"When shall we start ? " inquired the Scarecrow, who was always glad to embark upon new adventure "I don't hear any bugle, but when do we go ? "

" get ready," answered the Emperor "I'll call my servants at once and order them preparations journey "

Chapter Three

Roundabout

Woot the Wanderer slept that night tin castle Emperor Winkies and found his tin bed quite comfortable Early the next morning he rose and took walk gardens, where there were tin fountains and beds of curious tin flowers, and where tin birds perched branches of tin trees and sang songs that sounded like the notes of tin whistles All these wonders made clever Winkie tinsmiths, who wound the birds up every morning move about and sing

After breakfast the boy went throne room, where the Emperor was having his tin joints carefully oiled by servant, while other servants were stuffing sweet, fresh straw body Scarecrow

Woot watched this operation with much interest, Scarecrow's body was only suit of clothes filled with straw The coat was buttoned tight the packed straw from falling out and rope was tied around the waist to hold it in shape and prevent the straw from sagging down The Scarecrow's head was gunnysack filled with bran, the eyes, nose and mouth painted His hands were white cotton gloves stuffed with fine straw Woot noticed that even when carefully stuffed and patted into shape, the straw man was awkward movements and decidedly wobbly feet, so the boy wondered Scarecrow to travel all the way forests Munchkin Country of Oz

The preparations made important journey were very simple knapsack was filled with food and given Woot the Wanderer to carry upon his back, food was use alone The Tin Woodman shouldered an axe sharp and brightly polished, Scarecrow put the Emperor's oil-can pocket, that he might oil his friend's joints should they need it

" govern the Winkie Country during your absence ? " asked the boy

"Why, the Country will run itself," answered the Emperor "As matter of fact, my people need an Emperor, for Ozma of Oz watches over the welfare of all her subjects, including the Winkies Like kings and emperors, grand title, but very little real power, which allows me time to amuse myself in my own way The people of Oz have but one law to obey, : 'Behave Yourself,' so easy to abide Law, and you'll notice they behave But time off, and eager to start because I suppose that that poor Munchkin girl is anxiously awaiting my coming "

"She's waited already, seems ," remarked the Scarecrow, left the grounds castle and followed path that led eastward

"True," replied the Tin Woodman; "but I've noticed last end of wait, however long , hardest to endure; so try Nimmie Amee happy "

"Ah; that proves Kind heart," remarked the Scarecrow, approvingly

"It's too bad he hasn't Loving Heart," said Woot "This Tin Man is going to marry nice girl through kindness, and not because he loves her, and somehow that doesn't seem quite right "

"Even so, not sure it isn't best girl," said the Scarecrow, who seemed very intelligent for straw man, "for loving husband always kind, while kind husband is sure any girl content "

"Nimmie Amee will become an Empress ! " announced the Tin Woodman, proudly " tin gown made for her, with tin ruffles and tucks , and she tin slippers, and tin earrings and bracelets, and wear tin crown on her head delight Nimmie Amee, for all girls are fond of finery "

"Are we going Munchkin Country by way Emerald City ? " inquired the Scarecrow, who looked Tin Woodman leader party

" not," reply " engaged upon rather delicate adventure, for seeking girl who fears her former lover has forgotten her rather hard , admit, when I confess to Nimmie Amee that come to marry her because my duty , and therefore the fewer witnesses to our meeting the better for both of us After found Nimmie Amee and she has managed to control her joy at our reunion, take her Emerald City and introduce her to Ozma and Dorothy, and to Betsy Bobbin and Tiny Trot, and all our other friends; but, if I remember rightly, poor Nimmie Amee has sharp tongue when angry, and trifle angry with me, at first, because in coming to her "

" understand that," said Woot gravely "But how can we get part Munchkin Country where you once lived without passing Emerald City ? "

"Why, easy," the Tin Man assured him

" map of Oz in my pocket," persisted the boy, "and it shows Winkie Country, where we now are, is west of Oz, Munchkin Country east, while directly lies the Emerald City "

"True enough; but go toward the north, first of all, Gillikin Country, and so pass around the Emerald City," explained the Tin Woodman

" prove dangerous journey," replied the boy "I used to live in top corners Gillikin Country, near to Oogaboo, and told that northland country are many people whom pleasant to meet very careful to avoid them during my journey south "

"A Wanderer no fear," observed the Scarecrow, who was wobbling along in funny, haphazard manner, but keeping pace friends

"Fear make one coward," returned Woot, growing little red face, "but I believe more easy to avoid danger than to overcome it The safest way best way, even brave and determined "

" worry, for go far north," said the Emperor "My one idea is to avoid the Emerald City without going out way more than is necessary Once around the Emerald City turn south Munchkin Country, where the Scarecrow and I are well acquainted many friends "

" traveled some Gillikin Country," remarked the Scarecrow, "and while say met some strange people there at times, never yet been harmed "

"Well, it's all the same ," said Woot, with assumed carelessness "Dangers, when avoided, are often quite interesting, and willing wherever you two venture "

So they left the path they following and began to travel toward the northeast, and all that day they were pleasant Winkie Country, and all the people they met saluted the Emperor with great respect and wished him good luck journey At night they stopped at house where they were well entertained and where Woot was given comfortable bed to sleep in

"Were the Scarecrow and I alone," said the Tin Woodman, " travel by night as by day; but with meat person party, halt at night to permit him to rest "

"Meat tires, after day's travel," added the Scarecrow, "while straw and tin never tire at all Which proves," said he, "that somewhat superior to people made common way "

Woot deny that tired, and he slept soundly until morning, when given good breakfast, smoking hot

"You two miss great deal by not eating," companions

" true," responded the Scarecrow "We miss suffering from hunger, when food had, and we miss stomachache, "

As this, the Scarecrow glanced Tin Woodman, who nodded his assent

All that second day they traveled steadily, entertaining one another the while with stories of adventures they had formerly met and listening Scarecrow recite poetry He had learned poems from Professor Wogglebug and loved to repeat them whenever anybody would listen to him Woot Tin Woodman now listened, because do otherwise -- unless they rudely ran away from their stuffed comrade Scarecrow's recitations was like this:

"What sound is so sweet straw wheat When it crunkles so tender and low ? yellow and bright, So it gives me delight To crunkle wherever I go

"Sweet, fresh, golden Straw ! surely no flaw In stuffing so clean and compact It creaks when I walk, And it thrills when I talk, And its fragrance is fine, for fact "To cut me don't hurt,

For I've no blood to squirt, And I therefore can suffer no pain; The straw that I use Doesn't lump up or bruise, Though it's pounded again and again !

" said That my beautiful head Has brains of mixed wheat-straw and bran, But my thoughts are so good I'd not change, if , brains of common meat man

"Content with my lot, I'm glad that I'm not Like others I meet day by day; insides get musty, Or mussed-up, or dusty, I get newly stuffed right away "

Chapter Four

The Loons of Loonville