"Allright，"answeredthehorse;"I’lldomybest。ButyoumustrememberI’mold，andmydashingdaysarepastandgone。"
AllthreegotintothebuggyandZebpickedupthereins，thoughJimneedednoguidanceofanysort。Thehorsewasstillsmartingfromthesharpclawsoftheinvisiblebears，andassoonashewasonlandandheadedtowardthemountainthethoughtthatmoreofthosefearsomecreaturesmightbenearactedasaspurandsenthimgallopingalonginawaythatmadeDorothycatchherbreath。
ThenZeb，inaspiritofmischief，utteredagrowllikethatofthebears，andJimprickeduphisearsandfairlyflew。Hisboneylegsmovedsofasttheycouldscarcelybeseen，andtheWizardclungfasttotheseatandyelled"Whoa！"atthetopofhisvoice。
"I——I’m’fraidhe’s——he’srunningaway！"gaspedDorothy。
"IKNOWheis，"saidZeb;"butnobearcancatchhimifhekeepsupthatgait——andtheharnessorthebuggydon’tbreak。"
Jimdidnotmakeamileaminute;butalmostbeforetheywereawareofithedrewupatthefootofthemountain，sosuddenlythattheWizardandZebbothsailedoverthedashboardandlandedinthesoftgrass——wheretheyrolledoverseveraltimesbeforetheystopped。
Dorothynearlywentwiththem，butshewasholdingfasttotheironrailoftheseat，andthatsavedher。Shesqueezedthekitten，though，untilitscreeched;andthentheoldcab-horsemadeseveralcurioussoundsthatledthelittlegirltosuspecthewaslaughingatthemall。
10。TheBraidedManofPyramidMountainThemountainbeforethemwasshapedlikeaconeandwassotallthatitspointwaslostintheclouds。DirectlyfacingtheplacewhereJimhadstoppedwasanarchedopeningleadingtoabroadstairway。Thestairswerecutintherockinsidethemountain，andtheywerebroadandnotverysteep，becausetheycircledaroundlikeacork-screw，andatthearchedopeningwheretheflightbeganthecirclewasquitebig。
Atthefootofthestairswasasignreading：
WARNING。
ThesestepsleadtotheLandoftheGargoyles。
DANGER！KEEPOUT。
"IwonderhowJimisevergoingtodrawthebuggyupsomanystairs，"
saidDorothy，gravely。
"Notroubleatall，"declaredthehorse，withacontemptuousneigh。
"Still，Idon’tcaretodraganypassengers。You’llallhavetowalk。"
"Supposethestairsgetsteeper？"suggestedZeb，doubtfully。
"Thenyou’llhavetoboostthebuggy-wheels，that’sall，"answeredJim。
"We’lltryit，anyway，"saidtheWizard。"It’stheonlywaytogetoutoftheValleyofVoe。"
Sotheybegantoascendthestairs，DorothyandtheWizardfirst，Jimnext，drawingthebuggy，andthenZebtowatchthatnothinghappenedtotheharness。
Thelightwasdim，andsoontheymountedintototaldarkness，sothattheWizardwasobligedtogetouthislanternstolighttheway。Butthisenabledthemtoproceedsteadilyuntiltheycametoalandingwheretherewasariftinthesideofthemountainthatletinbothlightandair。LookingthroughthisopeningtheycouldseetheValleyofVoelyingfarbelowthem，thecottagesseemingliketoyhousesfromthatdistance。
Afterrestingafewmomentstheyresumedtheirclimb，andstillthestairswerebroadandlowenoughforJimtodrawthebuggyeasilyafterhim。Theoldhorsepantedalittle，andhadtostopoftentogethisbreath。Atsuchtimestheywereallgladtowaitforhim，forcontinuallyclimbingupstairsissuretomakeone’slegsache。
Theywoundabout，alwaysgoingupward，forsometime。Thelightsfromthelanternsdimlyshowedtheway，butitwasagloomyjourney，andtheywerepleasedwhenabroadstreakoflightaheadassuredthemtheywerecomingtoasecondlanding。
Hereonesideofthemountainhadagreatholeinit，likethemouthofacavern，andthestairsstoppedatthenearedgeofthefloorandcommencedascendingagainattheoppositeedge。
TheopeninginthemountainwasonthesideoppositetotheValleyofVoe，andourtravellerslookedoutuponastrangescene。Belowthemwasavastspace，atthebottomofwhichwasablackseawithrollingbillows，throughwhichlittletonguesofflameconstantlyshotup。
Justabovethem，andalmostonalevelwiththeirplatform，werebanksofrollingcloudswhichconstantlyshiftedpositionandchangedcolor。
Thebluesandgreyswereverybeautiful，andDorothynoticedthatonthecloudbankssatorreclinedfleecy，shadowyformsofbeautifulbeingswhomusthavebeentheCloudFairies。Mortalswhostandupontheearthandlookupattheskycannotoftendistinguishtheseforms，butourfriendswerenowsoneartothecloudsthattheyobservedthedaintyfairiesveryclearly。
"Aretheyreal？"askedZeb，inanawedvoice。
"Ofcourse，"repliedDorothy，softly。"TheyaretheCloudFairies。"
"Theyseemlikeopen-work，"remarkedtheboy，gazingintently。"IfI
shouldsqueezeone，therewouldn’tbeanythingleftofit。"
Intheopenspacebetweenthecloudsandtheblack，bubblingseafarbeneath，couldbeseenanoccasionalstrangebirdwingingitswayswiftlythroughtheair。Thesebirdswereofenormoussize，andremindedZeboftherocshehadreadaboutintheArabianNights。Theyhadfierceeyesandsharptalonsandbeaks，andthechildrenhopednoneofthemwouldventureintothecavern。
"Well，Ideclare！"suddenlyexclaimedthelittleWizard。"Whatintheworldisthis？"
Theyturnedaroundandfoundamanstandingonthefloorinthecenterofthecave，whobowedverypolitelywhenhesawhehadattractedtheirattention。Hewasaveryoldman，bentnearlydouble;butthequeerestthingabouthimwashiswhitehairandbeard。Theseweresolongthattheyreachedtohisfeet，andboththehairandthebeardwerecarefullyplaitedintomanybraids，andtheendofeachbraidfastenedwithabowofcoloredribbon。
"Wheredidyoucomefrom？"askedDorothy，wonderingly。
"Noplaceatall，"answeredthemanwiththebraids;"thatis，notrecently。OnceIlivedontoptheearth，butformanyyearsIhavehadmyfactoryinthisspot——halfwayupPyramidMountain。"
"Areweonlyhalfwayup？"enquiredtheboy，inadiscouragedtone。
"Ibelieveso，mylad，"repliedthebraidedman。"ButasIhaveneverbeenineitherdirection，downorup，sinceIarrived，Icannotbepositivewhetheritisexactlyhalfwayornot。"
"Haveyouafactoryinthisplace？"askedtheWizard，whohadbeenexaminingthestrangepersonagecarefully。
"Tobesure，"saidtheother。"Iamagreatinventor，youmustknow，andImanufacturemyproductsinthislonelyspot。"
"Whatareyourproducts？"enquiredtheWizard。
"Well，ImakeAssortedFluttersforflagsandbunting，andasuperiorgradeofRustlesforladies’silkgowns。"
"Ithoughtso，"saidtheWizard，withasigh。"Mayweexaminesomeofthesearticles？"
"Yes，indeed;comeintomyshop，please，"andthebraidedmanturnedandledthewayintoasmallercave，whereheevidentlylived。Here，onabroadshelf，wereseveralcard-boardboxesofvarioussizes，eachtiedwithcottoncord。
"This，"saidtheman，takingupaboxandhandlingitgently，"containstwelvedozenrustles——enoughtolastanyladyayear。Willyoubuyit，mydear？"heasked，addressingDorothy。
