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Yes," agreed the Wizard, "it seems odd that a little match could destroy such

a great circle of fire, but when Glinda invented this trick, she believed no one

would ever think of a match being a remedy for fire. I suppose even Ugu

doesn't know how we managed to quench the flames of his barrier, for only

Glinda and I know the secret. Glinda's Book of Magic which Ugu stole told

how to make the flames, but not how to put them out."

They now formed in marching order and proceeded to advance up the slope of

the hill, but had not gone far when before them rose a wall of steel, the

surface of which was thickly covered with sharp, gleaming points resembling

daggers. The wall completely surrounded the wicker castle, and its sharp

points prevented anyone from climbing it. Even the Patchwork Girl might be

ripped to pieces if she dared attempt it. "Ah!" exclaimed the Wizard cheerfully,

Ugu is now using one of my own tricks against me. But this is more serious

than the Barrier of Fire, because the only way to destroy the wall is to get on

the other side of it."

How can that be done?" asked Dorothy.

The Wizard looked thoughtfully around his little party, and his face grew

troubled. "It's a pretty high wall," he sadly remarked. "I'm pretty sure the

Cowardly Lion could not leap over it."

I'm sure of that, too!" said the Lion with a shudder of fear. "If I foolishly tried

such a leap, I would be caught on those dreadful spikes."

I think I could do it, sir," said the Frogman with a bow to the Wizard. "It is an

uphill jump as well as being a high jump, but I'm considered something of a

jumper by my friends in the Yip Country, and I believe a good, strong leap will

carry me to the other side."

I'm sure it would," agreed the Cookie Cook.

Leaping, you know, is a froglike accomplishment," continued the Frogman

modestly, "but please tell me what I am to do when I reach the other side of

the wall."

You're a brave creature," said the Wizard admiringly. "Has anyone a pin?"

Betsy had one, which she gave him. "All you need do," said the Wizard to the

Frogman, giving him the pin, "is to stick this into the other side of the wall."

But the wall is of steel!" exclaimed the big frog.

The Lost Princess of Oz