"We already know one another," declared the Scarecrow "The bird is Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter, and she and I used good friends "

" really my old friend, the Scarecrow ? " asked; the bird, in sweet, low voice

"There ! " cried Mrs Yoop; "that's the first time she has spoken since she was transformed "

" really your old friend," answered the Scarecrow; "but pardon me for appearing just now brutal form "

" bird, , dear Poly," said the Tin Woodman; "but, alas ! Tin Owl as beautiful as Canary-Bird "

"How dreadful it all is ! " sighed the Canary "Couldn't you manage to escape terrible Yookoohoo ? "

No," answered the Scarecrow, " to escape, but failed She first made us her prisoners and then transformed us But how did she manage you, Polychrome ? "'

" asleep, and she took unfair advantage of me," answered the bird sadly "Had I been awake, easily have protected myself "

"Tell me," said the Green Monkey earnestly, as close cage, "what must , Daughter Rainbow, to escape transformations ? Can't you , being Fairy ? " "At present powerless to help even myself," replied the Canary

"That's the exact truth ! " exclaimed the Giantess, who seemed pleased to hear the bird talk, even though it complained; " all helpless and in my power, so make up your minds to accept your fate and be content Remember that transformed for good, since no magic on earth can break your enchantments now going out morning walk, for after breakfast I walk sixteen times around my castle for exercise Amuse yourselves while gone, and when I return you all reconciled and happy "

So the Giantess walked door our friends had entered the great hall and spoke one word: "Open ! " Then the door swung open and after Mrs Yoop had passed out it closed again with snap as its powerful bolts shot into place The Green Monkey had rushed toward the opening, hoping to escape, but too late and only got bump nose door slammed shut

Chapter Seven

The Lace Apron

"Now," said the Canary, in tone more brisk than before, " talk together more freely, as Mrs Yoop cannot hear us Perhaps figure out way to escape "

"Open ! " said Woot the Monkey, still facing the door; but his command had no effect and he slowly rejoined the others

" open any door or window enchanted castle unless wearing the Magic Apron," said the Canary

"What Magic Apron ? " asked the Tin Owl, in curious voice

"The lace one, which the Giantess always wears her prisoner, cage, for several weeks, and she hangs my cage in her bedroom every night, keep her eye on me," explained Polychrome the Canary "Therefore discovered the Magic Apron that opens the doors and windows, and nothing else can move them when she goes to bed, Mrs Yoop hangs her apron bedpost, and one morning she forgot it on when she commanded the door to open, door move So then she put lace apron door obeyed her That was how I learned the magic power apron "

" -- ! " said the little Brown Bear, wagging his stuffed head "Then, get the apron from Mrs Yoop, open the doors and escape prison "

" true, and plan about to suggest," replied Polychrome the Canary-Bird "However, I don't believe the Owl could steal the apron, or even the Bear, but perhaps the Monkey could hide in her room at night and get the apron while asleep "

"I'll try it ! " cried Woot the Monkey "I'll try it this very night, if manage to steal into her bedroom "

"You mustn't think , though," warned the bird, "for read your thoughts whenever she cares And forget, escape, me Once power Giantess, discover way to save us all "

"We won't forget our fairy friend," promised the boy; "but perhaps tell me how bedroom "

"No," declared Polychrome, " advise you watch for chance, and slip in when Mrs Yoop isn't looking "

They talked it over for while longer and then Mrs Yoop returned When she entered, the door opened suddenly, at her command, and closed her huge form had passed doorway During that day she entered her bedroom , on one errand or another, but always she commanded the door to close behind her and her prisoners found not the slightest chance to leave the big hall they were confined

The Green Monkey thought it wise friend big woman, so gain her confidence, so he sat back of her chair and chattered to her while she mended her stockings and sewed silver buttons on some golden shoes that were as big as row-boats This pleased the Giantess and pause at times to pat the Monkey's head The little Brown Bear curled up in corner and lay still all day The Owl Canary found converse together bird language, which neither the Giantess nor the Bear nor the Monkey could understand; so at times they twittered away to and passed the long, dreary day quite cheerfully

