en they saw the eggs, all desire to
advance departed from the warriors, and they turned and fled madly into
the cavern, and refused to go back again.

Our friends had no farther trouble in reaching the end of the passage,
and soon were standing in the outer air upon the gloomy path between
the two high mountains. But the way to Ev lay plainly before them, and
they fervently hoped that they had seen the last of the Nome King and of
his dreadful palace.

The cavalcade was led by Ozma, mounted on the Cowardly Lion, and the
Queen of Ev, who rode upon the back of the Tiger. The children of the
Queen walked behind her, hand in hand. Dorothy rode the Sawhorse, while
the Scarecrow walked and commanded the army in the absence of the Tin
Woodman.

Presently the way began to lighten and more of the sunshine to come in
between the two mountains. And before long they heard the "thump! thump!
thump!" of the giant's hammer upon the road.

"How may we pass the monstrous man of iron?" asked the Queen, anxious
for the safety of her children. But Dorothy solved the problem by a word
to the magic belt.

The giant paused, with his hammer held motionless in the air, thus
allowing the entire party to pass between his cast-iron legs in safety.

The King of Ev

[Illustration]

If there were any shifting, rock-colored Nomes on the mountain side now,
they were silent and respectful, for our adventurers were not annoyed,
as before, by their impudent laughter. Really the Nomes had nothing to
laugh at, since the defeat of their King.

On the other side they found Ozma's golden chariot, standing as they had
left it. Soon the Lion and the Tiger were harnessed to the beautiful
chariot, in which was enough room for Ozma and the Queen and six of the
royal children.

Little Evring preferred to ride with Dorothy upon the Sawhorse, which
had a long back. The Prince had recovered from his shyness and had
become very fond of the girl who had rescued him, so they were fast
friends and chatted pleasantly together as they rode along. Billina was
also perched upon the head of the wooden steed, which seemed not to mind
the added weight in the least, and the boy was full of wonder that a hen
could talk, and say such sensible things.

When they came to the gulf, Ozma's magic carpet carried them all over in
safety; and now they began to pass the trees, in which birds were
singing; and the breeze that was wafted to them from the farms of Ev was