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While the Queen and Pon were leading this dance, and all the Jinxland people

were having a good time, the strangers were gathered in a group in the park

outside the castle. Cap'n Bill, Trot, Button-Bright and the Scarecrow were

there, and so was their old friend the Ork; but of all the great flock of Orks

which had assisted in the conquest but three remained in Jinxland, besides

their leader, the others having returned to their own country as soon as Gloria

was crowned Queen. To the young Ork who had accompanied them in their

adventures Cap'n Bill said:

You've surely been a friend in need, and we're mighty grateful to you for

helping us. I might have been a grasshopper yet if it hadn't been for you, an' I

might remark that bein' a grasshopper isn't much fun."

If it hadn't been for you, friend Ork," said the Scarecrow, "I fear I could not

have conquered King Krewl."

No," agreed Trot, "you'd have been just a heap of ashes by this time."

And I might have been lost yet," added Button-Bright. "Much obliged, Mr.

Ork."

Oh, that's all right," replied the Ork. "Friends must stand together, you know,

or they wouldn't be friends. But now I must leave you and be off to my own

country, where there's going to be a surprise party on my uncle, and I've

promised to attend it."

Dear me," said the Scarecrow, regretfully. "That is very unfortunate."

Why so?" asked the Ork.

I hoped you would consent to carry us over those mountains, into the Land of

Oz. My mission here is now finished and I want to get back to the Emerald

City."

How did you cross the mountains before?" inquired the Ork.

I scaled the cliffs by means of a rope, and crossed the Great Gulf on a strand

of spider web. Of course I can return in the same manner, but it would be a

hard journey--and perhaps an impossible one--for Trot and Button-Bright and

Cap'n Bill. So I thought that if you had the time you and your people would

carry us over the mountains and land us all safely on the other side, in the

Land of Oz."

The Ork thoughtfully considered the matter for a while. Then he said:

The Scarecrow of Oz