r and after a pleasant journey reached the
Winkie River and found a jolly ferryman who had a fine big boat and was
willing to carry the entire party by water to a place quite near to the
Emerald City.

The river had many windings and many branches, and the journey did not
end in a day, but finally the boat floated into a pretty lake which was
but a short distance from Ozma's home. Here the jolly ferryman was
rewarded for his labors and then the entire party set out in a grand
procession to march to the Emerald City.

News that the Royal Ozma had been found spread quickly throughout the
neighborhood and both sides of the road soon became lined with loyal
subjects of the beautiful and beloved Ruler. Therefore Ozma's ears heard
little but cheers and her eyes beheld little else than waving
handkerchiefs and banners during all the triumphal march from the lake
to the city's gates.

And there she met a still greater concourse, for all the inhabitants of
the Emerald City turned out to welcome her return and several bands
played gay music and all the houses were decorated with flags and
bunting and never before were the people so joyous and happy as at this
moment when they welcomed home their girl Ruler. For she had been lost
and was now found again, and surely that was cause for rejoicing.

Glinda was at the royal palace to meet the returning party and the good
Sorceress was indeed glad to have her Great Book of Records returned to
her, as well as all the precious collection of magic instruments and
elixirs and chemicals that had been stolen from her castle. Cap'n Bill
and the Wizard at once hung the Magic Picture upon the wall of Ozma's
boudoir and the Wizard was so light-hearted that he did several tricks
with the tools in his black bag to amuse his companions and prove that
once again he was a powerful wizard.

[Illustration]

For a whole week there was feasting and merriment and all sorts of
joyous festivities at the palace, in honor of Ozma's safe return. The
Lavender Bear and the little Pink Bear received much attention and were
honored by all, much to the Bear King's satisfaction. The Frogman
speedily became a favorite at the Emerald City and the Shaggy Man and
Tik-Tok and Jack Pumpkinhead, who had now returned from their search,
were very polite to the big frog and made him feel quite at home. Even
the Cookie Cook, because she was a stranger and Ozma's guest, was shown
as much deference as if she had been a que