The Tin Woodman of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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THE TIN WOODMAN OF OZ – Oz 12

L. F RA NK B AU M

A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure

U n der taken b y t he T in W oo dm an , as si st ed

b y W oo t t he W an de re r, t he S ca re cr ow

o f O z, a nd P ol yc hr om e, t he

Rainbow's Daughter

by

L . F RA NK B AU M

"Royal historian of Oz"

This Book

is dedicated

t o the son of

m y s on

Frank Alden Baum

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T O M Y R EA DE RS

I k no w t ha t s om e o f y ou h av e b ee n w ai ti ng f or t hi s

s to ry o f t he T in W oo dm an , b ec au se m an y o f my

c or re sp on de nt s h av e a sk ed m e, t im e a nd a ga in w ha t e ve r

b ecam e o f t he " pr et ty M un ch ki n g ir l" w ho m N ick C ho pp er

w as e ng ag ed t o m ar ry b ef or e t he W ic ke d W it ch e nc ha nt ed

h is a xe a nd h e t ra de d h is f le sh f or t in. I , t oo, ha ve

w on de re d w ha t b ec am e o f h er , b ut u nt il W oo t t he

W an derer i nt er es ted h im self i n t he m at ter t he T in

W oo dm an k ne w n o m or e t ha n w e d id . H ow ev er , h e f ou nd

her, after many thrilling adventures, as you will

d is co ve r w he n y ou h av e r ea d t hi s s to ry .

I a m d el ig ht ed a t t he c on ti nu ed i nt er es t o f b ot h

yo un g a nd o ld i n t he O z s to ri es . A l ea rn ed c ol le ge

p ro fe ss or r ec en tl y w ro te m e t o a sk : " Fo r r ea de rs o f

w ha t a ge a re y ou r b oo ks i nt en de d? " I t p uz zl ed m e t o

an sw er t ha t p ro pe rl y, u nt il I h ad l oo ke d o ve r s om e o f

th e l et te rs I h av e r ec ei ve d. O ne s ay s: " I' m a l it tl e

boy 5 ye ar s old, and I Just love your Oz st or ie s. My

s is te r, who i s wr it ing t hi s for m e, r eads m e t he Oz

b o ok s, b ut I w is h I c ou ld r ea d t he m m ys el f. " A no th er





l et te r s ay s: " I' m a g re at g ir l 1 3 y ea rs o ld , s o y ou 'l l

b e surprised when I tell you I am not too old ye t for

t he O z s to ri es ." H er e' s a no th er l et te r: " Si nc e I w as a

y ou ng g ir l I 'v e n ev er m is sed g et ti ng a B au m b oo k f or

Ch ri st ma s. I 'm m ar ri ed , no w, bu t a m a s e age r t o ge t a nd

r ea d t he O z s to ri es a s e ve r. " A nd s ti ll a no th er w ri te s:

"My good wif e and I, bot h more t han 70 year s of a ge,

b el ie ve t ha t w e f in d m or e r ea l e nj oym en t i n y our O z

b oo ks t ha n i n a ny o th er b oo ks w e r ea d. " C on si de ri ng

t he se s ta te me nt s, I w ro te t he c ol le ge p ro fe ss or t ha t m y

b oo ks a re i nt en de d f or a ll t ho se w ho se h ea rt s a re

y ou ng , n o m at te r w ha t t he ir a ge s m ay b e.

I t hi nk I am j us ti fi ed i n p ro mi si ng t hat t here w il l

be s om e ast on is hi ng r ev el at io ns abo ut T he M ag ic o f O z

i n m y b oo k f or 1 91 9. A lw ay s y ou r l ov in g and g ratefu l

friend,

L . F RA NK B AU M.

R oy al H is to ri an o f O z.

"OZCOT"

atHOLLYWOOD





inCALIFORNIA

1918.

L IS T O F C HA PT ER S

1 W oo t t he W and erer

2 T he H ea rt o f t he T in W oo dm an

3 Roundabout

4 The Loons of Loonville

5 M rs . Y oo p, t h e G i an t es s

6 T he M ag ic o f a Y oo ko oh oo

7 T he L ac e A pr on

8 T he M en ace o f t heF or est

9 The Quarrelsome Dragons

10 Tommy Kwikstep

11 Jinjur's Ranch

1 2 O zma and D or ot hy

13 The Restoration

1 4 T h e G reen M on key

1 5 T he M an of Ti n

16 Captain Fyter

1 7 T he W or k sh op o f K u- Kl i p

1 8 T he T in W oo dm an T al ks t o H im self

19 The Invisible Country

20 Over Night

21 Polychrome's Magic





22 Nimmie Amee

23 Through the Tunnel

24 TheCurtainFalls

C h ap t er O n e

W oo t t he W an de re r

T he T in W oo dm an s at o n h is g li tt er in g t in t hr on e i n t he

h an ds om e t in h al l o f h is s pl en di d t in cas tl e i n t he

W in ki e C ou nt ry o f t heLand of Oz. B es id e h im , i n a

c ha ir o f w ov en s tr aw , s at h is b es t f ri en d, t he

Sc ar ec ro w o f O z. A t t im es t he y s pok e t o o ne a not he r of

cur io us t hi ng s t hey h ad s een and s tr an ge adv en tu res

t he y h ad k no wn s in ce f ir st t he y t wo h ad m et a nd b ec om e

c om ra de s. B ut a t t im es t he y w er e s il en t, f or t he se

t hi ng s h ad b een t al ked o ver m an y t im es b et ween t hem,

and they found themselves contented in merely being

t og et he r, s pe ak in g n ow a nd t he n a b ri ef s en te nc e t o

p ro ve t he y w er e w id e a wa ke a nd a tt en ti ve . B ut t he n,

t hese t wo q uain t p er so ns n ev er s lept . W hy s ho ul d t hey





sl eep, w hen t hey n ev er t ir ed ?

A nd n ow , a s t he b ri ll ia nt s un s an k l ow o ve r t he W in ki e

C ou nt ry o f O z, t in ti ng t he g li st en in g t in t ow er s and

t in m in ar et s o f t he t in cas tl e w it h g lo ri ou s s un set

h ues , t here app ro ached alo ng a w in di ng p at hw ay W oo t t he

W an de re r, w ho m et a t t he c as tl e e nt ra nc e a W in ki e

servant.

T he s er va nt s o f t he T in W oo dm an a ll wo re t in h el me ts

and t in b reas tp lates and u ni fo rm s cov er ed w it h t in y t in

d is cs s ew ed c lo se ly t og et he r o n s il ve r c lo th , s o t ha t

t heir b od ies s park led as b eaut if ul ly as d id t he t in

c as tl e - - a nd a lm os t a s b ea ut if ul ly a s d id t he T in

Woodman himself.

W oo t t he W an de re r l oo ke d a t t he m an s er va nt - -a ll

b ri gh t and g li tt er in g - - and at t he m ag ni fi cent cas tl e

- - a ll br ight a nd gl it te ri ng - - a nd a s he l ooke d hi s

e ye s gr ew bi g wi th wo nd er . For W oot wa s no t ve ry bi g

a nd n ot v er y o ld a nd , w an de re r t ho ug h h e w as , t hi s

p ro ve d t he m os t g or ge ou s s ig ht t ha t h ad e ve r m et h is

boyish gaze.

" Wh o l iv es h er e?" h e ask ed .





" The E mp er or o f t he W ink ie s, w ho i s t he f am ous Ti n

W oo dm an o f O z, " r ep li ed t he s er va nt , w ho h ad b ee n

t rain ed t o t reat all s tr an gers w it h cou rt es y.

" A T in W oo dm an ? H ow q ueer !" exclaim ed t he l it tl e

wanderer.

" Well , p er haps o ur E mp er or i s q ueer ," adm it ted t he

s er va nt ; " but he i s a k ind m as te r a nd a s h one st a nd

t rue a s g ood t in c an ma ke hi m; s o w e, w ho gl adl y s er ve

h im, a re a pt t o f or ge t t ha t he i s not l ike o the r

people."

" Ma y I s ee h im ?" a sk ed W oo t t he W and er er , a ft er a

moment's thought.

"If it please you to wait a moment, I will go and ask

h im ," s ai d t he s er va nt , a nd t he n he w en t i nt o t he h al l

w he re t he T in W oo dm an s at w it h h is f ri en d t he

S ca re cr ow . B ot h w er e gl ad t o l ea rn t ha t a s tr ang er h ad

a rr iv ed a t t he c as tl e, f or t hi s w ou ld gi ve t he m

s om et hi ng n ew t o t al k a bo ut , s o t he s er va nt w as a sk ed

to a dmi t t he boy a t onc e.

B y t he t im e W oo t t he W an de re r h ad p as se d t hr ou gh t he





g ra nd c or ri do rs - - a ll l in ed w it h o rn am en ta l t in - - a nd

u nd er s tately t in archw ay s and t hr ou gh t he m an y t in

rooms all set with beautiful tin furniture, his eyes

h ad g row n b igg er t ha n e ve r a nd h is w ho le l it tl e b od y

thrilled with amazement. But, astonished though he was,

he wa s a ble to make a poli te bow bef or e t he t hr one and

t o s ay i n a r es pe ct fu l v oi ce : " I s al ut e y ou r

Illustrious Majesty and offer you my humble services."

" Very g oo d! " ans wered t he T in W oo dm an i n h is

accus to med cheer fu l m an ner. " Tell m e w ho y ou are, and

whence you come."

" I a m k no wn a s W oo t t he W an de re r, " a ns we re d t he b oy,

" an d I h av e c om e, t hr ou gh m an y t ra ve ls a nd b y

r ou nd ab out w ay s, f ro m m y f or me r ho me i n a f ar c or ne r o f

the Gillikin Country of Oz."

" To w an der f ro m o ne' s h om e, " r emar ked t he S car ecr ow ,

" is t o encou nt er d an gers and h ar ds hi ps , esp eciall y i f

o ne i s m ade of m ea t a nd bone . H ad you no f ri ends i n

t ha t c or ne r of t he G il li ki n Co un tr y? W as i t n ot

homelike and comfortable?"

T o h ea r a m an s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw s pe ak , a nd s pe ak s o

w el l, q ui te s ta rt le d W oo t, a nd p er ha ps h e s ta re d a b it





r ud el y a t t he S ca re cr ow . B ut a ft er a m om en t h e r ep li ed :

" I h ad h om e and f ri end s, y ou r H on or ab le S tr aw ness ,

bu t t he y we re s o q ui et a nd h app y a nd c omf or ta bl e t ha t I

found them dismally stupid. Nothing in that corner of

Oz i nt er es te d me , but I be li eve d t ha t i n ot he r pa rt s o f

t he c ou nt ry I w ou ld f in d s tr an ge p eo pl e a nd s ee n ew

s ig ht s, a nd s o I s et o ut u po n m y w an de ri ng j ou rn ey . I

ha ve be en a wa nde re r f or ne ar ly a f ul l ye ar , a nd now my

wanderings have brought me to this splendid castle."

" I s up po se ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , " th at i n t hi s ye ar

y ou h av e s ee n s o m uc h t ha t y ou h av e b ec om e v er y w is e. "

" No ," r ep li ed W oo t, t ho ug ht fu ll y, " I am n ot at all

w is e, I be g t o a ss ur e yo ur M aj es ty. T he m or e I w and er

t he less I find that I know, for in the Land of Oz much

w is do m and m an y t hi ng s m ay b e l earn ed ."

" To l earn i s s im pl e. D on 't y ou ask q uest io ns ?"

inquired the Scarecrow.

"Yes ; I a sk as ma ny ques ti ons a s I dar e; but some

p eo pl e r ef us e t o ans wer q ues ti on s. "





" Tha t i s no t k ind o f t he m, " d ec la re d t he T in W ood ma n.

" If o ne d oe s n ot a sk f or i nf or ma ti on h e s el do m r ec ei ve s

it; so I, f or my part, ma ke it a rul e t o ans wer any

ci vi l q uest io n t hat i s ask ed m e. "

" So d o I ," a dd ed t he S ca re cr ow , n od di ng .

" I a m gl ad t o hea r t hi s," s ai d t he Wa nde re r, " for i t

ma ke s me b ol d t o a sk f or s om et hi ng t o e at ."

" Bl es s t he b oy !" cri ed t he E mp er or o f t he W in ki es ;

" ho w c ar el es s o f m e n ot t o r em em be r t ha t w an de re rs a re

u su al ly h un gr y. I w il l h av e f oo d b ro ug ht y ou at o nce. "

S ay in g t hi s he bl ew u po n a t in wh is tl e t ha t w as

s us pe nd ed f ro m h is t in n ec k, a nd a t t he s um mo ns a

s er va nt a pp ea re d a nd b ow ed l ow . T he T in W oo dm an

o rd er ed f oo d f or t he s tr an ge r, a nd i n a f ew m in ut es t he

se rv an t b ro ug ht i n a t in t ra y h ea pe d w it h a c ho ic e

a r ra y o f g oo d t hi ng s t o e at , a ll n ea tl y d is pl ay ed o n

t in d is hes t hat w er e p ol is hed t il l t hey s ho ne l ik e

mi rr or s. T he t ra y w as s et up on a t in t ab le dr aw n

b ef or e t he t hr on e, a nd t he s er va nt p la ce d a t in c ha ir

b ef or e t he t ab le f or t he b oy t o s ea t h im se lf .

"Eat, friend Wanderer," said the Emperor cordially,





"a nd I t rus t the f ea st wi ll be to your l iki ng. I,

m ys el f, d o n ot e at , b ei ng m ad e i n s uc h m an ne r t ha t I

r eq ui re no f oo d t o ke ep m e a li ve . N ei the r d oe s m y

f ri en d t he S ca re cr ow . B ut a ll m y W in ki e p eo pl e e at ,

b ei ng f orm ed of fl es h, a s you a re , a nd s o m y t in

c up bo ar d i s n ev er b ar e, a nd s tr an ge rs a re a lw ay s

welcome to whatever it contains."

T he b oy a te i n s il en ce f or a t im e, b ei ng r ea ll y

h un gr y, b ut aft er h is app et it e w as s om ew hat s at is fi ed ,

h e s ai d:

" How ha ppe ne d y ou r M aj es ty t o b e m ad e of t in , a nd

still be alive?"

" Th at ," r ep li ed t he t in m an , " is a l on g s to ry ."

" Th e l on ge r t he b et te r, " s ai d t he b oy . " Wo n' t y ou

p leas e t el l m e t he s to ry ?"

" If y ou d es ir e i t, " p ro mi sed t he T in W oo dm an , l eani ng

b ac k i n h is t in t hr one a nd c ro ss in g h is t in l eg s. " I

haven' t r el at ed m y h is to ry i n a l on g w hi le, b ecau se

eve ry one he re k now s i t n ea rl y a s we ll a s I do . Bu t yo u,

be ing a s tr an ge r, a re n o do ub t c ur iou s t o l ea rn ho w I





b ec am e s o b ea ut if ul a nd p ro sp er ou s, s o I w il l r ec it e

for your benefit my strange adventures."

" Th an k y ou ," s ai d W oo t t he W an derer, s ti ll eat in g.

" I w as n ot a lw ay s m ad e o f t in ," b eg an t he E mp er or ,

"f or in the be gi nning I wa s a ma n of fl es h a nd bone and

bl oo d a nd l iv ed i n t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry o f O z. T he re I

wa s, b y t ra de , a w oo dc ho pp er , a nd c on tr ib ut ed m y s ha re

to t he c om for t of t he Oz p eop le by c hopp ing u p t he

tr ee s o f t he f or es t t o m ak e f ir ew oo d, w it h w hi ch t he

w om en w ou ld coo k t heir m eals w hi le t he chi ld ren w ar med

t he ms el ve s a bo ut t he f ir es . F or m y ho me I ha d a l it tl e

hut by the edge of the forest, and my life was one of

m uch con tent u nt il I f el l i n l ove w it h a b eaut if ul

Munchkin girl who lived not far away."

" Wh at w as t he M un ch ki n g ir l' s n am e?" ask ed W oo t.

" Ni mm ie A mee. T hi s g ir l, s o f ai r t hat t he s un sets

b lu sh ed w hen t heir r ay s f el l u po n h er , l iv ed w it h a

p ow er fu l w it ch w ho w or e s il ve r s ho es a nd w ho h ad m ad e

t he p oo r c hi ld h er s la ve . N im mi e A me e w as o bl ig ed t o

w or k f ro m m or ni ng t il l n ig ht f or t he o ld W it ch o f t he

E as t, s cr ub bi ng and s weep in g h er h ut and coo ki ng h er

m ea ls a nd w as hi ng h er d is he s. S he h ad t o c ut f ir ew oo d,





t oo, unt il I f ound he r one da y i n the f or es t a nd f el l

i n l ov e w it h h er . A ft er t hat, I alw ay s b ro ug ht p lent y

o f f ir ew oo d t o N im mi e A mee and w e b ecam e v er y f ri en dl y.

Fi na ll y I a sked he r to ma rry me, and s he agree d t o do

s o, b ut t he W it ch h ap pe ne d t o o ve rh ea r o ur c on ve rs at io n

and i t ma de he r ve ry a ngr y, f or s he di d not wi sh he r

s la ve t o b e t ak en a wa y f ro m h er . T he W it ch c om ma nd ed m e

n ev er t o c om e ne ar Ni mm ie Am ee a ga in, but I t ol d h er I

was my own ma st er and would do as I ple ase d, not

r ea li zi ng t ha t t hi s w as a c ar el es s w ay t o s pe ak t o a

Witch.

" Th e ne xt da y, a s I w as c ut ti ng w ood i n t he f or es t,

t he c ru el W it ch e nc ha nt ed m y a xe , s o t ha t i t s li pp ed

and cut o ff m y r ig ht l eg ."

" Ho w d read fu l! " cr ied W oo t t he W an der er .

" Yes, i t w as a s eemi ng m is fo rt un e, " agr eed t he T in

M an , " fo r a o ne -l eg ge d w oo dc ho pp er i s o f l it tl e u se i n

h is t ra de . B ut I wou ld no t a ll ow t he Wi tc h t o c onqu er

me s o e as il y. I kn ew a v er y s ki ll fu l m ec ha ni c a t t he

ot he r s ide o f t he f or es t, w ho w as m y f ri en d, s o I

hopped on one le g t o him and as ked him to help me. He

soon made me a ne w leg out of tin and fastened it





cl eve rl y t o my m ea t bod y. I t ha d j oi nt s a t t he kn ee a nd

a t t he a nkl e a nd wa s a lm os t a s c om for ta bl e a s t he l eg I

had lost."

"Your friend must have been a wonderful workman!"

exclaimed Woot.

" He w as , i nd ee d, " a dm it te d t he E mp er or . " He w as a

t in sm it h b y t rade and cou ld m ak e any th in g o ut o f t in .

W hen I r et ur ned t o N im mi e A mee, t he g ir l w as d el ig ht ed

a nd t hr ew he r a rm s a ro un d my n ec k a nd k is se d m e,

d ec la ri ng s he w as pr oud of me . The Wi tc h s aw t he ki ss

a nd w as m or e a ng ry t ha n be for e. W he n I w en t t o wo rk i n

t he f or es t, n ex t d ay , m y axe, b ei ng s ti ll enchant ed ,

s li ppe d a nd c ut of f m y ot he r l eg . Ag ai n I ho ppe d - - o n

my t in l eg - - t o my f ri end t he t in smi th, w ho ki nd ly

ma de m e a not he r t in l eg a nd f as te ne d i t t o m y body . So

I r et ur ned j oy fu ll y t o N im mi e A mee, w ho w as m uch

p leas ed w it h m y g li tt er in g l eg s and p ro mi sed t hat w hen

we w er e we d s he wo ul d a lw ay s ke ep t he m oi le d a nd

p ol is he d. B ut t he W it ch w as m or e f ur io us t ha n e ve r, a nd

as s oon a s I ra ise d my axe to chop, i t twi st ed a round

a nd c ut of f one of my ar ms. The ti ns mith made me a ti n

a rm a nd I w as n ot m uc h w or ri ed , b ec au se N im mi e A me e

d eclared s he s ti ll l ov ed m e. "





C h ap t er T wo

T he H ea rt o f t he T in W oo dm an

T he E mp er or o f t he W in ki es p au se d i n h is s to ry t o

r each f or an o il -can , w it h w hi ch h e car ef ul ly o il ed t he

joi nt s i n h is t in t hr oa t, f or h is v oi ce ha d b eg un t o

s q ueak a l it tl e. W oo t t he W an derer, h av in g s at is fi ed

his hunger, watched this oiling process with much

c ur io si ty , bu t b egg ed t he T in M an t o g o o n w it h hi s

tale.

" Th e W it ch w it h t he S il ver S ho es h at ed m e f or h av in g

d ef ied h er ," r es um ed t he E mp er or , h is v oi ce n ow

s ou nd in g clear as a b el l, " an d s he i ns is ted t hat N im mi e

A me e s ho ul d n ev er m ar ry m e. T he re fo re s he m ad e t he

e nc ha nt ed a xe c ut o ff m y o the r a rm , a nd t he t in sm it h

also replaced that member with tin, including these

f in el y- jo in ted h an ds t hat y ou s ee m e u si ng . B ut , alas!

a ft er t ha t, t he a xe , s ti ll e nc ha nt ed b y t he c ru el

Witch, cut my body in two, so that I fell to the





g ro un d. T he n t he W it ch , w ho w as w at ch in g f ro m a n ea r- by

bu sh , r us he d up a nd s ei ze d t he a xe a nd c hop pe d m y bo dy

into several small pieces, after which, thinking that

a t l as t s he h ad d es tr oy ed m e, s he r an a wa y l au gh in g i n

wicked glee.

" Bu t N im mi e A me e f ou nd m e. S he p ic ke d u p m y a rm s a nd

l eg s a nd h ea d, a nd m ade a b und le of t he m a nd c ar ri ed

t he m t o t he t ins mi th, who s et t o wor k a nd m ade me a

f ine body of pur e t in. Whe n he h ad j oi ne d t he a rm s a nd

le gs to the body, and set my head in the tin collar, I

wa s a m uc h be tt er m an t ha n e ve r, f or my bo dy c oul d not

a che o r pa in me , a nd I wa s s o be aut if ul a nd br igh t t ha t

I ha d n o ne ed o f c lot hi ng . C lot hi ng i s a lw ay s a

nu is an ce , b ec au se i t s oi ls a nd t ea rs a nd h as t o b e

r epl ac ed ; b ut my t in bod y onl y n ee ds t o b e oi le d a nd

polished.

" Ni mm ie A mee s ti ll d eclared s he w ou ld m ar ry m e, as

sh e s ti ll l ov ed m e i n s pi te o f t he W it ch 's e vi l d ee ds .

T he g ir l d eclared I w ou ld m ak e t he b ri gh test h us band i n

a ll t he w or ld , w hi ch w as q ui te t ru e. H ow ev er , t he

W ic ke d W it ch w as n ot ye t d ef ea te d. W he n I r et ur ne d t o

m y wor k t he a xe s li ppe d a nd c ut o ff my h ea d, w hic h wa s

t he o nl y m ea t p ar t o f m e t he n r em ai ni ng. M or eo ve r, t he

ol d w om an gr abb ed u p m y s ev er ed h ea d a nd c ar ri ed i t





a wa y w it h he r a nd hi d i t. B ut N im mi e A me e c ame i nt o t he

forest and found me wandering around helplessly,

because I could not see where to go, and she led me to

m y f ri en d t he t in sm it h. T he f ai th fu l f el lo w at o nce s et

t o work to make me a tin head, and he had just

com pl et ed i t w hen N im mi e A mee cam e r un ni ng u p w it h m y

o ld h ea d, w hi ch s he h ad s to le n f ro m t he W it ch . B ut , o n

r ef le ct io n, I c on si de re d t he t in h ea d f ar s up er io r t o

the meat one -- I am wearing it yet, so you can see its

b ea ut y a nd g ra ce o f o ut li ne - - a nd t he g ir l a gr ee d w it h

me tha t a m an a ll ma de of t in wa s f ar mor e pe rfe ct t ha n

o ne f or med o f d if ferent m at er ials . T he t in sm it h w as as

pr ou d of hi s wo rkm ans hi p a s I wa s, a nd f or t hr ee w hol e

d ay s, all adm ir ed m e and p rais ed m y b eaut y. " Bein g n ow

c ompl et el y f or me d of t in, I ha d no mor e f ea r of t he

Wi ck ed W it ch , f or s he w as p ow er le ss t o i nj ur e m e.

N im mi e A me e s ai d w e m us t b e m ar ri ed a t o nc e, f or t he n

she c oul d c ome t o m y c ot ta ge a nd l ive w it h m e a nd k ee p

me bright and sparkling.

" 'I a m s ur e, m y d ea r N ic k, ' s ai d t he br ave a nd

b e au ti fu l g ir l - - m y n am e w as t he n N ic k C ho pp er , y ou

s ho ul d b e t ol d - - ' tha t yo u wi ll m ak e t he be st hu sba nd

a ny gi rl c oul d ha ve . I s ha ll no t be obl ige d t o c ook f or

y ou, for now you do not eat ; I s hall not have to ma ke





yo ur be d, f or t in do es n ot t ir e or r equ ir e s le ep; w he n

we go to a da nc e, you will not ge t wea ry be for e the

m us ic s tops a nd s ay you wa nt t o go hom e. A ll da y l ong,

w hi le y ou a re c ho pp in g w oo d i n t he f or es t, I s ha ll b e

a bl e t o amus e myse lf i n my own wa y -- a pri vil ege fe w

w ive s e nj oy. T he re i s no t em pe r i n yo ur ne w h ea d, s o

y ou w il l n ot g et ang ry w it h m e. F in al ly , I s hall t ak e

pr ide i n be in g t he wi fe of t he onl y l ive Ti n Wo odm an i n

a l l t he w or ld !' W hi ch s ho ws t ha t N im mi e A me e w as a s

w is e a s s he w as b ra ve a nd b ea ut if ul ."

" I t hi nk she wa s a ve ry ni ce gir l," sa id Woot the

W an de re r. " Bu t, t el l m e, p le as e, w hy w er e y ou n ot

k il le d w he n y ou w er e c ho pp ed t o p ie ce s? "

" In t he L an d o f O z, " r ep li ed t he E mp er or , " no o ne c an

e ver be killed. A man with a wooden leg or a tin leg is

s ti ll t he s ame ma n; a nd, a s I l os t pa rt s of my me at

b od y b y d egr ee s, I a lw ays r em ai ne d t he s am e p er so n a s

i n t he be gi nni ng , e ve n t houg h i n t he e nd I w as a ll t in

a n d n o m ea t. "

" I s ee," s ai d t he b oy , t ho ug ht fu ll y. " An d d id y ou

marry Nimmie Amee?"

" No ," a ns we re d t he T in W oo dm an , " I d id n ot . S he s ai d





s he st ill l oved me , but I found t ha t I no longe r l ove d

h er . M y t in b od y c on ta in ed n o h ea rt , a nd w it ho ut a

he ar t no o ne c an l ove . S o t he W ic ke d W it ch c on qu er ed i n

t he e nd , a nd w he n I l ef t t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry o f O z,

t he poor gir l wa s s til l t he sl ave of t he Wi tc h a nd ha d

t o d o h er b id di ng d ay a nd n ig ht ."

" Wh er e d id y ou g o? " a sk ed W oo t.

"W el l, I f ir st s ta rt ed o ut t o f ind a he ar t, s o I

cou ld l ov e N im mi e A mee again ; b ut h eart s are m or e

s ca rc e t ha n one wo ul d t hi nk. O ne da y, i n a b ig f or es t

t ha t w as s tr an ge t o m e, m y j oi nt s s ud de nl y b ec am e

r us te d, b ec au se I h ad f or go tt en t o o il t he m. T he re I

st ood , un abl e t o m ove ha nd o r f oo t. A nd t he re I

c on ti nu ed t o s ta nd - - w hi le d ays c ame a nd we nt - - unt il

D or ot hy a nd t he S ca re cr ow c am e a lo ng a nd r es cu ed m e.

T he y oi le d my j oi nt s a nd s et m e f re e, a nd I 've t ak en

g oo d c ar e n ev er t o r us t a ga in ."

" Wh o w as t hi s D or ot hy ?" q uest io ned t he W an der er .

"A l it tl e gi rl who ha ppe ned t o be in a hous e whe n i t

wa s c ar ri ed by a c yc lo ne a ll t he wa y f rom Ka ns as t o t he

L an d of O z. W he n t he h ou se f el l, i n t he M unc hki n





Co un tr y, i t f or tu nately l an ded o n t he W icked W it ch and

s ma sh ed he r f la t. I t w as a b ig h ous e, a nd I t hi nk t he

W it ch i s u nde r i t ye t. "

"No," said the Scarecrow, correcting him, "Dorothy

s ay s t he W it ch t ur ne d t o d us t, a nd t he w in d s ca tt er ed

t he d us t i n every d ir ecti on ."

"Well," continued the Tin Woodman, "after meeting the

S ca re cr ow a nd D or ot hy , I w en t w it h t he m t o t he E me ra ld

Ci ty, whe re t he W iz ar d of Oz ga ve m e a h ea rt . B ut t he

W iz ar d' s s to ck of he ar ts w as l ow , a nd h e g av e m e a K in d

H ea rt i ns te ad o f a Lov ing H ea rt , s o t ha t I c oul d n ot

l ove Ni mmi e Amee a ny more t han I di d whe n I was

heartless."

" Co ul dn 't t he W iz ar d g iv e y ou a h ea rt t ha t w as b ot h

K in d a nd L ov in g? " a sk ed t he b oy .

"No; that was what I asked for, but he said he was so

s ho rt on h ea rt s, j us t t he n, t ha t t he re w as b ut on e i n

stock, and I could take that or none at all. So I

accepted it, and I must sa y that for its kind it is a

v er y g oo d h ear t i nd eed. "

" It s eems t o m e, " s ai d W oo t, m us in gl y, " th at t he





W iz ar d f oo le d y ou . I t c an' t be a ve ry K in d H ea rt , y ou

know."

"Why not?" demanded the Emperor.

" Be ca us e i t w as u nk in d o f y ou t o d es er t t he g ir l w ho

l ov ed y ou , a nd w ho h ad b ee n f ai th fu l a nd t ru e t o y ou

w he n y ou w er e i n t ro ub le . H ad t he h ea rt t he W iz ar d g av e

yo u be en a K ind He ar t, yo u w ou ld ha ve g on e ba ck h om e

and m ad e t he b eaut if ul M un ch ki n g ir l y ou r w if e, and

t he n brou ght he r he re t o be a n Empr es s an d l ive i n your

splendid tin castle."

T he T in W oo dm an w as s o s ur pr is ed a t t hi s f ra nk s pe ec h

t ha t f or a t ime h e di d not hi ng b ut s ta re h ar d a t t he

b oy W an de re r. B ut t he S ca re cr ow w ag ge d h is s tu ff ed h ea d

a nd s ai d i n a p os it iv e t one :

" Th is b oy i s r ig ht . I 'v e o ft en w on dered, m ys el f, w hy

y ou d id n' t g o b ack and f in d t hat p oo r M un ch ki n g ir l. "

T he n t he T in W oo dm an s ta re d h ar d a t h is f ri en d t he

S ca re cr ow . B ut f in al ly h e s ai d i n a s er io us t on e o f

voice:





" I m us t a dm it t ha t n ev er be fo re h av e I t ho ugh t o f

s uch a t hi ng as f in di ng N im mi e A mee and m ak in g h er

E mp re ss o f t he W in ki es . B ut i t i s s ur el y n ot t oo l at e,

e ve n now , t o do t hi s, f or t he gi rl m us t s ti ll b e l ivi ng

i n t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry . A nd , s in ce t hi s s tr an ge

W an de re r h as r em in de d m e o f N im mi e A me e, I b el ie ve i t

is my duty to set out and find her. Surely it is not

t he gi rl' s fa ul t t ha t I no l onge r love her , a nd s o, if

I c an ma ke he r ha ppy, it is proper tha t I should do s o,

an d i n t hi s w ay r ew ar d h er f or h er f ai th fu ln es s. "

" Qu it e r ig ht , m y f ri en d! " agr eed t he S carecr ow .

" Wi ll y ou accom pany m e o n t hi s err an d?" ask ed t he T in

Emperor.

" Of co ur s e, " s aid t he S car ecr ow .

" An d w il l y ou t ak e m e a lo ng ?" p le ad ed W oo t t he

W a nd er er i n a n e ag er v oi ce .

" To b e s ur e," s ai d t he Ti n Woodm an , " if you c ar e t o

j oi n our pa rt y. It wa s you wh o f ir st t ol d m e i t wa s my

dut y to fi nd a nd ma rr y Ni mmi e Ame e, a nd I 'd li ke you t o

k no w t ha t N ic k C ho pp er , t he T in E mp er or o f t he W in ki es ,

i s a ma n who ne ve r s hi rks hi s dut y, onc e i t i s poi nt ed





o ut t o h im ."

"I t ought to be a pleas ure, as well as a duty, if the

g ir l i s s o b eaut if ul ," s ai d W oo t, w el l p leas ed w it h t he

id ea o f t he adv en tu re.

"Beautiful things may be admired, if not loved,"

ass er ted t he T in M an . " Fl ow er s are b eaut if ul , f or

i ns ta nc e, b ut w e a re n ot i nc li ne d t o m ar ry t he m. D ut y,

o n t he c on tr ar y, i s a b ug le c al l t o a ct io n, w he th er y ou

ar e inc lined to ac t, or not. In this c as e, I obe y t he

bugle call of duty."

" Wh en s hall w e s tart ?" i nq ui red t he S carecr ow , w ho

w as a lw ay s g la d t o e mb ar k u po n a n ew a dv en tu re . " I

don 't h ea r a ny b ugl e, bu t w he n d o w e go? "

" As s oo n a s we c an g et r ea dy ," a ns we re d t he Em pe ror .

" I' ll c al l my s er va nt s a t o nc e a nd or de r t he m t o ma ke

preparations for our journey."

Chapter Three





Roundabout

W oo t t he W an de re r s le pt t ha t n ig ht i n t he t in c as tl e o f

th e E mp er or o f t he W in ki es a nd f oun d h is t in b ed q ui te

c om fo rt ab le . E ar ly t he n ex t m or ni ng h e r os e a nd t oo k a

w al k t hr ou gh t he g ar dens , w here t here w er e t in

f ou nt ai ns and b ed s o f cur io us t in f lo wers , and w here

t in b ir ds p er ch ed u po n t he b ra nc he s o f t in t re es a nd

s an g s on gs t hat s ou nd ed l ik e t he n ot es o f t in w hi st les.

Al l t he se w on de rs h ad b ee n m ad e b y t he c le ve r W in ki e

ti ns mi th s, w ho w ou nd t he b ir ds u p every m or ni ng s o t hat

t hey w ou ld m ov e abo ut and s in g.

A ft er b re ak fa st t he b oy w en t i nt o t he t hr on e r oo m,

w here t he E mp er or w as h av in g h is t in j oi nt s car ef ul ly

o i led b y a s er vant , w hi le o th er s er vant s w er e s tu ff in g

s we et , f re sh s tr aw i nt o t he b od y o f t he S ca re cr ow .

W oo t w at ch ed t hi s o perati on w it h m uch i nt er es t, f or

t h e S ca re cr ow 's b od y w as o nl y a s ui t o f c lo th es f il le d

wi th s tr aw. T he c oa t wa s bu tt on ed t igh t t o ke ep t he

pa ck ed s tr aw f ro m f al li ng ou t a nd a r op e w as t ie d

a round t he wa is t t o hol d i t i n s ha pe a nd pr eve nt t he

s tr aw f ro m s ag gi ng d ow n. T he S ca re cr ow 's h ea d w as a





g un ny sack f il led w it h b ran, o n w hi ch t he eyes, n os e and

m ou th h ad b ee n p ai nt ed . H is h an ds w er e w hi te c ot to n

g lo ves s tu ff ed w it h f in e s tr aw . W oo t n ot iced t hat even

w hen car ef ul ly s tu ff ed and p at ted i nt o s hape, t he s tr aw

m an w as awk ward i n h is m ov em en ts and d ecid ed ly w ob bl y

on hi s f ee t, s o t he b oy wo nd er ed i f t he Sc ar ec row wo ul d

be a bl e t o t ra ve l wi th t he m a ll t he wa y t o t he f or es ts

o f t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry o f O z.

T he p reparati on s m ad e f or t hi s i mp or tant j ou rn ey w er e

v er y s im pl e. A k naps ack w as f il led w it h f oo d and g iv en

W oo t t he W an de re r t o c ar ry u po n h is b ac k, f or t he f oo d

w a s f or h is u se a lo ne . T he T in W oo dm an s ho ul de re d a n

axe w hi ch w as s harp and b ri gh tl y p ol is hed, and t he

S ca re cr ow p ut t he E mp er or 's o il -c an i n h is p oc ke t, t ha t

h e m ig ht o il h is f ri en d' s j oi nt s s ho ul d t hey n eed i t.

"Who will govern the Winkie Country during your

a b se nc e? " a sk ed t he b oy .

"Why, the Country will run itself," answered the

Em pe ro r. " As a m at te r o f f ac t, m y pe op le d o n ot n ee d a n

E mp er or , f or O zm a o f O z w at ch es o ve r t he w el fa re o f a ll

h er s ub ject s, i nclu di ng t he W in ki es . L ik e a g oo d m an y

k in gs a nd e mp er or s, I h av e a g ra nd t it le , b ut v er y





l it tl e r eal p ow er , w hi ch all ow s m e t im e t o amu se m ys el f

in my own way. The people of Oz have but one law to

o be y, w hi ch i s: ' Be ha ve Y ou rs el f, ' s o i t i s e as y f or

th em t o a bi de b y t hi s L aw , a nd y ou 'l l n ot ic e t he y

be ha ve ver y we ll . But i t i s ti me f or us t o be off , a nd

I a m e age r t o s ta rt be ca us e I s uppos e tha t tha t poor

Munchkin girl is anxiously awaiting my coming."

" Sh e' s w ai te d a l on g t im e a lr ea dy , s ee ms t o m e, "

r em ar ke d t he S ca re cr ow , a s t he y l ef t t he g ro un ds o f t he

ca st le a nd f ol lo we d a p at h t ha t l ed e as tw ar d.

" Tr ue," r ep li ed t he T in W oo dm an ; " bu t I 'v e n ot iced

th at t he l as t e nd of a w ai t, how eve r l ong i t ha s be en,

i s t he ha rd es t t o e nd ur e; s o I mu st t ry t o ma ke N imm ie

A me e h ap py a s s oo n a s p os si bl e. "

" Ah ; t ha t p ro ve s y ou h av e a K in d h ea rt ," r em ar ke d t he

Scarecrow, approvingly.

" It 's t oo ba d h e h as n' t a L ov in g H ea rt ," s ai d W oo t.

" Th is T in M an i s g oi ng t o m ar ry a n ice g ir l t hr ou gh

k i nd ne ss , a nd n ot b ec au se h e l ov es h er , a nd s om eh ow

t hat d oesn 't s eem q ui te r ig ht ."

" Eve n s o, I a m not sur e i t i sn' t be st for t he gi rl, "





s ai d t he S carecr ow , w ho s eemed v er y i nt el li gent f or a

s tr aw m an , " fo r a l ov in g h us band i s n ot alw ay s k in d,

w hi le a k ind h us ba nd i s s ur e t o m ak e a ny g ir l c on te nt ."

"Nimmie Amee will become an Empress!" announced the

T in W oo dm an , p ro ud ly . " I s ha ll h av e a t in g ow n m ad e f or

he r, w it h t in r uf fl es a nd t uc ks on i t, a nd s he s ha ll

h av e t in s li pp er s, and t in ear ri ng s and b racelets , and

wear a tin crown on her head. I am sure that will

d el ig ht N im mi e A mee, f or all g ir ls are f on d o f f in er y. "

" Ar e w e g oi ng t o t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry by w ay o f t he

E meral d C it y?" i nq ui red t he S carecro w, w ho l oo ked u po n

t he T in W ood ma n a s t he l ea de r of t he pa rt y.

" I th ink no t," w as t he r epl y. " We a re e nga ge d upo n a

r at he r d el ic at e a dv en tu re , f or w e a re s ee ki ng a g ir l

w ho f ea rs h er f or me r l ov er h as f or go tt en h er . I t w il l

b e r at he r ha rd f or me , y ou m us t a dm it , whe n I c onf es s

t o Ni mmi e Ame e t ha t I ha ve c ome t o m ar ry he r be ca us e i t

i s my d ut y t o d o s o, a nd t he re for e t he f ew er wi tne ss es

t he re a re t o o ur m ee ti ng t he be tt er f or b ot h o f us .

A ft er I h av e f ou nd N im mi e A me e a nd s he h as m an ag ed t o

cont ro l h er j oy a t our r eun ion, I s ha ll t ake he r t o t he

E me ra ld C it y a nd i nt ro du ce h er t o O zm a a nd D or ot hy , a nd





t o B et sy B ob bi n a nd T in y T ro t, a nd a ll o ur o th er

f ri en ds ; b ut , i f I r em em ber r ig ht ly , p oo r N im mi e A mee

h as a s ha rp t ongue w he n a ngr y, a nd s he ma y be a t ri fl e

a ngr y w it h m e, a t f ir st, be ca us e I ha ve be en s o l ong in

coming to her."

" I can u nd er st an d t hat, " s ai d W oo t g ravely . " Bu t h ow

c an we ge t t o t ha t pa rt of t he M unc hki n C ount ry w he re

you once lived without passing through the Emerald

City?"

" Wh y, t ha t i s e as y, " t he T in M an a ss ur ed hi m.

" I h ave a m ap of O z i n my po cke t," pe rs is te d t he b oy,

" an d i t s ho ws t ha t t he W in ki e C ou nt ry , w he re w e n ow

a re , i s a t t he we st of O z, a nd t he M unc hk in Co un tr y a t

t he eas t, w hi le d ir ectl y b et ween t hem l ies t he E merald

City."

" Tr ue eno ug h; b ut w e s hall g o t ow ar d t he n or th , f ir st

o f all , i nt o t he G il li ki n C ou nt ry , and s o p as s aro un d

the Emerald City," explained the Tin Woodman.

" Th at m ay p ro ve a d an gero us j ou rn ey ," r ep li ed t he

b oy. "I used to live i n one of the top corners of the

G il li ki n C ou nt ry , n ea r t o O og ab oo , a nd I h av e b ee n t ol d





t hat i n t hi s n or th land cou nt ry are m an y p eo pl e w ho m i t

i s n ot pl ea sa nt t o m ee t. I w as ve ry c ar ef ul t o a voi d

them during my journey south."

" A W an de re r s ho ul d h av e n o f ea r, " o bs er ve d t he

S car ecro w, w ho w as w ob bl in g alo ng i n a f un ny , h ap hazard

m an ner, b ut k eepi ng p ace w it h h is f ri en ds .

" Fe ar d oe s n ot m ak e o ne a c ow ar d, " r et ur ne d W oo t,

gr ow ing a l it tl e r ed i n t he f ac e, " bu t I be li ev e i t i s

mo re e as y t o a voi d d an ge r t ha n t o o ve rc om e i t. Th e

saf est way i s the best way, even f or one who is brave

and determined."

" Do not wor ry, f or we s ha ll not go f ar t o t he n ort h, "

s ai d t he E mp er or . " My o ne i de a i s t o a vo id t he E me ra ld

C it y w it ho ut go in g o ut of ou r w ay m or e t ha n i s

n eces sary . O nce aro un d t he E merald C it y w e w il l t ur n

s ou th i nt o t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry , w here t he S carecr ow

and I are w el l acq uain ted and h av e m an y f ri en ds ."

"I have traveled some in the Gillikin Country,"

r em ar ke d t he S ca re cr ow , " an d w hi le I m us t s ay I h av e

m et s om e s tr an ge p eo pl e t he re a t t im es , I h av e n ev er

y et b ee n h ar me d b y t he m. "





" We ll , i t' s a ll t he s am e t o m e, " s ai d W oo t, w it h

ass um ed car eless nes s. " Dang er s , w hen t hey can no t b e

avo id ed , are o ft en q ui te i nt er es ti ng , and I am w il li ng

t o g o w he re ve r y ou t wo v en tu re t o g o. "

S o t he y l ef t t he pa th t he y h ad b ee n f ol lo wi ng a nd

b eg an t o t ra ve l t ow ar d t he n or th ea st , a nd a ll t ha t d ay

t he y w er e i n t he p le as an t W in ki e C ou nt ry , a nd a ll t he

p eo pl e t he y m et s al ut ed t he E mp er or w it h g re at r es pe ct

a nd w is he d hi m g ood l uc k on hi s j ou rn ey . A t n ig ht t he y

s to pp ed a t a h ou se w he re t he y w er e w el l e nt er ta in ed a nd

wh er e Wo ot w as gi ve n a c om fo rt abl e be d t o s le ep i n.

" We re t he S ca re cr ow a nd I a lo ne ," s ai d t he T in

W oo dm an, " we w ou ld t ra ve l b y n ig ht a s w el l a s b y d ay ;

b ut wi th a m ea t pe rs on i n our p ar ty, w e m us t ha lt a t

ni gh t t o p er mi t h im t o r es t. "

" Me at t ir es , a ft er a d ay 's t ra ve l, " a dd ed t he

S ca re cr ow , " wh il e s tr aw a nd t in n ev er t ir e a t a ll .

