Fantasy fiction; Oz (Imaginary place) -- Juvenile fiction
"You may tell the royal cook to prepare a feast at once." Nodding
laughingly at the Hungry Tiger, the little sovereign rose and, stepping
down from the throne, took Philador's arm. "Come!" said Ozma. "We will
look in the magic picture and see whether Quiberon is still caught in
the cavern and where Mombi has hidden your royal mother."
As you may well imagine, Philador needed no urging. Even Ozma forgot
her dignity in the interest and excitement of the moment. Hand in hand,
they skipped up the golden stairway, followed by Trot and all the other
curious courtiers. Hanging in Ozma's sitting room is one of the most
curious and powerful treasures in all Oz. It is a magic picture. One
has but to stand before this picture and ask to see a certain person.
Immediately he appears and in exactly the place where he happens to be
at the moment the question is asked.
"We had better look at that monster first," said the Wizard of Oz,
settling both pairs of specs and staring nervously over Ozma's
shoulder. "Show us Quiberon!" he commanded, before the little ruler
or Philador had a chance to speak. Instantly the quiet country scene
melted away and out flashed the terrible figure of Mombi's monster,
throwing himself again and again upon the sapphire castle of Oz. High
Boy was so frightened that he shot up ten feet and bumped his head on
the ceiling.
"Have at you!" roared Sir Hokus, plunging forward and almost forgetting
it was but the small picture of Quiberon he was seeing. Philador and
Trot clutched one another in horror and only Ozma remained calm.
Clapping her hands for silence, she turned quickly to the Wizard of Oz.
"Quick, Wizard!" breathed the little fairy, "Fetch your black bag of
magic and transport us all to the Ozure Isles. Take hold of hands!"
commanded Ozma, as the little wizard rushed from the room. Philador
immediately took Trot's hand, Trot took Benny's, Benny took Herby's,
Herby took the Tin Woodman's, Nick Chopper took Scraps', The Patch Work
Girl took the Good Knight's, he took Betsy's, Betsy seized Dorothy,
Dorothy took the Scarecrow, and High Boy, not to be left out, jumped
into the middle of the ring, as Jellia and Ozma completed the circle.
Then back skipped the Wizard, and, wriggling between Dorothy and
the Scarecrow, swallowed two of his famous wishing pills, smiling
confidently.
"Transport us at once to the Sapphire City and Castle of Cheeriobed,"
commanded the Wizard. Now Philador had never been transported in his
whole life. Gritting his teeth and closing his eyes he waited tensely
for something to drag him through the air and wondering fearfully if
they would be in time to save his father and the royal household.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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