Dorothy decided to accept Ozma's invitation to return with her to theLand of Oz. There was no greater chance of her getting home from Evthan from Oz, and the little girl was anxious to see once more thecountry where she had encountered such wonderful adventures. By thistime Uncle Henry would have reached Australia in his ship, and hadprobably given her up for lost; so he couldn't worry any more than hedid if she stayed away from him a while longer. So she would go to Oz.

They bade good-bye to the people of Ev, and the King promised Ozmathat he would ever be grateful to her and render the Land of Oz anyservice that might lie within his power.

And then they approached the edge of the dangerous desert, and Ozmathrew down the magic carpet, which at once unrolled far enough for allof them to walk upon it without being crowded.

Tiktok, claiming to be Dorothy's faithful follower because he belongedto her, had been permitted to join the party, and before they startedthe girl wound up his machinery as far as possible, and the copper manstepped off as briskly as any one of them.

Ozma also invited Billina to visit the Land of Oz, and the yellow henwas glad enough to go where new sights and scenes awaited her.

They began the trip across the desert early in the morning, and asthey stopped only long enough for Billina to lay her daily egg, beforesunset they espied the green slopes and wooded hills of the beautifulLand of Oz. They entered it in the Munchkin territory, and the Kingof the Munchkins met them at the border and welcomed Ozma with greatrespect, being very pleased by her safe return. For Ozma of Oz ruledthe King of the Munchkins, the King of the Winkies, the King of theQuadlings and the King of the Gillikins just as those kings ruledtheir own people; and this supreme ruler of the Land of Oz lived in agreat town of her own, called the Emerald City, which was in the exactcenter of the four kingdoms of the Land of Oz.

The Munchkin king entertained them at his palace that night, and inthe morning they set out for the Emerald City, travelling over a roadof yellow brick that led straight to the jewel-studded gates.Everywhere the people turned out to greet their beloved Ozma, and tohail joyfully the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion,who were popular favorites. Dorothy, too, remembered some of thepeople, who had befriended her on the occasion of her first visit toOz, and they were well pleased to see the little Kansas girl again,and showered her with compliments and good wishes.

At one place, where they stopped to refresh themselves, Ozma accepteda bowl of milk from the hands of a pretty dairy-maid. Then she lookedat the girl more closely, and exclaimed:

"Why, it's Jinjur--isn't it!"

"Yes, your Highness," was the reply, as Jinjur dropped a low curtsy.And Dorothy looked wonderingly at this lively appearing person, whohad once assembled an army of women and driven the Scarecrow from thethrone of the Emerald City, and even fought a battle with the powerfularmy of Glinda the Sorceress.

"I've married a man who owns nine cows," said Jinjur to Ozma, "and nowI am happy and contented and willing to lead a quiet life and mind myown business."

"Where is your husband?" asked Ozma.

"He is in the house, nursing a black eye," replied Jinjur, calmly."The foolish man would insist upon milking the red cow when I wantedhim to milk the white one; but he will know better next time, I am sure."

Then the party moved on again, and after crossing a broad river on aferry and passing many fine farm houses that were dome shaped andpainted a pretty green color, they came in sight of a large buildingthat was covered with flags and bunting.

"I don't remember that building," said Dorothy. "What is it?"

"That is the College of Art and Athletic Perfection," replied Ozma."I had it built quite recently, and the Woggle-Bug is it's president.It keeps him busy, and the young men who attend the college are noworse off than they were before. You see, in this country are anumber of youths who do not like to work, and the college is anexcellent place for them."

And now they came in sight of the Emerald City, and the people flockedout to greet their lovely ruler. There were several bands and manyofficers and officials of the realm, and a crowd of citizens in theirholiday attire.

Thus the beautiful Ozma was escorted by a brilliant procession to herroyal city, and so great was the cheering that she was obliged toconstantly bow to the right and left to acknowledge the greetings ofher subjects.

That evening there was a grand reception in the royal palace, attendedby the most important persons of Oz, and Jack Pumpkinhead, who was alittle overripe but still active, read an address congratulating Ozmaof Oz upon the success of her generous mission to rescue the royalfamily of a neighboring kingdom.

Then magnificent gold medals set with precious stones were presentedto each of the twenty-six officers; and the Tin Woodman was given anew axe studded with diamonds; and the Scarecrow received a silver jarof complexion powder. Dorothy was presented with a pretty coronet andmade a Princess of Oz, and Tiktok received two bracelets set witheight rows of very clear and sparkling emeralds.

Afterward they sat down to a splendid feast, and Ozma put Dorothy ather right and Billina at her left, where the hen sat upon a goldenroost and ate from a jeweled platter. Then were placed the Scarecrow,the Tin Woodman and Tiktok, with baskets of lovely flowers beforethem, because they did not require food. The twenty-six officers wereat the lower end of the table, and the Lion and the Tiger also hadseats, and were served on golden platters, that held a half a bushelat one time.

The wealthiest and most important citizens of the Emerald City wereproud to wait upon these famous adventurers, and they were assisted bya sprightly little maid named Jellia Jamb, whom the Scarecrow pinchedupon her rosy cheeks and seemed to know very well.

During the feast Ozma grew thoughtful, and suddenly she asked:

"Where is the private?"

"Oh, he is sweeping out the barracks," replied one of the generals,who was busy eating a leg of a turkey. "But I have ordered him a dishof bread and molasses to eat when his work is done."

"Let him be sent for," said the girl ruler.

While they waited for this command to be obeyed, she enquired:

"Have we any other privates in the armies?"

"Oh, yes," replied the Tin Woodman, "I believe there arethree, altogether."

The private now entered, saluting his officers and the royal Ozmavery respectfully.

"What is your name, my man?" asked the girl.

"Omby Amby," answered the private.

"Then, Omby Amby," said she, "I promote you to be Captain General ofall the armies of my kingdom, and especially to be Commander of myBody Guard at the royal palace."

"It is very expensive to hold so many offices," said the private,hesitating. "I have no money with which to buy uniforms."

"You shall be supplied from the royal treasury," said Ozma.

Then the private was given a seat at the table, where the other officerswelcomed him cordially, and the feasting and merriment were resumed.

Suddenly Jellia Jamb exclaimed:

"There is nothing more to eat! The Hungry Tiger has consumed everything!"

"But that is not the worst of it," declared the Tiger, mournfully."Somewhere or somehow, I've actually lost my appetite!"