The Red Jinn

by Palmer, Mildred L. rtf

  “What else lives here?” asked the Lion. “Are there any fish in the lake?“ For answer, a Delver slapped his tail against the water. Out in the lake a great fiery fish leaped high out of the water and fell back with a mighty splash.

  “Shiner,” explained Glim. “They’re the only fish in the lake.“ By this time Dorothy felt that they had seen all that they cared to.

  Bidding the Delvers goodbye, she and the Lion climbed up to their places on Glim’s head. The Glow Worm backed out to the main tunnel, and they took up their journey once more.

  “Here’s my tail,” Glim reported a short time later. “What do you think of it?“ Dorothy was delighted. The Glow Glorm’s tail ended in a series of rattles, each made of gold. “It’s perfectly beautiful,” she declared. “Does it rattle?”

  “Certainly not!” protested Glim. “It chimes—listen.” As he moved his tail, clear bell-like chimes came from it.

  “I can play a little tune with it,” confessed the Glow Worm; and he did play a short melody. Dorothy applauded politely, and the huge creature seemed much pleased.

  “I’ll see you later,” he told his tail, as they left it. “I think it gets lonesome all by itself all day long,” he confided to Dorothy. “I often drop in to visit it.“ Dorothy struggled to keep a straight face, and the Lion bit his foot sharply to control himself. The Glow Worm seemed so in earnest that they did not want to hurt his feelings by laughing at him.

  They traveled very rapidly now. The Glow Worm seemed to flow over the ground, the light from his body shedding a radiance which lighted the tunnel far ahead. Soon they reached and crossed the second river of fire. Here the Glow Worm stopped.

  “Don’t go,” begged Dorothy. “Come with us to Ev.”

  “Yes, come with us,” echoed the Cowardly Lion, who had taken a great fancy to the gigantic creature.

  “Oh, I couldn’t do that,” protested Glim. “I’ll have to polish my scales to be ready to meet Ozma when you get her back. I will take you to the end of the tunnel, though,” he offered generously.

  The travelers were delighted to accept. They knew Glim’s amazing speed would save them much time.

  “But let’s eat first,” proposed the Lion. Dorothy opened the basket, and while Glim looked on in amazement, she and the Lion made a hearty meal. They offered sandwiches to the Glow Worm, but he refused to try them. Moving off to the river of fire, he began lapping up flames.

  “That makes my stomach hurt just to watch,” gulped the Lion uneasily. “Talk about heartburn….”

  “It’s good,” returned Glim. “You ought to try it.”

  “No thanks!” The Lion was quite emphatic. “You stick to your diet, and I’ll stick to mine!”

  CHAPTER VIII

  THE END OF THE TUNNEL

  Once more the little girl and the Lion took their places on top of the Glow Worm’s broad, flat head. Glim, realizing the need for haste, put forth his best efforts with the result that they reached the end of the tunnel in a few hours. “This is as far as I can go,“ he announced, sliding to a stop. “That small passage will take you into the domain of the Gnome King.”

  “I wish you could come with us,” murmured Dorothy.

  “I’m too big to squeeze through that little space,” returned Glim. “Besides, I’ll see you soon in the Emerald City. Goodbye and good luck.”

  After thanking the Glow Worm earnestly for his help, they turned to the small passage. Dorothy lit a torch, as they could no longer benefit by Glim’s light. The Lion went first, for there was not room for two to walk abreast.

  The tunnel was short, although it was narrow and crooked, and soon they could see light ahead. It ended in a shaft of the Gnome King’s great mines.

  As they emerged, a dozen Gnomes stopped working, and rushed toward them with upraised picks and shovels. They stopped however, at the fierce menace of the Lion’s roar, and began backing away rapidly.

  “Stop!” cried Dorothy. “We won’t hurt you. Take us to your king.“ The Gnomes stopped a safe distance away, and conferred among themselves nervously. At length one old Gnome stepped- forward. “I know who you are,” he said.

  “You’re Princess Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion of Oz. I was here when you set free the Royal Family of Ev, and stole the old King’s Magic Belt.”

