www.freeclassicebooks.com

examined the strangers with evident curiosity. Then he said, "Dear me, what

a surprise! You have really shocked me. For no outsider has ever before come

to our City of Herku, and I cannot imagine why you have ventured to do so."

We are looking for Ozma, the Supreme Ruler of the Land of Oz," replied the

Wizard.

Do you see her anywhere around here?" asked the Czarover.

Not yet, Your Majesty, but perhaps you may tell us where she is."

No, I have my hands full keeping track of my own people. I find them hard to

manage because they are so tremendously strong."

They don't look very strong," said Dorothy. "It seems as if a good wind would

blow 'em way out of the city if it wasn't for the wall."

Just so, just so," admitted the Czarover. "They really look that way, don't

they? But you must never trust to appearances, which have a way of fooling

one. Perhaps you noticed that I prevented you from meeting any of my people.

I protected you with my giants while you were on the way from the gates to my

palace so that not a Herku got near you."

Are your people so dangerous, then?" asked the Wizard.

To strangers, yes. But only because they are so friendly. For if they shake

hands with you, they are likely to break your arms or crush your fingers to a

jelly."

Why?" asked Button-Bright.

Because we are the strongest people in all the world."

Pshaw!" exclaimed the boy. "That's bragging. You prob'ly don't know how

strong other people are. Why, once I knew a man in Philadelphi' who could

bend iron bars with just his hands!"

But mercy me, it's no trick to bend iron bars," said His Majesty. "Tell me,

could this man crush a block of stone with his bare hands?"

No one could do that," declared the boy.

If I had a block of stone, I'd show you," said the Czarover, looking around the

room. "Ah, here is my throne. The back is too high, anyhow, so I'll just break

off a piece of that." He rose to his feet and tottered in an uncertain way

The Lost Princess of Oz