As yet too early day to expect the old woman to return home, Tip went down valley below the farm-house and began to gather nuts trees that grew there

However, old Mombi returned earlier than usual She had met crooked wizard who resided in lonely cave mountains, and had traded several important secrets of magic Hav-

17 ing secured three new recipes, four magical powders and selection of herbs of wonderful power and potency, she hobbled home as fast as , to test her new sorceries

So intent was Mombi treasures she had gained that when she turned the bend road and caught glimpse man, she merely nodded and said:

"Good evening, sir "

But, moment after, noting person move or reply, she cast shrewd glance into his face and discovered his pumpkin head elaborately carved by Tip's jack-knife

"Heh ! " ejaculated Mombi, giving sort of grunt; "that rascally boy playing tricks again ! ! ve -- ry good ! I'll beat him black- and-blue for trying to scare me fashion ! "

Angrily she raised her stick to smash grinning pumpkin head dummy; but sudden thought made her pause, the uplifted stick left motionless air

"Why, good chance my new powder ! " said she, eagerly "And then tell whether that crooked wizard has fairly traded secrets, or whether he has fooled me as wickedly as I fooled him "

18

So she set down her basket and began fumbling for precious powders she had obtained

While Mombi was thus occupied Tip strolled back, pockets full of nuts, and discovered the old woman standing beside his man and apparently not the least bit frightened

At first generally disappointed; but the next moment he became curious what Mombi was going So he hid behind hedge, where he without being seen, and prepared to watch

After some search the woman drew from her basket an old pepper-box, faded label the wizard had written with lead-pencil:

"Powder of Life "

"Ah -- here ! " she cried, joyfully "And now potent The stingy wizard didn't much of it, but I guess there's enough for doses "

Tip was much surprised when he overheard this speech Then old Mombi raise her arm and sprinkle the powder box over the pumpkin head man Jack She did this same way one would pepper baked potato, powder sifted down from Jack's head and scattered

19 Full page line-art drawing

"OLD MOMBI DANCED AROUND HIM"

20 over the red shirt and pink waistcoat and purple trousers Tip had dressed him in, and portion even fell patched and worn shoes

Then, putting the pepper-box back basket, Mombi lifted her , with its little finger pointed upward, and said:

"Weaugh ! "

Then she lifted her right hand, thumb pointed upward, and said:

"Teaugh ! "

Then she lifted both hands, with all the fingers and thumbs spread out, and cried:

"Peaugh ! "

Jack Pumpkinhead stepped back pace, , and said in reproachful voice:

"Don't yell like that ! I'm deaf ? "

Old Mombi danced around him, frantic with delight

"He lives ! " she screamed: "He lives ! he lives ! "

Then she threw her stick air and caught it as it came down; and she hugged herself with both arms, and tried step of jig; and all the time she repeated, rapturously:

"He lives ! -- he lives ! -- he lives ! "

Now well suppose that Tip observed all this with amazement

21

At first so frightened and horrified that to run away, but his legs trembled and shook so badly that he couldn't Then it struck him as very funny thing for Jack to life, especially expression pumpkin face was so droll and comical it excited laughter instant So, recovering first fear, Tip began to laugh; merry peals reached old Mombi's ears and made her hobble quickly hedge, where she seized Tip's collar and dragged him back to where she had left her basket pumpkinheaded man

"You naughty, sneaking, wicked boy ! " she exclaimed, furiously:" I'll teach you to spy out my secrets and fun of me ! "

"I wasn't making fun of you," protested Tip " laughing at old Pumpkinhead ! Look at him ! Isn't he picture, though ? "

" reflecting on my personal appearance," said Jack; and so funny to hear his grave voice, while his face continued to wear its jolly smile, that Tip again burst into peal of laughter

Even Mombi was not without curious interest man her magic had brought to life; for, after staring at him intently, she presently asked:

22 Full page line-art drawing

OLD MOMBI PUTS JACK STABLE

23

"What ? "

"Well, hard ," replied Jack "For although that tremendous lot, not yet aware out about take me little time to discover whether very wise or very foolish "

" ," said Mombi, thoughtfully

"But you going , now alive ? " asked Tip, wondering

" think it over," answered Mombi "But get home at once, is growing dark Help the Pumpkinhead to walk "

"Never mind me," said Jack; " walk Haven't I got legs and feet, and aren't they jointed ? "

"Are they ? " asked the woman, turning to Tip

" ; 'em myself," returned the boy, with pride

So they started house, but reached the farm yard old Mombi led the pumpkin man cow stable and shut him up in an empty stall, fastening the door securely outside

"I've got to attend , first," she said, nodding her head at Tip

Hearing this, the boy became uneasy; for he

24 knew Mombi had bad and revengeful heart, and hesitate any evil thing

They entered the house round, domeshaped structure, as are nearly all the farm houses Land of Oz

Mombi bade the boy light candle, while she put her basket in cupboard and hung her cloak on peg Tip obeyed quickly, for afraid of her

candle lighted Mombi ordered him to build fire hearth, and while Tip was thus engaged the old woman ate her supper flames began to crackle the boy came to her and asked share bread and cheese; but Mombi refused him

"I'm hungry ! " said Tip, in sulky tone

"You won't be hungry long," replied Mombi, with grim look

The boy didn't like this speech, sounded like threat; but he happened to remember he had nuts pocket, so he cracked and ate them while the woman rose, shook the crumbs from her apron, and hung above the fire small black kettle

Then she measured out equal parts of milk and vinegar and poured them kettle Next she

25 produced several packets of herbs and powders and began adding portion of each contents kettle Occasionally draw near the candle and read from yellow paper the recipe mess she was concocting

As Tip watched her his uneasiness increased

"What for ? " he asked

" ," returned Mombi, briefly

Tip wriggled around upon his stool and stared awhile kettle, beginning to bubble Then glance stern and wrinkled features witch and wish he were any place but dim and smoky kitchen, where even the shadows cast candle wall were enough one the horrors So an hour passed away, during which the silence was only broken bubbling pot hissing flames

Finally, Tip spoke again

"Have I got to drink that stuff ? " he asked, nodding toward the pot

"Yes," said Mombi

"What'll it do ? " asked Tip

" 's properly made," replied Mombi, " change or transform you into marble statue "

Tip groaned, and wiped the perspiration forehead sleeve

26

"I don't want marble statue ! " he protested

"That doesn't matter you one," said the old woman, looking at him severely

"What use'll I be then ? " asked Tip "There won't be to work "

"I'll Pumpkinhead work ," said Mombi

Again Tip groaned

"Why don't you change me into goat, or chicken ? " he asked, anxiously " 't do anything with marble statue "

"Oh, yes, ," returned Mombi "I'm going to plant flower garden, next Spring, and I'll put you middle of it, for an ornament I wonder I haven't thought before; you've been bother for years "

terrible speech Tip felt the beads of perspiration starting all over his body but he sat still and shivered and looked anxiously kettle

"Perhaps it won't work," he mutttered, in voice that sounded weak and discouraged

"Oh, ," answered Mombi, cheerfully "I seldom make mistake "