The palace court was built of rare marbles,
exquisitely polished. "We've just come on a visit, you know," said Ozma. she exclaimed. asked Ozma. "I cannot, your Majesty," confessed the Sorceress. "Until now I never
have heard of them, nor have I ever heard the Skeezers mentioned. "Very well, your Majesty," said the Sorceress, "I will try to get some
information to guide you. Please excuse me for a time, while I retire
to my Room of Magic and Sorcery." "No, Princess," was the reply. "Your Majesty," she said to Ozma, "the Skeezers live on a Magic Isle in
a great lake. "Why, I didn't know there was a lake in that part of Oz," exclaimed
Ozma. "The map shows a river running through the Skeezer Country, but
no lake." inquired the Ruler of Oz. "I cannot tell your Majesty that," said Glinda. cried Dorothy, "it's against the law for anyone but
Glinda and the Wizard to work magic in the Land of Oz, so if these two
strange people are magic-makers they are breaking the law and ought to
be punished!" Ozma smiled upon her little friend. "Those who do not know me or my laws," she said, "cannot be expected to
obey my laws. "But they ought to know, Ozma, and we ought to know. "That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering. So, if you pay no attention
to these peoples, you may never hear of them again." "But that wouldn't be right," declared Ozma. "That's a fact, Ozma," commented Dorothy. "That is what is puzzling me also, your Majesty," said the Sorceress. "It may be dangerous for you to go into those strange countries, where
the people are possibly fierce and warlike." "I am not afraid," said Ozma, with a smile. "'Tisn't a question of being 'fraid," argued Dorothy. "Of course we
know you're a fairy, and can't be killed or hurt, and we know you've a
lot of magic of your own to help you. "Perhaps I shall be in no danger at all," returned Ozma, with a little
laugh. "Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted the Sorceress. "I have one soldier," said Ozma. inquired Ozma. "If they refuse, what then?" she asked. "It's a ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it," sighed Dorothy. asked Ozma. "If you go I want to go, too," declared Dorothy. "I believe that also," agreed the Princess. I do not look for opposition, however. pleaded Dorothy. "You'll need some
companion, Ozma." "I see no reason why you should not accompany me," was her reply. "Wear this ring constantly until your return," she said to the girl. As the Emerald City was exactly in the
center of Oz, it was no small journey from there to the Skeezers. "Well," replied Dorothy, "we'll prob'bly find out a lot on this trip,
and we'll learn all about the Skeezers and Flatheads, anyhow. "I cannot tell, Dorothy dear, but I know we've been going in the right
direction, so we are sure to find it in time." "It doesn't look very strong, though," said Dorothy. "Here is a handkerchief you dropped when we were here before," she said
to Dorothy. "True," agreed Ozma, "an enemy has tried to imprison us." "And they did it, too," said Dorothy. "Quite right!" cried a voice behind them. Dorothy did not like the looks of these spiders at all. "They look wicked," she whispered to Ozma. she inquired. "Well, I am King of all Spiders," was the reply, "and that makes me
your master. "I won't," said Dorothy indignantly. "So I see," returned the Spider King angrily. "Let us look about for such a tool." "Come out of the water," she called to the crab; "I want to talk to
you." "You can do that, can't you?" Ozma inquired. "Yes," said Ozma, "I can do that easily. And, so you may know I am
speaking the truth, I will change your color now." "If we wish to get on, I think we must venture into the
mist." Dorothy was much impressed. Ozma waited. I am Princess Ozma of Oz, and this is my friend
Dorothy, a Princess of Oz." "Oh, ho!" cried Dorothy; "I'll bet that's the mountain Glinda told us
of, where the Flatheads live." "If it is," replied Ozma, "the Lake of the Skeezers must be just beyond
the line of palm trees. Can you walk that far, Dorothy?" "Of course, in time," was the prompt answer. "Yes, dear, because I can use my fairy powers to make others happy. Had
I no kingdom to rule, and no subjects to look after, I would be
miserable. My magic is
