can't climb
the bean pole and will have to wait here and face it out."

"But how uncomfortable," wailed the camel. He began to sob heavily.
Dorothy, although highest up the bean pole, heard all of this
distinctly. "Oh," she cried remorsefully, "we can't desert the
Cowardly Lion like this. I never thought about him."

"Spoken like the dear little Maid you are," said the Knight. "The
good beast never reminded us of it, either. There's bravery for you!"

"Let us descend at once, I'll not move a step without the Cowardly
Lion!" In his agitation, the Scarecrow lost his balance and fell
headlong to the ground, knocking Sir Hokus's helmet terribly askew as
he passed. The others made haste to follow him and were soon gathered
gravely at the foot of the beanstalk.

"I'll have to think of some other plan," said the Scarecrow, looking
nervously at the sky, which showed, through the long windows, the
first streaks of dawn. The Comfortable Camel controlled its sobs with
difficulty and pressed as close to Sir Hokus as it could. The
Doubtful Dromedary was still asleep.

"It would have been a terrible climb," mused the Scarecrow, thinking
of his long, long fall down the pole. "Ah, I have it!"

"What?" asked Dorothy anxiously.

"I wonder I did not think of it before. Ah, my brains are working
better! I will abdicate," exclaimed the Scarecrow triumphantly. "I
will abdicate, make a farewell speech, and return with you to Oz!"

"What if they refuse to let your radiant Highness go?" put in Happy
Toko tremulously. "What if the Gheewizard should work his magic
before you finished your speech?"

"Then we'll make a dash for it!" said Sir Hokus, twirling his sword
recklessly.

"I'm with you," said the Cowardly Lion huskily, "but you needn't have
come back for me."

"All right!" said the Scarecrow cheerfully. "And now that
everything's settled so nicely, we might as well enjoy the little
time left. Put out the lights, Tappy. Dorothy and I will sit on the
throne, and the rest of you come as close as possible."

Sir Hokus wakened the Doubtful Dromedary and pulled and tugged it
across the hall, where it immediately fell down asleep again. The
Comfortable Camel ambled about eating the flowers out of the vases.
The Cowardly Lion had placed himself at Dorothy's feet, and Sir Hokus
and Happy Toko seated themselves upon the first step of the gorgeous
silver throne.

Then, while they waited for morning, Dorothy told the Scarecrow all
abo