by Speedy In Oz
“Are you the ruler of this interloping island?” boomed Radj, as his seamen with long strokes brought the boat close enough for Speedy to step aboar&
“Sizzeroo is King of Umbrella Island, but just now I am acting for the King,” answered Speedy in a dignified voice.
“Sizzer-WHO?” Radj spoke so lustily his red whiskers blew straight out. “Well, your Sizzer whoever he is had better move out of my way or it will be the worse for him.”
“Couldn’t you stop the war for a little while?” ventured Speedy, taking the place two of the warriors made between them, and thinking how splendid this Sea King looked in his high helmet and red armor.
“Stop the war and throw two thousand men out of work?” blustered Radj indignantly. “I should say
not. Why, this war has been going on for centuries.”
“But who started it?” inquired Speedy, to gain a
little time.
“The great, great, great, great, great, great Grandfather of Nadj, of Norroway, called my great, great, great, great, great, great Grandfather a cabbage!” stated Radj, his voice trembling a little at the mere memory of this outrageous insult.
“Well, I don’t see what that has to do with you or now,” argued Speedy. “What’s the use of fighting about an old cabbage?”
“Are you referring to my great, great, great, great, great, great Grandfather?” inquired Radi, clapping his hand to his sword and snapping blue eyes sulphurously.
“No! No! No, indeed!” Speedy spoke with a gulp. “But it does seem sort of useless to spend your whole life fighting.”
“What else is there?” inquired the Red King impatiently. “Our island provides without labor for all of our needs, and we cannot hunt and fish eternally.”
“You could build ships, couldn’t you, and go exploring?” suggested Speedy, “or you and the men of Norroway could have athletic contests and like that.”
“And what are athletic contests?” asked Radj
leaning thoughtfully on his lance.
“Oh, tests to prove who can shoot their arrows farthest or jump the highest or run the fastest, or wrestle the most cleverly,” explained Speedy.
“Well, wouldn’t that just be another sort of war?” Radj wrinkled his brows in evident puzzlement. “Suppose the Nadjians won these contests you speak of, shot their arrows farthest, proved that their men could outdistance mine, why that would make me so red hot, roaring mad, I’d declare war on them at once, and if my men won, Nadj would want to fight me.”
“I guess you do not care much about good sportsmanship,” sighed the Wizard’s ambassador, feeling he was getting nowhere by appealing to the King’s better nature. “But couldn’t you call off the war until our visit is ended?”
“And how long will that be?” Radj drew his sword from the sheath and regarded it lovingly.
“Well that depends.” Speedy had no intention of telling the Red King about the island’s broken steering gear.
“It depends, does it!” Radj thrust back his sword with a flashing smile. “Well you go back and tell King Sizzeroo that he and his annoying little island
had better not Sizzeroost around here too long, or I’ll shoot you all to the bottom of the Nonestic Ocean with my famous water gun. That snuffer he’s let down may keep out our arrows and rocks, but nothing can save him from my water gun. Come along and I’ll show you how it works.”
Speedy gulped and grasped both sides of the boat as the King’s men dipped their oars in the choppy sea and headed for Roaraway Island. He wondered whether, after all, Waddy had not been mistaken in his ability to deal with this big blustering Sea King. But frightened and uneasy as he was, he assumed an air of careful indifference, asking quiet and casual questions about the tides, the wind and the weather, and all of these questions Radj readily and politely answered. The oarsmen, instead of landing when they reached the rocky shores of Roaraway, rowed on and around to a point about half a mile from the opposite side.
“The water depth here is not more than twenty feet and as we need a much greater depth for our gun, we keep it around on this side,” explained Radj obligingly. “It is constructed to shoot entirely over our own island and in any direction whatsoever!”
“I see,” answered Speedy in a rather faint voice and then added shrewdly, “It does not seem to have
done much damage to Norroway.”
“Aha, men, listen to the little Solomon. I admire your perspicacity, small sliver of a wise oak. But naturally, I have not used my gun on Norroway. It would sink the island like a stone and leave me no one to make war on. Now attend closely, my valiant bantling. You are about to see the most marvelous invention since gunpowder.”
