The harbor lay just below the Imperial Palace, Scarecrow and Happy hurried on crowds of fleeing Silvermen, their household goods packed upon their heads Some cheered faintly for Chang Wang Woe, but none offered , save the faithful Happy

" king old ? " asked the Scarecrow, looking anxiously small boats full of warriors that were putting out fleet

"He son King whom your Majesty conquered fifty ," gulped Happy "Ha-- has your Imperial Highness any -- plan ? "

"Not yet," said the Scarecrow cheerfully, "but I'm thinking very hard "

"Then, goodbye to Silver Island ! " choked Happy Toko, dropping the watering can with crash

"Never mind," said the Scarecrow kindly " shoot me and I catch fire, I'll jump water and fish me out, Tappy Now please don't talk any more think ! "

Poor Happy Toko had nothing else , for he considered his day finished The first invaders were already landing beach, and standing up in small boat, encased in glittering gold armor, King Golden Islands, himself The sun was quite hot, and smell of gunpowder air

Now the Scarecrow had encountered many dangers in Oz and had usually thought his way , but came nearer and nearer shore and no idea presented itself, he began extremely nervous bullet fired king's boat tore through his hat, smoke made him more anxious than ever about his straw stuffing hurriedly pocket, clumsy fingers closed over the little fan he had plucked bean pole

Partly from agitation and partly because know what else , the Scarecrow flipped the fan open minute, mighty roar went up enemy, for first motion fan they jerked fifty feet air, and there they hung suspended over their ships, kicking and squealing for dear life The Scarecrow was as surprised , and as for Happy Toko, he fell straightway nose !

"Magic ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow "Someone is helping us," and he began fanning himself gently little fan, waiting what would happen next At each wave fan, the King Golden Islands men flew higher until at last not seen shore

"The fan The magic is fan ! " gasped Happy Toko, jumping up and embracing the Scarecrow

"Why, what ? " asked the Scarecrow, closing the fan with snap Happy's answer was drowned in huge splash fan was closed, down whirled the king's army sea, and each man struck the water force spray rose high as skyscraper And not till then did the Scarecrow realize the power little fan he saving for Dorothy

"Saved ! " screamed Happy Toko, dancing up and down "Hurrah Emperor ! "

The Emperor, without plan, Has won the victory with fan

The Silver Islanders had paused in their flight queer noises coming harbor, and now all , hearing Tappy Oko's cries, came crowding down shore and were soon cheering themselves hoarse No wonder ! The drenched soldiers king were climbing swiftly back into their boats, and were all aboard, the Scarecrow waved his fan sidewise ( want to blow them up again), ships swept harbor so fast water churned to silver suds behind them, soon were out of sight

"Ah ! " cried the Grand Chew Chew, arriving breathlessly point, " won the day ! "

"So ! " chuckled the Scarecrow, putting his arm around Happy Toko "Call the brave army and decorate the generals ! "

"It shall ," said the Grand Chew Chew, frowning at Happy "There shall be great celebration, feast, and fireworks "

"Fireworks," quavered the Scarecrow, clutching his Imperial Punster , the Silver Islanders were crowding around the Emperor, shouting and squealing for joy, and before prevent it, they had placed him on their shoulders and carried him in triumph palace He managed to signal Happy, and Happy nodded reassuringly and ran off as fast as his fat little legs could patter He arrived palace almost Scarecrow, lugging giant silver watering can, and, sitting calmly steps throne, fanned himself hat The Scarecrow eyed the watering can with satisfaction

"Now let them have their old fireworks," he muttered under his breath, and settled himself comfortably The Grand Chew Chew was hopping about like ditched kite, arranging celebration The courtiers were shaking hands with themselves and forming in long line great table was being set hall

"What fuss making over nothing," said the Scarecrow to Happy Toko "Now in Oz when we win victory, we all play some jolly game and sit down to dinner with Ozma Why, they haven't even set place , Happy ! "

"I'd rather sit here, amiable Master," sighed Happy Toko happily " little fan safely closed ? "

The Scarecrow felt pocket sure, then leaned forward in surprise The Royal Silver Army were marching stiffly hall, courtiers were bobbing and bowing and cheering like mad

The General came straight great silver throne, clicked his silver heels, bowed, and stood at attention

