"Still, run," declared Tip, laughing

"I expected this blow" said the Soldier, sulkily; "but bear it disguise myself by cutting off my lovely green whiskers And, after all, no more dangerous those reckless girls than to ride this fiery, untamed wooden horse ! "

"Perhaps right," observed his Majesty "But, part, not being soldier, fond of danger Now, my boy, mount first And please sit as close horse's neck as possible "

Tip climbed quickly place, Soldier Scarecrow managed to hoist the Pumpkinhead to seat just behind him There remained so little space King that liable off horse started

"Fetch clothesline," said the King Army, "and tie us all together Then if one falls off all fall off "

And while the Soldier was gone clothesline his Majesty continued, " well careful, very existence is in danger "

104

" as careful ," said Jack

"Not exactly," replied the Scarecrow "for if anything happened , the end of me But if anything happened , use you for seed "

The Soldier now returned with long line and tied all three firmly together, also lashing them body Saw-Horse; so there seemed little danger tumbling off

"Now throw open the gates," commanded the Scarecrow, "and make dash to liberty or to death "

The courtyard they were standing was located center great palace, which surrounded it on all sides But in one place passage led to an outer gateway, which the Soldier had barred by order sovereign gateway his Majesty proposed to escape, Royal Army now led the Saw-Horse along the passage and unbarred the gate, which swung backward with loud crash

"Now," said Tip horse, " save us all Run as fast gate City, and don't let anything stop you "

"All right ! " answered the Saw-Horse, gruffly, and dashed away so suddenly that Tip had to gasp

105 Full page line-art drawing

" MAKE DASH TO LIBERTY OR TO DEATH "

106 for breath and hold firmly post he had driven creature's neck

Several girls, who stood outside guarding the palace, were knocked over Saw-Horse's mad rush Others ran screaming way, and only jabbed their knitting-needles frantically escaping prisoners Tip got one small prick left arm, which smarted for an hour afterward; but the needles had no effect Scarecrow or Jack Pumpkinhead, who never even suspected they were being prodded

As Saw-Horse, wonderful record upsetting fruit cart, overturning several meek looking men, and finally bowling over the new Guardian Gate -- fussy little fat woman appointed by General Jinjur

Nor did the impetuous charger stop then Once outside the walls Emerald City he dashed along the road West with fast and violent leaps that shook the breath boy and filled the Scarecrow with wonder

Jack had ridden mad rate once before, so he devoted every effort to holding, with both hands, his pumpkin head upon its stick, enduring meantime the dreadful jolting courage of philosopher

107 Full page line-art drawing

THE WOODEN STEED GAVE ONE FINAL LEAP

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"Slow him up ! Slow him up ! " shouted the Scarecrow "My straw is all shaking down into my legs "

But Tip had no breath , so the Saw-Horse continued his wild career unchecked and with unabated speed

Presently they came banks of wide river, and without pause the wooden steed gave one final leap and launched them all in mid-air

second later they were rolling, splashing and bobbing about water, the horse struggling frantically rest for its feet and its riders being first plunged beneath the rapid current and then floating surface like corks

Line-Art Drawing

109 The Journey Tin Woodman

Tip was well soaked and dripping water from every angle body But he managed to lean forward and shout ear Saw-Horse:

"Keep still, you fool ! Keep still ! "

The horse at once ceased struggling and floated calmly surface, its wooden body being as buoyant as raft

"What does that word 'fool' mean ? " enquired the horse

" term of reproach," answered Tip, somewhat ashamed expression "I only use it when angry "

"Then it pleases me you fool, in return," said the horse "For make

110 the river, nor put it way; so only term of, reproach is fit who becomes angry with me for falling water "

" quite evident," replied Tip; "so acknowledge myself wrong " Then out Pumpkinhead: " all right, Jack ? "

no reply So the boy called King " all right, your majesty ? "

The Scarecrow groaned

"I'm all wrong, somehow," , in weak voice "How very wet this water is ! "

Tip was bound so tightly cord that turn his head to look at his companions; so Saw-Horse:

"Paddle with your legs toward the shore "

The horse obeyed, and although their progress was slow they finally reached the opposite river bank at place where low enough to enable the creature to scramble upon dry land

With some difficulty the boy managed his knife out pocket and cut the cords that bound the riders to one another and wooden horse He heard the Scarecrow fall ground with mushy sound, and then he himself quickly dismounted and looked at his friend Jack

The wooden body, with its gorgeous clothing,

111 still sat upright horse's back; but the pumpkin head was gone, and only the sharpened stick that served for neck was visible As Scarecrow, the straw body had shaken down jolting and packed itself into his legs lower part body -- which appeared very plump and round while his upper half seemed like an empty sack Upon his head the Scarecrow still wore the heavy crown, which sewed on his losing it; but the head was now so damp and limp weight gold and jewels sagged forward and crushed the painted face into mass of wrinkles that made him look exactly like Japanese pug dog

Tip laughed -- had he not been so anxious about his man Jack But the Scarecrow, however damaged, was all there, while the pumpkin head that was so necessary to Jack's existence was missing; so the boy seized long pole that fortunately lay near at hand and anxiously turned again toward the river

Far out waters he sighted the golden hue pumpkin, which gently bobbed up and down motion waves moment quite out of Tip's reach, but after time it floated nearer and still nearer until the boy

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TIP RESCUES JACK'S PUMPKIN HEAD

113 was able to reach it pole and draw it shore Then he brought it top bank, carefully wiped the water from its pumpkin face handkerchief, and ran with it to Jack and replaced the head man's neck

"Dear me ! " were Jack's first words "What dreadful experience ! I wonder if water is liable to spoil pumpkins ? "

Tip think reply was necessary, for Scarecrow also stood in need help So he carefully removed the straw King's body and legs, and spread it out sun to dry The wet clothing he hung over the body Saw-Horse

"If water spoils pumpkins," observed Jack, with deep sigh, "then my days are numbered "

"I've never noticed that water spoils pumpkins," returned Tip; "unless the water happens boiling If your head isn't cracked, my friend, in fairly good condition "

"Oh, my head isn't cracked least," declared Jack, more cheerfully

"Then don't worry," retorted the boy "Care once killed cat "

"Then," said Jack, seriously, " indeed that not cat "

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The sun was fast drying their clothing, and Tip stirred up his Majesty's straw so warm rays might absorb the moisture and make it as crisp and dry as ever accomplished he stuffed the Scarecrow into symmetrical shape and smoothed out his face he wore his usual gay and charming expression

" ," said the monarch, brightly, as he walked about and found himself well balanced " several distinct advantages in being Scarecrow For if one has friends near at hand to repair damages, nothing very serious can happen "

"I wonder if hot sunshine is liable to crack pumpkins," said Jack, with an anxious ring voice

"Not at all -- not at all ! " replied the Scarecrow, gaily " All fear, my boy, is old age When your golden youth has decayed quickly part company -- but you needn't look forward ; we'll discover the fact ourselves, and notify you But come ! resume our journey anxious to greet my friend the Tin Woodman "

So they remounted the Saw-Horse, Tip holding post, the Pumpkinhead clinging to Tip, Scarecrow with both arms around the wooden form of Jack

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TIP STUFFS THE SCARECROW WITH DRY STRAW

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"Go slowly, for now no danger of pursuit," said Tip steed

"All right ! " responded the creature, in voice rather gruff

"Aren't you little hoarse ? " asked the Pumpkinhead politely

The Saw-Horse gave an angry prance and rolled one knotty eye backward toward Tip

"See here," he growled, "can't you protect me from insult ? "