Introduction of Tick Tock of Oz. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.LibriVox.org. Tick Tock of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Introduction to my readers. The very marked success of the last year's fairy book, The Patchwork Girl of Oz, convinces me that my readers like the Oz stories best of all, as one little girl wrote me. So here my dears is a new Oz story, in which is introduced and so forth, the Queen of Ugebu, whom Tick Tock assisted in conquering our old acquaintance, the Nome King. It also tells of Betsy Bobbitt and how, after many adventures, they finally reach the marvelous land of Oz. There is a play called the Tick Tock Man of Oz, but it is not like this story of Tick Tock of Oz. Although some of the adventures recorded in this book, as well as those in several other Oz books, are included in the play, those who have seen the play and those who have read the other Oz books, will find in this story a lot of strange characters and adventures that they have never heard of before. In the letters I receive from children, there have been all urgent appeals for me to write a story that will take Trot and Captain Bill to the land of Oz, where they will meet Dorothy and Osma. Also, they think button bright ought to get acquainted with Ojo the Lucky. As you know, I am obliged to talk these matters over with Dorothy by means of the wireless, but that is the only way I can communicate with the land of Oz. When I asked her about the idea, she replied, Why, haven't you heard? I said, No. Well, came the message over the wireless. I'll tell you all about it, by and by, and then you can make a book of that story for the children to read. So, if Dorothy keeps her word and I am permitted to write another Oz book, you will probably discover how all these characters came together in the famous Emerald City. Meantime, I want to tell all my little friends, whose numbers are increasing by many thousands every year, that I am very grateful for the favor they have shown my books and for the delightful little letters I am constantly receiving. I am almost sure that I have as many friends among the children of America as any story writer alive, and this, of course, makes me very proud and happy. L. Frank Baum, OzCott at Hollywood in California, 1914. End of introduction, recording by Ryan T., somewhere in North Carolina, 12th of February 2007. Chapter 1 of Tick Tock of Oz. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.librivox.org. Tick Tock of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Chapter 1, Anne's Army. I won't, cried Anne. I won't sweep the floor. It is beneath my dignity. Someone must sweep it, replied Anne's younger sister, Sally. Else we shall soon be wading in dust. And you are the eldest Anne the head of the family. I'm queen of Uggaboo, cried Anne proudly. But she added with a sigh, my kingdom is the smallest and the poorest in all the land of Oz. This was quite true. A way up in the mountains, in a far corner of the beautiful fairy land of Oz, was a small valley which is named Uggaboo. And in this valley lived a few people who were usually happy and contented and never cared to wander over the mountain pass into the more settled parts of the land. They knew that all of Oz, including their own territory, was ruled by a beautiful princess named Osma, who lived in a splendid emerald city. Yet the simple folk of Uggaboo never visited Osma. They had a royal family of their own, not especially to rule over them, but just as a matter of pride. Osma permitted the various parts of her country to have kings and queens and emperors and the like, but all were ruled over by the lovely girl queen of the emerald city. The king of Uggaboo used to be a man named Joel Jumpkiff Soforth, who for many years did all the drudgery of deciding disputes and telling his people when to plant cabbages and pickle onions. But the king's wife had a sharp tongue and small respect for the king. Therefore one night King Joel crept over the pass into the land of Oz and disappeared from Uggaboo for good and all. The queen waited a few years for him to return and then started in search of him, leaving her eldest daughter and Soforth to act as queen. Now, Anne had not forgotten when her birthday came. For that meant a party and feasting and dancing, but she had quite forgotten how many years the book they marked. In a land where people live always, this is not considered a cause for regret, so we may justly say that Queen Anne of Uggaboo was old enough to make jelly and let it go at that. But she didn't make jelly or do any more of the housework than she could help.  Often she wondered what had become of her father and mother out beyond the pass, in the wonderful land of Oz, and the fact that they had not returned to Uggaboo let Anne suspect that they had found a better place to live. So when Sally refused to sweep the floor of the living room of the palace and Anne would not sweep it either, she said to her sister, I'm going away, this absurd kingdom of Uggaboo tires me. Go, if you want, answered Sally. But you were very foolish to leave this place. Why? asked Anne. Because in the land of Oz, which is Ozma's country, you'll be a nobody. Here you are, Queen. Oh, yes. Queen over 18 men, 27 women and 44 children returned to Anne bitterly. Well, there are certainly more people than that in the great land of Oz, left Sally. Why don't you raise an army and conquer them and be Queen of all Oz? Just trying to taunt Anne and so to anger her? Then she made a face to her sister and went to the backyard to swing the hammock. Her jeering words, however, had given Queen Anne an idea. She reflected that Oz was reported to be a peaceful country and Ozma a male girl who rude them with gentleness to all and was obeyed because the people loved her. Even in Uggaboo, the story was told that Ozma's sole army consisted of 27 fine officers who were beautiful uniforms but carried no weapons because there was no one to fight. Once there had been a private soldier besides the officers, but Ozma had made him a captain general and taken away his gun for fear it might accidentally hurt someone. The more Anne thought about the matter, the more she was convinced it would be easy to conquer the land of Oz and set herself up as ruler in Ozma's place if she had but an army to do it with. Afterwards, she would go out into the world and conquer other lands, and then perhaps she could make a way to the moon and conquer that. It was a war-like spirit that preferred trouble to idleness. It all depended on an army, Anne decided. She carefully counted in her mind all the men of her kingdom. Yes, there were exactly 18 of them all told. They would not make a very big army but by surprising Ozma's unarmed officer, her men might easily subdue him. Gentle people are always afraid of those that bluster Anne told herself. I don't wish to shed blood for that would shock my nerves into my faint. But if we threaten and flush her weapons, Oz will fall upon the news before me and surrender. This argument, which she repeated to herself more than once, finally determined the queen of Ugaru to undertake the audacious venture.  So I will venture all and win what I may. That very day she started out to organize her army. The first man she came to was Joe Apple, so-called because he had an apple orchard. Joe, said Anne, I am going to conquer the world and I want you to join my army.  I have no intention of asking you. I shall command you as Queen of Ugaru to join, said Anne. In that case, I suppose I must obey the man remarked in a sad voice. But I pray you to consider that I am a very important citizen and for that reason am entitled to an office of high rank. You shall be a general promise, Anne, with gold epulets and a sword, he asked. Of course, said the Queen. Then she went to the next man, whose name was Joe Bunn, as he owned an orchard where grain buns and wheat buns in great variety, both hot and cold, grew on trees. Joe, said Anne, I am going to conquer the world and I command you to join my army. Impossible, he exclaimed. The Bunn crop has to be picked. Let your wife and children do the picking, said Anne. But I am a man of great importance your majesty, he protested. For that reason you shall be one of my general and wear a cock-tatch with gold braid and curl your moustaches and clank along swords, she promised. So he consented, although sorely against as well, and the Queen walked on to the next cottage. Here lived Joe Cone, so-called because the treasonous orchard bore crops of excellent ice cream cones. Joe, said Anne, I am going to conquer the world and you must join my army. Please, said Joe Cone, I am a bad fighter. My good wife conquered me years ago, for she can fight better than I can. Take her, your majesty, instead of me and I'll bless you for the favor. This must be an army of men, fierce, ferocious warriors, declared Anne, looking sternly upon the mild little man. And you will leave my wife here in Ugebu? He asked. Yes, and make you a general. I'll go, said Joe Cone. And Anne went on to the cottage of Joe Clocke, who had an orchard of Clocke trees. This man at first insisted that he would not join the army, but Queen Anne's promise to make him a general finally won his consent. How many generals are there in your army? He asked. Four so far, replied Anne. And how big will the army be? Was his next question. I intend to make everyone of the 18 men in Ugebu join it, she said. Then four generals are enough, announced Joe Clocke. I advise you to make the rest of them, colonels. Anne tried to follow his advice. The next four men she visited, who were Joe Plum, Joe Egg, Joe Banjo, and Joe Cheese, named after the trees and their orchards, she made colonels of her army. But the fifth one, Joe Nails, said colonels and generals were getting to be altogether too common in the army of Ugebu, and he preferred to be a major. So Joe Nails, Joe Cake, Joe Ham, and Joe Stockings were all four made majors. While the next four, Joe's, Sandwich, Padlocks, Sunday, and Buttons, were appointed captains of the army. But now Queen Anne was in a quandary. There remained but two other men in all Ugebu, and if she made these two lieutenants, while there were four captains, four majors, four colonels, and four generals, there was likely to be jealousy in her army and perhaps mutiny, and possibly desertions. One of these men, however, was Joe Candy, and he would not go at all. No promises could tempt him, nor threats could move him. He said he must remain at home to harvest his crop of Jackson balls, lemon drops, bonbons, and chocolate creams. Also, he had large fields of crackerjack and buttered popcorn to be mowed and threshed, and he was determined not to disappoint the children of Ugebu by going away to conquer the world and sold it to Candy Crop's spoil. Finding Joe Candy so obstinate, Queen Anne let him have his own way and continued her journey to the house of the 18th and last man in Ugebu, who was a young man named Joe Files. This Files had 12 trees which bore steel files of various sorts, but he also had nine book trees on which grew a choice selection of story books. In case you have never seen books growing upon trees, I will explain that those in Joe Files orchard were enclosed in broad green husk, which when fully ripe turned to a deep red color. Then the books were picked and hussed and were ready to read. If they were picked too soon, they were confused and uninteresting and the spelling very bad. However, if allowed to ripen perfectly, the stories were fine reading and the spelling grammar