"Why, where going ? " asked Jellia

" my family tree ! " said the Scarecrow darkly, and drawing himself up full height, he fell doorway

CHAPTER 2

THE SCARECROW'S FAMILY TREE

The moon shone brightly, but everyone Emerald City was fast asleep ! deserted streets hurried the Scarecrow first time since his discovery by little Dorothy, really unhappy Living as in Fairyland, he had taken many things for granted and had rather prided himself unusual appearance Indeed, not until Professor Wogglebug's rude remarks concerning his family had he given his past thought

" the only person in Oz without family ! " he reflected sorrowfully "Even the Cowardly Lion has kingly parents and palm tree ! But keep thinking My brains have never failed me yet Who was I ? Who were I ? Who were I ? "

Often he thought so hard that he forgot to look where going and ran headlong into fences, stumbled down gutters, and over stiles But fortunately, the dear fellow hurt himself, and struggle up, pat his straw into shape, and walk straightway into something else in between falls, however, and was soon well way down the yellow brick road that ran Munchkin Country For he had determined to return Munchkin farm where Dorothy had first discovered him and try some traces family

Now being stuffed with straw had many advantages, for requiring neither food nor sleep the Scarecrow could travel night and day without interruption The stars winked out one by one, and the cocks Munchkin farmers began to crow, he had come banks of broad blue river !

The Scarecrow took off his hat and scratched his head thoughtfully Crossing rivers is no easy matter in Oz, for there isn't ferry Kingdom, and unless one is good swimmer or equipped with Wizard's magic mighty troublesome Water agree Scarecrow at all, and as for swimming, no more swim than bag of meal

But too wise person up merely because thing appeared impossible for just such emergencies that his excellent brains given to him

"If Nick Chopper were here, build raft in no time," murmured the Scarecrow, "but as , think of another way ! "

Turning his back river, which distracted his mind, he began with all his might Before collect his thoughts, tremendous crash, and next minute lying face down mud Several little crashes followed, and shower of water Then wet voice called out with cheerful chuckle:

"Come on out, my dear Rattles Not bad place at all, and here's breakfast already waiting ! "

"Breakfast ! " The Scarecrow turned over cautiously huge and curious creature was slashing grass toward him smaller and still more curious one followed Both were extremely damp and had evidently just come river

"Good morning ! " quavered the Scarecrow, sitting up with jerk and same time reaching for stick that lay just behind him

"I won't eat it talks -- so there ! " The smaller creature stopped and stared fixedly Scarecrow

The Scarecrow, hearing this, tried of something else , but the appearance two was so amazing that, as Dorothy afterwards, struck dumb The larger was two hundred feet long and made entirely of blocks of wood On each block was letter alphabet The head was huge square block with serpent's face and long, curling, tape- measure tongue The little one was smaller and seemed to consist of hundreds of rattles, wood, celluloid, and rubber, fastened together with wires Every time it moved, the rattles tinkled Its face, however, was not unpleasant, so the Scarecrow took heart and made deep bow

"And I'm not going to eat anything that squirms " it big serpent who spoke

" ! " said the Scarecrow, bowing more "You relieve my mind I've never been breakfast yet, and I'd rather not begin But if your breakfast, let me be your friend ! " He extended his arms impulsively

something so jolly Scarecrow's smile two creatures became friendly at once, and moreover told him the story lives

" doubtless noted," began the larger creature, " an A-B-Sea Serpent employed nursery Mer children to teach them their letters My friend, here, is Rattlesnake, and his business to amuse the Mer babies while the Mermaids are mer-marketing Once year, we take vacation, and proceeding sea depths up strange river, we came out shore Perhaps you, Sir, us where ? "

" Munchkin Country Land of Oz," explained the Scarecrow politely " charming place for vacation show you about myself if I bound on an important mission " Here the Scarecrow sighed deeply

" family ? " he asked the A-B-Sea Serpent curiously

"Yes, indeed," replied the monster, snapping its tape-measure tongue in and out, " five great-grandmothers, twenty-one grandnieces, seven brothers, and six sisters-in-law ! "

"Ah ! " murmured the Scarecrow, clasping his hands tragically, "How I envy you no one -- no aunts -- no ancestors -- no family -- no family tree but bean pole , alas, man without past ! " The Scarecrow looked so dejected Rattlesnake thought going to cry

"Oh, cheer up ! " it begged in distressed voice "Think of your presence -- here -- I permission to shake me ! " The Scarecrow was so affected kind offer that he cheered up immediately

"No past but presence -- I'll remember that ! " He swelled out his straw chest complacently, and leaning over, stroked the Rattlesnake head

" good at riddles ? " asked the Rattlesnake timidly

"Well," answered the Scarecrow judiciously, " brains, given me famous Wizard of Oz "

"Then why A-B-Sea Serpent like city ? " asked the Rattlesnake promptly

The Scarecrow thought hard for several seconds

"Because made up of blocks ! " he roared triumphantly "That's easy; now it's my turn Why A-B-Sea Serpent such slow talker ? "

"Give it up ! " said the Rattlesnake after shaking himself

"Because his tongue is tape measure, and he measure his words ! " cried the Scarecrow, snapping his clumsy fingers " 's good one, if make it myself remember it to Dorothy ! "

Then he sobered quite suddenly, thought of Dorothy brought back the purpose journey Interrupting the Rattlesnake midst of new riddle, he explained how anxious to return little farm where he discovered and try some traces family

" real riddle," he sighed with wave hand, "is how to cross this river "

"That's easy and no riddle at all," rumbled the A-B-Sea Serpent, who listening attentively Scarecrow's remarks "I'll stretch across, and walk over " Suiting the action word, he began backing very cautiously toward the river so as not to shake the Scarecrow off his feet

"Mind your P's and Q's ! " called the Rattlesnake warn-ingly well that he spoke, A-B-Sea Serpent had doubled the P and Q blocks under, were ready to snap off Finally, however, he managed bridge of himself, Scarecrow stepped easily over the blocks, the huge serpent holding himself rigid Just as he reached Y, the unfortunate creature sneezed, and all the blocks rattled together Up flew the Scarecrow and escaped falling stream only narrowest margin

"Blockhead ! " shrilled the Rattlesnake, who had taken great fancy Scarecrow

"I'm all right," cried the Scarecrow rather breathlessly " ! " He sprang nimbly up the bank "Hope pleasant vacation ! "

"Can't, with rattlepate like that " The A-B-Sea Serpent nodded glumly Rattlesnake's direction

"Now don't quarrel," begged the Scarecrow " both charming and unusual, and follow that Yellow Road, come Emerald City, and Ozma delighted to welcome you "

"The Emerald City ! see that, my dear Rattles " Forgetting his momentary displeasure, the A-B-Sea Serpent pulled himself river, and waving his X Y Z blocks in farewell Scarecrow, went clattering down the road, the little Rattlesnake rattling along behind him

As Scarecrow, he continued his journey, day was so delightful country so pleasant that he almost forgot he had no family treated everywhere greatest courtesy and had innumerable invitations hospitable Munchkins anxious to reach his destination, however, so he refused them all, and traveling night and day came without further mishap or adventure late second evening little Munchkin farm where Dorothy had first discovered him curious whether the pole he hoisted to scare away the crows still stood cornfield and whether the farmer who had made him could tell him anything further about his history