"Did you understand that sign ? " asked His Majesty, politely

"Perfectly," declared Jack, reaching up his arms his head front, the pumpkin having twisted around stick that supported it

"You seem hastily made," remarked the Scarecrow, watching Jack's efforts to straighten himself

"Not more so than your Majesty," frank reply

" this difference ," said the Scarecrow, "that whereas bend, but not break, break, but not bend "

76 Full page line-art drawing

" JACK SUDDEN PUSH"

77

moment the soldier returned leading young girl hand She seemed very sweet and modest, having pretty face and beautiful green eyes and hair dainty green silk skirt reached to her knees, showing silk stockings embroidered with pea-pods, and green satin slippers with bunches of lettuce for decorations instead of bows or buckles Upon her silken waist clover leaves were embroidered, and she wore jaunty little jacket trimmed with sparkling emeralds of uniform size

"Why, it's little Jellia Jamb ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, green maiden bowed her pretty head before him " understand the language Gillikins, my dear ? "

"Yes, your Majesty, she answered, "for born North Country "

"Then you shall be our interpreter," said the Scarecrow, "and explain Pumpkinhead all that , and also explain all that arrangement satisfactory ? " he asked, turning toward his guest

"Very satisfactory indeed," reply

"Then ask him, with," resumed the Scarecrow, turning to Jellia, "what brought him Emerald City"

But instead the girl, who staring at Jack, said to him:

78

" certainly wonderful creature you ? "

"A boy named Tip," answered Jack

"What does he say ? " inquired the Scarecrow "My ears deceived me What did he say ? "

" that your Majesty's brains seem come loose," replied the girl, demurely

The Scarecrow moved uneasily upon his throne, and felt head

"What fine thing to understand two different languages," , with perplexed sigh "Ask him, my dear, if he has any objection to being put in jail for insulting the ruler Emerald City "

"I didn't insult you ! " protested Jack, indignantly

"Tut -- tut ! " cautioned the Scarecrow "wait, until Jellia translates my speech What have we got an interpreter for, break out rash way ? "

"All right, I'll wait," replied the Pumpkinhead, in surly tone -- although his face smiled as genially as ever "Translate the speech, young woman "

"His Majesty inquires hungry, said Jellia

"Oh, not at all ! " answered Jack, more pleasantly, " is impossible to eat "

"It's the same way with me," remarked the Scarecrow "What did he say, Jellia, my dear ? "

79

"He asked were aware that one of your eyes is painted larger other," said the girl, mischievously

"Don't you believe her, your Majesty, cried Jack

"Oh, I don't," answered the Scarecrow, calmly Then, casting sharp look girl, he asked:

" quite certain you understand the languages of both the Gillikins Munchkins ? "

"Quite certain, your Majesty," said Jellia Jamb, trying hard not to laugh face of royalty

"Then how that I seem to understand them myself ? " inquired the Scarecrow

"Because one same ! " declared the girl, now laughing merrily " your Majesty know that in all the land of Oz but one language is spoken ? "

" indeed so ? " cried the Scarecrow, much relieved to hear this; "then easily my own interpreter ! "

" all my fault, your Majesty," said Jack, looking rather foolish," surely speak different languages, since we came from different countries "

"This warning never ," returned the Scarecrow, severely "For

80 unless one can think wisely better to remain dummy -- which you most certainly are "

" ! -- I surely am ! " agreed the Pumpkinhead

"It seems ," continued the Scarecrow, more mildly, "that your manufacturer spoiled some good pies to create an indifferent man "

"I assure your Majesty that ask created," answered Jack

"Ah ! It same in my case," said the King, pleasantly And so, differ from all ordinary people, become friends "

"With all my heart ! " exclaimed Jack

"What ! heart ? " asked the Scarecrow, surprised

"No; that was only imaginative -- say, figure of speech," said the other

"Well, your most prominent figure figure of wood; so beg you to restrain an imagination which, having no brains, no right to exercise," suggested the Scarecrow, warningly

" ! " said Jack, without least comprehending

His Majesty then dismissed Jellia Jamb Soldier Green Whiskers, and were gone his new friend arm and led him courtyard to play game of quoits

81 Full page line-art drawing

82 Full page line-art drawing

83 Gen Jinjur's Army of Revolt

Tip was so anxious to rejoin his man Jack Saw-Horse that he walked full half the distance Emerald City without stopping to rest Then he discovered that hungry crackers and cheese he had provided Journey had all been eaten

While wondering what do emergency upon girl sitting roadside She wore costume that struck the boy as being remarkably brilliant: her silken waist being of emerald green and her skirt of four distinct colors -- blue in front, yellow left side, red back and purple right side Fastening

84 the waist in front were four buttons -- the top one blue, the next yellow, third red last purple

Line-Art Drawing

The splendor dress was almost barbaric; so Tip was fully justified in staring gown for some moments before his eyes were attracted

85 pretty face above it Yes, the face was pretty enough, he decided; but it wore an expression of discontent coupled to shade of defiance or audacity

While the boy stared the girl looked upon him calmly lunch basket stood beside her, and she held dainty sandwich in one hand and hard-boiled egg other, eating with an evident appetite that aroused Tip's sympathy

just about to ask share luncheon girl stood up and brushed the crumbs from her lap

"There ! " said she; " time Carry that basket and help yourself to its contents hungry "

Tip seized the basket eagerly and began to eat, following for time the strange girl without bothering to ask questions She walked along before him with swift strides, and about her an air of decision and importance that led him to suspect she was some great personage

Finally, when he had satisfied his hunger, he ran up beside her and tried pace with her swift footsteps -- very difficult feat, for she was much taller than he, and evidently in hurry

" sandwiches," said Tip, as he trotted along "May I ask ? "

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" General Jinjur," brief reply

"Oh ! " said the boy surprised "What sort of General ? "

"I command the Army of Revolt war," answered the General, with unnecessary sharpness

"Oh ! " he again exclaimed "I didn't know war "

"You supposed it," she returned, "for kept it secret; and considering army is composed entirely of girls," she added, with some pride, " surely remarkable thing Revolt discovered "

" , indeed," acknowledged Tip "But where is your army ? "

"About mile from here," said General Jinjur "The forces have assembled from all parts Land of Oz, at my express command For day to conquer His Majesty the Scarecrow, and wrest the throne The Army of Revolt only awaits my coming to march Emerald City "

"Well ! " declared Tip, drawing long breath, " certainly surprising thing ! May I ask why you wish to conquer His Majesty the Scarecrow ? "

"Because the Emerald City ruled by men long enough, reason," said the girl

87 "Moreover, the City glitters with beautiful gems, which might far better be used for rings, bracelets and necklaces; and enough money King's treasury every girl Army dozen new gowns So we intend to conquer the City and run the government to suit ourselves "

Jinjur spoke these words with an eagerness and decision that proved she was in earnest

"But war is terrible thing," said Tip, thoughtfully

"This war pleasant," replied the girl, cheerfully

"Many of slain ! " continued the boy, in an awed voice

"Oh, no", said Jinjur "What man would oppose girl, or dare to harm her ? And not an ugly face in my entire Army "

Tip laughed

"Perhaps right," said he "But the Guardian Gate is considered faithful Guardian, King's Army will not let the City be conquered without struggle "

"The Army is old and feeble," replied General Jinjur, scornfully "His strength has all been used to grow whiskers, wife has such temper that she has already pulled more than half

88 out roots Wonderful Wizard reigned the Soldier Green Whiskers was Royal Army, for people feared the Wizard But no one is afraid Scarecrow, so his Royal Army don't count for much of war "