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Another little girl from our outside world also lived in Ozma's palace. This was
Betsy Bobbin, whose strange adventures had brought her to the Emerald City,
where Ozma had cordially welcomed her. Betsy was a shy little thing and
could never get used to the marvels that surrounded her, but she and Dorothy
were firm friends and thought themselves very fortunate in being together in
this delightful country.
One day Dorothy and Betsy were visiting Ozma in the girl Ruler's private
apartment, and among the things that especially interested them was Ozma's
Magic Picture, set in a handsome frame and hung upon the wall of the room.
This picture was a magic one because it constantly changed its scenes and
showed events and adventures happening in all parts of the world. Thus it
was really a "moving picture" of life, and if the one who stood before it wished
to know what any absent person was doing, the picture instantly showed that
person, with his or her surroundings.
The two girls were not wishing to see anyone in particular, on this occasion,
but merely enjoyed watching the shifting scenes, some of which were
exceedingly curious and remarkable. Suddenly Dorothy exclaimed: "Why,
there's Button-Bright!" and this drew Ozma also to look at the picture, for she
and Dorothy knew the boy well.
"
"
Who is Button-Bright?" asked Betsy, who had never met him.
Why, he's the little boy who is just getting off the back of that strange flying
creature," exclaimed Dorothy. Then she turned to Ozma and asked: "What is
that thing, Ozma? A bird? I've never seen anything like it before."
"
It is an Ork," answered Ozma, for they were watching the scene where the
Ork and the three big birds were first landing their passengers in Jinxland
after the long flight across the desert. "I wonder," added the girl Ruler,
musingly, "why those strangers dare venture into that unfortunate country,
which is ruled by a wicked King."
"
That girl, and the one-legged man, seem to be mortals from the outside
world," said Dorothy.
"
"
"
The man isn't one-legged," corrected Betsy; "he has one wooden leg."
It's almost as bad," declared Dorothy, watching Cap'n Bill stump around.
They are three mortal adventurers," said Ozma, "and they seem worthy and
honest. But I fear they will be treated badly in Jinxland, and if they meet with
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