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"
That tune is the order to my charioteer to bring around my dragon-chariot,"
said the High Coco-Lorum. "Every time I give an order, it is in music, which is
a much more pleasant way to address servants than in cold, stern words."
"
"
Does this dragon of yours bite?" asked Button-Bright.
Mercy no! Do you think I'd risk the safety of my innocent people by using a
biting dragon to draw my chariot? I'm proud to say that my dragon is
harmless, unless his steering gear breaks, and he was manufactured at the
famous dragon factory in this City of Thi. Here he comes, and you may
examine him for yourselves."
They heard a low rumble and a shrill squeaking sound, and going out to the
front of the house, they saw coming around the corner a car drawn by a
gorgeous jeweled dragon, which moved its head to right and left and flashed
its eyes like headlights of an automobile and uttered a growling noise as it
slowly moved toward them. When it stopped before the High Coco-Lorum's
house, Toto barked sharply at the sprawling beast, but even tiny Trot could
see that the dragon was not alive. Its scales were of gold, and each one was set
with sparkling jewels, while it walked in such a stiff, regular manner that it
could be nothing else than a machine. The chariot that trailed behind it was
likewise of gold and jewels, and when they entered it, they found there were no
seats. Everyone was supposed to stand up while riding. The charioteer was a
little, diamond-headed fellow who straddled the neck of the dragon and moved
the levers that made it go.
"
This," said the High Coco-Lorum pompously, "is a wonderful invention. We
are all very proud of our auto-dragons, many of which are in use by our
wealthy inhabitants. Start the thing going, charioteer!"
The charioteer did not move.
"
"
You forgot to order him in music," suggested Dorothy.
Ah, so I did."
He touched a button and a music box in the dragon's head began to play a
tune. At once the little charioteer pulled over a lever, and the dragon began to
move, very slowly and groaning dismally as it drew the clumsy chariot after it.
Toto trotted between the wheels. The Sawhorse, the Mule, the Lion and the
Woozy followed after and had no trouble in keeping up with the machine.
Indeed, they had to go slow to keep from running into it. When the wheels
turned, another music box concealed somewhere under the chariot played a
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