ARecordofHerAdventureswithDorothyGaleofKansas，theYellowHen，theScarecrow，theTinWoodman，Tiktok，theCowardlyLionandtheHungryTiger;BesidesOtherGoodPeopletooNumeroustoMentionFaithfullyRecordedHereinContents——Author’sNote——
1。TheGirlintheChickenCoop2。TheYellowHen3。LettersintheSand4。Tiktok，theMachineMan5。DorothyOpenstheDinnerPail6。TheHeadsofLangwidere7。OzmaofOztotheRescue8。TheHungryTiger9。TheRoyalFamilyofEv10。TheGiantwiththeHammer11。TheNomeKing12。TheElevenGuesses13。TheNomeKingLaughs14。DorothyTriestobeBrave15。BillinaFrightenstheNomeKing16。Purple，GreenandGold17。TheScarecrowWinstheFight18。TheFateoftheTinWoodman19。TheKingofEv20。TheEmeraldCity21。Dorothy’sMagicBeltAuthor’sNoteMyfriendsthechildrenareresponsibleforthisnew\"OzBook，\"astheywereforthelastone，whichwascalledTheLandofOz。Theirsweetlittleletterspleadtoknow\"moreaboutDorothy\";andtheyask：
\"WhatbecameoftheCowardlyLion？\"and\"WhatdidOzmadoafterward？\"——meaning，ofcourse，aftershebecametheRulerofOz。
Andsomeofthemsuggestplotstome，saying：\"PleasehaveDorothygototheLandofOzagain\";or，\"Whydon’tyoumakeOzmaandDorothymeet，andhaveagoodtimetogether？\"Indeed，couldIdoallthatmylittlefriendsask，Iwouldbeobligedtowritedozensofbookstosatisfytheirdemands。AndIwishIcould，forIenjoywritingthesestoriesjustasmuchasthechildrensaytheyenjoyreadingthem。
Well，hereis\"moreaboutDorothy，\"andaboutouroldfriendstheScarecrowandtheTinWoodman，andabouttheCowardlyLion，andOzma，andalltherestofthem;andhere，likewise，isagooddealaboutsomenewfolksthatarequeerandunusual。Onelittlefriend，whoreadthisstorybeforeitwasprinted，saidtome：\"BillinaisREAL
OZZY，Mr。Baum，andsoareTiktokandtheHungryTiger。\"
Ifthisjudgmentisunbiasedandcorrect，andthelittlefolksfindthisnewstory\"realOzzy，\"IshallbeverygladindeedthatIwroteit。ButperhapsIshallgetsomemoreofthoseverywelcomelettersfrommyreaders，tellingmejusthowtheylike\"OzmaofOz。\"Ihopeso，anyway。
L。FRANKBAUM。
MACATAWA，1907。
1。TheGirlintheChickenCoopThewindblewhardandjoggledthewateroftheocean，sendingripplesacrossitssurface。Thenthewindpushedtheedgesoftheripplesuntiltheybecamewaves，andshovedthewavesarounduntiltheybecamebillows。Thebillowsrolleddreadfullyhigh：highereventhanthetopsofhouses。Someofthem，indeed，rolledashighasthetopsoftalltrees，andseemedlikemountains;andthegulfsbetweenthegreatbillowswerelikedeepvalleys。
Allthismaddashingandsplashingofthewatersofthebigocean，whichthemischievouswindcausedwithoutanygoodreasonwhatever，resultedinaterriblestorm，andastormontheoceanisliabletocutmanyqueerpranksanddoalotofdamage。
Atthetimethewindbegantoblow，ashipwassailingfaroutuponthewaters。Whenthewavesbegantotumbleandtossandtogrowbiggerandbiggertheshiprolledupanddown，andtippedsidewise——firstonewayandthentheother——andwasjostledaroundsoroughlythateventhesailor-menhadtoholdfasttotheropesandrailingstokeepthemselvesfrombeingsweptawaybythewindorpitchedheadlongintothesea。
Andthecloudsweresothickintheskythatthesunlightcouldn’tgetthroughthem;sothatthedaygrewdarkasnight，whichaddedtotheterrorsofthestorm。
TheCaptainoftheshipwasnotafraid，becausehehadseenstormsbefore，andhadsailedhisshipthroughtheminsafety;butheknewthathispassengerswouldbeindangeriftheytriedtostayondeck，soheputthemallintothecabinandtoldthemtostaythereuntilafterthestormwasover，andtokeepbraveheartsandnotbescared，andallwouldbewellwiththem。
Now，amongthesepassengerswasalittleKansasgirlnamedDorothyGale，whowasgoingwithherUncleHenrytoAustralia，tovisitsomerelativestheyhadneverbeforeseen。UncleHenry，youmustknow，wasnotverywell，becausehehadbeenworkingsohardonhisKansasfarmthathishealthhadgivenwayandlefthimweakandnervous。SoheleftAuntEmathometowatchafterthehiredmenandtotakecareofthefarm，whilehetraveledfarawaytoAustraliatovisithiscousinsandhaveagoodrest。
Dorothywaseagertogowithhimonthisjourney，andUncleHenrythoughtshewouldbegoodcompanyandhelpcheerhimup;sohedecidedtotakeheralong。Thelittlegirlwasquiteanexperiencedtraveller，forshehadoncebeencarriedbyacycloneasfarawayfromhomeasthemarvelousLandofOz，andshehadmetwithagoodmanyadventuresinthatstrangecountrybeforeshemanagedtogetbacktoKansasagain。Soshewasn’teasilyfrightened，whateverhappened，andwhenthewindbegantohowlandwhistle，andthewavesbegantotumbleandtoss，ourlittlegirldidn’tmindtheuproartheleastbit。
\"Ofcoursewe’llhavetostayinthecabin，\"shesaidtoUncleHenryandtheotherpassengers，\"andkeepasquietaspossibleuntilthestormisover。FortheCaptainsaysifwegoondeckwemaybeblownoverboard。\"
Noonewantedtorisksuchanaccidentasthat，youmaybesure;
soallthepassengersstayedhuddledupinthedarkcabin，listeningtotheshriekingofthestormandthecreakingofthemastsandriggingandtryingtokeepfrombumpingintooneanotherwhentheshiptippedsidewise。
DorothyhadalmostfallenasleepwhenshewasarousedwithastarttofindthatUncleHenrywasmissing。Shecouldn’timaginewherehehadgone，andashewasnotverystrongshebegantoworryabouthim，andtofearhemighthavebeencarelessenoughtogoondeck。Inthatcasehewouldbeingreatdangerunlessheinstantlycamedownagain。