simply fairy magic, and not sorcery or wizardry." Ozma smiled. "Yes, it is indeed wonderful," she agreed. "No dishes to wash, Ozma!" she said with a laugh. inquired Dorothy. "Perhaps Glinda could," said Dorothy thoughtfully. "Don't try," laughed Ozma. "No, I don't," said Dorothy earnestly. "If I really can do it, Ozma, I
am sure I don't know how I do it." "That's so, Ozma. They walked quite a distance, for it was a big mountain, and as they
circled around it and came to the side that faced the palm trees, they
suddenly discovered an entrance way cut out of the rock wall. exclaimed Dorothy, rubbing her nose, which had struck
something hard, although she could not see what it was; "this isn't as
easy as it looks. What has stopped us, Ozma? Ozma was feeling around, her bands outstretched before her. "Yes, dear, it is magic," she replied. mused Dorothy. Now
anybody can see the entrance, as we did. And prob'bly anybody that
tries to go up the stairs gets bumped, as we did." Ozma made no reply at once. They met no
further obstructions. Ten steps up, five steps down, and a turn, this way or that. "Those Flatheads must be funny people," she said to Ozma. demanded Dorothy, astonished. "You could
not hear it, I know, but when I am holding my wand in my hand I can
hear sounds a great distance off." inquired
Dorothy. "Yes. They may be
dangerous, Ozma. Aside from their flat heads, these people were not really bad looking. "So
Princess Ozma rules you Flathead people, as well as all the other
people in Oz." The man laughed, and all the others who stood around laughed, too. Eh, friends?" "No, indeed!" answered Ozma. "You have broken our laws by coming here; and whoever you
are the Supreme Dictator must fix your punishment. Pretty soon he entered from another room--a rather lean and
rather old Flathead, dressed much like the others of this strange race,
and only distinguished from them by the sly and cunning expression of
his face. inquired Ozma. "My word
is law. he
commanded. "Of course," was the answer. But I'm the Supreme Dictator of all, and I'm elected once a year. This
is a democracy, you know, where the people are allowed to vote for
their rulers. asked Ozma. "I am called the Su-dic, which is short for Supreme Dictator. Dorothy was staring hard at the Su-dic. "I don't see how you can have any brains at all," she remarked,
"because the part of your head is gone where brains are kept." See," he continued, "here is one of the cans of brains
the fairies gave us." "Yes, they're all alike. inquired Dorothy. cried Dorothy; "is your wife really a Golden Pig?" "She is. But Ozma said to him, very sweetly and in
a friendly voice:
"I am sorry to hear this. Then perhaps I can help you." She was only a girl, but there was dignity in her pose and speech which
impressed the Su-dic. asked the Ruler of Oz. "It was this way," began the Su-dic, glad to change the subject. "Then," said Ozma thoughtfully, "the Queen of the Skeezers must be a
Sorceress." "Yes," said the Su-dic, "but she doesn't know much magic, after all. "You can only make laws to govern your own people," asserted Ozma
sternly. I know the extent of your powers, Princess Ozma of Oz,
and I know that I am more powerful than you are. Then, if you promise to be
good, I may let you go home again." Dorothy was amazed by this effrontery and defiance of the beautiful
girl Ruler of Oz, whom all until now had obeyed without question. You are angry and speak unwisely, without
reflection. "No," returned Ozma, "I will not do that, for it would be unjust. Neither may you catch fish in the Lake of the
Skeezers, for it is their lake and the fish belong to them. This
arrangement is just and honorable, and you must agree to it." Just then a pig came running into the room,
uttering dismal grunts. "Fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers, fight the Skeezers!" asserted Ozma. With the other hand
she grasped the hand of Dorothy, but these motions were so natural that
the Su-dic did not notice them. We are invisible, so no one will see us." Then they had to go up five steps and down another ten, and so on, in
the same manner in which they had climbed to the top of the mountain. Then they ran to the right
and turned the corner of the invisible wall just as the Su-dic and his
followers rushed out of the arched entrance and looked around in an