  “I didn’t steal it,” protested the little girl indignantly. “I took it away from Ruggedo because he was going to turn us to ornaments. If he had behaved himself, he could have kept it. Take us to King Kaliko.“ There was jeering laughter at this, and the old Gnome said, “I’ll do even better than that; I’ll bring Kaliko to you.“ As he went out, the Lion moved closer to Dorothy. “I don’t like this,” he muttered.

  “There’s something wrong here. I thought the Gnome King was our friend, but these Gnomes don’t seem very friendly.”

  “Never mind,” answered Dorothy. “They’ll be all right when Kaliko comes. He might not help us much, but he’ll give us some food and a place to spend the night.“ The old Gnome returned, followed by a worker with a pick over his shoulder.

  Dorothy gasped as she recognized him. “Why, Kaliko,” she cried, “what are you doing here?“ Kaliko greeted them in a friendly manner, but seemed ill at ease.

  “What’s the matter, Kaliko?” inquired the Lion. “Tired of Kinging?”

  “The fact is, I’m not King anymore,” explained Kaliko. “Guph threw me out and took my place. He wouldn’t even let me be Lord Chamberlain again, but sent me to work in the mines.“ The other Gnomes nodded at this, and drew closer together. The old Gnome addressed Dorothy. “Perhaps you would be kind enough to conquer Guph?” he asked politely. “He’s almost as bad as Ruggedo was. We’d like Kaliko to be our King again.”

  “I don’t see how I could,” answered Dorothy. “The only reason I was able to conquer Ruggedo was that I happened to have some eggs.“ The Gnomes shuddered at the word, for they feared eggs above all things. “You… you don’t happen to have any eggs with you now, do you?” asked Kaliko pleadingly.

  “Look in your basket. There might be one there.“ Dorothy shook her head regretfully. “There’re just sandwiches in here. Not even any egg salad.”

  “Perhaps Ozma would help us,” suggested Kaliko. “When you get back to the Emerald City, will you ask her for me?”

  “Why Ozma…” began Dorothy, but the Lion broke in.

  “Of course we will,” he promised briskly. “We’re on our way to visit the Red Jinn of Ev, at present, but as soon as we get back, we’ll be glad to ask her.”

  “Yes,” agreed Dorothy, remembering that the Lion did not want the Gnomes to know about Ozma’s disappearance.

  “We won’t stop to see Guph, though; we’ll just go now, if you’ll show us the way out.“ Kaliko conducted them through the various passages to the surface. The sun was just setting.

  “I’m sorry I can’t ask you to spend the night,” apologized the former Gnome King.

  “But I think you’ll be safer if you don’t. Guph has always hated you people of Oz, and he would do you a mischief if he got the opportunity.“ Dorothy realized the truth of this, and was anxious to be away. “Don’t forget to ask Ozma to help me,” reminded Kaliko. Dorothy promised, and bidding him goodbye, they started off.

  “Just go east to the ocean and follow the shore south to the Red Jinn’s castle,“ called Kaliko. “You can’t miss it. Goodbye!”

  “Everybody is being conquered,” grumbled the Lion. “It’s a regular epidemic. I hope nothing has happened to Jinnicky. I had kinda counted on spending the night with the Gnomes, and having some real food for a change.”

  “But it’s so nice to be above the ground again,” answered Dorothy contentedly.

  “The air smells so fresh and good after that tunnel. We can stop and eat now, if you’re hungry.”

  “Let’s not stop until we get to the ocean,” proposed the Lion, looking over his shoulder uneasily. “I don’t trust Gnomes at all.”

  “Neither do I,” returned Dorothy
soberly. “Especially not Guph. He was the General of the Army when Ruggedo was King, and he was the one who thought up ways to do all the bad things Ruggedo wanted done.“ It was fully dark by the time they reached the ocean, and feeling safe from pursuit, they spent the night on the warm sands. The Lion was gone when Dorothy awoke, but before long he came back in great excitement.

