made us humble ourselves before her and obey her slightest word. If we disobeyed, or did not please her, or if we talked about her when we were in our own homes she would have us dragged to the whipping post in her palace and lashed with knotted cords. That is why we fear her so greatly." 

 This story filled Ozma's heart with sorrow and Dorothy's heart with indignation. 

 "I now understand," said Ozma, "why the fishes in the lake have brought about war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads." 

 "Yes," Lady Aurex answered, "now that you know the story it is easy to understand. The Su-dic and his wife came to our lake hoping to catch the silver fish, or gold fish, or bronze fish—any one of them would do—and by destroying it deprive Coo-ee-oh of her magic. Then they could easily conquer her. Also they had another reason for wanting to catch the fish—they feared that in some way the three Adepts might regain their proper forms and then they would be sure to return to the mountain and punish Rora and the Su-dic. That was why Rora finally tried to poison all the fishes in the lake, at the time Coo-ee-oh transformed her into a Golden Pig. Of course this attempt to destroy the fishes frightened the Queen, for her safety lies in keeping the three fishes alive." 

 "I s'pose Coo-ee-oh will fight the Flatheads with all her might," observed Dorothy. 

 "And with all her magic," added Ozma, thoughtfully. 

 "I do not see how the Flatheads can get to this island to hurt us," said Lady Aurex. 

 "They have bows and arrows, and I guess they mean to shoot the arrows at your big dome, and break all the glass in it," suggested Dorothy. 

 But Lady Aurex shook her head with a smile. 

 "They cannot do that," she replied. 

 "Why not?" 

 "I dare not tell you why, but if the Flatheads come to-morrow morning you will yourselves see the reason." 

 "I do not think they will attempt to harm the island," Ozma declared. "I believe they will first attempt to destroy the fishes, by poison or some other means. If they succeed in that, the conquest of the island will not be difficult." 

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