attempt to discover the fugitives. "Let us find the Lake of the Skeezers," replied Ozma. "Of course you'll punish the Flatheads," said Dorothy. Then she tied her
handkerchief to her wand and, standing at the water's edge, waved the
handkerchief like a flag, as a signal. "I don't see what good that will do," said Dorothy. Then they saw that it was a bridge, consisting of a steel footway just
broad enough to walk on, and two slender guide rails, one on either
side, which were connected with the footway by steel bars. "We need not walk after all," said Ozma. "Lead on," replied Ozma with dignity. I know nothing of the Land of Oz, and I know nothing of
Kansas." "Why, this is the Land of Oz!" cried Dorothy. "It's a part of the Land
of Oz, anyhow, whether you know it or not." "Oh, in-deed!" answered Queen Coo-ee-oh, scornfully. "Of course," returned Dorothy. "There's no doubt of it." The Queen turned to Ozma. she asked. "Let us not speak of this now, please," answered Ozma. "Your island is
in danger, for a powerful foe is preparing to destroy it." I do not fear them." "Their Supreme Dictator is a Sorcerer." "No one asked you to come," declared Queen Coo-ee-oh. "It is my
business to settle this dispute, not yours. You say you are a fairy, and
that fairies gave you command over me. More than that, in ruling you I also rule
the thousands you say you rule." Dorothy was very indignant at this speech. Then she turned
again to Ozma. Then to Ozma and Dorothy she added,
"Follow me," and turned to leave the throne room. inquired Ozma. "The Queen punishes us if we make remarks that she does not like." "The Queen can hear everything that is spoken on this island--even the
slightest whisper," declared Lady Aurex. she asked. "Ev'rybody trusts Ozma," exclaimed Dorothy. "The Queen does not know me yet," said Ozma, "but I want you to know
me, Lady Aurex, and I want you to tell me why you, and all the
Skeezers, are unhappy. "That's pretty bad," said Dorothy, shaking her head gravely. "I see
you've a lot to do here, Ozma, in this forsaken corner of the Land of
Oz. Then, when you've done that, we can
go back home again." Ozma smiled at her little friend's earnest counsel, but Lady Aurex said
in an anxious tone:
"I am surprised that you suggest these reforms while you are yet
prisoners on this island and in Coo-ee-oh's power. asked the Lady Aurex. "I don't s'pose there was any reason, 'cept just wickedness," replied
Dorothy. "Tell us the reason," said Ozma earnestly. "Coo-ee-oh was our Queen then, as now, but she knew no magic and so had
nothing to be proud of. "Yes," Lady Aurex answered, "now that you know the story it is easy to
understand. Then they
could easily conquer her. "And with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully. "They cannot do that," she replied. "I believe they will first attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison or
some other means. If they succeed in that, the conquest of the island
will not be difficult." "Just now, though, we're in a bad fix," asserted Dorothy. "Do not worry, dear," said Ozma, "I do not think we are in danger,
whatever happens, and the result of our adventure is sure to be good." Dorothy was not worrying, especially. A sort of grating, grinding sound awakened her. Ozma was hurriedly dressing herself. Then they rushed into the living room of the house
and found Lady Aurex, fully dressed, awaiting them. "Do not be alarmed," said their hostess. "Coo-ee-oh has decided to
submerge the island, that is all. "Come here and see," was the reply. "They will come
soon, but not until all of this dome is under the surface of the water." "No, indeed." "Oh, yes; on several occasions. "Well, if we're under water, they can't fight us, and we can't fight
them," asserted Dorothy. "They could kill the fishes, however," said Ozma gravely. "We have ways to fight, also, even though our island is under water,"
claimed Lady Aurex. "I cannot tell you all our secrets, but this island
is full of surprises. cried Lady Aurex, pointing to the shore. exclaimed the Su-dic, who had armed all his followers and had
brought with him two copper vessels, which he carefully set down upon
the ground beside him. "Not yet," objected the Su-dic. "The Queen of the Skeezers has defied
me, and I want to get her into my power, as well as to destroy her
magic. Dorothy asked the Lady Aurex. "That is one of the Queen's submarines," was the reply. "It is all
