When they were almost out of sight of the Castle of Romance, Twink looked back and saw the delicately fashioned spires shimmering in the sun. "Now," the girl said, "it is truly as beautiful a castle as it looks." CHAPTER 15 The King of the Fairy Beavers Beyond the valley, the country became rugged and rolling, with outcroppings of grey rock, while the river narrowed, grew deeper, and flowed much more swiftly. It was well into the afternoon, when the Shaggy Man suggested that they rest under a gnarled tree near the river bank and enjoy their luncheon. They were all glad for the rest on the grass which grew high and coarse over the countryside, and the food which Lady Cue had packed for them was both satisfying and delicious. Twink took a long look at the rather forbidding scenery about them. In the distance loomed dark mountain peaks, while trees became fewer and fewer. "Doesn't look like there's a living thing within miles!" said the little girl, a bit disconsolately. "In a way that's a good sign," replied the Shaggy Man. "For the nearer we come to the Deadly Desert the more wild and desolate the country is. From the looks of things here I wouldn't be surprised if we were near the Kingdom of the Nomes." "Have you any idea how we can get to Oz, once we arrive at the Deadly Desert?" asked Twiffle. "No," said the Shaggy Man, "I haven't. But one can never tell what will happen when traveling in a fairy country, and I figure the closer we are to the Deadly Desert, the closer we are to Oz. Now if I just hadn't lost Ozma's Magic Compass--but there's no use crying over spilt milk." "Did I understand you to say you are going to the Land of Oz?" The words were spoken in a small, clear voice. At the same time the tall grass just in front of Shaggy and his friends parted, and a beaver stepped out and viewed them fearlessly. Twink was amazed to see that the beaver wore a small golden crown on his head, while in his right paw he carried a slender beech rod. "Yes," said the Shaggy Man, calmly regarding the beaver while he continued to munch a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "That is, we hope to get to the Land of Oz. First we must find some way to cross the Deadly Desert." The beaver was silent for a moment, then he said: "Will you take me to Oz with you?" "Take you with us!" exclaimed the Shaggy Man. "Why, we aren't at all sure we can get there ourselves. But why do you want to go to Oz? I can tell by your crown that you're a King of some sort and not an ordinary beaver." "I am the King of the Fairy Beavers," announced the little animal, a bit proudly. "None of us are ordinary beavers, since we are fairy creatures. And as for why I want to visit Oz--well, I have heard wonderful tales of that famous fairyland, and I have long dreamed of visiting it." "Seems to me," observed Tom, "that since you are a Fairy King, your magic powers could take you to Oz."