I suppose many of my readers have read descriptions ofthe beautiful and magnificent Emerald City of Oz, so Ineed not describe it here, except to state that never hasany city in any fairyland ever equalled this one instately splendor. It lies almost exactly in the centerof the Land of Oz, and in the center of the Emerald Cityrises the wall of glistening emeralds that surrounds thepalace of Ozma. The palace is almost a city in itselfand is inhabited by many of the Ruler's especial friendsand those who have won her confidence and favor. As forOzma herself, there are no words in any dictionary I canfind that are fitted to describe this young girl's beautyof mind and person. Merely to see her is to love her forher charming face and manners; to know her is to loveher for her tender sympathy, her generous nature, hertruth and honor. Born of a long line of Fairy Queens,Ozma is as nearly perfect as any fairy may be, and she isnoted for her wisdom as well as for her other qualities.Her happy subjects adore their girl Ruler and each oneconsiders her a comrade and protector.

At the time of which I write, Ozma's best friend andmost constant companion was a little Kansas girl namedDorothy, a mortal who had come to the Land of Oz in avery curious manner and had been offered a home in Ozma'spalace. Furthermore, Dorothy had been made a Princess ofOz, and was as much at home in the royal palace as wasthe gentle Ruler. She knew almost every part of the greatcountry and almost all of its numerous inhabitants. Nextto Ozma she was loved better than anyone in all Oz, forDorothy was simple and sweet, seldom became angry and hadsuch a friendly, chummy way that she made friendswhere-ever she wandered. It was she who first brought theScarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion tothe Emerald City. Dorothy had also introduced to Ozmathe Shaggy Man and the Hungry Tiger, as well as Billinathe Yellow Hen, Eureka the Pink Kitten, and many otherdelightful characters and creatures. Coming as she didfrom our world, Dorothy was much like many other girls weknow; so there were times when she was not so wise as shemight have been, and other times when she was obstinateand got herself into trouble. But life in a fairy-landhad taught the little girl to accept all sorts ofsurprising things as matters-of-course, for while Dorothywas no fairy -- but just as mortal as we are -- she hadseen more wonders than most mortals ever do.

Another little girl from our outside world also livedin Ozma's palace. This was Betsy Bobbin, whose strangeadventures had brought her to the Emerald City, whereOzma had cordially welcomed her. Betsy was a shy littlething and could never get used to the marvels thatsurrounded her, but she and Dorothy were firm friends andthought themselves very fortunate in being together inthis delightful country.

One day Dorothy and Betsy were visiting Ozma in thegirl Ruler's private apartment, and among the things thatespecially interested them was Ozma's Magic Picture, setin a handsome frame and hung upon the wall of the room.This picture was a magic one because it constantlychanged its scenes and showed events and adventureshappening in all parts of the world. Thus it was really a"moving picture" of life, and if the one who stood beforeit wished to know what any absent person was doing, thepicture instantly showed that person, with his or hersurroundings.

The two girls were not wishing to see anyone inparticular, on this occasion, but merely enjoyed watchingthe shifting scenes, some of which were exceedinglycurious and remarkable. Suddenly Dorothy exclaimed: "Why,there's Button-Bright!" and this drew Ozma also to lookat the picture, for she and Dorothy knew the boy well.

"Who is Button-Bright?" asked Betsy, who had never methim.

"Why, he's the little boy who is just getting off theback of that strange flying creature," exclaimed Dorothy.Then she turned to Ozma and asked: "What is that thing,Ozma? A bird? I've never seen anything like it before."

"It is an Ork," answered Ozma, for they were watchingthe scene where the Ork and the three big birds werefirst landing their passengers in Jinxland after the longflight across the desert. "I wonder," added the girlRuler, musingly, "why those strangers dare venture intothat unfortunate country, which is ruled by a wickedKing."

"That girl, and the one-legged man, seem to be mortalsfrom the outside world," said Dorothy

"The man isn't one-legged," corrected Betsy; "he hasone wooden leg."

"It's almost as bad," declared Dorothy, watching Cap'nBill stump around.

"They are three mortal adventurers," said Ozma, "andthey seem worthy and honest. But I fear they will betreated badly in Jinxland, and if they meet with anymisfortune there it will reflect upon me, for Jinxland isa part of my dominions."

"Can't we help them in any way?" inquired Dorothy."That seems like a nice little girl. I'd be sorry ifanything happened to her."

"Let us watch the picture for awhile," suggested Ozma,and so they all drew chairs before the Magic Picture andfollowed the adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill andButton-Bright. Presently the scene shifted and showedtheir friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains intoJinxland, and that somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety, forshe knew at once that Glinda the Good had sent theScarecrow to protect the strangers.

The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting tothe three girls in Ozma's palace, who during thesucceeding days spent much of their time in watching thepicture. It was like a story to them.

"That girl's a reg'lar trump!" exclaimed Dorothy,referring to Trot, and Ozma answered:

"She's a dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing verybad will happen to her. The old sailor is a finecharacter, too, for he has never once grumbled over beinga grasshopper, as so many would have done."

When the Scarecrow was so nearly burned up the girlsall shivered a little, and they clapped their hands injoy when the flock of Orks came and saved him.

So it was that when all the exciting adventures inJinxland were over and the four Orks had begun theirflight across the mountains to carry the mortals into theLand of Oz, Ozma called the Wizard to her and asked himto prepare a place for the strangers to sleep.

The famous Wizard of Oz was a quaint little man whoinhabited the royal palace and attended to all themagical things that Ozma wanted done. He was not aspowerful as Glinda, to be sure, but he could do a greatmany wonderful things. He proved this by placing a housein the uninhabited part of the Quadling Country where theOrks landed Cap'n Bill and Trot and Button-Bright, andfitting it with all the comforts I have described in thelast chapter.

Next morning Dorothy said to Ozma:

"Oughtn't we to go meet the strangers, so we can showthem the way to the Emerald City? I'm sure that littlegirl will feel shy in this beautiful land, and I know if'twas me I'd like somebody to give me a welcome."

Ozma smiled at her little friend and answered:

"You and Betsy may go to meet them, if you wish, but Ican not leave my palace just now, as I am to have aconference with Jack Pumpkinhead and Professor Wogglebugon important matters. You may take the Sawhorse and theRed Wagon, and if you start soon you will be able to meetthe Scarecrow and the strangers at Glinda's palace."

"Oh, thank you!" cried Dorothy, and went away to tellBetsy and to make preparations for the journey.