touched this road," was the reply; "and I was dancing
upon the pretty rays, as I love to do, and never noticed I was getting
too far over the bend in the circle. Suddenly I began to slide, and I
went faster and faster until at last I bumped on the ground, at the
very end. Just then father lifted the rainbow again, without noticing
me at all, and though I tried to seize the end of it and hold fast, it
melted away entirely and I was left alone and helpless on the cold,
hard earth!"

"It doesn't seem cold to me, Polly," said Dorothy; "but perhaps you're
not warmly dressed."

"I'm so used to living nearer the sun," replied the Rainbow's Daughter,
"that at first I feared I would freeze down here. But my dance has
warmed me some, and now I wonder how I am ever to get home again."

"Won't your father miss you, and look for you, and let down another
rainbow for you?"

"Perhaps so, but he's busy just now because it rains in so many parts
of the world at this season, and he has to set his rainbow in a lot of
different places. What would you advise me to do, Dorothy?"

"Come with us," was the answer. "I'm going to try to find my way to
the Emerald City, which is in the fairy Land of Oz. The Emerald City
is ruled by a friend of mine, the Princess Ozma, and if we can manage
to get there I'm sure she will know a way to send you home to your
father again."

"Do you really think so?" asked Polychrome, anxiously.

"I'm pretty sure."

"Then I'll go with you," said the little maid; "for travel will help
keep me warm, and father can find me in one part of the world as well
as another--if he gets time to look for me."

"Come along, then," said the shaggy man, cheerfully; and they started
on once more. Polly walked beside Dorothy a while, holding her new
friend's hand as if she feared to let it go; but her nature seemed as
light and buoyant as her fleecy robes, for suddenly she darted ahead
and whirled round in a giddy dance. Then she tripped back to them with
sparkling eyes and smiling cheeks, having regained her usual happy mood
and forgotten all her worry about being lost.

They found her a charming companion, and her dancing and laughter--for
she laughed at times like the tinkling of a silver bell--did much to
enliven their journey and keep them contented.

6. The City Of Beasts

When noon came they opened the Fox-King's basket of luncheon, and found
a nice roasted turkey with cranberry sauce and some sli