"Bravo ! " cried Nick Chopper

"What splendid brains ! " murmured Jack

"Really quite clever ! " said the Educated Woggle-Bug

"I believe it ," declared Tip; " , Tin Woodman is equal to making the Thing "

"I'll do my best," said Nick, cheerily; "and, as matter of fact, often fail in what I attempt But the Thing built roof palace, so it can rise comfortably air "

Line-Art Drawing

188

" ," said the Scarecrow

"Then search palace," continued the Tin Woodman, "and carry all the material find roof, where begin my work "

"First, however," said the Pumpkinhead, "I beg release me horse, and make me another leg to walk with For in my present condition of no use to myself or to anyone else "

So the Tin Woodman knocked mahogany center-table to pieces axe and fitted legs, beautifully carved, on body of Jack Pumpkinhead, who was very proud acquisition

"It seems strange," said he, as he watched the Tin Woodman work, "that my left leg the most elegant and substantial part of me "

"That proves unusual," returned the Scarecrow "and convinced only people worthy of consideration world are the unusual ones common folks are like the leaves of tree, and live and die unnoticed "

"Spoken like philosopher ! " cried the Woggle-Bug, as he assisted the Tin Woodman to set Jack upon his feet

"How feel now ? " asked Tip, watching

189 the Pumpkinhead stump around his new leg "

As good as new" answered Jack, Joyfully, "and quite ready to assist you all to escape "

"Then get to work," said the Scarecrow, in business-like tone

So, glad doing anything that might lead end captivity, the friends separated to wander over the palace in search of fitting material to use construction aerial machine

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190 Full page line-art drawing

191 The Astonishing Flight Gump

adventurers reassembled roof found that remarkably queer assortment of articles selected various members party No one seemed very clear idea of required, but all had brought something

The Woggle-Bug had taken from its position over the mantle-piece great hallway the head of Gump, adorned with wide-spreading antlers; and this, with great care and greater difficulty, the insect had carried up the stairs roof This Gump resembled an Elk's head, only the nose turned upward in saucy manner and there were whiskers

192 upon its chin, like those of billy-goat Why the Woggle-Bug selected this article have explained, except had aroused his curiosity

Tip, aid Saw-Horse, had brought large, upholstered sofa roof an oldfashioned piece of furniture, with high back and ends, and so heavy that even by resting the greatest weight back Saw-Horse, the boy found himself out of breath when at last the clumsy sofa was dumped roof

The Pumpkinhead had brought broom, the first thing The Scarecrow arrived with coil of clothes-lines and ropes which he had taken courtyard, and trip up the stairs he had become so entangled loose ends ropes that both he burden tumbled in heap roof and rolled off if Tip rescued him

The Tin Woodman appeared last He also courtyard, where he had cut four great, spreading leaves from huge palm-tree that pride of all the inhabitants Emerald City

"My dear Nick ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, seeing what his friend had done; " guilty greatest crime any person can commit Emerald City If I remember rightly, the

193 Full page line-art drawing

ALL BROUGHT SOMETHING ROOF

194 penalty for chopping leaves royal palm-tree killed seven times and afterward imprisoned for life "

"It helped now" answered the Tin Woodman, throwing down the big leaves roof "But it one more reason why necessary to escape And now what found to work with "

Many were the doubtful looks cast heap of miscellaneous material that now cluttered the roof, and finally the Scarecrow shook his head and remarked:

"Well, if friend Nick can manufacture, mess of rubbish, Thing fly air and carry us to safety, then acknowledge him better mechanic than I suspected "

But the Tin Woodman seemed at first by no means sure powers, and only after polishing his forehead vigorously chamois-leather did he resolve to undertake the task

"The first thing required machine," said he, "is body big enough to carry the entire party This sofa biggest thing , and used for body But, should the machine ever tip sideways, all slide off and fall ground "

195

" use two sofas ? " asked Tip "There's another one just like this down stairs "

" very sensible suggestion," exclaimed the Tin Woodman " fetch the other sofa at once "

So Tip Saw-Horse managed, with much labor, the second sofa roof; and two were placed together, edge to edge, the backs and ends formed protecting rampart all around the seats

"Excellent ! " cried the Scarecrow " ride within this snug nest quite at our ease "

The two sofas were now bound firmly together with ropes and clothes-lines, and then Nick Chopper fastened the Gump's head to one end

" show the front end Thing," said he, greatly pleased idea " And, really, examine it critically, the Gump looks as figure-head These great palm-leaves, endangered my life seven times, must serve us as wings "

"Are they strong enough ? " asked the boy

" as strong as anything get," answered the Woodman; "and although in proportion Thing's body, very particular "

196

So he fastened the palm-leaves sofas, two on each side

Said the Woggle-Bug, with considerable admiration:

"The Thing is now complete, and only needs brought to life "

"Stop moment ! " exclaimed Jack " not going to use my broom ? "

"What for ? " asked the Scarecrow

"Why, it fastened back end for tail," answered the Pumpkinhead "Surely call the Thing complete without tail "

"Hm ! " said the Tin Woodman, " the use of tail trying to copy beast, or fish, or bird All we ask Thing is to carry us air

"Perhaps, Thing is brought to life, it can use tail to steer with," suggested the Scarecrow "For flies air unlike bird, and I've noticed that all birds have tails, which they use for rudder while flying "

" ," answered Nick, "the broom shall be used for tail," and he fastened it firmly back end sofa body

Tip took the pepper-box pocket

"The Thing looks very big," said he, anxiously;

197 "and not sure enough powder left to bring all of it to life But I'll make it go as far as possible "

"Put most wings," said Nick Chopper; "for made as strong as possible "

"And don't forget the head ! " exclaimed the Woggle-Bug

"Or the tail ! " added Jack Pumpkinhead

"Do be quiet," said Tip, nervously; " chance to work the magic charm proper manner "

Very carefully he began sprinkling the Thing precious powder Each four wings was first lightly covered with layer then the sofas were sprinkled, broom given slight coating

"The head ! The head ! Don't, I beg of you, forget the head ! " cried the Woggle-Bug, excitedly

"There's only little powder left," announced Tip, looking box " And it seems more important to bring the legs sofas to life head "

"Not so," decided the Scarecrow "Every thing head to direct it; and creature is to fly, and not walk, really unimportant whether its legs are alive or not "

So Tip abided decision and sprinkled the Gump's head remainder powder

198

"Now" said he, "keep silence while I work the, charm ! "

Having heard old Mombi pronounce the magic words, and having also succeeded in bringing the Saw-Horse to life, Tip hesitate an instant in speaking the three cabalistic words, each accompanied peculiar gesture hands

grave and impressive ceremony

As he finished the incantation the Thing shuddered throughout its huge bulk, the Gump gave the screeching cry familiar animals, and then the four wings began flopping furiously