"Don’t！Pleasedon’t，"beggedtheTinWoodman。"Ishouldcertainlyweepifyoukilledapoordeer，andthenmyjawswouldrustagain。"
ButtheLionwentawayintotheforestandfoundhisownsupper，andnooneeverknewwhatitwas，forhedidn’tmentionit。AndtheScarecrowfoundatreefullofnutsandfilledDorothy’sbasketwiththem，sothatshewouldnotbehungryforalongtime。ShethoughtthiswasverykindandthoughtfuloftheScarecrow，butshelaughedheartilyattheawkwardwayinwhichthepoorcreaturepickedupthenuts。Hispaddedhandsweresoclumsyandthenutsweresosmallthathedroppedalmostasmanyasheputinthebasket。ButtheScarecrowdidnotmindhowlongittookhimtofillthebasket，foritenabledhimtokeepawayfromthefire，ashefearedasparkmightgetintohisstrawandburnhimup。Sohekeptagooddistanceawayfromtheflames，andonlycameneartocoverDorothywithdryleaveswhenshelaydowntosleep。Thesekeptherverysnugandwarm，andshesleptsoundlyuntilmorning。
Whenitwasdaylight，thegirlbathedherfaceinalittleripplingbrook，andsoonaftertheyallstartedtowardtheEmeraldCity。
Thiswastobeaneventfuldayforthetravelers。Theyhadhardlybeenwalkinganhourwhentheysawbeforethemagreatditchthatcrossedtheroadanddividedtheforestasfarastheycouldseeoneitherside。Itwasaverywideditch，andwhentheycreptuptotheedgeandlookedintoittheycouldseeitwasalsoverydeep，andthereweremanybig，jaggedrocksatthebottom。
Thesidesweresosteepthatnoneofthemcouldclimbdown，andforamomentitseemedthattheirjourneymustend。
"Whatshallwedo？"askedDorothydespairingly。
"Ihaven’tthefaintestidea，"saidtheTinWoodman，andtheLionshookhisshaggymaneandlookedthoughtful。
ButtheScarecrowsaid，"Wecannotfly，thatiscertain。
Neithercanweclimbdownintothisgreatditch。Therefore，ifwecannotjumpoverit，wemuststopwhereweare。"
"IthinkIcouldjumpoverit，"saidtheCowardlyLion，aftermeasuringthedistancecarefullyinhismind。
"Thenweareallright，"answeredtheScarecrow，"foryoucancarryusalloveronyourback，oneatatime。"
"Well，I’lltryit，"saidtheLion。"Whowillgofirst？"
"Iwill，"declaredtheScarecrow，"for，ifyoufoundthatyoucouldnotjumpoverthegulf，Dorothywouldbekilled，ortheTinWoodmanbadlydentedontherocksbelow。ButifIamonyourbackitwillnotmattersomuch，forthefallwouldnothurtmeatall。"
"Iamterriblyafraidoffalling，myself，"saidtheCowardlyLion，"butIsupposethereisnothingtodobuttryit。Sogetonmybackandwewillmaketheattempt。"
TheScarecrowsatupontheLion’sback，andthebigbeastwalkedtotheedgeofthegulfandcroucheddown。
"Whydon’tyourunandjump？"askedtheScarecrow。
"Becausethatisn’tthewayweLionsdothesethings，"hereplied。
Thengivingagreatspring，heshotthroughtheairandlandedsafelyontheotherside。Theywereallgreatlypleasedtoseehoweasilyhedidit，andaftertheScarecrowhadgotdownfromhisbacktheLionsprangacrosstheditchagain。
Dorothythoughtshewouldgonext;soshetookTotoinherarmsandclimbedontheLion’sback，holdingtightlytohismanewithonehand。Thenextmomentitseemedasifshewereflyingthroughtheair;andthen，beforeshehadtimetothinkaboutit，shewassafeontheotherside。TheLionwentbackathirdtimeandgottheTinWoodman，andthentheyallsatdownforafewmomentstogivethebeastachancetorest，forhisgreatleapshadmadehisbreathshort，andhepantedlikeabigdogthathasbeenrunningtoolong。
Theyfoundtheforestverythickonthisside，anditlookeddarkandgloomy。AftertheLionhadrestedtheystartedalongtheroadofyellowbrick，silentlywondering，eachinhisownmind，ifevertheywouldcometotheendofthewoodsandreachthebrightsunshineagain。Toaddtotheirdiscomfort，theysoonheardstrangenoisesinthedepthsoftheforest，andtheLionwhisperedtothemthatitwasinthispartofthecountrythattheKalidahslived。
