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CHAPTER 18 - DOROTHY FINDS THE SCARECROW!

The next thing Dorothy knew, she was sitting on the hard floor of a great,

dark hall. One lantern burned feebly, and in the dim, silvery light she could

just make out the Comfortable Camel scrambling awkwardly to his feet.

I smell straw," sniffed the Camel softly.

"I doubt very much whether I am going to like this place." The voice of the

Doubtful Dromedary came hesitatingly through the gloom.

By sword and scepter!" gasped the Knight, "Are you there, Sir Cowardly?"

Thank goodness, they are!" said Dorothy. Wishing other people about is a

risky and responsible business. "They're all here, but I wonder where here

is." She jumped up, but at a shuffle of feet drew back.

"Pigs! Weasels!" shrilled an angry voice, and a fat little man hurled himself

at Sir Hokus, who happened to have fallen in the lead.

Uds trudgeons and bludgeons and maugre thy head!" roared the Knight,

shaking him off like a fly.

Tappy, Tappy, my dear boy. Caution! What's all this?" At the sound of that

dear, familiar voice Dorothy's heart gave a skip of joy, and without stopping

to explain she rushed forward.

Dorothy!" cried the Scarecrow, stepping on his kimona and falling off his

silvery throne. "Lights, Tappy! More lights, at once!" But Tappy was too busy

backing away from Sir Hokus of Pokes.

Approach, vassal!" thundered the Knight, who under-stood not a word of

Tappy's speech. "Approach! I think I've been insulted!" He drew his sword

and glared angrily through the darkness, and Tappy, having backed as far

as possible, fell heels over pigtail into the silver fountain. At the loud splash,

Dorothy hastened to the rescue.

"They're friends, and we've found the Scarecrow, we've found the

Scarecrow!" She seized Sir Hokus and shook him till his armor rattled.

Tappy! Tappy!" called the Scarecrow. "Where in the world did he pagota?"

That's exactly what he said, but to Dorothy it sounded like no language at

all.

101

The Royal Book of Oz