Part 5

Yöü will rėmember theŕè wáś^woś nô road—not êvén a pathway—bėtween thé castlè of^uv thé Wickéd Witch and thé Emèráld Çitý. When thé føùr travéllerś went in sèàŕch of^uv thé Witch shê had seen them cőming, and sô sent thé Wingèd Móñkêyś tó^tö bring them tó^tö her. It wáś^woś much harder tó^tö fînd their way back thröügh thé big fìêldś of^uv buttercups and yellôw daiśìêś than it wáś^woś bêing carrìêd. They knew, of^uv cøùrsè, they must gô straight east, tówård thé rîśing sun; and they startėd off in thé right way. But at nöön, when thé sun wáś^woś ôver their heàdś, they did not knôw which wáś^woś east and which wáś^woś west, and that wáś^woś thé reaśón they werè lost in thé grèât fìêldś. They kept on wålking, however, and at night thé möön câmè out and shônè brightlý. Sô they lay down ámőng thé sweet smelling yellôw flõwerś and slept soundlý until morning—åll but thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán.

Thé next morning thé sun wáś^woś bėhînd a cloud, but they startėd on, aś if they werè qυîtè ŝūrè which way they werè gôing.

"If wê wålk far enough^ėnòuf," sãìd Doróthý, "wê shall sőmètîmè cőmè tó^tö sőmè plâçè, Î am ŝūrè."

But day bŷ day passèd áway, and they still saw nőthing bėforè them but thé yellôw fìêldś. Thé Scãŕècrôw bėgan tó^tö grumblè a bit.

"Wê havè ŝūrèlý lost õυŕ way," hê sãìd, "and unless wê fînd it ágãìn in tîmè tó^tö reach thé Emèráld Çitý Î shall never get mŷ brainś."

"Nor Î mŷ hèart," dėclãŕèd thé Tin Wōōdmán. "It seemś tó^tö mê Î can scãŕçèlý wait till Î get tó^tö Oz, and yöü must ádmit this iś a verý long jòurnêy."

"Yöü see," sãìd thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón, with a whimper, "Î hâvén't thé còuráĝè tó^tö keep tramping fòŕever, without getting ãnýwheŕè at åll."

Then Doróthý lost hèart. Shê sat down on thé grass and lōōkèd at her cómpanĩónś, and they sat down and lōōkèd at her, and Tôtô found that for thé first tîmè in hiś lîfè hê wáś^woś töö tîrèd tó^tö châsè a butterflŷ that flew past hiś heàd; sô hê pūt out hiś tőngùè and pantėd and lōōkèd at Doróthý aś if tó^tö ask whåt they shōūld dö next.

"Suppôśè wê cåll thé Fìêld Mîçè," shê suĝĝestėd. "they cōūld probáblý tell us thé way tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý."

"Tó^tö bê ŝūrè they cōūld," crîèd thé Scãŕècrôw; "whŷ didn't wê thiñk of^uv that bėforè?"

Doróthý blew thé littlè whistlè shê had ålwayś carrìêd ábout her neck sinçè thé Qυeen of^uv thé Mîçè had givén it tó^tö her. In a few minútès they hèàŕd thé pattéring of^uv tîný feet, and mãný of^uv thé småll grey mîçè câmè running up tó^tö her. Ámőng them wáś^woś thé Qυeen herself, whö askèd, in her sqυeaký littlè voiçè,

"Whåt can Î dö for mŷ frìendś?"

"Wê havè lost õυŕ way," sãìd Doróthý. "Can yöü tell us wheŕè thé Emèráld Çitý iś?"

"Çertáìnlý," answerèd thé Qυeen; "but it iś a grèât way off, for yöü havè had it at yøùr backs åll this tîmè." then shê nôtiçèd Doróthý's Gôldén Cap, and sãìd, "Whŷ dôn't yöü ûśè thé charm of^uv thé Cap, and cåll thé Wingèd Móñkêyś tó^tö yöü? they will carrý yöü tó^tö thé Çitý of^uv Oz in less than an hõυŕ."

"Î didn't knôw theŕè wáś^woś a charm," answerèd Doróthý, in surprîśè. "Whåt iś it?"

"It iś writtén insîdè thé Gôldén Cap," rėplîèd thé Qυeen of^uv thé Mîçè; "but if yöü arè gôing tó^tö cåll thé Wingèd Móñkêyś wê must run áway, for they arè fūll of^uv mischiéf and thiñk it grèât fun tó^tö plâgùè us."

"Wőn't they hurt mê?" askèd thé girl, añxïòúslý.

"Ôh, nô; they must ôbey thé weàŕer of^uv thé Cap. Gōōd-bŷè!" And shê scamperèd out of^uv sight, with åll thé mîçè hurrýing after her.

Doróthý lōōkèd insîdè thé Gôldén Cap and saw sőmè wòŕdś writtén upon thé lîning. Thêśè, shê thøùght, must bê thé charm, sô shê read thé dîrecţiònś cãŕèfullý and pūt thé Cap upon her heàd.

"Ep-pe, pep-pe, kak-ke!" shê sãìd, standing on her left fōōt.

"Whåt did yöü say?" askèd thé Scãŕècrôw, whö did not knôw whåt shê wáś^woś döing.

"Hil-lô, hol-lô, hel-lô!" Doróthý went on, standing this tîmè on her right fōōt.

"Hellô!" rėplîèd thé Tin Wōōdmán, cālmlý.

"Thé Móñkêyś caught Doróthý in their armś and flew áway with her."

"Ziz-zy, zuz-zy, zik!" sãìd Doróthý, whö wáś^woś now standing on bôth feet. This endėd thé sâying of^uv thé charm, and they hèàŕd a grèât chattéring and flapping of^uv wingś, aś thé band of^uv Wingèd Móñkêyś flew up tó^tö them. Thé King bowèd lôw bėforè Doróthý, and askèd,

"Whåt iś yøùr cómmand?"

"Wê wish tó^tö gô tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý," sãìd thé chîld, "and wê havè lost õυŕ way."