"Mygownisn’tsilk，"shesaid，smiling。
"Nevermind。Whenyouopentheboxtherustleswillescape，whetheryouarewearingasilkdressornot，"saidtheman，seriously。Thenhepickedupanotherbox。"Inthis，"hecontinued，"aremanyassortedflutters。Theyareinvaluabletomakeflagsflutteronastillday，whenthereisnowind。You，sir，"turningtotheWizard，"oughttohavethisassortment。OnceyouhavetriedmygoodsIamsureyouwillneverbewithoutthem。"
"Ihavenomoneywithme，"saidtheWizard，evasively。
"Idonotwantmoney，"returnedthebraidedman，"forIcouldnotspenditinthisdesertedplaceifIhadit。ButIwouldlikeverymuchabluehair-ribbon。Youwillnoticemybraidsaretiedwithyellow，pink，brown，red，green，whiteandblack;butIhavenoblueribbons。"
"I’llgetyouone！"criedDorothy，whowassorryforthepoorman;sosheranbacktothebuggyandtookfromhersuit-caseaprettyblueribbon。Itdidhergoodtoseehowthebraidedman’seyessparkledwhenhereceivedthistreasure。
"Youhavemademevery，veryhappy，mydear！"heexclaimed;andthenheinsistedontheWizardtakingtheboxoffluttersandthelittlegirlacceptingtheboxofrustles。
"Youmayneedthem，sometime，"hesaid，"andthereisreallynouseinmymanufacturingthesethingsunlesssomebodyusesthem。"
"Whydidyouleavethesurfaceoftheearth？"enquiredtheWizard。
"Icouldnothelpit。Itisasadstory，butifyouwilltrytorestrainyourtearsIwilltellyouaboutit。OnearthIwasamanufacturerofImportedHolesforAmericanSwissCheese，andIwillacknowledgethatIsuppliedasuperiorarticle，whichwasingreatdemand。AlsoImadeporesforporousplastersandhigh-gradeholesfordoughnutsandbuttons。FinallyIinventedanewAdjustablePost-hole，whichIthoughtwouldmakemyfortune。Imanufacturedalargequantityofthesepost-holes，andhavingnoroominwhichtostorethemIsetthemallendtoendandputthetoponeintheground。Thatmadeanextraordinarylonghole，asyoumayimagine，andreachedfardownintotheearth;and，asIleanedoverittotrytoseetothebottom，Ilostmybalanceandtumbledin。Unfortunately，theholeleddirectlyintothevastspaceyouseeoutsidethismountain;
butImanagedtocatchapointofrockthatprojectedfromthiscavern，andsosavedmyselffromtumblingheadlongintotheblackwavesbeneath，wherethetonguesofflamethatdartoutwouldcertainlyhaveconsumedme。Here，then，Imademyhome;andalthoughitisalonelyplaceIamusemyselfmakingrustlesandflutters，andsogetalongverynicely。"
WhenthebraidedmanhadcompletedthisstrangetaleDorothynearlylaughed，becauseitwasallsoabsurd;buttheWizardtappedhisforeheadsignificantly，toindicatethathethoughtthepoormanwascrazy。Sotheypolitelybadehimgoodday，andwentbacktotheoutercaverntoresumetheirjourney。
11。TheyMeettheWoodenGargoylesAnotherbreathlessclimbbroughtouradventurerstoathirdlandingwheretherewasariftinthemountain。Onpeeringoutalltheycouldseewasrollingbanksofclouds，sothickthattheyobscuredallelse。
Butthetravellerswereobligedtorest，andwhiletheyweresittingontherockyfloortheWizardfeltinhispocketandbroughtouttheninetinypiglets。Tohisdelighttheywerenowplainlyvisible，whichprovedthattheyhadpassedbeyondtheinfluenceofthemagicalValleyofVoe。
"Why，wecanseeeachotheragain！"criedone，joyfully。
"Yes，"sighedEureka;"andIalsocanseeyouagain，andthesightmakesmedreadfullyhungry。Please，Mr。Wizard，mayIeatjustoneofthefatlittlepiglets？You’dnevermissONEofthem，I’msure！"
"Whatahorrid，savagebeast！"exclaimedapiglet;"andafterwe’vebeensuchgoodfriends，too，andplayedwithoneanother！"
"WhenI’mnothungry，Ilovetoplaywithyouall，"saidthekitten，demurely;"butwhenmystomachisemptyitseemsthatnothingwouldfillitsonicelyasafatpiglet。"
"Andwetrustedyouso！"saidanotherofthenine，reproachfully。
"Andthoughtyouwererespectable！"saidanother。
"Itseemsweweremistaken，"declaredathird，lookingatthekittentimorously，"noonewithsuchmurderousdesiresshouldbelongtoourparty，I’msure。"
"Yousee，Eureka，"remarkedDorothy，reprovingly，"youaremakingyourselfdisliked。Therearecertainthingsproperforakittentoeat;butIneverheardofakitteneatingapig，underANYcir’stances。"
"Didyoueverseesuchlittlepigsbefore？"askedthekitten。"Theyarenobiggerthanmice，andI’msuremiceareproperformetoeat。"
"Itisn’tthebigness，dear;itsthevariety，"repliedthegirl。
"TheseareMr。Wizard’spets，justasyouaremypet，anditwouldn’tbeanymoreproperforyoutoeatthemthanitwouldbeforJimtoeatyou。"
"Andthat’sjustwhatIshalldoifyoudon’tletthoselittleballsofporkalone，"saidJim，glaringatthekittenwithhisround，bigeyes。"IfyouinjureanyoneofthemI’llchewyouupinstantly。"
Thekittenlookedatthehorsethoughtfully，asiftryingtodecidewhetherhemeantitornot。
"Inthatcase，"shesaid，"I’llleavethemalone。Youhaven’tmanyteethleft，Jim，butthefewyouhavearesharpenoughtomakemeshudder。Sothepigletswillbeperfectlysafe，hereafter，asfarasIamconcerned。"
"Thatisright，Eureka，"remarkedtheWizard，earnestly。"Letusallbeahappyfamilyandloveoneanother。"
Eurekayawnedandstretchedherself。
"I’vealwayslovedthepiglets，"shesaid;"buttheydon’tloveme。"
"Noonecanloveapersonhe’safraidof，"assertedDorothy。"Ifyoubehave，anddon’tscarethelittlepigs，I’msurethey’llgrowveryfondofyou。"
TheWizardnowputtheninetinyonesbackintohispocketandthejourneywasresumed。
"Wemustbeprettynearthetop，now，"saidtheboy，astheyclimbedwearilyupthedark，windingstairway。
"TheCountryoftheGurglescan’tbefarfromthetopoftheearth，"
remarkedDorothy。"Itisn’tverynicedownhere。I’dliketogethomeagain，I’msure。"
Noonerepliedtothis，becausetheyfoundtheyneededalltheirbreathfortheclimb。ThestairshadbecomenarrowerandZebandtheWizardoftenhadtohelpJimpullthebuggyfromonesteptoanother，orkeepitfromjammingagainsttherockywalls。
Atlast，however，adimlightappearedaheadofthem，whichgrewclearerandstrongerastheyadvanced。
"Thankgoodnesswe’renearlythere！"pantedthelittleWizard。
Jim，whowasinadvance，sawthelaststairbeforehimandstuckhisheadabovetherockysidesofthestairway。Thenhehalted，duckeddownandbegantobackup，sothathenearlyfellwiththebuggyontotheothers。
"Let’sgodownagain！"hesaid，inhishoarsevoice。
"Nonsense！"snappedthetiredWizard。"What’sthematterwithyou，oldman？"
"Everything，"grumbledthehorse。"I’vetakenalookatthisplace，andit’snofitcountryforrealcreaturestogoto。Everything’sdead，upthere——nofleshorbloodorgrowingthinganywhere。"
"Nevermind;。wecan’tturnback，"saidDorothy;"andwedon’tintendtostaythere，anyhow。"
