" been good tailor," said the Scarecrow, somewhat enviously

" good-hearted tailor, at any rate," observed Nick Chopper

"But where were you going, met us ? " Tip asked the Woggle-Bug

"Nowhere ," reply, "although my intention soon to visit the Emerald City and arrange course of lectures to select audiences 'Advantages of Magnification '"

" bound Emerald City now," said the Tin Woodman; "so, pleases you , welcome to travel company "

155

The Woggle-Bug bowed with profound grace

" great pleasure," said he "to accept your kind invitation; for nowhere Land of Oz could to meet with so congenial company "

" true," acknowledged the Pumpkinhead " quite as congenial as flies and honey "

"But -- pardon me if I seem inquisitive -- not all rather -- ahem ! rather unusual ? " asked the Woggle-Bug, looking from one to another with unconcealed interest

"Not more so than yourself," answered the Scarecrow "Everything in life is unusual until you get accustomed "

"What rare philosophy ! " exclaimed the Woggle-Bug, admiringly

"Yes; my brains are working well today," admitted the Scarecrow, an accent of pride voice

"Then, sufficiently rested and refreshed, bend our steps toward the Emerald City," suggested the magnified one

" 't," said Tip "The Saw-Horse has broken leg, so 't bend his steps And no wood around him new limb from And 't leave the horse behind because the Pumpkinhead is so stiff Joints that he ride "

156

"How very unfortunate ! " cried the Woggle-Bug Then he looked the party over carefully and said:

" Pumpkinhead is to ride, use one legs leg horse that carries him ? I judge that both are made of wood "

"Now, what I call real cleverness," said the Scarecrow, approvingly "I wonder my brains think ! Get to work, my dear Nick, and fit the Pumpkinhead's leg Saw-Horse "

Jack was not especially pleased idea; but he submitted to having his left leg amputated Tin Woodman and whittled down to fit the left leg Saw-Horse Nor Saw-Horse especially pleased operation, either; for he growled about being "butchered," as it, and afterward declared new leg was disgrace to respectable Saw-Horse

"I beg you more careful in your speech," said the Pumpkinhead, sharply "Remember, please, my leg abusing "

" forget it," retorted the Saw-Horse, " is quite as flimsy rest of your person "

"Flimsy ! me flimsy ! " cried Jack, in rage "How dare you call me flimsy ? "

"Because built as absurdly as jumping-

157 jack," sneered the horse, rolling his knotty eyes in vicious manner "Even your head won't stay straight, and you never can tell whether looking backwards or forwards ! "

"Friends, I entreat you not to quarrel ! " pleaded the Tin Woodman, anxiously " As matter of fact, none of us above criticism; so bear with each others' faults "

"An excellent suggestion," said the Woggle-Bug, approvingly " an excellent heart, my metallic friend "

" ," returned Nick, well pleased "My heart is quite the best part of me But now start upon our Journey

They perched the one-legged Pumpkinhead Saw-Horse, and tied him seat with cords, possibly fall off

And then, following the lead Scarecrow, they all advanced direction Emerald City

Line-Art Drawing

158 Full page line-art drawing

159 Old Mombi indulges in Witchcraft

They soon discovered Saw-Horse limped, new leg was trifle too long So they were obliged to halt while the Tin Woodman chopped it down axe, after which the wooden steed paced along more comfortably But the Saw-Horse was not entirely satisfied, even yet

" shame that I broke my other leg ! " it growled

" contrary," airily remarked the Woggle-Bug, who was walking alongside, " consider the accident most fortunate For horse is never of much use until he broken "

"I beg your pardon," said Tip, rather provoked, for warm interest in both the Saw-Horse man Jack; "but permit me that your joke is poor one, and as old poor "

160

"Still, Joke," declared the Woggle-Bug; firmly, "and Joke derived from play upon words is considered among educated people eminently proper "

"What does that mean ? " enquired the Pumpkinhead, stupidly

"It means, my dear friend," explained the Woggle-Bug, " language contains many words having double meaning; to pronounce joke that allows both meanings of certain word, proves the joker person of culture and refinement, who has, moreover, thorough command language "

"I don't believe that," said Tip, plainly; "anybody can make pun "

"Not so," rejoined the Woggle-Bug, stiffly "It requires education of high order educated, young sir ? "

"Not especially," admitted Tip

"Then judge the matter I myself am Thoroughly Educated, and that puns display genius For instance, were I to ride Saw- Horse, only be an animal become an equipage For then be horse-and-buggy "

the Scarecrow gave gasp Tin

161 Woodman stopped short and looked reproachfully Woggle-Bug same time the Saw-Horse loudly snorted his derision; and even the Pumpkinhead put up his hand to hide the smile which, because carved upon his face, change to frown

But the Woggle-Bug strutted along he had made some brilliant remark, Scarecrow was obliged :

" heard, my dear friend, that person can become over-educated; and although high respect for brains, no matter how arranged or classified, I begin to suspect that yours are slightly tangled In any event, beg you to restrain your superior education while society "

" very particular," added the Tin Woodman; "and exceedingly kind hearted But if your superior culture gets leaky again -- " complete the sentence, but he twirled his gleaming axe so carelessly Woggle-Bug looked frightened, and shrank away to safe distance

The others marched on in silence, Highly Magnified one, after period of deep thought, said in an humble voice:

" endeavor to restrain myself "

162

" all expect," returned the Scarecrow pleasantly; and good nature being thus happily restored party, they proceeded upon their way

again stopped to allow Tip to rest -- the boy being the that seemed to tire -- the Tin Woodman noticed many small, round holes grassy meadow

"This village Field Mice," Scarecrow " I wonder old friend, the Queen Mice, is neighborhood "

"If , of great service ," answered the Scarecrow, who was impressed by sudden thought "See call her, my dear Nick "

So the Tin Woodman blew shrill note upon silver whistle that hung around his neck, and presently tiny grey mouse popped from near-by hole and advanced fearlessly toward them Tin Woodman had once saved her life, Queen Field Mice knew trusted "

"Good day, your Majesty, said Nick, politely addressing the mouse; "I trust enjoying good health ? "

" , quite well," answered the Queen, demurely, as she sat up and displayed the tiny golden crown upon her head "Can anything to assist my old friends ? "

163

" , indeed," replied the Scarecrow, eagerly "Let me, I intreat you, take dozen of your subjects with me Emerald City "

"Will they be injured in ? " asked the Queen, doubtfully

" not," replied the Scarecrow " carry them hidden straw which stuffs my body, and when them the signal by unbuttoning my jacket, only to rush out and scamper home again as fast By doing this assist me to regain my throne, which the Army of Revolt has taken from me "

" case," said the Queen, " refuse your request Whenever ready, call twelve most intelligent subjects "

" ready now" returned the Scarecrow Then he lay flat ground and unbuttoned his jacket, displaying the mass of straw stuffed

The Queen uttered little piping call, and in an instant dozen pretty field mice had emerged from their holes and stood before their ruler, awaiting her orders

What the Queen said none travelers could understand, for mouse language; but the field mice obeyed without hesitation,