Chapter 24
At about four o'clock of that same day the Red Wagondrew up at the entrance to Glinda's palace and Dorothyand Betsy jumped out. Ozma's Red Wagon was almost achariot, being inlaid with rubies and pearls, and it wasdrawn by Ozma's favorite steed, the wooden Sawhorse.
"Shall I unharness you," asked Dorothy, "so you cancome in and visit?"
"No," replied the Sawhorse. "I'll just stand here andthink. Take your time. Thinking doesn't seem to bore meat all."
"What will you think of?" inquired Betsy.
"Of the acorn that grew the tree from which I wasmade."
So they left the wooden animal and went in to seeGlinda, who welcomed the little girls in her most cordialmanner.
"I knew you were on your way," said the good Sorceresswhen they were seated in her library, "for I learned frommy Record Book that you intended to meet Trot and Button-Bright on their arrival here."
"Is the strange little girl named Trot?" asked Dorothy.
"Yes; and her companion, the old sailor, is named Cap'nBill. I think we shall like them very much, for they arejust the kind of people to enjoy and appreciate ourfairyland and I do not see any way, at present, for themto return again to the outside world."
"Well, there's room enough here for them, I'm sure,"said Dorothy. "Betsy and I are already eager to welcomeTrot. It will keep us busy for a year, at least, showingher all the wonderful things in Oz."
Glinda smiled.
"I have lived here many years," said she, "and I havenot seen all the wonders of Oz yet."
Meantime the travelers were drawing near to the palace,and when they first caught sight of its towers Trotrealized that it was far more grand and imposing than wasthe King's castle in Jinxland. The nearer they came, themore beautiful the palace appeared, and when finally theScarecrow led them up the great marble steps, evenButton-Bright was filled with awe.
"I don't see any soldiers to guard the place," said thelittle girl.
"There is no need to guard Glinda's palace," repliedthe Scarecrow. "We have no wicked people in Oz, that weknow of, and even if there were any, Glinda's magic wouldbe powerful enough to protect her."
Button-Bright was now standing on the top steps of theentrance, and he suddenly exclaimed:
"Why, there's the Sawhorse and the Red Wagon! Hip,hooray!" and next moment he was rushing down to throw hisarms around the neck of the wooden horse, which good-naturedly permitted this familiarity when it recognizedin the boy an old friend.
Button-Bright's shout had been heard inside the palace,so now Dorothy and Betsy came running out to embracetheir beloved friend, the Scarecrow, and to welcome Trotand Cap'n Bill to the Land of Oz.
"We've been watching you for a long time, in Ozma'sMagic Picture," said Dorothy, "and Ozma has sent us toinvite you to her own palace in the Em'rald City. I don'tknow if you realize how lucky you are to get thatinvitation, but you'll understand it better after you'veseen the royal palace and the Em'rald City."
Glinda now appeared in person to lead all the partyinto her Azure Reception Room. Trot was a little afraidof the stately Sorceress, but gained courage by holdingfast to the hands of Betsy and Dorothy. Cap'n Bill had noone to help him feel at ease, so the old sailor satstiffly on the edge of his chair and said:
"Yes, ma'am," or "No, ma'am," when he was spoken to,and was greatly embarrassed by so much splendor.
The Scarecrow had lived so much in palaces that he feltquite at home, and he chatted to Glinda and the Oz girlsin a merry, light-hearted way. He told all about hisadventures in Jinxland, and at the Great Waterfall, andon the journey hither -- most of which his hearers knewalready -- and then he asked Dorothy and Betsy what hadhappened in the Emerald City since he had left there.
They all passed the evening and the night at Glinda'spalace, and the Sorceress was so gracious to Cap'n Billthat the old man by degrees regained his self-possessionand began to enjoy himself. Trot had already come to theconclusion that in Dorothy and Betsy she had found twodelightful comrades, and Button-Bright was just as muchat home here as he had been in the fields of Jinxland orwhen he was buried in the popcorn snow of the Land of Mo.
The next morning they arose bright and early and afterbreakfast bade good-bye to the kind Sorceress, whom Trotand Cap'n Bill thanked earnestly for sending theScarecrow to Jinxland to rescue them. Then they allclimbed into the Red Wagon.