"Well," said the Scarecrow, surveying this splendid person curiously, " it ? "

" come for their decorations," announced the Grand Chew Chew, stepping up with large silver platter full of medals

"But Tappy Oko and I saved the Island," chuckled the Scarecrow, nudging the Imperial Punster

"Had the Imperial Army not retired and left the field , there no victory," faltered the General in timid voice "Therefore, in way responsible victory great general always knows when to retire "

"There's something ," admitted the Scarecrow, scratching his head thoughtfully "Go ahead and decorate 'em, Chew Chew ! "

This the Grand Chew Chew proceeded , making such long speech to each soldier that half Court fell asleep Scarecrow fidgeted uncomfortably

"They remind me Army of Oz," he confided to Happy Toko, "but we never have long speeches in Oz I declare, go to sleep, too, 's something never seen any use in before "

"They've just begun," yawned Happy Toko, nearly rolling down the steps throne, and Happy was not far wrong, for all afternoon one other courtiers arose and droned great victory, and all addressed themselves Scarecrow, forced to listen politely speeches were over, still the grand banquet got through, and Silver Islanders ate much the same fare as their Chinese cousins, imagine the poor Scarecrow's feelings

"Ugh ! " shivered the Scarecrow strange dishes appeared, "I'm glad none friends are here How fortunate that I'm stuffed with straw ! " The broiled mice, the stewed shark fins bird nest soup made him stare He had ordered Happy Toko placed at his side, and to watch him happily at work silver chopsticks and porcelain spoon only satisfaction he got feast

"And what ? " he asked, pointing to steaming bowl that had just been placed before Happy

"Minced cat, your Highness," replied Happy, sprinkling it generously with silver polish

"Cat ? " shrieked the Scarecrow, pouncing feet in horror " me eating poor, innocent, little cat ? "

"Not poor one at all very rich one, say," replied Happy Toko mouth full "Ah, had your Highness only your old body, how enjoy this ! "

"Never ! " shouted the Scarecrow so loudly that all Courtiers looked up in surprise "How dare you eat innocent cats ? " Indignantly he thought of Dorothy's pet kitten back in Oz Oz -- why had he ever left that wonderful country ?

"Your Highness has eaten hundreds," announced the Grand Chew Chew calmly "Hundreds ! "

The Scarecrow dropped back into his chair, too shocked for speech He, the Scarecrow of Oz, had eaten hundreds of cats ! What would Dorothy say ? Ugh ! his first experience with Silver Island fare He had always spent the dinner hours garden He sighed, and looked wistfully bean pole center hall feeling like the Emperor Silver Island and more and more like the plain Scarecrow of Oz

"Your Majesty seems out of spirits," said Happy Toko as he placed himself huge watering can beside the Emperor's bench garden later evening

" I were," said the Scarecrow " an Emperor's spirit wished on you is no joke, my dear Tappy It's blinking bore ! " moment, the fireworks commenced The garden, ablaze with many shaped silver lanterns, looked more like Fairyland than ever But each rocket made the Scarecrow wince Showers of stars and butterflies fell 'round his head, fiery dragons leaped over the trees, and in all the Fourth of July celebrations imagine there were never such marvelous fireworks No wonder Happy Toko, gazing in delight, forgot his promises Royal Master

Soon the Scarecrow's fears were realized, straw stuffing began to smoke

"Put me out ! Put me out ! " cried the Scarecrow, as shower of sparks settled lap The royal band made such din courtiers such clatter that Happy hear

All Silver Islanders were intent display, forgot all about their unhappy and smoking Emperor

"Help ! Water ! Water ! Fire ! " screamed the Scarecrow, jumping off his throne and knocking Happy head over heels Thus brought senses, Happy hurriedly seized the watering can and sprinkled its contents smoking Emperor

"Am I out ? " gasped the Emperor anxiously "A fine way to celebrate victory, lighting me up like Roman candle ! "

"Yes, dear Master," said the repentant Happy, helping the dripping Scarecrow feet, "it only scorched your royal robe And it's all over, anyway go in "

The dripping Emperor was quite ready his Imperial Punster's advice

"Now that put out, by all means go in," said the Scarecrow gloomily, two slipped off without anyone noticing their departure