The Magic of Oz

Scarcely had she spoken when the white balls with crimson spots

faded away and a lot of beautiful ripe peaches took their place. With a cry

of mingled surprise and delight Trot reached out and plucked a peach from

the bush and began to eat it, finding it delicious. Cap'n Bill was somewhat

dazed at the girl's wish being granted so quickly, so before he could pick a

peach they had faded away and bananas took their place. "Grab one,

Cap'n!" exclaimed Trot, and even while eating the peach she seized a

banana with her other hand and tore it from the bush.

The old sailor was still bewildered. He put out a hand indeed, but he

was too late, for now the bananas disappeared and lemons took their place.

Pshaw!" cried Trot. "You can't eat those things; but watch out, Cap'n,

for something else."

Cocoanuts next appeared, but Cap'n Bill shook his head.

Ca'n't crack 'em," he remarked, "'cause we haven't anything handy to

smash 'em with."

Well, take one, anyhow," advised Trot; but the cocoanuts were gone

now, and a deep, purple, pear-shaped fruit which was unknown to them

took their place. Again Cap'n Bill hesitated, and Trot said to him:

You ought to have captured a peach and a banana, as I did. If you're

not careful, Cap'n, you'll miss all your chances. Here, I'll divide my

banana with you."

Even as she spoke, the Magic Plant was covered with big red apples,

growing on every branch, and Cap'n Bill hesitated no longer. He grabbed

with both hands and picked two apples, while Trot had only time to secure

one before they were gone.

It's curious," remarked the sailor, munching his apple, "how these

fruits keep good when you've picked 'em, but dis'pear inter thin air if

they're left on the bush."

The whole thing is curious," declared the girl, "and it couldn't exist in

any country but this, where magic is so common. Those are limes. Don't

pick 'em, for they'd pucker up your mouth and--Ooo! here come plums!"

and she tucked her apple in her apron pocket and captured three plums--

each one almost as big as an egg--before they disappeared. Cap'n Bill got