They were divided into four companies, and Tip noticed that all were dressed in costumes similar worn by General Jinjur The only real difference while those girls Munchkin country had the blue strip in front skirts, those country Quadlings had the red strip in front; and those country Winkies had the yellow strip in front, Gillikin girls wore the purple strip in front All had green waists, representing the Emerald City they intended to conquer, top button on each waist indicated by its color which country the wearer came from The uniforms were Jaunty and becoming, and quite effective when massed together

Tip thought this strange Army bore no weapons

89 whatever; but wrong For each girl had stuck knot of her back hair two long, glittering knitting-needles

General Jinjur immediately mounted the stump of tree and addressed her army

"Friends, fellow-citizens, and girls ! " she said; " about our great Revolt against the men of Oz ! We march to conquer the Emerald City -- to dethrone the Scarecrow King -- to acquire thousands of gorgeous gems -- to rifle the royal treasury -- and to obtain power over our former oppressors ! "

"Hurrah ! " said those who had listened; but Tip thought most Army was engaged in chattering attention words General

The command to march was now given, girls formed themselves into four bands, or companies, and set off with eager strides toward the Emerald City

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The boy followed after them, carrying several baskets and wraps and packages which various members Army of Revolt had placed care not long came green granite walls City and halted gateway

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The Guardian Gate at once came out and looked at them curiously, circus had come to town He carried bunch of keys swung round his neck by golden chain; his hands were thrust carelessly into his pockets, and no idea at all City was threatened by rebels Speaking pleasantly girls, :

"Good morning, my dears ! What can ? "

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"Surrender instantly ! " answered General Jinjur, standing before him and frowning as terribly as her pretty face would allow her to

"Surrender ! " echoed the man, astounded "Why, it's impossible It's against the law ! I never heard thing in my life "

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"Still, surrender ! " exclaimed the General, fiercely " revolting ! "

"You don't look it," said the Guardian, gazing from one to another, admiringly

"But ! " cried Jinjur, stamping her foot, impatiently; "and we mean to conquer the Emerald City ! "

"Good gracious ! " returned the surprised Guardian Gates; "what nonsensical idea ! Go home to your mothers, my good girls, and milk the cows and bake the bread Don't it's dangerous thing to conquer city ? "

" afraid ! " responded the General; and she looked so determined made the Guardian uneasy

So he rang the bell Soldier Green Whiskers, next minute was sorry he had done so For immediately surrounded by crowd of girls who drew the knitting-needles from their hair and began Jabbing them Guardian sharp points dangerously near his fat cheeks and blinking eyes

The poor man howled loudly for mercy and made no resistance when Jinjur drew the bunch of keys from around his neck

Followed by her Army the General now rushed

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GENERAL JINJUR AND HER ARMY CAPTURE THE CITY

94 gateway, where she was confronted Royal Army of Oz -- the other name Soldier Green Whiskers

"Halt ! " he cried, and pointed his long gun full face leader

girls screamed and ran back, but General Jinjur bravely stood her ground and said, reproachfully:

"Why, how now ? Would you shoot poor, defenceless girl ? "

"No," replied the soldier " gun isn't loaded "

"Not loaded ? "

"No; for fear of accidents And I've forgotten where I hid the powder and shot to load it with But 'll wait short time I'll try to hunt them up "

"Don't trouble yourself," said Jinjur, cheerfully Then she turned to her Army and cried:

"Girls, the gun isn't loaded ! "

"Hooray," shrieked the rebels, delighted good news, proceeded to rush Soldier Green Whiskers crowd wonder they didn't stick the knitting-needles into one another

But the Royal Army of Oz was afraid

95 of women to meet the onslaught He simply turned about and ran with all his might gate and toward the royal palace, while General Jinjur and her mob flocked unprotected City

Emerald City captured without drop of blood being spilled The Army of Revolt had become an Army of Conquerors !

