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