"Wê will carrý yöü," rėplîèd thé King, and nô sööner had hê spôkén than twö of^uv thé Móñkêyś caught Doróthý in their armś and flew áway with her. Őtherś tōōk thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Wōōdmán and thé Lîón, and one^wőnè littlè Móñkêy sêìzèd Tôtô and flew after them, ålthôùgh thé dog trîèd hard tó^tö bîtè him.

Thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán werè rather frighténèd at first, for they rėmemberèd how badlý thé Wingèd Móñkêyś had treatėd them bėforè; but they saw that nô harm wáś^woś intendėd, sô they rôdè thröügh thé ãir qυîtè chèėŕfullý, and had a fînè tîmè lōōking at thé prėttý gardénś and wōōdś far bėlôw them.

Doróthý found herself rîding eaśílý bėtween twö of^uv thé biggést Móñkêyś, one^wőnè of^uv them thé King himself. They had mâdè a chãir of^uv their handś and werè cãŕèful not tó^tö hurt her.

"Whŷ dö yöü havè tó^tö ôbey thé charm of^uv thé Gôldén Cap?" shê askèd.

"That iś a long storý," answerèd thé King, with a laugh^lāf; "but aś wê havè a long jòurnêy bėforè us Î will pass thé tîmè bŷ telling yöü ábout it, if yöü wish."

"Î shall bê glad tó^tö hėàŕ it," shê rėplîèd.

"Őnçè^wőnçè," bėgan thé leader, "wê werè a free pêòplè, living happílý in thé grèât forést, flŷing fróm tree tó^tö tree, eating nuts and früìt, and döing just aś wê pleaśèd without cålling ãnýbodý master. Perhaps sőmè of^uv us werè rather töö fūll of^uv mischiéf at tîmèś, flŷing down tó^tö pūll thé tailś of^uv thé anímálś that had nô wingś, châsing birdś, and thrôwing nuts at thé pêòplè whö wålkèd in thé forést. But wê werè cãrèléss and happý and fūll of^uv fun, and enjoyèd evèrý minútè of^uv thé day. This wáś^woś mãný yėàŕś ágô, long bėforè Oz câmè out of^uv thé cloudś tó^tö rülè ôver this land.

"Theŕè livèd hėŕè then, áway at thé North, a bèàûtíful prinçess, whö wáś^woś ålsô a põwerful sorçèress. Åll her maĝic wáś^woś ûśèd tó^tö help thé pêòplè, and shê wáś^woś never knôwn tó^tö hurt anyone^ãnýwőnè whö wáś^woś gōōd. Her nâmè wáś^woś Gayelettè, and shê livèd in a handsőmè paláçè bùilt fróm grèât blocks of^uv rübý. Everyone^{evèrýwőnè} lővèd her, but her grèâtést sorrôw wáś^woś that shê cōūld fînd nô one^wőnè tó^tö lővè in rėturn, sinçè åll thé men werè much töö stüpíd and uglý tó^tö mâtè with one^wőnè sô bèàûtíful and wîśè. At last, however, shê found a boy whö wáś^woś handsőmè and manlý and wîśè bėyond hiś yėàŕś. Gayelettè mâdè up her mînd that when hê grew tó^tö bê a man shê wōūld mâkè him her huśbánd, sô shê tōōk him tó^tö her rübý paláçè and ûśèd åll her maĝic põwerś tó^tö mâkè him aś strong and gōōd and lővèlý aś ãný wōmán cōūld wish. When hê grew tó^tö manhōōd, Quelala, aś hê wáś^woś cållèd, wáś^woś sãìd tó^tö bê thé best and wîśést man in åll thé land, whîlè hiś manlý bèàûtý wáś^woś sô grèât that Gayelettè lővèd him dėàŕlý, and hâsténèd tó^tö mâkè evèrýthing reàdý for thé wedding.

"Mŷ grandfāther wáś^woś at that tîmè thé King of^uv thé Wingèd Móñkêyś which livèd in thé forést nėàŕ Gayalette's paláçè, and thé ôld fellôw lővèd a jôkè better than a gōōd dinner. One^wőnè day, just bėforè thé wedding, mŷ grandfāther wáś^woś flŷing out with hiś band when hê saw Quelala wålking bėsîdè thé river. Hê wáś^woś dressèd in a rich costümè of^uv piñk silk and purplè velvét, and mŷ grandfāther thøùght hê wōūld see whåt hê cōūld dö. At hiś wòŕd thé band flew down and sêìzèd Quelala, carrìêd him in their armś until they werè ôver thé middlè of^uv thé river, and then droppèd him intö thé wåter.

"'Swim out, mŷ fînè fellôw,'" crîèd mŷ grandfāther, "'and see if thé wåter haś spottėd yøùr clôthèś.'" Quelala wáś^woś much töö wîśè not tó^tö swim, and hê wáś^woś not in thé least spoilèd bŷ åll hiś gōōd forťünè. Hê lāùghèd^lāùfèd, when hê câmè tó^tö thé top of^uv thé wåter, and swam in tó^tö shorè. But when Gayelettè câmè running out tó^tö him shê found hiś silks and velvét åll rüinèd bŷ thé river.

"Thé prinçess wáś^woś verý añgrý, and shê knew, of^uv cøùrsè, whö did it. Shê had åll thé Wingèd Móñkêyś brøùght bėforè her, and shê sãìd at first that their wingś shōūld bê tîèd and they shōūld bê treatėd aś they had treatėd Quelala, and droppèd in thé river. But mŷ grandfāther pleadėd hard, for hê knew thé Móñkêyś wōūld drown in thé river with their wingś tîèd, and Quelala sãìd a kînd wòŕd for them ålsô; sô that Gayelettè fînállý spãrèd them, on cóndition that thé Wingèd Móñkêyś shōūld ever after dö three tîmèś thé bidding of^uv thé ôwner of^uv thé Gôldén Cap. This Cap had bėèn^been mâdè for a wedding preśént tó^tö Quelala, and it iś sãìd tó^tö havè cost thé prinçess hālf her kingdóm. Of^uv cøùrsè mŷ grandfāther and åll thé őther Móñkêyś at őnçè^wőnçè ágreed tó^tö thé cóndition, and that iś how it happénś that wê arè three tîmèś thé slâvèś of^uv thé ôwner of^uv thé Gôldén Cap, whömsôever hê may bê."

