Oz 02: The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum
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stupid of_the entire party .

" you make me quite ashamed of myself," said the Scarecrow, bowing low to_the saw- horse .

" nevertheless, the creature is right," declared the Woggle- bug; for twice one- half is one, and if_you get to one it_is easy to count from one up_to seventeen by twos ."

"I wonder I didn't think of_that myself," said the Pumpkinhead .

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"I don't," returned the Scarecrow ." you're no wiser than_the rest of us, are_you ? but let_us_make a wish at once . who_will swallow the first pill ? "

" suppose you_do it," suggested tip .

" I_can't," said the Scarecrow .

" why_not ? you've a mouth, haven't you ? " asked the boy .

" yes; but my mouth is painted on, and there's no swallow connected with it,' answered the Scarecrow ." in_fact," he continued, looking from one to another critically, "I believe the boy and_the Woggle- bug are the only ones in_our party that_are able to swallow ."

Observing the truth of_this remark, tip said:

" then i_will undertake to make_the first wish . give_me one_of_the silver Pills ."

this the Scarecrow tried to_do; but his padded gloves were too clumsy to clutch so small an object, and he held the box toward the boy while tip selected one_of_the pills and swallowed it .

" count ! " cried the Scarecrow .

" one- half, one, three, five, seven, nine, eleven, ! " counted tip .thirteen, fifteen, seventeen .

" now wish ! " said the tin woodman anxiously:

but just then the boy began to suffer such fearful pains that he became alarmed .

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" the pill has poisoned me ! " he gasped; "O -- h ! O-o-o-o-o ! Ouch ! murder ! fire ! O-o-h ! " and here he rolled upon_the bottom of_the nest in_such contortions that he frightened them all .

" what can we_do for_you . speak, I beg ! " entreated the tin woodman, tears of sympathy running down his nickel cheeks .

"I -- I don't know ! " answered tip ."O -- h ! i_wish I'd never swallowed that pill ! "

then at once the pain stopped, and_the boy rose to_his feet again and found the Scarecrow looking with amazement at_the end of_the pepper- box .

" what's happened ? " asked the boy, a little ashamed of_his recent exhibition .

" why, the three pills are in_the box again ! " said the Scarecrow .

" of_course they_are," the Woggle- bug declared ."Didn't tip wish that he'd never swallowed one_of_them ? well, the wish came true, and he didn't swallow one_of_them . so of_course they_are all three in_the box ."

" that_may_be; but the pill gave_me a dreadful pain, just the same," said the boy .

" impossible ! " declared the Woggle-

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228 bug ." if_you_have never swallowed it, the pill can not have given you a pain . and as_your wish, being granted, proves you_did_not swallow the pill, it_is also plain that you suffered no pain ."

" then it_was a splendid imitation of a pain," retorted tip, angrily ." suppose you try the next pill yourself . we've wasted one wish already ."

"Oh, no, we haven't ! " protested the Scarecrow ." here are still three pills in_the box, and each pill is good for a wish ."

" now you're making my head ache," said tip ." I_can't understand the thing at all . but I won't take another pill, I promise you ! " and with_this remark he retired sulkily to_the back of_the nest .

" well," said the Woggle- bug, " it remains for_me to save us in my most highly Magnified and thoroughly educated manner; for I seem_to_be the only_one able and willing to_make a wish . let me have one_of_the pills ."

he swallowed it without hesitation, and_they all stood admiring his courage while the insect counted seventeen by twos in_the same way that tip had done . and for some reason -- perhaps because Woggle-Bugs have stronger stomachs than boys -- the silver pellet caused it no pain whatever .

" i_wish the Gump's broken wings mended, and

229 as good as new ! " said the Woggle- bug, in a slow; impressive voice .

all turned to look at_the thing, and so quickly had the wish been granted that_the Gump lay before them in perfect repair, and as_well able to fly through_the air as when it had first been brought to life on_the roof of_the palace .

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230 full page line- art drawing .

231 the Scarecrow Appeals to Glenda the good

"Hooray ! " shouted the Scarecrow, gaily ." we_can now leave this miserable Jackdaws' nest whenever we please ."

