The Magic of Oz

around were full of them.

Rango the Gray Ape, who was the Chief of all the monkey tribes of the

forest, heard the uproar and came to see what was wrong with his people.

And Rango, being wiser and more experienced, at once knew that the

strange magician who looked like a mixed-up beast was responsible for

the transformations. He realized that the six giant soldiers were helpless

prisoners, because of their size, and knew he was powerless to release

them. So, although he feared to meet the terrible magician, he hurried

away to the Great Clearing to tell Gugu the King what had happened and

to try to find the Wizard of Oz and get him to save his six enchanted

subjects.

Rango darted into the Great Clearing just as the Wizard had restored

all the enchanted ones around him to their proper shapes, and the Gray

Ape was glad to hear that the wicked magician-beast had been conquered.

But now, O mighty Wizard, you must come with me to where six of

my people are transformed into six great giant men," he said, "for if they

are allowed to remain there, their happiness and their future lives will be

ruined."

The Wizard did not reply at once, for he was thinking this a good

opportunity to win Rango's consent to his taking some monkeys to the

Emerald City for Ozma's birthday cake.

It is a great thing you ask of me, O Rango the Gray Ape," said he,

for the bigger the giants are the more powerful their enchantment, and the

more difficult it will be to restore them to their natural forms. However, I

will think it over."

Then the Wizard went to another part of the clearing and sat on a log

and appeared to be in deep thought.

The Glass Cat had been greatly interested in the Gray Ape's story and

was curious to see what the giant soldiers looked like. Hearing that their

heads extended above the tree-tops, the Glass Cat decided that if it

climbed the tall avocado tree that stood at the side of the clearing, it might

be able to see the giants' heads. So, without mentioning her errand, the

crystal creature went to the tree and, by sticking her sharp glass claws in