首页 >出版文学> Ozma of Oz>第1章

第1章

  ARecordofHerAdventureswithDorothyGaleofKansas,theYellowHen,theScarecrow,theTinWoodman,Tiktok,theCowardlyLionandtheHungryTiger;BesidesOtherGoodPeopletooNumeroustoMentionFaithfullyRecordedHereinContents——Author’sNote——
  1。TheGirlintheChickenCoop2。TheYellowHen3。LettersintheSand4。Tiktok,theMachineMan5。DorothyOpenstheDinnerPail6。TheHeadsofLangwidere7。OzmaofOztotheRescue8。TheHungryTiger9。TheRoyalFamilyofEv10。TheGiantwiththeHammer11。TheNomeKing12。TheElevenGuesses13。TheNomeKingLaughs14。DorothyTriestobeBrave15。BillinaFrightenstheNomeKing16。Purple,GreenandGold17。TheScarecrowWinstheFight18。TheFateoftheTinWoodman19。TheKingofEv20。TheEmeraldCity21。Dorothy’sMagicBeltAuthor’sNoteMyfriendsthechildrenareresponsibleforthisnew"OzBook,"astheywereforthelastone,whichwascalledTheLandofOz。Theirsweetlittleletterspleadtoknow"moreaboutDorothy";andtheyask:
  "WhatbecameoftheCowardlyLion?"and"WhatdidOzmadoafterward?"——meaning,ofcourse,aftershebecametheRulerofOz。
  Andsomeofthemsuggestplotstome,saying:"PleasehaveDorothygototheLandofOzagain";or,"Whydon’tyoumakeOzmaandDorothymeet,andhaveagoodtimetogether?"Indeed,couldIdoallthatmylittlefriendsask,Iwouldbeobligedtowritedozensofbookstosatisfytheirdemands。AndIwishIcould,forIenjoywritingthesestoriesjustasmuchasthechildrensaytheyenjoyreadingthem。
  Well,hereis"moreaboutDorothy,"andaboutouroldfriendstheScarecrowandtheTinWoodman,andabouttheCowardlyLion,andOzma,andalltherestofthem;andhere,likewise,isagooddealaboutsomenewfolksthatarequeerandunusual。Onelittlefriend,whoreadthisstorybeforeitwasprinted,saidtome:"BillinaisREAL
  OZZY,Mr。Baum,andsoareTiktokandtheHungryTiger。"
  Ifthisjudgmentisunbiasedandcorrect,andthelittlefolksfindthisnewstory"realOzzy,"IshallbeverygladindeedthatIwroteit。ButperhapsIshallgetsomemoreofthoseverywelcomelettersfrommyreaders,tellingmejusthowtheylike"OzmaofOz。"Ihopeso,anyway。
  L。FRANKBAUM。
  MACATAWA,1907。
  1。TheGirlintheChickenCoopThewindblewhardandjoggledthewateroftheocean,sendingripplesacrossitssurface。Thenthewindpushedtheedgesoftheripplesuntiltheybecamewaves,andshovedthewavesarounduntiltheybecamebillows。Thebillowsrolleddreadfullyhigh:highereventhanthetopsofhouses。Someofthem,indeed,rolledashighasthetopsoftalltrees,andseemedlikemountains;andthegulfsbetweenthegreatbillowswerelikedeepvalleys。
  Allthismaddashingandsplashingofthewatersofthebigocean,whichthemischievouswindcausedwithoutanygoodreasonwhatever,resultedinaterriblestorm,andastormontheoceanisliabletocutmanyqueerpranksanddoalotofdamage。
  Atthetimethewindbegantoblow,ashipwassailingfaroutuponthewaters。Whenthewavesbegantotumbleandtossandtogrowbiggerandbiggertheshiprolledupanddown,andtippedsidewise——firstonewayandthentheother——andwasjostledaroundsoroughlythateventhesailor-menhadtoholdfasttotheropesandrailingstokeepthemselvesfrombeingsweptawaybythewindorpitchedheadlongintothesea。
  Andthecloudsweresothickintheskythatthesunlightcouldn’tgetthroughthem;sothatthedaygrewdarkasnight,whichaddedtotheterrorsofthestorm。
  TheCaptainoftheshipwasnotafraid,becausehehadseenstormsbefore,andhadsailedhisshipthroughtheminsafety;butheknewthathispassengerswouldbeindangeriftheytriedtostayondeck,soheputthemallintothecabinandtoldthemtostaythereuntilafterthestormwasover,andtokeepbraveheartsandnotbescared,andallwouldbewellwiththem。
  Now,amongthesepassengerswasalittleKansasgirlnamedDorothyGale,whowasgoingwithherUncleHenrytoAustralia,tovisitsomerelativestheyhadneverbeforeseen。UncleHenry,youmustknow,wasnotverywell,becausehehadbeenworkingsohardonhisKansasfarmthathishealthhadgivenwayandlefthimweakandnervous。SoheleftAuntEmathometowatchafterthehiredmenandtotakecareofthefarm,whilehetraveledfarawaytoAustraliatovisithiscousinsandhaveagoodrest。
  Dorothywaseagertogowithhimonthisjourney,andUncleHenrythoughtshewouldbegoodcompanyandhelpcheerhimup;sohedecidedtotakeheralong。Thelittlegirlwasquiteanexperiencedtraveller,forshehadoncebeencarriedbyacycloneasfarawayfromhomeasthemarvelousLandofOz,andshehadmetwithagoodmanyadventuresinthatstrangecountrybeforeshemanagedtogetbacktoKansasagain。Soshewasn’teasilyfrightened,whateverhappened,andwhenthewindbegantohowlandwhistle,andthewavesbegantotumbleandtoss,ourlittlegirldidn’tmindtheuproartheleastbit。
  "Ofcoursewe’llhavetostayinthecabin,"shesaidtoUncleHenryandtheotherpassengers,"andkeepasquietaspossibleuntilthestormisover。FortheCaptainsaysifwegoondeckwemaybeblownoverboard。"
  Noonewantedtorisksuchanaccidentasthat,youmaybesure;
  soallthepassengersstayedhuddledupinthedarkcabin,listeningtotheshriekingofthestormandthecreakingofthemastsandriggingandtryingtokeepfrombumpingintooneanotherwhentheshiptippedsidewise。
  DorothyhadalmostfallenasleepwhenshewasarousedwithastarttofindthatUncleHenrywasmissing。Shecouldn’timaginewherehehadgone,andashewasnotverystrongshebegantoworryabouthim,andtofearhemighthavebeencarelessenoughtogoondeck。Inthatcasehewouldbeingreatdangerunlessheinstantlycamedownagain。
  ThefactwasthatUncleHenryhadgonetoliedowninhislittlesleeping-berth,butDorothydidnotknowthat。SheonlyrememberedthatAuntEmhadcautionedhertotakegoodcareofheruncle,soatonceshedecidedtogoondeckandfindhim,inspiteofthefactthatthetempestwasnowworsethanever,andtheshipwasplunginginareallydreadfulmanner。Indeed,thelittlegirlfounditwasasmuchasshecoulddotomountthestairstothedeck,andassoonasshegottherethewindstruckhersofiercelythatitalmosttoreawaytheskirtsofherdress。YetDorothyfeltasortofjoyousexcitementindefyingthestorm,andwhilesheheldfasttotherailingshepeeredaroundthroughthegloomandthoughtshesawthedimformofamanclingingtoamastnotfarawayfromher。Thismightbeheruncle,soshecalledasloudlyasshecould:
  "UncleHenry!UncleHenry!"
