Part 4 (2/2)

Ozma drew a long breath and coming from behind the tree she said:

”That is much better, Wiz, for such pigs as these must be quite harmless. No one need now fear the mischievous Imps.”

”I intended to transform them into mice,” replied the Wizard, ”but in my excitement I worked the wrong magic. However, unless the horrid creatures behave themselves hereafter, they are liable to be killed and eaten. They would make good chops, sausages or roasts.”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

But the Imps were now angry and had no intention of behaving. As Ozma and the little Wizard turned to resume their journey, the three pigs rushed forward, dashed between their legs, and tripped them up, so that both lost their balance and toppled over, clinging to one another. As the Wizard tried to get up he was tripped again and fell across the back of the third pig, which carried him on a run far down the valley until it dumped the little man in the river. Ozma had been sprawled upon the ground but found she was not hurt, so she picked herself up and ran to the a.s.sistance of the Wizard, reaching him just as he was crawling out of the river, gasping for breath and dripping with water. The girl could not help laughing at his woeful appearance. But he had no sooner wiped the wet from his eyes than one of the impish pigs tripped him again and sent him into the river for a second bath. The pigs tried to trip Ozma, too, but she ran around a stump and so managed to keep out of their way.

So the Wizard scrambled out of the water again and picked up a sharp stick to defend himself. Then he mumbled a magic mutter which instantly dried his clothes, after which he hurried to a.s.sist Ozma. The pigs were afraid of the sharp stick and kept away from it.

”This won't do,” said the Princess. ”We have accomplished nothing, for the pig Imps would annoy travelers as much as the real Imps. Transform them into something else, Wiz.”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The Wizard took time to think. Then he transformed the white pigs into three blue doves.

”Doves,” said he, ”are the most harmless things in the world.”

But scarcely had he spoken when the doves flew at them and tried to peck out their eyes. When they endeavored to s.h.i.+eld their eyes with their hands, two of the doves bit the Wizard's fingers and another caught the pretty pink ear of the Princess in its bill and gave it such a cruel tweak that she cried out in pain and threw her skirt over her head.

”These birds are worse than pigs, Wizard,” she called to her companion.

”Nothing is harmless that is animated by impudent anger or impertinent mischief. You must transform the Imps into something that is not alive.”

The Wizard was pretty busy, just then, driving off the birds, but he managed to open his bag of magic and find a charm which instantly transformed the doves into three b.u.t.tons. As they fell to the ground he picked them up and smiled with satisfaction. The tin b.u.t.ton was Imp Olite, the bra.s.s b.u.t.ton was Imp Udent and the lead b.u.t.ton was Imp Ertinent. These b.u.t.tons the Wizard placed in a little box which he put in his jacket pocket.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

”Now,” said he, ”the Imps cannot annoy travelers, for we shall carry them back with us to the Emerald City.”

”But we dare not use the b.u.t.tons,” said Ozma, smiling _once more_ now that the danger was over.

”Why not?” asked the Wizard. ”I intend to sew them upon my coat and watch them carefully. The spirits of the Imps are still in the b.u.t.tons, and after a time they will repent and be sorry for their naughtiness.

Then they will decide to be very good in the future. When they feel that way, the tin b.u.t.ton will turn to silver and the bra.s.s to gold, while the lead b.u.t.ton will become aluminum. I shall then restore them to their proper forms, changing their names to pretty names instead of the ugly ones they used to bear. Thereafter the three Imps will become good citizens of the Land of Oz and I think you will find they will prove faithful subjects of our beloved Princess Ozma.”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

”Ah, that is magic well worthwhile,” exclaimed Ozma, well pleased.

”There is no doubt, my friend, but that you are a very clever Wizard.”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

<script>