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We will do that with pleasure," cried the Yips, and at once they turned and

began to climb up the steep mountain, feeling they had had quite enough of

this unsatisfactory adventure. Cayke the Cookie Cook did not go with them,

however. She sat on a rock and wept and wailed and was very miserable.

Well," said the Frogman to her, "I will now bid you goodbye. If I find your

diamond-decorated gold dishpan, I will promise to see that it is safely returned

to you."

But I prefer to find it myself!" she said. "See here, Frogman, why can't you

carry me across the gulf when you leap it? You are big and strong, while I am

small and thin."

The Frogman gravely thought over this suggestion. It was a fact that Cayke

the Cookie Cook was not a heavy person. Perhaps he could leap the gulf with

her on his back. "If you are willing to risk a fall," said he, "I will make the

attempt."

At once she sprang up and grabbed him around his neck with both her arms.

That is, she grabbed him where his neck ought to be, for the Frogman had no

neck at all. Then he squatted down, as frogs do when they leap, and with his

powerful rear legs he made a tremendous jump. Over the gulf they sailed, with

the Cookie Cook on his back, and he had leaped so hard--to make sure of not

falling in--that he sailed over a lot of bramble bushes that grew on the other

side and landed in a clear space which was so far beyond the gulf that when

they looked back they could not see it at all.

Cayke now got off the Frogman's back and he stood erect again and carefully

brushed the dust from his velvet coat and rearranged his white satin necktie.

I had no idea I could leap so far," he said wonderingly. "Leaping is one more

accomplishment I can now add to the long list of deeds I am able to perform."

You are certainly fine at leap-frog," said the Cookie Cook admiringly, "but, as

you say, you are wonderful in many ways. If we meet with any people down

here, I am sure they will consider you the greatest and grandest of all living

creatures."

Yes," he replied, "I shall probably astonish strangers, because they have

never before had the pleasure of seeing me. Also, they will marvel at my great

learning. Every time I open my mouth, Cayke, I am liable to say something

important."

The Lost Princess of Oz