第42章

"We must go to them at once, for they may need us," he said.

"I don't know where to go," confessed Button-Bright.

"I'm lost."

"Well, I can take you back to the hut of the gardener's boy," promised the Ork, "for when I fly high in the air Ican look down and easily spy the King's castle.That was how I happened to spy you, just entering the grove; so Iflew down and waited until you came out.""How can you carry me?" asked the boy.

"You'll have to sit straddle my shoulders and put your arms around my neck.Do you think you can keep from falling off?""I'll try," said Button-Bright.So the Ork squatted down and the boy took his seat and held on tight.Then the skinny creature's tail began whirling and up they went, far above all the tree-tops.

After the Ork had circled around once or twice, its sharp eyes located the towers of the castle and away it flew, straight toward the place.As it hovered in the air, near by the castle, Button-Bright pointed out Pon's hut, so they landed just before it and Trot came running out to greet them.

Gloria was introduced to the Ork, who was surprised to find Cap'n Bill transformed into a grasshopper.

"How do you like it?" asked the creature.

"Why, it worries me good deal," answered Cap'n Bill, perched upon Trot's shoulder."I'm always afraid o' bein'

stepped on, and I don't like the flavor of grass an'

can't seem to get used to it.It's my nature to eat grass, you know, but I begin to suspect it's an acquired taste.""Can you give molasses?" asked the Ork.

"I guess I'm not that kind of a grasshopper," replied Cap'n Bill."But I can't say what I might do if I was squeezed -- which I hope I won't be.""Well," said the Ork, "it's a great pity, and I'd like to meet that cruel King and his Wicked Witch and punish them both severely.You're awfully small, Cap'n Bill, but I think I would recognize you anywhere by your wooden leg."Then the Ork and Button-Bright were told all about Gloria's frozen heart and how the Scarecrow had come from the Land of Oz to help them.The Ork seemed rather disturbed when it learned that the Scarecrow had gone alone to conquer King Krewl.

"I'm afraid he'll make a fizzle of it," said the skinny creature, "and there's no telling what that terrible King might do to the poor Scarecrow, who seems like a very interesting person.So I believe I'll take a hand in this conquest myself.""How?" asked Trot.

"Wait and see," was the reply."But, first of all, Imust fly home again -- back to my own country -- so if you'll forgive my leaving you so soon, I'll be off at once.Stand away from my tail, please, so that the wind from it, when it revolves, won't knock you over."They gave the creature plenty of room and away it went like a flash and soon disappeared in the sky.

"I wonder," said Button-Bright, looking solemnly after the Ork, "whether he'll ever come back again.""Of course he will!" returned Trot."The Ork's a pretty good fellow, and we can depend on him.An' mark my words, Button-Bright, whenever our Ork does come back, there's one cruel King in Jinxland that'll wish he hadn't."