"WhataretheKalidahs？"askedthegirl。
"Theyaremonstrousbeastswithbodieslikebearsandheadsliketigers，"repliedtheLion，"andwithclawssolongandsharpthattheycouldtearmeintwoaseasilyasIcouldkillToto。
I’mterriblyafraidoftheKalidahs。"
"I’mnotsurprisedthatyouare，"returnedDorothy。
"Theymustbedreadfulbeasts。"
TheLionwasabouttoreplywhensuddenlytheycametoanothergulfacrosstheroad。ButthisonewassobroadanddeepthattheLionknewatoncehecouldnotleapacrossit。
Sotheysatdowntoconsiderwhattheyshoulddo，andafterseriousthoughttheScarecrowsaid：
"Hereisagreattree，standingclosetotheditch。IftheTinWoodmancanchopitdown，sothatitwillfalltotheotherside，wecanwalkacrossiteasily。"
"Thatisafirst-rateidea，"saidtheLion。"Onewouldalmostsuspectyouhadbrainsinyourhead，insteadofstraw。"
TheWoodmansettoworkatonce，andsosharpwashisaxethatthetreewassoonchoppednearlythrough。ThentheLionputhisstrongfrontlegsagainstthetreeandpushedwithallhismight，andslowlythebigtreetippedandfellwithacrashacrosstheditch，withitstopbranchesontheotherside。
Theyhadjuststartedtocrossthisqueerbridgewhenasharpgrowlmadethemalllookup，andtotheirhorrortheysawrunningtowardthemtwogreatbeastswithbodieslikebearsandheadsliketigers。
"TheyaretheKalidahs！"saidtheCowardlyLion，beginningtotremble。
"Quick！"criedtheScarecrow。"Letuscrossover。"
SoDorothywentfirst，holdingTotoinherarms，theTinWoodmanfollowed，andtheScarecrowcamenext。TheLion，althoughhewascertainlyafraid，turnedtofacetheKalidahs，andthenhegavesoloudandterriblearoarthatDorothyscreamedandtheScarecrowfelloverbackward，whileeventhefiercebeastsstoppedshortandlookedathiminsurprise。
But，seeingtheywerebiggerthantheLion，andrememberingthatthereweretwoofthemandonlyoneofhim，theKalidahsagainrushedforward，andtheLioncrossedoverthetreeandturnedtoseewhattheywoulddonext。Withoutstoppinganinstantthefiercebeastsalsobegantocrossthetree。
AndtheLionsaidtoDorothy：
"Wearelost，fortheywillsurelytearustopieceswiththeirsharpclaws。Butstandclosebehindme，andIwillfightthemaslongasIamalive。"
"Waitaminute！"calledtheScarecrow。Hehadbeenthinkingwhatwasbesttobedone，andnowheaskedtheWoodmantochopawaytheendofthetreethatrestedontheirsideoftheditch。
TheTinWoodmanbegantousehisaxeatonce，and，justasthetwoKalidahswerenearlyacross，thetreefellwithacrashintothegulf，carryingtheugly，snarlingbruteswithit，andbothweredashedtopiecesonthesharprocksatthebottom。
"Well，"saidtheCowardlyLion，drawingalongbreathofrelief，"Iseewearegoingtolivealittlewhilelonger，andI
amgladofit，foritmustbeaveryuncomfortablethingnottobealive。Thosecreaturesfrightenedmesobadlythatmyheartisbeatingyet。"
"Ah，"saidtheTinWoodmansadly，"IwishIhadahearttobeat。"
Thisadventuremadethetravelersmoreanxiousthanevertogetoutoftheforest，andtheywalkedsofastthatDorothybecametired，andhadtorideontheLion’sback。Totheirgreatjoythetreesbecamethinnerthefarthertheyadvanced，andintheafternoontheysuddenlycameuponabroadriver，flowingswiftlyjustbeforethem。Ontheothersideofthewatertheycouldseetheroadofyellowbrickrunningthroughabeautifulcountry，withgreenmeadowsdottedwithbrightflowersandalltheroadborderedwithtreeshangingfullofdeliciousfruits。Theyweregreatlypleasedtoseethisdelightfulcountrybeforethem。
"Howshallwecrosstheriver？"askedDorothy。