Speedy needed no urging to attend closely, for he wanted to remember every detail of this unheard of Weapon to report to the Wizard and to Uncle Billy, if ever he got back to Long Island. Squeezed between the hairy warriors in the small rocking boat, his chances for even reaching Umbrella Island in safety seemed dreadfully slim. Nevertheless, he bent far out over the side. as Radj waved his men in under a huge projecting cliff.
The tremendous gun, fastened by many chains to an immense rock, rested half in and half out of the water, and looked somewhat like a cannon and somewhat like a mighty rubber hose. An automatic pump was attached to the water end of the gun and as the boat drew in nearer, Radj leaned down, pulled a lever in the pump, swung the gun about till it was pointing toward a small deserted island possibly a
mile distant, and then pulled the metal cord that set it off. Hardly knowing what to expect, Speedy jumped to his feet. As he did, with the rush, roar and power of Niagara, a green torrent of water arched in a hissing curve through the air and fell like a tidal wave upon its mark. The ocean for miles around heaved, bubbled and broke into tumultuous waves from the furious impact, and the small boat containing Speedy and the Radjians bounced about like a cockle shell. Stunned by the frightful uproar and almost blinded by the spray, Speedy clutched the nearest object, which happened to be the leg of the tall Sea King.
“Well, are you satisfied?” Swinging Speedy to his broad red shouder he pointed off toward the west. Where the island had been, not one bit of land or even wreckage was visible.
“Tell old Sizzer he has till ten o’clock to-morrow,” Puffed Radj, dropping Speedy down between the seamen. “If his island is not gone then, we’ll sink it, beach, castle, woods, houses and everything! But don’t say I didn’t warn you. And if, my wise little monkey, instead of going off with the others, you prefer to stay here with me, I’ll make you fifth in command of my Roaraway warriors. I like your spirit, bantling.”
To this munificent offer Speedy shook his head, and then as he could think of nothing to say, preserved as impressive a silence as his wildly beating heart would permit of, but not till the Sea King’s boat reached Umbrella Island did he fully recover from the shock of the water gun.
“Goodbye, then!” rumbled Radj, swinging him good naturedly ashore. “Sorry to seem unsociable, but I never allow anything to interfere with my wars!”
Indignant as he was, Speedy could not help feeling a certain admiration for the big, bluff ruler of Roaraway and as his boat pulled away he gave the Red Sea King a wide, friendly, vigorous wave.
“It was pretty sporting of him to tell us about his gun before using it,” decided the assistant wizard of Umbrella Island, and then zipping through Waddy’s curtain, he carefully closed the opening behind him.
CHAPTER 13
A Troublesome Problem
SPEEDY was in a great hurry to report to Waddy, but he stopped first to have a few
words with Terrybubble. The dinosaur had his huge skull resting on the limb of a China-berry tree, and curled up quite cozily on the same branch was the King’s Watch Cat. The two had the royal terrace to themselves and Pansy was telling Terrybubble all about life on Umbrella Island.
Seeing that his faithful fossil was for the time being not only safe, but interested and happy, Speedy went directly to the Wiza
rd’s tower.
“Whew, you ought to have an elevator,” he puffed, dropping wearily on a gold bench.
“You don’t mean to say you’ve been walking up those steps all this time?” Waddy peered over his specs with an amused twinkle. “I thought better of a scientist’s nephew than that! All you have to do is to turn the knob on the balustrade at the bottom and you’ll whiz up. Did you expect a fat old fellow like me to arrange such a climb for himself? What’s the use of being a wizard without a little wizzing? So the next time you come, make me whizit!” directed Waddy, tapping a golden nail sharply with his silver hammer.
“Does the knob take one down, too?” Speedy felt rather mortified to think he had not discovered this trick before.
“Up and down,” answered the Wizard briskly. “But tell me what happened-anything new and interesting? How did you get on with His Radjesty?”
“What happened here?” countered Speedy, who was anxious to know how far the Wizard had progressed with his repairs.