"And whåt bėcâmè of^uv them?" askèd Doróthý, whö had bėèn^been grèâtlý intèréstėd in thé storý.

"Quelala bêing thé first ôwner of^uv thé Gôldén Cap," rėplîèd thé Móñkêy, "hê wáś^woś thé first tó^tö lay hiś wishėś upon us. Aś hiś brîdè cōūld not beár thé sight of^uv us, hê cållèd us åll tó^tö him in thé forést after hê had marrìêd her and orderèd us tó^tö ålwayś keep wheŕè shê cōūld never ágãìn set èŷèś on a Wingèd Móñkêy, which wê werè glad tó^tö dö, for wê werè åll áfraid of^uv her.

"This wáś^woś åll wê ever had tó^tö dö until thé Gôldén Cap fell intö thé handś of^uv thé Wickéd Witch of^uv thé West, whö mâdè us enslâvè thé Wiñkìêś, and afterwàŕd drîvè Oz himself out of^uv thé Land of^uv thé West. Now thé Gôldén Cap iś yøùrś, and three tîmèś yöü havè thé right tó^tö lay yøùr wishėś upon us."

Aś thé Móñkêy King finishèd hiś storý Doróthý lōōkèd down and saw thé green, shîning wållś of^uv thé Emèráld Çitý bėforè them. Shê wőnderèd at thé rapid flight of^uv thé Móñkêyś, but wáś^woś glad thé jòurnêy wáś^woś ôver. Thé strânĝè creaťurèś set thé travéllerś down cãŕèfullý bėforè thé gâtè of^uv thé Çitý, thé King bowèd lôw tó^tö Doróthý, and then flew swiftlý áway, follôwèd bŷ åll hiś band.

"That wáś^woś a gōōd rîdè," sãìd thé littlè girl.

"Yes, and a qυick way out of^uv õυŕ troublèś." rėplîèd thé Lîón. "How lucký it wáś^woś yöü brøùght áway that wőnderful Cap!"

---

thé føùr travéllerś wålkèd up tó^tö thé grèât gâtè of^uv thé Emèráld Çitý and rang thé bell. After ringing sevèrál tîmèś it wáś^woś ôpénèd bŷ thé sâmè Gùardïán of^uv thé Gâtè they had met bėforè.

"Whåt! Arè yöü back ágãìn?" hê askèd, in surprîśè.

"Dö yöü not see us?" answerèd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"But Î thøùght yöü had gonè tó^tö viśit thé Wickéd Witch of^uv thé West."

"Wê did viśit her," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"And shê let yöü gô ágãìn?" askèd thé man, in wőnder.

"Shê cōūld not help it, for shê iś meltėd," ėxplainèd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"Meltėd! Well, that iś gōōd newś, indeed," sãìd thé man. "Whö meltėd her?"

"It wáś^woś Doróthý," sãìd thé Lîón, grâvèlý.

"Gōōd grâćìòús!" ėxclaimèd thé man, and hê bowèd verý lôw indeed bėforè her.

Then hê led them intö hiś littlè rööm and lockèd thé spectáclèś fróm thé grèât box on åll their èŷèś, just aś hê had dőnè bėforè. Afterwàŕd they passèd on thröügh thé gâtè intö thé Emèráld Çitý, and when thé pêòplè hèàŕd fróm thé Gùardïán of^uv thé Gâtè that they had meltėd thé Wickéd Witch of^uv thé West they åll gatherèd áround thé travéllerś and follôwèd them in a grèât crowd tó^tö thé Paláçè of^uv Oz.

Thé sôldier with thé green whiskerś wáś^woś still on gùard bėforè thé dòor, but hê let them in at őnçè^wőnçè and they werè ágãìn met bŷ thé bèàûtíful green girl, whö shôwèd each of^uv them tó^tö their ôld röömś at őnçè^wőnçè, sô they might rest until thé Grèât Oz wáś^woś reàdý tó^tö réçêìvè them.

Thé sôldier had thé newś carrìêd straight tó^tö Oz that Doróthý and thé őther travéllerś had cőmè back ágãìn, after dėstroying thé Wickéd Witch; but Oz mâdè nô rėplŷ. They thøùght thé Grèât Wizàŕd wōūld send for them at őnçè^wőnçè, but hê did not. They had nô wòŕd fróm him thé next day, nor thé next, nor thé next. Thé waiting wáś^woś tîrèsőmè and weáring, and at last they grew vexèd that Oz shōūld treat them in sô pōōr a fashìón, after sending them tó^tö undergô hardships and slâvérý. Sô thé Scãŕècrôw at last askèd thé green girl tó^tö tâkè ánőther messáĝè tó^tö Oz, sâying if hê did not let them in tó^tö see him at őnçè^wőnçè they wōūld cåll thé Wingèd Móñkêyś tó^tö help them, and fînd out whether hê kept hiś promíséś or not. When thé Wizàŕd wáś^woś givén this messáĝè hê wáś^woś sô frighténèd that hê sent wòŕd for them tó^tö cőmè tó^tö thé thrônè Rööm at føùr minútès after nînè ô'clock thé next morning. Hê had őnçè^wőnçè met thé Wingèd Móñkêyś in thé Land of^uv thé West, and hê did not wish tó^tö meet them ágãìn.

Thé føùr travéllerś passèd a sleepléss night, each thiñking of^uv thé gift Oz had promísèd tó^tö bėstôw upon him. Doróthý fell ásleep ônlý őnçè^wőnçè, and then shê dreamèd shê wáś^woś in Kanśás, wheŕè Āùnt Em wáś^woś telling her how glad shê wáś^woś tó^tö havè her littlè girl at hômè ágãìn.

Promptlý at nînè ô'clock thé next morning thé green whiskerèd sôldier câmè tó^tö them, and føùr minútès lâter they åll went intö thé thrônè Rööm of^uv thé Grèât Oz.

Of^uv cøùrsè each one^wőnè of^uv them ėxpectėd tó^tö see thé Wizàŕd in thé shâpè hê had tâkén bėforè, and åll werè grèâtlý surprîśèd when they lōōkèd ábout and saw nô one^wőnè at åll in thé rööm. They kept clôśè tó^tö thé dòor and clôser tó^tö one^wőnè ánőther, for thé stillnéss of^uv thé emptý rööm wáś^woś morè dreàdful than ãný of^uv thé formś they had seen Oz tâkè.