excellent. Files freely gave his books to all who wanted them, but the people of Ugebu care little for books, and so we had to read most of them themselves before they spoiled, for as you probably know, as soon as the books were read, the words disappeared and the leaves withered and faded, which is the worst fault of all books which grow on trees. Captain Anne spoke to this young man, Files, who was both intelligent and ambitious. He said he thought it would be great fun to conquer the world, but he called her attention to the fact that he was far superior to the other men of the army. Therefore, he would not be one of her generals or colonels or majors or captains, but claim the honor of being sole private and did not like this idea at all. I hate to have a private soldier in my army. She said, they're so common. I'm told that Princess Osmo once had a private, but she made him her captain general, which is good evidence that the private was unnecessary. Osmo's army doesn't fight, returned Files, but your army must fight like fury in order to conquer the world. I have read in my books that there's always a private soldier through the fighting, for no officer is ever brave enough to face the foe. Also, it stands to reason that your officers must have someone to command and to issue their orders to. Therefore, I'll be the one. I long to slash and slay the enemy and become a hero. Then we return to Urgubu and I'll take all the marbles away from the children and melt them up and make a marble statue of myself for all to look upon and admire. And he was much pleased with private Files. He seemed indeed to be such a warrior as she needed in her enterprise, and in her hope of success took a sudden van when Files told her he knew where a gun tree grew and would go there at once and pick the ripest and biggest musket, End of Chapter 1 Recording by Ryan T. Somewhere in North Carolina on the 11th of February, 2007. Three days later, the Grand Army of Urgubu assembled in the square in front of the royal palace. The sixteen officers were attired in gorgeous uniforms and carried sharp glittering swords. The private had picked his gun and although it was not a very big weapon, Files tried to look fierce and succeeded so well that all his commanding officers were secretly afraid of him. The women were there, protesting that Queen Anne Soforth had no right to take their husbands and fathers from them, but Anne commanded them to keep silent and that was the hardest order to obey they had ever received. The Queen appeared before her army, dressed in an imposing uniform of green, covered with gold braid. She wore a green soldier cap with a purple plume in it and looked so royal and dignified that everyone in Urgubu, except the army, was glad she was going. The army was sorry she was not going alone. Form ranks, she cried out in her shrill voice. Sally leaned out of the palace window and laughed. I believe your army can run better than it can fight. She observed. Of course, replied General Bunn proudly, we're not looking for trouble, you know, but for plunder, the more plunder and the less fighting we get, the better we shall like our work. For my part, said Files, I prefer war and carnage to anything. The only way to become a hero is to conquer and the storybooks all say that the easiest way to conquer is to fight. That's the idea, my brave man, agreed Anne. To fight is to conquer and to conquer is to secure plunder and to secure plunder is to become a hero. With such noble determination to back me, the world is mine. Goodbye, Sally. When we return, we shall be rich and famous. Come, Generals, let us march. At this, the Generals straightened up and threw out their chests. Then they swung their glittering swords in rapid circles and cried to the colonels, forward march! Then the colonel shouted to the Majors, forward march! And the Majors yelled to the Captains, forward march! And the Captains screamed to the Private, forward march! So Files shouldered his gun and began to march, and all the officers followed after him. Queen Anne came last of all, rejoicing in her noble army and wondering why she had not decided long ago to conquer the world. In this order, the procession marched out of Ugubu and took the narrow mountain pass which led into the lovely Fairyland of Oz. End of Chapter 2 Recording by Scott Sherris, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Chapter 3 TikTok of Oz This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. TikTok of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 3 Magic Mystifies the Marchers Princess Osmar was all unaware that the army of Ugubu led by their ambitious Queen was determined to conquer her kingdom. The beautiful girl ruler of Oz was busy with the welfare of her subjects and had no time to think of Anne Soforth and her disloyal plans. But there was who constantly guarded the peace and happiness of Land of Oz and this was the official sorceress of the kingdom, Glinda the Good. In her magnificent castle which stands far north of the Emerald City where Osmar holds her court Glinda owns a wonderful magic record book in which is printed every event that takes place anywhere just as soon as it happens. The smallest things and the biggest things are all recorded in this book. If a child stands at its foot in anger Glinda reads about it. If a city burns down Glinda finds the fact noted in her book. The sorceress always reads her record book every day and so it was she knew that Anne Soforth of Ugebu had foolishly assembled an army of sixteen officers and one private soldier with which she intended to invade and conquer the Land of Oz. There was no danger but that Osmar supported by the magic arts of Glinda the Good and the powerful Wizard of Oz both her firm friends could easily defeat the Nans but it would be a shame to have the peace of Oz interrupted by any sort of quarrelling or fighting. So Glinda did not even mention the matter to Osmar or to anyone else. She merely went into a great chamber of her castle known as the Magic Room where she performed a magical ceremony which caused the mountain pass that led from Ugebu to make several turns and twists. The result was that when Anne and her army came to the end of the pass they were not in the Land of Oz at all but in an adjoining territory that was quite distinct from Osmar's domain and separated from Oz by an invisible barrier. As the Ugebu people emerged into this country the pass they had traversed disappeared behind them and it was not likely they would ever find their way back into the valley of Ugebu. They were greatly puzzled indeed by their surroundings and did not know which way to go. None of them had ever visited Oz so it took them some time to discover they were not in Oz at all in an unknown country. Never mind said Anne trying to conceal her disappointment we have started out to conquer the world and here is part of it in time as we pursue our victorious journey we will doubtless come to Oz but until we get there we may as well conquer whatever land we find ourselves in have we conquered this place your majesty anxiously inquired major cake most certainly said Anne we have met no people as yet but when we do we will inform them that they are our slaves and afterward we will plunder them of all their possessions at a general apple they may not possess anything private files but I hope they will fight us just the same a peaceful conquest wouldn't be any fun at all don't worry said the queen we can fight whether our foes do or not and perhaps we would find it more comfortable to have the enemy surrender promptly it was a barren country and not very pleasant to travel in moreover there was little for them to eat and as the officers became hungry they became fretful many would have deserted had they been able to find their way home but as the Ugebu people were now hopelessly lost in a strange country they considered it more safe to keep together than to separate Queen Anne's temper never very agreeable she became sharp and irritable as she and her army tramped over the rocky roads without encountering either people or plunder she scolded her officers until they became surly and a few of them were disloyal enough to ask her to hold her tongue others began to reproach her for leading them into difficulties and in the space of three unhappy days every man was mourning for his orchard in the pretty valley of Ugebu files however proved a different sort the more difficulties he encountered the more cheerful he became and the signs of the officers were answered by the merry whistle of the private his pleasant disposition did much to encourage Queen Anne and before long she consulted the private soldier more often than she did his superiors it was on the third day of their pilgrimage that they encountered their first adventure toward evening the sky was suddenly darkened and major nails exclaimed a fog is coming toward us I do not think it is a fog replied files looking with interest approaching cloud it seems to me more like the breath of a rack what is a rack asked Anne looking about fearfully a terrible beast with a horrible appetite answered the soldier growing a little paler than usual I have never seen a rack to be sure but I have read of them in the story books that grew in my orchard and if this is indeed one of those fearful monsters we are not likely to conquer the world hearing this the officers became quite worried and gathered closer about their soldier what is the thing like asked one the only picture of a rack that I ever saw in a book was rather blurred said files because the book was not quite right when it was picked the soldier can fly in the air and run like a deer and swim like a fish inside its body is a glowing furnace of fire and the rack breathes in air and breathes out smoke which darkens the sky for miles around wherever it goes it is bigger than a hundred men and feeds on any living thing the officers now began to groan and to tremble but files tried to cheer them saying it may not be a rack after all that we see approaching us and you must not forget that we people of Ugabu which is part of the fairy land of Oz cannot be killed nevertheless said captain Buttons if the rack catches us and chews us up into small pieces what will happen then then each small piece will still be alive declared files I cannot see how that would help us well Colonel Banjo a hamburger steak is a hamburger steak whether it is alive or not I tell you this may not be a rack persisted files we will know when the cloud gets nearer whether it is of a rack or not if it has no smell at all it is probably a fog but if it has an odor of salt and pepper it is a rack and we must prepare for a desperate fight they all eyed the dark cloud fearfully before long it reached the frightened group and began to envelope them every nose sniffed the cloud and everyone detected the odor of salt and pepper the rack shouted private files and with a howl of despair the sixteen officers fell to the ground writhing and moaning in anguish Queen Anne sat down upon a rock and faced the cloud more bravely although her heart was beating fast as the files he calmly loaded his gun and stood ready to fight the foe as a soldier should they were now in absolute darkness for the cloud which covered the sky and the setting sun was black as ink then through the gloom appeared two round glowing balls of red and files of once decided these must be the monsters eyes he raised his gun took aim and fired there were several bullets in the gun all gathered from an excellent bullet tree in ugibu and they were big and hard they