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