enclosed, and can move under water. "My
poor wife, Rora, is avenged at last. croaked the Diamond Swan. "A fool you were, and a fool you are!" laughed the Su-dic, dancing
madly in his delight. "Very well," said the Diamond Swan scornfully, as she floated upon the
water and swam gracefully here and there. pleaded Ervic. "But, your Majesty, we must go home and we do not know how to get
there," Ervic persisted. exclaimed Dorothy. "This is a dreadful misfortune!" cried Lady Aurex, pressing her hands
upon her heart. But here we all
are, at the bottom of the lake, and fast prisoners in this dome." inquired Dorothy. "No. Only Coo-ee-oh knew how to do that," was the answer. "We can try," insisted Dorothy. "If it can be made to go down, it can
be made to come up. The machinery is still here, I suppose. "Ozma knows a lot of magic," she said. "But not that kind of magic," Ozma replied. "No; and, if there were, the water would rush in to flood the dome, and
we could not get out." "No, I'd rather die quickly," asserted the little girl. exclaimed Dorothy, "that dreadful Queen's witchcraft upsets
all my plans to escape. I guess I'll give it up, Ozma, and let you save
us." Ozma smiled, but her smile was not so cheerful as usual. "All right," returned Dorothy; "take your time, Ozma; there's no hurry. How about some breakfast, Lady Aurex?" "But--say, Ozma, here's a good idea! "You are not very practical, Dorothy dear. "But if we could, it would be more help to us," persisted the little
girl. But the fishes were the most interesting of all. "Anything new, Ozma?" she asked. "No, dear. "Not yet. inquired
Glinda. She made
several such experiments, but all were failures. cried Trot, as the chariot of the Sorceress
descended near them. "Of course," replied the Scarecrow, stumbling over a wicket and falling
flat on his painted face. Indeed, in no other country could
such amazing people exist. Every bit of him was tin, brightly
polished. Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T. E., was another member of the council. Ozma found him of value in her councils, nevertheless. He, too, was a counsellor. "Of course we must rescue them," she continued, "and the sooner they
are rescued the better pleased they will be; but what we must now
determine is how they can be saved. said Glinda. "We might all get under it and lift," suggested Professor Wogglebug. asked the Sorceress. pleaded Glinda. "This is a serious matter, and we
must give it serious thought." "None of us can tell, for we have not been there." "Quite right," agreed the Tin Woodman. said the
Wizard. "I shall go of course," declared the Scarecrow. "And I," said Scraps. "It is my duty to Ozma to go," asserted the Tin Woodman. "We all feel like that," Uncle Henry said. It scorned to catch mice, did not eat, and was extremely lazy. He was
continually getting lost. exclaimed the creature in an irritated tone of voice;
"nothing can hurt glass, and I'm too solid to break easily. He has no respect for beauty or
intelligence. "When did you see him last, Ojo?" inquired Glinda. "It was some time ago," replied Ojo. Then I went to talk
to Betsy and Trot, and just now I noticed he was gone." asked the Scarecrow. "The Glass Cat could go," suggested the Frogman. "The beasts can do her
no harm, as we have discovered." he asked. cried Trot, looking over Glinda's shoulder. said Cap'n Bill, sighing. asked Ojo the Lucky. exclaimed Betsy
Glinda, having handed the mirror to the Wizard, had stepped aside and
was making strange passes with her outstretched arms and reciting in
low, sweet tones a mystical incantation. "Now," said Glinda, "let the Glass Cat run and find him. He is in that
direction," pointing the way, "but how far off I do not know. She was very impolite
and, if we didn't all know that she had no manners, I'd say she
insulted me." Glinda turned upon the boy sternly. "You have caused all of us much anxiety and annoyance," said she. "Only
my magic saved you from destruction. "Of course," he answered. "I'm hungry," said Ervic. "I'm cold," said another Skeezer. "I'm tired," said a third. But it did them no good to complain. "Go to sleep," said Ervic to his companions. "I'll stay awake and
watch, for we may be rescued in some unexpected way." Ervic watched. "We are the three Adepts whom Queen Coo-ee-oh betrayed and wickedly
