandbuggy，whichwereheldbackbythepressureoftheair，sothattheterrifiedanimalwasactuallymorefrightenedthanhewasinjured。
HowlongthisstateofthingscontinuedDorothycouldnotevenguess，shewassogreatlybewildered。Butbyeandbye，asshestaredaheadintotheblackchasmwithabeatingheart，shebegantodimlyseetheformofthehorseJim——hisheadupintheair，hisearserectandhislonglegssprawlingineverydirectionashetumbledthroughspace。
Also，turningherhead，shefoundthatshecouldseetheboybesideher，whohaduntilnowremainedasstillandsilentassheherself。
Dorothysighedandcommencedtobreatheeasier。Shebegantorealizethatdeathwasnotinstoreforher，afterall，butthatshehadmerelystarteduponanotheradventure，whichpromisedtobejustasqueerandunusualaswerethoseshehadbeforeencountered。
Withthisthoughtinmindthegirltookheartandleanedherheadoverthesideofthebuggytoseewherethestrangelightwascomingfrom。
Farbelowhershefoundsixgreatglowingballssuspendedintheair。
Thecentralandlargestonewaswhite，andremindedherofthesun。
Arounditwerearranged，likethefivepointsofastar，theotherfivebrilliantballs;onebeingrosecolored，oneviolet，oneyellow，oneblueandoneorange。Thissplendidgroupofcoloredsunssentraysdartingineverydirection，andasthehorseandbuggy——withDorothyandZeb——sanksteadilydownwardandcamenearertothelights，theraysbegantotakeonallthedelicatetintingsofarainbow，growingmoreandmoredistincteverymomentuntilallthespacewasbrilliantlyilluminated。
Dorothywastoodazedtosaymuch，butshewatchedoneofJim’sbigearsturntovioletandtheothertorose，andwonderedthathistailshouldbeyellowandhisbodystripedwithblueandorangelikethestripesofazebra。ThenshelookedatZeb，whosefacewasblueandwhosehairwaspink，andgavealittlelaughthatsoundedabitnervous。
"Isn’titfunny？"shesaid。
Theboywasstartledandhiseyeswerebig。Dorothyhadagreenstreakthroughthecenterofherfacewheretheblueandyellowlightscametogether，andherappearanceseemedtoaddtohisfright。
"I——Idon’ts-s-seeany-thingfunny——’boutit！"hestammered。
Justthenthebuggytippedslowlyoveruponitsside，thebodyofthehorsetippingalso。Buttheycontinuedtofall，alltogether，andtheboyandgirlhadnodifficultyinremainingupontheseat，justastheywerebefore。Thentheyturnedbottomsideup，andcontinuedtorollslowlyoveruntiltheywererightsideupagain。DuringthistimeJimstruggledfrantically，allhislegskickingtheair;butonfindinghimselfinhisformerpositionthehorsesaid，inarelievedtoneofvoice：
"Well，that’sbetter！"
DorothyandZeblookedatoneanotherinwonder。
"Canyourhorsetalk？"sheasked。
"Neverknewhimto，before，"repliedtheboy。
"ThosewerethefirstwordsIeversaid，"calledoutthehorse，whohadoverheardthem，"andIcan’texplainwhyIhappenedtospeakthen。
Thisisanicescrapeyou’vegotmeinto，isn’tit？"
"Asforthat，weareinthesamescrapeourselves，"answeredDorothy，cheerfully。"Butnevermind;somethingwillhappenprettysoon。"
"Ofcourse，"growledthehorse，"andthenweshallbesorryithappened。"
Zebgaveashiver。Allthiswassoterribleandunrealthathecouldnotunderstanditatall，andsohadgoodreasontobeafraid。
Swiftlytheydrewneartotheflamingcoloredsuns，andpassedclosebesidethem。Thelightwasthensobrightthatitdazzledtheireyes，andtheycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhandstoescapebeingblinded。
Therewasnoheatinthecoloredsuns，however，andaftertheyhadpassedbelowthemthetopofthebuggyshutoutmanyofthepiercingrayssothattheboyandgirlcouldopentheireyesagain。
"We’vegottocometothebottomsometime，"remarkedZeb，withadeepsigh。"Wecan’tkeepfallingforever，youknow。"
"Ofcoursenot，"saidDorothy。"Wearesomewhereinthemiddleoftheearth，andthechancesarewe’llreachtheothersideofitbeforelong。Butit’sabighollow，isn’tit？"
"Awfulbig！"answeredtheboy。
"We’recomingtosomethingnow，"announcedthehorse。
Atthistheybothputtheirheadsoverthesideofthebuggyandlookeddown。Yes;therewaslandbelowthem;andnotsoveryfaraway，either。Buttheywerefloatingvery，veryslowly——soslowlythatitcouldnolongerbecalledafall——andthechildrenhadampletimetotakeheartandlookaboutthem。
