The Oz Series

Chapter 44

Part of the The Marvelous Land of Oz: Tip's Rebellion and the Return of Ozma arc.

This encyclopedia covers chapters 1 to 100 of the story and shows the world as it stands at chapter 100, so it contains spoilers up to that point. To read it spoiler free, one chapter at a time, open the interactive codex.

What happens

The Scarecrow celebrates that they can leave the Jackdaws' nest whenever they please, but the Tin Woodman advises waiting until morning to avoid night-flight trouble. The adventurers pass the twilight searching the nest for treasures. The Woggle-Bug finds two wrought-gold bracelets fitting his slender arms; the Scarecrow fits jeweled rings set with rubies, amethysts, and sapphires onto every finger and thumb of his padded gloves, giving his hands a brilliant appearance. The Scarecrow muses that Jinjur and her girls conquered him merely to rob the Emerald City of its emeralds.

The Tin Woodman remains content with his diamond necklace. Tip secures a fine gold watch on a heavy fob, pins jeweled brooches to Jack Pumpkinhead's red waistcoat, and attaches a lorgnette by a chain to the Saw-Horse's neck; none can explain the lorgnette's purpose, but the Saw-Horse grows fond of it. Several large seal rings are placed on the points of the Gump's antlers, though the Gump seems ungratified. Darkness falls; Tip and the Woggle-Bug sleep while the others wait for day.

At daylight a great flock of Jackdaws approaches to battle for the nest, but the adventurers, thanks to the repaired Gump, do not wait for the assault. They tumble into the sofa seats, Tip gives the word, and the Gump rises and flies away, leaving the chattering Jackdaws to take possession without pursuit. The Thing flies due North, back the way it came, on the Scarecrow's judgment. After passing cities and villages, then a broad plain where houses thin out, and then the wide sandy desert separating the outside world from the Land of Oz, they see dome-shaped houses before noon, proving they are within their native land.

The Tin Woodman notes the houses and fences are blue, indicating the land of the Munchkins, far from Glinda the Good. The Scarecrow admits he cannot correct course from there and cannot risk the Emerald City. Tip proposes the Woggle-Bug swallow another pill and wish them headed rightly, and the Woggle-Bug agrees. But when the Scarecrow searches for the pepper-box holding the two remaining Wishing Pills, it is gone; they hunt every inch of the Thing in vain. The Scarecrow concludes he left the pepper-box in the Jackdaws' nest, calling it a great misfortune, though Tip notes the one used pill enabled their escape.

The Gump flies on. Tip suddenly exclaims that everything below is red, meaning they have reached the South Country. The red houses, fences, and trees confirm they are within Glinda the Good's domain, and the Tin Woodman recognizes the roads and buildings and adjusts the Gump's flight toward the Sorceress's palace. The Scarecrow declares they no longer need the lost pills. The Thing sinks and comes to rest on a velvety green lawn in Glinda's beautiful gardens, beside a fountain that sprays flashing gems instead of water into a carved marble basin.

A company of soldiers surrounds them; unlike Jinjur's Army of Revolt, these girl soldiers of the Sorceress wear neat uniforms, bear swords and spears, and march with trained precision. The Captain, commanding Glinda's private Body Guard, recognizes the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, greets them respectfully, and reports that Glinda is within her palace awaiting them, having seen them coming long before they arrived. The Scarecrow explains that nothing in the Land of Oz escapes the mighty Sorceress's notice. They follow the Captain to the palace, where Glinda sits on a throne of finely wrought gold; the Saw-Horse's stiff bow bumps his head on the floor, causing laughter in which Glinda joins.

The Scarecrow formally reports that the Emerald City has been overrun by impudent girls with knitting-needles who enslaved the men, robbed emerald jewels, and usurped his throne, and that they threatened to destroy his party. Glinda repeatedly replies "I know it," then challenges the Scarecrow's claim by tracing the throne's history: he received it from the Wizard of Oz by the people's choice, the Wizard took it from Pastoria the former King, and therefore the throne belongs neither to the Scarecrow nor Jinjur but to Pastoria's line.

Glinda reveals that Pastoria had a daughter, the rightful heir, named Ozma. The Scarecrow pledges not to stand in her way, admitting ruling is not fun for one with good brains. Glinda explains that the Wizard of Oz, when he stole the throne from Ozma's father, hid the girl in a secret place and used a magical trick to prevent even Glinda from discovering her. The Woggle-Bug remarks the Wizard was said to be a humbug, provoking the Scarecrow (who credits the Wizard for his brains) and the Tin Woodman (whose heart is no humbug); the Woggle-Bug meekly gives up the point. Glinda resolves to read a book in her library recording every observable action of the Wizard while in Oz, to find clues to Ozma's whereabouts, and dismisses the adventurers to enjoy her palace until the next day.

The following morning Glinda reports finding only three suspicious acts of the Wizard: he ate beans with a knife, made three secret visits to old Mombi, and limped slightly on his left foot. The party debates these, but Glinda focuses on the three secret visits to Mombi. Since the Wizard taught Mombi many magic tricks, Glinda reasons Mombi must have assisted him, likely in hiding the girl Ozma, the real heir who threatened the usurper. Glinda resolves to find Mombi and force her to reveal where Ozma is hidden. Tip informs Glinda that Mombi is now with Queen Jinjur in the Emerald City, having thrown obstacles in the party's path. Glinda decides to march with her army to the Emerald City at daybreak the next day, take Mombi prisoner, and force the truth about Ozma from her, undeterred by Mombi's obstinacy.

Who is in play

Read this chapter, in the original or in translation →

All chapters