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lively march tune which was in striking contrast with the dragging movement

of the strange vehicle, and Button-Bright decided that the music he had heard

when they first sighted this city was nothing else than a chariot plodding its

weary way through the streets.

All the travelers from the Emerald City thought this ride the most

uninteresting and dreary they had ever experienced, but the High Coco-Lorum

seemed to think it was grand. He pointed out the different buildings and

parks and fountains in much the same way that the conductor does on an

American "sightseeing wagon" does, and being guests they were obliged to

submit to the ordeal. But they became a little worried when their host told

them he had ordered a banquet prepared for them in the City Hall.

What are we going to eat?" asked Button-Bright suspiciously.

Thistles," was the reply. "Fine, fresh thistles, gathered this very day."

Scraps laughed, for she never ate anything, but Dorothy said in a protesting

voice, "OUR insides are not lined with gold, you know."

How sad!" exclaimed the High Coco-Lorum, and then he added as an

afterthought, "but we can have the thistles boiled, if you prefer."

I'm 'fraid they wouldn't taste good even then," said little Trot. "Haven't you

anything else to eat?"

The High Coco-Lorum shook his diamond-shaped head.

Nothing that I know of," said he. "But why should we have anything else

when we have so many thistles? However, if you can't eat what we eat, don't

eat anything. We shall not be offended, and the banquet will be just as merry

and delightful."

Knowing his companions were all hungry, the Wizard said, "I trust you will

excuse us from the banquet, sir, which will be merry enough without us,

although it is given in our honor. For, as Ozma is not in your city, we must

leave here at once and seek her elsewhere."

Sure we must!" Dorothy, and she whispered to Betsy and Trot, "I'd rather

starve somewhere else than in this city, and who knows, we may run across

somebody who eats reg'lar food and will give us some."

The Lost Princess of Oz