Theysawalandscapewithmountainsandplains，lakesandrivers，verylikethoseupontheearth’ssurface;butallthescenewassplendidlycoloredbythevariegatedlightsfromthesixsuns。Hereandthereweregroupsofhousesthatseemedmadeofclearglass，becausetheysparkledsobrightly。
"I’msureweareinnodanger，"saidDorothy，inasobervoice。"Wearefallingsoslowlythatwecan’tbedashedtopieceswhenweland，andthiscountrythatwearecomingtoseemsquitepretty。"
"We’llnevergethomeagain，though！"declaredZeb，withagroan。
"Oh，I’mnotsosureofthat，"repliedthegirl。"Butdon’tletusworryoversuchthings，Zeb;wecan’thelpourselvesjustnow，youknow，andI’vealwaysbeentoldit’sfoolishtoborrowtrouble。"
Theboybecamesilent，havingnoreplytososensibleaspeech，andsoonbothwerefullyoccupiedinstaringatthestrangescenesspreadoutbelowthem。Theyseemedtobefallingrightintothemiddleofabigcitywhichhadmanytallbuildingswithglassdomesandsharp-pointedspires。Thesespireswerelikegreatspear-points，andiftheytumbledupononeofthemtheywerelikelytosufferseriousinjury。
Jimthehorsehadseenthesespires，also，andhisearsstoodstraightupwithfear，whileDorothyandZebheldtheirbreathsinsuspense。
Butno;theyfloatedgentlydownuponabroad，flatroof，andcametoastopatlast。
WhenJimfeltsomethingfirmunderhisfeetthepoorbeast’slegstrembledsomuchthathecouldhardlystand;butZebatonceleapedoutofthebuggytotheroof，andhewassoawkwardandhastythathekickedoverDorothy’sbird-cage，whichrolledoutupontheroofsothatthebottomcameoff。Atonceapinkkittencreptoutoftheupsetcage，satdownupontheglassroof，andyawnedandblinkeditsroundeyes。
"Oh，"saidDorothy。"There’sEureka。"
"FirsttimeIeversawapinkcat，"saidZeb。
"Eurekaisn’tpink;she’swhite。It’sthisqueerlightthatgivesherthatcolor。"
"Where’smymilk？"askedthekitten，lookingupintoDorothy’sface。
"I’m’moststarvedtodeath。"
"Oh，Eureka！Canyoutalk？"
"Talk！AmItalking？Goodgracious，IbelieveIam。Isn’titfunny？"askedthekitten。
"It’sallwrong。"saidZeb，gravely。"Animalsoughtnottotalk。ButevenoldJimhasbeensayingthingssincewehadouraccident。"
"Ican’tseethatit’swrong，"remarkedJim，inhisgrufftones。"Atleast，itisn’taswrongassomeotherthings。What’sgoingtobecomeofusnow？"
"Idon’tknow，"answeredtheboy，lookingaroundhimcuriously。
Thehousesofthecitywereallmadeofglass，soclearandtransparentthatonecouldlookthroughthewallsaseasilyasthroughawindow。Dorothysaw，underneaththeroofonwhichshestood，severalroomsusedforrestchambers，andeventhoughtshecouldmakeoutanumberofqueerformshuddledintothecornersoftheserooms。
Theroofbesidethemhadagreatholesmashedthroughit，andpiecesofglasswerelyingscatteredineverydirection。Anearbysteeplehadbeenbrokenoffshortandthefragmentslayheapedbesideit。
Otherbuildingswerecrackedinplacesorhadcornerschippedofffromthem;buttheymusthavebeenverybeautifulbeforetheseaccidentshadhappenedtomartheirperfection。Therainbowtintsfromthecoloredsunsfellupontheglasscitysoftlyandgavetothebuildingsmanydelicate，shiftinghueswhichwereveryprettytosee。
Butnotasoundhadbrokenthestillnesssincethestrangershadarrived，exceptthatoftheirownvoices。Theybegantowonderiftherewerenopeopletoinhabitthismagnificentcityoftheinnerworld。
Suddenlyamanappearedthroughaholeintheroofnexttotheonetheywereonandsteppedintoplainview。Hewasnotaverylargeman，butwaswellformedandhadabeautifulface——calmandsereneasthefaceofafineportrait。Hisclothingfittedhisformsnuglyandwasgorgeouslycoloredinbrilliantshadesofgreen，whichvariedasthesunbeamstouchedthembutwasnotwhollyinfluencedbythesolarrays。
Themanhadtakenasteportwoacrosstheglassroofbeforehenoticedthepresenceofthestrangers;butthenhestoppedabruptly。
Therewasnoexpressionofeitherfearorsurpriseuponhistranquilface，yethemusthavebeenbothastonishedandafraid;forafterhiseyeshadrestedupontheungainlyformofthehorseforamomenthewalkedrapidlytothefurthestedgeoftheroof，hisheadturnedbackoverhisshouldertogazeatthestrangeanimal。
