" ," replied the Scarecrow, brightening suggestion "The Tin Woodman will do anything we ask him, for he's one dearest friends I believe take crosscut into his country and so get castle day sooner than travel back the way we came "

" so, too," said the girl; " means keep left "

They were obliged down the mountain found any path that led direction they wanted , but tumbled rocks foot mountain was faint trail which they decided hours walk trail brought them to clear, level country, where there were few farms and some scattered houses But they knew they were still Country Quadlings, because everything had bright red color Not trees and grasses were red, but the fences and houses were painted that color and all the wild-flowers that bloomed wayside had red blossoms This part Quadling Country seemed peaceful and prosperous, if rather lonely, road was more distinct and easier

But just were congratulating themselves progress they had made they came upon broad river which swept along between high banks, and here the road ended and no bridge of any sort to allow them to cross

" queer," mused Dorothy, looking water reflectively "Why should there be any road, river stops everyone walking along it ? "

"Wow ! " said Toto, gazing earnestly into her face

"That's the best answer you'll get," declared the Scarecrow, comical smile, "for no one knows any more than Toto road "

Said Scraps:

"Ev'ry time river, chills that make me shiver, For I never can forget All the water's very wet patches get soak sorry joke; So to swim I'll never try Till the water dry "

"Try to control yourself, Scraps," said Ojo; "you're getting crazy again No one intends to swim that river "

"No," decided Dorothy, "we couldn't swim it if It's too big river, water moves awful fast "

"There ferryman with boat," said the Scarecrow; "but I don't see any "

"Couldn't raft ? " suggested Ojo

"There's nothing one of," answered Dorothy

"Wow ! " said Toto again, and Dorothy saw looking along the bank river

"Why, he sees house over there ! " cried the little girl "I wonder we didn't notice it ourselves Let's go and people how 'cross the river "

quarter of mile along the bank stood small, round house, painted bright red, and as on their side river they hurried toward it chubby little man, dressed all in red, came out to greet them, and were two children, also in red costumes The man's eyes were big and staring as he examined the Scarecrow Patchwork Girl, children shyly hid behind him and peeked timidly at Toto

" live here, my good man ? " asked the Scarecrow

" , Most Mighty Magician," replied the Quadling, bowing low; "but whether I'm awake or dreaming 't be positive, so I'm not sure where I live 'll kindly pinch me I'll find out all ! "

"You're awake," said Dorothy, "and no magician, but just the Scarecrow "

"But he's alive," protested the man, "and he oughtn't , other dreadful person--the girl all patches-- alive, too "

" so," declared Scraps, making face at him "But that isn't your affair, "

"I've right surprised, haven't I ? " asked the man meekly

"I'm not sure; but anyhow you've no right I'm dreadful The Scarecrow, gentleman of great wisdom, thinks I'm beautiful," retorted Scraps

"Never mind all that," said Dorothy "Tell us, good Quadling, how get across the river "

"I don't know," replied the Quadling

"Don't you ever cross it ? " asked the girl

"Never "

"Don't travelers cross it ? "

"Not to my knowledge," said he

They were much surprised to hear this, man added: "It's pretty big river, current is strong man who lives opposite bank, for I've seen him there years; but we've never spoken because neither of us has ever crossed over "

"That's queer," said the Scarecrow "Don't you own boat ? "

The man shook his head

"Nor raft ? "

"Where does this river go to ? " asked Dorothy

"That way," answered the man, pointing with one hand, "it goes Country Winkies, ruled Tin Emperor, be mighty magician because he's all made of tin, and yet he's alive way," pointing other hand, "the river runs between two mountains where dangerous people dwell "

The Scarecrow looked water before them

"The current flows toward the Winkie Country," said he; "and so, had boat, or raft, the river would float us there more quickly and more easily than walk "

" true," agreed Dorothy; and then they all looked thoughtful and wondered what

"Why can't the man make us raft ? " asked Ojo

" ? " inquired Dorothy, turning Quadling

The chubby man shook his head

"I'm too lazy," "My wife says I'm the laziest man in all Oz, and truthful woman I hate work of any kind, and making raft is hard work "

"I'll my em'rald ring," promised the girl

"No; I don't care for emeralds were ruby, the color I like best, work little while "

"I've got some Square Meal Tablets," said the Scarecrow " same as dish of soup, fried fish, mutton pot-pie, lobster salad, charlotte russe and lemon jelly--all made into one little tablet that swallow without trouble "

"Without trouble ! " exclaimed the Quadling, much interested; "then those tablets fine for lazy man It's such hard work to chew eat "

"I'll six tablets 'll make raft," promised the Scarecrow "They're combination of food which people who eat are very fond of I never eat, , being straw; but some friends eat regularly What say to my offer, Quadling ? "

"I'll ," decided the man "I'll help, and do most work But my wife has gone fishing for red eels to-day, so some of to mind the children "

Scraps promised to , children so shy Patchwork Girl sat down to play They grew to like Toto, too, little dog allowed them to pat him head, which gave the little ones much joy

There were number of fallen trees near the house Quadling got his axe and chopped them into logs of equal length his wife's clothesline to bind these logs together, form raft, and Ojo found some strips of wood and nailed them along the tops logs, to render them more firm The Scarecrow and Dorothy helped roll the logs together and carry the strips of wood, but it took to raft that evening came just as finished, and with evening the Quadling's wife returned from her fishing

The woman proved cross and bad-tempered, perhaps because she had only caught one red eel during all the day When she found that her husband had used her clothesline, logs she had wanted for firewood, boards she had intended to mend the shed with, and lot of gold nails, she became very angry Scraps wanted to shake the woman, her behave, but Dorothy talked to her in gentle tone and told the Quadling's wife she was Princess of Oz and friend of Ozma when she got back Emerald City lot of things to repay them raft, including new clothesline This promise pleased the woman and she soon became more pleasant, saying stay the night at her house and begin their voyage river next morning

This , spending pleasant evening Quadling family and being entertained hospitality poor people were able to offer them The man groaned and said he had overworked himself by chopping the logs, but the Scarecrow gave him two more tablets than he had promised, which seemed to comfort the lazy fellow

Chapter Twenty-Six

The Trick River

Next morning they pushed the raft water and all got aboard The Quadling man had to hold the log craft fast while they took their places, flow river was so powerful nearly tore the raft hands they were all seated logs he let go and away it floated adventurers had begun their voyage toward the Winkie Country

The little house Quadlings was out of sight almost had cried their good- byes, Scarecrow said in pleased voice: "It won't take us long Winkie Country, rate "

They had floated several miles down the stream and were enjoying the ride when suddenly the raft slowed up, stopped short, and then began to float back the way it had come