"Thatiseasilydone，"repliedtheScarecrow。"TheTinWoodmanmustbuildusaraft，sowecanfloattotheotherside。"
SotheWoodmantookhisaxeandbegantochopdownsmalltreestomakearaft，andwhilehewasbusyatthistheScarecrowfoundontheriverbankatreefulloffinefruit。ThispleasedDorothy，whohadeatennothingbutnutsallday，andshemadeaheartymealoftheripefruit。
Butittakestimetomakearaft，evenwhenoneisasindustriousanduntiringastheTinWoodman，andwhennightcametheworkwasnotdone。
Sotheyfoundacozyplaceunderthetreeswheretheysleptwelluntilthemorning;andDorothydreamedoftheEmeraldCity，andofthegoodWizardOz，whowouldsoonsendherbacktoherownhomeagain。
8。TheDeadlyPoppyFieldOurlittlepartyoftravelersawakenedthenextmorningrefreshedandfullofhope，andDorothybreakfastedlikeaprincessoffpeachesandplumsfromthetreesbesidetheriver。
Behindthemwasthedarkforesttheyhadpassedsafelythrough，althoughtheyhadsufferedmanydiscouragements;butbeforethemwasalovely，sunnycountrythatseemedtobeckonthemontotheEmeraldCity。
Tobesure，thebroadrivernowcutthemofffromthisbeautifulland。Buttheraftwasnearlydone，andaftertheTinWoodmanhadcutafewmorelogsandfastenedthemtogetherwithwoodenpins，theywerereadytostart。DorothysatdowninthemiddleoftheraftandheldTotoinherarms。WhentheCowardlyLionsteppedupontheraftittippedbadly，forhewasbigandheavy;buttheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanstoodupontheotherendtosteadyit，andtheyhadlongpolesintheirhandstopushtheraftthroughthewater。
Theygotalongquitewellatfirst，butwhentheyreachedthemiddleoftherivertheswiftcurrentswepttheraftdownstream，fartherandfartherawayfromtheroadofyellowbrick。Andthewatergrewsodeepthatthelongpoleswouldnottouchthebottom。
"Thisisbad，"saidtheTinWoodman，"forifwecannotgettothelandweshallbecarriedintothecountryoftheWickedWitchoftheWest，andshewillenchantusandmakeusherslaves。"
"AndthenIshouldgetnobrains，"saidtheScarecrow。
"AndIshouldgetnocourage，"saidtheCowardlyLion。
"AndIshouldgetnoheart，"saidtheTinWoodman。
"AndIshouldnevergetbacktoKansas，"saidDorothy。
"WemustcertainlygettotheEmeraldCityifwecan，"
theScarecrowcontinued，andhepushedsohardonhislongpolethatitstuckfastinthemudatthebottomoftheriver。Then，beforehecouldpullitoutagain——orletgo——theraftwassweptaway，andthepoorScarecrowleftclingingtothepoleinthemiddleoftheriver。
"Good-bye！"hecalledafterthem，andtheywereverysorrytoleavehim。
Indeed，theTinWoodmanbegantocry，butfortunatelyrememberedthathemightrust，andsodriedhistearsonDorothy’sapron。
OfcoursethiswasabadthingfortheScarecrow。
"IamnowworseoffthanwhenIfirstmetDorothy，"hethought。"Then，Iwasstuckonapoleinacornfield，whereI
couldmake-believescarethecrows，atanyrate。ButsurelythereisnouseforaScarecrowstuckonapoleinthemiddleofariver。IamafraidIshallneverhaveanybrains，afterall！"
Downthestreamtheraftfloated，andthepoorScarecrowwasleftfarbehind。ThentheLionsaid：
"Somethingmustbedonetosaveus。IthinkIcanswimtotheshoreandpulltheraftafterme，ifyouwillonlyholdfasttothetipofmytail。"
Sohesprangintothewater，andtheTinWoodmancaughtfastholdofhistail。ThentheLionbegantoswimwithallhismighttowardtheshore。Itwashardwork，althoughhewassobig;butbyandbytheyweredrawnoutofthecurrent，andthenDorothytooktheTinWoodman’slongpoleandhelpedpushtherafttotheland。
Theywerealltiredoutwhentheyreachedtheshoreatlastandsteppedoffupontheprettygreengrass，andtheyalsoknewthatthestreamhadcarriedthemalongwaypasttheroadofyellowbrickthatledtotheEmeraldCity。