  Butthewindscreechedandhowledsomadlythatshescarceheardherownvoice,andthemancertainlyfailedtohearher,forhedidnotmove。
  Dorothydecidedshemustgotohim;soshemadeadashforward,duringalullinthestorm,towhereabigsquarechicken-coophadbeenlashedtothedeckwithropes。Shereachedthisplaceinsafety,butnosoonerhadsheseizedfastholdoftheslatsofthebigboxinwhichthechickenswerekeptthanthewind,asifenragedbecausethelittlegirldaredtoresistitspower,suddenlyredoubleditsfury。
  Withascreamlikethatofanangrygiantittoreawaytheropesthatheldthecoopandliftedithighintotheair,withDorothystillclingingtotheslats。Aroundandoveritwhirled,thiswayandthat,andafewmomentslaterthechicken-coopdroppedfarawayintothesea,wherethebigwavescaughtitandsliditup-hilltoafoamingcrestandthendown-hillintoadeepvalley,asifitwerenothingmorethanaplaythingtokeepthemamused。
  Dorothyhadagoodducking,youmaybesure,butshedidn’tlooseherpresenceofmindevenforasecond。Shekepttightholdofthestoutslatsandassoonasshecouldgetthewateroutofhereyesshesawthatthewindhadrippedthecoverfromthecoop,andthepoorchickenswereflutteringawayineverydirection,beingblownbythewinduntiltheylookedlikefeatherdusterswithouthandles。Thebottomofthecoopwasmadeofthickboards,soDorothyfoundshewasclingingtoasortofraft,withsidesofslats,whichreadilyboreupherweight。Aftercoughingthewateroutofherthroatandgettingherbreathagain,shemanagedtoclimbovertheslatsandstanduponthefirmwoodenbottomofthecoop,whichsupportedhereasilyenough。
  "Why,I’vegotashipofmyown!"shethought,moreamusedthanfrightenedathersuddenchangeofcondition;andthen,asthecoopclimbeduptothetopofabigwave,shelookedeagerlyaroundfortheshipfromwhichshehadbeenblown。
  Itwasfar,faraway,bythistime。Perhapsnooneonboardhadyetmissedher,orknewofherstrangeadventure。Downintoavalleybetweenthewavesthecoopswepther,andwhensheclimbedanothercresttheshiplookedlikeatoyboat,itwassuchalongwayoff。
  Soonithadentirelydisappearedinthegloom,andthenDorothygaveasighofregretatpartingwithUncleHenryandbegantowonderwhatwasgoingtohappentohernext。
  Justnowshewastossingonthebosomofabigocean,withnothingtokeepherafloatbutamiserablewoodenhen-coopthathadaplankbottomandslattedsides,throughwhichthewaterconstantlysplashedandwettedherthroughtotheskin!Andtherewasnothingtoeatwhenshebecamehungry——asshewassuretodobeforelong——andnofreshwatertodrinkandnodryclothestoputon。
  "Well,Ideclare!"sheexclaimed,withalaugh。"You’reinaprettyfix,DorothyGale,Icantellyou!andIhaven’ttheleastideahowyou’regoingtogetoutofit!"
  Asiftoaddtohertroublesthenightwasnowcreepingon,andthegraycloudsoverheadchangedtoinkyblackness。Butthewind,asifsatisfiedatlastwithitsmischievouspranks,stoppedblowingthisoceanandhurriedawaytoanotherpartoftheworldtoblowsomethingelse;sothatthewaves,notbeingjoggledanymore,begantoquietdownandbehavethemselves。
  ItwasluckyforDorothy,Ithink,thatthestormsubsided;otherwise,bravethoughshewas,Ifearshemighthaveperished。Manychildren,inherplace,wouldhaveweptandgivenwaytodespair;butbecauseDorothyhadencounteredsomanyadventuresandcomesafelythroughthemitdidnotoccurtoheratthistimetobeespeciallyafraid。
  Shewaswetanduncomfortable,itistrue;but,aftersighingthatonesighItoldyouof,shemanagedtorecallsomeofhercustomarycheerfulnessanddecidedtopatientlyawaitwhateverherfatemightbe。
  Byandbytheblackcloudsrolledawayandshowedablueskyoverhead,withasilvermoonshiningsweetlyinthemiddleofitandlittlestarswinkingmerrilyatDorothywhenshelookedtheirway。Thecoopdidnottossaroundanymore,butrodethewavesmoregently——almostlikeacradlerocking——sothattheflooruponwhichDorothystoodwasnolongersweptbywatercomingthroughtheslats。Seeingthis,andbeingquiteexhaustedbytheexcitementofthepastfewhours,thelittlegirldecidedthatsleepwouldbethebestthingtorestoreherstrengthandtheeasiestwayinwhichshecouldpassthetime。Thefloorwasdampandshewasherselfwringingwet,butfortunatelythiswasawarmclimateandshedidnotfeelatallcold。
  Soshesatdowninacornerofthecoop,leanedherbackagainsttheslats,noddedatthefriendlystarsbeforesheclosedhereyes,andwasasleepinhalfaminute。
  2。TheYellowHenAstrangenoiseawokeDorothy,whoopenedhereyestofindthatdayhaddawnedandthesunwasshiningbrightlyinaclearsky。ShehadbeendreamingthatshewasbackinKansasagain,andplayingintheoldbarn-yardwiththecalvesandpigsandchickensallaroundher;
  andatfirst,assherubbedthesleepfromhereyes,shereallyimaginedshewasthere。
  "Kut-kut-kut,ka-daw-kut!Kut-kut-kut,ka-daw-kut!"
