Chapter I: Front Matter

The Cowardly Lion of Oz

BY RUTH PLUMLY THOMPSON

_Founded on and continuing the Famous Oz Stories_

BY L. FRANK BAUM
"Royal Historian of Oz"

Illustrated by
JOHN R. NEILL

The Reilly & Lee Co.
Chicago

_Printed in the United States of America_

Copyright, 1923
_by_
The Reilly & Lee Co.

_The Cowardly Lion of Oz_

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Dear Girls and Boys:

This is the Cowardly Lion's book, because it is mostly about him and the people who were hunting him. Why, I do not believe there has been so much excitement in Oz since the Scarecrow fell down his family tree. Imagine anyone daring to hunt our dear old jolly friend, just as if he were a common, man-eating creature, and imagine--! But here I go telling the whole story. Read it yourself and then tell me exactly what you think of this Mustafa of Mudge and his blue whiskers.

I hope you will like Snorer. It must be convenient to have a radio ear like his. Speaking of radios, if you should happen to hear any OZ news over yours will you tell me? Will you? If there's anything I love better than strawberries in January it's Oz news in July or December or August--or any time!

I've had some of the finest letters from boys and girls lately, but there is always room in my letter box for just one more. Maybe there is one there now from you to dear me? I must run down and look. Lots of good Oz luck until the Emerald clock in the royal palace strikes book time again!

RUTH PLUMLY THOMPSON.

Philadelphia,
July of 1923.

* * * * *

This book is dedicated to
My sister
Dorothy Thompson Curtiss
and all other lovely Dorothys
including Dorothy of Oz

Ruth Plumly Thompson

* * * * *

List of Chapters

1 Mustafa of Mudge

2 Magic at the Circus

3 At the Court of Mudge

4 Mustafa's Mandate

5 Two Cowardly Lion Hunters

6 The Seven Doors

7 The Escape from Doorways

8 The Cowardly Lion's Quest

9 In Search of a Brave Man

10 On the Isle of Un

11 A Strange Fishing Party

12 Saved by a Flyaboutabus

13 Mustafa's Blue Magic

14 Flying in a Deluge

15 Mustafa Keeps Watch

16 A Fall from the Sky

17 The Stone Man of Oz

18 Notta's Last Disguise

19 In the Emerald City

20 The Cowardly Lion's Peril

21 Oz Magic Triumphs

22 A Happy Home in Oz