The Runaway Country was a part of the Winkie Country. It had two lakes for eyes and a river for a mouth. It waited around for years to be discovered, and finally decided to go out, become an island, and find some settlers along the way. It found Peg Amy, Kabumpo, Prince Pompadore, and Wag the Rabbit. It declared Peg Amy its princess. When it suggested that its new settlers build a city on it, Kabumpo refused and pointed out that it didn't have many building materials or things to eat. (Kabumpo in Oz)
Ozma gave the Runaway Country to Ruggedo, the former Nome King, as a settler, and transported it to the Nonestic Ocean. The island became known as Runaway Island or Ruggedo's Island. Ruggedo stayed on the island until Peter Brown arrived and found a pirate ship to leave the island on. (The Gnome King of Oz)
Comments[]
Ruggedo's experience on the island parallels the later career of Napoleon Bonaparte. Runaway was presumably meant to be Ruggedo's analog of Saint Helena, but instead he returned as Napoleon did from Elba.
Runaway appears to have gone dormant after finding its proper place at the end of Kabumpo in Oz. In The Gnome King of Oz, there is no indication that the island is sentient.