flew toward the monster and struck it and with a howl we'd cry the rack came fluttering down and its huge body fell plump upon the forms of the sixteen officers who there upon screamed louder than before me moan the rack see what you've done with that dangerous gun of yours I can't see replied files for the cloud formed by your breath darkens my sight don't tell me it was an accident continued the rack reproachfully as it still flapped its wings in a helpless manner don't claim you didn't know the gun was loaded I don't intend to replied files did the bullets hurt you very badly one has broken my jaw so that I can't open my mouth you will notice that my voice sounds rather harsh and husky because I have to talk with my teeth set close together another bullet broke my left wing so that I can't fly and still another broke my right leg so that I can't walk it was the most killer shot I ever heard of can't you manage to lift your body off from my commanding officers inquired files from their cries I'm afraid your great weight is crushing them I hope it is grailed the rack I want to crush them if possible for I have a bad position if only I could open my mouth I'd eat all of you although my appetite is poorly this warm weather with this the rack began to roll its immense body sideways so as to crush the officers more easily but in doing this it rolled completely off from them and the entire 16 scrambled to their feet and made off as fast as they could run private files could not see them go but he knew from the sound of their voices that they had escaped so he ceased to worry about them pardon me if I now bid you goodbye he said to the rack the parting is caused by our desire to continue our journey if you die do not blame me for I was obliged to shoot you as a matter of self protection I shall not die answered the monster for I bear a charmed life but I beg you not to leave me why not ask files because my broken door will heal in about an hour and then I shall be able to eat you my wing will heal in a day and my leg will heal in a week when I shall be as well as ever having shot me and so caused me all this annoyance it is only fair and just that you remain here and allow me to eat you as soon as I can open my doors I beg to differ with you return the soldier firmly I have made an engagement with Queen Anne of Oogaboo to help her conquer the world and I cannot break my word for the sake of being eaten by a wreck oh that's different said the monster if you've an engagement don't let me detain you so files felt around in the dark and grasped the hand of the trembling queen whom he led away from the flapping sign wreck they stumbled over the stones for a way and finally began to see dimly the path ahead of them as soon as they got farther and farther away from the dreadful spot where the wounded monster lay by and by they reached a little hill and could see the last rays of the sun flooding a pretty valley beyond for now they had passed beyond the cloudy breath of the wreck here were huddled the sixteen officers all frightened and panting from their run they had halted only because it was impossible for them to run any farther Queen Anne gave them a severe scolding for their cowardness at the same time praising files for his courage we are wiser than he however muttered general clock for by running away we are now able to assist in conquering the world whereas had files been eaten by the wreck he would have deserted your army after a brief rest they descended into the valley and as soon as they were out of sight of the wreck the spirits of the entire party rose quickly just at dusk they came to a brook on the banks of which Queen Anne commanded them to make camp for the night each officer carried in his pocket a tiny white tent this when placed upon the ground quickly grew in size until it was large enough to permit the owner to enter it and sleep within its canvas walls files was obliged to carry a knapsack in which was not only his own tent but an elaborate pavilion for Queen Anne besides a bed and chair and a magic table this table when set upon the ground in Anne's pavilion became of large size and in a drawer at the table was contained the Queen's supply of extra clothing her manicure and toilet articles and other necessary things the royal bed was the only one in the camp the officers and private sleeping in hammocks attached to their tent poles there was also in the knapsack a flag bearing the royal emblem of Ugebu and this flag files flew upon its staff every night to show that the country they were in had been conquered by the Queen of Ugebu so far and but themselves had seen the flag but Anne was pleased to see it flutter in the breeze and considered herself already a famous conqueror End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Tiktok of Oz This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Tiktok of Oz by Al Frank Borm Chapter 4 Betsy Braves The Billows The waves dashed and the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled and the ship struck a rock Betsy Bobbin was running across the deck and the shock sent her flying through the air until she fell with a splash into the dark blue water the same shock caught Hank a thin little sad face mule and tumbled him also into the sea far from the ship side when Betsy came up gasping for breath because the wet plunge had surprised her she reached out in the dark and grabbed a bunch of hair at first she thought it was the end of a rope but presently she heard a dismal heel and knew she was holding fast to the end of Hank's tail suddenly the sea was lighted up by a vivid glare the ship now in the far distance caught fire blew up and sunk beneath the waves Betsy shutted at the site but just then her eye caught a massive wreckage floating near her and she let go the mule's tail and seized the rude raft pulling herself up so that she rode upon it in safety Hank also saw the raft and swum to it that he was so clumsy he never would have been able to climb upon it had not Betsy helped him to get aboard they had to crowd close together for their support was only a hatch cover torn from the ship's deck but it floated them fairly well and both the girl and the mule knew it would keep them from drowning the storm was not over by any means when the ship went down blinding bolts of lightning shot from cloud to cloud and the climber of deep thunderclaps echoed far over the sea the waves tossed the little raft here and there as a child tosses a rubber ball and Betsy had a solemn feeling that for hundreds of watery miles in every direction there was no living thing besides herself and the small donkey perhaps Hank had the same thought for he gently rubbed his nose against the frightened girl and said heal in his softest voice as if to comfort her you'll protect me Hank dear won't you she cried helplessly and the mule said heal again in tones that meant a promise on board the ship during the days that preceded the wreck when the sea was calm Betsy and Hank had become good friends so while the girl might have preferred a more powerful protector in this dreadful emergency she felt that the mule would do all in a mule's power to guard her safety all night they floated and when the storm had worn itself out and passed away with a few distant growls and the waves had grown smaller to ride Betsy stretched herself out on the wet raft and fell asleep Hank did not sleep a wink perhaps he felt it is his duty to guard Betsy anyhow he crouched on the raft beside the tired sleeping girl and watched patiently until the first light of dawn swept over the sea the light wakened Betsy bobbin she sat up rubbed her eyes and stared across the water oh Hank there's land ahead she exclaimed he or answered Hank in his plaintive voice the raft was floating swiftly toward a very beautiful country and as they drew near Betsy could see banks of lovely flowers and trees but no people were to be seen at all End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Tiktok of Oz This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recorded by Julian Jamison Tiktok of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 5 The Roses Repulse the Refugees Gently the raft grated on the sandy beach then Betsy easily waited ashore the mule following closely behind her the sun was now shining and the air was warm and laden with the fragrance of roses I'd like some breakfast Hank feeling more cheerful but we can't eat the flowers although they do smell mighty good He ha ha ha replied Hank and trotted up a little pathway to the top of the bank Betsy followed and from the eminence looked around her a little way off stood a splendid big green house its thousands of crystal panes glittering in the sunlight There ought to be people somewhere around observed Betsy thoughtfully gardeners or somebody Let's go and see Hank I'm getting hungrier every minute So they walked toward the great green house and came to its entrance without meeting with anyone at all A door stood ajar so Hank went in first thinking if there was any danger he could back out and warn his companion But Betsy was close at his heels and the moment she entered was lost in amazement at the wonderful sight she saw The green house was filled with magnificent rose bushes all growing in big pots On the central stem of each bush bloomed a splendid rose gorgeously colored and deliciously fragrant and in the center of each rose was the face of a lovely girl As Betsy and Hank entered the heads of the roses were drooping and their eyelids were closed and slumber But the mule was so amazed that he uttered a loud He ha ha and at the sound of his harsh voice the rose leaves fluttered The roses raised their heads and a hundred startled eyes were instantly fixed upon the intruders I beg your pardon stammered Betsy blushing and confused Oh! cried the roses in a sort of sighing chorus and one of them added What a horrid noise! Why, that was only Hank, said Betsy and as if to prove the truth of her words the mule uttered another loud He ha ha At this all the roses turned on their stems as far as they were able and trembled as if someone were shaking their bushes A dainty moss rose gasped Dear me, how dreadfully dreadful It isn't dreadful at all, said Betsy somewhat indignant When you get used to Hank's voice it will put you to sleep The roses now looked at the mule less fearfully and one of them asked Is that savage beast named Hank? Yes, Hank's my comrade Faithful and true, answered the girl twining her arms around the little mule's neck and hugging him tight Aren't you Hank? Hank could only say and reply He ha and at his bray the roses shivered again Please go away, begged one Can't you see you're frightening us out of a week's growth? Go away, echoed Betsy Why, we've no place to go We've just been wrecked Wrecked, asked the roses in a surprised chorus Yes, we were on a big ship and the storm came and wrecked it explained the girl But Hank and I caught hold of a raft and floated ashore to this place and we're tired and hungry What country is this, please? This is the rose kingdom replied the moss rose haughtily and it is devoted to the culture of the rarest and fairest roses grown I believe it, said Betsy admiring the pretty blossoms But only roses are allowed here continued a delicate tea-rose bending her brows in a frown Therefore you must go away before the royal gardener finds you and casts you back into the sea Oh, is there a royal gardener then? inquired Betsy To be sure And is he a rose also? Of course not, he's a man A wonderful man, was the reply Well, I'm not afraid of a man declared the girl