"This，"saidhe，"istheRoyalBushoftheMangaboos。AllofourPrincesandRulershavegrownuponthisonebushfromtimeimmemorial。"
　　Theystoodbeforeitinsilentadmiration。OnthecentralstalkstoodpoisedthefigureofagirlsoexquisitelyformedandcoloredandsolovelyintheexpressionofherdelicatefeaturesthatDorothythoughtshehadneverseensosweetandadorableacreatureinallherlife。
　　Themaiden’sgownwassoftassatinandfellaboutherinamplefolds，whiledaintylace-liketraceriestrimmedthebodiceandsleeves。Herfleshwasfineandsmoothaspolishedivory，andherpoiseexpressedbothdignityandgrace。
　　"Whoisthis？"askedtheWizard，curiously。
　　ThePrincehadbeenstaringhardatthegirlonthebush。Nowheanswered，withatouchofuneasinessinhiscoldtones：
　　"SheistheRulerdestinedtobemysuccessor，forsheisaRoyalPrincess。WhenshebecomesfullyripeImustabandonthesovereigntyoftheMangaboostoher。"
　　"Isn’tsheripenow？"askedDorothy。
　　Hehesitated。
　　"Notquite，"saidhe，finally。"Itwillbeseveraldaysbeforesheneedstobepicked，oratleastthatismyjudgment。Iaminnohurrytoresignmyofficeandbeplanted，youmaybesure。"
　　"Probablynot，"declaredtheWizard，nodding。
　　"Thisisoneofthemostunpleasantthingsaboutourvegetablelives，"
　　continuedthePrince，withasigh，"thatwhileweareinourfullprimewemustgivewaytoanother，andbecoveredupinthegroundtosproutandgrowandgivebirthtootherpeople。"
　　"I’msurethePrincessisreadytobepicked，"assertedDorothy，gazinghardatthebeautifulgirlonthebush。"She’sasperfectasshecanbe。"
　　"Nevermind，"answeredthePrince，hastily，"shewillbeallrightforafewdayslonger，anditisbestformetoruleuntilIcandisposeofyoustrangers，whohavecometoourlanduninvitedandmustbeattendedtoatonce。"
　　"Whatareyougoingtodowithus？"askedZeb。
　　"ThatisamatterIhavenotquitedecidedupon，"wasthereply。"I
　　thinkIshallkeepthisWizarduntilanewSorcererisreadytopick，forheseemsquiteskillfulandmaybeofusetous。Buttherestofyoumustbedestroyedinsomeway，andyoucannotbeplanted，becauseIdonotwishhorsesandcatsandmeatpeoplegrowingalloverourcountry。"
　　"Youneedn’tworry，"saidDorothy。"Wewouldn’tgrowunderground，I’msure。"
　　"Butwhydestroymyfriends？"askedthelittleWizard。"Whynotletthemlive？"
　　"Theydonotbelonghere，"returnedthePrince。"Theyhavenorighttobeinsidetheearthatall。"
　　"Wedidn’tasktocomedownhere;wefell，"saidDorothy。
　　"Thatisnoexcuse，"declaredthePrince，coldly。
　　Thechildrenlookedateachotherinperplexity，andtheWizardsighed。Eurekarubbedherpawonherfaceandsaidinhersoft，purringvoice：
　　"Hewon’tneedtodestroyME，forifIdon’tgetsomethingtoeatprettysoonIshallstarvetodeath，andsosavehimthetrouble。"
　　"Ifheplantedyou，hemightgrowsomecat-tails，"suggestedtheWizard。
　　"Oh，Eureka！perhapswecanfindyousomemilk-weedstoeat，"
　　saidtheboy。
　　"Phoo！"snarledthekitten;"Iwouldn’ttouchthenastythings！"
　　"Youdon’tneedmilk，Eureka，"remarkedDorothy;"youarebigenoughnowtoeatanykindoffood。"
　　"IfIcangetit，"addedEureka。
　　"I’mhungrymyself，"saidZeb。"ButInoticedsomestrawberriesgrowinginoneofthegardens，andsomemelonsinanotherplace。
　　Thesepeopledon’teatsuchthings，soperhapsonourwaybacktheywillletusgetthem。"
　　"Nevermindyourhunger，"interruptedthePrince。"Ishallorderyoudestroyedinafewminutes，soyouwillhavenoneedtoruinourprettymelonvinesandberrybushes。Followme，please，tomeetyourdoom。"
　　5。DorothyPicksthePrincessThewordsofthecoldandmoistvegetablePrincewerenotverycomforting，andashespokethemheturnedawayandlefttheenclosure。Thechildren，feelingsadanddespondent，wereabouttofollowhimwhentheWizardtouchedDorothysoftlyonhershoulder。
　　"Wait！"hewhispered。
　　"Whatfor？"askedthegirl。
　　"SupposewepicktheRoyalPrincess，"saidtheWizard。"I’mquitesureshe’sripe，andassoonasshecomestolifeshewillbetheRuler，andmaytreatusbetterthanthatheartlessPrinceintendsto。"
　　"Allright！"exclaimedDorothy，eagerly。"Let’spickherwhilewehavethechance，beforethemanwiththestarcomesback。"
　　SotogethertheyleanedoverthegreatbushandeachofthemseizedonehandofthelovelyPrincess。
　　"Pull！"criedDorothy，andastheydidsotheroyalladyleanedtowardthemandthestemssnappedandseparatedfromherfeet。Shewasnotatallheavy，sotheWizardandDorothymanagedtolifthergentlytotheground。
　　Thebeautifulcreaturepassedherhandsoverhereyesaninstant，tuckedinastraylockofhairthathadbecomedisarranged，andafteralookaroundthegardenmadethosepresentagraciousbowandsaid，inasweetbuteventonedvoice：
　　"Ithankyouverymuch。"
　　"WesaluteyourRoyalHighness！"criedtheWizard，kneelingandkissingherhand。
　　JustthenthevoiceofthePrincewasheardcallinguponthemtohasten，andamomentlaterhereturnedtotheenclosure，followedbyanumberofhispeople。
　　InstantlythePrincessturnedandfacedhim，andwhenhesawthatshewaspickedthePrincestoodstillandbegantotremble。
　　"Sir，"saidtheRoyalLady，withmuchdignity，"youhavewrongedmegreatly，andwouldhavewrongedmestillmorehadnotthesestrangerscometomyrescue。Ihavebeenreadyforpickingallthepastweek，butbecauseyouwereselfishanddesiredtocontinueyourunlawfulrule，youleftmetostandsilentuponmybush。"
　　"Ididnotknowthatyouwereripe，"answeredthePrince，inalowvoice。
　　"GivemetheStarofRoyalty！"shecommanded。
　　SlowlyhetooktheshiningstarfromhisownbrowandplacedituponthatofthePrincess。Thenallthepeoplebowedlowtoher，andthePrinceturnedandwalkedawayalone。Whatbecameofhimafterwardourfriendsneverknew。
　　ThepeopleofMangaboonowformedthemselvesintoaprocessionandmarchedtowardtheglasscitytoescorttheirnewrulertoherpalaceandtoperformthoseceremoniespropertotheoccasion。ButwhilethepeopleintheprocessionwalkeduponthegroundthePrincesswalkedintheairjustabovetheirheads，toshowthatshewasasuperiorbeingandmoreexaltedthanhersubjects。
　　Noonenowseemedtopayanyattentiontothestrangers，soDorothyandZebandtheWizardletthetrainpassonandthenwanderedbythemselvesintothevegetablegardens。Theydidnotbothertocrossthebridgesoverthebrooks，butwhentheycametoastreamtheysteppedhighandwalkedintheairtotheotherside。Thiswasaveryinterestingexperiencetothem，andDorothysaid：
