Page:The Royal Book of Oz.djvu/206

The Royal Book of Oz as she caught sight of the Cowardly Lion dragging Sir Hokus, she jumped up excitedly. Ran, however, took one look at the huge beast, and then fled, calling for Mem at the top of his voice. And that was the last Dorothy saw of these singular twins.

The Lion dropped Sir Hokus in a limp heap. When Dorothy unfastened his armor, gallons of water rushed out.

"Sho good of—of—you," choked the poor Knight, trying to straighten up.

"Save your breath, old fellow," said the Cowardly Lion, regarding him affectionately.

"Oh, why did I ask for water on the end of the road?" sighed Dorothy. "But, anyway, we're in some part of the Winkie Country."

Sir Hokus, though still spluttering, was beginning to revive. "Yon noble bheastbeast [sic] shall be knighted. Uds daggers! That's the shecondsecond [sic] time he's shavedsaved [sic] my life!" Rising unsteadily, he tottered over to the Lion and struck him a sharp blow on the shoulder. "Rishe, ShirRise, Sir [sic] Cowardly Lion," he cried hoarsely, then fell headlong, and before Dorothy or the lion had recovered from their surprise, he was fast asleep, mumbling happily of dragons and bludgeons.

"We'll have to wait till he gets rested," said Doro