Glinda, the good Sorceress of Oz, sat in the grandcourt of her palace, surrounded by her maids of honor-- a hundred of the most beautiful girls of theFairyland of Oz. The palace court was built of raremarbles, exquisitely polished. Fountains tinkledmusically here and there; the vast colonnade, open tothe south, allowed the maidens, as they raised theirheads from their embroideries, to gaze upon a vista ofrose-hued fields and groves of trees bearing fruits orladen with sweet-scented flowers. At times one of thegirls would start a song, the others joining in thechorus, or one would rise and dance, gracefully swayingto the music of a harp played by a companion. And thenGlinda smiled, glad to see her maids mixing play withwork.

Presently among the fields an object was seen moving,threading the broad path that led to the castle gate.Some of the girls looked upon this object enviously;the Sorceress merely gave it a glance and nodded herstately head as if pleased, for it meant the coming ofher friend and mistress -- the only one in all the landthat Glinda bowed to.

Then up the path trotted a wooden animal attached toa red wagon, and as the quaint steed halted at the gatethere descended from the wagon two young girls, Ozma,Ruler of Oz, and her companion, Princess Dorothy. Bothwere dressed in simple white muslin gowns, and as theyran up the marble steps of the palace they laughed andchatted as gaily as if they were not the most importantpersons in the world's loveliest fairyland.

The maids of honor had risen and stood with bowedheads to greet the royal Ozma, while Glinda cameforward with outstretched arms to greet her guests.

"We've just come on a visit, you know," said Ozma."Both Dorothy and I were wondering how we should passthe day when we happened to think we'd not been to yourQuadling Country for weeks, so we took the Sawhorse androde straight here."

"And we came so fast," added Dorothy, "that our hairis blown all fuzzy, for the Sawhorse makes a wind ofhis own. Usually it's a day's journey from the Em'raldCity, but I don't s'pose we were two hours on the way."

"You are most welcome," said Glinda the Sorceress,and led them through the court to her magnificentreception hall. Ozma took the arm of her hostess, butDorothy lagged behind, kissing some of the maids sheknew best, talking with others, and making them allfeel that she was their friend. When at last she joinedGlinda and Ozma in the reception hall, she found themtalking earnestly about the condition of the people,and how to make them more happy and contented --although they were already the happiest and mostcontented folks in all the world.

This interested Ozma, of course, but it didn'tinterest Dorothy very much, so the little girl ran overto a big table on which was lying open Glinda's GreatBook of Records.

This Book is one of the greatest treasures in Oz, andthe Sorceress prizes it more highly than any of hermagical possessions. That is the reason it is firmlyattached to the big marble table by means of goldenchains, and whenever Glinda leaves home she locks theGreat Book together with five jeweled padlocks, andcarries the keys safely hidden in her bosom.

I do not suppose there is any magical thing in anyfairyland to compare with the Record Book, on the pagesof which are constantly being printed a record of everyevent that happens in any part of the world, at exactlythe moment it happens. And the records are alwaystruthful, although sometimes they do not give as manydetails as one could wish. But then, lots of thingshappen, and so the records have to be brief or evenGlinda's Great Book could not hold them all.

Glinda looked at the records several times each day,and Dorothy, whenever she visited the Sorceress, lovedto look in the Book and see what was happeningeverywhere. Not much was recorded about the Land of Oz,which is usually peaceful and uneventful, but todayDorothy found something which interested her. Indeed,the printed letters were appearing on the page evenwhile she looked.

"This is funny!" she exclaimed. "Did you know,Ozma, that there were people in your Land of Ozcalled Skeezers?"

"Yes," replied Ozma, coming to her side, "I know thaton Professor Wogglebug's Map of the Land of Oz there isa place marked 'Skeezer,' but what the Skeezers arelike I do not know. No one I know has ever seen them orheard of them. The Skeezer Country is 'way at the upperedge of the Gillikin Country, with the sandy,impassable desert on one side and the mountains ofOogaboo on another side. That is a part of the Land ofOz of which I know very little."

"I guess no one else knows much about it either,unless it's the Skeezers themselves," remarked Dorothy."But the Book says: 'The Skeezers of Oz have declaredwar on the Flatheads of Oz, and there is likely to befighting and much trouble as the result.'"

"Is that all the Book says?" asked Ozma.

"Every word," said Dorothy, and Ozma and Glinda bothlooked at the Record and seemed surprised andperplexed.

"Tell me, Glinda," said Ozma, "who are theFlatheads?"

"I cannot, your Majesty," confessed the Sorceress."Until now I never have heard of them, nor have I everheard the Skeezers mentioned. In the faraway corners ofOz are hidden many curious tribes of people, and thosewho never leave their own countries and never arevisited by those from our favored part of Oz, naturallyare unknown to me. However, if you so desire, I canlearn through my arts of sorcery something of theSkeezers and the Flatheads."

"I wish you would," answered Ozma seriously. "Yousee, Glinda, if these are Oz people they are mysubjects and I cannot allow any wars or troubles in theLand I rule, if I can possibly help it."

