set out an appetizing
repast on a small, rocky ledge--a regular feast, it appeared to the
hungry travelers. There were loaves of black bread, figs, dates,
cheese, and a curious sort of dried meat which the Cowardly Lion
swallowed in great quantities.

"Isn't this cozy?" said Dorothy, forgetting the long, weary way
ahead. "My, I'm glad we met you!"

"Very comforting to us, too, my dear," said the Camel, swaying
complacently. "Isn't it, Doubty?"

"There are some silk cushions in my right-hand saddle sack, but I
doubt very much whether you'll like 'em," mumbled the Dromedary
gruffly.

"Out with them!" cried Sir Hokus, pouncing on the Doubtful Dromedary,
and in a minute each of the party had a cushion and was as snug as
possible.

"Could anything have been more fortunate?" exulted the Knight. "We
can now resume our journey properly mounted."

"I think I'll ride the Cowardly Lion," said Dorothy, looking uneasily
at the high seat on the camel's back. "Let's start before it grows
any darker."

They had eaten to heart's content, and now, packing up the remainder
of the feast, the little party made ready to start.

Sir Hokus, using the Cowardly Lion as a footstool, mounted the camel,
and then Dorothy climbed on her old friend's back, and the little
caravan moved slowly through the forest.

"There's a tent in my left-hand saddle sack, but I doubt very much
whether you can put it up," said the Doubtful Dromedary, falling in
behind the Comfortable Camel. "I doubt it very much indeed."

"How now, what means this doubting?" called Sir Hokus from his
perilous seat. "I'll pitch it when the time comes."

"Mind you don't pitch out when the Camel goes!" called the Cowardly
Lion, who would have his little joke. Sir Hokus, to tell the truth,
was feeling tossed about and dizzy, but he was too polite to mention
the fact. As they proceeded, Dorothy told the Comfortable Camel all
about the Scarecrow and Oz.

An occasional word jolted down from above told her that the Knight
was singing. They had gone possibly a mile when Dorothy pointed in
excitement to a road just ahead.

"We must have missed it before! Wait, I'll see what it's like."
Jumping down from the Cowardly Lion's back, she peered curiously at
the narrow, tree-lined path. "Why, here's a sign!"

"What of?" asked the Comfortable Camel, lurching forward eagerly and
nearly unseating the Knight.

W I S H W A Y

read Dorothy in a puzzled voice.

"Looks like