  “Come on!” he panted. “I’ve found something you’ll really appreciate.” Dorothy followed him to a small forest. Stopping under a tree, he waved a paw. “Here’s our breakfast,” he announced. The branches were bent down by the weight of shining dinner pails which the tree bore instead of fruit.

  “Why this is like the tree Billina and I found the second time I came to Oz,“ exclaimed the little girl. “Do you suppose it’s the same one?”

  “No, you landed farther to the south,” answered the Lion. “It is the same kind though. Pick about six for me and as many as you want for yourself.“ The little girl hurried to pick the pails. Opening hers, she found a fried chicken, hot biscuits and jam, french fried potatoes, asparagus and dessert. Fastened to the lid was a jar containing milk.

  “Fried chicken for breakfast,” gloated the Lion, licking his chops.

  “Open mine, quick!“ Dorothy opened the Lion’s six buckets, laid the food on a flat stone and poured the milk into one bucket. Then she returned to her own breakfast and ate with a hearty appetite. It was a queer breakfast, but after living on sandwiches for many days, she was not disposed to be critical. The Lion gulped his six dinners and lapped up the milk. “What shall I do with the buckets?” asked Dorothy, when they had finished.

  “I’ll dig a hole and plant them,” replied the Lion. “Maybe they’ll grow into new trees.”

  When this was accomplished, Dorothy climbed on the Lion’s back. “You’d better take another dinner pail,” advised the Lion. “I don’t know how long it will take us to get to Jinnicky’s, but you’ll probably be hungry before then.“ Dorothy agreed with this, and slid down to comply. When she resumed her place, the Lion started off at a fast trot which fairly ate up the miles. They paused only long enough for the Lion to catch his breath occasionally. At noon they stopped beside a little stream and shared the contents of the dinner pail. Then once again they took up the journey.

  Just before dark Dorothy cried out and pointed. There before them was a glittering castle of red glass. The tired Lion broke into a run which brough them to the steps of the castle. Black servants scattered in every direction at the sight of the tawny beast charging at them. Without pausing to explain, the Lion galloped up the steps and into the throne room of the Red Jinn.

  CHAPTER IX

  AT THE PALACE OF THE RED JINN

  “Oh my! Mercy Me!” gasped the Red Jinn; and at once he withdrew into himself. This he could do very easily, for his body was a huge red jug, with holes for his arms and legs.

  Instead of a crown he wore a lid, so that when he had drawn in his arms and legs, he looked exactly like an enormous ginger jar.

  Dorothy slid from the Lion’s back and attempted to run to Jinnicky, but a perfect army of blacks with ferociously-waving scimitars rushed into the throne room and grouped themselves in front of the throne.

  “Jinnicky!” cried the little girl. “Don’t you know us? It’s Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion!“ The little Jinn raised his head cautiously to peer at them. “Why, so it is!” he exclaimed joyously. “Mercy, how you frightened me!” Dismissing the guards, he bounced off his throne and came forward to greet them.

  “How are things in the Emerald City? Tell me all about Ozma and the Wizard.

  How is the Wizard? I’m so glad you could come to see me. Now I can have all the news of Oz. Have you eaten?“ Dorothy shook her head. “Jinnicky…” she began.

  “Haven’t eaten? Why,you must be starved —Ginger! Alibabble! Bring my guests some food. Better bring lots of it.“ Dorothy tried again. “Jinnicky…”

  “Oh, that’s all right—I’ve got a good cook, if I do say so, and he’ll be glad to fix up a little snack. It’s no trouble at all. But you were telling me about the Emerald City. Do go on.”

  “Well, you see, it’s Ozma,” Dorothy drew a long breath.

  “Oh, Ozma sent you?” beamed the little Jinn. “Good. How did you cross the Desert? I don’t have any trouble, of course, in my magic jinnrickshaw—I suppose the Wizard helped you?”

  “No, the Wizard…”

  “Too busy with other things, I suppose. Tell me, my child,” the little Jinn was struck by a new thought, “what do you hear from Kabumpo? I wish I could get the time to go see him. Still, it’s almost as good to have you hear telling me all about him. I haven’t had any news from Oz in a long time. I wonder how Randy and Planetty are getting along. She certainly is pretty. Tell me more.”