"Very well, your Majesty," said the Sorceress, "Iwill try to get some information to guide you. Pleaseexcuse me for a time, while I retire to my Room ofMagic and Sorcery."

"May I go with you?" asked Dorothy, eagerly.

"No, Princess," was the reply. "It would spoil thecharm to have anyone present."

So Glinda locked herself in her own Room of Magic andDorothy and Ozma waited patiently for her to come outagain.

In about an hour Glinda appeared, looking grave andthoughtful.

"Your Majesty," she said to Ozma, "the Skeezers liveon a Magic Isle in a great lake. For that reason --because the Skeezers deal in magic -- I can learnlittle about them."

"Why, I didn't know there was a lake in that part ofOz," exclaimed Ozma. "The map shows a river runningthrough the Skeezer Country, but no lake."

"That is because the person who made the map neverhad visited that part of the country," explained theSorceress. "The lake surely is there, and in the lakeis an island -- a Magic Isle -- and on that island livethe people called the Skeezers."

"What are they like?" inquired the Ruler of Oz.

"My magic cannot tell me that," confessed Glinda,"for the magic of the Skeezers prevents anyone outsideof their domain knowing anything about them."

"The Flatheads must know, if they're going to fightthe Skeezers," suggested Dorothy

"Perhaps so," Glinda replied, "but I can get littleinformation concerning the Flatheads, either. They arepeople who inhabit a mountain just south of the Lake ofthe Skeezers. The mountain has steep sides and a broad,hollow top, like a basin, and in this basin theFlatheads have their dwellings. They also are magic-workers and usually keep to themselves and allow no onefrom outside to visit them. I have learned that theFlatheads number about one hundred people -- men, womenand children -- while the Skeezers number just onehundred and one."

"What did they quarrel about, and why do they wish tofight one another?" was Ozma's next question.

"I cannot tell your Majesty that," said Glinda.

"But see here!" cried Dorothy, "it's against the lawfor anyone but Glinda and the Wizard to work magic inthe Land of Oz, so if these two strange people aremagic-makers they are breaking the law and ought to bepunished!" Ozma smiled upon her little friend.

"Those who do not know me or my laws," she said,"cannot be expected to obey my laws. If we know nothingof the Skeezers or the Flatheads, it is likely thatthey know nothing of us."

"But they ought to know, Ozma, and we ought to know.Who's going to tell them, and how are we going to makethem behave?"

"That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering.What would you advise, Glinda?"

The Sorceress took a little time to consider thisquestion, before she made reply. Then she said: "Hadyou not learned of the existence of the Flatheads andthe Skeezers, through my Book of Records, you wouldnever have worried about them or their quarrels. So, ifyou pay no attention to these peoples, you may neverhear of them again."

"But that wouldn't be right," declared Ozma. "I amRuler of all the Land of Oz, which includes theGillikin Country, the Quadling Country, the WinkieCountry and the Munchkin Country, as well as theEmerald City, and being the Princess of this fairylandit is my duty to make all my people -- wherever theymay be -- happy and content and to settle theirdisputes and keep them from quarreling. So, while theSkeezers and Flatheads may not know me or that I amtheir lawful Ruler, I now know that they inhabit mykingdom and are my subjects, so I would not be doing myduty if I kept away from them and allowed them tofight."

"That's a fact, Ozma," commented Dorothy."You've got to go up to the Gillikin Country and makethese people behave themselves and make up theirquarrels. But how are you going to do it?"

"That is what is puzzling me also, your Majesty,"said the Sorceress. "It may be dangerous for you to gointo those strange countries, where the people arepossibly fierce and warlike."

"I am not afraid," said Ozma, with a smile.

"'Tisn't a question of being 'fraid," argued Dorothy."Of course we know you're a fairy, and can't be killedor hurt, and we know you've a lot of magic of your ownto help you. But, Ozma dear, in spite of all thisyou've been in trouble before, on account of wickedenemies, and it isn't right for the Ruler of all Oz toput herself in danger."

"Perhaps I shall be in no danger at all," returnedOzma, with a little laugh. "You mustn't imagine danger,Dorothy, for one should only imagine nice things, andwe do not know that the Skeezers and Flatheads arewicked people or my enemies. Perhaps they would be goodand listen to reason."

"Dorothy is right, your Majesty," asserted theSorceress. "It is true we know nothing of these farawaysubjects, except that they intend to fight one another,and have a certain amount of magic power at theircommand. Such folks do not like to submit tointerference and they are more likely to resent yourcoming among them than to receive you kindly andgraciously, as is your due."

"If you had an army to take with you," added Dorothy,"it wouldn't be so bad; but there isn't such a thing asan army in all Oz."

"I have one soldier," said Ozma.

"Yes, the soldier with the green whiskers; but he'sdreadful 'fraid of his gun and never loads it. I'm surehe'd run rather than fight. And one soldier, even if hewere brave, couldn't do much against two hundred andone Flatheads and Skeezers."