ThefactwasthatUncleHenryhadgonetoliedowninhislittlesleeping-berth，butDorothydidnotknowthat。SheonlyrememberedthatAuntEmhadcautionedhertotakegoodcareofheruncle，soatonceshedecidedtogoondeckandfindhim，inspiteofthefactthatthetempestwasnowworsethanever，andtheshipwasplunginginareallydreadfulmanner。Indeed，thelittlegirlfounditwasasmuchasshecoulddotomountthestairstothedeck，andassoonasshegottherethewindstruckhersofiercelythatitalmosttoreawaytheskirtsofherdress。YetDorothyfeltasortofjoyousexcitementindefyingthestorm，andwhilesheheldfasttotherailingshepeeredaroundthroughthegloomandthoughtshesawthedimformofamanclingingtoamastnotfarawayfromher。Thismightbeheruncle，soshecalledasloudlyasshecould：
\"UncleHenry！UncleHenry！\"
Butthewindscreechedandhowledsomadlythatshescarceheardherownvoice，andthemancertainlyfailedtohearher，forhedidnotmove。
Dorothydecidedshemustgotohim;soshemadeadashforward，duringalullinthestorm，towhereabigsquarechicken-coophadbeenlashedtothedeckwithropes。Shereachedthisplaceinsafety，butnosoonerhadsheseizedfastholdoftheslatsofthebigboxinwhichthechickenswerekeptthanthewind，asifenragedbecausethelittlegirldaredtoresistitspower，suddenlyredoubleditsfury。
Withascreamlikethatofanangrygiantittoreawaytheropesthatheldthecoopandliftedithighintotheair，withDorothystillclingingtotheslats。Aroundandoveritwhirled，thiswayandthat，andafewmomentslaterthechicken-coopdroppedfarawayintothesea，wherethebigwavescaughtitandsliditup-hilltoafoamingcrestandthendown-hillintoadeepvalley，asifitwerenothingmorethanaplaythingtokeepthemamused。
Dorothyhadagoodducking，youmaybesure，butshedidn’tlooseherpresenceofmindevenforasecond。Shekepttightholdofthestoutslatsandassoonasshecouldgetthewateroutofhereyesshesawthatthewindhadrippedthecoverfromthecoop，andthepoorchickenswereflutteringawayineverydirection，beingblownbythewinduntiltheylookedlikefeatherdusterswithouthandles。Thebottomofthecoopwasmadeofthickboards，soDorothyfoundshewasclingingtoasortofraft，withsidesofslats，whichreadilyboreupherweight。Aftercoughingthewateroutofherthroatandgettingherbreathagain，shemanagedtoclimbovertheslatsandstanduponthefirmwoodenbottomofthecoop，whichsupportedhereasilyenough。
\"Why，I’vegotashipofmyown！\"shethought，moreamusedthanfrightenedathersuddenchangeofcondition;andthen，asthecoopclimbeduptothetopofabigwave，shelookedeagerlyaroundfortheshipfromwhichshehadbeenblown。
Itwasfar，faraway，bythistime。Perhapsnooneonboardhadyetmissedher，orknewofherstrangeadventure。Downintoavalleybetweenthewavesthecoopswepther，andwhensheclimbedanothercresttheshiplookedlikeatoyboat，itwassuchalongwayoff。
Soonithadentirelydisappearedinthegloom，andthenDorothygaveasighofregretatpartingwithUncleHenryandbegantowonderwhatwasgoingtohappentohernext。
Justnowshewastossingonthebosomofabigocean，withnothingtokeepherafloatbutamiserablewoodenhen-coopthathadaplankbottomandslattedsides，throughwhichthewaterconstantlysplashedandwettedherthroughtotheskin！Andtherewasnothingtoeatwhenshebecamehungry——asshewassuretodobeforelong——andnofreshwatertodrinkandnodryclothestoputon。
\"Well，Ideclare！\"sheexclaimed，withalaugh。\"You’reinaprettyfix，DorothyGale，Icantellyou！andIhaven’ttheleastideahowyou’regoingtogetoutofit！\"
Asiftoaddtohertroublesthenightwasnowcreepingon，andthegraycloudsoverheadchangedtoinkyblackness。Butthewind，asifsatisfiedatlastwithitsmischievouspranks，stoppedblowingthisoceanandhurriedawaytoanotherpartoftheworldtoblowsomethingelse;sothatthewaves，notbeingjoggledanymore，begantoquietdownandbehavethemselves。
ItwasluckyforDorothy，Ithink，thatthestormsubsided;otherwise，bravethoughshewas，Ifearshemighthaveperished。Manychildren，inherplace，wouldhaveweptandgivenwaytodespair;butbecauseDorothyhadencounteredsomanyadventuresandcomesafelythroughthemitdidnotoccurtoheratthistimetobeespeciallyafraid。
Shewaswetanduncomfortable，itistrue;but，aftersighingthatonesighItoldyouof，shemanagedtorecallsomeofhercustomarycheerfulnessanddecidedtopatientlyawaitwhateverherfatemightbe。
Byandbytheblackcloudsrolledawayandshowedablueskyoverhead，withasilvermoonshiningsweetlyinthemiddleofitandlittlestarswinkingmerrilyatDorothywhenshelookedtheirway。Thecoopdidnottossaroundanymore，butrodethewavesmoregently——almostlikeacradlerocking——sothattheflooruponwhichDorothystoodwasnolongersweptbywatercomingthroughtheslats。Seeingthis，andbeingquiteexhaustedbytheexcitementofthepastfewhours，thelittlegirldecidedthatsleepwouldbethebestthingtorestoreherstrengthandtheeasiestwayinwhichshecouldpassthetime。Thefloorwasdampandshewasherselfwringingwet，butfortunatelythiswasawarmclimateandshedidnotfeelatallcold。
Soshesatdowninacornerofthecoop，leanedherbackagainsttheslats，noddedatthefriendlystarsbeforesheclosedhereyes，andwasasleepinhalfaminute。