"Lookout！"criedDorothy，whonoticedthatthebeautifulmandidnotlookwherehewasgoing;"becareful，oryou’llfalloff！"
Buthepaidnoattentiontoherwarning。Hereachedtheedgeofthetallroof，steppedonefootoutintotheair，andwalkedintospaceascalmlyasifhewereonfirmground。
Thegirl，greatlyastonished，rantoleanovertheedgeoftheroof，andsawthemanwalkingrapidlythroughtheairtowardtheground。
Soonhereachedthestreetanddisappearedthroughaglassdoorwayintooneoftheglassbuildings。
"Howstrange！"sheexclaimed，drawingalongbreath。
"Yes;butit’slotsoffun，ifitISstrange，"remarkedthesmallvoiceofthekitten，andDorothyturnedtofindherpetwalkingintheairafootorsoawayfromtheedgeoftheroof。
"Comeback，Eureka！"shecalled，indistress，"you’llcertainlybekilled。"
"Ihaveninelives，"saidthekitten，purringsoftlyasitwalkedaroundinacircleandthencamebacktotheroof;"butIcan’tloseevenoneofthembyfallinginthiscountry，becauseIreallycouldn’tmanagetofallifIwantedto。"
"Doestheairbearupyourweight？"askedthegirl。
"Ofcourse;can’tyousee？"andagainthekittenwanderedintotheairandbacktotheedgeoftheroof。
"It’swonderful！"saidDorothy。
"SupposeweletEurekagodowntothestreetandgetsomeonetohelpus，"suggestedZeb，whohadbeenevenmoreamazedthanDorothyatthesestrangehappenings。
"Perhapswecanwalkontheairourselves，"repliedthegirl。
Zebdrewbackwithashiver。
"Iwouldn’tdaretry，"hesaid。
"MaybeJimwillgo，"continuedDorothy，lookingatthehorse。
"Andmaybehewon’t！"answeredJim。"I’vetumbledthroughtheairlongenoughtomakemecontentedonthisroof。"
"Butwedidn’ttumbletotheroof，"saidthegirl;"bythetimewereachedherewewerefloatingveryslowly，andI’malmostsurewecouldfloatdowntothestreetwithoutgettinghurt。Eurekawalksontheairallright。"
"Eurekaweightsonlyabouthalfapound，"repliedthehorse，inascornfultone，"whileIweighabouthalfaton。"
"Youdon’tweighasmuchasyououghtto，Jim，"remarkedthegirl，shakingherheadasshelookedattheanimal。"You’redreadfullyskinny。"
"Oh，well;I’mold，"saidthehorse，hanginghisheaddespondently，"andI’vehadlotsoftroubleinmyday，littleone。ForagoodmanyyearsIdrewapubliccabinChicago，andthat’senoughtomakeanyoneskinny。"
"Heeatsenoughtogetfat，I’msure，"saidtheboy，gravely。
"DoI？CanyourememberanybreakfastthatI’vehadtoday？"growledJim，asifheresentedZeb’sspeech。
"Noneofushashadbreakfast，"saidtheboy;"andinatimeofdangerlikethisit’sfoolishtotalkabouteating。"
"Nothingismoredangerousthanbeingwithoutfood，"declaredthehorse，withasniffattherebukeofhisyoungmaster;"andjustatpresentnoonecantellwhetherthereareanyoatsinthisqueercountryornot。Ifthereare，theyareliabletobeglassoats！"
"Oh，no！"exclaimedDorothy。"Icanseeplentyofnicegardensandfieldsdownbelowus，attheedgeofthiscity。ButIwishwecouldfindawaytogettotheground。"
"Whydon’tyouwalkdown？"askedEureka。"I’mashungryasthehorseis，andIwantmymilk。"
"Willyoutryit，Zeb"askedthegirl，turningtohercompanion。
Zebhesitated。Hewasstillpaleandfrightened，forthisdreadfuladventurehadupsethimandmadehimnervousandworried。Buthedidnotwishthelittlegirltothinkhimacoward，soheadvancedslowlytotheedgeoftheroof。
DorothystretchedoutahandtohimandZebputonefootoutandletitrestintheairalittleovertheedgeoftheroof。Itseemedfirmenoughtowalkupon，sohetookcourageandputouttheotherfoot。
Dorothykeptholdofhishandandfollowedhim，andsoontheywerebothwalkingthroughtheair，withthekittenfriskingbesidethem。
"Comeon，Jim！"calledtheboy。"It’sallright。"
Jimhadcrepttotheedgeoftherooftolookover，andbeingasensiblehorseandquiteexperienced，hemadeuphismindthathecouldgowheretheothersdid。So，withasnortandaneighandawhiskofhisshorttailhetrottedofftheroofintotheairandatoncebeganfloatingdownwardtothestreet。Hisgreatweightmadehimfallfasterthanthechildrenwalked，andhepassedthemonthewaydown;butwhenhecametotheglasspavementhealighteduponitsosoftlythathewasnotevenjarred。
"Well，well！"saidDorothy，drawingalongbreath，"Whatastrangecountrythisis。"