  Ah;hereagainwasthestrangenoisethathadawakenedher。Surelyitwasahencackling!Butherwide-openeyesfirstsaw,throughtheslatsofthecoop,thebluewavesoftheocean,nowcalmandplacid,andherthoughtsflewbacktothepastnight,sofullofdangeranddiscomfort。Alsoshebegantorememberthatshewasawaifofthestorm,adriftuponatreacherousandunknownsea。
  "Kut-kut-kut,ka-daw-w-w——kut!"
  "What’sthat?"criedDorothy,startingtoherfeet。
  "Why,I’vejustlaidanegg,that’sall,"repliedasmall,butsharpanddistinctvoice,andlookingaroundherthelittlegirldiscoveredayellowhensquattingintheoppositecornerofthecoop。
  "Dearme!"sheexclaimed,insurprise;"haveYOUbeenhereallnight,too?"
  "Ofcourse,"answeredthehen,flutteringherwingsandyawning。
  "WhenthecoopblewawayfromtheshipIclungfasttothiscorner,withclawsandbeak,forIknewifIfellintothewaterI’dsurelybedrowned。Indeed,Inearlydrowned,asitwas,withallthatwaterwashingoverme。Ineverwassowetbeforeinmylife!"
  "Yes,"agreedDorothy,"itwasprettywet,foratime,Iknow。Butdoyoufeelcomfor’blenow?"
  "Notvery。Thesunhashelpedtodrymyfeathers,asithasyourdress,andIfeelbettersinceIlaidmymorningegg。Butwhat’stobecomeofus,Ishouldliketoknow,afloatonthisbigpond?"
  "I’dliketoknowthat,too,"saidDorothy。"But,tellme;howdoesithappenthatyouareabletotalk?Ithoughthenscouldonlycluckandcackle。"
  "Why,asforthat,"answeredtheyellowhenthoughtfully,"I’vecluckedandcackledallmylife,andneverspokenawordbeforethismorning,thatIcanremember。Butwhenyouaskedaquestion,aminuteago,itseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldtoansweryou。SoIspoke,andIseemtokeeponspeaking,justasyouandotherhumanbeingsdo。Strange,isn’tit?"
  "Very,"repliedDorothy。"IfwewereintheLandofOz,Iwouldn’tthinkitsoqueer,becausemanyoftheanimalscantalkinthatfairycountry。ButouthereintheoceanmustbeagoodlongwayfromOz。"
  "Howismygrammar?"askedtheyellowhen,anxiously。"DoIspeakquiteproperly,inyourjudgment?"
  "Yes,"saidDorothy,"youdoverywell,forabeginner。"
  "I’mgladtoknowthat,"continuedtheyellowhen,inaconfidentialtone;"because,ifoneisgoingtotalk,it’sbesttotalkcorrectly。
  Theredroosterhasoftensaidthatmycluckandmycacklewerequiteperfect;andnowit’sacomforttoknowIamtalkingproperly。"
  "I’mbeginningtogethungry,"remarkedDorothy。"It’sbreakfasttime;butthere’snobreakfast。"
  "Youmayhavemyegg,"saidtheyellowhen。"Idon’tcareforit,youknow。"
  "Don’tyouwanttohatchit?"askedthelittlegirl,insurprise。
  "No,indeed;InevercaretohatcheggsunlessI’veanicesnugnest,insomequietplace,withabaker’sdozenofeggsunderme。That’sthirteen,youknow,andit’saluckynumberforhens。Soyoumayaswelleatthisegg。"
  "Oh,Icouldn’tPOSS’BLYeatit,unlessitwascooked,"exclaimedDorothy。"ButI’mmuchobligedforyourkindness,justthesame。"
  "Don’tmentionit,mydear,"answeredthehen,calmly,andbeganpruningherfeathers。
  ForamomentDorothystoodlookingoutoverthewidesea。Shewasstillthinkingoftheegg,though;sopresentlysheasked:
  "Whydoyoulayeggs,whenyoudon’texpecttohatchthem?"
  "It’sahabitIhave,"repliedtheyellowhen。"Ithasalwaysbeenmypridetolayafresheggeverymorning,exceptwhenI’mmoulting。I
  neverfeellikehavingmymorningcackletilltheeggisproperlylaid,andwithoutthechancetocackleIwouldnotbehappy。"
  "It’sstrange,"saidthegirl,reflectively;"butasI’mnotahenI
  can’tbe’spectedtounderstandthat。"
  "Certainlynot,mydear。"
  ThenDorothyfellsilentagain。Theyellowhenwassomecompany,andabitofcomfort,too;butitwasdreadfullylonelyoutonthebigocean,nevertheless。
  Afteratimethehenflewupandpercheduponthetopmostslatofthecoop,whichwasalittleaboveDorothy’sheadwhenshewassittinguponthebottom,asshehadbeendoingforsomemomentspast。
  "Why,wearenotfarfromland!"exclaimedthehen。
  "Where?Whereisit?"criedDorothy,jumpingupingreatexcitement。
  "Overtherealittleway,"answeredthehen,noddingherheadinacertaindirection。"Weseemtobedriftingtowardit,sothatbeforenoonweoughttofindourselvesupondrylandagain。"
  "Ishalllikethat!"saidDorothy,withalittlesigh,forherfeetandlegswerestillwettednowandthenbythesea-waterthatcamethroughtheopenslats。
  "SoshallI,"answeredhercompanion。"Thereisnothingintheworldsomiserableasawethen。"
  Theland,whichtheyseemedtoberapidlyapproaching,sinceitgrewmoredistincteveryminute,wasquitebeautifulasviewedbythelittlegirlinthefloatinghen-coop。Nexttothewaterwasabroadbeachofwhitesandandgravel,andfartherbackwereseveralrockyhills,whilebeyondtheseappearedastripofgreentreesthatmarkedtheedgeofaforest。Buttherewerenohousestobeseen,noranysignofpeoplewhomightinhabitthisunknownland。
  "Ihopeweshallfindsomethingtoeat,"saidDorothy,lookingeagerlyattheprettybeachtowardwhichtheydrifted。"It’slongpastbreakfasttime,now。"
  "I’matriflehungry,myself,"declaredtheyellowhen。
  "Whydon’tyoueattheegg?"askedthechild。"Youdon’tneedtohaveyourfoodcooked,asIdo。"
  "Doyoutakemeforacannibal?"criedthehen,indignantly。"IdonotknowwhatIhavesaidordonethatleadsyoutoinsultme!"