2。TheYellowHenAstrangenoiseawokeDorothy，whoopenedhereyestofindthatdayhaddawnedandthesunwasshiningbrightlyinaclearsky。ShehadbeendreamingthatshewasbackinKansasagain，andplayingintheoldbarn-yardwiththecalvesandpigsandchickensallaroundher;
andatfirst，assherubbedthesleepfromhereyes，shereallyimaginedshewasthere。
\"Kut-kut-kut，ka-daw-kut！Kut-kut-kut，ka-daw-kut！\"
Ah;hereagainwasthestrangenoisethathadawakenedher。Surelyitwasahencackling！Butherwide-openeyesfirstsaw，throughtheslatsofthecoop，thebluewavesoftheocean，nowcalmandplacid，andherthoughtsflewbacktothepastnight，sofullofdangeranddiscomfort。Alsoshebegantorememberthatshewasawaifofthestorm，adriftuponatreacherousandunknownsea。
\"Kut-kut-kut，ka-daw-w-w——kut！\"
\"What’sthat？\"criedDorothy，startingtoherfeet。
\"Why，I’vejustlaidanegg，that’sall，\"repliedasmall，butsharpanddistinctvoice，andlookingaroundherthelittlegirldiscoveredayellowhensquattingintheoppositecornerofthecoop。
\"Dearme！\"sheexclaimed，insurprise;\"haveYOUbeenhereallnight，too？\"
\"Ofcourse，\"answeredthehen，flutteringherwingsandyawning。
\"WhenthecoopblewawayfromtheshipIclungfasttothiscorner，withclawsandbeak，forIknewifIfellintothewaterI’dsurelybedrowned。Indeed，Inearlydrowned，asitwas，withallthatwaterwashingoverme。Ineverwassowetbeforeinmylife！\"
\"Yes，\"agreedDorothy，\"itwasprettywet，foratime，Iknow。Butdoyoufeelcomfor’blenow？\"
\"Notvery。Thesunhashelpedtodrymyfeathers，asithasyourdress，andIfeelbettersinceIlaidmymorningegg。Butwhat’stobecomeofus，Ishouldliketoknow，afloatonthisbigpond？\"
\"I’dliketoknowthat，too，\"saidDorothy。\"But，tellme;howdoesithappenthatyouareabletotalk？Ithoughthenscouldonlycluckandcackle。\"
\"Why，asforthat，\"answeredtheyellowhenthoughtfully，\"I’vecluckedandcackledallmylife，andneverspokenawordbeforethismorning，thatIcanremember。Butwhenyouaskedaquestion，aminuteago，itseemedthemostnaturalthingintheworldtoansweryou。SoIspoke，andIseemtokeeponspeaking，justasyouandotherhumanbeingsdo。Strange，isn’tit？\"
\"Very，\"repliedDorothy。\"IfwewereintheLandofOz，Iwouldn’tthinkitsoqueer，becausemanyoftheanimalscantalkinthatfairycountry。ButouthereintheoceanmustbeagoodlongwayfromOz。\"
\"Howismygrammar？\"askedtheyellowhen，anxiously。\"DoIspeakquiteproperly，inyourjudgment？\"
\"Yes，\"saidDorothy，\"youdoverywell，forabeginner。\"
\"I’mgladtoknowthat，\"continuedtheyellowhen，inaconfidentialtone;\"because，ifoneisgoingtotalk，it’sbesttotalkcorrectly。
Theredroosterhasoftensaidthatmycluckandmycacklewerequiteperfect;andnowit’sacomforttoknowIamtalkingproperly。\"
\"I’mbeginningtogethungry，\"remarkedDorothy。\"It’sbreakfasttime;butthere’snobreakfast。\"
\"Youmayhavemyegg，\"saidtheyellowhen。\"Idon’tcareforit，youknow。\"
\"Don’tyouwanttohatchit？\"askedthelittlegirl，insurprise。
\"No，indeed;InevercaretohatcheggsunlessI’veanicesnugnest，insomequietplace，withabaker’sdozenofeggsunderme。That’sthirteen，youknow，andit’saluckynumberforhens。Soyoumayaswelleatthisegg。\"
\"Oh，Icouldn’tPOSS’BLYeatit，unlessitwascooked，\"exclaimedDorothy。\"ButI’mmuchobligedforyourkindness，justthesame。\"
\"Don’tmentionit，mydear，\"answeredthehen，calmly，andbeganpruningherfeathers。
ForamomentDorothystoodlookingoutoverthewidesea。Shewasstillthinkingoftheegg，though;sopresentlysheasked：
\"Whydoyoulayeggs，whenyoudon’texpecttohatchthem？\"
\"It’sahabitIhave，\"repliedtheyellowhen。\"Ithasalwaysbeenmypridetolayafresheggeverymorning，exceptwhenI’mmoulting。I
neverfeellikehavingmymorningcackletilltheeggisproperlylaid，andwithoutthechancetocackleIwouldnotbehappy。\"
\"It’sstrange，\"saidthegirl，reflectively;\"butasI’mnotahenI
can’tbe’spectedtounderstandthat。\"
\"Certainlynot，mydear。\"
ThenDorothyfellsilentagain。Theyellowhenwassomecompany，andabitofcomfort，too;butitwasdreadfullylonelyoutonthebigocean，nevertheless。
Afteratimethehenflewupandpercheduponthetopmostslatofthecoop，whichwasalittleaboveDorothy’sheadwhenshewassittinguponthebottom，asshehadbeendoingforsomemomentspast。
\"Why，wearenotfarfromland！\"exclaimedthehen。
\"Where？Whereisit？\"criedDorothy，jumpingupingreatexcitement。
\"Overtherealittleway，\"answeredthehen，noddingherheadinacertaindirection。\"Weseemtobedriftingtowardit，sothatbeforenoonweoughttofindourselvesupondrylandagain。\"
\"Ishalllikethat！\"saidDorothy，withalittlesigh，forherfeetandlegswerestillwettednowandthenbythesea-waterthatcamethroughtheopenslats。
\"SoshallI，\"answeredhercompanion。\"Thereisnothingintheworldsomiserableasawethen。\"
Theland，whichtheyseemedtoberapidlyapproaching，sinceitgrewmoredistincteveryminute，wasquitebeautifulasviewedbythelittlegirlinthefloatinghen-coop。Nexttothewaterwasabroadbeachofwhitesandandgravel，andfartherbackwereseveralrockyhills，whilebeyondtheseappearedastripofgreentreesthatmarkedtheedgeofaforest。Buttherewerenohousestobeseen，noranysignofpeoplewhomightinhabitthisunknownland。
\"Ihopeweshallfindsomethingtoeat，\"saidDorothy，lookingeagerlyattheprettybeachtowardwhichtheydrifted。\"It’slongpastbreakfasttime，now。\"
\"I’matriflehungry，myself，\"declaredtheyellowhen。