" but it_is nearly dark," said the tin woodman; " and unless we wait until morning to_make our flight we_may get into more trouble .I don't like these night trips, for_one never knows what_will happen ."

so it_was decided to wait until daylight, and_the adventurers amused themselves in_the twilight by searching the Jackdaws' nest for treasures .

the Woggle- bug found two handsome bracelets of wrought gold, which fitted his slender arms very_well . the Scarecrow took a fancy for rings, of_which there were many in_the nest . before long he

232 had fitted a ring to each finger of_his padded gloves, and not being content with_that display he added one more to each thumb . as he carefully chose those rings set with sparkling stones, such as rubies, amethysts and sapphires, the Scarecrow's hands now presented a most brilliant appearance .

" this nest would_be a picnic for queen Jinjur," said he, musingly ." for as nearly as I_can make out she and her girls conquered me merely to rob my city of_its emeralds ."

the tin woodman was content with_his diamond necklace and refused to accept any additional decorations; but tip secured a fine gold watch, which_was attached to a heavy fob, and placed it in_his pocket with much pride . he also pinned several jeweled brooches to jack Pumpkinhead's red waistcoat, and attached a lorgnette, by_means of a fine chain, to_the neck of_the saw- horse .

" it's very pretty," said the creature, regarding the lorgnette approvingly; " but what_is it for ? "

none_of_them could answer that question, however; so the saw- horse decided it_was some rare decoration and became very fond of it .

that none_of_the party might_be slighted, they ended by placing several large seal rings upon_the points of_the Gump's antlers, although that odd

233 personage seemed by no means gratified by_the attention .

darkness soon fell upon them, and tip and_the Woggle- bug went to sleep while the others sat down to wait patiently for_the day .

next morning they had cause to congratulate themselves upon_the useful condition of_the Gump; for with daylight a great flock of Jackdaws approached to engage in one more battle for_the possession of_the nest .

but our adventurers did_not wait for_the assault . they tumbled into_the cushioned seats of_the sofas as quickly as possible, and tip gave the word to_the Gump to start .

at once it rose into_the air, the great wings flopping strongly and with regular motions, and in a few_moments they were so_far from_the nest that_the chattering Jackdaws took possession without any attempt at pursuit .

the thing flew due north, going in_the same direction from whence it had come . at_least, that was_the Scarecrow's opinion, and_the others agreed that_the Scarecrow was_the best judge of direction . after passing over several cities and villages the Gump carried them high above a broad plain where houses became more and more scattered until they

234 disappeared altogether . next came the wide, sandy desert separating the rest of_the world from_the land of Oz, and before noon they saw the dome- shaped houses that proved they were once more within_the borders of_their native land .

" but the houses and fences are blue," said the tin woodman, " and_that indicates we_are in_the land of_the Munchkins, and therefore a long distance from Glinda the good ."

" what shall we_do ? " asked the boy, turning to_their guide .

"I don't know" replied the Scarecrow, frankly ." if_we were at_the emerald city we_could then move directly southward, and so reach our destination . but we dare not go to_the emerald city, and_the Gump is probably carrying us further in_the wrong direction with every flop of_its wings ."

" then the Woggle- bug must swallow another pill," said tip, decidedly, " and wish us headed in_the right direction ."

" very_well," returned the highly Magnified one; "I'm willing ."

but when_the Scarecrow searched in_his pocket for_the pepper- box containing the two silver Wishing Pills, it_was not to_be found . filled with anxiety, the voyagers hunted throughout every inch of_the

235 thing for_the precious box; but it had disappeared entirely .

and still the Gump flew onward, carrying them they knew not where .

" I_must_have left the pepper- box in_the Jackdaws' nest," said the Scarecrow, at_length .

" it_is a great misfortune," the tin woodman declared ." but we_are no worse off than before we discovered the Wishing Pills ."

" we_are better off," replied tip ." for_the one pill we used has enabled us to escape from_that horrible nest ."

" yet the loss of_the other two is serious, and I deserve a good scolding for_my carelessness," the Scarecrow rejoined, penitently ." for in_such an unusual party as_this accidents are liable to happen any moment, and even now we_may_be approaching a new danger ."

no one dared contradict this, and a dismal silence ensued .

the Gump flew steadily on .

suddenly tip uttered an exclamation of surprise ." we_must_have reached the south country," he cried, " for below us everything is red ! "

immediately they all leaned over the backs of_the sofas to look -- all except jack, who was too careful

236 of_his pumpkin head to risk its slipping off his neck . sure enough; the red houses and fences and trees indicated they were within_the domain of Glinda the good; and presently, as_they glided rapidly on, the tin woodman recognized the roads and buildings they passed, and altered slightly the flight of

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237 the Gump so_that they_might reach the palace of_the celebrated sorceress .