  "Ibegyourpardon,I’msureMrs。——Mrs。——bytheway,mayIinquireyourname,ma’am?"askedthelittlegirl。
  "MynameisBill,"saidtheyellowhen,somewhatgruffly。
  "Bill!Why,that’saboy’sname。"
  "Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?"
  "You’realadyhen,aren’tyou?"
  "Ofcourse。ButwhenIwasfirsthatchedoutnoonecouldtellwhetherIwasgoingtobeahenorarooster;sothelittleboyatthefarmwhereIwasborncalledmeBill,andmadeapetofmebecauseI
  wastheonlyyellowchickeninthewholebrood。WhenIgrewup,andhefoundthatIdidn’tcrowandfight,asalltheroostersdo,hedidnotthinktochangemyname,andeverycreatureinthebarn-yard,aswellasthepeopleinthehouse,knewmeas’Bill。’SoBillI’vealwaysbeencalled,andBillismyname。"
  "Butit’sallwrong,youknow,"declaredDorothy,earnestly;"and,ifyoudon’tmind,Ishallcallyou’Billina。’Puttingthe’eena’ontheendmakesitagirl’sname,yousee。"
  "Oh,Idon’tminditintheleast,"returnedtheyellowhen。"Itdoesn’tmatteratallwhatyoucallme,solongasIknowthenamemeansME。"
  "Verywell,Billina。MYnameisDorothyGale——justDorothytomyfriendsandMissGaletostrangers。YoumaycallmeDorothy,ifyoulike。We’regettingveryneartheshore。Doyousupposeitistoodeepformetowadetherestoftheway?"
  "Waitafewminuteslonger。Thesunshineiswarmandpleasant,andweareinnohurry。"
  "Butmyfeetareallwetandsoggy,"saidthegirl。"Mydressisdryenough,butIwon’tfeelrealcomfor’bletillIgetmyfeetdried。"
  Shewaited,however,asthehenadvised,andbeforelongthebigwoodencoopgratedgentlyonthesandybeachandthedangerousvoyagewasover。
  Itdidnottakethecastawayslongtoreachtheshore,youmaybesure。Theyellowhenflewtothesandsatonce,butDorothyhadtoclimboverthehighslats。Still,foracountrygirl,thatwasnotmuchofafeat,andassoonasshewassafeashoreDorothydrewoffherwetshoesandstockingsandspreadthemuponthesun-warmedbeachtodry。
  ThenshesatdownandwatchedBillina,whowaspick-peckingawaywithhersharpbillinthesandandgravel,whichshescratchedupandturnedoverwithherstrongclaws。
  "Whatareyoudoing?"askedDorothy。
  "Gettingmybreakfast,ofcourse,"murmuredthehen,busilypeckingaway。
  "Whatdoyoufind?"inquiredthegirl,curiously。
  "Oh,somefatredants,andsomesand-bugs,andonceinawhileatinycrab。Theyareverysweetandnice,Iassureyou。"
  "Howdreadful!"exclaimedDorothy,inashockedvoice。
  "Whatisdreadful?"askedthehen,liftingherheadtogazewithonebrighteyeathercompanion。
  "Why,eatinglivethings,andhorridbugs,andcrawlyants。Yououghttobe’SHAMEDofyourself!"
  "Goodnessme!"returnedthehen,inapuzzledtone;"howqueeryouare,Dorothy!Livethingsaremuchfresherandmorewholesomethandeadones,andyouhumanseatallsortsofdeadcreatures。"
  "Wedon’t!"saidDorothy。
  "Youdo,indeed,"answeredBillina。"Youeatlambsandsheepandcowsandpigsandevenchickens。"
  "Butwecook’em,"saidDorothy,triumphantly。
  "Whatdifferencedoesthatmake?"
  "Agooddeal,"saidthegirl,inagravertone。"Ican’tjust’splainthediff’rence,butit’sthere。And,anyhow,wenevereatsuchdreadfulthingsasBUGS。"
  "Butyoueatthechickensthateatthebugs,"retortedtheyellowhen,withanoddcackle。"Soyouarejustasbadaswechickensare。"
  ThismadeDorothythoughtful。WhatBillinasaidwastrueenough,anditalmosttookawayherappetiteforbreakfast。Asfortheyellowhen,shecontinuedtopeckawayatthesandbusily,andseemedquitecontentedwithherbill-of-fare。
  Finally,downnearthewater’sedge,Billinastuckherbilldeepintothesand,andthendrewbackandshivered。
  "Ow!"shecried。"Istruckmetal,thattime,anditnearlybrokemybeak。"
  "Itprob’blywasarock,"saidDorothy,carelessly。
  "Nonsense。Iknowarockfrommetal,Iguess,"saidthehen。
  "There’sadifferentfeeltoit。"
  "Buttherecouldn’tbeanymetalonthiswild,desertedseashore,"
  persistedthegirl。"Where’stheplace?I’lldigitup,andprovetoyouI’mright,"
  Billinashowedhertheplacewhereshehad"stubbedherbill,"assheexpressedit,andDorothydugawaythesanduntilshefeltsomethinghard。Then,thrustinginherhand,shepulledthethingout,anddiscoveredittobealargesizedgoldenkey——ratherold,butstillbrightandofperfectshape。
  "WhatdidItellyou?"criedthehen,withacackleoftriumph。"CanItellmetalwhenIbumpintoit,oristhethingarock?"
  "It’smetal,sureenough,"answeredthechild,gazingthoughtfullyatthecuriousthingshehadfound。"Ithinkitispuregold,anditmusthavelainhiddeninthesandforalongtime。Howdoyousupposeitcamethere,Billina?Andwhatdoyousupposethismysteriouskeyunlocks?"
