Tik-Tok of Oz

ackles a

ing along the pathway, the tramp of their feet being now and then accompanied by a dismal groan as one

r of Oogaboo, which fluttered from a long pole. This pole he stuck in

of Queen Ann Soforth of Oogaboo, and all the

w stuck their heads out

t clear, Pri

here," was the repl

ance to the well; but just then he caught a glimpse of Tik-Tok and Shaggy

cy! Spare us, and we will

ced into the clearing, likewise fell

examined them with much curiosity. Then, discovering that three

h voice, as Queen Ann reached the

ga of Roseland, just now unfortunately exiled from her Kingdom of Roses. I next present Polychrome, a sky fairy, who lost her Bow by an accident and can't find her way h

ou are, indeed; all lost or strayed, I suppose, and not w

quered us yet," call

kindly command me to conquer you, I will do so at once, aft

sers. To them the enemy did not look very fierce, so the Generals and Colonels and Majors

We are busy conquering the world, and since you seem to be a part of the world, and are obstructin

Shaggy. "Conquer us as often

body's slaves," adde

Queen, angrily. "Advance, Private Fil

y and fascinating Polychrome and the be

ite, and I won't d

Ann. "It is your d

orders from my officer

prisoners!" and the Colonels and Majors and Captains

began backing upon the officers and kicking fierce and dangerous heels at them. The attack was so sudden that the officers

y," and Polychrome danced with glee. But Ann was furious at

o distinction in favor of a lady who was an open enemy. Betsy grabbed her champion by the forelock, however, and so held him fast, and

and bind these prisone

ack, "I resign my position as the Army of Oogaboo. I enlisted to fight the enemy and become a

he others and shook hand

Ann, and all the off

s. "I've the right to

st ask you to do me a favor. I know it is undignified in officers to fight, but unless you immediately capture Private Files and force him to obey my orders there will

nt, however, they halted and again fell upon their knees; for there, before them, was the glistening Love Magnet, held in the hand of the smiling Shaggy Man, and the sight of thi

een's encircling arms and quickly hid the talisman in his pocket. The adventurers from Oogaboo we

f Ruggedo. To conquer the world, as you have set out to do, you must conquer everyone under its surfac

he?" a

narch, King o

red Major Stockings

ss and tin. He has an idea he also owns all the metals above ground, for he says all metal was once

deep sigh, "that would be plunder worth o

es, who was sitting next to the lovel

rave officers, indeed, but no private soldier for them to comma

asked Shaggy; but at once every officer began to protes

y officers are unable to fight. They are exceptionally brave in commandi

ected to possess them all. I myself am brave as a lion in all ways until it comes to fighting, but then my na

ed each of the

self a traitor and a deserter, I would gladly have conquered this Ruggedo

n a proper manner, not liking the job. But there are plenty of peo

t Shaggy, "for he is mortal, and able to die. If a

y brother we are seeking, rather than plunder. But I and my companions would like the assistance of your Army, and if you help us to co

sently Colonel Cheese said: "Your Majesty, by combining our brains we have just e

-ond! I can-not fight, and you must not for-get

ome. "But if you join the Army of Oogaboo y

ht," protested Tik-Tok, "and if my works run down,

ound up, Tik-Tok

ing can injure him except a sledge hammer. And, since a private soldier seems to be ne

I do?" as

the officers command you to do any

enough, too,

salary?" inq

e of the plunder,"

goes to Queen Ann, the other half is divided amo

picking up the gun and examining it wondering

and said: "Now we are ready to march to Ruggedo's King

the Generals, dr

the Colonels, dra

d the Majors, dra

the Captains, dr

them and then arou

at? The wel

nn, "you must fall

t fall-ing in-to it?" a

o march," advised Files; so Tik-Tok

ext?" h

turned t

s to the Metal M

Your Majesty,"

frown. "If we can't get to Ruggedo, it

t to him. We have only to discover the way, and that was the matter

sy and discover it,

er in perplexity. The paths radiated from the little clearing like t

good friends, advanced a little way along one of the ro

wers to tell you the way?"

ed the Princess, surp

ust be second-cousins to a Rose Princess, and

wing by the roadside, and each flower-head was firmly set upon its slender but stout stem. There were even a few wild roses

the flowers, and extended both

sweet, gentle voice, "which way will lead u

to the right and the flower heads nodd

Files joyfully. "No

eringly at the field-flowers, which h

you think?" she ask

stirring. But these lovely blossoms are indeed your cousin