"It’sdangerous，"growledJim，inastubborntone。
"Seehere，mygoodsteed，"brokeintheWizard，"littleDorothyandI
havebeeninmanyqueercountriesinourtravels，andalwaysescapedwithoutharm。We’veevenbeentothemarvelousLandofOz——haven’twe，Dorothy？——sowedon’tmuchcarewhattheCountryoftheGargoylesislike。Goahead，Jim，andwhateverhappenswe’llmakethebestofit。"
"Allright，"answeredthehorse;"thisisyourexcursion，andnotmine;soifyougetintotroubledon’tblameme。"
Withthisspeechhebentforwardanddraggedthebuggyuptheremainingsteps。Theothersfollowedandsoontheywereallstandinguponabroadplatformandgazingatthemostcuriousandstartlingsighttheireyeshadeverbeheld。
"TheCountryoftheGargoylesisallwooden！"exclaimedZeb;andsoitwas。Thegroundwassawdustandthepebblesscatteredaroundwerehardknotsfromtrees，wornsmoothincourseoftime。Therewereoddwoodenhouses，withcarvedwoodenflowersinthefrontyards。Thetree-trunkswereofcoarsewood，buttheleavesofthetreeswereshavings。Thepatchesofgrassweresplintersofwood，andwhereneithergrassnorsawdustshowedwasasolidwoodenflooring。Woodenbirdsflutteredamongthetreesandwoodencowswerebrowsinguponthewoodengrass;butthemostamazingthingsofallwerethewoodenpeople——thecreaturesknownasGargoyles。
Thesewereverynumerous，fortheplacewasthicklyinhabited，andalargegroupofthequeerpeopleclusterednear，gazingsharplyuponthestrangerswhohademergedfromthelongspiralstairway。
TheGargoyleswereverysmallofstature，beinglessthanthreefeetinheight。Theirbodieswereround，theirlegsshortandthickandtheirarmsextraordinarilylongandstout。Theirheadsweretoobigfortheirbodiesandtheirfacesweredecidedlyuglytolookupon。
Somehadlong，curvednosesandchins，smalleyesandwide，grinningmouths。Othershadflatnoses，protrudingeyes，andearsthatwereshapedlikethoseofanelephant。Thereweremanytypes，indeed，scarcelytwobeingalike;butallwereequallydisagreeableinappearance。Thetopsoftheirheadshadnohair，butwerecarvedintoavarietyoffantasticshapes，somehavingarowofpointsorballsaroundthetop，othersdesignsresemblingflowersorvegetables，andstillothershavingsquaresthatlookedlikewafflescutcriss-crossontheirheads。Theyallworeshortwoodenwingswhichwerefastenedtotheirwoodenbodiesbymeansofwoodenhingeswithwoodenscrews，andwiththesewingstheyflewswiftlyandnoiselesslyhereandthere，theirlegsbeingoflittleusetothem。
ThisnoiselessmotionwasoneofthemostpeculiarthingsabouttheGargoyles。Theymadenosoundsatall，eitherinflyingortryingtospeak，andtheyconversedmainlybymeansofquicksignalsmadewiththeirwoodenfingersorlips。Neitherwasthereanysoundtobeheardanywherethroughoutthewoodencountry。Thebirdsdidnotsing，nordidthecowsmoo;yettherewasmorethanordinaryactivityeverywhere。
Thegroupofthesequeercreatureswhichwasdiscoveredclusterednearthestairsatfirstremainedstaringandmotionless，glaringwithevileyesattheintruderswhohadsosuddenlyappearedintheirland。
InturntheWizardandthechildren，thehorseandthekitten，examinedtheGargoyleswiththesamesilentattention。
"There’sgoingtobetrouble，I’msure，"remarkedthehorse。
"Unhitchthosetugs，Zeb，andsetmefreefromthebuggy，soIcanfightcomfortably。"
"Jim’sright，"sighedtheWizard。"There’sgoingtobetrouble，andmyswordisn’tstoutenoughtocutupthosewoodenbodies——soIshallhavetogetoutmyrevolvers。"
Hegothissatchelfromthebuggyand，openingit，tookouttwodeadlylookingrevolversthatmadethechildrenshrinkbackinalarmjusttolookat。
"WhatharmcantheGurglesdo？"askedDorothy。"Theyhavenoweaponstohurtuswith。"
"Eachoftheirarmsisawoodenclub，"answeredthelittleman，"andI’msurethecreaturesmeanmischief，bythelooksoftheireyes。
Eventheserevolverscanmerelysucceedindamagingafewoftheirwoodenbodies，andafterthatwewillbeattheirmercy。"
"Butwhyfightatall，inthatcase？"askedthegirl。
"SoImaydiewithaclearconscience，"returnedtheWizard，gravely。
"It’severyman’sdutytodothebestheknowshow;andI’mgoingtodoit。"
"WishIhadanaxe，"saidZeb，whobynowhadunhitchedthehorse。
"Ifwehadknownwewerecomingwemighthavebroughtalongseveralotherusefulthings，"respondedtheWizard。"Butwedroppedintothisadventureratherunexpectedly。"
TheGargoyleshadbackedawayadistancewhentheyheardthesoundoftalking，foralthoughourfriendshadspokeninlowtonestheirwordsseemedloudinthesilencesurroundingthem。Butassoonastheconversationceased，thegrinning，uglycreaturesaroseinaflockandflewswiftlytowardthestrangers，theirlongarmsstretchedoutbeforethemlikethebowspritsofafleetofsail-boats。Thehorsehadespeciallyattractedtheirnotice，becauseitwasthebiggestandstrangestcreaturetheyhadeverseen;soitbecamethecenteroftheirfirstattack。
ButJimwasreadyforthem，andwhenhesawthemcomingheturnedhisheelstowardthemandbegankickingoutashardashecould。Crack！
crash！bang！wenthisiron-shodhoofsagainstthewoodenbodiesoftheGargoyles，andtheywerebatteredrightandleftwithsuchforcethattheyscatteredlikestrawsinthewind。ButthenoiseandclatterseemedasdreadfultothemasJim’sheels，forallwhowereableswiftlyturnedandflewawaytoagreatdistance。Theotherspickedthemselvesupfromthegroundonebyoneandquicklyrejoinedtheirfellows，soforamomentthehorsethoughthehadwonthefightwithease。
ButtheWizardwasnotsoconfident。
"Thosewoodenthingsareimpossibletohurt，"hesaid，"andallthedamageJimhasdonetothemistoknockafewsplintersfromtheirnosesandears。Thatcannotmakethemlookanyuglier，I’msure，anditismyopiniontheywillsoonrenewtheattack。"
"Whatmadethemflyaway？"askedDorothy。
"Thenoise，ofcourse。Don’tyourememberhowtheChampionescapedthembyshoutinghisbattle-cry？"
"Supposeweescapedownthestairs，too，"suggestedtheboy。"Wehavetime，justnow，andI’dratherfacetheinvis’blebearsthanthosewoodenimps。"
"No，"returnedDorothy，stoutly，"itwon’tdotogoback，forthenwewouldnevergethome。Let’sfightitout。"
"ThatiswhatIadvise，"saidtheWizard。"Theyhaven’tdefeatedusyet，andJimisworthawholearmy。"
ButtheGargoyleswerecleverenoughnottoattackthehorsethenexttime。Theyadvancedinagreatswarm，havingbeenjoinedbymanymoreoftheirkind，andtheyflewstraightoverJim’sheadtowheretheotherswerestanding。
TheWizardraisedoneofhisrevolversandfiredintothethrongofhisenemies，andtheshotresoundedlikeaclapofthunderinthatsilentplace。
Someofthewoodenbeingsfellflatupontheground，wheretheyquiveredandtrembledineverylimb;butmostofthemmanagedtowheelandescapeagaintoadistance。