  "Ican’tsay,"repliedthehen。"YououghttoknowmoreaboutlocksandkeysthanIdo。"
  Dorothyglancedaround。Therewasnosignofanyhouseinthatpartofthecountry,andshereasonedthateverykeymustfitalockandeverylockmusthaveapurpose。Perhapsthekeyhadbeenlostbysomebodywholivedfaraway,buthadwanderedonthisveryshore。
  Musingonthesethingsthegirlputthekeyinthepocketofherdressandthenslowlydrewonhershoesandstockings,whichthesunhadfullydried。
  "Ib’lieve,Billina,"shesaid,"I’llhavealook’round,andseeifI
  canfindsomebreakfast。"
  3。LettersintheSandWalkingalittlewaybackfromthewater’sedge,towardthegroveoftrees,Dorothycametoaflatstretchofwhitesandthatseemedtohavequeersignsmarkeduponitssurface,justasonewouldwriteuponsandwithastick。
  "Whatdoesitsay?"sheaskedtheyellowhen,whotrottedalongbesideherinaratherdignifiedfashion。
  "HowshouldIknow?"returnedthehen。"Icannotread。"
  "Oh!Can’tyou?"
  "Certainlynot;I’veneverbeentoschool,youknow。"
  "Well,Ihave,"admittedDorothy;"butthelettersarebigandfarapart,andit’shardtospelloutthewords。"
  Butshelookedateachlettercarefully,andfinallydiscoveredthatthesewordswerewritteninthesand:
  "BEWARETHEWHEELERS!"
  "That’sratherstrange,"declaredthehen,whenDorothyhadreadaloudthewords。"WhatdoyousupposetheWheelersare?"
  "Folksthatwheel,Iguess。Theymusthavewheelbarrows,orbaby-cabsorhand-carts,"saidDorothy。
  "Perhapsthey’reautomobiles,"suggestedtheyellowhen。"Thereisnoneedtobewareofbaby-cabsandwheelbarrows;butautomobilesaredangerousthings。Severalofmyfriendshavebeenrunoverbythem。"
  "Itcan’tbeauto’biles,"repliedthegirl,"forthisisanew,wildcountry,withouteventrolley-carsortel’phones。Thepeopleherehaven’tbeendiscoveredyet,I’msure;thatis,ifthereAREanypeople。SoIdon’tb’lievethereCANbeanyauto’biles,Billina。"
  "Perhapsnot,"admittedtheyellowhen。"Whereareyougoingnow?"
  "Overtothosetrees,toseeifIcanfindsomefruitornuts,"
  answeredDorothy。
  Shetrampedacrossthesand,skirtingthefootofoneofthelittlerockyhillsthatstoodnear,andsoonreachedtheedgeoftheforest。
  Atfirstshewasgreatlydisappointed,becausethenearertreeswereallpunita,orcotton-woodoreucalyptus,andborenofruitornutsatall。But,byeandbye,whenshewasalmostindespair,thelittlegirlcameupontwotreesthatpromisedtofurnishherwithplentyoffood。
  Onewasquitefullofsquarepaperboxes,whichgrewinclustersonallthelimbs,anduponthebiggestandripestboxestheword"Lunch"
  couldberead,inneatraisedletters。Thistreeseemedtobearalltheyeararound,fortherewerelunch-boxblossomsonsomeofthebranches,andonotherstinylittlelunch-boxesthatwereasyetquitegreen,andevidentlynotfittoeatuntiltheyhadgrownbigger。
  Theleavesofthistreewereallpapernapkins,anditpresentedaverypleasingappearancetothehungrylittlegirl。
  Butthetreenexttothelunch-boxtreewasevenmorewonderful,foritborequantitiesoftindinner-pails,whichweresofullandheavythatthestoutbranchesbentunderneaththeirweight。Someweresmallanddark-brownincolor;thoselargerwereofadulltincolor;butthereallyripeoneswerepailsofbrighttinthatshoneandglistenedbeautifullyintheraysofsunshinethattouchedthem。
  Dorothywasdelighted,andeventheyellowhenacknowledgedthatshewassurprised。
  Thelittlegirlstoodontip-toeandpickedoneofthenicestandbiggestlunch-boxes,andthenshesatdownuponthegroundandeagerlyopenedit。Insideshefound,nicelywrappedinwhitepapers,ahamsandwich,apieceofsponge-cake,apickle,asliceofnewcheeseandanapple。Eachthinghadaseparatestem,andsohadtobepickedoffthesideofthebox;butDorothyfoundthemalltobedelicious,andsheateeverybitofluncheonintheboxbeforeshehadfinished。
  "Alunchisn’tzactlybreakfast,"shesaidtoBillina,whosatbesidehercuriouslywatching。"Butwhenoneishungryonecaneatevensupperinthemorning,andnotcomplain。"
  "Ihopeyourlunch-boxwasperfectlyripe,"observedtheyellowhen,inaanxioustone。"Somuchsicknessiscausedbyeatinggreenthings。"
  "Oh,I’msureitwasripe,"declaredDorothy,"all,thatis,’ceptthepickle,andapicklejustHAStobegreen,Billina。Buteverythingtastedperfectlysplendid,andI’dratherhaveitthanachurchpicnic。AndnowIthinkI’llpickadinner-pail,tohavewhenIgethungryagain,andthenwe’llstartoutand’splorethecountry,andseewhereweare。"
  "Haven’tyouanyideawhatcountrythisis?"inquiredBillina。
  "Noneatall。Butlisten:I’mquitesureit’safairycountry,orsuchthingsaslunch-boxesanddinner-pailswouldn’tbegrowingupontrees。Besides,Billina,beingahen,youwouldn’tbeabletotalkinanyciv’lizedcountry,likeKansas,wherenofairiesliveatall。"
  "Perhapswe’reintheLandofOz,"saidthehen,thoughtfully。
  "No,thatcan’tbe,"answeredthelittlegirl;becauseI’vebeentotheLandofOz,andit’sallsurroundedbyahorriddesertthatnoonecancross。"
  "Thenhowdidyougetawayfromthereagain?"askedBillina。
  "Ihadapairofsilvershoes,thatcarriedmethroughtheair;butI
  lostthem,"saidDorothy。
  "Ah,indeed,"remarkedtheyellowhen,inatoneofunbelief。
  "Anyhow,"resumedthegirl,"thereisnoseashoreneartheLandofOz,sothismustsurelybesomeotherfairycountry。"
  Whileshewasspeakingsheselectedabrightandprettydinner-pailthatseemedtohaveastouthandle,andpickeditfromitsbranch。
  Then,accompaniedbytheyellowhen,shewalkedoutoftheshadowofthetreestowardthesea-shore。
  TheywerepartwayacrossthesandswhenBillinasuddenlycried,inavoiceofterror:
  "What’sthat?"