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97 The Scarecrow Plans an escape

Tip slipped away girls and followed swiftly Soldier Green Whiskers The invading army entered the City more slowly, for they stopped to dig emeralds walls and paving-stones points knitting-needles So the Soldier boy reached the palace news had spread City was conquered

The Scarecrow and Jack Pumpkinhead were still playing at quoits courtyard game was interrupted abrupt entrance Royal Army of Oz, who came flying in without his hat or gun, his clothes in sad disarray long beard floating yard behind him as he ran

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"Tally one ," said the Scarecrow, calmly "What's wrong, my man ? " he added, addressing the Soldier

"Oh ! your Majesty -- your Majesty ! The City is conquered ! " gasped the Royal Army, who was all out of breath

" quite sudden," said the Scarecrow "But please go and bar all the doors and windows palace, while I show this Pumpkinhead how to throw quoit "

The Soldier hastened to , while Tip, who had arrived at his heels, remained courtyard to look Scarecrow with wondering eyes

His Majesty continued to throw the quoits as coolly no danger threatened his throne, but the Pumpkinhead, having caught sight of Tip, ambled toward the boy as fast as his wooden legs would go

"Good afternoon, noble parent ! " he cried, delightedly " I'm here That terrible Saw-Horse ran away with me "

"I suspected it," said Tip "Did you get hurt ? cracked at all ? "

"No, I arrived safely," answered Jack, " Majesty very kind indeed

moment the Soldier Green Whiskers returned, Scarecrow asked:

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" , who has conquered me ? "

"A regiment of girls, gathered four corners Land of Oz," replied the Soldier, still pale with fear

"But where was my Standing Army ? " inquired his Majesty, looking Soldier, gravely

"Your Standing Army was running," answered the fellow, honestly; "for no man could face the terrible weapons invaders "

"Well," said the Scarecrow, after moment's thought, "I don't mind much the loss throne, 's tiresome job to rule over the Emerald City And this crown is so heavy makes my head ache But the Conquerors have no intention of injuring me, just because I happen the King "

"I heard them, say" remarked Tip, with some hesitation, " intend rag carpet of your outside and stuff their sofa-cushions with your inside "

"Then really in danger," declared his Majesty, positively, "and wise to consider means to escape "

"Where go ? " asked Jack Pumpkinhead

"Why, to my friend the Tin Woodman, who

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rules over the Winkies, and calls himself their Emperor," answer " protect me "

Tip was looking out the window

"The palace is surrounded enemy," said

101 he " too late to escape soon tear you to pieces "

The Scarecrow sighed

"In an emergency," he announced, " always good thing to pause and reflect Please excuse me while I pause and reflect "

"But we also are in danger," said the Pumpkinhead, anxiously " If any girls understand cooking, my end far off ! "

"Nonsense ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow "they're too busy to cook, even know how ! "

"But should I remain here prisoner for any length ," protested Jack," I'm liable to spoil "

"Ah ! then fit to associate with," returned the Scarecrow "The matter is more serious than I suspected "

"You," said the Pumpkinhead, gloomily, "are liable to live for many years My life is necessarily short So take advantage that remain "

"There, there ! Don't worry," answered the Scarecrow soothingly; " 'll keep quiet long enough , I'll try some way all to escape "

So the others waited in patient silence while the Scarecrow walked to corner and stood

102 face wall for good five minutes end he faced them with more cheerful expression upon his painted face

"Where Saw-Horse you rode here ? " he asked the Pumpkinhead

"Why, jewel, and so your man locked him up royal treasury," said Jack

"It only place think of your Majesty," added the Soldier, fearing he had made blunder

"It pleases me ," said the Scarecrow " animal been fed ? "

"Oh, yes; him heaping peck of sawdust "

"Excellent ! " cried the Scarecrow "Bring the horse here at once "

The Soldier hastened away, and presently they heard the clattering horse's wooden legs pavement as led courtyard

His Majesty regarded the steed critically "He doesn't seem especially graceful ! " he remarked, musingly "but I suppose run ? "

" , indeed," said Tip, gazing Saw-Horse admiringly

"Then, bearing us upon his back, make dash ranks rebels and carry us to my friend the Tin Woodman," announced the Scarecrow

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" 't carry four ! " objected Tip