Tik-Tok of Oz | Page 3

however, had given Queen Ann an idea. She
reflected that Oz was reported to be a peaceful country and Ozma a
mere girl who ruled with gentleness to all and was obeyed because her
people loved her. Even in Oogaboo the story was told that Ozma's sole
army consisted of twenty- seven fine officers, who wore beautiful
uniforms but carried no weapons, because there was no one to fight.
Once there had been a private soldier, besides the officers, but Ozma
had made him a Captain-General and taken away his gun for fear it
might accidentally hurt some one.
The more Ann thought about the matter the more she was convinced it
would be easy to conquer the Land of Oz and set herself up as Ruler in
Ozma's place, if she but had an Army to do it with. Afterward she could
go out into the world and conquer other lands, and then perhaps she
could find a way to the moon, and conquer that. She had a warlike

spirit that preferred trouble to idleness.
It all depended on an Army, Ann decided. She carefully counted in her
mind all the men of her kingdom. Yes; there were exactly eighteen of
them, all told. That would not make a very big Army, but by surprising
Ozma's unarmed officers her men might easily subdue them. "Gentle
people are always afraid of those that bluster," Ann told herself. "I don't
wish to shed any blood, for that would shock my nerves and I might
faint; but if we threaten and flash our weapons I am sure the people of
Oz will fall upon their knees before me and surrender."
This argument, which she repeated to herself more than once, finally
determined the Queen of Oogaboo to undertake the audacious venture.
"Whatever happens," she reflected, "can make me no more unhappy
than my staying shut up in this miserable valley and sweeping floors
and quarreling with Sister Salye; so I will venture all, and win what I
may."
That very day she started out to organize her Army.
The first man she came to was Jo Apple, so called because he had an
apple orchard.
"Jo," said Ann, "I am going to conquer the world, and I want you to
join my Army."
"Don't ask me to do such a fool thing, for I must politely refuse Your
Majesty," said Jo Apple."
"I have no intention of asking you. I shall command you, as Queen of
Oogaboo, to join," said Ann.
"In that case, I suppose I must obey," the man remarked, in a sad voice.
"But I pray you to consider that I am a very important citizen, and for
that reason am entitled to an office of high rank."
"You shall be a General," promised Ann.

"With gold epaulets and a sword?" he asked.
"Of course," said the Queen.
Then she went to the next man, whose name was Jo Bunn, as he owned
an orchard where graham-buns and wheat-buns, in great variety, both
hot and cold, grew on the trees.
"Jo," said Ann, "I am going to conquer the world, and I command you
to join my Army."
"Impossible!" he exclaimed. "The bun crop has to be picked."
"Let your wife and children do the picking," said Ann.
"But I'm a man of great importance, Your Majesty," he protested.
"For that reason you shall be one of my Generals, and wear a cocked
hat with gold braid, and curl your mustaches and clank a long sword,"
she promised.
So he consented, although sorely against his will, and the Queen
walked on to the next cottage. Here lived Jo Cone, so called because
the trees in his orchard bore crops of excellent ice-cream cones.
"Jo," said Ann, "I am going to conquer the world, and you must join
my Army."
"Excuse me, please," said Jo Cone. "I am a bad fighter. My good wife
conquered me years ago, for she can fight better than I. Take her, Your
Majesty, instead of me, and I'll bless you for the favor."
"This must be an army of men--fierce, ferocious warriors," declared
Ann, looking sternly upon the mild little man.
"And you will leave my wife here in Oogaboo?" he asked.
"Yes; and make you a General."

"I'll go," said Jo Cone, and Ann went on to the cottage of Jo Clock,
who had an orchard of clock-trees. This man at first insisted that he
would not join the army, but Queen Ann's promise to make him a
General finally won his consent.
"How many Generals are there in your army?" he asked.
"Four, so far," replied Ann.
"And how big will the army be?" was his next question.
"I intend to make every one of the eighteen men in Oogaboo join it,"
she said.
"Then