"Well, here we are at Octapongland," said the Girrephalump. "My, I've talked a lot," he said. "And do you know, my throat isn't sore." "That's wonderful," replied Dorothy. "I really enjoyed meeting you, Dorothy," he said. "I've learned a lot. I hope I'll see you again soon." Dorothy put her arms around his neck and kissed him. He sat down slowly while Dorothy slid down his back to the ground. "Now everyone stick close together," called out the lion, and walk quickly. The Octapong are very sneaky, so be alert." * Chapter Eleven: Octapongland * The entrance to Octapongland was a huge archway. An inscription over the top read, "/Beware all ye who enter the land of the Octapong/." As they passed under the archway, they became aware of a group of Octapong children playing in the distance. As they approached, the Octapong stopped their activity and turned to stare. Dorothy tried not to look at them, although at the same time she was very curious. They were certainly strange creatures, with their eight legs and only one shoe. As they returned to their play, one could hear that shoe going clippity-clop, clippity-clop. Suddenly, Dorothy became aware of several adult Octapong gathering on each side of them as they walked. The Tin Woodman said, "Perhaps we should walk a little faster." As they did, the Octapong walked faster, too. And each foot with the shoe came down in unison to make a deafening crash on the ground. As Dorothy's group walked faster and faster, so did the Octapong, until everyone was running like the wind. Suddenly they all came to a screeching halt as a huge brick wall loomed up in front of them. The brick wall stretched for miles right across Octapongland. There was no way anyone could escape. "SO!" roared one of the Octapong. He appeared to be their leader. "Thought you could get away, eh? No one escapes the Octapong. You see, my dears, with the help of our trapping wall here, and our little system of running you into it, we are guaranteed a fresh supply of shoes every time anyone crosses our land. Now, off with your shoes," he shouted. "You're just a bunch of thieves!" said Dorothy angrily. "We're /not/ thieves," said the leader of the Octapong." Are we, Boys?" "NO!" they all called out together. "There," said their leader. "You see?" "Well what do you call it?" said Dorothy. "Taking people's property without their consent?" "Let's call it a toll for the use of our land." "You don't have any signs posted," said Dorothy. "So that makes it stealing." "I'm beginning to lose my patience with you, little girl," said the leader. "Now give me your shoes. You, too," he said to the Scarecrow. "Now look here," said the Lion. "Stop pushing my friends around. Who do you think you are?" "Who are you?" asked the Octapong leader. "I'm King of the Beasts," said the Lion defiantly. "Well I'm King of the Octapong," said the leader. "Is that so?" said the Lion, gearing up for a fight. "Yes, that's so," said the Octapong.