18. The Emerald City

           Theothersnowcameup,andtheTinWoodmangreetedtheLionandtheTigercordially.Button-BrightyelledwithfearwhenDorothyfirsttookhishandandledhimtowardthegreatbeasts;butthegirlinsistedtheywerekindandgood,andsotheboymusteredupcourageenoughtopattheirheads;aftertheyhadspokentohimgentlyandhehadlookedintotheirintelligenteyeshisfearvanishedentirelyandhewassodelightedwiththeanimalsthathewantedtokeepclosetothemandstroketheirsoftfureveryminute.

           Asfortheshaggyman,hemighthavebeenafraidifhehadmetthebeastsalone,orinanyothercountry,butsomanywerethemarvelsin;theLandofOzthathewasnolongereasilysurprised,andDorothy’sfriendshipfortheLionandTigerwasenoughtoassurehimtheyweresafecompanions.TotobarkedattheCowardlyLioninjoyousgreeting,forheknewthebeastofoldandlovedhim,anditwasfunnytoseehowgentlytheLionraisedhishugepawtopatToto’shead.ThelittledogsmelledoftheTiger’snose,andtheTigerpolitelyshookpawswithhim;sotheywerequitelikelytobecomefirmfriends.

           Tik-tokandBillinaknewthebeastswell,somerelybadethemgooddayandaskedaftertheirhealthsandinquiredaboutthePrincessOzma.

           NowitwasseenthattheCowardlyLionandtheHungryTigerweredrawingbehindthemasplendidgoldenchariot,towhichtheywereharnessedbygoldencords.