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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Chapter 18. Away to the South
Dorothy cried sadly because she thought she had lost her chance to get home to Kansas.
But after she thought about it all, she was glad she had not gone up in a balloon.
And she also felt sorry at losing Oz, and so did her companions.
The Tin Woodman came to her and said,
"Truly I should be ungrateful if I failed to mourn for the man who gave me my lovely heart."
"I should like to cry a little because Oz is gone, if you'll kindly wipe away my tears, so that I shall not rust."
"With pleasure," she answered, and brought a towel at once.
Then the Tin Woodman wept for several minutes.
And she watched the tears carefully and wiped them away with the towel.
When he had finished, he thanked her kindly and oiled himself thoroughly with his jeweled oil-can, to guard against mishap.
The Scarecrow was now the ruler of the Emerald City, and although he wasn't a Wizard the people were proud of him.
"For," they said, "there isn't another city in all the world that's ruled by a stuffed man." And, so far as they knew, they were quite right.
The morning after the balloon had gone up with Oz, the four travelers met in the Throne Room and talked matters over.
The Scarecrow sat in the big throne and the others stood respectfully before him.
"We aren't so unlucky," said the new ruler, "for this Palace and the Emerald City belong to us, and we can do just as we please".
A short time ago I was up on a pole in a farmer's cornfield.
Now I'm the ruler of this beautiful City.
When I remember that, I'm quite satisfied with my lot.
"I also," said the Tin Woodman.
"Am well-pleased with my new heart, and, really, that was the only thing I wished in all the world."
"For my part, I'm content in knowing I'm as brave as any beast that ever lived, if not braver," said the Lion modestly.
"If Dorothy would only be contented to live in the Emerald City," continued the Scarecrow, "we might all be happy together."
"But I don't want to live here," cried Dorothy.
"I want to go to Kansas, and live with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry."
"Well, then, what can be done?" inquired the Woodman.
The Scarecrow decided to think hard for a long time.
And he thought so hard that the pins and needles began to stick out of his brains, Finally he said,
"Why not call the Winged Monkeys, and ask them to carry you over the desert?"
"I never thought of that!" said Dorothy joyfully.
"It's just the thing. I'll go at once for the Golden Cap."
Dorothy brought it into the Throne Room and spoke the magic words.
Soon the band of Winged Monkeys flew in through the open window and stood beside her.
"This is the second time you have called us," said the Monkey King, bowing before the little girl.
"What do you wish?"
"I want you to fly with me to Kansas," said Dorothy.
But the Monkey King shook his head.
"That can't be done," he said.
"We belong to this country alone, and can't leave it. There has never been a Winged Monkey in Kansas yet,"
"And I suppose there never will be, for they don't belong there."
"We shall be glad to serve you in any way in our power,"
"But we can't cross the desert. Good-bye."
And with another bow, the Monkey King spread his wings and flew away through the window, followed by all his band.
Dorothy was ready to cry with disappointment.
"I have wasted the charm of the Golden Cap to no purpose," she said, "for the Winged Monkeys can't help me."
"It's certainly too bad!" said the tender-hearted Woodman.
The Scarecrow was thinking again, and his head bulged out so horribly that Dorothy feared it would burst.
"Let us call in the soldier with the green whiskers," he said, "and ask his advice."
So the soldier was summoned and entered timidly, while Oz was alive he was never allowed past the door.
"This little girl," said the Scarecrow to the soldier, "wishes to cross the desert. How can she do so?"
"I can't tell," answered the soldier, "for nobody has ever crossed the desert, unless it's Oz himself."
"Is there no one who can help me?" asked Dorothy earnestly.
"Glinda might," he suggested.
"Who's Glinda?" inquired the Scarecrow.
"The Witch of the South."
"She's the most powerful of all the Witches, and rules over the Quadlings."
"Besides, her castle stands on the edge of the desert, so she may know a way to cross it."
"Glinda is a Good Witch, isn't she?" asked the child.
"The Quadlings think she's good," said the soldier.
"And she's kind to everyone."
"I have heard that Glinda is a beautiful woman, who knows how to keep young in spite of the many years she has lived."
"How can I get to her castle?" asked Dorothy.
"The road is straight to the South,"
"He answered, "But the road is said to be full of danger for travelers.
"There are wild beasts in the woods, and a race of queer men."
"They do not like strangers to cross their country, so none of the Quadlings ever come to the Emerald City."
The soldier then left them and the Scarecrow said,
Even with dangers, Dorothy should travel to the Land of the South and ask Glinda for help.
"For, of course, if Dorothy stays here she'll never get back to Kansas."
"You must have been thinking again," remarked the Tin Woodman.
"I have," said the Scarecrow.
"I shall go with Dorothy,"
Declared the Lion, "I shall go with Dorothy."
"I'm tired of the city, want the woods and country. I'm wild and Dorothy will need someone to protect her".
"That's true," agreed the Woodman.
"My axe may be of service to her, so I also will go with her to the Land of the South."
"When shall we start?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Are you going?" they asked, in surprise.
"Certainly," said the Scarecrow.
"If it wasn't for Dorothy I would have no brains, she lifted me from the pole and brought me to the Emerald City".
"And I shall never leave her until she starts back to Kansas for good and all."
"Thank you," said Dorothy gratefully.
"You're all very kind to me. But I should like to start as soon as possible."
"We shall go tomorrow morning," returned the Scarecrow.
"So now let us all get ready, for it'll be a long journey."