"Take that stuff away ! " he commanded " take me for salamander ? "

They obeyed at once, and next served fine large turbot on silver platter, with drawn gravy poured over it

"Fish ! " cried Jim, with sniff " take me for tom-cat ? Away with it ! "

The servants were little discouraged, but soon they brought in great tray containing two dozen nicely roasted quail on toast

"Well, well ! " said the horse, now thoroughly provoked " take me for weasel ? How stupid and ignorant , Land of Oz, and what dreadful things you feed upon ! nothing decent to eat palace ? "

The trembling servants sent Royal Steward, who came in haste and said:

"What would your Highness like for dinner ? "

"Highness ! " repeated Jim, who was unused to such titles

" six feet high, is higher than animal country," said the Steward

"Well, my Highness would like some oats," declared the horse

"Oats ? no whole oats," the Steward replied, with much deference "But any quantity of oatmeal, which we often cook for breakfast Oatmeal is breakfast dish," added the Steward, humbly

"I'll make it dinner dish," said Jim "Fetch it on, but don't cook it, value your life "

, the respect shown the worn-out old cab-horse made him little arrogant, and he forgot guest, never having been treated otherwise than as servant day born, until his arrival Land of Oz But the royal attendants heed the animal's ill temper They soon mixed tub of oatmeal with little water, and Jim ate it with much relish

Then the servants heaped lot of rugs floor old horse slept softest bed he had ever known life

morning, daylight, he resolved walk and try some grass for breakfast; so he ambled calmly handsome arch doorway, turned the corner palace, wherein all seemed asleep, and came Sawhorse

Jim stopped abruptly, being startled and amazed The Sawhorse stopped same time and stared other with its queer protruding eyes, which were mere knots log that formed its body The legs Sawhorse were four sticks driving into holes bored log; its tail was small branch that left by accident and its mouth place chopped in one end body which projected little and served as head The ends wooden legs were shod with plates of solid gold, saddle Princess Ozma, of red leather set with sparkling diamonds, was strapped clumsy body

Jim's eyes stuck out Sawhorse, and he stared creature ears erect long head drawn back until it rested against his arched neck

comical position the two horses circled slowly around for while, each being unable to realize what the singular thing which it now beheld first time Then Jim exclaimed:

"For goodness sake, what sort of being ? "

"I'm Sawhorse," replied the other

"Oh; I believe I've heard of you," said the cab-horse; "but unlike anything that I expected "

" doubt it," the Sawhorse observed, with tone of pride " considered quite unusual "

" , indeed But rickety wooden thing like you has no right alive "

"I couldn't help it," returned the other, rather crestfallen "Ozma sprinkled me with magic powder, and I just had to live I'm not much account; but I'm the only horse in all the Land of Oz, so they treat me with great respect "

"You, horse ! "

"Oh, not real one, no real horses here at all But I'm splendid imitation of one "

Jim gave an indignant neigh

"Look at me ! " he cried "Behold real horse ! "

The wooden animal gave start, and then examined the other intently

" possible that Real Horse ? " he murmured

" possible, but true," replied Jim, who was gratified impression he had created " proved by my fine points For example, look long hairs on my tail, whisk away the flies "

"The flies never trouble me," said the Saw-Horse

"And notice my great strong teeth, I nibble the grass "

" necessary to eat," observed the Sawhorse

"Also examine my broad chest, which enables me to draw deep, full breaths," said Jim, proudly

" no need to breathe," returned the other

"No; you miss many pleasures," remarked the cab-horse, pityingly " know the relief of brushing away fly that has bitten you, nor the delight of eating delicious food, nor the satisfaction of drawing long breath of fresh, pure air an imitation of horse, but you're mighty poor one "

"Oh, hope ever like you," sighed the Sawhorse "But to meet last Real Horse certainly the most beautiful creature I ever beheld "

This praise won Jim completely called beautiful was novelty experience Said he:

"Your chief fault, my friend, is in being made of wood, I suppose help Real horses, like myself, are made of flesh and blood and bones "

" the bones all right," replied the Sawhorse, "and admirable and distinct Also the flesh But the blood, I suppose is tucked away inside "

"Exactly," said Jim

"What good ? " asked the Sawhorse

Jim know, but tell the Sawhorse that

"If anything cuts me," he replied, "the blood runs out to show where cut You, poor thing ! cannot even bleed hurt "

"But never hurt," said the Sawhorse "Once in while I get broken up some, but easily repaired and put in good order again And I never feel break or splinter least "

Jim was almost tempted to envy the wooden horse for being unable pain; but the creature was so absurdly unnatural that he decided change places with it under any circumstances

"How did you happen shod with gold ? " he asked

"Princess Ozma did that," reply; "and it saves my legs from wearing out We've had adventures together, Ozma and I, and she likes me "

The cab-horse was about to reply when suddenly start and neigh of terror and stood trembling like leaf For around the corner had come two enormous savage beasts, treading so lightly were upon him before aware presence Jim was act of plunging down the path to escape Sawhorse cried out:

"Stop, my brother ! Stop, Real Horse ! These are friends, and will no harm "

Jim hesitated, eyeing the beasts fearfully One was an enormous Lion with clear, intelligent eyes, tawney mane bushy and well kept, and body like yellow plush The other was great Tiger with purple stripes around his lithe body, powerful limbs, and eyes that showed half closed lids like coals of fire The huge forms monarchs forest and jungle were enough to strike terror stoutest heart, and no wonder Jim was afraid them

But the Sawhorse introduced the stranger in calm tone, saying:

"This, noble Horse, is my friend the Cowardly Lion, the valiant King Forest, but same time faithful vassal of Princess Ozma And Hungry Tiger, the terror jungle, who longs to devour fat babies but is prevented by his conscience from These royal beasts are both warm friends of little Dorothy come Emerald City to welcome her to our fairyland "

Hearing these words Jim resolved to conquer his alarm He bowed his head with dignity as muster toward the savage looking beasts, who in return nodded in friendly way

" the Real Horse beautiful animal ? " asked the Sawhorse admiringly

" doubtless matter of taste," returned the Lion " forest thought ungainly, because his face is stretched out neck is uselessly long His joints, , are swollen and overgrown, and he lacks flesh old in years "

"And dreadfully tough," added the Hungry Tiger, in sad voice "My conscience would never permit me to eat so tough morsel Real Horse "

"I'm glad ," said Jim; "for I, also, have conscience, and it tells me not to crush in your skull with blow powerful hoof "