"I'll have nothing more Pumpkinhead," declared the Saw- Horse, viciously "he loses his head too easily to suit me "

There seemed no fitting reply speech, so for time they rode along in silence

After while the Scarecrow remarked:

"This reminds me of old times grassy knoll that I once saved Dorothy Stinging Bees Wicked Witch West "

"Do Stinging Bees injure pumpkins ? " asked Jack, glancing around fearfully

" all dead, so it doesn't matter," replied

117 the Scarecrow " And where Nick Chopper destroyed the Wicked Witch's Grey Wolves "

"Who was Nick Chopper ? " asked Tip

" name friend the Tin Woodman, answered his Majesty And where the Winged Monkeys captured and bound us, and flew away with little Dorothy," he continued, after they had traveled little way farther

"Do Winged Monkeys ever eat pumpkins ? " asked Jack, with shiver of fear

" know; but little cause to, worry, Winged Monkeys are now the slaves of Glinda the Good, who owns the Golden Cap that commands their services," said the Scarecrow, reflectively

Then the stuffed monarch became lost in thought recalling the days of past adventures Saw-Horse rocked and rolled over the flower-strewn fields and carried its riders swiftly upon their way

* * * * * * * * *

Twilight fell, bye and bye, and then the dark shadows of night So Tip stopped the horse all proceeded to dismount

"I'm tired out," said the boy, yawning wearily; " grass is soft and cool lie down here and sleep until morning "

118

" 't sleep," said Jack

"I never do," said the Scarecrow

" even know what sleep is," said the Saw-Horse

"Still, consideration poor boy, made of flesh and blood and bone, and gets tired," suggested the Scarecrow, usual thoughtful manner "I remember it same way with little Dorothy We always had to sit night while she slept "

"I'm sorry," said Tip, meekly, "but 't help it And I'm dreadfully hungry, too ! "

" new danger ! " remarked Jack, gloomily " fond of eating pumpkins "

"Not unless they're stewed and made into pies," answered the boy, laughing "So have no fears of me, friend Jack "

"What coward that Pumpkinhead is ! " said the Saw-Horse, scornfully

" coward yourself, if you were liable to spoil ! " retorted Jack, angrily

"There ! -- there ! " interrupted the Scarecrow; "don't quarrel We all have our weaknesses, dear friends; so strive considerate of one another And poor boy is hungry and has nothing whatever to eat, all remain

119 quiet and allow him to sleep; is said that in sleep mortal may forget even hunger "

" ! " exclaimed Tip, gratefully "Your Majesty is fully as good wise -- is saying ! "

He then stretched himself grass and, using the stuffed form Scarecrow for pillow, was presently fast asleep

Line-Art Drawing

120 Full page line-art drawing

121 Nickel-Plated Emperor

Tip awoke soon after dawn, but the Scarecrow had already risen and plucked, clumsy fingers, double-handful of ripe berries from some bushes near by These the boy ate greedily, finding them an ample breakfast, and afterward the little party resumed its Journey

After an hour's ride they reached the summit of hill from whence they espied the City Winkies and noted the tall domes Emperor's palace rising clusters of more modest dwellings

The Scarecrow became greatly animated sight, and exclaimed:

"How delighted my old friend the Tin Woodman again ! he rules his people more successfully than ruled mine ! "

Tin Woodman the Emperor Winkies ? " asked the horse

"Yes, indeed They invited him to rule over

122 them soon Wicked Witch was destroyed; and as Nick Chopper best heart in all the world he has proved an excellent and able emperor "

" that 'Emperor' title of person who rules an empire," said Tip, " Country Winkies is only Kingdom "

"Don't mention that Tin Woodman ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, earnestly " hurt his feelings terribly proud man, as he has every reason , and it pleases him termed Emperor rather than King "

"I'm sure it makes no difference ," replied the boy

The Saw-Horse now ambled forward at pace so fast that its riders had hard work to stick upon its back; so little further conversation until they drew up beside the palace steps

An aged Winkie, dressed in uniform of silver cloth, came forward to assist them to alight Said the Scarecrow personage:

"Show us at once to your master, the Emperor "

The man looked from one to another party in an embarrassed way, and finally answered:

" to wait for time The Emperor receiving "

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"How ? " enquired the Scarecrow, anxiously " nothing has happened to him "