  Dorothyturnedquicklyaround,andsawcomingoutofapaththatledfrombetweenthetreesthemostpeculiarpersonhereyeshadeverbeheld。
  Ithadtheformofaman,exceptthatitwalked,orratherrolled,uponallfours,anditslegswerethesamelengthasitsarms,givingthemtheappearanceofthefourlegsofabeast。YetitwasnobeastthatDorothyhaddiscovered,forthepersonwasclothedmostgorgeouslyinembroideredgarmentsofmanycolors,andworeastrawhatperchedjauntilyuponthesideofitshead。Butitdifferedfromhumanbeingsinthisrespect,thatinsteadofhandsandfeettheregrewattheendofitsarmsandlegsroundwheels,andbymeansofthesewheelsitrolledveryswiftlyoverthelevelground。AfterwardDorothyfoundthattheseoddwheelswereofthesamehardsubstancethatourfinger-nailsandtoe-nailsarecomposedof,andshealsolearnedthatcreaturesofthisstrangeracewereborninthisqueerfashion。Butwhenourlittlegirlfirstcaughtsightofthefirstindividualofaracethatwasdestinedtocauseheralotoftrouble,shehadanideathatthebrilliantly-clothedpersonagewasonroller-skates,whichwereattachedtohishandsaswellastohisfeet。
  "Run!"screamedtheyellowhen,flutteringawayingreatfright。
  "It’saWheeler!"
  "AWheeler?"exclaimedDorothy。"Whatcanthatbe?"
  "Don’tyourememberthewarninginthesand:’BewaretheWheelers’?
  Run,Itellyou——run!"
  SoDorothyran,andtheWheelergaveasharp,wildcryandcameafterherinfullchase。
  Lookingoverhershoulderassheran,thegirlnowsawagreatprocessionofWheelersemergingfromtheforest——dozensanddozensofthem——allcladinsplendid,tight-fittinggarmentsandallrollingswiftlytowardherandutteringtheirwild,strangecries。
  "They’resuretocatchus!"pantedthegirl,whowasstillcarryingtheheavydinner-pailshehadpicked。"Ican’trunmuchfarther,Billina。"
  "Climbupthishill,——quick!"saidthehen;andDorothyfoundshewasveryneartotheheapoflooseandjaggedrockstheyhadpassedontheirwaytotheforest。Theyellowhenwasevennowflutteringamongtherocks,andDorothyfollowedasbestshecould,halfclimbingandhalftumblinguptheroughandruggedsteep。
  Shewasnonetoosoon,fortheforemostWheelerreachedthehillamomentafterher;butwhilethegirlscrambleduptherocksthecreaturestoppedshortwithhowlsofrageanddisappointment。
  Dorothynowheardtheyellowhenlaughing,inhercackling,hennyway。
  "Don’thurry,mydear,"criedBillina。"Theycan’tfollowusamongtheserocks,sowe’resafeenoughnow。"
  Dorothystoppedatonceandsatdownuponabroadboulder,forshewasalloutofbreath。
  TherestoftheWheelershadnowreachedthefootofthehill,butitwasevidentthattheirwheelswouldnotrollupontheroughandjaggedrocks,andthereforetheywerehelplesstofollowDorothyandthehentowheretheyhadtakenrefuge。Buttheycircledallaroundthelittlehill,sothechildandBillinawerefastprisonersandcouldnotcomedownwithoutbeingcaptured。
  ThenthecreaturesshooktheirfrontwheelsatDorothyinathreateningmanner,anditseemedtheywereabletospeakaswellastomaketheirdreadfuloutcries,forseveralofthemshouted:
  "We’llgetyouintime,neverfear!Andwhenwedogetyou,we’lltearyouintolittlebits!"
  "Whyareyousocrueltome?"askedDorothy。"I’mastrangerinyourcountry,andhavedoneyounoharm。"
  "Noharm!"criedonewhoseemedtobetheirleader。"Didyounotpickourlunch-boxesanddinner-pails?Haveyounotastolendinner-pailstillinyourhand?"
  "Ionlypickedoneofeach,"sheanswered。"Iwashungry,andI
  didn’tknowthetreeswereyours。"
  "Thatisnoexcuse,"retortedtheleader,whowasclothedinamostgorgeoussuit。"Itisthelawherethatwhoeverpicksadinner-pailwithoutourpermissionmustdieimmediately。"
  "Don’tyoubelievehim,"saidBillina。"I’msurethetreesdonotbelongtotheseawfulcreatures。Theyarefitforanymischief,andit’smyopiniontheywouldtrytokillusjustthesameifyouhadn’tpickedadinner-pail。"
  "Ithinkso,too,"agreedDorothy。"Butwhatshallwedonow?"
  "Staywhereweare,"advisedtheyellowhen。"WearesafefromtheWheelersuntilwestarvetodeath,anyhow;andbeforethattimecomesagoodmanythingscanhappen。"
  4。TiktoktheMachineManAfteranhourorsomostofthebandofWheelersrolledbackintotheforest,leavingonlythreeoftheirnumbertoguardthehill。Thesecurledthemselvesuplikebigdogsandpretendedtogotosleeponthesands;butneitherDorothynorBillinawerefooledbythistrick,sotheyremainedinsecurityamongtherocksandpaidnoattentiontotheircunningenemies。
  Finallythehen,flutteringoverthemound,exclaimed:"Why,here’sapath!"
  SoDorothyatonceclamberedtowhereBillinasat,andthere,sureenough,wasasmoothpathcutbetweentherocks。Itseemedtowindaroundthemoundfromtoptobottom,likeacork-screw,twistinghereandtherebetweentheroughbouldersbutalwaysremaininglevelandeasytowalkupon。
  Indeed,DorothywonderedatfirstwhytheWheelersdidnotrollupthispath;butwhenshefollowedittothefootofthemoundshefoundthatseveralbigpiecesofrockhadbeenplaceddirectlyacrosstheendoftheway,thuspreventinganyoneoutsidefromseeingitandalsopreventingtheWheelersfromusingittoclimbupthemound。
  ThenDorothywalkedbackupthepath,andfollowedituntilshecametotheverytopofthehill,whereasolitaryroundrockstoodthatwasbiggerthananyoftheotherssurroundingit。Thepathcametoanendjustbesidethisgreatrock,andforamomentitpuzzledthegirltoknowwhythepathhadbeenmadeatall。Butthehen,whohadbeengravelyfollowingheraroundandwasnowpercheduponapointofrockbehindDorothy,suddenlyremarked:
  "Itlookssomethinglikeadoor,doesn’tit?"