ZebranandpickeduponeoftheGargoylesthatlaynearesttohim。
ThetopofitsheadwascarvedintoacrownandtheWizard’sbullethadstruckitexactlyinthelefteye，whichwasahardwoodenknot。
Halfofthebulletstuckinthewoodandhalfstuckout，soithadbeenthejarandthesuddennoisethathadknockedthecreaturedown，morethanthefactthatitwasreallyhurt。BeforethiscrownedGargoylehadrecoveredhimselfZebhadwoundastrapseveraltimesarounditsbody，confiningitswingsandarmssothatitcouldnotmove。Then，havingtiedthewoodencreaturesecurely，theboybuckledthestrapandtossedhisprisonerintothebuggy。Bythattimetheothershadallretired。
12。AWonderfulEscapeForawhiletheenemyhesitatedtorenewtheattack。ThenafewofthemadvanceduntilanothershotfromtheWizard’srevolvermadethemretreat。
"That’sfine，"saidZeb。"We’vegot’emontherunnow，sureenough。"
"Butonlyforatime，"repliedtheWizard，shakinghisheadgloomily。
"Theserevolversaregoodforsixshotseach，butwhenthosearegoneweshallbehelpless。"
TheGargoylesseemedtorealizethis，fortheysentafewoftheirbandtimeaftertimetoattackthestrangersanddrawthefirefromthelittleman’srevolvers。Inthiswaynoneofthemwasshockedbythedreadfulreportmorethanonce，forthemainbandkeptfarawayandeachtimeanewcompanywassentintothebattle。WhentheWizardhadfiredallofhistwelvebulletshehadcausednodamagetotheenemyexcepttostunafewbythenoise，andsoheasnonearertovictorythaninthebeginningofthefray。
"Whatshallwedonow？"askedDorothy，anxiously。
"Let’syell——alltogether，"saidZeb。
"Andfightatthesametime，"addedtheWizard。"WewillgetnearJim，sothathecanhelpus，andeachonemusttakesomeweaponanddothebesthecan。I’llusemysword，althoughitisn’tmuchaccountinthisaffair。Dorothymusttakeherparasolandopenitsuddenlywhenthewoodenfolksattackher。Ihaven’tanythingforyou，Zeb。"
"I’llusetheking，"saidtheboy，andpulledhisprisoneroutofthebuggy。TheboundGargoyle’sarmsextendedfaroutbeyonditshead，sobygraspingitswristsZebfoundthekingmadeaverygoodclub。
Theboywasstrongforoneofhisyears，havingalwaysworkeduponafarm;
sohewaslikelytoprovemoredangeroustotheenemythantheWizard。
WhenthenextcompanyofGargoylesadvanced，ouradventurersbeganyellingasiftheyhadgonemad。EventhekittengaveadreadfullyshrillscreamandatthesametimeJimthecab-horseneighedloudly。
Thisdauntedtheenemyforatime，butthedefendersweresoonoutofbreath。Perceivingthis，aswellasthefactthattherewerenomoreoftheawful"bangs"tocomefromtherevolvers，theGargoylesadvancedinaswarmasthickasbees，sothattheairwasfilledwiththem。
Dorothysquatteduponthegroundandputupherparasol，whichnearlycoveredherandprovedagreatprotection。TheWizard’ssword-bladesnappedintoadozenpiecesatthefirstblowhestruckagainstthewoodenpeople。ZebpoundedawaywiththeGargoylehewasusingasaclubuntilhehadknockeddowndozensoffoes;butatthelasttheyclusteredsothicklyabouthimthathenolongerhadroominwhichtoswinghisarms。ThehorseperformedsomewonderfulkickingandevenEurekaassistedwhensheleapedbodilyupontheGargoylesandscratchedandbitatthemlikeawild-cat。
Butallthisbraveryamountedtonothingatall。ThewoodenthingswoundtheirlongarmsaroundZebandtheWizardandheldthemfast。
Dorothywascapturedinthesameway，andnumbersoftheGargoylesclungtoJim’slegs，soweightinghimdownthatthepoorbeastwashelpless。Eurekamadeadesperatedashtoescapeandscamperedalongthegroundlikeastreak;butagrinningGargoyleflewafterherandgrabbedherbeforeshehadgoneveryfar。
Allofthemexpectednothinglessthaninstantdeath;buttotheirsurprisethewoodencreaturesflewintotheairwiththemandborethemfaraway，overmilesandmilesofwoodencountry，untiltheycametoawoodencity。Thehousesofthiscityhadmanycorners，beingsquareandsix-sidedandeight-sided。Theyweretower-likeinshapeandthebestofthemseemedoldandweather-worn;yetallwerestrongandsubstantial。
Tooneofthesehouseswhichhadneitherdoorsnorwindows，butonlyonebroadopeningfarupunderneaththeroof，theprisonerswerebroughtbytheircaptors。TheGargoylesroughlypushedthemintotheopening，wheretherewasaplatform，andthenflewawayandleftthem。
Astheyhadnowingsthestrangerscouldnotflyaway，andiftheyjumpeddownfromsuchaheighttheywouldsurelybekilled。Thecreatureshadsenseenoughtoreasonthatway，andtheonlymistaketheymadewasinsupposingtheearthpeoplewereunabletoovercomesuchordinarydifficulties。
Jimwasbroughtwiththeothers，althoughittookagoodmanyGargoylestocarrythebigbeastthroughtheairandlandhimonthehighplatform，andthebuggywasthrustinafterhimbecauseitbelongedtothepartyandthewoodenfolkshadnoideawhatitwasusedfororwhetheritwasaliveornot。WhenEureka’scaptorhadthrownthekittenaftertheothersthelastGargoylesilentlydisappeared，leavingourfriendstobreathefreelyoncemore。
"Whatanawfulfight！"saidDorothy，catchingherbreathinlittlegasps。
"Oh，Idon’tknow，"purredEureka，smoothingherruffledfurwithherpaw;"wedidn’tmanagetohurtanybody，andnobodymanagedtohurtus。"
"Thankgoodnesswearetogetheragain，evenifweareprisoners，"
sighedthelittlegirl。
"Iwonderwhytheydidn’tkillusonthespot，"remarkedZeb，whohadlosthiskinginthestruggle。
"Theyareprobablykeepingusforsomeceremony，"theWizardanswered，reflectively;"butthereisnodoubttheyintendtokillusasdeadaspossibleinashorttime。"
"Asdeadasposs’blewouldbeprettydead，wouldn’tit？"askedDorothy。
"Yes，mydear。Butwehavenoneedtoworryaboutthatjustnow。Letusexamineourprisonandseewhatitislike。"
Thespaceunderneaththeroof，wheretheystood，permittedthemtoseeonallsidesofthetallbuilding，andtheylookedwithmuchcuriosityatthecityspreadoutbeneaththem。Everythingvisiblewasmadeofwood，andthesceneseemedstiffandextremelyunnatural。
Fromtheirplatformastairdescendedintothehouse，andthechildrenandtheWizardexploreditafterlightingalanterntoshowthemtheway。Severalstoriesofemptyroomsrewardedtheirsearch，butnothingmore;soafteratimetheycamebacktotheplatformagain。
Hadtherebeenanydoorsorwindowsinthelowerrooms，orhadnottheboardsofthehousebeensothickandstout，escapecouldhavebeeneasy;buttoremaindownbelowwaslikebeinginacellarortheholdofaship，andtheydidnotlikethedarknessorthedampsmell。
Inthiscountry，asinallotherstheyhadvisitedunderneaththeearth’ssurface，therewasnonight，aconstantandstronglightcomingfromsomeunknownsource。Lookingout，theycouldseeintosomeofthehousesnearthem，wheretherewereopenwindowsinabundance，andwereabletomarktheformsofthewoodenGargoylesmovingaboutintheirdwellings。
