Then, with much dignity and a look of vast importance upon his
wrinkled face, the Wizard got out his match-box and lighted the two
lanterns. The glare they made was very small when compared with the
radiance of the six great colored suns; but still they gleamed
steadily and clearly. The Mangaboos were much impressed because
they had never before seen any light that did not come directly
from their suns.

Next the Wizard poured a pool of oil from the can upon the glass floor,
where it covered quite a broad surface. When he lighted the oil a hundred
tongues of flame shot up, and the effect was really imposing.

"Now, Princess," exclaimed the Wizard, "those of your advisors who
wished to throw us into the Garden of Clinging Vines must step within
this circle of light. If they advised you well, and were in the
right, they will not be injured in any way. But if any advised you
wrongly, the light will wither him."

The advisors of the Princess did not like this test; but she commanded
them to step into the flame and one by one they did so, and were
scorched so badly that the air was soon filled with an odor like that
of baked potatoes. Some of the Mangaboos fell down and had to be
dragged from the fire, and all were so withered that it would be
necessary to plant them at once.

"Sir," said the Princess to the Wizard, "you are greater than any Sorcerer
we have ever known. As it is evident that my people have advised me
wrongly, I will not cast you three people into the dreadful Garden of
the Clinging Vines; but your animals must be driven into the Black Pit
in the mountain, for my subjects cannot bear to have them around."