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diff --git a/old/53844-8.txt b/old/53844-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c9a93c1..0000000 --- a/old/53844-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6640 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Land of Oz, by L. Frank Baum - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Land of Oz - -Author: L. Frank Baum - -Illustrator: John Neill - -Release Date: December 30, 2016 [EBook #53844] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAND OF OZ *** - - - - -Produced by Jane Robins and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - - The - Land of Oz - - The Further Adventures of - - A Sequel to - THE WIZARD OF OZ - - by - - L. Frank Baum - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -The Famous Oz Books - - -Since 1900 when L. Frank Baum introduced to the children of America -THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ and all the other exciting characters who -inhabit the land of Oz, these delightful fairy tales have stimulated -the imagination of millions of young readers. - -These are stories which are genuine fantasy--creative, funny, tender, -exciting and surprising. Filled with the rarest and most absurd -creatures, each of the =14= volumes which now comprise the series, has -been eagerly sought out by generation after generation until today they -are known to all except the very young or those who were never young at -all. - -When, in a recent survey, =The New York Times= polled a group of -teenagers on the books they liked best when they were young, the Oz -books topped the list. - - - - -_THE FAMOUS OZ BOOKS_ - -By L. Frank Baum: - - - THE WIZARD OF OZ - THE LAND OF OZ - OZMA OF OZ - DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD IN OZ - THE ROAD TO OZ - THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ - THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ - TIK-TOK OF OZ - THE SCARECROW OF OZ - RINKITINK IN OZ - THE LOST PRINCESS OF OZ - THE TIN WOODMAN OF OZ - THE MAGIC OF OZ - GLINDA OF OZ - - - CHICAGO THE REILLY & LEE CO. _Publishers_ - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The - Land _of_ Oz -] - -[Illustration: TIP MANUFACTURES A PUMPKINHEAD] - - - - - The - Land of Oz - - Being an account of the - further adventures of the - - Scarecrow - and Tin Woodman - - and also the strange experiences - of the Highly Magnified - Woggle-Bug, Jack Pumpkinhead, - the Animated Saw-Horse - and the Gump; - the story being - - A Sequel _to_ The Wizard _of_ Oz - - By - - L. Frank Baum - - Author of Father Goose--His Book; The Wizard of Oz; The Magical Monarch - of Mo; The Enchanted Isle of Yew, The Life and Adventures _of_ - Santa Claus; Dot and Tot of Merryland etc., etc. - - PICTURED BY - - John R. Neill - - CHICAGO - - THE REILLY & LEE COMPANY - - - - -[Illustration: - - Copyright 1904 - - by - - L. Frank Baum - - All rights reserved -] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Author's Note - - - After the publication of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" I began to - receive letters from children, telling me of their pleasure in - reading the story and asking me to "write something more" about the - Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. At first I considered these little - letters, frank and earnest though they were, in the light of pretty - compliments; but the letters continued to come during succeeding - months, and even years. - - Finally I promised one little girl, who made a long journey to - see me and prefer her request,--and she is a "Dorothy," by the - way--that when a thousand little girls had written me a thousand - little letters asking for another story of the Scarecrow and the - Tin Woodman, I would write the book. Either little Dorothy was a - fairy in disguise, and waved her magic wand, or the success of the - stage production of "The Wizard of Oz" made new friends for the - story. For the thousand letters reached their destination long - since--and many more followed them. - - And now, although pleading guilty to a long delay, I have kept my - promise in this book. - - L. FRANK BAUM. - - Chicago, June, 1904. -] - - - - -[Illustration: - - To those excellent good fellows and eminent comedians =David C. - Montgomery= and =Fred A. Stone= whose clever personations of the - Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow have delighted thousands of children - throughout the land, this book is gratefully dedicated - by - THE AUTHOR -] - - - - -[Illustration: - - TIP. - - JACK - - MOMBI - - SCARECROW - - TIN WOODMAN - - WOGGLE-BUG - - GUMP -] - -LIST OF CHAPTERS - - - PAGE - - Tip Manufactures a Pumpkinhead 1 - The Marvelous Powder of Life 9 - The Flight of the Fugitives 23 - Tip Makes an Experiment in Magic 33 - The Awakening of the Saw-Horse 41 - Jack Pumpkinhead's Ride 53 - His Majesty, the Scarecrow 65 - General Jinjur's Army of Revolt 77 - The Scarecrow Plans an Escape 91 - The Journey to the Tin Woodman 103 - A Nickel-Plated Emperor 115 - Mr. H. M. Woggle-Bug, T. E. 129 - A Highly Magnified History 141 - Old Mombi Indulges in Witchcraft 153 - The Prisoners of the Queen 163 - The Scarecrow Takes Time to Think 175 - The Astonishing Flight of the Gump 185 - In the Jackdaws' Nest 195 - Dr. Nikidik's Famous Wishing Pills 213 - The Scarecrow Appeals to Glinda 225 - The Tin Woodman Plucks a Rose 241 - The Transformation of Old Mombi 251 - Princess Ozma of Oz 259 - The Riches of Content 273 - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: - - The - Land _of_ Oz -] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Tip Manufactures - a Pumpkinhead -] - - -In the Country of the Gillikins, which is at the North of the Land of -Oz, lived a youth called Tip. There was more to his name than that, for -old Mombi often declared that his whole name was Tippetarius; but no -one was expected to say such a long word when "Tip" would do just as -well. - -This boy remembered nothing of his parents, for he had been brought -when quite young to be reared by the old woman known as Mombi, whose -reputation, I am sorry to say, was none of the best. For the Gillikin -people had reason to suspect her of indulging in magical arts, and -therefore hesitated to associate with her. - -Mombi was not exactly a Witch, because the Good Witch who ruled that -part of the Land of Oz had forbidden any other Witch to exist in her -dominions. So Tip's guardian, however much she might aspire to working -magic, realized it was unlawful to be more than a Sorceress, or at most -a Wizardess. - -[Illustration] - -Tip was made to carry wood from the forest, that the old woman might -boil her pot. He also worked in the corn-fields, hoeing and husking; -and he fed the pigs and milked the four-horned cow that was Mombi's -especial pride. - -But you must not suppose he worked all the time, for he felt that -would be bad for him. When sent to the forest Tip often climbed trees -for birds' eggs or amused himself chasing the fleet white rabbits or -fishing in the brooks with bent pins. Then he would hastily gather -his armful of wood and carry it home. And when he was supposed to be -working in the corn-fields, and the tall stalks hid him from Mombi's -view, Tip would often dig in the gopher holes, or--if the mood seized -him--lie upon his back between the rows of corn and take a nap. So, by -taking care not to exhaust his strength, he grew as strong and rugged -as a boy may be. - -Mombi's curious magic often frightened her neighbors, and they treated -her shyly, yet respectfully, because of her weird powers. But Tip -frankly hated her, and took no pains to hide his feelings. Indeed, he -sometimes showed less respect for the old woman than he should have -done, considering she was his guardian. - -[Illustration] - -There were pumpkins in Mombi's corn-fields, lying golden red among the -rows of green stalks; and these had been planted and carefully tended -that the four-horned cow might eat of them in the winter time. But one -day, after the corn had all been cut and stacked, and Tip was carrying -the pumpkins to the stable, he took a notion to make a "Jack Lantern" -and try to give the old woman a fright with it. - -So he selected a fine, big pumpkin--one with a lustrous, orange-red -color--and began carving it. With the point of his knife he made two -round eyes, a three-cornered nose, and a mouth shaped like a new moon. -The face, when completed, could not have been considered strictly -beautiful; but it wore a smile so big and broad, and was so jolly in -expression, that even Tip laughed as he looked admiringly at his work. - -The child had no playmates, so he did not know that boys often dig -out the inside of a "pumpkin-jack," and in the space thus made put a -lighted candle to render the face more startling; but he conceived an -idea of his own that promised to be quite as effective. He decided to -manufacture the form of a man, who would wear this pumpkin head, and to -stand it in a place where old Mombi would meet it face to face. - -"And then," said Tip to himself, with a laugh, "she'll squeal louder -than the brown pig does when I pull her tail, and shiver with fright -worse than I did last year when I had the ague!" - -He had plenty of time to accomplish this task, for Mombi had gone to a -village--to buy groceries, she said--and it was a journey of at least -two days. - -So he took his axe to the forest, and selected some stout, straight -saplings, which he cut down and trimmed of all their twigs and leaves. -From these he would make the arms, and legs, and feet of his man. For -the body he stripped a sheet of thick bark from around a big tree, and -with much labor fashioned it into a cylinder of about the right size, -pinning the edges together with wooden pegs. Then, whistling happily as -he worked, he carefully jointed the limbs and fastened them to the body -with pegs whittled into shape with his knife. - -By the time this feat had been accomplished it began to grow dark, and -Tip remembered he must milk the cow and feed the pigs. So he picked up -his wooden man and carried it back to the house with him. - -During the evening, by the light of the fire in the kitchen, Tip -carefully rounded all the edges of the joints and smoothed the rough -places in a neat and workmanlike manner. Then he stood the figure up -against the wall and admired it. It seemed remarkably tall, even for a -full-grown man; but that was a good point in a small boy's eyes, and -Tip did not object at all to the size of his creation. - -Next morning, when he looked at his work again, Tip saw he had -forgotten to give the dummy a neck, by means of which he might fasten -the pumpkinhead to the body. So he went again to the forest, which was -not far away, and chopped from a tree several pieces of wood with which -to complete his work. When he returned he fastened a cross-piece to -the upper end of the body, making a hole through the center to hold -upright the neck. The bit of wood which formed this neck was also -sharpened at the upper end, and when all was ready Tip put on the -pumpkin head, pressing it well down onto the neck, and found that it -fitted very well. The head could be turned to one side or the other, as -he pleased, and the hinges of the arms and legs allowed him to place -the dummy in any position he desired. - -"Now, that," declared Tip, proudly, "is really a very fine man, and it -ought to frighten several screeches out of old Mombi! But it would be -much more lifelike if it were properly dressed." - -To find clothing seemed no easy task; but Tip boldly ransacked the -great chest in which Mombi kept all her keepsakes and treasures, and -at the very bottom he discovered some purple trousers, a red shirt -and a pink vest which was dotted with white spots. These he carried -away to his man and succeeded, although the garments did not fit very -well, in dressing the creature in a jaunty fashion. Some knit stockings -belonging to Mombi and a much worn pair of his own shoes completed the -man's apparel, and Tip was so delighted that he danced up and down and -laughed aloud in boyish ecstasy. - -"I must give him a name!" he cried. "So good a man as this must surely -have a name. I believe," he added, after a moment's thought, "I will -name the fellow 'Jack Pumpkinhead!'" - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Marvelous - Powder of Life -] - - -After considering the matter carefully, Tip decided that the best -place to locate Jack would be at the bend in the road, a little way -from the house. So he started to carry his man there, but found him -heavy and rather awkward to handle. After dragging the creature a short -distance Tip stood him on his feet, and by first bending the joints of -one leg, and then those of the other,--at the same time pushing from -behind,--the boy managed to induce Jack to walk to the bend in the -road. It was not accomplished without a few tumbles, and Tip really -worked harder than he ever had in the fields or forest; but a love of -mischief urged him on, and it pleased him to test the cleverness of his -workmanship. - -"Jack's all right, and works fine!" he said to himself, panting with -the unusual exertion. But just then he discovered the man's left -arm had fallen off in the journey; so he went back to find it, and -afterward, by whittling a new and stouter pin for the shoulder-joint, -he repaired the injury so successfully that the arm was stronger than -before. Tip also noticed that Jack's pumpkin head had twisted around -until it faced his back; but this was easily remedied. When, at last, -the man was set up facing the turn in the path where old Mombi was to -appear, he looked natural enough to be a fair imitation of a Gillikin -farmer,--and unnatural enough to startle anyone that came on him -unawares. - -As it was yet too early in the day to expect the old woman to return -home, Tip went down into the valley below the farm-house and began to -gather nuts from the trees that grew there. - -However, old Mombi returned earlier than usual. She had met a crooked -wizard who resided in a lonely cave in the mountains, and had traded -several important secrets of magic with him. Having in this way -secured three new recipes, four magical powders and a selection of -herbs of wonderful power and potency, she hobbled home as fast as she -could, in order to test her new sorceries. - -So intent was Mombi on the treasures she had gained that when she -turned the bend in the road and caught a glimpse of the man, she merely -nodded and said: - -"Good evening, sir." - -But, a moment after, noting that the person did not move or reply, -she cast a shrewd glance into his face and discovered his pumpkin -head--elaborately carved by Tip's jack-knife. - -"Heh!" ejaculated Mombi, giving a sort of grunt; "that rascally boy -has been playing tricks again! Very good! ve--ry _good_! I'll beat him -black-and-blue for trying to scare me in this fashion!" - -Angrily she raised her stick to smash in the grinning pumpkin head of -the dummy; but a sudden thought made her pause, the uplifted stick left -motionless in the air. - -"Why, here is a good chance to try my new powder!" said she, eagerly. -"And then I can tell whether that crooked wizard has fairly traded -secrets, or whether he has fooled me as wickedly as I fooled him." - -So she set down her basket and began fumbling in it for one of the -precious powders she had obtained. - -While Mombi was thus occupied Tip strolled back, with his pockets full -of nuts, and discovered the old woman standing beside his man and -apparently not the least bit frightened by it. - -At first he was greatly disappointed; but the next moment he became -curious to know what Mombi was going to do. So he hid behind a hedge, -where he could see without being seen, and prepared to watch. - -After some search the woman drew from her basket an old pepper-box, -upon the faded label of which the wizard had written with a -lead-pencil: "Powder of Life." - -"Ah--here it is!" she cried, joyfully. "And now let us see if it is -potent. The stingy wizard didn't give me much of it, but I guess -there's enough for two or three doses." - -[Illustration: "OLD MOMBI DANCED AROUND HIM"] - -Tip was much surprised when he overheard this speech. Then he saw old -Mombi raise her arm and sprinkle the powder from the box over the -pumpkin head of his man Jack. She did this in the same way one would -pepper a baked potato, and the powder sifted down from Jack's head and -scattered over the red shirt and pink waistcoat and purple trousers -Tip had dressed him in, and a portion even fell upon the patched and -worn shoes. - -Then, putting the pepper-box back into the basket, Mombi lifted her -left hand, with its little finger pointed upward, and said: - -"Weaugh!" - -Then she lifted her right hand, with the thumb pointed upward, and said: - -"Teaugh!" - -Then she lifted both hands, with all the fingers and thumbs spread out, -and cried: - -"Peaugh!" - -Jack Pumpkinhead stepped back a pace, at this, and said in a -reproachful voice: - -"Don't yell like that! Do you think I'm deaf?" - -Old Mombi danced around him, frantic with delight. - -"He lives!" she screamed: "he lives! he lives!" - -Then she threw her stick into the air and caught it as it came down; -and she hugged herself with both arms, and tried to do a step of a jig; -and all the time she repeated, rapturously: - -"He lives!--he lives!--he lives!" - -Now you may well suppose that Tip observed all this with amazement. - -At first he was so frightened and horrified that he wanted to run -away, but his legs trembled and shook so badly that he couldn't. -Then it struck him as a very funny thing for Jack to come to life, -especially as the expression on his pumpkin face was so droll and -comical it excited laughter on the instant. So, recovering from his -first fear, Tip began to laugh; and the merry peals reached old Mombi's -ears and made her hobble quickly to the hedge, where she seized Tip's -collar and dragged him back to where she had left her basket and the -pumpkin-headed man. - -"You naughty, sneaking, wicked boy!" she exclaimed, furiously; "I'll -teach you to spy out my secrets and to make fun of me!" - -"I wasn't making fun of you," protested Tip. "I was laughing at old -Pumpkinhead! Look at him! Isn't he a picture, though?" - -"I hope you are not reflecting on my personal appearance," said Jack; -and it was so funny to hear his grave voice, while his face continued -to wear its jolly smile, that Tip again burst into a peal of laughter. - -Even Mombi was not without a curious interest in the man her magic had -brought to life; for, after staring at him intently, she presently -asked: - -[Illustration: OLD MOMBI PUTS JACK IN THE STABLE] - -"What do you know?" - -"Well, that is hard to tell," replied Jack. "For although I feel that -I know a tremendous lot, I am not yet aware how much there is in the -world to find out about. It will take me a little time to discover -whether I am very wise or very foolish." - -"To be sure," said Mombi, thoughtfully. - -"But what are you going to do with him, now he is alive?" asked Tip, -wondering. - -"I must think it over," answered Mombi. "But we must get home at once, -for it is growing dark. Help the Pumpkinhead to walk." - -"Never mind me," said Jack; "I can walk as well as you can. Haven't I -got legs and feet, and aren't they jointed?" - -"Are they?" asked the woman, turning to Tip. - -"Of course they are; I made 'em myself," returned the boy, with pride. - -So they started for the house; but when they reached the farm yard old -Mombi led the pumpkin man to the cow stable and shut him up in an empty -stall, fastening the door securely on the outside. - -"I've got to attend to you, first," she said, nodding her head at Tip. - -Hearing this, the boy became uneasy; for he knew Mombi had a bad and -revengeful heart, and would not hesitate to do any evil thing. - -They entered the house. It was a round, dome-shaped structure, as are -nearly all the farm houses in the Land of Oz. - -Mombi bade the boy light a candle, while she put her basket in a -cupboard and hung her cloak on a peg. Tip obeyed quickly, for he was -afraid of her. - -After the candle had been lighted Mombi ordered him to build a fire -in the hearth, and while Tip was thus engaged the old woman ate her -supper. When the flames began to crackle the boy came to her and asked -a share of the bread and cheese; but Mombi refused him. - -"I'm hungry!" said Tip, in a sulky tone. - -"You won't be hungry long," replied Mombi, with a grim look. - -The boy didn't like this speech, for it sounded like a threat; but he -happened to remember he had nuts in his pocket, so he cracked some of -those and ate them while the woman rose, shook the crumbs from her -apron, and hung above the fire a small black kettle. - -Then she measured out equal parts of milk and vinegar and poured them -into the kettle. Next she produced several packets of herbs and -powders and began adding a portion of each to the contents of the -kettle. Occasionally she would draw near the candle and read from a -yellow paper the recipe of the mess she was concocting. - -As Tip watched her his uneasiness increased. - -"What is that for?" he asked. - -"For you," returned Mombi, briefly. - -Tip wriggled around upon his stool and stared awhile at the kettle, -which was beginning to bubble. Then he would glance at the stern and -wrinkled features of the witch and wish he were any place but in that -dim and smoky kitchen, where even the shadows cast by the candle upon -the wall were enough to give one the horrors. So an hour passed away, -during which the silence was only broken by the bubbling of the pot and -the hissing of the flames. - -Finally, Tip spoke again. - -"Have I got to drink that stuff?" he asked, nodding toward the pot. - -"Yes," said Mombi. - -"What'll it do to me?" asked Tip. - -"If it's properly made," replied Mombi, "it will change or transform -you into a marble statue." - -Tip groaned, and wiped the perspiration from his forehead with his -sleeve. - -"I don't want to be a marble statue!" he protested. - -"That doesn't matter; I want you to be one," said the old woman, -looking at him severely. - -"What use'll I be then?" asked Tip. "There won't be any one to work for -you." - -"I'll make the Pumpkinhead work for me," said Mombi. - -Again Tip groaned. - -"Why don't you change me into a goat, or a chicken?" he asked, -anxiously. "You can't do anything with a marble statue." - -"Oh, yes; I can," returned Mombi. "I'm going to plant a flower garden, -next Spring, and I'll put you in the middle of it, for an ornament. I -wonder I haven't thought of that before; you've been a bother to me for -years." - -At this terrible speech Tip felt the beads of perspiration starting all -over his body; but he sat still and shivered and looked anxiously at -the kettle. - -"Perhaps it won't work," he muttered, in a voice that sounded weak and -discouraged. - -"Oh, I think it will," answered Mombi, cheerfully. "I seldom make a -mistake." - -Again there was a period of silence--a silence so long and gloomy that -when Mombi finally lifted the kettle from the fire it was close to -midnight. - -[Illustration: "I DON'T WANT TO BE A MARBLE STATUE."] - -"You cannot drink it until it has become quite cold," announced the -old witch--for in spite of the law she had acknowledged practising -witchcraft. "We must both go to bed now, and at daybreak I will call -you and at once complete your transformation into a marble statue." - -With this she hobbled into her room, bearing the steaming kettle with -her, and Tip heard her close and lock the door. - -The boy did not go to bed, as he had been commanded to do, but still -sat glaring at the embers of the dying fire. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Flight of the - Fugitives -] - - -Tip reflected. - -"It's a hard thing, to be a marble statue," he thought, rebelliously, -"and I'm not going to stand it. For years I've been a bother to her, -she says; so she's going to get rid of me. Well, there's an easier way -than to become a statue. No boy could have any fun forever standing in -the middle of a flower garden! I'll run away, that's what I'll do--and -I may as well go before she makes me drink that nasty stuff in the -kettle." - -He waited until the snores of the old witch announced she was fast -asleep, and then he arose softly and went to the cupboard to find -something to eat. - -"No use starting on a journey without food," he decided, searching upon -the narrow shelves. - -He found some crusts of bread; but he had to look into Mombi's basket -to find the cheese she had brought from the village. While turning over -the contents of the basket he came upon the pepper-box which contained -the "Powder of Life." - -"I may as well take this with me," he thought, "or Mombi'll be using it -to make more mischief with." So he put the box in his pocket, together -with the bread and cheese. - -Then he cautiously left the house and latched the door behind him. -Outside both moon and stars shone brightly, and the night seemed -peaceful and inviting after the close and ill-smelling kitchen. - -"I'll be glad to get away," said Tip, softly; "for I never did like -that old woman. I wonder how I ever came to live with her." - -He was walking slowly toward the road when a thought made him pause. - -"I don't like to leave Jack Pumpkinhead to the tender mercies of old -Mombi," he muttered. "And Jack belongs to me, for I made him--even if -the old witch did bring him to life." - -He retraced his steps to the cow-stable and opened the door of the -stall where the pumpkin-headed man had been left. - -[Illustration: "TIP LED HIM ALONG THE PATH."] - -Jack was standing in the middle of the stall, and by the moonlight Tip -could see he was smiling just as jovially as ever. - -"Come on!" said the boy, beckoning. - -"Where to?" asked Jack. - -"You'll know as soon as I do," answered Tip, smiling sympathetically -into the pumpkin face. "All we've got to do now is to tramp." - -"Very well," returned Jack, and walked awkwardly out of the stable and -into the moonlight. - -Tip turned toward the road and the man followed him. Jack walked with a -sort of limp, and occasionally one of the joints of his legs would turn -backward, instead of frontwise, almost causing him to tumble. But the -Pumpkinhead was quick to notice this, and began to take more pains to -step carefully; so that he met with few accidents. - -Tip led him along the path without stopping an instant. They could not -go very fast, but they walked steadily; and by the time the moon sank -away and the sun peeped over the hills they had travelled so great a -distance that the boy had no reason to fear pursuit from the old witch. -Moreover, he had turned first into one path, and then into another, so -that should anyone follow them it would prove very difficult to guess -which way they had gone, or where to seek them. - -[Illustration] - -Fairly satisfied that he had escaped--for a time, at least--being -turned into a marble statue, the boy stopped his companion and seated -himself upon a rock by the roadside. - -"Let's have some breakfast," he said. - -Jack Pumpkinhead watched Tip curiously, but refused to join in the -repast. - -"I don't seem to be made the same way you are," he said. - -"I know you are not," returned Tip; "for I made you." - -"Oh! Did you?" asked Jack. - -"Certainly. And put you together. And carved your eyes and nose and -ears and mouth," said Tip proudly. "And dressed you." - -Jack looked at his body and limbs critically. - -"It strikes me you made a very good job of it," he remarked. - -"Just so-so," replied Tip, modestly; for he began to see certain -defects in the construction of his man. "If I'd known we were going to -travel together I might have been a little more particular." - -"Why, then," said the Pumpkinhead, in a tone that expressed surprise, -"you must be my creator--my parent--my father!" - -"Or your inventor," replied the boy with a laugh. "Yes, my son; I -really believe I am!" - -"Then I owe you obedience," continued the man, "and you owe -me--support." - -"That's it, exactly," declared Tip, jumping up. "So let us be off." - -"Where are we going?" asked Jack, when they had resumed their journey. - -"I'm not exactly sure," said the boy; "but I believe we are headed -South, and that will bring us, sooner or later, to the Emerald City." - -"What city is that?" enquired the Pumpkinhead. - -"Why, it's the center of the Land of Oz, and the biggest town in all -the country. I've never been there, myself, but I've heard all about -its history. It was built by a mighty and wonderful Wizard named Oz, -and everything there is of a green color--just as everything in this -Country of the Gillikins is of a purple color." - -"Is everything here purple?" asked Jack. - -"Of course it is. Can't you see?" returned the boy. - -"I believe I must be color-blind," said the Pumpkinhead, after staring -about him. - -"Well, the grass is purple, and the trees are purple, and the houses -and fences are purple," explained Tip. "Even the mud in the roads is -purple. But in the Emerald City everything is green that is purple -here. And in the Country of the Munchkins, over at the East, everything -is blue; and in the South country of the Quadlings everything is red; -and in the West country of the Winkies, where the Tin Woodman rules, -everything is yellow." - -"Oh!" said Jack. Then, after a pause, he asked: "Did you say a Tin -Woodman rules the Winkies?" - -"Yes; he was one of those who helped Dorothy to destroy the Wicked -Witch of the West, and the Winkies were so grateful that they invited -him to become their ruler,--just as the people of the Emerald City -invited the Scarecrow to rule them." - -"Dear me!" said Jack. "I'm getting confused with all this history. Who -is the Scarecrow?" - -"Another friend of Dorothy's," replied Tip. - -"And who is Dorothy?" - -"She was a girl that came here from Kansas, a place in the big, outside -World. She got blown to the Land of Oz by a cyclone, and while she was -here the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman accompanied her on her travels." - -"And where is she now?" inquired the Pumpkinhead. - -"Glinda the Good, who rules the Quadlings, sent her home again," said -the boy. - -"Oh. And what became of the Scarecrow?" - -"I told you. He rules the Emerald City," answered Tip. - -"I thought you said it was ruled by a wonderful Wizard," objected Jack, -seeming more and more confused. - -"Well, so I did. Now, pay attention, and I'll explain it," said Tip, -speaking slowly and looking the smiling Pumpkinhead squarely in the -eye. "Dorothy went to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard to send her -back to Kansas; and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman went with her. -But the Wizard couldn't send her back, because he wasn't so much of a -Wizard as he might have been. And then they got angry at the Wizard, -and threatened to expose him; so the Wizard made a big balloon and -escaped in it, and no one has ever seen him since." - -"Now, that is very interesting history," said Jack, well pleased; "and -I understand it perfectly--all but the explanation." - -"I'm glad you do," responded Tip. "After the Wizard was gone, the -people of the Emerald City made His Majesty, the Scarecrow, their King; -and I have heard that he became a very popular ruler." - -"Are we going to see this queer King?" asked Jack, with interest. - -"I think we may as well," replied the boy; "unless you have something -better to do." - -"Oh, no, dear father," said the Pumpkinhead. "I am quite willing to go -wherever you please." - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Tip Makes an - Experiment in Magic -] - - -The boy, small and rather delicate in appearance, seemed somewhat -embarrassed at being called "father" by the tall, awkward, -pumpkin-headed man; but to deny the relationship would involve another -long and tedious explanation; so he changed the subject by asking, -abruptly: - -"Are you tired?" - -"Of course not!" replied the other. "But," he continued, after a pause, -"it is quite certain I shall wear out my wooden joints if I keep on -walking." - -Tip reflected, as they journeyed on, that this was true. He began to -regret that he had not constructed the wooden limbs more carefully and -substantially. Yet how could he ever have guessed that the man he had -made merely to scare old Mombi with would be brought to life by means -of a magical powder contained in an old pepper-box? - -So he ceased to reproach himself, and began to think how he might yet -remedy the deficiencies of Jack's weak joints. - -While thus engaged they came to the edge of a wood, and the boy sat -down to rest upon an old saw-horse that some woodcutter had left there. - -[Illustration] - -"Why don't you sit down?" he asked the Pumpkinhead. - -"Won't it strain my joints?" inquired the other. - -"Of course not. It'll rest them," declared the boy. - -So Jack tried to sit down; but as soon as he bent his joints farther -than usual they gave way altogether, and he came clattering to the -ground with such a crash that Tip feared he was entirely ruined. - -He rushed to the man, lifted him to his feet, straightened his arms and -legs, and felt of his head to see if by chance it had become cracked. -But Jack seemed to be in pretty good shape, after all, and Tip said to -him: - -"I guess you'd better remain standing, hereafter. It seems the safest -way." - -"Very well, dear father; just as you say," replied the smiling Jack, -who had been in no wise confused by his tumble. - -Tip sat down again. Presently the Pumpkinhead asked: - -"What is that thing you are sitting on?" - -"Oh, this is a horse," replied the boy, carelessly. - -"What is a horse?" demanded Jack. - -"A horse? Why, there are two kinds of horses," returned Tip, slightly -puzzled how to explain. "One kind of horse is alive, and has four legs -and a head and a tail. And people ride upon its back." - -"I understand," said Jack, cheerfully. "That's the kind of horse you -are now sitting on." - -"No, it isn't," answered Tip, promptly. - -"Why not? That one has four legs, and a head, and a tail." - -Tip looked at the saw-horse more carefully, and found that the -Pumpkinhead was right. The body had been formed from a tree-trunk, and -a branch had been left sticking up at one end that looked very much -like a tail. In the other end were two big knots that resembled eyes, -and a place had been chopped away that might easily be mistaken for the -horse's mouth. As for the legs, they were four straight limbs cut from -trees and stuck fast into the body, being spread wide apart so that the -saw-horse would stand firmly when a log was laid across it to be sawed. - -"This thing resembles a real horse more than I imagined," said Tip, -trying to explain. "But a real horse is alive, and trots and prances -and eats oats, while this is nothing more than a dead horse, made of -wood, and used to saw logs upon." - -"If it were alive, wouldn't it trot, and prance, and eat oats?" -inquired the Pumpkinhead. - -"It would trot and prance, perhaps; but it wouldn't eat oats," replied -the boy, laughing at the idea. "And of course it can't ever be alive, -because it is made of wood." - -"So am I," answered the man. - -Tip looked at him in surprise. - -"Why, so you are!" he exclaimed. "And the magic powder that brought you -to life is here in my pocket." - -[Illustration: THE MAGICAL POWDER OF LIFE] - -He brought out the pepper box, and eyed it curiously. - -"I wonder," said he, musingly, "if it would bring the saw-horse to -life." - -"If it would," returned Jack, calmly--for nothing seemed to surprise -him--"I could ride on its back, and that would save my joints from -wearing out." - -"I'll try it!" cried the boy, jumping up. "But I wonder if I can -remember the words old Mombi said, and the way she held her hands up." - -He thought it over for a minute, and as he had watched carefully from -the hedge every motion of the old witch, and listened to her words, he -believed he could repeat exactly what she had said and done. - -So he began by sprinkling some of the magic Powder of Life from the -pepper-box upon the body of the saw-horse. Then he lifted his left -hand, with the little finger pointing upward, and said "Weaugh!" - -"What does that mean, dear father?" asked Jack, curiously. - -"I don't know," answered Tip. Then he lifted his right hand, with the -thumb pointing upward, and said: "Teaugh!" - -"What's that, dear father?" inquired Jack. - -"It means you must keep quiet!" replied the boy, provoked at being -interrupted at so important a moment. - -"How fast I am learning!" remarked the Pumpkinhead, with his eternal -smile. - -Tip now lifted both hands above his head, with all the fingers and -thumbs spread out, and cried in a loud voice: "Peaugh!" - -Immediately the saw-horse moved, stretched its legs, yawned with its -chopped-out mouth, and shook a few grains of the powder off its back. -The rest of the powder seemed to have vanished into the body of the -horse. - -"Good!" called Jack, while the boy looked on in astonishment. "You are -a very clever sorcerer, dear father!" - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Awakening - of the Saw-Horse -] - - -The Saw-Horse, finding himself alive, seemed even more astonished -than Tip. He rolled his knotty eyes from side to side, taking a first -wondering view of the world in which he had now so important an -existence. Then he tried to look at himself; but he had, indeed, no -neck to turn; so that in the endeavor to see his body he kept circling -around and around, without catching even a glimpse of it. His legs -were stiff and awkward, for there were no knee-joints in them; so that -presently he bumped against Jack Pumpkinhead and sent that personage -tumbling upon the moss that lined the roadside. - -Tip became alarmed at this accident, as well as at the persistence of -the Saw-Horse in prancing around in a circle; so he called out: - -"Whoa! Whoa, there!" - -The Saw-Horse paid no attention whatever to this command, and the next -instant brought one of his wooden legs down upon Tip's foot so forcibly -that the boy danced away in pain to a safer distance, from where he -again yelled: - -"Whoa! Whoa, I say!" - -Jack had now managed to raise himself to a sitting position, and he -looked at the Saw-Horse with much interest. - -"I don't believe the animal can hear you," he remarked. - -"I shout loud enough, don't I?" answered Tip, angrily. - -"Yes; but the horse has no ears," said the smiling Pumpkinhead. - -"Sure enough!" exclaimed Tip, noting the fact for the first time. "How, -then, am I going to stop him?" - -But at that instant the Saw-Horse stopped himself, having concluded it -was impossible to see his own body. He saw Tip, however, and came close -to the boy to observe him more fully. - -It was really comical to see the creature walk; for it moved the legs -on its right side together, and those on its left side together, as a -pacing horse does; and that made its body rock sidewise, like a cradle. - -Tip patted it upon the head, and said "Good boy! Good boy!" in a -coaxing tone; and the Saw-Horse pranced away to examine with its -bulging eyes the form of Jack Pumpkinhead. - -"I must find a halter for him," said Tip; and having made a search -in his pocket he produced a roll of strong cord. Unwinding this, -he approached the Saw-Horse and tied the cord around its neck, -afterward fastening the other end to a large tree. The Saw-Horse, not -understanding the action, stepped backward and snapped the string -easily; but it made no attempt to run away. - -"He's stronger than I thought," said the boy, "and rather obstinate, -too." - -"Why don't you make him some ears?" asked Jack. "Then you can tell him -what to do." - -"That's a splendid idea!" said Tip. "How did you happen to think of it?" - -"Why, I didn't think of it," answered the Pumpkinhead; "I didn't need -to, for it's the simplest and easiest thing to do." - -So Tip got out his knife and fashioned some ears out of the bark of a -small tree. - -"I mustn't make them too big," he said, as he whittled, "or our horse -would become a donkey." - -"How is that?" inquired Jack, from the roadside. - -"Why, a horse has bigger ears than a man; and a donkey has bigger ears -than a horse," explained Tip. - -"Then, if my ears were longer, would I be a horse?" asked Jack. - -"My friend," said Tip, gravely, "you'll never be anything but a -Pumpkinhead, no matter how big your ears are." - -"Oh," returned Jack, nodding; "I think I understand." - -"If you do, you're a wonder," remarked the boy; "but there's no harm in -_thinking_ you understand. I guess these ears are ready now. Will you -hold the horse while I stick them on?" - -"Certainly, if you'll help me up," said Jack. - -So Tip raised him to his feet, and the Pumpkinhead went to the horse -and held its head while the boy bored two holes in it with his -knife-blade and inserted the ears. - -"They make him look very handsome," said Jack, admiringly. - -But those words, spoken close to the Saw-Horse, and being the first -sounds he had ever heard, so startled the animal that he made a bound -forward and tumbled Tip on one side and Jack on the other. Then he -continued to rush forward as if frightened by the clatter of his own -footsteps. - -"Whoa!" shouted Tip, picking himself up; "whoa! you idiot--whoa!" - -The Saw-Horse would probably have paid no attention to this, but just -then it stepped a leg into a gopher-hole and stumbled head-over-heels -to the ground, where it lay upon its back, frantically waving its four -legs in the air. - -Tip ran up to it. - -"You're a nice sort of a horse, I must say!" he exclaimed. "Why didn't -you stop when I yelled 'whoa?'" - -"Does 'whoa' mean to stop?" asked the Saw-Horse, in a surprised voice, -as it rolled its eyes upward to look at the boy. - -"Of course it does," answered Tip. - -"And a hole in the ground means to stop, also, doesn't it?" continued -the horse. - -"To be sure; unless you step over it," said Tip. - -"What a strange place this is," the creature exclaimed, as if amazed. -"What am I doing here, anyway?" - -[Illustration: "DO KEEP THOSE LEGS STILL."] - -"Why, I've brought you to life," answered the boy; "but it won't hurt -you any, if you mind me and do as I tell you." - -"Then I will do as you tell me," replied the Saw-Horse, humbly. "But -what happened to me, a moment ago? I don't seem to be just right, -someway." - -"You're upside down," explained Tip. "But just keep those legs still a -minute and I'll set you right side up again." - -"How many sides have I?" asked the creature, wonderingly. - -"Several," said Tip, briefly. "But do keep those legs still." - -The Saw-Horse now became quiet, and held its legs rigid; so that Tip, -after several efforts, was able to roll him over and set him upright. - -"Ah, I seem all right now," said the queer animal, with a sigh. - -"One of your ears is broken," Tip announced, after a careful -examination. "I'll have to make a new one." - -Then he led the Saw-Horse back to where Jack was vainly struggling to -regain his feet, and after assisting the Pumpkinhead to stand upright -Tip whittled out a new ear and fastened it to the horse's head. - -"Now," said he, addressing his steed, "pay attention to what I'm going -to tell you. 'Whoa!' means to stop; 'Get-Up!' means to walk forward; -'Trot!' means to go as fast as you can. Understand?" - -"I believe I do," returned the horse. - -"Very good. We are all going on a journey to the Emerald City, to see -His Majesty, the Scarecrow; and Jack Pumpkinhead is going to ride on -your back, so he won't wear out his joints." - -"I don't mind," said the Saw-Horse. "Anything that suits you suits me." - -Then Tip assisted Jack to get upon the horse. - -"Hold on tight," he cautioned, "or you may fall off and crack your -pumpkin head." - -"That would be horrible!" said Jack, with a shudder. "What shall I hold -on to?" - -"Why, hold on to his ears," replied Tip, after a moment's hesitation. - -"Don't do that!" remonstrated the Saw-Horse; "for then I can't hear." - -That seemed reasonable, so Tip tried to think of something else. - -"I'll fix it!" said he, at length. He went into the wood and cut a -short length of limb from a young, stout tree. One end of this he -sharpened to a point, and then he dug a hole in the back of the -Saw-Horse, just behind its head. Next he brought a piece of rock from -the road and hammered the post firmly into the animal's back. - -[Illustration: "DOES IT HURT?" ASKED THE BOY.] - -"Stop! Stop!" shouted the horse; "you're jarring me terribly." - -"Does it hurt?" asked the boy. - -"Not exactly hurt," answered the animal; "but it makes me quite nervous -to be jarred." - -"Well, it's all over now," said Tip, encouragingly. "Now, Jack, be sure -to hold fast to this post, and then you can't fall off and get smashed." - -So Jack held on tight, and Tip said to the horse: - -"Get-up." - -The obedient creature at once walked forward, rocking from side to side -as he raised his feet from the ground. - -Tip walked beside the Saw-Horse, quite content with this addition to -their party. Presently he began to whistle. - -"What does that sound mean?" asked the horse. - -"Don't pay any attention to it," said Tip. "I'm just whistling, and -that only means I'm pretty well satisfied." - -"I'd whistle myself, if I could push my lips together," remarked Jack. -"I fear, dear father, that in some respects I am sadly lacking." - -After journeying on for some distance the narrow path they were -following turned into a broad road-way, paved with yellow brick. By the -side of the road Tip noticed a sign-post that read: - -"NINE MILES TO THE EMERALD CITY." - -But it was now growing dark, so he decided to camp for the night by the -roadside and to resume the journey next morning by daybreak. He led the -Saw-Horse to a grassy mound upon which grew several bushy trees, and -carefully assisted the Pumpkinhead to alight. - -"I think I'll lay you upon the ground, overnight," said the boy. "You -will be safer that way." - -"How about me?" asked the Saw-Horse. - -"It won't hurt you to stand," replied Tip; "and, as you can't sleep, -you may as well watch out and see that no one comes near to disturb us." - -Then the boy stretched himself upon the grass beside the Pumpkinhead, -and being greatly wearied by the journey was soon fast asleep. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Jack Pumpkinhead's Ride - to the Emerald City -] - - -At daybreak Tip was awakened by the Pumpkinhead. He rubbed the sleep -from his eyes, bathed in a little brook, and then ate a portion of his -bread and cheese. Having thus prepared for a new day the boy said: - -"Let us start at once. Nine miles is quite a distance, but we ought to -reach the Emerald City by noon if no accidents happen." - -So the Pumpkinhead was again perched upon the back of the Saw-Horse and -the journey was resumed. - -Tip noticed that the purple tint of the grass and trees had now faded -to a dull lavender, and before long this lavender appeared to take on -a greenish tinge that gradually brightened as they drew nearer to the -great City where the Scarecrow ruled. - -The little party had traveled but a short two miles upon their way when -the road of yellow brick was parted by a broad and swift river. Tip was -puzzled how to cross over; but after a time he discovered a man in a -ferry-boat approaching from the other side of the stream. - -When the man reached the bank Tip asked: - -"Will you row us to the other side?" - -"Yes, if you have money," returned the ferryman, whose face looked -cross and disagreeable. - -"But I have no money," said Tip. - -"None at all?" inquired the man. - -"None at all," answered the boy. - -"Then I'll not break my back rowing you over," said the ferryman, -decidedly. - -"What a nice man!" remarked the Pumpkinhead, smilingly. - -The ferryman stared at him, but made no reply. Tip was trying to -think, for it was a great disappointment to him to find his journey so -suddenly brought to an end. - -"I must certainly get to the Emerald City," he said to the boatman; -"but how can I cross the river if you do not take me?" - -The man laughed, and it was not a nice laugh. - -"That wooden horse will float," said he; "and you can ride him across. -As for the pumpkin-headed loon who accompanies you, let him sink or -swim--it won't matter greatly which." - -[Illustration] - -"Don't worry about me," said Jack, smiling pleasantly upon the crabbed -ferryman; "I'm sure I ought to float beautifully." - -Tip thought the experiment was worth making, and the Saw-Horse, who did -not know what danger meant, offered no objections whatever. So the boy -led it down into the water and climbed upon its back. Jack also waded -in up to his knees and grasped the tail of the horse so that he might -keep his pumpkin head above the water. - -"Now," said Tip, instructing the Saw-Horse, "if you wiggle your legs -you will probably swim; and if you swim we shall probably reach the -other side." - -The Saw-Horse at once began to wiggle its legs, which acted as oars and -moved the adventurers slowly across the river to the opposite side. -So successful was the trip that presently they were climbing, wet and -dripping, up the grassy bank. - -Tip's trouser-legs and shoes were thoroughly soaked; but the Saw-Horse -had floated so perfectly that from his knees up the boy was entirely -dry. As for the Pumpkinhead, every stitch of his gorgeous clothing -dripped water. - -"The sun will soon dry us," said Tip; "and, anyhow, we are now safely -across, in spite of the ferryman, and can continue our journey." - -"I didn't mind swimming, at all," remarked the horse. - -"Nor did I," added Jack. - -They soon regained the road of yellow brick, which proved to be a -continuation of the road they had left on the other side, and then Tip -once more mounted the Pumpkinhead upon the back of the Saw-Horse. - -"If you ride fast," said he, "the wind will help to dry your clothing. -I will hold on to the horse's tail and run after you. In this way we -all will become dry in a very short time." - -"Then the horse must step lively," said Jack. - -"I'll do my best," returned the Saw-Horse, cheerfully. - -Tip grasped the end of the branch that served as tail to the Saw-Horse, -and called loudly: "Get-up!" - -The horse started at a good pace, and Tip followed behind. Then he -decided they could go faster, so he shouted: "Trot!" - -[Illustration] - -Now, the Saw-Horse remembered that this word was the command to go as -fast as he could; so he began rocking along the road at a tremendous -pace, and Tip had hard work--running faster than he ever had before in -his life--to keep his feet. - -Soon he was out of breath, and although he wanted to call "Whoa!" to -the horse, he found he could not get the word out of his throat. Then -the end of the tail he was clutching, being nothing more than a dead -branch, suddenly broke away, and the next minute the boy was rolling -in the dust of the road, while the horse and its pumpkin-headed rider -dashed on and quickly disappeared in the distance. - -By the time Tip had picked himself up and cleared the dust from his -throat so he could say "Whoa!" there was no further need of saying it, -for the horse was long since out of sight. - -So he did the only sensible thing he could do. He sat down and took a -good rest, and afterward began walking along the road. - -"Some time I will surely overtake them," he reflected; "for the road -will end at the gates of the Emerald City, and they can go no further -than that." - -Meantime Jack was holding fast to the post and the Saw-Horse was -tearing along the road like a racer. Neither of them knew Tip was left -behind, for the Pumpkinhead did not look around and the Saw-Horse -couldn't. - -As he rode, Jack noticed that the grass and trees had become a bright -emerald-green in color, so he guessed they were nearing the Emerald -City even before the tall spires and domes came into sight. - -At length a high wall of green stone, studded thick with emeralds, -loomed up before them; and fearing the Saw-Horse would not know enough -to stop and so might smash them both against this wall, Jack ventured -to cry "Whoa!" as loud as he could. - -So suddenly did the horse obey that had it not been for his post Jack -would have been pitched off head foremost, and his beautiful face -ruined. - -"That was a fast ride, dear father!" he exclaimed; and then, hearing no -reply, he turned around and discovered for the first time that Tip was -not there. - -This apparent desertion puzzled the Pumpkinhead, and made him uneasy. -And while he was wondering what had become of the boy, and what he -ought to do next under such trying circumstances, the gateway in the -green wall opened and a man came out. - -This man was short and round, with a fat face that seemed remarkably -good-natured. He was clothed all in green and wore a high, peaked green -hat upon his head and green spectacles over his eyes. Bowing before the -Pumpkinhead he said: - -"I am the Guardian of the Gates of the Emerald City. May I inquire who -you are, and what is your business?" - -"My name is Jack Pumpkinhead," returned the other, smilingly; "but as -to my business, I haven't the least idea in the world what it is." - -The Guardian of the Gates looked surprised, and shook his head as if -dissatisfied with the reply. - -"What are you, a man or a pumpkin?" he asked, politely. - -"Both, if you please," answered Jack. - -"And this wooden horse--is it alive?" questioned the Guardian. - -The horse rolled one knotty eye upward and winked at Jack. Then it gave -a prance and brought one leg down on the Guardian's toes. - -"Ouch!" cried the man; "I'm sorry I asked that question. But the answer -is most convincing. Have you any errand, sir, in the Emerald City?" - -"It seems to me that I have," replied the Pumpkinhead, seriously; "but -I cannot think what it is. My father knows all about it, but he is not -here." - -"This is a strange affair--very strange!" declared the Guardian. "But -you seem harmless. Folks do not smile so delightfully when they mean -mischief." - -"As for that," said Jack, "I cannot help my smile, for it is carved on -my face with a jack-knife." - -"Well, come with me into my room," resumed the Guardian, "and I will -see what can be done for you." - -So Jack rode the Saw-Horse through the gate-way into a little room -built into the wall. The Guardian pulled a bell-cord, and presently -a very tall soldier--clothed in a green uniform--entered from the -opposite door. This soldier carried a long green gun over his shoulder -and had lovely green whiskers that fell quite to his knees. The -Guardian at once addressed him, saying: - -"Here is a strange gentleman who doesn't know why he has come to the -Emerald City, or what he wants. Tell me, what shall we do with him?" - -The Soldier with the Green Whiskers looked at Jack with much care and -curiosity. Finally he shook his head so positively that little waves -rippled down his whiskers, and then he said: - -"I must take him to His Majesty, the Scarecrow." - -"But what will His Majesty, the Scarecrow, do with him?" asked the -Guardian of the Gates. - -"That is His Majesty's business," returned the soldier. "I have -troubles enough of my own. All outside troubles must be turned over to -His Majesty. So put the spectacles on this fellow, and I'll take him to -the royal palace." - -So the Guardian opened a big box of spectacles and tried to fit a pair -to Jack's great round eyes. - -"I haven't a pair in stock that will really cover those eyes up," said -the little man, with a sigh; "and your head is so big that I shall be -obliged to tie the spectacles on." - -"But why need I wear spectacles?" asked Jack. - -"It's the fashion here," said the Soldier, "and they will keep you from -being blinded by the glitter and glare of the gorgeous Emerald City." - -"Oh!" exclaimed Jack. "Tie them on, by all means. I don't wish to be -blinded." - -"Nor I!" broke in the Saw-Horse; so a pair of green spectacles was -quickly fastened over the bulging knots that served it for eyes. - -Then the Soldier with the Green Whiskers led them through the inner -gate and they at once found themselves in the main street of the -magnificent Emerald City. - -Sparkling green gems ornamented the fronts of the beautiful houses and -the towers and turrets were all faced with emeralds. Even the green -marble pavement glittered with precious stones, and it was indeed a -grand and marvelous sight to one who beheld it for the first time. - -However, the Pumpkinhead and the Saw-Horse, knowing nothing of wealth -and beauty, paid little attention to the wonderful sights they saw -through their green spectacles. They calmly followed after the green -soldier and scarcely noticed the crowds of green people who stared -at them in surprise. When a green dog ran out and barked at them the -Saw-Horse promptly kicked at it with its wooden leg and sent the little -animal howling into one of the houses; but nothing more serious than -this happened to interrupt their progress to the royal palace. - -The Pumpkinhead wanted to ride up the green marble steps and straight -into the Scarecrow's presence; but the soldier would not permit that. -So Jack dismounted, with much difficulty, and a servant led the -Saw-Horse around to the rear while the Soldier with the Green Whiskers -escorted the Pumpkinhead into the palace, by the front entrance. - -The stranger was left in a handsomely furnished waiting room while the -soldier went to announce him. It so happened that at this hour His -Majesty was at leisure and greatly bored for want of something to do, -so he ordered his visitor to be shown at once into his throne room. - -Jack felt no fear or embarrassment at meeting the ruler of this -magnificent city, for he was entirely ignorant of all worldly customs. -But when he entered the room and saw for the first time His Majesty -the Scarecrow seated upon his glittering throne, he stopped short in -amazement. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - His majesty the Scarecrow -] - - -I suppose every reader of this book knows what a scarecrow is; but Jack -Pumpkinhead, never having seen such a creation, was more surprised at -meeting the remarkable King of the Emerald City than by any other one -experience of his brief life. - -His Majesty the Scarecrow was dressed in a suit of faded blue clothes, -and his head was merely a small sack stuffed with straw, upon which -eyes, ears, a nose and a mouth had been rudely painted to represent a -face. The clothes were also stuffed with straw, and that so unevenly -or carelessly that his Majesty's legs and arms seemed more bumpy -than was necessary. Upon his hands were gloves with long fingers, -and these were padded with cotton. Wisps of straw stuck out from the -monarch's coat and also from his neck and boot-tops. Upon his head -he wore a heavy golden crown set thick with sparkling jewels, and -the weight of this crown caused his brow to sag in wrinkles, giving -a thoughtful expression to the painted face. Indeed, the crown alone -betokened majesty; in all else the Scarecrow King was but a simple -scarecrow--flimsy, awkward, and unsubstantial. - -But if the strange appearance of his Majesty the Scarecrow seemed -startling to Jack, no less wonderful was the form of the Pumpkinhead -to the Scarecrow. The purple trousers and pink waistcoat and red -shirt hung loosely over the wooden joints Tip had manufactured, and -the carved face on the pumpkin grinned perpetually, as if its wearer -considered life the jolliest thing imaginable. - -At first, indeed, His Majesty thought his queer visitor was laughing at -him, and was inclined to resent such a liberty; but it was not without -reason that the Scarecrow had attained the reputation of being the -wisest personage in the Land of Oz. He made a more careful examination -of his visitor, and soon discovered that Jack's features were carved -into a smile and that he could not look grave if he wished to. - -The King was the first to speak. After regarding - -[Illustration] - -Jack for some minutes he said, in a tone of wonder: - -"Where on earth did you come from, and how do you happen to be alive?" - -"I beg your Majesty's pardon," returned the Pumpkinhead; "but I do not -understand you." - -"What don't you understand?" asked the Scarecrow. - -"Why, I don't understand your language. You see, I came from the -Country of the Gillikins, so that I am a foreigner." - -"Ah, to be sure!" exclaimed the Scarecrow. "I myself speak the language -of the Munchkins, which is also the language of the Emerald City. But -you, I suppose, speak the language of the Pumpkinheads?" - -"Exactly so, your Majesty," replied the other, bowing; "so it will be -impossible for us to understand one another." - -"That is unfortunate, certainly," said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully. "We -must have an interpreter." - -"What is an interpreter?" asked Jack. - -"A person who understands both my language and your own. When I say -anything, the interpreter can tell you what I mean; and when you -say anything the interpreter can tell me what _you_ mean. For the -interpreter can speak both languages as well as understand them." - -"That is certainly clever," said Jack, greatly pleased at finding so -simple a way out of the difficulty. - -So the Scarecrow commanded the Soldier with the Green Whiskers to -search among his people until he found one who understood the language -of the Gillikins as well as the language of the Emerald City, and to -bring that person to him at once. - -When the Soldier had departed the Scarecrow said: - -"Won't you take a chair while we are waiting?" - -"Your Majesty forgets that I cannot understand you," replied the -Pumpkinhead. "If you wish me to sit down you must make a sign for me to -do so." - -The Scarecrow came down from his throne and rolled an armchair to a -position behind the Pumpkinhead. Then he gave Jack a sudden push that -sent him sprawling upon the cushions in so awkward a fashion that he -doubled up like a jack-knife, and had hard work to untangle himself. - -"Did you understand that sign?" asked His Majesty, politely. - -"Perfectly," declared Jack, reaching up his arms to turn his head -to the front, the pumpkin having twisted around upon the stick that -supported it. - -"You seem hastily made," remarked the Scarecrow, watching Jack's -efforts to straighten himself. - -"Not more so than your Majesty," was the frank reply. - -"There is this difference between us," said the Scarecrow, "that -whereas I will bend, but not break, you will break, but not bend." - -[Illustration: "HE GAVE JACK A SUDDEN PUSH."] - -At this moment the soldier returned leading a young girl by the hand. -She seemed very sweet and modest, having a pretty face and beautiful -green eyes and hair. A dainty green silk skirt reached to her knees, -showing silk stockings embroidered with pea-pods, and green satin -slippers with bunches of lettuce for decorations instead of bows or -buckles. Upon her silken waist clover leaves were embroidered, and -she wore a jaunty little jacket trimmed with sparkling emeralds of a -uniform size. - -"Why, it's little Jellia Jamb!