Peoplebegantocomeoutoftheglassdoorstolookatthenewarrivals，andprettysoonquiteacrowdhadassembled。Thereweremenandwomen，butnochildrenatall，andthefolkswereallbeautifullyformedandattractivelydressedandhadwonderfullyhandsomefaces。
Therewasnotanuglypersoninallthethrong，yetDorothywasnotespeciallypleasedbytheappearanceofthesepeoplebecausetheirfeatureshadnomoreexpressionthanthefacesofdolls。Theydidnotsmilenordidtheyfrown，orshoweitherfearorsurpriseorcuriosityorfriendliness。Theysimplystartedatthestrangers，payingmostattentiontoJimandEureka，fortheyhadneverbeforeseeneitherahorseoracatandthechildrenboreanoutwardresemblancetothemselves。
Prettysoonamanjoinedthegroupwhoworeaglisteningstarinthedarkhairjustoverhisforehead。Heseemedtobeapersonofauthority，fortheotherspressedbacktogivehimroom。AfterturninghiscomposedeyesfirstupontheanimalsandthenuponthechildrenhesaidtoZeb，whowasalittletallerthanDorothy：
"Tellme，intruder，wasityouwhocausedtheRainofStones？"
Foramomenttheboydidnotknowwhathemeantbythisquestion。
Then，rememberingthestonesthathadfallenwiththemandpassedthemlongbeforetheyhadreachedthisplace，heanswered：
"No，sir;wedidn’tcauseanything。Itwastheearthquake。"
Themanwiththestarstoodforatimequietlythinkingoverthisspeech。Thenheasked：
"Whatisanearthquake？"
"Idon’tknow，"saidZeb，whowasstillconfused。ButDorothy，seeinghisperplexity，answered：
"It’sashakingoftheearth。Inthisquakeabigcrackopenedandwefellthrough——horseandbuggy，andall——andthestonesgotlooseandcamedownwithus。"
Themanwiththestarregardedherwithhiscalm，expressionlesseyes。
"TheRainofStoneshasdonemuchdamagetoourcity，"hesaid;
"andweshallholdyouresponsibleforitunlessyoucanproveyourinnocence。"
"Howcanwedothat？"askedthegirl。
"ThatIamnotpreparedtosay。Itisyouraffair，notmine。
YoumustgototheHouseoftheSorcerer，whowillsoondiscoverthetruth。"
"WhereistheHouseoftheSorcerer？"thegirlenquired。
"Iwillleadyoutoit。Come！"
Heturnedandwalkeddownthestreet，andafteramoment’shesitationDorothycaughtEurekainherarmsandclimbedintothebuggy。Theboytookhisseatbesideherandsaid："Gid-dapJim。"
Asthehorseambledalong，drawingthebuggy，thepeopleoftheglasscitymadewayforthemandformedaprocessionintheirrear。Slowlytheymoveddownonestreetandupanother，turningfirstthiswayandthenthat，untiltheycametoanopensquareinthecenterofwhichwasabigglasspalacehavingacentraldomeandfourtallspiresoneachcorner。
3。TheArrivalOfTheWizardThedoorwayoftheglasspalacewasquitebigenoughforthehorseandbuggytoenter，soZebdrovestraightthroughitandthechildrenfoundthemselvesinaloftyhallthatwasverybeautiful。Thepeopleatoncefollowedandformedacirclearoundthesidesofthespaciousroom，leavingthehorseandbuggyandthemanwiththestartooccupythecenterofthehall。
"Cometous，oh，Gwig！"calledtheman，inaloudvoice。
Instantlyacloudofsmokeappearedandrolledoverthefloor;thenitslowlyspreadandascendedintothedome，disclosingastrangepersonageseateduponaglassthronejustbeforeJim’snose。Hewasformedjustasweretheotherinhabitantsofthislandandhisclothingonlydifferedfromtheirsinbeingbrightyellow。Buthehadnohairatall，andalloverhisbaldheadandfaceanduponthebacksofhishandsgrewsharpthornslikethosefoundonthebranchesofrose-bushes。TherewasevenathornuponthetipofhisnoseandhelookedsofunnythatDorothylaughedwhenshesawhim。
TheSorcerer，hearingthelaugh，lookedtowardthelittlegirlwithcold，crueleyes，andhisglancemadehergrowsoberinaninstant。
"WhyhaveyoudaredtointrudeyourunwelcomepersonsintothesecludedLandoftheMangaboos？"heasked，sternly。
"’Causewecouldn’thelpit，"saidDorothy。
"WhydidyouwickedlyandviciouslysendtheRainofStonestocrackandbreakourhouses？"hecontinued。
"Wedidn’t，"declaredthegirl。
"Proveit！"criedtheSorcerer。
"Wedon’thavetoproveit，"answeredDorothy，indignantly。"Ifyouhadanysenseatallyou’dknownitwastheearthquake。"
