This queer wooden horse was great favorite with Princess Ozma, who had caused the bottoms legs shod with plates of gold, so the wood wear away Its saddle of cloth-of-gold richly encrusted with precious gems It had never worn bridle

Scarecrow came in sight party of travelers, he reined wooden steed and dismounted, greeting the Shaggy Man with smiling nod Then he turned to stare Patchwork Girl in wonder, while she in turn stared at him

"Shags," he whispered, drawing the Shaggy Man aside, "pat me into shape, there's good fellow ! "

While his friend punched and patted the Scarecrow's body, to smooth out the humps, Scraps turned to Ojo and whispered: "Roll me out, please; I've sagged down dreadfully from walking and men like stately figure "

She then fell ground boy rolled her back and forth like rolling-pin, until the cotton had filled all the spaces in her patchwork covering body had lengthened to its fullest extent Scraps Scarecrow both finished their hasty toilets same time, and again they faced

"Allow me, Miss Patchwork," said the Shaggy Man, " my friend, the Right Royal Scarecrow of Oz Scarecrow, Miss Scraps Patches; Scraps, Scarecrow Scarecrow--Scraps; Scraps--Scarecrow "

They both bowed with much dignity

"Forgive me for staring so rudely," said the Scarecrow, "but the most beautiful sight my eyes have ever beheld "

" high compliment from one himself so beautiful," murmured Scraps, casting down her suspender-button eyes by lowering her head "But, tell me, good sir, not trifle lumpy ? "

"Yes, ; that's my straw, It bunches up, sometimes, of all my efforts it even Doesn't your straw ever bunch ? "

"Oh, I'm stuffed with cotton," said Scraps "It never bunches, but it's inclined to pack down and make me sag "

"But cotton is high-grade stuffing say even more stylish, not aristocratic, than straw," said the Scarecrow politely "Still, but proper that one so entrancingly lovely the best stuffing going I-- er--I'm so glad I've met you, Miss Scraps ! Introduce us again, Shaggy "

"Once is enough," replied the Shaggy Man, laughing at his friend's enthusiasm

"Then tell me where you found her, and--Dear me, what queer cat ! of--gelatine ? "

"Pure glass," answered the cat, proud attracted the Scarecrow's attention " much more beautiful Patchwork Girl I'm transparent, and Scraps isn't; I've pink brains-- you 'em work; and I've ruby heart, finely polished, while Scraps hasn't any heart at all "

"No more have I," said the Scarecrow, shaking hands with Scraps, to congratulate her fact "I've friend, the Tin Woodman, who has heart, but I get along pretty well without one And so--Well, well ! here's little Munchkin boy, too Shake hands, my little man How ? "

Ojo placed his hand flabby stuffed glove that served the Scarecrow for hand, Scarecrow pressed it so cordially straw glove crackled

Meantime, the Woozy had approached the Sawhorse and begun to sniff at it The Sawhorse resented this familiarity and with sudden kick pounded the Woozy squarely on its head with one gold-shod foot

"Take that, you monster ! " it cried angrily

The Woozy never even winked

" ," ; "I'll take anything to But don't make me angry, you wooden beast, or my eyes will flash fire and burn you up "

The Sawhorse rolled its knot eyes wickedly and kicked again, but the Woozy trotted away and said Scarecrow:

"What sweet disposition that creature has ! I advise you to chop it up for kindling-wood and use me to ride upon My back is flat and 't fall off "

" the trouble you haven't been properly introduced," said the Scarecrow, regarding the Woozy with much wonder, for he had never seen such queer animal before

"The Sawhorse favorite steed of Princess Ozma, the Ruler Land of Oz, and he lives in stable decorated with pearls and emeralds, rear royal palace swift wind, untiring, kind friends All the people of Oz respect the Sawhorse highly, and when I visit Ozma she sometimes allows me to ride him--as doing to-day Now what an important personage the Sawhorse is, and if some one--perhaps yourself--will tell me , your rank and station, and your history, pleasure to relate them Sawhorse lead to mutual respect and friendship "

