The Magic of Oz

CHAPTER 19. Dorothy and the

Bumble Bees

Dorothy was greatly distressed and had hard work to keep the tears

from her eyes.

Is that all you can do, Wizard?" she asked the little man.

It's all I can think of just now," he replied sadly. "But I intend to keep

on thinking as long--as long--well, as long as thinking will do any good."

They were all silent for a time, Dorothy and the Wizard sitting

thoughtfully on the raft, and Trot and Cap'n Bill sitting thoughtfully on the

toadstools and growing gradually smaller and smaller in size.

Suddenly Dorothy said: "Wizard, I've thought of something!"

What have you thought of?" he asked, looking at the little girl with

interest.

Can you remember the Magic Word that transforms people?" she

asked.

Of course," said he.

Then you can transform Trot and Cap'n Bill into birds or bumblebees,

and they can fly away to the other shore. When they're there, you can

transform 'em into their reg'lar shapes again!"

Can you do that, Wizard?" asked Cap'n Bill, eagerly.

I think so."

Roots an' all?" inquired Trot.

Why, the roots are now a part of you, and if you were transformed to

a bumblebee the whole of you would be transformed, of course, and you'd

be free of this awful island."

All right; do it!" cried the sailor-man.

So the Wizard said slowly and distinctly:

I want Trot and Cap'n Bill to become bumblebees--Pyrzqxgl!"

Fortunately, he pronounced the Magic Word in the right way, and

instantly Trot and Cap'n Bill vanished from view, and up from the places