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I've heard as savage beastses can be conquered by the human eye. I'll

eye that lion out o' countenance an' save our lives."

Try it, Em," he returned, also in a whisper. "Look at him as you do at

me when I'm late to dinner."

Aunt Em turned upon the Lion a determined countenance and a wild

dilated eye. She glared at the immense beast steadily, and the Lion, who

had been quietly blinking at them, began to appear uneasy and

disturbed.

Is anything the matter, ma'am?" he asked, in a mild voice.

At this speech from the terrible beast Aunt Em and Uncle Henry both

were startled, and then Uncle Henry remembered that this must be the

Lion they had seen in Ozma's Throne Room.

Hold on, Em!" he exclaimed. "Quit the eagle eye conquest an' take

courage. I guess this is the same Cowardly Lion Dorothy has told us

about."

Oh, is it?" she cried, much relieved.

When he spoke, I got the idea; and when he looked so 'shamed like, I

was sure of it," Uncle Henry continued.

Aunt Em regarded the animal with new interest.

Are you the Cowardly Lion?" she inquired. "Are you Dorothy's friend?"

Yes'm," answered the Lion, meekly. "Dorothy and I are old chums and

are very fond of each other. I'm the King of Beasts, you know, and the

Hungry Tiger and I serve Princess Ozma as her body guards."

To be sure," said Aunt Em, nodding. "But the King of Beasts shouldn't

be cowardly."

I've heard that said before," remarked the Lion, yawning till he showed

two great rows of sharp white teeth; "but that does not keep me from

being frightened whenever I go into battle."

What do you do, run?" asked Uncle Henry.

The Emerald City of Oz