# XIII: The Den of the Dragonettes explained — Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

> Chapter companion for Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum.

## What happens

After escaping the Gargoyles by building a fire at the cave entrance, the group navigates a treacherous mountain passage and discovers a vast circular cave inhabited by young dragonettes—baby dragons whose tails are tied to rocks by their mother. The dragonettes, though hungry, cannot reach the travelers, who learn about their ancient lineage and the mother dragon's hunting habits. The group then finds two exit paths and hurries away before the mother dragon returns.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Resourcefulness

The group uses fire to block the Gargoyles and creatively disassembles the buggy to continue their journey, demonstrating quick thinking and bravery.

### Adventure and Exploration

The chapter focuses on navigating unknown mountain passages and discovering the dragonettes' den, highlighting the spirit of exploration.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy Gale

Leads the group with curiosity and courage, questioning the dragonettes about their habits and pedigree.

### Jim the Cab-Horse

Pulls the buggy through narrow passages and rough terrain, showing patience and strength.

### Zeb

Assists the Wizard in removing wings and disassembling the buggy to navigate tight spaces.

### Eureka the Kitten

Spots the dragonettes' eyes in the dark and expresses fear, describing them as ugly and terrifying.

### The Wizard

Devises the fire barrier to stop the Gargoyles and leads the exploration of the mountain cave.

## Key lines

> Our friends had a good start and were able to maintain it, for with their eight wings they could go just as fast as could the Gargoyles.

The group kept ahead of the Gargoyles because their eight wings allowed them to fly at the same speed.

_Describes the initial escape from the Gargoyles._

> The flames leaped up at once and the bonfire began to smoke and roar and crackle just as the great army of wooden Gargoyles arrived.

The fire blazed up just as the Gargoyles reached them, creating a barrier.

_Highlights the Wizard's strategy to block the Gargoyles._

> We hope to grow to be dragons some day, but just now we're only dragonettes.

The creatures are young dragons, not yet fully grown.

_Introduces the dragonettes and their stage of development._

> If I remember rightly, we were sixty-six years old the day before yesterday.

The dragonette claims to be sixty-six years old, indicating their long lifespan.

_Shows the dragonettes' age and slow growth._

> Mother's about two thousand years old; but she carelessly lost track of her age a few centuries ago and skipped several hundreds.

The mother dragon is around two thousand years old and has lost count of her exact age.

_Reveals the mother dragon's immense age._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters/xiii-the-den-of-the-dragonettes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dorothy_and_the_wizard_in_oz_se/chapters