" some very large mosquitoes here, which sing as beautifully as song birds," replied the Tin Woodman "But they never bite or annoy our people, because well fed and taken care of The reason they bite people in your country is because hungry--poor things ! "

"Yes," agreed Aunt Em; "they're hungry, all right An' they ain't very particular who they feed on I'm glad you've got the 'skeeters educated in Oz "

That evening after dinner they were entertained Emperor's Tin Cornet Band, which played several sweet melodies Also the Wizard did few sleight-of-hand tricks to amuse the company; after which they all retired cozy tin bedrooms and slept soundly until morning

After breakfast Dorothy said Tin Woodman:

" 'll tell us we'll visit the Scarecrow way home "

" go , and show you the way," replied the Emperor; "for journey to-day Emerald City "

He looked so anxious, as this, little girl asked:

"There isn't anything wrong with Ozma, ? "

"Not yet," said he; "but I'm afraid the time when tell you some very bad news, little friend "

"Oh, it ? " cried Dorothy

" remember the Nome King ? " asked the Tin Woodman

"I remember him ," she replied

"The Nome King kind heart," said the Emperor, sadly, "and he harboring wicked thoughts of revenge, because we once defeated him and liberated his slaves and you took away his Magic Belt So he has ordered his Nomes to dig long tunnel underneath the deadly desert, march his hosts right Emerald City When he gets there he intends to destroy our beautiful country "

Dorothy was much surprised to hear this

"How did Ozma find out tunnel ? " she asked

"She saw it in her Magic Picture "

" ," said Dorothy; " known that And she going ? "

" tell," reply

"Pooh ! " cried the Yellow Hen "We're not afraid Nomes roll few eggs down the tunnel they'll run away back home as fast go "

"Why, that's true enough ! " exclaimed Dorothy "The Scarecrow once conquered all the Nome King's army with some of Billina's eggs "

"But understand all dreadful plot," continued the Tin Woodman "The Nome King is clever, and his Nomes would run from eggs; so he has bargained with many terrible creatures to help him These evil spirits afraid of eggs or anything else, and very powerful So the Nome King will tunnel first, to conquer and destroy, and then the Nomes will follow after their share plunder and slaves "

They were all startled to hear this, and every face wore troubled look

" tunnel all ready ? " asked Dorothy

"Ozma sent me word yesterday tunnel was all completed except for thin crust of earth end When our enemies break crust, gardens royal palace, heart Emerald City I offered to arm all my Winkies and march to Ozma's assistance; but she said no "

"I wonder why ? " asked Dorothy

"She answered that all the inhabitants of Oz, gathered together, powerful enough to fight and overcome the evil forces Nome King Therefore she refuses to fight at all "

"But capture and enslave us, and plunder and ruin all our lovely land ! " exclaimed the Wizard, greatly disturbed statement

" ," said the Tin Woodman, sorrowfully "And I also fear fairies, such Wizard, and Dorothy, and her uncle and aunt, as Toto and Billina, speedily put to death conquerors "

"What ? " asked Dorothy, shuddering little prospect awful fate

"Nothing ! " gloomily replied the Emperor Winkies "But since Ozma refuses my army go myself Emerald City The least do is to perish beside my beloved Ruler "

25 How the Scarecrow Displayed His Wisdom

This amazing news had saddened every heart and all were now anxious to return Emerald City and share Ozma's fate So they started without loss , and road led past the Scarecrow's new mansion they determined brief halt there and confer

"The Scarecrow is probably the wisest man in all Oz," remarked the Tin Woodman, had started upon their journey "His brains are plentiful and of excellent quality, and often he has told me things never have thought of myself say I rely great deal Scarecrow's brains emergency "

The Tin Woodman rode front seat wagon, where Dorothy sat between him Wizard

" Scarecrow heard of Ozma's trouble ? " asked the Captain General

" know, sir," reply

"When private," said Omby Amby, " an excellent army, as I fully proved war against the Nomes But now not single private left army, since Ozma made me the Captain General, so no one to fight and defend our lovely Ruler "

"True," said the Wizard "The present army is composed only of officers, business of an officer is to order his men to fight Since no men there no fighting "

"Poor Ozma ! " whispered Dorothy, with tears in her sweet eyes "It's dreadful of all her lovely fairy country being destroyed I wonder couldn't manage to escape and get back to Kansas Magic Belt ? And take Ozma and all work hard money for her, so she wouldn't be so VERY lonely and unhappy loss of her fairyland "

" there any work in Kansas ? " asked the Tin Woodman

" hollow, use you in canning factory," suggested Uncle Henry "But 't see the use of your working for living You never eat or sleep or need new suit of clothes "

" not thinking of myself," replied the Emperor, with dignity "I merely wondered if help to support Dorothy and Ozma "

indulged sad plans future they journeyed in sight Scarecrow's new mansion, and even though filled with care and worry over the impending fate of Oz, Dorothy couldn't help feeling of wonder sight she saw

The Scarecrow's new house was shaped like an immense ear of corn The rows of kernels were made of solid gold, green the ear stood upright was mass of sparkling emeralds very top structure was perched figure representing the Scarecrow himself, and upon his extended arms, as upon his head, were several crows carved out of ebony and having ruby eyes imagine how big this ear of corn was when I tell you that single gold kernel formed window, swinging outward upon hinges, while row of four kernels opened to front entrance Inside there were five stories, each story being single room

The gardens around the mansion consisted of cornfields, and Dorothy acknowledged place was in all respects very appropriate home for her good friend the Scarecrow

"He very happy here, I'm sure," she said, "if only the Nome King had left us alone But if Oz is destroyed this place destroyed too "

"Yes," replied the Tin Woodman, "and also my beautiful tin castle, that my joy and pride "

"Jack Pumpkinhead's house will go too," remarked the Wizard, " as Professor Wogglebug's Athletic College, and Ozma's royal palace, and all our other handsome buildings "

"Yes, Oz will indeed become desert Nome King gets through with it," sighed Omby Amby

The Scarecrow came out to meet them and gave them all hearty welcome

"I hear decided always to live Land of Oz, ," to Dorothy; "and delight my heart, for greatly disliked our frequent partings But why all so downcast ? "

" heard the news ? " asked the Tin Woodman

"No news me sad," replied the Scarecrow

Then Nick Chopper told his friend Nome King's tunnel, and how the evil creatures North had allied themselves underground monarch of conquering and destroying Oz "Well," said the Scarecrow, "it certainly looks bad for Ozma, and all of us But I believe wrong to worry over anything before it happens surely time enough sad when our country is despoiled people made slaves So not deprive ourselves few happy hours remaining "

"Ah ! real wisdom," declared the Shaggy Man, approvingly "After we become really unhappy regret these few hours left , unless we enjoy them utmost "

"Nevertheless," said the Scarecrow, " go Emerald City and offer Ozma my services "

"She says do nothing to oppose our enemies," announced the Tin Woodman

"And doubtless right, sir," answered the Scarecrow "Still, she will appreciate our sympathy, and duty of Ozma's friends to stand by her side final disaster occurs "

He then led them into his queer mansion and showed them the beautiful rooms in all the five stories The lower room was grand reception hall, with hand-organ in one corner This instrument the Scarecrow, when alone, could turn to amuse himself, as very fond of music The walls were hung with white silk, flocks of black crows were embroidered in black diamonds chairs were made shape of big crows and upholstered with cushions of corn-colored silk