What are
you doing here?"
"We've come to rescue some friends of ours who are stuck fast on the
Magic Isle in this river," explained Dorothy.
"I know 'em," said the Duck. "I've been to see 'em, and they're
stuck fast, all right. You may as well go back home, for no power can
save them."
"This is the Wonderful Wizard of Oz," said Dorothy, pointing to the
little man.
"Well, I'm the Lonesome Duck," was the reply, as the fowl strutted
up and down to show its feathers to best advantage. "I'm the great
Forest Magician, as any beast can tell you, but even I have no power
to destroy the dreadful charm of the Magic Isle."
"Are you lonesome because you're a magician?" inquired Dorothy.
"No; I'm lonesome because I have no family and no friends. But I
like to be lonesome, so please don't offer to be friendly with me. Go
away, and try not to step on my Diamond Palace."
"Where is it?" asked the girl.
"Behind this bush."
Dorothy hopped off the lion's back and ran around the bush to see
the Diamond Palace of the Lonesome Duck, although the gaudy fowl
protested in a series of low quacks.
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