much relieved and even as she spoke the royal gardener popped into the greenhouse a spading fork in one hand and a watering pot in the other He was a funny little man dressed in a rose-colored costume with ribbons at his knees and elbows and a bunch of ribbons in his hair His eyes were small and twinkling His nose sharp and his face puckered and deeply lined Oh-ho! he exclaimed astonished to find strangers in his greenhouse and when Hank gave a loud bray the gardener threw the watering pot over the mule's head and danced around with his fork in such agitation that presently he fell over the handle of the implement and sprawled at full length upon the ground Betsy laughed and pulled the watering pot off from Hank's head The little mule was angry at the treatment he had received and back toward the gardener Look out for his heels called Betsy warningly and the gardener scrambled to his feet and hastily hid behind the roses You are breaking the law, he shouted sticking out his head to glare at the girl and the mule What law? asked Betsy The law of the rose kingdom No strangers are allowed in these domains Not when they're shipwrecked she inquired The law doesn't accept shipwrecks replied the royal gardener and he was about to say more when suddenly there was a crash of glass and a man came tumbling through the roof of the greenhouse and fell plump to the ground End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Tic Tac of Oz This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Scott Sherris Tic Tac of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 6 Shaggy seeks his stray brother This sudden arrival was a queer looking man dressed all in garments so shaggy that Betsy at first thought he must be some animal but the stranger ended his fall in a sitting position and then the girl saw it was really a man He held an apple in his hand which he had evidently been eating when he fell and so little was he jarred or flustered by the accident that he continued to munch this apple as he calmly looked around him Good gracious, exclaimed Betsy approaching him, who are you and where did you come from? Me, oh I'm shaggy man said he taking another bite of the apple just dropped in for a short call excuse my seeming haste Why, I suppose you couldn't help the haste said Betsy No, I climbed an apple tree outside branch gave way and here I am as he spoke the shaggy man finished his apple gave the core to Hank, who ate it greedily and then stood up to bow politely to Betsy and the roses the royal gardener had been frightened nearly into fits by the crash of glass in the fall of the shaggy stranger into the bower of roses but now he peeped out from behind a bush and cried in his squeaky voice You're breaking the law, you're breaking the law Shaggy stared at him solemnly Is glass the law in this country? He asked Breaking the glass is breaking the law squeaked the gardener angrily also to intrude in any part of the rose kingdom is breaking the law How do you know? asked shaggy Why, it's printed in a book said the gardener coming forward and taking a small book from his pocket Page 13, here it is If any stranger enters the rose kingdom he shall at once be condemned by the ruler and put to death Betsy, strangers, he continued triumphantly It's death for you and your time has come but just here Hank interposed he had been stealthily backing toward the royal gardener whom he disliked and now the mules heels shot out and struck the little man in the middle he doubled up like the letter you and flew out the door so swiftly, never touching the ground that he was gone before Betsy had time to wink but the mules attack frightened the girl Come, she whispered approaching the shaggy man and taking his hand let's go somewhere else they'll surely kill us if we stay here Don't worry my dear replied shaggy patting the child's head I'm not afraid of anything so long as I have the love magnet The love magnet? Why, what is that? asked Betsy It's charming little enchantment that wins the heart of everyone who looks upon it was the reply and it used to hang over the gateway to the Emerald City in the land of Oz but when I started on this journey our beloved ruler, Osma of Oz allowed me to take it with me Oh cried Betsy staring hard at him Are you really from the wonderful land of Oz? Yes Ever been there my dear? No, but I've heard about it and do you know Princess Osma? Very well indeed And Princess Dorothy? An old chum of mine declared shaggy Dear me! exclaimed Betsy and why did you ever leave such a beautiful land as Oz? On an errand said shaggy looking sad and solemn I'm trying to find my dear little brother Oh is he lost? questioned Betsy feeling very sorry for the poor man Been lost these ten years replied shaggy taking out a handkerchief and wiping a tear from his eye I didn't know it until lately when I saw it recorded in the magic record book of the sorceress Glinda in the land of Oz So now I'm trying to find him Where was he lost? asked the girl sympathetically Back in Colorado where I used to live before I went to Oz Brother was a miner and dug gold out of a mine One day he went into his mine and never came out They searched for him but he was not there disappeared entirely What do you suppose became of him? She asked There is only one explanation replied shaggy taking another apple from his pocket and eating it to relieve his misery The gnome king probably got him The gnome king Who is he? Why, he's sometimes called the metal monarch and his name is Ruggedo who lives in some underground cavern claims to own all the metals hidden in the earth Don't ask me why Why? But this Ruggedo gets wild with anger if anyone digs gold out of the earth and my private opinion is that he captured brother and carried him to his underground kingdom No, don't ask me why I see you're dying to ask me why but I don't know But, dear me, in that case you will never find your lost brother exclaimed the girl Maybe not, but it's my duty to try answered shaggy I've wandered so far without finding him he only proves he's not where I've been looking What I seek now is the hidden passage to the underground cavern of the terrible metal monarch Well, said Betsy doubtfully it strikes me that if he ever managed to get there, the metal monarch will make you too his prisoner Nonsense, answered shaggy carelessly, you mustn't forget the love magnet What about it? she asked When the fierce metal monarch sees the love magnet, he will love me dearly Do anything I ask It must be wonderful, said Betsy with awe It is, the man assured her Shall I show it to you? Oh, do, she cried So shaggy searched in his shaggy pocket and drew out a small silver magnet shaped like a horseshoe The moment Betsy saw it she began to like the shaggy man better than before Hank also saw the magnet and crept up to shaggy to rub his head lovingly against the man's knee But they were interrupted by the royal gardener who stuck his head in the greenhouse and shouted angrily You are all condemned to death Your only chance to escape is to leave here instantly This startled little Betsy but the shaggy man merely waved the magnet towards the gardener who, seeing it rushed forward and threw himself at shaggy's feet murmuring in honeyed words Oh, you lovely, lovely man how fond I am of you Every shaggy and bobtail that decorates you is dear to me All I have is yours but for goodness sake get out of here before you die the death I'm not going to die declared shaggy man You must, it's the law exclaimed the gardener beginning to weep real tears It breaks my heart to tell you this bad news but the law says that all strangers must be condemned by the ruler to die the death No ruler has condemned us yet said Betsy Of course not, added shaggy I haven't even seen the ruler of the rose kingdom Well, to tell the truth said the gardener in a perplexed tone of voice We haven't any real ruler just now You see, all our rulers grow on the bushes in the royal gardens and the last one we had got mildewed and withered before his time so we had to plant him and at this time there is no one growing on the royal bushes who is ripe enough to pick How do you know? asked Betsy Why, I'm the royal gardener I admit that all the authorities are growing but just now they are all green until one ripens I'm supposed to rule the rose kingdom myself and see that its laws are obeyed therefore much as I love you shaggy I must put you to death Wait a minute pleaded Betsy I'd like to see these royal gardens before I die So would I added shaggy man Take us there gardener Oh I can't do that objected the gardener but shaggy again showed him the love magnet and after one glance at it the gardener could no longer resist he led shaggy Betsy and Hank to the end of the great greenhouse and carefully unlocked a small door passing through this they came into the splendid royal garden of the rose kingdom it was all surrounded by a tall hedge and within the enclosure grew several enormous rose bushes having thick green leaves of the texture of velvet upon these bushes grew the members of the royal family of the rose kingdom men women and children in all stages of maturity they all seem to have a light green hue as if unripe or not fully developed their flesh and clothing being a light green they stood perfectly lifeless upon their branches which swayed softly in the breeze and their wide open eyes stared straight ahead unseeing and unintelligent while examining these curious growing people Betsy passed behind a big central bush and at once uttered an exclamation of surprise and pleasure for there blooming in perfect color and shape stood a royal princess whose beauty was amazing why she's ripe cried Betsy pushing aside some of the broad leaves to observe her more clearly well perhaps so admitted the gardener who had come to the girl side but she's a girl and so we can't use her for a ruler no we did came a chorus of soft voices and looking around Betsy discovered that all the roses had followed them from a greenhouse and were now grouped before the entrance you see explained the gardener the subjects of the rose kingdom don't want a girl ruler they want a king a king we want a king repeated the chorus of roses isn't she royal inquired shaggy admiring the lovely princess of course for she grows on a royal bush this princess is named Asga as she is a distant cousin of Asma of Oz and where she but a man we would joyfully hail her as our ruler the gardener then turned away to talk with his roses and Betsy whispered to her companion let's pick her shaggy alright said he if she's royal she is the right to rule this kingdom and if we pick her she will surely protect us and prevent our being hurt or driven away so Betsy and shaggy each took an arm of the beautiful rose princess and a little twist of her feet set her free of the branch upon which she grew very gracefully she stepped down from the bush to the ground where she bowed low to Betsy and shaggy and said in a delightfully sweet voice I thank you but at the sound of these words the gardener and the roses turned and discovered that the princess had been picked and was now alive for every face flashed an expression of resentment and anger and one of the roses cried aloud audacious mortals what have you done picked a princess for you that's all replied Betsy cheerfully but we won't have her we want a king exclaimed the Jacques Rose and another added with a voice of scorn no girls had ruled over us the newly picked princess looked from one to another of her rebellious subjects in astonishment a grieved look came over her exquisite features have I now welcome here