  “JINNICKY, SHUT UP!” roared the Lion in desperation.

  The little Jinn dived back into his jar at the shock, and the little black boy entering the room dropped his tray and took to his heels. As the Jinn lifted his lid and peeped at the Lion in horror, Dorothy began to giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” grumbled the Lion, a little ashamed of himself. “If I hadn’t stopped him, he might have gone on like that forever. Listen, Jinnicky—Ozma has disappeared.”

  “Disappeared!” gasped the Jinn, popping out of his ,jar. “You don’t mean it! How did it happen? When did she disappear? Do you know who did it?“ The Lion opened his mouth and started to take a deep breath. “Never mind,“ puffed Jinnicky hastily, holding up both hands. “Don’t do it again, please. Tell me all about it, Dorothy, and I won’t say a word.”

  “Tell him, Dorothy.” The Lion wandered over to investigate the fallen tray. It had been quite full; there were chops, steaks and roasts scattered about the floor. These the Lion investigated throughly and at considerable length. When they were gone, the Lion, licking his whiskers contently, waddled back in time to hear Dorothy finish, “…so you see, Jinnicky you’re the only one who can save them.“ Jinnicky’s round, merry face looked very grave. “If Faleero conquered the three most powerful persons in Oz, she must have better magic than she did when I met her in Pumperdink. I hope it won’t prove to be stronger than mine.”

  “What if it is?” asked Dorothy in distress.

  “Oh, don’t worry about it,” counseled Jinnicky reassuringly. “We’ll do the best we can, and if she defeats us, we’ll know at least that we tried!”

  “That’s just fine,” gulped the Lion. “That cheers me up a lot.“ Jinnicky laughed, slapping the great beast on the back. “Take it easy,” he advised.

  “We’re not beaten yet. Don’t forget, I’ve had a lot of time to perfect my magic too.

  Besides, she won’t be expecting trouble, so we’ll be able to take her by surprise. That will give us the advantage.”

  “We’ll need it,” muttered the Lion glumly.

  “How soon can we start back?” put in Dorothy.

  “That depends. I’ll have to go over my books and find out what I can about Faleero’s present methods in order to determine the best way to undo her mischief. We can go as soon as I find out—maybe tomorrow, maybe not for a week. It won’t do to barge in unprepared.”

  “While you’re at it, you’d better figure out what to do about Pumperdink,“ suggested the Lion, winking at Dorothy, “since we’re not going to hurry, I mean “

  “Pumperdink…?”

  “Faleero turned it into an ant hill, and the people into ants,” the Lion explained casually.

  “Did she do anything to Kabumpo?” asked the Jinn ominously.

  “She turned him into a pinching bug.”

  “What!?” yelled the Jinn, bouncing to his feet. “That old Gundersnatch! Alibabble! Allibabble! ALIBABBLE!!“ A tall, dignified gentleman with a turban and neat pointed beard stalked into the room. “I wish you wouldn’t shout like that,” he complained querilously. “It’s very hard on my nerves.”

  “I’ll shout all I want,” fumed Jinnicky. “Faleero has transformed my o
ld friend Kabumpo into a pinching bug. Get my things ready—I’m going to save him.”

  “Why?” asked the Grand Adviser calmly. As the Jinn sputtered in speechless wrath, he went on. “If you are determined to go off and meddle in other peoples’ affairs, I should suggest first that you…”

  “If you say one word about a haircut, you’re fired!” shouted Jinnicky, practically dancing with rage.

  “Very well, then,” answered Alibabble. “I’ll go—I don’t care to remain with anyone who cares so little about his appearance. I’ve spent the best years of my life trying to keep you looking respectable, and what thanks do I get? Pay me my six months back salary, and I’ll leave at once.”

  “Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” grumbled the little Jinn. “Where would you get another job? Nobody but me would ever put up with you. Call the barber and let’s get it over with.“ As Alibabble started off, Jinnicky looked kindly at Dorothy. “Did you enjoy your supper, my dear?”