"WeonlyknowthatyesterdaycameaRainofStonesuponus，whichdidmuchdamageandinjuredsomeofourpeople。TodaycameanotherRainofStones，andsoonafterityouappearedamongus。"
"Bytheway，"saidthemanwiththestar，lookingsteadilyattheSorcerer，"youtoldusyesterdaythattherewouldnotbeasecondRainofStones。Yetonehasjustoccurredthatwasevenworsethanthefirst。Whatisyoursorcerygoodforifitcannottellusthetruth？"
"Mysorcerydoestellthetruth！"declaredthethorn-coveredman。"I
saidtherewouldbebutoneRainofStones。ThissecondonewasaRainofPeople-and-Horse-and-Buggy。Andsomestonescamewiththem。"
"WilltherebeanymoreRains？"askedthemanwiththestar。
"No，myPrince。"
"Neitherstonesnorpeople？"
"No，myPrince。"
"Areyousure？"
"Quitesure，myPrince。Mysorcerytellsmeso。"
JustthenamancamerunningintothehallandaddressedthePrinceaftermakingalowbow。
"Morewondersintheair，myLord，"saidhe。
ImmediatelythePrinceandallofhispeopleflockedoutofthehallintothestreet，thattheymightseewhatwasabouttohappen。
DorothyandZebjumpedoutofthebuggyandranafterthem，buttheSorcererremainedcalmlyinhisthrone。
Farupintheairwasanobjectthatlookedlikeaballoon。Itwasnotsohighastheglowingstarofthesixcoloredsuns，butwasdescendingslowlythroughtheair——soslowlythatatfirstitscarcelyseemedtomove。
Thethrongstoodstillandwaited。Itwasalltheycoulddo，fortogoawayandleavethatstrangesightwasimpossible;norcouldtheyhurryitsfallinanyway。Theearthchildrenwerenotnoticed，beingsoneartheaveragesizeoftheMangaboos，andthehorsehadremainedintheHouseoftheSorcerer，withEurekacurledupasleepontheseatofthebuggy。
Graduallytheballoongrewbigger，whichwasproofthatitwassettlingdownupontheLandoftheMangaboos。Dorothywassurprisedtofindhowpatientthepeoplewere，forherownlittleheartwasbeatingrapidlywithexcitement。Aballoonmeanttohersomeotherarrivalfromthesurfaceoftheearth，andshehopeditwouldbesomeoneabletoassistherandZeboutoftheirdifficulties。
Inanhourtheballoonhadcomenearenoughforhertoseeabasketsuspendedbelowit;intwohoursshecouldseeaheadlookingoverthesideofthebasket;inthreehoursthebigballoonsettledslowlyintothegreatsquareinwhichtheystoodandcametorestontheglasspavement。
Thenalittlemanjumpedoutofthebasket，tookoffhistallhat，andbowedverygracefullytothecrowdofMangaboosaroundhim。Hewasquiteanoldlittlemanandhisheadwaslongandentirelybald。
"Why，"criedDorothy，inamazement，"it’sOz！"
Thelittlemanlookedtowardherandseemedasmuchsurprisedasshewas。Buthesmiledandbowedasheanswered：
"Yes，mydear;IamOz，theGreatandTerrible。Eh？AndyouarelittleDorothy，fromKansas。Irememberyouverywell。"
"Whodidyousayitwas？"whisperedZebtothegirl。
"It’sthewonderfulWizardofOz。Haven’tyouheardofhim？"
JustthenthemanwiththestarcameandstoodbeforetheWizard。
"Sir，"saidhe，"whyareyouhere，intheLandoftheMangaboos？"
"Didn’tknowwhatlanditwas，myson，"returnedtheother，withapleasantsmile;"and，tobehonest，Ididn’tmeantovisityouwhenI
startedout。Iliveontopoftheearth，yourhonor，whichisfarbetterthanlivinginsideit;butyesterdayIwentupinaballoon，andwhenIcamedownIfellintoabigcrackintheearth，causedbyanearthquake。IhadletsomuchgasoutofmyballoonthatIcouldnotriseagain，andinafewminutestheearthclosedovermyhead。
SoIcontinuedtodescenduntilIreachedthisplace，andifyouwillshowmeawaytogetoutofit，I’llgowithpleasure。Sorrytohavetroubledyou;butitcouldn’tbehelped。"
ThePrincehadlistenedwithattention。Saidhe：
"Thischild，whoisfromthecrustoftheearth，likeyourself，calledyouaWizard。IsnotaWizardsomethinglikeaSorcerer？"
"It’sbetter，"repliedOz，promptly。"OneWizardisworththreeSorcerers。"
"Ah，youshallprovethat，"saidthePrince。"WeMangabooshave，atthepresenttime，oneofthemostwonderfulSorcerersthateverwaspickedfromabush;buthesometimesmakesmistakes。Doyouevermakemistakes？"
"Never！"declaredtheWizard，boldly。
"Oh，Oz！"saidDorothy;"youmadealotofmistakeswhenyouwereinthemarvelousLandofOz。"
"Nonsense！"saidthelittleman，turningred——althoughjustthenarayofvioletsunlightwasonhisroundface。
