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