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Guph tried to think what to say next, and a happy thought soon

occurred to him.

We want you to help us in this conquest," he announced, "for we need

the mighty aid of the Growleywogs in order to make sure that we shall

not be defeated. You are the strongest people in all the world, and you

hate good and happy creatures as much as we Nomes do. I am sure it

will be a real pleasure to you to tear down the beautiful Emerald City,

and in return for your valuable assistance we will allow you to bring back

to your country ten thousand people of Oz, to be your slaves."

Twenty thousand!" growled the Grand Gallipoot.

All right, we promise you twenty thousand," agreed the General.

The Gallipoot made a signal and at once his attendants picked up

General Guph and carried him away to a prison, where the jailer amused

himself by sticking pins in the round fat body of the old Nome, to see him

jump and hear him yell.

But while this was going on the Grand Gallipoot was talking with his

counselors, who were the most important officials of the Growleywogs.

When he had stated to them the proposition of the Nome King, he said:

My advice is to offer to help them. Then, when we have conquered the

Land of Oz, we will take not only our twenty thousand prisoners but all

the gold and jewels we want."

Let us take the Magic Belt, too," suggested one counselor.

And rob the Nome King and make him our slave," said another.

That is a good idea," declared the Grand Gallipoot. "I'd like King Roquat

for my own slave. He could black my boots and bring me my porridge

every morning while I am in bed."

There is a famous Scarecrow in Oz. I'll take him for my slave," said a

counselor.

I'll take Tiktok, the machine man," said another.

Give me the Tin Woodman," said a third.

They went on for some time, dividing up the people and the treasure of

Oz in advance of the conquest. For they had no doubt at all that they

The Emerald City of Oz