"Thisseemstobetheirtimeofrest，"observedtheWizard。
"Allpeopleneedrest，eveniftheyaremadeofwood，andasthereisnonightheretheyselectacertaintimeofthedayinwhichtosleepordoze。"
"Ifeelsleepymyself，"remarkedZeb，yawning。
"Why，where’sEureka？"criedDorothy，suddenly。
Theyalllookedaround，butthekittenwasnoplacetobeseen。
"She’sgoneoutforawalk，"saidJim，gruffly。
"Where？Ontheroof？"askedthegirl。
"No;shejustdugherclawsintothewoodandclimbeddownthesidesofthishousetotheground。"
"Shecouldn’tclimbDOWN，Jim，"saidDorothy。"Toclimbmeanstogoup。"
"Whosaidso？"demandedthehorse。
"Myschool-teachersaidso;andsheknowsalot，Jim。"
"To’climbdown’issometimesusedasafigureofspeech，"remarkedtheWizard。
"Well，thiswasafigureofacat，"saidJim，"andsheWENTdown，anyhow，whethersheclimbedorcrept。"
"Dearme！howcarelessEurekais，"exclaimedthegirl，muchdistressed。"TheGurgleswillgether，sure！"
"Ha，ha！"chuckledtheoldcab-horse;"they’renot’Gurgles，’littlemaid;they’reGargoyles。"
"Nevermind;they’llgetEureka，whateverthey’recalled。"
"Notheywon’t，"saidthevoiceofthekitten，andEurekaherselfcrawledovertheedgeoftheplatformandsatdownquietlyuponthefloor。
"Whereverhaveyoubeen，Eureka？"askedDorothy，sternly。
"Watchingthewoodenfolks。They’retoofunnyforanything，Dorothy。
Justnowtheyareallgoingtobed，and——whatdoyouthink？——theyunhookthehingesoftheirwingsandputtheminacorneruntiltheywakeupagain。"
"What，thehinges？"
"No;thewings。"
"That，"saidZeb，"explainswhythishouseisusedbythemforaprison。IfanyoftheGargoylesactbadly，andhavetobeputinjail，theyarebroughthereandtheirwingsunhookedandtakenawayfromthemuntiltheypromisetobegood。"
TheWizardhadlistenedintentlytowhatEurekahadsaid。
"Iwishwehadsomeofthoseloosewings，"hesaid。
"Couldweflywiththem？"askedDorothy。
"Ithinkso。IftheGargoylescanunhookthewingsthenthepowertoflyliesinthewingsthemselves，andnotinthewoodenbodiesofthepeoplewhowearthem。So，ifwehadthewings，wecouldprobablyflyaswellastheydo——asleastwhileweareintheircountryandunderthespellofitsmagic。"
"Buthowwouldithelpustobeabletofly？"questionedthegirl。
"Comehere，"saidthelittleman，andtookhertooneofthecornersofthebuilding。"Doyouseethatbigrockstandingonthehillsideyonder？"hecontinued，pointingwithhisfinger。
"Yes;it’sagoodwayoff，butIcanseeit，"shereplied。
"Well，insidethatrock，whichreachesupintotheclouds，isanarchwayverymuchliketheoneweenteredwhenweclimbedthespiralstairwayfromtheValleyofVoe。I’llgetmyspy-glass，andthenyoucanseeitmoreplainly。"
Hefetchedasmallbutpowerfultelescope，whichhadbeeninhissatchel，andbyitsaidthelittlegirlclearlysawtheopening。
"Wheredoesitleadto？"sheasked。
"ThatIcannottell，"saidtheWizard;"butwecannotnowbefarbelowtheearth’ssurface，andthatentrancemayleadtoanotherstairwaythatwillbringusontopofourworldagain，wherewebelong。So，ifwehadthewings，andcouldescapetheGargoyles，wemightflytothatrockandbesaved。"
"I’llgetyouthewings，"saidZeb，whohadthoughtfullylistenedtoallthis。"Thatis，ifthekittenwillshowmewheretheyare。"
"Buthowcanyougetdown？"enquiredthegirl，wonderingly。
ForanswerZebbegantounfastenJim’sharness，strapbystrap，andtobuckleonepiecetoanotheruntilhehadmadealongleatherstripthatwouldreachtotheground。
"Icanclimbdownthat，allright，"hesaid。
"Noyoucan’t，"remarkedJim，withatwinkleinhisroundeyes。"YoumayGOdown，butyoucanonlyCLIMBup。"
"Well，I’llclimbupwhenIgetback，then，"saidtheboy，withalaugh。"Now，Eureka，you’llhavetoshowmethewaytothosewings。"
"Youmustbeveryquiet，"warnedthekitten;"forifyoumaketheleastnoisetheGargoyleswillwakeup。Theycanhearapindrop。"
"I’mnotgoingtodropapin，"saidZeb。
Hehadfastenedoneendofthestraptoawheelofthebuggy，andnowheletthelinedangleoverthesideofthehouse。
"Becareful，"cautionedDorothy，earnestly。
"Iwill，"saidtheboy，andlethimselfslideovertheedge。
ThegirlandtheWizardleanedoverandwatchedZebworkhiswaycarefullydownward，handoverhand，untilhestooduponthegroundbelow。Eurekaclungwithherclawstothewoodensideofthehouseandletherselfdowneasily。Thentogethertheycreptawaytoenterthelowdoorwayofaneighboringdwelling。
Thewatcherswaitedinbreathlesssuspenseuntiltheboyagainappeared，hisarmsnowfullofthewoodenwings。
Whenhecametowherethestrapwashanginghetiedthewingsallinabunchtotheendoftheline，andtheWizarddrewthemup。ThenthelinewasletdownagainforZebtoclimbupby。Eurekaquicklyfollowedhim，andsoontheywereallstandingtogetherupontheplatform，witheightofthemuchprizedwoodenwingsbesidethem。
Theboywasnolongersleepy，butfullofenergyandexcitement。HeputtheharnesstogetheragainandhitchedJimtothebuggy。Then，withtheWizard’shelp，hetriedtofastensomeofthewingstotheoldcab-horse。
Thiswasnoeasytask，becausehalfofeachoneofthehingesofthewingswasmissing，itbeingstillfastenedtothebodyoftheGargoylewhohadusedit。However，theWizardwentoncemoretohissatchel——
whichseemedtocontainasurprisingvarietyofoddsandends——andbroughtoutaspoolofstrongwire，bymeansofwhichtheymanagedtofastenfourofthewingstoJim’sharness，twonearhisheadandtwonearhistail。Theywereabitwiggley，butsecureenoughifonlytheharnessheldtogether。
Theotherfourwingswerethenfastenedtothebuggy，twooneachside，forthebuggymustbeartheweightofthechildrenandtheWizardasitflewthroughtheair。
Thesepreparationshadnotconsumedagreatdealoftime，butthesleepingGargoyleswerebeginningtowakeupandmovearound，andsoonsomeofthemwouldbehuntingfortheirmissingwings。Sotheprisonersresolvedtoleavetheirprisonatonce。
Theymountedintothebuggy，DorothyholdingEurekasafeinherlap。
Thegirlsatinthemiddleoftheseat，withZebandtheWizardoneachsideofher。Whenallwasreadytheboyshookthereinsandsaid：
"Flyaway，Jim！"
"WhichwingsmustIflopfirst？"askedthecab-horse，undecidedly。
"Flopthemalltogether，"suggestedtheWizard。
"Someofthemarecrooked，"objectedthehorse。
"Nevermind;wewillsteerwiththewingsonthebuggy，"saidZeb。
"Justyoulightoutandmakeforthatrock，Jim;anddon’twasteanytimeaboutit，either。"