\"Whydon’tyoueattheegg？\"askedthechild。\"Youdon’tneedtohaveyourfoodcooked，asIdo。\"
\"Doyoutakemeforacannibal？\"criedthehen，indignantly。\"IdonotknowwhatIhavesaidordonethatleadsyoutoinsultme！\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，I’msureMrs。——Mrs。——bytheway，mayIinquireyourname，ma’am？\"askedthelittlegirl。
\"MynameisBill，\"saidtheyellowhen，somewhatgruffly。
\"Bill！Why，that’saboy’sname。\"
\"Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？\"
\"You’realadyhen，aren’tyou？\"
\"Ofcourse。ButwhenIwasfirsthatchedoutnoonecouldtellwhetherIwasgoingtobeahenorarooster;sothelittleboyatthefarmwhereIwasborncalledmeBill，andmadeapetofmebecauseI
wastheonlyyellowchickeninthewholebrood。WhenIgrewup，andhefoundthatIdidn’tcrowandfight，asalltheroostersdo，hedidnotthinktochangemyname，andeverycreatureinthebarn-yard，aswellasthepeopleinthehouse，knewmeas’Bill。’SoBillI’vealwaysbeencalled，andBillismyname。\"
\"Butit’sallwrong，youknow，\"declaredDorothy，earnestly;\"and，ifyoudon’tmind，Ishallcallyou’Billina。’Puttingthe’eena’ontheendmakesitagirl’sname，yousee。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tminditintheleast，\"returnedtheyellowhen。\"Itdoesn’tmatteratallwhatyoucallme，solongasIknowthenamemeansME。\"
\"Verywell，Billina。MYnameisDorothyGale——justDorothytomyfriendsandMissGaletostrangers。YoumaycallmeDorothy，ifyoulike。We’regettingveryneartheshore。Doyousupposeitistoodeepformetowadetherestoftheway？\"
\"Waitafewminuteslonger。Thesunshineiswarmandpleasant，andweareinnohurry。\"
\"Butmyfeetareallwetandsoggy，\"saidthegirl。\"Mydressisdryenough，butIwon’tfeelrealcomfor’bletillIgetmyfeetdried。\"
Shewaited，however，asthehenadvised，andbeforelongthebigwoodencoopgratedgentlyonthesandybeachandthedangerousvoyagewasover。
Itdidnottakethecastawayslongtoreachtheshore，youmaybesure。Theyellowhenflewtothesandsatonce，butDorothyhadtoclimboverthehighslats。Still，foracountrygirl，thatwasnotmuchofafeat，andassoonasshewassafeashoreDorothydrewoffherwetshoesandstockingsandspreadthemuponthesun-warmedbeachtodry。
ThenshesatdownandwatchedBillina，whowaspick-peckingawaywithhersharpbillinthesandandgravel，whichshescratchedupandturnedoverwithherstrongclaws。
\"Whatareyoudoing？\"askedDorothy。
\"Gettingmybreakfast，ofcourse，\"murmuredthehen，busilypeckingaway。
\"Whatdoyoufind？\"inquiredthegirl，curiously。
\"Oh，somefatredants，andsomesand-bugs，andonceinawhileatinycrab。Theyareverysweetandnice，Iassureyou。\"
\"Howdreadful！\"exclaimedDorothy，inashockedvoice。
\"Whatisdreadful？\"askedthehen，liftingherheadtogazewithonebrighteyeathercompanion。
\"Why，eatinglivethings，andhorridbugs，andcrawlyants。Yououghttobe’SHAMEDofyourself！\"
\"Goodnessme！\"returnedthehen，inapuzzledtone;\"howqueeryouare，Dorothy！Livethingsaremuchfresherandmorewholesomethandeadones，andyouhumanseatallsortsofdeadcreatures。\"
\"Wedon’t！\"saidDorothy。
\"Youdo，indeed，\"answeredBillina。\"Youeatlambsandsheepandcowsandpigsandevenchickens。\"
\"Butwecook’em，\"saidDorothy，triumphantly。
\"Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？\"
\"Agooddeal，\"saidthegirl，inagravertone。\"Ican’tjust’splainthediff’rence，butit’sthere。And，anyhow，wenevereatsuchdreadfulthingsasBUGS。\"
\"Butyoueatthechickensthateatthebugs，\"retortedtheyellowhen，withanoddcackle。\"Soyouarejustasbadaswechickensare。\"
ThismadeDorothythoughtful。WhatBillinasaidwastrueenough，anditalmosttookawayherappetiteforbreakfast。Asfortheyellowhen，shecontinuedtopeckawayatthesandbusily，andseemedquitecontentedwithherbill-of-fare。
Finally，downnearthewater’sedge，Billinastuckherbilldeepintothesand，andthendrewbackandshivered。
\"Ow！\"shecried。\"Istruckmetal，thattime，anditnearlybrokemybeak。\"
\"Itprob’blywasarock，\"saidDorothy，carelessly。
\"Nonsense。Iknowarockfrommetal，Iguess，\"saidthehen。
\"There’sadifferentfeeltoit。\"
\"Buttherecouldn’tbeanymetalonthiswild，desertedseashore，\"
persistedthegirl。\"Where’stheplace？I’lldigitup，andprovetoyouI’mright，\"
Billinashowedhertheplacewhereshehad\"stubbedherbill，\"assheexpressedit，andDorothydugawaythesanduntilshefeltsomethinghard。Then，thrustinginherhand，shepulledthethingout，anddiscoveredittobealargesizedgoldenkey——ratherold，butstillbrightandofperfectshape。
\"WhatdidItellyou？\"criedthehen，withacackleoftriumph。\"CanItellmetalwhenIbumpintoit，oristhethingarock？\"
\"It’smetal，sureenough，\"answeredthechild，gazingthoughtfullyatthecuriousthingshehadfound。\"Ithinkitispuregold，anditmusthavelainhiddeninthesandforalongtime。Howdoyousupposeitcamethere，Billina？Andwhatdoyousupposethismysteriouskeyunlocks？\"
\"Ican’tsay，\"repliedthehen。\"YououghttoknowmoreaboutlocksandkeysthanIdo。\"
Dorothyglancedaround。Therewasnosignofanyhouseinthatpartofthecountry，andshereasonedthateverykeymustfitalockandeverylockmusthaveapurpose。Perhapsthekeyhadbeenlostbysomebodywholivedfaraway，buthadwanderedonthisveryshore。
Musingonthesethingsthegirlputthekeyinthepocketofherdressandthenslowlydrewonhershoesandstockings，whichthesunhadfullydried。
