tires of the buggy-wheels. He had nearly finished this last task when
a low growling was suddenly heard and the horse began to jump around
and kick viciously with his heels.

"Quick! To the water or you are lost!" cried their unseen friend, and
without hesitation the Wizard drew the buggy down the bank and out
upon the broad river, for Dorothy was still seated in it with Eureka
in her arms. They did not sink at all, owing to the virtues of the
strange plant they had used, and when the buggy was in the middle of
the stream the Wizard returned to the bank to assist Zeb and Jim.

The horse was plunging madly about, and two or three deep gashes
appeared upon its flanks, from which the blood flowed freely.

"Run for the river!" shouted the Wizard, and Jim quickly freed himself
from his unseen tormenters by a few vicious kicks and then obeyed.
As soon as he trotted out upon the surface of the river he found
himself safe from pursuit, and Zeb was already running across the water
toward Dorothy.

As the little Wizard turned to follow them he felt a hot breath
against his cheek and heard a low, fierce growl. At once he began
stabbing at the air with his sword, and he knew that he had struck
some substance because when he drew back the blade it was dripping
with blood. The third time that he thrust out the weapon there was a
loud roar and a fall, and suddenly at his feet appeared the form of a
great red bear, which was nearly as big as the horse and much stronger
and fiercer. The beast was quite dead from the sword thrusts, and
after a glance at its terrible claws and sharp teeth the little man
turned in a panic and rushed out upon the water, for other menacing