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the trip for you and have everything in readiness for you to start to-

morrow morning. Take your time, dear, and be gone as long as you

wish. By the time you return I shall have found some occupation for

Uncle Henry and Aunt Em that will keep them from being restless and

dissatisfied."

Dorothy thanked her good friend and kissed the lovely Ruler gratefully.

Then she ran to tell the joyful news to her uncle and aunt.

Next morning, after breakfast, everything was found ready for their

departure.

The escort included Omby Amby, the Captain General of Ozma's army,

which consisted merely of twenty-seven officers besides the Captain

General. Once Omby Amby had been a private soldier--the only private

in the army--but as there was never any fighting to do Ozma saw no need

of a private, so she made Omby Amby the highest officer of them all. He

was very tall and slim and wore a gay uniform and a fierce mustache. Yet

the mustache was the only fierce thing about Omby Amby, whose nature

was as gentle as that of a child.

The wonderful Wizard had asked to join the party, and with him came

his friend the Shaggy Man, who was shaggy but not ragged, being

dressed in fine silks with satin shags and bobtails. The Shaggy Man had

shaggy whiskers and hair, but a sweet disposition and a soft, pleasant

voice.

There was an open wagon, with three seats for the passengers, and the

wagon was drawn by the famous wooden Sawhorse which had once been

brought to life by Ozma by means of a magic powder. The Sawhorse

wore wooden shoes to keep his wooden legs from wearing away, and he

was strong and swift. As this curious creature was Ozma's own favorite

steed, and very popular with all the people of the Emerald City, Dorothy

knew that she had been highly favored by being permitted to use the

Sawhorse on her journey.

In the front seat of the wagon sat Dorothy and the Wizard. Uncle Henry

and Aunt Em sat in the next seat and the Shaggy Man and Omby Amby

in the third seat. Of course Toto was with the party, curled up at

Dorothy's feet, and just as they were about to start, Billina came

fluttering along the path and begged to be taken with them. Dorothy

readily agreed, so the Yellow Hen flew up and perched herself upon the

The Emerald City of Oz