"Comewithme，"saidthePrincetohim。"IwishtomeetourSorcerer。"
TheWizarddidnotlikethisinvitation，buthecouldnotrefusetoacceptit。SohefollowedthePrinceintothegreatdomedhall，andDorothyandZebcameafterthem，whilethethrongofpeopletroopedinalso。
TheresatthethornySorcererinhischairofstate，andwhentheWizardsawhimhebegantolaugh，utteringcomicallittlechuckles。
"Whatanabsurdcreature！"heexclaimed。
"Hemaylookabsurd，"saidthePrince，inhisquietvoice;"butheisanexcellentSorcerer。TheonlyfaultIfindwithhimisthatheissooftenwrong。"
"Iamneverwrong，"answeredtheSorcerer。
"OnlyashorttimeagoyoutoldmetherewouldbenomoreRainofStonesorofPeople，"saidthePrince。
"Well，whatthen？"
"Hereisanotherpersondescendedfromtheairtoproveyouwerewrong。"
"Onepersoncannotbecalled’people，’"saidtheSorcerer。"IftwoshouldcomeoutoftheskyyoumightwithjusticesayIwaswrong;butunlessmorethanthisoneappearsIwillholdthatIwasright。"
"Veryclever，"saidtheWizard，noddinghisheadasifpleased。"Iamdelightedtofindhumbugsinsidetheearth，justthesameasontopofit。Wereyoueverwithacircus，brother？"
"No，"saidtheSorcerer。
"Yououghttojoinone，"declaredthelittlemanseriously。"IbelongtoBailum&Barney’sGreatConsolidatedShows——threeringsinonetentandamenagerieontheside。It’safineaggregation，Iassureyou。"
"Whatdoyoudo？"askedtheSorcerer。
"Igoupinaballoon，usually，todrawthecrowdstothecircus。ButI’vejusthadthebadlucktocomeoutofthesky，skipthesolidearth，andlandlowerdownthanIintended。Butnevermind。Itisn’teverybodywhogetsachancetoseeyourLandoftheGabazoos。"
"Mangaboos，"saidtheSorcerer，correctinghim。"IfyouareaWizardyououghttobeabletocallpeoplebytheirrightnames。"
"Oh，I’maWizard;youmaybesureofthat。JustasgoodaWizardasyouareaSorcerer。"
"Thatremainstobeseen，"saidtheother。
"Ifyouareabletoprovethatyouarebetter，"saidthePrincetothelittleman，"IwillmakeyoutheChiefWizardofthisdomain。
Otherwise——"
"Whatwillhappenotherwise？"askedtheWizard。
"Iwillstopyoufromlivingandforbidyoutobeplanted，"returnedthePrince。
"Thatdoesnotsoundespeciallypleasant，"saidthelittleman，lookingattheonewiththestaruneasily。"Butnevermind。I’llbeatOldPrickly，allright。"
"MynameisGwig，"saidtheSorcerer，turninghisheartless，crueleyesuponhisrival。"LetmeseeyouequalthesorceryIamabouttoperform。"
Hewavedathornyhandandatoncethetinklingofbellswasheard，playingsweetmusic。Yet，lookwhereshewould，Dorothycoulddiscovernobellsatallinthegreatglasshall。
TheMangaboopeoplelistened，butshowednogreatinterest。ItwasoneofthethingsGwigusuallydidtoprovehewasasorcerer。
NowwastheWizard’sturn，sohesmiledupontheassemblageandasked：
"Willsomebodykindlyloanmeahat？"
Noonedid，becausetheMangaboosdidnotwearhats，andZebhadlosthis，somehow，inhisflightthroughtheair。
"Ahem！"saidtheWizard，"willsomebodypleaseloanmeahandkerchief？"
Buttheyhadnohandkerchiefs，either。
"Verygood，"remarkedtheWizard。"I’llusemyownhat，ifyouplease。Now，goodpeople，observemecarefully。Yousee，thereisnothingupmysleeveandnothingconcealedaboutmyperson。Also，myhatisquiteempty。"Hetookoffhishatandhelditupsidedown，shakingitbriskly。
"Letmeseeit，"saidtheSorcerer。
Hetookthehatandexamineditcarefully，returningitafterwardtotheWizard。
"Now，"saidthelittleman，"Iwillcreatesomethingoutofnothing。"
Heplacedthehatupontheglassfloor，madeapasswithhishand，andthenremovedthehat，displayingalittlewhitepigletnobiggerthanamouse，whichbegantorunaroundhereandthereandtogruntandsquealinatiny，shrillvoice。
Thepeoplewatcheditintently，fortheyhadneverseenapigbefore，bigorlittle。TheWizardreachedout，caughttheweecreatureinhishand，andholdingitsheadbetweenonethumbandfingeranditstailbetweentheotherthumbandfingerhepulleditapart，eachofthetwopartsbecomingawholeandseparatepigletinaninstant。
Heplacedoneuponthefloor，sothatitcouldrunaround，andpulledaparttheother，makingthreepigletsinall;andthenoneofthesewaspulledapart，makingfourpiglets。TheWizardcontinuedthissurprisingperformanceuntilninetinypigletswererunningaboutathisfeet，allsquealingandgruntinginaverycomicalway。