" good ! " cried the Scarecrow, delightedly ." we_do_not need the lost Wishing Pills now, for we_have arrived at our destination ."

gradually the thing sank lower and nearer to_the ground until at_length it came to rest within_the beautiful gardens of Glinda, settling upon a velvety green lawn close by a fountain which sent sprays of flashing gems, instead of water, high into_the air, whence they fell with a soft, tinkling sound into_the carved marble basin placed to receive them .

everything was very gorgeous in Glinda's gardens, and while our voyagers gazed about with admiring eyes a company of soldiers silently appeared and surrounded them . but these soldiers of_the great sorceress were entirely different from those of Jinjur's army of revolt, although they were likewise girls . for Glinda's soldiers wore neat uniforms and bore swords and spears; and_they marched with a skill and precision that proved them well trained in_the arts of war .

the captain commanding this troop -- which_was Glinda's private body guard - - recognized the Scarecrow and_the tin woodman at once, and greeted them with respectful salutations .

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" good day ! " said the Scarecrow, gallantly removing his hat, while the woodman gave a soldierly salute; " we_have come to request an audience with your fair ruler ."

"Glinda is now within her palace, awaiting you," returned the captain; " for she saw you coming long before_you arrived ."

" that_is strange ! " said tip, wondering .

" not at all," answered the Scarecrow, " for Glinda the good is a mighty sorceress, and nothing that goes on in_the land of Oz escapes her notice .I suppose she knows why we came as_well as we_do ourselves ."

" then what_was the use of_our coming ? " asked jack, stupidly .

" to_prove you_are aPumpkinhead ! " retorted the Scarecrow ." but, if_the sorceress expects us, we_must not keep her waiting ."

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so they all clambered out_of_the sofas and followed the captain toward the palace -- even the saw- horse taking his place in_the queer procession .

upon her throne of finely wrought gold sat Glinda, and she_could scarcely repress a smile as her peculiar visitors entered and bowed before her . both the Scarecrow and_the tin woodman she knew and liked; but the awkward Pumpkinhead and highly Magnified Woggle- bug were creatures she had never seen before, and_they seemed even more curious than_the others . as for_the saw- horse, he looked to_be nothing more than an animated chunk of wood; and he bowed so stiffly that his head bumped against the floor, causing a ripple of laughter among_the soldiers, in_which Glinda frankly joined .

"I beg to announce to your glorious highness," began the Scarecrow, in a solemn voice, " that my emerald city has_been overrun by a crowd of impudent girls with knitting-needles, who_have enslaved all the men, robbed the streets and public buildings of all their emerald jewels, and usurped my throne ."

" I_know it," said Glinda .

" they also threatened to destroy me, as_well as all the good friends and allies you_see before_you," continued the Scarecrow ." and had we not managed

240 to escape their clutches our days would long since have ended ."

" I_know it," repeated Glinda .

" therefore I_have come to beg your assistance," resumed the Scarecrow, " for I believe you_are always glad to succor the unfortunate and oppressed ."

" that_is true," replied the sorceress, slowly ." but the emerald city is now ruled by general Jinjur, who has caused herself to_be proclaimed queen . what right have I to oppose her ? "

" why, she stole the throne from me," said the Scarecrow .

" and how came you to possess the throne ? " asked Glinda .

"I got it from_the wizard of Oz, and by_the choice of_the people," returned the Scarecrow, uneasy at such questioning .

" and where did the wizard get it ? " she continued gravely .

" I_am told he_took it from Pastoria, the former king," said the Scarecrow, becoming confused under the intent look of_the sorceress .

" then," declared Glinda, " the throne of_the emerald city belongs neither to_you nor to Jinjur, but to_this Pastoria from whom the wizard usurped it ."

" that_is true," acknowledged the Scarecrow,

241 humbly; " but Pastoria is now dead and gone, and some one must rule

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