"Whatshallwedonow？"askedtheTinWoodman，astheLionlaydownonthegrasstoletthesundryhim。
"Wemustgetbacktotheroad，insomeway，"saidDorothy。
"Thebestplanwillbetowalkalongtheriverbankuntilwecometotheroadagain，"remarkedtheLion。
So，whentheywererested，Dorothypickedupherbasketandtheystartedalongthegrassybank，totheroadfromwhichtheriverhadcarriedthem。Itwasalovelycountry，withplentyofflowersandfruittreesandsunshinetocheerthem，andhadtheynotfeltsosorryforthepoorScarecrow，theycouldhavebeenveryhappy。
Theywalkedalongasfastastheycould，Dorothyonlystoppingoncetopickabeautifulflower;andafteratimetheTinWoodmancriedout："Look！"
ThentheyalllookedattheriverandsawtheScarecrowpercheduponhispoleinthemiddleofthewater，lookingverylonelyandsad。
"Whatcanwedotosavehim？"askedDorothy。
TheLionandtheWoodmanbothshooktheirheads，fortheydidnotknow。SotheysatdownuponthebankandgazedwistfullyattheScarecrowuntilaStorkflewby，who，uponseeingthem，stoppedtorestatthewater’sedge。
"Whoareyouandwhereareyougoing？"askedtheStork。
"IamDorothy，"answeredthegirl，"andthesearemyfriends，theTinWoodmanandtheCowardlyLion;andwearegoingtotheEmeraldCity。"
"Thisisn’ttheroad，"saidtheStork，asshetwistedherlongneckandlookedsharplyatthequeerparty。
"Iknowit，"returnedDorothy，"butwehavelosttheScarecrow，andarewonderinghowweshallgethimagain。"
"Whereishe？"askedtheStork。
"Overthereintheriver，"answeredthelittlegirl。
"Ifhewasn’tsobigandheavyIwouldgethimforyou，"
remarkedtheStork。
"Heisn’theavyabit，"saidDorothyeagerly，"forheisstuffedwithstraw;andifyouwillbringhimbacktous，weshallthankyoueverandeversomuch。"
"Well，I’lltry，"saidtheStork，"butifIfindheistooheavytocarryIshallhavetodrophimintheriveragain。"
SothebigbirdflewintotheairandoverthewatertillshecametowheretheScarecrowwaspercheduponhispole。ThentheStorkwithhergreatclawsgrabbedtheScarecrowbythearmandcarriedhimupintotheairandbacktothebank，whereDorothyandtheLionandtheTinWoodmanandTotoweresitting。
WhentheScarecrowfoundhimselfamonghisfriendsagain，hewassohappythathehuggedthemall，eventheLionandToto;andastheywalkedalonghesang"Tol-de-ri-de-oh！"ateverystep，hefeltsogay。
"IwasafraidIshouldhavetostayintheriverforever，"
hesaid，"butthekindStorksavedme，andifIevergetanybrainsIshallfindtheStorkagainanddohersomekindnessinreturn。"
"That’sallright，"saidtheStork，whowasflyingalongbesidethem。"Ialwaysliketohelpanyoneintrouble。ButI
mustgonow，formybabiesarewaitinginthenestforme。IhopeyouwillfindtheEmeraldCityandthatOzwillhelpyou。"
"Thankyou，"repliedDorothy，andthenthekindStorkflewintotheairandwassoonoutofsight。
Theywalkedalonglisteningtothesingingofthebrightlycoloredbirdsandlookingatthelovelyflowerswhichnowbecamesothickthatthegroundwascarpetedwiththem。Therewerebigyellowandwhiteandblueandpurpleblossoms，besidesgreatclustersofscarletpoppies，whichweresobrilliantincolortheyalmostdazzledDorothy’seyes。
"Aren’ttheybeautiful？"thegirlasked，asshebreathedinthespicyscentofthebrightflowers。
"Isupposeso，"answeredtheScarecrow。"WhenIhavebrains，Ishallprobablylikethembetter。"
"IfIonlyhadaheart，Ishouldlovethem，"addedtheTinWoodman。
"Ialwaysdidlikeflowers，"saidtheLion。"Theyofseemsohelplessandfrail。Buttherearenoneintheforestsobrightasthese。"
