" perhaps the best thing ," replied the Wizard "But Crooked Magician has restored those poor people to life take away his magic powers "

" ," promised Ozma

"Now tell me, please, what magic things must you find ? " continued the Wizard, addressing Ojo

"The three hairs Woozy's tail ," said the boy " , the Woozy, hairs are tail The six-leaved clover I--I--"

" take it and keep it," said Ozma " be breaking the Law, is already picked, crime of picking forgiven "

" ! " cried Ojo gratefully Then he continued: "The next thing find is gill of water from dark well "

The Wizard shook his head "That," said he, " hard task, but travel far enough discover it "

" willing to travel for years, save Unc Nunkie," declared Ojo, earnestly

"Then you'd better begin your journey at once," advised the Wizard

Dorothy listening with interest conversation Now she turned to Ozma and asked: "May I go with Ojo, to help him ? "

"Would you like to ? " returned Ozma

"Yes Oz pretty well, but Ojo doesn't know it at all I'm sorry uncle and poor Margolotte and I'd like to help save them May I go ? "

" to," replied Ozma

"If Dorothy goes, then go care of her," said the Scarecrow, decidedly "A dark well can only be discovered in some out-of-the-way place, and dangers there "

" my permission to accompany Dorothy," said Ozma "And while gone take care Patchwork Girl "

"I'll take care of myself," announced Scraps, "for I'm going Scarecrow and Dorothy I promised Ojo to help him find the things and I'll stick to my promise "

" ," replied Ozma "But no need for Ojo to Glass Cat Woozy "

"I prefer to remain here," said the cat "I've nearly been nicked half dozen times, already, and 're going into dangers it's best away "

"Let Jellia Jamb keep her till Ojo returns," suggested Dorothy "We won't need to Woozy, either, but he saved because three hairs tail "

"Better take me along," said the Woozy "My eyes can flash fire, , and growl--a little "

"I'm sure you'll be safer here," Ozma decided, Woozy made no further objection plan

After consulting together they decided that Ojo party should leave the very to search gill of water from dark well, so they now separated preparations journey

Ozma gave the Munchkin boy room palace night afternoon he passed with Dorothy--getting acquainted, as she said--and receiving advice Shaggy Man where go The Shaggy Man had wandered in many parts of Oz, and so had Dorothy, matter, yet neither knew where dark well was found

"If such thing is anywhere settled parts of Oz," said Dorothy, "we'd prob'ly have heard of it 's wild parts country, no one there would need dark well P'raps there isn't such thing "

"Oh, ! " returned Ojo, positively; "or else the recipe of Dr Pipt wouldn't call "

"That's true," agreed Dorothy; "and, 's anywhere Land of Oz, we're bound it "

"Well, we're bound to search , anyhow," said the Scarecrow "As for finding it, trust to luck "

"Don't ," begged Ojo, earnestly "I'm called Ojo the Unlucky, "

Chapter Nineteen

Trouble Tottenhots

day's journey Emerald City brought the little band of adventurers home of Jack Pumpkinhead, house formed shell of an immense pumpkin Jack had made it himself and was very proud of it door, and several windows, and top was stuck stovepipe that led from small stove inside The door was reached by flight of three steps and good floor on arranged some furniture that was quite comfortable

certain that Jack Pumpkinhead had much finer house to live in had it, for Ozma loved the stupid fellow, who her earliest companion; but Jack preferred his pumpkin house, as it matched himself , and not so stupid, after all

The body remarkable person of wood, branches of trees of various sizes having been used This wooden framework was covered by red shirt--with white spots --blue trousers, yellow vest, jacket of green-and-gold and stout leather shoes The neck was sharpened stick the pumpkin head was set, eyes, ears, nose and mouth were carved skin pumpkin, very like child's jack-o'-lantern

The house interesting creation stood center of vast pumpkin-field, where the vines grew in profusion and bore pumpkins of extraordinary size which were smaller pumpkins now ripening vines were almost as large as Jack's house, and Dorothy he intended to add another pumpkin mansion

The travelers were cordially welcomed quaint domicile and invited the night there, which they had planned The Patchwork Girl was greatly interested in Jack and examined him admiringly

" quite handsome," she said; "but not as really beautiful Scarecrow "

Jack turned, , to examine the Scarecrow critically, old friend slyly winked one painted eye at him

" no accounting for tastes," remarked the Pumpkinhead, with sigh "An old crow once told me very fascinating, but the bird mistaken Yet noticed crows usually avoid the Scarecrow, very honest fellow, way, but stuffed not stuffed, observe; my body is good solid hickory "

"I adore stuffing," said the Patchwork Girl

"Well, as , my head is stuffed with pumpkin-seeds," declared Jack "I use them for brains, and are fresh intellectual Just now, , my seeds are rattling bit, so soon get another head "

"Oh; change your head ? " asked Ojo

" Pumpkins permanent, more's the pity, and they spoil why I grow such great field of pumpkins--that select new head whenever necessary "

"Who carves the faces on them ? " inquired the boy

"I myself I lift off my old head, place it on table before me, and use the face for pattern by Sometimes the faces I carve are better than others--more expressive and cheerful, --but they average "

Before she had started journey Dorothy had packed knapsack things she might need, and this knapsack the Scarecrow carried strapped back The little girl wore plain gingham dress and checked sunbonnet, as she knew they were best fitted for travel Ojo also had brought along his basket, Ozma had added bottle of "Square Meal Tablets" and some fruit But Jack Pumpkinhead grew lot of things garden besides pumpkins, so he cooked fine vegetable soup and gave Dorothy, Ojo and Toto, the only ones who found it necessary to eat, pumpkin pie and some green cheese For beds use the sweet dried grasses which Jack had strewn along one side room, but that satisfied Dorothy and Ojo Toto, , slept beside his little mistress

The Scarecrow, Scraps Pumpkinhead were tireless and had no need to sleep, so they sat up and talked together all night; but they stayed outside the house, under the bright stars, and talked in low tones so as not to disturb the sleepers During the conversation the Scarecrow explained their quest for dark well, and asked Jack's advice where it

The Pumpkinhead considered the matter gravely

" going difficult task," said he, "and if I were you I'd take any ordinary well and enclose it, so as it dark "