transformed," said the goldfish, its voice low and soft but distinctly
heard in the stillness of the night. "Yes," was the reply. "We have waited and watched for
this time. But I'm
no witch, nor magician, you must know." "All we ask is that you obey our instructions," returned the
silverfish. exclaimed the young man. "Tell me what I am to do first." At first the boat did not move at all, although the fishes pulled with
all their strength. When it is cleaned,
fill it with fresh water and hold it over the side of the boat, so that
we three may swim into the kettle. We will then instruct you further." "Do you wish me to catch you, then?" asked Ervic in surprise. "Yes," was the reply. Then he went back to the boat. "Carry the kettle to the shore. No farmer lived here, that
was certain. "I quite agree with you." Pretty soon they came to the palms. "It doesn't seem like much of a punishment," said Trot. "Handsome is as handsome does," replied the Scarecrow. "Are your deeds
lovely, Coo-ce-oh?" inquired the Wizard. retorted
Coo-ee-oh. "As for my past life, it seems like an unpleasant dream. "And we must do it in our own way," added the Scarecrow. "Let us go to the boat," said the Wizard. They walked around the lake to where the boat was stranded upon the
beach, but found it empty. "Not all of us," returned the Wizard, "for it won't hold so many. asked Button Bright. "Who are you, and where did you come from?" inquired the Wizard. "We are Skeezers," answered one of them, "and our home is on the Magic
Isle of the Lake. "If you belong on the island, why are you here?" demanded Glinda. That was all they knew. "Not so, friend Wizard," replied Glinda. "Very well," agreed the Wizard. "Summon them, most noble Glinda." She has never assisted anyone, or done
wrong to anyone, that we know of. His hand trembled
as he raised the latch, but he was resolved to obey his instructions. again cried the voice. "No," said he, "I'm going to stay." He expected
something else to happen, but nothing did. the ape asked at last. "Nothing," said Ervic. Another long wait. questioned the ape. "You must be Reera the Red--the Yookoohoo," Ervic answered. "No," said the young man. "Curiosity," it said, "has led to many a man's undoing. You may have been told that I do not
injure anyone, so you are bold enough to disobey my commands to go
away. "Well," remarked Ervic, who had been pondering on the strange
circumstances of his coming here, "you are right in some ways, but not
in others. Few people understand magic. "None at all." "You are wise in that. "That doesn't worry me," declared Ervic. "If you wish to perform any magic, go ahead," said Ervic. "It may
interest me and it may not. If you'd rather go on with your knitting,
it's all the same to me. I am in no hurry at all." "You look better," he said calmly, "but I'm not sure I like you any
better." "You are clever," said Ervic. All you did was to touch the creatures." "Oh, do you think so?" she replied. "Well, touch them yourself, if you
like, and see if you can change their forms." "No," said the Skeezer, "I don't understand magic and if I did I would
not try to imitate your skill. You are a wonderful Yookoohoo, while I
am only a common Skeezer." she asked. "I prefer to be alone." "I prefer to stay here," said Ervic. "Yes." demanded Reera, with a smile. "I can think of no reason at all," he replied. She looked at him curiously. "You want no power for yourself, you say, and you're too stupid to be
able to steal my secrets. "Three fishes," he answered readily. She came over to the bench and looked into the kettle, where the three
fishes were swimming quietly in the water. "They're pretty," said Reera. "No," objected the Skeezer. repeated Ervic. "You're not a very pleasant visitor," laughed Red Reera. "People accuse
me of being cross and crabbed and unsociable, and they are quite right. "No," said Ervic, although he really desired food. "Well, I am," Reera declared and clapped her hands together. "The fishes are beauties--one gold, one silver and one
bronze. Reera asked, smiling at his serious face. "Well," replied Ervic, after a period of thought, "that might be. And, should you be able to do so, I fear my troubles would be more than
I could bear. No, Mistress Reera, let us not transform the fishes at all." cried several voices, coming from the kittens
