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She captured it in a fair fight," Kaliko ventured to say.

But I want it! I must have it! Half my power is gone with that Belt!"

roared the King.

You will have to go to the Land of Oz to recover it, and your Majesty

can't get to the Land of Oz in any possible way," said the Steward,

yawning because he had been on duty ninety-six hours, and was sleepy.

Why not?" asked the King.

Because there is a deadly desert all around that fairy country, which no

one is able to cross. You know that fact as well as I do, your Majesty.

Never mind the lost Belt. You have plenty of power left, for you rule this

underground kingdom like a tyrant, and thousands of Nomes obey your

commands. I advise you to drink a glass of melted silver, to quiet your

nerves, and then go to bed."

The King grabbed a big ruby and threw it at Kaliko's head. The Steward

ducked to escape the heavy jewel, which crashed against the door just

over his left ear.

Get out of my sight! Vanish! Go away--and send General Blug here,"

screamed the Nome King.

Kaliko hastily withdrew, and the Nome King stamped up and down until

the General of his armies appeared.

This Nome was known far and wide as a terrible fighter and a cruel,

desperate commander. He had fifty thousand Nome soldiers, all well

drilled, who feared nothing but their stern master. Yet General Blug was

a trifle uneasy when he arrived and saw how angry the Nome King was.

Ha! So you're here!" cried the King.

So I am," said the General.

March your army at once to the Land of Oz, capture and destroy the

Emerald City, and bring back to me my Magic Belt!" roared the King.

You're crazy," calmly remarked the General.

What's that? What's that? What's that?" And the Nome King danced

around on his pointed toes, he was so enraged.

The Emerald City of Oz