high wall of green stone, studded thick with emeralds, loomed up before them; and fearing the Saw-Horse know enough to stop and so might smash them both against this wall, Jack ventured to cry "Whoa ! " as loud as

So suddenly did the horse obey that had it not been post Jack pitched off head foremost, beautiful face ruined

"That was fast ride, dear father ! " he exclaimed; and then, hearing no reply, he turned around and discovered first time that Tip was not there

This apparent desertion puzzled the Pumpkinhead, and made him uneasy And while wondering what had become boy, and what he ought next under such trying circumstances, the gateway green wall opened and man came out

This man was short and round, with fat face that seemed remarkably good- natured clothed all in green and wore high, peaked green hat upon his head and green spectacles over his eyes Bowing Pumpkinhead :

" the Guardian Gates Emerald

66 City May I inquire who , and your business ? "

"My name is Jack Pumpkinhead," returned the other, smilingly; "but my business, I haven't the least idea what "

The Guardian Gates looked surprised, and shook his head dissatisfied reply

" you, man or pumpkin ? " he asked, politely

"Both, please," answered Jack

"And this wooden horse -- alive ? " questioned the Guardian

The horse rolled one knotty eye upward and winked at Jack Then it gave prance and brought one leg down Guardian's toes

"Ouch ! " cried the man; "I'm sorry I asked that question But the answer is most convincing any errand, sir, Emerald City ? "

"It seems that ," replied the Pumpkinhead, seriously; "but think what My father knows all , but here "

" strange affair very strange ! " declared the Guardian "But you seem harmless Folks smile so delightfully mean mischief "

"As ," said Jack, " help my smile, is carved on my face with jack-knife "

67

"Well, come with me into my room," resumed the Guardian, "and what "

So Jack rode the Saw-Horse gateway into little room built wall The Guardian pulled bell-cord, and presently very tall soldier -- clothed in green uniform -- entered opposite door This soldier carried long green gun over his shoulder and had lovely green whiskers that fell quite knees The Guardian at once addressed him, saying:

" strange gentleman who doesn't know why he Emerald City, or what Tell me, what shall ? "

The Soldier Green Whiskers looked at Jack with much care and curiosity Finally he shook his head so positively that little waves rippled down his whiskers, and then :

" take him Majesty, the Scarecrow "

But His Majesty, the Scarecrow, do ? " asked the Guardian Gates

" His Majesty's business," returned the soldier " troubles enough own All outside troubles turned over Majesty So put the spectacles fellow, and I'll take him royal palace "

68

So the Guardian opened big box of spectacles and tried to fit pair to Jack's great round eyes

"I haven't pair in stock really cover those eyes up," said the little man, with sigh; "and your head is so big that obliged to tie the spectacles on "

"But why need I wear spectacles ? " asked Jack

"It's the fashion here," said the Soldier, "and keep you from being blinded glitter and glare gorgeous Emerald City "

"Oh ! " exclaimed Jack "Tie them on, by all means I don't wish blinded "

"Nor I ! " broke Saw-Horse; so pair of green spectacles was quickly fastened over the bulging knots that served it for eyes

Then the Soldier Green Whiskers led them inner gate at once found themselves main street magnificent Emerald City

Sparkling green gems ornamented the fronts beautiful houses towers and turrets were all faced with emeralds Even the green marble pavement glittered with precious stones, and indeed grand and marvelous sight to one who beheld it first time

However, the Pumpkinhead Saw-Horse,

69 knowing nothing of wealth and beauty, paid little attention wonderful sights they saw through their green spectacles They calmly followed green soldier and scarcely noticed the crowds of green people who stared at them in surprise When green dog ran out and barked at them the Saw- Horse promptly kicked at it with its wooden leg and sent the little animal howling into houses; but nothing more serious than this happened to interrupt their progress royal palace

The Pumpkinhead wanted to ride up the green marble steps and straight Scarecrow's presence; but the soldier permit that So Jack dismounted, with much difficulty, and servant led the Saw-Horse around rear while the Soldier Green Whiskers escorted the Pumpkinhead palace, front entrance

The stranger was left in handsomely furnished waiting room while the soldier went to announce him It so happened that hour His Majesty was at leisure and greatly bored for want of something , so he ordered his visitor shown at once into his throne room

Jack felt no fear or embarrassment at meeting the ruler magnificent city, for entirely ignorant of all worldly customs But when he en-

70 tered the room and saw first time His Majesty the Scarecrow seated upon his glittering throne, he stopped short in amazement

Line-Art Drawing

71 His Majesty the Scarecrow

I suppose every reader book knows what scarecrow is; but Jack Pumpkinhead, never having seen such creation, was more surprised at meeting the remarkable King Emerald City than by one experience brief life

His Majesty the Scarecrow was dressed in suit of faded blue clothes, head was merely small sack stuffed with straw, eyes, ears, nose and mouth rudely painted to represent face The clothes were also stuffed with straw, so unevenly or carelessly that his Majesty's legs and arms seemed more bumpy than was necessary Upon his hands were gloves with long fingers, and these were padded with cotton Wisps of straw stuck out monarch's

72 coat and also neck and boot-tops Upon his head he wore heavy golden crown set thick with sparkling jewels, weight crown caused his brow to sag in wrinkles, giving thoughtful expression painted face Indeed, the crown alone betokened majesty; in all else the, Scarecrow King was but simple scarecrow -- flimsy, awkward, and unsubstantial

But strange appearance Majesty the Scarecrow seemed startling to Jack, no less wonderful form Pumpkinhead Scarecrow The purple trousers and pink waistcoat and red shirt hung loosely over the wooden joints Tip had manufactured, carved face pumpkin grinned perpetually, its wearer considered life the jolliest thing imaginable

At first, indeed, His Majesty thought his queer visitor was laughing at him, and was inclined to resent such liberty; but not without reason Scarecrow had attained the reputation of being the wisest personage Land of Oz more careful examination visitor, and soon discovered that Jack's features were carved into smile look grave if to

The King first After regarding

73 Line-Art Drawing

Jack for some minutes , in tone of wonder:

"Where on earth did you come from, and how happen alive ? "

"I beg your Majesty's pardon," returned the Pumpkinhead; "but understand you "

74

"What don't you understand ? " asked the Scarecrow

"Why, I don't understand your language , Country Gillikins, foreigner "

"Ah, ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow "I myself speak the language Munchkins, also the language Emerald City But you, I suppose, speak the language Pumpkinheads ? "

"Exactly so, your Majesty" replied the other, bowing; "so impossible to understand one another "

" unfortunate, certainly," said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully " an interpreter "

" an interpreter ? " asked Jack

"A person who understands both my language and your own When anything, the interpreter can tell you what I mean; and say anything the interpreter can tell me what you mean interpreter can speak both languages as understand them "

" certainly clever," said Jack, greatly pleased at finding so simple way difficulty

So the Scarecrow commanded the Soldier Green Whiskers to search among his people

75 until one who understood the language Gillikins language Emerald City, and to bring that person to him at once

Soldier had departed the Scarecrow said:

"Won't you take chair while waiting ? "