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But in time the airships may cause us trouble," continued Ozma, "for if

the earth folk learn how to manage them we would be overrun with

visitors who would ruin our lovely, secluded fairyland."

That is true enough," agreed the Wizard.

Also the desert fails to protect us in other ways," Ozma went on,

thoughtfully. "Johnny Dooit once made a sand-boat that sailed across it,

and the Nome King made a tunnel under it. So I believe something ought

to be done to cut us off from the rest of the world entirely, so that no one

in the future will ever be able to intrude upon us."

How will you do that?" asked the Scarecrow.

I do not know; but in some way I am sure it can be accomplished. To-

morrow I will make a journey to the castle of Glinda the Good, and ask

her advice."

May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.

Of course, my dear Princess; and I also invite any of our friends here

who would like to undertake the journey."

They all declared they wished to accompany their girl Ruler, for this was

indeed an important mission, since the future of the Land of Oz to a

great extent depended upon it. So Ozma gave orders to her servants to

prepare for the journey on the morrow.

That day she watched her Magic Picture, and when it showed her that all

the Nomes had returned through the tunnel to their underground

caverns, Ozma used the Magic Belt to close up the tunnel, so that the

earth underneath the desert sands became as solid as it was before the

Nomes began to dig.

Early the following morning a gay cavalcade set out to visit the famous

Sorceress, Glinda the Good. Ozma and Dorothy rode in a chariot drawn

by the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger, while the Sawhorse drew the

red wagon in which rode the rest of the party.

With hearts light and free from care they traveled merrily along through

the lovely and fascinating Land of Oz, and in good season reached the

stately castle in which resided the Sorceress.

Glinda knew that they were coming.

The Emerald City of Oz