"Now，"saidtheWizardofOz，"havingcreatedsomethingfromnothing，Iwillmakesomethingnothingagain。"
Withthishecaughtuptwoofthepigletsandpushedthemtogether，sothatthetwowereone。Thenhecaughtupanotherpigletandpusheditintothefirst，whereitdisappeared。Andso，onebyone，theninetinypigletswerepushedtogetheruntilbutasingleoneofthecreaturesremained。ThistheWizardplacedunderneathhishatandmadeamysticsignaboveit。Whenheremovedhishatthelastpiglethaddisappearedentirely。
Thelittlemangaveabowtothesilentthrongthathadwatchedhim，andthenthePrincesaid，inhiscold，calmvoice：
"YouareindeedawonderfulWizard，andyourpowersaregreaterthanthoseofmySorcerer。"
"HewillnotbeawonderfulWizardlong，"remarkedGwig。
"Whynot？"enquiredtheWizard。
"BecauseIamgoingtostopyourbreath，"wasthereply。"Iperceivethatyouarecuriouslyconstructed，andthatifyoucannotbreatheyoucannotkeepalive。"
Thelittlemanlookedtroubled。
"Howlongwillittakeyoutostopmybreath？"heasked。
"Aboutfiveminutes。I’mgoingtobeginnow。Watchmecarefully。"
HebeganmakingqueersignsandpassestowardtheWizard;butthelittlemandidnotwatchhimlong。Instead，hedrewaleatherncasefromhispocketandtookfromitseveralsharpknives，whichhejoinedtogether，oneafteranother，untiltheymadealongsword。Bythetimehehadattachedahandletothisswordhewashavingmuchtroubletobreathe，asthecharmoftheSorcererwasbeginningtotakeeffect。
SotheWizardlostnomoretime，butleapingforwardheraisedthesharpsword，whirleditonceortwicearoundhishead，andthengaveamightystrokethatcutthebodyoftheSorcererexactlyintwo。
Dorothyscreamedandexpectedtoseeaterriblesight;butasthetwohalvesoftheSorcererfellapartonthefloorshesawthathehadnobonesorbloodinsideofhimatall，andthattheplacewherehewascutlookedmuchlikeaslicedturniporpotato。
"Why，he’svegetable！"criedtheWizard，astonished。
"Ofcourse，"saidthePrince。"Weareallvegetable，inthiscountry。
Areyounotvegetable，also？"
"No，"answeredtheWizard。"Peopleontopoftheearthareallmeat。
WillyourSorcererdie？"
"Certainly，sir。Heisreallydeadnow，andwillwitherveryquickly。
Sowemustplanthimatonce，thatotherSorcerersmaygrowuponhisbush，"continuedthePrince。
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"askedthelittleWizard，greatlypuzzled。
"Ifyouwillaccompanymetoourpublicgardens，"repliedthePrince，"IwillexplaintoyoumuchbetterthanIcanherethemysteriesofourVegetableKingdom。"
4。TheVegetableKingdomAftertheWizardhadwipedthedampnessfromhisswordandtakenitapartandputthepiecesintotheirleatherncaseagain，themanwiththestarorderedsomeofhispeopletocarrythetwohalvesoftheSorcerertothepublicgardens。
Jimprickeduphisearswhenheheardtheyweregoingtothegardens，andwantedtojointheparty，thinkinghemightfindsomethingpropertoeat;soZebputdownthetopofthebuggyandinvitedtheWizardtoridewiththem。Theseatwasamplywideenoughforthelittlemanandthetwochildren，andwhenJimstartedtoleavethehallthekittenjumpeduponhisbackandsattherequitecontentedly。
Sotheprocessionmovedthroughthestreets，thebearersoftheSorcererfirst，thePrincenext，thenJimdrawingthebuggywiththestrangersinsideofit，andlastthecrowdofvegetablepeoplewhohadnoheartsandcouldneithersmilenorfrown。
Theglasscityhadseveralfinestreets，foragoodmanypeoplelivedthere;butwhentheprocessionhadpassedthroughtheseitcameuponabroadplaincoveredwithgardensandwateredbymanyprettybrooksthatflowedthroughit。Therewerepathsthroughthesegardens，andoversomeofthebrookswereornamentalglassbridges。
DorothyandZebnowgotoutofthebuggyandwalkedbesidethePrince，sothattheymightseeandexaminetheflowersandplantsbetter。
"Whobuilttheselovelybridges？"askedthelittlegirl。
"Noonebuiltthem，"answeredthemanwiththestar。"Theygrow。"
"That’squeer，"saidshe。"Didtheglasshousesinyourcitygrow，too？"
"Ofcourse，"hereplied。"Butittookagoodmanyyearsforthemtogrowaslargeandfineastheyarenow。ThatiswhywearesoangrywhenaRainofStonescomestobreakourtowersandcrackourroofs。"
