www.freeclassicebooks.com

Then Dorothy came to them, Uncle Henry and Aunt Em following close

after her. The little girl's eyes were heavy because she had had a

sleepless and anxious night. Toto walked by her side, but the little dog's

spirits were very much subdued. Billina, who was always up by

daybreak, was not long in joining the group by the fountain.

The Wizard and the Shaggy Man next arrived, and soon after appeared

Omby Amby, dressed in his best uniform.

There lies the tunnel," said Ozma, pointing to a part of the ground just

before the Forbidden Fountain, "and in a few moments the dreadful

invaders will break through the earth and swarm over the land. Let us

all stand on the other side of the Fountain and watch to see what

happens."

At once they followed her suggestion and moved around the fountain of

the Water of Oblivion. There they stood silent and expectant until the

earth beyond gave way with a sudden crash and up leaped the powerful

form of the First and Foremost, followed by all his grim warriors.

As the leader sprang forward his gleaming eyes caught the play of the

fountain and he rushed toward it and drank eagerly of the sparkling

water. Many of the other Phanfasms drank, too, in order to clear their

dry and dusty throats. Then they stood around and looked at one

another with simple, wondering smiles.

The First and Foremost saw Ozma and her companions beyond the

fountain, but instead of making an effort to capture her he merely stared

at her in pleased admiration of her beauty--for he had forgotten where he

was and why he had come there.

But now the Grand Gallipoot arrived, rushing from the tunnel with a

hoarse cry of mingled rage and thirst. He too saw the fountain and

hastened to drink of its forbidden waters. The other Growleywogs were

not slow to follow suit, and even before they had finished drinking the

Chief of the Whimsies and his people came to push them away, while

they one and all cast off their false heads that they might slake their

thirst at the fountain.

When the Nome King and General Guph arrived they both made a dash

to drink, but the General was so mad with thirst that he knocked his

The Emerald City of Oz