"Famous Lions of Oz," read Mustafa, and opened the dusty volume with trembling fingers. But he got no further than the second page, for there was a picture of the most splendid lion he had ever seen in his whole Mudger existence, and underneath, in blue letters, stood the words "This is the famous Cowardly Lion of Oz, King of all forest creatures." "Cowardly Lion?" gasped Mustafa. "How singular! How rare! Why, he doesn't look cowardly at all." "If your Highness will but read," exulted Panapee, pointing to the opposite page. Breathlessly Mustafa began. "The Cowardly Lion is one of the most unusual and celebrated lions in Oz. For many years he ruled over the forest kingdoms, but in the reign of the famous Wizard of Oz the Cowardly Lion was discovered by a little Kansas girl named Dorothy. He became so attached to Dorothy that he accompanied her on her journey to the Emerald City, saving her life many times on the way, and proving so brave, in spite of his cowardice, that he won the love and admiration of all Oz. Since then he has spent most of his time in the capital city, sharing in all the adventures of court celebrities, and of Dorothy, who has been made a Royal Princess. He has, by his many brave deeds, endeared himself to the whole populace and--" "Panny!" burst out Mustafa, without waiting to read any more, "Panny, _that_ is the lion I want, the Cowardly Lion of Oz!" "That is the lion he wants!" repeated Mixtuppa, nodding her head approvingly. "And of course he shall have it," sniffed Tazzywaller, relieved to think he was no longer chamberlain. "Panapee, produce this Cowardly Lion. At once!" "It will take a little time," began the new chamberlain of Mudge nervously. "An expedition must be fitted out and--" "How about the warning in the book of Mudge?" asked Tazzywaller sarcastically. "Do you suppose anyone is going to risk his head just for the honor of catching this Cowardly Lion?" "It would be a great honor," said Panapee, looking slyly at his rival, "a very great honor. I was about to suggest that you, dear Tazzywaller, undertake the journey. Even though you were to lose your head, you could still feed the lions of Mudge." "Me!" screamed Tazzywaller, almost turning a somersault. "Oh, no, my brave Panapee, it would be too great an honor for me. I am only the lion feeder. I must feed them at once!" Tazzywaller started on a run for the door, but Mustafa called him back. "You used to give me good advice, Tazzywaller," sighed the ruler of Mudge. "Who do you think could catch this Cowardly Lion of Oz?" "Why not Panapee?" asked the former chamberlain wickedly. "He is a strong, brave man." "Yes, but what would your Highness do without an adviser?" quavered Panapee in a tremulous tone. "He could take my advice," drawled Mixtuppa, "and to begin with I'd--" What Mixtuppa was about to advise will never be known, for right here fifteen Mudgers burst into the royal tent.