  "Whatlookslikeadoor?"enquiredthechild。
  "Why,thatcrackintherock,justfacingyou,"repliedBillina,whoselittleroundeyeswereverysharpandseemedtoseeeverything。"Itrunsuponesideanddowntheother,andacrossthetopandthebottom。"
  "Whatdoes?"
  "Why,thecrack。SoIthinkitmustbeadoorofrock,althoughIdonotseeanyhinges。"
  "Oh,yes,"saidDorothy,nowobservingforthefirsttimethecrackintherock。"Andisn’tthisakey-hole,Billina?"pointingtoaround,deepholeatonesideofthedoor。
  "Ofcourse。Ifweonlyhadthekey,now,wecouldunlockitandseewhatisthere,"repliedtheyellowhen。"Maybeit’satreasurechamberfullofdiamondsandrubies,orheapsofshininggold,or——"
  "Thatremindsme,"saidDorothy,"ofthegoldenkeyIpickedupontheshore。Doyouthinkthatitwouldfitthiskey-hole,Billina?"
  "Tryitandsee,"suggestedthehen。
  SoDorothysearchedinthepocketofherdressandfoundthegoldenkey。Andwhenshehadputitintotheholeoftherock,andturnedit,asuddensharpsnapwasheard;then,withasolemncreakthatmadetheshiversrundownthechild’sback,thefaceoftherockfelloutward,likeadooronhinges,andrevealedasmalldarkchamberjustinside。
  "Goodgracious!"criedDorothy,shrinkingbackasfarasthenarrowpathwouldlether。
  For,standingwithinthenarrowchamberofrock,wastheformofaman——or,atleast,itseemedlikeaman,inthedimlight。HewasonlyaboutastallasDorothyherself,andhisbodywasroundasaballandmadeoutofburnishedcopper。Alsohisheadandlimbswerecopper,andthesewerejointedorhingedtohisbodyinapeculiarway,withmetalcapsoverthejoints,likethearmorwornbyknightsindaysofold。Hestoodperfectlystill,andwherethelightstruckuponhisformitglitteredasifmadeofpuregold。
  "Don’tbefrightened,"calledBillina,fromherperch。"Itisn’talive。"
  "Iseeitisn’t,"repliedthegirl,drawingalongbreath。
  "Itisonlymadeoutofcopper,liketheoldkettleinthebarn-yardathome,"continuedthehen,turningherheadfirsttoonesideandthentotheother,sothatbothherlittleroundeyescouldexaminetheobject。
  "Once,"saidDorothy,"Iknewamanmadeoutoftin,whowasawoodmannamedNickChopper。Buthewasasaliveasweare,’causehewasbornarealman,andgothistinbodyalittleatatime——firstalegandthenafingerandthenanear——forthereasonthathehadsomanyaccidentswithhisaxe,andcuthimselfupinaverycarelessmanner。"
  "Oh,"saidthehen,withasniff,asifshedidnotbelievethestory。
  "Butthiscopperman,"continuedDorothy,lookingatitwithbigeyes,"isnotaliveatall,andIwonderwhatitwasmadefor,andwhyitwaslockedupinthisqueerplace。"
  "Thatisamystery,"remarkedthehen,twistingherheadtoarrangeherwing-featherswithherbill。
  Dorothysteppedinsidethelittleroomtogetabackviewofthecopperman,andinthiswaydiscoveredaprintedcardthathungbetweenhisshoulders,itbeingsuspendedfromasmallcopperpegatthebackofhisneck。Sheunfastenedthiscardandreturnedtothepath,wherethelightwasbetter,andsatherselfdownuponaslabofrocktoreadtheprinting。
  "Whatdoesitsay?"askedthehen,curiously。
  Dorothyreadthecardaloud,spellingoutthebigwordswithsomedifficulty;andthisiswhatsheread:
  ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
  SMITH&TINKER’S
  PatentDouble-Action,Extra-Responsive,
  Thought-Creating,Perfect-Talking
  MECHANICALMAN
  FittedwithourSpecialClock-WorkAttachment。
  Thinks,Speaks,Acts,andDoesEverythingbutLive。
  ManufacturedonlyatourWorksatEvna,LandofEv。
  AllinfringementswillbepromptlyProsecutedaccordingtoLaw。
  ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
  "Howqueer!"saidtheyellowhen。"Doyouthinkthatisalltrue,mydear?"
  "Idon’tknow,"answeredDorothy,whohadmoretoread。"Listentothis,Billina:"
  ——————————————————————————————————————————————————
  DIRECTIONSFORUSING:
  ForTHINKING:——WindtheClock-workManunderhis
  leftarm,(markedNo。1。)
  ForSPEAKING:——WindtheClock-workManunderhis
  rightarm,(markedNo。2。)
  ForWALKINGandACTION:——WindClock-workinthe
  middleofhisback,(markedNo。3。)
  N。B。——ThisMechanismisguaranteedtowork
  perfectlyforathousandyears。
  ——————————————————————————————————————————————————
  "Well,Ideclare!"gaspedtheyellowhen,inamazement;"ifthecoppermancandohalfofthesethingsheisaverywonderfulmachine。ButI
  supposeitisallhumbug,likesomanyotherpatentedarticles。"
  "Wemightwindhimup,"suggestedDorothy,"andseewhathe’lldo。"
  "Whereisthekeytotheclock-work?"askedBillina。
  "HangingonthepegwhereIfoundthecard。"
  "Then,"saidthehen,"letustryhim,andfindoutifhewillgo。Heiswarrantedforathousandyears,itseems;butwedonotknowhowlonghehasbeenstandinginsidethisrock。"
  Dorothyhadalreadytakentheclockkeyfromthepeg。
  "WhichshallIwindupfirst?"sheasked,lookingagainatthedirectionsonthecard。
  "NumberOne,Ishouldthink,"returnedBillina。"Thatmakeshimthink,doesn’tit?"