W hi ch p ro ves, " s ai d h e, " th at w e ar e s om ew hat s up er io r

t o p eo pl e m ad e i n t he c om mo n w ay ."

W oo t c ou ld no t d en y t ha t he wa s t ir ed, a nd he s le pt

s ou nd ly u nt il m or ni ng , w hen h e w as g iv en a g oo d





breakfast, smoking hot.

" You t wo mi ss a gr ea t de al b y not e ati ng ," he s aid t o

his companions.

" It i s t ru e, " r es po nd ed t he S ca re cr ow . " We m is s

s uf feri ng f ro m h un ger, w hen f oo d can no t b e h ad , and w e

m is s a s to mach ache, n ow and t hen. "

As he s ai d t hi s, t he Sc ar ec ro w gl an ce d a t t he T in

W oo dm an, w ho n od ded h i s as sent .

A ll t hat s econ d d ay t hey t raveled s tead il y,

entertaining one another the while with stories of

adv en tu res t hey h ad f or merl y m et and l is teni ng t o t he

S ca re cr ow r ec it e p oe tr y. H e h ad l ea rn ed a g re at m an y

p oems f ro m P ro fess or W og gl ebu g and l ov ed t o r ep eat t hem

w henever any bo dy w ou ld l is ten t o h im . O f cou rs e W oo t

and t he T in W oo dm an n ow l is tened, b ecau se t hey cou ld

no t d o o th er wi se - - u nl es s t he y r ud el y r an a wa y f ro m

t he ir s tu ff ed c om ra de . O ne o f t he S ca re cr ow 's

recitations was like this:

" Wh at s ou nd i s s o s we et

A s t he s tr aw f rom t he w he at





Wh en i t c ru nk le s s o t en de r a nd l ow ?

It i s y el lo w and b ri gh t,

So i t g iv es m e d el ig ht

T o c ru nk le w he re ve r I g o.

"Sweet, fresh, golden Straw!

T here i s s ur el y n o f law

I n a s tu ff in g s o c le an a nd c om pa ct .

It c re ak s w he n I w al k,

A nd i t t hr il ls whe n I t al k,

A nd i ts f ra gr an ce i s f in e, f or a f ac t.

"T o c ut m e d on 't h ur t,

F or I 've n o b lo od t o s qu ir t,

A nd I t he re fo re c an s uf fe r n o p ai n;

The s tra w that I us e

D oe sn 't l um p u p o r b ru is e,

Though it's pounded again and again!

" I know i t i s s aid

That my beautiful head

H as b ra in s o f m ix ed w he at -s tr aw a nd b ra n,

B ut m y t ho ug ht s a re s o g oo d

I 'd n ot c ha nge , i f I c oul d,





F or t he br ai ns of a c om mon me at m an.

"Content with my lot,

I 'm gla d t ha t I 'm not

Li ke ot he rs I m ee t d ay by da y;

I f m y i ns id es g et m us ty ,

O r m us se d- up , o r d us ty ,

I g et n ew ly s tu ff ed r ig ht away. "

C h ap t er F o ur

The Loons of Loonville

T ow ar d eveni ng , t he t ravelers f ou nd t here w as n o l on ger

a p at h t o gui de t he m, a nd t he pur pl e h ue s of t he gr as s

a nd t re es w ar ne d t he m t ha t t he y w er e n ow i n t he C ou nt ry

o f t he G il li ki ns , w here s tr an ge p eo pl es d welt i n p laces

t ha t w er e q ui te u nk no wn t o t he o th er i nh ab it an ts o f O z.

T he f ield s w er e w il d and u ncul ti vated and t here w er e n o

house s of any s or t to be s ee n. But our f rie nds kept on





w al ki ng e ve n a ft er t he s un w en t d ow n, h op in g t o f in d a

goo d pl ac e f or W oo t t he W an de re r t o s le ep ; b ut w he n i t

gr ew qui te da rk a nd t he boy wa s we ar y w it h hi s l on g

w a lk , t he y h al te d r ig ht i n t he mi dd le of a f ie ld a nd

a ll ow ed W oo t t o g et hi s s up pe r f ro m t he f oo d he c ar ri ed

in h is k naps ack. T hen t he S carecr ow l ai d h im self d ow n,

s o t ha t W oot c oul d us e h is s tuf fe d bod y a s a pi ll ow,

a nd t he T in W oo dm an s to od u p b es id e t he m a ll n ig ht , s o

t he d am pn es s o f t he gr ou nd m ig ht n ot r us t hi s j oi nt s o r

d ul l h is b ri ll iant p ol is h. W henever t he d ew s et tl ed o n

h is b od y h e c ar ef ul ly w ip ed i t o ff w it h a c lo th , a nd s o

i n t he m or ni ng t he E mpe ro r s ho ne a s br ig ht ly a s e ve r i n

t he r ays o f t he r is in g s un .

T he y w ak en ed t he b oy a t d ay br ea k, t he S ca re cr ow

saying to him:

" We h av e d is co ver ed s om et hi ng q ueer , and t herefo re w e

m us t c ou ns el t og et he r w ha t t o d o a bo ut i t. "

" Wh at h av e y ou d is cov er ed ?" as ked W oo t, r ub bi ng t he

s leep f ro m h is eyes w it h h is k nu ck les and g iv in g t hr ee

w id e y aw ns t o p ro ve h e w as f ul ly a wa ke .

" A S ig n, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an . " A S ig n, and ano th er p at h. "





" Wh at d oes t he S ig n s ay ?" i nq ui red t he b oy .

" It s ay s t ha t ' Al l S tr an ge rs a re W ar ne d n ot t o F ol lo w

t hi s P at h t o L oo nv il le,' " ans wered t he S car ecro w, w ho

c ou ld r ea d v er y w el l w he n h is e ye s h ad b ee n f re sh ly

painted.

" In t ha t c as e, " s ai d t he b oy , o pe ni ng h is k na ps ac k t o

g e t s om e b re ak fa st , " le t u s t ra ve l i n s om e o th er

direction."

But thi s did not s ee m t o pl ea se e it he r of hi s

companions.

" I' d l ik e t o s ee w hat L oo nv il le l oo ks l ik e, " r em ar ked

the Tin Woodman.

" Whe n o ne t ra ve ls , i t i s f ool is h t o m is s a ny

interesting sight," added the Scarecrow.

" Bu t a w ar ni ng m eans d an ger, " p ro test ed W oo t t he

W an de re r, " an d I b el ie ve i t s en si bl e t o k ee p o ut o f

d an ger w henever w e can ."

The y m ade no r epl y t o t his s pee ch f or a whil e. The n





s aid t he S car ecr ow :

" I h av e escap ed s o m an y d an gers , d ur in g m y l if et im e,

t ha t I a m n ot m uc h a fr ai d o f a nyt hi ng t ha t c an h app en ."

" No r am I !" exclaim ed t he T in W oo dm an , s wi ng in g h is

g li tt er ing a xe a rou nd h is t in h ea d, i n a s er ie s o f

ci rc le s. " Fe w t hi ngs c an i nj ur e t in , a nd m y a xe i s a

pow er fu l we apon t o us e a ga ins t a f oe . B ut o ur boy

friend," he continued, looking solemnly at Woot, "might

p er ha ps b e i nj ur ed i f t he p eo pl e o f L oo nv il le a re

r e al ly d an ge ro us ; s o I p ro po se h e w ai ts h er e w hi le y ou

a nd I , F ri en d S ca re cr ow , v is it t he f or bi dd en C it y o f

Loonville."

" Do n' t w or ry abo ut m e, " adv is ed W oo t, cal ml y.

" Wh er ev er y ou w is h t o g o, I w il l g o, a nd s ha re y ou r

dang er s. D ur in g m y w an deri ng s I h av e f ou nd i t m or e w is e

t o ke ep o ut of d an ge r t ha n t o ve nt ur e i n, bu t a t t ha t

t im e I w as a lo ne , a nd n ow I h av e t wo p ow er fu l f ri en ds

t o p ro te ct m e. "

S o, w he n h e h ad f in is he d h is b re ak fa st , t he y a ll s et

o ut a lo ng t he p at h t ha t l ed t o L oo nv il le .

" It i s a p la ce I h ave ne ve r he ar d o f b ef or e, "





r em ar ke d t he S ca re cr ow , a s t he y a pp ro ac he d a d en se

f or es t. " Th e i nh ab it an ts m ay b e p eo pl e, o f s om e s or t,

or t he y m ay be a ni ma ls , bu t w ha te ve r t he y p rove t o b e,

w e w il l h av e a n i nt er es ti ng s to ry t o r el at e t o D or ot hy

a n d O zm a o n o ur r et ur n. "

The pa th l ed i nt o t he f or es t, but t he bi g t re es g re w

s o clo sely t og et her and t he v in es and u nd er br us h w er e

s o thic k a nd ma tte d t ha t t he y ha d to c lea r a pa th at

ea ch s te p i n or de r t o pr oc ee d. I n one or t wo pl ac es t he

T in Ma n, w ho w ent f ir st t o c le ar t he w ay, c ut t he

b ra nc he s w it h a b lo w o f h is a xe . W oo t f ol lo we d n ex t,

a nd l as t o f t he t hr ee c ame t he S ca re cr ow , w ho c oul d n ot

ha ve ke pt t he p at h a t a ll ha d no t h is c om ra de s b ro ke n

t he w ay f or h is s tr aw- st uf fed b od y.

P resent ly t he T in W oo dm an p us hed h is w ay t hr ou gh s om e

heavy underbrush, and almost tumbled headlong into a

v as t c le ar ed s pa ce i n t he f or es t. T he c le ar in g w as

c ir cu la r, b ig a nd r oo my , y et t he t op b ra nc he s o f t he

t al l t re es r ea che d o ve r a nd f or me d a c om pl et e do me o r

ro of f or i t. S tr an ge ly e no ug h, i t w as no t d ar k i n t hi s

i m mens e n at ur al chamb er i n t he w oo dl an d, f or t he p lace

g lo we d w it h a s of t, w hi te l ig ht t ha t s ee me d t o c om e

f r o m s om e u ns een s ou rce.





I n t he c ha mb er w er e g ro up ed d oz en s o f q ue er

c r ea tu re s, a nd t he se s o a st on is he d t he T in M an t ha t

W oot h ad t o pus h h is me ta l body a si de , t ha t he mi ght

se e, t oo . A nd t he S ca re cr ow p us he d W oo t a si de , s o t ha t

t he t hr ee t ra ve le rs s to od i n a r ow , s ta ri ng w it h a ll

their eyes.

T he creatu res t hey b eh el d w er e r ou nd and b al l- li ke;

ro un d i n b od y, r ou nd i n l eg s a nd a rm s, r ou nd i n h an ds

a nd f ee t a nd r ou nd o f h ea d. The only e xc ept ion t o t he

r ou nd ne ss w as a s li gh t h ol lo w o n t he t op o f e ac h h ea d,

m ak in g i t s au cer -s haped i ns t ead o f d om e- sh ap ed . T hey

w or e n o c lo th es o n t he ir p uf fy b od ie s, n or h ad t he y a ny

ha ir . T he ir s ki ns w er e a ll o f a l igh t g ra y c ol or , a nd

t he ir e ye s w er e m er e p ur pl e s po ts . T he ir n os es w er e a s

puf fy a s t he re st of t he m.

" Ar e t he y r ub be r, d o y ou t hi nk ?" a sk ed t he S ca re cr ow ,

w ho n ot ic ed t ha t t he c re at ur es b ou nd ed , a s t he y m ov ed ,

a nd s ee me d a lm os t a s l ig ht a s a ir .

" It i s d if fi cu lt t o t el l w hat t hey are," ans wered

Wo ot , " th ey s ee m t o b e c ov er ed w it h w ar ts ."

The L oons -- f or s o t he se f ol ks we re c all ed - - ha d





been doing many things, some playing together, some

w or ki ng a t t as ks a nd s om e g at he re d i n g ro up s t o t al k;

b ut a t t he s ou nd o f s tr an ge v oi ce s, w hi ch e ch oe d r at he r

loudly through the clearing, all turned in the

d ir ec ti on o f t he i nt ru de rs . T he n, i n a b ody , t he y a ll

rushed forward, running and bounding with tremendous

speed.

T he T in W oo dm an w as s o s ur pr is ed b y t hi s s ud de n d as h

t ha t he ha d n o t ime t o r ai se h is a xe be for e t he Lo ons

w er e o n t hem. T he creat ur es s wu ng t heir p uf fy h an ds ,

w hi ch l oo ked l ik e b ox in g- gl ov es , and p ou nd ed t he t hr ee

t ra ve le rs a s h ar d a s t he y c ou ld, o n a ll s ide s. T he

b lows we re qu it e s of t a nd di d no t hu rt ou r f ri en ds a t

all , b ut t he o ns laug ht q ui te b ew il dered t hem, s o t hat

i n a br ie f pe ri od a ll t hr ee we re kno cke d ove r a nd f el l

fl at u po n t he g ro un d. O nc e d ow n, m an y o f t he L oo ns

h el d t hem, t o p revent t heir g et ti ng u p again , w hi le

others wound long tendrils of vines about them, binding

th ei r a rm s a nd l eg s t o t he ir b od ie s a nd s o r en de ri ng

them helpless.

" Ah a! " c ri ed t he b ig ge st Lo on of a ll ; " we 'v e g ot ' em

s af e; s o l et 's c ar ry ' em t o K in g Ba l a nd h ave ' em

t ri ed , a nd c on de mn ed a nd p er fo ra te d! " T he y h ad t o d ra g





t he ir c ap ti ve s t o t he c en te r o f t he d om ed c ha mb er , f or

t he ir w ei gh t, a s c om pa re d w it h t ha t o f t he L oo ns ,

p revent ed t heir b ei ng carr i ed . E ven t he S car ecr ow w as

much heavier than the puffy Loons. But finally the

pa rt y h al te d b ef or e a r ai se d p la tf or m, o n w hi ch s to od a

so rt o f t hr on e, c on si st in g o f a bi g, w id e c ha ir w it h a

s tr ing t ie d t o one a rm of it . T hi s s tr ing l ed upwa rd t o

th e r oof o f t he do me .

A rr ang ed b ef or e t he p latf or m, t he p ri so ners w er e

all ow ed t o s it u p, f acin g t he emp ty t hr on e.

" Go od !" s ai d t he b ig L oo n w ho h ad c om ma nd ed t he

p ar ty . " No w t o g et K in g B al t o j ud ge t he se t er ri bl e

cr eat ur es w e h av e s o b ravely capt ur ed. "

As he spoke he t ook hold of t he str ing a nd be ga n t o

pul l as ha rd as he could. One or t wo of the othe rs

he lpe d hi m a nd p re tt y s oon , a s t he y d re w i n t he c or d,

t he l ea ve s a bo ve t he m p ar te d a nd a L oo n a pp ea re d a t t he

o th er e nd of t he s tr in g. I t d idn 't t ak e l on g t o d ra w

h im d ow n t o t he t hr on e, w he re h e s ea te d h im se lf a nd w as

t ie d i n, s o h e w ou ld n' t f lo at u pw ar d a ga in .

" Hell o, " s ai d t he K in g, b li nk in g h is p ur pl e eyes at

his followers; "what's up now!"





" St rang er s , y ou r M aj est y - - s t rang er s and capt i ves, "

replied the big Loon, pompously

" De ar m e! I s ee ' em . I s ee ' em ve ry pl ai nl y,"

exclaim ed t he K in g, h is p ur pl e eyes b ul gi ng o ut as h e

l oo ked at t he t hr ee p ri so ners . " Wh at cur io us ani mals !

A re t he y d an ge ro us , d o y ou t hi nk , m y g oo d P an ta ?"

" I' m ' fr ai d s o, y ou r M aj es ty . O f c ou rs e, t he y m ay n ot

b e d an ger ou s, b ut w e m us t n' t t ake chances. E no ug h

a cc ide nt s ha pp en t o us p oo r L oo ns a s i t i s, a nd m y

a dv ic e i s t o c on de mn a nd p er fo ra te ' em a s q ui ck ly a s

possible."

" Keep y ou r adv ice t o y ou rs el f, " s ai d t he m on ar ch , i n

a p ee ve d t on e. " Wh o' s K in g h er e, a ny ho w? Y ou o r M e? "

" We m ad e y ou o ur K in g b ec au se y ou h av e l es s c om mo n

s en se t ha n t he r es t o f u s, " a ns we re d P an ta L oo n,

i nd ig nant ly . " I cou ld h av e b een K in g m ys el f, h ad I

wa nte d t o, but I di dn't c are f or the ha rd wor k a nd

responsibility."

As he s ai d t hi s, t he bi g Loo n s tr ut te d b ac k a nd f or th





i n t he s pa ce be twe en t he t hr one of Ki ng B al a nd t he

p ri s on er s, and t he o th er L oo ns s eem ed m uch i mp res sed b y

h is d ef ia nc e. B ut s ud de nl y t he re c am e a s ha rp r ep or t

and P an ta L oo n i ns t an tl y d is app ear ed , t o t he g reat

ast on is hm en t o f t he S carecro w, t he T in W oo dm an and W oo t

t he W an de re r, w ho s aw on t he s pot w he re t he bi g f el lo w

h ad s to od a l it tl e h ea p o f f la bb y, w ri nk le d s ki n t ha t

lo ok ed l i ke a col laps ed r ub ber b al lo on .

" Th er e! " exclaim ed t he K in g; " I exp ected t hat w ou ld

happ en . T he con ceit ed r as cal w an ted t o p uf f h im self u p

unti l he wa s bi gge r t ha n t he r est of you, and t hi s is

t he r es ul t o f h is f ol ly . G et t he p um p w or ki ng , s om e o f

y ou , and b lo w h im u p again ."

" We w il l h av e t o m en d t he p un ct ur e f ir st , y ou r

M aj es t y, " s ug ges ted o ne o f t he L oo ns , and t he p ri so ner s

n ot ic ed t ha t n on e o f t he m s ee me d s ur pr is ed o r s ho ck ed

a t t he s ad a cc id en t t o P an ta .

"All right," grumbled the King. "Fetch Til to mend

him."

O ne o r t wo r an a wa y a nd p re se nt ly r et ur ne d, f ol lo we d

b y a l ad y L oo n w eari ng h ug e, p uf fed- up r ub ber s ki rt s.

A ls o s he h ad a pu rp le f ea th er f as te ne d t o a w ar t on t he





top of he r hea d, and ar ound her wai st was a sa sh of

f ib re-l ik e v in es , d ri ed and t ou gh , t hat l oo ked l ik e

strings.

" Get t o w or k, T il ," com mand ed K in g B al . " Pant a h as

just exploded."

T he l ad y L oon p ic ke d up t he bun ch o f s ki n a nd

exami ned i t car ef ul ly u nt il s he d is co vered a h ol e i n

o ne f oo t. T he n s he p ul le d a s tr an d o f s tr in g f ro m h er

sa sh , a nd d ra wi ng t he e dg es o f t he h ol e t og et he r. s he

t ied t hem f as t w it h t he s tr in g, t hu s m ak in g o ne o f

t ho se cur io us w ar ts w hi ch t he s tr an gers h ad n ot iced o n

s o m an y L oo ns . H av in g d on e t hi s, T il L oo n t os se d t he

bi t of skin to the other Loons a nd was about to go awa y

w he n s he n ot ic ed t he p ri so ne rs a nd s to pp ed t o i ns pe ct

them.

" Dear m e! " s ai d T il ; " wh at d read fu l creat ur es . W here

d id t hey com e f ro m?"

" We c ap tu re d t he m, " r ep li ed o ne o f t he L oo ns .

" An d w ha t a re w e go ing t o d o wi th t he m? " i nq ui re d t he

girl Loon.





" Perh ap s w e' ll con demn ' em and p un ct ur e ' em ,"

ans wer ed t he K in g.

" Well ," s ai d s he, s ti ll eyein g t he " I' m n ot s ur e

t hey' ll p un ct ur e. L et 's t ry i t, and s ee."

On e o f t he Lo on s r an t o t he f or es t' s e dge a nd qu ic kl y

re tu rn ed w it h a l on g, s ha rp t ho rn . H e g la nc ed a t t he

K in g, w ho n od de d h is h ea d i n a ss en t, a nd t he n h e r us he d

f or wa rd a nd s tuc k t he t ho rn i nt o t he l eg of t he

S carecro w. T he S car ecr ow m er ely s mi l ed and s aid

n ot hi ng , f or t he t ho rn d id n' t h ur t h im at all .

T he n t he L oo n t ri ed t o p ri ck t he T in W oo dm an 's l eg ,

b ut t he t in o nl y b lu nt ed t he p oi nt o f t he t ho rn .

" Ju st as I t ho ug ht ," s ai d T il , b li nk in g h er p ur pl e

ey es a nd s ha ki ng h er p uf fy h ea d; b ut j us t t he n t he L oo n

s tu ck t he t hor n i nt o t he l eg of W oot t he W and er er , a nd

w hi le i t h ad b een b lu nt ed s om ew hat, i t w as s ti ll s harp

eno ug h t o h ur t.

" Ou ch !" y el le d W oot , a nd k ic ke d o ut h is l eg w it h s o

m uch energ y t hat t he f rail b on ds t hat t ied h im b ur st

a pa rt . H is f oot c au gh t t he Lo on - - w ho w as l ea ni ng ov er





h im - - f ul l o n h is p uf fy s to mach , and s en t h im s ho ot in g

u p int o t he a ir. Whe n he wa s hi gh ove r t he ir h ea ds he

e xpl od ed w it h a l ou d " po p" a nd h is s ki n f el l t o t he

ground.

"I really believe," said the King, rolling his

s po tl ik e e ye s i n a f ri gh te ne d w ay , " th at P an ta w as

r ig ht i n claim in g t hese p ri so ners are d an gero us . I s

t h e p um p r eady ?"

S om e o f t he L oo ns h ad w he el ed a b ig m ac hi ne i n f ro nt

o f t he t hr one a nd no w t oo k P ant a' s s ki n a nd b ega n t o

p um p air i nt o i t. S lo wl y i t s well ed o ut u nt il t he K in g

cried "Stop!"

" No , n o! " y el led P an ta, " I' m n ot b ig eno ug h y et ."

" Yo u' re a s b ig a s y ou 'r e g oi ng t o b e, " d ec la re d t he

K in g. " Befo re y ou exp lo ded y ou w er e b ig ger t han t he

r est of us , a nd t hat c aus ed you t o be pr oud and

o verb eari ng . N ow y ou 'r e a l it tl e s mall er t han t he r es t,

and y ou w il l l as t l on ger and b e m or e h um bl e. "

" Pump me up -- pump me up! " wai le d Pant a "I f you

d on 't y ou 'l l b reak m y h eart ."





" If w e d o w e' ll b re ak y ou r s ki n, " r ep li ed t he K in g.

S o t he L oo ns s to pp ed p um pi ng a ir i nt o P an ta , a nd

p us he d h im a wa y f ro m t he p um p. H e w as c er ta in ly m or e

h um bl e t ha n b ef or e h is a cc id en t, f or h e c re pt i nt o t he

background and said nothing more.

" No w p um p u p t he o th er o ne ," o rd er ed t he K in g. T il

ha d a lr ea dy m en de d h im , a nd t he L oo ns s et t o wo rk t o

p um p hi m f ul l of air .

D ur in g t hese l as t f ew m om en ts n on e h ad p ai d m uch

at tent io n t o t he p ri so ners , s o W oo t, f in di ng h is l eg s

f re e, c re pt ov er t o t he Ti n W oo dma n a nd r ubb ed t he

b on ds t ha t w er e s ti ll a ro un d h is a rm s a nd b od y a ga in st

th e s ha rp e dg e o f t he a xe , w hi ch q ui ck ly c ut t he m.

T he boy wa s no w f re e, a nd t he t ho rn w hi ch t he Lo on

ha d s tu ck i nt o hi s l eg w as l yi ng u nn ot ic ed on t he

g ro un d, w he re t he c re at ur e h ad d ro pp ed i t w he n h e

e x pl od ed . W oo t l ea ne d f or wa rd a nd p ic ke d u p t he t ho rn ,

a nd w hi le t he L oo ns w er e b us y w at ch in g t he p um p, t he

bo y s pr an g t o h is f ee t a nd s ud de nl y r us he d u po n t he

group.

" Po p" - - " pop " - - " po p! " we nt t hr ee o f t he L oo ns ,





w he n t he W an de re r p ri ck ed t he m w it h h is t ho rn , a nd a t

t he s ou nd s t he o th er s l oo ke d a ro un d a nd s aw t he ir

d an ge r. W it h y el ls of f ea r t he y b ou nd ed a wa y i n a ll

directions, scattering about the clearing, with Woot

t he W an derer i n f ul l chase. W hi le t hey cou ld r un m uch

f as te r t ha n t he b oy , t he y o ft en s tu mb le d a nd f el l, o r

g ot i n o ne a not he r' s w ay , s o he ma na ge d t o c at ch

s ev er al and p ri ck t hem w it h h is t ho rn .

I t a st on is he d h im t o s ee h ow e as il y t he L oo ns

e xpl ode d. W he n t he a ir w as l et o ut o f t he m t he y w er e

q ui te h el pl es s. T il L oo n w as o ne o f t ho se w ho r an

again st h is t ho rn and m an y o th er s s uf fered t he s am e

f at e. T he c re at ur es c ou ld n ot e sc ap e f ro m t he

enclo su re, b ut i n t heir f ri gh t m an y b ou nd ed u pw ar d and

c au gh t b ra nc he s o f t he t re es , a nd t he n c li mb ed o ut o f

re ac h o f t he d re ad ed t ho rn .

W oo t w as g et ti ng p re tt y t ir ed c ha si ng t he m, s o h e

s to pp ed a nd c am e o ve r, p an ti ng , t o w he re h is f ri en ds

were sitting, still bound.

" Very w el l d on e, m y W an derer, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an .

" It i s e vi de nt t ha t w e n ee d f ea r t he se p uf fe d- up

c r ea tu re s n o l on ge r, s o b e k in d e no ug h t o u nf as te n o ur





b on ds a nd w e w il l p ro ce ed u po n o ur j ou rn ey ."

W oo t u nt ie d t he b on ds o f t he S ca re cr ow a nd h el pe d h im

t o hi s f ee t. The n he f re ed t he Ti n Wood ma n, w ho go t up

w it ho ut h el p. L oo ki ng aro un d t hem, t hey s aw t hat t he

o nl y L oo n n ow r em ai ni ng w it hi n r each w as B al L oo n, t he

K in g, w ho h ad r em ai ned s eated i n h is t hr on e, w at ch in g

t he p un is hm en t o f h is p eo pl e w it h a b ew il dered l oo k i n

h i s p ur pl e eyes.

" Sha ll I p un ct ur e t he K in g? " t he b oy a sk ed h is

companions.

K in g B al m us t h av e o verh eard t he q uest io n, f or h e

f um bl ed w it h t he c or d t ha t f as te ne d h im t o t he t hr on e

a nd m an ag ed t o r el ea se i t. T he n h e f lo at ed u pw ar d u nt il

he r ea ch ed t he l ea fy d om e, a nd p ar ti ng t he b ra nc he s h e

d is ap pe ar ed f ro m s ig ht . B ut t he s tr in g t ha t w as t ie d t o

h is b ody w as s ti ll c on ne ct ed w it h t he a rm o f t he

t hr on e, a nd t he y k ne w t he y c ou ld p ul l h is M aj es ty d ow n

again , i f t hey w an ted t o.

" Let h im alo ne," s ug ges ted t he S carecr ow . " He s eems a

g oo d e no ug h k in g f or h is p ec ul ia r p eo pl e, a nd a ft er w e

a re gone , t he Loons wi ll ha ve s ome thi ng of a j ob t o

p um p u p a ll t ho se w ho m W oo t h as p un ct ur ed ."





" Ev er y o ne o f t he m o ug ht t o b e e xp lo de d, " d ec la re d

W oo t, w ho w as a ng ry b ec au se h is l eg s ti ll h ur t hi m.

" No ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , " th at w ou ld n ot b e j us t

f ai r. T he y w er e q ui te r ig ht t o c ap tu re u s, b ec au se w e

h ad n o b us in es s t o i nt ru de h er e, h av in g b ee n w ar ne d t o

k eep away f ro m L oo nv il le. T hi s i s t heir cou nt ry , n ot

our s, a nd s inc e t he poo r t hi ng s c an' t g et out of t he

c le ar in g, t he y c an h ar m n o o ne s av e t ho se w ho v en tu re

h er e o ut o f c ur io si ty , a s w e d id ."

" Well s ai d, m y f ri en d, " agr eed t il e S carecr ow . " We

r ea ll y h ad n o r ig ht t o d is tu rb t he ir p ea ce a nd c om fo rt ;

so let us go a way."

T he y e as il y f ou nd t he p la ce w he re t he y h ad f or ce d

t he ir w ay i nt o t he e nc lo su re , s o t he T in W oo dm an p us he d

as id e t he u nd er br us h and s tar ted f i rs t al on g t he p at h.

T he S ca re cr ow f ol lo we d n ex t a nd l as t c am e W oo t, w ho

l oo ke d b ac k a nd s aw t ha t t he L oo ns w er e s ti ll c li ng in g

t o t he ir p er ch es o n t he t re es a nd w at ch in g t he ir f or me r

captives with frightened eyes.

" I gue ss t he y' re gl ad t o s ee t he l as t o f us ,"





r em ar ke d t he b oy , a nd l au gh in g a t t he h ap py e nd in g o f

t he adv en tu re, h e f ol lo wed h is com rades alo ng t he p at h.

Chapter Five

M rs . Y oo p, t he G ia nt es s

W he n t he y ha d r ea che d t he e nd o f t he pa th, w he re t he y

h ad f ir st s ee n t he w ar ni ng s ig n, t he y s et o ff a cr os s

t he cou nt ry i n an eas terl y d ir ecti on . B ef or e l on g t hey

r each ed R ol li ng L an ds , w hi ch w er e a s uccess io n o f h il ls

an d v al leys w here con st an t cli mb s and d es cent s w er e

r eq ui r ed , and t heir j ou rn ey n ow b ecame t ed io us , b ecaus e

on climbing each hill, they found before them nothing

i n t he va ll ey b el ow i t e xc ept gr as s, o r w ee ds or

stones.

U p a nd d ow n t he y w en t f or h ou rs , w it h n ot hi ng t o

relieve the monotony of the landscape, until finally,

w hen t hey h ad t op ped a h ig her h il l t han u su al , t hey

d is co vered a cup -s haped v al ley b ef or e t hem i n t he

c en te r o f w hi ch s to od a n e no rm ou s c as tl e, b ui lt o f





p ur pl e s to ne . T he c as tl e w as h ig h a nd b ro ad a nd

l ong , bu t h ad no t ur re ts a nd t ow er s. So f ar a s t he y

c ou ld s ee , t he re w as bu t o ne s ma ll wi ndo w a nd o ne

b ig d oo r o n e ac h s id e o f t he g re at b ui ld in g.

" Th is i s s tr an ge!" m us ed t he S carecr ow . " I' d n o i dea

su ch a b ig cas tl e exi st ed i n t hi s G il li ki n C ou nt ry . I

w on der w ho l iv es h er e?"

" It s ee ms t o m e, f ro m t hi s d is ta nc e, " r em ar ke d t he

T i n W oo dm an , " th at i t' s t he b ig ge st c as tl e I e ve r s aw .

It is reall y too big for any use, and no one could open

o r s hu t t ho se b ig d oo rs w it ho ut a s te pl ad de r. "

" Pe rh ap s, i f w e g o n ea re r, w e s ha ll f ind o ut w he th er

any bo dy l iv es t her e o r n ot ," s ug gest ed W oo t. " Lo ok s t o

m e a s i f no bo dy l ive d t he re ."

On t he y w en t, a nd wh en t he y r ea ch ed t he c ent er of t he

va ll ey , w he re t he g re at s to ne c as tl e s to od , i t w as

be gi nn ing t o gr ow da rk. So t he y h es it at ed a s t o w ha t t o

do.

" If f ri en dl y p eo pl e h ap pen t o l iv e h er e, " s ai d W oo t.

I s ha ll be gl ad o f a be d; but s houl d e ne mi es o cc upy t he





p la ce , I p re fe r t o s le ep u po n t he g ro un d. "

" And if no one at a ll li ve s he re ," a dde d the

Sc ar ec ro w, " we c an e nt er , a nd t ak e p os se ss io n, a nd

m ak e o ur selv es at h om e. "

W hi le s pe aki ng he w ent ne ar er t o one of t he gr ea t

doo rs , w hi ch wa s t hr ee t im es a s hi gh a nd br oa d a s a ny

he had ever se en in a house bef ore , a nd the n he

d is co ve re d, e ng ra ve d i n b ig l et te rs u po n a s to ne o ve r

t he d oo rw ay , t he w or ds :

"YOOP CASTLE"

" Oh o! " h e e xc la im ed ; " I k no w t he p la ce n ow . T hi s w as

p ro ba bl y t he h om e o f M r. Y oo p, a t er ri bl e g ia nt w ho m I

ha ve s ee n c onf in ed i n a c age , a l ong wa y f ro m he re .

T he re fo re t hi s c as tl e i s l ik el y t o b e e mp ty a nd w e m ay

u se i t i n a ny wa y we pl ea se ."

" Yes, y es ," s ai d t he T in E mp er or , n od di ng ; " I als o

r em emb er M r. Y oo p. Bu t ho w a re w e t o ge t i nt o h is

d es er te d c as tl e? T he l at ch of t he d oo r i s s o f ar a bo ve

our he ads t ha t no ne of us c an r ea ch i t."

T hey con si dered t hi s p ro bl em f or a w hi le, and t hen





Woo t s ai d t o t he Ti n Ma n:

" If I s ta nd upon your s hou ld ers , I t hi nk I c an

unlatch the door."

" Cl im b u p, t he n, " w as t he r ep ly , a nd w he n t he b oy w as

p er ch ed u po n t he t in s ho ul de rs o f N ic k C ho pp er , h e w as

jus t a bl e t o r ea ch t he l at ch a nd r ai se i t.

A t o nc e t he d oo r s wu ng o pe n, i ts g re at h in ge s m ak in g

a gr oa ni ng s oun d a s i f i n p ro te st , s o W oo t l ea pe d do wn

and f ol lo wed h is com pani on s i nt o a b ig , b ar e h al lw ay .

S carcel y w er e t he t hr ee i ns i de, h ow ev er , w hen t hey

h e ar d t he d oo r s la m s hu t b eh in d t he m, a nd t hi s

a st on is he d t he m b ec au se n o o ne h ad t ou ch ed i t. I t h ad

c los ed o f i ts ow n a cc or d, a s i f by m ag ic . M or eo ve r,

t he l at ch w as o n t he o ut si de , a nd t he t ho ug ht o cc ur re d

t o e ac h o ne of t he m t ha t t he y we re n ow pr is on er s i n

this unknown castle.

" Ho wever ," m um bl ed t he S car ecro w, " we are n ot t o

b la me f or w ha t c an no t b e h el pe d; s o l et u s p us h b ra ve ly

ah ea d a nd s ee w ha t m ay be s ee n. "

I t w as qui te da rk in t he ha ll wa y, now t ha t t he





out si de doo r wa s s hu t, s o a s t he y s tum bl ed a lo ng a

s to ne p as s ag e t hey k ep t clo se t og et her , n ot k no wi ng

wh at d an ger w as l ik el y t o b ef al l t hem.

S ud denl y a s of t g lo w env el op ed t hem. I t g rew

brighter, until they could see their surroundings

d i st in ct ly . T he y h ad r ea ch ed t he e nd o f t he p as sa ge a nd

b ef or e t hem w as ano th er h ug e d oo r. T hi s n oi seless ly

s wu ng o pen b ef or e t hem, w it ho ut t he h el p o f any on e, and

t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay t he y o bs er ve d a b ig c ha mb er , t he

w al ls o f w hi ch w er e l in ed w it h p la te s of p ur e g ol d,

highly polished.

T hi s r oo m w as als o l ig ht ed , alt ho ug h t hey cou ld

di sc ove r no l amp s, a nd i n t he c en te r of i t w as a gr ea t

t ab le a t w hi ch s at a n i mm en se w om an . S he w as c la d i n

s il ver r ob es emb ro id er ed w it h g ay f lo ral d es ig ns , and

w or e o ve r t hi s s pl en di d r ai me nt a s ho rt a pr on o f

e la bo ra te l ac e- wo rk . S uc h a n a pr on w as n o p ro te ct io n,

an d w as n ot i n k ee pi ng w it h t he h an ds om e g ow n, b ut t he

h ug e w om an w or e i t, n ev er th el es s. T he t ab le at w hi ch

s he s at wa s s pr ea d wi th a wh it e c lo th a nd ha d g ol de n

di sh es upo n i t, s o t he t ra ve le rs s aw t ha t t he y ha d

s ur pr is ed t he G iant es s w hi le s he w as eat in g h er s up per.

Sh e h ad he r b ac k t ow ar d t he m a nd d id no t e ve n t ur n





" Y ou k ne w i t w as p ri va te p ro pe rt y, I s up po se ?" s ai d

she, buttering another biscuit.

" We s aw t he w or ds , ' Yo op C as tl e, ' o ve r t he d oo r, b ut

we knew that Mr. Yoop is a prisoner in a cage in a far-

off pa rt of the l and of Oz, s o we dec ided t he re was no

o ne now a t home a nd t ha t we mi ght us e t he c as tl e f or

the night."

" I s ee ," r em ar ke d t he G ia nt es s, n od di ng h er h ea d a nd

sm il in g a ga in i n t ha t c ur io us w ay - - a w ay t ha t m ade

W oo t s hu dd er . " Yo u d id n' t k no w t ha t M r. Y oo p w as

m ar ri ed , o r t ha t a ft er h e w as c ru el ly c ap tu re d h is w if e

s ti ll l iv ed i n h is cas tl e and r an i t t o s ui t h er self ."

" Wh o cap tu red M r. Y oo p?" as ked W oo t, l oo ki ng g ravel y

at t he b ig w om an .

" Wi ck ed enemi es . P eo pl e w ho s el fi sh ly o bj ected t o

Yo op' s t ak ing t he ir c ows a nd s he ep f or hi s f oo d. I m us t

a dm it , h ow ev er , t ha t Y oo p ha d a b ad t em pe r, a nd h ad t he

h ab it o f k no ck in g o ve r a f ew h ou se s, n ow a nd t he n, w he n

he wa s a ngr y. S o one da y t he l itt le f ol ks c ame i n a

g re at c ro wd a nd c apt ur ed M r. Y oo p, a nd c ar ri ed h im a wa y

t o a c ag e s om ew he re i n t he m ou nt ai ns . I d on 't k no w

whe re i t i s, a nd I d on 't c ar e, f or m y hu sb an d t re at ed





m e b ad ly a t t im es , f or ge tt in g t he r es pe ct a g ia nt o we s

to a gi an te ss . O ft en he ki cke d me on m y s hi ns , w he n I

w ou ld n' t w ai t o n hi m. S o I 'm g la d h e i s g one ."

" It 's a w on de r t he p eo pl e d id n' t c ap tu re y ou , t oo ,"

r em ar ked W o ot .

" We ll , I w as t oo c le ve r f or t he m, " s ai d s he , g ivi ng a

s ud de n l au gh t ha t c au se d s uc h a b re ez e t ha t t he w ob bl y

Sc ar ec row w as a lm os t b low n of f h is f ee t a nd h ad t o gr ab

h is f ri en d N ic k C ho pp er t o s te ad y h im se lf . " I s aw t he

people coining," continued Mrs. Yoop, "and knowing they

m eant m is ch ief I t rans fo rm ed m ys el f i nt o a m ou se and

h i d i n a c up bo ar d. A ft er t he y h ad g on e a wa y, c ar ry in g

my shin-kicking husband with them, I transformed myself

b ac k t o my f or me r s ha pe a ga in, a nd he re I 've l ive d i n

p eace and com fo rt ever s in ce."

" Ar e y ou a W it ch , t he n? " i nq ui re d W oo t.

" We ll , no t e xa ct ly a W it ch ," s he r epl ie d, " bu t I 'm a n

A rt is t i n T rans fo rm at io ns . I n o th er w or ds , I 'm m or e o f

a Y oo ko oho o t ha n a W it ch , a nd o f c our se y ou kn ow t ha t

t he Y oo ko oh oo s are t he cl ev er est m ag ic- wo rk er s i n t he

world."





T he t ravelers w er e s il en t f or a t im e, u neas il y

considering this statement and the effect it might have

o n t heir f ut ur e. N o d ou bt t he G iant es s h ad w il fu ll y

m ad e t he m h er p ri so ne rs ; y et s he s po ke s o c he er fu ll y,

i n h er bi g v oi ce , t ha t u nt il no w t he y h ad n ot be en

al ar med i n t he l east .

B y a nd b y t he S ca re cr ow , w ho se m ix ed b ra in s h ad b ee n

working steadily, asked the woman:

" Ar e w e t o c on si de r y ou o ur f ri en d, M rs . Y oo p, o r d o

y ou i nt en d t o b e o ur e ne my ?"

" I n ev er h av e f ri en ds ," s he s ai d i n a m at ter- of -f act

t on e, " becaus e f ri en ds g et t oo f am il iar and alw ay s

f or ge t t o m in d t he ir o wn b us in es s. B ut I a m n ot y ou r

enemy ; n ot y et , any ho w. I nd eed, I 'm g lad y ou 'v e com e,

f or my l if e he re i s r at her l one ly. I 've ha d no one t o

talk t o s in ce I t rans fo rm ed P ol ychr om e, t he D au gh ter o f

t he R ai nb ow , i nt o a can ar y- bi rd ."

" How di d yo u m ana ge t o do t ha t? " a ske d t he Ti n

Woodman, in amazement. "Polychrome is a powerful

fairy!"





" Sh e w as ," s ai d t he G ia nt es s; " bu t n ow s he 's a

canar y- bi r d. O ne d ay aft er a r ain , P ol ychr om e d anced

of f t he Ra in bo w a nd f el l a sl ee p on a l it tl e m oun d i n

t hi s v al le y, n ot f ar f ro m m y c as tl e. Th e s un c am e o ut

a nd d ro ve t he R ai nb ow a wa y, a nd b ef or e P ol y w ak en ed , I

st ol e o ut a nd t ra ns fo rm ed h er i nt o a c an ar y- bi rd i n a

g ol d c ag e s tu dd ed w it h d ia mo nd s. T he c ag e w as s o s he

co ul dn 't f ly a wa y. I e xp ec te d s he 'd s in g a nd t al k a nd

w e' d h av e g oo d t im es t og et he r; b ut s he h as p ro ve d n o

c om pa ny f or m e a t a ll . E ve r s in ce t he m om ent o f h er

t rans fo rm at io n, s he h as r efu sed t o s peak a s in gl e

word."

" Wh er e i s s he n ow ?" i nq ui re d W oo t, w ho h ad h ea rd t al es

o f l ov el y P ol ychr om e and w as m uch i nt er es ted i n h er .

" The c ag e i s h an gi ng u p i n m y be dr oo m, " s ai d t he

Giantess, eating another biscuit. The travelers were

n ow m or e u neas y and s us pi ci ou s o f t he G iant es s t han

b ef or e. I f P ol ychr om e, t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter, w ho w as

a r ea l f ai ry , h ad b ee n t ra ns fo rm ed a nd e ns la ve d b y t hi s

h ug e w om an , w ho c la im ed t o b e a Y oo ko oh oo , w ha t w as

l i ab le t o h ap pen t o t hem? S ai d t he S carecr ow , t wi st in g

hi s s tu ff ed h ead aro un d i n M rs . Y oo p' s d ir ecti on :





" Do yo u k no w, M a' am , wh o w e a re ?"

" Of c our se ," s ai d s he ; " a s tr aw ma n, a t in ma n a nd a boy. "

" We are v er y i mp or tant p eo pl e, " d ecl ar ed t he T in W oo dm an .

" Al l t he b et ter, " s he r ep li ed . " I s hall enj oy y ou r

s oc ie ty t he m or e o n t ha t a cc oun t. F or I m ea n t o k ee p

you here as long as I live, to amuse me when I get

l on el y. A nd ," s he add ed s lo wl y, " in t hi s V al ley n o o ne

ever dies."

T he y d id n' t l ik e t hi s s pe ec h a t a ll , s o t he S ca re cr ow

f ro wn ed i n a w ay t ha t m ad e M rs . Y oo p s mi le , w hi le

t he T in W oo dm an l oo ke d s o f ie rc e t ha t M rs . Y oo p

l au gh ed . T he S ca re cr ow s us pe ct ed s he w as g oi ng t o

l a ug h, s o h e s li pp ed b eh in d h is f ri en ds t o e sc ap e t he

w in d f ro m h er b re at h. F ro m t hi s s af e po si ti on h e

said warningly:

" We h av e p ow er fu l f ri en ds w ho w il l s oo n com e t o

rescue us."

" Le t t he m c om e, " s he r et ur ne d, w it h a n a cc en t o f

s co rn . " Wh en t hey g et h er e t hey w il l f in d n ei th er a

b oy , no r a t in m an , no r a s ca re cr ow , f or t om or ro w





m or ni ng I i nt en d t o t rans fo rm y ou all i nt o o th er

s hapes , s o t hat y ou cann ot b e r ecog ni zed ."

This threat filled them with dismay. The good-natured

G iant es s w as m or e t er ri bl e t han t hey h ad i magi ned. S he

c ou ld s mi le a nd w ea r p re tt y c lo th es a nd a t t he s am e

t im e b e e ve n m or e c ru el t ha n h er w ic ke d h us ba nd h ad b ee n.