“Nothing,” confessed Waddy, with an exasperated shrug of his immense shoulders. “I’ve tried oil, air, pressure and poetry-lubrication, incantation and even-er-even a few coniferous curses, but still this pestiferous umbrella won’t budge.”
“But how much longer will it take?” asked Speedy, viewing with deep concern the completely dismantled steering board.
“No telling,” Waddy sighed, and picking up a red blower inserted it in a small tube in the board. “To-morrow-next day-maybe-Christmas !”
“Christmas !” echoed Speedy, clutching the bench with both hands. “Oh, Waddy, you must fix it right away. Listen-did you ever hear of a water gun?”
“A water gun?” The Wizard dropped the blower with a crash. “Why that’s been a pet idea of mine for centuries, but I’ve never been able to get enough suction into the thing.”
“Well, someone else has.” Speedy dragged out his
handkerchief and ran it hurriedly over his perspiring face.
“Radj?” questioned the Wizard, lunging anxiously toward the little boy.
“Yes!” said Speedy, stuffing the handkerchief back into his pocket.
“Oh, he just told you he had one,” frowned Waddy, resting his elbows heavily on the table.
“No.” Speedy shook his head sorrowfully. “He showed it to me and I saw it sink an island as big as this one. Just like that!” Snapping his fingers, the little boy stared solemnly up at the King’s kindly counselor.
“Merciful Monkeys! You mean you went off to Roaraway with that Red Headed Rascal? How long have we got? How long did he give us? Quick, fetch me my book of Sea Witchery and water magic, close the door as you go out, tell them not to wait dinner for me and not a breath of this to anyone-not a breath! This is between you and me and the gate post. No, not even the gate post! Remember, you are my first assistant and I expect you to go below and act as if nothing more had happened since you dropped the metal curtain. Now then!” Sweeping everything off the table, Waddy jumped up, spun about like a top and then darted toward a low cabinet where he kept the most powerful of his magic appliances. Almost as swiftly, Speedy dashed over to the shelves and fairly pounced upon the large volume of Sea Witchery.
“We have till ten o’clock to-morrow morning,” he called, placing the book carefully on the end of the table, and then, as Waddy, still on his knees before the cabinet, nodded to show he understood, the little boy picked up his magic umbrella which he had forgotten on his trip to Roaraway, and tiptoeing through the door closed it softly behind him. Only too well he realized the Wizard would have to work fast and without interruption if he was to raise Umbrella Island before the Red King set off his destroying gun.
Even the exciting swoop down the circular staircase, when he turned the knob at the top of the balustrade, did not completely comfort him or take his mind off the dreadful danger threatening him and his new found friends. He would have liked to tell Gureeda about the water gun and his unexpected visit to Roaraway, but remembering the Wizard’s warning, he decided to get himself a book from the castle library and try to keep his mind off the whole unhappy business till dinner time. He was on his
way to this enormous and interesting room when Kachewka darted out between a heavy pair of blue curtains.
“Come!” urged the King’s Chief Counselor, taking him firmly by the arm. “Come, and I will conduct you to your room, for you will naturally wish to dress for dinner. It is-er-er-customary,” finished Kachewka with a dignified cough. The critical gaze of the old statesman swept Speedy scornfully from head to foot, and conscious for the first time of his dusty, torn and now completely water soaked suit, Speedy grew very red and uncomfortable.
“I have had our Royal Costumer fashion you a few -er-more suitable garments,” continued Kachewka, drawing him rapidly along the splendid corridor, and before Speedy had time to object or offer one remark, he had opened the door of a richly appointed apartment, switched on the lights and with a brief nod taken himself off.
Sticking his tongue out at the old counselor’s back, Speedy closed the door, turned the silver key in the lock and turned to examine his new quarters. Everything in the room was blue or silver and the furnishings were in excellent taste. There were many comfortable arm chairs, a very grand desk and table, a roomy couch, a case full of new books, countless
lamps on tall, silver stands and a remarkable four-post bed with a gay and dashing tapestry.