  "Yes,"saidDorothy,andwoundupNumberOne,undertheleftarm。
  "Hedoesn’tseemanydifferent,"remarkedthehen,critically。
  "Why,ofcoursenot;heisonlythinking,now,"saidDorothy。
  "Iwonderwhatheisthinkingabout。"
  "I’llwinduphistalk,andthenperhapshecantellus,"saidthegirl。
  SoshewoundupNumberTwo,andimmediatelytheclock-workmansaid,withoutmovinganypartofhisbodyexcepthislips:
  "Goodmorn-ing,lit-tlegirl。Goodmorn-ing,Mrs。Hen。"
  Thewordssoundedalittlehoarseandcreaky,andtheywereutteredallinthesametone,withoutanychangeofexpressionwhatever;butbothDorothyandBillinaunderstoodthemperfectly。
  "Goodmorning,sir,"theyanswered,politely。
  "Thankyouforres-cu-ingme,"continuedthemachine,inthesamemonotonousvoice,whichseemedtobeworkedbyabellowsinsideofhim,likethelittletoylambsandcatsthechildrensqueezesothattheywillmakeanoise。
  "Don’tmentionit,"answeredDorothy。Andthen,beingverycurious,sheasked:"Howdidyoucometobelockedupinthisplace?"
  "Itisalongsto-ry,"repliedthecopperman;"butIwilltellittoyoubrief-ly。Iwaspur-chasedfromSmith&Tin-ker,myman-u-fac-tur-ers,byacru-elKingofEv,namedEv-ol-do,whousedtobeatallhisserv-antsun-tiltheydied。How-ev-er,hewasnota-bletokillme,be-causeIwasnota-live,andonemustfirstliveinor-dertodie。Sothatallhisbeat-ingdidmenoharm,andmere-lykeptmycop-perbod-ywellpol-ished。
  "Thiscru-elkinghadalove-lywifeandtenbeau-ti-fulchil-dren——fiveboysandfivegirls——butinafitofan-gerhesoldthemalltotheNomeKing,whobymeansofhismag-icartschangedthemallin-tooth-erformsandputtheminhisun-der-groundpal-acetoor-na-menttherooms。
  "Af-ter-wardtheKingofEvre-gret-tedhiswick-edac-tion,andtriedtogethiswifeandchil-drena-wayfromtheNomeKing,butwith-outa-vail。So,inde-spair,helockedmeupinthisrock,threwthekeyin-totheo-cean,andthenjumpedinaf-teritandwasdrowned。"
  "Howverydreadful!"exclaimedDorothy。
  "Itis,in-deed,"saidthemachine。"WhenIfoundmy-selfim-pris-onedIshout-edforhelpun-tilmyvoicerandown;andthenI
  walkedbackandforthinthislit-tleroomun-tilmyac-tionrandown;
  andthenIstoodstillandthoughtun-tilmythoughtsrandown。
  Af-terthatIre-mem-bernoth-ingun-tilyouwoundmeupa-gain。"
  "It’saverywonderfulstory,"saidDorothy,"andprovesthattheLandofEvisreallyafairyland,asIthoughtitwas。"
  "Ofcourseitis,"answeredthecopperman。"Idonotsup-posesuchaper-fectma-chineasIamcouldbemadeinan-yplacebutafair-yland。"
  "I’veneverseenoneinKansas,"saidDorothy。
  "Butwheredidyougetthekeytoun-lockthisdoor?"askedtheclock-workvoice。
  "Ifounditontheshore,whereitwasprob’lywashedupbythewaves,"sheanswered。"Andnow,sir,ifyoudon’tmind,I’llwindupyouraction。"
  "Thatwillpleasemeve-rymuch,"saidthemachine。
  SoshewoundupNumberThree,andatoncethecoppermaninasomewhatstiffandjerkyfashionwalkedoutoftherockycavern,tookoffhiscopperhatandbowedpolitely,andthenkneeledbeforeDorothy。
  Saidhe:
  "FromthistimeforthIamyouro-be-di-entser-vant。What-ev-eryoucom-mand,thatIwilldowill-ing-ly——ifyoukeepmewoundup。"
  "Whatisyourname?"sheasked。
  "Tik-tok,"hereplied。"Myfor-mermas-tergavemethatnamebe-causemyclock-workal-waystickswhenitiswoundup。"
  "Icanhearitnow,"saidtheyellowhen。
  "SocanI,"saidDorothy。Andthensheadded,withsomeanxiety:"Youdon’tstrike,doyou?"
  "No,"answeredTiktok;"andthereisnoa-larmcon-nec-tedwithmyma-chin-er-y。Icantellthetime,though,byspeak-ing,andasInev-ersleepIcanwak-enyouatan-yhouryouwishtogetupinthemorn-ing。"
  "That’snice,"saidthelittlegirl;"onlyIneverwishtogetupinthemorning。"
  "YoucansleepuntilIlaymyegg,"saidtheyellowhen。"Then,whenIcackle,Tiktokwillknowitistimetowakenyou。"
  "Doyoulayyoureggveryearly?"askedDorothy。
  "Abouteighto’clock,"saidBillina。"Andeverybodyoughttobeupbythattime,I’msure。"
  5。DorothyOpenstheDinnerPail"NowTiktok,"saidDorothy,"thefirstthingtobedoneistofindawayforustoescapefromtheserocks。TheWheelersaredownbelow,youknow,andthreatentokillus。"
  "Thereisnorea-sontobea-fraidoftheWheel-ers,"saidTiktok,thewordscomingmoreslowlythanbefore。
  "Whynot?"sheasked。
  "Be-causetheyareag-g-g——gr-gr-r-r-"
  Hegaveasortofgurgleandstoppedshort,wavinghishandsfranticallyuntilsuddenlyhebecamemotionless,withonearmintheairandtheotherheldstifflybeforehimwithallthecopperfingersofthehandspreadoutlikeafan。
  "Dearme!"saidDorothy,inafrightenedtone。"Whatcanthematterbe?"
  "He’srundown,Isuppose,"saidthehen,calmly。"Youcouldn’thavewoundhimupverytight。"
  "Ididn’tknowhowmuchtowindhim,"repliedthegirl;"butI’lltrytodobetternexttime。"
  Sheranaroundthecoppermantotakethekeyfromthepegatthebackofhisneck,butitwasnotthere。
  "It’sgone!"criedDorothy,indismay。
  "What’sgone?"askedBillina。
  "Thekey。"
  "Itprobablyfelloffwhenhemadethatlowbowtoyou,"returnedthehen。"Lookaround,andseeifyoucannotfinditagain。"
  Dorothylooked,andthehenhelpedher,andbyandbythegirldiscoveredtheclock-key,whichhadfallenintoacrackoftherock。
  AtonceshewoundupTiktok’svoice,takingcaretogivethekeyasmanyturnsasitwouldgoaround。Shefoundthisquiteatask,asyoumayimagineifyouhaveevertriedtowindaclock,butthemachineman’sfirstwordsweretoassureDorothythathewouldnowrunforatleasttwenty-fourhours。