B ot h t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in W oo dm an t ri ed t o

t hi nk of s om e w ay t o e sc ape f rom t he c as tl e b ef or e

m or ni ng , b ut s he s ee me d t o r ea d t he ir t ho ug ht s a nd

s ho ok h er h ea d.

" Do n' t w or ry y ou r p oo r b ra in s, " s ai d s he . " Yo u c an 't

es ca pe m e, h ow ev er h ar d y ou t ry . B ut w hy s ho ul d y ou

w is h t o e sc ape ? I s ha ll gi ve you n ew f or ms th at a re

m uc h b et te r t ha n t he o ne s y ou n ow h av e. B e c on te nt ed

w it h y ou r f at e, f or d is co nt en t l eads t o u nh ap pi ness ,

and u nh ap pi ness , i n any f or m, i s t he g reat es t evi l t hat

can befall you."

" Wh at f or ms d o y ou i nt en d t o g iv e u s? " a sk ed W oo t

earnestly.

" I h av en 't d ec id ed , a s y et . I 'l l d re am o ve r i t





t oni ght , s o i n t he mo rni ng I s ha ll h ave ma de u p my m ind

h ow t o t ra ns fo rm y ou . P er ha ps y ou 'd p re fe r t o c ho os e

your own transformations?"

" No, " s ai d W oo t, " I pr ef er t o r em ai n a s I a m. "

" Th at 's f un ny ," s he r et or ted. " Yo u are l it tl e, and

y ou 'r e w ea k; a s y ou a re , y ou 'r e n ot m uc h a cc ou nt ,

any ho w. T he b es t t hi ng abo ut y ou i s t hat y ou 'r e ali ve,

f or I shall be able to ma ke of you some sort of live

creat ur e w hi ch w il l b e a g reat i mp ro vement o n y ou r

present form."

S he t oo k a no th er b is cu it f ro m a p la te a nd d ip pe d i t

i n a p ot of h on ey a nd c al ml y be ga n e at in g i t.

The Scarecrow watched her thoughtfully.

" Th er e a re no f ie lds o f gr ai n i n y ou r Va ll ey, " s ai d h e;

" whe re , t he n. d id y ou g et t he f lo ur t o m ak e y ou r b is cu it s? "

" Me rc y m e! d o y ou t hi nk I 'd b ot he r t o m ak e b is cu it s

o ut o f f lo ur ?" s he r ep li ed . " Th at i s alt og et her t oo

t ed io us a p ro ce ss f or a Y oo ko oh oo . I s et s om e t ra ps

t hi s a ft er no on a nd c au gh t a l ot o f f ie ld -m ic e, b ut a s I

d o not l ike t o e at m ic e, I t ra ns fo rme d t he m i nt o h ot





b is cu it s f or m y s up pe r. T he h on ey i n t hi s p ot w as o nc e

a w as p' s n es t, b ut s in ce b ei ng t ra ns fo rm ed i t h as

be com e s we et a nd de li ci ous . A ll I ne ed do, w he n I wi sh

to e at , i s t o t ake s ome thi ng I don' t c ar e t o ke ep, a nd

tr ans fo rm i t in to a ny s or t of f ood I l ike , a nd e at i t.

Are you hungry?"

" I d on 't e at , t ha nk y ou ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow .

" No r do I ," s ai d t he Ti n Wo od ma n.

" I h av e s ti ll a l it tl e n at ur al f oo d i n m y k naps ack, "

s ai d W oot t he W an de re r, " an d I 'd r at he r e at t ha t t ha n

an y w as p' s n es t. "

" Ev er y o ne t o h is t as te ," s ai d t he G ia nt es s

careless ly , and h av in g n ow f in is hed h er s up per s he r os e

t o h er f ee t, c la pp ed h er h an ds t og et he r, a nd t he s up pe r

t ab le a t o nc e d is a pp ea re d.

Chapter Six





T he M ag ic o f a Y oo ko oh oo

W oo t h ad s een v er y l it tl e o f m ag ic d ur in g h is

w an deri ng s, w hi le t he S carecr ow and t he T in W oo dm an h ad

s een a gr eat de al of ma ny sor ts in t hei r l ive s, yet a ll

t hr ee w er e g re at ly i mp re ss ed b y M rs . Y oo p' s p ow er s. S he

di d n ot aff ect any m ys teri ou s air s o r i nd ul ge i n chant s

o r m ys ti c r it es , a s m os t wi tc he s do , n or w as t he

G ia nt es s o ld a nd u gl y o r d is ag re ea bl e i n f ac e o r

manner. Nevertheless, she frightened her prisoners more

t han any w it ch cou ld h av e d on e.

" Pl ea se b e s ea te d, " s he s ai d t o t he m, a s s he s at

h er se lf d ow n i n a g re at a rm -c ha ir a nd s pr ea d h er

b eaut if ul emb ro id er ed s ki rt s f or t hem t o adm ir e. B ut

a ll t he cha irs i n the r oom we re s o high t hat our

f ri en ds c ou ld n ot c li mb t o t he s ea ts o f t he m. M rs . Y oo p

o bs er ve d t hi s a nd w av ed h er h an d, w he n i ns ta nt ly a

g ol den l ad der app eared l ean in g agai ns t a chair o pp os it e

her o wn .

" Cl im b u p, " s ai d s he , a nd t he y o be ye d, t he T in M an

and t he b oy ass is ti ng t he m or e clu ms y S carecr ow . W hen

t he y we re a ll s ea te d i n a r ow on t he c us hi on of t he

chair , t he G iant es s con ti nu ed : " No w t el l m e h ow y ou





h ap pened t o t ravel i n t hi s d ir ecti on , and w here y ou

c a me f ro m a nd w ha t y ou r e rr an d i s. "

S o t he T in W oo dm an t ol d h er a ll a bo ut N im mi e A me e,

a nd how he h ad d ec id ed t o f in d he r a nd m ar ry he r,

a lt ho ug h h e h ad n o L ov in g H ea rt . T he s to ry s ee me d t o

a mus e t he bi g wo ma n, w ho t he n be ga n t o a sk t he

S ca re cr ow q ue st io ns a nd f or t he f ir st t im e i n h er l if e

hea rd of Ozma of Oz, a nd of Dorothy a nd J ac k

P um pk in he ad a nd D r. P ip t a nd T ik -t ok a nd m an y o th er O z

p e op le w ho a re w el l k no wn i n t he E me ra ld C it y. A ls o

W oo t h ad t o t el l h is s to ry , w hi ch . w as v er y s im pl e a nd

d id n ot t ak e l on g. T he G iant es s l au gh ed h eart il y w hen

t he b oy r el at ed t heir adv en tu re at L oo nv il le, b ut s ai d

s h e k ne w n ot hi ng o f t he L oo ns b ec au se s he n ev er l ef t

her Valley.

" Th er e a re w ic ke d p eo pl e w ho w ou ld l ik e t o c ap tu re

m e, a s t he y d id m y g ia nt h us ba nd , M r. Y oo p, " s ai d s he ;

" so I s ta y a t h om e a nd m in d m y o wn bu si ne ss ."

" If O zm a k ne w t ha t y ou d ar ed t o w or k m ag ic w it ho ut

h er con sent , s he w ou ld p un is h y ou s ev er el y, " d eclared

t he S ca re cr ow, " for t hi s c as tl e i s i n t he La nd o f O z,

and no pe rs ons i n t he La nd of Oz a re pe rmit te d t o wor k





m ag ic e xc ep t G li nd a t he G oo d a nd t he l it tl e W iz ar d w ho

l iv es w it h O zm a i n t he E merald C it y. "

"That for your Ozma!" exclaimed the Giantess,

sn ap pi ng h er f in ge rs i n d er is io n. " Wh at d o I c ar e f or a

gi rl whom I ha ve ne ve r s ee n a nd who ha s ne ve r s een me ?"

" Bu t Oz ma i s a f ai ry ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , a nd

t he re fo re s he i s v er y p ow er fu l. A ls o, w e a re u nd er

O z ma 's p ro te ct io n, a nd t o i nj ur e u s i n a ny w ay w ou ld

make her extremely angry."

" Wha t I do he re , i n my own pr iva te ca st le i n thi s

s ec lu de d V al le y - - w he re n o o ne c om es b ut f oo ls l ik e

y ou - - c an n ev er b e k no wn t o y ou r f ai ry O zm a, " r et ur ne d

t he G ia nt es s. " Do n ot s ee k t o f ri ght en m e f ro m m y

p ur po se, and d o n ot al lo w y ou rs el ves t o b e f r ig ht en ed ,

f or i t i s b es t t o me et br ave ly wh at c anno t be a voi de d.

I am now going to bed, a nd i n the morning I wi ll gi ve

yo u a ll n ew f or ms , s uc h a s w il l be m or e i nt er es ti ng t o

me t ha n t he o ne s y ou n ow w ea r. G oo d n ig ht , a nd p le as an t d re am s. "

S ay in g t hi s, M rs . Y oo p r os e f ro m h er c ha ir a nd w al ke d

th ro ug h a d oo rw ay i nt o a no th er r oo m. S o h ea vy w as t he

t re ad of t he G ia nt es s t ha t e ve n the wa ll s of t he bi g

s to ne c as tl e t re mb le d a s s he s te pp ed . S he c lo se d t he





do or o f h er b ed ro om b eh in d h er , a nd t he n s ud de nl y t he

l ig ht w en t o ut and t he t hr ee p ri so ners f ou nd t hems el ves

i n t ot al d ar kn es s .

T he T in W oo dm an a nd t he S ca re cr ow d id n' t m in d t he

d ar k a t a ll , b ut W oo t t he W an de re r f el t w or ri ed t o b e

l ef t i n t hi s s tr an ge p lace i n t hi s s tr an ge m an ner,

w it ho ut b ei ng abl e t o s ee any d an ger t hat m ig ht t hr eaten.

" Th e b ig w om an m ig ht h av e g iv en m e a b ed , any ho w, " h e

s a id t o h is c om pa ni on s, a nd s ca rc el y h ad h e s po ke n w he n

h e f el t s om et hi ng p ress again st h is l eg s, w hi ch w er e

th en d an gl in g f ro m t he s eat o f t he chair . L eani ng d ow n,

he p ut o ut h is h an d a nd f ou nd t ha t a be ds te ad ha d

app ear ed , w i th m at t res s, s heets and cov er s , al l

c om pl et e. H e l os t n o t im e i n s li pp in g d ow n u po n t he b ed

a nd w as s oo n f as t a sl ee p.

D ur in g t he n ig ht t he S carecr ow and t he E mp er or t al ked

i n l ow t one s t oge the r, a nd th ey got out of th e c ha ir

a nd m ove d a ll a bo ut t he r oo m, f ee li ng f or s om e h id de n

s pr in g t ha t m ig ht o pe n a d oo r o r w in do w a nd p er mi t t he m

t o e s ca p e.

Morning found them still unsuccessful in the quest





a nd a s s oo n a s i t w as d ay li gh t Wo ot 's b ed s ud de nl y

d is ap pe ar ed , a nd h e d ro pp ed t o t he f lo or w it h a t hu mp

t hat q ui ck ly w ak en ed h im . A nd aft er a t im e t he G iant es s

c am e f ro m h er b ed ro om , w ea ri ng a no th er d re ss t ha t w as

qui te a s e la bo ra te a s t he on e i n wh ic h s he ha d be en

att ir ed t he eveni ng b ef or e, and als o w eari ng t he p rett y

l ac e a pr on . H av in g s ea te d h er se lf i n a c ha ir , s he s ai d:

" I' m h un gr y; s o I 'l l h av e b reak fast at o nce. "

S he cl ap ped h er h an ds t og et her and i ns tant ly t he

t ab le app eared b ef or e h er , s pr ead w it h s no wy l in en

a nd l ad en w it h g ol de n d is he s. B ut t he re w as n o

f oo d u po n t he t ab le , n or a ny th in g e ls e e xc ep t a

p it ch er o f w at er , a b un dl e o f w ee ds a nd a h an df ul

o f p eb bl es . B ut t he G ia nt es s p ou re d s om e w at er i nt o

h er c of fe e- po t, p at te d i t o nc e o r t wi ce w it h h er h an d,

a nd t he n p ou re d o ut a c up fu l o f s te am in g h ot c of fe e.

" Wo ul d y ou l ik e s om e? " s he a sk ed W oo t.

H e w as s us pi ci ou s o f m agi c c of fe e, b ut i t s me ll ed s o

g ood t ha t he c oul d not r es is t i t; s o he a ns we re d: " If

you please, Madam."

Th e Gi ant es s p ou re d ou t a no the r c up a nd s et i t on t he





fl oor f or Woot. I t was as bi g a s a tub, a nd the golden

s po on i n t he s au ce r be si de t he c up w as s o he av y t he bo y

c oul d s ca rc el y l if t i t. B ut Wo ot ma na ge d t o ge t a s ip

o f t he cof fee and f ou nd i t d el icio us .

M rs . Y oo p n ex t t ra ns fo rm ed t he w ee ds i nt o a d is h o f

o at meal, w hi ch s he ate w it h g oo d app et it e.

" No w, t hen, " s aid s he, p icki ng u p t he p eb bl es . " I' m

wondering whether I shall have fish-balls or lamb-chops

t o c om pl et e m y m ea l. W hi ch w ou ld y ou p re fe r, W oo t t he W an de re r? "

" If y ou p le as e, I 'l l e at t he f oo d i n m y k na ps ac k, "

ans wered t he b oy . " Yo ur m ag ic f oo d m ig ht t as t e g oo d,

b ut I 'm a fr ai d of i t. "

T he w om an l au gh ed at h is f ears and t rans fo rm ed t he

pebbles into fish-balls.

" I s up po se y ou t hi nk t ha t a ft er y ou h ad e at en t hi s

f oo d i t w ou ld t ur n t o s to ne s a ga in a nd m ak e y ou s ic k, "

s he r em ar ked; " bu t t hat w ou ld b e i mp os si bl e. N ot hi ng I

t ra ns fo rm e ve r g et s b ac k t o i ts f or me r s ha pe a ga in , s o

t he se f is h- ba ll s c an n ev er m or e b e p eb bl es . T ha t i s w hy

I h av e t o b e c ar ef ul o f m y t ra ns fo rm at io ns ," s he a dd ed ,





b u si ly eat in g w hi le s he t al ked, " fo r w hi le I can chang e

f or ms a t w ill I c an ne ve r c ha nge t he m ba ck a ga in - -

w hi ch p ro ve s t ha t e ve n t he p ow er s o f a c le ve r Y oo ko oh oo

are l im it ed . W hen I h av e t rans fo rm ed y ou t hr ee p eo pl e,

y ou m us t a lw ay s w ea r t he s ha pe s t ha t I h av e g iv en y ou ."

" Th en p leas e d on 't t rans fo rm u s, " b eg ged W oo t, " fo r

we a re qui te s at is fi ed t o r em ai n a s we a re ."

" I a m n ot e xp ec ti ng t o s at is fy y ou , b ut i nt en d t o

p leas e m ys el f, " s he d eclared, " an d m y p leas ur e i s t o

g iv e y ou n ew s ha pe s. F or , i f b y c ha nc e y ou r f ri en ds

came in se arch of you, not one of them would be a ble to

recognize you."

He r t one wa s s o pos it ive t ha t t he y k ne w i t w ou ld be

u s el es s t o p ro te st . T he w om an w as n ot u np le as an t t o

l oo k a t; he r f ac e w as n ot c ru el ; h er voi ce w as bi g b ut

g ra ci ou s i n t on e; b ut h er w or ds s ho we d t ha t s he

p os s es s ed a m er ci les s h ear t and n o p lead in gs w ou ld

al ter h er w i ck ed p ur po se.

M rs . Y oo p t oo k a mp le t im e t o f in is h h er b re ak fa st a nd

t he p ri so ne rs h ad n o d es ir e t o h ur ry h er , bu t f in al ly

t he m ea l w as c on cl ud ed a nd s he f ol de d h er n ap ki n a nd

m ad e t he t ab le d is ap pe ar b y c la pp in g h er h an ds





t og et he r. T he n s he t ur ne d t o h er c ap ti ve s a nd s ai d:

" Th e n ex t t hi ng o n t he p ro gr am me i s t o chang e y ou r

forms."

" Ha ve y ou d ec id ed w ha t f or ms t o g iv e u s? " a sk ed t he

Scarecrow, uneasily.

" Ye s; I dr eam ed i t a ll out w hil e I w as as le ep. T his

T in M an s ee ms a ve ry s ol em n pe rs on " - - i nde ed, t he Ti n

W oo dm an w as l oo ki ng s ol em n, j us t t he n, f or h e w as

g re at ly d is tu rb ed - - " so I s ha ll c ha ng e h im i nt o a n

Owl."

Al l she di d wa s to poi nt one f inge r a t hi m a s s he

s po ke, b ut i mm ed iately t he f or m o f t he T in W oo dm an

be ga n t o c ha ng e a nd i n a f ew s ec on ds N ic k C hop pe r, t he

E mp er or o f t he W in ki es , h ad b een t rans fo rm ed i nt o an

O wl , wi th e ye s a s bi g a s s auc er s and a hooke d be ak a nd

s tr ong c la ws . But he was s ti ll t in. He wa s a Ti n Owl,

wi th t in l egs a nd b ea k a nd e ye s a nd f ea the rs . Wh en he

flew to the bac k of a chair and pe rche d upon it , his

t i n f eath er s r at tl ed again st o ne ano th er w it h a t in ny

clatt er. T he G iant es s s eem ed m uch amu sed b y t he T in

O wl 's a pp ea ra nc e, f or h er l au gh w as b ig a nd j ol ly .





" Yo u' re n ot l ia bl e t o g et l os t, " s ai d s he , " fo r y ou r

w in gs a nd f ea th er s w il l m ak e a r ac ke t w he re ve r y ou g o.

And, on my word, a Tin Owl is s o rar e and pr ett y that

i t i s a n i mpr ov em en t o n t he o rd in ar y b ir d. I d id n ot

intend to make you tin, but I forgot to wish you to be

m ea t. H ow ev er , t in yo u we re , a nd t in yo u a re , a nd a s

i t' s t oo l at e t o c ha ng e y ou , t ha t s et tl es i t. "

U nt il n ow t he S ca re cr ow h ad r at he r d ou bt ed t he

p o ss ib il it y o f M rs . Y oo p' s b ei ng abl e t o t rans fo rm h im ,

o r h is f ri en d t he T in W oo dm an , f or t he y w er e n ot m ad e

a s o rd ina ry p eop le a re . H e ha d w or ri ed m or e o ve r w ha t

m ig ht h ap pe n t o W oo t t ha n t o h im se lf , b ut n ow h e b eg an

to worry about himself.

" Madam, " h e s ai d h as ti ly , " I con si der t hi s act io n

v ery i mp ol it e. I t m ay even b e cal led r ud e, con si deri ng

w e a re y ou r g ue st s. "

" Yo u a re n ot g ue st s, f or I d id n ot i nv it e y ou h er e, "

she replied.

" Perh ap s n ot ; b ut w e craved h os pi tal it y. W e t hr ew

ou rs el ve s up on y ou r me rc y, s o t o s pe ak, a nd w e n ow f ind

y ou h av e n o m er cy . T herefo re, i f y ou w il l excus e t he





e xp re ss io n, I m us t s ay i t i s d ow nr ig ht w ic ke d t o t ak e

o ur p rope r f or ms a wa y f ro m us a nd g ive u s ot he rs t ha t

we do not ca re for ."

" Ar e y ou t ry in g t o m ak e m e a ng ry ?" s he a sk ed ,

frowning.

" By n o m eans ," s ai d t he S carecr ow ; " I' m j us t t ry in g

t o m ak e y ou a ct m or e l ad yl ik e. "

" Oh , i nd ee d! I n m y o pi ni on , M r. S ca re cr ow , y ou a re

now a cti ng l ike a be ar - - so a Be ar you s ha ll be!"

A gain t he d read fu l f in ger p oi nt ed , t hi s t im e i n t he

S ca re cr ow 's d ir ec ti on , a nd a t o nc e h is f or m b eg an t o

c ha nge . I n a f ew s ec onds h e ha d b ec ome a s ma ll B row n

Be ar , bu t he w as s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw a s he h ad b ee n

b ef or e, and w hen t he l it tl e B ro wn B ear s hu ff led acr os s

t he f loo r he w as j us t a s w ob bl y a s t he S ca re cr ow h ad

b e en a nd m ov ed j us t a s a wk wa rd ly .

W oo t w as a ma ze d, b ut h e w as a ls o t ho ro ug hl y

frightened.

" Di d i t h ur t? " h e a sk ed t he l it tl e B row n B ea r.





" No , o f c ou rs e n ot ," g ro wl ed t he S ca re cr ow i n t he

B ea r' s f or m; " but I d on 't l ik e w al ki ng o n f ou r l egs ;

it's undignified."

"Consider my humiliation!" chirped the Tin Owl,

t ry in g t o s et tl e i ts t in f eath er s s mo ot hl y w it h i ts t in

be ak . " An d I c an 't s ee v er y w el l, e it he r. T he l ig ht

s ee ms t o h ur t m y e ye s. "

" Th at 's b ec au se y ou a re a n O wl ," s ai d W oo t. " I t hi nk

y ou w il l s ee b et te r i n t he d ar k. "

" Well ," r em ar ked t he G iant es s, " I' m v er y w el l p leas ed

w ith t he se ne w f or ms , f or m y pa rt , a nd I 'm s ur e you

w il l l ik e t he m b et te r w he n y ou g et u se d t o t he m. S o

n ow ," s he a dd ed , t ur ni ng t o t he b oy , " it i s yo ur t ur n. "

" Do n' t y ou t hi nk y ou 'd b et te r l ea ve m e a s I a m? "

a sk ed W oo t i n a t re mb li ng v oi ce .

" No ," s he r ep li ed , " I' m g oi ng t o m ak e a M on ke y o f

you. I l ove monke ys -- t he y'r e s o c ute ! -- a nd I t hi nk

a Gr ee n Monke y wil l be l ots of f un a nd a muse m e when I

am s ad ."





W oo t s hi vered, f or again t he t er ri bl e m ag ic f in ger

p oi nt ed , and p oi nt ed d ir ectl y h is w ay . H e f el t h im self

chang in g; n ot s o v er y m uch, h ow ev er , and i t d id n' t h ur t

h im a b it . He l ooke d do wn a t h is l im bs a nd body a nd

f ou nd t ha t h is c lo th es w er e g on e a nd h is s ki n c ov er ed

w it h a f in e, s il k- li ke g re en f ur . H is h an ds a nd f ee t

we re n ow t ho se of a mo nke y. He r ea li ze d he r ea ll y w as a

m on ke y, a nd h is f ir st f ee li ng w as o ne o f a ng er . H e

b eg an t o c ha tt er a s m on ke ys d o. H e b oun de d t o t he s ea t

of a giant chair, and then to its back and with a wild

l eap s pr an g u po n t he l au gh in g G iant es s. H is i dea w as t o

s eize her hair a nd pull it out by the root s, and so

h av e r ev en ge f or h er w icked t rans fo rm at io ns . B ut s he

r ai se d h er h an d a nd s ai d:

" Gent ly , m y d ear M on key - - g en tl y! Y ou 'r e n ot ang ry ;

y ou 'r e ha pp y a s c an be !"

W oo t s to pp ed s hor t. N o; h e w as n' t a b it a ng ry n ow ; h e

f el t a s go od -h um or ed a nd ga y a s e ve r h e di d w he n a b oy .

In st ea d o f p ul li ng M rs . Y oo p' s h ai r, h e p er ch ed o n h er

s ho ul der and s mo ot hed h er s of t cheek w it h h is h ai ry

p aw . I n r et ur n, s he s mi led at t he f un ny g reen ani mal

an d p at te d h is h ea d.





" Very g oo d, " s ai d t he G iant es s. " Let u s all b ecom e

f ri en ds a nd b e h ap py t og et he r. H ow i s m y T in O wl

feeling?"

" Qu it e com fo rt ab le," s ai d t he O wl . " I d on 't l ik e i t,

to be sure, but I'm not going to allow my new form to

m ak e m e u nh ap py . B ut , t el l m e, p le as e: w ha t i s a T in

Ow l g oo d f or ?"

" Yo u a re o nl y go od t o m ak e m e l au gh ," r ep li ed t he

Giantess.

" Wi ll a s tu ff ed B ear als o m ak e y ou l au gh ?" i nq ui red

th e S ca re cr ow , s it ti ng b ac k o n h is h au nc he s t o l oo k u p

a t h er .

" Of c ou rs e, " d ec la re d t he G ia nt es s; " an d I h av e a dd ed

a l it tl e m ag ic t o y ou r t rans fo rm at io ns t o m ak e y ou all

con tent ed w it h w eari ng y ou r n ew f or ms . I 'm s or ry I

d id n' t t hi nk t o d o t hat w hen I t rans fo rm ed P ol ychr om e

in to a C an ar y- Bi rd . B ut p er ha ps , w he n s he s ee s h ow

c he er fu l y ou a re , s he w il l c ea se t o b e s il en t a nd

s ul le n a nd t ak e t o s in gi ng . I w il l go g et t he bi rd a nd

l et y ou s ee h er ."

Wi th t hi s, M rs . Y oop w ent i nt o t he ne xt r oom a nd s oon





re tu rn ed b ea ri ng a g ol de n c ag e i n w hi ch s at u po n a

swinging perch a lovely yellow Canary. "Polychrome,"

sa id t he G ia nt es s, " pe rm it m e t o i nt ro du ce t o y ou a

G re en M onk ey, w hi ch us ed t o b e a bo y c al le d W oo t t he

W and er er , a nd a T in O wl , w hi ch u se d t o be a Ti n Wo od ma n

n am ed N ick C ho pp er , and a s t raw- st uf fed l it t le B ro wn

Be ar w hi ch u se d t o b e a l ive S ca re cr ow. "

" We alr ead y k no w o ne ano th er ," d ecl ar ed t he

S carecro w. " Th e b ir d i s P ol ychr om e, t he R ai nb ow 's

Da ug ht er , a nd s he a nd I us ed t o be go od f ri end s. "

" Ar e y ou r eall y m y o ld f ri en d, t he S carecr ow ?" ask ed ;

t he b ir d, i n a s we et , l ow v oi ce .

" Th er e! " cri ed M rs . Y oo p; " th at 's t he f ir st t im e s he

has s po ken s in ce s he w as t rans fo rm ed ."

" I am r eall y y ou r o ld f ri en d, " ans wered t he

S carecro w; " bu t y ou m us t p ar do n m e f or app ear in g j us t

n ow i n t hi s b ru tal f or m. "

"I a m a bird, as you are, dea r Poly," said t he Tin

W oodma n; " but , a la s! a Ti n Ow l i s not a s be aut if ul a s a

Canary-Bird."





" Ho w d read fu l i t all i s! " s ig hed t he C an ar y.

" C ou ld n' t y ou m an ag e t o escap e f ro m t hi s t er ri bl e

Yookoohoo?"

No," answered the Scarecrow, "we tried to escape, but

f ai le d. S he f ir st m ad e u s h er p ri so ne rs a nd t he n

t ra ns fo rm ed u s. B ut h ow d id s he m an ag e t o g et y ou ,

Polychrome?"'

" I w as a sl ee p, a nd s he t oo k u nf ai r a dv an ta ge o f m e, "

a ns we re d t he b ir d s ad ly . " Ha d I b ee n a wa ke , I c oul d

easily have protected myself."

" Te ll m e, " s ai d t he G re en M on ke y e ar ne st ly , a s h e

c am e c los e t o t he c age , " wha t m us t w e do, Da ught er of

t he R ai nb ow , t o es cape f ro m t hese t rans f or mat io ns ?

C an' t you he lp u s, b ein g a Fa ir y? " " At pr es en t I a m

p ow er less t o h el p even m ys el f, " r ep li ed t he C an ar y.

" Th at 's t he exact t ru th !" exclaim ed t he G iant es s, w ho

s ee me d p le as ed t o h ea r t he b ir d t al k, e ve n t ho ug h i t

c om pl ai ne d; " yo u a re a ll he lp le ss a nd i n m y p ow er , s o

y ou ma y a s we ll m ake up your m inds t o a cc ept your f at e

a nd b e c on te nt . R em em be r t ha t y ou a re t ra ns fo rm ed f or

go od, s inc e n o m ag ic on e ar th c an br ea k y ou r





enchant ment s. I am n ow g oi ng o ut f or m y m or ni ng w al k,

f or e ac h d ay a ft er b re ak fa st I w al k s ix te en t im es

ar ou nd m y cas tl e f or exercis e. A mu se y ou rs el ves w hi le I

a m gone , a nd whe n I r et ur n I hope t o f ind y ou a ll

reconciled and happy."

So t he Gi an te ss w al ke d t o t he do or b y w hi ch o ur

fr ie nd s h ad e nt er ed t he g re at h al l a nd s po ke o ne w or d:

" Op en !" T he n t he d oo r s wu ng o pe n a nd a ft er M rs . Y oo p

ha d pa ss ed o ut i t c los ed a ga in wi th a s na p a s i ts

p ow er fu l b ol ts s ho t i nt o p la ce . T he G re en M on ke y h ad

ru sh ed t ow ar d t he o pe ni ng , h op in g t o e sc ap e, b ut h e w as

too la te a nd onl y got a bump on his nos e as the door

slammed shut.

Chapter Seven

T he L ac e A pr on

"N ow ," s ai d t he C ana ry, i n a t one m or e br is k t ha n

b ef or e, " we m ay t al k t og et he r m or e f re el y, a s M rs . Y oo p





c ann ot h ea r u s. Pe rh ap s we c an f ig ur e ou t a w ay t o

escape."

" Op en !" s ai d W oo t t he M on key, s ti ll f acin g t he d oo r;

b ut h is c om ma nd h ad n o e ff ec t a nd h e s lo wl y r ej oi ne d

t h e o th ers .

" Yo u c an no t o pe n a ny d oo r o r w in do w i n t hi s e nc ha nt ed

cas tl e u nl es s y ou are w eari ng t he M ag ic A pr on ," s ai d

t h e C an ar y .

" Wh at M ag ic A pr on d o y ou m ea n? " a sk ed t he T in O wl , i n

a cur io us v oi ce.

" Th e l ac e o ne , w hi ch t he G ia nt es s a lw ay s w ea rs . I

h av e b ee n h er p ri so ne r, i n t hi s c ag e, f or s ev er al

we eks , a nd s he h ang s m y c age i n he r b edr oom e ve ry

n ight , s o t ha t s he c an ke ep he r e ye o n m e," e xpl ai ne d

P ol ychr om e t he C an ar y. " Th er ef or e I h av e d is co vered

t ha t i t i s t he M agi c A pr on t ha t op ens t he d oo rs a nd

w in do ws , and n ot hi ng els e can m ov e t hem. w hen s he g oes

t o be d, M rs . Yoop ha ngs he r a pr on o n t he be dpos t, a nd

o ne m or ni ng s he f or go t t o p ut i t o n w he n s he c om ma nd ed

t he door to ope n, a nd t he door would not move . So t he n

s he put on t he l ac e a pron a nd the door obe ye d he r. Tha t

wa s h ow I l ea rne d t he ma gi c po we r o f t he a pr on. "





bedroom."

" No ," d ec la re d P ol yc hr om e, " I c an no t a dv is e y ou a s t o

t ha t. You mus t wa tch f or a c ha nc e, a nd s li p in whe n

Mrs. Yoop isn't looking."

T he y t al ke d i t o ve r f or a w hi le l on ge r a nd t he n M rs .

Y oo p r et ur ne d. W he n s he e nt er ed , t he d oo r o pe ne d

s ud de nl y, a t he r c om ma nd , a nd c lo se d a s s oo n a s h er

hu ge f or m h ad p as sed t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay . D ur in g t hat

d ay s he e nt er ed h er b ed ro om s ev er al t im es , o n o ne

e rr an d o r a no th er , b ut a lw ay s s he c om ma nd ed t he d oo r t o

c l os e b eh in d h er a nd h er p ri so ne rs f ou nd n ot t he

sl ig ht es t chance t o l eave t he b ig h al l i n w hi ch t hey

were confined.

T he Gr ee n M onke y t hou ght i t wo ul d be w is e t o m ake a

f ri en d o f t he b ig w om an , s o a s t o g ai n h er c on fi de nc e,

s o he s at on t he ba ck of he r c ha ir a nd c hat ter ed to he r

wh il e s he m en ded h er s to ck in gs and s ew ed s il ver b ut to ns

o n s om e g ol de n s ho es t ha t w er e a s b ig a s r ow -b oa ts .

T hi s p le as ed t he G ia nt es s a nd s he w ou ld p au se a t t im es

t o p at t he M on ke y' s h ea d. T he l it tl e B ro wn B ea r c ur le d

up i n a c or ne r a nd l ay s ti ll al l da y. The Owl a nd t he

C an ar y f ou nd t hey cou ld con vers e t og et her i n t he b ir d

l ang uage, w hi ch n ei th er t he G iant es s n or t he B ear n or





t he M on key cou ld u nd er st and ; s o at t im es t hey t wi t tered

a wa y t o e ac h ot he r a nd pa ss ed t he l ong , d re ar y da y

quite cheerfully.

A ft er d inne r M rs . Yo op t ook a bi g f iddl e f rom a bi g

cup bo ar d and p layed s uch l ou d and d read fu l m us ic t hat

h er p ri so ne rs w er e a ll t ha nk fu l w he n a t l as t s he

s to pp ed a nd s ai d s he w as g oi ng t o b ed .

A ft er c au ti on in g t he M on ke y a nd B ea r a nd O wl t o

b ehave t hems el ves d ur in g t he n ig ht , s he p icked u p t he

c a ge c on ta in in g t he C an ar y a nd , g oi ng t o t he d oo r o f

h er b ed ro om , c om ma nd ed i t t o o pe n. j us t t he n, h ow ev er ,

s he r em em be re d s he h ad l ef t h er f idd le l yi ng u pon a

table, s o she went bac k for i t a nd put it away in the

c up bo ar d, a nd w hi le h er b ac k w as t ur ne d t he G re en

M on ke y s li pp ed t hr ou gh t he o pe n d oo r i nt o h er b ed ro om

and h id u nd er neat h t he b ed . T he G iant es s, b ei ng s leepy ,

d id n ot n ot ic e t hi s, a nd e nt er in g h er r oo m s he m ad e t he

do or c lo se b ehi nd h er a nd t he n hu ng t he bi rd- ca ge o n a

pe g b y t he w in do w. T he n s he b eg an t o u nd re ss , f ir st

t ak ing o ff t he l ac e a pr on a nd l ay in g i t o ve r t he

b ed po st , w he re i t w as w it hi n e as y r ea ch o f h er h an d.

As soon as Mrs. Yoop was in be d the lights al l went





o ut , a nd W oo t t he M onk ey c rou ch ed un de r t he b ed a nd

waited patiently until he heard the Giantess snoring.

The n he c re pt out a nd i n t he da rk f el t a round unt il he

g ot h ol d of t he a pr on, whi ch he a t onc e t ie d a round hi s

own waist.

Next, Woot tried to find the Canary, and there was

just enough moonlight showing through the window to

ena ble hi m to s ee w he re t he c age hung; bu t i t wa s out

of h is r ea ch . At f ir st he wa s t empt ed t o l ea ve

Po ly ch ro me and escap e w it h h is o th er f ri en ds , b ut

r em em beri ng h is p ro mi se t o t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter W oo t

tr ie d t o t hi nk ho w t o s ave h er .

A c ha ir s to od n ea r t he w in do w, a nd t hi s - - s ho wi ng

di ml y i n t he m oo nl ig ht - - g av e h im an i dea. B y p us hi ng

again st i t w it h all h is m ig ht , h e f ou nd h e cou ld m ov e

t he gi ant c ha ir a f ew i nc he s a t a t im e. S o he pus he d

a nd p us he d u nt il t he c ha ir w as b en ea th t he b ir d- ca ge ,

a nd t he n h e s pr an g n oi se le ss ly u po n t he s ea t - - f or h is

m on ke y f or m e na bl ed h im t o j um p h ig he r t ha n h e c ou ld d o

as a boy -- and from there to the back of the chair,

and s o managed to rea ch the ca ge and ta ke it off t he

pe g. T he n dow n he s pr ang t o t he f loo r a nd m ade hi s w ay

t o t he d oo r. " Op en !" h e c om ma nd ed , a nd a t o nc e t he do or

o be ye d a nd s wu ng o pe n, B ut h is v oi ce w ak en ed M rs . Y oo p,





who gave a wi ld c ry a nd sprang out of bed with one

b ou nd . T he G reen M on key d as hed t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay ,

car ry in g t he cag e w it h h im , and b ef or e t he G iant es s

c ou ld r ea ch t he d oo r i t s la mm ed s hu t a nd i mp ri so ne d h er

in h er o wn b ed -chamb er !

T he n oi se s he m ad e, p ou nd in g u po n t he d oo r, a nd h er

y el ls o f ang er and d read fu l t hr eats o f v en gean ce,

f il led all o ur f ri en ds w it h t er ro r, and W oo t t he M on key

w as s o e xc it ed t ha t i n t he da rk h e c oul d not f ind t he

o ute r door of t he ha ll . But t he Ti n O wl c ou ld s ee ve ry

n ic el y i n t he da rk , s o h e g ui de d h is f ri en ds t o t he

r ig ht p la ce a nd w he n a ll w er e g ro up ed b ef or e t he d oo r

W oot c om ma nd ed i t t o op en . T he M ag ic Ap ron p ro ve d a s

pow er ful a s wh en i t ha d be en wo rn by t he Gi ant es s, s o a

m om en t l at er t hey h ad r us hed t hr ou gh t he p as sage and

w er e s tand in g i n t he f resh n ig ht air o ut si de t he

cas t le, f ree t o g o w herever t hey w il led.

Chapter Eight

T he M en ac e o f t he F or es t





"Quick!" cried Polychrome the Canary; "we must hurry,

or M rs . Y oo p m ay f ind s om e w ay t o r ec ap tu re u s, e ve n

now . Le t us ge t o ut of he r Va ll ey a s s oo n a s p os si bl e. "

S o t he y s et o ff t ow ar d t he e as t, m ov in g a s s wi ft ly a s

t he y c ou ld, a nd f or a l on g t im e t he y c ou ld h ea r t he

yells and struggles of the imprisoned Giantess. The

G reen M on key cou ld r un o ver t he g ro un d v er y s wi ft ly ,

and h e car ri ed w it h h im t he b ir d- cage con tain in g

P ol ychr om e t he R ai n- bo w' s D au gh ter. A ls o t he T in O wl

c ou ld s ki p a nd f ly a lon g a t a go od r at e of s pe ed, h is

feathers rattling against one another with a tinkling

s ou nd a s h e m ov ed . B ut t he l it tl e B ro wn B ea r, b ei ng

s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw , w as a c lu ms y t ra ve le r a nd t he

o th er s h ad t o w ai t f or h im t o f ol lo w.

H ow ev er , t hey w er e n ot v er y l on g i n r each in g t he

r id ge t ha t l ed o ut o f M rs . Y oo p' s V al le y, a nd w he n t he y

ha d p as se d t hi s r id ge a nd d es ce nd ed i nt o t he n ex t

v al le y t he y s to pp ed t o r es t, f or t he G re en M on ke y w as

tired.

" I b el ie ve w e a re s af e, n ow ," s ai d P ol yc hr om e, w he n

he r c ag e w as s et d ow n a nd t he o th er s h ad a ll g at he re d





a rou nd i t, " for M rs . Y oop da re s no t g o o ut si de o f h er

o wn V al le y, f or f ea r o f b ei ng c ap tu re d b y h er e ne mi es .

So we ma y ta ke our t ime to c onsider what to do next."

" I' m a fr ai d p oo r M rs . Y oo p w il l s ta rv e t o d ea th , i f

no o ne l et s h er ou t o f h er be dr oo m, " s ai d W oot , w ho h ad

a he ar t a s ki nd a s t ha t of t he Ti n Wo od ma n. " We 've

t ak en h er M ag ic A pr on a wa y, a nd n ow t he d oo rs w il l

never open."

"Don't worry about that," advised Polychrome. "Mrs.

Y oo p h as p le nt y o f m ag ic l ef t t o c on so le h er ."

" Ar e y ou s ur e o f t ha t? " a sk ed t he G re en M on ke y.

" Ye s, f or I 'v e b ee n w at ch in g h er f or w ee ks ," s ai d t he

C an ar y. " Sh e h as s ix m ag ic h ai rp in s, w hi ch s he w ears i n

h er h ai r, a nd a m ag ic r in g w hi ch s he w ea rs o n he r t hu mb

a nd w hi ch i s i nv is ib le t o a ll e ye s e xc ep t t ho se o f a

f ai ry , a nd m agi c b ra ce le ts on bo th he r a nk le s. So I a m

p os it iv e t ha t s he w il l m an ag e t o f ind a w ay o ut of h er

prison."

" Sh e m ig ht t rans fo rm t he d oo r i nt o an archw ay ,"

suggested the little Brown Bear.





" Tha t w ou ld b e e as y f or h er ," s ai d t he T in O wl ; " bu t

I 'm gl ad s he w as t oo a ngr y t o t hi nk of t ha t b ef or e w e

g ot ou t o f he r V al le y. "

" We ll , w e ha ve e sc ape d t he bi g w om an, t o be s ur e, "

r e ma rk ed t he G re en M on ke y, " bu t w e s ti ll w ea r t he

a wf ul f or ms t he c ru el y oo ko oh oo g av e u s. H ow a re w e

go in g t o g et r id o f t he se s ha pe s, a nd b ec om e o ur se lv es

again?"

None could answer that question. They sat around the

cage, b ro od in g o ver t he p ro bl em , u nt il t he M on key f el l

a sl ee p. S ee in g t hi s, t he C an ar y t uc ke d h er h ea d u nd er

he r wi ng a nd a ls o s le pt , a nd t he Ti n Ow l a nd t he Br own

B ea r d id n ot di st ur b t he m u nt il m or ni ng c am e a nd i t w as

broad daylight.

" I' m h un gr y, " s ai d W oo t, w hen h e w ak en ed , f or h is

kn ap sa ck of f oo d h ad be en l ef t b eh in d a t t he c as tl e.

" Th en l et u s t ravel o n u nt il w e can f in d s om et hi ng

f or y ou t o e at ," r et ur ne d t he S ca re cr ow B ea r.

" Th er e i s n o us e i n y our l ugg ing m y c ag e a ny

f ar th er ," d ec la re d t he C an ar y. " Le t m e o ut , a nd t hr ow





t he ca ge a wa y. The n I ca n f ly wit h you a nd f ind my own

br ea kf as t o f s ee ds . A ls o I c an s ea rc h f or w at er , a nd

t el l y ou w he re t o f in d i t. "

S o t he G re en M on ke y u nf as te ne d t he d oo r o f t he g ol de n

c ag e a nd t he C an ar y h op pe d o ut . A t f ir st s he f le w h ig h

i n t he a ir a nd m ade g re at c ir cl es o ve rh ea d, bu t a ft er a

t im e s he r etu rn ed and p er ched b es i de t hem.

" At t he eas t i n t he d ir ecti on w e w er e f ol lo wi ng ,"

a nn ou nc ed t he C an ar y, " th er e i s a f in e f or es t, w it h a

b ro ok r unn in g t hr oug h i t. I n t he f or es t t he re m ay b e

f ru it s o r n ut s g ro wi ng , o r b er ry b us he s a t i ts e dg e, s o

l et us go tha t wa y."

T he y a gr ee d t o t hi s a nd p rom pt ly s et o ff , t hi s t im e

moving more deliberately. The Tin Owl, which had guided

t heir w ay d ur in g t he n ig ht , n ow f ou nd t he s un sh in e v er y

t ry in g t o h is b ig e ye s, s o h e s hu t t he m t igh t a nd

p er ch ed u po n t he b ac k o f t he l it tl e B ro wn B ea r, w hi ch

c ar ri ed t he O wl 's w ei gh t w it h e as e. T he C an ar y

s om et i mes p er ched u po n t he G reen M on key' s s ho ul der and

s om et im es f lu tt er ed o n a he ad o f t he p ar ty , a nd i n t hi s

m ann er t hey t raveled i n g oo d s pi ri ts acr os s t hat v al ley

and into the next one to the ea st of it.





T hi s t hey f ou nd t o b e an i mm en se h ol lo w, s haped l ik e

a s au ce r, a nd o n i ts f ar th er e dg e a pp ea re d t he f or es t

wh ich P ol ychr om e h ad s een f ro m t he s ky .

" Co me t o t hi nk o f i t, " s ai d t he T in O wl , w ak ing u p

and blinking comically at his friends, "there's no

o b ject , n ow , i n o ur t raveli ng t o t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry .

My i de a i n g oi ng t he re w as t o m ar ry N im mi e Am ee , b ut

ho wever m uch t he M un ch ki n g ir l m ay h av e l ov ed a T in

Wo od ma n, I c an no t r ea so na bl y e xp ec t h er t o m ar ry a T in

Owl."

" Th er e i s s om e t ru th i n t hat, m y f ri en d, " r em ar ked

t he Br own B ea r. " And t o t hi nk t ha t I , w ho w as

con si der ed t he h an ds om es t S car ecr ow i n t he w or ld , am

n ow c on de mn ed t o b e a s cr ub by , n o- ac co un t b ea st , w ho se

o nl y r ed eemi ng f eatu re i s t hat h e i s s tu ff ed w it h

straw!"

