Page:Kabumpo in Oz.djvu/245

As the Runaway Country drew nearer, its peninsula fairly quivered with excitement and as it reached them it pulled up its front feet and tilted forward to get a better view. Its eyes were two small blue lakes and its mouth a broad bubbling river.

"I claim you by right of discovery," cried the Land in its loud, river voice and before they could make any objection it scooped them up neatly and tossed them on a little hill.

"This is outrageous," spluttered the Elegant Elephant, picking Peg out of some bushes. "We've been kidnapped!"

"Let's jump off!" cried Wag, beginning to hop toward the edge.

"I wouldn't do that," said the Land calmly, "because I'd only run after you again. You might as well settle down and grow up with me. I'm not such a bad little Country," it added quietly, "just a bit rough and uncultivated."

"Well, what's that got to do with us," demanded Kabumpo, staring the Country right in its lake-eyes. "We're on an important mission and we haven't time for this sort of thing at all."

"It's a matter of saving a Princess," cried Pompa impulsively. "Couldn't you, please—"