L. Frank Baum - Oz 33 by Ozoplaning & The Wizard

Author:Ozoplaning & The Wizard [Ozoplaning & Wizard, The]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-11-20T15:02:54+00:00

CHAPTER 11

KING, KING C4 DOUBLE KING!

The effect of the Cowardly Lion’s speech was astonishing indeed. The Stratovanians behind the Queen turned and ran for their lives. They started backing away so fast they fell up at every step, so that their progress was curious enough to watch. There were few animals on the airosphere, and certainly none that talked. Thoroughly convinced that the Cowardly Lion was Strut and Strut was the lion, his terrified subjects fled in all directions.

“Whew!” exclaimed the Wizard, snatching out his green handkerchief and

mopping his moist forehead. “That was quick thinking, my dear. Good acting,

too,” he puffed, leaning down to give the lion an approving pat.

“Oh, wasn’t he WONDERFUL?” Jellia hugged the lion so energetically he fairly

gasped for breath.

“Not so hard for ME to play King,” he wheezed when he managed to escape from Jellia’s embrace. “After all, I AM the King of the Forest!” “Well, however that may be, Jellia is certainly Starina of the Strat!” declared the Scarecrow. “I’m beginning to think Strut was right in choosing her! You’ve been wasting your talents in Oz, my dear, and you surely have earned a crown today!”

“But I don’t want a crown!” asserted Jellia with spirit. Nevertheless, she

was quite pleased at such high praise. “Now, look! Since the Cowardly Lion

ordered supper in the Royal Pavilion, perhaps we’d better go. It will be as

good a place as any to rest while we plan our next move.”

“Hi there, is everything all right?” Wantowin Battles, who had hidden

himself behind a crystal rock at the Blowmen’s approach, now peered out

nervously.

“For the present,” called the Wizard, waving his kerchief, “for the present. Come along, Soldier, we’re going to have supper in the Royal Pavilion!” “Not I,” said the Soldier, falling in step with the Scarecrow. “Count me out of that!”

“I’m sure I’ll not be able to eat a bite,” sighed Dorothy, picking up the Tell-all-escope. “How can you even think of supper with those awful airmen flying to the Emerald City? Oh, why don’t we go after them now?” “Because I do not believe Nick will take them to the Emerald City,” said Jellia, straightening her crown. “He’ll lose them somehow and then come back here for Wanny and me.”

“My own deduction exactly,” agreed the Wizard, walking briskly along beside Jellia. “But wherever Nick is, we’ll find him same as we have found you.” “How did you find us?” asked Jellia, stopping short and staring up into the Wizard’s face. “I’ve been wondering about that.” “Well, you see,” explained the little magician impressively, “on the Ozpril there is a magnetic compass that shows the exact course taken by the Oztober, provided that both planes are in flight. By following the compass, I followed your exact route. The delay in our arrival was caused by the

difference in speed!”

“Why, them, you saw the very same things we did,” cried Jellia, nodding distantly to several airlanders who were bowing to the ground as the little procession passed.

“The very same,” said the Wizard. Then, as

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