" Co ns i der m y cas e, p leas e," s ai d W oo t. " Th e cru el

Gi ant ess has made a Monke y of a Boy, and that is t he

mo st d read fu l d eed o f all !"

" Yo ur c ol or i s r at he r p re tt y, " s ai d t he B ro wn B ea r,

eyein g W oo t cri ti call y. " I h av e n ev er s een a p ea-g reen





m on ke y b ef or e, a nd i t s tr ik es m e y ou a re q ui te

gorgeous."

" It i sn' t s o ba d to be a bi rd," a ss er te d t he Ca na ry,

f lu tt er in g f ro m o ne t o ano th er w it h a f ree and g racefu l

m ot io n, " bu t I l on g t o e nj oy m y o wn s ha pe a g am ."

" As P ol ychr om e, y ou w er e t he l ov el iest m ai den I h av e

e ve r s ee n - - e xc ep t, o f c our se , Oz ma ," s ai d t he T in

O wl ; " so t he G ia nt es s d id w el l t o t ra ns fo rm y ou i nt o

t he l ovel ie st of a ll bi rds , if you we re t o be

tr an sf or me d a t a ll . B ut t el l m e, s in ce y ou a re a f ai ry ,

a nd have a f air y wi sdom: do you thi nk we sha ll be a bl e

to break these enchantments?"

" Qu ee r t hi ng s h ap pe n i n t he L an d of O z, " r ep li ed t he

C an ar y, again p er ch in g o n t he G reen M on key' s s ho ul der

and turning one bright eye thoughtfully toward her

q u es ti on er . " Mr s. Y oo p h as d ec la re d t ha t n on e o f h er

t rans fo rm at io ns can ever b e chang ed , even b y h er self ,

bu t I be li eve t ha t i f we c oul d ge t t o Gl inda t he Good

So rc er es s, s he m ig ht f ind a wa y t o r es tor e us t o o ur

n at ur al s ha pe s. G li nd a, a s y ou k no w, i s t he m os t

po we rf ul S or ce re ss i n t he w or ld , a nd t he re a re f ew

t hi ngs s he c an no t d o i f s he t ri es ."





" In t ha t c as e, " s ai d t he L it tl e B ro wn B ea r, " le t u s

r et ur n s ou th wa rd a nd t ry t o g et t o G li nd a' s c as tl e. I t

l ie s i n t he Qua dli ng C ountr y, you know, s o i t i s a good

w ay f ro m h er e. "

" Fi rs t, h ow ev er , l et u s v is it t he f or es t a nd s ea rc h

f or s om et hi ng t o eat ," p leaded W oo t. S o t hey con ti nu ed

o n t o t he e dge of t he f or es t, w hi ch c ons is te d of m any

t al l and b eaut if ul t rees . T hey d is co vered n o f ru it

t re es , a t f ir st , s o t he G re en M onk ey p us he d on i nt o t he

f or es t d ep th s and t he o th er s f ol lo wed clo se b eh in d h im .

T hey w er e t raveli ng q ui et ly alo ng , u nd er t he s hade o f

t he t rees, w hen s ud denl y an eno rm ou s j agu ar l eaped u po n

the m f rom a li mb and wi th one bl ow of hi s paw s ent the

li tt le B ro wn B ear t um bl in g o ver and o ver u nt il h e w as

s to pp ed b y a t re e- tr un k. I ns ta nt ly t he y a ll t oo k a la rm .

T he T in O wl s hr ieked: " Ho ot - - h oo t! " and f lew s tr ai gh t

up t o t he br anc h of a t al l t re e, a lt hough he c ou ld

s carcel y s ee w here h e w as g oi ng . T he C an ar y s wi ft ly

d ar te d t o a p la ce b es id e t he O wl , a nd t he G re en M on ke y

s pr an g u p, c au gh t a l im b, a nd s oo n s cr am bl ed t o a h ig h

per ch o f s af ety .

T he J ag uar cro uched l ow and w it h h un gr y eyes r eg ar ded





t he l it tl e B ro wn B ear, w hi ch s lo wl y g ot u po n i ts f eet

and asked reproachfully:

" Fo r g oo dn es s' s ak e, B ea st , w ha t w er e y ou t ry in g t o

do?"

" Tr yi ng t o g et m y b reak fast ," ans wered t he J ag uar

w i th a s na rl , " an d I b el ie ve I 'v e s uc ce ed ed . Y ou o ug ht

t o m ak e a de li ci ou s me al - - u nl es s y ou h ap pe n t o be ol d

and tough."

" I' m w or se t ha n t ha t, c on si de re d a s a b re ak fa st ,"

sa id t he B ea r, " fo r I 'm o nl y a s ki n s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw ,

an d t he re fo re n ot f it t o e at ."

" In deed! " cri ed t he J ag uar, i n a d is ap po in ted v oi ce;

" th en you mu st b e a ma gi c Be ar , o r e nc ha nt ed, a nd I

m us t s eek m y b reak fast f ro m amo ng y ou r com pani on s. "

W it h t hi s h e r ai se d hi s l ea n h ea d to l ook up a t t he

Ti n O wl a nd t he C ana ry a nd t he M onk ey , a nd h e l as he d

h i s t ai l u pon t he gr ou nd a nd g ro wl ed a s f ie rc el y a s a ny

jaguar could.

" My f ri en ds are enchant ed , als o, " s ai d t he l it tl e





Brown Bear.

" Al l o f t hem?" ask ed t he J ag uar.

" Ye s. T he O wl i s t in , s o y ou c ou ld n' t p os si bl y e at

h im . T he C an ar y i s a f ai ry - - P ol yc hr om e, t he D au gh te r

of t he R ai nbo w - - a nd yo u ne ve r c ou ld c at ch h er be ca us e

s he c an e as il y f ly o ut o f yo ur r ea ch. "

" Th er e s ti ll r em ai ns t he G reen M on key, " r em ar ked t he

J ag uar h un gr il y. " He i s n ei th er m ad e o f t in n or s tu ff ed

w i th s tr aw , n or c an h e f ly . I 'm p re tt y g oo d a t c li mbi ng

tr ee s, m ys el f, s o I t hi nk I 'l l c ap tu re t he M on ke y a nd

eat h im f or m y b reak fast ."

W oo t t he M on ke y, h ea ri ng t hi s s pe ec h f ro m h is p er ch

o n t he t re e, b ec am e m uc h f ri gh te ne d, f or h e k ne w t he

n at ur e o f j ag uars and r eali zed t hey cou ld cli mb t rees

an d l ea p f ro m l im b t o l imb wi th t he a gi li ty o f c at s. S o

h e a t on ce be ga n t o s ca mp er t hr ou gh t he f or es t a s f as t

a s he c ould go, ca tc hi ng at a br anc h wi th hi s l ong

m on key arm s and s wi ng in g h is g reen b od y t hr ou gh s pace

to g ra sp a no th er b ra nc h i n a n ei gh bo ri ng t re e, a nd s o

on , w hi le t he J ag uar f ol lo wed h im f ro m b el ow , h is eyes

f ix ed s tead fast ly o n h is p rey. B ut p resent ly W oo t g ot

h i s f ee t t an gl ed i n t he L ac e A pr on, w hi ch he w as s ti ll





wear in g, and t hat t ri pp ed h im i n h is f li gh t and m ad e

h im f al l t o t he g ro un d, w he re t he J ag ua r p la ce d o ne

h ug e p aw u po n h im and s ai d g ri ml y:

I 'v e g ot y ou , n ow !"

The f ac t t ha t t he A pr on ha d t ri ppe d hi m m ad e W oo t

r em em be r i ts m ag ic p ow er s, a nd i n h is t er ro r h e c ri ed

o ut : " Op en !" w it ho ut s to pp in g t o con si der h ow t hi s

c om ma nd m ig ht s ave h im . B ut , a t t he w or d, t he e ar th

o pe ne d a t t he e xa ct s po t w he re h e l ay un de r t he

J ag ua r' s p aw , a nd h is b od y s an k d ow nw ar d, t he e ar th

clo si ng o ver i t again . T he l as t t hi ng W oo t t he M on key

s aw , a s h e g la nc ed u pw ar d, w as t he J ag ua r p ee ri ng i nt o

the hole in astonishment.

" He's g on e! " cri ed t he b east , w it h a l on g- dr aw n s ig h

o f d is ap po in tm en t; " he 's g on e, a nd n ow I s ha ll h av e n o

breakfast."

T he c la tt er o f t he T in O wl 's w in gs s ou nd ed a bo ve h im ,

a n d t he l it tl e B ro wn B ea r c am e t ro tt in g u p a nd a sk ed :

" Wh er e i s t he m on key? H av e y ou eat en h im s o q ui ck ly ?"

" No , i nd eed ," ans wer ed t he J agu ar . " He d is app ear ed

i nt o t he e ar th be for e I c oul d t ake one bi te o f hi m! "





And no w t he Ca na ry pe rc he d up on a s tum p, a l it tl e wa y

f r om t he f or es t b ea st , a nd s ai d:

" I a m gl ad our f ri end ha s e sc ape d you; but , a s i t i s

na tu ra l f or a h un gr y b ea st t o w is h h is b re ak fa st , I

w il l t ry t o g ive you on e."

"Thank you," replied the Jaguar. "You're rather small

f or a f ul l m ea l, b ut i t' s k in d o f yo u t o s ac ri fi ce

yourself to my appetite."

" Oh, I d on' t i nt end t o be e at en , I a ss ur e yo u, " s ai d

the Ca na ry, " but a s I a m a f air y I know s ome thi ng of

m ag ic , a nd t ho ug h I a m n ow t ra ns fo rm ed i nt o a b ir d' s

s ha pe , I a m s ur e I c an c on jur e up a b re ak fa st t ha t wi ll

satisfy you."

" If you c an wor k ma gi c, w hy don' t you br ea k t he

e nc ha nt me nt y ou a re u nd er a nd r et ur n t o y ou r p ro pe r

form?" inquired the beast doubtingly.

" I h av en 't t he po we r t o do t ha t," a ns we re d t he

C an ar y, " f or M rs . Y oo p, t he G iant ess w ho t rans f or med

m e, u se d a p ec ul ia r f or m o f y oo ko oh oo m ag ic t ha t i s

u nk no wn t o m e. H ow ev er , s he c ou ld n ot d ep ri ve m e o f m y





own f ai ry knowl edge , s o I wi ll t ry t o ge t you a

breakfast."

" Do y ou t hi nk a m ag ic b re ak fa st w ou ld t as te g oo d, o r

r el ie ve t he p an gs o f h un ge r I n ow s uf fe r? " a sk ed t he

Jaguar.

" I a m s ur e it woul d. W hat w oul d you l ike t o e at ?"

" Gi ve m e a c ou pl e o f f at r ab bi ts ," s ai d t he b ea st .

" Ra bb it s! N o, i nd ee d. I 'd no t a ll ow yo u t o e at t he

dear little things," declared Polychrome the Canary.

" Well , t hr ee o r f ou r s qu ir rels , t hen, " p lead ed t he

Jaguar.

" Do y ou t hi nk m e s o c ru el ?" d em an de d t he C an ar y,

indignantly. "The squirrels are my especial friends."

" Ho w a bou t a p lu mp o wl ?" a sk ed t he be as t. " No t a t in

o ne , you k now , b ut a r ea l m ea t ow l. "

" Neit her b east n or b ir d s hall y ou h av e, " s ai d

Polychrome in a positive voice.





" Gi ve m e a f is h, t he n; t he re 's a r iv er a l it tl e w ay

o f f, " p ro po sed t he J agu ar .

" No l iv in g t hi ng s hall b e s acri fi ced t o f eed y ou ,"

r etu rn ed t he C an ar y.

" The n wha t i n the wor ld do you e xp ec t me t o

e at ?" s ai d t he J ag ua r i n a s co rn fu l t on e.

" Ho w w ou ld m us h- an d- mi lk d o?" as k ed t he

Canary.

T he J ag uar s narl ed i n d er is io n and l as hed h is t ai l

against the ground angrily

" Gi ve h im s om e s cr am bl ed egg s o n t oast , P ol y, "

s ug gest ed t he B ear S carecr ow . " He o ug ht t o l ik e t hat ."

" I w il l, " r es po nd ed t he C an ar y, and f lu tt er in g h er

w in gs s he m ad e a f li ght o f t hr ee c ir cl es a ro un d t he

s tump. The n she f lew up to a tree a nd t he Bear a nd the

O wl a nd t he J agu ar s aw t ha t u pon t he s tu mp h ad a pp ea re d

a gr ea t gr ee n l ea f upon w hi ch wa s a l ar ge po rt ion of

s cr am bl ed egg s o n t oas t, s mo ki ng h ot .





" Th er e! " s ai d t he B ear; " eat y ou r b reak fast , f ri en d

J ag uar, and b e con tent ."

T he J ag ua r c re pt c lo se r t o t he s tu mp a nd s ni ff ed t he

f ragr an ce o f t he s cr am bl ed egg s. T hey s mell ed s o g oo d

t ha t h e t as te d t he m, a nd t he y t as te d s o g ood t ha t h e

a te t he s tr an ge m ea l i n a h ur ry , p ro vi ng h e h ad b ee n

really hungry.

" I p refer r ab bi ts ," h e m ut tered, l icki ng h is cho ps ,

" bu t I m us t adm it t he m ag ic b reak fast h as f il led m y

s to mach f ul l, and b ro ug ht m e com fo rt . S o I 'm m uch

o bl ig ed f or t he k in dn es s, l it tl e F ai ry , and I 'l l n ow

leav e y ou i n p eace."

S ay in g t hi s, h e p lu ng ed i nt o t he t hi ck u nd er br us h and

s o on d is ap pear ed , al th ou gh t hey cou ld h ear h is g reat

b od y crash in g t hr ou gh t he b us hes u nt il h e w as f ar

distant.

"Tha t was a good wa y t o get r id of t he sa va ge be as t,

P ol y, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an t o t he C an ar y; " bu t I 'm

s ur pr is ed t ha t y ou d id n' t g iv e o ur f ri en d W oo t a m ag ic

br eakf as t, w hen y ou k new h e w as h un gr y. "





c ar ef ul ly . T he y w er e e ye s. T he e ye s w er e i n t he h ea ds

o f eno rm ou s b eas ts w ho se b od ies t rail ed f ar b eh in d

t h em . E ac h b ea st w as b ig ge r t ha n a n e le ph an t, a nd t hr ee

times a s long, and the re were a doz en or more of t he

c re at ur es s ca tt er ed h er e a nd t he re a bo ut t he c av er n. O n

th ei r b od ie s w er e b ig s ca le s, a s r ou nd a s p ie -p la te s,

which were beautifully tinted in shades of green,

p ur pl e a nd o ra ng e. O n t he e nd s o f t he ir l on g t ai ls w er e

clu st er s o f j ew el s. A ro un d t he g reat , m oo n- li ke eyes

w er e cir cl es o f d iamo nd s w hi ch s park led i n t he s ub du ed

l ig ht t hat g lo wed f ro m t he eyes.

W oo t s aw t ha t t he c re at ur es h ad wi de m ou ths a nd r ow s

o f t er ri bl e t ee th a nd , f rom t al es he ha d he ar d of s uc h

b ei ng s, h e k new h e h ad f al len i nt o a cav er n i nh ab it ed

b y t he g re at D ra go ns t ha t h ad b ee n d ri ve n f ro m t he

s ur fa ce of t he e ar th a nd we re o nl y a ll owe d t o c om e o ut

o nc e i n a h und re d y ea rs t o s ea rc h f or f ood . O f c our se

he h ad ne ve r s ee n D ra gon s b ef or e, y et t he re w as n o

mistaking them, for they were unlike any other living

creatures.

W oo t s at u po n t he f lo or w he re h e h ad f al le n, s ta ri ng

a ro un d, a nd t he o wn er s o f t he b ig e ye s r et ur ne d h is

look, silently and motionless. Finally one of the





D ra go ns w hi ch w as f ar th es t a wa y f ro m h im a sk ed , i n a

d eep, g rave v oi ce:

" Wh at w as t hat?"

A nd t he g re at es t D ra go n o f a ll , w ho w as j us t i n f ro nt

o f t he G re en M on ke y, a ns we re d i n a s ti ll d ee pe r v oi ce :

"It is some foolish animal from Outside."

" Is i t g oo d t o e at ?" i nq ui re d a s ma ll er D ra go n b es id e

the great one. "I'm hungry."

"Hungry!" exclaimed all the Dragons, in a reproachful

cho ru s; and t hen t he g reat o ne s ai d chi di ng ly : " Tu t-

t ut , m y s on! Y ou' ve no r ea son t o be hungr y a t t hi s

time."

" Wh y n ot ?" ask ed t he l it tl e D rago n. " I h av en 't eat en

anything in eleven years."

"Eleven years is nothing," remarked another Dragon,

sleepily opening and closing his eyes; "I haven't

f ea st ed f or e ig ht y- se ve n y ea rs , a nd I d ar e n ot g et

hung ry f or a doz en or s o ye ar s t o c ome . Chi ldr en w ho

e a t b et we en m ea ls s ho ul d b e b ro ke n o f t he h ab it ."





" Al l I h ad , e le ve n y ea rs a go , w as a r hi no ce ro s, a nd

t ha t' s n ot a f ul l m ea l a t a ll ," g ru mb le d t he y ou ng on e.

" An d, b ef or e t ha t, I h ad w ai te d s ix ty -t wo y ea rs t o b e

f ed ; s o i t' s n o w on de r I 'm h un gr y. "

" Ho w o ld a re y ou n ow ?" a sk ed W oo t, f or ge tt in g h is o wn

dangerous position in his interest in the conversation.

" Why, I 'm -- I 'm - - How old am I , Fa the r? " a ske d t he

little Dragon.

" Go od ne ss g ra ci ou s! w ha t a c hi ld t o a sk q ue st io ns . D o

you w ant t o k ee p m e t hi nk in g a ll t he t im e? D on' t y ou

k no w t hat t hi nk in g i s v er y b ad f or D rago ns ?" r et ur ned

the big one, impatiently.

" Ho w o ld a m I , F at he r? " p er si st ed t he s ma ll D ra go n.

" Ab ou t s ix h un dr ed and t hi rt y, I b el ieve. A sk y ou r

mother."

" No ; d on 't !" s ai d a n o ld D ra go n i n t he b ac kg ro un d;

" haven' t I eno ug h w or ri es , w hat w it h b ei ng w ak en ed i n

th e m id dl e o f a n ap , w it ho ut b ei ng o bl ig ed t o k ee p





t r ack o f m y chi ld ren' s ages?"

" Yo u' ve b ee n f as t a sl ee p f or o ve r s ix ty y ea rs ,

M ot he r, " s ai d t he c hi ld D ra go n. " Ho w l on g a n ap d o y ou

wish?"

" I s ho ul d h av e s lept f or ty y ears l on ger. A nd t hi s

s t rang e l it tl e g reen b east s ho ul d b e p un is hed f or

falling into our cavern and disturbing us."

"I didn't know you we re he re , a nd I didn' t know I was

going to fall in," explained Woot.

" Nevert hel es s, h er e y ou are," s aid t he g reat D rago n,

" an d y ou h av e c ar el es sl y w ak en ed o ur e nt ir e t ri be ; s o

i t s ta nd s t o r ea so n y ou m us t b e p un is he d. "

" In w hat w ay ?" i nq ui red t he G reen M on key, t remb li ng a

little.

"Give me ti me and I' ll t hi nk of a wa y. You' re i n no

h ur ry , a re y ou ?" a sk ed t he g re at D ra go n.

" No , i nd ee d, " c ri ed W oo t. " Ta ke y ou r t im e. I 'd m uc h

r at he r y ou' d a ll g o t o s le ep a ga in , a nd p un is h m e w he n

you wake up i n a hundre d year s or s o."





" Let m e eat h im !" p lead ed t he l it tl es t D rago n.

" He i s t oo s ma ll ," s ai d t he f at he r. " To e at t hi s o ne

G re en M on ke y w ou ld o nl y s er ve t o m ak e y ou h un gr y f or

m or e, a nd t he re a re n o m or e. "

" Qu it t hi s c ha tt er a nd l et m e g et t o s le ep ,"

protested another Dragon, yawning in a fearful manner,

f or w he n he ope ne d his mout h a sh ee t of f la me l ea pe d

forth from it and made Woot jump back to get out of its

way.

I n hi s j ump he bumpe d a ga ins t t he nos e of a D ra gon

b eh in d h im , w hi ch o pened i ts m ou th t o g ro wl and s ho t

ano th er s heet o f f lame at h im . T he f lame w as b ri gh t,

bu t n ot ve ry h ot , ye t W oo t s cr ea me d w it h t er ro r a nd

s pr an g f or wa rd w it h a g re at b ou nd . T hi s t im e h e l an de d

on t he p aw o f t he g re at C hi ef D ra go n, w ho a ng ri ly

r ai se d h is o th er f ro nt p aw a nd s tr uc k t he G re en M on ke y

a f ie rc e b lo w. W oo t w en t s ai li ng t hr ou gh t he a ir a nd

f el l s pr aw li ng u po n t he r ocky f lo or f ar b ey on d t he

p la ce w he re t he D ra go n T ri be w as g ro up ed .

A ll t he g re at b ea st s w er e n ow t ho ro ug hl y w ak en ed a nd





aro us ed , and t hey b lamed t he m on key f or d is tu rb in g

t heir q ui et . T he l it tl est D rago n d ar ted aft er W oo t and

t he o th er s t ur ned t heir u nw ield y b od ies i n h is

direction and followed, flashing from their eyes and

m ou th s f lames w hi ch l ig ht ed u p t he ent ir e cav er n. W oo t

a lm os t g av e hi ms el f u p f or l os t, a t t ha t m om en t, b ut h e

s cr am bl ed t o h is f ee t a nd d as he d a wa y t o t he f ar th es t

end o f t he cav e, t he D rago ns f ol lo wi ng m or e l ei su rely

be ca us e t he y w er e t oo c lu ms y t o m ov e f as t. P er ha ps t he y

t ho ug ht t he re w as n o n ee d o f h as te , a s t he m on ke y c ou ld

not e sc ape f rom the ca ve. But , a way up at the end of

t he p la ce , t he c av er n f lo or w as h ea pe d w it h t um bl ed

r oc ks , s o W oo t, w it h a n a gi li ty b or n o f f ea r, c li mb ed

f ro m r ock t o r ock u nt il h e f ou nd h im self cro uched

a ga in st t he c av er n r oo f. T he re h e w ai te d, f or h e c ou ld

g o n o f ar th er , w hi le o n o ve r t he t um bl ed r oc ks s lo wl y

c re pt t he D ra go ns - - t he l it tl es t o ne c om in g f ir st

b ec au se h e w as h un gr y a s w el l a s a ng ry .

T he b ea st s h ad a lm os t r ea ch ed h im w he n W oo t,

r em em be ri ng h is l ac e a pr on - - n ow s ad ly t or n a nd s oi le d

- - r ec ove re d hi s wi ts a nd s ho ut ed: " Op en! " At t he c ry a

hol e a ppe ar ed i n t he r oof of t he c ave rn, j us t ove r h is

h ead, and t hr ou gh i t t he s un li gh t s tr eamed f ul l u po n

t he G reen M on key





T he D rago ns p au sed, as to ni s hed at t he m ag ic and

b li nk in g at t he s un li gh t, and t hi s g av e W oo t t im e t o

c l im b t hr ou gh t he o pe ni ng . A s s oo n a s h e r ea ch ed t he

s ur fa ce of t he e ar th t he hol e c los ed a ga in, a nd t he bo y

m on ke y r ea li ze d, w it h a t hr il l o f j oy , t ha t he h ad s ee n

t h e l as t o f t he d an gero us D rago n f am il y

H e s at u po n t he g ro un d, s ti ll p an ti ng h ar d f ro m h is

exert io ns , w hen t he b us hes b ef or e h im p ar ted and h is

f o r mer enem y, t he J agu ar , app ear ed .

" Do n' t r un ," s ai d t he w oo dl an d b ea st , a s W oo t s pr an g

u p; " yo u a re p er fe ct ly s af e, s o f ar a s I a m c onc er ne d,

f or s in ce y ou s o m ys te ri ou sl y d is ap pe ar ed I h av e h ad m y

bre akfast . I am now on my way home t o sle ep the res t of

the day."

" Oh , i nd ee d! " r et ur ne d t he G re en M on ke y, i n a t on e

b ot h s or ry a nd s ta rt le d. " Wh ic h o f m y f ri en ds d id yo u

manage t o eat?"

" No ne o f t he m, " r et ur ne d t he J ag ua r, w it h a s ly gr in

ha d a d is h of m agi c s cr am bl ed e ggs -o n t oa st - - a nd i t

wa sn 't a ba d f ea st , a t a ll . The re i sn' t r oo m i n me f or

e ve n y ou , a nd I don 't r eg re t i t be ca us e I j ud ge , f rom





you r gr ee n c ol or , t ha t yo u a re n ot r ipe , a nd w oul d m ak e

a n i ndi ff er en t m ea l. W e j ag ua rs h av e t o b e c ar ef ul o f

our digestions. Farewell, Friend Monkey. Follow the

p at h I m ad e t hr ou gh t he bu she s a nd y ou w il l f ind y ou r

friends."

Wi th t hi s t he J agua r m ar che d on h is w ay a nd W oot t ook

h is a dv ic e a nd f ol lo we d t he t ra il h e ha d m ad e u nt il h e

c am e t o t he pl ac e w he re t he l it tl e Br own B ea r, a nd t he

T in O wl , and t he C an ar y w er e con ferr in g t og et her and

w on de ri ng w ha t h ad b ec om e o f t he ir c om ra de , t he G re en

Monkey.

C hapt er T en

Tommy Kwikstep

" Ou r b es t p la n, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow B ea r, w he n t he

G re en M on ke y h ad r el at ed t he s to ry o f h is a dv en tu re

w it h t he D rago ns , " is t o g et o ut o f t hi s G il li ki n

Count ry as s oon a s we c an and t ry t o f ind our wa y to

t he c as tl e o f G li nd a, t he G oo d S or ce re ss . T he re a re t oo





m an y da nge rs l ur ki ng h er e t o s ui t m e, a nd G li nd a m ay b e

a bl e t o r es to re u s t o ou r p ro pe r f or ms ."

" If w e t ur n s out h n ow ," t he T in O wl r ep li ed , " we

m ig ht g o s tr ai gh t i nt o t he E merald C it y. T hat' s a p lace

I wish to avoi d, for I'd ha te to have my fri ends see me

i n t hi s s ad p li gh t, " a nd he bl in ke d h is e ye s a nd

fluttered his tin wings mournfully.

" Bu t I a m c er ta in w e h av e p as se d b ey on d E me ra ld

City," the Canary assured him, sailing lightly around

t he ir h ea ds . " So , s ho ul d w e t ur n s ou th f ro m h er e, w e

would pass into the Munchkin Country, and continuing

so ut h w e w ou ld r each t he Q uadl in g C ou nt ry w here

Glinda's castle is located."

" Well , s in ce y ou 'r e s ur e o f t hat, l et 's s tart r ig ht

a wa y, " p ro po se d t he B ea r. " It 's a l on g j ou rn ey , a t t he

b es t, and I 'm g et ti ng t ir ed o f w al ki ng o n f ou r l eg s. "

" I t ho ug ht y ou n ev er t ir ed , b ei ng s tu ff ed w it h

s tr aw, " s aid W oo t.

"I mean that it annoys me, to be obliged to go on all

f ou rs , w hen t wo l eg s are m y p ro per w al ki ng equ ip ment ,"





r ep li ed t he S car ecro w. " I con si der i t b en eat h m y

di gn it y. I n o th er w or ds , m y r em ar kabl e b rain s can t ir e,

through humiliation, although my body cannot tire."

" Th at i s o ne o f t he p en al ti es o f h av in g b rain s, "

r ema rke d t he Ti n Owl wi th a s igh. " I have ha d no br ains

si nc e I was a man of me at , a nd so I ne ve r wor ry.

N ev er th el es s, I p refer m y f or mer m an ly f or m t o t hi s

o wl 's s ha pe a nd w ou ld b e g la d t o b re ak M rs . Y oo p' s

e nc ha nt me nt a s s oo n a s p os si bl e. I a m s o n oi sy , j us t

n ow , t hat I d is tu rb m ys el f, " and h e f lu tt er ed h is w in gs

w it h a clatt er t hat ech oed t hr ou gh ou t t he f or es t.

S o, b ei ng all o f o ne m in d, t hey t ur ned s ou th ward ,

t raveli ng s tead il y o n u nt il t he w oo ds w er e l ef t b eh in d

a nd t he l an ds ca pe t ur ne d f ro m p ur pl e t in ts t o b lu e

t in ts , w hi ch ass ur ed t hem t hey h ad ent er ed t he C ou nt ry

of the Munchkins.

" No w I f ee l m ys el f m or e s af e, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow

Bear . " I k no w t hi s cou nt ry p rett y w el l, h av in g b een

m ad e h er e b y a M un ch ki n f ar me r a nd h av in g w an de re d o ve r

t hese l ov el y b lu e l an ds m an y t im es . S eems t o m e,

i nd ee d, t ha t I e ve n r em em be r t ha t g ro up o f t hr ee t al l

trees ahead of us; and, if I do, we are not far from

t he h om e o f m y f ri en d J in ju r. "





" Wh o i s J in ju r? " a sk ed W oo t, t he G re en M on ke y.

"Haven't you heard of Jinjur?" exclaimed the

Scarecrow, in surprise.

" No ," s ai d W oo t. " Is J inj ur a m an , a w om an, a be as t

or a b ir d? "

" Ji nj ur i s a g ir l, " exp lain ed t he S carecr ow B ear.

" Sh e' s a f in e g ir l, t oo , a lt ho ug h a b it r es tl es s a nd

l ia bl e t o g et e xc it ed . O nc e, a l on g t im e a go , s he

r ai sed an arm y o f g ir ls and cal led h er self ' General

J in ju r. ' W it h h er arm y s he cap tu red t he E merald C it y,

and dr ove me out of i t, b ec aus e I i ns is te d t ha t a n a rmy

i n O z w as h ig hl y i mp ro per. B ut O zm a p un is hed t he r as h

g ir l, and aft er ward J in ju r and I b ecam e f as t f ri en ds .

N ow J in ju r l ive s p ea ce fu ll y o n a f ar m, n ea r h er e, a nd

raises fields of cream-puffs, chocolate-caramels and

m ac ar oo ns . T he y s ay s he 's a p re tt y g oo d f ar me r, a nd i n

a dd it io n t o t ha t s he 's a n a rt is t, a nd p ai nt s p ic tu re s

s o p er fe ct t ha t o ne c an s ca rc el y t el l t he m f ro m n at ur e.

S he of te n r epa int s my f ac e f or m e, w he n i t g ets wor n or

m us sy , a nd t he l ov el y e xp re ss io n I w or e w he n t he

G iant es s t rans fo rm ed m e w as p ai nt ed b y J in ju r o nl y a





mo nt h o r s o a go ."

" It w as cer tain ly a p leas an t exp ress io n, " agr eed

Woot.

"Jinjur can paint anything," continued the Scarecrow

B ear, w it h ent hu si as m, as t hey w al ked alo ng t og et her.

"Once , when I c ame t o he r hous e, my str aw wa s ol d and

cru mp led, s o t hat m y b od y s ag ged d read fu ll y. I n eeded

ne w s tr aw t o r epl ac e t he ol d, bu t J in ju r h ad n o s tr aw

on a ll he r r anc h a nd I wa s re al ly una bl e t o t rave l

f ar th er u nt il I h ad b een r es tu ff ed . W hen I exp lain ed

t hi s t o J in ju r, t he g ir l a t o nc e p ai nt ed a s tr aw -s ta ck

whi ch wa s s o n at ur al t ha t I w ent t o i t a nd s ec ur ed

e nou gh s tr aw t o f il l a ll m y b ody . I t w as a go od q ua li ty

o f s tr aw, t oo , a nd l as te d m e a l ong t im e."

T hi s s ee me d v er y w on de rf ul t o W oo t, w ho k ne w t ha t

s uc h a t hi ng c ould ne ver ha ppe n i n a ny pl ac e but a

fairy country like Oz.

The Munchkin Country was much nicer than the Gillikin

C ou nt ry , a nd a ll t he f ie ld s w er e s ep ar at ed b y b lu e

f en ce s, w it h g ra ss y l an es a nd p at hs o f b lu e g ro un d, a nd

t he l an d s eemed w el l cul ti vated. T hey w er e o n a l it tl e

h il l l oo ki ng d ow n u po n t hi s f av or ed cou nt ry , b ut h ad





n ot q ui te r ea ch ed t he s et tl ed p ar ts , w he n o n t ur ni ng a

be nd i n t he pa th t he y we re ha lt ed b y a f or m t ha t ba rr ed

their way

A m or e c ur io us c re at ur e t he y h ad s el do m s ee n, e ve n i n

t he L an d o f O z, w he re c ur io us c re at ur es a bo un d. I t h ad

t he h ea d of a young ma n - - ev ide nt ly a Munc hki n -- wi th

a p le as an t f ac e a nd h ai r n ea tl y c om be d. B ut t he b od y

w as ve ry l ong, f or i t ha d t we nt y l egs - - t en l eg s on

e ac h s ide - - a nd thi s c ause d t he body to st re tc h out

a nd l ie i n a h or iz on ta l p os it io n, s o t ha t a ll t he l eg s

c ou ld t ou ch t he g ro un d a nd s ta nd f ir m. F ro m t he

s ho ul ders ext en ded t wo s mall arm s; at l east , t hey

s eemed s mall b es id e s o m an y l eg s.

T hi s o dd c re at ur e w as d re ss ed i n t he r eg ul at io n

clo th in g o f t he M un ch ki n p eo pl e, a d ar k b lu e coat n eatl y

f it ti ng t he l ong bo dy a nd e ac h p ai r of l eg s h av in g a

pair of sky-blue trousers, with blue-tinted stockings

a nd b lu e l ea th er s ho es t ur ne d u p a t t he p oi nt ed t oe s.

" I w on de r w ho y ou a re ?" s ai d P ol yc hr om e t he C an ar y,

f lu tt er in g abo ve t he s tr ang e cr eatu re, w ho h ad p ro babl y

b e en a sl ee p o n t he p at h.





me ; I wi sh I ha d t we nty l egs !' a nd i n an ins tant I

b ecam e t he u nu su al creat ur e y ou s ee b es id e y ou . T went y

l egs ! T we nt y on on e m an! Y ou m ay c ou nt t he m, i f y ou

d ou bt m y w or d. "

" Yo u' ve g ot ' em , all r ig ht ," s ai d W oo t t he M on key,

wh o h ad alr eady cou nt ed t hem.

" Af te r I ha d d el iv er ed t he m ag ic m ed ic in e t o t he o ld

w om an , I r et ur ne d a nd t ri ed t o f in d t he w it ch , o r

f ai ry , o r w ha te ve r s he w as , w ho h ad g iv en m e t he

u nl uc ky w is h, s o s he c ou ld t ak e i t a wa y a ga in . I 'v e

b ee n s ea rc hi ng f or h er e ve r s in ce , b ut n ev er c an I f in d

h er ," con ti nu ed p oo r T om my K wi ks tep, s ad ly " I s up po se,

s ai d t he T in O wl , b li nk in g at h im , " yo u can t ravel

v er y f as t, w it h t ho se t went y l eg s. "

" At fi rs t I wa s a bl e t o," wa s t he r epl y; " but I

t ra ve le d s o m uc h, s ea rc hi ng f or t he f ai ry , o r w it ch , o r

w ha te ve r s he w as , t ha t I s oon go t c or ns o n m y t oe s.

N ow, a corn on one toe is not so bad, but when you have

a hundred toes -- as I have -- a nd get corns on most of

t he m, i t i s f ar f ro m p le as ant . I ns te ad of r un ni ng , I

n ow p ai nf ul ly c ra wl , a nd a lt ho ugh I t ry no t t o b e

d is co ur ag ed I d o h op e I s ha ll f in d t ha t w it ch o r f ai ry ,





o r w ha te ve r s he w as , b ef or e l on g. "

" I h op e s o, t oo ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow . " Bu t, a ft er

all , y ou h av e t he p leas ur e o f k no wi ng y ou are u nu su al ,

a nd t he re fo re r em ar ka bl e a mo ng t he p eo pl e o f O z. T o b e

j us t l ik e o th er p er so ns i s s ma ll c re di t t o o ne , w hi le

t o b e u nl ik e o th er s i s a m ar k o f d is ti nc ti on ."

"That sounds very pretty," returned Tommy Kwikstep,

" but i f you ha d t o pu t on t en pa ir of t rou se rs e ve ry

m or ni ng , a nd t ie u p t we nt y s ho es , y ou w ou ld p re fe r n ot

to be so distinguished."

" Wa s t he wi tc h, o r f ai ry, or wh at ev er s he w as , a n o ld

p er so n, w it h w ri nk led s ki n and h al f h er t eeth g on e?"

inquired the Tin Owl.

"No," said Tommy Kwikstep.

" Th en s he w as n' t O ld M om bi ," r em ar ked t he t rans fo rm ed

Emperor.

" I' m not i nt er est ed i n who i t wa sn' t, s o muc h a s I a m

in w ho i t w as ," s ai d t he t went y- legg ed y ou ng m an . " An d,

w ha te ve r o r w ho ms oe ve r s he w as , s he h as m an ag ed t o k ee p

ou t of m y w ay ."





" If y ou f ou nd h er , d o y ou s up po se s he 'd c ha ng e y ou

b ac k i nt o a t wo -l eg ge d b oy ?" a sk ed W oo t.

" Pe rh ap s s o, i f I c ou ld r un a no th er e rr an d f or h er

a nd s o e ar n a no th er w is h. "

" Wo ul d y ou r ea ll y l ik e t o b e a s y ou w er e b ef or e? "

ask ed P ol ychr om e t he C an ar y, p er ch in g u po n t he G reen

M on key' s s ho ul der t o o bs er ve T om my K wi ks tep m or e

attentively.

" I w ou ld , i nd eed, " w as t he ear nest r ep ly .

" The n I wi ll s ee wha t I c an do f or you," promi se d t he

R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter, and f ly in g t o t he g ro un d s he t oo k a

s mall t wi g i n h er b il l and w it h i t m ad e s ev er al m ys ti c

f ig ur es o n each s id e o f T om my K wi ks tep.

" Ar e y ou a w it ch , o r f ai ry , o r s om et hi ng o f t he

s or t? " h e a sk ed a s h e w at ch ed h er w on de ri ng ly .

Th e C an ar y m ad e n o a ns we r, f or s he wa s bu sy , bu t t he

S carecr ow B ear r ep li ed : " Yes; s he's s om et hi ng o f t he

s ort , a nd a bi rd of a ma gi ci an. "





The twenty-legged boy's transformation happened so

q ue er ly t ha t t he y w er e a ll s ur pr is ed a t i ts m et ho d.

F ir s t, T om my K wi ks tep' s l as t t wo l egs d is app eared; t hen

the next two, a nd the ne xt, and as ea ch pa ir of l egs

vanished his body shortened. All this while Polychrome

was running around him and chirping mystical words, and

w he n a ll t he y ou ng m an 's l eg s h ad d is ap pe ar ed b ut t wo

h e n ot ic ed t ha t t he C an ar y w as s ti ll b us y a nd c ri ed o ut

in alarm:

"Stop - - s top! Le ave me two of my le gs , or I shal l be

w or se o ff t han b ef or e. "

" I k no w, " s ai d t he C an ar y. " I' m o nl y r em ov in g w it h m y

m ag ic t he c or ns f ro m y ou r l as t t en t oe s. "

" Th an k y ou f or b ei ng s o t ho ug ht fu l, " h e s ai d

gratefully, and now they noticed that Tommy Kwikstep

w as q ui te a n ice l oo ki ng y ou ng f el lo w.

" Wh at w il l y ou d o n ow ~" a sk ed W oo t t he M on ke y.

" Fi rs t, " h e ans wered, " I m us t d el iv er a n ot e w hi ch

I 've c ar ri ed i n my po cke t e ve r s inc e t he w it ch , or

fair y, o r w hatever s he w as , g rant ed m y f oo li sh w is h.





A nd I a m r es ol ve d n ev er t o s pe ak a ga in w it ho ut t ak in g

t im e t o t hi nk c ar ef ul ly o n w ha t I a m g oi ng t o s ay , f or

I r eali ze t hat s peech w it ho ut t ho ug ht i s d an gero us . A nd

a ft er I 'v e d el iv er ed t he n ot e, I s ha ll r un e rr an ds

again f or any on e w ho n eeds m y s er vi ces. "

S o h e t ha nk ed P ol yc hr om e a ga in a nd s ta rt ed a wa y i n a

di ff er en t d ir ecti on f ro m t heir o wn , and t hat w as t he

l as t t hey s aw o f T om my K wi ks tep.

Chapter Eleven

Jinjur's Ranch

A s t hey f ol lo wed a p at h d ow n t he b lu e- gr as s h il ls id e,

t he f ir st h ou se t ha t m et t he v ie w o f t he t ra ve le rs w as

j oy ou sl y r ec og ni ze d b y t he S ca re cr ow B ea r a s t he o ne

i nh ab it ed b y h is f ri en d J in ju r, s o t hey i ncreas ed t heir

s p ee d a nd h ur ri ed t ow ar d i t.

O n r ea ch in g t he p la ce , h ow e ve r, t he y f ou nd t he h ou se





d es er te d. T he f ro nt d oo r s to od o pe n, b ut n o o ne w as

i ns id e. I n t he g ar den s ur ro un di ng t he h ou se w er e n eat

r ow s o f b us hes b eari ng cream- pu ff s and m acaro on s, s om e

o f w hi ch w er e s ti ll g re en , b ut o th er s r ip e a nd r ea dy t o

e at . F ar th er b ac k w er e f ie ld s o f c ar am el s, a nd a ll t he

land seemed well cultivated and carefully tended. They

l oo ked t hr ou gh t he f ield s f or t he g ir l f ar mer, b ut s he

w as n ow he re t o b e s ee n.

"Well," finally remarked the little Brown Bear, "let

u s go i nt o t he hous e a nd m ake o ur se lve s a t hom e. Tha t

wi ll b e s ur e t o p le as e m y f ri en d J in ju r, w ho h ap pe ns t o

b e a wa y f ro m h om e j us t n ow . W he n s he r et ur ns , s he w il l

be greatly surprised."

" Wou ld s he c ar e i f I a te s om e o f t ho se r ipe c re am -

p uf f s?" ask ed t he G reen M on key.

" No , i nd eed; J in ju r i s v er y g en er ou s. H el p y ou rs el f

t o a ll y ou w an t, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow B ea r.

S o W oot ga th er ed a l ot o f t he c re am -p uf fs t ha t w er e

g ol den y el lo w and f il led w it h a s weet , cream y

s ub st an ce, and ate u nt il h is h un ger w as s at is fi ed . T hen

he e nt er ed t he hous e wi th hi s f ri ends a nd s at i n a

r oc ki ng -c ha ir - - j us t a s h e w as a cc us to me d t o d o w he n a





b oy . T he C an ar y p er ch ed h er se lf u po n t he m an te l a nd

d ai nt il y p lu med h er f eath er s; t he T in O wl s at o n t he

ba ck o f a no th er c ha ir ; t he S ca re cr ow s qu at te d o n h is

h ai ry h au nches i n t he m id dl e o f t he r oo m.

" I b el ieve I r em em ber t he g ir l J in ju r, " r em ar ked t he

Ca na ry , i n h er s we et v oi ce . " Sh e c an no t h el p u s v er y

mu ch, e xc ep t t o d ir ec t u s o n our w ay t o Gl inda 's

c as tl e, f or s he d oe s n ot u nd er st an d m ag ic . B ut s he 's a

g oo d g ir l, h on es t a nd s en si bl e, a nd I 'l l b e g la d t o s ee

her."

" Al l o ur t ro ub le s, " s ai d t he O wl w it h a d ee p s ig h,

" ar os e f ro m m y f oo li sh r es ol ve t o s eek N im mi e A mee and

m ak e h er E mp re ss o f t he W in ki es , a nd w hi le I w is h t o

re proac h no one, I mus t s ay that it wa s Woot t he

W an de re r w ho p ut t he n ot io n i nt o m y h ea d. "

" We ll , f or m y p ar t, I a m gl ad he d id," re sponde d t he

C an ar y. " Yo ur j ou rn ey r es ul ted i n s av in g m e f ro m t he

Gi an te ss , a nd h ad y ou n ot t ra ve le d t o t he Y oo p V al le y,

I w ou ld s ti ll b e M rs . Y oo p' s p ri so ne r. I t i s m uc h n ic er

t o b e f re e, e ve n t ho ug h I s ti ll b ea r t he e nc ha nt ed f or m

o f a C an ar y- Bi rd ."





" Do yo u t hi nk we s ha ll e ve r be a bl e t o ge t ou r p rop er

f or ms b ack again ?" as ked t he G reen M on key ear nest ly .