Preśéntlý they hèàŕd a Voiçè, seeming tó^tö cőmè fróm sőmèwheŕè nėàŕ thé top of^uv thé grèât dômè, and it sãìd, solémnlý.

"Î am Oz, thé Grèât and Terríblè. Whŷ dö yöü seek mê?"

They lōōkèd ágãìn in evèrý part of^uv thé rööm, and then, sêeing nô one^wőnè, Doróthý askèd,

"Wheŕè arè yöü?"

"Î am evèrýwheŕè," answerèd thé Voiçè, "but tó^tö thé èŷèś of^uv commón mortálś Î am inviśíblè. Î will now seat mŷself upon mŷ thrônè, that yöü may conversè with mê." Indeed, thé Voiçè seemèd just then tó^tö cőmè straight fróm thé thrônè itself; sô they wålkèd tówård it and stōōd in a rôw whîlè Doróthý sãìd:

"Wê havè cőmè tó^tö claim õυŕ promisè, Ô Oz."

"Whåt promisè?" askèd Oz.

"Yöü promísèd tó^tö send mê back tó^tö Kanśás when thé Wickéd Witch wáś^woś dėstroyèd," sãìd thé girl.

"And yöü promísèd tó^tö givè mê brainś," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"And yöü promísèd tó^tö givè mê a hèart," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"And yöü promísèd tó^tö givè mê còuráĝè," sãìd thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón.

"Iś thé Wickéd Witch rêallý dėstroyèd?" askèd thé Voiçè, and Doróthý thøùght it tremblèd a littlè.

"Yes," shê answerèd, "Î meltėd her with a buckėt of^uv wåter."

"Dėàŕ mê," sãìd thé Voiçè; "how suddén! Well, cőmè tó^tö mê tó^tö-morrôw, for Î must havè tîmè tó^tö thiñk it ôver."

"Yöü'vè had plentý of^uv tîmè ålreàdý," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán, añgrílý.

"Wê shan't wait a day loñger," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"Yöü must keep yøùr promíséś tó^tö us!" ėxclaimèd Doróthý.

Thé Lîón thøùght it might bê aś well tó^tö frightén thé Wizàŕd, sô hê gâvè a larĝè, loud røàr, which wáś^woś sô fierçè and dreàdful that Tôtô jumpèd áway fróm him in álarm and tippèd ôver thé screen that stōōd in a corner. Aś it fell with a crash they lōōkèd that way, and thé next mômént åll of^uv them werè fillèd with wőnder. For they saw, standing in just thé spot thé screen had hiddén, a littlè, ôld man, with a båld heàd and a wriñklèd fâçè, whö seemèd tó^tö bê aś much surprîśèd aś they werè. Thé Tin Wōōdmán, raiśing hiś axè, rushèd tówård thé littlè man and crîèd out,

"Whö arè yöü?"

"Î am Oz, thé Grèât and Terríblè," sãìd thé littlè man, in a trembling voiçè, "but dôn't strîkè mê—pleaśè dôn't!—and Î'll dö ãnýthing yöü want^wont mê tó^tö."

Õυŕ frìendś lōōkèd at him in surprîśè and dismay.

"Î thøùght Oz wáś^woś a grèât Heàd," sãìd Doróthý.

"And Î thøùght Oz wáś^woś a lővèlý Lâdý," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"And Î thøùght Oz wáś^woś a terríblè Beast," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"And Î thøùght Oz wáś^woś a Båll of^uv Fîŕè," ėxclaimèd thé Lîón.

"Nô; yöü arè åll wrong," sãìd thé littlè man, meeklý. "Î havè bėèn^been mâking bėlìêvè."

"Mâking bėlìêvè!" crîèd Doróthý. "Arè yöü not a grèât Wizàŕd?"

"Hush, mŷ dėàŕ," hê sãìd; "dôn't speak sô loud, or yöü will bê ôverhèàŕd—and Î shōūld bê rüinèd. Î'm suppôśèd tó^tö bê a Grèât Wizàŕd."

"And aren't yöü?" shê askèd.

"Not a bit of^uv it, mŷ dėàŕ; Î'm just a commón man."

"Yöü'rê morè than that," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw, in a grìêvèd tônè; "youxx'rezzyy a humbug."

"Ėxactlý sô!" dėclãŕèd thé littlè man, rubbing hiś handś tógether aś if it pleaśèd him; "Î am a humbug."

"But this iś terríblè," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán; "how shall Î ever get mŷ hèart?"

"Or Î mŷ còuráĝè?" askèd thé Lîón.

"Or Î mŷ brainś?" wailèd thé Scãŕècrôw, wîping thé thé tėàŕś fróm hiś èŷèś with hiś coat-sleevè.

"Ėxactlý sô! Î am a humbug."

"Mŷ dėàŕ frìendś," sãìd Oz, "Î pray yöü not tó^tö speak of^uv thêśè littlè thingś. Thiñk of^uv mê, and thé terríblè tròublè Î'm in at bêing found out."

"Dőèśn't anyone^ãnýwőnè elsè knôw youxx'rezzxx a humbug?" askèd Doróthý.

"Nô one^wőnè knôwś it but yöü føùr—and mŷself," rėplîèd Oz. "Î havè föölèd everyone^{evèrýwőnè} sô long that Î thøùght Î shōūld never bê found out. It wáś^woś a grèât mistâkè mŷ ever letting yöü intö thé thrônè Rööm. Ûŝûállý Î will not see êvén mŷ subjects, and sô they bėlìêvè Î am sőmèthing terríblè."

"But, Î dôn't understand," sãìd Doróthý, in bėwildermént. "How wáś^woś it that yöü áppėàŕèd tó^tö mê aś a grèât Heàd?"

"That wáś^woś one^wőnè of^uv mŷ tricks," answerèd Oz. "Step this way, pleaśè, and Î will tell yöü åll ábout it."

