Tip managed to grasp chimney, else he blown off the roof terrible breeze raised wings The Scarecrow, being light in weight, was caught up bodily and borne air until Tip luckily seized him by one leg and held him fast The Woggle-Bug lay flat roof and so escaped harm,

Line-Art Drawing

199 Tin Woodman, whose weight of tin anchored him firmly, threw both arms around Jack Pumpkinhead and managed to save him The Saw-Horse toppled over upon his back and lay legs waving helplessly above him

And now, while all were struggling to recover themselves, the Thing rose slowly roof and mounted air

"Here ! Come back ! " cried Tip, in frightened voice, as he clung chimney with one hand Scarecrow other "Come back at once, I command you ! "

now wisdom Scarecrow, in bringing the head Thing to life instead legs, was proved beyond doubt Gump, already high air, turned its head at Tip's command and gradually circled around until it could view the roof palace

"Come back ! " shouted the boy, again

Gump obeyed, slowly and gracefully waving its four wings air until the Thing had settled once more roof and become still

200 Full page line-art drawing

201 Jackdaw's Nest

"This," said the Gump, in squeaky voice not at all proportioned size great body, " most novel experience I ever heard of The last thing I remember distinctly is walking forest and hearing loud noise Something probably killed me then, and it certainly been the end of me Yet here , alive again, with four monstrous wings and body which I venture would make any respectable animal or fowl weep with shame to own What does it all mean ? Am I Gump, or am I juggernaut ? " The creature, as it spoke, wiggled its chin whiskers in very comical manner

"You're just Thing," answered Tip, "with Gump's head And you and brought you to life carry us air wherever "

202

" ! " said the Thing "As not Gump, Gump's pride or independent spirit So become your servant as anything else My only satisfaction seem very strong constitution, and am not likely to live long in state of slavery "

"Don't say that, I beg of you ! " cried the Tin Woodman, whose excellent heart was strongly affected sad speech " not feeling well today ? "

"Oh, as ," returned the Gump, " my first day of existence; so Judge whether feeling well or ill " And it waved its broom tail to and fro in pensive manner

"Come, come ! " said the Scarecrow, kindly "do try, more cheerful and take life find it kind masters, and will strive to render your existence as pleasant as possible willing to carry us air wherever ? "

"Certainly," answered the Gump "I greatly prefer to navigate the air For should I travel earth and meet with one own species, my embarrassment something awful ! "

" appreciate that," said the Tin Woodman, sympathetically

"And yet," continued the Thing, "when I carefully

203 look you over, my masters, none of you constructed much more artistically than "

"Appearances are deceitful," said the Woggle-Bug, earnestly " both Highly Magnified and Thoroughly Educated "

"Indeed ! " murmured the Gump, indifferently

"And my brains are considered remarkably rare specimens," added the Scarecrow, proudly

"How strange ! " remarked the Gump

"Although of tin," said the Woodman, "I own heart altogether the warmest and most admirable whole world "

"I'm delighted to hear it," replied the Gump, with slight cough

"My smile," said Jack Pumpkinhead, "is worthy your best attention always the same "

"Semper idem," explained the Woggle-Bug, pompously; Gump turned to stare at him

"And I," declared the Saw-Horse, filling in an awkward pause, "am only remarkable because 't help it "

" proud, indeed, to meet exceptional masters," said the Gump, in careless tone "If but secure so complete an introduction to myself, more than satisfied "

" come ," remarked the Scare-

204 crow "To 'Know Thyself' is considered quite an accomplishment, which it has taken us, your elders, months to perfect But now," he added, turning others, " get aboard and start upon our journey "

"Where shall we go ? " asked Tip, as he clambered to seat sofas and assisted the Pumpkinhead him

" South Country rules very delightful Queen called Glinda the Good, who will gladly receive us," said the Scarecrow, getting Thing clumsily " go to her and ask her advice "

" cleverly thought of," declared Nick Chopper, giving the Woggle-Bug boost and then toppling the Saw-Horse rear end cushioned seats " Glinda the Good, and believe she will prove friend indeed "

"Are we all ready ? " asked the boy

"Yes," announced the Tin Woodman, seating himself beside the Scarecrow

"Then," said Tip, addressing the Gump, "be kind enough to fly Southward; and go higher than to escape the houses and trees, makes me dizzy up "

"All right," answered the Gump, briefly

205

It flopped its four huge wings and rose slowly air; and then, while our little band of adventurers clung backs and sides sofas for support, the Gump turned toward the South and soared swiftly and majestically away

"The scenic effect, altitude, is marvelous," commented the educated Woggle-Bug, rode along

"Never mind the scenery," said the Scarecrow "Hold on tight, or get tumble The Thing seems to rock badly '

" dark soon," said Tip, observing sun was low horizon "Perhaps waited until morning I wonder Gump can fly night "

"I've been wondering that myself," returned the Gump quietly " , new experience I used legs that carried me swiftly over the ground But now my legs feel as were asleep "

" ," said Tip "We didn't bring 'em to life "

"You're expected to fly," explained the Scarecrow "not to walk "

" walk ourselves," said the Woggle-Bug "

I begin to understand required of me," remarked the Gump; "so do my best to

206 please you," and he flew on for time in silence

Presently Jack Pumpkinhead became uneasy

"I wonder if riding air is liable to spoil pumpkins,"

"Not unless you carelessly drop your head over the side," answered the Woggle-Bug " event your head would no longer be pumpkin, would become squash "

"Have I not asked you to restrain these unfeeling jokes ? " demanded Tip, looking Woggle-Bug with severe expression

" ; and I've restrained ," replied the insect "But opportunities for excellent puns language that, to an educated person like myself, the temptation to express them is almost irresistible "

"People with more or less education discovered those puns ," said Tip

" sure ? " asked the Woggle-Bug, with startled look

" ," answered the boy "An educated Woggle-Bug new thing; but Woggle-Bug education is as old hills, judging display you make of it "

The insect seemed much impressed remark, and for time maintained meek silence

207

The Scarecrow, in shifting his seat, saw cushions the pepper-box which Tip had cast aside, and began to examine it

"Throw it overboard," said the boy; "it's quite empty now, and there's no use keeping it "

" really empty ? " asked the Scarecrow, looking curiously box

" ," answered Tip "I shook out every grain powder

"Then the box has two bottoms," announced the Scarecrow, " bottom inside is fully an inch away bottom outside "

"Let me see," said the Tin Woodman, taking the box friend "Yes," he declared, after looking it over, "the thing certainly has false bottom Now, I wonder what for ? "

"Can't you get it apart, and find out ? " enquired Tip, now quite interested mystery

"Why, yes; the lower bottom unscrews," said the Tin Woodman "My fingers are rather stiff; please see open it "

He handed the pepper-box to Tip, who had no difficulty in unscrewing the bottom And cavity below were three silver pills, with carefully folded paper lying underneath them

This paper the boy proceeded to unfold, taking

208 care not to spill the pills, and found several lines clearly written in red ink

"Read it aloud," said the Scarecrow so Tip read, as follows:

"DR NIKIDIK'S CELEBRATED WISHING PILLS

"Directions for Use: Swallow one pill; count seventeen by twos; then make Wish -The Wish will immediately be granted CAUTION: Keep in Dry and Dark Place "

"Why, very valuable discovery ! " cried the Scarecrow