Theynowcameuponmoreandmoreofthebigscarletpoppies，andfewerandfeweroftheotherflowers;andsoontheyfoundthemselvesinthemidstofagreatmeadowofpoppies。Nowitiswellknownthatwhentherearemanyoftheseflowerstogethertheirodorissopowerfulthatanyonewhobreathesitfallsasleep，andifthesleeperisnotcarriedawayfromthescentoftheflowers，hesleepsonandonforever。ButDorothydidnotknowthis，norcouldshegetawayfromthebrightredflowersthatwereeverywhereabout;sopresentlyhereyesgrewheavyandshefeltshemustsitdowntorestandtosleep。
ButtheTinWoodmanwouldnotletherdothis。
"Wemusthurryandgetbacktotheroadofyellowbrickbeforedark，"
hesaid;andtheScarecrowagreedwithhim。SotheykeptwalkinguntilDorothycouldstandnolonger。Hereyesclosedinspiteofherselfandsheforgotwhereshewasandfellamongthepoppies，fastasleep。
"Whatshallwedo？"askedtheTinWoodman。
"Ifweleaveherhereshewilldie，"saidtheLion。"Thesmelloftheflowersiskillingusall。Imyselfcanscarcelykeepmyeyesopen，andthedogisasleepalready。"
Itwastrue;Totohadfallendownbesidehislittlemistress。
ButtheScarecrowandtheTinWoodman，notbeingmadeofflesh，werenottroubledbythescentoftheflowers。
"Runfast，"saidtheScarecrowtotheLion，"andgetoutofthisdeadlyflowerbedassoonasyoucan。Wewillbringthelittlegirlwithus，butifyoushouldfallasleepyouaretoobigtobecarried。"
SotheLionarousedhimselfandboundedforwardasfastashecouldgo。Inamomenthewasoutofsight。
"Letusmakeachairwithourhandsandcarryher，"saidtheScarecrow。SotheypickedupTotoandputthedoginDorothy’slap，andthentheymadeachairwiththeirhandsfortheseatandtheirarmsforthearmsandcarriedthesleepinggirlbetweenthemthroughtheflowers。
Onandontheywalked，anditseemedthatthegreatcarpetofdeadlyflowersthatsurroundedthemwouldneverend。Theyfollowedthebendoftheriver，andatlastcameupontheirfriendtheLion，lyingfastasleepamongthepoppies。Theflowershadbeentoostrongforthehugebeastandhehadgivenupatlast，andfallenonlyashortdistancefromtheendofthepoppybed，wherethesweetgrassspreadinbeautifulgreenfieldsbeforethem。
"Wecandonothingforhim，"saidtheTinWoodman，sadly;"forheismuchtooheavytolift。Wemustleavehimheretosleeponforever，andperhapshewilldreamthathehasfoundcourageatlast。"
"I’msorry，"saidtheScarecrow。"TheLionwasaverygoodcomradeforonesocowardly。Butletusgoon。"
Theycarriedthesleepinggirltoaprettyspotbesidetheriver，farenoughfromthepoppyfieldtopreventherbreathinganymoreofthepoisonoftheflowers，andheretheylaidhergentlyonthesoftgrassandwaitedforthefreshbreezetowakenher。
9。TheQueenoftheFieldMice"Wecannotbefarfromtheroadofyellowbrick，now，"remarkedtheScarecrow，ashestoodbesidethegirl，"forwehavecomenearlyasfarastherivercarriedusaway。"
TheTinWoodmanwasabouttoreplywhenheheardalowgrowl，andturninghishead（whichworkedbeautifullyonhinges）hesawastrangebeastcomeboundingoverthegrasstowardthem。Itwas，indeed，agreatyellowWildcat，andtheWoodmanthoughtitmustbechasingsomething，foritsearswerelyingclosetoitsheadanditsmouthwaswideopen，showingtworowsofuglyteeth，whileitsredeyesglowedlikeballsoffire。AsitcamenearertheTinWoodmansawthatrunningbeforethebeastwasalittlegrayfieldmouse，andalthoughhehadnoheartheknewitwaswrongfortheWildcattotrytokillsuchapretty，harmlesscreature。
SotheWoodmanraisedhisaxe，andastheWildcatranbyhegaveitaquickblowthatcutthebeast’sheadcleanofffromitsbody，anditrolledoverathisfeetintwopieces。
Thefieldmouse，nowthatitwasfreedfromitsenemy，stoppedshort;
andcomingslowlyuptotheWoodmanitsaid，inasqueakylittlevoice：
"Oh，thankyou！Thankyoueversomuchforsavingmylife。"
"Don’tspeakofit，Ibegofyou，"repliedtheWoodman。
