o the Emerald City."

"It's quite a journey," explained the Scarecrow to Sir Hokus, who was
cleaning off his armor with a handful of straw.

"I go where Lady Dot goes," replied the Knight, smiling
affectionately at the little girl and straightening the ragged hair
ribbon which he still wore on his arm.

"Don't forget me, dear Karwan Bashi," wheezed the Comfortable Camel,
putting his head on the Knight's shoulder.

"You're a sentimental dunce, Camy. I doubt whether they'll take us at
all!" The Doubtful Dromedary looked wistfully at Dorothy.

"Go to, now!" cried Sir Hokus, putting an arm around each neck.
"You're just like two of the family!"

"It will be very comfortable to go to now," sighed the camel.

"We're all a big, jolly family here," said the Scarecrow, smiling
brightly, "and Oz is the friendliest country in the world."

"Right," said the Cowardly Lion, "but let's get started!" He
stretched his tired muscles and began limping stiffly toward the
yellow brick road.

"Wait," cried Dorothy, "have you forgotten the parasol?"

"I wish I could," groaned the Cowardly Lion, rolling his eyes.

Sir Hokus, with folded arms, was gazing regretfully at the bean pole.
"It has been a brave quest," he sighed, "but now, I take it, our
adventures are over!" Absently, the Knight felt in his boot-top and
drawing out a small red bean popped it into his mouth. Just before
reaching the top of the tube, he had pulled a handful of them from
the beanstalk, but the others had fallen out when he dove into the
hay.

"Shall we use the parasol again, Lady Dot?" he asked, still staring
pensively at the bean pole. "Shall--?"

He got no farther, nor did Dorothy answer his question. Instead, she
gave a loud scream and clutched the Scarecrow's arm. The Scarecrow,
taken by surprise, fell over backward, and the Comfortable Camel,
raising his head inquiringly, gave a bellow of terror. From the
Knight's shoulders a green branch had sprung, and while the company
gazed in round-eyed amazement it stretched toward the bean pole,
attached itself firmly, and then shot straight up into the air, the
Knight kicking and struggling on the end. In another second, he was
out of sight.

"Come back! Come back!" screamed the Comfortable Camel, running
around distractedly.

"I doubt we'll ever see him again!" groaned the Doubtful Dromedary,
craning his neck upward.

"Do something! Do something!" begged Dorothy. At which the Scarecrow
jumped up and d