P ol yc hr om e d id n ot m ak e r ep ly a t o nc e t o t hi s

i mp or tant q uest io n, b ut aft er a p er io d o f

thoughtfulness she said:

" I ha ve be en ta ught to be lie ve tha t the re i s a n

ant id ot e f or every m ag ic charm , y et M rs . Y oo p i ns is ts

t hat n o p ow er can alt er h er t rans fo rm at io ns . I r eali ze

t ha t my o wn f ai ry m ag ic c ann ot do i t, a lt ho ug h I ha ve

th ou gh t t ha t w e S ky F ai ri es h av e m or e p ow er t ha n i s

a cc or de d t o E ar th F ai ri es . T he y oo ko oh oo m ag ic i s

a dm it te d t o b e v er y s tr an ge i n i ts w or ki ng s a nd

different from the magic usually practiced, but perhaps

G li nd a o r O zm a m ay u nd er st an d i t b et te r t ha n I . I n t he m

l ie s o ur o nl y h op e. U nl es s t he y c an h el p u s, w e m us t

r e ma in f or ev er a s w e a re ."

" A C an ar y- Bi rd o n a R ai nb ow w ou ld n' t b e s o b ad ,"

asserted the Tin Owl, winking and blinking with his

r ou nd t in e ye s, " so i f y ou c an m an age t o f in d yo ur

Rain bo w again y ou n eed h av e l it tl e t o w or ry abo ut ."

"That's nonsense, Friend Chopper," exclaimed Woot. "I

k no w j us t h ow P ol ychr om e f eels . A b eaut if ul g ir l i s





m uc h s upe ri or t o a l it tl e y el low b ir d, a nd a b oy - -

s uc h a s I w as -- fa r be tt er t han a Gr ee n Monke y.

Ne it he r of u s c an be ha ppy a ga in u nl es s we r ec ove r o ur

rightful forms."

" I f eel t he s am e w ay ," ann ou nced t he s tu ff ed B ear.

" Wh at d o y ou s up po se m y f ri en d t he P at ch wo rk G ir l w ou ld

t hi nk o f m e, i f s he s aw m e w ea ri ng t hi s b ea st ly s ha pe ?"

" Sh e' d l au gh t il l s he cri ed ," adm it ted t he T in O wl .

" For m y par t, I 'll ha ve t o give up t he noti on of

m ar ry in g N im mi e A me e, bu t I 'l l t ry n ot t o l et t ha t m ak e

m e unha ppy. I f i t' s my dut y, I 'd l ike t o do m y dut y,

but if magic prevents my getting married I'll flutter

a lon g a ll b y m ys el f a nd b e j us t a s c on te nt ed ."

T heir s er io us m is fo rt un es m ad e t hem all s il en t f or a

ti me, and as t heir t ho ug ht s w er e b us y i n d well in g u po n

t he evi ls w it h w hi ch f at e h ad b ur dened t hem, n on e

n ot iced t hat J in ju r h ad s ud denl y app eared i n t he

do or way and w as l oo ki ng at t hem i n ast on is hm en t. T he

n ex t m om en t h er ast on is hm en t chang ed t o ang er , f or

t he re , i n h er b es t r oc ki ng -c ha ir , s at a G re en M on ke y. A

g r ea t s hi ny O wl p er ch ed u po n a no th er c ha ir a nd a B ro wn

B e ar s qu at te d u po n h er p ar lo r r ug . J in ju r d id n ot





n ot ic e t he C an ar y, b ut s he c au gh t u p a b ro om st ic k a nd

d as he d i nt o t he r oo m, s ho ut in g a s s he c am e:

" Ge t o ut o f h er e, y ou w il d c re at ur es ! H ow d ar e y ou

enter my house?"

W it h a b lo w o f h er b ro om s he k noc ke d t he B ro wn B ea r

over, and the Tin Owl tried to fly out of her reach and

m ad e a g re at c la tt er w it h h is t in w in gs . T he G re en

M o nke y w as s o s ta rt le d by t he s udd en a tt ac k t ha t h e

sp ra ng i nt o t he f ir ep la ce - - w he re t he re w as

f or tu na te ly n o f ir e - - a nd t ri ed t o e sc ap e b y c li mb in g

u p t he c hi mne y. Bu t he f ou nd t he op eni ng t oo s ma ll , a nd

s o w as f or ce d t o d ro p do wn a ga in . T he n h e c rou che d

t remb li ng i n t he f ir ep lace, h is p rett y g reen h ai r all

b la ck en ed w it h s oo t a nd c ov er ed w it h a sh es . F ro m t hi s

p os it io n W oo t w at ch ed t o s ee w ha t w ou ld h ap pe n n ex t.

" St op , J in ju r - - s to p! " c ri ed t he B ro wn B ea r, w he n

t he b ro om again t hr eatened h im . " Do n' t y ou k no w m e? I 'm

y o ur o ld f ri en d t he S carecr ow ?"

" Yo u' re t ry in g t o d ecei ve m e, y ou n au gh ty b east ! I

c an s ee pl ai nl y t ha t yo u a re a b ea r, a nd a m igh ty poo r

sp ec im en o f a b ea r, t oo ," r et or te d t he g ir l.





powerful."

"She's a yookoohoo," said Polychrome. "Fortunately,

we ma nage d to es cape fr om he r c ast le , and we a re now on

our wa y t o Gli nda the Good to se e if she poss es se s t he

p ow er t o r es to re u s t o o ur f or me r s ha pe s. "

" Th en I m us t b eg y ou r p ar don s; a ll o f y ou m us t

f or gi ve m e, " s ai d J in ju r, p ut ti ng away t he b ro om . " I

t oo k yo u t o b e a l ot o f w il d, u nm an ne rl y a ni ma ls , a s

w as q ui te n at ur al . Y ou a re v er y w el co me t o m y h om e a nd

I 'm s or ry I h ave n' t t he p ow er t o he lp you o ut of y our

t roub le s. Pl ea se us e m y h ous e a nd a ll t ha t I ha ve , a s

i f i t w er e y ou r o wn. "

A t t hi s d ec la ra ti on o f p ea ce , t he B ea r g ot u po n h is

f ee t a nd t he O wl r es um ed hi s pe rc h up on t he c ha ir a nd

t he M on ke y c re pt o ut o f t he f ir ep la ce . J in ju r l oo ke d a t

Woot critically, and scowled.

" Fo r a G re en M on ke y, " s ai d s he , " yo u' re t he b la ck es t

c re at ur e I e ve r s aw . A nd y ou 'l l g et m y n ic e c le an r oo m

a ll d ir ty w it h s oo t a nd a sh es . W ha te ve r p os se ss ed y ou

t o j um p u p t he chi mn ey ?"

" I - - I w as s ca re d, " e xp la in ed W oo t, s om ew ha t





ashamed.

" Well , y ou n eed r en ov at in g, and t hat' s w hat w il l

h ap pe n t o y ou , r ig ht a wa y. C om e w it h m e! " s he

commanded.

" Wh at a re yo u g oi ng t o do ?" a ske d W oot .

" Gi ve y ou a g oo d s cr ub bi ng ," s ai d J in ju r.

Now, neither boys nor monkeys relish being scrubbed,

s o W oo t s hr an k away f ro m t he energ et ic g ir l, t remb li ng

f earf ul ly . B ut J in ju r g rabb ed h im b y h is p aw and

dr ag ge d hi m o ut t o t he ba ck ya rd , w he re , i n s pi te o f

h is w hi nes and s tr ug gl es , s he p lu ng ed h im i nt o a t ub o f

c ol d w at er a nd b eg an t o s cr ub h im w it h a s ti ff b ru sh

a nd a ca ke of ye llow s oa p.

T hi s w as t he h ar de st t ri al t ha t W oo t h ad e nd ur ed

s inc e he be ca me a m on ke y, bu t n o p rot es t ha d a ny

influence with Jinjur, who lathered and scrubbed him in

a b us in es s- li ke m an ner and aft er ward d ri ed h im w it h a

co ars e t o wel .

T he B ea r a nd t he O wl g ra ve ly w at ch ed t hi s o pe ra ti on





and n od ded app ro val w hen W oo t' s s il ky g reen f ur s ho ne

c le ar a nd b ri gh t i n t he a ft er no on s un . T he C an ar y

s eemed m uch amu sed and l au gh ed a s il very r ip pl e o f

l au gh ter as s he s ai d:

" Very w el l d on e, m y g oo d J in ju r; I adm ir e y ou r energ y

and j udgm ent . Bu t I h ad no i de a a m on ke y c oul d l ook s o

com ical as t hi s m on key d id w hi le h e w as b ei ng b at hed. "

" I' m n ot a m on key! " d eclared W oo t, r es en tf ul ly ; " I' m

j us t a b oy i n a m on ke y' s s ha pe , t ha t' s a ll ."

" If y ou can exp lain t o m e t he d if ference, " s ai d

J inj ur , " I' ll a gr ee n ot t o w as h you a ga in -- t ha t i s,

unless you foolishly get into the fireplace. All

p er so ns a re u su al ly j ud ge d b y t he s ha pe s i n w hi ch t he y

a ppe ar to the e ye s of ot he rs . Look a t m e, Woot ; wha t a m

I?"

W oo t l oo ke d a t h er .

" Yo u' re a s pr et ty a gi rl a s I 'v e e ve r s ee n, " h e

replied.

J in ju r f ro wn ed . T ha t i s, s he t ri ed h ar d t o f ro wn .





" C om e ou t i nt o t he g ar de n w it h m e, " s he s ai d, " an d

I 'l l g iv e y ou s om e o f t he m os t d el icio us car am el s y ou

e ve r a te . Th ey 'r e a ne w v ar ie ty, t ha t no on e c an gr ow

b ut m e, and t hey h av e a h el io tr op e f lavo r. "

Chapter Twelve

O zm a and D or ot hy

I n h er m ag ni fi cent p al ace i n t he E merald C it y, t he

b eau ti fu l g ir l R ul er o f all t he w on derf ul L an d o f O z

s at i n h er d ai nt y b ou do ir w it h h er f ri en d P ri nces s

D or ot hy b es id e h er . O zm a w as s tu dy in g a r ol l o f

m an us cr ip t w hi ch s he h ad t ak en f ro m t he R oy al L ib rary ,

w hi le D or ot hy w or ke d a t h er e mb ro id er y a nd a t t im es

s to ope d t o pa t a s ha ggy l it tl e bl ac k do g t ha t l ay a t

h er f ee t. T he l it tl e do g' s n am e wa s T ot o, a nd he w as

Dorothy's faithful companion.

To j udg e O zm a o f Oz by t he s ta nd ar ds of o ur w or ld ,

y ou w ou ld t hi nk h er v er y y ou ng - - p er ha ps f ou rt ee n o r





f if te en y ea rs o f a ge - - y et f or y ea rs s he ha d r ul ed t he

La nd of Oz a nd h ad ne ve r s ee me d a b it ol de r. Do ro th y

a pp ea re d m uc h y ou ng er t ha n O zm a. S he h ad b ee n a l it tl e

girl when first she came to the Land of Oz, and she was

a l it tle gi rl s ti ll, and woul d ne ve r se em t o be a da y

older while she lived in this wonderful fairyland.

Oz wa s n ot a lw ays a f ai ry la nd , I a m t ol d. On ce i t w as

muc h li ke ot he r l ands , e xc ept i t wa s s hut i n by a

d re ad fu l d es er t o f s an dy w as te s t ha t l ay a ll a ro un d i t,

t h us p revent in g i ts p eo pl e f ro m all con tact w it h t he

r es t o f t he w or ld . S eein g t hi s i so lati on , t he f ai ry

ba nd o f Q ue en L ur li ne , p as si ng o ve r O z w hi le o n a

jo ur ne y, e nc ha nt ed t he c ou nt ry a nd s o m ad e i t a

F ai ry land . A nd Q ueen L ur li ne l ef t o ne o f h er f ai ri es t o

r ul e t hi s e nc ha nt ed La nd of O z, a nd t he n p as se d on a nd

fo rg ot all abo ut i t.

F rom t ha t m ome nt n o o ne i n O z e ve r d ie d. Th os e who

w e re o ld r em ai ne d o ld ; t ho se w ho w er e y ou ng a nd s tr on g

d id n ot c ha ng e a s y ea rs p as se d t he m b y; t he c hi ld re n

remain ed chi ld ren alw ay s, and p layed and r om ped t o

t heir h eart s' con tent , w hi le all t he b ab ies l iv ed i n

t he ir c ra dl es a nd w er e t en de rl y c ar ed f or a nd n ev er

gr ew up . S o pe opl e i n Oz s top pe d c ou nt ing ho w o ld t he y

w er e i n y ea rs , f or y ea rs m ad e n o d if fe re nc e i n t he ir





app earance and cou ld n ot al ter t hei r s t at io n. T hey d id

no t g et s ic k, s o t he re w er e n o d oc to rs a mo ng t he m.

A cc id en ts m ig ht h ap pe n t o s om e, o n r ar e o cc as io ns , i t

is t ru e, a nd w hi le n o o ne c ou ld d ie n at ur al ly , a s o th er

pe op le d o, i t w as p os si bl e t ha t o ne m ig ht b e t ot al ly

destroyed. Such incidents, however, were very unusual,

a nd s o s el do m w as t he re a ny th in g t o w or ry o ve r t ha t t he

O z pe opl e we re a s ha ppy a nd c on te nt ed a s c an be .

A no th er s tr an ge t hi ng a bo ut t hi s f ai ry L an d o f O z w as

t ha t w ho ev er m an ag ed t o e nt er i t f ro m t he o ut si de w or ld

c am e unde r t he m agi c s pe ll of t he pl ac e a nd di d not

c ha ng e i n a pp ea ra nc e a s l on g a s t he y l iv ed t he re . S o

D or ot hy , w ho n ow l iv ed w it h O zm a, s ee me d j us t t he s am e

s we et l it tl e g ir l s he ha d b ee n w he n f ir st s he c am e t o

this delightful fairyland.

P er ha ps a ll p ar ts o f O z m ig ht n ot b e c al le d t ru ly

delightful, but it was surely delightful in the

n ei gh bo rh oo d o f t he E merald C it y, w here O zm a r ei gn ed .

Her loving influence was felt for many miles around,

bu t t here w er e p laces i n t he m ou nt ai ns o f t he G il li ki n

C ou nt ry , and t he f or es ts o f t he Q uadl in g C ou nt ry , and

p er haps i n f ar -away p ar ts o f t he M un ch ki n and W in ki e

C ou nt ri es , w here t he i nh ab it an ts w er e s om ew hat r ud e and





u nc iv il iz ed a nd h ad n ot y et c om e un de r t he s pe ll o f

O zm a' s w is e a nd k in dl y r ul e. A ls o, w he n O z f ir st b ec am e

a fairyland, it harbored several witches and magicians

a nd s or ce re rs a nd n ec ro ma nc er s, w ho w er e s ca tt er ed i n

v ar io us p ar ts , b ut m os t o f t he se h ad b ee n d ep ri ve d o f

th ei r m ag ic p ow er s, a nd O zm a h ad i ss ue d a r oy al e di ct

f or bi dd in g any on e i n h er d om in io ns t o w or k m ag ic excep t

G li nd a t he G oo d a nd t he W iz ar d o f O z. O zm a h er se lf ,

be ing a r ea l fa iry, kne w a lot of magi c, but s he onl y

u se d i t t o b en ef it h er s ub je ct s.

This little explanation will help you to understand

b et te r t he s tor y you a re r ea chi ng , but m os t of i t i s

a l re ad y k no wn t o t ho se w ho a re f am il ia r w it h t he O z

p eo pl e w ho se adv en tu res t hey h av e f ol lo wed i n o th er O z

books.

O zm a a nd D or ot hy w er e f as t f ri en ds a nd w er e m uc h

t og et her. E very on e i n O z l ov ed D or ot hy alm os t as w el l

as t hey d id t heir l ov el y R ul er , f or t he l it tl e K an sas

g ir l' s g oo d f or tu ne h ad n ot s po il ed h er o r r en de re d h er

a t a ll va in. S he w as j us t t he s am e br ave a nd t rue a nd

a dv en tu ro us c hi ld a s b ef or e s he l iv ed i n a r oy al p al ac e

a nd b ec am e t he c hu m o f t he f ai ry O zm a.

In the r oom in which the two sa t -- which was one of





O zm a' s p ri vate s ui te o f apart ment s - - h un g t he f am ou s

M ag ic P ictu re. T hi s w as t he s ou rce o f con st an t i nt er es t

t o l it tl e D or ot hy. O ne ha d b ut t o s ta nd b ef or e i t a nd

wis h t o s ee wha t any pe rs on was doing, a nd at once a

s cene w ou ld f lash u po n t he m ag ic can vas w hi ch s ho wed

e xa ct ly w he re t ha t p er so n w as , a nd l ik e o ur o wn m ov in g

p ic tu re s w ou ld r ep ro du ce t he a ct io ns o f t ha t p er so n a s

l ong a s yo u c ar ed t o w at ch t he m. S o t oda y, wh en D or ot hy

t ir ed o f h er e mb ro id er y, s he d re w t he c ur ta in s f ro m

be for e t he M agi c P ic tur e a nd wi she d t o s ee w ha t he r

f ri en d B ut to n B ri gh t w as d oi ng . B ut to n B ri gh t, s he s aw ,

w as p layi ng b al l w it h O jo , t he M un ch ki n b oy , s o D or ot hy

ne xt wi she d t o s ee wha t he r Au nt Em wa s doi ng. The

p ictu re s ho wed A un t E m q ui et ly eng ag ed i n d ar ni ng s ocks

f or Un cl e H enr y, s o D or ot hy w is he d t o s ee w ha t he r o ld

f r iend t he T in W oo dm an w as d oi ng .

T he T in W oo dm an w as t hen j us t l eavi ng h is t in cas tl e

i n t he c om pa ny o f t he S ca re cr ow a nd W oo t t he W an de re r.

D or ot hy h ad n ev er s ee n t hi s b oy b ef or e, s o s he w on de re d

wh o h e w as . A ls o s he wa s c ur iou s t o k no w w he re t he

t hr ee w er e g oi ng , f or s he n ot ic ed W oo t' s k na ps ac k a nd

g ue ss ed t he y h ad s ta rt ed o n a l on g j ou rn ey . S he a sk ed

O zm a a bout i t, bu t O zm a di d n ot kn ow





T hat aft er no on D or ot hy again s aw t he t ravelers i n t he

Magic Picture, but they were merely tramping through

t he cou nt ry and D or ot hy w as n ot m uch i nt er es ted i n

t he m. A c ou pl e o f d ay s l at er , h ow ev er , t he g ir l, b ei ng

a ga in w it h O zm a, w is he d t o s ee h er f ri en ds , t he

S c ar ec ro w a nd t he T in W oo dm an i n t he M ag ic P ic tu re , a nd

o n t hi s o cc as io n f ou nd t he m i n t he g re at c as tl e o f M rs .

Yoo p, t he G ia nt es s, w ho w as a t t he t im e a bo ut t o

tr an sf or m t hem. B ot h D or ot hy and O zm a n ow b ecam e

greatly interested and watched the transformations with

indignation and horror.

"What a wicked Giantess!" exclaimed Dorothy.

" Yes, " ans wered O zm a, " sh e m us t b e p un is hed f or t hi s

c rue lt y t o ou r f ri ends , a nd t o t he poor boy w ho i s wi th

them."

A ft er t hi s t hey f ol lo wed t he adv en tu re o f t he l it tl e

B rown Be ar a nd t he Ti n Owl a nd th e Gr ee n M onke y wi th

b reat hl es s i nt er es t, and w er e d el ig ht ed w hen t hey

e sc ap ed f ro m M rs . Y oo p. T he y d id n ot kn ow , t he n, w ho

t he C ana ry wa s, but r ea li ze d i t mus t be t he

t rans fo rm at io n o f s om e p er so n o f con sequ en ce, w ho m t he

Giantess had also enchanted.





W hen, f in al ly , t he d ay cam e w hen t he adv en tu rers

h eaded s ou th i nt o t he M un ch ki n C ou nt ry , D or ot hy ask ed

anxiously:

" Ca n' t s om et hi ng b e d on e f or t he m, O zm a? C an 't y ou

chang e ' em b ack i nt o t heir o wn s hapes ? T hey' ve s uf fered

enough from these dreadful transformations, seems to

me."

" I' ve b een s tu dy in g w ay s t o h el p t hem, ever s in ce

t hey w er e t rans fo rm ed ," r ep li ed O zm a. " Mr s. Y oo p i s n ow

t h e o nl y y oo ko oh oo i n m y d om in io ns , and t he y oo ko oh oo

ma gi c i s v er y p ec ul ia r a nd h ar d f or o th er s t o

un de rs ta nd , y et I a m r es ol ve d t o m ak e t he a tt em pt t o

b re ak t he se e nc ha nt me nt s. I m ay n ot s uc ce ed , b ut I

s ha ll do t he b es t I c an. F ro m t he di re ct ion s our

f ri en ds a re t ak in g, I b el ie ve t he y a re g oi ng t o p as s b y

J inj ur 's Ra nc h, so i f we s ta rt now w e ma y m eet the m

t he re . W ou ld y ou l ik e t o g o w it h m e, D or ot hy ?"

"Of course," answered the little girl; "I wouldn't

miss it for anything."

"T he n or de r t he Re d W agon ," s ai d Oz ma of Oz , " and we

wi ll s tart at o nce. "





S o D or ot hy l if te d t he l it tl e d og i nt o t he w ag on , f or ,

whi le he c oul d r un fa st , h e c ould not ke ep up wi th t he

s peed o f t he w on der fu l S aw ho rs e.

A way t hey w en t, o ver h il ls and t hr ou gh m eado ws ,

cov er in g t he g ro un d w it h ast on is hi ng s peed . I t i s n ot

s ur pr is in g, t herefo re, t hat t he R ed W ag on arr iv ed

befo re J in ju r' s h ou se j us t as t hat energ et ic y ou ng l ad y

h ad f in is hed s cr ub bi ng t he G reen M on key and w as abo ut

t o l ea d hi m t o t he c ar am el pa tc h.

Chapter Thirteen

The Restoration

The Ti n O wl ga ve a hoot of de light whe n he s aw t he Re d

Wa go n d ra w u p b ef or e J in ju r' s h ou se , a nd t he B ro wn B ea r

g ru nt ed and g ro wl ed w it h g lee and t r ot ted t ow ar d O zm a

a s f as t a s he c oul d wo bb le . A s f or t he C ana ry, i t f le w





s wi ft ly t o D or ot hy 's s ho ul der and p er ch ed t here, s ay in g

in h er e ar :

" Th an k g oo dn es s y ou h av e c om e t o o ur r es cu e! "

" Bu t w ho a re y ou ?" a sk ed D or ot hy

" Do n' t y ou k no w?" r et ur ned t he C an ar y.

" No ; f or t he f ir st t im e w e n ot ic ed y ou i n t he M agi c

P ic tur e, y ou we re j us t a bi rd , a s y ou a re n ow . Bu t

w e' ve g uess ed t hat t he g iant w om an h ad t rans fo rm ed y ou ,

a s s he d id t he ot he rs ."

"Yes; I'm Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter,"

announced the Canary.

"Goodness me!" cried Dorothy. "How dreadful."

" We ll , I m ak e a r at he r p re tt y b ir d, I t hi nk ,"

r etu rn ed P ol ychr om e, " bu t o f cou rs e I 'm anx io us t o

re su me m y o wn s ha pe a nd g et b ac k u po n m y r ai nb ow ."

" Ozma w il l h el p y ou , I 'm s ur e, " s ai d D or ot hy . " Ho w

d oe s i t f ee l, Sc ar ec row, t o b e a B ea r? " s he a ske d,

addressing her old friend.





" I d on 't l ik e i t, " d ec la re d t he S ca re cr ow B ea r. " Th is

br ut al f or m i s q ui te b en eath t he d ig ni ty o f a w ho leso me

straw man."

" An d t hi nk of m e, " s ai d t he O wl , p er ch in g up on t he

d as hb oard o f t he R ed W ag on w it h m uch n oi sy clatt er in g

o f h is t in f eath er s. " Do n' t I l oo k h or ri d, D or ot hy ,

w it h e ye s s eve ra l s iz es t oo bi g f or my bod y, a nd s o

w ea k t ha t I o ug ht t o w ea r s pe ct ac le s? "

"Well," said Dorothy critically, as she looked him

o ve r, " yo u' re n ot hi ng t o b ra g o f, I m us t c on fe ss . B ut

O zm a w il l s oo n f ix y ou u p again ."

T he G reen M on key h ad h un g b ack, b as hf ul at m eeti ng

tw o l ov el y gi rl s w hi le i n t he f or m of a be as t; b ut

J in jur n ow t ook h is h and a nd l ed h im f or wa rd w hi le s he

i nt ro duc ed hi m t o Oz ma , a nd W oo t ma na ge d t o ma ke a l ow

bow, not really ungraceful, before her girlish Majesty,

t he Rul er of Oz .

" Yo u h av e a ll b ee n f or ce d t o e nd ur e a s ad

e xp er ie nc e, " s ai d O zm a, " an d s o I a m a nx io us t o d o a ll

i n m y p ow er t o b re ak M rs . Y oo p' s e nc ha nt me nt s. B ut





fi rs t t el l m e h ow y ou h app en ed t o s tr ay i nt o t ha t

l on el y V al ley w here Y oo p C as tl e s tand s. "

B et we en t he m t he y r el at ed t he o bj ec t o f t he ir

j ou rn ey , t he S carecr ow B ear t el li ng o f t he T in

W oo dm an 's r es ol ve t o f in d N im mi e A me e a nd m ar ry h er , a s

a j us t r ewa rd f or he r l oya lt y t o hi m. Woo t t ol d of

t heir adv en tu res w it h t he L oo ns o f L oo nv il le, and t he

T in O wl de sc ri be d t he m an ne r i n w hi ch t he y h ad b ee n

capt ur ed and t rans fo rm ed b y t he G iant es s. T hen

P ol yc hr om e r el at ed h er s to ry , a nd w he n a ll h ad b ee n

t ol d, a nd D or ot hy h ad s ev er al t im es r ep ro ve d T ot o f or

g ro wl in g at t he T in O wl , O zm a r em ai ned t ho ug ht fu l f or a

w h il e, p on deri ng u po n w hat s he h ad h eard . F in al ly s he

l oo ked u p, and w it h o ne o f h er d el ig ht fu l s mi les, s ai d

t o t he anx io us g ro up :

" I am not s ur e my ma gi c wil l be a ble t o r est or e

every o ne o f y ou , b ecaus e y ou r t rans fo rm at io ns are

o f s uc h a s tr an ge a nd u nu su al c ha ra ct er . I nd ee d,

M rs . Y oo p w as q ui te j us ti fi ed i n b el ievi ng n o p ow er

cou ld alt er h er enchant ment s. H ow ev er , I am s ur e

I c an r es to re t he S ca re cr ow t o h is o ri gi na l s ha pe .

H e w as s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw f ro m t he b eg in ni ng , and

e ve n t he y oo ko oh oo m ag ic c ou ld n ot a lt er t ha t. T he

G ia nt es s w as m er el y a bl e t o m ake a b ea r' s s ha pe of





a ma n' s s ha pe , bu t t he be ar i s s tuf fe d w it h s tr aw,

just a s t he man wa s. So I f eel confident I can make

a m an of t he be ar a ga in."

" Hu rr ah !" cri ed t he B ro wn B ear, and t ri ed clu ms il y t o

d an ce a j ig o f d el ig ht .

" As f or t he T in W oo dm an , h is c as e i s m uc h t he s am e, "

resumed Ozma, still smiling. "The power of the Giantess

cou ld n ot m ak e h im any th in g b ut a t in creat ur e,

w hatever s hape s he t rans fo rm ed h im i nt o, s o i t w il l n ot

be i mp os si bl e t o r es to re h im t o h is m an ly f or m. A ny ho w,

I shall test my magic at once, and see if it will do

w hat I h av e p ro mi sed. "

S he d re w f ro m h er bo som a s ma ll s il ve r W and a nd,

ma ki ng pa ss es w it h t he W an d ov er t he h ea d o f t he Be ar ,

s he s uc ce ede d i n t he br ie f s pa ce of a m ome nt i n

breaking his enchantment. The original Scarecrow of Oz

again s to od b ef or e t hem, w el l s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw and

w it h h is f eatu res n icel y p ai nt ed u po n t he b ag w hi ch

f o rm ed h is h ead.

T he S carecr ow w as g reat ly d el ig ht ed , as y ou m ay

s up po se, and h e s tr ut ted p ro ud ly aro un d w hi le t he





po werf ul f ai ry , O zm a o f O z, b ro ke t he enchant ment t hat

ha d t ra ns fo rm ed t he T in W oo dm an a nd m ad e a T in O wl i nt o

a T in M an a ga in .

" No w, t hen, " chi rp ed t he C an ar y, eag er ly ; " I' m

next, Ozma!"

" Bu t y ou r cas e i s d if ferent ," r ep li ed O zm a, n o

longer smiling but wearing a grave expression on

he r s we et f ac e. " I s ha ll h av e t o e xp er im en t o n y ou ,

P ol ychr om e, and I m ay f ai l i n all m y att em pt s. "

S he t he n t ri ed t wo o r t hr ee d if fe re nt m et ho ds o f

m ag ic, h op in g o ne o f t hem w ou ld s ucceed i n b reak in g

Polychrome's enchantment, but still the Rainbow's

Daughter remained a Canary-Bird. Finally, however, she

exp er im en ted i n ano th er w ay . S he t rans fo rm ed t he C an ar y

i nt o a D ov e, a nd t he n t ra ns fo rm ed t he D ov e i nt o a

S pe ck le d H en , a nd t he n c ha ng ed t he S pe ck le d H en i nt o a

r ab bi t, a nd t he n t he r ab bi t i nt o a F aw n. An d a t t he

last, after mixing several powders and sprinkling them

u po n t he F aw n, t he y oo ko oh oo enchant ment w as s ud denl y

b ro ke n a nd b ef or e t he m s to od o ne o f t he d ai nt ie st a nd

loveliest creatures in any fairyland in the world.

P ol yc hr om e w as a s s we et a nd m er ry i n d is po si ti on a s s he

w as b ea ut if ul , a nd w he n s he d an ce d a nd c ap er ed a ro un d





in delight, her beautiful hair floated around her like

a g ol de n m is t a nd h er m an y- hu ed r ai me nt , a s s of t a s

cob webs , r em in ded o ne o f d ri ft in g clo ud s i n a s um mer

sky.

W oo t w as s o a we d b y t he e nt ra nc in g s ig ht o f t hi s

e xq ui si te S ky F ai ry t ha t h e q ui te f or go t h is o wn s ad

p li gh t u nt il b e n ot iced O zm a g azin g u po n h im w it h an

i nt en t exp ress io n t hat d en ot ed s ym path y and s or r ow .

D or ot hy w hi sp er ed i n h er f ri en d' s e ar , b ut t he R ul er o f

O z s ho ok h er h ea d s ad ly .

Jinjur, noticing this and understanding Ozma's looks,

took t he paw of the Gree n Monke y in her own ha nd a nd

p at ted i t s of tl y.

" Ne ve r m ind ," s he s ai d t o h im . " Yo u a re a v er y

b ea ut if ul c ol or , a nd a m on ke y c an c li mb b et te r t ha n a

boy and do a l ot of ot he r things no boy c an e ve r do."

" Wh at 's t he m at ter?" ask ed W oo t, a s in ki ng f eeli ng at

h is h ea rt . " Is O zm a' s m ag ic a ll u se d u p? "

Ozma herself answered him.





" Yo ur f or m o f enchant ment , m y p oo r b oy ," s he s ai d

pityingly, "is different from that of the others.

I nde ed, it i s a for m t ha t i s i mpos si ble to a lt er by any

m ag ic k no wn t o f ai ri es o r y oo ko oh oo s. T he w icked

G ia nt es s w as w el l a wa re , w he n s he g av e y ou t he f or m o f

a G re en M on ke y, t ha t t he G re en M on ke y m us t e xi st i n t he

La nd o f O z f or a ll f ut ur e t im e. "

Wo ot dr ew a l ong s igh .

" Well , t hat' s p rett y h ar d l uck, " h e s ai d b ravely ,

" but i f i t c an' t be he lpe d I mus t e ndur e i t; t ha t's

a ll . I don' t l ike be ing a mon ke y, but wha t' s t he u se of

kicking against my fate?"

T he y w er e a ll v er y s or ry f or hi m, a nd D or ot hy

anxiously asked Ozma:

"Couldn't Glinda save him?"

" No ," w as t he r ep ly . " Gl in da's p ow er i n t rans -

f or ma ti on s i s n o g re at er t ha n m y o wn. B ef or e I l ef t m y

pa la ce I we nt t o m y M ag ic Ro om a nd s tu di ed W oo t' s c as e

v er y c ar ef ul ly . I f ou nd t ha t n o p ow er c an d o a wa y w it h

t he G reen M on key. H e m ig ht t rans fer, o r exchang e h is

f or m w it h s om e o th er p er so n, i t i s t ru e; b ut t he G re en





Mon ke y we c ann ot g et r id of by a ny m agi c a rt s know n t o

science."

" Bu t - - s ee h er e, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , w ho h ad

listened intently to this explanation, "why not put the

m on key' s f or m o n s om e o ne els e?"

" Wh o w ou ld a gr ee t o m ak e t he c ha ng e? " a sk ed O zm a. " If

b y f or ce w e c au se d a nyo ne e ls e t o b ec om e a G re en

M onk ey , w e w ou ld b e a s c ru el a nd w ic ke d a s M rs . Y oo p.

A nd w hat g oo d w ou ld an exchang e d o?" s he con ti nu ed .

" Su pp os e, f or i ns t an ce, w e w or ked t he enchant ment , and

ma de T ot o i nt o a Gr ee n M onk ey. At t he s am e mo me nt W oot

w ou ld b ecom e a l it tl e d og ."

" Le av e m e o ut o f y ou r m ag ic , p le as e, " s ai d T ot o, w it h

a r ep ro achf ul g ro wl . " I w ou ld n' t b ecom e a G reen M on key

for anything."

" An d I w ou ld n' t b ec om e a d og ," s ai d W oo t. " A g re en

m onke y i s muc h be tt er t ha n a dog, i t s ee ms to me ."

" Th at i s o nl y a m at ter o f o pi ni on ," ans wered T ot o.

" No w, h er e' s a no th er i de a, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow . " My





b rain s are w or ki ng f in el y t od ay , y ou m us t adm it . W hy

n ot t ra ns fo rm T ot o i nt o W oo t t he W an de re r, a nd t he n

h av e t he m e xc ha ng e f or ms ? T he d og w ou ld b ec om e a g re en

m on key and t he m on key w ou ld h av e h is o wn n at ur al s hape

again."

" To b e s ur e! " cri ed J in ju r. " Th at 's a f in e i dea. "

" Le ave m e out of i t," s ai d Tot o. "I w on' t do i t."

" Wo ul dn 't y ou b e w il li ng t o b ec om e a g re en m on ke y - -

see what a pretty color it is -- so that this poor boy

c ou ld b e r es to re d t o h is o wn s ha pe ?" a sk ed J in ju r,

pleadingly

" No ," s aid T ot o.

" I d on 't l ik e t ha t p la n t he l ea st b it ," d ec la re d

D or ot hy , " fo r t hen I w ou ld n' t h av e any l it tl e d og ."

" Bu t y ou 'd h av e a g re en m on ke y i n h is p la ce ,"

p er si st ed J in ju r, w ho l ik ed W oo t a nd w an te d t o h el p

him.

" I d on 't w an t a g re en m on ke y, " s ai d D or ot hy

positively.





"D on 't s pe ak o f t hi s a ga in, I be g o f y ou, " s ai d Wo ot .

" Th is i s m y o wn m is fo rt un e and I w ou ld r at her s uf fer i t

a lo ne t ha n d ep ri ve P ri nc es s D or ot hy o f h er d og , o r

d ep ri ve t he d og o f h is p ro pe r s ha pe . A nd p er ha ps e ve n

h er M aj es ty , O zm a o f O z, m ig ht n ot b e a bl e t o t ra ns fo rm

an yo ne e ls e i nt o t he s ha pe o f W oo t t he W an de re r. "

" Ye s; I b el ie ve I m ig ht do t ha t, " O zm a r et ur ne d; " bu t

W oo t i s q ui te r ig ht ; w e are n ot j us ti fi ed i n i nf li ct in g

upon anyone -- man or dog -- the form of a green

m on ke y. A ls o i t i s c er ta in t ha t i n o rd er t o r el ie ve t he

boy of the form he now wears, we must give it to

s om eo ne e ls e, w ho w ou ld b e f or ce d t o w ea r i t a lw ay s. "

"I wonder," said Dorothy, thoughtfully, "if we

c ou ld n' t f in d s om eo ne i n t he L an d o f O z w ho w ou ld b e

w il li ng t o b ec om e a g re en m on ke y? S ee ms t o m e a m on ke y

i s a ctive and s pry, a nd he ca n cl imb tre es a nd do a lot

o f c le ve r t hi ngs , a nd gr ee n i sn' t a b ad c ol or f or a

m on key - - i t m ak es h im u nu su al ."

" I w ou ld n' t ask any on e t o t ak e t hi s d read fu l f or m, "

s ai d W oo t; " it w ou ld n' t b e r ig ht , y ou k no w. I 'v e b ee n a

m onk ey f or s om e t im e, now , a nd I do n' t l ik e i t. I t





makes me a shame d t o be a be as t of this sort whe n by

right of birth I'm a boy; so I'm sure it would be

w ic ke d t o a sk a ny one e ls e t o t ak e m y p la ce ."

T he y w er e a ll s il en t, f or t he y k ne w h e s po ke t he

t ru th . D or ot hy w as a lm os t r ea dy t o c ry w it h p it y a nd

O zm a' s s we et f ac e w as s ad a nd d is tu rb ed . T he S ca re cr ow

ru bb ed a nd pa tt ed h is s tu ff ed h ea d t o t ry t o m ak e i t

t hi nk b et ter, w hi le t he T in W oo dm an w en t i nt o t he h ou se

an d be ga n t o o il hi s t in j oi nt s s o t ha t t he s or row of

h is f ri en ds m ig ht n ot c aus e h im t o w ee p. W ee pi ng i s

l iabl e t o r us t t in , and t he E mp er or p ri ded h im self u po n

h is hi gh ly po li she d b od y - - n ow d ou bl y de ar t o hi m

be ca us e f or a t im e he ha d be en d epr iv ed o f i t.

P ol yc hr om e h ad d an ce d d ow n t he g ar de n p at hs a nd b ac k

a ga in a do ze n t im es , f or s he w as s el do m s ti ll a m om en t,

y et s he h ad h ea rd O zm a' s s pe ec h a nd u nd er st oo d v er y

well Woot's unfortunate position. But the Rainbow's

Daughter, even while dancing, could think and reason

very clear ly , and s ud denl y s he s ol ved t he p ro bl em i n

t he n ic es t p os si bl e w ay . C om in g c lo se t o O zm a, s he

said:

" Yo ur M aj es ty , a ll t hi s t ro ub le w as c au se d b y t he

wi ck ed ne ss o f M rs . Y oo p, t he G ia nt es s. Y et e ve n n ow





t hat cru el w om an i s l iv in g i n h er s eclu ded cas tl e,

en jo yi ng t he t ho ug ht t hat s he h as p ut t hi s t er ri bl e

e nc ha nt me nt o n W oo t t he W an de re r. E ve n n ow s he i s

l au gh in g a t o ur d es pa ir b ec au se w e c an f in d n o w ay t o

ge t r id of t he gr ee n monk ey. V er y we ll , we do not w is h

t o g et r id of i t. Le t t he w om an wh o c re at ed t he f or m

w ea r i t h er se lf , a s a j us t p un is hm en t f or h er

wi cke dne ss . I a m s ur e y our f ai ry po we r c an gi ve t o M rs .

Yoop t he f orm of Woot t he Wa nder er - - eve n at thi s

d is ta nc e f ro m h er - -a nd t he n i t w il l b e p os si bl e t o

e xc ha ng e t he t wo f or ms . M rs . Y oo p w il l b ec om e t he G re en

M on key, and W oo t w il l r ecov er h is o wn f or m again ."

O zm a' s f ace b ri gh tened as s he l is tened t o t hi s clever

proposal.

" Th an k y ou , P ol ychr om e, " s ai d s he. " Th e t as k y ou

propose I s not s o e as y as you s uppos e, but I wi ll ma ke

t he a tt em pt , a nd p er ha ps I m ay s uc ce ed ."

Chapter Fourteen





T he G reen M on key

T he y n ow e nt er ed t he h ou se , a nd a s a n i nt er es te d g ro up ,

w at ch ed J in ju r, a t O zm a' s c om ma nd , b ui ld a f ir e a nd p ut

a kett le of wat er ove r to boil. The Ruler of Oz s tood

b ef or e t he f ir e s il en t and g rave, w hi le t he o th er s,

r eali zi ng t hat an i mp or tant cer em on y o f m ag ic w as abo ut

t o b e p er fo rm ed , s to od q ui et ly i n t he b ac kg ro un d s o a s

not to interrupt Ozma's proceedings. Only Polychrome

kept going in and coming out, humming softly to herself

a s s he d an ce d, f or t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh te r c ou ld n ot

ke ep s ti ll for l ong, a nd the f our wa ll s of a room

a lwa ys ma de he r ne rvou s a nd i ll a t e as e. Sh e mov ed s o

noiselessly, however, that her movements were like the

s hi ft in g o f s un beam s and d id n ot ann oy any on e.

W he n t he w at er i n t he k et tl e b ub bl ed , O zm a d re w f ro m

her b os om t wo t in y p ackets con tai ni ng p ow ders . T hes e

p ow de rs s he t hr ew i nt o t he k et tl e a nd a ft er b ri sk ly

s ti rr in g t he con tent s w it h a b ranch f ro m a m acar oo n

bu sh , O zm a p ou re d t he m ys ti c b ro th u po n a b ro ad p la tt er

wh ic h J in ju r h ad p la ce d u po n t he t ab le . A s t he b ro th

co ol ed i t b ecam e as s il ver, r ef lect in g all o bj ects f ro m

i ts s mo ot h s ur face l ik e a m ir ro r.





W hi le h er com pani on s g at hered aro un d t he t ab le,

eag er ly att en ti ve - - and D or ot hy even h el d l it tl e T ot o

i n h er a rms t ha t he m ight s ee - - Oz ma w ave d h er w and

o ver t he m ir ro r- li ke s ur face. A t o nce i t r ef lect ed t he

i nt eri or of Y oop Ca st le , a nd i n t he bi g h al l s at M rs .

Y oo p, i n h er b es t e mb ro id er ed s il ke n r ob es , e ng ag ed i n

we av in g a n ew l ac e a pr on t o r epl ac e t he on e s he h ad

lost.

The G ia nt es s s ee me d r at he r un ea sy , a s i f s he ha d a

f ai nt i de a t ha t s om eo ne w as s py in g u po n h er , f or s he

k ep t l oo ki ng b eh in d h er a nd t hi s w ay a nd t ha t, a s

though expecting danger from an unknown source. Perhaps

s om e y oo ko oh oo i ns ti nc t w ar ne d h er . W oo t s aw t ha t s he

h ad e sc ap ed f ro m h er r oo m b y s om e o f t he m ag ic al m ea ns

a t h er d is po sa l, a ft er h er p ri so ne rs h ad e sc ap ed h er .

She wa s now oc cupyi ng t he bi g ha ll of he r c as tl e a s s he

u se d t o d o. A ls o W oo t t ho ug ht , f ro m t he c ru el

e xp re ss io n o n t he f ac e o f t he G ia nt es s, t ha t s he w as

p la nn ing r ev en ge o n t he m, a s s oo n a s he r n ew m ag ic

apron was finished

B ut O zm a w as n ow m ak in g p as se s o ve r t he p la tt er w it h

h er s il ve r W an d, a nd p re se nt ly t he f or m o f t he G ia nt es s

be ga n t o s hr ink i n s iz e a nd t o c ha ng e i ts s ha pe . A nd





no w, i n he r pl ac e s at t he f or m of Wo ot t he W an de re r,

and as if suddenly realizing her transformation Mrs.

Y oo p t hr ew d ow n h er w or k a nd r us he d t o a l oo ki ng -g la ss

t ha t s tood a ga ins t t he wa ll of he r r oo m. W he n s he s aw

t he b oy 's f or m r ef le ct ed a s h er o wn , s he g re w v io le nt ly

ang ry and d as hed h er h ead again st t he m ir ro r, s mash in g

i t t o a to ms .

J us t t he n O zm a w as b us y w it h he r m ag ic W an d, m ak ing

s t ra ng e f ig ur es , a nd s he h ad a ls o p la ce d h er l ef t h an d

f ir ml y u po n t he s ho ul de r o f t he G re en M on ke y. S o n ow ,

a s a ll e ye s w er e t ur ne d up on t he pl at te r, t he f or m of

M r s. Y oo p g radu al ly chang ed again . S he w as s lo wl y

t ra ns fo rm ed i nt o t he G re en M on ke y, a nd a t t he s am e t im e

Woot slowly regained his natural form.

I t w as qui te a s ur pr is e t o t he m a ll whe n t he y r ai se d

t he ir e ye s f ro m t he p la tt er a nd s aw W oo t t he W an de re r

s tand in g b es id e O zm a. A nd , w hen t hey g lanced at t he

p latt er again , i t r ef lect ed n ot hi ng m or e t han t he w al ls

o f t he r oo m i n J in ju r' s h ous e i n w hi ch t he y s to od . T he

m ag ic c er em on ia l w as e nd ed , a nd O zm a o f O z h ad

triumphed over the wicked Giantess.