"Ihavenoheart，youknow，soIamcarefultohelpallthosewhomayneedafriend，evenifithappenstobeonlyamouse。"
"Onlyamouse！"criedthelittleanimal，indignantly。
"Why，IamaQueen——theQueenofalltheFieldMice！"
"Oh，indeed，"saidtheWoodman，makingabow。
"Thereforeyouhavedoneagreatdeed，aswellasabraveone，insavingmylife，"addedtheQueen。
Atthatmomentseveralmicewereseenrunningupasfastastheirlittlelegscouldcarrythem，andwhentheysawtheirQueentheyexclaimed：
"Oh，yourMajesty，wethoughtyouwouldbekilled！HowdidyoumanagetoescapethegreatWildcat？"TheyallbowedsolowtothelittleQueenthattheyalmoststoodupontheirheads。
"Thisfunnytinman，"sheanswered，"killedtheWildcatandsavedmylife。Sohereafteryoumustallservehim，andobeyhisslightestwish。"
"Wewill！"criedallthemice，inashrillchorus。Andthentheyscamperedinalldirections，forTotohadawakenedfromhissleep，andseeingallthesemicearoundhimhegaveonebarkofdelightandjumpedrightintothemiddleofthegroup。TotohadalwayslovedtochasemicewhenhelivedinKansas，andhesawnoharminit。
ButtheTinWoodmancaughtthedoginhisarmsandheldhimtight，whilehecalledtothemice，"Comeback！Comeback！Totoshallnothurtyou。"
AtthistheQueenoftheMicestuckherheadoutfromunderneathaclumpofgrassandasked，inatimidvoice，"Areyousurehewillnotbiteus？"
"Iwillnotlethim，"saidtheWoodman;"sodonotbeafraid。"
Onebyonethemicecamecreepingback，andTotodidnotbarkagain，althoughhetriedtogetoutoftheWoodman’sarms，andwouldhavebittenhimhadhenotknownverywellhewasmadeoftin。Finallyoneofthebiggestmicespoke。
"Isthereanythingwecando，"itasked，"torepayyouforsavingthelifeofourQueen？"
"NothingthatIknowof，"answeredtheWoodman;buttheScarecrow，whohadbeentryingtothink，butcouldnotbecausehisheadwasstuffedwithstraw，said，quickly，"Oh，yes;youcansaveourfriend，theCowardlyLion，whoisasleepinthepoppybed。"
"ALion！"criedthelittleQueen。"Why，hewouldeatusallup。"
"Oh，no，"declaredtheScarecrow;"thisLionisacoward。"
"Really？"askedtheMouse。
"Hesayssohimself，"answeredtheScarecrow，"andhewouldneverhurtanyonewhoisourfriend。IfyouwillhelpustosavehimIpromisethatheshalltreatyouallwithkindness。"
"Verywell，"saidtheQueen，"wetrustyou。Butwhatshallwedo？"
"AretheremanyofthesemicewhichcallyouQueenandarewillingtoobeyyou？"
"Oh，yes;therearethousands，"shereplied。
"Thensendforthemalltocomehereassoonaspossible，andleteachonebringalongpieceofstring。"
TheQueenturnedtothemicethatattendedherandtoldthemtogoatonceandgetallherpeople。Assoonastheyheardherorderstheyranawayineverydirectionasfastaspossible。
"Now，"saidtheScarecrowtotheTinWoodman，"youmustgotothosetreesbytheriversideandmakeatruckthatwillcarrytheLion。"
SotheWoodmanwentatoncetothetreesandbegantowork;
andhesoonmadeatruckoutofthelimbsoftrees，fromwhichhechoppedawayalltheleavesandbranches。Hefastenedittogetherwithwoodenpegsandmadethefourwheelsoutofshortpiecesofabigtreetrunk。Sofastandsowelldidheworkthatbythetimethemicebegantoarrivethetruckwasallreadyforthem。
Theycamefromalldirections，andtherewerethousandsofthem：bigmiceandlittlemiceandmiddle-sizedmice;andeachonebroughtapieceofstringinhismouth。ItwasaboutthistimethatDorothywokefromherlongsleepandopenedhereyes。
Shewasgreatlyastonishedtofindherselflyinguponthegrass，withthousandsofmicestandingaroundandlookingathertimidly。
ButtheScarecrowtoldherabouteverything，andturningtothedignifiedlittleMouse，hesaid：
"PermitmetointroducetoyouherMajesty，theQueen。"