After dinner Mrs Yoop took big fiddle from big cupboard and played such loud and dreadful music that her prisoners were all thankful when at last she stopped and said she was going to bed

After cautioning the Monkey and Bear and Owl to behave themselves during the night, she picked up the cage containing the Canary and, going door of her bedroom, commanded it to open just then, however, she remembered she had left her fiddle lying upon table, so she went back and put it away cupboard, and while her back was turned the Green Monkey slipped open door into her bedroom and hid underneath the bed The Giantess, being sleepy, notice this, and entering her room she made the door close behind her and then hung the bird-cage on peg window Then she began to undress, first taking off the lace apron and laying it over the bedpost, where within easy reach of her hand

Mrs Yoop was in bed the lights all went out, and Woot the Monkey crouched under the bed and waited patiently until he heard the Giantess snoring Then he crept out and dark felt around until he got hold apron, which he at once tied around his own waist

Next, Woot tried the Canary, and just enough moonlight showing window to enable him where the cage hung; but out reach At first tempted to leave Polychrome and escape other friends, but remembering his promise Rainbow's Daughter Woot tried how to save her

chair stood near the window, and this -- showing dimly moonlight -- gave him an idea By pushing against it with all his might, move the giant chair few inches So he pushed and pushed until the chair was beneath the bird-cage, and then he sprang noiselessly seat -- monkey form enabled him to jump higher than do as boy -- and from there back chair, and so managed to reach the cage and take it off the peg Then down he sprang floor and made his way door "Open ! " he commanded, and at once the door obeyed and swung open, But his voice wakened Mrs Yoop, who gave wild cry and sprang out of bed with one bound The Green Monkey dashed doorway, carrying the cage , and Giantess could reach the door it slammed shut and imprisoned her in her own bed-chamber !

The noise she made, pounding door, and her yells of anger and dreadful threats of vengeance, filled all our friends with terror, and Woot the Monkey was so excited that dark find the outer door hall But the Tin Owl very nicely dark, so he guided his friends right place and when all were grouped door Woot commanded it to open The Magic Apron proved as powerful as when it worn Giantess, so moment later they had rushed passage and were standing fresh night air outside the castle, free wherever they willed

Chapter Eight

The Menace Forest

"Quick ! " cried Polychrome the Canary; " hurry, or Mrs Yoop may find some way to recapture us, even now get out of her Valley "

So they set off toward the east, moving as swiftly as , and hear the yells and struggles imprisoned Giantess The Green Monkey could run over the ground very swiftly, and he carried the bird-cage containing Polychrome the Rain-bow's Daughter Also the Tin Owl could skip and fly along at good rate of speed, his feathers rattling against one another with tinkling sound as he moved But the little Brown Bear, being stuffed with straw, was clumsy traveler others had to wait for him

However, they very long in reaching the ridge that led out of Mrs Yoop's Valley, and had passed this ridge and descended next valley they stopped to rest, Green Monkey was tired

"I believe safe, now," said Polychrome, when her cage was set down others had all gathered around it, " Yoop dares not go outside of her own Valley, for fear of being captured by her enemies So take our time to consider what next "

"I'm afraid poor Mrs Yoop will starve to death, if no one lets her out of her bedroom," said Woot, who had heart as kind Tin Woodman "We've taken her Magic Apron away, and now the doors will never open "

"Don't worry ," advised Polychrome " Mrs Yoop has plenty of magic left to console her "

" sure ? " asked the Green Monkey

"Yes, for I've been watching her for weeks," said the Canary "She has six magic hairpins, which she wears in her hair, and magic ring which she wears on her thumb and invisible to all eyes except those of fairy, and magic bracelets on both her ankles So positive that she will manage way out of her prison "

"She might transform the door into an archway," suggested the little Brown Bear

" easy for her," said the Tin Owl; "but I'm glad she was too angry before we got out of her Valley "