Sothehorsegaveagroan，floppeditsfourwingsalltogether，andflewawayfromtheplatform。Dorothywasalittleanxiousaboutthesuccessoftheirtrip，forthewayJimarchedhislongneckandspreadouthisbonylegsasheflutteredandflounderedthroughtheairwasenoughtomakeanybodynervous。Hegroaned，too，asiffrightened，andthewingscreakeddreadfullybecausetheWizardhadforgottentooilthem;buttheykeptfairlygoodtimewiththewingsofthebuggy，sothattheymadeexcellentprogressfromthestart。Theonlythingthatanyonecouldcomplainofwithjusticewasthefactthattheywobbledfirstupandthendown，asiftheroadwererockyinsteadofbeingassmoothastheaircouldmakeit。
Themainpoint，however，wasthattheyflew，andflewswiftly，ifabitunevenly，towardtherockforwhichtheyhadheaded。
SomeoftheGargoylessawthem，presently，andlostnotimeincollectingabandtopursuetheescapingprisoners;sothatwhenDorothyhappenedtolookbackshesawthemcominginagreatcloudthatalmostdarkenedthesky。
13。TheDenoftheDragonettesOurfriendshadagoodstartandwereabletomaintainit，forwiththeireightwingstheycouldgojustasfastascouldtheGargoyles。
Allthewaytothegreatrockthewoodenpeoplefollowedthem，andwhenJimfinallyalightedatthemouthofthecavernthepursuerswerestillsomedistanceaway。
"But，I’mafraidthey’llcatchusyet，"saidDorothy，greatlyexcited。
"No;wemuststopthem，"declaredtheWizard。"QuickZeb，helpmepulloffthesewoodenwings！"
Theytoreoffthewings，forwhichtheyhadnofurtheruse，andtheWizardpiledtheminaheapjustoutsidetheentrancetothecavern。
Thenhepouredoverthemallthekeroseneoilthatwasleftinhisoil-can，andlightingamatchsetfiretothepile。
TheflamesleapedupatonceandthebonfirebegantosmokeandroarandcracklejustasthegreatarmyofwoodenGargoylesarrived。Thecreaturesdrewbackatonce，beingfilledwithfearandhorror;forsuchasdreadfulthingasafiretheyhadneverbeforeknowninallthehistoryoftheirwoodenland。
Insidethearchwaywereseveraldoors，leadingtodifferentroomsbuiltintothemountain，andZebandtheWizardliftedthesewoodendoorsfromtheirhingesandtossedthemallontheflames。
"Thatwillproveabarrierforsometimetocome，"saidthelittleman，smilingpleasantlyalloverhiswrinkledfaceatthesuccessoftheirstratagem。"Perhapstheflameswillsetfiretoallthatmiserablewoodencountry，andifitdoesthelosswillbeverysmallandtheGargoylesneverwillbemissed。Butcome，mychildren;
letusexplorethemountainanddiscoverwhichwaywemustgoinordertoescapefromthiscavern，whichisgettingtobealmostashotasabake-oven。"
Totheirdisappointmenttherewaswithinthismountainnoregularflightofstepsbymeansofwhichtheycouldmounttotheearth’ssurface。Asortofinclinedtunnelledupwardforaway，andtheyfoundthefloorofitbothroughandsteep。Thenasuddenturnbroughtthemtoanarrowgallerywherethebuggycouldnotpass。Thisdelayedandbotheredthemforawhile，becausetheydidnotwishtoleavethebuggybehindthem。Itcarriedtheirbaggageandwasusefultorideinwhereverthereweregoodroads，andsinceithadaccompaniedthemsofarintheirtravelstheyfeltittheirdutytopreserveit。SoZebandtheWizardsettoworkandtookoffthewheelsandthetop，andthentheyputthebuggyedgewise，soitwouldtakeupthesmallestspace。Inthispositiontheymanaged，withtheaidofthepatientcab-horse，todragthevehiclethroughthenarrowpartofthepassage。Itwasnotagreatdistance，fortunately，andwhenthepathgrewbroadertheyputthebuggytogetheragainandproceededmorecomfortably。Buttheroadwasnothingmorethanaseriesofriftsorcracksinthemountain，anditwentzig-zagineverydirection，slantingfirstupandthendownuntiltheywerepuzzledastowhethertheywereanynearertothetopoftheearththanwhentheyhadstarted，hoursbefore。
"Anyhow，"saidDorothy，"we’ve’scapedthoseawfulGurgles，andthat’sONEcomfort！"
"ProbablytheGargoylesarestillbusytryingtoputoutthefire，"
returnedtheWizard。"Buteveniftheysucceededindoingthatitwouldbeverydifficultforthemtoflyamongsttheserocks;soIamsureweneedfearthemnolonger。"
Onceinawhiletheywouldcometoadeepcrackinthefloor，whichmadethewayquitedangerous;buttherewasstillenoughoilinthelanternstogivethemlight，andthecrackswerenotsowidebutthattheywereabletojumpoverthem。Sometimestheyhadtoclimboverheapsoflooserock，whereJimcouldscarcelydragthebuggy。AtsuchtimesDorothy，ZebandtheWizardallpushedbehind，andliftedthewheelsovertheroughestplaces;sotheymanaged，bydintofhardwork，tokeepgoing。Butthelittlepartywasbothwearyanddiscouragedwhenatlast，onturningasharpcorner，thewanderersfoundthemselvesinavastcavearchinghighovertheirheadsandhavingasmooth，levelfloor。
Thecavewascircularinshape，andallarounditsedge，neartotheground，appearedgroupsofdullyellowlights，twoofthembeingalwayssidebyside。Theseweremotionlessatfirst，butsoonbegantoflickermorebrightlyandtoswayslowlyfromsidetosideandthenupanddown。
"Whatsortofplaceisthis？"askedtheboy，tryingtoseemoreclearlythroughthegloom。
"Icannotimagine，I’msure，"answeredtheWizard，alsopeeringabout。
"Woogh！"snarledEureka，archingherbackuntilherhairstoodstraightonend;"it’sdenofalligators，orcrocodiles，orsomeotherdreadfulcreatures！Don’tyouseetheirterribleeyes？"
"Eurekaseesbetterinthedarkthanwecan，"whisperedDorothy。
"Tellus，dear，whatdothecreatureslooklike？"sheasked，addressingherpet。
"Isimplycan’tdescribe’em，"answeredthekitten，shuddering。
"Theireyesarelikepie-platesandtheirmouthslikecoal-scuttles。
Buttheirbodiesdon’tseemverybig。"
"Wherearethey？"enquiredthegirl。
"Theyareinlittlepocketsallaroundtheedgeofthiscavern。Oh，Dorothy——youcan’timaginewhathorridthingstheyare！They’reuglierthantheGargoyles。"
"Tut-tut！becarefulhowyoucriticiseyourneighbors，"spokearaspingvoicenearby。"Asamatteroffactyouareratherugly-lookingcreaturesyourselves，andI’msuremotherhasoftentoldusweweretheloveliestandprettiestthingsinalltheworld。"
Hearingthesewordsourfriendsturnedinthedirectionofthesound，andtheWizardheldhislanternssothattheirlightwouldfloodoneofthelittlepocketsintherock。
"Why，it’sadragon！"heexclaimed。
"No，"answeredtheownerofthebigyelloweyeswhichwereblinkingatthemsosteadily;"youarewrongaboutthat。Wehopetogrowtobedragonssomeday，butjustnowwe’reonlydragonettes。"
"What’sthat？"askedDorothy，gazingfearfullyatthegreatscaleyhead，theyawningmouthandthebigeyes。
"Youngdragons，ofcourse;butwearenotallowedtocallourselvesrealdragonsuntilwegetourfullgrowth，"wasthereply。"Thebigdragonsareveryproud，anddon’tthinkchildrenamounttomuch;butmothersaysthatsomedaywewillallbeverypowerfulandimportant。"
"Whereisyourmother？"askedtheWizard，anxiouslylookingaround。