pretty subjects she asked gently have I not come from my royal bush to be a ruler you are picked by mortals without our consent replied the moss rose coldly so we refuse to allow you to rule us turn her out gardener with the others cried the tea rose just a second please called shaggy taking the love magnet from his pocket I guess this will win their love princess here take it in your hand and let the roses see it Princess Asuka took the magnet and held it poised before the eyes of her subjects but the roses regarded it with calm disdain why what's the matter demanded shaggy in surprise the magnet never failed to work before I know said Betsy nodding her head wisely these roses have no hearts you see it agreed the gardener they're pretty and sweet and alive but still there are roses their stems have thorns but no hearts the princess sighed and handed the magnet to the shaggy man what shall I do she asked sorrowfully turn her out gardener with the others commanded the roses we will have no ruler until a man rose a king is ripe enough to pick very well said the gardener meekly excuse me my dear shaggy for opposing your wishes but you and the others including Asuka must get out of the rose kingdom immediately if not before don't you love me guardie asked shaggy carelessly displaying the magnet I do I don't on thee answered the gardener earnestly but no true man will neglect his duty for the sake of love my duty is to drive you out so out you go with this he seized the garden fork and then jabbing it at the strangers in order to force them to leave Hank the mule was not afraid of the fork and when he got his heels near to the gardener the man fell back to avoid a kick but now the roses crowded around the outcasts and it was soon discovered that beneath their draperies of green leaves were many sharp thorns which were more dangerous than Hank's heels neither Betsy nor Asuka nor Shaggy nor the mule cared to brave those thorns and when they pressed away from them they were slowly driven through the garden door into the greenhouse from there they were forced out at the entrance and so through the territory of the flower-strewn rose kingdom which was not a very great extent the rose princess was sobbing bitterly Betsy was indignant and angry Hank uttered defiant hee-haws and the Shaggy man whistled softly to himself the boundary of the rose kingdom was a deep gulf but there was a drawbridge in one place and this the royal gardener let down until the outcasts had passed over it then he drew it up again and returned with his roses to the greenhouse leaving the four queerly assorted comrades to wander into the bleak and unknown country that lay beyond I don't mind much remarked Shaggy as he led the way over the stony barren ground I've got to search for my long-lost little brother anyhow so it won't matter where I go Hank and I will help you find your brother said Betsy in her most cheerful voice I'm so far away from home now that I don't suppose I'll ever find my way back and to tell you the truth it's more fun traveling around and having adventures than sticking at home don't you think so Hank? hee-haw said Hank and the Shaggy man thanked them both for my part said princess osga of rose land with a gentle sigh I must remain forever exiled for my kingdom so I too will be glad to help the Shaggy man find his lost brother that's very kind of you ma'am said Shaggy but unless I can find the underground cavern of ruggado the metal monarch I shall never find poor brother this king was formerly named roquat but after he drank the waters of oblivion he forgot his own name and had to take another doesn't anyone know where it is inquired Betsy someone must know of course with Shaggy's reply but we are not the ones the only way to succeed is for us to keep going until we find a person who can direct us to ruggado's cavern we may find it ourselves without any help suggested Betsy who knows no one knows that except the person who's writing this story said Shaggy but we won't find anything not even supper unless we travel on here's a path let's take it and see where it leads to End of Chapter 6 Recording by Scott Sherris Atlanta, Georgia, USA Chapter 7 of Tiktok of Oz This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Scott Sherris Tiktok of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 7 Polychromes Pitiful Plight The rain king got too much water in his basin and spilled some over the brim that made it rain in a certain part of the country a real hard shower for a time and sent the rainbow scampering to the place to show the gorgeous colors of his glorious bow as soon as the mist of the rain had passed and the sky was clear The coming of the rainbow was always a joyous event to earth folk yet few have ever seen it close by Usually the rainbow is so far distant that you can observe its splendid hues but dimly and that is why we seldom catch sight of the dancing daughters of the rainbow In the barren country where the rain had just fallen appeared to be no human beings at all but the rainbow appeared just the same and dancing gaily upon its arch with the rainbow's daughters led by the fairy-like Polychrome who was so dainty and beautiful that no girl has ever quite equalled her in loveliness Polychrome was in a merry mood and danced down the arch of the bow to the ground daring her sisters to follow her Laughing and gleeful they also touched the ground with their twinkling feet but all the daughters of the rainbow knew that this was a dangerous pastime so they quickly climbed upon their bow again All but Polychrome, though the sweetest and merriest of them all she was likewise the most reckless Moreover, it was an unusual sensation to pat the cold damp earth with her rosy toes Before she realized it the bow had lifted and disappeared in the billowy blue sky and here was Polychrome standing helpless upon a rock her gauzy draperies floating about her like brilliant cobwebs not a soul, fairy or mortal to help her regain her lost bow Dear me, she exclaimed a frown passing across her pretty face I'm caught again This is the second time my carelessness has left me on earth while my sisters return to our sky palaces The first time I enjoyed some pleasant adventures but this is a lonely forsaken country and I shall be very unhappy while my rainbow comes again and I can climb aboard Let me think what is best to be done She crouched low upon the flat rock drew her draperies about her and bowed her head It was in this position that Betsy Bobbin spied Polychrome as she came along the stony path followed by Hank, the princess and Shaggy At once, the girl ran up to the radiant daughter of the rainbow and exclaimed Oh, what a lovely lovely creature Polychrome raised her golden head There were tears in her blue eyes I'm the most miserable girl in the whole world She sobbed The others gathered around her Tell us your troubles, pretty one urged the princess I... I've lost my bow wailed Polychrome Take me, my dear said Shaggy Man in a sympathetic tone thinking she meant bow instead of bow I don't want you cried Polychrome stamping her foot imperiously I want my rainbow Oh, that's different said Shaggy But try to forget it When I was young I used to cry for the rainbow myself but I couldn't have it looks as if you couldn't have it either So please don't cry Polychrome looked at him reproachfully I don't like you she said No replied Shaggy drawing the love magnet from his pocket Not a little bit just a wee speck of a like Yes, yes said Polychrome clasping her hands in ecstasy as she gazed at the enchanted talisman I love you Shaggy Man Of course you do said he calmly But I don't take any credit for it It's the love magnet's powerful charm but you seem quite alone and friendless little rainbow Do you want to party until you find your father and sisters again? Where are you going? she asked We don't just know that said Betsy, taking her hand but we're trying to find Shaggy's long lost brother who's been captured by the terrible middle monarch Won't you come with us and help us? Polychrome looked from one to another of this queer party of travelers and a bewitching smile suddenly lighted her face a donkey a mortal maid a rose princess and a Shaggy Man she exclaimed Surely you need help if you intend to face Ruggedo Do you know him then? inquired Betsy No indeed Ruggedo's caverns are beneath the earth's surface where no rainbow can ever penetrate but I've heard of the metal monarch he is also called the gnome king you know and he has made trouble for a good many people mortals and fairies in his time said Polychrome Do you fear him then? asked the princess anxiously No one can harm a daughter of the rainbow said Polychrome proudly I'm a sky fairy Then, said Betsy quickly you'll be able to tell us the way to Ruggedo's cavern No returned Polychrome shaking her head that is one thing I cannot do but I will gladly go with you and help you search for the place This promise delighted all the wanderers and after the shaggy man had found the path again they began moving along it in a more happy mood the rainbow's daughter danced slightly over the rocky trail no longer sad but with her beautiful features wreathed in smiles Shaggy came next walking steadily and now and then supporting the rose princess who followed him Betsy and Hank brought up the rear and if she tired with walking the girl got upon Hank's back and let the stout little donkey carry her for a while at nightfall they came to some trees that grew beside a tiny brook and here they made camp and rested until morning then away they tramped finding berries and fruits here and there which satisfied the hunger of Betsy, Shaggy and Hank so that they were well content with their lot it's surprise Betty to see the rose princess partake of their food for she considered her a fairy but when she mentioned this to Polychrome the rainbow's daughter explained that when Asga was driven out of her rose kingdom she ceased to be a fairy and would never again be more than a mere mortal Polychrome however was a fairy wherever she happened to be and if she sipped a few dew drops by moonlight for refreshment no one ever saw her do it as they continued their wandering journey direction meant very little to them for they were hopelessly lost in this strange country Shaggy said it would be best to go toward the mountains as the natural entrance to Ruggedo's underground cavern to be hidden in some rocky deserted place but mountains seemed all around them except in the one direction that they had come from which led to the rose kingdom and the sea therefore it mattered little which way they traveled by and by they aspired a faint trail that looked like a path and after following this for some time they reached a crossroads here were many paths leading in various directions and there was a signpost so old that there were now no words upon the sign at one side was an old well with a chain windlass for drawing water yet there was no house or other building anywhere in sight while the party halted, puzzled which way to proceed the mule approached the well and tried to look into it he's thirsty, said Betsy it's a dry well remarked Shaggy probably there's been no water in it for many years but come, let us decide which way to travel no one seemed to be able to decide that they sat down in a group and tried to consider which road might be the best to take Hank, however, could not keep away from the well and finally he reared up on his hind legs got his head over the edge and uttered a loud HE HA Betsy watched her animal friend curiously I wonder if he sees anything down there she