This enjoyment was interrupted by the Grand
Gallipoot sending for the prisoner.
"Wait a few hours," begged the jailer. "I haven't pulled out a
quarter of his whiskers yet."
"If you keep the Grand Gallipoot waiting, he'll break your back,"
declared the messenger.
"Perhaps you're right," sighed the jailer. "Take the prisoner away,
if you will, but I advise you to kick him at every step he takes. It
will be good fun, for he is as soft as a ripe peach."
So Guph was led away to the royal castle, where the Grand Gallipoot
told him that the Growleywogs had decided to assist the Nomes in
conquering the Land of Oz.
"Whenever you are ready," he added, "send me word and I will march
with eighteen thousand of my most powerful warriors to your aid."
Guph was so delighted that he forgot all the smarting caused by the
pins and the pulling of whiskers. He did not even complain of the
treatment he had received, but thanked the Grand Gallipoot and hurried
away upon his journey.
He had now secured the assistance of the Whimsies and the Growleywogs;
but his success made him long for still more allies. His own life
depended upon his conquering Oz, and he said to himself:
"I'll take no chances.
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