Hê led thé way tó^tö a småll châmber in thé rėàŕ of^uv thé thrônè Rööm, and they åll follôwèd him. Hê pointėd tó^tö one^wőnè corner, in which lay thé Grèât Heàd, mâdè out of^uv mãný thicknéssėś of^uv pâper, and with a cãŕèfullý paintėd fâçè.

"This Î hung fróm thé çêìling bŷ a wîŕè," sãìd Oz; "Î stōōd bėhînd thé screen and pūllèd a threàd, tó^tö mâkè thé èŷèś mövè and thé mouth ôpén."

"But how ábout thé voiçè?" shê enqũired.

"Ôh, Î am a ventrilôqυist," sãìd thé littlè man, "and Î can thrôw thé sound of^uv mŷ voiçè wheŕever Î wish; sô that yöü thøùght it wáś^woś cőming out of^uv thé Heàd. Hėŕè arè thé őther thingś Î ûśèd tó^tö dėçêìvè yöü." Hê shôwèd thé Scãŕècrôw thé dress and thé mask hê had worn when hê seemèd tó^tö bê thé lővèlý Lâdý; and thé Tin Wōōdmán saw that hiś Terríblè Beast wáś^woś nőthing but a lot of^uv skinś, sewn^sôn tógether, with slats tó^tö keep their sîdèś out. Aś for thé Båll of^uv Fîŕè, thé fålsè Wizàŕd had hung that ålsô fróm thé çêìling. It wáś^woś rêallý a båll of^uv cottón, but when oil wáś^woś pøùrèd upon it thé båll burnèd fierçèlý.

"Rêallý," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw, "yöü øùght tó^tö bê áshâmèd of^uv yøùrself for bêing such a humbug."

"Î am—Î çertáìnlý am," answerèd thé littlè man, sorrôwfullý; "but it wáś^woś thé ônlý thing Î cōūld dö. Sit down, pleaśè, theŕè arè plentý of^uv chãirś; and Î will tell yöü mŷ storý."

Sô they sat down and listénèd whîlè hê tôld thé follôwing tâlè:

"Î wáś^woś born in Ômáhā—"

"Whŷ, that iśn't verý far fróm Kanśás!" crîèd Doróthý.

"Nô; but it's farther fróm hėŕè," hê sãìd, shâking hiś heàd at her, sadlý. "When Î grew up Î bėcâmè a ventrilôqυist, and at that Î wáś^woś verý well trainèd bŷ a grèât master. Î can imítâtè ãný kînd of^uv a bird or beast." Hėŕè hê mewèd sô lîkè a kittén that Tôtô prickèd up hiś ėàŕś and lōōkèd evèrýwheŕè tó^tö see wheŕè shê wáś^woś. "After a tîmè," cóntinûèd Oz, "Î tîrèd of^uv that, and bėcâmè a bállöönist."

"Whåt iś that?" askèd Doróthý.

"A man whö gôèś up in a bállöön on çircus day, sô aś tó^tö draw a crowd of^uv pêòplè tógether and get them tó^tö pay tó^tö see thé çircus," hê ėxplainèd.

"Ôh," shê sãìd; "Î knôw."

"Well, one^wőnè day Î went up in a bállöön and thé rôpès got twistėd, sô that Î cōūldn't cőmè down ágãìn. It went way up ábővè thé cloudś, sô far that a currént of^uv ãir struck it and carrìêd it mãný, mãný mîlèś áway. For a day and a night Î travéllèd thröügh thé ãir, and on thé morning of^uv thé secónd day Î áwôkè and found thé bállöön floating ôver a strânĝè and bèàûtíful còuntrý.

"It câmè down gradûállý, and Î wáś^woś not hurt a bit. But Î found mŷself in thé midst of^uv a strânĝè pêòplè, whö, sêeing mê cőmè fróm thé cloudś, thøùght Î wáś^woś a grèât Wizàŕd. Of^uv cøùrsè Î let them thiñk sô, bėcauśè they werè áfraid of^uv mê, and promísèd tó^tö dö ãnýthing Î wishèd them tó^tö.

"Just tó^tö ámûśè mŷself, and keep thé gōōd pêòplè buśý^bizee, Î orderèd them tó^tö bùild this Çitý, and mŷ paláçè; and they did it åll willinglý and well. Then Î thøùght, aś thé còuntrý wáś^woś sô green and bèàûtíful, Î wōūld cåll it thé Emèráld Çitý, and tó^tö mâkè thé nâmè fit better Î pūt green spectáclèś on åll thé pêòplè, sô that evèrýthing they saw wáś^woś green."

"But iśn't evèrýthing hėŕè green?" askèd Doróthý.

"Nô morè than in ãný őther çitý," rėplîèd Oz; "but when yöü weàŕ green spectáclèś, whŷ of^uv cøùrsè evèrýthing yöü see lōōks green tó^tö yöü. Thé Emèráld Çitý wáś^woś bùilt a grèât mãný yėàŕś ágô, for Î wáś^woś a yòung man when thé bállöön brøùght mê hėŕè, and Î am a verý ôld man now. But mŷ pêòplè havè worn green glassėś on their èŷèś sô long that môst of^uv them thiñk it rêallý iś an Emèráld Çitý, and it çertáìnlý iś a bèàûtíful plâçè, ábounding in jëwélś and prećìòús metálś, and evèrý gōōd thing that iś needėd tó^tö mâkè one^wőnè happý. Î havè bėèn^been gōōd tó^tö thé pêòplè, and they lîkè mê; but ever sinçè this Paláçè wáś^woś bùilt Î havè shut mŷself up and wōūld not see ãný of^uv them.

"One^wőnè of^uv mŷ grèâtést fėàŕś wáś^woś thé Witchėś, for whîlè Î had nô maĝicál põwerś at åll Î söön found out that thé Witchėś werè rêallý âblè tó^tö dö wőnderful thingś. Theŕè werè føùr of^uv them in this còuntrý, and they rülèd thé pêòplè whö livè in thé North and South and East and West. Forťúnátèlý, thé Witchėś of^uv thé North and South werè gōōd, and Î knew they wōūld dö mê nô harm; but thé Witchėś of^uv thé East and West werè terríblý wickéd, and had they not thøùght Î wáś^woś morè põwerful than they themselvèś, they wōūld ŝūrèlý havè dėstroyèd mê. Aś it wáś^woś, Î livèd in deàdlý fėàŕ of^uv them for mãný yėàŕś; sô yöü can imaĝínè how pleaśèd Î wáś^woś when Î hèàŕd yøùr housè had fāllén on thé Wickéd Witch of^uv thé East. When yöü câmè tó^tö mê Î wáś^woś willing tó^tö promisè ãnýthing if yöü wōūld ônlý dö áway with thé őther Witch; but, now that yöü havè meltėd her, Î am áshâmèd tó^tö say that Î cannot keep mŷ promíséś."