DorothynoddedgravelyandtheQueenmadeacurtsy，afterwhichshebecamequitefriendlywiththelittlegirl。
TheScarecrowandtheWoodmannowbegantofastenthemicetothetruck，usingthestringstheyhadbrought。Oneendofastringwastiedaroundtheneckofeachmouseandtheotherendtothetruck。Ofcoursethetruckwasathousandtimesbiggerthananyofthemicewhoweretodrawit;butwhenallthemicehadbeenharnessed，theywereabletopullitquiteeasily。EventheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmancouldsitonit，andweredrawnswiftlybytheirqueerlittlehorsestotheplacewheretheLionlayasleep。
Afteragreatdealofhardwork，fortheLionwasheavy，theymanagedtogethimuponthetruck。ThentheQueenhurriedlygaveherpeopletheordertostart，forshefearedifthemicestayedamongthepoppiestoolongtheyalsowouldfallasleep。
Atfirstthelittlecreatures，manythoughtheywere，couldhardlystirtheheavilyloadedtruck;buttheWoodmanandtheScarecrowbothpushedfrombehind，andtheygotalongbetter。
SoontheyrolledtheLionoutofthepoppybedtothegreenfields，wherehecouldbreathethesweet，freshairagain，insteadofthepoisonousscentoftheflowers。
Dorothycametomeetthemandthankedthelittlemicewarmlyforsavinghercompanionfromdeath。ShehadgrownsofondofthebigLionshewasgladhehadbeenrescued。
Thenthemicewereunharnessedfromthetruckandscamperedawaythroughthegrasstotheirhomes。TheQueenoftheMicewasthelasttoleave。
"Ifeveryouneedusagain，"shesaid，"comeoutintothefieldandcall，andweshallhearyouandcometoyourassistance。
Good-bye！"
"Good-bye！"theyallanswered，andawaytheQueenran，whileDorothyheldTototightlylestheshouldrunafterherandfrightenher。
AfterthistheysatdownbesidetheLionuntilheshouldawaken;andtheScarecrowbroughtDorothysomefruitfromatreenearby，whichsheateforherdinner。
10。TheGuardianoftheGateItwassometimebeforetheCowardlyLionawakened，forhehadlainamongthepoppiesalongwhile，breathingintheirdeadlyfragrance;butwhenhedidopenhiseyesandrolloffthetruckhewasverygladtofindhimselfstillalive。
"IranasfastasIcould，"hesaid，sittingdownandyawning，"buttheflowersweretoostrongforme。Howdidyougetmeout？"
Thentheytoldhimofthefieldmice，andhowtheyhadgenerouslysavedhimfromdeath;andtheCowardlyLionlaughed，andsaid：
"Ihavealwaysthoughtmyselfverybigandterrible;yetsuchlittlethingsasflowerscameneartokillingme，andsuchsmallanimalsasmicehavesavedmylife。Howstrangeitallis！
But，comrades，whatshallwedonow？"
"Wemustjourneyonuntilwefindtheroadofyellowbrickagain，"
saidDorothy，"andthenwecankeepontotheEmeraldCity。"
So，theLionbeingfullyrefreshed，andfeelingquitehimselfagain，theyallstarteduponthejourney，greatlyenjoyingthewalkthroughthesoft，freshgrass;anditwasnotlongbeforetheyreachedtheroadofyellowbrickandturnedagaintowardtheEmeraldCitywheretheGreatOzdwelt。
Theroadwassmoothandwellpaved，now，andthecountryaboutwasbeautiful，sothatthetravelersrejoicedinleavingtheforestfarbehind，andwithitthemanydangerstheyhadmetinitsgloomyshades。Oncemoretheycouldseefencesbuiltbesidetheroad;butthesewerepaintedgreen，andwhentheycametoasmallhouse，inwhichafarmerevidentlylived，thatalsowaspaintedgreen。Theypassedbyseveralofthesehousesduringtheafternoon，andsometimespeoplecametothedoorsandlookedatthemasiftheywouldliketoaskquestions;butnoonecamenearthemnorspoketothembecauseofthegreatLion，ofwhichtheywereverymuchafraid。Thepeoplewerealldressedinclothingofalovelyemerald-greencolorandworepeakedhatslikethoseoftheMunchkins。