On the couch twelve complete costumes were spread for his approval. Picking up the first, an elaborate affair with blue satin trousers, a white satin blouse and shiny red boots, Speedy gave an amused sniff, then glimpsing a blue bath beyond the bed room, he stepped out of his dusty travelling clothes, took a hot and cold shower and, greatly refreshed, began to draw on one of the ceremonial costumes Kachewka had provided.
“The whole works,” he chuckled surveying himself gayly in the long mirror. “Even a queue! Whew! Wouldn’t the fellows rag me if they could see this?”
Setting the tightly fitting silk cap with the long shining braid attached, on the exact center of his head he made himself a neat and nonchalant bow. “I look just like a Chinaman, but still-” he stepped back a pace to get a better view. “It’s not such a bad looking outfit at that - kinda goes with the rest of the scenery. Wonder if Terrybubble’ll know me?”
Finding that Gureeda had placed the book of travels she had promised him on the table beside the bed, he tucked it under one arm and with his magic umbrella swinging from the other, he unlocked his
door, and in a haughty and exceedingly dignified manner proceeded along the corridor, down the silver steps and into the throne room. No one but Terrybubble was there to witness his triumphal entry.
“I thought you were the other one,” muttered the dinosaur, as Speedy to attract his attention trod playfully on his hind claw. “She was here a moment ago. Oh my dear self! You look exactly like that Princess girl.”
“You mean she looks like me,” corrected Speedy loftily, for he could not bear even the thought of looking like a girl. “Well, I can’t help that, old fellow. Girls dress the same as boys on this island and while I’m here I might as well look like the rest of the Umbrella birds.”
“When are we going to use our umbrellas?” asked Terrybubble, gazing fondly down at his own which he had hooked through one of his ribs.
“Never, I hope,” breathed Speedy fervently, recalling with a shiver his leap from the Wizard’s tower. “But it’s safer to keep them with us, for in countries like this, Terrybubble, one never knows what will happen.”
“No, I suppose not,” agreed the monster, shaking his head reflectively. “But when are we going to
Oz? I like the sound of that country.”
“Not for a long time, I hope,” answered Gureeda, stepping quickly in from the terrace. Four footmen walked solemnly behind her, bearing an enormous wreath of roses, which she thoughtfully had woven into a fresh collar for Terrybubble. Gureeda, herself, was dressed in a blue trousered sui
t like Speedy’s and paused in surprise when she saw the American boy in a costume exactly matching her own. “Why now, you’re a real Umbrella Islander!” exclaimed Gureeda, viewing him delightedly from all angles.
“Yes, and you both are as like as two Umbrella birds,” grumbled the dinosaur. “Both with braids, boots, blouses and trousers. I’ll be mixing you up first thing you know and carrying the wrong one back to America.”
“Oh no you won’t, for I’ll always have a parasol and Speedy will have an umbrella,” the Princess reminded him calmly. “Besides, our voices are different and I’m not half so brave. Did you like the book?” she asked shyly and in the next breath.
“Have it with me,” smiled Speedy, deciding that when he grew up and was old enough to marry, he’d choose a girl exactly like the little Princess of Umbrella Island. Even her persistent reading habit did
not greatly annoy him, and almost forgetting about Radj and his water gun, he helped Gureeda remove Terrybubble’s faded daisy wreath and adjust the fragrant collar of roses.
“I’ll bet you’re the first prehistoric monster who ever wore a decoration like this,” chuckled Speedy, as Terrybubble set them both carefully down on the polished floor. “And how you are going to stand life in a musty old museum, I don’t know!”
“Oh, must he go back to a museum?” sighed Gureeda. “Why cannot you both stay here and fly all over the world with us?” “But Terrybubble really belongs to that professor,” explained Speedy regretfully, “and I’ll wager he’s having a fit over his disappearance right now. As for Uncle Billy, I don’t know what he must be thinking.”
“Oh well, we don’t have to bother about that now,” said Gureeda sensibly, “for until Waddy mends our umbrella we cannot go anywhere.”
“Except to the bottom of the Nonestic Ocean,” thought Speedy with a little shudder. Then, as Sizzeroo and his courtiers came trailing grandly into the throne room and everything got exceedingly dull and stuffy, the two children ran out into the garden to have a game of tag before dinner.