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, as the green -maiden bowed her pretty head before him. "Do you understand the -language of the Gillikins, my dear?" - -"Yes, your Majesty," she answered, "for I was born in the North -Country." - -"Then you shall be our interpreter," said the Scarecrow, "and explain -to this Pumpkinhead all that I say, and also explain to me all that -_he_ says. Is this arrangement satisfactory?" he asked, turning toward -his guest. - -"Very satisfactory indeed," was the reply. - -"Then ask him, to begin with," resumed the Scarecrow, turning to -Jellia, "what brought him to the Emerald City." - -But instead of this the girl, who had been staring at Jack, said to -him: - -"You are certainly a wonderful creature. Who made you?" - -"A boy named Tip," answered Jack. - -"What does he say?" inquired the Scarecrow. "My ears must have deceived -me. What did he say?" - -"He says that your Majesty's brains seem to have come loose," replied -the girl, demurely. - -The Scarecrow moved uneasily upon his throne, and felt of his head with -his left hand. - -"What a fine thing it is to understand two different languages," he -said, with a perplexed sigh. "Ask him, my dear, if he has any objection -to being put in jail for insulting the ruler of the Emerald City. - -"I didn't insult you!" protested Jack, indignantly. - -"Tut--tut!" cautioned the Scarecrow; "wait until Jellia translates my -speech. What have we got an interpreter for, if you break out in this -rash way?" - -"All right, I'll wait," replied the Pumpkinhead, in a surly -tone--although his face smiled as genially as ever. "Translate the -speech, young woman." - -"His Majesty inquires if you are hungry," said Jellia. - -"Oh, not at all!" answered Jack, more pleasantly. "for it is impossible -for me to eat." - -"It's the same way with me," remarked the Scarecrow. "What did he say, -Jellia, my dear?" - -"He asked if you were aware that one of your eyes is painted larger -than the other," said the girl, mischievously. - -"Don't you believe her, your Majesty," cried Jack. - -"Oh, I don't," answered the Scarecrow, calmly. Then, casting a sharp -look at the girl, he asked: - -"Are you quite certain you understand the languages of both the -Gillikins and the Munchkins?" - -"Quite certain, your Majesty," said Jellia Jamb, trying hard not to -laugh in the face of royalty. - -"Then how is it that I seem to understand them myself?" inquired the -Scarecrow. - -"Because they are one and the same!" declared the girl, now laughing -merrily. "Does not your Majesty know that in all the land of Oz but one -language is spoken?" - -"Is it indeed so?" cried the Scarecrow, much relieved to hear this; -"then I might easily have been my own interpreter!" - -"It was all my fault, your Majesty," said Jack, looking rather foolish, -"I thought we must surely speak different languages, since we came from -different countries." - -"This should be a warning to you never to think," returned the -Scarecrow, severely. "For unless one can think wisely it is better to -remain a dummy--which you most certainly are." - -"I am!--I surely am!" agreed the Pumpkinhead. - -"It seems to me," continued the Scarecrow, more mildly, "that your -manufacturer spoiled some good pies to create an indifferent man." - -"I assure your Majesty that I did not ask to be created," answered Jack. - -"Ah! It was the same in my case," said the King, pleasantly. "And so, -as we differ from all ordinary people, let us become friends." - -"With all my heart!" exclaimed Jack. - -"What! Have you a heart?" asked the Scarecrow, surprised. - -"No; that was only imaginative--I might say, a figure of speech," said -the other. - -"Well, your most prominent figure seems to be a figure of wood; so I -must beg you to restrain an imagination which, having no brains, you -have no right to exercise," suggested the Scarecrow, warningly. - -"To be sure!" said Jack, without in the least comprehending. - -His Majesty then dismissed Jellia Jamb and the Soldier with the Green -Whiskers, and when they were gone he took his new friend by the arm and -led him into the courtyard to play a game of quoits. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Gen. Jinjur's Army - of Revolt -] - - -Tip was so anxious to rejoin his man Jack and the Saw-Horse that he -walked a full half the distance to the Emerald City without stopping to -rest. Then he discovered that he was hungry and the crackers and cheese -he had provided for the journey had all been eaten. - -While wondering what he should do in this emergency he came upon a -girl sitting by the roadside. She wore a costume that struck the boy -as being remarkably brilliant: her silken waist being of emerald green -and her skirt of four distinct colors--blue in front, yellow at the -left side, red at the back and purple at the right side. Fastening the -waist in front were four buttons--the top one blue, the next yellow, a -third red and the last purple. - -[Illustration] - -The splendor of this dress was almost barbaric; so Tip was fully -justified in staring at the gown for some moments before his eyes -were attracted by the pretty face above it. Yes, the face was pretty -enough, he decided; but it wore an expression of discontent coupled to -a shade of defiance or audacity. - -While the boy stared the girl looked upon him calmly. A lunch basket -stood beside her, and she held a dainty sandwich in one hand and a -hard-boiled egg in the other, eating with an evident appetite that -aroused Tip's sympathy. - -He was just about to ask a share of the luncheon when the girl stood up -and brushed the crumbs from her lap. - -"There!" said she; "it is time for me to go. Carry that basket for me -and help yourself to its contents if you are hungry." - -Tip seized the basket eagerly and began to eat, following for a time -the strange girl without bothering to ask questions. She walked along -before him with swift strides, and there was about her an air of -decision and importance that led him to suspect she was some great -personage. - -Finally, when he had satisfied his hunger, he ran up beside her and -tried to keep pace with her swift footsteps--a very difficult feat, for -she was much taller than he, and evidently in a hurry. - -"Thank you very much for the sandwiches," said Tip, as he trotted -along. "May I ask your name?" - -"I am General Jinjur," was the brief reply. - -"Oh!" said the boy, surprised. "What sort of a General?" - -"I command the Army of Revolt in this war," answered the General, with -unnecessary sharpness. - -"Oh!" he again exclaimed. "I didn't know there was a war." - -"You were not supposed to know it," she returned, "for we have kept it -a secret; and considering that our army is composed entirely of girls," -she added, with some pride, "it is surely a remarkable thing that our -Revolt is not yet discovered." - -"It is, indeed," acknowledged Tip. "But where is your army?" - -"About a mile from here," said General Jinjur. "The forces have -assembled from all parts of the Land of Oz, at my express command. For -this is the day we are to conquer His Majesty the Scarecrow, and wrest -from him the throne. The Army of Revolt only awaits my coming to march -upon the Emerald City." - -"Well!" declared Tip, drawing a long breath, "this is certainly a -surprising thing! May I ask why you wish to conquer His Majesty the -Scarecrow?" - -"Because the Emerald City has been ruled by men long enough, for one -reason," said the girl. "Moreover, the City glitters with beautiful -gems, which might far better be used for rings, bracelets and -necklaces; and there is enough money in the King's treasury to buy -every girl in our Army a dozen new gowns. So we intend to conquer the -City and run the government to suit ourselves." - -Jinjur spoke these words with an eagerness and decision that proved she -was in earnest. - -"But war is a terrible thing," said Tip, thoughtfully. - -"This war will be pleasant," replied the girl, cheerfully. - -"Many of you will be slain!" continued the boy, in an awed voice. - -"Oh, no," said Jinjur. "What man would oppose a girl, or dare to harm -her? And there is not an ugly face in my entire Army." - -Tip laughed. - -"Perhaps you are right," said he. "But the Guardian of the Gate is -considered a faithful Guardian, and the King's Army will not let the -City be conquered without a struggle." - -"The Army is old and feeble," replied General Jinjur, scornfully. "His -strength has all been used to grow whiskers, and his wife has such a -temper that she has already pulled more than half of them out by the -roots. When the Wonderful Wizard reigned the Soldier with the Green -Whiskers was a very good Royal Army, for people feared the Wizard. But -no one is afraid of the Scarecrow, so his Royal Army don't count for -much in time of war." - -After this conversation they proceeded some distance in silence, and -before long reached a large clearing in the forest where fully four -hundred young women were assembled. These were laughing and talking -together as gaily as if they had gathered for a picnic instead of a war -of conquest. - -They were divided into four companies, and Tip noticed that all were -dressed in costumes similar to that worn by General Jinjur. The only -real difference was that while those girls from the Munchkin country -had the blue strip in front of their skirts, those from the country of -the Quadlings had the red strip in front; and those from the country -of the Winkies had the yellow strip in front, and the Gillikin girls -wore the purple strip in front. All had green waists, representing the -Emerald City they intended to conquer, and the top button on each waist -indicated by its color which country the wearer came from. The uniforms -were jaunty and becoming, and quite effective when massed together. - -Tip thought this strange Army bore no weapons whatever; but in this he -was wrong. For each girl had stuck through the knot of her back hair -two long, glittering knitting-needles. - -[Illustration] - -General Jinjur immediately mounted the stump of a tree and addressed -her army. - -"Friends, fellow-citizens, and girls!" she said; "we are about to begin -our great Revolt against the men of Oz! We march to conquer the Emerald -City--to dethrone the Scarecrow King--to acquire thousands of gorgeous -gems--to rifle the royal treasury--and to obtain power over our former -oppressors!" - -"Hurrah!" said those who had listened; but Tip thought most of the Army -was too much engaged in chattering to pay attention to the words of the -General. - -The command to march was now given, and the girls formed themselves -into four bands, or companies, and set off with eager strides toward -the Emerald City. - -[Illustration] - -The boy followed after them, carrying several baskets and wraps and -packages which various members of the Army of Revolt had placed in his -care. It was not long before they came to the green granite walls of -the City and halted before the gateway. - -The Guardian of the Gate at once came out and looked at them curiously, -as if a circus had come to town. He carried a bunch of keys swung round -his neck by a golden chain; his hands were thrust carelessly into -his pockets, and he seemed to have no idea at all that the City was -threatened by rebels. Speaking pleasantly to the girls, he said: - -"Good morning, my dears! What can I do for you?" - -[Illustration] - -"Surrender instantly!" answered General Jinjur, standing before him and -frowning as terribly as her pretty face would allow her to. - -"Surrender!" echoed the man, astounded. "Why, it's impossible. It's -against the law! I never heard of such a thing in my life." - -"Still, you must surrender!" exclaimed the General, fiercely. "We are -revolting!" - -"You don't look it," said the Guardian, gazing from one to another, -admiringly. - -"But we are!" cried Jinjur, stamping her foot, impatiently; "and we -mean to conquer the Emerald City!" - -"Good gracious!" returned the surprised Guardian of the Gates; "what -a nonsensical idea! Go home to your mothers, my good girls, and milk -the cows and bake the bread. Don't you know it's a dangerous thing to -conquer a city?" - -"We are not afraid!" responded the General; and she looked so -determined that it made the Guardian uneasy. - -So he rang the bell for the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, and the -next minute was sorry he had done so. For immediately he was surrounded -by a crowd of girls who drew the knitting-needles from their hair and -began jabbing them at the Guardian with the sharp points dangerously -near his fat cheeks and blinking eyes. - -The poor man howled loudly for mercy and made no resistance when Jinjur -drew the bunch of keys from around his neck. - -[Illustration: GENERAL JINJUR AND HER ARMY CAPTURE THE CITY.] - -Followed by her Army the General now rushed to the gateway, where she -was confronted by the Royal Army of Oz--which was the other name for -the Soldier with the Green Whiskers. - -"Halt!" he cried, and pointed his long gun full in the face of the -leader. - -Some of the girls screamed and ran back, but General Jinjur bravely -stood her ground and said, reproachfully: - -"Why, how now? Would you shoot a poor, defenceless girl?" - -"No," replied the soldier; "for my gun isn't loaded." - -"Not loaded?" - -"No; for fear of accidents. And I've forgotten where I hid the powder -and shot to load it with. But if you'll wait a short time I'll try to -hunt them up." - -"Don't trouble yourself," said Jinjur, cheerfully. Then she turned to -her Army and cried: - -"Girls, the gun isn't loaded!" - -"Hooray," shrieked the rebels, delighted at this good news, and they -proceeded to rush upon the Soldier with the Green Whiskers in such a -crowd that it was a wonder they didn't stick the knitting-needles into -one another. - -But the Royal Army of Oz was too much afraid of women to meet the -onslaught. He simply turned about and ran with all his might through -the gate and toward the royal palace, while General Jinjur and her mob -flocked into the unprotected City. - -In this way was the Emerald City captured without a drop of blood being -spilled. The Army of Revolt had become an Army of Conquerors! - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Scarecrow - Plans an escape -] - - -Tip slipped away from the girls and followed swiftly after the -Soldier with the Green Whiskers. The invading army entered the City -more slowly, for they stopped to dig emeralds out of the walls and -paving-stones with the points of their knitting-needles. So the Soldier -and the boy reached the palace before the news had spread that the City -was conquered. - -The Scarecrow and Jack Pumpkinhead were still playing at quoits in -the courtyard when the game was interrupted by the abrupt entrance of -the Royal Army of Oz, who came flying in without his hat or gun, his -clothes in sad disarray and his long beard floating a yard behind him -as he ran. - -"Tally one for me," said the Scarecrow, calmly. "What's wrong, my man?" -he added, addressing the Soldier. - -"Oh! your Majesty--your Majesty! The City is conquered!" gasped the -Royal Army, who was all out of breath. - -"This is quite sudden," said the Scarecrow. "But please go and bar all -the doors and windows of the palace, while I show this Pumpkinhead how -to throw a quoit." - -The Soldier hastened to do this, while Tip, who had arrived at his -heels, remained in the courtyard to look at the Scarecrow with -wondering eyes. - -His Majesty continued to throw the quoits as coolly as if no danger -threatened his throne, but the Pumpkinhead, having caught sight of Tip, -ambled toward the boy as fast as his wooden legs would go. - -"Good afternoon, noble parent!" he cried, delightedly. "I'm glad to see -you are here. That terrible Saw-Horse ran away with me." - -"I suspected it," said Tip. "Did you get hurt? Are you cracked at all?" - -"No, I arrived safely," answered Jack, "and his Majesty has been very -kind indeed to me." - -At this moment the Soldier with the Green Whiskers returned, and the -Scarecrow asked: - -"By the way, who has conquered me?" - -"A regiment of girls, gathered from the four corners of the Land of -Oz," replied the Soldier, still pale with fear. - -"But where was my Standing Army at the time?" inquired his Majesty, -looking at the Soldier, gravely. - -"Your Standing Army was running," answered the fellow, honestly; "for -no man could face the terrible weapons of the invaders." - -"Well," said the Scarecrow, after a moment's thought, "I don't mind -much the loss of my throne, for it's a tiresome job to rule over the -Emerald City. And this crown is so heavy that it makes my head ache. -But I hope the Conquerors have no intention of injuring me, just -because I happen to be the King." - -"I heard them say," remarked Tip, with some hesitation, "that -they intend to make a rag carpet of your outside and stuff their -sofa-cushions with your inside." - -"Then I am really in danger," declared his Majesty, positively, "and it -will be wise for me to consider a means to escape." - -"Where can you go?" asked Jack Pumpkinhead. - -"Why, to my friend the Tin Woodman, who rules over the Winkies, and -calls himself their Emperor," was the answer. "I am sure he will -protect me." - -[Illustration] - -Tip was looking out of the window. - -"The palace is surrounded by the enemy," said he. "It is too late to -escape. They would soon tear you to pieces." - -The Scarecrow sighed. - -"In an emergency," he announced, "it is always a good thing to pause -and reflect. Please excuse me while I pause and reflect." - -"But we also are in danger," said the Pumpkinhead, anxiously. "If any -of these girls understand cooking, my end is not far off!" - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Scarecrow; "they're too busy to cook, even if -they know how!" - -"But should I remain here a prisoner for any length of time," protested -Jack, "I'm liable to spoil." - -"Ah! then you would not be fit to associate with," returned the -Scarecrow. "The matter is more serious than I suspected." - -"You," said the Pumpkinhead, gloomily, "are liable to live for many -years. My life is necessarily short. So I must take advantage of the -few days that remain to me." - -"There, there! Don't worry," answered the Scarecrow, soothingly; "if -you'll keep quiet long enough for me to think, I'll try to find some -way for us all to escape." - -So the others waited in patient silence while the Scarecrow walked to -a corner and stood with his face to the wall for a good five minutes. -At the end of that time he faced them with a more cheerful expression -upon his painted face. - -"Where is the Saw-Horse you rode here?" he asked the Pumpkinhead. - -"Why, I said he was a jewel, and so your man locked him up in the royal -treasury," said Jack. - -"It was the only place I could think of, your Majesty," added the -Soldier, fearing he had made a blunder. - -"It pleases me very much," said the Scarecrow. "Has the animal been -fed?" - -"Oh, yes; I gave him a heaping peck of sawdust." - -"Excellent!" cried the Scarecrow. "Bring the horse here at once." - -The Soldier hastened away, and presently they heard the clattering -of the horse's wooden legs upon the pavement as he was led into the -courtyard. - -His Majesty regarded the steed critically. - -"He doesn't seem especially graceful," he remarked, musingly; "but I -suppose he can run?" - -"He can, indeed," said Tip, gazing upon the Saw-Horse admiringly. - -"Then, bearing us upon his back, he must make a dash through the ranks -of the rebels and carry us to my friend the Tin Woodman," announced the -Scarecrow. - -"He can't carry four!" objected Tip. - -"No, but he may be induced to carry three," said his Majesty. "I shall -therefore leave my Royal Army behind. For, from the ease with which he -was conquered, I have little confidence in his powers." - -"Still, he can run," declared Tip, laughing. - -"I expected this blow," said the Soldier, sulkily; "but I can bear it. -I shall disguise myself by cutting off my lovely green whiskers. And, -after all, it is no more dangerous to face those reckless girls than to -ride this fiery, untamed wooden horse!" - -"Perhaps you are right," observed his Majesty. "But, for my part, not -being a soldier, I am fond of danger. Now, my boy, you must mount -first. And please sit as close to the horse's neck as possible." - -Tip climbed quickly to his place, and the Soldier and the Scarecrow -managed to hoist the Pumpkinhead to a seat just behind him. There -remained so little space for the King that he was liable to fall off as -soon as the horse started. - -"Fetch a clothesline," said the King to his Army, "and tie us all -together. Then if one falls off we will all fall off." - -And while the Soldier was gone for the clothesline his Majesty -continued, "it is well for me to be careful, for my very existence is -in danger." - -"I have to be as careful as you do," said Jack. - -"Not exactly," replied the Scarecrow; "for if anything happened to me, -that would be the end of me. But if anything happened to you, they -could use you for seed." - -The Soldier now returned with a long line and tied all three firmly -together, also lashing them to the body of the Saw-Horse; so there -seemed little danger of their tumbling off. - -"Now throw open the gates," commanded the Scarecrow, "and we will make -a dash to liberty or to death." - -The courtyard in which they were standing was located in the center of -the great palace, which surrounded it on all sides. But in one place a -passage led to an outer gateway, which the Soldier had barred by order -of his sovereign. It was through this gateway his Majesty proposed to -escape, and the Royal Army now led the Saw-Horse along the passage and -unbarred the gate, which swung backward with a loud crash. - -"Now," said Tip to the horse, "you must save us all. Run as fast as you -can for the gate of the City, and don't let anything stop you." - -"All right!" answered the Saw-Horse, gruffly, and dashed away so -suddenly that Tip had to gasp for breath and hold firmly to the post -he had driven into the creature's neck. - -[Illustration: "WE WILL MAKE A DASH TO LIBERTY OR TO DEATH."] - -Several of the girls, who stood outside guarding the palace, were -knocked over by the Saw-Horse's mad rush. Others ran screaming out of -the way, and only one or two jabbed their knitting-needles frantically -at the escaping prisoners. Tip got one small prick in his left arm, -which smarted for an hour afterward; but the needles had no effect upon -the Scarecrow or Jack Pumpkinhead, who never even suspected they were -being prodded. - -As for the Saw-Horse, he made a wonderful record, upsetting a fruit -cart, overturning several meek looking men, and finally bowling over -the new Guardian of the Gate--a fussy little fat woman appointed by -General Jinjur. - -Nor did the impetuous charger stop then. Once outside the walls of the -Emerald City he dashed along the road to the West with fast and violent -leaps that shook the breath out of the boy and filled the Scarecrow -with wonder. - -Jack had ridden at this mad rate once before, so he devoted every -effort to holding, with both hands, his pumpkin head upon its -stick, enduring meantime the dreadful jolting with the courage of a -philosopher. - -[Illustration: THE WOODEN STEED GAVE ONE FINAL LEAP.] - -"Slow him up! Slow him up!" shouted the Scarecrow. "My straw is all -shaking down into my legs." - -But Tip had no breath to speak, so the Saw-Horse continued his wild -career unchecked and with unabated speed. - -Presently they came to the banks of a wide river, and without a pause -the wooden steed gave one final leap and launched them all in mid-air. - -A second later they were rolling, splashing and bobbing about in the -water, the horse struggling frantically to find a rest for its feet -and its riders being first plunged beneath the rapid current and then -floating upon the surface like corks. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Journey to the - Tin Woodman -] - - -Tip was well soaked and dripping water from every angle of his body; -but he managed to lean forward and shout in the ear of the Saw-Horse: - -"Keep still, you fool! Keep still!" - -The horse at once ceased struggling and floated calmly upon the -surface, its wooden body being as buoyant as a raft. - -"What does that word 'fool' mean?" enquired the horse. - -"It is a term of reproach," answered Tip, somewhat ashamed of the -expression. "I only use it when I am angry." - -"Then it pleases me to be able to call you a fool, in return," said the -horse. "For I did not make the river, nor put it in our way; so only a -term of reproach is fit for one who becomes angry with me for falling -into the water." - -"That is quite evident," replied Tip; "so I will acknowledge myself in -the wrong." Then he called out to the Pumpkinhead: "are you all right, -Jack?" - -There was no reply. So the boy called to the King: "are you all right, -your majesty?" - -The Scarecrow groaned. - -"I'm all wrong, somehow," he said, in a weak voice. "How very wet this -water is!" - -Tip was bound so tightly by the cord that he could not turn his head to -look at his companions; so he said to the Saw-Horse: - -"Paddle with your legs toward the shore." - -The horse obeyed, and although their progress was slow they finally -reached the opposite river bank at a place where it was low enough to -enable the creature to scramble upon dry land. - -With some difficulty the boy managed to get his knife out of his pocket -and cut the cords that bound the riders to one another and to the -wooden horse. He heard the Scarecrow fall to the ground with a mushy -sound, and then he himself quickly dismounted and looked at his friend -Jack. - -The wooden body, with its gorgeous clothing, still sat upright upon -the horse's back; but the pumpkin head was gone, and only the sharpened -stick that served for a neck was visible. As for the Scarecrow, the -straw in his body had shaken down with the jolting and packed itself -into his legs and the lower part of his body--which appeared very plump -and round while his upper half seemed like an empty sack. Upon his head -the Scarecrow still wore the heavy crown, which had been sewed on to -prevent his losing it; but the head was now so damp and limp that the -weight of the gold and jewels sagged forward and crushed the painted -face into a mass of wrinkles that made him look exactly like a Japanese -pug dog. - -Tip would have laughed--had he not been so anxious about his man Jack. -But the Scarecrow, however damaged, was all there, while the pumpkin -head that was so necessary to Jack's existence was missing; so the boy -seized a long pole that fortunately lay near at hand and anxiously -turned again toward the river. - -Far out upon the waters he sighted the golden hue of the pumpkin, which -gently bobbed up and down with the motion of the waves. At that moment -it was quite out of Tip's reach, but after a time it floated nearer -and still nearer until the boy was able to reach it with his pole -and draw it to the shore. Then he brought it to the top of the bank, -carefully wiped the water from its pumpkin face with his handkerchief, -and ran with it to Jack and replaced the head upon the man's neck. - -[Illustration: TIP RESCUES JACK'S PUMPKIN HEAD.] - -"Dear me!" were Jack's first words. "What a dreadful experience! I -wonder if water is liable to spoil pumpkins?" - -Tip did not think a reply was necessary, for he knew that the Scarecrow -also stood in need of his help. So he carefully removed the straw from -the King's body and legs, and spread it out in the sun to dry. The wet -clothing he hung over the body of the Saw-Horse. - -"If water spoils pumpkins," observed Jack, with a deep sigh, "then my -days are numbered." - -"I've never noticed that water spoils pumpkins," returned Tip; "unless -the water happens to be boiling. If your head isn't cracked, my friend, -you must be in fairly good condition." - -"Oh, my head isn't cracked in the least," declared Jack, more -cheerfully. - -"Then don't worry," retorted the boy. "Care once killed a cat." - -"Then," said Jack, seriously, "I am very glad indeed that I am not a -cat." - -The sun was fast drying their clothing, and Tip stirred up his -Majesty's straw so that the warm rays might absorb the moisture and -make it as crisp and dry as ever. When this had been accomplished he -stuffed the Scarecrow into symmetrical shape and smoothed out his face -so that he wore his usual gay and charming expression. - -"Thank you very much," said the monarch, brightly, as he walked about -and found himself to be well balanced. "There are several distinct -advantages in being a Scarecrow. For if one has friends near at hand to -repair damages, nothing very serious can happen to you." - -"I wonder if hot sunshine is liable to crack pumpkins," said Jack, with -an anxious ring in his voice. - -"Not at all--not at all!" replied the Scarecrow, gaily. "All you -need fear, my boy, is old age. When your golden youth has decayed we -shall quickly part company--but you needn't look forward to it; we'll -discover the fact ourselves, and notify you. But come! Let us resume -our journey. I am anxious to greet my friend the Tin Woodman." - -So they remounted the Saw-Horse, Tip holding to the post, the -Pumpkinhead clinging to Tip, and the Scarecrow with both arms around -the wooden form of Jack. - -[Illustration: TIP STUFFS THE SCARECROW WITH DRY STRAW.] - -"Go slowly, for now there is no danger of pursuit," said Tip to his -steed. - -"All right!" responded the creature, in a voice rather gruff. - -"Aren't you a little hoarse?" asked the Pumpkinhead, politely. - -The Saw-Horse gave an angry prance and rolled one knotty eye backward -toward Tip. - -"See here," he growled, "can't you protect me from insult?" - -"To be sure!" answered Tip, soothingly. "I am sure Jack meant no harm. -And it will not do for us to quarrel, you know; we must all remain good -friends." - -"I'll have nothing more to do with that Pumpkinhead," declared the -Saw-Horse, viciously; "he loses his head too easily to suit me." - -There seemed no fitting reply to this speech, so for a time they rode -along in silence. - -After a while the Scarecrow remarked: - -"This reminds me of old times. It was upon this grassy knoll that I -once saved Dorothy from the Stinging Bees of the Wicked Witch of the -West." - -"Do Stinging Bees injure pumpkins?" asked Jack, glancing around -fearfully. - -"They are all dead, so it doesn't matter," replied the Scarecrow. "And -here is where Nick Chopper destroyed the Wicked Witch's Grey Wolves." - -"Who was Nick Chopper?" asked Tip. - -"That is the name of my friend the Tin Woodman," answered his Majesty. -"And here is where the Winged Monkeys captured and bound us, and flew -away with little Dorothy," he continued, after they had traveled a -little way farther. - -"Do Winged Monkeys ever eat pumpkins?" asked Jack, with a shiver of -fear. - -"I do not know; but you have little cause to worry, for the Winged -Monkeys are now the slaves of Glinda the Good, who owns the Golden Cap -that commands their services," said the Scarecrow, reflectively. - -Then the stuffed monarch became lost in thought, recalling the days -of past adventures. And the Saw-Horse rocked and rolled over the -flower-strewn fields and carried its riders swiftly upon their way. - - * * * * * - -Twilight fell, bye and bye, and then the dark shadows of night. So Tip -stopped the horse and they all proceeded to dismount. - -"I'm tired out," said the boy, yawning wearily; "and the grass is soft -and cool. Let us lie down here and sleep until morning." - -"I can't sleep," said Jack. - -"I never do," said the Scarecrow. - -"I do not even know what sleep is," said the Saw-Horse. - -"Still, we must have consideration for this poor boy, who is made of -flesh and blood and bone, and gets tired," suggested the Scarecrow, -in his usual thoughtful manner. "I remember it was the same way with -little Dorothy. We always had to sit through the night while she slept." - -"I'm sorry," said Tip, meekly, "but I can't help it. And I'm dreadfully -hungry, too!" - -"Here is a new danger!" remarked Jack, gloomily. "I hope you are not -fond of eating pumpkins." - -"Not unless they're stewed and made into pies," answered the boy, -laughing. "So have no fears of me, friend Jack." - -"What a coward that Pumpkinhead is!" said the Saw-Horse, scornfully. - -"You might be a coward yourself, if you knew you were liable to spoil!" -retorted Jack, angrily. - -"There!