" Wh at w il l b ec om e o f h er , I w on de r? " s ai d D or ot hy , a s

s h e d re w a l on g b re at h.





" Sh e w il l alw ay s r em ai n a G reen M on key, " r ep li ed

O zm a, " an d i n t ha t f or m s he w il l be u na bl e t o p er fo rm

a ny m ag ic al a rt s w ha ts oe ve r. S he n ee d n ot b e u nh ap py ,

h ow ev er , a nd a s s he l iv es a ll a lo ne i n h er c as tl e s he

probably won't mind the transformation very much after

s he ge ts us ed t o i t."

" An yh ow , i t s er ves h er r ig ht ," d eclared D or ot hy , and

al l agr eed w it h h er .

" Bu t, " s ai d t he k in d h eart ed T in W oo dm an , " I' m afr ai d

t he Gr ee n M on ke y w il l s ta rv e, f or M rs . Yo op us ed t o ge t

he r f ood b y ma gic , a nd now t ha t t he ma gi c i s t ake n a wa y

f rom he r, w ha t c an s he e at ?"

" Wh y, s he'l l eat w hat o th er m on keys d o, " r et ur ned t he

Sc ar ec row . " Eve n i n t he f or m of a Gr ee n M onke y, s he 's a

v er y c le ve r p er so n, a nd I 'm s ur e h er w it s w il l s ho w h er

h ow t o g et pl en ty t o e at ."

" Do n' t w or ry abo ut h er ," adv is ed D or ot hy . " Sh e d id n' t

w or ry a bo ut y ou , a nd h er c on di ti on i s n o w or se t ha n t he

c on di ti on s he i mp os ed o n p oo r W oo t. S he c an 't s ta rv e t o

d ea th i n t he La nd of Oz , t ha t' s c er ta in, a nd i f s he





g et s h ung ry a t t im es i t' s no m or e t ha n t he w ic ke d t hi ng

d es er ve s. L et 's f or ge t M rs . Y oo p; f or , i n s pi te o f h er

b ei ng a y oo ko oh oo , o ur f ai ry f ri en ds h av e b ro ke n a ll o f

her transformations."

Chapter Fifteen

The Ma n of Ti n

O zm a a nd D or ot hy w er e q ui te p le as ed w it h W oo t t he

Wanderer, whom they found modest and intelligent and

very w el l m an nered. T he b oy w as t ru ly g ratefu l f or h is

r el ease f ro m t he cru el enchant ment , and h e p ro mi sed t o

l ov e, r ev er e a nd d ef en d t he g ir l R ul er o f O z f or ev er

aft er ward , as a f ai th fu l s ub ject.

" Yo u ma y v is it m e a t m y pa la ce , i f y ou w is h," s ai d

O zma , "wh ere I wi ll be gla d t o i nt roduc e you t o t wo

o th er n ice b oy s, O jo t he M un ch ki n and B ut to n- Br ig ht ."

" Th an k y ou r M aj es ty ," r ep li ed W oo t, and t hen h e

t ur ned t o t he T in W oo dm an and i nq ui red: " Wh at are y ou r





f ur th er p lans , M r. E mp er or ? W il l y ou s ti ll s eek N im mi e

A me e a nd ma rr y he r, or wi ll y ou a ba ndon t he que st a nd

r et ur n t o t he E me ra ld C it y a nd y ou r o wn c as tl e? "

T he T in W oo dm an , n ow as h ig hl y p ol is hed and w el l-

o i le d a s e ve r, r ef le ct ed a w hi le o n t hi s q ue st io n a nd

then answered:

" We ll , I s ee n o r ea so n w hy I s ho ul d n ot f in d N im mi e

Am ee . W e a re now i n t he Mu nc hk in Co unt ry , wh er e we a re

p er fe ct ly s af e, a nd i f i t w as r ig ht f or m e, b ef or e o ur

en ch an tm en t, t o m ar ry N im mi e A mee and m ak e h er E mp ress

o f t he W in ki es , i t m us t b e r ig ht n ow , w he n t he

e nc ha nt me nt h as b ee n b ro ke n a nd I a m o nc e m or e m ys el f.

A m I co rr ect , f r iend S car ecr ow ?"

" Yo u a re , i nd ee d, " a ns we re d t he S ca re cr ow . " No o ne

can o pp os e s uch l og ic."

" Bu t I 'm afr ai d y ou d on 't l ov e N im mi e A mee, "

suggested Dorothy.

" Th at i s j us t b ec au se I c an 't l ov e a ny on e, " r ep li ed

t he T in W ood ma n. " Bu t, i f I c an not l ov e m y w if e, I c an

at l ea st be kind to he r, and a ll hus ba nds a re not able





t o d o t ha t. "

" Do y ou s 'p os e N im mi e A mee s ti ll l ov es y ou , aft er all

t h es e y ear s?" as ked D or ot hy

"I 'm qui te s ure of i t, and t ha t is why I a m goi ng to

he r t o ma ke he r ha pp y. W oo t t he W an de re r t hi nks I o ugh t

t o r ewa rd h er f or b ei ng f ai th fu l t o m e a ft er m y m ea t

body wa s c hoppe d to pi ec es a nd I be ca me t in. Wh at do

you think, Ozma?"

O zm a s mi le d a s s he s ai d:

" I do not kn ow you r Ni mm ie Am ee , a nd s o I c annot t el l

wh at s he m os t ne ed s t o m ak e he r ha pp y. Bu t t he re i s no

ha rm i n yo ur go ing t o he r a nd a sk ing h er i f s he s ti ll

w is he s to ma rr y you. I f s he doe s, we wi ll gi ve you a

g ra nd w ed di ng a t t he E me ra ld C it y a nd , a ft er wa rd , a s

E mp ress o f t he W in ki es , N im mi e A mee w ou ld b ecom e o ne

o f t he m os t i mp or tant l ad ies i n all O z. "

S o i t w as d ec id ed t ha t t he T in W oo dm an w ou ld c on ti nu e

h is j ou rn ey , a nd t ha t t he S ca re cr ow a nd W oo t t he

Wanderer should accompany him, as before. Polychrome

al so d ec id ed t o j oi n t he ir p ar ty , s om ew ha t t o t he

s ur pr is e o f all .





"I hate to be cooped up in a palace," she said to

Oz ma , " and of c our se the f irs t t ime I me et my Ra inbow I

s ha ll r etur n t o my own de ar home i n the s ki es , wher e my

f ai ry s is te rs a re e ve n n ow a wa it ing m e a nd m y f at he r i s

cros s bec aus e I get lost so of ten. But I c an find my

Rainbow just as quickly while traveling in the Munchkin

C oun tr y a s I c ou ld i f l iv in g i n t he E me ra ld C it y - - o r

any other place in Oz -- so I shall go with the Tin

W oo dm an and h el p h im w oo N im mi e A mee. "

D or ot hy wa nt ed t o g o, t oo , b ut a s t he T in W oo dm an di d

n ot i nvi te h er t o j oi n h is p ar ty, s he f el t s he m ig ht be

i nt ru di ng i f s he a sk ed t o b e t ak en . s he h in te d, b ut s he

f ou nd h e d id n' t t ak e t he h in t. I t i s q ui te a d el ic at e

ma tt er for one t o a sk a gi rl to m arr y hi m, howe ve r m uc h

sh e l ov es h im , a nd p er ha ps t he T in W oo dm an d id n ot

de si re t o h av e t oo m an y l oo ki ng o n w he n h e f ou nd h is

o ld s weet hear t, N im mi e A mee. S o D or ot hy con tent ed

h er self w it h t he t ho ug ht t hat s he w ou ld h el p O zm a

p re pa re a s pl en di d w ed di ng f ea st , t o b e f ol lo we d b y a

r ou nd o f p ar ti es and f es ti vi ti es w hen t he E mp er or o f

t he W in ki es r each ed t he E merald C it y w it h h is b ri de.

Ozma offered to ta ke them al l in the Red Wa gon to a





pl ac e a s ne ar t o t he gr ea t M unc hk in f or es t a s a wa go n

c oul d ge t. The Re d W ago n w as bi g e nou gh t o s ea t t he m

a ll , a nd s o, b id di ng g oo d- by e t o J in ju r, w ho g av e W oo t

a b as ke t o f r ip e c re am -p uf fs a nd c ar am el s t o t ak e w it h

h im , O zm a c om ma nd ed t he W oo de n S aw ho rs e t o s ta rt , a nd

t he s tr an ge creat ur e m ov ed s wi ft ly o ver t he l an es and

p re se nt ly c am e t o t he R oa d o f Y el lo w B ri ck s. T hi s r oa d

le d s tr ai ght t o a d ens e f or es t, wh er e t he p at h wa s t oo

n a rr ow f or t he R ed W ag on t o p ro ce ed f ar th er , s o h er e

t h e p art y s epar at ed.

O zm a a nd D or ot hy a nd T ot o r et ur ne d t o t he E me ra ld

C it y, aft er w is hi ng t heir f ri en ds a s af e and s uccess fu l

j ou rn ey , w hi le t he T in W oo dm an , t he S carecro w, W oo t t he

Wanderer and Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter,

p re pa re d t o p us h t he ir w ay t hr ou gh t he t hi ck f or es t.

H ow ev er , t he se f or es t p at hs w er e w el l k no wn t o t he T in

M an a nd t he S ca re cr ow , w ho f el t q ui te a t h om e a mo ng t he

trees.

" I w as b or n i n t hi s g ra nd f or es t, " s ai d N ic k C ho pp er ,

t he t in E mp er or , s peak in g p ro ud ly , " an d i t w as h er e

t ha t t he W it ch e nc ha nt ed m y a xe a nd I l os t d if fe re nt

pa rt s of m y me at body u nti l I be ca me a ll ti n. He re ,

a lso -- for it is a big forest -- Nimmie Amee lived

wi th t he W ic ke d W it ch, a nd a t t he ot he r e dge o f t he





t r ee s s ta nd s t he c ot ta ge o f m y f ri en d K u- Kl ip , t he

famous tinsmith who made my present beautiful form."

" He m us t b e a c le ve r w or km an ," d ec la re d W oo t,

admiringly.

"He is simply wonderful," declared the Tin Woodman.

" I s ha ll b e g la d t o m ak e h is a cq ua int an ce ," s ai d

Woot.

" If y ou w is h t o m eet w it h r eal clevern es s, " r em ar ked

the Scarecrow, "you should visit the Munchkin farmer

who f ir st m ade me . I won' t s ay tha t my f ri end the

E mpe ro r i sn 't a ll r ig ht f or a t in m an, b ut a ny j udg e o f

b ea ut y c an u nd er st an d t ha t a S ca re cr ow i s f ar m or e

artistic and refined."

" You a re t oo s of t a nd f li ms y, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an.

" Yo u a re t oo h ar d a nd s ti ff ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , a nd

t hi s w as a s ne ar t o qua rr el ing a s t he t wo f ri en ds e ve r

cam e. P ol ychr om e l au gh ed at t hem b ot h, as w el l s he

m ig ht , a nd W oo t h as te ne d t o c ha ng e t he s ub je ct .





" No ; m y l it tl e c ab in s ta nd s n ot a g re at w ay o ff , b ut

t he re i s no oc ca si on f or us t o vi si t i t. Ou r e rr and i s

wi th N im mi e A mee, and h er h ou se i s s om ew hat f ar th er

a wa y, t o t he l ef t of us ."

" Di dn 't y ou s ay s he l iv es w it h a W ic ke d W it ch , w ho

m ake s h er a s la ve ?" a sk ed t he bo y.

"S he di d, bu t s he doe sn' t, " w as t he r ep ly. " I a m t ol d

t he W it ch w as d es tr oy ed w hen D or ot hy 's h ou se f el l o n

he r, s o n ow N imm ie A me e m us t l iv e a ll a lon e. I ha ve n' t

s ee n h er , o f c ou rs e, s in ce t he W it ch w as c ru sh ed , f or

a t t ha t t ime I wa s s ta ndi ng r us te d i n t he f or es t a nd

ha d bee n t her e a l ong t ime , but the poor gi rl mus t ha ve

f el t v er y h ap py t o b e f re e f ro m h er c ru el m is tr es s. "

" Well ," s ai d t he S carecr ow , " let' s t ravel o n and f in d

N im mi e A me e. L ea d o n, y ou r M aj es ty , s in ce y ou k no w t he

w ay , and w e w il l f ol lo w. "

So t he Ti n W oo dm an t oo k a pa th t ha t l ed t hr ough t he

t hi ck es t p ar t o f t he f or es t, a nd t he y f ol lo we d i t f or

s om e t im e. T he l igh t w as d im h er e, b ec au se v ine s a nd

b us hes and l eafy f ol iage w er e all abo ut t hem, and o ft en

t he Ti n M an ha d t o pus h a si de t he b ra nc he s t ha t





o bs tr uc te d t he ir w ay , o r c ut t he m o ff w it h h is a xe .

A ft er t he y h ad p ro ce ed ed s om e d is ta nc e, t he E mp er or

suddenly stopped short and exclaimed: "Good gracious!"

T he S ca re cr ow , w ho w as n ex t, f ir st b um pe d i nt o h is

f ri en d a nd t he n p ee re d a ro un d h is t in b od y, a nd s ai d i n

a t on e of w on de r:

"Well, I declare!"

W oo t t he W an de re r p us he d f or wa rd t o s ee w ha t w as t he

m at ter, and cri ed o ut i n ast on is hm en t: " Fo r g oo dn es s'

sake!"

T hen t he t hr ee s to od m ot io nl es s, s tari ng h ar d, u nt il

Polychrome's merry laughter rang out behind them and

ar o us ed t hem f ro m t heir s tu po r.

In the pa th bef ore the m stood a tin man who wa s the

e xa ct dup li ca te of t he Ti n W oodm an. H e w as of t he s am e

s iz e, he wa s j oi nt ed i n t he s ame ma nn er , a nd he wa s

m ade of s hi ni ng t in f rom top t o t oe . B ut he s tood

im mo vabl e, w it h h is t in j aw s h al f p ar ted and h is t in

eye s t ur ne d u pw ar d. I n o ne of h is ha nds w as h el d a

l on g, g leam in g s wo rd . Y es , t here w as t he d if ference,

the only thing that distinguished him from the Emperor





o f t he W in ki es . T hi s t in m an b or e a s wo rd , w hi le t he

Ti n W oo dm an b or e a n a xe .

" It 's a d re am ; i t m us t be a d re am !" ga spe d W oot .

" Th at 's i t, o f cou rs e," s ai d t he S car ecro w; " th er e

co ul dn 't b e t wo T in W oo dm en ."

" No ," agr eed P ol ychr om e, d an ci ng n earer t o t he

st ra ng er , " th is o ne i s a T in S ol di er . D on 't y ou s ee h is

sword?"

T he T in W ood ma n c au ti ou sl y p ut o ut o ne t in ha nd a nd

f elt of hi s doubl e' s a rm. The n he sa id i n a voic e t ha t

trembled with emotion:

" Wh o are y ou , f ri en d?"

T he re w as n o r ep ly

" Ca n' t y ou s ee he 's r us te d, j us t a s y ou w er e o nc e? "

asked Polychrome, laughing again. "Here, Nick Chopper,

l end m e y ou r o il -can a m in ut e! "

T he T in W oo dm an s il en tl y h an ded h er h is o il -can ,





without which he never traveled, and Polychrome

f ir st o il ed t he s tr an ge r' s t in j aw s a nd t he n w or ke d

t hem g en tl y t o and f ro u nt il t he T in S ol di er s ai d:

" Th at 's e no ug h. T ha nk y ou . I c an n ow t al k. B ut p le as e

oil my other joints."

W oo t s ei ze d t he o il -c an a nd d id t hi s, b ut a ll t he

o th er s h el pe d w ig gl e t he s ol di er 's j oi nt s a s s oo n a s

t hey w er e o il ed , u nt il t hey m ov ed f reel y.

T he T in S ol di er s eemed h ig hl y p leas ed at h is r el ease.

H e s tru tt ed up a nd dow n t he pa th, s ayi ng i n a h igh,

thin voice:

" Th e S ol di er i s a s pl en di d m an

W hen m ar ch in g o n p ar ad e,

An d w he n h e m ee ts t he e ne my

H e n ev er i s a fr ai d.

H e r ig ht s t he w ro ng s o f n at io ns ,

His country's flag defends,

The foe he'll fight with great delight,

But seldom fights his friends."





t in sm it h, K u- Kl ip , a nd h e m ad e m e s om e t in l eg s. W he n I

l os t my a rm s, Ku- Kl ip m ade m e t in a rm s, a nd whe n I l os t

my head he made me this fine one out of tin. It was the

sa me way wit h my body, a nd final ly I wa s al l ti n. But I

w as n ot un ha pp y, f or K u- Kl ip m ad e a go od j ob o f m e,

having had experience in making another tin man before

me."

" Yes, " o bs er ved t he T in W oo dm an , " it w as K u- Kl ip w ho

m ade me . But , t ell me , wha t wa s the na me of t he

Munchkin girl you were in love with?"

" Sh e i s cal led N im mi e A mee, " s ai d t he T in S ol di er .

H eari ng t hi s, t hey w er e all s o ast on is hed t hat t hey

w er e s il en t f or a t im e, r eg ar di ng t he s tr an ger w it h

wondering looks. Finally the Tin Woodman ventured to

ask:

"And did Nimmie Amee return your love?"

" No t at f ir st ," adm it ted t he S ol di er . " Wh en f ir st I

m ar ch ed i nt o t he f or es t a nd m et h er , s he w as w ee pi ng

o ve r t he l os s o f h er f or me r s we et he ar t, a w oo dm an w ho se

n am e w as N ic k C ho pp er ."





" Th at i s m e, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an .

" She t ol d me h e w as ni ce r t ha n a s ol di er , be ca us e he

wa s a ll m ad e of t in a nd s hon e be aut if ul ly i n t he s un .

S he s ai d a t in m an a pp ea le d t o h er a rt is ti c i ns ti nc ts

m or e t ha n a n or di na ry me at ma n, a s I w as t he n. Bu t I

d id n ot d es pa ir , b ec au se h er t in s we et he ar t h ad

d is ap pear ed , and cou ld n ot b e f ou nd . A nd f in al ly N im mi e

Am ee pe rm it te d m e t o c al l up on he r a nd we be ca me

f ri en ds . I t w as t he n t ha t t he W ic ke d W it ch d is co ve re d

m e a nd b ec am e f ur io us ly a ng ry w he n I s ai d I w an te d t o

ma rr y t he gi rl . She e nc ha nt ed m y s wor d, a s I s ai d, a nd

t he n my t ro ubl es b eg an . W he n I go t m y t in l eg s, N im mi e

Am ee be ga n t o t ake a n i nte re st in me ; whe n I got my t in

a rm s, s he b eg an t o l ike m e be tt er t ha n e ve r, a nd w he n I

was a ll ma de of tin, she said I looke d like her dea r

Ni ck C ho pp er a nd s he w ou ld b e w il li ng t o m ar ry m e.

"T he da y o f o ur w edd ing wa s s et , a nd i t t ur ne d ou t t o

b e a r ai ny d ay. N ev er th el es s I s ta rt ed o ut t o ge t

N i mm ie A me e, b ec au se t he W it ch h ad b ee n a bs en t f or s om e

t ime , a nd we mea nt t o el ope be for e s he got ba ck. As I

t ra ve le d t he f or es t p at hs t he r ai n w et te d m y j oi nt s,

b ut I p ai d n o a tt en ti on t o t hi s b ec au se m y t ho ug ht s

w er e all o n m y w ed di ng w it h b eaut if ul N im mi e A mee and I





" Ye t, i n s pi te of t hi s c ond it ion , y ou w er e g oi ng t o

marry Nimmie Amee?"

" We ll , yo u s ee I h ad pr omi se d t o ma rr y he r, a nd I a m

a n hone st ma n a nd a lwa ys t ry t o ke ep m y pr om is es . I

d id n' t l ik e t o d is ap po in t t he p oo r g ir l, w ho h ad b ee n

d is ap po in ted b y o ne t in m an alr eady ."

" Th at w as n ot m y f au lt ," de cl ar ed t he E mp er or o f t he

W in ki es , a nd t he n h e r el at ed h ow h e, a ls o, h ad r us te d

in t he f or es t a nd a ft er a l on g t ime ha d be en r es cue d by

Do ro th y a nd t he S ca re cr ow a nd h ad t ra ve le d w it h t he m t o

t he E me ra ld C it y i n s ea rc h o f a h ea rt t ha t c ou ld l ov e.

" If y ou h ave f ou nd s uc h a h ea rt , s ir ," s ai d t he

S ol di er , " I w il l g ladl y all ow y ou t o m ar ry N im mi e A mee

i n m y p lace."

" If s he l ov es y ou b es t, s ir ," a ns we re d t he W oo dm an ,

" I s ha ll n ot i nt er fe re w it h y ou r w edd in g h er . Fo r, t o

b e qu it e f ra nk w it h yo u, I c an not y et l ove N im mi e A me e

as I di d be fore I bec ame t in."

" St il l, o ne of y ou o ug ht t o ma rr y t he po or gi rl ,"





r em ar ke d W oo t; " an d, i f s he l ik es t in m en , t he re i s n ot

mu ch c ho ic e b et we en y ou . W hy d on 't y ou d ra w l ot s f or

her?"

" Th at w ou ld n' t b e r ig ht ," s aid t he S carecr ow .

" Th e g ir l s ho ul d b e p er mi tt ed t o c ho os e h er o wn

h us band ," ass er ted P ol ychr om e. " Yo u s ho ul d b ot h g o t o

he r a nd a ll ow he r t o t ake he r c hoi ce . The n s he wi ll

surely be happy."

" Th at , t o m e, s eems a v er y f ai r arr an gement ," s ai d

the Tin Soldier.

" I a gr ee t o i t, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , s ha ki ng t he

h and of hi s t wi n t o s how t he m at te r wa s s et tl ed. "M ay I

as k y ou r n am e, s ir ?" h e con ti nu ed .

" Be for e I w as s o c ut up ," r ep li ed t he ot he r, " I wa s

kn ow n a s C ap ta in F yt er , b ut a ft er wa rd I w as m er el y

called 'The Tin Soldier.'"

" We ll , C ap ta in , i f y ou a re a gr ee ab le , l et u s n ow g o

t o N im mi e A me e' s h ou se a nd l et h er c ho os e b et we en u s. "

" Ve ry w el l; a nd i f w e m ee t t he W it ch , w e wi ll b ot h





f ight he r -- you wi th your a xe a nd I wi th my s wor d."

" Th e W it ch i s d es tr oy ed ," ann ou nced t he S carecr ow ,

a nd a s t he y wa lke d a wa y he to ld t he Ti n S old ie r of muc h

t ha t h ad h ap pe ne d i n t he La nd o f O z s inc e he ha d s to od

r us ted i n t he f or est .

" I m us t h av e s to od t here l on ger t han I h ad i magi ned, "

he said thoughtfully

Chapter Seventeen

T he W or k sh op o f K u- Kl i p

I t w as n ot m or e t ha n a t wo ho ur s' j our ne y t o t he h ou se

w here N im mi e A mee h ad l iv ed , b ut w hen o ur t ravelers

a rr iv ed t he re t he y f ou nd t he p la ce d es er te d. T he d oo r

wa s pa rt ly of f i ts h in ge s, t he r oo f h ad f al le n i n a t

t he r ea r a nd t he i nt er io r o f t he c ot ta ge w as t hi ck w it h

dus t. N ot o nl y w as t he pl ac e va ca nt , b ut i t w as e vi de nt

t ha t no one ha d l ived the re f or a l ong t im e.





" I s up po se ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , a s t he y a ll s to od

looking wonderingly at the ruined house, "that after

t he W icked W it ch w as d es t ro yed, N im mi e A mee b ecam e

l o nely and w en t s om ew here els e t o l iv e. "

" On e c ou ld s ca rc el y e xp ec t a yo ung g ir l t o l iv e a ll

a lo ne i n a f or es t, " a dd ed W oo t. " Sh e w ou ld w an t

c omp an y, of c ou rs e, a nd s o I be li ev e s he h as g on e w he re

other people live."

" An d p er haps s he i s s ti ll cry in g h er p oo r l it tl e

h ea rt o ut b ec au se n o t in m an c om es t o m ar ry h er ,"

suggested Polychrome.

" We ll, i n t hat c as e, i t i s t he cl ea r duty of you tw o

t in p er so ns t o s eek N im mi e A mee u nt il y ou f in d h er ,"

d ecl ared t h e S car ecr o w.

" I do not know w he re t o l oo k f or t he gi rl ," s ai d t he

T in S ol di er , " fo r I a m a lm os t a s tr an ge r t o t hi s p ar t

of the country."

" I w as b or n h er e, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , " bu t t he

f or es t h as f ew i nh ab it an ts e xc ep t t he w il d b ea st s. I

can no t t hi nk o f any on e l iv in g n ear h er e w it h w ho m





Nimmie Amee might care to live."

"W hy n ot go t o Ku- Kl ip a nd a sk hi m w ha t ha s be com e o f

the girl?" proposed Polychrome.

T ha t s tr uc k t he m a ll a s b ei ng a g oo d s ug ge st io n, s o

o n ce m or e t he y s ta rt ed t o t ra mp t hr ou gh t he f or es t,

ta ki ng t he d ir ec t p at h t o K u- Kl ip 's h ou se , f or b ot h t he

t in t wi ns k new t he w ay , h av in g f ol lo wed i t m an y t im es .

Ku -Kl ip l iv ed a t t he f ar e dge o f t he gr ea t f or es t,

hi s h ou se f acin g t he b ro ad p lain s o f t he M un ch ki n

Co un tr y t ha t l ay t o t he e as tw ar d. B ut , w he n t he y c am e

t o t hi s r es id en ce b y t he f or es t' s edg e, t he t in sm it h

wa s no t a t h om e.

I t wa s a p re tt y pl ac e, a ll pa int ed da rk b lue w it h

tr im mi ng s o f l ig ht er b lu e. T here w as a n eat b lu e f en ce

a ro un d t he y ar d a nd s ev er al b lu e b en ch es h ad b ee n

p laced u nd er neat h t he s hady b lu e t rees w hi ch m ar ked t he

l in e b et we en f or es t a nd p la in . T he re w as a b lu e l aw n

b ef or e t he h ou se , w hi ch w as a g oo d s iz ed b ui ld in g. K u-

Kl ip li ve d i n the f ront pa rt of t he hous e a nd ha d his

w or k- sho p i n t he ba ck p ar t, w he re h e ha d a ls o b ui lt a

l ea n- to a dd it io n, i n o rd er t o g iv e h im m or e r oo m.





Although they found the tinsmith absent on their

ar ri val, t here w as s mo ke com in g o ut o f h is chi mn ey ,

w hi ch p ro ved t hat h e w ou ld s oo n r et ur n.

" An d p er haps N im mi e A mee w il l b e w it h h im ," s ai d t he

Scar ecr ow i n a cheer fu l v oi ce.

W hi le t he y w ai te d, t he T in W oo dm an w en t t o t he d oo r

o f t he w or ks ho p and , f in di ng i t u nl ocked, ent er ed and

l oo ke d c ur io us ly a ro un d t he r oo m w he re h e h ad b ee n

made.

" It s ee ms a lm os t l ike ho me t o m e, " h ie t ol d hi s

fr iend s, w ho h ad f ol lo wed h im i n. " Th e f ir st t im e I

came here I had lost a leg, so I had to carry it in my

ha nd whi le I hoppe d on t he ot he r le g a ll the w ay f rom

t he pl ac e i n t he f or es t whe re t he e nc ha nt ed a xe c ut me .

I r em em be r t ha t o ld K u- Kl ip c ar ef ul ly p ut m y m ea t l eg

in to a ba rr el - - I t hi nk t ha t i s t he s am e ba rr el , s ti ll

s ta nd ing i n t he c or ne r y on de r - - a nd t he n a t on ce h e

bega n to make a tin le g for me . He worked f ast and with

s ki ll , a nd I w as m uc h i nt er es te d i n t he j ob ."

" My e xpe ri en ce w as m uc h t he s am e, " s ai d t he T in

S ol di er . " I u se d t o b ri ng a ll t he p ar ts o f m e, w hi ch





t he e nc ha nt ed s wo rd h ad c ut a wa y, h er e t o t he t in sm it h,

and K u- Kl ip w ou ld p ut t hem i nt o t he b ar rel. "

" I w on de r, " s ai d W oo t, " if t ho se c as t- of f p ar ts o f y ou t wo

u n fo rt un at es are s ti ll i n t hat b ar rel i n t he cor ner?"

" I s up po se s o. " r ep li ed t he T in W oo dm an . " In t he L an d

of Oz n o pa rt of a l ivi ng c re at ur e c an e ve r b e de st roy ed. "

" If t ha t i s t ru e, h ow w as t ha t W ic ke d W it ch d es tr oy ed ?" i nq ui re d W oo t.

"W hy , s he wa s ve ry o ld a nd wa s a ll dr ie d u p a nd

w it hered b ef or e O z b ecam e a f ai ry land ," exp lain ed t he

S ca re cr ow . " On ly h er m ag ic a rt s h ad k ep t h er a li ve s o

l on g, a nd w he n D or ot hy 's h ou se f el l u po n h er s he j us t

t ur ne d t o d us t, a nd w as b lo wn a wa y a nd s ca tt er ed b y t he

wi nd. I do n ot t hi nk, h ow ev er , t ha t t he p ar ts c ut a wa y

f ro m t he se t wo y ou ng m en c oul d e ve r b e e nt ir el y

d es tr oy ed a nd , i f t he y a re s ti ll i n t ho se b ar re ls ,

t he y a re l ike ly t o be j us t t he s am e a s w he n t he

enchant ed axe o r s wo rd s ever ed t hem ."

" It d oesn 't m at ter, h ow ev er ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an ;

" ou r t in b od ies are m or e b ri ll iant and d ur ab le, and

quite satisfy us."





" Ye s, t he t in b od ie s a re b es t, " a gr ee d t he T in

Soldier. "Nothing can hurt them."

" Un le ss t he y g et d en te d o r r us te d, " s ai d W oo t, b ut

bo th t he t in m en f row ne d on hi m.

S cr ap s o f t in , o f a ll s ha pe s a nd s iz es , l ay s ca tt er ed

ar ou nd t he w or ks ho p. A ls o t here w er e h am mers and anv il s

and s ol deri ng i ro ns and a charcoal f ur nace and m an y

o th er t oo ls s uc h a s a t in sm it h w or ks w it h. A ga in st t wo

o f t he s id e w al ls h ad b ee n b ui lt s to ut w or k- be nc he s a nd

in t he cente r of the r oom was a l ong table. At the e nd of

t he s ho p, w hi ch adj oi ned t he d well in g, w er e s ev er al cup bo ar ds .

After examining the interior of the workshop until

h is cur io si ty w as s at is fi ed , W oo t s ai d;

" I t hi nk I w il l go ou ts id e u nt il K u- Kl ip c om es . I t

d oe s n ot s ee m q ui te p ro pe r f or u s t o t ak e p os se ss io n o f

h is h ou se w hi le h e i s abs en t. "

" Th at i s t ru e, " a gr ee d t he S ca re cr ow , a nd t he y w er e

al l a bo ut t o l ea ve t he r oo m w he n t he T in W oo dm an s ai d:

" Wa it a m in ut e, " a nd t he y ha lt ed i n ob ed ie nc e t o t he

command.





Chapter Eighteen

T he T in W oo dm an T al ks t o H im self

T he T in W oo dm an h ad j us t n ot ic ed t he c up bo ar ds a nd w as

c ur iou s t o kn ow w ha t t he y c ont ai ne d, s o he w ent t o one

of t he m a nd o pe ne d t he d oo r. T he re w er e s he lv es i ns id e,

a nd upon one of t he s he lve s whi ch w as a bout on a l eve l

w it h h is t in c hi n th e Em pe ror di sc ove re d a He ad - - i t

l ook ed l ike a dol l' s he ad , onl y i t w as l ar ge r, a nd he

soon sa w i t was t he He ad of s ome pe rson. It wa s f aci ng

t he T in W oo dm an a nd a s t he c up bo ar d d oo r s wun g b ac k,

t he e ye s o f t he H ea d s lo wl y o pe ne d a nd l ook ed a t h im .

T he T in W oo dm an w as n ot a t a ll s ur pr is ed , f or i n t he

La nd of Oz one r uns i nt o ma gi c a t e ve ry t ur n.

" Dear m e! " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , s tari ng h ar d. " It

s ee ms a s i f I h ad m et yo u, s om ewh er e, b ef or e. G oo d

morning, sir!"





" Y ou h av e t he a dv an ta ge o f m e, " r ep li ed t he H ea d. " I

ne ve r s aw you be for e i n m y l if e. "

"Still, your face is very familiar," persisted the

Tin Woodma n. "Par don me , but ma y I a sk if you - - eh --

eh -- if you ever had a Body?"

" Ye s, a t o ne t im e, " a ns we re d t he H ea d, " bu t t ha t i s

s o l ong ago I c an' t r eme mbe r i t. Did you t hi nk, " wi th a

pl ea sa nt s mi le , "t ha t I w as bor n j us t a s I a m? Th at a

H ea d w ou ld b e c re at ed w it ho ut a B od y? "

" No , o f c ou rs e n ot ," s ai d t he o th er . " Bu t h ow c am e

yo u t o l os e y ou r b od y? "

" Well , I can 't r ecol lect t he d et ai ls ; y ou 'l l h av e t o

a sk K u- Kl ip a bo ut i t, " r et ur ne d t he H ea d. " Fo r, c ur io us

a s it ma y se em t o you, my me mory i s not good s inc e my

s ep ar at io n f ro m t he r es t o f m e. I s ti ll p os se ss m y

br ai ns a nd m y i nt el le ct i s as good a s e ve r, but my

m em or y of s om e o f t he e ve nt s I f or me rl y e xp er ie nc ed i s

quite hazy."

" Ho w l on g h av e y ou b ee n i n t hi s c up bo ar d? " a sk ed t he

Emperor.





" I d on 't k no w. "

" Haven' t y ou a n am e?"

" Oh, ye s, " s ai d t he H ea d; " I u se d t o be c al le d N ic k

Choppe r, when I wa s a woodma n a nd c ut down t ree s f or a

living."

" Go od g raci ou s! " cri ed t he T in W oo dm an i n

ast on is hm en t. " If y ou ar e N ick C ho pp er 's H ead, t hen y ou

are Me -- or I'm You -- or -- or -- What relation are

we, anyhow?"

" Do n' t a sk m e, " r ep li ed t he H ea d. " Fo r m y p ar t, I 'm

not anxious to claim relationship with any common,

m anu fact ur ed art icle, l ik e y ou . Y ou m ay b e all r ig ht i n

y ou r c la ss , b ut y ou r c la ss i sn 't m y c la ss . Y ou 'r e t in ."

T he p oo r E mp er or f el t s o b ew il de re d t ha t f or a t im e h e c ou ld

o nl y s ta re a t h is o ld H ea d i n s il en ce . T he n h e s ai d:

" I m us t a dm it t ha t I w as n' t a t a ll b ad l oo ki ng b ef or e

I b ec am e t in . Y ou 'r e a lm os t h an ds om e - - f or m ea t. I f

y ou r h ai r w as com bed, y ou 'd b e q ui te att r acti ve."





" Ho w d o yo u e xp ec t m e t o c om b m y h ai r w it ho ut h el p? "

d em an de d t he H ea d, i nd ig na nt ly . " I u se d t o k ee p i t

smooth and nea t, when I ha d a rms, but af te r I was

r em ov ed f ro m t he r es t o f m e, m y h ai r g ot m us se d,

a nd o ld K u- Kl ip n ev er h as c om be d i t f or m e. "

" I' ll s pe ak t o h im a bo ut i t, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an .

"Do you remember loving a pretty Munchkin girl named

Nimmie Amee?"

" No ," ans wered t he H ead. " Th at i s a f oo li sh q uest io n.

The he art i n my body - - when I had a body -- might have

l ov ed s om eo ne , f or a ll I kn ow , b ut a h ea d i sn 't m ad e t o

lo ve; i t' s m ad e t o t hi nk ."

" Oh ; d o y ou t hi nk , t hen?"

" I u se d t o t hi nk ."

" Yo u m us t h av e b ee n s hu t u p i n t hi s c up boa rd f or

y e ar s a nd y ea rs . W ha t h av e y ou t ho ug ht a bo ut , i n a ll

that time?"

"Nothing. That's another foolish question. A little

r ef lect io n w il l con vi nce y ou t hat I h av e h ad n ot hi ng t o

t hi nk a bo ut , e xc ep t t he b oa rd s o n t he i ns id e o f t he





c upb oa rd do or , a nd i t d id n' t t ak e m e l ong t o t hi nk o f

every th in g abo ut t ho se b oard s t hat cou ld b e t ho ug ht o f.

Then, of course, I quit thinking."

" An d are y ou h ap py ?"

"Happy? What's that?"

" Do n' t y ou k no w w hat h ap pi ness i s?" i nq ui red t he T in

Woodman.

" I h av en 't t he f ai nt es t i de a w he th er i t' s r ou nd o r

s qu ar e, or bl ac k or w hi te , or w ha t i t i s. A nd, i f yo u

wi ll p ar don my l ac k o f i nt er es t i n i t, I w il l s ay t ha t

I d on 't c ar e. "

T he T in W oo dm an w as m uch p uzzl ed b y t hese ans wers .

His traveling companions had grouped themselves at his

ba ck, a nd h ad f ixe d t he ir e ye s on t he H ea d a nd l is te ne d

t o t he con vers at io n w it h m uch i nt er es t, b ut u nt il n ow ,

t hey h ad n ot i nt er ru pt ed b ecau se t hey t ho ug ht t he T in

W ood ma n ha d t he be st r ig ht t o t al k t o hi s ow n he ad a nd

renew acquaintance with it.

B ut n ow t he T in S ol di er r em ar ked:





"I wonder if my old head happens to be in any of

t he se c up bo ar ds ," a nd h e p ro ce ed ed t o o pe n a ll t he

c upboa rd doors . But no ot he r he ad wa s t o be f ound on

any o f t he s helv es .

" Oh , w el l; n ev er m in d, " s ai d W oo t t he W an derer; " I

c an 't i ma gi ne w ha t a ny on e w an ts o f a c as t- of f h ea d,

anyhow."

" I can u nd er s tand t he S ol di er' s i nt er est ," as ser ted

Polychrome, dancing around the grimy workshop until her

d raperi es f or med a clo ud aro un d h er d ai nt y f or m. " Fo r

s en ti me nt al r ea so ns a m an m ig ht l ike t o s ee hi s o ld

he ad onc e mo re , j us t a s one l ike s t o r ev is it a n ol d

home."

" An d t he n t o k is s i t g oo d- by e, " a dd ed t he S ca re cr ow .

" I h ope t ha t t in t hi ng won' t t ry t o ki ss m e good -

by e! " exclaim ed t he T in W oo dm an 's f or mer h ead. " An d I

d on 't s ee w ha t r ig ht y ou f ol ks h av e t o d is tu rb m y p ea ce

and comfort, either."

" Yo u b el on g t o m e, " t he T in W oo dm an d eclared.





g la d I c ou ld n ot f in d i t."

" Yes; I 'm r at her s ur pr is ed at m y h ead, m ys el f, "

replied the Tin Woodman, thoughtfully. "I thought I had

a m or e p le as an t d is po si ti on w he n I w as m ad e o f m ea t. "

B ut j us t t hen o ld K u- Kl ip t he T in sm it h arr iv ed , and

h e s eemed s ur pr is ed t o f in d s o m an y v is it or s. K u- Kl ip

wa s a s tout ma n and a s hor t man. He had his sl eeves

r ol led abo ve h is elb ow s, s ho wi ng m us cu lar arm s, and h e

w or e a l ea th er n a pr on t ha t c ov er ed a ll t he f ro nt o f

hi m, a nd wa s s o l ong t ha t W oot w as s ur pr is ed he d idn' t

s te p o n i t a nd t ri p wh en ev er he wa lk ed. A nd K u- Kl ip h ad

a gr ay be ard tha t was a lmos t as long a s hi s apron, and

his hea d was bald on t op a nd his e ars s tuck out fr om

h is h ea d l ik e t wo f an s. O ve r h is e ye s, w hi ch w er e

b ri gh t and t wi nk li ng , h e w or e b ig s pect acles. I t w as

e as y t o s ee t ha t t he t ins mi th wa s a k ind he ar te d ma n,

a s w el l a s a m er ry a nd a gr ee abl e o ne . " Oh -ho !" he c ri ed

i n a j oyous ba ss voi ce ; " he re a re bot h my t in m en c ome

t o v is it m e, a nd t he y a nd t he ir f ri en ds a re w el co me

i nd ee d. I 'm v er y p ro ud o f y ou t wo c ha ra ct er s, I a ss ur e

yo u, f or yo u a re s o p er fe ct t ha t y ou a re p ro of t ha t I 'm

a go od w or km an. Si t do wn . S it do wn , a ll of yo u - - i f

y ou c an fi nd a nyt hing t o si t on -- and te ll me why you

ar e h er e."





S o t he y f oun d s ea ts a nd t ol d h im a ll o f t he ir

a dv en tu re s t ha t t he y t ho ug ht h e w ou ld l ik e t o k no w. K u-

Kl ip wa s gl ad t o l ea rn t ha t Ni ck Ch opp er , t he T in

W oo dm an , w as n ow E mp er or o f t he W in ki es a nd a f ri en d o f

Oz ma o f O z, a nd t he t in sm it h w as a ls o i nt er es te d i n t he

Scarecrow and Polychrome.

H e t ur ned t he s tr aw m an aro un d, exami ni ng h im

cur io us ly , and p at ted h im o n all s id es , and t hen s ai d:

" Yo u are cer tain ly w on derf ul , b ut I t hi nk y ou w ou ld

b e mo re d ur ab le a nd s te ady on yo ur l egs i f you w er e

m ade o f t in. Wou ld you l ike m e t o - -"

"No, indeed!" interrupted the Scarecrow hastily; "I

l ik e m ys el f b et te r a s I a m. "

But to Polychrome the tinsmith said:

" No th in g c ou ld i mp ro ve y ou , m y d ea r, f or y ou a re t he

mo st b ea ut if ul m ai de n I h av e e ve r s ee n. I t i s p ur e

h a pp in es s j us t t o l oo k a t y ou ."

" Th at i s p rais e, i nd eed, f ro m s o s ki ll fu l a w or km an ,"





returned the Rainbow's Daughter, laughing and dancing

in a nd ou t t he r oo m.

"The n i t must be t his boy you wis h me t o hel p," s ai d

K u- K li p, l oo ki ng at W oo t.

" No, " s ai d W oo t, " we a re no t h er e t o s ee k y ou r s ki ll ,

b ut h av e m er el y com e t o y ou f or i nf or mati on ."

T hen, b et ween t hem, t hey r el at ed t heir s earch f or

N i mm ie A mee, w ho m t he T in W oo dm an exp lain ed h e h ad

r es ol ve d t o m ar ry , y et w ho h ad p ro mi se d t o b ec om e t he

b r id e o f t he T in S ol di er b ef or e h e u nf or tu nately b ecam e

r us te d. A nd w he n t he s to ry w as t ol d, t he y a sk ed K u- Kl ip

i f h e k ne w w ha t h ad b ec om e of N im mi e A me e.

" No t e xa ct ly ," r ep li ed t he o ld m an , " bu t I k no w t ha t

s he w ep t b it te rl y w he n t he T in S ol di er d id n ot c om e t o

m ar ry h er , a s h e h ad p ro mi se d t o d o. T he ol d W it ch wa s

s o p ro vo ke d a t t he g ir l' s t ea rs t ha t s he b ea t N im mi e

A me e w it h h er c ro ok ed s ti ck a nd t he n h ob bl ed a wa y t o

g at her s om e m ag ic h er bs , w it h w hi ch s he i nt en ded t o

t rans for m t he gir l i nt o a n old ha g, so t ha t no one

w oul d a ga in l ov e he r or c ar e t o m ar ry he r. I t wa s w hi le

s he w as a wa y o n t hi s e rr an d t ha t D or ot hy 's h ou se f el l

on t he W ic ke d W it ch, a nd s he t ur ne d t o du st a nd bl ew





a wa y. W he n I he ar d t hi s go od n ews , I s ent Ni mm ie Ame e

to f in d t he S il ve r S ho es w hi ch t he W it ch h ad w or n, b ut

D or ot hy h ad t ak en t he m w it h h er t o t he E me ra ld C it y. "

" Ye s, w e k no w a ll a bo ut t ho se S il ve r S ho es ," s ai d t he

Scarecrow.

"Well," continued Ku-Klip, "after that, Nimmie Amee

d ec id ed t o g o a wa y f ro m t he f or es t a nd l iv e w it h s om e

pe opl e s he w as a cqua int ed wi th w ho ha d a ho us e o n M oun t

M un ch . I h av e ne ve r s ee n t he g ir l s in ce ."

" Do you know t he na me of t he pe opl e on M ount Munc h,

w it h w hom s he w en t t o l iv e? " a ske d t he T in W ood ma n.

" No , N im mi e A mee d id n ot m en ti on h er f ri en d' s n am e,

and I did not a sk her . She t ook with her all t ha t she

c ou ld c ar ry o f t he goo ds t ha t w er e i n t he Wi tc h' s

hou se , a nd s he t ol d me I c ou ld ha ve t he r es t. Bu t w he n

I w en t t he re I f ou nd n ot hi ng w or th t ak ing e xc ep t s om e

m agi c powder s t ha t I did not know how t o use , and a

b ot tl e o f M ag ic G lu e. "

" Wh at i s M ag ic G lu e? " a sk ed W oo t.





