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"Not a sound, Colonel Carrington," he muttered under his breath, "as you value your freedom." The tightened grasp instantly relaxed, and Guy turned his head slightly to obtain a clearer view of Oko Sam. This action hastened the climax, for his burnous caught on the button of Colonel Carrington's coat and fell to the ground.
Then, apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, he addressed a few words to the weazened Arab, and, turning to his people, jabbered away volubly for two or three minutes. When he ceased, half a dozen men started off in different directions, and the interpreter proceeded to communicate the decision to Guy, who, in spite of his calm exterior, was greatly agitated. "Oko Sam say yes," began the Arab.
"Saving your Imperial Presence, this is not permitted," said Tappy uneasily. "Never mind about my Imperial Presence," chuckled the Scarecrow. "Tell me about my Imperial Past." "Ah!" said Tappy Oko, rolling up his eyes, "You were one of the most magnificent and magnanimous of monarchs." "Was I?" asked the Scarecrow in a pleased voice.
"I'm feeling older than a Kinkajou. Ah, Happy Oko, why did I ever slide down my family tree? It has brought me nothing but unhappiness." "Let me help your Imperial Serenity!" "Bring a cane!" "Carefully, now!" The three royal Princes, with every show of affection, were supporting the Scarecrow to the silver bench in the garden where he usually sat during luncheon.
"Don't despair," whispered Guy; "those infernal Abyssinians have become drunk and allowed their captive to slip away just at this critical time, but all may go well yet." It took but a short time to make Oko Sam acquainted with the facts of the case. He strode up to the camels, and gazed long and haughtily at the two strangers.
"It is customary to sound the drum at the approach of your Royal Highness," put in the Grand Chew Chew importantly. "Was customary," said the Scarecrow firmly. "My dear Tappy Oko, never sound it in my presence again; it is too upsetting." Which was true enough, for one blow of the drum sent the flimsy Scarecrow flying into the air. "You're dismissed, Happy," snapped the Grand Chew Chew.
Foremost among the Somalis stood Oko Sam, his leopard skin dangling about his loins, and a fiendish expression on his face. He advanced a step or two, talking fiercely, and pointing with his spear to Guy and Melton. The Arab leader strode out toward him, and cried in a loud voice, "Makar has ordered it. The two white men must go to Harar."
"It's one of Professor Wogglebug's language pills," he exclaimed to Dorothy, "and will enable him to speak and understand Ozish." Happy swallowed the pill gravely. "Greetings, honorable Ozites!" he said politely as soon as the pill was down. Dorothy clapped her hands in delight, for it was so comfortable to have him speak their own language. "I could never have stood it here without Tappy Oko!"
The eager confab was still going on as strenuously as ever when a tumult arose from the outskirts of the throng, and presently, amid hoarse cheering and applause, a man broke through the parted ranks of the people and limped feebly into the open space. It was Oko Sam!
"This is delightful. You agree with me, I see. Now then, three cheers for Tappy Oko, Imperial Emperor of the Silver Island." Having arranged affairs so satisfactorily, the Scarecrow embraced Happy Toko with deep emotion. Dorothy and Sir Hokus shook hands with him and wished him every success and happiness.
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