"No; it wouldn't even make sponge cake," said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully "The Tin Woodman might carry it axe and hatch it; but after all keep it myself for souvenir " So he left it pocket

They had now reached that part valley that lay two high mountains which Dorothy had seen from her tower window far end third great mountain, which blocked the valley and northern edge Land of Ev underneath this mountain Nome King's palace was said ; but it reached that place

The path was becoming rocky and difficult wheels chariot over, and presently deep gulf appeared at their feet too wide to leap So Ozma took small square of green cloth from her pocket and threw it ground At once it became the magic carpet, and unrolled itself far enough for all the cavalcade to walk upon The chariot now advanced, green carpet unrolled before it, crossing the gulf on level with its banks, all passed over in safety

"That's easy enough," said the Scarecrow "I wonder happen next "

not long in making the discovery, sides mountain came closer together until finally but narrow path , along which Ozma and her party were forced in single file

They now heard low and deep "thump ! --thump ! --thump ! " which echoed valley and seemed to grow louder advanced Then, turning corner of rock, they saw before them huge form, which towered above the path for more than hundred feet The form of gigantic man built out of plates of cast iron, and it stood with one foot on either side narrow road and swung over its right shoulder an immense iron mallet, it constantly pounded the earth These resounding blows explained the thumping sounds they had heard, mallet was much bigger than barrel, and where it struck the path rocky sides mountain it filled all the space through which our travelers obliged

they at once halted, safe distance away terrible iron mallet The magic carpet would do them no good in , for only meant to protect them from any dangers ground beneath their feet, and not from dangers that appeared air above them

"Wow ! " said the Cowardly Lion, with shudder "It makes me dreadfully nervous that big hammer pounding so near my head One blow would crush me into door-mat "

"The ir-on gi-ant is fine fel-low," said Tiktok, "and works as stead-i-ly as clock He Nome King by Smith & Tin-ker, me, du-ty is folks from find-ing the un-der-ground pal-ace Is he not great work of art ? "

"Can he think, and speak, ? " asked Ozma, regarding the giant with wondering eyes

"No," replied the machine; " on-ly made to pound the road, and has no think-ing or speak-ing at-tach-ment But he pounds ve-ry well, "

"Too well," observed the Scarecrow " keeping us from going farther no way to stop his machinery ? "

"On-ly the Nome King, who key, can ," answered Tiktok

"Then," said Dorothy, anxiously, "what shall ? "

"Excuse me ," said the Scarecrow, " think it over "

He retired, then, to position rear, where he turned his painted face rocks and began

Meantime the giant continued to raise his iron mallet high air and to strike the path terrific blows that echoed mountains like the roar of cannon the mallet lifted, however, moment path beneath the monster was free, and perhaps the Scarecrow had noticed this, for when back others :

"The matter is very simple one, after all but to run under the hammer, one , when lifted, and pass other side before it falls again "

" require quick work, escape the blow," said the Tin Woodman, with shake head "But it really seems first attempt ? "

They looked at one another hesitatingly for moment Then the Cowardly Lion, who was trembling like leaf wind, said :

"I suppose the head procession must go first-- 's me But I'm terribly afraid big hammer ! "

" become of me ? " asked Ozma " rush under the hammer yourself, but the chariot would surely be crushed "

" leave the chariot," said the Scarecrow "But you two girls can ride backs Lion Tiger "

So decided upon, and Ozma, Lion was unfastened chariot, at once mounted the beast's back and said she was ready

"Cling fast mane," advised Dorothy "I used to ride him myself, 's the way I held on "

So Ozma clung fast mane, lion crouched path and eyed the swinging mallet carefully until just the instant it would begin to rise air

Then, before anyone thought ready, sudden leap straight iron giant's legs, and mallet struck the ground again the Lion and Ozma were safe other side

The Tiger went next Dorothy sat upon his back and locked her arms around his striped neck, for he had no mane to cling to the leap straight and true as an arrow from bow, and ere Dorothy realized it she was out of danger and standing by Ozma's side

Now came the Scarecrow Sawhorse, and while they made the dash in safety they were within hair's breadth of being caught descending hammer

Tiktok walked very edge spot the hammer struck, and as raised next blow he calmly stepped forward and escaped its descent That was an idea Tin Woodman , and he also crossed in safety while the great hammer was air But when it came twenty-six officers private, their knees were so weak that walk step

"In battle wonderfully courageous," said generals, " foes find us very terrible But war is and another When it comes to being pounded head by an iron hammer, and smashed into pancakes, we naturally object "

"Make run ," urged the Scarecrow

"Our knees shake run," answered captain "If try it all certainly be pounded to jelly "

"Well, well," sighed the Cowardly Lion, " , friend Tiger, that place ourselves in great danger to rescue this bold army Come with me, and best "

So, Ozma and Dorothy having already dismounted from their backs, the Lion Tiger leaped back again under the awful hammer and returned with two generals clinging necks They repeated this daring passage twelve times, when all the officers carried beneath the giant's legs and landed safely further side the beasts were very tired, and panted so hard that their tongues hung out great mouths

"But private ? " asked Ozma

"Oh, leave him there to guard the chariot," said the Lion "I'm tired out, and won't pass under that mallet again "

The officers at once protested that the private , else there no one to command But neither the Lion or the Tiger would go after him, and so the Scarecrow sent the Sawhorse

Either the wooden horse was careless, or it failed to properly time the descent hammer, mighty weapon caught it squarely upon its head, and thumped it against the ground so powerfully private flew off its back high air, and landed upon giant's cast-iron arms Here he clung desperately while the arm rose and fell with each rapid strokes

The Scarecrow dashed in to rescue his Sawhorse, and had his left foot smashed hammer before pull the creature out of danger They then found Sawhorse badly dazed blow; for while the hard wooden knot his head was formed crushed hammer, both his ears were broken off and unable to hear sound until some new ones were made for him Also his left knee was cracked, and had bound up with string

Billina having fluttered under the hammer, it now remained only to rescue the private who was riding iron giant's arm, high air