"Can’tyoumendthem？"sheenquired。
"No;buttheywillgrowtogetheragain，intime，andwemustwaituntiltheydo。"
Theyfirstpassedthroughmanybeautifulgardensofflowers，whichgrewnearestthecity;butDorothycouldhardlytellwhatkindofflowerstheywere，becausethecolorswereconstantlychangingundertheshiftinglightsofthesixsuns。Aflowerwouldbepinkonesecond，whitethenext，thenblueoryellow;anditwasthesamewaywhentheycametotheplants，whichhadbroadleavesandgrewclosetotheground。
WhentheypassedoverafieldofgrassJimimmediatelystretcheddownhisheadandbegantonibble。
"Anicecountrythisis，"hegrumbled，"wherearespectablehorsehastoeatpinkgrass！"
"It’sviolet，"saidtheWizard，whowasinthebuggy。
"Nowit’sblue，"complainedthehorse。"Asamatteroffact，I’meatingrainbowgrass。"
"Howdoesittaste？"askedtheWizard。
"Notbadatall，"saidJim。"IftheygivemeplentyofitI’llnotcomplainaboutitscolor。"
Bythistimethepartyhadreachedafreshlyplowedfield，andthePrincesaidtoDorothy：
"Thisisourplanting-ground。"
SeveralMangabooscameforwardwithglassspadesanddugaholeintheground。ThentheyputthetwohalvesoftheSorcererintoitandcoveredhimup。Afterthatotherpeoplebroughtwaterfromabrookandsprinkledtheearth。
"Hewillsproutverysoon，"saidthePrince，"andgrowintoalargebush，fromwhichweshallintimebeabletopickseveralverygoodsorcerers。"
"Doallyourpeoplegrowonbushes？"askedtheboy。
"Certainly，"wasthereply。"Donotallpeoplegrowuponbusheswhereyoucamefrom，ontheoutsideoftheearth？"
"NotthatIeverhearof。"
"Howstrange！ButifyouwillcomewithmetooneofourfolkgardensIwillshowyouthewaywegrowintheLandoftheMangaboos。"
Itappearedthattheseoddpeople，whiletheywereabletowalkthroughtheairwithease，usuallymoveduponthegroundintheordinaryway。Therewerenostairsintheirhouses，becausetheydidnotneedthem，butonalevelsurfacetheygenerallywalkedjustaswedo。
ThelittlepartyofstrangersnowfollowedthePrinceacrossafewmoreoftheglassbridgesandalongseveralpathsuntiltheycametoagardenenclosedbyahighhedge。Jimhadrefusedtoleavethefieldofgrass，wherehewasengagedinbusilyeating;sotheWizardgotoutofthebuggyandjoinedZebandDorothy，andthekittenfolloweddemurelyattheirheels。
Insidethehedgetheycameuponrowafterrowoflargeandhandsomeplantswithbroadleavesgracefullycurvinguntiltheirpointsnearlyreachedtheground。InthecenterofeachplantgrewadaintilydressedMangaboo，fortheclothingofallthesecreaturesgrewuponthemandwasattachedtotheirbodies。
ThegrowingMangabooswereofallsizes，fromtheblossomthathadjustturnedintoaweebabytothefull-grownandalmostripemanorwoman。Onsomeofthebushesmightbeseenabud，ablossom，ababy，ahalf-grownpersonandaripeone;buteventhosereadytopluckweremotionlessandsilent，asifdevoidoflife。ThissightexplainedtoDorothywhyshehadseennochildrenamongtheMangaboos，athingshehaduntilnowbeenunabletoaccountfor。
"Ourpeopledonotacquiretheirreallifeuntiltheyleavetheirbushes，"
saidthePrince。"Youwillnoticetheyareallattachedtotheplantsbythesolesoftheirfeet，andwhentheyarequiteripetheyareeasilyseparatedfromthestemsandatonceattainthepowersofmotionandspeech。Sowhiletheygrowtheycannotbesaidtoreallylive，andtheymustbepickedbeforetheycanbecomegoodcitizens。"
"Howlongdoyoulive，afteryouarepicked？"askedDorothy。
"Thatdependsuponthecarewetakeofourselves，"hereplied。"Ifwekeepcoolandmoist，andmeetwithnoaccidents，weoftenliveforfiveyears。I’vebeenpickedoversixyears，butourfamilyisknowntobeespeciallylonglived。"
"Doyoueat？"askedtheboy。
"Eat！No，indeed。Wearequitesolidinsideourbodies，andhavenoneedtoeat，anymorethandoesapotato。"
"Butthepotatoessometimessprout，"saidZeb。
"Andsometimeswedo，"answeredthePrince;"butthatisconsideredagreatmisfortune，forthenwemustbeplantedatonce。"
"Wheredidyougrow？"askedtheWizard。
"Iwillshowyou，"wasthereply。"Stepthisway，please。"
Heledthemwithinanotherbutsmallercircleofhedge，wheregrewonelargeandbeautifulbush。