\"Ib’lieve，Billina，\"shesaid，\"I’llhavealook’round，andseeifI
canfindsomebreakfast。\"
3。LettersintheSandWalkingalittlewaybackfromthewater’sedge，towardthegroveoftrees，Dorothycametoaflatstretchofwhitesandthatseemedtohavequeersignsmarkeduponitssurface，justasonewouldwriteuponsandwithastick。
\"Whatdoesitsay？\"sheaskedtheyellowhen，whotrottedalongbesideherinaratherdignifiedfashion。
\"HowshouldIknow？\"returnedthehen。\"Icannotread。\"
\"Oh！Can’tyou？\"
\"Certainlynot;I’veneverbeentoschool，youknow。\"
\"Well，Ihave，\"admittedDorothy;\"butthelettersarebigandfarapart，andit’shardtospelloutthewords。\"
Butshelookedateachlettercarefully，andfinallydiscoveredthatthesewordswerewritteninthesand：
\"BEWARETHEWHEELERS！\"
\"That’sratherstrange，\"declaredthehen，whenDorothyhadreadaloudthewords。\"WhatdoyousupposetheWheelersare？\"
\"Folksthatwheel，Iguess。Theymusthavewheelbarrows，orbaby-cabsorhand-carts，\"saidDorothy。
\"Perhapsthey’reautomobiles，\"suggestedtheyellowhen。\"Thereisnoneedtobewareofbaby-cabsandwheelbarrows;butautomobilesaredangerousthings。Severalofmyfriendshavebeenrunoverbythem。\"
\"Itcan’tbeauto’biles，\"repliedthegirl，\"forthisisanew，wildcountry，withouteventrolley-carsortel’phones。Thepeopleherehaven’tbeendiscoveredyet，I’msure;thatis，ifthereAREanypeople。SoIdon’tb’lievethereCANbeanyauto’biles，Billina。\"
\"Perhapsnot，\"admittedtheyellowhen。\"Whereareyougoingnow？\"
\"Overtothosetrees，toseeifIcanfindsomefruitornuts，\"
answeredDorothy。
Shetrampedacrossthesand，skirtingthefootofoneofthelittlerockyhillsthatstoodnear，andsoonreachedtheedgeoftheforest。
Atfirstshewasgreatlydisappointed，becausethenearertreeswereallpunita，orcotton-woodoreucalyptus，andborenofruitornutsatall。But，byeandbye，whenshewasalmostindespair，thelittlegirlcameupontwotreesthatpromisedtofurnishherwithplentyoffood。
Onewasquitefullofsquarepaperboxes，whichgrewinclustersonallthelimbs，anduponthebiggestandripestboxestheword\"Lunch\"
couldberead，inneatraisedletters。Thistreeseemedtobearalltheyeararound，fortherewerelunch-boxblossomsonsomeofthebranches，andonotherstinylittlelunch-boxesthatwereasyetquitegreen，andevidentlynotfittoeatuntiltheyhadgrownbigger。
Theleavesofthistreewereallpapernapkins，anditpresentedaverypleasingappearancetothehungrylittlegirl。
Butthetreenexttothelunch-boxtreewasevenmorewonderful，foritborequantitiesoftindinner-pails，whichweresofullandheavythatthestoutbranchesbentunderneaththeirweight。Someweresmallanddark-brownincolor;thoselargerwereofadulltincolor;butthereallyripeoneswerepailsofbrighttinthatshoneandglistenedbeautifullyintheraysofsunshinethattouchedthem。
Dorothywasdelighted，andeventheyellowhenacknowledgedthatshewassurprised。
Thelittlegirlstoodontip-toeandpickedoneofthenicestandbiggestlunch-boxes，andthenshesatdownuponthegroundandeagerlyopenedit。Insideshefound，nicelywrappedinwhitepapers，ahamsandwich，apieceofsponge-cake，apickle，asliceofnewcheeseandanapple。Eachthinghadaseparatestem，andsohadtobepickedoffthesideofthebox;butDorothyfoundthemalltobedelicious，andsheateeverybitofluncheonintheboxbeforeshehadfinished。
\"Alunchisn’tzactlybreakfast，\"shesaidtoBillina，whosatbesidehercuriouslywatching。\"Butwhenoneishungryonecaneatevensupperinthemorning，andnotcomplain。\"
\"Ihopeyourlunch-boxwasperfectlyripe，\"observedtheyellowhen，inaanxioustone。\"Somuchsicknessiscausedbyeatinggreenthings。\"
\"Oh，I’msureitwasripe，\"declaredDorothy，\"all，thatis，’ceptthepickle，andapicklejustHAStobegreen，Billina。Buteverythingtastedperfectlysplendid，andI’dratherhaveitthanachurchpicnic。AndnowIthinkI’llpickadinner-pail，tohavewhenIgethungryagain，andthenwe’llstartoutand’splorethecountry，andseewhereweare。\"
\"Haven’tyouanyideawhatcountrythisis？\"inquiredBillina。
\"Noneatall。Butlisten：I’mquitesureit’safairycountry，orsuchthingsaslunch-boxesanddinner-pailswouldn’tbegrowingupontrees。Besides，Billina，beingahen，youwouldn’tbeabletotalkinanyciv’lizedcountry，likeKansas，wherenofairiesliveatall。\"
\"Perhapswe’reintheLandofOz，\"saidthehen，thoughtfully。
\"No，thatcan’tbe，\"answeredthelittlegirl;becauseI’vebeentotheLandofOz，andit’sallsurroundedbyahorriddesertthatnoonecancross。\"
\"Thenhowdidyougetawayfromthereagain？\"askedBillina。
\"Ihadapairofsilvershoes，thatcarriedmethroughtheair;butI
lostthem，\"saidDorothy。
\"Ah，indeed，\"remarkedtheyellowhen，inatoneofunbelief。
\"Anyhow，\"resumedthegirl，\"thereisnoseashoreneartheLandofOz，sothismustsurelybesomeotherfairycountry。\"
Whileshewasspeakingsheselectedabrightandprettydinner-pailthatseemedtohaveastouthandle，andpickeditfromitsbranch。
Then，accompaniedbytheyellowhen，shewalkedoutoftheshadowofthetreestowardthesea-shore。
TheywerepartwayacrossthesandswhenBillinasuddenlycried，inavoiceofterror：
\"What’sthat？\"
Dorothyturnedquicklyaround，andsawcomingoutofapaththatledfrombetweenthetreesthemostpeculiarpersonhereyeshadeverbeheld。
