Oz 15: The Royal Book of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
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hat flew off, his arms and legs whirled wildly, and pieces of straw began to float downward . then the hook ripped and tore through his coat and, making a terrible slit in_his back, came out . down, down, down flashed the Scarecrow and landed in a heap on_the rocks . poor happy Toko rushed toward him with streaming eyes .

"Oh radiant and immortal Scarecrowcus, what have they done to_you ? " he moaned, dropping on_his knees beside the flimsy shape of_the emperor .

" merely knocked out my honorable stuffing," mumbled the Scarecrow ." now Tappy, my dear fellow, will_you just turn me over ? there's a rock in my eye that keeps me from thinking ."

happy Toko, at_the sound of a voice from_the rumpled heap of clothing, gave a great leap .

" is_there any straw about ? " asked the Scarecrow anxiously ." why don't you turn me over ? "

" it's his ghost," moaned happy Toko, and because he dared not disobey a royal ghost, he turned the Scarecrow over with trembling hands .

"Don't be alarmed," said the Scarecrow, smiling reassuringly ."I'm not breakable like you meat people .a little straw will make me good as new .a little straw -- straw, do_you hear ? " for happy's pigtail was still on end, and he_was shaking so_that his silver shoes clattered on_the rocks .

"I command you to fetch straw ! " cried the Scarecrow at last, in an angry voice . happy dashed away .

when he returned with an arm full of straw, the Scarecrow managed to_convince him that he_was quite alive ." it_is impossible to kill a person from Oz," he explained proudly, " and_that is why my present figure is so_much more satisfactory than yours .I do_not_have to eat or sleep and can always be repaired . have_you some safety pins ? " happy produced several and under the Scarecrow's direction stuffed out his chest and pinned up his rents .

" let_us return," said the Scarecrow ."I've had enough pleasure for_one day, and can't you sing something, Tappy ? " Running and fright had somewhat affected happy's voice, but he squeaked out a funny little song, and_the two, keeping time to_the tune, came without further mishap to_the imperial gardens . happy had just set the royal hat upon_the Scarecrow's head and brushed off his robes when a company of courtiers dashed out_of_the palace door and came running toward them .

" great Cornstarch ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, sitting heavily down on_the silver bench ." what's the matter now ? here are all the Pig-heads on_the island, and look how old chew chew is puffing ! "

" one would expect a chew chew to puff," observed happy slyly ." one would --" but he got no further, for_the whole company was upon them .

" save us ! save us ! " wailed the courtiers, forgetting the royal edict and falling on their faces .

" what from ? " asked the Scarecrow, holding fast to_the silver bench .

" the king -- the king of_the golden Islands ! " shrieked the grand chew chew .

"Ah yes ! " murmured the Scarecrow, frowning thoughtfully ." was_that his fleet coming into_the harbor ? "

the grand chew chew jumped up in astonishment ." how could your highness see the fleet from here ? " he stuttered .

" not from here -- there," said the Scarecrow, pointing upward and winking at happy Toko ." my highness goes very high, you_see ! "

" your majesty does_not seem to realize the seriousness of_the matter," choked the grand chew chew ." he_will set fire to_the island and make us all slaves ." at_this, the courtiers began banging their heads distractedly on_the grass .

" set fire to_the island ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, jumping to_his feet ." then peace to my ashes ! Tappy, will_you see that_they_are sent back to Oz ? "

" save us ! save us ! " screamed the frightened Silvermen .

" the prophecy of_the beanstalk has promised that you_would save us . you_are the emperor Chang Wang woe," persisted the grand chew chew, waving his long arms .

" woe is me," murmured the Scarecrow, clasping his yellow gloves ." but let me think ."

chapter 9

" save us with your magic, exalted one ! "

for several minutes, the Scarecrow sat perfectly still while the company stood shaking in their shoes . then he asked loudly, " where is_the imperial army ? "

" it has retired to_the caves at_the end of_the island," quavered the grand chew chew .

" i_thought as_much," said the Scarecrow ." but never mind, there_are quite alot of us ."

" us ! " spluttered a tall Silverman indignantly ." we_are_not common soldiers ."

" no, very uncommon ones, but you_have hard heads and long nails, and I dare say will manage somehow . come on, let's go . chew, you_may take_the lead ."