"Î thiñk yöü arè a verý bad man," sãìd Doróthý.

"Ôh, nô, mŷ dėàŕ; Î'm rêallý a verý gōōd man; but Î'm a verý bad Wizàŕd, Î must ádmit."

"Can't yöü givè mê brainś?" askèd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"Yöü dôn't need them. Yöü arè lèàŕning sőmèthing evèrý day. A bâbý haś brainś, but it dőèśn't knôw much. Ėxpėrïénçè iś thé ônlý thing that bringś knowlédgè, and thé loñger yöü arè on èàŕth thé morè ėxpėrïénçè yöü arè ŝūrè tó^tö get."

"That may åll bê trüè," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw, "but Î shall bê verý unhappý unless yöü givè mê brainś."

Thé fålsè wizàŕd lōōkèd at him cãŕèfullý.

"Well," hê sãìd, with a sigh, "Î'm not much of^uv a máĝićián, aś Î sãìd; but if yöü will cőmè tó^tö mê tó^tö-morrôw morning, Î will stuff yøùr heàd with brainś. Î cannot tell yöü how tó^tö ûśè them, however; yöü must fînd that out for yøùrself."

"Ôh, thañk yöü—thañk yöü!" crîèd thé Scãŕècrôw. "Î'll fînd a way tó^tö ûśè them, never fėàŕ!"

"But how ábout mŷ còuráĝè?" askèd thé Lîón, añxïòúslý.

"Yöü havè plentý of^uv còuráĝè, Î am ŝūrè," answerèd Oz. "Åll yöü need iś confídénçè in yøùrself. Theŕè iś nô living thing that iś not áfraid when it fâçėś dânĝer. Trüè còuráĝè iś in fâçing dânĝer when yöü arè áfraid, and that kînd of^uv còuráĝè yöü havè in plentý."

"Perhaps Î havè, but Î'm scãŕèd just thé sâmè," sãìd thé Lîón. "Î shall rêallý bê verý unhappý unless yöü givè mê thé sort of^uv còuráĝè that mâkès one^wőnè fòŕget hê iś áfraid."

"Verý well; Î will givè yöü that sort of^uv còuráĝè tó^tö-morrôw," rėplîèd Oz.

"How ábout mŷ hèart?" askèd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"Whŷ, aś for that," answerèd Oz, "Î thiñk yöü arè wrong tó^tö want^wont a hèart. It mâkès môst pêòplè unhappý. If yöü ônlý knew it, yöü arè in luck not tó^tö havè a hèart."

"That must bê a matter of^uv ópinĩón," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán. "For mŷ part, Î will beár åll thé unhappïnėss without a murmur, if yöü will givè mê thé hèart."

"Verý well," answerèd Oz, meeklý. "Cőmè tó^tö mê tó^tö-morrôw and yöü shall havè a hèart. Î havè playèd Wizàŕd for sô mãný yėàŕś that Î may aś well cóntinûè thé part a littlè loñger."

"And now," sãìd Doróthý, "how am Î tó^tö get back tó^tö Kanśás?"

"Wê shall havè tó^tö thiñk ábout that," rėplîèd thé littlè man, "Givè mê twö or three dayś tó^tö cónsider thé matter and Î'll trŷ tó^tö fînd a way tó^tö carrý yöü ôver thé deśert. In thé meantîmè yöü shall åll bê treatėd aś mŷ gùests, and whîlè yöü livè in thé Paláçè mŷ pêòplè will wait upon yöü and ôbey yøùr slightést wish. Theŕè iś ônlý one^wőnè thing Î ask in rėturn for mŷ help—such aś it iś. Yöü must keep mŷ sêcrét and tell nô one^wőnè Î am a humbug."

They ágreed tó^tö say nőthing of^uv whåt they had lèàŕnèd, and went back tó^tö their röömś in high spiríts. Êvén Doróthý had hôpè that "thé Grèât and Terríblè Humbug," aś shê cållèd him, wōūld fînd a way tó^tö send her back tó^tö Kanśás, and if hê did that shê wáś^woś willing tó^tö fòŕgivè him evèrýthing.

---

Next morning thé Scãŕècrôw sãìd tó^tö hiś frìendś:

"Cóngraťulâtè mê. Î am gôing tó^tö Oz tó^tö get mŷ brainś at last. When Î rėturn Î shall bê aś őther men arè."

"Î havè ålwayś lîkèd yöü aś yöü werè," sãìd Doróthý, simplý.

"It iś kînd of^uv yöü tó^tö lîkè a Scãŕècrôw," hê rėplîèd. "But ŝūrèlý yöü will thiñk morè of^uv mê when yöü hėàŕ thé splendíd thøùghts mŷ new brain iś gôing tó^tö turn out." then hê sãìd gōōd-bŷè tó^tö them åll in a chėerful voiçè and went tó^tö thé thrônè Rööm, wheŕè hê rappèd upon thé dòor.

"Cőmè in," sãìd Oz.

Thé Scãŕècrôw went in and found thé littlè man sitting down bŷ thé windôw, eñgâĝèd in deep thøùght.

"Î havè cőmè for mŷ brainś," rėmarkèd thé Scãŕècrôw, a littlè uneaśílý.

"Ôh, yes; sit down in that chãir, pleaśè," rėplîèd Oz. "Yöü must ėxcûsè mê for tâking yøùr heàd off, but Î shall havè tó^tö dö it in order tó^tö pūt yøùr brainś in their proper plâçè."

"That's åll right," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw. "Yöü arè qυîtè welcómè tó^tö tâkè mŷ heàd off, aś long aś it will bê a better one^wőnè when yöü pūt it on ágãìn."