Ithadtheformofaman，exceptthatitwalked，orratherrolled，uponallfours，anditslegswerethesamelengthasitsarms，givingthemtheappearanceofthefourlegsofabeast。YetitwasnobeastthatDorothyhaddiscovered，forthepersonwasclothedmostgorgeouslyinembroideredgarmentsofmanycolors，andworeastrawhatperchedjauntilyuponthesideofitshead。Butitdifferedfromhumanbeingsinthisrespect，thatinsteadofhandsandfeettheregrewattheendofitsarmsandlegsroundwheels，andbymeansofthesewheelsitrolledveryswiftlyoverthelevelground。AfterwardDorothyfoundthattheseoddwheelswereofthesamehardsubstancethatourfinger-nailsandtoe-nailsarecomposedof，andshealsolearnedthatcreaturesofthisstrangeracewereborninthisqueerfashion。Butwhenourlittlegirlfirstcaughtsightofthefirstindividualofaracethatwasdestinedtocauseheralotoftrouble，shehadanideathatthebrilliantly-clothedpersonagewasonroller-skates，whichwereattachedtohishandsaswellastohisfeet。
\"Run！\"screamedtheyellowhen，flutteringawayingreatfright。
\"It’saWheeler！\"
\"AWheeler？\"exclaimedDorothy。\"Whatcanthatbe？\"
\"Don’tyourememberthewarninginthesand：’BewaretheWheelers’？
Run，Itellyou——run！\"
SoDorothyran，andtheWheelergaveasharp，wildcryandcameafterherinfullchase。
Lookingoverhershoulderassheran，thegirlnowsawagreatprocessionofWheelersemergingfromtheforest——dozensanddozensofthem——allcladinsplendid，tight-fittinggarmentsandallrollingswiftlytowardherandutteringtheirwild，strangecries。
\"They’resuretocatchus！\"pantedthegirl，whowasstillcarryingtheheavydinner-pailshehadpicked。\"Ican’trunmuchfarther，Billina。\"
\"Climbupthishill，——quick！\"saidthehen;andDorothyfoundshewasveryneartotheheapoflooseandjaggedrockstheyhadpassedontheirwaytotheforest。Theyellowhenwasevennowflutteringamongtherocks，andDorothyfollowedasbestshecould，halfclimbingandhalftumblinguptheroughandruggedsteep。
Shewasnonetoosoon，fortheforemostWheelerreachedthehillamomentafterher;butwhilethegirlscrambleduptherocksthecreaturestoppedshortwithhowlsofrageanddisappointment。
Dorothynowheardtheyellowhenlaughing，inhercackling，hennyway。
\"Don’thurry，mydear，\"criedBillina。\"Theycan’tfollowusamongtheserocks，sowe’resafeenoughnow。\"
Dorothystoppedatonceandsatdownuponabroadboulder，forshewasalloutofbreath。
TherestoftheWheelershadnowreachedthefootofthehill，butitwasevidentthattheirwheelswouldnotrollupontheroughandjaggedrocks，andthereforetheywerehelplesstofollowDorothyandthehentowheretheyhadtakenrefuge。Buttheycircledallaroundthelittlehill，sothechildandBillinawerefastprisonersandcouldnotcomedownwithoutbeingcaptured。
ThenthecreaturesshooktheirfrontwheelsatDorothyinathreateningmanner，anditseemedtheywereabletospeakaswellastomaketheirdreadfuloutcries，forseveralofthemshouted：
\"We’llgetyouintime，neverfear！Andwhenwedogetyou，we’lltearyouintolittlebits！\"
\"Whyareyousocrueltome？\"askedDorothy。\"I’mastrangerinyourcountry，andhavedoneyounoharm。\"
\"Noharm！\"criedonewhoseemedtobetheirleader。\"Didyounotpickourlunch-boxesanddinner-pails？Haveyounotastolendinner-pailstillinyourhand？\"
\"Ionlypickedoneofeach，\"sheanswered。\"Iwashungry，andI
didn’tknowthetreeswereyours。\"
\"Thatisnoexcuse，\"retortedtheleader，whowasclothedinamostgorgeoussuit。\"Itisthelawherethatwhoeverpicksadinner-pailwithoutourpermissionmustdieimmediately。\"
\"Don’tyoubelievehim，\"saidBillina。\"I’msurethetreesdonotbelongtotheseawfulcreatures。Theyarefitforanymischief，andit’smyopiniontheywouldtrytokillusjustthesameifyouhadn’tpickedadinner-pail。\"
\"Ithinkso，too，\"agreedDorothy。\"Butwhatshallwedonow？\"
\"Staywhereweare，\"advisedtheyellowhen。\"WearesafefromtheWheelersuntilwestarvetodeath，anyhow;andbeforethattimecomesagoodmanythingscanhappen。\"
4。TiktoktheMachineManAfteranhourorsomostofthebandofWheelersrolledbackintotheforest，leavingonlythreeoftheirnumbertoguardthehill。Thesecurledthemselvesuplikebigdogsandpretendedtogotosleeponthesands;butneitherDorothynorBillinawerefooledbythistrick，sotheyremainedinsecurityamongtherocksandpaidnoattentiontotheircunningenemies。
Finallythehen，flutteringoverthemound，exclaimed：\"Why，here’sapath！\"
SoDorothyatonceclamberedtowhereBillinasat，andthere，sureenough，wasasmoothpathcutbetweentherocks。Itseemedtowindaroundthemoundfromtoptobottom，likeacork-screw，twistinghereandtherebetweentheroughbouldersbutalwaysremaininglevelandeasytowalkupon。
Indeed，DorothywonderedatfirstwhytheWheelersdidnotrollupthispath;butwhenshefollowedittothefootofthemoundshefoundthatseveralbigpiecesofrockhadbeenplaceddirectlyacrosstheendoftheway，thuspreventinganyoneoutsidefromseeingitandalsopreventingtheWheelersfromusingittoclimbupthemound。
ThenDorothywalkedbackupthepath，andfollowedituntilshecametotheverytopofthehill，whereasolitaryroundrockstoodthatwasbiggerthananyoftheotherssurroundingit。Thepathcametoanendjustbesidethisgreatrock，andforamomentitpuzzledthegirltoknowwhythepathhadbeenmadeatall。Butthehen，whohadbeengravelyfollowingheraroundandwasnowpercheduponapointofrockbehindDorothy，suddenlyremarked：