and chipmunks. We did not know you
were so intelligent, or that Reera could be so easily deceived by you. She saw Ervic bent over the kettle, so she came and joined him. she asked. "Sometimes," he replied, "for all fishes in the Land of Oz know how to
speak. They are hungry." "Well, they can have some bread," said Reera. If they consent,
why--why, then, I'll think it over." "We can hear you," said the bronzefish. "We'd like to be girls," said the silverfish. "No, no!" exclaimed Ervic. "No, no!" exclaimed Ervic again. "Also make us Adepts at Magic," added the bronzefish. "On the contrary, we will be your friends." asked Reera. "We promise that," cried the three fishes. Don't consent to the transformation," urged Ervic. Then they bowed to the Skeezer and said:
"We thank you, Ervic." asked Ervic of the Yookoohoo. "Yes," she replied. "I see now why you are named Reera the Red," remarked Ervic. "It is on account of my red hair," she explained smiling. "You were quite right," returned the Yookoohoo. She kept with her only the little Wizard of Oz, who
was her pupil and knew how to assist her in her magic rites. "Yes, I always carry one in my bag," replied the Wizard. "That ought to do the business all right," he said confidently. "Let us make a trial and see," she replied. "Even
Coo-ee-oh, with all her witchcraft, could do no better." The boat obeyed. "I may be able to discover what it is, but that will require
time. "We shall have to abandon this attempt, I think," said Glinda. "I can, and will, right gladly," answered the Wizard. "Follow me,
please." "Whoever you may be," said Glinda, "I bid you welcome." "My name is Audah," said one. "My name is Aurah," said another. "My name is Aujah," said the third. "No, we were not aware of that," was the reply. So, if you will join me, we will try to find them." We are the three fishes." cried Glinda. "We are the three Adepts," admitted Aujah. "Then," said Glinda, "my task is half accomplished. She may have added to these things, but they were
the foundation of all her work." inquired
Glinda. Tell us what she has thought of, my dear." asked Scraps, turning a
somersault and then standing on one leg. "You could give them a little,
teeny pond to swim in, and they'd be just as happy as they are as
fishes." replied the Wizard, severely. "All right," said Scraps, making a face at him; "I don't care." "So you did," declared Glinda, her face now grave and thoughtful. "I believe," said the Wizard, rubbing his hands together in delight,
"that the Patchwork Girl has shown us the way to success." All the others came
to watch them, but stood at a respectful distance in the background. At the right of the Sorceress stood Audah and Aurah, while at the left
stood the Wizard and Aujah. Gradually the
water fell, making the dome appear to rise. "Quite sure," replied the Sorceress. He hugged
first Ozma and then Dorothy, while all the Skeezers cheered as loud as
they could. "That is a method we taught her," declared Aurah the Adept. "I can do no more, Glinda," continued Ozma, "so I wish you would try
what your sorcery can accomplish." asked the Wizard. "I see," said the Wizard. inquired Glinda. When it is submerged, as it is now, the base of the island is
upon the bottom of the lake. I noticed in the basement a big steel
pillar that passed through the floor and extended upward to this
palace. I noticed it when I first came here. They
were strong men, but could not move it at all." "It may be some kind of radium," said the Wizard. If only we knew the magic word, I
am quite sure we could raise the island." asked Ozma, turning to Glinda as
she spoke. Three words. One is 'Coo,' and one is 'ee,' and one is 'oh.'" You may have solved our problem." "I believe it is worth a trial," agreed Glinda. "Let us experiment," suggested the Wizard. Dorothy rushed to the window, which overlooked the glass side of the
dome. she exclaimed. "We've made a mistake," said the Wizard gloomily. "Let us try that next then," proposed the Wizard. "Why, we're way above the lake now!" exclaimed Dorothy from the window,
when at last the island ceased to move. "Come," said Ozma eagerly, "let us go down and join the people." "Now," said Glinda, "we can go up and receive the congratulations of
the Skeezers and of our friends of the Rescue Expedition." "Do not worry," returned Ozma, reassuringly.