" go ! " shrieked the grand chew chew ." us ? " the Courtiers began backing away in alarm ." where -- er -- what -- are your highness' plans ? "

" why, just to conquer the king of_the golden Islands and send_him back home," said the Scarecrow, smiling engagingly ." that's what you_wanted, isn't it ? "

" but it_is_not honorable for noblemen to fight . it --"

"Oh, of_course, if_you prefer burning --" the Scarecrow rose unsteadily and started for_the garden gates . not a person stirred . the Scarecrow looked back, and_his reproachful face was too_much for happy Toko .

"I'll come, exalted and radiant Scarecrowcus ! wait, hon-orable and valiant sir ! "

" bring awatering can, if_you love me," called the Scarecrow over his shoulder, and happy, snatching one from a frightened gardener, dashed after his master .

" if things get too hot, I'd like to_know that you_can put me out," said the Scarecrow, his voice quivering with emotion ." you shall be rewarded for_this, my brave Tappy ."

happy did_not answer, for_his teeth were chattering so he_could_not speak .

the harbor lay just below the imperial palace, and_the Scarecrow and happy hurried on through_the crowds of fleeing Silvermen, their household goods packed upon their heads . some cheered faintly for Chang Wang woe, but none offered to_follow, save the faithful happy .

" is_this king old ? " asked the Scarecrow, looking anxiously at_the small boats full of warriors that were putting out from_the fleet .

" he is_the son of_the king whom your majesty conquered fifty years_ago," gulped happy ."Ha-- has your imperial highness any -- plan ? "

" not yet," said the Scarecrow cheerfully, " but I'm thinking very hard ."

" then, goodbye to silver island ! " choked happy Toko, dropping the watering can with a crash .

" never mind," said the Scarecrow kindly ." if_they shoot me and I catch fire, I'll jump in_the water and you_must fish me out, Tappy . now please don't talk any more . I_must think ! "

poor happy Toko had nothing else to_say, for he considered his day finished . the first of_the invaders were already landing on_the beach, and standing up in a small boat, encased in glittering gold armor, was_the king of_the golden Islands, himself . the sun was quite hot, and there_was a smell of gunpowder in_the air .

now the Scarecrow had encountered many dangers in Oz and had usually thought his way out_of_them, but as_they came nearer and nearer to_the shore and no idea presented itself, he began to_feel extremely nervous .a bullet fired from_the king's boat tore through his hat, and_the smoke made him more anxious than ever about his straw stuffing . he_felt hurriedly in_his pocket, and_his clumsy fingers closed over the little fan he had plucked from_the bean pole .

Partly from agitation and partly because he_did_not know what else to_do, the Scarecrow flipped the fan open . at_that minute, a mighty roar went up from_the enemy, for at_the first motion of_the fan they had_been jerked fifty feet into_the air, and there they hung suspended over their ships, kicking and squealing for dear life . the Scarecrow was as surprised as_they, and as for happy Toko, he fell straightway on_his nose !

" magic ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow ." someone is helping us," and he began fanning himself gently with_the little fan, waiting to_see what would happen next . at each wave of_the fan, the king of_the golden Islands and_his men flew higher until at last not one_of_them could_be seen from_the shore .

" the fan . the magic is in_the fan ! " gasped happy Toko, jumping up and embracing the Scarecrow .

" why, what do_you_mean ? " asked the Scarecrow, closing the fan with a snap . happy's answer was drowned in a huge splash . as_soon_as_the fan was closed, down whirled the king's army into_the sea, and each man struck the water with_such force that_the spray rose high as a skyscraper . and not till then did the Scarecrow realize the power of_the little fan he had_been saving for Dorothy .

" saved ! " screamed happy Toko, dancing up and down ."Hurrah for_the emperor ! "

the emperor, without a plan, has won the victory with a fan .

the silver Islanders had paused in their flight at_the queer noises coming from_the harbor, and now all of_them, hearing Tappy Oko's cries, came crowding down to_the shore and were soon cheering themselves hoarse . no wonder ! the drenched soldiers of_the king were climbing swiftly back into their boats, and when_they were all aboard, the Scarecrow waved his fan sidewise ( he_did_not want to blow them up again), and_the ships swept out_of_the harbor so fast that_the water churned to silver suds behind them, and_they soon were out of sight .

"Ah ! " cried the grand chew chew, arriving breathlessly at_this point, " we_have won the day ! "

" so we_have ! " chuckled the Scarecrow, putting his arm around happy Toko ." call the brave army and decorate the generals ! "

" it shall be_done," said the grand chew chew, frowning at happy ." there shall be a great celebration, a feast, and fireworks ."