\"Itlookssomethinglikeadoor，doesn’tit？\"
\"Whatlookslikeadoor？\"enquiredthechild。
\"Why，thatcrackintherock，justfacingyou，\"repliedBillina，whoselittleroundeyeswereverysharpandseemedtoseeeverything。\"Itrunsuponesideanddowntheother，andacrossthetopandthebottom。\"
\"Whatdoes？\"
\"Why，thecrack。SoIthinkitmustbeadoorofrock，althoughIdonotseeanyhinges。\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidDorothy，nowobservingforthefirsttimethecrackintherock。\"Andisn’tthisakey-hole，Billina？\"pointingtoaround，deepholeatonesideofthedoor。
\"Ofcourse。Ifweonlyhadthekey，now，wecouldunlockitandseewhatisthere，\"repliedtheyellowhen。\"Maybeit’satreasurechamberfullofdiamondsandrubies，orheapsofshininggold，or——\"
\"Thatremindsme，\"saidDorothy，\"ofthegoldenkeyIpickedupontheshore。Doyouthinkthatitwouldfitthiskey-hole，Billina？\"
\"Tryitandsee，\"suggestedthehen。
SoDorothysearchedinthepocketofherdressandfoundthegoldenkey。Andwhenshehadputitintotheholeoftherock，andturnedit，asuddensharpsnapwasheard;then，withasolemncreakthatmadetheshiversrundownthechild’sback，thefaceoftherockfelloutward，likeadooronhinges，andrevealedasmalldarkchamberjustinside。
\"Goodgracious！\"criedDorothy，shrinkingbackasfarasthenarrowpathwouldlether。
For，standingwithinthenarrowchamberofrock，wastheformofaman——or，atleast，itseemedlikeaman，inthedimlight。HewasonlyaboutastallasDorothyherself，andhisbodywasroundasaballandmadeoutofburnishedcopper。Alsohisheadandlimbswerecopper，andthesewerejointedorhingedtohisbodyinapeculiarway，withmetalcapsoverthejoints，likethearmorwornbyknightsindaysofold。Hestoodperfectlystill，andwherethelightstruckuponhisformitglitteredasifmadeofpuregold。
\"Don’tbefrightened，\"calledBillina，fromherperch。\"Itisn’talive。\"
\"Iseeitisn’t，\"repliedthegirl，drawingalongbreath。
\"Itisonlymadeoutofcopper，liketheoldkettleinthebarn-yardathome，\"continuedthehen，turningherheadfirsttoonesideandthentotheother，sothatbothherlittleroundeyescouldexaminetheobject。
\"Once，\"saidDorothy，\"Iknewamanmadeoutoftin，whowasawoodmannamedNickChopper。Buthewasasaliveasweare，’causehewasbornarealman，andgothistinbodyalittleatatime——firstalegandthenafingerandthenanear——forthereasonthathehadsomanyaccidentswithhisaxe，andcuthimselfupinaverycarelessmanner。\"
\"Oh，\"saidthehen，withasniff，asifshedidnotbelievethestory。
\"Butthiscopperman，\"continuedDorothy，lookingatitwithbigeyes，\"isnotaliveatall，andIwonderwhatitwasmadefor，andwhyitwaslockedupinthisqueerplace。\"
\"Thatisamystery，\"remarkedthehen，twistingherheadtoarrangeherwing-featherswithherbill。
Dorothysteppedinsidethelittleroomtogetabackviewofthecopperman，andinthiswaydiscoveredaprintedcardthathungbetweenhisshoulders，itbeingsuspendedfromasmallcopperpegatthebackofhisneck。Sheunfastenedthiscardandreturnedtothepath，wherethelightwasbetter，andsatherselfdownuponaslabofrocktoreadtheprinting。
\"Whatdoesitsay？\"askedthehen，curiously。
Dorothyreadthecardaloud，spellingoutthebigwordswithsomedifficulty;andthisiswhatsheread：
+————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————+
||
|SMITH&TINKER’S|
|PatentDouble-Action，Extra-Responsive，|
|Thought-Creating，Perfect-Talking|
|MECHANICALMAN|
|FittedwithourSpecialClock-WorkAttachment。|
|Thinks，Speaks，Acts，andDoesEverythingbutLive。|
|ManufacturedonlyatourWorksatEvna，LandofEv。|
|AllinfringementswillbepromptlyProsecutedaccordingtoLaw。|
||
+————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————+
\"Howqueer！\"saidtheyellowhen。\"Doyouthinkthatisalltrue，mydear？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"answeredDorothy，whohadmoretoread。\"Listentothis，Billina：\"
+——————————————————————————————————————————————————+
||
|DIRECTIONSFORUSING：|
|ForTHINKING：——WindtheClock-workManunderhis|
|leftarm，（markedNo。1。）|
|ForSPEAKING：——WindtheClock-workManunderhis|
|rightarm，（markedNo。2。）|
|ForWALKINGandACTION：——WindClock-workinthe|
|middleofhisback，（markedNo。3。）|
|N。B。——ThisMechanismisguaranteedtowork|
|perfectlyforathousandyears。|
||
+——————————————————————————————————————————————————+
\"Well，Ideclare！\"gaspedtheyellowhen，inamazement;\"ifthecoppermancandohalfofthesethingsheisaverywonderfulmachine。ButI
supposeitisallhumbug，likesomanyotherpatentedarticles。\"
\"Wemightwindhimup，\"suggestedDorothy，\"andseewhathe’lldo。\"
\"Whereisthekeytotheclock-work？\"askedBillina。
\"HangingonthepegwhereIfoundthecard。\"
\"Then，\"saidthehen，\"letustryhim，andfindoutifhewillgo。Heiswarrantedforathousandyears，itseems;butwedonotknowhowlonghehasbeenstandinginsidethisrock。\"
Dorothyhadalreadytakentheclockkeyfromthepeg。
\"WhichshallIwindupfirst？\"sheasked，lookingagainatthedirectionsonthecard。
\"NumberOne，Ishouldthink，\"returnedBillina。\"Thatmakeshimthink，doesn’tit？\"
\"Yes，\"saidDorothy，andwoundupNumberOne，undertheleftarm。
\"Hedoesn’tseemanydifferent，\"remarkedthehen，critically。
\"Why，ofcoursenot;heisonlythinking，now，\"saidDorothy。
