nd the
entire party returned over the Magic Carpet to the Land of Oz. They
filled the Red Wagon, which was still waiting for them, pretty full; but
the Sawhorse didn't mind that and with wonderful speed carried them
safely to the Emerald City.

[Illustration]

Ozma's Banquet

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 22

Ozma had seen in her Magic Picture the liberation of Inga's parents and
the departure of the entire party for the Emerald City, so with her
usual hospitality she ordered a splendid banquet prepared and invited
all her quaint friends who were then in the Emerald City to be present
that evening to meet the strangers who were to become her guests.

Glinda, also, in her wonderful Record Book had learned of the events
that had taken place in the caverns of the Nome King and she became
especially interested in the enchantment of the Prince of Boboland. So
she hastily prepared several of her most powerful charms and then
summoned her flock of sixteen white storks, which swiftly bore her to
Ozma's palace. She arrived there before the Red Wagon did and was warmly
greeted by the girl Ruler.

Realizing that the costume of Queen Garee of Pingaree must have become
sadly worn and frayed, owing to her hardships and adventures, Ozma
ordered a royal outfit prepared for the good Queen and had it laid in
her chamber ready for her to put on as soon as she arrived, so she would
not be shamed at the banquet. New costumes were also provided for King
Kitticut and King Rinkitink and Prince Inga, all cut and made and
embellished in the elaborate and becoming style then prevalent in the
Land of Oz, and as soon as the party arrived at the palace Ozma's guests
were escorted by her servants to their rooms, that they might bathe and
dress themselves.

Glinda the Sorceress and the Wizard of Oz took charge of Bilbil the goat
and went to a private room where they were not likely to be interrupted.
Glinda first questioned Bilbil long and earnestly about the manner of
his enchantment and the ceremony that had been used by the magician who
enchanted him. At first Bilbil protested that he did not want to be
restored to his natural shape, saying that he had been forever disgraced
in the eyes of his people and of the entire world by being obliged to
exist as a scrawny, scraggly goat. But Glinda pointed out that any
person who incurred the enmity of a wicked magician was liable to suffer
a similar fate, and assured him that his misfortune wou