There was room for all on the broad seats, and when allhad taken their places -- Dorothy, Trot and Betsy on therear seat and Cap'n Bill, Button-Bright and the Scarecrowin front -- they called "Gid-dap!" to the Sawhorse andthe wooden steed moved briskly away, pulling the RedWagon with ease.
It was now that the strangers began to perceive thereal beauties of the Land of Oz, for they were passingthrough a more thickly settled part of the country andthe population grew more dense as they drew nearer to theEmerald City. Everyone they met had a cheery word or asmile for the Scarecrow, Dorothy and Betsy Bobbin, andsome of them remembered Button-Bright and welcomed himback to their country.
It was a happy party, indeed, that journeyed in the RedWagon to the Emerald City, and Trot already began to hopethat Ozma would permit her and Cap'n Bill to live alwaysin the Land of Oz.
When they reached the great city they were more amazedthan ever, both by the concourse of people in theirquaint and picturesque costumes, and by the splendor ofthe city itself. But the magnificence of the Royal Palacequite took their breath away, until Ozma received them inher own pretty apartment and by her charming manners andassuring smiles made them feel they were no longerstrangers.
Trot was given a lovely little room next to that ofDorothy, while Cap'n Bill had the cosiest sort of a roomnext to Trot's and overlooking the gardens. And thatevening Ozma gave a grand banquet and reception in honorof the new arrivals. While Trot had read of many of thepeople she then met, Cap'n Bill was less familiar withthem and many of the unusual characters introduced to himthat evening caused the old sailor to open his eyes widein astonishment.
He had thought the live Scarecrow about as curious asanyone could be, but now he met the Tin Woodman, who wasall made of tin, even to his heart, and carried agleaming axe over his shoulder wherever he went. Thenthere was Jack Pumpkinhead, whose head was a real pumpkinwith the face carved upon it; and Professor Wogglebug,who had the shape of an enormous bug but was dressed inneat fitting garments. The Professor was an interestingtalker and had very polite manners, but his face was socomical that it made Cap'n Bill smile to look at it. Agreat friend of Dorothy and Ozma seemed to be a machineman called Tik-Tok, who ran down several times during theevening and had to be wound up again by someone before hecould move or speak.
At the reception appeared the Shaggy Man and hisbrother, both very popular in Oz, as well as Dorothy'sUncle Henry and Aunt Em, two happy old people who livedin a pretty cottage near the palace.
But what perhaps seemed most surprising to both Trotand Cap'n Bill was the number of peculiar animalsadmitted into Ozma's parlors, where they not onlyconducted themselves quite properly but were able to talkas well as anyone.
There was the Cowardly Lion, an immense beast with abeautiful mane; and the Hungry Tiger, who smiledcontinually; and Eureka the Pink Kitten, who lay curledupon a cushion and had rather supercilious manners; andthe wooden Sawhorse; and nine tiny piglets that belongedto the Wizard; and a mule named Hank, who belonged toBetsy Bobbin. A fuzzy little terrier dog, named Toto, layat Dorothy's feet but seldom took part in theconversation, although he listened to every word that wassaid. But the most wonderful of all to Trot was a squarebeast with a winning smile, that squatted in a corner ofthe room and wagged his square head at everyone in quitea jolly way. Betsy told Trot that this unique beast wascalled the Woozy, and there was no other like him in allthe world.
Cap'n Bill and Trot had both looked around expectantlyfor the Wizard of Oz, but the evening was far advancedbefore the famous little man entered the room. But hewent up to the strangers at once and said:
"I know you, but you don't know me; so let's getacquainted."
And they did get acquainted, in a very short time, andbefore the evening was over Trot felt that she knew everyperson and animal present at the reception, and that theywere all her good friends.
Suddenly they looked around for Button-Bright, but hewas nowhere to be found.
"Dear me!" cried Trot. "He's lost again."
"Never mind, my dear," said Ozma, with her charmingsmile, "no one can go far astray in the Land of Oz, andif Button-Bright isn't lost occasionally, he isn'thappy."