　　"Iwonderwhyitisthatwecanwalksoeasilyintheair。"
　　"Perhaps，"answeredtheWizard，"itisbecauseweareclosetothecenteroftheearth，wheretheattractionofgravitationisveryslight。
　　ButI’venoticedthatmanyqueerthingshappeninfairycountries。"
　　"Isthisafairycountry？"askedtheboy。
　　"Ofcourseitis，"returnedDorothypromptly。"Onlyafairycountrycouldhaveveg’tablepeople;andonlyinafairycountrycouldEurekaandJimtalkaswedo。"
　　"That’strue，"saidZeb，thoughtfully。
　　Inthevegetablegardenstheyfoundthestrawberriesandmelons，andseveralotherunknownbutdeliciousfruits，ofwhichtheyateheartily。Butthekittenbotheredthemconstantlybydemandingmilkormeat，andcalledtheWizardnamesbecausehecouldnotbringheradishofmilkbymeansofhismagicalarts。
　　AstheysatuponthegrasswatchingJim，whowasstillbusilyeating，Eurekasaid：
　　"Idon’tbelieveyouareaWizardatall！"
　　"No，"answeredthelittleman，"youarequiteright。InthestrictsenseofthewordIamnotaWizard，butonlyahumbug。"
　　"TheWizardofOzhasalwaysbeenahumbug，"agreedDorothy。"I’veknownhimforalongtime。"
　　"Ifthatisso，"saidtheboy，"howcouldhedothatwonderfultrickwiththeninetinypiglets？"
　　"Don’tknow，"saidDorothy，"butitmusthavebeenhumbug。"
　　"Verytrue，"declaredtheWizard，noddingather。"ItwasnecessarytodeceivethatuglySorcererandthePrince，aswellastheirstupidpeople;butIdon’tmindtellingyou，whoaremyfriends，thatthethingwasonlyatrick。"
　　"ButIsawthelittlepigswithmyowneyes！"exclaimedZeb。
　　"SodidI，"purredthekitten。
　　"Tobesure，"answeredtheWizard。"Yousawthembecausetheywerethere。Theyareinmyinsidepocketnow。Butthepullingofthemapartandpushingthemtogetheragainwasonlyasleight-of-handtrick。"
　　"Let’sseethepigs，"saidEureka，eagerly。
　　Thelittlemanfeltcarefullyinhispocketandpulledoutthetinypiglets，settingthemuponthegrassonebyone，wheretheyranaroundandnibbledthetenderblades。
　　"They’rehungry，too，"hesaid。
　　"Oh，whatcunningthings！"criedDorothy，catchinguponeandpettingit。
　　"Becareful！"saidthepiglet，withasqueal，"you’resqueezingme！"
　　"Dearme！"murmuredtheWizard，lookingathispetsinastonishment。
　　"Theycanactuallytalk！"
　　"MayIeatoneofthem？"askedthekitten，inapleadingvoice。"I’mawfullyhungry。"
　　"Why，Eureka，"saidDorothy，reproachfully，"whatacruelquestion！
　　Itwouldbedreadfultoeatthesedearlittlethings。"
　　"Ishouldsayso！"gruntedanotherofthepiglets，lookinguneasilyatthekitten;"catsarecruelthings。"
　　"I’mnotcruel，"repliedthekitten，yawning。"I’mjusthungry。"
　　"Youcannoteatmypiglets，evenifyouarestarving，"declaredthelittleman，inasternvoice。"TheyaretheonlythingsIhavetoproveI’mawizard。"
　　"Howdidtheyhappentobesolittle？"askedDorothy。"Ineversawsuchsmallpigsbefore。"
　　"TheyarefromtheIslandofTeenty-Weent，"saidtheWizard，"whereeverythingissmallbecauseit’sasmallisland。AsailorbroughtthemtoLosAngelesandIgavehimnineticketstothecircusforthem。"
　　"ButwhatamIgoingtoeat？"wailedthekitten，sittinginfrontofDorothyandlookingpleadinglyintoherface。"Therearenocowsheretogivemilk;oranymice，orevengrasshoppers。AndifIcan’teatthepigletsyoumayaswellplantmeatonceandraisecatsup。"
　　"Ihaveanidea，"saidtheWizard，"thattherearefishesinthesebrooks。Doyoulikefish？"
　　"Fish！"criedthekitten。"DoIlikefish？Why，they’rebetterthanpiglets——orevenmilk！"
　　"ThenI’lltrytocatchyousome，"saidhe。
　　"Butwon’ttheybeveg’table，likeeverythingelsehere？"askedthekitten。
　　"Ithinknot。Fishesarenotanimals，andtheyareascoldandmoistasthevegetablesthemselves。Thereisnoreason，thatIcansee，whytheymaynotexistinthewatersofthisstrangecountry。"
　　ThentheWizardbentapinforahookandtookalongpieceofstringfromhispocketforafish-line。Theonlybaithecouldfindwasabrightredblossomfromaflower;butheknewfishesareeasytofoolifanythingbrightattractstheirattention，sohedecidedtotrytheblossom。Havingthrowntheendofhislineinthewaterofanearbybrookhesoonfeltasharptugthattoldhimafishhadbittenandwascaughtonthebentpin;sothelittlemandrewinthestringand，sureenough，thefishcamewithitandwaslandedsafelyontheshore，whereitbegantofloparoundingreatexcitement。
　　Thefishwasfatandround，anditsscalesglistenedlikebeautifullycutjewelssetclosetogether;buttherewasnotimetoexamineitclosely，forEurekamadeajumpandcaughtitbetweenherclaws，andinafewmomentsithadentirelydisappeared。
　　"Oh，Eureka！"criedDorothy，"didyoueatthebones？"
　　"Ifithadanybones，Iatethem，"repliedthekitten，composedly，asitwasheditsfaceafterthemeal。"ButIdon’tthinkthatfishhadanybones，becauseIdidn’tfeelthemscratchmythroat。"
　　"Youwereverygreedy，"saidthegirl。
　　"Iwasveryhungry，"repliedthekitten。
　　Thelittlepigshadstoodhuddledinagroup，watchingthisscenewithfrightenedeyes。
　　"Catsaredreadfulcreatures！"saidoneofthem。
　　"I’mgladwearenotfishes！"saidanother。
　　"Don’tworry，"Dorothymurmured，soothingly，"I’llnotletthekittenhurtyou。"
　　Thenshehappenedtorememberthatinacornerofhersuit-casewereoneortwocrackersthatwereleftoverfromherluncheononthetrain，andshewenttothebuggyandbroughtthem。Eurekastuckuphernoseatsuchfood，butthetinypigletssquealeddelightedlyatthesightofthecrackersandatethemupinajiffy。
　　"Nowletusgobacktothecity，"suggestedtheWizard。"Thatis，ifJimhashadenoughofthepinkgrass。"
　　Thecab-horse，whowasbrowsingnear，liftedhisheadwithasigh。
　　"I’vetriedtoeatalotwhileIhadthechance，"saidhe，"forit’slikelytobealongwhilebetweenmealsinthisstrangecountry。ButI’mreadytogo，now，atanytimeyouwish。"
　　So，aftertheWizardhadputthepigletsbackintohisinsidepocket，wheretheycuddledupandwenttosleep，thethreeclimbedintothebuggyandJimstartedbacktothetown。
　　"Whereshallwestay？"askedthegirl。
　　"IthinkIshalltakepossessionoftheHouseoftheSorcerer，"
　　repliedtheWizard;"forthePrincesaidinthepresenceofhispeoplethathewouldkeepmeuntiltheypickedanotherSorcerer，andthenewPrincesswon’tknowbutthatwebelongthere。"
　　Theyagreedtothisplan，andwhentheyreachedthegreatsquareJimdrewthebuggyintothebigdoorofthedomedhall。