" It i s a m agi c p re pa ra ti on w it h w hi ch t o m en d p eo pl e

w he n t he y c ut t he ms el ve s. O ne t im e, l on g a go , I c ut o ff

one of my f inge rs by a cc ide nt , a nd I c ar ri ed i t t o t he

W it ch , w ho t oo k d ow n h er b ot tl e a nd g lu ed i t o n a ga in

f or m e. S ee !" s how ing t he m hi s f in ge r, " it i s a s g oo d

a s ever it was. No one else that I ever heard of had

t hi s M ag ic G lu e, a nd o f c ou rs e w he n N ic k C ho pp er c ut

h im self t o p ieces w it h h is enchant ed axe and C ap tain

F yt er cut h im self t o p ieces w it h h is enchant ed s wo rd ,

t he W it ch w ou ld n ot m end t he m, o r a ll ow m e t o gl ue t he m

t og et her, b ecau se s he h ad h er sel f w ickedl y enchant ed

t he a xe a nd s wor d. No thi ng r em ai ne d b ut f or m e t o ma ke

t he m ne w pa rt s ou t of t in; but , a s yo u s ee , t in

a ns we re d t he p ur po se v er y w el l, a nd I a m s ur e t he ir t in

b od ie s a re a g re at i mp ro ve me nt o n t he ir m ea t b od ie s. "

" V er y t ru e, " s ai d t he T in S ol di er .

" I q ui te a gr ee w it h y ou, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an . " I

h ap pe ne d t o f in d m y o ld h ea d i n y ou r c up bo ar d, a w hi le

a go , a nd c er ta in ly i t i s n ot a s de si ra bl e a h ea d a s t he

ti n one I no w w ea r."

" By t he w ay ," s ai d t he T in S ol di er , " wha t e ve r b ec am e

o f m y o ld h ea d, K u- Kl ip ?"

" An d o f t he d if fe re nt p ar ts o f o ur b od ie s? " a dd ed t he





Tin Woodman.

" Let m e t hi nk a m in ut e, " r ep li ed K u- Kl ip . " If I

r em em be r r ig ht , y ou t wo b oy s u se d t o b ri ng m e m os t o f

y our pa rt s, w he n t he y we re c ut of f, a nd I s ave d t he m i n

t ha t b ar re l i n t he c or ne r. Y ou m us t n ot h av e b ro ug ht m e

a ll t he p ar ts , f or wh en I ma de C hop fyt I ha d ha rd w or k

f in di ng eno ug h p ieces t o com pl et e t he j ob . I f in al ly

had t o f in is h h im w it h o ne arm ."

"Who is Chopfyt?"inquired Woot.

" Oh , h av en 't I t ol d y ou abo ut C ho pf yt ?" exclaim ed K u-

Kl ip . " Of c ou rs e n ot ! A nd h e' s q ui te a c ur io si ty , t oo .

Y ou 'l l b e i nt er es ted i n h eari ng abo ut C ho pf yt . T hi s i s

h o w h e h ap pened:

" On e d ay , a ft er t he W it ch h ad b ee n d es tr oy ed a nd

N im mi e A me e h ad go ne t o l iv e w it h he r f ri end s on M ou nt

M un ch , I w as l oo ki ng a ro un d t he s ho p f or s om et hi ng a nd

ca me u po n t he b ot tl e o f M ag ic G lu e w hi ch I h ad b ro ug ht

f rom t he o ld W it ch 's ho us e. I t oc cu rr ed t o m e t o pi ec e

t oge the r t he od ds a nd e nds o f yo u t wo p eo pl e, wh ic h of

c our se we re j ust a s good as e ver , a nd s ee i f I c ouldn't

ma ke a man out of them. If I succe ede d, I would ha ve an





a ss is ta nt t o h el p m e w it h m y w or k, a nd I t ho ug ht i t

w ou ld b e a c le ve r i de a t o p ut t o s om e p ra ct ic al us e t he

s cr ap s o f N ic k C ho pp er a nd C ap ta in F yt er . T he re w er e

t wo pe rf ec tl y go od h ea ds i n m y c up boa rd , a nd a l ot of

fe et a nd le gs and par ts of bodie s in the bar rel , s o I

s et to work to see what I could do.

" Fi rs t, I pi ec ed t og et he r a b ody , gl ui ng i t w it h t he

W it ch 's M ag ic G lu e, w hi ch w or ked p er fect ly . T hat w as

t he h ar de st p ar t o f m y j ob , h ow ev er , b ec au se t he b od ie s

d id n' t m at ch u p w el l a nd s om e p ar ts w er e m is si ng . B ut

by using a pi ece of Capt ain Fyt er he re a nd a piec e of

N ic k C ho pp er t he re , I f in al ly g ot t og et he r a v er y

d ecen t b od y, w it h h eart and all t he t ri mm in gs

complete."

" Wh os e h ea rt d id y ou u se i n m ak in g a sk ed t he T in .

Woodman anxiously. the body?"

"I ca n't tell , for the pa rts had no t ags on them and

on e h ea rt l oo ks m uc h l ik e a no th er . A ft er t he b od y w as

c om pl et ed , I g lu ed t wo f in e l eg s a nd f ee t o nt o i t. O ne

l eg w as N ic k C ho pp er 's a nd o ne w as C ap ta in F yt er 's a nd ,

f in di ng o ne l eg l on ger t han t he o th er , I t ri mm ed i t

d ow n t o m ak e t he m m at ch . I w as m uc h d is ap po in te d t o

find that I had but one arm. There was an extra leg in





t he b ar re l, b ut I c ou ld f in d o nl y on e a rm . H av ing g lu ed

t hi s ont o the body, I wa s re ady f or t he he ad, a nd I had

s om e d if fi cu lt y i n m ak in g u p m y m in d w hi ch h ead t o u se.

F in al ly I s hu t m y e ye s a nd r ea ch ed o ut m y h an d t ow ar d

t he c up bo ar d s he lf , a nd t he f ir st he ad I t ouc he d I

g l ued u po n m y n ew m an ."

"It was mine!" declared the Tin Soldier, gloomily.

" No , i t w as m in e, " a ss er te d K u- Kl ip , " fo r I h ad g iv en

y ou a no the r i n e xc ha ng e f or i t - - t he b ea ut if ul t in

h ea d you now we ar . W he n t he gl ue ha d dr ie d, m y m an wa s

quite an interesting fellow. I named him Chopfyt, using

a pa rt of N ic k Choppe r' s nam e a nd a pa rt of Ca pt ai n

F yt er 's n am e, b ec au se h e w as a m ix tu re o f b ot h y ou r

cas t -o ff p ar t s. C ho pf yt w as i nt eres ti ng , as I s ai d,

b ut h e d id n ot p ro ve a v er y a gr ee ab le c om pa ni on . H e

com pl ai ned b it terl y b ecau se I h ad g iv en h im b ut o ne arm

-- as if it were my fault! -- and he grumbl ed be cause the

s ui t o f b lu e M un ch ki n clo th es , w hi ch I g ot f or h im f ro m

a n ei gh bo r, d id n ot f it h im p er fect ly ."

" Ah , t ha t w as b ec au se h e w as w ea ri ng m y o ld h ea d, "

r em ar ke d t he T in S ol di er . " I r em em be r t ha t h ea d u se d t o

b e v er y p ar ti cu lar abo ut i ts clo th es ."





"As an assistant," the old tinsmith continued,

" Ch op fy t w as n ot a s uc ce ss . H e w as a wk wa rd w it h t oo ls

and w as alw ay s h un gr y. H e d em an ded s om et hi ng t o eat s ix

or eight times a day, so I wondere d if I had fitted his

i ns i des p ro per ly . I nd eed, C ho pf yt at e s o m uch t hat

l it tl e f oo d w as l ef t f or m ys el f; s o, w he n h e p ro po se d,

o ne da y, t o g o ou t i nt o t he w or ld a nd s ee k a dv en tu re s,

I was delighted to be rid of him. I even made him a tin

a rm t o t ake t he p la ce of t he m is si ng on e, a nd t ha t

p le as ed h im v er y m uc h, s o t ha t w e p ar te d g oo d f ri en ds ."

" Wh at b ecam e o f C ho pf yt aft er t hat ?" t he S carecro w

inquired.

" I n ev er he ar d. H e s ta rt ed o ff t ow ar d t he e as t, i nt o

t he p la in s of t he M un chk in C ou nt ry , a nd t ha t w as t he

l as t I eve r s aw of hi m."

" It s eems t o m e, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an r ef lect iv el y,

" th at y ou d id w ron g i n m ak in g a m an ou t of o ur c as t- of f

p ar ts . I t i s evi dent t hat C ho pf yt cou ld , w it h j us ti ce,

claim relationship with both of us."

"Don't worry about that," advised Ku-Klip cheerfully;

" it i s n ot l ik el y t hat y ou w il l ever m eet t he f el lo w.





And, if you s houl d me et hi m, he does n' t know who he i s

m ade of , f or I ne ve r t ol d hi m t he s ec re t of h is

m an uf ac tu re . I nd ee d, y ou a re t he o nl y o ne s w ho k no w o f

i t, a nd you ma y k ee p t he s ec re t t o your se lve s, i f you

wish to."

" Never m in d C ho pf yt ," s ai d t he S car ecro w. " Ou r

b us in es s n ow i s t o f ind p oo r N im mi e A me e a nd l et h er

c ho os e he r t in hu sba nd. T o do t ha t, i t s ee ms , f rom t he

i nf or mati on K u- Kl ip h as g iv en u s, w e m us t t ravel t o

Mount Munch."

" If t ha t' s t he p ro gr am me , l et u s s ta rt a t o nc e, "

suggested Woot.

S o t hey all w en t o ut si de, w here t hey f ou nd P ol ychr om e

d an ci ng abo ut amo ng t he t rees and t al ki ng w it h t he

b ir ds a nd l au gh in g a s m er ri ly a s i f s he h ad n ot l os t

h er R ai nb ow a nd s o b ee n s ep ar at ed f ro m a ll h er f ai ry

sisters.

T he y t ol d h er t he y w er e g oi ng t o M ou nt M un ch , a nd s he

replied:

" Ve ry w el l; I a m a s l ike ly t o f ind m y R ai nb ow t he re





as here , a nd a ny other plac e is a s li kel y as t he re. It

a ll d ep en ds o n t he w ea th er . D o y ou t hi nk i t l oo ks l ik e

rain?"

T hey s ho ok t heir h eads , and P ol ychr om e l au gh ed again

a nd d an ce d o n a ft er t he m w he n t he y r es um ed t he ir

journey.

Chapter Nineteen

The Invisible Country

T hey w er e p ro ceed in g s o eas il y and com fo rt ab ly o n t heir

wa y t o M ount M unc h t ha t Wo ot s ai d i n a s er iou s t one of

voice:

"I'm afraid something is going to happen."

" Wh y?" ask ed P ol ychr om e, d an ci ng aro un d t he g ro up o f

travelers.

"Because," said the boy, thoughtfully, "I've noticed





t ha t w he n w e h av e t he l ea st r ea so n f or g et ti ng i nt o

t ro ub le , s om et hi ng i s s ur e t o g o w ro ng . J us t n ow t he

weather is delightful; the grass is beautifully blue

a nd q ui te s of t t o o ur f ee t; t he m ou nt ai n w e a re s ee ki ng

s ho ws c le ar ly i n t he d is ta nc e a nd t he re i s n o r ea so n

any th in g s ho ul d h ap pen t o d el ay u s i n g et ti ng t here.

O ur t ro ubl es a ll s ee m t o b e o ve r, a nd - - w el l, t ha t' s

wh y I 'm a fr ai d, " h e a dd ed , w it h a s ig h.

" Dear m e! " r em ar ked t he S carecro w, " wh at u nh ap py

t ho ug ht s y ou h av e, t o b e s ur e. T hi s i s p ro of t ha t b or n

brains cannot equal manufactured brains, for my brains

d we ll o nl y o n f ac ts a nd n ev er b or ro w t ro ub le . W he n

t he re i s o cc as ion f or m y b ra in s t o t hi nk , t he y t hi nk,

but I woul d be a sha me d of m y br ai ns i f t he y ke pt

s h oo ti ng o ut t ho ug ht s t hat w er e m er el y f ears and

i ma gi ni ng s, s uc h a s d o n o g oo d, b ut a re l ik el y t o d o

harm."

" Fo r m y p ar t, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , " I d o n ot t hi nk

at al l, but a ll ow my ve lve t hea rt to guide me a t a ll

times."

"The tinsmith filled my hollow head with scraps and

cli pp in gs o f t in ," s ai d t he S ol di er , " an d h e t ol d m e





t he y w ou ld do ni ce ly f or b ra ins , b ut w he n I b eg in t o

th in k, t he t in s cr ap s r at tl e a ro un d a nd g et s o m ix ed

tha t I 'm s oo n be wi ld er ed . So I t ry not t o t hi nk . M y t in

heart is a lmos t as use less to me, for it is hard and

c ol d, s o I 'm s ur e t he r ed ve lv et he ar t of m y f ri en d

Ni ck C ho pp er i s a b et te r g ui de ."

"Thoughtless people are not unusual," observed the

S carecro w, " bu t I con si der t hem m or e f or tu nat e t han

t ho se w ho h av e u se le ss o r w ic ke d t ho ug ht s a nd d o n ot

tr y t o c ur b t he m. Y ou r o il c an , f ri en d W oo dm an , i s

f il le d w it h oi l, but y ou onl y a ppl y t he oi l t o yo ur

j oi nt s, dr op by dr op, a s you ne ed it , a nd do not ke ep

s pi ll in g i t w here i t w il l d o n o g oo d. T ho ug ht s s ho ul d

be r es tr ain ed i n t he s ame w ay a s your oi l, a nd onl y

a pp li ed w he n n ec es sa ry , a nd f or a g oo d p ur po se . I f u se d

carefully, thoughts are good things to have."

Polychrome laughed at him, for the Rainbow's Daughter

k ne w m or e a bo ut t ho ug ht s t ha n t he S ca re cr ow d id . B ut

t he o th er s w er e s ol em n, f eeli ng t hey h ad b een r eb uk ed ,

and t ramp ed o n i n s il en ce.

S ud de nl y W oo t, w ho w as i n t he l ea d, l oo ke d a ro un d a nd

found that all his comrades had mysteriously

d is ap pe ar ed . B ut w he re c ou ld t he y h av e g on e t o? T he





b ro ad p la in w as a ll a bo ut h im a nd t he re w er e n ei th er

t re es no r bus he s t ha t c ou ld hi de e ve n a r abb it , n or a ny

hol e f or o ne t o f al l i nt o. Y et t he re h e s tood , a lo ne .

S ur pr is e h ad c au se d h im t o h al t, a nd w it h a

t ho ug ht fu l and p uzzl ed exp ress io n o n h is f ace h e l oo ked

d ow n a t h is f ee t. I t s ta rt le d h im a ne w t o d is co ve r t ha t

he h ad no f ee t. H e r ea che d ou t hi s ha nd s, bu t he c ou ld

n ot s ee t he m. He c oul d f ee l hi s ha nds a nd a rms a nd

b od y; h e s ta mp ed hi s f ee t o n t he gr as s a nd kne w t he y

w er e t he re , b ut i n s om e s tr an ge w ay t he y h ad b ec om e

invisible.

W hi le W oo t s to od , w on de ri ng , a c ra sh o f m et al s ou nd ed

i n h is e ar s a nd h e he ar d t wo he av y b odi es t um bl e t o t he

ear th j us t b es id e h im .

" Go od g raci ou s! " exclaim ed t he v oi ce o f t he T in

Woodman.

" Me rc y m e! " c ri ed t he v oi ce o f t he T in S ol di er .

" Wh y d id n' t y ou l oo k w he re y ou w er e g oi ng ?" a sk ed t he

Tin Woodman reproachfully.





" I di d, but I c ou ldn 't s ee you, " s ai d t he Ti n

S ol di er . " So meth in g h as h ap pened t o m y t in eyes. I

c an' t s ee y ou , e ve n n ow , no r c an I s ee a nyo ne e ls e! "

" It 's t he s am e w ay w it h m e, " a dm it te d t he Ti n

Woodman.

W oo t c ou ld n' t s ee e it he r o f t he m, a lt ho ug h h e h ea rd

them plainly, and just then something smashed against

h im u nexp ectedl y and k no ck ed h im o ver; b ut i t w as o nl y

t he s tr aw -s tu ff ed b od y o f t he S ca re cr ow t ha t f el l u po n

h im a nd w hi le h e c ou ld n ot s ee t he S ca re cr ow h e m an ag ed

t o pus h hi m of f a nd r os e t o his f ee t j us t a s Pol yc hr om e

whirled against him and made him tumble again.

S it ti ng u po n t he g ro un d, t he b oy ask ed :

" Ca n y ou s ee u s, P ol y? "

"No, indeed," answered the Rainbow's Daughter; "we've

all become invisible."

" Ho w d id i t h ap pe n, d o y ou s up po se ?" i nq ui re d t he

S carecr ow , l yi ng w here h e h ad f al len.

" We h av e m et w it h n o enemy ," ans wered P ol y- ch ro me,





" so i t m us t be t ha t thi s pa rt of t he c oun tr y ha s t he

magic quality of making people invisible --even fairies

f al li ng u nd er t he c ha rm . W e c an s ee t he g ra ss , a nd t he

f low er s, a nd t he s tr et ch of pl ai n be for e u s, a nd we c an

s ti ll s ee M ou nt M un ch i n t he di st an ce ; b ut w e c an no t

s ee o ur sel ves o r o ne ano th er . "

" We ll , w ha t a re w e t o d o a bo ut i t? " d em and ed W oot .

" I t hi nk t hi s ma gi c a ff ec ts on ly a s ma ll pa rt of t he

plain," replied Polychrome; "perhaps there is only a

s tr eak o f t he cou nt ry w her e an enchant ment m ak es p eo pl e

b ec om e i nv is ib le . S o, i f w e g et t og et he r a nd h ol d

h an ds , w e can t ravel t ow ar d M ou nt M un ch u nt il t he

en ch an t ed s t reak i s p as s ed ."

"All right," said Woot, jumping up, "give me your

h an d, P ol ychr om e. W here are y ou ?"

" Here, " s he ans wer ed . " Wh is t le, W oo t, and k eep

whistling until I come to you."

S o W oo t w hi st led, and p resent ly P ol ychr om e f ou nd h im

a nd g ra sp ed h is h an d.





" So meon e m us t h el p m e u p, " s ai d t he S carecr ow , l yi ng

ne ar t he m; s o t he y f ound t he s tr aw m an a nd s at him upon

h is f eet, aft er w hi ch h e h el d f as t t o P ol ychr om e' s

other hand.

Nick Chopper and the Tin Soldier had managed to

s cr am bl e u p w it ho ut as si st ance, b ut i t w as awk war d f or

t hem and t he T in W oo dm an s ai d:

" I d on 't s ee m t o s ta nd s tr ai gh t, s om eh ow . B ut m y

joi nt s a ll w or k, s o I gu es s I c an wa lk."

G ui de d b y h is v oi ce , t he y r ea ch ed h is s id e, w he re

W oo t g ra sp ed h is t in f in ge rs s o t he y m ig ht k ee p

together.

T he T in S ol di er w as s ta nd in g n ea r b y a nd t he

S ca re cr ow s oo n t ou ch ed h im a nd t oo k h ol d o f h is a rm .

" I h op e y ou 'r e n ot w ob bl y, " s ai d t he s tr aw m an ,

" fo r i f t wo o f us wa lk un st ea di ly w e w il l b e s ur e

to fall."

" I' m n ot w ob bl y, " t he T in S ol di er ass ur ed h im , " bu t

I 'm c er tai n t ha t one of my l egs i s s hort er t ha n t he

o the r. I c an 't s ee i t, t o t el l wh at 's g on e w ro ng , b ut





I' ll l imp on with the r es t of you unti l we a re out of

this enchanted territory."

T hey n ow f or med a l in e, h ol di ng h an ds , and t ur ni ng

t heir f aces t ow ar d M ou nt M un ch r es um ed t heir j ou rn ey .

T he y h ad n ot g on e f ar , h ow ev er , w he n a t er ri bl e g ro wl

s al ut ed t he ir e ar s. T he s ou nd s ee me d t o c om e f ro m a

p la ce j us t i n f ro nt of t he m, s o t he y h al te d a br up tl y

and remained silent, listening with all their ears.

" I s me ll s tr aw !" c ri ed a h oa rs e, h ar sh v oi ce , w it h

m or e g ro wl s a nd s na rl s. " I s me ll s tr aw , a nd I 'm a

Hi p- po -g y- ra f w ho l ov es s tr aw a nd e at s a ll h e c an f in d.

I want t o ea t thi s stra w! Where is it? Where is it ?"

T he S car ecro w, h ear in g t hi s, t remb led b ut k ep t

si lent . A ll t he o th er s w er e s il en t, t oo , h op in g t hat

t he i nv is ib le b east w ou ld b e u nabl e t o f in d t hem. B ut

t he c re at ur e s ni ff ed t he o do r o f t he s tr aw a nd dr ew

n ea re r a nd n ea re r t o t he m u nt il h e r ea ch ed t he T in

W oodma n, on one e nd of t he line. It wa s a big be as t and

i t s me ll ed o f t he T in W oodma n a nd gr at ed t wo r ows of

eno rm ou s t eeth again st t he E mp er or ' s t in b od y.

" Ba h! t ha t' s n ot s tr aw ," s ai d t he h ar sh v oi ce , a nd





t he b ea st a dv an ce d a lo ng t he l in e t o W oo t.

" Me at ! P ooh , y ou 'r e no g ood ! I c an 't e at m ea t, "

g ru mb le d t he b ea st , a nd p as se d o n t o P ol yc hr om e.

" Sw ee tm ea ts a nd p er fu me - - c ob we bs a nd d ew ! N ot hi ng

t o e at i n a f ai ry l ike you," s ai d th e c re at ur e.

Now, the Scarecrow was next to Polychrome in the

l i ne , a nd h e r ea li ze d i f t he b ea st d ev ou re d h is s tr aw

h e w ou ld b e h el pl es s f or a l on g t im e, b ec au se t he l as t

f ar mh ou se w as f ar b eh in d t hem and o nl y g rass cov er ed

t he vas t expa ns e of pla in. So i n hi s f ri ght he le t go

o f P ol yc hr om e' s h an d a nd p ut t he h an d o f t he T in

S ol di er i n t hat o f t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter. T hen h e

sl ipp ed b ac k o f t he l in e a nd we nt t o t he ot he r e nd,

w here h e s il en tl y s ei zed t he T in W oo dm an 's h an d.

M eant im e, t he b east h ad s mell ed t he T in S ol di er and

f ound he wa s t he la st of the l ine .

"That's funny!" growled the Hip-po-gy-raf; "I can

s me ll s tr aw , b ut I c an 't f in d i t. W el l, i t' s h er e,

s om ew he re , a nd I m us t h unt a ro un d u nt il I d o f in d i t,

for I'm hungry."





H is voi ce wa s now a t t he l ef t of t he m, s o t he y

s ta rt ed o n, h op in g t o a vo id h im , a nd t ra ve le d a s f as t

a s t he y c oul d i n t he d ir ec ti on o f M ou nt M un ch .

" I d on 't l ik e t hi s i nv is ib le cou nt ry ," s ai d W oo t w it h

a s hu dd er . " We can 't t el l h ow m an y d read fu l, i nv is ib le

b ea st s a re r oa mi ng a ro un d u s, o r w ha t d an ge r w e' ll c om e

to next."

"Quit thinking about danger, please," said the

Scarecrow, warningly.

" Wh y?" ask ed t he b oy .

" If y ou t hi nk o f s om e d read fu l t hi ng , i t' s l iabl e t o

ha ppe n, but i f yo u don 't t hi nk of i t, a nd no one e ls e

t hi nks of i t, i t j us t c an 't ha ppe n. Do you s ee ?"

" No ," a ns we re d W oot . " I w on 't be a bl e t o s ee m uc h of

anything until we escape from this enchantment."

B ut t hey g ot o ut o f t he i nv is ib le s tr ip o f cou nt ry

a s s ud de nl y a s t he y h ad e nt er ed i t, a nd t he i ns ta nt

t he y g ot o ut t he y s to pp ed s ho rt , f or j us t b ef or e t he m

w as a de ep di tc h, r unni ng at r ig ht a ngl es a s f ar a s





t heir eyes cou ld s ee and s to pp in g all f ur th er p ro gr es s

toward Mount Munch.

" It 's no t s o ve ry w ide ," s ai d W oo t, " bu t I 'm s ur e

n one of us c an j ump a cr os s i t."

P ol ychr om e b eg an t o l au gh , and t he S carecr ow s ai d:

"What's the matter?"

" Lo ok a t t he t in m en !" s he s ai d, w it h a no th er b ur st

of merry laughter.

W oo t a nd t he S ca re cr ow l oo ke d, a nd t he t in m en l oo ke d

at themselves.

" It w as t he col li si on ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an

r eg retf ul ly . " I k new s om et hi ng w as w ro ng w it h m e, and

now I can see that my side is dented in so that I lean

o ve r t ow ar d t he l ef t. I t w as t he S ol di er 's f au lt ; h e

s h o ul dn 't h av e b een s o careles s. "

" It i s yo ur f aul t t ha t my r ight l eg i s be nt , m aki ng

i t s ho rt er t ha n t he o th er , s o t ha t I l im p b ad ly ,"

r et or te d t he S ol di er . " Yo u s ho ul dn 't h av e s to od w he re I

was walking."





" Yo u s ho ul dn 't h av e w al ked w here I w as s tand in g, "

r ep li ed t he T in W oo dm an .

I t w as a lm os t a q ua rr el , s o P ol yc hr om e s ai d

soothingly:

" Ne ve r mi nd, f rie nds ; a s s oon a s we ha ve t ime I a m

s ur e w e c an s tr ai gh te n t he S ol di er 's l eg a nd g et t he

d en t o ut o f t he W oo dm an 's b od y. T he S ca re cr ow n ee ds

pa tt in g i nt o s ha pe , t oo , f or he h ad a ba d t um bl e, bu t

our f ir st t as k i s t o ge t ove r t hi s di tch. "

" Yes, t he d it ch i s t he m os t i mp or tant t hi ng , j us t

n o w, " a dd ed W oo t

T he y w er e s ta nd in g i n a r ow , l oo ki ng h ar d a t t he

u nexp ected b ar ri er , w hen a f ierce g ro wl f ro m b eh in d

t hem m ad e t hem all t ur n q ui ck ly . O ut o f t he i nv is ib le

cou nt ry m ar ch ed a h ug e b east w it h a t hi ck , l eath er y

sk in a nd a s ur pr is in gl y l on g n ec k. T he h ea d o n t he t op

of t hi s n ec k w as br oa d a nd f la t a nd t he e ye s a nd m ou th

w er e ve ry bi g a nd t he n os e a nd e ar s v er y s ma ll . W he n

t he h ea d w as d ra wn d ow n t ow ar d t he b ea st 's s ho ul de rs ,

t he ne ck w as a ll w ri nk le s, b ut t he he ad c oul d s ho ot up

v er y h ig h i nd ee d, i f t he c re at ur e w is he d i t t o.





" Dear m e! " exclaim ed t he S carecr ow , " th is m us t b e t he

Hip-po-gy-raf."

" Qu it e r ig ht ," s ai d t he b east ; " an d y ou 'r e t he s tr aw

which I'm to eat for my dinner. Oh, how I love s traw! I

h op e y ou d on 't r es ent m y aff ecti on at e app et it e?"

W it h i ts f ou r g reat l eg s i t adv an ced s tr ai gh t t ow ar d

t he S ca re cr ow , b ut t he T in W oo dm an a nd t he T in S ol di er

b ot h s pr an g i n f ro nt o f t heir f ri en d and f lo ur is hed

their weapons.

" Keep o ff !" s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , w ar ni ng ly , o r I 'l l

c hop yo u w it h m y a xe ."

" Ke ep of f! " s ai d t he T in S ol di er , " or I 'l l c ut y ou

with my sword."

" Wo ul d y ou r eal ly d o t hat?" ask ed t he H ip -p o- gy -r af,

i n a d is ap po in ted v oi ce.

" We w ou ld ," t hey b ot h r ep li ed , and t he T in W oo dm an

a dd ed : " Th e S ca re cr ow i s o ur f ri en d, a nd h e w ou ld b e

u se le ss w it ho ut h is s tr aw s tu ff in g. S o, a s w e a re

co mr ad es , f ai th fu l and t ru e, w e w il l d ef en d o ur





friend's stuffing against all enemies."

T he H ip -p o- gy -r af s at d ow n a nd l oo ke d a t t he m

sorrowfully.

" When one ha s made up hi s m ind t o have a me al of

de li ci ou s s tr aw , a nd t he n f in ds he c an 't h av e i t, i t i s

c er ta in ly h ar d l uc k, " h e s ai d. " An d w ha t g oo d i s t he

s tr aw m an t o you, or t o hi ms el f, whe n t he di tc h ke eps

you from going any further?"

" We ll , w e c an g o b ac k a ga in ," s ug ge st ed W oo t.

" Tr ue ," s ai d t he H ip -p o; " an d i f y ou d o, y ou 'l l b e a s

di sapp oi nt ed as I am. T hat' s s om e com fo rt , any ho w. "

T he t ra ve le rs l oo ke d a t t he b ea st , a nd t he n t he y

l oo ke d a cr os s t he d it ch a t t he l ev el p la in b ey on d. O n

t he o the r s ide t he g ra ss ha d gr ow n t al l, a nd t he s un

had dri ed it, so there wa s a fi ne crop of hay that only

ne ede d t o be c ut a nd s ta ck ed .

" Wh y d on 't yo u c ros s o ve r a nd e at h ay ?" t he bo y a ske d

t h e b ea st .





" I' m n ot f on d o f h ay ," r ep li ed t he H ip -p o- gy -r af ;

" st raw i s m uch m or e d el icio us , t o m y n ot io n, and i t' s

m or e s ca rc e i n t hi s n ei gh bo rh oo d, t oo . A ls o I m us t

c o nf es s t ha t I c an' t ge t a cr os s t he d it ch, f or m y bo dy

i s t oo he avy a nd c lum sy f or me to j ump t he di st anc e. I

c an s tr et ch m y n ec k a cr os s, t ho ug h, a nd y ou w il l n ot ic e

th at I 've n ib bl ed t he h ay o n t he f ar th er e dg e - - n ot

be ca us e I l ike d i t, bu t be ca us e o ne m us t e at , a nd i f

one ca n't ge t t he sor t of f ood he de si re s, he mus t t ake

w hat i s o ff er ed o r g o h un gr y. "

" Ah , I s ee y ou a re a p hi lo so ph er ," r em ar ke d t he

Scarecrow.

" No , I 'm j us t a H ip -p o- gy -r af ," w as t he r ep ly .

P ol yc hr om e w as n ot a fr ai d o f t he b ig b ea st . S he

da nc ed c lo se t o h im a nd s ai d:

" If y ou c an s tr et ch y ou r n ec k a cr os s t he d it ch , w hy

not help us over? We can sit on your big head, one at a

t i me , a nd t he n y ou c an l if t u s a cr os s. "

" Ye s; I c an , i t i s t rue ," a ns we re d t he H ip- po ; " but I

r ef us e t o d o i t. U nl es s - -" h e a dd ed , a nd s to pp ed

short.





"Unless what?" asked Polychrome.

" Un le ss y ou f ir st a ll ow m e t o e at t he s tr aw w it h

which the Scarecrow is stuffed."

" No ," s ai d t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter, " th at i s t oo h ig h

a pr ic e t o pa y. O ur f ri en d' s s tr aw i s n ic e a nd f re sh,

f or h e w as r es tu ff ed o nl y a l it tl e w hi le ago ."

" I k no w, " agr eed t he H ip -p o- gy -r af . " Th at 's w hy I

w ant i t. I f i t wa s ol d, mus ty s tr aw, I wou ldn' t c ar e

for it."

"Please lift us across," pleaded Polychrome.

" No ," r ep li ed t he b east ; " si nce y ou r ef us e m y

g en er ou s o ff er , I c an be a s s tub bo rn a s y ou a re ."

A ft er t ha t t he y w er e a ll s il en t f or a t im e, b ut t he n

t he S carecro w s aid b ravel y:

" Fr ie nd s, l et u s a gr ee t o t he b ea st 's t er ms . G iv e h im

my s tr aw , a nd c ar ry t he r es t of m e wi th y ou a cr os s t he

di tc h. On ce on t he o the r s ide , t he Ti n S ol di er c an c ut





s ome of t he ha y wi th hi s s ha rp s wor d, a nd you c an s tuf f

m e w it h t ha t m at er ia l un ti l w e r ea ch a p la ce w he re

t he re i s s tr aw . I t i s t rue I ha ve be en s tuf fe d wi th

straw all my life and it will be somewhat humiliating

t o b e f il le d wi th c om mo n h ay, b ut I a m wi ll in g t o

s ac ri fi ce m y p ri de i n a g oo d c au se . M or eo ve r, t o

a ba nd on o ur e rr an d a nd s o d ep ri ve t he g re at E mp er or o f

th e W in ki es - - o r t hi s n ob le So ld ie r - - o f hi s b ri de ,

would be equally humiliating, if not more so."

" Yo u' re a v er y h on es t and clever m an !" exclaim ed t he

Hip-po-gy-raf, admiringly. "When I have eaten your

h ead, p er haps I als o w il l b ecom e clever ."

" Yo u' re n ot t o e at m y h ea d, y ou k no w, " r et ur ne d t he

S carecr ow h as ti ly . " My h ead i sn 't s tu ff ed w it h s tr aw

a nd I c ann ot pa rt wi th i t. W he n on e l os es hi s he ad he

loses his brains."

" Ve ry w el l, t he n; y ou m ay k ee p y ou r h ea d, " s ai d t he

beast.

The Scarecrow's companions thanked him warmly for his

l oy al s acri fi ce t o t heir m ut ual g oo d, and t hen h e l ai d

d o wn a nd p er mi tt ed t he m t o p ul l t he s tr aw f rom h is

b od y. A s f as t a s t he y d id t hi s, t he H ip- po -gy -r af a te





u p t he s tr aw , a nd w he n a ll w as c on su me d P ol yc hr om e m ad e

a ne at bu nd le of t he c lot he s a nd b oo ts a nd gl ov es a nd

h at a nd s ai d s he w ou ld c ar ry t he m, w hi le W oo t t uc ke d

t he S ca re cr ow 's h ea d u nd er h is a rm a nd p ro mi se d t o

g uard i ts s af et y.

" No w, t hen, " s aid t he T in W oo dm an , " keep y ou r

p ro mi se, B east , and l if t u s o ver t he d it ch ."

" M- m- m- mu m, b ut t hat w as a f in e d in ner! " s ai d t he

Hip-po, smacking his thick lips in satisfaction, "and

I'm as good as my word. Sit on my head, one at a time,

a nd I 'l l l an d y ou s af el y o n t he o th er s id e. "

H e a pp roa ch ed c los e t o t he e dg e o f t he d it ch a nd

s qu at ted d ow n. P ol ychr om e cli mb ed o ver h is b ig b od y and

s at h er self l ig ht ly u po n t he f lat h ead, h ol di ng t he

b un dl e o f t he S carecr ow 's r ai ment i n h er h an d. S lo wl y

t he e la st ic n ec k s tr et ch ed o ut u nt il i t r ea ch ed t he f ar

s ide o f t he d it ch , w he n t he be as t l ow er ed hi s h ea d a nd

perm it ted t he b eaut if ul f ai ry t o l eap t o t he g ro un d.

W oo t m ad e t he q ue er j ou rn ey n ex t, a nd t he n t he T in

S ol di er a nd t he T in W oo dm an w en t o ve r, a nd a ll w er e

w el l p le as ed t o h av e o ve rc om e t hi s s er io us b ar ri er t o





their progress.

" No w, S ol di er , c ut t he h ay ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow 's

h ea d, w hi ch w as s ti ll h el d b y W oo t t he W an de re r.

" I' d l ik e t o, bu t I c an' t s to op o ve r, w it h m y be nt

leg, without falling," replied Captain Fyter.

" Wh at c an w e d o a bo ut t ha t l eg, a ny how ?" a ske d W oo t,

appealing to Polychrome.

S he d an ced aro un d i n a cir cl e s ev er al t im es w it ho ut

r ep ly in g, a nd t he b oy f ea re d s he h ad n ot h ea rd h im ; b ut

the Rainbow's Daughter was merely thinking upon the

p ro bl em , and p resent ly s he p au sed b es i de t he T in

S ol di er and s ai d:

" I' ve b een t au gh t a l it tl e f ai ry m ag ic, b ut I 'v e

ne ve r b ef or e be en a ske d t o m en d t in l egs wi th i t, s o

I'm not sure I c an help you. It al l de pe nds on t he good

w il l o f m y u ns een f ai ry g uard ians , s o I 'l l t ry , and i f

I fa il , you wi ll be no wor se off t ha n you a re now."

S he d an ce d a ro un d t he c ir cl e a ga in , a nd t he n l ai d

b ot h h an ds up on t he t wi st ed t in l eg a nd s an g i n h er

sweet voice:





" Fa ir y P ow er s, c om e t o m y a id !

Th is b en t l eg o f t in i s m ade ;

M ak e i t s tr ai gh t a nd s tr on g a nd t ru e,

A nd I 'l l r en de r t ha nk s t o y ou ."

" Ah! " m ur mu re d C ap ta in F yt er i n a gl ad v oi ce , a s s he

w it hdr ew he r h an ds a nd da nc ed a wa y, a nd t he y s aw h e w as

s t an di ng s tr ai gh t a s e ve r, b ec au se h is l eg w as a s

sh ap el y a nd s tr on g a s i t h ad b ee n b ef or e h is a cc id en t.

T he T in W oo dm an h ad w at ch ed P ol ychr om e w it h m uch

i nt er es t, a nd h e n ow s ai d:

"Plea se take the dent out of my si de, Poly, for I am

mo re cri pp led t han w as t he S ol di er ."

S o t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter t ou ch ed h is s id e l ig ht ly

and sang:





" He re 's a d en t b y a cc id en t;

S u ch a t hi ng w as n ev er m ea nt .

F air y P ow ers , s o w on dr ou s g r eat ,

M ak e o ur d ear T in W oo dm an s tr ai gh t! "

" Go od !" cri ed t he E mp er or , again s tand in g erect and

strutting around to show his fine figure. "Your fairy

m ag ic m ay n ot b e abl e t o accom pl is h all t hi ng s, s weet

P ol ychr om e, b ut i t w or ks s pl en di dl y o n t in . T hank y ou

very much."

" Th e h ay - - t he h ay !" p le ad ed t he S ca re cr ow 's h ea d.

" Oh , y es ; t he h ay ," s ai d W oo t. " Wh at a re y ou w ai ti ng

for, Captain Fyter?"

A t o nc e t he T in S ol di er s et t o w or k c ut ti ng h ay w it h

hi s s wo rd a nd i n a f ew m in ut es t he re w as q ui te e nou gh

w it h w hi ch t o s tu ff t he S ca re cr ow 's b od y. W oo t a nd

Po lyc hr ome d id t hi s a nd i t w as n o e as y t as k be ca us e t he

ha y p ac ke d t oge th er m or e t ha n s tr aw a nd a s t he y h ad

li tt le exp er ience i n s uch w or k t heir j ob , w hen

com pl eted, l eft t he S car ecr ow 's ar ms and l eg s r ath er

b un ch y. A ls o t he re w as a h um p o n h is b ac k w hi ch m ad e





Woot l augh a nd s ay i t r eminde d hi m of a c ame l, but it

w as t he b es t t he y c ou ld do a nd w he n t he h ea d w as f as te ne d

o n t o t he b od y t he y a sk ed t he S ca re cr ow ho w h e f el t.

" A l it tl e h eavy , and n ot q ui te n at ur al ," h e

cheerfully replied; "but I'll get along somehow until

w e r ea ch a s tr aw -s ta ck . D on 't l au gh a t m e, p le as e,

b ec au se I 'm a l it tl e a sh am ed o f m ys el f a nd I d on 't w an t

t o r eg re t a g oo d a ct io n. "

T he y s ta rt ed a t o nc e i n t he d ir ec ti on o f M ou nt M un ch ,

an d a s t he S ca re cr ow p ro ve d v er y c lu ms y i n h is

m ov em en ts , W oo t t oo k o ne o f h is a rm s a nd t he T in

W oo dm an t he o th er a nd s o h el pe d t he ir f ri en d t o w al k i n

a straight line.

A nd t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh te r, a s b ef or e, d an ce d a he ad

of t he m a nd be hi nd t he m a nd a ll a ro un d t he m, a nd t he y

ne ve r m in de d h er o dd w ay s, b ec aus e t o t he m s he w as l ike

a r ay o f s un sh in e.

Chapter Twenty





Over Night

T he L an d o f t he M un ch ki ns i s f ul l o f s ur pr is es , a s o ur

travelers had already learned, and although Mount Munch

w as con st an tl y g ro wi ng l ar ger as t hey adv an ced t ow ar d

i t, the y knew i t wa s st ill a l ong wa y of f a nd we re not

c e rt ai n, b y a ny m ea ns , t ha t t he y h ad e sc ap ed a ll d an ge r

or encountered their last adventure.

The pl ai n wa s broa d, a nd a s fa r as the e ye c oul d s ee,

t he re s ee me d t o b e a l ev el s tr et ch o f c ou nt ry b et we en

t hem and t he m ou nt ai n, b ut t ow ar d eveni ng t hey cam e

u po n a h ol lo w, i n w hi ch s to od a t in y b lu e M un ch ki n

d well in g w it h a g ar den aro un d i t and f ield s o f g rain

f il li ng i n all t he r es t o f t he h ol lo w.

T hey d id n ot d is co ver t hi s p lace u nt il t hey cam e

c los e t o t he e dg e o f i t, a nd t he y w er e a st oni she d a t

th e s ig ht t hat g reet ed t hem b ecau se t hey h ad i magi ned

t ha t t hi s p ar t o f t he p la in h ad no i nh abi ta nt s.

" It 's a v er y s ma ll h ou se ," W oo t d ec la re d. " I w on de r

who lives there?"





"The way t o find out is t o knock on the door a nd

a sk ," r ep li ed t he T in W oo dm an . " Pe rh ap s i t i s t he h om e

of Nimmie Amee."

" Is s he a dw ar f? " a ske d t he b oy.

" No , i nd eed; N im mi e A mee i s a f ul l s ized w om an ."

" Th en I 'm s ur e s he cou ld n' t l iv e i n t hat l it tl e h ou se," s ai d W oo t.

" Let' s g o d ow n, " s ug gest ed t he S carecr ow . " I' m al mo st

s ur e I c an s ee a s tr aw- st ack in the ba ck ya rd."

T he y d es ce nd ed t he h ol lo w, w hi ch w as r at he r s te ep a t

t he s id es , a nd s oo n c ame t o t he ho us e, wh ic h wa s i nde ed

r at he r s ma ll . W oo t k no ck ed up on a d oo r t ha t w as no t

m uc h h ig he r t ha n h is w ai st , b ut g ot n o r epl y. He

k noc ke d a ga in , b ut n ot a s oun d w as he ar d.

"Smoke is coming out of the chimney," announced

Polychrome, who was dancing lightly through the garden,

w he re c ab ba ge s a nd b ee ts a nd t ur ni ps a nd t he l ik e w er e

growing finely

" Th en s om eo ne s ur el y l iv es h er e, " s ai d W oo t, and





knocked again.

Now a window at the side of the house opened and a

q ue er he ad a pp ea re d. I t w as w hi te a nd h ai ry a nd h ad a

l on g s no ut a nd l it tl e r ou nd e ye s. T he e ar s w er e h id de n

b y a b lu e s un bo nn et t ie d u nd er t he c hi n.

" Oh ; i t' s a p ig !" exclaim ed W oo t.

" Pa rd on m e; I a m M rs . S qu ea li na S wy ne , w if e o f

P ro fess or G ru nt er S wy ne, and t hi s i s o ur h om e, " s aid

t he o ne i n t he w ind ow . " Wh at d o y ou w an t? "

" Wh at s or t o f a P ro fess or i s y ou r h us band ?" i nq ui red

the Tin Woodman curiously.

" He i s P ro fe ss or o f C ab ba ge C ul tu re a nd C or n

P er fect io n. H e i s v er y f am ou s i n h is o wn f am il y, and

wou ld be t he w on de r of t he w or ld i f h e we nt a br oa d, "

s ai d Mr s. Swyn e i n a voi ce t ha t wa s ha lf pr oud a nd ha lf

i rr it ab le. " I m us t als o i nf or m y ou i nt ru ders t hat t he

P ro fess or i s a d an gero us i nd iv id ual, f or h e f il es h is

t eeth every m or ni ng u nt il t hey are s harp as n eedl es . I f

y ou a re b ut ch er s, y ou 'd b et te r r un a wa y a nd a vo id

trouble."





" We a re n ot b ut ch er s, " t he T in W oo dm an a ss ur ed h er .

" Th en w ha t a re y ou d oi ng w it h t ha t a xe ? A n d w hy h as

t he o th er t in m an a s wo rd ?"

