arms. Having no fingers or hands
the beasts were rather clumsy, as you may guess; but Dorothy was
surprised to observe how many things they could do with their stiff,
heavy hoofs.

Some of the donkeys were white, some were brown, or gray, or black, or
spotted; but their hair was sleek and smooth and their broad collars and
caps gave them a neat, if whimsical, appearance.

"This is a nice way to welcome visitors, I must say!" remarked the
shaggy man, in a reproachful tone.

"Oh, we did not mean to be impolite," replied a grey donkey which had
not spoken before. "But you were not expected, nor did you send in your
visiting cards, as it is proper to do."

"There is some truth in that," admitted the shaggy man; "but, now you
are informed that we are important and distinguished travelers, I trust
you will accord us proper consideration."

These big words delighted the donkeys, and made them bow to the shaggy
man with great respect. Said the grey one:

"You shall be taken before his great and glorious Majesty King
Kik-a-bray, who will greet you as becomes your exalted stations."

"That's right," answered Dorothy. "Take us to some one who knows
something."

[Illustration]

"Oh, we all know something, my child, or we shouldn't be donkeys,"
asserted the grey one, with dignity. "The word 'donkey' means 'clever,'
you know."

"I didn't know it," she replied. "I thought it meant 'stupid'."

"Not at all, my child. If you will look in the Encyclopedia Donkaniara
you will find I'm correct. But come; I will myself lead you before our
splendid, exalted, and most intellectual ruler."

All donkeys love big words, so it is no wonder the grey one used so many
of them.

The Shaggy Man's Transformation

[Illustration]

They found the houses of the town all low and square and built of
bricks, neatly whitewashed inside and out. The houses were not set in
rows, forming regular streets, but placed here and there in a haphazard
manner which made it puzzling for a stranger to find his way.

"Stupid people must have streets and numbered houses in their cities, to
guide them where to go," observed the grey donkey, as he walked before
the visitors on his hind legs, in an awkward but comical manner; "but
clever donkeys know their way about without such absurd marks. Moreover,
a mixed city is much prettier than one with straight streets."

Dorothy did not agree with this, but she said nothing to contradict it.
Presently sh