"Oh, no; nothing serious," returned the man "But his Majesty's day for being polished; and just now his august presence is thickly smeared with putz-pomade "

"Oh, ! " cried the Scarecrow, greatly reassured "My friend was ever inclined dandy, and I suppose now more proud than ever personal appearance "

" , indeed," said the man, with polite bow "Our mighty Emperor has lately caused himself nickel-plated "

"Good Gracious ! " the Scarecrow exclaimed at hearing this "If his wit bears the same polish, how sparkling it ! But show us in -- I'm sure the Emperor will receive us, even present state"

"The Emperor's state is always magnificent," said the man "But venture him of your arrival, and will receive his commands concerning you "

So the party followed the servant into splendid ante-room, Saw- Horse ambled awkwardly after them, having no knowledge that horse expected to remain outside

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The travelers were at first somewhat awed by their surroundings, and even the Scarecrow seemed impressed as he examined the rich hangings of silver cloth caught up into knots and fastened with tiny silver axes Upon handsome center-table stood large silver oil-can, richly engraved with scenes past adventures Tin Woodman, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion Scarecrow: the lines engraving being traced silver in yellow gold walls hung several portraits, that Scarecrow seeming the most prominent and carefully executed, while the large painting famous Wizard of Oz, in act of presenting the Tin Woodman with heart, covered almost one entire end room

While the visitors gazed things in silent admiration they suddenly heard loud voice next room exclaim:

"Well ! well ! well ! What great surprise ! "

And then the door burst open and Nick Chopper rushed into their midst and caught the Scarecrow in close and loving embrace that creased him into many folds and wrinkles

"My dear old friend ! My noble comrade ! " cried the Tin Woodman, joyfully "how delighted ! ," to meet you once again

125 Full page line-art drawing

CAUGHT THE SCARECROW IN CLOSE AND LOVING EMBRACE

126

And then he released the Scarecrow and held him at arms' length while he surveyed the beloved, painted features

But, alas ! the face Scarecrow and many portions body bore great blotches of putz-pomade; Tin Woodman, eagerness to welcome his friend, had quite forgotten the condition toilet and had rubbed the thick coating of paste own body comrade

"Dear me ! " said the Scarecrow dolefully "What mess I'm in ! "

"Never mind, my friend," returned the Tin Woodman," I'll to my Imperial Laundry, and you'll come out as good as new "

"Won't I be mangled ? " asked the Scarecrow

"No, indeed ! " reply "But tell me, how came your Majesty here ? and your companions ? "

The Scarecrow, with great politeness, introduced Tip and Jack Pumpkinhead, latter personage seemed to interest the Tin Woodman greatly

" very substantial, admit," said the Emperor "but certainly unusual, and therefore worthy member select society "

"I thank your Majesty, said Jack, humbly

127 Line-Art Drawing

" enjoying good health ? " continued the Woodman

"At present, yes;" replied the Pumpkinhead, with sigh; "but in constant terror day when spoil "

"Nonsense ! " said the Emperor -- but in kindly, sympathetic tone " , I beg of you, dampen today's sun showers of tomorrow For head has time to spoil it canned, and way it preserved indefinitely "

Tip, during this conversation, was looking Woodman with undisguised amazement, and noticed celebrated Emperor Winkies was composed entirely of pieces of tin, neatly soldered

128 and riveted together form of man He rattled and clanked little, as he moved, but main most cleverly constructed, appearance was only marred thick coating of polishing-paste that covered him from head to foot

The boy's intent gaze caused the Tin Woodman to remember that not most presentable condition, so he begged his friends to excuse him while he retired private apartment and allowed his servants to polish him accomplished in short time, and emperor returned his nickel-plated body shone so magnificently Scarecrow heartily congratulated him improved appearance

"That nickel-plate was, I confess, happy thought," said Nick; "and it more necessary because I had become somewhat scratched during my adventurous experiences observe this engraved star upon my left breast It indicates where my excellent heart lies, but covers very neatly the patch made Wonderful Wizard when he placed that valued organ in my breast own skillful hands "

"Is your heart, then, hand-organ ? " asked the Pumpkinhead, curiously

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"By no means," responded the emperor, with dignity " , convinced, strictly orthodox heart, although somewhat larger and warmer than most people possess "

Then he turned Scarecrow and asked:

"Are your subjects happy and contented, my dear friend ? "