"I really believe," said the King, rolling his spotlike eyes in frightened way, "that Panta was right in claiming these prisoners are dangerous pump ready ? "

Loons had wheeled big machine in front throne and now took Panta's skin and began to pump air Slowly it swelled out until the King cried "Stop ! "

"No, no ! " yelled Panta, "I'm not big enough yet " "You're as big 're going ," declared the King " exploded you were bigger rest of us, caused you proud and overbearing Now you're little smaller rest, and last longer and be more humble "

"Pump me up -- pump me up ! " wailed Panta " don't you'll break my heart "

" we'll break your skin," replied the King

So the Loons stopped pumping air into Panta, and pushed him away pump certainly more humble than before his accident, for he crept background and said nothing more

"Now pump up the other one," ordered the King Til had already mended him, Loons set to work to pump him full of air

During these last none had paid much attention prisoners, so Woot, finding his legs free, crept over Tin Woodman and rubbed the bonds that were still around his arms and body against the sharp edge axe, which quickly cut them

The boy was now free, thorn which the Loon had stuck into his leg was lying unnoticed ground, where the creature had dropped it when he exploded Woot leaned forward and picked up the thorn, and while the Loons were busy watching the pump, the boy sprang feet and suddenly rushed group

"Pop" -- "pop" -- "pop ! " went three Loons, Wanderer pricked them thorn, and sounds the others looked around and saw their danger With yells of fear they bounded away in all directions, scattering clearing, with Woot the Wanderer in full chase While run much faster boy, they often stumbled and fell, or got in one another's way, so he managed to catch several and prick them thorn

It astonished him how easily the Loons exploded air was let they were quite helpless Til Loon was one who ran against his thorn and many others suffered the same fate The creatures escape enclosure, but in their fright many bounded upward and caught branches trees, and then climbed out of reach dreaded thorn

Woot was getting pretty tired chasing them, so he stopped and came over, panting, to where his friends were sitting, still bound

" done, my Wanderer," said the Tin Woodman " evident that fear these puffed-up creatures no longer, so be kind enough to unfasten our bonds and proceed upon our journey "

Woot untied the bonds Scarecrow and helped him feet Then he freed the Tin Woodman, who got up without help Looking around them, they saw only Loon now remaining within reach was Bal Loon, the King, who had remained seated throne, watching the punishment people with bewildered look purple eyes

"Shall I puncture the King ? " the boy asked his companions

King Bal overheard the question, for he fumbled cord that fastened him throne and managed to release it Then he floated upward until he reached the leafy dome, and parting the branches he disappeared from sight But the string that was tied body was still connected arm throne, knew pull his Majesty down again, wanted to

"Let him alone," suggested the Scarecrow "He seems good enough king peculiar people, and after gone, the Loons something of job to pump up all those whom Woot has punctured "

" exploded," declared Woot, who was angry because his leg still hurt him

"No," said the Tin Woodman, "that just fair They were quite right to capture us, because we had no business to intrude here, having been warned away from Loonville their country, not ours, and poor things can't get clearing, harm no one save those who venture here out of curiosity, as "

"Well said, my friend," agreed tile Scarecrow "We really had no right to disturb their peace and comfort; so go away "

They easily found the place where they had forced their way enclosure, so the Tin Woodman pushed aside the underbrush and started first along the path The Scarecrow followed next and last came Woot, who looked back and saw Loons were still clinging perches trees and watching their former captives with frightened eyes

"I guess they're the last of us," remarked the boy, and laughing happy ending adventure, he followed his comrades along the path

Chapter Five

Mrs Yoop, the Giantess

had reached the end path, where they had first seen the warning sign, they set off across the country in an easterly direction Before long they reached Rolling Lands, which were succession of hills and valleys where constant climbs and descents were required, and their journey now became tedious, because on climbing each hill, they found before them nothing valley below it except grass, or weeds or stones

Up and down they went for hours, with nothing to relieve the monotony landscape, until finally, had topped higher hill than usual, they discovered cup-shaped valley before them center stood an enormous castle, built of purple stone The castle was high and broad and long, but had no turrets and towers as see, but one small window and one big door on each side great building

" strange ! " mused the Scarecrow "I'd no idea such big castle existed Gillikin Country I wonder who lives here ? "

"It seems , distance," remarked the Tin Woodman, " 's the biggest castle I ever saw really too big for any use, and no one could open or shut those big doors without stepladder "

"Perhaps, go nearer, find out whether anybody lives there or not," suggested Woot "Looks nobody lived there "

On they went, and reached the center valley, where the great stone castle stood, beginning to grow dark So they hesitated what

"If friendly people happen to live here," said Woot of bed; but should enemies occupy the place, I prefer to sleep ground "

"And if no one at all lives here," added the Scarecrow, " enter, and take possession, and make ourselves at home "

While speaking he went nearer to great doors, three times as high and broad as any he had ever seen in house before, and then he discovered, engraved in big letters upon stone over the doorway, the words:

"YOOP CASTLE"

"Oho ! " he exclaimed; " the place now probably the home of Mr Yoop, terrible giant whom confined in cage, long way from here Therefore this castle is likely empty and use it in we please "

"Yes, yes," said the Tin Emperor, nodding; "I also remember Mr Yoop But how are we into his deserted castle ? The latch door is above our heads that none of us can reach it "

They considered this problem for while, and then Woot said Tin Man:

"If I stand upon your shoulders, unlatch the door "

"Climb up, then," reply, and boy was perched tin shoulders of Nick Chopper, just able to reach the latch and raise it

At once the door swung open, its great hinges making groaning sound in protest, so Woot leaped down and followed his companions into big, bare hallway Scarcely were the three inside, however, heard the door slam shut behind them, and this astonished them because no one had touched it It had closed own accord, by magic Moreover, the latch was outside, thought occurred to each were now prisoners unknown castle

"However," mumbled the Scarecrow, " to blame for what helped; so push bravely ahead what seen "

quite dark hallway, now outside door was shut, so stumbled along stone passage they kept close together, not knowing what danger was likely to befall them

Suddenly soft glow enveloped them It grew brighter, until see their surroundings distinctly They had reached the end passage and before them was another huge door This noiselessly swung open before them, without the help of anyone, and doorway they observed big chamber, the walls were lined with plates of pure gold, highly polished

This room was also lighted, although discover no lamps, and center of great table at which sat an immense woman She was clad in silver robes embroidered with gay floral designs, and wore over this splendid raiment short apron of elaborate lace-work Such an apron was no protection, and was not in keeping handsome gown, but the huge woman wore it, nevertheless The table at which she sat was spread with white cloth and had golden dishes upon it, so the travelers saw had surprised the Giantess while she was eating her supper

She had her back toward them and even turn around, but taking biscuit from dish she began to butter it and said in voice that was big and deep but not especially unpleasant:

"Why don't you come in and allow the door to shut ? You're causing draught, and catch cold and sneeze When I sneeze, I get cross, and when I get cross I'm liable something wicked Come in, you foolish strangers; come in ! "

Being thus urged, they entered the room and approached the table, until they stood where they faced the great Giantess She continued eating, but smiled in curious way as she looked at them Woot noticed door had closed silently after they had entered, didn't please him at all

"Well," said the Giantess, "what excuse to offer ? "

"We didn't know anyone lived here, Madam," explained the Scarecrow; "so, being travelers and strangers parts, and wishing place boy friend to sleep, we ventured to enter your castle "

" private property, I suppose ? " said she, buttering another biscuit

"We saw the words, 'Yoop Castle,' over the door, but that Mr Yoop is prisoner in cage in far- off part land of Oz, so we decided no one now at home use the castle night "