　　"Itdoesn’tlookveryhomelike，"saidDorothy，gazingaroundatthebareroom。"Butit’saplacetostay，anyhow。"
　　"Whatarethoseholesupthere？"enquiredtheboy，pointingtosomeopeningsthatappearednearthetopofthedome。
　　"Theylooklikedoorways，"saidDorothy;"onlytherearenostairstogettothem。"
　　"Youforgetthatstairsareunnecessary，"observedtheWizard。"Letuswalkup，andseewherethedoorsleadto。"
　　Withthishebeganwalkingintheairtowardthehighopenings，andDorothyandZebfollowedhim。Itwasthesamesortofclimboneexperienceswhenwalkingupahill，andtheywerenearlyoutofbreathwhentheycametotherowofopenings，whichtheyperceivedtobedoorwaysleadingintohallsintheupperpartofthehouse。Followingthesehallstheydiscoveredmanysmallroomsopeningfromthem，andsomewerefurnishedwithglassbenches，tablesandchairs。Buttherewerenobedsatall。
　　"Iwonderifthesepeopleneversleep，"saidthegirl。
　　"Why，thereseemstobenonightatallinthiscountry，"Zebreplied。
　　"Thosecoloredsunsareexactlyinthesameplacetheywerewhenwecame，andifthereisnosunsettherecanbenonight。"
　　"Verytrue，"agreedtheWizard。"ButitisalongtimesinceIhavehadanysleep，andI’mtired。SoIthinkIshallliedownupononeofthesehardglassbenchesandtakeanap。"
　　"Iwill，too，"saidDorothy，andchosealittleroomattheendofthehall。
　　ZebwalkeddownagaintounharnessJim，who，whenhefoundhimselffree，rolledoverafewtimesandthensettleddowntosleep，withEurekanestlingcomfortablybesidehisbig，boneybody。Thentheboyreturnedtooneoftheupperrooms，andinspiteofthehardnessoftheglassbenchwassoondeepinslumberland。
　　6。TheMangaboosProveDangerousWhentheWizardawokethesixcoloredsunswereshiningdownupontheLandoftheMangaboosjustastheyhaddoneeversincehisarrival。
　　Thelittleman，havinghadagoodsleep，feltrestedandrefreshed，andlookingthroughtheglasspartitionoftheroomhesawZebsittinguponhisbenchandyawning。SotheWizardwentintohim。
　　"Zeb，"saidhe，"myballoonisofnofurtheruseinthisstrangecountry，soImayaswellleaveitonthesquarewhereitfell。Butinthebasket-cararesomethingsIwouldliketokeepwithme。I
　　wishyouwouldgoandfetchmysatchel，twolanterns，andacanofkeroseneoilthatisundertheseat。ThereisnothingelsethatI
　　careabout。"
　　Sotheboywentwillinglyupontheerrand，andbythetimehehadreturnedDorothywasawake。Thenthethreeheldacounseltodecidewhattheyshoulddonext，butcouldthinkofnowaytobettertheircondition。
　　"Idon’tliketheseveg’tablepeople，"saidthelittlegirl。"They’recoldandflabby，likecabbages，inspiteoftheirprettiness。"
　　"Iagreewithyou。Itisbecausethereisnowarmbloodinthem，"
　　remarkedtheWizard。
　　"Andtheyhavenohearts;sotheycan’tloveanyone——noteventhemselves，"declaredtheboy。
　　"ThePrincessislovelytolookat，"continuedDorothy，thoughtfully;
　　"butIdon’tcaremuchforher，afterall。Iftherewasanyotherplacetogo，I’dliketogothere。"
　　"ButISthereanyotherplace？"askedtheWizard。
　　"Idon’tknow，"sheanswered。
　　JustthentheyheardthebigvoiceofJimthecab-horsecallingtothem，andgoingtothedoorwayleadingtothedometheyfoundthePrincessandathrongofherpeoplehadenteredtheHouseoftheSorcerer。
　　Sotheywentdowntogreetthebeautifulvegetablelady，whosaidtothem：
　　"Ihavebeentalkingwithmyadvisorsaboutyoumeatpeople，andwehavedecidedthatyoudonotbelongintheLandoftheMangaboosandmustnotremainhere。"
　　"Howcanwegoaway？"askedDorothy。
　　"Oh，youcannotgoaway，ofcourse;soyoumustbedestroyed，"wastheanswer。
　　"Inwhatway？"enquiredtheWizard。
　　"WeshallthrowyouthreepeopleintotheGardenoftheTwiningVines，"saidthePrincess，"andtheywillsooncrushyouanddevouryourbodiestomakethemselvesgrowbigger。TheanimalsyouhavewithyouwewilldrivetothemountainsandputintotheBlackPit。Thenourcountrywillberidofallitsunwelcomevisitors。"
　　"ButyouareinneedofaSorcerer，"saidtheWizard，"andnotoneofthosegrowingisyetripeenoughtopick。Iamgreaterthananythorn-coveredsorcererthateverygrewinyourgarden。Whydestroyme？"
　　"ItistrueweneedaSorcerer，"acknowledgedthePrincess，"butIaminformedthatoneofourownwillbereadytopickinafewdays，totaketheplaceofGwig，whomyoucutintwobeforeitwastimeforhimtobeplanted。Letusseeyourarts，andthesorceriesyouareabletoperform。ThenIwilldecidewhethertodestroyyouwiththeothersornot。"
　　AtthistheWizardmadeabowtothepeopleandrepeatedhistrickofproducingtheninetinypigletsandmakingthemdisappearagain。Hediditverycleverly，indeed，andthePrincesslookedatthestrangepigletsasifshewereastrulyastonishedasanyvegetablepersoncouldbe。Butafterwardshesaid：
　　"Ihaveheardofthiswonderfulmagic。Butitaccomplishesnothingofvalue。Whatelsecanyoudo？"
　　TheWizardtriedtothink。Thenhejointedtogetherthebladesofhisswordandbalanceditveryskillfullyupontheendofhisnose。ButeventhatdidnotsatisfythePrincess。
　　JustthenhiseyefelluponthelanternsandthecanofkeroseneoilwhichZebhadbroughtfromthecarofhisballoon，andhegotacleverideafromthosecommonplacethings。
　　"YourHighness，"saidhe，"Iwillnowproceedtoprovemymagicbycreatingtwosunsthatyouhaveneverseenbefore;alsoIwillexhibitaDestroyermuchmoredreadfulthatyourClingingVines。"
　　SoheplacedDorothyupononesideofhimandtheboyupontheotherandsetalanternuponeachoftheirheads。
　　"Don’tlaugh，"hewhisperedtothem，"oryouwillspoiltheeffectofmymagic。"
　　Then，withmuchdignityandalookofvastimportanceuponhiswrinkledface，theWizardgotouthismatch-boxandlightedthetwolanterns。Theglaretheymadewasverysmallwhencomparedwiththeradianceofthesixgreatcoloredsuns;butstilltheygleamedsteadilyandclearly。TheMangaboosweremuchimpressedbecausetheyhadneverbeforeseenanylightthatdidnotcomedirectlyfromtheirsuns。
　　NexttheWizardpouredapoolofoilfromthecanupontheglassfloor，whereitcoveredquiteabroadsurface。Whenhelightedtheoilahundredtonguesofflameshotup，andtheeffectwasreallyimposing。
　　"Now，Princess，"exclaimedtheWizard，"thoseofyouradvisorswhowishedtothrowusintotheGardenofClingingVinesmuststepwithinthiscircleoflight。Iftheyadvisedyouwell，andwereintheright，theywillnotbeinjuredinanyway。Butifanyadvisedyouwrongly，thelightwillwitherhim。"
