on was a
great favorite with Ozma and always guarded her throne on state
occasions. He was also an old companion and friend of the Princess
Dorothy, so the girl was delighted to have him join the party.
"I'm so nervous over our dear Ozma," said the Cowardly Lion in his deep,
rumbling voice, "that it would make me unhappy to remain behind while
you are trying to find her. But do not get into any danger, I beg of
you, for danger frightens me terribly."
"We'll not get into danger if we can poss'bly help it," promised
Dorothy; "but we shall do anything to find Ozma, danger or no danger."
The addition of the Woozy and the Cowardly Lion to the party gave Betsy
Bobbin an idea and she ran to the marble stables at the rear of the
palace and brought out her mule, Hank by name. Perhaps no mule you ever
saw was so lean and bony and altogether plain looking as this Hank, but
Betsy loved him dearly because he was faithful and steady and not nearly
so stupid as most mules are considered to be. Betsy had a saddle for
Hank and declared she would ride on his back, an arrangement approved by
the Wizard because it left only four of the party to ride on the seats
of the Red Wagon--Dorothy and Button-Bright and Trot and himself.
An old sailor-man, who had one wooden leg, came to see them off and
suggested that they put a supply of food and blankets in the Red Wagon,
inasmuch as they were uncertain how long they would be gone. This
sailor-man was called Cap'n Bill. He was a former friend and comrade of
Trot and had encountered many adventures in company with the little
girl. I think he was sorry he could not go with her on this trip, but
Glinda the Sorceress had asked Cap'n Bill to remain in the Emerald City
and take charge of the royal palace while everyone else was away, and
the one-legged sailor had agreed to do so.
They loaded the back end of the Red Wagon with everything they thought
they might need, and then they formed a procession and marched from the
palace through the Emerald City to the great gates of the wall that
surrounded this beautiful capital of the Land of Oz. Crowds of citizens
lined the streets to see them pass and to cheer them and wish them
success, for all were grieved over Ozma's loss and anxious that she be
found again.
First came the Cowardly Lion; then the Patchwork Girl riding upon the
Woozy; then Betsy Bobbin on her mule Hank; and finally the Sawhorse
drawing the Red Wagon, in which were seated the Wiz
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