\"Iwonderwhatheisthinkingabout。\"
\"I’llwinduphistalk，andthenperhapshecantellus，\"saidthegirl。
SoshewoundupNumberTwo，andimmediatelytheclock-workmansaid，withoutmovinganypartofhisbodyexcepthislips：
\"Goodmorn-ing，lit-tlegirl。Goodmorn-ing，Mrs。Hen。\"
Thewordssoundedalittlehoarseandcreaky，andtheywereutteredallinthesametone，withoutanychangeofexpressionwhatever;butbothDorothyandBillinaunderstoodthemperfectly。
\"Goodmorning，sir，\"theyanswered，politely。
\"Thankyouforres-cu-ingme，\"continuedthemachine，inthesamemonotonousvoice，whichseemedtobeworkedbyabellowsinsideofhim，likethelittletoylambsandcatsthechildrensqueezesothattheywillmakeanoise。
\"Don’tmentionit，\"answeredDorothy。Andthen，beingverycurious，sheasked：\"Howdidyoucometobelockedupinthisplace？\"
\"Itisalongsto-ry，\"repliedthecopperman;\"butIwilltellittoyoubrief-ly。Iwaspur-chasedfromSmith&Tin-ker，myman-u-fac-tur-ers，byacru-elKingofEv，namedEv-ol-do，whousedtobeatallhisserv-antsun-tiltheydied。How-ev-er，hewasnota-bletokillme，be-causeIwasnota-live，andonemustfirstliveinor-dertodie。Sothatallhisbeat-ingdidmenoharm，andmere-lykeptmycop-perbod-ywellpol-ished。
\"Thiscru-elkinghadalove-lywifeandtenbeau-ti-fulchil-dren——fiveboysandfivegirls——butinafitofan-gerhesoldthemalltotheNomeKing，whobymeansofhismag-icartschangedthemallin-tooth-erformsandputtheminhisun-der-groundpal-acetoor-na-menttherooms。
\"Af-ter-wardtheKingofEvre-gret-tedhiswick-edac-tion，andtriedtogethiswifeandchil-drena-wayfromtheNomeKing，butwith-outa-vail。So，inde-spair，helockedmeupinthisrock，threwthekeyin-totheo-cean，andthenjumpedinaf-teritandwasdrowned。\"
\"Howverydreadful！\"exclaimedDorothy。
\"Itis，in-deed，\"saidthemachine。\"WhenIfoundmy-selfim-pris-onedIshout-edforhelpun-tilmyvoicerandown;andthenI
walkedbackandforthinthislit-tleroomun-tilmyac-tionrandown;
andthenIstoodstillandthoughtun-tilmythoughtsrandown。
Af-terthatIre-mem-bernoth-ingun-tilyouwoundmeupa-gain。\"
\"It’saverywonderfulstory，\"saidDorothy，\"andprovesthattheLandofEvisreallyafairyland，asIthoughtitwas。\"
\"Ofcourseitis，\"answeredthecopperman。\"Idonotsup-posesuchaper-fectma-chineasIamcouldbemadeinan-yplacebutafair-yland。\"
\"I’veneverseenoneinKansas，\"saidDorothy。
\"Butwheredidyougetthekeytoun-lockthisdoor？\"askedtheclock-workvoice。
\"Ifounditontheshore，whereitwasprob’lywashedupbythewaves，\"sheanswered。\"Andnow，sir，ifyoudon’tmind，I’llwindupyouraction。\"
\"Thatwillpleasemeve-rymuch，\"saidthemachine。
SoshewoundupNumberThree，andatoncethecoppermaninasomewhatstiffandjerkyfashionwalkedoutoftherockycavern，tookoffhiscopperhatandbowedpolitely，andthenkneeledbeforeDorothy。
Saidhe：
\"FromthistimeforthIamyouro-be-di-entser-vant。What-ev-eryoucom-mand，thatIwilldowill-ing-ly——ifyoukeepmewoundup。\"
\"Whatisyourname？\"sheasked。
\"Tik-tok，\"hereplied。\"Myfor-mermas-tergavemethatnamebe-causemyclock-workal-waystickswhenitiswoundup。\"
\"Icanhearitnow，\"saidtheyellowhen。
\"SocanI，\"saidDorothy。Andthensheadded，withsomeanxiety：\"Youdon’tstrike，doyou？\"
\"No，\"answeredTiktok;\"andthereisnoa-larmcon-nec-tedwithmyma-chin-er-y。Icantellthetime，though，byspeak-ing，andasInev-ersleepIcanwak-enyouatan-yhouryouwishtogetupinthemorn-ing。\"
\"That’snice，\"saidthelittlegirl;\"onlyIneverwishtogetupinthemorning。\"
\"YoucansleepuntilIlaymyegg，\"saidtheyellowhen。\"Then，whenIcackle，Tiktokwillknowitistimetowakenyou。\"
\"Doyoulayyoureggveryearly？\"askedDorothy。
\"Abouteighto’clock，\"saidBillina。\"Andeverybodyoughttobeupbythattime，I’msure。\"
5。DorothyOpenstheDinnerPail\"NowTiktok，\"saidDorothy，\"thefirstthingtobedoneistofindawayforustoescapefromtheserocks。TheWheelersaredownbelow，youknow，andthreatentokillus。\"
\"Thereisnorea-sontobea-fraidoftheWheel-ers，\"saidTiktok，thewordscomingmoreslowlythanbefore。
\"Whynot？\"sheasked。
\"Be-causetheyareag-g-g——gr-gr-r-r-\"
Hegaveasortofgurgleandstoppedshort，wavinghishandsfranticallyuntilsuddenlyhebecamemotionless，withonearmintheairandtheotherheldstifflybeforehimwithallthecopperfingersofthehandspreadoutlikeafan。
\"Dearme！\"saidDorothy，inafrightenedtone。\"Whatcanthematterbe？\"
\"He’srundown，Isuppose，\"saidthehen，calmly。\"Youcouldn’thavewoundhimupverytight。\"
\"Ididn’tknowhowmuchtowindhim，\"repliedthegirl;\"butI’lltrytodobetternexttime。\"
Sheranaroundthecoppermantotakethekeyfromthepegatthebackofhisneck，butitwasnotthere。
\"It’sgone！\"criedDorothy，indismay。
\"What’sgone？\"askedBillina。
\"Thekey。\"
\"Itprobablyfelloffwhenhemadethatlowbowtoyou，\"returnedthehen。\"Lookaround，andseeifyoucannotfinditagain。\"
Dorothylooked，andthehenhelpedher，andbyandbythegirldiscoveredtheclock-key，whichhadfallenintoacrackoftherock。
AtonceshewoundupTiktok’svoice，takingcaretogivethekeyasmanyturnsasitwouldgoaround。Shefoundthisquiteatask，asyoumayimagineifyouhaveevertriedtowindaclock，butthemachineman’sfirstwordsweretoassureDorothythathewouldnowrunforatleasttwenty-fourhours。
