r hungry at all, 'cause he
gets plenty to eat; and I don't s'pose he'd hurt anybody even if he was
hungry."

"Hush, Dorothy," whispered the Tiger; "you'll ruin my reputation if you
are not more discreet. It isn't what we are, but what folks think we
are, that counts in this world. And come to think of it Miss Polly would
make a fine variegated breakfast, I'm sure."

[Illustration]

The Emerald City

[Illustration]

The others now came up, and the Tin Woodman greeted the Lion and the
Tiger cordially. Button-Bright yelled with fear when Dorothy first took
his hand and led him toward the great beasts; but the girl insisted they
were kind and good, and so the boy mustered up courage enough to pat
their heads; after they had spoken to him gently and he had looked into
their intelligent eyes his fear vanished entirely and he was so
delighted with the animals that he wanted to keep close to them and
stroke their soft fur every minute.

As for the shaggy man, he might have been afraid if he had met the
beasts alone, or in any other country; but so many were the marvels in
the Land of Oz that he was no longer easily surprised, and Dorothy's
friendship for the Lion and Tiger was enough to assure him they were
safe companions. Toto barked at the Cowardly Lion in joyous greeting,
for he knew the beast of old and loved him, and it was funny to see how
gently the Lion raised his huge paw to pat Toto's head. The little dog
smelled of the Tiger's nose and the Tiger politely shook paws with him;
so they were quite likely to become firm friends.

Tik-tok and Billina knew the beasts well, so merely bade them good day
and asked after their healths and inquired about the Princess Ozma.

Now it was seen that the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger were drawing
behind them a splendid golden chariot, to which they were harnessed by
golden cords. The body of the chariot was decorated on the outside with
designs in clusters of sparkling emeralds, while inside it was lined
with a green and gold satin, and the cushions of the seats were of green
plush embroidered in gold with a crown, underneath which was a monogram.

"Why, it's Ozma's own royal chariot!" exclaimed Dorothy.

"Yes," said the Cowardly Lion; "Ozma sent us to meet you here, for she
feared you would be weary with your long walk and she wished you to
enter the City in a style becoming your exalted rank."

"What!" cried Polly, looking at Dorothy curiously. "Do you bel