said at this Shaggy rose and went over to the well to investigate and Betsy went with him the princess and polychrome who had become fast friends linked arms and saw turned down one of the roads to find an easy path really? said Shaggy there does seem to be something at the bottom of this old well can't we pull it up and see what it is? asked the girl there was no bucket at the end of the windlass chain but there was a big hook that at one time was used to hold a bucket Shaggy let down this hook, dragged it around on the bottom and then pulled it up an old hoop skirt came with it and Betsy laughed and threw it away the thing frightened Hank who had never seen a hoop skirt before and he kept a good distance away from it several other objects the Shaggy man captured with the hook and drew up but none of these was important this well seems to have been the dump for all the old rubbish in this country he said letting down the hook once more I guess I've captured everything now the hook is caught again help me Betsy whatever this thing is it's heavy she ran up and helped and turned the windlass and after much effort a confused mass of copper came in sight good gracious exclaimed Shaggy here is a surprise indeed what is it? inquired Betsy clinging to the windlass and panting for breath for answer the Shaggy man grasped the bundle of copper and dumped it upon the ground the well then he turned it over with his foot spread it out and to Betsy's astonishment the thing proved to be a copper man just as I thought said Shaggy looking hard at the object but unless there are two copper men in the world this is the most astonishing thing I ever came across at this moment the rainbows daughter and the rose princess approached them and Polychrom said what have you found Shaggy one? either an old friend or a stranger he replied oh here's a sign on his back cried Betsy who had knelt down to examine the man dear me how funny listen to this then she read the following words engraved upon the copper plates of the man's body Smith and Tinker's patent double action extra responsive thought creating perfect talking mechanical man fitted with our special clockwork attachment this speaks, acts and does everything but live isn't he wonderful? exclaimed the princess yes but here's more said Betsy reading from another engraved plate directions for using for thinking wind the clockwork man under his left arm marked number one for speaking wind the clockwork man under his right arm marked number two for walking and action wind clockwork man in the middle of his back marked number three note well this mechanism is guaranteed to work perfectly for a thousand years if he's guaranteed for a thousand years said Polychrom he ought to work yet of course replied Shaggy let's wind him up in order to do this they were obliged to set the copper man upon his feet in an upright position and this was no easy task he was inclined to topple over and had to be propped again and again the girls assisted Shaggy and at last Tiktok seemed to be balanced and stood alone upon his broad feet yes said Shaggy looking at the copper man carefully this must be indeed my old friend Tiktok whom I left ticking merrily in the land of Oz but how he came to this lonely place and got into that old well is surely a mystery if we wind him up perhaps he will tell us suggested Betsy here's the key hanging to a hook on his back what part of him shall I wind up first his thoughts of course said Polychrom for it requires thought to speak or move intelligently so Betsy wound him under his left arm and at once little flashes of light began to show in the top of his head which was proof that he had begun to think now then said Shaggy wind up his phonograph what's that she asked why his talking machine his thoughts may be interesting but they don't tell us anything so Betsy wound the copper man under his right arm and then from the interior of his copper body came in jerky tones the words mantney thanks hurrah cried Shaggy joyfully and he slapped tick-tock upon the back in such a hearty manner that the copper man lost his balance and tumbled to the ground in a heap but the clockwork that enabled him to speak had been wound up and he kept saying pick me up pick me up pick me up until they had again raised him and balanced him upon his feet when he added politely mantney thanks he won't be self-supporting until we wind up his action remarked Shaggy so Betsy wound it as tight as she could for the key turned rather hard and then tick-tock lifted his feet marched around in a circle and ended by stopping before the group and making them all a low bow how in the world did you happen to be in that well when I left you safe and oz inquired Shaggy it is a long story replied tick-tock but I'll tell it in a few words after you had gone in search of your brother Osma saw you wandering in the strange lands whenever she looked in her magic picture and she also saw your brother in the gnome king's cavern so she sent me to tell you where to find your brother and told me to help you if I could thus sourced her as Glinda the good transported me to this place in the wink of an eye but here I met the gnome king himself Ragiddu who has called in these parts the metal monarch Ragiddu knew what I had come for and he was so angry that he threw me down the well after my works ran down I was helpless until you came along and pulled me out again meant neat thanks that is indeed good news said Shaggy I suspected that my brother was the prisoner of Ragiddu but now I know it tell us tick-tock how shall we get to the gnome king's underground cavern the best way is to walk said tick-tock we might crawl or jump or roll over and over until we get there but the best way is to walk I know but which road shall we take my machine early isn't made to tell that replied tick-tock there is more than one entrance to the underground cavern said Polychrome but old Ragiddu has cleverly concealed every opening so that earth dwellers cannot intrude in his domain if we find our way underground at all it will be by chance then said Betsy let us select any road haphazard and see where it leads us that seems sensible declared the princess it may require a lot of time for us to find Ragiddu but we have more time than anything else if you keep me wound up said tick-tock I will last a thousand years then the only question to decide is which way to go added Chaggy looking first at one road and then at another but while they stood hesitating a peculiar sound reached their ears a sound like the tramping of many feet what's coming cried Betsy and then she ran to the left hand road following the path why its an army she exclaimed what shall we do hide or run stand still commanded Chaggy I'm not afraid of an army if they prove to be friendly they can help us if they are enemies I'll show them the love magnet End of Chapter 7 Recording by Scott Sherris Atlanta, Georgia, USA Chapter 8 of Tick Tock of Oz All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Scott Sherris Tick Tock of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 8 Tick Tock tackles a tough task while Chaggy and his companions stood huddled in a group at one side the army of Uggaboo was approaching along the pathway the tramp of their feet being now and then accompanied by a dismal groan as one of the officers stepped on a sharp stone or knocked his funny bone against his neighbor's sword handle then out from among the trees marked private files bearing the banner of Uggaboo which fluttered from a long pole this pole he stuck in the ground just in front of the well and then he cried in a loud voice I hereby conquer this territory in the name of Queen Anso 4th of Uggaboo and all of the inhabitants of the land I proclaim her slaves some of the officers now stuck their heads out of bushes and asked is the coast clear private files? there is no cost here but the reply but all is well I hope there is water in it said General Cohn muster encouraged to advance to the well but just then he caught a glimpse of Tick Tock and Chaggy and at once fell upon his knees trembling and frightened and cried out mercy kind enemies spare us and we will be your slaves forever the other officers who had now advanced into the clearing likewise fell upon their knees and begged for mercy vials turned around and seeing the strangers for the first time examined them with much curiosity then discovering that three of the party were girls he lifted his cap and made a polite bow what's all this? demanded a harsh voice as Queen Anne reached the place and beheld her kneeling army permit us to introduce ourselves replied Chaggy stepping forward this is Tick Tock the clockwork man who works better than some meat people and here is Princess Osga of Roseland just now unfortunately exiled from her kingdom of roses I next present Polychrome a sky fairy who lost her bow by an accident and can't find her way home the small girl here is Betsy Bobbin some unknown earthly paradise called Oklahoma and with her you see Mr. Hank a mule with a long tail and a short temper paw said Anne scornfully a pretty lot of vagabonds you are indeed all lost or strayed I suppose and not worth a queen's plundering I'm sorry I've conquered you but you haven't conquered us yet called Betsy indignantly no agreed files that is a fact but if my officers will kindly command me to conquer you I will do so at once after which we can stop arguing and converse more at our ease the officers had by this time risen from their knees and brushed the dust from their trousers to them the enemy did not look very fierce so the generals and colonels and majors and captains gained courage to face them and began strutting in their most haughty manner you must understand that I and the queen of ugabu and this is my invincible army we are busy conquering the world and since you seem to be part of the world and are obstructing our journey it is necessary for us to conquer you unworthy though you may be of such high honor that's alright replied Shaggy conquer us as often as you like we don't mind but we won't be anybody's slaves added Betsy positively we'll see about that retorted the queen angrily advance private files and bind the enemy hand and foot but private files looked at pretty Betsy and fascinating polychrome and the beautiful rose princess and shook his head it would be impolite and I won't do it he asserted you must cried Anne it is your duty to obey orders I haven't received any orders from my officers but the generals now shouted forward and bind the prisoners and the colonels and majors and captains repeated the command yelling it as loud as they could all this noise annoyed Hank who had been eyeing the army of ugabu with strong disfavor the mule now dashed forward and began backing upon the officers and kicking fierce and dangerous heels of them the attack was so sudden that the officers scattered like dust in a whirlwind dropping their swords as they ran and trying to seek refuge behind trees and bushes Betsy left joyously at the comical route of the noble army and polychrome danced with glee but Anne was furious at this ignoble defeat of her gallant forces by one small mule private files I command you to do your duty she cried again and then she herself ducked to escape the mule's heels for Hank made no distinction in favor of a lady who was an open enemy Betsy grabbed her champion by the forelock however and so held him fast and when the officers saw that the mule was restrained from further attacks they crept fearfully back and picked up their discarded swords private files sees and bind these