　　TheadvisorsofthePrincessdidnotlikethistest;butshecommandedthemtostepintotheflameandonebyonetheydidso，andwerescorchedsobadlythattheairwassoonfilledwithanodorlikethatofbakedpotatoes。SomeoftheMangaboosfelldownandhadtobedraggedfromthefire，andallweresowitheredthatitwouldbenecessarytoplantthematonce。
　　"Sir，"saidthePrincesstotheWizard，"youaregreaterthananySorcererwehaveeverknown。Asitisevidentthatmypeoplehaveadvisedmewrongly，IwillnotcastyouthreepeopleintothedreadfulGardenoftheClingingVines;butyouranimalsmustbedrivenintotheBlackPitinthemountain，formysubjectscannotbeartohavethemaround。"
　　TheWizardwassopleasedtohavesavedthetwochildrenandhimselfthathesaidnothingagainstthisdecree;butwhenthePrincesshadgonebothJimandEurekaprotestedtheydidnotwanttogototheBlackPit，andDorothypromisedshewoulddoallthatshecouldtosavethemfromsuchafate。
　　Fortwoorthreedaysafterthis——ifwecalldaystheperiodsbetweensleep，therebeingnonighttodividethehoursintodays——ourfriendswerenotdisturbedinanyway。TheywereevenpermittedtooccupytheHouseoftheSorcererinpeace，asifithadbeentheirown，andtowanderinthegardensinsearchoffood。
　　OncetheycameneartotheenclosedGardenoftheClingingVines，andwalkinghighintotheairlookeddownuponitwithmuchinterest。
　　Theysawamassoftoughgreenvinesallmattedtogetherandwrithingandtwistingaroundlikeanestofgreatsnakes。Everythingthevinestouchedtheycrushed，andouradventurerswereindeedthankfultohaveescapedbeingcastamongthem。
　　WhenevertheWizardwenttosleephewouldtaketheninetinypigletsfromhispocketandletthemrunaroundonthefloorofhisroomtoamusethemselvesandgetsomeexercise;andonetimetheyfoundhisglassdoorajarandwanderedintothehallandthenintothebottompartofthegreatdome，walkingthroughtheairaseasilyasEurekacould。Theyknewthekitten，bythistime，sotheyscamperedovertowhereshelaybesideJimandcommencedtofriskandplaywithher。
　　Thecab-horse，whoneversleptlongatatime，satuponhishaunchesandwatchedthetinypigletsandthekittenwithmuchapproval。
　　"Don’tberough！"hewouldcallout，ifEurekaknockedoveroneoftheround，fatpigletswithherpaw;butthepigsneverminded，andenjoyedthesportverygreatly。
　　Suddenlytheylookeduptofindtheroomfilledwiththesilent，solemn-eyedMangaboos。Eachofthevegetablefolksboreabranchcoveredwithsharpthorns，whichwasthrustdefiantlytowardthehorse，thekittenandthepiglets。
　　"Here——stopthisfoolishness！"Jimroared，angrily;butafterbeingprickedonceortwicehegotuponhisfourlegsandkeptoutofthewayofthethorns。
　　TheMangaboossurroundedtheminsolidranks，butleftanopeningtothedoorwayofthehall;sotheanimalsslowlyretreateduntiltheyweredrivenfromtheroomandoutuponthestreet。Hereweremoreofthevegetablepeoplewiththorns，andsilentlytheyurgedthenowfrightenedcreaturesdownthestreet。Jimhadtobecarefulnottostepuponthetinypiglets，whoscamperedunderhisfeetgruntingandsquealing，whileEureka，snarlingandbitingatthethornspushedtowardher，alsotriedtoprotecttheprettylittlethingsfrominjury。SlowlybutsteadilytheheartlessMangaboosdrovethemon，untiltheyhadpassedthroughthecityandthegardensandcometothebroadplainsleadingtothemountain。
　　"Whatdoesallthismean，anyhow？"askedthehorse，jumpingtoescapeathorn。
　　"Why，theyaredrivingustowardtheBlackPit，intowhichtheythreatenedtocastus，"repliedthekitten。"IfIwereasbigasyouare，Jim，I’dfightthesemiserableturnip-roots！"
　　"Whatwouldyoudo？"enquiredJim。
　　"I’dkickoutwiththoselonglegsandiron-shodhoofs。"
　　"Allright，"saidthehorse;"I’lldoit。"
　　AninstantlaterhesuddenlybackedtowardthecrowdofMangaboosandkickedouthishindlegsashardashecould。Adozenofthemsmashedtogetherandtumbledtotheground，andseeinghissuccessJimkickedagainandagain，chargingintothevegetablecrowd，knockingtheminalldirectionsandsendingtheothersscatteringtoescapehisironheels。Eurekahelpedhimbyflyingintothefacesoftheenemyandscratchingandbitingfuriously，andthekittenruinedsomanyvegetablecomplexionsthattheMangaboosfearedherasmuchastheydidthehorse。
　　Butthefoesweretoomanytoberepulsedforlong。TheytiredJimandEurekaout，andalthoughthefieldofbattlewasthicklycoveredwithmashedanddisabledMangaboos，ouranimalfriendshadtogiveupatlastandallowthemselvestobedriventothemountain。
　　7。IntotheBlackPitandOutAgainWhentheycametothemountainitprovedtobearugged，toweringchunkofdeepgreenglass，andlookeddismalandforbiddingintheextreme。Halfwayupthesteepwasayawningcave，blackasnightbeyondthepointwheretherainbowraysofthecoloredsunsreachedintoit。
　　TheMangaboosdrovethehorseandthekittenandthepigletsintothisdarkholeandthen，havingpushedthebuggyinafterthem——foritseemedsomeofthemhaddraggeditallthewayfromthedomedhall——theybegantopilebigglassrockswithintheentrance，sothattheprisonerscouldnotgetoutagain。
　　"Thisisdreadful！"groanedJim。"Itwillbeabouttheendofouradventures，Iguess。"
　　"IftheWizardwashere，"saidoneofthepiglets，sobbingbitterly，"hewouldnotseeussufferso。"
　　"WeoughttohavecalledhimandDorothywhenwewerefirstattacked，"
　　addedEureka。"Butnevermind;bebrave，myfriends，andIwillgoandtellourmasterswhereyouare，andgetthemtocometoyourrescue。"
　　Themouthoftheholewasnearlyfilledupnow，butthekittengavealeapthroughtheremainingopeningandatoncescamperedupintotheair。TheMangaboossawherescape，andseveralofthemcaughtuptheirthornsandgavechase，mountingthroughtheairafterher。
　　Eureka，however，waslighterthantheMangaboos，andwhiletheycouldmountonlyaboutahundredfeetabovetheearththekittenfoundshecouldgonearlytwohundredfeet。SosheranalongovertheirheadsuntilshehadleftthemfarbehindandbelowandhadcometothecityandtheHouseoftheSorcerer。TheresheenteredinatDorothy’swindowinthedomeandarousedherfromhersleep。
　　AssoonasthelittlegirlknewwhathadhappenedsheawakenedtheWizardandZeb，andatoncepreparationsweremadetogototherescueofJimandthepiglets。TheWizardcarriedhissatchel，whichwasquiteheavy，andZebcarriedthetwolanternsandtheoilcan。
