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。
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