"My ears!" moaned the Vegetable Man, in grief-stricken tones. "They've popped!" This on top of all the other shocks was almost too much, and when the tiger had dragged himself out of the fiery stream and scrambled up the steep bank, they all dropped down upon the steaming rocks and simply panted with exhaustion. "First time I ever came down a fire-fall," puffed Reddy, gazing fearfully at the tumbling torrent of flames. "Well, it's the last time I ever come down one," growled the Hungry Tiger. "If it hadn't been for that ruby of yours we'd all have been nicely toasted by now. As it is--" The Hungry Tiger looked sorrowfully at the Vegetable Man. "The best ears I ever had," groaned Carter, feeling the husks that were left to him. "Did it hurt?" asked Betsy sympathetically. But the Vegetable Man made no reply. "He can't hear you," explained the Hungry Tiger gloomily. "If I had that Gnome King I'd eat him." "He _didn't_ turn out very well," admitted Betsy sadly. "But never mind. Reddy has another ruby and we're in the upstairs world again." "That's so! Maybe we're nearer the Emerald City than we think," rumbled the Hungry Tiger. "Let's look around a bit and see." Motioning for Carter to follow, and still feeling depressed over Kaliko's treachery and the Vegetable Man's sad loss, they started across the stony country edging the Gnome King's dominions. "It's funny Ozma doesn't help us," whispered Betsy to the little Prince of Rash, as Carter strode gloomily and silently beside them. "I've been away from the Emerald City two days now and she must be wondering where I am and they have certainly missed the Hungry Tiger by this time." "But how would Ozma know where to look for you?" asked Reddy. "The Magic Picture would show her," answered Betsy, and quickly explained the most magic of Ozma's possessions. This curious painting hangs in the royal palace, and when Ozma wishes to know where her friends are and what they are doing she has but to stand before it and request them to appear. Immediately they flash into view, the picture showing just where they are and what they are doing at the time. More than once, Ozma had saved her subjects from serious disaster by consulting the Magic Picture, and it did seem strange that she had not looked for Betsy and the Hungry Tiger. While Betsy and the little Prince were still puzzling over it, they stepped across the rocky borders of the Gnome King's dominion into a pleasant farming country and they were all so relieved to find themselves once again in more natural surroundings that they stopped worrying and began to enjoy themselves. The fields of potatoes and cabbages were especially cheering to Carter Green, and when they came upon a waving field of corn, he gave a joyful shout and sprang lightly over a fence. "Wait!" he called gaily holding up both hands. "Wait till I pick a couple of ears!" CHAPTER 12 Immense City