" The y a re t he onl y w ea po ns w e ha ve t o de fe nd our

friends from their enemies," explained the Emperor of

t he W in ki es , a nd W oo t a dd ed :

"Do not be a fra id of us , Mrs . Swyne , for we a re

h ar ml es s t ravelers . T he t in m en and t he S carecr ow n ev er

eat any th in g and P ol ychr om e f eas ts o nl y o n d ew dr op s. A s

f or m e, I 'm r at he r h un gr y, b ut t he re i s p le nt y o f f oo d

i n y ou r g ar den t o s at is fy m e. "

P ro fe ss or S wy ne n ow j oi ne d h is w if e a t t he w in do w,

l oo ki ng r at her s cared i n s pi te o f t he b oy 's ass ur in g

s pe ec h. H e w or e a b lu e M un ch ki n h at , w it h p oi nt ed c ro wn

a nd b ro ad b ri m, a nd b ig s pe ct ac le s c ov er ed h is e ye s. H e

p eeked aro un d f ro m b eh in d h is w if e and aft er l oo ki ng

ha rd a t t he s tr an ge rs , h e s ai d:

" My w is do m ass ur es m e t hat y ou are m er el y t ravelers ,

a s y ou s ay , a nd n ot b ut ch er s. B ut ch er s h av e r ea so n t o

b e a fr ai d of me , but y ou a re s af e. We c ann ot i nv it e y ou





in, f or you a re too big for our house, but the boy who

e at s i s w el com e t o a ll t he c ar rot s a nd t ur ni ps he

wa nt s. M ak e y ou rs el ve s a t h om e i n t he g ar de n a nd s ta y

all n ig ht , i f y ou l ik e; b ut i n t he m or ni ng y ou m us t g o

a wa y, f or w e a re qu ie t p eo pl e a nd d o no t c ar e f or c om pa ny ."

" Ma y I h ave s om e o f y ou r s tr aw ?" a ske d t he S ca re cr ow .

"Help yourself," replied Professor Swyne.

" Fo r p ig s, t hey' r e q ui t e r esp ect ab le," r emar ked W oo t,

as t he y a ll w en t t ow ar d t he s tr aw -s ta ck .

" I' m g lad t hey d id n' t i nv it e u s i n, " s ai d C ap tain

F yt er . " I h op e I 'm n ot t oo p ar ti cu la r a bo ut m y

a ss oc ia te s, b ut I d ra w t he l in e a t p ig s. "

The Sca rec row was gla d to be r id of hi s ha y, for

d ur ing t he l on g w al k i t ha d s ag ge d d own a nd m ad e h im

fa t a nd s qu at ty a nd m or e b um py t ha n a t f ir st .

" I' m n ot s pe ci al ly p ro ud ," h e s ai d, " bu t I l ov e a

m an ly f ig ur e, s uch as o nl y s tr aw s tu ff in g can creat e.

I 'v e n ot f el t l ik e m ys el f s in ce t hat h un gr y H ip -p o ate

m y l as t s tr aw ."





Po ly ch ro me a nd W oo t s et t o w or k r em ov in g t he h ay a nd

t hen t hey s el ect ed t he f in es t s tr aw , cri sp and g ol den,

and w it h i t s tu ff ed t he S carecr ow anew. H e cer tain ly

l oo ke d b et te r a ft er t he o pe ra ti on , a nd h e w as s o

pl ea se d a t be in g r ef or me d t ha t h e t ri ed t o da nc e a

l it tl e j ig , and alm os t s ucceed ed .

" I s hall s leep u nd er t he s tr aw -s tack t on ig ht ," W oo t

de ci de d, a ft er h e h ad e at en s om e o f t he v eg et ab le s f ro m

t he g ar de n, a nd i n f ac t h e s le pt v er y w el l, w it h t he

t w o t in m en and t he S carecr ow s it ti ng s il en tl y b es id e

him and Polychrome away somewhere in the moonlight

dancing her fairy dances.

A t d ay br ea k t he T in W oo dm an a nd t he T in S ol di er t oo k

o ccas io n t o p ol is h t heir b od ies and o il t heir j oi nt s,

f or b ot h w er e exceedi ng ly car ef ul o f t heir p er so nal

a pp ea ra nc e. T he y h ad f or go tt en t he q ua rr el d ue t o t he ir

accidental bumping of one another in the invisible

cou nt ry , and b ei ng n ow g oo d f ri en ds t he T in W oo dm an

p ol is he d t he T in S ol di er 's b ac k f or h im a nd t he n t he

T i n S ol di er p ol is hed t he T in W oo dm an 's b ack.

F or b re ak fa st t he W an de re r a te c ri sp l et tu ce a nd

r ad is hes , and t he R ai nb ow 's D au gh ter , w ho h ad n ow





r e tu rn ed t o h er f ri en ds , s ip pe d t he d ew dr op s t ha t h ad

f or med o n t he p et al s o f t he w il d- fl ow er s.

A s t he y p as se d t he l it tl e h ou se t o r en ew t he ir

j ou rn ey , W oo t call ed o ut :

" G oo d- by e, M r . an d M r s. S wy ne! "

T he w in do w o pe ne d a nd t he t wo p ig s l oo ke d o ut .

" A p leasant j ou rn ey ," s ai d t he P ro fess or .

" Ha ve y ou a ny c hi ld re n? " a sk ed t he S ca re cr ow , w ho w as

a g reat f ri en d o f chi ld ren.

" We h av e n in e, " a ns we re d t he P ro fe ss or ; " bu t t he y d o

no t l ive w it h us , f or w he n t he y we re t in y pi gl et s t he

W iz ar d o f O z c am e h er e a nd of fe re d t o c ar e f or t he m a nd

t o e duc at e the m. So we le t hi m ha ve our ni ne ti ny

pi gl et s, f or h e' s a go od W iz ar d a nd c an b e r el ie d up on

to k eep h is p ro mi s es ."

" I k no w t he N in e T in y P ig lets ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an .

" So d o I ," s ai d t he S ca re cr ow . " Th ey s ti ll l iv e i n

t he Em er al d C it y, a nd t he W iz ar d t ak es go od c ar e of





t he m a nd t ea che s t he m t o do a ll s or ts of t ri cks ."

" Di d t hey ever g ro w u p?" i nq ui red M rs . S qu eali na

S wy ne, i n an anx io us v oi ce.

" No ," ans wered t he S carecr ow ; " li ke all o th er

chi ld ren i n t he L an d o f O z, t hey w il l alw ay s r em ai n

c hil dre n, a nd i n t he c ase of the ti ny pigl et s tha t is a

go od t hi ng , b ec au se t he y w ou ld n ot b e n ea rl y s o c ut e

and cunning if they were bigger."

" Bu t a re t he y h ap py ?" a sk ed M rs . S wy ne .

" Ev er yo ne i n t he E merald C it y i s h ap py ," s ai d t he T in

Woodman. "They can't help it."

T hen t he t ravelers s aid g oo d- by e, and cl im bed t he

s id e o f t he b as in t ha t w as t ow ar d M ou nt M un ch .

Chapter Twenty-One

Polychrome's Magic





O n t hi s m or ni ng, w hi ch ou ght t o b e t he l as t of t hi s

i mp or tant j ou rn ey , o ur f ri en ds s tart ed away as b ri gh t

a nd c he er y a s c ou ld b e, a nd W oot w hi st le d a m er ry t une

s o t ha t P ol yc hr om e c ou ld d an ce t o t he m us ic .

O n r ea ch in g t he t op o f t he h il l, t he p la in s pr ea d o ut

b ef or e t he m i n a ll i ts b ea ut y o f b lu e g ra ss es a nd

w il df lo wers , and M ou nt M un ch s eemed m uch n earer t han i t

h ad t he p re vi ou s e ve ni ng . T he y t ru dg ed o n a t a b ri sk

pa ce , a nd by n oon t he mo un ta in w as s o c los e t ha t t he y

c ou ld a dm ir e i ts a pp ea ra nc e. I ts s lo pe s w er e p ar tl y

clo th ed w it h p rett y everg reen s, and i ts f oo t- hi ll s w er e

t uf ted w it h a s lend er w av in g b lu eg rass t hat h ad a

t as se l on t he e nd of e ve ry bl ad e. An d, f or t he f ir st

t im e, t he y p er ce iv ed , n ea r t he f oo t o f t he m ou nt ai n, a

charm in g h ou se, n ot o f g reat s ize b ut n eatl y p ai nt ed

and with many flowers surrounding it and vines climbing

o ve r t he d oo rs a nd w in do ws .

I t w as t ow ar d t hi s s ol it ar y h ou se t ha t o ur t ra ve le rs

no w d ir ected t heir s teps , t hi nk in g t o i nq ui re o f t he

p eo pl e w ho l iv ed t here w here N im mi e A mee m ig ht b e

found.





T he re we re n o p at hs , bu t t he w ay wa s q ui te o pe n a nd

c le ar , a nd t he y w er e d ra wi ng n ea r t o t he d we ll in g w he n

W oo t t he W an de re r, w ho w as t he n i n t he l ea d o f t he

l it tl e p ar ty , h al te d w it h s uc h a n a br up t j er k t ha t h e

s tu mb le d o ve r b ac kw ar d a nd l ay f la t o n h is b ac k i n t he

m e ad ow . T he S ca re cr ow s to pp ed t o l oo k a t t he b oy .

" Wh y d id y ou d o t ha t? " h e a sk ed i n s ur pr is e.

W oo t s at u p a nd g az ed a ro un d h im i n a ma ze me nt .

" I - - I d on 't k no w! " h e r ep li ed .

T he t wo t in m en, a rm i n a rm , s ta rt ed t o p as s t he m

w he n b ot h h al te d a nd t um bl ed , w it h a g re at c la tt er ,

i nt o a h eap b es id e W oo t. P ol ychr om e, l au gh in g at t he

a bs ur d s ig ht , c am e d anc in g up a nd s he , a ls o, c am e t o a

s u dd en s to p, b ut m an ag ed t o s av e h er self f ro m f al li ng .

E very on e o f t hem w as m uch ast on is hed, and t he

S carecr ow s ai d w it h a p uzzl ed l oo k:

"I don't see anything."

" No r I ," s ai d W oo t; " bu t s om et hi ng h it m e, j us t t he





same."

" So me i nv is ib le p er so n s tr uck m e a h eavy b lo w, "

d eclared t he T in W oo dm an , s tr ug gl in g t o s ep ar at e

h im self f ro m t he T in S ol di er , w ho se l eg s and arm s w er e

mixed with his own.

" I' m n ot s ur e i t w as a p er so n, " s ai d P ol yc hr om e,

l oo ki ng m or e g ra ve t ha n u su al . " It s ee ms t o m e t ha t I

m er el y r an i nt o s om e h ar d s ub st an ce w hi ch b ar re d m y w ay .

I n or de r t o m ak e s ur e of t hi s, l et m e t ry a no the r p la ce ."

S he r an b ac k a wa y a nd t he n wi th m uc h c aut ion

a dv an ce d i n a d if fe re nt p la ce , b ut w he n s he r ea ch ed a

po si ti on on a l in e w it h t he o th er s s he h al te d, h er a rm s

outstretched before her.

" I can f eel s om et hi ng h ar d - s om et hi ng s mo ot h as

gl as s, " s he s ai d, " bu t I 'm s ur e i t i s no t g la ss ."

" Le t m e t ry ," s ug ge st ed W oo t, g et ti ng u p; b ut w he n h e

t ri ed t o g o f or wa rd , h e d is co ve re d t he s am e b ar ri er

that Polychrome had encountered.

" No ," he s ai d, " it i sn 't gl as s. B ut w ha t i s i t? "





" Ai r, " r ep li ed a s mall v oi ce b es id e h im . " So li d air ;

that's all."

T he y a ll l oo ke d d ow nw ar d a nd f ou nd a s ky -b lu e r ab bi t

h ad s tuc k hi s he ad out of a bu rr ow i n t he gr ou nd. T he

r abb it 's e ye s we re a de ep er b lu e t ha n hi s f ur , a nd t he

pretty creature seemed friendly and unafraid.

"Air!" exclaimed Woot, staring in astonishment into

th e r ab bi t' s b lu e e ye s; " wh oe ve r h ea rd o f a ir s o s ol id

t ha t o ne c an no t p us h i t a si de ?"

" Yo u c an 't p us h t hi s a ir a si de ," d ec la re d t he r ab bi t,

" fo r i t w as m ad e h ar d b y p ow er fu l s or ce ry , a nd i t f or ms

a w al l t ha t i s i nt en de d t o k ee p p eo pl e f ro m g et ti ng t o

that house yonder."

" Oh ; i t' s a w al l, i s i t? " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an .

" Ye s, i t i s r ea ll y a w al l, " a ns we re d t he r ab bi t, " and

i t i s f ul ly s ix f eet t hi ck. "

" Ho w h ig h i s i t?" i nq ui red C ap tain F yt er , t he T in

Soldier.





" Oh , e ve r s o h ig h; p er ha ps a m il e, " s ai d t he r ab bi t.

" Co ul dn 't w e g o a ro un d i t? " a sk ed W oo t.

" Of c ou rs e, f or t he w al l i s a c ir cl e, " e xp la in ed t he

ra bb it . " In t he c en te r o f t he c ir cl e s ta nd s t he h ou se ,

s o you m ay wa lk a round the W all of Sol id Ai r, but you

c an 't g et t o t he h ou se ."

" Wh o p ut t he a ir w al l a ro un d t he h ou se ?" w as t he

Scarecrow's question.

"Nimmie Amee did that."

"Nimmie Amee!" they all exclaimed in surprise.

" Ye s, " a ns we re d t he r ab bi t. " Sh e u se d t o l iv e w it h a n

ol d W it ch , w ho w as s ud denl y d es tr oy ed , and w hen N im mi e

A me e r an a wa y f ro m t he W it ch 's h ou se , s he t oo k w it h h er

j us t o ne m ag ic f or mu la - -p ur e s or ce ry i t w as - - w hi ch

e na bl ed h er t o b ui ld t hi s a ir w al l a ro un d h er h ou se - -

t he h ous e yo nde r. I t w as q ui te a c le ve r i de a, I t hi nk,

f or i t d oe sn 't m ar t he b ea ut y o f t he l an ds ca pe , s ol id

ai r b ei ng i nv is ib le, and y et i t k eeps all s tr an gers

aw ay f ro m t he h ou se."





" Do es N im mi e A mee l iv e t here n ow ?" ask ed t he T in

Woodman anxiously.

" Yes, i nd eed, " s ai d t he r ab bi t.

" An d d oes s he w eep and w ai l f ro m m or ni ng t il l n ig ht ?"

continued the Emperor.

" No ; s he s ee ms q ui te h ap py ," a ss er te d t he r ab bi t.

T he T in W oo dm an s eemed q ui t e d is ap po in ted t o h ear

t hi s r ep or t o f h is o ld s we et he ar t, b ut t he S ca re cr ow

reassured his friend, saying:

"Never mind, your Majesty; however happy Nimmie Amee

i s now , I 'm s ur e s he wi ll be muc h ha ppi er a s E mpr es s of

the Winkies."

"Perhaps," said Captain Fyter, somewhat stiffly, "she

wi ll be st il l more ha ppy t o be com e the br ide of a Tin

Soldier."

" Sh e s ha ll c ho os e b et we en u s, a s w e h av e a gr ee d, " t he

T in W oo dm an p ro mi se d; " bu t h ow s ha ll w e g et t o t he p oo r

girl?"





Polychrome, although dancing lightly back and forth,

ha d l is te ne d t o e ve ry w or d o f t he c on ve rs at io n. N ow s he

c am e f or wa rd a nd s at h er se lf d ow n j us t i n f ro nt o f t he

Blue Rabbit, her many-hued draperies giving her the

app earance o f s om e b eaut if ul f lo wer. T he r ab bi t d id n' t

b ac k a wa y a n i nc h. I ns te ad , h e g az ed a t t he R ai nb ow 's

Daughter admiringly.

" Do es y ou r b ur ro w g o u nd er neat h t hi s W al l o f A ir ?"

asked Polychrome.

" To b e s ur e, " a ns we re d t he B lu e R ab bi t; " I d ug i t

t ha t w ay s o I c oul d r oa m i n t he se br oa d f ie lds , by

g oi ng o ut o ne w ay , o r e at t he c ab ba ge s i n N im mi e A me e' s

g ar de n by l ea vi ng m y b ur row a t t he ot he r e nd. I don' t

t hi nk N im mi e A mee o ug ht t o m in d t he l it tl e I t ak e f ro m

h er g ar de n, o r t he h ol e I 'v e m ad e u nd er h er m ag ic w al l.

A ra bbit ma y go and c ome as he pl ea se s, but no one who

i s bi gg er t ha n I a m c ou ld ge t t hr ou gh m y b ur row ."

"Wi ll you a llow us t o pa ss t hr ough it , i f we ar e abl e

to? " inquired Polychrome.

" Yes, i nd eed, " ans wered t he B lu e R ab bi t. " I' m n o

esp ecial f ri en d o f N im mi e A mee, f or o nce s he t hr ew





s t on es a t m e, j us t b ec au se I w as n ib bl in g s om e l et tu ce ,

a nd o nl y y es te rd ay s he y el le d ' Sh oo !' a t m e, w hi ch m ad e

m e n er vo us . Y ou 'r e w el co me t o u se m y b ur ro w i n a ny w ay

you choose."

" Bu t t hi s i s all n on sens e! " d eclared W oo t t he

W an de re r. " We a re e ve ry o ne t oo bi g t o c ra wl t hr ou gh a

rabbit's burrow."

" We a re t oo b ig n ow ," a gr ee d t he S ca re cr ow , " bu t y ou

m u st r em em ber t hat P ol ychr om e i s a f ai ry , and f ai ri es

have many magic powers."

W oo t' s f ac e b ri gh te ne d a s h e t ur ne d t o t he l ov el y

Daughter of the Rainbow.

" Cou ld y ou m ake u s a ll a s s ma ll a s t ha t r ab bi t? " h e

asked eagerly.

" I can t ry ," ans wered P ol ychr om e, w it h a s mi le. A nd

pr es en tl y s he d id i t - - s o e as il y t ha t W oot w as no t t he

o nl y o ne as to ni sh ed . A s t he n ow t in y p eo pl e g ro up ed

t hems elv es b ef or e t he r abb it 's b ur ro w t he h ol e app ear ed

to t he m l ike t he e nt ra nc e t o a t un ne l, w hi ch i nd ee d i t

was.





" I' ll g o f ir st ," s ai d w ee P ol ychr om e, w ho h ad m ad e

h er se lf g ro w a s s ma ll a s t he o th er s, a nd i nt o t he

t un nel s he d an ced w it ho ut h es it at io n. A t in y S carecr ow

w en t n ex t and t hen t he t wo f un ny l it tl e t in m en .

" Wa lk i n; i t' s y ou r t ur n, " s ai d t he B lu e Ra bb it t o

W oo t t he W an de re r. " I' m c om in g a ft er , t o s ee h ow y ou

g et a lo ng . T hi s w il l b e a r eg ul ar s ur pr is e p ar ty t o

Nimmie Amee."

S o W oot e nt er ed t he h ol e a nd f el t hi s w ay a lo ng i ts

s moo th s id es i n t he da rk u nt il he f in al ly s aw t he

g li mm er o f d ay li gh t ahead and k new t he j ou rn ey w as

alm os t o ver. H ad h e r em ai ned h is n at ur al s ize, t he

di st an ce c ou ld h ave b ee n c ove re d i n a f ew s te ps , b ut t o

a t hu mb -h ig h W oo t i t w as q ui te a p ro me na de . W he n h e

e me rg ed f ro m t he b ur ro w he f oun d h im se lf b ut a s ho rt

d is ta nc e f ro m t he h ou se , i n t he c en te r o f t he v eg et ab le

g ar den, w here t he l eaves o f r hu barb w av in g abo ve h is

h ea d s ee me d l ik e t re es . O ut si de t he h ol e, a nd w ai ti ng

f or h im , h e f ou nd all h is f ri en ds .

" So f ar, s o g oo d! " r emark ed t he S car ecr ow cheerf ul ly .

" Ye s; s o f ar , b ut n o f ar th er ," r et ur ne d t he T in





W ood ma n i n a p la in ti ve a nd d is tu rb ed t on e o f v oi ce . " I

a m no w c lo se t o Ni mm ie A me e, wh om I ha ve c om e e ve r s o

far t o se ek, but I c annot a sk the gir l to mar ry such a

lit tle man as I a m now."

" I' m n o b ig ge r t ha n a t oy s ol di er !" s ai d C ap ta in

Fyter, sorrowfully. "Unless Polychrome can make us big

again , t here i s l it tl e u se i n o ur v is it in g N im mi e A mee

a t a ll , f or I 'm s ur e s he w oul dn' t c ar e f or a hu sba nd

s h e m ig ht car el es sl y s tep o n and r ui n. "

Polychrome laughed merrily.

" If I m ake you bi g, you c an' t get out of he re aga in,"

s ai d s he, " an d i f y ou r em ai n l it tl e N im mi e A mee w il l

l a ug h a t y ou . S o m ak e y ou r c ho ic e. "

" I t hi nk w e' d b et te r g o b ac k, " s ai d W oo t s er io us ly

" No ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , s to ut ly , " I h av e d ecid ed

t ha t i t' s m y d ut y t o m ak e N im mi e A me e h ap py , i n c as e

s he w is he s t o m ar ry m e. "

" So h av e I ," ann ou nced C ap tain F yt er. " A g oo d s ol di er

never shrinks from doing his duty."





" As f or t ha t, " s ai d t he S ca re cr ow , " ti n d oe sn 't

s hr in k any t o s peak o f, u nd er any cir cu ms tances . B ut

W oo t a nd I i nt en d t o s ti ck t o o ur c om ra de s, w ha te ve r

t he y d ec ide t o do , s o w e w il l a sk P ol yc hr om e t o ma ke u s

a s bi g a s we we re bef ore ."

P ol yc hr om e a gr ee d t o t hi s r eq ue st a nd i n h al f a

minute all of them, including herself, had been

enl ar ged again t o t heir n at ur al s izes . T hey t hen

t ha nk ed t he B lu e R ab bi t f or h is k in d a ss is ta nc e, a nd a t

o nc e a pp ro ac he d t he h ou se o f N im me A me e.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nimmie Amee

W e ma y be s ur e t ha t a t t hi s mome nt our f ri ends we re a ll

a nxi ous t o s ee t he e nd o f t he a dv en tur e t ha t ha d c aus ed

t he m s o m an y t ri al s a nd t ro ub le s. P er ha ps t he T in

W oo dm an 's h ea rt d id n ot b ea t a ny f as te r, b ec au se i t w as

m ad e o f r ed v el ve t a nd s tu ff ed w it h s aw du st , a nd t he





T in S ol di er 's h ea rt w as m ad e o f t in a nd r ep os ed i n h is

t in b os om w it ho ut a h in t o f emo ti on . H ow ev er , t here i s

l it tl e d ou bt t hat t hey b ot h k new t hat a cri ti cal m om en t

in t heir l iv es h ad arr iv ed , and t hat N im mi e A mee' s

d ec is io n w as d es ti ne d t o i nf lu en ce t he f ut ur e o f o ne o r

t h e o th er .

A s t hey ass um ed t heir n at ur al s izes and t he r hu barb

le av es t ha t h ad b ef or e t ow er ed a bo ve t he ir h ea ds n ow

b ar ely cov er ed t hei r f eet , t hey l oo ked aro un d t he

g a rd en a nd f ou nd t ha t n o p er so n w as v is ib le s av e

t hems el ves. N o s ou nd o f act iv it y cam e f ro m t he h ou se,

e it he r, b ut t he y wa lke d t o t he f ro nt do or , w hi ch ha d a

l it tl e p or ch b ui lt b ef or e i t, and t here t he t wo t in men

s to od s id e b y s id e w hi le b ot h k no cke d u po n t he d oo r

with their tin knuckles.

As no o ne s ee me d e age r t o a ns we r t he s um mo ns t he y

k no ck ed again ; and t hen again . F in al ly t hey h eard a

stir from within and someone coughed.

" Wh o' s t here?" cal led a g ir l' s v oi ce.

" It 's I !" cri ed t he t in t wi ns , t og et her.





"H ow d id y ou g et t he re ?" a sk ed t he v oi ce .

T he y h es it at ed h ow t o r ep ly , s o W oo t a ns we re d f or

them:

"By means of magic."

" Oh ," s ai d t he u ns een g ir l. " Ar e y ou f ri en ds , o r

foes?"

"Friends!" they all exclaimed.

T hen t hey h ear d f oo ts t ep s app ro ach t he d oo r, w hi ch

s l ow ly o pened and r ev ealed a v er y p rett y M un ch ki n g ir l

standing in the doorway.

"Nimmie Amee!" cried the tin twins.

" Th at 's m y n am e, " r ep li ed t he g ir l, l oo ki ng at t hem

i n c ol d s ur pr is e. " Bu t w ho c an y ou b e? "

" Do n' t y ou k no w m e, N im mi e?" s ai d t he T in W oo dm an .

" I' m y ou r o ld s weeth ear t, N ick C ho pp er ! "

" Do n' t y ou k no w m e, m y d ea r? " s ai d t he T in S ol di er .

" I' m y ou r o ld s weet heart , C ap tain F yt er! "





Nimmie Amee smiled at them both. Then she looked

b ey on d t he m a t t he r es t o f t he p ar ty a nd s mi le d a ga in .

H ow ever , s he s eem ed m or e amu sed t han p leased.

" Co me i n, " s he s ai d, l eadi ng t he w ay i ns id e. " Ev en

s w ee th ea rt s a re f or go tt en a ft er a t im e, b ut y ou a nd

your friends are welcome."

T he r oo m t he y n ow e nt er ed w as c os y a nd c om fo rt ab le ,

b ein g n eatl y f ur ni sh ed and w el l s wept and d us ted. B ut

t hey f ou nd s om eo ne t here b es id es N im mi e A mee. A m an

dressed in the attractive Munchkin costume was lazily

r ec li ni ng i n a n e as y c ha ir , a nd h e s at u p a nd t ur ne d

h is eves o n t he v is it or s w it h a col d and i nd if ferent

s ta re t ha t w as a lm os t i ns ol en t. H e d id n ot e ve n r is e

f ro m h is s ea t t o g re et t he s tr an ge rs , b ut a ft er g la ri ng

a t them he looke d a way with a scowl, as if they were of

too little importance to interest him.

T he t in m en r et ur ned t hi s m an 's s tare w it h i nt er es t,

bu t t he y d id n ot l oo k a wa y f ro m h im b ec au se n ei th er o f

t he m s ee me d a bl e t o t ak e h is e ye s o ff t hi s M un ch ki n,

w ho w as r em ar kabl e i n h av in g o ne t in arm q ui te l ik e

th ei r o wn t in arm s.





" Se em s t o m e, " s ai d C ap ta in F yt er , i n a v oi ce t ha t

s ou nd ed h ar sh and i nd ig nant , " th at y ou , s ir , are a v il e

impostor!"

"Gently -- gently!" cautioned the Scarecrow; "don't

b e r ud e t o s t ran ger s, C apt ain ."

" Ru de?" s ho ut ed t he T in S ol di er , n ow v er y m uch

p ro vo ke d; " wh y, h e' s a s co un dr el - - a t hi ef ! T he

villain is wearing my own head!"

" Yes, " add ed t he T in W oo dm an , " an d h e' s w eari ng m y

ri ght a rm ! I c an re cog ni ze i t by t he t wo w art s on t he

little finger."

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Woot. "Then this must be

t he m an w ho m o ld K u- Kl ip p at ch ed t og et he r a nd n am ed

Chopfyt."

T he m an n ow t ur ned t ow ar d t hem, s ti ll s co wl in g.

"Ye s, tha t i s my na me, " he s aid i n a voic e li ke a

g ro wl , " an d i t i s a bs ur d f or y ou t in c re at ur es , o r f or

a nyo ne e ls e, t o c la im my he ad, o r a rm, o r a ny pa rt o f

m e, f or t he y a re m y p er so na l p ro pe rt y. "





" Yo u? Y ou 'r e a N ob od y! " s h ou ted C ap tai n F yt er.

" Yo u' re j us t a m ix -u p, " d ecl ar ed t he E mp er or .

"Now, now, gentlemen," interrupted Nimmie Amee, "I

m us t a sk yo u t o b e m or e r es pe ct fu l t o po or C ho pf yt .

For , be ing my gue st s, i t i s not pol it e f or you t o

insult my husband."

"Your husband!" the tin twins exclaimed in dismay.

" Ye s, " s ai d s he . " I m ar ri ed C ho pf yt a l on g t im e a go ,

b ec au se m y o th er t wo s we et he ar ts h ad d es er te d m e. "

T hi s r ep ro of e mb ar ra ss ed b ot h N ic k C ho pp er a nd

C ap ta in F yt er . T he y l oo ke d d ow n, s ha me fa ce d, f or a

mo ment , and t hen t he T in W oo dm an exp lain ed i n an

earnest voice:

"I rusted."

" So d id I ," s ai d t he T in S ol di er .

" I c ou ld n ot k no w t ha t, o f c ou rs e, " a ss er te d N im mi e





a nd I s ee no r ea so n wh y you s hou ld ob je ct t o hi m. Y ou

t wo g en tl em en t hr ew h im away w hen y ou b ecam e t in ,

b ec au se y ou h ad n o f ur th er u se f or h im , s o y ou c an no t

j us tl y c la im hi m now. I a dvi se you to go ba ck t o your

ow n h om es a nd f or ge t m e, a s I h av e f or go tt en y ou ."

"Good advice!" laughed Polychrome, dancing.

" Ar e y ou h ap py ?" ask ed t he T in S ol di er .

" Of cou rs e I am, " s ai d N im mi e A mee; " I' m t he m is tr es s

o f a ll I s ur ve y - - t he q ue en o f m y l it tl e do ma in ."

" Wo ul dn 't y ou l ik e t o b e t he E mp re ss o f t he W in ki es ?"

as ked t he T in W oo dm an .

" Me rc y, n o, " s he a ns we re d. " Th at w ou ld b e a l ot o f

b ot he r. I d on 't c ar e f or s oc ie ty , or p om p, or p os in g.

All I ask is to be left alone and not to be annoyed by

visitors."

T he S ca re cr ow n ud ge d W oo t t he W an de re r.

" Th at s ou nd s t o m e l ik e a h in t, " h e s ai d.

" Lo ok s a s i f w e' d h ad o ur j ou rn ey f or n ot hi ng ,"





r em ar ke d W oo t, w ho w as a l it tl e a sh am ed a nd

d is app oi n ted b ecaus e h e h ad p r op os ed t h e j o ur ney .

" I a m g la d, h ow ev er ," s ai d t he T in W oo dm an , " th at I

h av e f ou nd N im mi e A mee, and d is co vered t hat s he i s

a lr ea dy m ar ri ed a nd h ap py . I t w il l r el ie ve m e o f a ny

further anxiety concerning her."

" Fo r m y p ar t, " s ai d t he T in S ol di er , " I a m n ot s or ry

t o b e f re e. T he o nl y t hi ng t ha t r ea ll y a nn oys m e i s

finding my head upon Chopfyt's body."

"As for tha t, I'm pretty sure it i s my body, or a

p ar t o f i t, a ny wa y, " r em ar ke d t he E mp er or o f t he

W in ki es . " Bu t n ev er m in d, f ri en d S ol di er ; l et u s b e

w il li ng t o d on at e o ur cas t- of f m em bers t o i ns ur e t he

h ap pi ne ss o f N im mi e A me e, a nd b e t ha nkf ul i t i s n ot o ur

fa te t o h oe c abb age s a nd dr aw w at er - -a nd b e c hi de d - -

i n t he p lace o f t hi s creat ur e C ho pf yt ."

" Ye s, " a gr ee d t he S ol di er , " we h av e m uc h t o b e

thankful for."

P ol y ch ro me, w ho h ad w and er ed o ut s id e, n ow p ok ed h er

p re tt y h ea d t hr ou gh a n o pe n w in do w a nd e xc la im ed i n a





pleased voice:

" It 's g et ti ng clo ud y. P er haps i t i s g oi ng t o r ai n! "

Chapter Twenty-Three

Through the Tunnel

I t d id n' t r ai n j us t t he n, a lt ho ug h t he c lou ds i n t he

s ky g rew t hi ck er and m or e t hr eateni ng . P ol ychr om e h op ed

f or a t hu nd er -s to rm , f ol lo wed b y h er R ai nb ow , b ut t he

t wo t in m en di d no t r el is h t he i de a o f g et ti ng w et .

T hey even p referr ed t o r em ai n i n N im mi e A mee' s h ou se,

alt ho ug h t hey f el t t hey w er e n ot w el co me t here, r at her

t ha n go out a nd f ac e t he c omi ng s tor m. But t he

S ca re cr ow , w ho w as a v er y t ho ug ht fu l p er so n, s ai d t o

his friends:

" If w e r em ai n h er e un ti l a ft er t he s to rm , a nd

P ol yc hr om e g oe s a wa y o n h er R ai nb ow , t he n w e

w il l be p ri so ne rs i ns id e t he W al l o f S ol id A ir ; s o

i t s ee ms be st t o s ta rt up on o ur r et ur n j our ne y a t





o nc e. I f I ge t w et , m y s tr aw s tuf fi ng w il l b e r ui ne d,

an d i f yo u t wo t in ge nt le me n g et we t, yo u m ay

p er ha ps r us t a ga in , a nd b ec om e u se le ss . B ut e ve n

t ha t is bet ter t ha n to s ta y her e. Once we ar e fr ee

of t he b ar ri er , w e h ave W oot t he W an de re r t o h el p

u s, a nd h e c an o il y ou r j oi nt s a nd r es tu ff m y b od y,

i f i t be com es n ec es sa ry, f or t he boy i s ma de of m ea t,

w h ich n ei th er r us ts n or g et s s og gy o r m ol dy ."

"Come along, then!" cried Polychrome from the window,

and t he o th er s, r eali zi ng t he w is do m o f t he S carecro w' s

s pe ec h, t oo k l ea ve o f Ni mm ie A me e, w ho w as g la d t o be

r id o f t he m, a nd s ai d go od- by e t o he r h us ba nd , w ho

m er el y s co wl ed a nd m ad e n o a ns we r, a nd t he n t he y

hurried from the house.

" Yo ur o ld p ar ts a re n ot v er y p ol it e, I m us t s ay ,"

r em ar ke d t he S ca re cr ow , w he n t he y w er e i n t he g ar de n.

" No ," s ai d W oo t, " Ch op fy t i s a r eg ul ar g ro uc h. H e

m ig ht h av e w is he d us a p le as an t j our ne y, a t t he v er y

least."

" I be g y ou n ot t o hol d us r es pons ibl e f or t ha t

creatu re' s acti on s, " p leaded t he T in W oo dm an . " We ar e





through with Chopfyt and shall have nothing further to

do with him."

P ol yc hr om e d an ce d a he ad o f t he p ar ty a nd l ed t he m

s tr ai gh t t o t he b ur ro w o f t he B lu e R ab bi t, w hi ch t he y

might have had some difficulty in finding without her.

T here s he l os t n o t im e i n m ak in g t hem all s mall again .

T he B lu e R ab bi t w as b us y n ib bl in g cab bage l eaves i n

Ni mm ie A me e' s g ar de n, s o t he y d id n ot a sk h is

p er mi ss io n b ut a t o nc e e nt er ed t he b ur ro w.

E ven n ow t he r ai nd ro ps w er e b eg in ni ng t o f al l, b ut i t

wa s q ui te d ry i ns id e t he t un ne l a nd b y t he t im e t he y

h ad r ea ch ed t he o th er e nd , o ut si de t he c ir cu la r W al l o f

Sol id A ir , t he s tor m w as a t i ts he igh t a nd t he r ai n wa s

coming down in torrents.

" Let u s w ai t h er e," p ro po sed P ol ychr om e, p eer in g o ut

o f t he h ol e and t hen q ui ck ly r et reat in g. " Th e R ai nb ow

won 't a pp ea r unt il a ft er t he s to rm a nd I c an ma ke you

bi g a ga in i n a j if fy , be fo re I j oi n m y s is te rs o n o ur

bow."

" Th at 's a g oo d p lan, " s aid t he S carecr ow app ro vi ng ly .

"I t w il l s av e m e f ro m g et ti ng s oaked and s og gy ."





" It w il l s av e m e f ro m r us ti ng ," s ai d t he T in S ol di er .

"It will enable me to remain highly polished," said

the Tin Woodman.

" Oh, a s f or t ha t, I mys el f pr ef er not t o ge t my

pretty clothes wet," laughed the Rainbow's daughter.

"B ut wh il e we wa it I wi ll bi d y ou a ll a di eu . I m us t

als o t hank y ou f or s av in g m e f ro m t hat d read fu l

Gi an te ss , M rs . Y oo p. Y ou h av e b ee n g oo d a nd p at ie nt

com rades and I h av e enj oy ed o ur adv en tu res t og et her ,

but I a m ne ve r s o h appy a s w he n on m y d ea r Ra inbow ."

" Wi ll y ou r f at her s co ld y ou f or g et ti ng l ef t o n t he

ear th ?" as ked W o ot .

" I s up po se s o, " s ai d P ol ychr om e g ai ly ; " I' m alw ay s

g et ti ng s co ld ed f or m y m ad p ra nk s, a s t he y a re c al le d.

M y s is te rs a re s o s we et a nd l ove ly a nd pr op er t ha t t he y

n ev er d an ce o ff o ur R ai nb ow , a nd s o t he y n ev er h av e a ny

a dv en tu re s. A dv en tu re s t o m e a re g oo d f un , o nl y I n ev er

l ik e t o s ta y t oo l on g on e ar th, be ca us e I r ea ll y d on 't

b el on g h er e. I s ha ll t el l m y F at he r t he R ai nb ow t ha t

I' ll t ry not t o b e s o c ar el es s a ga in, a nd he wi ll





f or gi ve m e b ecau se i n o ur s ky m an si on s t here i s alw ay s

joy and happiness."

T he y w er e i nd ee d s or ry t o p ar t w it h t he ir d ai nt y a nd

beautiful companion and assured her of their devotion

i f t he y e ve r c ha nc ed t o m ee t a ga in . S he s ho ok h an ds

wi th t he Sc ar ec row a nd t he Ti n M en a nd k is se d W oot t he

Wanderer lightly upon his forehead.

A nd t he n t he r ai n s ud de nl y c ea se d, a nd a s t he t in y

p eo pl e l ef t t he b ur ro w o f t he B lu e R ab bi t, a g lo ri ou s

bi g R ai nb ow a ppe ar ed i n t he s ky a nd t he e nd of i ts a rc h

s lo wl y d es cend ed and t ou ch ed t he g ro un d j us t w her e t hey

stood.

W oo t w as s o b us y w at ch in g a s co re o f l ov el y m ai de ns

- - s is te rs o f P ol yc hr om e - - w ho w er e l ea ni ng o ve r t he

e dge of t he bo w, a nd a no th er s co re wh o d an ce d g ai ly

a mi d t he r ad ia nc e o f t he s pl en di d h ue s, t ha t h e d id n ot

n ot ice h e w as g ro wi ng b ig again . B ut n ow P ol ychr om e

j oi ne d h er s is te rs o n t he R ai nb ow a nd t he h ug e a rc h

l if te d a nd s lo wl y m el te d a wa y a s t he s un b ur st f ro m t he

c l ou ds a nd s en t i ts o wn w hi te b ea ms d an ci ng o ve r t he

meadows.

" Wh y, s he's g on e! " exclaim ed t he b oy , and t ur ned t o





s ee h is com pani on s s ti ll w av in g t heir h an ds i n t ok en o f

adieu to the vanished Polychrome.

Chapter Twenty-Four

The Curtain Falls

W el l, t he r es t of t he s tor y i s qui ckl y t ol d, f or t he

r et ur n J ou rn ey o f o ur adv en tu rers w as w it ho ut any

i mp or tant i ncid en t. T he S carecro w w as s o afr aid o f

m eeti ng t he H ip -p o- gy -r af , and h av in g h is s tr aw eat en

a ga in , t ha t h e u rg ed h is c om ra de s t o s el ec t a no th er

r ou te t o t he E merald C it y, and t hey w il li ng ly

con sent ed , s o t hat t he I nv is ib le C ou nt ry w as w ho ll y

avoided.

O f c ou rs e, w he n t he y r ea ch ed t he E me ra ld C it y t he ir

f ir st d ut y w as t o v is it O zm a' s p al ac e, w he re t he y w er e

r o yall y ent er tain ed . T he T in S ol di er and W oo t t he

W an derer w er e w el co med as w ar ml y as any s tr an gers m ig ht

b e w ho h ad b ee n t he t ra ve li ng c om pa ni on s o f O zm a' s d ea r





o ld f ri en ds , t he S ca re cr ow a nd t he T in W oo dm an .

A t t he b an qu et t ab le t ha t e ve ni ng t he y r el at ed t he

m an ner i n w hi ch t hey h ad d is co vered N im mi e A mee, and

t ol d h ow t hey h ad f ou nd h er h ap pi ly m ar ri ed t o C ho pf yt ,

w ho se r el ati on sh ip t o N ick C ho pp er and C ap tai n F yt er

w as s o b ew il de ri ng t ha t t he y a sk ed O zm a' s a dv ic e w ha t

to do a bou t i t.

" Yo u n eed n ot con si der C ho pf yt at all ," r ep li ed t he

b eaut if ul g ir l R ul er o f O z. " If N im mi e A mee i s con tent

wi th t ha t m is fi t m an f or a hu sba nd, w e ha ve n ot e ve n

j us t cau se t o b lame K u- Kl ip f or g lu in g h im t og et her. "

" I t hi nk i t w as a v er y g oo d i de a, " a dd ed l it tl e

D or ot hy , " fo r i f K u- Kl ip h ad n' t u sed u p y ou r cas to ff

p ar ts , t he y w ou ld h av e b ee n w as te d. I t' s w ic ke d t o b e

wasteful, isn't it?"

" Well , any ho w, " s ai d W oo t t he W an derer, " Ch op fy t,

be ing ke pt a pr is one r by hi s wi fe , i s t oo f ar a wa y f rom

a nyone to bothe r e ithe r of you t in me n in a ny way. I f

y ou h ad n' t g on e w he re h e i s a nd d is co ve re d h im , y ou

w ou ld n ev er h av e w or ri ed abo ut h im ."

" Wh at d o y ou c ar e, a ny ho w, " B et sy B ob bi n a sk ed t he





T in W oo dm an , " so l on g as N im mi e A mee i s s at is fi ed ?"

" An d j us t t o t hi nk ," r em ar ked T in y T ro t, " th at any

g ir l w ou ld r at her l iv e w it h a m ix tu re l ik e C ho pf yt , o n

f ar -a wa y M ou nt M un ch , t ha n t o b e t he E mp re ss o f t he

Winkies!"

" It i s h er o wn c ho ic e, " s ai d t he T in W oo dm an

co nt en tedl y; " an d, aft er all , I 'm n ot s ur e t he W in ki es

w ou ld c ar e t o h av e a n E mp re ss ."

I t pu zz le d Oz ma , f or a t ime , t o de ci de wh at t o do

w it h t he T in S ol di er . I f h e w ent w it h t he T in W oo dm an

t o t he Em pe ror 's c as tl e, s he f el t t ha t t he t wo t in m en

m ig ht n ot b e a bl e t o l iv e t oge th er i n h ar mo ny, a nd

m or eo ver t he E mp er or w ou ld n ot b e s o d is ti ng ui sh ed i f

he h ad a do ub le c on st ant ly b es ide hi m. So s he a sk ed

C apt ai n Fyt er i f he wa s w il li ng t o s er ve he r a s a

s ol di er , and h e p ro mp tl y d eclared t hat n ot hi ng w ou ld

p le as e h im m or e. A ft er h e h ad b ee n i n h er s er vi ce f or

some time, Ozma sent him into the Gillikin Country,

w it h i ns tr ucti on s t o k eep o rd er amo ng t he w il d p eo pl e

w ho i nh ab it s om e p ar ts o f t ha t u nk no wn c ou nt ry o f O z.

A s f or W oot , be ing a W an de re r by p ro fe ss ion , h e w as





a ll ow ed t o w an de r w he re ve r h e d es ir ed , a nd O zm a

pr om is ed t o k ee p w at ch o ve r h is f ut ur e j ou rn ey s a nd t o

prote ct t he boy a s we ll as s he wa s a bl e, in ca se he

ever g ot i nt o m or e t ro ub le.

All this having been happily arranged, the Tin

W oo dm an r et ur ne d t o h is t in c as tl e, a nd h is c ho se n

c om ra de , t he S ca re cr ow , a cc om pa ni ed h im o n t he w ay . T he

t wo f ri en ds w er e s ur e t o p as s m an y p le as an t h ou rs

t og et her i n t al ki ng o ver t heir r ecen t adv en tu res, f or

a s t he y n ei th er a te n or s le pt t he y f ou nd t he ir g re at es t

amusement in conversation.

T HE F AM OU S O Z B OO KS

B y L . F ra nk B aum :

T he W iz ar d o f Oz

T he La nd of Oz

O zma of Oz

Do ro th y a nd t he W iz ar d i n O z

T he Road to Oz





Th e E me ra ld C it y o f O z

T he P at ch wo rk G ir l o f O z

Ti k- To k o f O z

T he S ca re cr ow o f O z




The Tin Woodman of Oz - L. Frank Baum

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