--there!" interrupted the Scarecrow; "don't let us quarrel. -We all have our weaknesses, dear friends; so we must strive to be -considerate of one another. And since this poor boy is hungry and has -nothing whatever to eat, let us all remain quiet and allow him to -sleep; for it is said that in sleep a mortal may forget even hunger." - -"Thank you!" exclaimed Tip, gratefully. "Your Majesty is fully as good -as you are wise--and that is saying a good deal!" - -He then stretched himself upon the grass and, using the stuffed form of -the Scarecrow for a pillow, was presently fast asleep. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - A Nickel-Plated Emperor -] - - -Tip awoke soon after dawn, but the Scarecrow had already risen and -plucked, with his clumsy fingers, a double-handful of ripe berries from -some bushes near by. These the boy ate greedily, finding them an ample -breakfast, and afterward the little party resumed its journey. - -After an hour's ride they reached the summit of a hill from whence -they espied the City of the Winkies and noted the tall domes of the -Emperor's palace rising from the clusters of more modest dwellings. - -The Scarecrow became greatly animated at this sight, and exclaimed: - -"How delighted I shall be to see my old friend the Tin Woodman again! I -hope that he rules his people more successfully than I have ruled mine!" - -"Is the Tin Woodman the Emperor of the Winkies?" asked the horse. - -"Yes, indeed. They invited him to rule over them soon after the Wicked -Witch was destroyed; and as Nick Chopper has the best heart in all the -world I am sure he has proved an excellent and able emperor." - -"I thought that 'Emperor' was the title of a person who rules an -empire," said Tip, "and the Country of the Winkies is only a Kingdom." - -"Don't mention that to the Tin Woodman!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, -earnestly. "You would hurt his feelings terribly. He is a proud man, -as he has every reason to be, and it pleases him to be termed Emperor -rather than King." - -"I'm sure it makes no difference to me," replied the boy. - -The Saw-Horse now ambled forward at a pace so fast that its riders -had hard work to stick upon its back; so there was little further -conversation until they drew up beside the palace steps. - -An aged Winkie, dressed in a uniform of silver cloth, came forward to -assist them to alight. Said the Scarecrow to this personage: - -"Show us at once to your master, the Emperor." - -The man looked from one to another of the party in an embarrassed way, -and finally answered: - -"I fear I must ask you to wait for a time. The Emperor is not receiving -this morning." - -"How is that?" enquired the Scarecrow, anxiously. "I hope nothing has -happened to him." - -"Oh, no; nothing serious," returned the man. "But this is his Majesty's -day for being polished, and just now his august presence is thickly -smeared with putz-pomade." - -"Oh, I see!" cried the Scarecrow, greatly reassured. "My friend was -ever inclined to be a dandy, and I suppose he is now more proud than -ever of his personal appearance." - -"He is, indeed," said the man, with a polite bow. "Our mighty Emperor -has lately caused himself to be nickel-plated." - -"Good Gracious!" the Scarecrow exclaimed at hearing this. "If his wit -bears the same polish, how sparkling it must be! But show us in--I'm -sure the Emperor will receive us, even in his present state." - -"The Emperor's state is always magnificent," said the man. "But I will -venture to tell him of your arrival, and will receive his commands -concerning you." - -So the party followed the servant into a splendid ante-room, and the -Saw-Horse ambled awkwardly after them, having no knowledge that a horse -might be expected to remain outside. - -The travelers were at first somewhat awed by their surroundings, and -even the Scarecrow seemed impressed as he examined the rich hangings -of silver cloth caught up into knots and fastened with tiny silver -axes. Upon a handsome center-table stood a large silver oil-can, -richly engraved with scenes from the past adventures of the Tin -Woodman, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow: the lines of the -engraving being traced upon the silver in yellow gold. On the walls -hung several portraits, that of the Scarecrow seeming to be the most -prominent and carefully executed, while a large painting of the famous -Wizard of Oz, in the act of presenting the Tin Woodman with a heart, -covered almost one entire end of the room. - -While the visitors gazed at these things in silent admiration they -suddenly heard a loud voice in the next room exclaim: - -"Well! well! well! What a great surprise!" - -And then the door burst open and Nick Chopper rushed into their midst -and caught the Scarecrow in a close and loving embrace that creased him -into many folds and wrinkles. - -"My dear old friend! My noble comrade!" cried the Tin Woodman, -joyfully; "how delighted I am to meet you once again!" - -[Illustration: CAUGHT THE SCARECROW IN A CLOSE AND LOVING EMBRACE.] - -And then he released the Scarecrow and held him at arms' length while -he surveyed the beloved, painted features. - -But, alas! the face of the Scarecrow and many portions of his body bore -great blotches of putz-pomade; for the Tin Woodman, in his eagerness to -welcome his friend, had quite forgotten the condition of his toilet and -had rubbed the thick coating of paste from his own body to that of his -comrade. - -"Dear me!" said the Scarecrow, dolefully. "What a mess I'm in!" - -"Never mind, my friend," returned the Tin Woodman, "I'll send you to my -Imperial Laundry, and you'll come out as good as new." - -"Won't I be mangled?" asked the Scarecrow. - -"No, indeed!" was the reply. "But tell me, how came your Majesty here? -and who are your companions?" - -The Scarecrow, with great politeness, introduced Tip and Jack -Pumpkinhead, and the latter personage seemed to interest the Tin -Woodman greatly. - -"You are not very substantial, I must admit," said the Emperor; "but -you are certainly unusual, and therefore worthy to become a member of -our select society." - -"I thank your Majesty," said Jack, humbly. - -[Illustration] - -"I hope you are enjoying good health?" continued the Woodman. - -"At present, yes;" replied the Pumpkinhead, with a sigh; "but I am in -constant terror of the day when I shall spoil." - -"Nonsense!" said the Emperor--but in a kindly, sympathetic tone. "Do -not, I beg of you, dampen today's sun with the showers of tomorrow. For -before your head has time to spoil you can have it canned, and in that -way it may be preserved indefinitely." - -Tip, during this conversation, was looking at the Woodman with -undisguised amazement, and noticed that the celebrated Emperor of -the Winkies was composed entirely of pieces of tin, neatly soldered -and riveted together into the form of a man. He rattled and clanked -a little, as he moved, but in the main he seemed to be most cleverly -constructed, and his appearance was only marred by the thick coating of -polishing-paste that covered him from head to foot. - -The boy's intent gaze caused the Tin Woodman to remember that he was -not in the most presentable condition, so he begged his friends to -excuse him while he retired to his private apartment and allowed his -servants to polish him. This was accomplished in a short time, and when -the Emperor returned his nickel-plated body shone so magnificently that -the Scarecrow heartily congratulated him on his improved appearance. - -"That nickel-plate was, I confess, a happy thought," said Nick; "and it -was the more necessary because I had become somewhat scratched during -my adventurous experiences. You will observe this engraved star upon -my left breast. It not only indicates where my excellent heart lies, -but covers very neatly the patch made by the Wonderful Wizard when he -placed that valued organ in my breast with his own skillful hands." - -"Is your heart, then, a hand-organ?" asked the Pumpkinhead, curiously. - -"By no means," responded the Emperor, with dignity. "It is, I am -convinced, a strictly orthodox heart, although somewhat larger and -warmer than most people possess." - -Then he turned to the Scarecrow and asked: - -"Are your subjects happy and contented, my dear friend?" - -"I cannot say," was the reply; "for the girls of Oz have risen in -revolt and driven me out of the Emerald City." - -"Great Goodness!" cried the Tin Woodman. "What a calamity! They surely -do not complain of your wise and gracious rule?" - -"No; but they say it is a poor rule that don't work both ways," -answered the Scarecrow; "and these females are also of the opinion that -men have ruled the land long enough. So they have captured my city, -robbed the treasury of all its jewels, and are running things to suit -themselves." - -"Dear me! What an extraordinary idea!" cried the Emperor, who was both -shocked and surprised. - -"And I heard some of them say," said Tip, "that they intend to march -here and capture the castle and city of the Tin Woodman." - -"Ah! we must not give them time to do that," said the Emperor, quickly; -"we will go at once and recapture the Emerald City and place the -Scarecrow again upon his throne." - -[Illustration: RENOVATING HIS MAJESTY, THE SCARECROW.] - -"I was sure you would help me," remarked the Scarecrow in a pleased -voice. "How large an army can you assemble?" - -"We do not need an army," replied the Woodman. "We four, with the aid -of my gleaming axe, are enough to strike terror into the hearts of the -rebels." - -"We five," corrected the Pumpkinhead. - -"Five?" repeated the Tin Woodman. - -"Yes; the Saw-Horse is brave and fearless," answered Jack, forgetting -his recent quarrel with the quadruped. - -The Tin Woodman looked around him in a puzzled way, for the Saw-Horse -had until now remained quietly standing in a corner, where the Emperor -had not noticed him. Tip immediately called the odd-looking creature to -them, and it approached so awkwardly that it nearly upset the beautiful -center-table and the engraved oil-can. - -"I begin to think," remarked the Tin Woodman as he looked earnestly at -the Saw-Horse, "that wonders will never cease! How came this creature -alive?" - -"I did it with a magic powder," modestly asserted the boy; "and the -Saw-Horse has been very useful to us." - -"He enabled us to escape the rebels," added the Scarecrow. - -"Then we must surely accept him as a comrade," declared the Emperor. "A -live Saw-Horse is a distinct novelty, and should prove an interesting -study. Does he know anything?" - -"Well, I cannot claim any great experience in life," the Saw-Horse -answered for himself; "but I seem to learn very quickly, and often it -occurs to me that I know more than any of those around me." - -"Perhaps you do," said the Emperor; "for experience does not always -mean wisdom. But time is precious just now, so let us quickly make -preparations to start upon our journey." - -The Emperor called his Lord High Chancellor and instructed him how to -run the kingdom during his absence. Meanwhile the Scarecrow was taken -apart and the painted sack that served him for a head was carefully -laundered and restuffed with the brains originally given him by the -great Wizard. His clothes were also cleaned and pressed by the Imperial -tailors, and his crown polished and again sewed upon his head, for the -Tin Woodman insisted he should not renounce this badge of royalty. The -Scarecrow now presented a very respectable appearance, and although -in no way addicted to vanity he was quite pleased with himself and -strutted a trifle as he walked. While this was being done Tip mended -the wooden limbs of Jack Pumpkinhead and made them stronger than -before, and the Saw-Horse was also inspected to see if he was in good -working order. - -Then bright and early the next morning they set out upon the return -journey to the Emerald City, the Tin Woodman bearing upon his shoulder -a gleaming axe and leading the way, while the Pumpkinhead rode upon the -Saw-Horse and Tip and the Scarecrow walked upon either side to make -sure that he didn't fall off or become damaged. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Mr. H. M. Woggle-Bug, T. E. -] - - -Now, General Jinjur--who, you will remember, commanded the Army of -Revolt--was rendered very uneasy by the escape of the Scarecrow from -the Emerald City. She feared, and with good reason, that if his Majesty -and the Tin Woodman joined forces, it would mean danger to her and -her entire army; for the people of Oz had not yet forgotten the deeds -of these famous heroes, who had passed successfully through so many -startling adventures. - -So Jinjur sent post-haste for old Mombi, the witch, and promised her -large rewards if she would come to the assistance of the rebel army. - -Mombi was furious at the trick Tip had played upon her, as well as at -his escape and the theft of the precious Powder of Life; so she needed -no urging to induce her to travel to the Emerald City to assist Jinjur -in defeating the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, who had made Tip one of -their friends. - -Mombi had no sooner arrived at the royal palace than she discovered, -by means of her secret magic, that the adventurers were starting upon -their journey to the Emerald City; so she retired to a small room high -up in a tower and locked herself in while she practised such arts -as she could command to prevent the return of the Scarecrow and his -companions. - -That was why the Tin Woodman presently stopped and said: - -"Something very curious has happened. I ought to know by heart every -step of this journey, and yet I fear we have already lost our way." - -"That is quite impossible!" protested the Scarecrow. "Why do you think, -my dear friend, that we have gone astray?" - -"Why, here before us is a great field of sunflowers--and I never saw -this field before in all my life." - -At these words they all looked around, only to find that they were -indeed surrounded by a field of tall stalks, every stalk bearing at -its top a gigantic sunflower. And not only were these flowers almost -blinding in their vivid hues of red and gold, but each one whirled -around upon its stalk like a miniature wind-mill, completely dazzling -the vision of the beholders and so mystifying them that they knew not -which way to turn. - -"It's witchcraft!" exclaimed Tip. - -While they paused, hesitating and wondering, the Tin Woodman uttered -a cry of impatience and advanced with swinging axe to cut down the -stalks before him. But now the sunflowers suddenly stopped their rapid -whirling, and the travelers plainly saw a girl's face appear in the -center of each flower. These lovely faces looked upon the astonished -band with mocking smiles, and then burst into a chorus of merry -laughter at the dismay their appearance caused. - -"Stop! stop!" cried Tip, seizing the Woodman's arm; "they're alive! -they're girls!" - -At that moment the flowers began whirling again, and the faces faded -away and were lost in the rapid revolutions. - -The Tin Woodman dropped his axe and sat down upon the ground. - -"It would be heartless to chop down those pretty creatures," said he, -despondently; "and yet I do not know how else we can proceed upon our -way." - -"They looked to me strangely like the faces of the Army of Revolt," -mused the Scarecrow. "But I cannot conceive how the girls could have -followed us here so quickly." - -"I believe it's magic," said Tip, positively, "and that someone is -playing a trick upon us. I've known old Mombi do things like that -before. Probably it's nothing more than an illusion, and there are no -sunflowers here at all." - -"Then let us shut our eyes and walk forward," suggested the Woodman. - -"Excuse me," replied the Scarecrow. "My eyes are not painted to shut. -Because you happen to have tin eyelids, you must not imagine we are all -built in the same way." - -"And the eyes of the Saw-Horse are knot eyes," said Jack, leaning -forward to examine them. - -"Nevertheless, you must ride quickly forward," commanded Tip, "and we -will follow after you and so try to escape. My eyes are already so -dazzled that I can scarcely see." - -So the Pumpkinhead rode boldly forward, and Tip grasped the stub tail -of the Saw-Horse and followed with closed eyes. The Scarecrow and the -Tin Woodman brought up the rear, and before they had gone many yards a -joyful shout from Jack announced that the way was clear before them. - -Then all paused to look backward, but not a trace of the field of -sunflowers remained. - -More cheerfully, now, they proceeded upon their journey; but old Mombi -had so changed the appearance of the landscape that they would surely -have been lost had not the Scarecrow wisely concluded to take their -direction from the sun. For no witchcraft could change the course of -the sun, and it was therefore a safe guide. - -However, other difficulties lay before them. The Saw-Horse stepped into -a rabbit hole and fell to the ground. The Pumpkinhead was pitched high -into the air, and his history would probably have ended at that exact -moment had not the Tin Woodman skillfully caught the pumpkin as it -descended and saved it from injury. - -Tip soon had it fitted to the neck again and replaced Jack upon his -feet. But the Saw-Horse did not escape so easily. For when his leg was -pulled from the rabbit hole it was found to be broken short off, and -must be replaced or repaired before he could go a step farther. - -"This is quite serious," said the Tin Woodman. "If there were trees -near by I might soon manufacture another leg for this animal; but I -cannot see even a shrub for miles around." - -[Illustration: THE TIN WOODMAN SKILLFULLY CAUGHT THE PUMPKIN] - -"And there are neither fences nor houses in this part of the land of -Oz," added the Scarecrow, disconsolately. - -"Then what shall we do?" enquired the boy. - -"I suppose I must start my brains working," replied his Majesty the -Scarecrow; "for experience has taught me that I can do anything if I -but take time to think it out." - -"Let us all think," said Tip; "and perhaps we shall find a way to -repair the Saw-Horse." - -So they sat in a row upon the grass and began to think, while the -Saw-Horse occupied itself by gazing curiously upon its broken limb. - -"Does it hurt?" asked the Tin Woodman, in a soft, sympathetic voice. - -"Not in the least," returned the Saw-Horse; "but my pride is injured to -find that my anatomy is so brittle." - -For a time the little group remained in silent thought. Presently the -Tin Woodman raised his head and looked over the fields. - -"What sort of creature is that which approaches us?" he asked, -wonderingly. - -The others followed his gaze, and discovered coming toward them the -most extraordinary object they had ever beheld. It advanced quickly -and noiselessly over the soft grass and in a few minutes stood before -the adventurers and regarded them with an astonishment equal to their -own. - -The Scarecrow was calm under all circumstances. - -"Good morning!" he said, politely. - -The stranger removed his hat with a flourish, bowed very low, and then -responded: - -[Illustration] - -"Good morning, one and all. I hope you are, as an aggregation, enjoying -excellent health. Permit me to present my card." - -With this courteous speech it extended a card toward the Scarecrow, who -accepted it, turned it over and over, and then handed it with a shake -of his head to Tip. - -The boy read aloud: - -"MR. H. M. WOGGLE-BUG, T. E." - -"Dear me!" ejaculated the Pumpkinhead, staring somewhat intently. - -"How very peculiar!" said the Tin Woodman. - -Tip's eyes were round and wondering, and the Saw-Horse uttered a sigh -and turned away its head. - -"Are you really a Woggle-Bug?" enquired the Scarecrow. - -"Most certainly, my dear sir!" answered the stranger, briskly. "Is not -my name upon the card?" - -"It is," said the Scarecrow. "But may I ask what 'H. M.' stands for?" - -"'H. M.' means Highly Magnified," returned the Woggle-Bug, proudly. - -"Oh, I see." The Scarecrow viewed the stranger critically. "And are -you, in truth, highly magnified?" - -"Sir," said the Woggle-Bug, "I take you for a gentleman of judgment -and discernment. Does it not occur to you that I am several thousand -times greater than any Woggle-Bug you ever saw before? Therefore it is -plainly evident that I am Highly Magnified, and there is no good reason -why you should doubt the fact." - -"Pardon me," returned the Scarecrow. "My brains are slightly mixed -since I was last laundered. Would it be improper for me to ask, also, -what the 'T. E.' at the end of your name stands for?" - -"Those letters express my degree," answered the Woggle-Bug, with a -condescending smile. "To be more explicit, the initials mean that I am -Thoroughly Educated." - -"Oh!" said the Scarecrow, much relieved. - -Tip had not yet taken his eyes off this wonderful personage. What he -saw was a great, round, bug-like body supported upon two slender legs -which ended in delicate feet--the toes curling upward. The body of the -Woggle-Bug was rather flat, and judging from what could be seen of it -was of a glistening dark brown color upon the back, while the front -was striped with alternate bands of light brown and white, blending -together at the edges. Its arms were fully as slender as its legs, and -upon a rather long neck was perched its head--not unlike the head of a -man, except that its nose ended in a curling antenna, or "feeler," and -its ears from the upper points bore antennæ that decorated the sides -of its head like two miniature, curling pig tails. It must be admitted -that the round, black eyes were rather bulging in appearance; but the -expression upon the Woggle-Bug's face was by no means unpleasant. - -For dress the insect wore a dark-blue swallow-tail coat with a yellow -silk lining and a flower in the button-hole; a vest of white duck that -stretched tightly across the wide body; knickerbockers of fawn-colored -plush, fastened at the knees with gilt buckles; and, perched upon its -small head, was jauntily set a tall silk hat. - -Standing upright before our amazed friends the Woggle-Bug appeared to -be fully as tall as the Tin Woodman; and surely no bug in all the Land -of Oz had ever before attained so enormous a size. - -"I confess," said the Scarecrow, "that your abrupt appearance has -caused me surprise, and no doubt has startled my companions. I hope, -however, that this circumstance will not distress you. We shall -probably get used to you in time." - -"Do not apologize, I beg of you!" returned the Woggle-Bug, earnestly. -"It affords me great pleasure to surprise people; for surely I cannot -be classed with ordinary insects and am entitled to both curiosity and -admiration from those I meet." - -"You are, indeed," agreed his Majesty. - -"If you will permit me to seat myself in your august company," -continued the stranger, "I will gladly relate my history, so -that you will be better able to comprehend my unusual--may I say -remarkable?--appearance." - -"You may say what you please," answered the Tin Woodman, briefly. - -So the Woggle-Bug sat down upon the grass, facing the little group of -wanderers, and told them the following story: - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - A Highly Magnified - History -] - - -"It is but honest that I should acknowledge at the beginning of my -recital that I was born an ordinary Woggle-Bug," began the creature, in -a frank and friendly tone. "Knowing no better, I used my arms as well -as my legs for walking, and crawled under the edges of stones or hid -among the roots of grasses with no thought beyond finding a few insects -smaller than myself to feed upon. - -"The chill nights rendered me stiff and motionless, for I wore no -clothing, but each morning the warm rays of the sun gave me new life -and restored me to activity. A horrible existence is this, but you must -remember it is the regularly ordained existence of Woggle-Bugs, as well -as of many other tiny creatures that inhabit the earth. - -"But Destiny had singled me out, humble though I was, for a grander -fate! One day I crawled near to a country school house, and my -curiosity being excited by the monotonous hum of the students within, -I made bold to enter and creep along a crack between two boards until -I reached the far end, where, in front of a hearth of glowing embers, -sat the master at his desk. - -"No one noticed so small a creature as a Woggle-Bug, and when I found -that the hearth was even warmer and more comfortable than the sunshine, -I resolved to establish my future home beside it. So I found a charming -nest between two bricks and hid myself therein for many, many months. - -"Professor Nowitall is, doubtless, the most famous scholar in the land -of Oz, and after a few days I began to listen to the lectures and -discourses he gave his pupils. Not one of them was more attentive than -the humble, unnoticed Woggle-Bug, and I acquired in this way a fund of -knowledge that I will myself confess is simply marvelous. That is why -I place 'T. E.'--Thoroughly Educated--upon my cards; for my greatest -pride lies in the fact that the world cannot produce another Woggle-Bug -with a tenth part of my own culture and erudition." - -"I do not blame you," said the Scarecrow. "Education is a thing to -be proud of. I'm educated myself. The mess of brains given me by the -Great Wizard is considered by my friends to be unexcelled." - -"Nevertheless," interrupted the Tin Woodman, "a good heart is, I -believe, much more desirable than education or brains." - -"To me," said the Saw-Horse, "a good leg is more desirable than either." - -"Could seeds be considered in the light of brains?" enquired the -Pumpkinhead, abruptly. - -"Keep quiet!" commanded Tip, sternly. - -"Very well, dear father," answered the obedient Jack. - -The Woggle-Bug listened patiently--even respectfully--to these remarks, -and then resumed his story. - -"I must have lived fully three years in that secluded school-house -hearth," said he, "drinking thirstily of the ever-flowing fount of -limpid knowledge before me." - -"Quite poetical," commented the Scarecrow, nodding his head approvingly. - -[Illustration: "Caught me between his thumb and forefinger."] - -"But one day," continued the Bug, "a marvelous circumstance occurred -that altered my very existence and brought me to my present pinnacle of -greatness. The Professor discovered me in the act of crawling across -the hearth, and before I could escape he had caught me between his -thumb and forefinger. - -"'My dear children,' said he, 'I have captured a Woggle-Bug--a very -rare and interesting specimen. Do any of you know what a Woggle-Bug is?' - -"'No!' yelled the scholars, in chorus. - -"'Then,' said the Professor, 'I will get out my famous magnifying-glass -and throw the insect upon a screen in a highly-magnified condition, -that you may all study carefully its peculiar construction and become -acquainted with its habits and manner of life.' - -"He then brought from a cupboard a most curious instrument, and before -I could realize what had happened I found myself thrown upon a screen -in a highly-magnified state--even as you now behold me. - -"The students stood up on their stools and craned their heads forward -to get a better view of me, and two little girls jumped upon the sill -of an open window where they could see more plainly. - -"'Behold!' cried the Professor, in a loud voice, 'this highly-magnified -Woggle-Bug; one of the most curious insects in existence!' - -"Being Thoroughly Educated, and knowing what is required of a cultured -gentleman, at this juncture I stood upright and, placing my hand upon -my bosom, made a very polite bow. My action, being unexpected, must -have startled them, for one of the little girls perched upon the -window-sill gave a scream and fell backward out the window, drawing her -companion with her as she disappeared. - -[Illustration: "THE STUDENTS STOOD UP ON THEIR STOOLS."] - -"The Professor uttered a cry of horror and rushed away through the -door to see if the poor children were injured by the fall. The -scholars followed after him in a wild mob, and I was left alone in the -school-room, still in a Highly-Magnified state and free to do as I -pleased. - -"It immediately occurred to me that this was a good opportunity to -escape. I was proud of my great size, and realized that now I could -safely travel anywhere in the world, while my superior culture would -make me a fit associate for the most learned person I might chance to -meet. - -"So, while the Professor picked the little girls--who were more -frightened than hurt--off the ground, and the pupils clustered around -him closely grouped, I calmly walked out of the school-house, turned a -corner, and escaped unnoticed to a grove of trees that stood near." - -"Wonderful!" exclaimed the Pumpkinhead, admiringly. - -"It was, indeed," agreed the Woggle-Bug. "I have never ceased to -congratulate myself for escaping while I was Highly Magnified; for -even my excessive knowledge would have proved of little use to me had -I remained a tiny, insignificant insect." - -[Illustration] - -"I didn't know before," said Tip, looking at the Woggle-Bug with a -puzzled expression, "that insects wore clothes." - -"Nor do they, in their natural state," returned the stranger. "But -in the course of my wanderings I had the good fortune to save the -ninth life of a tailor--tailors having, like cats, nine lives, as -you probably know. The fellow was exceedingly grateful, for had he -lost that ninth life it would have been the end of him; so he begged -permission to furnish me with the stylish costume I now wear. It fits -very nicely, does it not?" and the Woggle-Bug stood up and turned -himself around slowly, that all might examine his person. - -"He must have been a good tailor," said the Scarecrow, somewhat -enviously. - -"He was a good-hearted tailor, at any rate," observed Nick Chopper. - -"But where were you going, when you met us?" Tip asked the Woggle-Bug. - -"Nowhere in particular," was the reply, "although it is my intention -soon to visit the Emerald City and arrange to give a course of lectures -to select audiences on the 'Advantages of Magnification.'" - -"We are bound for the Emerald City now," said the Tin Woodman; "so, if -it pleases you to do so, you are welcome to travel in our company." - -The Woggle-Bug bowed with profound grace. - -"It will give me great pleasure," said he, "to accept your kind -invitation; for nowhere in the Land of Oz could I hope to meet with so -congenial a company." - -"That is true," acknowledged the Pumpkinhead. "We are quite as -congenial as flies and honey." - -"But--pardon me if I seem inquisitive--are you not all -rather--ahem!