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 any misfortune there it will reflect upon me, for Jinxland is a part of my dominions.""Can't we help them in any way?" inquired Dorothy.
"That seems like a nice little girl.I'd be sorry if anything happened to her.""Let us watch the picture for awhile," suggested Ozma, and so they all drew chairs before the Magic Picture and followed the adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill and Button-Bright.Presently the scene shifted and showed their friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains into Jinxland, and that somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety, for she knew at once that Glinda the Good had sent the Scarecrow to protect the strangers.
The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting to the three girls in Ozma's palace, who during the succeeding days spent much of their time in watching the picture.It was like a story to them.
"That girl's a reg'lar trump!" exclaimed Dorothy, referring to Trot, and Ozma answered:
"She's a dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing very bad will happen to her.The old sailor is a fine character, too, for he has never once grumbled over being a grasshopper, as so many would have done."When the Scarecrow was so nearly burned up the girls all shivered a little, and they clapped their hands in joy when the flock of Orks came and saved him.
So it was that when all the exciting adventures in Jinxland were over and the four Orks had begun their flight across the mountains to carry the mortals into the Land of Oz, Ozma called the Wizard to her and asked him to prepare a place for the strangers to sleep.
The famous Wizard of Oz was a quaint little man who inhabited the royal palace and attended to all the magical things that Ozma wanted done.He was not as powerful as Glinda, to be sure, but he could do a great many wonderful things.He proved this by placing a house in the uninhabited part of the Quadling Country where the Orks landed Cap'n Bill and Trot and Button-Bright, and fitting it with all the comforts I have described in the last chapter.
Next morning Dorothy said to Ozma:
"Oughtn't we to go meet the strangers, so we can show them the way to the Emerald City? I'm sure that little girl will feel shy in this beautiful land, and I know if 'twas me I'd like somebody to give me a welcome."Ozma smiled at her little friend and answered:
"You and Betsy may go to meet them, if you wish, but Ican not leave my palace just now, as I am to have a conference with Jack Pumpkinhead and Professor Wogglebug on important matters.You may take the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon, and if you start soon you will be able to meet the Scarecrow and the strangers at Glinda's palace.""Oh, thank you!" cried Dorothy, and went away to tell Betsy and to make preparations for the journey.
