The Witch was at first frightened at finding herself captured by the enemy; but soon she decided that she was exactly as safe in the Tin Woodman’s button-hole as growing upon the bush.
For no one knew the rose and Mombi to be one, and now that she was without the gates of the City her chances of escaping altogether from Glinda were much improved. 'But there is no hurry,' thought Mombi.
'I will wait awhile and enjoy the humiliation of this Sorceress when she finds I have outwitted her.
' So throughout the night the rose lay quietly on the Woodman’s bosom, and in the morning, when Glinda summoned our friends to a consultation, Nick Chopper carried his pretty flower with him to the white silk tent.
'For some reason,' said Glinda, 'we have failed to find this cunning old Mombi; so I fear our expedition will prove a failure.
And for that I am sorry, because without our assistance little Ozma will never be rescued and restored to her rightful position as Queen of the Emerald City' 'Do not let us give up so easily,' said the Pumpkinhead. 'Let us do something else.
' 'Something else must really be done,' replied Glinda, with a smile. 'yet I cannot understand how I have been defeated so easily by an old Witch who knows far less of magic than I do myself.
' 'While we are on the ground I believe it would be wise for us to conquer the Emerald City for Princess Ozma, and find the girl afterward,' said the Scarecrow.
'And while the girl remains hidden I will gladly rule in her place, for I understand the business of ruling much better than Jinjur does. ' 'But I have promised not to molest Jinjur,' objected Glinda. 'Suppose you all return with