"What then, my friends, would you suggest?" inquiredOzma.

"I advise you to send the Wizard of Oz to them, andlet him inform them that it is against the laws of Ozto fight, and that you command them to settle theirdifferences and become friends," proposed Glinda. "Letthe Wizard tell them they will be punished if theyrefuse to obey the commands of the Princess of all theLand of Oz."

Ozma shook her head, to indicate that the advice wasnot to her satisfaction.

"If they refuse, what then?" she asked. "I should beobliged to carry out my threat and punish them, andthat would be an unpleasant and difficult thing to do.I am sure it would be better for me to go peacefully,without an army and armed only with my authority asRuler, and plead with them to obey me. Then, if theyprove obstinate I could resort to other means to wintheir obedience."

"It's a ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it,"sighed Dorothy. "I'm sorry now that I noticed theRecord in the Great Book."

"But can't you realize, my dear, that I must do myduty, now that I am aware of this trouble?" asked Ozma."I am fully determined to go at once to the Magic Isleof the Skeezers and to the enchanted mountain of theFlatheads, and prevent war and strife between theirinhabitants. The only question to decide is whether itis better for me to go alone, or to assemble a party ofmy friends and loyal supporters to accompany me."

"If you go I want to go, too," declared Dorothy."Whatever happens it's going to be fun -- 'cause allexcitement is fun -- and I wouldn't miss it for theworld!"

Neither Ozma nor Glinda paid any attention to thisstatement, for they were gravely considering theserious aspect of this proposed adventure.

"There are plenty of friends who would like to gowith you," said the Sorceress, "but none of them wouldafford your Majesty any protection in case you were indanger. You are yourself the most powerful fairy in Oz,although both I and the Wizard have more varied arts ofmagic at our command. However, you have one art that noother in all the world can equal -- the art of winninghearts and making people love to bow to your graciouspresence. For that reason I believe you can accomplishmore good alone than with a large number of subjects inyour train."

"I believe that also," agreed the Princess. "I shallbe quite able to take care of myself, you know, butmight not be able to protect others so well. I do notlook for opposition, however. I shall speak to thesepeople in kindly words and settle their dispute --whatever it may be -- in a just manner."

"Aren't you going to take me?" pleaded Dorothy."You'll need some companion, Ozma."

The Princess smiled upon her little friend.

"I see no reason why you should not accompany me,"was her reply. "Two girls are not very warlike and theywill not suspect us of being on any errand but a kindlyand peaceful one. But, in order to prevent war andstrife between these angry peoples, we must go to themat once. Let us return immediately to the Emerald Cityand prepare to start on our journey early tomorrowmorning."

Glinda was not quite satisfied with this plan, butcould not think of any better way to meet the problem.She knew that Ozma, with all her gentleness and sweetdisposition, was accustomed to abide by any decisionshe had made and could not easily be turned from herpurpose. Moreover she could see no great danger to thefairy Ruler of Oz in the undertaking, even though theunknown people she was to visit proved obstinate. ButDorothy was not a fairy; she was a little girl who hadcome from Kansas to live in the Land of Oz. Dorothymight encounter dangers that to Ozma would be asnothing but to an "Earth child" would be very serious.

The very fact that Dorothy lived in Oz, and had beenmade a Princess by her friend Ozma, prevented her frombeing killed or suffering any great bodily pain as longas she lived in that fairyland. She could not grow big,either, and would always remain the same little girlwho had come to Oz, unless in some way she left thatfairyland or was spirited away from it. But Dorothy wasa mortal, nevertheless, and might possibly bedestroyed, or hidden where none of her friends couldever find her. She could, for instance be cut intopieces, and the pieces, while still alive and free frompain, could be widely scattered; or she might be burieddeep underground or "destroyed" in other ways by evilmagicians, were she not properly protected. These factsGlinda was considering while she paced with statelytread her marble hall.

Finally the good Sorceress paused and drew a ringfrom her finger, handing it to Dorothy.

"Wear this ring constantly until your return," shesaid to the girl. "If serious danger threatens you,turn the ring around on your finger once to the rightand another turn to the left. That will ring the alarmbell in my palace and I will at once come to yourrescue. But do not use the ring unless you are actuallyin danger of destruction. While you remain withPrincess Ozma I believe she will be able to protect youfrom all lesser ills."

"Thank you, Glinda," responded Dorothy gratefully, asshe placed the ring on her finger. "I'm going to wearmy Magic Belt which I took from the Nome King, too, soI guess I'll be safe from anything the Skeezers andFlatheads try to do to me."

Ozma had many arrangements to make before she couldleave her throne and her palace in the Emerald City,even for a trip of a few days, so she bade goodbye toGlinda and with Dorothy climbed into the Red Wagon. Aword to the wooden Sawhorse started that astonishingcreature on the return journey, and so swiftly did herun that Dorothy was unable to talk or do anything buthold tight to her seat all the way back to the EmeraldCity.