his stolen property. One was the party headed by
the Wizard and Dorothy, while the other consisted of Cayke and the
Frogman. Others were also searching, but not in the right places. These
two groups, however, were headed straight for the wicker castle and so
Ugu began to plan how best to meet them and to defeat their efforts to
conquer him.

[Illustration]

More Surprises

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 20

All that first day after the union of the two parties our friends
marched steadily toward the wicker castle of Ugu the Shoemaker. When
night came they camped in a little grove and passed a pleasant evening
together, although some of them were worried because Button-Bright was
still lost.

"Perhaps," said Toto, as the animals lay grouped together for the night,
"this Shoemaker who stole my growl, and who stole Ozma, has also stolen
Button-Bright."

"How do you know that the Shoemaker stole your growl?" demanded the
Woozy.

"He has stolen about everything else of value in Oz, hasn't he?" replied
the dog.

"He has stolen everything he wants, perhaps," agreed the Lion; "but what
could anyone want with your growl?"

"Well," said the dog, wagging his tail slowly, "my recollection is that
it was a wonderful growl, soft and low and--and--"

"And ragged at the edges," said the Sawhorse.

"So," continued Toto, "if that magician hadn't any growl of his own, he
might have wanted mine and stolen it."

"And, if he has, he will soon wish he hadn't," remarked the Mule. "Also,
if he has stolen Button-Bright he will be sorry."

"Don't you like Button-Bright, then?" asked the Lion in surprise.

"It isn't a question of liking him," replied the Mule. "It's a question
of watching him and looking after him. Any boy who causes his friends so
much worry isn't worth having around. _I_ never get lost."

"If you did," said Toto, "no one would worry a bit. I think
Button-Bright is a very lucky boy, because he always gets found."

"See here," said the Lion, "this chatter is keeping us all awake and
to-morrow is likely to be a busy day. Go to sleep and forget your
quarrels."

"Friend Lion," retorted the dog, "if I hadn't lost my growl you would
hear it now. I have as much right to talk as you have to sleep."

The Lion sighed.

"If only you had lost your voice, when you lost your growl," said he,
"you would be a more agreeable companion."

But they quieted down, after that, and soon the entire camp was wrapped
in slu