--rather unusual?" asked the Woggle-Bug, looking from one -to another with unconcealed interest. - -"Not more so than yourself," answered the Scarecrow. "Everything in -life is unusual until you get accustomed to it." - -"What rare philosophy!" exclaimed the Woggle-Bug, admiringly. - -"Yes; my brains are working well today," admitted the Scarecrow, an -accent of pride in his voice. - -"Then, if you are sufficiently rested and refreshed, let us bend our -steps toward the Emerald City," suggested the magnified one. - -"We can't," said Tip. "The Saw-Horse has broken a leg, so he can't bend -his steps. And there is no wood around to make him a new limb from. And -we can't leave the horse behind because the Pumpkinhead is so stiff in -his joints that he has to ride." - -"How very unfortunate!" cried the Woggle-Bug. Then he looked the party -over carefully and said: - -"If the Pumpkinhead is to ride, why not use one of his legs to make a -leg for the horse that carries him? I judge that both are made of wood." - -"Now, that is what I call real cleverness," said the Scarecrow, -approvingly. "I wonder my brains did not think of that long ago! Get to -work, my dear Nick, and fit the Pumpkinhead's leg to the Saw-Horse." - -Jack was not especially pleased with this idea; but he submitted to -having his left leg amputated by the Tin Woodman and whittled down to -fit the left leg of the Saw-Horse. Nor was the Saw-Horse especially -pleased with the operation, either; for he growled a good deal about -being "butchered," as he called it, and afterward declared that the new -leg was a disgrace to a respectable Saw-Horse. - -"I beg you to be more careful in your speech," said the Pumpkinhead, -sharply. "Remember, if you please, that it is my leg you are abusing." - -"I cannot forget it," retorted the Saw-Horse, "for it is quite as -flimsy as the rest of your person." - -"Flimsy! me flimsy!" cried Jack, in a rage. "How dare you call me -flimsy?" - -"Because you are built as absurdly as a jumping-jack," sneered the -horse, rolling his knotty eyes in a vicious manner. "Even your head -won't stay straight, and you never can tell whether you are looking -backwards or forward!" - -"Friends, I entreat you not to quarrel!" pleaded the Tin Woodman, -anxiously. "As a matter of fact, we are none of us above criticism; so -let us bear with each others' faults." - -"An excellent suggestion," said the Woggle-Bug, approvingly. "You must -have an excellent heart, my metallic friend." - -"I have," returned Nick, well pleased. "My heart is quite the best part -of me. But now let us start upon our journey." - -They perched the one-legged Pumpkinhead upon the Saw-Horse, and tied -him to his seat with cords, so that he could not possibly fall off. - -And then, following the lead of the Scarecrow, they all advanced in the -direction of the Emerald City. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Old Mombi indulges - in Witchcraft -] - - -They soon discovered that the Saw-Horse limped, for his new leg was a -trifle too long. So they were obliged to halt while the Tin Woodman -chopped it down with his axe, after which the wooden steed paced along -more comfortably. But the Saw-Horse was not entirely satisfied, even -yet. - -"It was a shame that I broke my other leg!" it growled. - -"On the contrary," airily remarked the Woggle-Bug, who was walking -alongside, "you should consider the accident most fortunate. For a -horse is never of much use until he has been broken." - -"I beg your pardon," said Tip, rather provoked, for he felt a warm -interest in both the Saw-Horse and his man Jack; "but permit me to say -that your joke is a poor one, and as old as it is poor." - -"Still, it is a joke," declared the Woggle-Bug, firmly, "and a joke -derived from a play upon words is considered among educated people to -be eminently proper." - -"What does that mean?" enquired the Pumpkinhead, stupidly. - -"It means, my dear friend," explained the Woggle-Bug, "that our -language contains many words having a double meaning; and that to -pronounce a joke that allows both meanings of a certain word, proves -the joker a person of culture and refinement, who has, moreover, a -thorough command of the language." - -"I don't believe that," said Tip, plainly; "anybody can make a pun." - -"Not so," rejoined the Woggle-Bug, stiffly. "It requires education of -a high order. Are you educated, young sir?" - -"Not especially," admitted Tip. - -"Then you cannot judge the matter. I myself am Thoroughly Educated, and -I say that puns display genius. For instance, were I to ride upon this -Saw-Horse, he would not only be an animal--he would become an equipage. -For he would then be a horse-and-buggy." - -At this the Scarecrow gave a gasp and the Tin Woodman stopped short -and looked reproachfully at the Woggle-Bug. At the same time the -Saw-Horse loudly snorted his derision; and even the Pumpkinhead put up -his hand to hide the smile which, because it was carved upon his face, -he could not change to a frown. - -But the Woggle-Bug strutted along as if he had made some brilliant -remark, and the Scarecrow was obliged to say: - -"I have heard, my dear friend, that a person can become over-educated; -and although I have a high respect for brains, no matter how they may -be arranged or classified, I begin to suspect that yours are slightly -tangled. In any event, I must beg you to restrain your superior -education while in our society." - -"We are not very particular," added the Tin Woodman; "and we are -exceedingly kind hearted. But if your superior culture gets leaky -again--" He did not complete the sentence, but he twirled his gleaming -axe so carelessly that the Woggle-Bug looked frightened, and shrank -away to a safe distance. - -The others marched on in silence, and the Highly-Magnified one, after -a period of deep thought, said in an humble voice: - -"I will endeavor to restrain myself." - -"That is all we can expect," returned the Scarecrow, pleasantly; and -good nature being thus happily restored to the party, they proceeded -upon their way. - -When they again stopped to allow Tip to rest--the boy being the only -one that seemed to tire--the Tin Woodman noticed many small, round -holes in the grassy meadow. - -"This must be a village of the Field Mice," he said to the Scarecrow. -"I wonder if my old friend, the Queen of the Mice, is in this -neighborhood." - -"If she is, she may be of great service to us," answered the Scarecrow, -who was impressed by a sudden thought. "See if you can call her, my -dear Nick." - -So the Tin Woodman blew a shrill note upon a silver whistle that hung -around his neck, and presently a tiny grey mouse popped from a near-by -hole and advanced fearlessly toward them. For the Tin Woodman had once -saved her life, and the Queen of the Field Mice knew he was to be -trusted. - -"Good day, your Majesty," said Nick, politely addressing the mouse; "I -trust you are enjoying good health?" - -"Thank you, I am quite well," answered the Queen, demurely, as she -sat up and displayed the tiny golden crown upon her head. "Can I do -anything to assist my old friends?" - -"You can, indeed," replied the Scarecrow, eagerly. "Let me, I intreat -you, take a dozen of your subjects with me to the Emerald City." - -"Will they be injured in any way?" asked the Queen, doubtfully. - -"I think not," replied the Scarecrow. "I will carry them hidden in -the straw which stuffs my body, and when I give them the signal by -unbuttoning my jacket, they have only to rush out and scamper home -again as fast as they can. By doing this they will assist me to regain -my throne, which the Army of Revolt has taken from me." - -"In that case," said the Queen, "I will not refuse your request. -Whenever you are ready, I will call twelve of my most intelligent -subjects." - -"I am ready now," returned the Scarecrow. Then he lay flat upon the -ground and unbuttoned his jacket, displaying the mass of straw with -which he was stuffed. - -The Queen uttered a little piping call, and in an instant a dozen -pretty field mice had emerged from their holes and stood before their -ruler, awaiting her orders. - -What the Queen said to them none of our travelers could understand, -for it was in the mouse language; but the field mice obeyed without -hesitation, running one after the other to the Scarecrow and hiding -themselves in the straw of his breast. - -When all of the twelve mice had thus concealed themselves, the -Scarecrow buttoned his jacket securely and then arose and thanked the -Queen for her kindness. - -"One thing more you might do to serve us," suggested the Tin Woodman; -"and that is to run ahead and show us the way to the Emerald City. For -some enemy is evidently trying to prevent us from reaching it." - -"I will do that gladly," returned the Queen. "Are you ready?" - -The Tin Woodman looked at Tip. - -"I'm rested," said the boy. "Let us start." - -Then they resumed their journey, the little grey Queen of the Field -Mice running swiftly ahead and then pausing until the travelers drew -near, when away she would dart again. - -Without this unerring guide the Scarecrow and his comrades might never -have gained the Emerald City; for many were the obstacles thrown in -their way by the arts of old Mombi. Yet not one of the obstacles really -existed--all were cleverly contrived deceptions. For when they came -to the banks of a rushing river that threatened to bar their way the -little Queen kept steadily on, passing through the seeming flood in -safety; and our travelers followed her without encountering a single -drop of water. - -Again, a high wall of granite towered high above their heads and -opposed their advance. But the grey Field Mouse walked straight through -it, and the others did the same, the wall melting into mist as they -passed it. - -Afterward, when they had stopped for a moment to allow Tip to rest, -they saw forty roads branching off from their feet in forty different -directions; and soon these forty roads began whirling around like a -mighty wheel, first in one direction and then in the other, completely -bewildering their vision. - -But the Queen called for them to follow her and darted off in a -straight line; and when they had gone a few paces the whirling pathways -vanished and were seen no more. - -Mombi's last trick was most fearful of all. She sent a sheet of -crackling flame rushing over the meadow to consume them; and for the -first time the Scarecrow became afraid and turned to fly. - -"If that fire reaches me I will be gone in no time!" said he, trembling -until his straw rattled. "It's the most dangerous thing I ever -encountered." - -"I'm off, too!" cried the Saw-Horse, turning and prancing with -agitation; "for my wood is so dry it would burn like kindlings." - -"Is fire dangerous to pumpkins?" asked Jack, fearfully. - -[Illustration] - -"You'll be baked like a tart--and so will I!" answered the Woggle-Bug, -getting down on all fours so he could run the faster. - -But the Tin Woodman, having no fear of fire, averted the stampede by a -few sensible words. - -"Look at the Field Mouse!" he shouted. "The fire does not burn her in -the least. In fact, it is no fire at all, but only a deception." - -Indeed, to watch the little Queen march calmly through the advancing -flames restored courage to every member of the party, and they followed -her without being even scorched. - -"This is surely a most extraordinary adventure," said the Woggle-Bug, -who was greatly amazed; "for it upsets all the Natural Laws that I -heard Professor Nowitall teach in the school-house." - -"Of course it does," said the Scarecrow, wisely. "All magic is -unnatural, and for that reason is to be feared and avoided. But I see -before us the gates of the Emerald City, so I imagine we have now -overcome all the magical obstacles that seemed to oppose us." - -Indeed, the walls of the City were plainly visible, and the Queen of -the Field Mice, who had guided them so faithfully, came near to bid -them good-bye. - -"We are very grateful to your Majesty for your kind assistance," said -the Tin Woodman, bowing before the pretty creature. - -"I am always pleased to be of service to my friends," answered the -Queen, and in a flash she had darted away upon her journey home. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Prisoners of the Queen -] - - -Approaching the gateway of the Emerald City the travelers found it -guarded by two girls of the Army of Revolt, who opposed their entrance -by drawing the knitting-needles from their hair and threatening to prod -the first that came near. - -But the Tin Woodman was not afraid. - -"At the worst they can but scratch my beautiful nickel-plate," he said. -"But there will be no 'worst,' for I think I can manage to frighten -these absurd soldiers very easily. Follow me closely, all of you!" - -Then, swinging his axe in a great circle to right and left before -him, he advanced upon the gate, and the others followed him without -hesitation. - -The girls, who had expected no resistance whatever, were terrified by -the sweep of the glittering axe and fled screaming into the city; so -that our travelers passed the gates in safety and marched down the -green marble pavement of the wide street toward the royal palace. - -"At this rate we will soon have your Majesty upon the throne again," -said the Tin Woodman, laughing at his easy conquest of the guards. - -"Thank you, friend Nick," returned the Scarecrow, gratefully. "Nothing -can resist your kind heart and your sharp axe." - -As they passed the rows of houses they saw through the open doors that -men were sweeping and dusting and washing dishes, while the women sat -around in groups, gossiping and laughing. - -"What has happened?" the Scarecrow asked a sad-looking man with a bushy -beard, who wore an apron and was wheeling a baby-carriage along the -sidewalk. - -"Why, we've had a revolution, your Majesty--as you ought to know very -well," replied the man; "and since you went away the women have been -running things to suit themselves. I'm glad you have decided to come -back and restore order, for doing housework and minding the children is -wearing out the strength of every man in the Emerald City." - -"Hm!" said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully. "If it is such hard work as -you say, how did the women manage it so easily?" - -"I really do not know," replied the man, with a deep sigh. "Perhaps the -women are made of cast-iron." - -No movement was made, as they passed along the street, to oppose their -progress. Several of the women stopped their gossip long enough to cast -curious looks upon our friends, but immediately they would turn away -with a laugh or a sneer and resume their chatter. And when they met -with several girls belonging to the Army of Revolt, those soldiers, -instead of being alarmed or appearing surprised, merely stepped out of -the way and allowed them to advance without protest. - -This action rendered the Scarecrow uneasy. - -"I'm afraid we are walking into a trap," said he. - -"Nonsense!" returned Nick Chopper, confidently; "the silly creatures -are conquered already!" - -But the Scarecrow shook his head in a way that expressed doubt, and Tip -said: - -"It's too easy, altogether. Look out for trouble ahead." - -"I will," returned his Majesty. - -[Illustration: "IT'S TOO EASY, ALTOGETHER."] - -Unopposed they reached the royal palace and marched up the marble -steps, which had once been thickly encrusted with emeralds but were -now filled with tiny holes where the jewels had been ruthlessly torn -from their settings by the Army of Revolt. And so far not a rebel -barred their way. - -Through the arched hallways and into the magnificent throne room -marched the Tin Woodman and his followers, and here, when the green -silken curtains fell behind them, they saw a curious sight. - -Seated within the glittering throne was General Jinjur, with the -Scarecrow's second-best crown upon her head, and the royal sceptre in -her right hand. A box of caramels, from which she was eating, rested in -her lap, and the girl seemed entirely at ease in her royal surroundings. - -The Scarecrow stepped forward and confronted her, while the Tin Woodman -leaned upon his axe and the others formed a half-circle back of his -Majesty's person. - -"How dare you sit in my throne?" demanded the Scarecrow, sternly eyeing -the intruder. "Don't you know you are guilty of treason, and that there -is a law against treason?" - -"The throne belongs to whoever is able to take it," answered Jinjur, as -she slowly ate another caramel. "I have taken it, as you see; so just -now I am the Queen, and all who oppose me are guilty of treason, and -must be punished by the law you have just mentioned." - -This view of the case puzzled the Scarecrow. - -"How is it, friend Nick?" he asked, turning to the Tin Woodman. - -"Why, when it comes to Law, I have nothing to say," answered that -personage; "for laws were never meant to be understood, and it is -foolish to make the attempt." - -"Then what shall we do?" asked the Scarecrow, in dismay. - -"Why don't you marry the Queen? And then you can both rule," suggested -the Woggle-Bug. - -Jinjur glared at the insect fiercely. - -"Why don't you send her back to her mother, where she belongs?" asked -Jack Pumpkinhead. - -Jinjur frowned. - -"Why don't you shut her up in a closet until she behaves herself, and -promises to be good?" enquired Tip. Jinjur's lip curled scornfully. - -"Or give her a good shaking!" added the Saw-Horse. - -"No," said the Tin Woodman, "we must treat the poor girl with -gentleness. Let us give her all the jewels she can carry, and send her -away happy and contented." - -At this Queen Jinjur laughed aloud, and the next minute clapped her -pretty hands together thrice, as if for a signal. - -"You are very absurd creatures," said she; "but I am tired of your -nonsense and have no time to bother with you longer." - -While the monarch and his friends listened in amazement to this -impudent speech, a startling thing happened. The Tin Woodman's axe was -snatched from his grasp by some person behind him, and he found himself -disarmed and helpless. At the same instant a shout of laughter rang in -the ears of the devoted band, and turning to see whence this came they -found themselves surrounded by the Army of Revolt, the girls bearing in -either hand their glistening knitting-needles. The entire throne room -seemed to be filled with the rebels, and the Scarecrow and his comrades -realized that they were prisoners. - -"You see how foolish it is to oppose a woman's wit," said Jinjur, -gaily; "and this event only proves that I am more fit to rule the -Emerald City than a Scarecrow. I bear you no ill will, I assure you; -but lest you should prove troublesome to me in the future I shall order -you all to be destroyed. That is, all except the boy, who belongs -to old Mombi and must be restored to her keeping. The rest of you -are not human, and therefore it will not be wicked to demolish you. -The Saw-Horse and the Pumpkinhead's body I will have chopped up for -kindling-wood; and the pumpkin shall be made into tarts. The Scarecrow -will do nicely to start a bonfire, and the tin man can be cut into -small pieces and fed to the goats. As for this immense Woggle-Bug--" - -"Highly Magnified, if you please!" interrupted the insect. - -"I think I will ask the cook to make green-turtle soup of you," -continued the Queen, reflectively. - -The Woggle-Bug shuddered. - -"Or, if that won't do, we might use you for a Hungarian goulash, stewed -and highly spiced," she added, cruelly. - -This programme of extermination was so terrible that the prisoners -looked upon one another in a panic of fear. The Scarecrow alone did not -give way to despair. He stood quietly before the Queen and his brow was -wrinkled in deep thought as he strove to find some means to escape. - -While thus engaged he felt the straw within his breast move gently. At -once his expression changed from sadness to joy, and raising his hand -he quickly unbuttoned the front of his jacket. - -[Illustration] - -This action did not pass unnoticed by the crowd of girls clustering -about him, but none of them suspected what he was doing until a tiny -grey mouse leaped from his bosom to the floor and scampered away -between the feet of the Army of Revolt. Another mouse quickly followed; -then another and another, in rapid succession. And suddenly such a -scream of terror went up from the Army that it might easily have filled -the stoutest heart with consternation. The flight that ensued turned to -a stampede, and the stampede to a panic. - -For while the startled mice rushed wildly about the room the Scarecrow -had only time to note a whirl of skirts and a twinkling of feet as the -girls disappeared from the palace--pushing and crowding one another in -their mad efforts to escape. - -The Queen, at the first alarm, stood up on the cushions of the throne -and began to dance frantically upon her tiptoes. Then a mouse ran up -the cushions, and with a terrified leap poor Jinjur shot clear over the -head of the Scarecrow and escaped through an archway--never pausing in -her wild career until she had reached the city gates. - -So, in less time than I can explain, the throne room was deserted by -all save the Scarecrow and his friends, and the Woggle-Bug heaved a -deep sigh of relief as he exclaimed: - -"Thank goodness, we are saved!" - -"For a time, yes;" answered the Tin Woodman. "But the enemy will soon -return, I fear." - -"Let us bar all the entrances to the palace!" said the Scarecrow. "Then -we shall have time to think what is best to be done." - -So all except Jack Pumpkinhead, who was still tied fast to the -Saw-Horse, ran to the various entrances of the royal palace and closed -the heavy doors, bolting and locking them securely. Then, knowing that -the Army of Revolt could not batter down the barriers in several days, -the adventurers gathered once more in the throne room for a council of -war. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Scarecrow - Takes Time to Think -] - - -"It seems to me," began the Scarecrow, when all were again assembled in -the throne room, "that the girl Jinjur is quite right in claiming to be -Queen. And if she is right, then I am wrong, and we have no business to -be occupying her palace." - -"But you were the King until she came," said the Woggle-Bug, strutting -up and down with his hands in his pockets; "so it appears to me that -she is the interloper instead of you." - -"Especially as we have just conquered her and put her to flight," added -the Pumpkinhead, as he raised his hands to turn his face toward the -Scarecrow. - -"Have we really conquered her?" asked the Scarecrow, quietly. "Look out -of the window, and tell me what you see." - -Tip ran to the window and looked out. - -"The palace is surrounded by a double row of girl soldiers," he -announced. - -"I thought so," returned the Scarecrow. "We are as truly their -prisoners as we were before the mice frightened them from the palace." - -"My friend is right," said Nick Chopper, who had been polishing his -breast with a bit of chamois-leather. "Jinjur is still the Queen, and -we are her prisoners." - -"But I hope she cannot get at us," exclaimed the Pumpkinhead, with a -shiver of fear. "She threatened to make tarts of me, you know." - -"Don't worry," said the Tin Woodman. "It cannot matter greatly. If you -stay shut up here you will spoil in time, anyway. A good tart is far -more admirable than a decayed intellect." - -"Very true," agreed the Scarecrow. - -"Oh, dear!" moaned Jack; "what an unhappy lot is mine! Why, dear -father, did you not make me out of tin--or even out of straw--so that -I would keep indefinitely." - -"Shucks!" returned Tip, indignantly. "You ought to be glad that I made -you at all." Then he added, reflectively, "everything has to come to an -end, some time." - -"But I beg to remind you," broke in the Woggle-Bug, who had a -distressed look in his bulging, round eyes, "that this terrible Queen -Jinjur suggested making a goulash of me--Me! the only Highly Magnified -and Thoroughly Educated Woggle-Bug in the wide, wide world!" - -"I think it was a brilliant idea," remarked the Scarecrow, approvingly. - -"Don't you imagine he would make a better soup?" asked the Tin Woodman, -turning toward his friend. - -"Well, perhaps," acknowledged the Scarecrow. - -The Woggle-Bug groaned. - -"I can see, in my mind's eye," said he, mournfully, "the goats eating -small pieces of my dear comrade, the Tin Woodman, while my soup is -being cooked on a bonfire built of the Saw-Horse and Jack Pumpkinhead's -body, and Queen Jinjur watches me boil while she feeds the flames with -my friend the Scarecrow!" - -This morbid picture cast a gloom over the entire party, making them -restless and anxious. - -"It can't happen for some time," said the Tin Woodman, trying to speak -cheerfully; "for we shall be able to keep Jinjur out of the palace -until she manages to break down the doors." - -"And in the meantime I am liable to starve to death, and so is the -Woggle-Bug," announced Tip. - -"As for me," said the Woggle-Bug, "I think that I could live for some -time on Jack Pumpkinhead. Not that I prefer pumpkins for food; but I -believe they are somewhat nutritious, and Jack's head is large and -plump." - -"How heartless!" exclaimed the Tin Woodman, greatly shocked. "Are we -cannibals, let me ask? Or are we faithful friends?" - -"I see very clearly that we cannot stay shut up in this palace," said -the Scarecrow, with decision. "So let us end this mournful talk and try -to discover a means to escape." - -At this suggestion they all gathered eagerly around the throne, wherein -was seated the Scarecrow, and as Tip sat down upon a stool there fell -from his pocket a pepper-box, which rolled upon the floor. - -"What is this?" asked Nick Chopper, picking up the box. - -"Be careful!" cried the boy. "That's my Powder of Life. Don't spill it, -for it is nearly gone." - -"And what is the Powder of Life?" enquired the Scarecrow, as Tip -replaced the box carefully in his pocket. - -"It's some magical stuff old Mombi got from a crooked sorcerer," -explained the boy. "She brought Jack to life with it, and afterward I -used it to bring the Saw-Horse to life. I guess it will make anything -live that is sprinkled with it; but there's only about one dose left." - -"Then it is very precious," said the Tin Woodman. - -"Indeed it is," agreed the Scarecrow. "It may prove our best means of -escape from our difficulties. I believe I will think for a few minutes; -so I will thank you, friend Tip, to get out your knife and rip this -heavy crown from my forehead." - -Tip soon cut the stitches that had fastened the crown to the -Scarecrow's head, and the former monarch of the Emerald City removed it -with a sigh of relief and hung it on a peg beside the throne. - -[Illustration] - -"That is my last memento of royalty," said he; "and I'm glad to get rid -of it. The former King of this City, who was named Pastoria, lost the -crown to the Wonderful Wizard, who passed it on to me. Now the girl -Jinjur claims it, and I sincerely hope it will not give her a headache." - -"A kindly thought, which I greatly admire," said the Tin Woodman, -nodding approvingly. - -"And now I will indulge in a quiet think," continued the Scarecrow, -lying back in the throne. - -The others remained as silent and still as possible, so as not to -disturb him; for all had great confidence in the extraordinary brains -of the Scarecrow. - -And, after what seemed a very long time indeed to the anxious watchers, -the thinker sat up, looked upon his friends with his most whimsical -expression, and said: - -"My brains work beautifully today. I'm quite proud of them. Now, -listen! If we attempt to escape through the doors of the palace we -shall surely be captured. And, as we can't escape through the ground, -there is only one other thing to be done. We must escape through the -air!" - -He paused to note the effect of these words; but all his hearers seemed -puzzled and unconvinced. - -"The Wonderful Wizard escaped in a balloon," he continued. "We don't -know how to make a balloon, of course; but any sort of thing that can -fly through the air can carry us easily. So I suggest that my friend -the Tin Woodman, who is a skillful mechanic, shall build some sort of -a machine, with good strong wings, to carry us; and our friend Tip can -then bring the Thing to life with his magical powder." - -"Bravo!" cried Nick Chopper. - -"What splendid brains!" murmured Jack. - -"Really quite clever!" said the Educated Woggle-Bug. - -[Illustration] - -"I believe it can be done," declared Tip; "that is, if the Tin Woodman -is equal to making the Thing." - -"I'll do my best," said Nick, cheerily; "and, as a matter of fact, I do -not often fail in what I attempt. But the Thing will have to be built -on the roof of the palace, so it can rise comfortably into the air." - -"To be sure," said the Scarecrow. - -"Then let us search through the palace," continued the Tin Woodman, -"and carry all the material we can find to the roof, where I will begin -my work." - -"First, however," said the Pumpkinhead, "I beg you will release me from -this horse, and make me another leg to walk with. For in my present -condition I am of no use to myself or to anyone else." - -So the Tin Woodman knocked a mahogany center-table to pieces with his -axe and fitted one of the legs, which was beautifully carved, on to the -body of Jack Pumpkinhead, who was very proud of the acquisition. - -"It seems strange," said he, as he watched the Tin Woodman work, "that -my left leg should be the most elegant and substantial part of me." - -"That proves you are unusual," returned the Scarecrow; "and I am -convinced that the only people worthy of consideration in this world -are the unusual ones. For the common folks are like the leaves of a -tree, and live and die unnoticed." - -"Spoken like a philosopher!" cried the Woggle-Bug, as he assisted the -Tin Woodman to set Jack upon his feet. - -"How do you feel now?" asked Tip, watching the Pumpkinhead stump -around to try his new leg. - -"As good as new," answered Jack, joyfully, "and quite ready to assist -you all to escape." - -"Then let us get to work," said the Scarecrow, in a business-like tone. - -So, glad to be doing anything that might lead to the end of their -captivity, the friends separated to wander over the palace in search of -fitting material to use in the construction of their aerial machine. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Astonishing Flight - of the Gump -] - - -When the adventurers reassembled upon the roof it was found that a -remarkably queer assortment of articles had been selected by the -various members of the party. No one seemed to have a very clear idea -of what was required, but all had brought something. - -The Woggle-Bug had taken from its position over the mantle-piece in the -great hallway the head of a Gump, which was adorned with wide-spreading -antlers; and this, with great care and greater difficulty, the insect -had carried up the stairs to the roof. This Gump resembled an Elk's -head, only the nose turned upward in a saucy manner and there were -whiskers upon its chin, like those of a billy-goat. Why the Woggle-Bug -selected this article he could not have explained, except that it had -aroused his curiosity. - -Tip, with the aid of the Saw-Horse, had brought a large, upholstered -sofa to the roof. It was an old-fashioned piece of furniture, with high -back and ends, and it was so heavy that even by resting the greatest -weight upon the back of the Saw-Horse, the boy found himself out of -breath when at last the clumsy sofa was dumped upon the roof. - -The Pumpkinhead had brought a broom, which was the first thing he saw. -The Scarecrow arrived with a coil of clotheslines and ropes which he -had taken from the courtyard, and in his trip up the stairs he had -become so entangled in the loose ends of the ropes that both he and his -burden tumbled in a heap upon the roof and might have rolled off if Tip -had not rescued him. - -The Tin Woodman appeared last. He also had been to the courtyard, where -he had cut four great, spreading leaves from a huge palm-tree that was -the pride of all the inhabitants of the Emerald City. - -"My dear Nick!