"Shehasgoneuptothetopoftheearthtohuntforourdinner。Ifshehasgoodluckshewillbringusanelephant，orabraceofrhinoceri，orperhapsafewdozenpeopletostayourhunger。"
"Oh;areyouhungry？"enquiredDorothy，drawingback。
"Very，"saidthedragonette，snappingitsjaws。
"And——and——doyoueatpeople？"
"Tobesure，whenwecangetthem。Butthey’vebeenveryscarceforafewyearsandweusuallyhavetobecontentwithelephantsorbuffaloes，"answeredthecreature，inaregretfultone。
"Howoldareyou？"enquiredZeb，whostaredattheyelloweyesasiffascinated。
"Quiteyoung，Igrievetosay;andallofmybrothersandsistersthatyouseeherearepracticallymyownage。IfIrememberrightly，weweresixty-sixyearsoldthedaybeforeyesterday。"
"Butthatisn’tyoung！"criedDorothy，inamazement。
"No？"drawledthedragonette;"itseemstomeverybabyish。"
"Howoldisyourmother？"askedthegirl。
"Mother’sabouttwothousandyearsold;butshecarelesslylosttrackofherageafewcenturiesagoandskippedseveralhundreds。She’salittlefussy，youknow，andafraidofgrowingold，beingawidowandstillinherprime。"
"Ishouldthinkshewouldbe，"agreedDorothy。Then，afteramoment’sthought，sheasked："Arewefriendsorenemies？Imean，willyoubegoodtous，ordoyouintendtoeatus？"
"Asforthat，wedragonetteswouldlovetoeatyou，mychild;butunfortunatelymotherhastiedallourtailsaroundtherocksatthebackofourindividualcaves，sothatwecannotcrawlouttogetyou。
Ifyouchoosetocomenearerwewillmakeamouthfulofyouinawink;
butunlessyoudoyouwillremainquitesafe。"
Therewasaregretfulaccentinthecreature’svoice，andatthewordsalltheotherdragonettessigheddismally。
Dorothyfeltrelieved。Presentlysheasked：
"Whydidyourmothertieyourtails？"
"Oh，sheissometimesgoneforseveralweeksonherhuntingtrips，andifwewerenottiedwewouldcrawlalloverthemountainandfightwitheachotherandgetintoalotofmischief。Motherusuallyknowswhatsheisabout，butshemadeamistakethistime;foryouaresuretoescapeusunlessyoucometoonear，andyouprobablywon’tdothat。"
"No，indeed！"saidthelittlegirl。"Wedon’twishtobeeatenbysuchawfulbeasts。"
"Permitmetosay，"returnedthedragonette，"thatyouareratherimpolitetocallusnames，knowingthatwecannotresentyourinsults。
Weconsiderourselvesverybeautifulinappearance，formotherhastoldusso，andsheknows。AndweareofanexcellentfamilyandhaveapedigreethatIchallengeanyhumanstoequal，asitextendsbackabouttwentythousandyears，tothetimeofthefamousGreenDragonofAtlantis，wholivedinatimewhenhumanshadnotyetbeencreated。
Canyoumatchthatpedigree，littlegirl？"
"Well，"saidDorothy，"IwasbornonafarminKansas，andIguessthat’sbeingjustas’spectableandhaughtyaslivinginacavewithyourtailtiedtoarock。Ifitisn’tI’llhavetostandit，that’sall。"
"Tastesdiffer，"murmuredthedragonette，slowlydroopingitsscaleyeyelidsoveritsyelloweyes，untiltheylookedlikehalf-moons。
Beingreassuredbythefactthatthecreaturescouldnotcrawloutoftheirrock-pockets，thechildrenandtheWizardnowtooktimetoexaminethemmoreclosely。Theheadsofthedragonetteswereasbigasbarrelsandcoveredwithhard，greenishscalesthatglitteredbrightlyunderthelightofthelanterns。Theirfrontlegs，whichgrewjustbackoftheirheads，werealsostrongandbig;buttheirbodiesweresmalleraroundthantheirheads，anddwindledawayinalonglineuntiltheirtailswereslimasashoe-string。Dorothythought，ifithadtakenthemsixty-sixyearstogrowtothissize，thatitwouldbefullyahundredyearsmorebeforetheycouldhopetocallthemselvesdragons，andthatseemedlikeagoodwhiletowaittogrowup。
"Itoccurstome，"saidtheWizard，"thatweoughttogetoutofthisplacebeforethemotherdragoncomesback。"
"Don’thurry，"calledoneofthedragonettes;"motherwillbegladtomeetyou，I’msure。"
"Youmayberight，"repliedtheWizard，"butwe’realittleparticularaboutassociatingwithstrangers。Willyoukindlytelluswhichwayyourmotherwenttogetontoptheearth？"
"Thatisnotafairquestiontoaskus，"declaredanotherdragonette。
"For，ifwetoldyoutruly，youmightescapeusaltogether;andifwetoldyouanuntruthwewouldbenaughtyanddeservetobepunished。"
"Then，"decidedDorothy，"wemustfindourwayoutthebestwecan。"
Theycircledallaroundthecavern，keepingagooddistanceawayfromtheblinkingyelloweyesofthedragonettes，andpresentlydiscoveredthatthereweretwopathsleadingfromthewalloppositetotheplacewheretheyhadentered。Theyselectedoneoftheseataventureandhurriedalongitasfastastheycouldgo，fortheyhadnoideawhenthemotherdragonwouldbebackandwereveryanxiousnottomakeheracquaintance。
14。OzmaUsestheMagicBeltForaconsiderabledistancethewayledstraightupwardinagentleincline，andthewanderersmadesuchgoodprogressthattheygrewhopefulandeager，thinkingtheymightseesunshineatanyminute。
Butatlengththeycameunexpectedlyuponahugerockthatshutoffthepassageandblockedthemfromproceedingasinglestepfarther。
Thisrockwasseparatefromtherestofthemountainandwasinmotion，turningslowlyaroundandaroundasifuponapivot。Whenfirsttheycametoittherewasasolidwallbeforethem;butpresentlyitrevolveduntiltherewasexposedawide，smoothpathacrossittotheotherside。Thisappearedsounexpectedlythattheywereunpreparedtotakeadvantageofitatfirst，andallowedtherockywalltoswingaroundagainbeforetheyhaddecidedtopassover。
Buttheyknewnowthattherewasameansofescapeandsowaitedpatientlyuntilthepathappearedforthesecondtime。
ThechildrenandtheWizardrushedacrossthemovingrockandsprangintothepassagebeyond，landingsafelythoughalittleoutofbreath。
Jimthecab-horsecamelast，andtherockywallalmostcaughthim;forjustasheleapedtothefloorofthefurtherpassagethewallswungacrossitandaloosestonethatthebuggywheelsknockedagainstfellintothenarrowcrackwheretherockturned，andbecamewedgedthere。
Theyheardacrunching，grindingsound，aloudsnap，andtheturn-tablecametoastopwithitsbroadestsurfaceshuttingoffthepathfromwhichtheyhadcome。
"Nevermind，"saidZeb，"wedon’twanttogetback，anyhow。"
"I’mnotsosureofthat，"returnedDorothy。"Themotherdragonmaycomedownandcatchushere。"
"Itispossible，"agreedtheWizard，"ifthisprovestobethepathsheusuallytakes。ButIhavebeenexaminingthistunnel，andIdonotseeanysignsofsolargeabeasthavingpassedthroughit。"
"Thenwe’reallright，"saidthegirl，"forifthedragonwenttheotherwayshecan’tposs’blygettousnow。"
"Ofcoursenot，mydear。Butthereisanotherthingtoconsider。Themotherdragonprobablyknowstheroadtotheearth’ssurface，andifshewenttheotherwaythenwehavecomethewrongway，"saidtheWizard，thoughtfully。
