Queen Gloria Next morning the Scarecrow called upon all the courtiers and the people to assemble in the throne room of the castle, where there was room enough for all that were able to attend.They found the straw man seated upon the velvet cushions of the throne, with the King's glittering crown still upon his stuffed head.On one side of the throne, in a lower chair, sat Gloria, looking radiantly beautiful and fresh as a new-blown rose.On the other side sat Pon, the gardener's boy, still dressed in his old smock frock and looking sad and solemn; for Pon could not make himself believe that so splendid a Princess would condescend to love him when she had come to her own and was seated upon a throne.Trot and Cap'n Bill sat at the feet of the Scarecrow and were much interested in the proceedings.Button-Bright had lost himself before breakfast, but came into the throne room before the ceremonies were over.Back of the throne stood a row of the great Orks, with their leader in the center, and the entrance to the palace was guarded by more Orks, who were regarded with wonder and awe.
When all were assembled, the Scarecrow stood up and made a speech.He told how Gloria's father, the good King Kynd, who had once ruled them and been loved by everyone, had been destroyed by King Phearce, the father of Pon, and how King Phearce had been destroyed by King Krewl.
This last King had been a bad ruler, as they knew very well, and the Scarecrow declared that the only one in all Jinxland who had the right to sit upon the throne was Princess Gloria, the daughter of King Kynd.
"But," he added, "it is not for me, a stranger, to say who shall rule you.You must decide for yourselves, or you will not be content.So choose now who shall be your future ruler."And they all shouted: "The Scarecrow! The Scarecrow shall rule us!"Which proved that the stuffed man had made himself very popular by his conquest of King Krewl, and the people thought they would like him for their King.But the Scarecrow shook his head so vigorously that it became loose, and Trot had to pin it firmly to his body again.
"No," said he, "I belong in the Land of Oz, where I am the humble servant of the lovely girl who rules us all --the royal Ozma.You must choose one of your own inhabitants to rule over Jinxland.Who shall it be?"They hesitated for a moment, and some few cried: "Pon!"but many more shouted: "Gloria!"
So the Scarecrow took Gloria's hand and led her to the throne, where he first seated her and then took the glittering crown off his own head and placed it upon that of the young lady, where it nestled prettily amongst her soft curls.The people cheered and shouted then, kneeling before their new Queen; but Gloria leaned down and took Pon's hand in both her own and raised him to the seat beside her.
"You shall have both a King and a Queen to care for you and to protect you, my dear subjects," she said in a sweet voice, while her face glowed with happiness; "for Pon was a King's son before he became a gardener's boy, and because I love him he is to be my Royal Consort."That pleased them all, especially Pon, who realized that this was the most important moment of his life.Trot and Button-Bright and Cap'n Will all congratulated him on winning the beautiful Gloria; but the Ork sneezed twice and said that in his opinion the young lady might have done better.
Then the Scarecrow ordered the guards to bring in the wicked Krewl, King no longer, and when he appeared, loaded with chains and dressed in fustian, the people hissed him and drew back as he passed so their garments would not touch him.
Krewl was not haughty or overbearing any more; on the contrary he seemed very meek and in great fear of the fate his conquerors had in store for him.But Gloria and Pon were too happy to be revengeful and so they offered to appoint Krewl to the position of gardener's boy at the castle, Pon having resigned to become King.But they said he must promise to reform his wicked ways and to do his duty faithfully, and he must change his name from Krewl to Grewl.All this the man eagerly promised to do, and so when Pon retired to a room in the castle to put on princely raiment, the old brown smock he had formerly worn was given to Grewl, who then went out into the garden to water the roses.
The remainder of that famous day, which was long remembered in Jinxland, was given over to feasting and merrymaking.In the evening there was a grand dance in the courtyard, where the brass band played a new piece of music called the "Ork Trot" which was dedicated to "Our Glorious Gloria, the Queen."While the Queen and Pon were leading this dance, and all the Jinxland people were having a good time, the strangers were gathered in a group in the park outside the castle.Cap'n Bill, Trot, Button-Bright and the Scarecrow were there, and so was their old friend the Ork; but of all the great flock of Orks which had assisted in the conquest but three remained in Jinxland, besides their leader, the others having returned to their own country as soon as Gloria was crowned Queen.To the young Ork who had accompanied them in their adventures Cap'n Bill said:
"You've surely been a friend in need, and we're mighty grateful to you for helping us.I might have been a grasshopper yet if it hadn't been for you, an' I might remark that bein' a grasshopper isn't much fun.""If it hadn't been for you, friend Ork," said the Scarecrow, "I fear I could not have conquered King Krewl.""No," agreed Trot, "you'd have been just a heap of ashes by this time."And I might have been lost yet," added Button-Bright.
"Much obliged, Mr.Ork."
"Oh, that's all right," replied the Ork."Friends must stand together, you know, or they wouldn't be friends.
But now I must leave you and be off to my own country, where there's going to be a surprise party on my uncle, and I've promised to attend it.""Dear me," said the Scarecrow, regretfully."That is very unfortunate.""Why so?" asked the Ork.
