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They all passed the evening and the night at Glinda's palace, and the

Sorceress was so gracious to Cap'n Bill that the old man by degrees regained

his self-possession and began to enjoy himself. Trot had already come to the

conclusion that in Dorothy and Betsy she had found two delightful comrades,

and Button-Bright was just as much at home here as he had been in the fields

of Jinxland or when he was buried in the popcorn snow of the Land of Mo.

The next morning they arose bright and early and after breakfast bade good-

bye to the kind Sorceress, whom Trot and Cap'n Bill thanked earnestly for

sending the Scarecrow to Jinxland to rescue them. Then they all climbed into

the Red Wagon.

There was room for all on the broad seats, and when all had taken their

places--Dorothy, Trot and Betsy on the rear seat and Cap'n Bill, Button-Bright

and the Scarecrow in front--they called "Gid-dap!" to the Sawhorse and the

wooden steed moved briskly away, pulling the Red Wagon with ease.

It was now that the strangers began to perceive the real beauties of the Land

of Oz, for they were passing through a more thickly settled part of the country

and the population grew more dense as they drew nearer to the Emerald City.

Everyone they met had a cheery word or a smile for the Scarecrow, Dorothy

and Betsy Bobbin, and some of them remembered Button-Bright and

welcomed him back to their country.

It was a happy party, indeed, that journeyed in the Red Wagon to the Emerald

City, and Trot already began to hope that Ozma would permit her and Cap'n

Bill to live always in the Land of Oz.

When they reached the great city they were more amazed than ever, both by

the concourse of people in their quaint and picturesque costumes, and by the

splendor of the city itself. But the magnificence of the Royal Palace quite took

their breath away, until Ozma received them in her own pretty apartment and

by her charming manners and assuring smiles made them feel they were no

longer strangers.

Trot was given a lovely little room next to that of Dorothy, while Cap'n Bill had

the cosiest sort of a room next to Trot's and overlooking the gardens. And that

evening Ozma gave a grand banquet and reception in honor of the new

arrivals. While Trot had read of many of the people she then met, Cap'n Bill

was less familiar with them and many of the unusual characters introduced to

him that evening caused the old sailor to open his eyes wide in astonishment.

The Scarecrow of Oz