It was on the third day of their pilgrimage that they encountered their first adventure. Toward evening the sky was suddenly darkened and Major Nails exclaimed:
A fog is coming toward us.
I do not think it is a fog, replied Files, looking with interest at the approaching cloud. It seems to me more like the breath of a Rak.
What is a Rak? asked Ann, looking about fearfully.
A terrible beast with a horrible appetite, answered the soldier, growing a little paler than usual. I have never seen a Rak, to be sure, but I have read of them in the story-books that grew in my orchard, and if this is indeed one of those fearful monsters, we are not likely to conquer the world.
Hearing this, the officers became quite worried and gathered closer about their soldier.
What is the thing like? asked one.
The only picture of a Rak that I ever saw in a book was rather blurred, said Files, because the book was not quite ripe when it was picked. But the creature can fly in the air and run like a deer and swim like a fish. Inside its body is a glowing furnace of fire, and the Rak breathes in air and breathes out smoke, which darkens the sky for miles around, wherever it goes. It is bigger than a hundred men and feeds on any living thing.
The officers now began to groan and to tremble, but Files tried to cheer them, saying:
It may not be a Rak, after all, that we see approaching us, and you must not forget that we people of Oogaboo, which is part of the fairyland of Oz, cannot be killed.
Nevertheless, said Captain Buttons, if the Rak catches us, and chews us up into small pieces, and swallows us what will happen then?
Then each small piece will still be alive, declared Files.
I cannot see how that would help us, wailed Colonel Banjo. A hamburger steak is a hamburger steak, whether it is alive or not!
I tell you, this may not be a Rak, persisted Files. We will know, when the cloud gets nearer, whether it is the breath of a Rak or not. If it has no smell at all, it is probably a fog; but if it has an odor of salt and pepper, it is a Rak and we must prepare for a desperate fight.
They all eyed the dark cloud fearfully. Before long it reached the frightened group and began to envelop them. Every nose sniffed the cloud and every one detected in it the odor of salt and pepper.
The Rak! shouted Private Files, and with a howl of despair the sixteen officers fell to the ground, writhing and moaning in anguish. Queen Ann sat down upon a rock and faced the cloud more bravely, although her heart was beating fast. As for Files, he calmly loaded his gun and stood ready to fight the foe, as a soldier should.
They were now in absolute darkness, for the cloud which covered the sky and the setting sun was black as ink. Then through the gloom appeared two round, glowing balls of red, and Files at once decided these
was close at his heels and the moment she entered was lost in amazement at the wonderful sight she saw.
The greenhouse was filled with magnificent rosebushes, all growing in big pots. On the central stem of each bush bloomed a splendid Rose, gorgeously colored and deliciously fragrant, and in the center of each Rose was the face of a lovely girl.
As Betsy and Hank entered, the heads of the Roses were drooping and their eyelids were closed in slumber; but the mule was so amazed that he uttered a loud Hee-haw! and at the sound of his harsh voice the rose leaves fluttered, the Roses raised their heads and a hundred startled eyes were instantly fixed upon the intruders.
I I beg your pardon! stammered Betsy, blushing and confused.
O-o-o-h! cried the Roses, in a sort of sighing chorus; and one of them added: What a horrid noise!
Why, that was only Hank, said Betsy, and as if to prove the truth of her words the mule uttered another loud Hee-haw!
At this all the Roses turned on their stems as far as they were able and trembled as if some one were shaking their bushes. A dainty Moss Rose gasped: Dear me! How dreadfully dreadful!
It isnt dreadful at all, said Betsy, somewhat indignant. When you get used to Hanks voice it will put you to sleep.
The Roses now looked at the mule less fearfully and one of them asked:
Is that savage beast named Hank?
Yes; Hanks my comrade, faithful and true, answered the girl, twining her arms around the little mules neck and hugging him tight. Arent you, Hank?
Hank could only say in reply: Hee-haw! and at his bray the Roses shivered again.
Please go away! begged one. Cant you see youre frightening us out of a weeks growth?
Go away! echoed Betsy. Why, weve no place to go. Weve just been wrecked.
Wrecked? asked the Roses in a surprised chorus.
Yes; we were on a big ship and the storm came and wrecked it, explained the girl. But Hank and I caught hold of a raft and floated ashore to this place, and were tired and hungry. What country is this, please?
This is the Rose Kingdom, replied the Moss Rose, haughtily, and it is devoted to the culture of the rarest and fairest Roses grown.
I believe it, said Betsy, admiring the pretty blossoms.