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"Now, don't give up," advised Ozma kindly. "It was very wrong of Glegg to cause you all this trouble. I'm going to keep his box of Mixed Magic and take away all his powers when I find him, but until I do, you'll have to follow directions. Oh mercy! What's that?"

They both ducked and turned around in a hurry, as a terrific thumping sounded behind them.

"It's the Runaway Country again," cried Pompa, seizing Ozma's hands in distress, "and it's caught all the others."

The Scarecrow had climbed a tree, and was waving to them wildly as the Country galloped nearer. "Might as well come aboard," he called genially. "This is a fast Country—no arguing with it at all."

Ozma looked helplessly at Pompa, and the Prince had only time to grasp her more firmly when the Country scooped them neatly into the air. Down they tumbled, beside Peg Amy and Wag and the Elegant Elephant.

"What do you mean by this?" demanded Ozma, as soon as she regained her breath.

"Don't you know this lady is the Ruler of all Oz?" cried Pompa warningly.

"Peg's the Ruler of me," replied the Country