　　Dorothy’swickersuit-casewasstillundertheseatofthebuggy，andbygoodfortunetheboyhadalsoplacedtheharnessinthebuggywhenhehadtakenitofffromJimtoletthehorseliedownandrest。Sotherewasnothingforthegirltocarrybutthekitten，whichsheheldclosetoherbosomandtriedtocomfort，foritslittleheartwasstillbeatingrapidly。
　　SomeoftheMangaboosdiscoveredthemassoonastheylefttheHouseoftheSorcerer;butwhentheystartedtowardthemountainthevegetablepeopleallowedthemtoproceedwithoutinterference，yetfollowedinacrowdbehindthemsothattheycouldnotgobackagain。
　　BeforelongtheynearedtheBlackPit，whereabusyswarmofMangaboos，headedbytheirPrincess，wasengagedinpilingupglassrocksbeforetheentrance。
　　"Stop，Icommandyou！"criedtheWizard，inanangrytone，andatoncebeganpullingdowntherockstoliberateJimandthepiglets。Insteadofopposinghiminthistheystoodbackinsilenceuntilhehadmadeagood-sizedholeinthebarrier，whenbyorderofthePrincesstheyallsprangforwardandthrustouttheirsharpthorns。
　　Dorothyhoppedinsidetheopeningtoescapebeingpricked，andZebandtheWizard，afterenduringafewstabsfromthethorns，weregladtofollowher。AtoncetheMangaboosbeganpilinguptherocksofglassagain，andasthelittlemanrealizedthattheywereallabouttobeentombedinthemountainhesaidtothechildren：
　　"Mydears，whatshallwedo？Jumpoutandfight？"
　　"What’stheuse？"repliedDorothy。"I’dassoondiehereaslivemuchlongeramongthesecruelandheartlesspeople。"
　　"That’sthewayIfeelaboutit，"remarkedZeb，rubbinghiswounds。
　　"I’vehadenoughoftheMangaboos。"
　　"Allright，"saidtheWizard;"I’mwithyou，whateveryoudecide。Butwecan’tlivelonginthiscavern，that’scertain。"
　　Noticingthatthelightwasgrowingdimhepickeduphisninepiglets，pattedeachonelovinglyonitsfatlittlehead，andplacedthemcarefullyinhisinsidepocket。
　　Zebstruckamatchandlightedoneofthelanterns。Theraysofthecoloredsunswerenowshutoutfromthemforever，forthelastchinkshadbeenfilledupinthewallthatseparatedtheirprisonfromtheLandoftheMangaboos。
　　"Howbigisthishole？"askedDorothy。
　　"I’llexploreitandsee，"repliedtheboy。
　　Sohecarriedthelanternbackforquiteadistance，whileDorothyandtheWizardfollowedathisside。Thecaverndidnotcometoanend，astheyhadexpecteditwould，butslantedupwardthroughthegreatglassmountain，runninginadirectionthatpromisedtoleadthemtothesideoppositetheMangaboocountry。
　　"Itisn’tabadroad，"observedtheWizard，"andifwefollowedititmightleadustosomeplacethatismorecomfortablethanthisblackpocketwearenowin。Isupposethevegetablefolkwerealwaysafraidtoenterthiscavernbecauseitisdark;butwehaveourlanternstolighttheway，soIproposethatwestartoutanddiscoverwherethistunnelinthemountainleadsto。"
　　Theothersagreedreadilytothissensiblesuggestion，andatoncetheboybegantoharnessJimtothebuggy。WhenallwasinreadinessthethreetooktheirseatsinthebuggyandJimstartedcautiouslyalongtheway，ZebdrivingwhiletheWizardandDorothyeachheldalightedlanternsothehorsecouldseewheretogo。
　　Sometimesthetunnelwassonarrowthatthewheelsofthebuggygrazedthesides;thenitwouldbroadenoutaswideasastreet;butthefloorwasusuallysmooth，andforalongtimetheytravelledonwithoutanyaccident。Jimstoppedsometimestorest，fortheclimbwasrathersteepandtiresome。
　　"Wemustbenearlyashighasthesixcoloredsuns，bythistime，"
　　saidDorothy。"Ididn’tknowthismountainwassotall。"
　　"WearecertainlyagooddistanceawayfromtheLandoftheMangaboos，"
　　addedZeb;"forwehaveslantedawayfromiteversincewestarted。"
　　Buttheykeptsteadilymoving，andjustasJimwasabouttiredoutwithhislongjourneythewaysuddenlygrewlighter，andZebputoutthelanternstosavetheoil。
　　Totheirjoytheyfounditwasawhitelightthatnowgreetedthem，forallwerewearyofthecoloredrainbowlightswhich，afteratime，hadmadetheireyesachewiththeirconstantlyshiftingrays。Thesidesofthetunnelshowedbeforethemliketheinsideofalongspy-glass，andthefloorbecamemorelevel。Jimhastenedhislaggingstepsatthisassuranceofaquickrelieffromthedarkpassage，andinafewmomentsmoretheyhademergedfromthemountainandfoundthemselvesfacetofacewithanewandcharmingcountry。
　　8。TheValleyofVoicesByjourneyingthroughtheglassmountaintheyhadreachedadelightfulvalleythatwasshapedlikethehollowofagreatcup，withanotherruggedmountainshowingontheothersideofit，andsoftandprettygreenhillsattheends。Itwasalllaidoutintolovelylawnsandgardens，withpebblepathsleadingthroughthemandgrovesofbeautifulandstatelytreesdottingthelandscapehereandthere。
　　Therewereorchards，too，bearinglusciousfruitsthatareallunknowninourworld。Alluringbrooksofcrystalwaterflowedsparklingbetweentheirflower-strewnbanks，whilescatteredoverthevalleyweredozensofthequaintestandmostpicturesquecottagesourtravelershadeverbeheld。Noneofthemwereinclusters，suchasvillagesortowns，buteachhadamplegroundsofitsown，withorchardsandgardenssurroundingit。
　　Asthenewarrivalsgazeduponthisexquisitescenetheywereenrapturedbyitsbeautiesandthefragrancethatpermeatedthesoftair，whichtheybreathedsogratefullyaftertheconfinedatmosphereofthetunnel。Severalminuteswereconsumedinsilentadmirationbeforetheynoticedtwoverysingularandunusualfactsaboutthisvalley。Onewasthatitwaslightedfromsomeunseensource;fornosunormoonwasinthearchedbluesky，althougheveryobjectwasfloodedwithaclearandperfectlight。Thesecondandevenmoresingularfactwastheabsenceofanyinhabitantofthissplendidplace。Fromtheirelevatedpositiontheycouldoverlooktheentirevalley，butnotasinglemovingobjectcouldtheysee。Allappearedmysteriouslydeserted。
　　Themountainonthissidewasnotglass，butmadeofastonesimilartogranite。WithsomedifficultyanddangerJimdrewthebuggyoverthelooserocksuntilhereachedthegreenlawnsbelow，wherethepathsandorchardsandgardensbegan。Thenearestcottagewasstillsomedistanceaway。
　　"Isn’titfine？"criedDorothy，inajoyousvoice，asshesprangoutofthebuggyandletEurekarunfrolickingoverthevelvetygrass。
　　"Yes，indeed！"answeredZeb。"Wewereluckytogetawayfromthosedreadfulvegetablepeople。"
