The Magic of Oz

you've no business on this side of the River, anyway. What are you doing

here?"

We've come to rescue some friends of ours who are stuck fast on the

Magic Isle in this river," explained Dorothy.

I know 'em," said the Duck. "I've been to see 'em, and they're stuck

fast, all right. You may as well go back home, for no power can save

them."

This is the Wonderful Wizard of Oz," said Dorothy, pointing to the

little man.

Well, I'm the Lonesome Duck," was the reply, as the fowl strutted up

and down to show its feathers to best advantage. "I'm the great Forest

Magician, as any beast can tell you, but even I have no power to destroy

the dreadful charm of the Magic Isle."

Are you lonesome because you're a magician?" inquired Dorothy.

No; I'm lonesome because I have no family and no friends. But I like

to be lonesome, so please don't offer to be friendly with me. Go away, and

try not to step on my Diamond Palace."

Where is it?" asked the girl.

Behind this bush."

Dorothy hopped off the lion's back and ran around the bush to see the

Diamond Palace of the Lonesome Duck, although the gaudy fowl

protested in a series of low quacks. The girl found, indeed, a glistening

dome formed of clearest diamonds, neatly cemented together, with a

doorway at the side just big enough to admit the duck.

Where did you find so many diamonds?" asked Dorothy,

wonderingly.

I know a place in the mountains where they are thick as pebbles," said

the Lonesome Duck, "and I brought them here in my bill, one by one and

put them in the river and let the water run over them until they were

brightly polished. Then I built this palace, and I'm positive it's the only

Diamond Palace in all the world."

It's the only one I know of," said the little girl; "but if you live in it all

alone, I don't see why it's any better than a wooden palace, or one of bricks