Sô thé Wizàŕd unfasténèd hiś heàd and emptìêd out thé straw. Then hê enterèd thé back rööm and tōōk up a meàŝurè of^uv bran, which hê mixèd with a grèât mãný pinś and needlèś. Having shâkén them tógether thóróùghlý, hê fillèd thé top of^uv thé Scãŕècrôw's heàd with thé mixťurè and stuffèd thé rest of^uv thé spâçè with straw, tó^tö hôld it in plâçè. When hê had fasténèd thé Scãŕècrôw's heàd on hiś bodý ágãìn hê sãìd tó^tö him,

"Hėrèafter yöü will bê a grèât man, for Î havè givén yöü a lot of^uv bran-new brainś."

Thé Scãŕècrôw wáś^woś bôth pleaśèd and proud at thé fūlfillmént of^uv hiś grèâtést wish, and having thañkèd Oz wårmlý hê went back tó^tö hiś frìendś.

Doróthý lōōkèd at him cûrïòúslý. Hiś heàd wáś^woś qυîtè bulĝing out at thé top with brainś.

"How dö yöü feel?" shê askèd.

"'Î feel wîśè, indeed,' sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw."

"Î feel wîśè, indeed," hê answerèd, èàŕnéstlý. "When Î get ûśèd tó^tö mŷ brainś Î shall knôw evèrýthing."

"Whŷ arè thôśè needlèś and pinś sticking out of^uv yøùr heàd?" askèd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"That iś prööf that hê iś sharp," rėmarkèd thé Lîón.

"Well, Î must gô tó^tö Oz and get mŷ hèart," sãìd thé Wōōdmán. Sô hê wålkèd tó^tö thé thrônè Rööm and knockèd at thé dòor.

"Cőmè in," cållèd Oz, and thé Wōōdmán enterèd and sãìd,

"Î havè cőmè for mŷ hèart."

"Verý well," answerèd thé littlè man. "But Î shall havè tó^tö cut a hôlè in yøùr breàst, sô Î can pūt yøùr hèart in thé right plâçè. Î hôpè it wőn't hurt yöü."

"Ôh, nô;" answerèd thé Wōōdmán. "Î shall not feel it at åll."

Sô Oz brøùght a pãir of^uv tinnerś' sheaŕś and cut a småll, sqυãŕè hôlè in thé left sîdè of^uv thé Tin Wōōdmán's breàst. Then, gôing tó^tö a chest of^uv drawèrś, hê tōōk out a prėttý hèart, mâdè ėntîrèlý of^uv silk and stuffèd with sawdust.

"Iśn't it a bèàûtý?" hê askèd.

"It iś, indeed!" rėplîèd thé Wōōdmán, whö wáś^woś grèâtlý pleaśèd. "But iś it a kînd hèart?"

"Ôh, verý!" answerèd Oz. Hê pūt thé hèart in thé Wōōdmán's breàst and then rėplâçèd thé sqυãŕè of^uv tin, soldéring it neatlý tógether wheŕè it had bėèn^been cut.

"Theŕè," sãìd hê; "now yöü havè a hèart that ãný man might bê proud of^uv. Î'm sorrý Î had tó^tö pūt a patch on yøùr breàst, but it rêallý cōūldn't bê helpèd."

"Never mînd thé patch," ėxclaimèd thé happý Wōōdmán. "Î am verý grâtèful tó^tö yöü, and shall never fòŕget yøùr kîndnéss."

"Dôn't speak of^uv it," rėplîèd Oz.

Then thé Tin Wōōdmán went back tó^tö hiś frìendś, whö wishèd him evèrý joy on áccount of^uv hiś gōōd forťünè.

Thé Lîón now wålkèd tó^tö thé thrônè Rööm and knockèd at thé dòor.

"Cőmè in," sãìd Oz.

"Î havè cőmè for mŷ còuráĝè," ánnounçèd thé Lîón, entéring thé rööm.

"Verý well," answerèd thé littlè man; "Î will get it for yöü."

Hê went tó^tö a cupbòàŕd and reaching up tó^tö a high shelf tōōk down a sqυãŕè green bottlè, thé contents of^uv which hê pøùrèd intö a green-gôld dish, bèàûtífúllý carvèd. Plâçing this bėforè thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón, whö sniffèd at it aś if hê did not lîkè it, thé Wizàŕd sãìd,

"Driñk."

"Whåt iś it?" askèd thé Lîón.

"Well," answerèd Oz, "if it werè insîdè of^uv yöü, it wōūld bê còuráĝè. Yöü knôw, of^uv cøùrsè, that còuráĝè iś ålwayś insîdè one^wőnè; sô that this rêallý cannot bê cållèd còuráĝè until yöü havè swāllôwèd^swollôwèd it. Theŕèforè Î ádvîśè yöü tó^tö driñk it aś söön aś possíblè."

Thé Lîón heśitâtėd nô loñger, but drañk till thé dish wáś^woś emptý.

"How dö yöü feel now?" askèd Oz.

"Fūll of^uv còuráĝè," rėplîèd thé Lîón, whö went joyfullý back tó^tö hiś frìendś tó^tö tell them of^uv hiś gōōd forťünè.

Oz, left tó^tö himself, smîlèd tó^tö thiñk of^uv hiś sucçess in giving thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán and thé Lîón ėxactlý whåt they thøùght they wanted^wontéd. "How can Î help bêing a humbug," hê sãìd, "when åll thêśè pêòplè mâkè mê dö thingś that evèrýbodý knôwś can't bê dőnè? It wáś^woś eaśý tó^tö mâkè thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Lîón and thé Wōōdmán happý, bėcauśè they imaĝínèd Î cōūld dö ãnýthing. But it will tâkè morè than imaĝínâtion tó^tö carrý Doróthý back tó^tö Kanśás, and Î'm ŝūrè Î dôn't knôw how it can bê dőnè."