　　"Itwouldn’tbesobad，"remarkedtheWizard，gazingaroundhim，"ifwewereobligedtoliveherealways。Wecouldn’tfindaprettierplace，I’msure。"
　　Hetookthepigletsfromhispocketandletthemrunonthegrass，andJimtastedamouthfulofthegreenbladesanddeclaredhewasverycontentedinhisnewsurroundings。
　　"Wecan’twalkintheairhere，though，"calledEureka，whohadtrieditandfailed;buttheothersweresatisfiedtowalkontheground，andtheWizardsaidtheymustbenearerthesurfaceoftheearththentheyhadbeenintheMangaboocountry，foreverythingwasmorehomelikeandnatural。
　　"Butwherearethepeople？"askedDorothy。
　　Thelittlemanshookhisbaldhead。
　　"Can’timagine，mydear，"hereplied。
　　Theyheardthesuddentwitteringofabird，butcouldnotfindthecreatureanywhere。Slowlytheywalkedalongthepathtowardthenearestcottage，thepigletsracingandgambollingbesidethemandJimpausingateverystepforanothermouthfulofgrass。
　　Presentlytheycametoalowplantwhichhadbroad，spreadingleaves，inthecenterofwhichgrewasinglefruitaboutaslargeasapeach。
　　Thefruitwassodaintilycoloredandsofragrant，andlookedsoappetizinganddeliciousthatDorothystoppedandexclaimed：
　　"Whatisit，doyous’pose？"
　　Thepigletshadsmelledthefruitquickly，andbeforethegirlcouldreachoutherhandtopluckiteveryoneoftheninetinyoneshadrushedinandcommencedtodevouritwithgreateagerness。
　　"It’sgood，anyway，"saidZeb，"orthoselittlerascalswouldn’thavegobbleditupsogreedily。"
　　"Wherearethey？"askedDorothy，inastonishment。
　　Theyalllookedaround，butthepigletshaddisappeared。
　　"Dearme！"criedtheWizard;"theymusthaverunaway。ButIdidn’tseethemgo;didyou？"
　　"No！"repliedtheboyandthegirl，together。
　　"Here，——piggy，piggy，piggy！"calledtheirmaster，anxiously。
　　Severalsquealsandgruntswereinstantlyheardathisfeet，buttheWizardcouldnotdiscoverasinglepiglet。
　　"Whereareyou？"heasked。
　　"Why，rightbesideyou，"spokeatinyvoice。"Can’tyouseeus？"
　　"No，"answeredthelittleman，inapuzzledtone。
　　"Wecanseeyou，"saidanotherofthepiglets。
　　TheWizardstoopeddownandputouthishand，andatoncefeltthesmallfatbodyofoneofhispets。Hepickeditup，butcouldnotseewhatheheld。
　　"Itisverystrange，"saidhe，soberly。"Thepigletshavebecomeinvisible，insomecuriousway。"
　　"I’llbetit’sbecausetheyatethatpeach！"criedthekitten。
　　"Itwasn’tapeach，Eureka，"saidDorothy。"Ionlyhopeitwasn’tpoison。"
　　"Itwasfine，Dorothy，"calledoneofthepiglets。
　　"We’lleatallwecanfindofthem，"saidanother。
　　"ButWEmus’n’teatthem，"theWizardwarnedthechildren，"orwetoomaybecomeinvisible，andloseeachother。Ifwecomeacrossanotherofthestrangefruitwemustavoidit。"
　　Callingthepigletstohimhepickedthemallup，onebyone，andputthemawayinhispocket;foralthoughhecouldnotseethemhecouldfeelthem，andwhenhehadbuttonedhiscoatheknewtheyweresafeforthepresent。
　　Thetravellersnowresumedtheirwalktowardthecottage，whichtheypresentlyreached。Itwasaprettyplace，withvinesgrowingthicklyoverthebroadfrontporch。Thedoorstoodopenandatablewassetinthefrontroom，withfourchairsdrawnuptoit。Onthetablewereplates，knivesandforks，anddishesofbread，meatandfruits。
　　Themeatwassmokinghotandtheknivesandforkswereperformingstrangeanticsandjumpinghereandthereinquiteapuzzlingway。
　　Butnotasinglepersonappearedtobeintheroom。
　　"Howfunny！"exclaimedDorothy，whowithZebandtheWizardnowstoodinthedoorway。
　　Apealofmerrylaughteransweredher，andtheknivesandforksfelltotheplateswithaclatter。Oneofthechairspushedbackfromthetable，andthiswassoastonishingandmysteriousthatDorothywasalmosttemptedtorunawayinfright。
　　"Herearestrangers，mama！"criedtheshrillandchildishvoiceofsomeunseenperson。
　　"SoIsee，mydear，"answeredanothervoice，softandwomanly。
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"demandedathirdvoice，inastern，gruffaccent。
　　"Well，well！"saidtheWizard;"aretherereallypeopleinthisroom？"
　　"Ofcourse，"repliedtheman’svoice。
　　"And——pardonmeforthefoolishquestion——but，areyouallinvisible？"
　　"Surely，"thewomananswered，repeatingherlow，ripplinglaughter。
　　"AreyousurprisedthatyouareunabletoseethepeopleofVoe？"
　　"Why，yes，"stammeredtheWizard。"AllthepeopleIhaveevermetbeforewereveryplaintosee。"
　　"Wheredoyoucomefrom，then？"askedthewoman，inacurioustone。
　　"Webelonguponthefaceoftheearth，"explainedtheWizard，"butrecently，duringanearthquake，wefelldownacrackandlandedintheCountryoftheMangaboos。"
　　"Dreadfulcreatures！"exclaimedthewoman’svoice。"I’veheardofthem。"
　　"Theywalledusupinamountain，"continuedtheWizard;"butwefoundtherewasatunnelthroughtothisside，sowecamehere。Itisabeautifulplace。Whatdoyoucallit？"
　　"ItistheValleyofVoe。"
　　"Thankyou。Wehaveseennopeoplesincewearrived，sowecametothishousetoenquireourway。"
　　"Areyouhungry？"askedthewoman’svoice。
　　"Icouldeatsomething，"saidDorothy。
　　"SocouldI，"addedZeb。
　　"Butwedonotwishtointrude，Iassureyou，"theWizardhastenedtosay。
　　"That’sallright，"returnedtheman’svoice，morepleasantlythanbefore。"Youarewelcometowhatwehave。"
　　AshespokethevoicecamesoneartoZebthathejumpedbackinalarm。Twochildishvoiceslaughedmerrilyatthisaction，andDorothywassuretheywereinnodangeramongsuchlight-heartedfolks，evenifthosefolkscouldn’tbeseen。
　　"Whatcuriousanimalisthatwhichiseatingthegrassonmylawn？"
　　enquiredtheman’svoice。
　　"That’sJim，"saidthegirl。"He’sahorse。"
　　"Whatishegoodfor？"wasthenextquestion。
　　"Hedrawsthebuggyyouseefastenedtohim，andwerideinthebuggyinsteadofwalking，"sheexplained。
　　"Canhefight？"askedtheman’svoice。
　　"No！hecankickprettyhardwithhisheels，andbitealittle;butJimcan’t’zactlyfight，"shereplied。
　　"Thenthebearswillgethim，"saidoneofthechildren’svoices。
　　"Bears！"exclaimedDorothy。"Arethesebearshere？"
　　"Thatistheoneevilofourcountry，"answeredtheinvisibleman。
　　"ManylargeandfiercebearsroamintheValleyofVoe，andwhentheycancatchanyofustheyeatusup;butastheycannotseeus，weseldomgetcaught。"
　　"Arethebearsinvis’ble，too？"askedthegirl。
　　"Yes;fortheyeatofthedama-fruit，aswealldo，andthatkeepsthemfrombeingseenbyanyeye，whetherhumanoranimal。"