prisoners screamed the queen no said files throwing down his gun and removing the knapsack which was strapped to his back I resigned my position as the army of ugabu I enlisted to fight the enemy if you want someone to bind harmless girls you would have to hire another private then he walked over to the others and shook hands with shaggy and tiktok treason shaked Anne and all the officers echoed her cry nonsense said files I have the right to resign if I want to indeed you haven't retorted the queen if you resign it will break up my army and then I cannot conquer the world she now turned to the officers and said I must ask you to do me a favor I know it is undignified in officers to fight but unless you immediately capture private files and force them to obey my orders there will be no plunder for any of us also it is likely you will all suffer the pangs of hunger and when we meet a powerful foe you are liable to be captured and made slaves the prospect of this awful fate so frightened the officers that they drew their swords and rushed upon files who stood beside shaggy in a truly ferocious manner the next instant however they halted and again fell upon their knees for there before them was the glistening love magnet held in the hand of the smiling shaggy man and the sight of this magic talisman at once won the heart of every ugubuite even Anne saw the love magnet and forgetting all enmity and anger threw herself upon shaggy and embraced him lovingly quite disconcerted by this unexpected effect of the magnet shaggy disengaged himself from the queens encircling arms and quickly hid the talisman in his pocket the adventurers from ugubu were now his firm friends and there was no more talk about conquering and binding any of his party if you insist on conquering anyone said shaggy you may march with me to the underground kingdom of ruggedo to conquer the world as you have set out to do you must conquer everyone under its surface as well as those upon its surface and no one in all the world needs conquering so much as ruggedo who is he asked Anne the metal monarch king of the gnomes is he rich inquired major stockings in an anxious voice of course answered shaggy he owns all the metal that lies underground gold silver copper brass and tin he has an idea he also owns all the metals above ground for he says all metal was once a part of his kingdom so by conquering the metal monarch you will win all the riches in the world ah exclaimed general apple heaving a deep sigh that would be plunder worth our while let's conquer him your majesty the queen looked reproachfully at files who was sitting next to the lovely princess and whispering in her ear alas said Anne I have no longer an army I have plenty of brave officers indeed no private soldier for them to command therefore I cannot conquer ruggedo and win all his wealth why don't you make one of your officers to private asked shaggy but at once every officer began to protest and the queen of ugabu shook her head as she replied that is impossible a private soldier must be a terrible fighter and my officers are unable to fight they are exceptionally brave and commanding others to fight but could not themselves meet the enemy and conquer very true your majesty said Colonel Plum eagerly there are many kinds of bravery and one cannot be expected to possess them all I myself am as brave as a lion in all ways until it comes to fighting but then my nature revolts fighting is unkind and liable to be injurious to others so being a gentleman I never fight nor I shouted each of the other officers you see said Anne how helpless I am the private files proved himself a traitor and a deserter I would gladly have conquered this ruggedo but an army without a private soldier is like a bee without a stinger I am not the traitor your majesty protested files I resigned in a proper manner not liking the job but there are plenty of people to take my place why not make shaggy men the private soldier he might be killed said Anne looking tenderly at shaggy or he is mortal why if anything happened to him it would break my heart it would hurt me worse than that declared shaggy you must admit your majesty that I am commander of this expedition for it is my brother we are seeking rather than plunder but I and my companions would like the assistance of your army and if you help us to conquer ruggedo and to rescue my brother from captivity we will allow you to keep all the gold and jewels and other plunder you may find this prospect was so tempting that the officers began whispering together and presently colonel cheese said your majesty by combining our brains we have just evolved the most brilliant idea we will make the clockwork man the private soldier who me asked tiktok not for a single second I cannot fight and you must not forget that it was ruggedo who threw me in the well at that time you had no gun said polychrome but if you join the army of ugubu you will carry the gun that mr. files used a soldier must be able to run as well as to fight protested tiktok and if my works run down as they often do I could neither run nor fight I'll keep you wound up tiktok promised Betsy why it isn't a bad idea said shaggy tiktok will make an ideal soldier for nothing can injure him except a sledgehammer and since a private soldier seems to be necessary to this army tiktok is the only one of our party fitted to undertake the job what must I do asked tiktok obey orders replied ann when the officers command you to do anything you must do it that is all and that's enough too said files do I get a salary inquired tiktok you can't your share of the plunder answered the queen yes remarked files one half of the plunder goes to queen ann the other half is divided among the officers and the private gets the rest that will be satisfactory said tiktok picking up the gun and examining it wonderingly for he had never before seen such a weapon then ann strapped the knapsack to tiktok's copper back and said now we are ready to march to ruggedos kingdom and conquer it officers give the command to march fall in yelled the generals drawing their swords fall in cried the colonels drawing their swords fall in shouted the majors drawing their swords fall in followed the captains drawing their swords tiktok looked at them and then around him in surprise fall in what the well he asked no said queen ann you must fall in marching order cannot I march without falling into it asked the clockwork man shoulder your gun and stand ready to march advised files so tiktok held the gun straight and stood still what next he asked the queen turned to shaggy which road leads to the middle monarch's cavern we don't know your majesty was the reply but this is absurd said ann with a frown if we can't get to ruggedo it is certain that we can't conquer him you were right admitted shaggy but I did not say we could not get to him we have only to discover the way and that was the matter we were considering when you and your magnificent army arrived here well then get busy and discover it snapped the queen that was no easy task they all stood looking from one road to another in perplexity the paths radiated from the little clearing like the rays of the midday sun and each path seemed like all the others files on the rose princess who had by this time become good friends advanced a little way along one of the roads and found that it was bordered by pretty wild flowers why don't you ask the flowers to tell you's away he said to his companion the flowers returned the princess surprised at the question of course said files the field flowers must be second cousins to the rose princess and I believe if you ask them they will tell you she looked more closely at the flowers there were hundreds of white daisies golden butter cups bluebells and daffodils growing by the roadside and each flower head was firmly set upon its slender but stout stem there were even a few wild roses scattered here and there and perhaps it was the sight of these that gave the princess courage to ask the important question she dropped to her knees facing the flowers and extended both her arms pleadingly towards them tell me pretty cousins she said in her sweet gentle voice which way will lead us to the kingdom of rugged day the gnome king at once all the stems bent gracefully to the right and the flower heads knotted once twice thrice in that direction that's it cried files joyfully now he knows away Asga rose to her feet and looked wanderingly at the field flowers which had now resumed their upright position was it the wind you think she asked in a low whisper No indeed replied files there is not the breath of wind stirring but these lovely blossoms are indeed your cousins and answered your question at once as I knew they would End of Chapter 8 Recording by Scott Sharis Atlanta, Georgia, USA Chapter 9 of Tiktok of Oz This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Scott Sharis Tiktok of Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 9 Ruggedo's rage is rash and reckless The way taken by the adventurers led uphill and down dale and wound here and there in a fashion that seemed aimless but always it drew nearer to a range of low mountains and files said more than once that he was certain the entrance to Ruggedo's cavern would be found among these rugged hills in this he was quite correct far underneath the nearest mountain was a gorgeous chamber hollowed from the solid rock the walls and roof of which glittered with thousands of magnificent jewels here on a throne of virgin gold sat the famous gnome king dressed in splendid robes and wearing a superb crown cut from a single blood red ruby Ruggedo the monarch of all the metals and precious stones of the underground world was a round little man with a flowing white beard a red face bright eyes and a scowl that covered all his forehead one would think to look at him that he ought to be jolly one might think considering his enormous wealth that he ought to be happy but this was not the case the metal monarch was surly encross because mortals had dug so much treasure out of the earth and kept it above ground where all the power of Ruggedo and his gnomes was unable to recover it he hated not only the mortals but also the fairies who live upon the earth or above it and instead of being content with the riches he still possessed he was unhappy because he did not own all the gold and jewels in the world Ruggedo had been nodding half asleep in his chair when suddenly he sat upright uttered a roar of rage and began pounding upon a huge gong that stood beside him the sound filled the vast cavern and penetrated to many caverns beyond where countless thousands of gnomes were working at their unending tasks hammering out gold and silver and other metals or melting ores in great furnaces or polishing glittering gems the gnomes trembled at the sound of the king's gong and whispered fearfully to one another that something unpleasant was sure to happen but none dared pause in his task the heavy curtains of cloth of gold were pushed aside and Calico, the king's high chamberlain entered the royal presence oh, what's up, Your Majesty? he asked with a wide yawn for he had just wakened UP, Lord Ruggedo, stamping his foot viciously those foolish mortals are up, that's what I may want to come down down here, inquired Calico yes, how do you know? continued the chamberlain, yawning again I feel it in my bones, said Ruggedo I can always feel it when those hateful earth-callers drawn near to my kingdom I am positive, Calico, that mortals are this very minute on their way here to annoy me and I hate mortals more