The Magic of Oz

But these are only stories," said the girl. "Has any of your friends ever

picked a flower from the wonderful plant?"

"No," admitted the Cowardly Lion, "for if any living thing ventures

upon the Magic Isle, where the golden flower-pot stands, that man or beast

takes root in the soil and cannot get away again."

What happens to them, then?" asked Dorothy.

They grow smaller, hour by hour and day by day, and finally

disappear entirely."

"Then," said the girl anxiously, "we must hurry up, or Cap'n Bill an'

Trot will get too small to be comf'table."

They were proceeding at a rapid pace during this conversation, for the

Hungry Tiger and the Cowardly Lion were obliged to move swiftly in

order to keep pace with the Glass Cat. After leaving the Forest of Gugu

they crossed a mountain range, and then a broad plain, after which they

reached another forest, much smaller than that where Gugu ruled.

The Magic Isle is in this forest," said the Glass Cat, "but the river is at

the other side of the forest. There is no path through the trees, but if we

keep going east, we will find the river, and then it will be easy to find the

Magic Isle."

Have you ever traveled this way before?" inquired the Wizard.

Not exactly," admitted the Cat, "but I know we shall reach the river if

we go east through the forest."

Lead on, then," said the Wizard.

The Glass Cat started away, and at first it was easy to pass between the

trees; but before long the underbrush and vines became thick and tangled,

and after pushing their way through these obstacles for a time, our

travelers came to a place where even the Glass Cat could not push

through.

We'd better go back and find a path," suggested the Hungry Tiger.

I'm s'prised at you," said Dorothy, eyeing the Glass Cat severely. "I'm

surprised, myself," replied the Cat. "But it's a long way around the forest

to where the river enters it, and I thought we could save time by going

straight through."