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, seeing what his friend had -done; "you have been guilty of the greatest crime any person can -commit in the Emerald City. If I remember rightly, the penalty for -chopping leaves from the royal palm-tree is to be killed seven times -and afterward imprisoned for life." - -[Illustration: ALL BROUGHT SOMETHING TO THE ROOF.] - -"It cannot be helped now," answered the Tin Woodman, throwing down the -big leaves upon the roof. "But it may be one more reason why it is -necessary for us to escape. And now let us see what you have found for -me to work with." - -Many were the doubtful looks cast upon the heap of miscellaneous -material that now cluttered the roof, and finally the Scarecrow shook -his head and remarked: - -"Well, if friend Nick can manufacture, from this mess of rubbish, a -Thing that will fly through the air and carry us to safety, then I will -acknowledge him to be a better mechanic than I suspected." - -But the Tin Woodman seemed at first by no means sure of his powers, and -only after polishing his forehead vigorously with the chamois-leather -did he resolve to undertake the task. - -"The first thing required for the machine," said he, "is a body big -enough to carry the entire party. This sofa is the biggest thing we -have, and might be used for a body. But, should the machine ever tip -sideways, we would all slide off and fall to the ground." - -"Why not use two sofas?" asked Tip. "There's another one just like this -down stairs." - -"That is a very sensible suggestion," exclaimed the Tin Woodman. "You -must fetch the other sofa at once." - -So Tip and the Saw-Horse managed, with much labor, to get the second -sofa to the roof; and when the two were placed together, edge to edge, -the backs and ends formed a protecting rampart all around the seats. - -"Excellent!" cried the Scarecrow. "We can ride within this snug nest -quite at our ease." - -The two sofas were now bound firmly together with ropes and -clotheslines, and then Nick Chopper fastened the Gump's head to one end. - -"That will show which is the front end of the Thing," said he, greatly -pleased with the idea. "And, really, if you examine it critically, the -Gump looks very well as a figure-head. These great palm-leaves, for -which I have endangered my life seven times, must serve us as wings." - -"Are they strong enough?" asked the boy. - -"They are as strong as anything we can get," answered the Woodman; "and -although they are not in proportion to the Thing's body, we are not in -a position to be very particular." - -So he fastened the palm-leaves to the sofas, two on each side. - -Said the Woggle-Bug, with considerable admiration: - -"The Thing is now complete, and only needs to be brought to life." - -"Stop a moment!" exclaimed Jack. "Are you not going to use my broom?" - -"What for?" asked the Scarecrow. - -"Why, it can be fastened to the back end for a tail," answered the -Pumpkinhead. "Surely you would not call the Thing complete without a -tail." - -"Hm!" said the Tin Woodman; "I do not see the use of a tail. We are not -trying to copy a beast, or a fish, or a bird. All we ask of the Thing -is to carry us through the air." - -"Perhaps, after the Thing is brought to life, it can use a tail to -steer with," suggested the Scarecrow. "For if it flies through the air -it will not be unlike a bird, and I've noticed that all birds have -tails, which they use for a rudder while flying." - -"Very well," answered Nick, "the broom shall be used for a tail," and -he fastened it firmly to the back end of the sofa body. - -Tip took the pepper-box from his pocket. - -"The Thing looks very big," said he, anxiously; "and I am not sure -there is enough powder left to bring all of it to life. But I'll make -it go as far as possible." - -"Put most on the wings," said Nick Chopper; "for they must be made as -strong as possible." - -"And don't forget the head!" exclaimed the Woggle-Bug. - -"Or the tail!" added Jack Pumpkinhead. - -"Do be quiet," said Tip, nervously; "you must give me a chance to work -the magic charm in the proper manner." - -Very carefully he began sprinkling the Thing with the precious powder. -Each of the four wings was first lightly covered with a layer; then the -sofas were sprinkled, and the broom given a slight coating. - -"The head! The head! Don't, I beg of you, forget the head!" cried the -Woggle-Bug, excitedly. - -"There's only a little of the powder left," announced Tip, looking -within the box. "And it seems to me it is more important to bring the -legs of the sofas to life than the head." - -"Not so," decided the Scarecrow. "Every thing must have a head to -direct it; and since this creature is to fly, and not walk, it is -really unimportant whether its legs are alive or not." - -So Tip abided by this decision and sprinkled the Gump's head with the -remainder of the powder. - -"Now," said he, "keep silence while I work the charm!" - -Having heard old Mombi pronounce the magic words, and having also -succeeded in bringing the Saw-Horse to life, Tip did not hesitate an -instant in speaking the three cabalistic words, each accompanied by the -peculiar gesture of the hands. - -It was a grave and impressive ceremony. - -As he finished the incantation the Thing shuddered throughout its -huge bulk, the Gump gave the screeching cry that is familiar to those -animals, and then the four wings began flopping furiously. - -[Illustration] - -Tip managed to grasp a chimney, else he would have been blown off the -roof by the terrible breeze raised by the wings. The Scarecrow, being -light in weight, was caught up bodily and borne through the air until -Tip luckily seized him by one leg and held him fast. The Woggle-Bug -lay flat upon the roof and so escaped harm, and the Tin Woodman, -whose weight of tin anchored him firmly, threw both arms around Jack -Pumpkinhead and managed to save him. The Saw-Horse toppled over upon -his back and lay with his legs waving helplessly above him. - -And now, while all were struggling to recover themselves, the Thing -rose slowly from the roof and mounted into the air. - -"Here! Come back!" cried Tip, in a frightened voice, as he clung to the -chimney with one hand and the Scarecrow with the other. "Come back at -once, I command you!" - -It was now that the wisdom of the Scarecrow, in bringing the head of -the Thing to life instead of the legs, was proved beyond a doubt. For -the Gump, already high in the air, turned its head at Tip's command and -gradually circled around until it could view the roof of the palace. - -"Come back!" shouted the boy, again. - -And the Gump obeyed, slowly and gracefully waving its four wings in -the air until the Thing had settled once more upon the roof and become -still. - -[Illustration: "COME BACK!"] - - - - -[Illustration: - - In the Jackdaws' Nest -] - - -"This," said the Gump, in a squeaky voice not at all proportioned to -the size of its great body, "is the most novel experience I ever heard -of. The last thing I remember distinctly is walking through the forest -and hearing a loud noise. Something probably killed me then, and it -certainly ought to have been the end of me. Yet here I am, alive again, -with four monstrous wings and a body which I venture to say would make -any respectable animal or fowl weep with shame to own. What does it all -mean? Am I a Gump, or am I a juggernaut?" The creature, as it spoke, -wiggled its chin whiskers in a very comical manner. - -"You're just a Thing," answered Tip, "with a Gump's head on it. And we -have made you and brought you to life so that you may carry us through -the air wherever we wish to go." - -"Very good!" said the Thing. "As I am not a Gump, I cannot have a -Gump's pride or independent spirit. So I may as well become your -servant as anything else. My only satisfaction is that I do not seem -to have a very strong constitution, and am not likely to live long in -a state of slavery." - -"Don't say that, I beg of you!" cried the Tin Woodman, whose excellent -heart was strongly affected by this sad speech. "Are you not feeling -well today?" - -"Oh, as for that," returned the Gump, "it is my first day of existence; -so I cannot judge whether I am feeling well or ill." And it waved its -broom tail to and fro in a pensive manner. - -"Come, come!" said the Scarecrow, kindly; "do try to be more cheerful -and take life as you find it. We shall be kind masters, and will strive -to render your existence as pleasant as possible. Are you willing to -carry us through the air wherever we wish to go?" - -"Certainly," answered the Gump. "I greatly prefer to navigate the air. -For should I travel on the earth and meet with one of my own species, -my embarrassment would be something awful!" - -"I can appreciate that," said the Tin Woodman, sympathetically. - -"And yet," continued the Thing, "when I carefully look you over, my -masters, none of you seems to be constructed much more artistically -than I am." - -"Appearances are deceitful," said the Woggle-Bug, earnestly. "I am both -Highly Magnified and Thoroughly Educated." - -"Indeed!" murmured the Gump, indifferently. - -"And my brains are considered remarkably rare specimens," added the -Scarecrow, proudly. - -"How strange!" remarked the Gump. - -"Although I am of tin," said the Woodman, "I own a heart altogether the -warmest and most admirable in the whole world." - -"I'm delighted to hear it," replied the Gump, with a slight cough. - -"My smile," said Jack Pumpkinhead, "is worthy your best attention. It -is always the same." - -"_Semper idem_," explained the Woggle-Bug, pompously; and the Gump -turned to stare at him. - -"And I," declared the Saw-Horse, filling in an awkward pause, "am only -remarkable because I can't help it." - -"I am proud, indeed, to meet with such exceptional masters," said -the Gump, in a careless tone. "If I could but secure so complete an -introduction to myself, I would be more than satisfied." - -"That will come in time," remarked the Scarecrow. "To 'Know Thyself' -is considered quite an accomplishment, which it has taken us, who are -your elders, months to perfect. But now," he added, turning to the -others, "let us get aboard and start upon our journey." - -"Where shall we go?" asked Tip, as he clambered to a seat on the sofas -and assisted the Pumpkinhead to follow him. - -"In the South Country rules a very delightful Queen called Glinda -the Good, who I am sure will gladly receive us," said the Scarecrow, -getting into the Thing clumsily. "Let us go to her and ask her advice." - -"That is cleverly thought of," declared Nick Chopper, giving the -Woggle-Bug a boost and then toppling the Saw-Horse into the rear end -of the cushioned seats. "I know Glinda the Good, and believe she will -prove a friend indeed." - -"Are we all ready?" asked the boy. - -"Yes," announced the Tin Woodman, seating himself beside the Scarecrow. - -"Then," said Tip, addressing the Gump, "be kind enough to fly with us -to the Southward; and do not go higher than to escape the houses and -trees, for it makes me dizzy to be up so far." - -"All right," answered the Gump, briefly. - -It flopped its four huge wings and rose slowly into the air; and then, -while our little band of adventurers clung to the backs and sides of -the sofas for support, the Gump turned toward the South and soared -swiftly and majestically away. - -"The scenic effect, from this altitude, is marvelous," commented the -educated Woggle-Bug, as they rode along. - -"Never mind the scenery," said the Scarecrow. "Hold on tight, or you -may get a tumble. The Thing seems to rock badly." - -"It will be dark soon," said Tip, observing that the sun was low on the -horizon. "Perhaps we should have waited until morning. I wonder if the -Gump can fly in the night." - -"I've been wondering that myself," returned the Gump, quietly. "You -see, this is a new experience to me. I used to have legs that carried -me swiftly over the ground. But now my legs feel as if they were -asleep." - -"They are," said Tip. "We didn't bring 'em to life." - -"You're expected to fly," explained the Scarecrow; "not to walk." - -"We can walk ourselves," said the Woggle-Bug. - -"I begin to understand what is required of me," remarked the Gump; "so -I will do my best to please you," and he flew on for a time in silence. - -Presently Jack Pumpkinhead became uneasy. - -"I wonder if riding through the air is liable to spoil pumpkins," he -said. - -"Not unless you carelessly drop your head over the side," answered the -Woggle-Bug. "In that event your head would no longer be a pumpkin, for -it would become a squash." - -"Have I not asked you to restrain these unfeeling jokes?" demanded Tip, -looking at the Woggle-Bug with a severe expression. - -"You have; and I've restrained a good many of them," replied the -insect. "But there are opportunities for so many excellent puns in our -language that, to an educated person like myself, the temptation to -express them is almost irresistible." - -"People with more or less education discovered those puns centuries -ago," said Tip. - -"Are you sure?" asked the Woggle-Bug, with a startled look. - -"Of course I am," answered the boy. "An educated Woggle-Bug may be a -new thing; but a Woggle-Bug education is as old as the hills, judging -from the display you make of it." - -The insect seemed much impressed by this remark, and for a time -maintained a meek silence. - -The Scarecrow, in shifting his seat, saw upon the cushions the -pepper-box which Tip had cast aside, and began to examine it. - -"Throw it overboard," said the boy; "it's quite empty now, and there's -no use keeping it." - -"Is it really empty?" asked the Scarecrow, looking curiously into the -box. - -"Of course it is," answered Tip. "I shook out every grain of the -powder." - -"Then the box has two bottoms," announced the Scarecrow; "for the -bottom on the inside is fully an inch away from the bottom on the -outside." - -"Let me see," said the Tin Woodman, taking the box from his friend. -"Yes," he declared, after looking it over, "the thing certainly has a -false bottom. Now, I wonder what that is for?" - -"Can't you get it apart, and find out?" enquired Tip, now quite -interested in the mystery. - -"Why, yes; the lower bottom unscrews," said the Tin Woodman. "My -fingers are rather stiff; please see if you can open it." - -He handed the pepper-box to Tip, who had no difficulty in unscrewing -the bottom. And in the cavity below were three silver pills, with a -carefully folded paper lying underneath them. - -This paper the boy proceeded to unfold, taking care not to spill the -pills, and found several lines clearly written in red ink. - -"Read it aloud," said the Scarecrow; so Tip read as follows: - - "DR. NIKIDIK'S CELEBRATED WISHING PILLS. - - "_Directions for Use_: Swallow one pill; count seventeen by twos; - then make a Wish.--The Wish will immediately be granted. - - "CAUTION: Keep in a Dry and Dark Place." - -"Why, this is a very valuable discovery!" cried the Scarecrow. - -"It is, indeed," replied Tip, gravely. "These pills may be of great -use to us. I wonder if old Mombi knew they were in the bottom of the -pepper-box. I remember hearing her say that she got the Powder of Life -from this same Nikidik." - -"He must be a powerful Sorcerer!" exclaimed the Tin Woodman; "and since -the powder proved a success we ought to have confidence in the pills." - -"But how," asked the Scarecrow, "can anyone count seventeen by twos? -Seventeen is an odd number. - -"That is true," replied Tip, greatly disappointed. "No one can possibly -count seventeen by twos." - -"Then the pills are of no use to us," wailed the Pumpkinhead; "and this -fact overwhelms me with grief. For I had intended wishing that my head -would never spoil." - -"Nonsense!" said the Scarecrow, sharply. "If we could use the pills at -all we would make far better wishes than that." - -"I do not see how anything could be better," protested poor Jack. "If -you were liable to spoil at any time you could understand my anxiety." - -"For my part," said the Tin Woodman, "I sympathize with you in every -respect. But since we cannot count seventeen by twos, sympathy is all -you are liable to get." - -By this time it had become quite dark, and the voyagers found above -them a cloudy sky, through which the rays of the moon could not -penetrate. - -The Gump flew steadily on, and for some reason the huge sofa-body -rocked more and more dizzily every hour. - -The Woggle-Bug declared he was sea-sick; and Tip was also pale and -somewhat distressed. But the others clung to the backs of the sofas and -did not seem to mind the motion as long as they were not tipped out. - -Darker and darker grew the night, and on and on sped the Gump through -the black heavens. The travelers could not even see one another, and -an oppressive silence settled down upon them. - -After a long time Tip, who had been thinking deeply, spoke. - -"How are we to know when we come to the palace of Glinda the Good?" he -asked. - -"It's a long way to Glinda's palace," answered the Woodman; "I've -traveled it." - -"But how are we to know how fast the Gump is flying?" persisted the -boy. "We cannot see a single thing down on the earth, and before -morning we may be far beyond the place we want to reach." - -"That is all true enough," the Scarecrow replied, a little uneasily. -"But I do not see how we can stop just now; for we might alight in a -river, or on the top of a steeple; and that would be a great disaster." - -So they permitted the Gump to fly on, with regular flops of its great -wings, and waited patiently for morning. - -Then Tip's fears were proven to be well founded; for with the first -streaks of gray dawn they looked over the sides of the sofas and -discovered rolling plains dotted with queer villages, where the houses, -instead of being dome-shaped--as they all are in the Land of Oz--had -slanting roofs that rose to a peak in the center. Odd looking animals -were also moving about upon the open plains, and the country was -unfamiliar to both the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow, who had formerly -visited Glinda the Good's domain and knew it well. - -"We are lost!" said the Scarecrow, dolefully. "The Gump must have -carried us entirely out of the Land of Oz and over the sandy deserts -and into the terrible outside world that Dorothy told us about." - -"We must get back," exclaimed the Tin Woodman, earnestly; "we must get -back as soon as possible!" - -"Turn around!" cried Tip to the Gump; "turn as quickly as you can!" - -"If I do I shall upset," answered the Gump. "I'm not at all used to -flying, and the best plan would be for me to alight in some place, and -then I can turn around and take a fresh start." - -Just then, however, there seemed to be no stopping-place that would -answer their purpose. They flew over a village so big that the -Woggle-Bug declared it was a city; and then they came to a range of -high mountains with many deep gorges and steep cliffs showing plainly. - -"Now is our chance to stop," said the boy, finding they were very -close to the mountain tops. Then he turned to the Gump and commanded: -"Stop at the first level place you see!" - -"Very well," answered the Gump, and settled down upon a table of rock -that stood between two cliffs. - -But not being experienced in such matters, the Gump did not judge his -speed correctly; and instead of coming to a stop upon the flat rock he -missed it by half the width of his body, breaking off both his right -wings against the sharp edge of the rock and then tumbling over and -over down the cliff. - -Our friends held on to the sofas as long as they could, but when the -Gump caught on a projecting rock the Thing stopped suddenly--bottom -side up--and all were immediately dumped out. - -By good fortune they fell only a few feet; for underneath them was a -monster nest, built by a colony of Jackdaws in a hollow ledge of rock; -so none of them--not even the Pumpkinhead--was injured by the fall. -For Jack found his precious head resting on the soft breast of the -Scarecrow, which made an excellent cushion; and Tip fell on a mass of -leaves and papers, which saved him from injury. The Woggle-Bug had -bumped his round head against the Saw-Horse, but without causing him -more than a moment's inconvenience. - -[Illustration: ALL WERE IMMEDIATELY DUMPED OUT.] - -The Tin Woodman was at first much alarmed; but finding he had escaped -without even a scratch upon his beautiful nickel-plate he at once -regained his accustomed cheerfulness and turned to address his comrades. - -"Our journey has ended rather suddenly," said he, "and we cannot justly -blame our friend the Gump for our accident, because he did the best he -could under the circumstances. But how we are ever to escape from this -nest I must leave to someone with better brains than I possess." - -Here he gazed at the Scarecrow; who crawled to the edge of the nest and -looked over. Below them was a sheer precipice several hundred feet in -depth. Above them was a smooth cliff unbroken save by the point of rock -where the wrecked body of the Gump still hung suspended from the end of -one of the sofas. There really seemed to be no means of escape, and as -they realized their helpless plight the little band of adventurers gave -way to their bewilderment. - -"This is a worse prison than the palace," sadly remarked the Woggle-Bug. - -"I wish we had stayed there," moaned Jack. "I'm afraid the mountain -air isn't good for pumpkins." - -"It won't be when the Jackdaws come back," growled the Saw-Horse, which -lay waving its legs in a vain endeavor to get upon its feet again. -"Jackdaws are especially fond of pumpkins." - -"Do you think the birds will come here?" asked Jack, much distressed. - -"Of course they will," said Tip; "for this is their nest. And there -must be hundreds of them," he continued, "for see what a lot of things -they have brought here!" - -Indeed, the nest was half filled with a most curious collection of -small articles for which the birds could have no use, but which the -thieving Jackdaws had stolen during many years from the homes of men. -And as the nest was safely hidden where no human being could reach it, -this lost property would never be recovered. - -The Woggle-Bug, searching among the rubbish--for the Jackdaws stole -useless things as well as valuable ones--turned up with his foot a -beautiful diamond necklace. This was so greatly admired by the Tin -Woodman that the Woggle-Bug presented it to him with a graceful speech, -after which the Woodman hung it around his neck with much pride, -rejoicing exceedingly when the big diamonds glittered in the sun's -rays. - -[Illustration: TURNED UP A BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND NECKLACE.] - -But now they heard a great jabbering and flopping of wings, and as the -sound grew nearer to them Tip exclaimed: - -"The Jackdaws are coming! And if they find us here they will surely -kill us in their anger." - -"I was afraid of this!" moaned the Pumpkinhead. "My time has come!" - -"And mine, also!" said the Woggle-Bug; "for Jackdaws are the greatest -enemies of my race." - -The others were not at all afraid; but the Scarecrow at once decided -to save those of the party who were liable to be injured by the angry -birds. So he commanded Tip to take off Jack's head and lie down with -it in the bottom of the nest, and when this was done he ordered -the Woggle-Bug to lie beside Tip. Nick Chopper, who knew from past -experience just what to do, then took the Scarecrow to pieces--(all -except his head)--and scattered the straw over Tip and the Woggle-Bug, -completely covering their bodies. - -Hardly had this been accomplished when the flock of Jackdaws reached -them. Perceiving the intruders in their nest the birds flew down upon -them with screams of rage. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Dr. Nikidik's - Famous Wishing Pills -] - - -The Tin Woodman was usually a peaceful man, but when occasion required -he could fight as fiercely as a Roman gladiator. So, when the Jackdaws -nearly knocked him down in their rush of wings, and their sharp beaks -and claws threatened to damage his brilliant plating, the Woodman -picked up his axe and made it whirl swiftly around his head. - -But although many were beaten off in this way, the birds were so -numerous and so brave that they continued the attack as furiously as -before. Some of them pecked at the eyes of the Gump, which hung over -the nest in a helpless condition; but the Gump's eyes were of glass and -could not be injured. Others of the Jackdaws rushed at the Saw-Horse; -but that animal, being still upon his back, kicked out so viciously -with his wooden legs that he beat off as many assailants as did the -Woodman's axe. - -Finding themselves thus opposed, the birds fell upon the Scarecrow's -straw, which lay at the center of the nest, covering Tip and the -Woggle-Bug and Jack's pumpkin head, and began tearing it away and -flying off with it, only to let it drop, straw by straw into the great -gulf beneath. - -The Scarecrow's head, noting with dismay this wanton destruction of -his interior, cried to the Tin Woodman to save him; and that good -friend responded with renewed energy. His axe fairly flashed among -the Jackdaws, and fortunately the Gump began wildly waving the two -wings remaining on the left side of its body. The flutter of these -great wings filled the Jackdaws with terror, and when the Gump by its -exertions freed itself from the peg of rock on which it hung, and sank -flopping into the nest, the alarm of the birds knew no bounds and they -fled screaming over the mountains. - -When the last foe had disappeared, Tip crawled from under the sofas and -assisted the Woggle-Bug to follow him. - -"We are saved!" shouted the boy, delightedly. - -"We are, indeed!" responded the Educated Insect, fairly hugging the -stiff head of the Gump in his joy; "and we owe it all to the flopping -of the Thing and the good axe of the Woodman!" - -"If I am saved, get me out of here!" called Jack, whose head was still -beneath the sofas; and Tip managed to roll the pumpkin out and place it -upon its neck again. He also set the Saw-Horse upright, and said to it: - -"We owe you many thanks for the gallant fight you made." - -"I really think we have escaped very nicely," remarked the Tin Woodman, -in a tone of pride. - -"Not so!" exclaimed a hollow voice. - -At this they all turned in surprise to look at the Scarecrow's head, -which lay at the back of the nest. - -[Illustration] - -"I am completely ruined!" declared the Scarecrow, as he noted their -astonishment. "For where is the straw that stuffs my body?" - -The awful question startled them all. They gazed around the nest with -horror, for not a vestige of straw remained. The Jackdaws had stolen -it to the last wisp and flung it all into the chasm that yawned for -hundreds of feet beneath the nest. - -"My poor, poor friend!" said the Tin Woodman, taking up the Scarecrow's -head and caressing it tenderly; "whoever could imagine you would come -to this untimely end?" - -"I did it to save my friends," returned the head; "and I am glad that -I perished in so noble and unselfish a manner." - -"But why are you all so despondent?" inquired the Woggle-Bug. "The -Scarecrow's clothing is still safe." - -"Yes," answered the Tin Woodman; "but our friend's clothes are useless -without stuffing." - -"Why not stuff him with money?" asked Tip. - -"Money!" they all cried, in an amazed chorus. - -"To be sure," said the boy. "In the bottom of the nest are thousands of -dollar bills--and two-dollar bills--and five-dollar bills--and tens, -and twenties, and fifties. There are enough of them to stuff a dozen -Scarecrows. Why not use the money?" - -The Tin Woodman began to turn over the rubbish with the handle of his -axe; and, sure enough, what they had first thought only worthless -papers were found to be all bills of various denominations, which the -mischievous Jackdaws had for years been engaged in stealing from the -villages and cities they visited. - -[Illustration] - -There was an immense fortune lying in that inaccessible nest; and Tip's -suggestion was, with the Scarecrow's consent, quickly acted upon. - -They selected all the newest and cleanest bills and assorted them -into various piles. The Scarecrow's left leg boot were stuffed with -five-dollar bills; his right leg was stuffed with ten-dollar bills, and -his body so closely filled with fifties, one-hundreds and one-thousands -that he could scarcely button his jacket with comfort. - -"You are now," said the Woggle-Bug, impressively, when the task had -been completed, "the most valuable member of our party; and as you are -among faithful friends there is little danger of your being spent." - -"Thank you," returned the Scarecrow, gratefully. "I feel like a new -man; and although at first glance I might be mistaken for a Safety -Deposit Vault, I beg you to remember that my Brains are still composed -of the same old material. And these are the possessions that have -always made me a person to be depended upon in an emergency." - -"Well, the emergency is here," observed Tip; "and unless your brains -help us out of it we shall be compelled to pass the remainder of our -lives in this nest." - -"How about these wishing pills?" enquired the Scarecrow, taking the box -from his jacket pocket. "Can't we use them to escape?" - -"Not unless we can count seventeen by twos," answered the Tin Woodman. -"But our friend the Woggle-Bug claims to be highly educated, so he -ought easily to figure out how that can be done." - -"It isn't a question of education," returned the Insect; "it's merely a -question of mathematics. I've seen the Professor work lots of sums on -the black-board, and he claimed anything could be done with x's and y's -and a's, and such things, by mixing them up with plenty of plusses and -minuses and equals, and so forth. But he never said anything, so far -as I can remember, about counting up to the odd number of seventeen by -the even numbers of twos." - -"Stop! stop!" cried the Pumpkinhead. "You're making my head ache." - -"And mine," added the Scarecrow. "Your mathematics seem to me very like -a bottle of mixed pickles--the more you fish for what you want the less -chance you have of getting it. I am certain that if the thing can be -accomplished at all, it is in a very simple manner." - -"Yes," said Tip; "old Mombi couldn't use x's and minuses, for she never -went to school." - -"Why not start counting at a half of one?" asked the Saw-Horse, -abruptly. "Then anyone can count up to seventeen by twos very easily." - -They looked at each other in surprise, for the Saw-Horse was considered -the most stupid of the entire party. - -"You make me quite ashamed of myself," said the Scarecrow, bowing low -to the Saw-Horse. - -"Nevertheless, the creature is right," declared the Woggle-Bug; "for -twice one-half is one, and if you get to one it is easy to count from -one up to seventeen by twos." - -"I wonder I didn't think of that myself," said the Pumpkinhead. - -"I don't," returned the Scarecrow. "You're no wiser than the rest of -us, are you? But let us make a wish at once. Who will swallow the first -pill?" - -"Suppose you do it," suggested Tip. - -"I can't," said the Scarecrow. - -"Why not? You've a mouth, haven't you?" asked the boy. - -"Yes; but my mouth is painted on, and there's no swallow connected with -it," answered the Scarecrow. "In fact," he continued, looking from one -to another critically, "I believe the boy and the Woggle-Bug are the -only ones in our party that are able to swallow." - -Observing the truth of this remark, Tip said: - -"Then I will undertake to make the first wish. Give me one of the -Silver Pills." - -This the Scarecrow tried to do; but his padded gloves were too clumsy -to clutch so small an object, and he held the box toward the boy while -Tip selected one of the pills and swallowed it. - -"Count!" cried the Scarecrow. - -"One-half, one, three, five, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, fifteen, -seventeen!" counted Tip. - -"Now wish!" said the Tin Woodman anxiously. - -But just then the boy began to suffer such fearful pains that he became -alarmed. - -"The pill has poisoned me!" he gasped; "O--h! O-o-o-o-o! Ouch! Murder! -Fire! O-o-h!" and here he rolled upon the bottom of the nest in such -contortions that he frightened them all. - -"What can we do for you? Speak, I beg!" entreated the Tin Woodman, -tears of sympathy running down his nickel cheeks. - -"I--I don't know!" answered Tip. "O--h! I wish I'd never swallowed that -pill!" - -Then at once the pain stopped, and the boy rose to his feet again and -found the Scarecrow looking with amazement at the end of the pepper-box. - -"What's happened?" asked the boy, a little ashamed of his recent -exhibition. - -"Why, the three pills are in the box again!" said the Scarecrow. - -[Illustration] - -"Of course they are," the Woggle-Bug declared. "Didn't Tip wish that -he'd never swallowed one of them? Well, the wish came true, and he -_didn't_ swallow one of them. So of course they are all three in the -box." - -"That may be; but the pill gave me a dreadful pain, just the same," -said the boy. - -"Impossible!" declared the Woggle-Bug. "If you have never swallowed -it, the pill can not have given you a pain. And as your wish, being -granted, proves you did not swallow the pill, it is also plain that you -suffered no pain." - -"Then it was a splendid imitation of a pain," retorted Tip, angrily. -"Suppose you try the next pill yourself. We've wasted one wish already." - -"Oh, no, we haven't!" protested the Scarecrow. "Here are still three -pills in the box, and each pill is good for a wish." - -"Now you're making _my_ head ache," said Tip. "I can't understand the -thing at all. But I won't take another pill, I promise you!" and with -this remark he retired sulkily to the back of the nest. - -"Well," said the Woggle-Bug, "it remains for me to save us in my most -Highly Magnified and Thoroughly Educated manner; for I seem to be the -only one able and willing to make a wish. Let me have one of the pills." - -He swallowed it without hesitation, and they all stood admiring his -courage while the Insect counted seventeen by twos in the same way -that Tip had done. And for some reason--perhaps because Woggle-Bugs -have stronger stomachs than boys--the silver pellet caused it no pain -whatever. - -"I wish the Gump's broken wings mended, and as good as new!" said the -Woggle-Bug, in a slow, impressive voice. - -All turned to look at the Thing, and so quickly had the wish been -granted that the Gump lay before them in perfect repair, and as well -able to fly through the air as when it had first been brought to life -on the roof of the palace. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Scarecrow Appeals - to Glinda the Good -] - - -"Hooray!" shouted the Scarecrow, gaily. "We can now leave this -miserable Jackdaws' nest whenever we please." - -"But it is nearly dark," said the Tin Woodman; "and unless we wait -until morning to make our flight we may get into more trouble. I don't -like these night trips, for one never knows what will happen." - -So it was decided to wait until daylight, and the adventurers amused -themselves in the twilight by searching the Jackdaws' nest for -treasures. - -The Woggle-Bug found two handsome bracelets of wrought gold, which -fitted his slender arms very well. The Scarecrow took a fancy for -rings, of which there were many in the nest. Before long he had fitted -a ring to each finger of his padded gloves, and not being content -with that display he added one more to each thumb. As he carefully -chose those rings set with sparkling stones, such as rubies, amethysts -and sapphires, the Scarecrow's hands now presented a most brilliant -appearance. - -"This nest would be a picnic for Queen Jinjur," said he, musingly; "for -as nearly as I can make out she and her girls conquered me merely to -rob my city of its emeralds." - -The Tin Woodman was content with his diamond necklace and refused -to accept any additional decorations; but Tip secured a fine gold -watch, which was attached to a heavy fob, and placed it in his pocket -with much pride. He also pinned several jeweled brooches to Jack -Pumpkinhead's red waistcoat, and attached a lorgnette, by means of a -fine chain, to the neck of the Saw-Horse. - -"It's very pretty," said the creature, regarding the lorgnette -approvingly; "but what is it for?" - -None of them could answer that question, however; so the Saw-Horse -decided it was some rare decoration and became very fond of it. - -That none of the party might be slighted, they ended by placing several -large seal rings upon the points of the Gump's antlers, although that -odd personage seemed by no means gratified by the attention. - -Darkness soon fell upon them, and Tip and the Woggle-Bug went to sleep -while the others sat down to wait patiently for the day. - -Next morning they had cause to congratulate themselves upon the useful -condition of the Gump; for with daylight a great flock of Jackdaws -approached to engage in one more battle for the possession of the nest. - -But our adventurers did not wait for the assault. They tumbled into the -cushioned seats of the sofas as quickly as possible, and Tip gave the -word to the Gump to start. - -At once it rose into the air, the great wings flopping strongly and -with regular motions, and in a few moments they were so far from the -nest that the chattering Jackdaws took possession without any attempt -at pursuit. - -The Thing flew due North, going in the same direction from whence -it had come. At least, that was the Scarecrow's opinion, and the -others agreed that the Scarecrow was the best judge of direction. -After passing over several cities and villages the Gump carried them -high above a broad plain where houses became more and more scattered -until they disappeared altogether. Next came the wide, sandy desert -separating the rest of the world from the Land of Oz, and before noon -they saw the dome-shaped houses that proved they were once more within -the borders of their native land. - -"But the houses and fences are blue," said the Tin Woodman, "and that -indicates we are in the land of the Munchkins, and therefore a long -distance from Glinda the Good." - -"What shall we do?" asked the boy, turning to their guide. - -"I don't know," replied the Scarecrow, frankly. "If we were at the -Emerald City we could then move directly southward, and so reach our -destination. But we dare not go to the Emerald City, and the Gump is -probably carrying us further in the wrong direction with every flop of -its wings." - -"Then the Woggle-Bug must swallow another pill," said Tip, decidedly, -"and wish us headed in the right direction." - -"Very well," returned the Highly Magnified one; "I'm willing." - -But when the Scarecrow searched in his pocket for the pepper-box -containing the two silver Wishing Pills, it was not to be found. Filled -with anxiety, the voyagers hunted throughout every inch of the Thing -for the precious box; but it had disappeared entirely. - -And still the Gump flew onward, carrying them they knew not where. - -"I must have left the pepper-box in the Jackdaws' nest," said the -Scarecrow, at length. - -"It is a great misfortune," the Tin Woodman declared. "But we are no -worse off than before we discovered the Wishing Pills." - -"We are better off," replied Tip; "for the one pill we used has enabled -us to escape from that horrible nest." - -"Yet the loss of the other two is serious, and I deserve a good -scolding for my carelessness," the Scarecrow rejoined, penitently. "For -in such an unusual party as this accidents are liable to happen any -moment, and even now we may be approaching a new danger." - -No one dared contradict this, and a dismal silence ensued. - -The Gump flew steadily on. - -Suddenly Tip uttered an exclamation of surprise. - -"We must have reached the South Country," he cried, "for below us -everything is red!" - -[Illustration] - -Immediately they all leaned over the backs of the sofas to look--all -except Jack, who was too careful of his pumpkin head to risk its -slipping off his neck. Sure enough; the red houses and fences and -trees indicated they were within the domain of Glinda the Good; and -presently, as they glided rapidly on, the Tin Woodman recognized the -roads and buildings they passed, and altered slightly the flight -of the Gump so that they might reach the palace of the celebrated -Sorceress. - -"Good!" cried the Scarecrow, delightedly. "We do not need the lost -Wishing Pills now, for we have arrived at our destination." - -Gradually the Thing sank lower and nearer to the ground until at length -it came to rest within the beautiful gardens of Glinda, settling upon -a velvety green lawn close by a fountain which sent sprays of flashing -gems, instead of water, high into the air, whence they fell with a -soft, tinkling sound into the carved marble basin placed to receive -them. - -Everything was very gorgeous in Glinda's gardens, and while our -voyagers gazed about with admiring eyes a company of soldiers silently -appeared and surrounded them. But these soldiers of the great Sorceress -were entirely different from those of Jinjur's Army of Revolt, although -they were likewise girls. For Glinda's soldiers wore neat uniforms and -bore swords and spears; and they marched with a skill and precision -that proved them well trained in the arts of war. - -The Captain commanding this troop--which was Glinda's private Body -Guard--recognized the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman at once, and -greeted them with respectful salutations. - -"Good day!" said the Scarecrow, gallantly removing his hat, while the -Woodman gave a soldierly salute; "we have come to request an audience -with your fair Ruler." - -"Glinda is now within her palace, awaiting you," returned the Captain; -"for she saw you coming long before you arrived." - -"That is strange!" said Tip, wondering. - -"Not at all," answered the Scarecrow; "for Glinda the Good is a mighty -Sorceress, and nothing that goes on in the Land of Oz escapes her -notice. I suppose she knows why we came as well as we do ourselves." - -"Then what was the use of our coming?" asked Jack, stupidly. - -[Illustration] - -"To prove you are a Pumpkinhead!" retorted the Scarecrow. "But, if the -Sorceress expects us, we must not keep her waiting." - -So they all clambered out of the sofas and followed the Captain toward -the palace--even the Saw-Horse taking his place in the queer procession. - -Upon her throne of finely wrought gold sat Glinda, and she could -scarcely repress a smile as her peculiar visitors entered and bowed -before her. Both the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman she knew and -liked; but the awkward Pumpkinhead and Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug -were creatures she had never seen before, and they seemed even more -curious than the others. As for the Saw-Horse, he looked to be nothing -more than an animated chunk of wood; and he bowed so stiffly that his -head bumped against the floor, causing a ripple of laughter among the -soldiers, in which Glinda frankly joined. - -"I beg to announce to your glorious highness," began the Scarecrow, in -a solemn voice, "that my Emerald City has been overrun by a crowd of -impudent girls with knitting-needles, who have enslaved all the men, -robbed the streets and public buildings of all their emerald jewels, -and usurped my throne." - -"I know it," said Glinda. - -"They also threatened to destroy me, as well as all the good friends -and allies you see before you," continued the Scarecrow; "and had we -not managed to escape their clutches our days would long since have -ended." - -"I know it," repeated Glinda. - -"Therefore I have come to beg your assistance," resumed the Scarecrow, -"for I believe you are always glad to succor the unfortunate and -oppressed." - -"That is true," replied the Sorceress, slowly. "But the Emerald City is -now ruled by General Jinjur, who has caused herself to be proclaimed -Queen. What right have I to oppose her?" - -"Why, she stole the throne from me," said the Scarecrow. - -"And how came you to possess the throne?" asked Glinda. - -"I got it from the Wizard of Oz, and by the choice of the people," -returned the Scarecrow, uneasy at such questioning. - -"And where did the Wizard get it?" she continued, gravely. - -"I am told he took it from Pastoria, the former King," said the -Scarecrow, becoming confused under the intent look of the Sorceress. - -"Then," declared Glinda, "the throne of the Emerald City belongs -neither to you nor to Jinjur, but to this Pastoria from whom the Wizard -usurped it." - -"That is true," acknowledged the Scarecrow, humbly; "but Pastoria is -now dead and gone, and some one must rule in his place." - -"Pastoria had a daughter, who is the rightful heir to the throne of the -Emerald City. Did you know that?" questioned the Sorceress. - -"No," replied the Scarecrow. "But if the girl still lives I will not -stand in her way. It will satisfy me as well to have Jinjur turned out, -as an impostor, as to regain the throne myself. In fact, it isn't much -fun to be King, especially if one has good brains. I have known for -some time that I am fitted to occupy a far more exalted position. But -where is this girl who owns the throne, and what is her name?" - -"Her name is Ozma," answered Glinda. "But where she is I have tried in -vain to discover. For the Wizard of Oz, when he stole the throne from -Ozma's father, hid the girl in some secret place; and by means of a -magical trick with which I am not familiar he also managed to prevent -her being discovered--even by so experienced a Sorceress as myself." - -"That is strange," interrupted the Woggle-Bug, pompously. "I have -been informed that the Wonderful Wizard of Oz was nothing more than a -humbug!" - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, much provoked by this speech. -"Didn't he give me a wonderful set of brains?" - -"There's no humbug about my heart," announced the Tin Woodman, glaring -indignantly at the Woggle-Bug. - -"Perhaps I was misinformed," stammered the Insect, shrinking back; "I -never knew the Wizard personally." - -"Well, we did," retorted the Scarecrow, "and he was a very great -Wizard, I assure you. It is true he was guilty of some slight -impostures, but unless he was a great Wizard how--let me ask--could he -have hidden this girl Ozma so securely that no one can find her?" - -"I--I give it up!" replied the Woggle-Bug, meekly. - -"That is the most sensible speech you've made," said the Tin Woodman. - -"I must really make another effort to discover where this girl is -hidden," resumed the Sorceress, thoughtfully. "I have in my library a -book in which is inscribed every action of the Wizard while he was in -our land of Oz--or, at least, every action that could be observed by -my spies. This book I will read carefully tonight, and try to single -out the acts that may guide us in discovering the lost Ozma. In the -meantime, pray amuse yourselves in my palace and command my servants as -if they were your own. I will grant you another audience tomorrow." - -With this gracious speech Glinda dismissed the adventurers, and they -wandered away through the beautiful gardens, where they passed several -hours enjoying all the delightful things with which the Queen of the -Southland had surrounded her royal palace. - -On the following morning they again appeared before Glinda, who said to -them: - -"I have searched carefully through the records of the Wizard's -actions, and among them I can find but three that appear to have been -suspicious. He ate beans with a knife, made three secret visits to old -Mombi, and limped slightly on his left foot." - -"Ah! that last is certainly suspicious!" exclaimed the Pumpkinhead. - -"Not necessarily," said the Scarecrow; "he may have had corns. Now, it -seems to me his eating beans with a knife is more suspicious." - -"Perhaps it is a polite custom in Omaha, from which great country the -Wizard originally came," suggested the Tin Woodman. - -"It may be," admitted the Scarecrow. - -"But why," asked Glinda, "did he make three secret visits to old Mombi?" - -"Ah! Why, indeed!" echoed the Woggle-Bug, impressively. - -"We know that the Wizard taught the old woman many of his tricks of -magic," continued Glinda; "and this he would not have done had she not -assisted him in some way. So we may suspect with good reason that Mombi -aided him to hide the girl Ozma, who was the real heir to the throne -of the Emerald City, and a constant danger to the usurper. For, if the -people knew that she lived, they would quickly make her their Queen and -restore her to her rightful position." - -"An able argument!" cried the Scarecrow. "I have no doubt that Mombi -was mixed up in this wicked business. But how does that knowledge help -us?" - -"We must find Mombi," replied Glinda, "and force her to tell where the -girl is hidden." - -"Mombi is now with Queen Jinjur, in the Emerald City," said Tip. "It -was she who threw so many obstacles in our pathway, and made Jinjur -threaten to destroy my friends and give me back into the old witch's -power." - -"Then," decided Glinda, "I will march with my army to the Emerald -City, and take Mombi prisoner. After that we can, perhaps, force her to -tell the truth about Ozma." - -"She is a terrible old woman!" remarked Tip, with a shudder at the -thought of Mombi's black kettle; "and obstinate, too." - -"I am quite obstinate myself," returned the Sorceress, with a sweet -smile; "so I do not fear Mombi in the least. Today I will make all -necessary preparations, and we will march upon the Emerald City at -daybreak tomorrow." - -[Illustration: "She is a terrible old woman."] - -[Illustration: Jinjur] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Tin-Woodman - Plucks a Rose -] - -[Illustration] - -The Army of Glinda the Good looked very grand and imposing when it -assembled at daybreak before the palace gates. The uniforms of the -girl soldiers were pretty and of gay colors, and their silver-tipped -spears were bright and glistening, the long shafts being inlaid with -mother-of-pearl. All the officers wore sharp, gleaming swords, and -shields edged with peacock-feathers; and it really seemed that no foe -could by any possibility defeat such a brilliant army. - -The Sorceress rode in a beautiful palanquin which was like the body of -a coach, having doors and windows with silken curtains; but instead -of wheels, which a coach has, the palanquin rested upon two long, -horizontal bars, which were borne upon the shoulders of twelve servants. - -The Scarecrow and his comrades decided to ride in the Gump, in order -to keep up with the swift march of the army; so, as soon as Glinda had -started and her soldiers had marched away to the inspiring strains of -music played by the royal band, our friends climbed into the sofas -and followed. The Gump flew along slowly at a point directly over the -palanquin in which rode the Sorceress. - -[Illustration] - -"Be careful," said the Tin Woodman to the Scarecrow, who was leaning -far over the side to look at the army below. "You might fall." - -"It wouldn't matter," remarked the educated Woggle-Bug; "he can't get -broke so long as he is stuffed with money." - -"Didn't I ask you--" began Tip, in a reproachful voice. - -"You did!" said the Woggle-Bug, promptly. "And I beg your pardon. I -will really try to restrain myself." - -"You'd better," declared the boy. "That is, if you wish to travel in -our company." - -"Ah! I couldn't bear to part with you now," murmured the Insect, -feelingly; so Tip let the subject drop. - -The army moved steadily on, but night had fallen before they came -to the walls of the Emerald City. By the dim light of the new moon, -however, Glinda's forces silently surrounded the city and pitched their -tents of scarlet silk upon the greensward. The tent of the Sorceress -was larger than the others, and was composed of pure white silk, with -scarlet banners flying above it. A tent was also pitched for the -Scarecrow's party; and when these preparations had been made, with -military precision and quickness, the army retired to rest. - -Great was the amazement of Queen Jinjur next morning when her soldiers -came running to inform her of the vast army surrounding them. She at -once climbed to a high tower of the royal palace and saw banners waving -in every direction and the great white tent of Glinda standing directly -before the gates. - -[Illustration] - -"We are surely lost!" cried Jinjur, in despair; "for how can our -knitting-needles avail against the long spears and terrible swords of -our foes?" - -"The best thing we can do," said one of the girls, "is to surrender as -quickly as possible, before we get hurt." - -"Not so," returned Jinjur, more bravely. "The enemy is still outside -the walls, so we must try to gain time by engaging them in parley. Go -you with a flag of truce to Glinda and ask her why she has dared to -invade my dominions, and what are her demands." - -So the girl passed through the gates, bearing a white flag to show she -was on a mission of peace, and came to Glinda's tent. - -"Tell your Queen," said the Sorceress to the girl, "that she must -deliver up to me old Mombi, to be my prisoner. If this is done I will -not molest her farther." - -Now when this message was delivered to the Queen it filled her with -dismay, for Mombi was her chief counsellor, and Jinjur was terribly -afraid of the old hag. But she sent for Mombi, and told her what Glinda -had said. - -"I see trouble ahead for all of us," muttered the old witch, after -glancing into a magic mirror she carried in her pocket. "But we may -even yet escape by deceiving this sorceress, clever as she thinks -herself." - -"Don't you think it will be safer for me to deliver you into her -hands?" asked Jinjur, nervously. - -"If you do, it will cost you the throne of the Emerald City!" answered -the witch, positively. "But, if you will let me have my own way, I can -save us both very easily." - -"Then do as you please," replied Jinjur, "for it is so aristocratic to -be a Queen that I do not wish to be obliged to return home again, to -make beds and wash dishes for my mother." - -So Mombi called Jellia Jamb to her, and performed a certain magical -rite with which she was familiar. As a result of the enchantment Jellia -took on the form and features of Mombi, while the old witch grew to -resemble the girl so closely that it seemed impossible anyone could -guess the deception. - -"Now," said old Mombi to the Queen, "let your soldiers deliver up this -girl to Glinda. She will think she has the real Mombi in her power, and -so will return immediately to her own country in the South." - -[Illustration] - -Therefore Jellia, hobbling along like an aged woman, was led from the -city gates and taken before Glinda. - -"Here is the person you demanded," said one of the guards, "and our -Queen now begs you will go away, as you promised, and leave us in -peace." - -"That I will surely do," replied Glinda, much pleased; "if this is -really the person she seems to be." - -"It is certainly old Mombi," said the guard, who believed she was -speaking the truth; and then Jinjur's soldiers returned within the -city's gates. - -The Sorceress quickly summoned the Scarecrow and his friends to her -tent, and began to question the supposed Mombi about the lost girl -Ozma. But Jellia knew nothing at all of this affair, and presently she -grew so nervous under the questioning that she gave way and began to -weep, to Glinda's great astonishment. - -"Here is some foolish trickery!" said the Sorceress, her eyes flashing -with anger. "This is not Mombi at all, but some other person who has -been made to resemble her! Tell me," she demanded, turning to the -trembling girl, "what is your name?" - -This Jellia dared not tell, having been threatened with death by the -witch if she confessed the fraud. But Glinda, sweet and fair though she -was, understood magic better than any other person in the Land of Oz. -So, by uttering a few potent words and making a peculiar gesture, she -quickly transformed the girl into her proper shape, while at the same -time old Mombi, far away in Jinjur's palace, suddenly resumed her own -crooked form and evil features. - -"Why, it's Jellia Jamb!" cried the Scarecrow, recognizing in the girl -one of his old friends. - -"It's our interpreter!" said the Pumpkinhead, smiling pleasantly. - -Then Jellia was forced to tell of the trick Mombi had played, and she -also begged Glinda's protection, which the Sorceress readily granted. -But Glinda was now really angry, and sent word to Jinjur that the -fraud was discovered and she must deliver up the real Mombi or suffer -terrible consequences. Jinjur was prepared for this message, for the -witch well understood, when her natural form was thrust upon her, that -Glinda had discovered her trickery. But the wicked old creature had -already thought up a new deception, and had made Jinjur promise to -carry it out. So the Queen said to Glinda's messenger: - -[Illustration] - -"Tell your mistress that I cannot find Mombi anywhere; but that Glinda -is welcome to enter the city and search herself for the old woman. She -may also bring her friends with her, if she likes; but if she does not -find Mombi by sundown, the Sorceress must promise to go away peaceably -and bother us no more." - -Glinda agreed to these terms, well knowing that Mombi was somewhere -within the city walls. So Jinjur caused the gates to be thrown open, -and Glinda marched in at the head of a company of soldiers, followed by -the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, while Jack Pumpkinhead rode astride -the Saw-Horse, and the Educated, Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug sauntered -behind in a dignified manner. Tip walked by the side of the Sorceress, -for Glinda had conceived a great liking for the boy. - -Of course old Mombi had no intention of being found by Glinda; so, -while her enemies were marching up the street, the witch transformed -herself into a red rose growing upon a bush in the garden of the -palace. It was a clever idea, and a trick Glinda did not suspect; so -several precious hours were spent in a vain search for Mombi. - -As sundown approached the Sorceress realized she had been defeated by -the superior cunning of the aged witch; so she gave the command to her -people to march out of the city and back to their tents. - -The Scarecrow and his comrades happened to be searching in the garden -of the palace just then, and they turned with disappointment to obey -Glinda's command. But before they left the garden the Tin Woodman, -who was fond of flowers, chanced to espy a big red rose growing upon -a bush; so he plucked the flower and fastened it securely in the tin -button-hole of his tin bosom. - -As he did this he fancied he heard a low moan proceed from the rose; -but he paid no attention to the sound, and Mombi was thus carried out -of the city and into Glinda's camp without anyone having a suspicion -that they had succeeded in their quest. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Transformation - of Old Mombi -] - - -The Witch was at first frightened at finding herself captured by the -enemy; but soon she decided that she was exactly as safe in the Tin -Woodman's button-hole as growing upon the bush. For no one knew the -rose and Mombi to be one, and now that she was without the gates of the -City her chances of escaping altogether from Glinda were much improved. - -"But there is no hurry," thought Mombi. "I will wait awhile and enjoy -the humiliation of this Sorceress when she finds I have outwitted her." - -So throughout the night the rose lay quietly on the Woodman's bosom, -and in the morning, when Glinda summoned our friends to a consultation, -Nick Chopper carried his pretty flower with him to the white silk tent. - -[Illustration] - -"For some reason," said Glinda, "we have failed to find this cunning -old Mombi; so I fear our expedition will prove a failure. And for that -I am sorry, because without our assistance little Ozma will never be -rescued and restored to her rightful position as Queen of the Emerald -City." - -"Do not let us give up so easily," said the Pumpkinhead. "Let us do -something else." - -"Something else must really be done," replied Glinda, with a smile; -"yet I cannot understand how I have been defeated so easily by an old -Witch who knows far less of magic than I do myself." - -"While we are on the ground I believe it would be wise for us to -conquer the Emerald City for Princess Ozma, and find the girl -afterward," said the Scarecrow. "And while the girl remains hidden I -will gladly rule in her place, for I understand the business of ruling -much better than Jinjur does." - -"But I have promised not to molest Jinjur," objected Glinda. - -"Suppose you all return with me to my kingdom--or Empire, rather," said -the Tin Woodman, politely including the entire party in a royal wave of -his arm. "It will give me great pleasure to entertain you in my castle, -where there is room enough and to spare. And if any of you wish to be -nickel-plated, my valet will do it free of all expense." - -While the Woodman was speaking Glinda's eyes had been noting the rose -in his button-hole, and now she imagined she saw the big red leaves of -the flower tremble slightly. This quickly aroused her suspicions, and -in a moment more the Sorceress had decided that the seeming rose was -nothing else than a transformation of old Mombi. At the same instant -Mombi knew she was discovered and must quickly plan an escape, and -as transformations were easy to her she immediately took the form of -a Shadow and glided along the wall of the tent toward the entrance, -thinking thus to disappear. - -But Glinda had not only equal cunning, but far more experience than -the Witch. So the Sorceress reached the opening of the tent before the -Shadow, and with a wave of her hand closed the entrance so securely -that Mombi could not find a crack big enough to creep through. The -Scarecrow and his friends were greatly surprised at Glinda's actions; -for none of them had noted the Shadow. But the Sorceress said to them: - -"Remain perfectly quiet, all of you! For the old Witch is even now with -us in this tent, and I hope to capture her." - -These words so alarmed Mombi that she quickly transformed herself from -a shadow to a Black Ant, in which shape she crawled along the ground, -seeking a crack or crevice in which to hide her tiny body. - -Fortunately, the ground where the tent had been pitched, being just -before the city gates, was hard and smooth; and while the Ant still -crawled about, Glinda discovered it and ran quickly forward to effect -its capture. But, just as her hand was descending, the Witch, now -fairly frantic with fear, made her last transformation, and in the form -of a huge Griffin sprang through the wall of the tent--tearing the silk -asunder in her rush--and in a moment had darted away with the speed of -a whirlwind. - -Glinda did not hesitate to follow. She sprang upon the back of the -Saw-Horse and cried: - -"Now you shall prove that you have a right to be alive! Run--run--run!" - -The Saw-Horse ran. Like a flash he followed the Griffin, his wooden -legs moving so fast that they twinkled like the rays of a star. Before -our friends could recover from their surprise both the Griffin and the -Saw-Horse had dashed out of sight. - -"Come! Let us follow!" cried the Scarecrow. - -They ran to the place where the Gump was lying and quickly tumbled -aboard. - -"Fly!" commanded Tip, eagerly. - -"Where to?" asked the Gump, in its calm voice. - -"I don't know," returned Tip, who was very nervous at the delay; "but -if you will mount into the air I think we can discover which way Glinda -has gone." - -[Illustration] - -"Very well," returned the Gump, quietly; and it spread its great wings -and mounted high into the air. - -Far away, across the meadows, they could now see two tiny specks, -speeding one after the other; and they knew these specks must be the -Griffin and the Saw-Horse. So Tip called the Gump's attention to them -and bade the creature try to overtake the Witch and the Sorceress. But, -swift as was the Gump's flight, the pursued and pursuer moved more -swiftly yet, and within a few moments were blotted out against the dim -horizon. - -"Let us continue to follow them, nevertheless," said the Scarecrow; -"for the Land of Oz is of small extent, and sooner or later they must -both come to a halt." - -Old Mombi had thought herself very wise to choose the form of a -Griffin, for its legs were exceedingly fleet and its strength more -enduring than that of other animals. But she had not reckoned on the -untiring energy of the Saw-Horse, whose wooden limbs could run for days -without slacking their speed. Therefore, after an hour's hard running, -the Griffin's breath began to fail, and it panted and gasped painfully, -and moved more slowly than before. Then it reached the edge of the -desert and began racing across the deep sands. But its tired feet sank -far into the sand, and in a few minutes the Griffin fell forward, -completely exhausted, and lay still upon the desert waste. - -Glinda came up a moment later, riding the still vigorous Saw-Horse; and -having unwound a slender golden thread from her girdle the Sorceress -threw it over the head of the panting and helpless Griffin, and so -destroyed the magical power of Mombi's transformation. - -For the animal, with one fierce shudder, disappeared from view, while -in its place was discovered the form of the old Witch, glaring savagely -at the serene and beautiful face of the Sorceress. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - Princess Ozma of Oz -] - - -"You are my prisoner, and it is useless for you to struggle any -longer," said Glinda, in her soft, sweet voice. "Lie still a moment, -and rest yourself, and then I will carry you back to my tent." - -"Why do you seek me?" asked Mombi, still scarce able to speak plainly -for lack of breath. "What have I done to you, to be so persecuted?" - -"You have done nothing to me," answered the gentle Sorceress; "but I -suspect you have been guilty of several wicked actions; and if I find -it is true that you have so abused your knowledge of magic, I intend to -punish you severely." - -"I defy you!" croaked the old hag. "You dare not harm me!" - -Just then the Gump flew up to them and alighted upon the desert sands -beside Glinda. Our friends were delighted to find that Mombi had -finally been captured, and after a hurried consultation it was decided -they should all return to the camp in the Gump. So the Saw-Horse was -tossed aboard, and then Glinda, still holding an end of the golden -thread that was around Mombi's neck, forced her prisoner to climb into -the sofas. The others now followed, and Tip gave the word to the Gump -to return. - -The journey was made in safety, Mombi sitting in her place with a grim -and sullen air; for the old hag was absolutely helpless so long as the -magical thread encircled her throat. The army hailed Glinda's return -with loud cheers, and the party of friends soon gathered again in the -royal tent, which had been neatly repaired during their absence. - -"Now," said the Sorceress to Mombi, "I want you to tell us why the -Wonderful Wizard of Oz paid you three visits, and what became of the -child, Ozma, which so curiously disappeared." - -The Witch looked at Glinda defiantly, but said not a word. - -"Answer me!" cried the Sorceress. - -But still Mombi remained silent. - -"Perhaps she doesn't know," remarked Jack. - -"I beg you will keep quiet," said Tip. "You might spoil everything with -your foolishness." - -"Very well, dear father!" returned the Pumpkinhead, meekly. - -"How glad I am to be a Woggle-Bug!" murmured the Highly Magnified -Insect, softly. "No one can expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin." - -"Well," said the Scarecrow, "what shall we do to make Mombi speak? -Unless she tells us what we wish to know her capture will do us no good -at all." - -"Suppose we try kindness," suggested the Tin Woodman. "I've heard that -anyone can be conquered with kindness, no matter how ugly they may be." - -At this the Witch turned to glare upon him so horribly that the Tin -Woodman shrank back abashed. - -Glinda had been carefully considering what to do, and now she turned to -Mombi and said: - -"You will gain nothing, I assure you, by thus defying us. For I am -determined to learn the truth about the girl Ozma, and unless you tell -me all that you know, I will certainly put you to death." - -"Oh, no! Don't do that!" exclaimed the Tin Woodman. "It would be an -awful thing to kill anyone--even old Mombi!" - -"But it is merely a threat," returned Glinda. "I shall not put Mombi to -death, because she will prefer to tell me the truth." - -"Oh, I see!" said the tin man, much relieved. - -"Suppose I tell you all that you wish to know," said Mombi, speaking so -suddenly that she startled them all. "What will you do with me then?" - -"In that case," replied Glinda, "I shall merely ask you to drink a -powerful draught which will cause you to forget all the magic you have -ever learned." - -"Then I would become a helpless old woman!" - -"But you would be alive," suggested the Pumpkinhead, consolingly. - -"Do try to keep silent!" said Tip, nervously. - -"I'll try," responded Jack; "but you will admit that it's a good thing -to be alive." - -"Especially if one happens to be Thoroughly Educated," added the -Woggle-Bug, nodding approval. - -"You may make your choice," Glinda said to old Mombi, "between death if -you remain silent, and the loss of your magical powers if you tell me -the truth. But I think you will prefer to live." - -Mombi cast an uneasy glance at the Sorceress, and saw that she was in -earnest, and not to be trifled with. So she replied, slowly: - -"I will answer your questions." - -"That is what I expected," said Glinda, pleasantly. "You have chosen -wisely, I assure you." - -She then motioned to one of her Captains, who brought her a beautiful -golden casket. From this the Sorceress drew an immense white pearl, -attached to a slender chain which she placed around her neck in such a -way that the pearl rested upon her bosom, directly over her heart. - -"Now," said she, "I will ask my first question: Why did the Wizard pay -you three visits?" - -"Because I would not come to him," answered Mombi. - -"That is no answer," said Glinda, sternly. "Tell me the truth." - -"Well," returned Mombi, with downcast eyes, "he visited me to learn the -way I make tea-biscuits." - -"Look up!" commanded the Sorceress. - -Mombi obeyed. - -"What is the color of my pearl?" demanded Glinda. - -"Why--it is black!" replied the old Witch, in a tone of wonder. - -"Then you have told me a falsehood!" cried Glinda, angrily. "Only when -the truth is spoken will my magic pearl remain a pure white in color." - -Mombi now saw how useless it was to try to deceive the Sorceress; so -she said, meanwhile scowling at her defeat: - -"The Wizard brought to me the girl Ozma, who was then no more than a -baby, and begged me to conceal the child." - -"That is what I thought," declared Glinda, calmly. "What did he give -you for thus serving him?" - -"He taught me all the magical tricks he knew. Some were good tricks, -and some were only frauds; but I have remained faithful to my promise." - -"What did you do with the girl?" asked Glinda; and at this question -everyone bent forward and listened eagerly for the reply. - -"I enchanted her," answered Mombi. - -"In what way?" - -"I transformed her into--into--" - -"Into what?" demanded Glinda, as the Witch hesitated. - -"_Into a boy!_" said Mombi, in a low tone. - -"A boy!" echoed every voice; and then, because they knew that this old -woman had reared Tip from childhood, all eyes were turned to where the -boy stood. - -"Yes," said the old Witch, nodding her head; "that is the Princess -Ozma--the child brought to me by the Wizard who stole her father's -throne. That is the rightful ruler of the Emerald City!" and she -pointed her long bony finger straight at the boy. - -"I!" cried Tip, in amazement. "Why, I'm no Princess Ozma--I'm not a -girl!" - -Glinda smiled, and going to Tip she took his small brown hand within -her dainty white one. - -[Illustration: MOMBI POINTED HER LONG, BONY FINGER AT THE BOY.] - -"You are not a girl just now," said she, gently, "because Mombi -transformed you into a boy. But you were born a girl, and also a -Princess; so you must resume your proper form, that you may become -Queen of the Emerald City." - -"Oh, let Jinjur be the Queen!" exclaimed Tip, ready to cry. "I want to -stay a boy, and travel with the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, and the -Woggle-Bug, and Jack--yes! and my friend the Saw-Horse--and the Gump! -I don't want to be a girl!" - -"Never mind, old chap," said the Tin Woodman, soothingly; "it don't -hurt to be a girl, I'm told; and we will all remain your faithful -friends just the same. And, to be honest with you, I've always -considered girls nicer than boys." - -"They're just as nice, anyway," added the Scarecrow, patting Tip -affectionately upon the head. - -"And they are equally good students," proclaimed the Woggle-Bug. "I -should like to become your tutor, when you are transformed into a girl -again." - -"But--see here!" said Jack Pumpkinhead, with a gasp: "if you become a -girl, you can't be my dear father any more!" - -"No," answered Tip, laughing in spite of his anxiety; "and I shall not -be sorry to escape the relationship." Then he added, hesitatingly, as -he turned to Glinda: "I might try it for awhile,--just to see how it -seems, you know. But if I don't like being a girl you must promise to -change me into a boy again." - -[Illustration] - -"Really," said the Sorceress, "that is beyond my magic. I never deal in -transformations, for they are not honest, and no respectable sorceress -likes to make things appear to be what they are not. Only unscrupulous -witches use the art, and therefore I must ask Mombi to effect your -release from her charm, and restore you to your proper form. It will be -the last opportunity she will have to practice magic." - -Now that the truth about Princess Ozma had been discovered, Mombi did -not care what became of Tip; but she feared Glinda's anger, and the boy -generously promised to provide for Mombi in her old age if he became -the ruler of the Emerald City. So the Witch consented to effect the -transformation, and preparations for the event were at once made. - -Glinda ordered her own royal couch to be placed in the center of the -tent. It was piled high with cushions covered with rose-colored silk, -and from a golden railing above hung many folds of pink gossamer, -completely concealing the interior of the couch. - -The first act of the Witch was to make the boy drink a potion which -quickly sent him into a deep and dreamless sleep. Then the Tin Woodman -and the Woggle-Bug bore him gently to the couch, placed him upon the -soft cushions, and drew the gossamer hangings to shut him from all -earthly view. - -The Witch squatted upon the ground and kindled a tiny fire of dried -herbs, which she drew from her bosom. When the blaze shot up and burned -clearly old Mombi scattered a handful of magical powder over the fire, -which straightway gave off a rich violet vapor, filling all the tent -with its fragrance and forcing the Saw-Horse to sneeze--although he had -been warned to keep quiet. - -[Illustration: MOMBI AT HER MAGICAL INCANTATIONS.] - -Then, while the others watched her curiously, the hag chanted a -rhythmical verse in words which no one understood, and bent her lean -body seven times back and forth over the fire. And now the incantation -seemed complete, for the Witch stood upright and cried the one word -"Yeowa!" in a loud voice. - -The vapor floated away; the atmosphere became clear again; a whiff of -fresh air filled the tent, and the pink curtains of the couch trembled -slightly, as if stirred from within. - -Glinda walked to the canopy and parted the silken hangings. Then she -bent over the cushions, reached out her hand, and from the couch -arose the form of a young girl, fresh and beautiful as a May morning. -Her eyes sparkled as two diamonds, and her lips were tinted like a -tourmaline. All adown her back floated tresses of ruddy gold, with a -slender jeweled circlet confining them at the brow. Her robes of silken -gauze floated around her like a cloud, and dainty satin slippers shod -her feet. - -At this exquisite vision Tip's old comrades stared in wonder for -the space of a full minute, and then every head bent low in honest -admiration of the lovely Princess Ozma. The girl herself cast one look -into Glinda's bright face, which glowed with pleasure and satisfaction, -and then turned upon the others. Speaking the words with sweet -diffidence, she said: - -"I hope none of you will care less for me than you did before. I'm just -the same Tip, you know; only--only--" - -"Only you're different!" said the Pumpkinhead; and everyone thought it -was the wisest speech he had ever made. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration: - - The Riches of - Content -] - - -When the wonderful tidings reached the ears of Queen Jinjur--how Mombi -the Witch had been captured; how she had confessed her crime to Glinda; -and how the long-lost Princess Ozma had been discovered in no less a -personage than the boy Tip--she wept real tears of grief and despair. - -"To think," she moaned, "that after having ruled as Queen, and lived in -a palace, I must go back to scrubbing floors and churning butter again! -It is too horrible to think of! I will never consent!" - -So when her soldiers, who spent most of their time making fudge in the -palace kitchens, counseled Jinjur to resist, she listened to their -foolish prattle and sent a sharp defiance to Glinda the Good and the -Princess Ozma. The result was a declaration of war, and the very next -day Glinda marched upon the Emerald City with pennants flying and bands -playing, and a forest of shining spears sparkling brightly beneath the -sun's rays. - -But when it came to the walls this brave assembly made a sudden halt; -for Jinjur had closed and barred every gateway, and the walls of the -Emerald City were builded high and thick with many blocks of green -marble. Finding her advance thus baffled, Glinda bent her brows in deep -thought, while the Woggle-Bug said, in his most positive tone: - -"We must lay siege to the city, and starve it into submission. It is -the only thing we can do." - -"Not so," answered the Scarecrow. "We still have the Gump, and the Gump -can still fly." - -The Sorceress turned quickly at this speech, and her face now wore a -bright smile. - -"You are right," she exclaimed, "and certainly have reason to be proud -of your brains. Let us go to the Gump at once!" - -So they passed through the ranks of the army until they came to the -place, near the Scarecrow's tent, where the Gump lay. Glinda and -Princess Ozma mounted first, and sat upon the sofas. Then the Scarecrow -and his friends climbed aboard, and still there was room for a Captain -and three soldiers, which Glinda considered sufficient for a guard. - -[Illustration] - -Now, at a word from the Princess, the queer Thing they had called -the Gump flopped its palm-leaf wings and rose into the air, carrying -the party of adventurers high above the walls. They hovered over -the palace, and soon perceived Jinjur reclining in a hammock in the -courtyard, where she was comfortably reading a novel with a green cover -and eating green chocolates, confident that the walls would protect her -from her enemies. Obeying a quick command, the Gump alighted safely in -this very courtyard, and before Jinjur had time to do more than scream, -the Captain and three soldiers leaped out and made the former Queen a -prisoner, locking strong chains upon both her wrists. - -That act really ended the war; for the Army of Revolt submitted as -soon as they knew Jinjur to be a captive, and the Captain marched in -safety through the streets and up to the gates of the city, which -she threw wide open. Then the bands played their most stirring music -while Glinda's army marched into the city, and heralds proclaimed the -conquest of the audacious Jinjur and the accession of the beautiful -Princess Ozma to the throne of her royal ancestors. - -[Illustration] - -At once the men of the Emerald City cast off their aprons. And it is -said that the women were so tired eating of their husbands' cooking -that they all hailed the conquest of Jinjur with joy. Certain it is -that, rushing one and all to the kitchens of their houses, the good -wives prepared so delicious a feast for the weary men that harmony was -immediately restored in every family. - -Ozma's first act was to oblige the Army of Revolt to return to -her every emerald or other gem stolen from the public streets and -buildings; and so great was the number of precious stones picked -from their settings by these vain girls, that every one of the royal -jewelers worked steadily for more than a month to replace them in their -settings. - -Meantime the Army of Revolt was disbanded and the girls sent home to -their mothers. On promise of good behavior Jinjur was likewise released. - -Ozma made the loveliest Queen the Emerald City had ever known; and, -although she was so young and inexperienced, she ruled her people with -wisdom and justice. For Glinda gave her good advice on all occasions; -and the Woggle-Bug, who was appointed to the important post of Public -Educator, was quite helpful to Ozma when her royal duties grew -perplexing. - -The girl, in her gratitude to the Gump for its services, offered the -creature any reward it might name. - -"Then," replied the Gump, "please take me to pieces. I did not wish -to be brought to life, and I am greatly ashamed of my conglomerate -personality. Once I was a monarch of the forest, as my antlers fully -prove; but now, in my present upholstered condition of servitude, I -am compelled to fly through the air--my legs being of no use to me -whatever. Therefore I beg to be dispersed." - -So Ozma ordered the Gump taken apart. The antlered head was again -hung over the mantle-piece in the hall, and the sofas were untied and -placed in the reception parlors. The broom tail resumed its accustomed -duties in the kitchen, and finally, the Scarecrow replaced all the -clotheslines and ropes on the pegs from which he had taken them on the -eventful day when the Thing was constructed. - -You might think that was the end of the Gump; and so it was, as a -flying-machine. But the head over the mantle-piece continued to talk -whenever it took a notion to do so, and it frequently startled, with -its abrupt questions, the people who waited in the hall for an audience -with the Queen. - -The Saw-Horse, being Ozma's personal property, was tenderly cared for; -and often she rode the queer creature along the streets of the Emerald -City. She had its wooden legs shod with gold, to keep them from -wearing out, and the tinkle of these golden shoes upon the pavement -always filled the Queen's subjects with awe as they thought upon this -evidence of her magical powers. - -"The Wonderful Wizard was never so wonderful as Queen Ozma," the people -said to one another, in whispers; "for he claimed to do many things he -could not do; whereas our new Queen does many things no one would ever -expect her to accomplish." - -Jack Pumpkinhead remained with Ozma to the end of his days; and he -did not spoil as soon as he had feared, although he always remained -as stupid as ever. The Woggle-Bug tried to teach him several arts and -sciences; but Jack was so poor a student that any attempt to educate -him was soon abandoned. - -After Glinda's army had marched back home, and peace was restored to -the Emerald City, the Tin Woodman announced his intention to return to -his own Kingdom of the Winkies. - -"It isn't a very big Kingdom," said he to Ozma, "but for that very -reason it is easier to rule; and I have called myself an Emperor -because I am an Absolute Monarch, and no one interferes in any way -with my conduct of public or personal affairs. When I get home I shall -have a new coat of nickel plate; for I have become somewhat marred and -scratched lately; and then I shall be glad to have you pay me a visit." - -"Thank you," replied Ozma. "Some day I may accept the invitation. But -what is to become of the Scarecrow?" - -"I shall return with my friend the Tin Woodman," said the stuffed one, -seriously. "We have decided never to be parted in the future." - -"And I have made the Scarecrow my Royal Treasurer," explained the Tin -Woodman. "For it has occurred to me that it is a good thing to have a -Royal Treasurer who is made of money. What do you think?" - -"I think," said the little Queen, smiling, "that your friend must be -the richest man in all the world." - -"I am," returned the Scarecrow; "but not on account of my money. For -I consider brains far superior to money, in every way. You may have -noticed that if one has money without brains, he cannot use it to -advantage; but if one has brains without money, they will enable him to -live comfortably to the end of his days." - -"At the same time," declared the Tin Woodman, "you must acknowledge -that a good heart is a thing that brains can not create, and that money -can not buy. Perhaps, after all, it is I who am the richest man in all -the world." - -"You are both rich, my friends," said Ozma, gently; "and your riches -are the only riches worth having--the riches of content!" - -[Illustration: - - The End -] - - - - -THE OZ BOOKS - -BY - -L. FRANK BAUM - - -_The Wizard of Oz_ - -[Originally published as _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_] - -It is in this book that Oz is "discovered." A little Kansas -girl--Dorothy Gale--is carried in her house to Oz when a cyclone whisks -it through the sky. As the house lands in the Munchkin Country (one of -the four great countries of Oz) it destroys a wicked witch and sends -Dorothy off on her first adventure in Oz. She finds the Scarecrow, -meets the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, melts a second wicked -witch with a pail of water and finds her way home. Since this book -appeared a half-century ago, we have learned many marvelous things -about the Land of Oz. - - -_The Land of Oz_ - -[Originally published as _The Marvelous Land of Oz_] - -This sequel to _The Wizard of Oz_ deals entirely with the early history -of Oz. No one from the United States or any other part of the "great -outside world" appears in it. It takes its readers on a series of -incredible adventures with Tip, a small boy who runs away from old -Mombi, the witch, taking with him Jack Pumpkinhead and the wooden -Saw-Horse. The Scarecrow is King of the Emerald City until he, Tip, -Jack, and the Tin Woodman are forced to flee the royal palace when it -is invaded by General Jinjur and her army of rebelling girls. The _Land -of Oz_ ends with an amazing surprise, and from that moment on Ozma is -princess of all Oz. - - -_Ozma of Oz_ - -Few of the Oz books are as crowded with exciting Oz happenings as this -one. Not only does it bring Dorothy back to Oz on her second visit, -but it introduces Dorothy to Ozma, relates Ozma's first important -adventure, and introduces for the first time such famous Oz characters -as Tik-Tok, the mechanical man, Billina the hen, the Hungry Tiger, -and--_the Nome King_! Most of the adventures in this book take place -outside Oz, in the Land of Ev and the Nome Kingdom. Scarcely a page -fails to quiver with excitement, magic and adventure. - - -_Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz_ - -Of course, everyone always predicted it would happen! And in this book -it does--the Wizard comes back to Oz to stay. Best of all, he comes -with Dorothy, who is having adventure number three that leads her -to Oz, this time via a California earthquake. In this book we meet -Dorothy's pink kitten, Eureka, whose manners need adjusting badly, -and two good friends who we are sorry did not remain in Oz--Jim the -cabhorse, and Zeb, Dorothy's young cousin, who works on a ranch as a -hired boy. - - -_The Road to Oz_ - -We like to think of this volume as "The Party Book of Oz." Almost -everyone loves a party, and when Ozma has a birthday party with -notables from every part of fairyland attending--well! It is just like -attending Ozma's party in person. You meet the famous of Oz, and lots -of others, such as Queen Zixi of Ix, John Dough, Chick the Cherub, the -Queen of Merryland, Para Bruin the rubber bear and--best of all--Santa -Claus himself! Of course there are lots of adventures on that famous -road to Oz before the party, during which Dorothy, on her way to Oz for -the fourth time, meets such heart-warming characters as the Shaggy Man, -Button-Bright, and lovely Polychrome, daughter of the rainbow. - - -_The Emerald City of Oz_ - -Here is a "double" story of Oz. While Dorothy, her Aunt Em and Uncle -Henry experience the events that lead to their going to Oz to make -their home in the Emerald City, the wicked Nome King is plotting to -conquer Oz and enslave its people. Later we go with Dorothy and her -friends in the Red Wagon on a grand tour of Oz that is simply packed -with excitement and events. While this transpires, we learn also of the -Nome King's elaborate preparations to conquer Oz. As Dorothy and her -friends return to the Emerald City, the Nome King and his hordes of -warriors are about to invade it. How Oz is saved is an ending that will -amaze and delight you. - - -_The Patchwork Girl of Oz_ - -Here, the Patchwork Girl is brought to life by Dr. Pipt's magic Powder -of Life. From that moment on the action never slows down in this -exciting book. It tells of Ojo's quest for the strange ingredients -necessary to brew a magic liquid that will release his Unk Nunkie from -a spell--the spell cast by the Liquid of Petrifaction, which has turned -him into a marble statue. In addition to the Patchwork Girl, Ojo and -Unk Nunkie, this book introduces those famous Oz creatures, the Woozy, -and Bungle the glass cat. Oz certainly has become a merrier, happier -land since the Patchwork Girl came to life, and this is the book that -tells how Scraps came to be made, how she was brought to life, and all -about her early adventures. - - -_Tik-Tok of Oz_ - -For the second time a little girl from the United States comes to Oz. -Betsy Bobbin is shipwrecked in the Nonestic Ocean with her friend Hank -the mule. The two drift to shore in the Rose Kingdom on a fragment of -wreckage. Betsy meets the Shaggy Man and accompanies him to the Nome -Kingdom, where Shaggy hopes to release his brother, a prisoner of the -Nome King. On their way to the Nome Kingdom, one fascinating adventure -follows another. They meet Queen Ann Soforth of Oogaboo and her army, -and lovely Polychrome, who had lost her rainbow again; they rescue -Tik-Tok from a well; and are dropped through a Hollow Tube to the other -side of the world where they meet Quox, the dragon. You'll find it one -of the most exciting of all the Oz books. - - -_The Scarecrow of Oz_ - -This is the Oz book which L. Frank Baum considered his best. It starts -quietly enough with Trot and Cap'n Bill rowing along a shore of the -Pacific Ocean to visit one of the many caves near their home on the -California coast. Suddenly, a mighty whirlpool engulfs them. The -old sailorman and the little girl are miraculously saved and regain -consciousness to find themselves in a sea cavern. (To this day, Trot -asserts she felt mermaid arms about her during those terrible moments -under water.) From here on, one perilous adventure crowds in upon -another. In Jinxland they meet the Scarecrow who takes charge of things -once Cap'n Bill is transformed into a tiny grasshopper with a wooden -leg. An exciting royal reception greets the adventurers upon their -return to the Emerald City. - - -_Rinkitink in Oz_ - -Prince Inga of Pingaree is the boy hero of this fine story of -peril-filled adventure in the islands of the Nonestic Ocean. King -Rinkitink provides comic relief, and by the time you reach the final -page you will love this fat, jolly little king. Bilbil the goat, -with his surly disposition, provides a fine contrast to Rinkitink's -merriment and Prince Inga's bravery and courage in the face of -danger. Some may say that the three magic pearls are the real heroes -of this story, but the pearls would have been of little use to King -Kitticut and Queen Garee if Prince Inga hadn't used them wisely and -courageously. - - -_The Lost Princess of Oz_ - -Talk about _Button-Bright_ getting lost--_Ozma_ is almost as bad! This -is actually the second time Ozma has been lost. As you know, once -she was "lost" for many years. But in this book she is lost for only -a short time. As soon as it is discovered that the ruler of Oz is -lost--and with her all the important magical instruments in Oz--search -parties, one for each of the four countries of Oz, set out to find her. -We follow the adventures of the party headed by Dorothy and the Wizard, -who explore unknown parts of the Winkie Country in search of Ozma. How -Ozma is found, and where she has been, will surprise you. Frogman, a -new character, is introduced in this book. - - -_The Tin Woodman of Oz_ - -Woot the Wanderer causes this chapter of Oz history to transpire. When -Woot wanders into the splendid tin castle of Nick Chopper, the Tin -Woodman and Emperor of the Winkies, he meets the Scarecrow, who is -visiting his old friend. The Tin Woodman tells Woot the story of how -he had once been a flesh-and-blood woodman in love with a maiden named -Nimmie Aimee. Woot suggests that since the Tin Woodman now has a kind -and loving heart, it is his duty to find Nimmie Aimee and make her -Empress of the Winkies. The Scarecrow agrees, so the three set off to -search for the girl. No less surprising than the adventures encountered -on the journey is Nimmie Aimee's reception of her former suitor. - - -_The Magic of Oz_ - -Old Ruggedo, the former Nome King, comes to Oz for the second time, -and makes more trouble than he did on his first visit. Ruggedo never -gives up the idea of conquering Oz, and this time he has the advantage -of being in the country without Ozma's knowledge. Also, he has the -magic and somewhat grudging help of Kiki Aru, the Munchkin boy who -is illegally practicing the art. If you like magic, then this is a -book for you. There's magic on every page, and everyone in the story -eventually is transformed into something else, or bewitched in one way -or another. Even the wild animals in the great Forest of Gugu do not -escape. - - -_Glinda of Oz_ - -This is the last Oz book written by L. Frank Baum. It is one of the -best in the series, with Dorothy, Ozma, and Glinda in an adventure that -takes them to an amazing crystal-domed city on an enchanted island. -This island is situated in a lake in the Gillikin Country. Ozma and -Glinda are confronted by powerful magic and determined enemies. For a -time Dorothy and Ozma are prisoners in the crystal-domed city which is -able to submerge below the surface of the lake. Few of the Oz books -equal this one in suspense and mystery--a story that is truly "out of -this world." - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - * * * * * - +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ - | | - | Transcriber notes: | - | | - | P.6. 'ecstacy.' changed to 'ecstasy.' | - | P.208. 'nickle-plate' changed to 'nickel-plate' | - | P.285. 'Liquid of Petrefaction' changed to 'Liquid of Petrifaction'.| - | Taken hypen out of pumpkinhead or pumpkinheads. | - | Fixed various punctuation. | - | | - | Text surrounded by _this_ indicated italics, and text surrounded | - | by =this= indicates bold. | - | | - +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Land of Oz, by L. 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