　　"Doesthedama-fruitgrowonalowbush，andlooksomethinglikeapeach？"askedtheWizard。
　　"Yes，"wasthereply。
　　"Ifitmakesyouinvis’ble，whydoyoueatit？"Dorothyenquired。
　　"Fortworeasons，mydear，"thewoman’svoiceanswered。"Thedama-fruitisthemostdeliciousthingthatgrows，andwhenitmakesusinvisiblethebearscannotfindustoeatusup。Butnow，goodwanderers，yourluncheonisonthetable，sopleasesitdownandeatasmuchasyoulike。"
　　9。TheyFighttheInvisibleBearsThestrangerstooktheirseatsatthetablewillinglyenough，fortheywereallhungryandtheplatterswerenowheapedwithgoodthingstoeat。Infrontofeachplacewasaplatebearingoneofthedeliciousdama-fruit，andtheperfumethatrosefromthesewassoenticingandsweetthattheyweresorelytemptedtoeatofthemandbecomeinvisible。
　　ButDorothysatisfiedherhungerwithotherthings，andhercompanionsdidlikewise，resistingthetemptation。
　　"Whydoyounoteatthedamas？"askedthewoman’svoice。
　　"Wedon’twanttogetinvis’ble，"answeredthegirl。
　　"Butifyouremainvisiblethebearswillseeyouanddevouryou，"
　　saidagirlishyoungvoice，thatbelongedtooneofthechildren。"Wewholiveheremuchprefertobeinvisible;forwecanstillhugandkissoneanother，andarequitesafefromthebears。"
　　"Andwedonothavetobesoparticularaboutourdress，"
　　remarkedtheman。
　　"Andmamacan’ttellwhethermyfaceisdirtyornot！"addedtheotherchildishvoice，gleefully。
　　"ButImakeyouwashit，everytimeIthinkofit，"saidthemother;
　　"foritstandstoreasonyourfaceisdirty，Ianu，whetherIcanseeitornot。"
　　Dorothylaughedandstretchedoutherhands。
　　"Comehere，please——Ianuandyoursister——andletmefeelofyou，"
　　sherequested。
　　Theycametoherwillingly，andDorothypassedherhandsovertheirfacesandformsanddecidedonewasagirlofaboutherownageandtheotheraboysomewhatsmaller。Thegirl’shairwassoftandfluffyandherskinassmoothassatin。WhenDorothygentlytouchedhernoseandearsandlipstheyseemedtobewellanddelicatelyformed。
　　"IfIcouldseeyouIamsureyouwouldbebeautiful，"shedeclared。
　　Thegirllaughed，andhermothersaid：
　　"WearenotvainintheValleyofVoe，becausewecannotdisplayourbeauty，andgoodactionsandpleasantwaysarewhatmakeuslovelytoourcompanions。Yetwecanseeandappreciatethebeautiesofnature，thedaintyflowersandtrees，thegreenfieldsandtheclearblueofthesky。"
　　"Howaboutthebirdsandbeastsandfishes？"askedZeb。
　　"Thebirdswecannotsee，becausetheylovetoeatofthedamasasmuchaswedo;yetweheartheirsweetsongsandenjoythem。Neithercanweseethecruelbears，fortheyalsoeatthefruit。Butthefishesthatswiminourbrookswecansee，andoftenwecatchthemtoeat。"
　　"Itoccurstomeyouhaveagreatdealtomakeyouhappy，evenwhileinvisible，"remarkedtheWizard。"Nevertheless，weprefertoremainvisiblewhileweareinyourvalley。"
　　JustthenEurekacamein，forshehadbeenuntilnowwanderingoutsidewithJim;andwhenthekittensawthetablesetwithfoodshecriedout：
　　"Nowyoumustfeedme，Dorothy，forI’mhalfstarved。"
　　Thechildrenwereinclinedtobefrightenedbythesightofthesmallanimal，whichremindedthemofthebears;butDorothyreassuredthembyexplainingthatEurekawasapetandcoulddonoharmevenifshewishedto。Then，astheothershadbythistimemovedawayfromthetable，thekittenspranguponthechairandputherpawsupontheclothtoseewhattherewastoeat。Tohersurpriseanunseenhandclutchedherandheldhersuspendedintheair。Eurekawasfranticwithterror，andtriedtoscratchandbite，sothenextmomentshewasdroppedtothefloor，"Didyouseethat，Dorothy？"shegasped。
　　"Yes，dear，"hermistressreplied;"therearepeoplelivinginthishouse，althoughwecannotseethem。Andyoumusthavebettermanners，Eureka，orsomethingworsewillhappentoyou。"
　　Sheplacedaplateoffooduponthefloorandthekittenategreedily。
　　"Givemethatnice-smellingfruitIsawonthetable，"shebegged，whenshehadcleanedtheplate。
　　"Thosearedamas，"saidDorothy，"andyoumustnevereventastethem，Eureka，oryou’llgetinvis’ble，andthenwecan’tseeyouatall。"
　　Thekittengazedwistfullyattheforbiddenfruit。
　　"Doesithurttobeinvis’ble？"sheasked。
　　"Idon’tknow，"Dorothyanswered;"butitwouldhurtmedre’fullytoloseyou。"
　　"Verywell，Iwon’ttouchit，"decidedthekitten;"butyoumustkeepitawayfromme，forthesmellisverytempting。"
　　"Canyoutellus，sirorma’am，"saidtheWizard，addressingtheairbecausehedidnotquiteknowwheretheunseenpeoplestood，"ifthereisanywaywecangetoutofyourbeautifulValley，andontopoftheEarthagain。"
　　"Oh，onecanleavetheValleyeasilyenough，"answeredtheman’svoice;"buttodosoyoumustenterafarlesspleasantcountry。Asforreachingthetopoftheearth，Ihaveneverheardthatitispossibletodothat，andifyousucceededingettingthereyouwouldprobablyfalloff。"
　　"Oh，no，"saidDorothy，"we’vebeenthere，andweknow。"
　　"TheValleyofVoeiscertainlyacharmingplace，"resumedtheWizard;
　　"butwecannotbecontentedinanyotherlandthanourown，forlong。
　　Evenifweshouldcometounpleasantplacesonourwayitisnecessary，inordertoreachtheearth’ssurface，tokeepmovingontowardit。"
　　"Inthatcase，"saidtheman，"itwillbebestforyoutocrossourValleyandmountthespiralstaircaseinsidethePyramidMountain。
　　Thetopofthatmountainislostintheclouds，andwhenyoureachityouwillbeintheawfulLandofNaught，wheretheGargoyleslive。"
　　"WhatareGargoyles？"askedZeb。
　　"Idonotknow，youngsir。OurgreatestChampion，Overman-Anu，onceclimbedthespiralstairwayandfoughtninedayswiththeGargoylesbeforehecouldescapethemandcomeback;buthecouldneverbeinducedtodescribethedreadfulcreatures，andsoonafterwardabearcaughthimandatehimup。"
　　Thewanderswereratherdiscouragedbythisgloomyreport，butDorothysaidwithasigh：
　　"IftheonlywaytogethomeistomeettheGurgles，thenwe’vegottomeet’em。Theycan’tbeworsethantheWickedWitchortheNomeKing。"
　　"ButyoumustrememberyouhadtheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmantohelpyouconquerthoseenemies，"suggestedtheWizard。"Justnow，mydear，thereisnotasinglewarriorinyourcompany。"
　　"Oh，IguessZebcouldfightifhehadto。Couldn’tyou，Zeb？"askedthelittlegirl。
　　"Perhaps;ifIhadto，"answeredZeb，doubtfully。
　　"Andyouhavethejointedswordthatyouchoppedtheveg’tableSorcererintwowith，"thegirlsaidtothelittleman。