"Dearme！"criedDorothy。"Thatwouldbeunlucky，wouldn’tit？"
"Very。Unlessthispassagealsoleadstothetopoftheearth，"saidZeb。"Formypart，ifwemanagetogetoutofhereI’llbegladitisn’tthewaythedragongoes。"
"SowillI，"returnedDorothy。"It’senoughtohaveyourpedigreeflunginyourfacebythosesaucydragonettes。Nooneknowswhatthemothermightdo。"
Theynowmovedonagain，creepingslowlyupanothersteepincline。
Thelanternswerebeginningtogrowdim，andtheWizardpouredtheremainingoilfromoneintotheother，sothattheonelightwouldlastlonger。Buttheirjourneywasalmostover，forinashorttimetheyreachedasmallcavefromwhichtherewasnofurtheroutlet。
Theydidnotrealizetheirillfortuneatfirst，fortheirheartsweregladdenedbythesightofarayofsunshinecomingthroughasmallcrackintheroofofthecave，faroverhead。Thatmeantthattheirworld——therealworld——wasnotveryfaraway，andthatthesuccessionofperilousadventurestheyhadencounteredhadatlastbroughtthemneartheearth’ssurface，whichmeanthometothem。Butwhentheadventurerslookedmorecarefullyaroundthemtheydiscoveredthattherewereinastrongprisonfromwhichtherewasnohopeofescape。
"Butwe’reALMOSTonearthagain，"criedDorothy，"forthereisthesun——themostBEAU’FULsunthatshines！"andshepointedeagerlyatthecrackinthedistantroof。
"Almostonearthisn’tbeingthere，"saidthekitten，inadiscontentedtone。"Itwouldn’tbepossibleforevenmetogetuptothatcrack——orthroughitifIgotthere。"
"Itappearsthatthepathendshere，"announcedtheWizard，gloomily。
"Andthereisnowaytogoback，"addedZeb，withalowwhistleofperplexity。
"Iwassureitwouldcometothis，intheend，"remarkedtheoldcab-horse。"Folksdon’tfallintothemiddleoftheearthandthengetbackagaintotelloftheiradventures——notinreallife。AndthewholethinghasbeenunnaturalbecausethatcatandIarebothabletotalkyourlanguage，andtounderstandthewordsyousay。"
"Andsocantheninetinypiglets，"addedEureka。"Don’tforgetthem，forImayhavetoeatthem，afterall。"
"I’veheardanimalstalkbefore，"saidDorothy，"andnoharmcameofit。"
"Wereyoueverbeforeshutupinacave，farundertheearth，withnowayofgettingout？"enquiredthehorse，seriously。
"No，"answeredDorothy。"Butdon’tyouloseheart，Jim，forI’msurethisisn’ttheendofourstory，byanymeans。"
ThereferencetothepigletsremindedtheWizardthathispetshadnotenjoyedmuchexerciselately，andmustbetiredoftheirprisoninhispocket。Sohesatdownuponthefloorofthecave，broughtthepigletsoutonebyone，andallowedthemtorunaroundasmuchastheypleased。
"Mydears，"hesaidtothem，"I’mafraidI’vegotyouintoalotoftrouble，andthatyouwillneveragainbeabletoleavethisgloomycave。"
"What’swrong？"askedapiglet。"We’vebeeninthedarkquiteawhile，andyoumayaswellexplainwhathashappened。"
TheWizardtoldthemofthemisfortunethathadovertakenthewanderers。
"Well，"saidanotherpiglet，"youareawizard，areyounot？"
"Iam，"repliedthelittleman。
"Thenyoucandoafewwizzesandgetusoutofthishole，"declaredthetinyone，withmuchconfidence。
"IcouldifIhappenedtobearealwizard，"returnedthemastersadly。"ButI’mnot，mypiggy-wees;I’mahumbugwizard。"
"Nonsense！"criedseveralofthepiglets，together。
"YoucanaskDorothy，"saidthelittleman，inaninjuredtone。
"It’strueenough，"returnedthegirl，earnestly。"OurfriendOzismerelyahumbugwizard，forheonceprovedittome。Hecandoseveralverywonderfulthings——ifheknowshow。Buthecan’twizasinglethingifhehasn’tthetoolsandmachinerytoworkwith。"
"Thankyou，mydear，fordoingmejustice，"respondedtheWizard，gratefully。"Tobeaccusedofbeingarealwizard，whenI’mnot，isaslanderIwillnottamelysubmitto。ButIamoneofthegreatesthumbugwizardsthateverlived，andyouwillrealizethiswhenwehaveallstarvedtogetherandourbonesarescatteredoverthefloorofthislonelycave。"
"Idon’tbelievewe’llrealizeanything，whenitcomestothat，"
remarkedDorothy，whohadbeendeepinthought。"ButI’mnotgoingtoscattermybonesjustyet，becauseIneedthem，andyouprob’lyneedyours，too。"
"Wearehelplesstoescape，"sighedtheWizard。
"WEmaybehelpless，"answeredDorothy，smilingathim，"butthereareotherswhocandomorethanwecan。Cheerup，friends。"I’msureOzmawillhelpus。"
"Ozma！"exclaimedtheWizard。"WhoisOzma？"
"ThegirlthatrulesthemarvelousLandofOz，"wasthereply。"She’safriendofmine，forImetherintheLandofEv，notlongago，andwenttoOzwithher。"
"Forthesecondtime？"askedtheWizard，withgreatinterest。
"Yes。ThefirsttimeIwenttoOzIfoundyouthere，rulingtheEmeraldCity。Afteryouwentupinaballoon，andescapedus，IgotbacktoKansasbymeansofapairofmagicalsilvershoes。"
"Irememberthoseshoes，"saidthelittleman，nodding。"TheyoncebelongedtotheWickedWitch。Haveyouthemherewithyou？"
"No;Ilostthemsomewhereintheair，"explainedthechild。"ButthesecondtimeIwenttotheLandofOzIownedtheNomeKing’sMagicBelt，whichismuchmorepowerfulthanweretheSilverShoes。"
"WhereisthatMagicBelt？"enquiredtheWizard，whohadlistenedwithgreatinterest。
"Ozmahasit;foritspowerswon’tworkinacommon，ordinarycountryliketheUnitedStates。AnyoneinafairycountryliketheLandofOzcandoanythingwithit;soIleftitwithmyfriendthePrincessOzma，whousedittowishmeinAustraliawithUncleHenry。"
"Andwereyou？"askedZeb，astonishedatwhatheheard。
"Ofcourse;injustajiffy。AndOzmahasanenchantedpicturehanginginherroomthatshowshertheexactscenewhereanyofherfriendsmaybe，atanytimeshechooses。Allshehastodoistosay：’IwonderwhatSo-and-soisdoing，’andatoncethepictureshowswhereherfriendisandwhatthefriendisdoing。That’sREALmagic，Mr。Wizard;isn’tit？Well，everydayatfouro’clockOzmahaspromisedtolookatmeinthatpicture，andifIaminneedofhelpI
amtomakeheracertainsignandshewillputontheNomeKing’sMagicBeltandwishmetobewithherinOz。"
"DoyoumeanthatPrincessOzmawillseethiscaveinherenchantedpicture，andseeallofushere，andwhatwearedoing？"demandedZeb。
"Ofcourse;whenitisfouro’clock，"shereplied，withalaughathisstartledexpression。
"AndwhenyoumakeasignshewillbringyoutoherintheLandofOz？"continuedtheboy。
"That’sit，exactly;bymeansoftheMagicBelt。"
"Then，"saidtheWizard，"youwillbesaved，littleDorothy;andIamverygladofit。Therestofuswilldiemuchmorecheerfullywhenweknowyouhaveescapedoursadfate。"
"Iwon’tdiecheerfully！"protestedthekitten。"There’snothingcheerfulaboutdyingthatIcouldeversee，althoughtheysayacathasninelives，andsomustdieninetimes。"
"Haveyoueverdiedyet？"enquiredtheboy。
"No，andI’mnotanxioustobegin，"saidEureka。