The Woozy was somewhat abashed speech and know how to reply But Ojo said:

"This square beast is called the Woozy, and he isn't of much importance except that he has three hairs growing tip tail "

The Scarecrow looked and saw was true

"But," said he, in puzzled way, "what makes those three hairs important ? The Shaggy Man has thousands of hairs, but no one has ever accused him of being important "

So Ojo related the sad story of Unc Nunkie's transformation into marble statue, and told how he had set out the things the Crooked Magician wanted, charm restore his uncle to life requirements was three hairs from Woozy's tail, but not being able to pull out the hairs they obliged to Woozy

The Scarecrow looked grave as he listened and he shook his head , in disapproval

" see Ozma about ," "That Crooked Magician is breaking the Law by practicing magic without license, and I'm not sure Ozma will allow him to restore your uncle to life "

"Already warned the boy ," declared the Shaggy Man

Ojo began to cry " my Unc Nunkie ! " he exclaimed " how restored to life, and I'm going --Ozma or no Ozma ! What right girl Ruler my Unc Nunkie statue forever ? "

"Don't worry just now," advised the Scarecrow "Go on Emerald City, and reach it have the Shaggy Man take you Dorothy Tell her your story and I'm sure she will Dorothy is Ozma's best friend, and win her to your side your uncle is pretty safe to live again " Then he turned Woozy and said: "I'm afraid important enough introduced Sawhorse, after all "

"I'm better beast than ," retorted the Woozy, indignantly "My eyes can flash fire, can't "

" true ? " inquired the Scarecrow, turning Munchkin boy

"Yes," said Ojo, and told how the Woozy had set fire fence

" accomplishments ? " asked the Scarecrow

" most terrible growl-- , sometimes," said the Woozy, as Scraps laughed merrily Shaggy Man smiled But the Patchwork Girl's laugh made the Scarecrow forget all Woozy to her:

"What an admirable young lady , and what jolly good company ! better acquainted, for never before have I met girl exquisite coloring or such natural, artless manners "

"No wonder they call you the Wise Scarecrow," replied Scraps

" arrive Emerald City you again," continued the Scarecrow "Just now going upon an old friend--an ordinary young lady named Jinjur--who has promised to repaint my left ear noticed paint on my left ear has peeled off and faded, which affects my hearing side Jinjur always fixes me up when I get weather- worn "

"When expect to return Emerald City ? " asked the Shaggy Man

"I'll be there this evening, for I'm anxious long talk with Miss Scraps How , Sawhorse; equal to swift run ? "

"Anything that suits you suits me," returned the wooden horse

So the Scarecrow mounted jeweled saddle and waved his hat, Sawhorse darted away so swiftly were out of sight in an instant

Chapter Fourteen

Ojo Breaks the Law

"What queer man," remarked the Munchkin boy, party had resumed its journey

"And so nice and polite," added Scraps, bobbing her head " he handsomest man I've seen since to life "

"Handsome is as handsome does," quoted the Shaggy Man; "but admit that no living scarecrow is handsomer The chief merit friend great thinker, and in Oz considered good policy his advice "

"I didn't notice any brains head," observed the Glass Cat

" 't see 'em work, but they're there, all right," declared the Shaggy Man "I hadn't much confidence brains myself, when first to Oz, for humbug Wizard gave them to him; but soon convinced Scarecrow is really wise; and, unless his brains make him so, such wisdom is unaccountable "

" Wizard of Oz humbug ? " asked Ojo

"Not now once, but he has reformed and now assists Glinda the Good, the Royal Sorceress of Oz licensed to practice magic or sorcery Glinda has taught our old Wizard clever things, so no longer humbug "

They walked little while in silence and then Ojo said:

"If Ozma forbids the Crooked Magician to restore Unc Nunkie to life, what shall ? "

The Shaggy Man shook his head