The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

y to instruct the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, who were at that time staying at the coll

y Man and Jack Pumpkinhead, who had been present at the conference, began their journey into the Gillikin Country, and an hour later Ojo and Unc Nunkie joined

ould like to join the party. Now this Woozy was a most peculiar animal, having a square head, square body, square legs and square tail. His skin was very tough and hard, resembling leather, and while his movements were somewhat clumsy, the

ardly Lion, who-like all animals living in Oz-could talk and who talked with more shrewdness and wisdom than many of the people did. He said he was cowardly because he always trembled when he faced danger, but he had faced danger many times and neve

oice, "that it would make me unhappy to remain behind while you are trying to find

help it," promised Dorothy, "but we shall do

saw was so lean and bony and altogether plain looking as this Hank, but Betsy loved him dearly because he was faithful and steady and not nearly so stupid as most mules are considered to be. Betsy had a saddle for

his sailor man was called Cap'n Bill. He was a former friend and comrade of Trot and had encountered many adventures in company with the little girl. I think he was sorry he could not go with her on

izens lined the streets to see them pass and to cheer them and wish them success, for all were grieved over Ozma's loss and anxious that she be found again. First came the Cowardly Lion, then the Patchwork Girl riding upon the Woozy, then Betsy Bobbin on her mule Hank, and fin

customary chatter of the three girls. He never paid much attention to what was going on around him, and although he could speak, he seldom said anything, so the little dog did not know about Ozma's loss or that everyone had gone in search of her. But he liked to

orothy?" a

Winkie Country,"

he

ile ago," re

of the Red Wagon and the Woozy and the Lion and the Mule and all the others. Being a wise little dog, he decided not to show himself to Dorothy just then, lest he be sent back home, but he never lost sight of the party of travel

t of the city on the night before las

s," answered the Gu

flown through the air, for otherwise he could not have stolen from Ozma's royal palace and Glinda's faraway castle in the same night. Moreover, as there are no airships in Oz and no

led fields and entered the Country of the Winkies, which occupies a quarter of all the territory in the Land of Oz but is not so well known as many other parts of Ozma's fairyland. Long before night the travelers had crossed the Winkie River near to the Scarecrow's Tower (which was now vacant) and had entered the Rolling Prairie where few people live. They asked everyone

with the blankets they had brought in the Red Wagon. The Wizard and Button-Bright also slept out of doors, and so did the Cowardly Lion and Hank the Mule. But Scraps and the Sawhorse

gy little form nestling beside his own, and he

f you roll over, roll the oth

ow you are here?

hink, friend Lion, we are now far enough from the Emerald City for me to r

you must act as you think best." Then the huge beast went to sleep again, and Toto snuggled closer to the warm, hairy body

od breakfast. Suddenly Dorothy discovered Toto sitting quietly before the fir

ly left me," replied the

this isn't a pleasure trip but stric'ly business. But now that you're here, Toto, I s'pose you'll have to

Toto, wagging his tail

little mistress, who was really glad to have her dog with her. She and Toto

g meal. He willingly consented, and while they ate he said to them, "You are now about to pass thr

on, "let us turn, by all means, for

h the country ahead of

, set close together and surrounded by deep gulfs so that no one is able to get past the

y like?" dema

ly, "but it is said that the Thistle-Eaters hitch dragons to their chariots and that

ll that?" a

declared the shepherd.

," remarked little Trot, "

over that country brought

r. It is true that beyond that river there lies a fine country inhabited by good people, and if you reached there, you would have no further trouble. It is

be," said the Wizard. "We s

y to harbor wicked creatures. If they were not wicked, they would discover themselves and by coming

ly some cruel and wicked person who has stolen our Ozma, and we know it would be folly to search among good people for the culprit. Ozma may not be hidden in the

hings that happen ever hurt anyone, and a danger is a thing that might happen and might n

ey packed up and said goodbye to the fri