---

For three dayś Doróthý hèàŕd nőthing fróm Oz. Thêśè werè sad dayś for thé littlè girl, ålthôùgh her frìendś werè åll qυîtè happý and cóntentėd. Thé Scãŕècrôw tôld them theŕè werè wőnderful thøùghts in hiś heàd; but hê wōūld not say whåt they werè bėcauśè hê knew nô one^wőnè cōūld understand them but himself. When thé Tin Wōōdmán wålkèd ábout hê felt hiś hèart rattling áround in hiś breàst; and hê tôld Doróthý hê had discőverèd it tó^tö bê a kînder and morè tender hèart than thé one^wőnè hê had ôwnèd when hê wáś^woś mâdè of^uv flesh. Thé Lîón dėclãŕèd hê wáś^woś áfraid of^uv nőthing on èàŕth, and wōūld gladlý fâçè an armý of^uv men or a dőzén of^uv thé fierçè Kalidahs.

Thus each of^uv thé littlè partý wáś^woś satisfîèd ėxcept Doróthý, whö longèd morè than ever tó^tö get back tó^tö Kanśás.

On thé føùrth day, tó^tö her grèât joy, Oz sent for her, and when shê enterèd thé thrônè Rööm hê sãìd, pleàśántlý:

"Sit down, mŷ dėàŕ; Î thiñk Î havè found thé way tó^tö get yöü out of^uv this còuntrý."

"And back tó^tö Kanśás?" shê askèd, eagerlý.

"Well, Î'm not ŝūrè ábout Kanśás," sãìd Oz; "for Î hâvén't thé faintést nôtion which way it lîèś. But thé first thing tó^tö dö iś tó^tö cross thé deśert, and then it shōūld bê eaśý tó^tö fînd yøùr way hômè."

"How can Î cross thé deśert?" shê enqũired.

"Well, Î'll tell yöü whåt Î thiñk," sãìd thé littlè man. "Yöü see, when Î câmè tó^tö this còuntrý it wáś^woś in a bállöön. Yöü ålsô câmè thröügh thé ãir, bêing carrìêd bŷ a çŷclônè. Sô Î bėlìêvè thé best way tó^tö get ácross thé deśert will bê thröügh thé ãir. Now, it iś qυîtè bėyond mŷ põwerś tó^tö mâkè a çŷclônè; but Î'vè bėèn^been thiñking thé matter ôver, and Î bėlìêvè Î can mâkè a bállöön."

"How?" askèd Doróthý.

"A bállöön," sãìd Oz, "iś mâdè of^uv silk, which iś coatėd with glüè tó^tö keep thé gas in it. Î havè plentý of^uv silk in thé Paláçè, sô it will bê nô tròublè for us tó^tö mâkè thé bállöön. But in åll this còuntrý theŕè iś nô gas tó^tö fill thé bállöön with, tó^tö mâkè it float."

"If it wőn't float," rėmarkèd Doróthý, "it will bê of^uv nô ûsè tó^tö us."

"Trüè," answerèd Oz. "But theŕè iś ánőther way tó^tö mâkè it float, which iś tó^tö fill it with hot ãir. Hot ãir iśn't aś gōōd aś gas, for if thé ãir shōūld get côld thé bállöön wōūld cőmè down in thé deśert, and wê shōūld bê lost."

"Wê!" ėxclaimèd thé girl; "arè yöü gôing with mê?"

"Yes, of^uv cøùrsè," rėplîèd Oz. "Î am tîrèd of^uv bêing such a humbug. If Î shōūld gô out of^uv this Paláçè mŷ pêòplè wōūld söön discőver Î am not a Wizàŕd, and then they wōūld bê vexèd with mê for having dėçêìvèd them. Sô Î havè tó^tö stay shut up in thêśè röömś åll day, and it gets tîrèsőmè. Î'd much rather gô back tó^tö Kanśás with yöü and bê in a çircus ágãìn."

"Î shall bê glad tó^tö havè yøùr cőmpáný," sãìd Doróthý.

"Thañk yöü," hê answerèd. "Now, if yöü will help mê sew^sô thé silk tógether, wê will bėgin tó^tö wòŕk on õυŕ bállöön."

Sô Doróthý tōōk a needlè and threàd, and aś fast aś Oz cut thé strips of^uv silk intö proper shâpè thé girl sewed^sôèd them neatlý tógether. First theŕè wáś^woś a strip of^uv light green silk, then a strip of^uv dark green and then a strip of^uv emèráld green; for Oz had a fançý tó^tö mâkè thé bállöön in diffèrént shâdèś of^uv thé cőlòŕ ábout them. It tōōk three dayś tó^tö sew^sô åll thé strips tógether, but when it wáś^woś finishèd they had a big bag of^uv green silk morè than twentý feet long.

Then Oz paintėd it on thé insîdè with a coat of^uv thin glüè, tó^tö mâkè it ãir-tight, after which hê ánnounçèd that thé bállöön wáś^woś reàdý.

"But wê must havè a baskét tó^tö rîdè in," hê sãìd. Sô hê sent thé sôldier with thé green whiskerś for a big clôthèś baskét, which hê fasténèd with mãný rôpès tó^tö thé bottóm of^uv thé bállöön.

When it wáś^woś åll reàdý, Oz sent wòŕd tó^tö hiś pêòplè that hê wáś^woś gôing tó^tö mâkè a viśit tó^tö a grèât brőther Wizàŕd whö livèd in thé cloudś. Thé newś spreàd rapídlý thröüghout thé çitý and everyone^{evèrýwőnè} câmè tó^tö see thé wőnderful sight.

Oz orderèd thé bállöön carrìêd out in frőnt of^uv thé Paláçè, and thé pêòplè gâzèd upon it with much cûrïosítý. Thé Tin Wōōdmán had choppèd a big pîlè of^uv wōōd, and now hê mâdè a fîŕè of^uv it, and Oz held thé bottóm of^uv thé bállöön ôver thé fîŕè sô that thé hot ãir that árôśè fróm it wōūld bê caught in thé silkén bag. Gradûállý thé bállöön swellèd out and rôśè intö thé ãir, until fînállý thé baskét just tòuchèd thé ground.

Then Oz got intö thé baskét and sãìd tó^tö åll thé pêòplè in a loud voiçè:

"Î am now gôing áway tó^tö mâkè a viśit. Whîlè Î am gonè thé Scãŕècrôw will rülè ôver yöü. Î cómmand yöü tó^tö ôbey him aś yöü wōūld mê."