The adventures into which she was carried by this simple though awefull beginning take a whole book to relate. How she met Nox the Royal Ox of Keretaria, how together they went in search of little King Kerry, how at last they rescued him and found themselves feted guests of Ozma of Oz, all these things you must read for yourselves. Read what the University of Washington Chapbooks have to say about the famous Oz series. They _have taught American children to look for the elements of wonder in the life around them, to realize that even smoke and machinery may be transformed into fairy lore if only we have sufficient energy and vision to penetrate to their significance and transform them to our use.... Some day we may have better fairytales but that will not be until America is a better country._ (_Edward Wagenknecht._) CONTENTS 1 Mandy Leaves the Mountain 2 The End of the Ride 3 The King of Keretaria 4 The Message in the Horn 5 Out of Keretaria! 6 Turn Town! 7 A Horn of Plenty 8 Handy Mandy Learns about Oz! 9 The Magic Hammer 10 The King of the Silver Mountain 11 Down to the Prisoners' Pit! 12 Prisoners of the Wizard 13 In the Emerald City of Oz 14 The Robbery Is Discovered 15 The Pilgrim Returns to the Mountain 16 The Wizard's Bargain! 17 Out of the Prison Pit 18 Wutz and the Gnome King Leave for the Capital! 19 At the Bottom of the Mountain! 20 Just in Time! 21 The Hammer Elf Explains CHAPTER 1 Mandy Leaves the Mountain "What-a-BUTTER! What-a-BUTTER!" High and clear above the peaks of Mt. Mern floated the voice of the Goat Girl calling the finest, fattest but most troublesome of her flock. All the other goats were winding obediently down toward the village that perched precariously on the edge of the mountain. But of What-a-butter there was not a single sign nor whisker. "Serves me right for spoiling the contrary creature," panted Mandy, pushing back her thick yellow braids with her second best hand. "Always wants her own way, that goat--so she does. What-a-butter, I say WHAT-A-BUTTER--come down here this instant." But only the tantalizing tinkle of the goat's silver bell came to answer her, for What-a-butter was climbing up, not down, and there was nothing for Mandy to do but go after her. Muttering dire threats which she was much too soft hearted ever to carry out, the rosy cheeked mountain lass scrambled over crags and stones, pulling herself up steep precipices, the goat always managing to keep a few jumps ahead, till soon they were almost at the top of the mountain!