than I do catnip tea well, what's to be done? demanded the gnome look through your spyglass and see where the invaders are commanded the king so Calico went to a tube in the wall of rock and put his eye to it the tube ran from the cavern up to the side of the mountain and turned several curves and corners but as it was a magic spyglass Calico was able to see through it just as easily as if it had been straight ho-hum, said he I see him, your majesty what do they look like? inquired the monarch that's a hard question to answer for a queer assortment of creatures I never yet be held replied the gnome however, such a collection of curiosities may prove dangerous there's a copper man worked by a machinery bah, that's only tiktok, said ruggedo I'm not afraid of him why, only the other day I met the fellow and threw him down a well then someone must have pulled him out again said Calico and there's a little girl, Dorothy asked ruggedo, jumping up in fear no, some other girl in fact there are several girls of various sizes but Dorothy is not with them, nor is Asma that's good exclaimed the king, sighing in relief Calico still had his eye to the spyglass I see, said he an army of men from ugabu they are all officers and carry swords and there is a shaggy man who seems very harmless and a little donkey with big ears poo, cried ruggedo snapping his fingers and scorn I have no fear of such a mob as that a dozen of my gnomes can destroy them all on a jiffy I'm not so sure of that said Calico that people of ugabu are hard to destroy and I believe the rose princess is a fairy as for polychrome you know very well that the rainbow's daughter cannot be injured by a gnome polychrome, is she among them? asked the king yes, I have just recognized her then these people are coming here on no peaceful errand declared ruggedo, scowling fiercely in fact, no one ever comes here on a peaceful errand I hate everyone and everyone hates me very true, said Calico I must in some way prevent these people from reaching my dominions where are they now? just now they are crossing the rubber country, your majesty good, are your magnetic rubber wires in working order? I think so, replied Calico is it your royal will that we have some fun with these invaders? it is, answered ruggedo I want to teach them a lesson they will never forget now, shaggy had no idea that he was in a rubber country nor had any of his companions they noticed that everything around them was of a dull grey color and that the path upon which they walked was soft and springy yet they had no suspicion that the rocks and trees were rubber and even the path they trod was made of rubber presently they came to a brook where sparkling water dashed through a deep channel and rushed away between high rocks far down the mountainside across the brook were stepping stones so placed that travelers might easily leap from one to another and in that manner crossed the water to the farther bank tiktok was marching ahead followed by his officers and queen Anne after them came Betsy, Bobbin and Hank Polychrome and Shaggy and last of all the rose princess with files the clockwork man saw the stream and the stepping stones and without making a pause placed his foot upon the first stone the result was astonishing first he sank down in a soft rubber which then rebounded and sent tiktok soaring high in the air where he turned a succession of flip flops and landed upon a rubber rock far in the rear of the party general apple did not see tiktok bound so quickly had he disappeared therefore he also stepped upon the stone which you will guess was connected with calico's magnetic rubber wire and instantly shot upward like an arrow general cone came next and met with a like fate but the others now noticed that something was wrong and with one accord they halted the column and looked back along the path there was tiktok still bounding from one rubber rock to another each time rising a less distance from the ground and there was general apple bounding away in another direction his three cornered hat jammed over his eyes and his long sword thumping him upon the arms and head as it swung this way and that and there also appeared general cone who had struck a rubber rock head foremost and was so crumpled up that his round body looked more like a bouncing ball in the form of a man betsy laughed merrily at the strange sight and polychrome echoed her laughter but osgoe was grave and wondering while queen ann became angry at seeing the chief officers of the army of ugabu bounding around in so undignified a manner she shouted to them to stop but they were unable to obey even though they would have been glad to do so finally however they all ceased bounding and managed to get upon their feet and rejoin the army why did you do that demanded ann who seemed greatly provoked don't ask them why said shaggy earnestly i knew you would ask them why but you ought not to do it the reason is plain those stones are rubber therefore they are not stones those rocks around us are rubber and therefore they are not rocks even this path is not a path it's rubber unless we are very careful your majesty we are all likely to get the bounce just as your poor officers in tiktok did then let's be careful remarked files who was full of wisdom but polychrome wanted to test the quality of the rubber so she began dancing every step sent her higher and higher into the air so that she resembled a big butterfly fluttering lightly presently she made a great bound and bounded way across the stream landing lightly and steadily on the other side there is no rubber over here she called to them suppose you all try to bound over the stream without touching the stepping stones ann and her officers were reluctant to undertake such a risky adventure but betsy at once grasped the value of the suggestion and began jumping up and down until she found herself bounding almost as high as polychrome had done then she suddenly leaned forward and the next bound took her easily across the brook where she alighted by the side of the rainbow's daughter come on hank called the girl and the donkey tried to obey he managed to bound pretty high but when he tried to bound across the stream he misjudged the distance and fell with a splash into the middle of the water he ha he wailed struggling toward the far bank betsy rushed forward to help him out but when the mule stood safely beside her she was amazed to find he was not wet at all it's dry water said polychrome dipping her hand into the stream and showing how the water fell from it and left it perfectly dry in that case, returned betsy they can all walk through the water she called to osga and shaggy to wade across assuring them the water was shallow and would not wet them at once they followed her advice avoiding the rubber stepping stones and made the crossing with ease this encouraged the entire party to wade through the dry water and in the next minutes all had assembled on the bank and renewed their journey along the path that led to the gnome king's dominions when kaliko again looked through his magic spyglass he exclaimed fanluck your majesty all the invaders have passed the rubber country and now are fast approaching the entrance to your caverns ruggedo raved and stormed at the news and this anger was so great that several times as he strode up and down his jeweled cavern with his hands which were so sensitive that the poor gnome howled with pain finally the king said there's no help for it we must drop these audacious invaders down the hollow tube kaliko gave a jump at this and looked at his master wonderingly if you do that your majesty he said you will make tititi huchu very angry never mind that retorted ruggedo tititi huchu lives on the other side of the world why care for his anger kaliko shuddered and uttered a little groan remember his terrible powers he pleaded and remember that he warned you the last time you slid people through the hollow tube that if you did it again he would take vengeance upon you the metal monarch walked up and down in silence thinking deeper of two dangers said he it is wise to choose the least what do you suppose these invaders want let the long-eared hearer listen to them suggested kaliko call him here at once commanded ruggedo eagerly so in a few minutes there entered the cavern a gnome with enormous ears who bowed low before the king strangers are approaching said ruggedo and i wish to know their errand listen carefully to their talk and tell me why they are coming here and what for the gnome bowed again and spread out his great ears swaying them gently up and down and back and forth he stood silent in an attitude of listening while both the king and kaliko grew impatient at the delay at last the long-eared hearer spoke shaggy man is coming here to rescue his brother from captivity said he ha the ugly one exclaimed ruggedo well shaggy man may have his ugly brother for all i care he's too lazy to work and is always getting in my way where is the ugly one now kaliko the last time your majesty stumbled over the prisoner you commanded me to send him to the metal forest which i did i suppose he is still there very good the invaders will have a hard time finding the metal forest said the king with a grin of malicious delight for half the time i can't find it myself yet i created the forest and made every tree out of gold and silver so as to keep the precious metals in a safe place and out of the reach of mortals but tell me hearer do the strangers want anything else yes indeed they do we turn the gnome the army of lugaboo is determined to capture all the rich metals and rare jewels in your kingdom and the officers and their queen have arranged to divide the spoils and carry them away when he heard this ruggedo uttered a bellow of rage and began dancing up and down rolling his eyes clicking his teeth together and swinging his arms furiously then in an ecstasy of anger he seized the long years of the hearer and pulled and twisted them truly but calico grabbed up the king's scepter and wrapped him over the knuckles with it so that ruggedo let go of the ears and began to chase his royal chamberlain around the throne the hearer took advantage of this opportunity to slip away from the cavern and escape and after the king had tired himself out chasing calico he threw himself into his throne and panted for breath while he glared wickedly at his defiant subject you'd better save your strength to fight the enemy suggested calico there will be a terrible battle when the army of ugabu gets here the army won't get here said the king still coughing and panting all drop him down the hollow tube every manjack and every girl jill of him and defying tititi huchu asked calico yes go once to my chief magician and order him to turn the path toward the hollow tube and to make the tip of the tube invisible so they'll all fall into it calico went away shaking his head for he thought rugiddo was making a great mistake he found the magician and had the path twisted so that it led directly to the opening of the hollow tube and this opening he made invisible having obeyed the orders of his master the royal chamberlain went to his private room and began to write letters of recommendation of himself stating that he was an honest man a good servant and a small eater pretty soon he said to himself you'll have to look for another job for it is certain that rugiddo has ruined himself by this reckless defiance of the mighty tititi huchu and in seeking a job nothing is so effective as a letter of recommendation end of chapter 9 recording by scott sharis atlanta georgia