"You were certainly stuck up until we pulled out those quills," observed Ojo, with laugh

So now they went on again and coming presently to pond of muddy water they tied heavy stone bundle of quills and sunk it bottom pond, to avoid carrying it farther

Chapter Thirteen

Scraps Scarecrow

From here country improved desert places began way to fertile spots; still no houses were yet seen near the road There were some hills, with valleys , and on reaching the top of hills the travelers found before them high wall, running right left as far as their eyes could reach Immediately in front , where the wall crossed the roadway, stood gate having stout iron bars that extended from top to bottom They found, on coming nearer, gate was locked with great padlock, rusty through lack of use

"Well," said Scraps, "I guess we'll stop here "

"It's good guess," replied Ojo "Our way is barred great wall and gate It looks no one had passed through in many years "

"Looks are deceiving," declared the Shaggy Man, laughing at their disappointed faces, "and this barrier most deceiving thing in all Oz "

"It prevents our going any farther, anyhow," said Scraps " no one to mind the gate and let people through, and we've no key padlock "

"True," replied Ojo, going little nearer to peep bars gate "What shall , Shaggy Man ? had wings fly over the wall, but climb it and unless we get Emerald City I won't the things to restore Unc Nunkie to life "

"All very true," answered the Shaggy Man, quietly; "but this gate, having passed through it "

"How ? " they all eagerly inquired

"I'll show you how," said he He stood Ojo middle road and placed Scraps just behind him, with her padded hands shoulders Patchwork Girl came the Woozy, who held part of her skirt mouth Then, last of all, Glass Cat, holding fast Woozy's tail with her glass jaws

"Now," said the Shaggy Man, " all shut your eyes tight, and keep them shut until I tell you to open them "

" 't," objected Scraps "My eyes are buttons, won't shut "

So the Shaggy Man tied his red handkerchief over the Patchwork Girl's eyes and examined all the others sure they had their eyes fast shut and nothing

"What's the game, anyhow--blind-man's-buff ? " asked Scraps

"Keep quiet ! " commanded the Shaggy Man, sternly "All ready ? Then follow me "

Ojo's hand and led him forward over the road of yellow bricks, toward the gate Holding fast to one another they all followed in row, expecting to bump against the iron bars The Shaggy Man also had his eyes closed, but marched straight ahead, nevertheless, and after he had taken one hundred steps, by actual count, he stopped and said:

"Now open your eyes "

so, and astonishment found the wall gateway far behind them, while in front the former Blue Country Munchkins had given way to green fields, with pretty farm-houses scattered among them

"That wall," explained the Shaggy Man, "is called an optical illusion quite real while your eyes open, but if looking at it the barrier doesn't exist at all It's the same way with evils in life; they seem to exist, and yet it's all seeming and not true notice wall--or what we thought was wall--separates the Munchkin Country green country that surrounds the Emerald City, which lies exactly center of Oz two roads of yellow bricks Munchkin Country, but the one we followed best two Dorothy once traveled the other way, and met with more dangers than But all our troubles are over , as another day's journey will bring us great Emerald City "

They were delighted this, and proceeded with new courage In couple of hours they stopped at farmhouse, where the people were very hospitable and invited them to dinner The farm folk regarded Scraps with much curiosity but no great astonishment, for they were accustomed to seeing extraordinary people Land of Oz

The woman house got her needle and thread and sewed up the holes made porcupine quills Patchwork Girl's body, after which Scraps was assured she looked as beautiful as ever

"You hat to wear," remarked the woman, "for keep the sun from fading the colors of your face some patches and scraps put away, and wait days I'll make you lovely hat match the rest of you "

"Never mind the hat," said Scraps, shaking her yarn braids; "it's kind offer, but 't stop 't see that my colors have faded particle, ; ? "

"Not much," replied the woman " still very gorgeous, of your long journey "

The children house wanted the Glass Cat to play with, so Bungle was offered good home if remain; but the cat was interested in Ojo's adventures and refused to stop

"Children are rough playmates," she remarked Shaggy Man, "and although this home is more pleasant than that Crooked Magician soon be smashed to pieces boys and girls "

After they had rested themselves they renewed their journey, finding the road now smooth and pleasant to walk upon country growing more beautiful the nearer they drew Emerald City

By and by Ojo began to walk green grass, looking carefully around him

" you trying ? " asked Scraps

"A six-leaved clover," said he

"Don't ! " exclaimed the Shaggy Man, earnestly "It's against the Law to pick six- leaved clover wait until you get Ozma's consent "

"She wouldn't know it," declared the boy

"Ozma knows many things," said the Shaggy Man "In her room is Magic Picture that shows any scene Land of Oz where strangers or travelers happen watching the picture of us even now, and noticing everything that "

"Does she always watch the Magic Picture ? " asked Ojo

"Not always, for she has things ; but, as , watching us this very minute "

"I don't care," said Ojo, in an obstinate tone of voice; "Ozma's only girl "

The Shaggy Man looked at him in surprise

"You ought to care for Ozma," said he, " expect to save your uncle For, displease our powerful Ruler, your journey will surely prove failure; whereas, make friend of Ozma, she will gladly assist you As for her being girl, another reason why obey her laws, courteous and polite Everyone in Oz loves Ozma and hates her enemies, for as just as powerful "

Ojo sulked while, but finally returned road and kept away green clover The boy was moody and bad tempered for an hour or two afterward, because really see no harm in picking six-leaved clover, if one, and of what the Shaggy Man had said he considered Ozma's law unjust

They presently came to beautiful grove of tall and stately trees, through which the road wound in sharp curves--first and then another were walking grove they heard some one distance singing, sounds grew nearer and nearer until distinguish the words, although the bend road still hid the singer The song was something like this:

"Here's hale old bale of straw That's cut waving grain, The sweetest sight man ever saw In forest, dell or plain It fills me with crunkling joy straw-stack to behold, For then I pad this lucky boy With strands of yellow gold "

"Ah ! " exclaimed the Shaggy Man; "here comes my friend the Scarecrow "

"What, live Scarecrow ? " asked Ojo

"Yes; the one you of He's splendid fellow, and very intelligent You'll like him, I'm sure "

Just then the famous Scarecrow of Oz came around the bend road, riding astride wooden Sawhorse so small that its rider's legs nearly touched the ground

The Scarecrow wore the blue dress Munchkins, country he , and head was set peaked hat with flat brim trimmed with tinkling bells rope was tied around his waist to hold him in shape, for stuffed with straw in every part of him except the top head, where at the Wizard of Oz had placed sawdust, mixed with needles and pins, to sharpen his wits The head itself was merely bag of cloth, fastened body neck, and front bag was painted the face--ears, eyes, nose and mouth

The Scarecrow's face was very interesting, bore comical and yet winning expression, although one eye was bit larger other and ears mates The Munchkin farmer who had made the Scarecrow had neglected to sew him together with close stitches and therefore straw stuffed was inclined to stick out seams His hands consisted of padded white gloves, fingers long and rather limp, and feet he wore Munchkin boots of blue leather with broad turns tops

The Sawhorse was almost as curious as its rider It rudely made, beginning, to saw logs upon, its body was short length of log, and its legs were stout branches fitted into four holes made body The tail was formed by small branch that left log, while the head was gnarled bump on one end body Two knots of wood formed the eyes, mouth was gash chopped log Sawhorse first came to life it had no ears at all, and so hear; but the boy who then owned him had whittled two ears out of bark and stuck them head, after which the Sawhorse heard very distinctly