　　"True，"hereplied;"andinmysatchelareotherusefulthingstofightwith。"
　　"WhattheGargoylesmostdreadisanoise，"saidtheman’svoice。
　　"OurChampiontoldmethatwhenheshoutedhisbattle-crythecreaturesshudderedanddrewback，hesitatingtocontinuethecombat。Buttheywereingreatnumbers，andtheChampioncouldnotshoutmuchbecausehehadtosavehisbreathforfighting。"
　　"Verygood，"saidtheWizard;"wecanallyellbetterthanwecanfight，soweoughttodefeattheGargoyles。"
　　"Buttellme，"saidDorothy，"howdidsuchabraveChampionhappentoletthebearseathim？Andifhewasinvis’ble，andthebearsinvis’ble，whoknowsthattheyreallyatehimup？"
　　"TheChampionhadkilledelevenbearsinhistime，"returnedtheunseenman;"andweknowthisistruebecausewhenanycreatureisdeadtheinvisiblecharmofthedama-fruitceasestobeactive，andtheslainonecanbeplainlyseenbyalleyes。WhentheChampionkilledabeareveryonecouldseeit;andwhenthebearskilledtheChampionweallsawseveralpiecesofhimscatteredabout，whichofcoursedisappearedagainwhenthebearsdevouredthem。"
　　Theynowbadefarewelltothekindbutunseenpeopleofthecottage，andafterthemanhadcalledtheirattentiontoahigh，pyramid-shapedmountainontheoppositesideoftheValley，andtoldthemhowtotravelinordertoreachit，theyagainstartedupontheirjourney。
　　Theyfollowedthecourseofabroadstreamandpassedseveralmoreprettycottages;butofcoursetheysawnoone，nordidanyonespeaktothem。Fruitsandflowersgrewplentifullyallabout，andthereweremanyofthedeliciousdamasthatthepeopleofVoeweresofondof。
　　AboutnoontheystoppedtoallowJimtorestintheshadeofaprettyorchard，andwhiletheypluckedandatesomeofthecherriesandplumsthatgrewthereasoftvoicesuddenlysaidtothem：
　　"Therearebearsnearby。Becareful。"
　　TheWizardgotouthisswordatonce，andZebgrabbedthehorse-whip。
　　Dorothyclimbedintothebuggy，althoughJimhadbeenunharnessedfromitandwasgrazingsomedistanceaway。
　　Theowneroftheunseenvoicelaughedlightlyandsaid：
　　"Youcannotescapethebearsthatway。"
　　"HowCANwe’scape？"askedDorothy，nervously，foranunseendangerisalwaysthehardesttoface。
　　"Youmusttaketotheriver，"wasthereply。"Thebearswillnotventureuponthewater。"
　　"Butwewouldbedrowned！"exclaimedthegirl。
　　"Oh，thereisnoneedofthat，"saidthevoice，whichfromitsgentletonesseemedtobelongtoayounggirl。"YouarestrangersintheValleyofVoe，anddonotseemtoknowourways;soIwilltrytosaveyou。"
　　Thenextmomentabroad-leavedplantwasjerkedfromthegroundwhereitgrewandheldsuspendedintheairbeforetheWizard。
　　"Sir，"saidthevoice，"youmustrubtheseleavesuponthesolesofallyourfeet，andthenyouwillbeabletowalkuponthewaterwithoutsinkingbelowthesurface。Itisasecretthebearsdonotknow，andwepeopleofVoeusuallywalkuponthewaterwhenwetravel，andsoescapeourenemies。"
　　"Thankyou！"criedtheWizard，joyfully，andatoncerubbedaleafuponthesolesofDorothy’sshoesandthenuponhisown。Thegirltookaleafandrubbedituponthekitten’spaws，andtherestoftheplantwashandedtoZeb，who，afterapplyingittohisownfeet，carefullyrubbedituponallfourofJim’shoofsandthenuponthetiresofthebuggy-wheels。Hehadnearlyfinishedthislasttaskwhenalowgrowlingwassuddenlyheardandthehorsebegantojumparoundandkickviciouslywithhisheels。
　　"Quick！Tothewateroryouarelost！"criedtheirunseenfriend，andwithouthesitationtheWizarddrewthebuggydownthebankandoutuponthebroadriver，forDorothywasstillseatedinitwithEurekainherarms。Theydidnotsinkatall，owingtothevirtuesofthestrangeplanttheyhadused，andwhenthebuggywasinthemiddleofthestreamtheWizardreturnedtothebanktoassistZebandJim。
　　Thehorsewasplungingmadlyabout，andtwoorthreedeepgashesappeareduponitsflanks，fromwhichthebloodflowedfreely。
　　"Runfortheriver！"shoutedtheWizard，andJimquicklyfreedhimselffromhisunseentormentersbyafewviciouskicksandthenobeyed。
　　Assoonashetrottedoutuponthesurfaceoftheriverhefoundhimselfsafefrompursuit，andZebwasalreadyrunningacrossthewatertowardDorothy。
　　AsthelittleWizardturnedtofollowthemhefeltahotbreathagainsthischeekandheardalow，fiercegrowl。Atoncehebeganstabbingattheairwithhissword，andheknewthathehadstrucksomesubstancebecausewhenhedrewbackthebladeitwasdrippingwithblood。Thethirdtimethathethrustouttheweapontherewasaloudroarandafall，andsuddenlyathisfeetappearedtheformofagreatredbear，whichwasnearlyasbigasthehorseandmuchstrongerandfiercer。Thebeastwasquitedeadfromtheswordthrusts，andafteraglanceatitsterribleclawsandsharpteeththelittlemanturnedinapanicandrushedoutuponthewater，forothermenacinggrowlstoldhimmorebearswerenear。
　　Ontheriver，however，theadventurersseemedtobeperfectlysafe。
　　Dorothyandthebuggyhadfloatedslowlydownstreamwiththecurrentofthewater，andtheothersmadehastetojoinher。TheWizardopenedhissatchelandgotoutsomesticking-plasterwithwhichhemendedthecutsJimhadreceivedfromtheclawsofthebears。
　　"Ithinkwe’dbettersticktotheriver，afterthis，"saidDorothy。
　　"Ifourunknownfriendhadn’twarnedus，andtolduswhattodo，wewouldallbedeadbythistime。"
　　"Thatistrue，"agreedtheWizard，"andastheriverseemstobeflowinginthedirectionofthePyramidMountainitwillbetheeasiestwayforustotravel。"
　　ZebhitchedJimtothebuggyagain，andthehorsetrottedalonganddrewthemrapidlyoverthesmoothwater。Thekittenwasatfirstdreadfullyafraidofgettingwet，butDorothyletherdownandsoonEurekawasfriskingalongbesidethebuggywithoutbeingscaredabit。
　　Oncealittlefishswamtoonearthesurface，andthekittengrabbeditinhermouthandateitupasquickasawink;butDorothycautionedhertobecarefulwhatsheateinthisvalleyofenchantments，andnomorefisheswerecarelessenoughtoswimwithinreach。
　　Afterajourneyofseveralhourstheycametoapointwheretherivercurved，andtheyfoundtheymustcrossamileorsooftheValleybeforetheycametothePyramidMountain。Therewerefewhousesinthispart，andfeworchardsorflowers;soourfriendsfearedtheymightencountermoreofthesavagebears，whichtheyhadlearnedtodreadwithalltheirhearts。
　　"You’llhavetomakeadash，Jim，"saidtheWizard，"andrunasfastasyoucango。"