The Hip-po-gy-raf sat down and looked at them sorrowfully

"When one up his mind meal of delicious straw, and then finds 't have it, certainly hard luck," "And what good straw man , or to himself, ditch keeps you from going any further ? "

"Well, go back again," suggested Woot

"True," said the Hip-po; "and , you'll be as disappointed as That's some comfort, anyhow "

The travelers looked beast, and then they looked across the ditch level plain beyond other side the grass had grown tall, sun had dried it, so fine crop of hay that only needed cut and stacked

"Why don't you cross over and eat hay ? " the boy asked the beast

"I'm not fond of hay," replied the Hip-po-gy-raf; "straw is much more delicious, to my notion, and it's more scarce neighborhood, too Also confess that 't get across the ditch, body is too heavy and clumsy to jump the distance stretch my neck across, though, and notice that I've nibbled the hay farther edge -- not because I liked it, but because one must eat, and if one can't get the sort of food he desires, take offered or go hungry "

"Ah, philosopher," remarked the Scarecrow

"No, I'm just Hip-po-gy-raf," reply

Polychrome was not afraid big beast She danced close to him and said:

" stretch your neck across the ditch, over ? sit big head, one , and then lift us across "

"Yes; , true," answered the Hip-po; "but I refuse Unless --" he added, and stopped short

"Unless what ? " asked Polychrome

"Unless you first allow me to eat the straw the Scarecrow is stuffed "

"No," said the Rainbow's Daughter, " too high price Our friend's straw is nice and fresh, for restuffed only little while ago "

" ," agreed the Hip-po-gy-raf "That's why it old, musty straw, I wouldn't care "

"Please lift us across," pleaded Polychrome

"No," replied the beast; "since you refuse my generous offer, as stubborn "

they were all silent for time, but then the Scarecrow said bravely:

"Friends, agree beast's terms Give him my straw, and carry the rest of me across the ditch Once other side, the Tin Soldier can cut hay sharp sword, and stuff me material until we reach place where straw true stuffed with straw all my life and somewhat humiliating filled with common hay, but willing to sacrifice my pride in good cause Moreover, to abandon our errand and so deprive the great Emperor Winkies -- or this noble Soldier -- bride, equally humiliating, more so "

"You're very honest and clever man ! " exclaimed the Hip-po-gy-raf, admiringly "When eaten your head, perhaps I also will become clever "

"You're not to eat my head, ," returned the Scarecrow hastily "My head isn't stuffed with straw and part with it When one loses his head he loses his brains "

" , then; keep your head," said the beast

The Scarecrow's companions thanked him warmly loyal sacrifice mutual good, and then he laid down and permitted them to pull the straw body As fast this, the Hip-po-gy-raf ate up the straw, and when all was consumed Polychrome made neat bundle clothes and boots and gloves and hat and said carry them, while Woot tucked the Scarecrow's head under his arm and promised to guard its safety

"Now, then," said the Tin Woodman, "keep your promise, Beast, and lift us over the ditch "

"M-m-m-mum, but that was fine dinner ! " said the Hip-po, smacking his thick lips in satisfaction, "and I'm as good as my word Sit on my head, one , and I'll land you safely other side "

He approached close edge ditch and squatted down Polychrome climbed over his big body and sat herself lightly flat head, holding the bundle Scarecrow's raiment in her hand Slowly the elastic neck stretched out until it reached the far side ditch, beast lowered his head and permitted the beautiful fairy to leap ground

Woot made the queer journey next, and then the Tin Soldier Tin Woodman went over, and all were well pleased overcome this serious barrier progress

"Now, Soldier, cut the hay," said the Scarecrow's head, still held by Woot the Wanderer

"I'd like to, but 't stoop over, with my bent leg, without falling," replied Captain Fyter

"What can leg, anyhow ? " asked Woot, appealing to Polychrome

She danced around in circle without replying, boy feared she heard him; but the Rainbow's Daughter was merely thinking problem, and presently she paused beside the Tin Soldier and said:

"I've been taught little fairy magic, but I've never before been asked to mend tin legs with it, so I'm not sure It all depends good will unseen fairy guardians, so I'll try, and if I fail, no worse off than now "

She danced around the circle again, and then laid both hands twisted tin leg and sang in her sweet voice:

"Fairy Powers, come to my aid !

This bent leg of tin is made;

Make it straight and strong and true,

And I'll render thanks "

"Ah ! " murmured Captain Fyter in glad voice, as she withdrew her hands and danced away, saw standing straight as ever, because his leg was as shapely and strong as it before his accident

The Tin Woodman had watched Polychrome with much interest, and he now said:

"Please dent out side, Poly, for more crippled than Soldier "

So the Rainbow's Daughter touched his side lightly and sang:

"Here's dent by accident; Such thing was never meant Fairy Powers, so wondrous great, Make our dear Tin Woodman straight ! "

"Good ! " cried the Emperor, again standing erect and strutting around to show his fine figure "Your fairy magic may not to accomplish all things, sweet Polychrome, but it works splendidly on tin "

"The hay -- the hay ! " pleaded the Scarecrow's head

"Oh, yes; the hay," said Woot " you waiting for, Captain Fyter ? "

At once the Tin Soldier set to work cutting hay sword and quite enough to stuff the Scarecrow's body Woot and Polychrome did this and no easy task because the hay packed together more than straw and had little experience work their job, when completed, left the Scarecrow's arms and legs rather bunchy Also hump back which made Woot laugh and say it reminded him of camel, but it best do and head was fastened on body they asked the Scarecrow how

"A little heavy, and not quite natural," he cheerfully replied; "but I'll get along somehow until we reach straw-stack Don't laugh at me, please, because I'm little ashamed of myself and I don't want to regret good action "

They started at once direction of Mount Munch, and Scarecrow proved very clumsy movements, Woot took one arms Tin Woodman the other and so helped their friend to walk in straight line

Rainbow's Daughter, as before, danced ahead and behind them and all around them, never minded her odd ways, because she was like ray of sunshine

Chapter Twenty

Over Night

The Land Munchkins is full of surprises, as our travelers had already learned, and although Mount Munch was constantly growing larger advanced toward it, they knew still long way off and certain, by any means, had escaped all danger or encountered their last adventure

The plain was broad, and as far eye , there seemed level stretch of country mountain, but toward evening they came upon hollow, stood tiny blue Munchkin dwelling with garden around it and fields of grain filling in all the rest hollow

discover this place until they came close edge of it, were astonished sight that greeted them because they had imagined part plain had no inhabitants

"It's house," Woot declared "I wonder who lives there ? "

"The way out is to knock door and ask," replied the Tin Woodman "Perhaps home of Nimmie Amee "

"Is she dwarf ? " asked the boy

"No, indeed; Nimmie Amee is full sized woman "

"Then I'm sure she couldn't live little house," said Woot

"Let's go down," suggested the Scarecrow "I'm almost sure straw-stack back yard "

They descended the hollow, rather steep sides, and soon came house, indeed rather small Woot knocked upon door that was not much higher than his waist, but got no reply He knocked again, but not sound was heard

"Smoke is coming chimney," announced Polychrome, who was dancing lightly garden, where cabbages and beets and turnips like were growing finely

"Then someone surely lives here," said Woot, and knocked again

Now window side house opened and queer head appeared white and hairy and had long snout and little round eyes The ears were hidden by blue sunbonnet tied under the chin

"Oh; it's pig ! " exclaimed Woot