" fireworks," quavered the Scarecrow, clutching his imperial Punster . by_this_time, the silver Islanders were crowding around the emperor, shouting and squealing for joy, and before he_could prevent it, they had placed him on their shoulders and carried him in triumph to_the palace . he managed to signal happy, and happy nodded reassuringly and ran off as fast as his fat little legs could patter . he arrived at_the palace almost as_soon_as_the Scarecrow, lugging a giant silver watering can, and, sitting calmly on_the steps of_the throne, fanned himself with_his hat . the Scarecrow eyed the watering can with satisfaction .

" now let them have their old fireworks," he muttered under his breath, and settled himself comfortably . the grand chew chew was hopping about like a ditched kite, arranging for_the celebration . the courtiers were shaking hands with themselves and forming in a long line .a great table was being set in_the hall .

" what a fuss they_are making over nothing," said the Scarecrow to happy Toko ." now in Oz when we win a victory, we all play some jolly game and sit down to dinner with Ozma . why, they haven't even set a place for_you, happy ! "

"I'd rather sit here, amiable master," sighed happy Toko happily ." is_the little fan safely closed ? "

the Scarecrow felt in_his pocket to_make sure, then leaned forward in surprise . the royal silver army were marching stiffly into_the hall, and_the courtiers were bobbing and bowing and cheering like mad .

the general came straight to_the great silver throne, clicked his silver heels, bowed, and stood at attention .

" well," said the Scarecrow, surveying this splendid person curiously, " what_is it ? "

" they_have come for their decorations," announced the grand chew chew, stepping up with a large silver platter full of medals .

" but i_thought Tappy Oko and I saved the island," chuckled the Scarecrow, nudging the imperial Punster .

" had the imperial army not retired and left the field to_you, there would_have_been no victory," faltered the general in a timid voice ." therefore, in a way we_are responsible for_the victory .a great general always knows when to retire ."

" there's something in_that," admitted the Scarecrow, scratching his head thoughtfully ." go ahead and decorate 'em, chew chew ! "

this the grand chew chew proceeded to_do, making such a long speech to each soldier that half of_the court fell asleep and_the Scarecrow fidgeted uncomfortably .

" they remind me of_the army of Oz," he confided to happy Toko, " but we never have long speeches in Oz .I declare, i_wish I_could go to sleep, too, and_that's something I_have never seen any use in before ."

" they've just begun," yawned happy Toko, nearly rolling down the steps of_the throne, and happy was not far wrong, for all afternoon one after_the other of_the courtiers arose and droned about_the great victory, and as_they all addressed themselves to_the Scarecrow, he_was forced to listen politely . when_the speeches were over, there_was still the grand banquet to_be got through, and as_the silver Islanders ate much the same fare as their Chinese cousins, you_can imagine the poor Scarecrow's feelings .

"Ugh ! " shivered the Scarecrow as_the strange dishes appeared, "I'm glad none of_my friends are here . how fortunate that I'm stuffed with straw ! " the broiled mice, the stewed shark fins and_the bird nest soup made him stare . he had ordered happy Toko to_be placed at his side, and to watch him happily at work with_his silver chopsticks and porcelain spoon was_the only satisfaction he got out_of_the feast .

" and what_is that ? " he asked, pointing to asteaming bowl that had just been placed before happy .

" minced cat, your highness," replied happy, sprinkling it generously with silver polish .

"Cat ? " shrieked the Scarecrow, pouncing to_his feet in horror ." do_you_mean to_tell me you_are eating a poor, innocent, little cat ? "

" not a poor one at all .a very rich one, i_should say," replied happy Toko with_his mouth full ."Ah, had your highness only your old body, how you_would enjoy this ! "

" never ! " shouted the Scarecrow so loudly that all of_the Courtiers looked up in surprise ." how dare you eat innocent cats ? " indignantly he thought of Dorothy's pet kitten back in Oz .Oz -- why had he ever left that wonderful country ?

" your highness has eaten hundreds," announced the grand chew chew calmly ."Hundreds ! "

the Scarecrow dropped back into his chair, too shocked for speech . he, the Scarecrow of Oz, had eaten hundreds of cats ! what would Dorothy say to_that ? Ugh ! this_was his first experience with silver island fare

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