"ThismustbetheLandofOz，"saidDorothy，"andwearesurelygettingneartheEmeraldCity。"
"Yes，"answeredtheScarecrow。"Everythingisgreenhere，whileinthecountryoftheMunchkinsbluewasthefavoritecolor。
ButthepeopledonotseemtobeasfriendlyastheMunchkins，andI’mafraidweshallbeunabletofindaplacetopassthenight。"
"Ishouldlikesomethingtoeatbesidesfruit，"saidthegirl，"andI’msureTotoisnearlystarved。Letusstopatthenexthouseandtalktothepeople。"
So，whentheycametoagood-sizedfarmhouse，Dorothywalkedboldlyuptothedoorandknocked。
Awomanopeneditjustfarenoughtolookout，andsaid，"Whatdoyouwant，child，andwhyisthatgreatLionwithyou？"
"Wewishtopassthenightwithyou，ifyouwillallowus，"
answeredDorothy;"andtheLionismyfriendandcomrade，andwouldnothurtyoufortheworld。"
"Ishetame？"askedthewoman，openingthedooralittlewider。
"Oh，yes，"saidthegirl，"andheisagreatcoward，too。
Hewillbemoreafraidofyouthanyouareofhim。"
"Well，"saidthewoman，afterthinkingitoverandtakinganotherpeepattheLion，"ifthatisthecaseyoumaycomein，andIwillgiveyousomesupperandaplacetosleep。"
Sotheyallenteredthehouse，wheretherewere，besidesthewoman，twochildrenandaman。Themanhadhurthisleg，andwaslyingonthecouchinacorner。Theyseemedgreatlysurprisedtoseesostrangeacompany，andwhilethewomanwasbusylayingthetablethemanasked：
"Whereareyouallgoing？"
"TotheEmeraldCity，"saidDorothy，"toseetheGreatOz。"
"Oh，indeed！"exclaimedtheman。"AreyousurethatOzwillseeyou？"
"Whynot？"shereplied。
"Why，itissaidthatheneverletsanyonecomeintohispresence。
IhavebeentotheEmeraldCitymanytimes，anditisabeautifulandwonderfulplace;butIhaveneverbeenpermittedtoseetheGreatOz，nordoIknowofanylivingpersonwhohasseenhim。"
"Doeshenevergoout？"askedtheScarecrow。
"Never。HesitsdayafterdayinthegreatThroneRoomofhisPalace，andeventhosewhowaituponhimdonotseehimfacetoface。"
"Whatishelike？"askedthegirl。
"Thatishardtotell，"saidthemanthoughtfully。"Yousee，OzisaGreatWizard，andcantakeonanyformhewishes。Sothatsomesayhelookslikeabird;andsomesayhelookslikeanelephant;andsomesayhelookslikeacat。Toothersheappearsasabeautifulfairy，orabrownie，orinanyotherformthatpleaseshim。ButwhotherealOzis，whenheisinhisownform，nolivingpersoncantell。"
"Thatisverystrange，"saidDorothy，"butwemusttry，insomeway，toseehim，orweshallhavemadeourjourneyfornothing。"
"WhydoyouwishtoseetheterribleOz？"askedtheman。
"Iwanthimtogivemesomebrains，"saidtheScarecroweagerly。
"Oh，Ozcoulddothateasilyenough，"declaredtheman。
"Hehasmorebrainsthanheneeds。"
"AndIwanthimtogivemeaheart，"saidtheTinWoodman。
"Thatwillnottroublehim，"continuedtheman，"forOzhasalargecollectionofhearts，ofallsizesandshapes。"
"AndIwanthimtogivemecourage，"saidtheCowardlyLion。
"OzkeepsagreatpotofcourageinhisThroneRoom，"saidtheman，"whichhehascoveredwithagoldenplate，tokeepitfromrunningover。Hewillbegladtogiveyousome。"
"AndIwanthimtosendmebacktoKansas，"saidDorothy。
"WhereisKansas？"askedtheman，withsurprise。
"Idon’tknow，"repliedDorothysorrowfully，"butitismyhome，andI’msureit’ssomewhere。"
"Verylikely。Well，Ozcandoanything;soIsupposehewillfindKansasforyou。Butfirstyoumustgettoseehim，andthatwillbeahardtask;fortheGreatWizarddoesnotliketoseeanyone，andheusuallyhashisownway。ButwhatdoYOUwant？"hecontinued，speakingtoToto。Totoonlywaggedhistail;for，strangetosay，hecouldnotspeak。
Thewomannowcalledtothemthatsupperwasready，sotheygatheredaroundthetableandDorothyatesomedeliciousporridgeandadishofscrambledeggsandaplateofnicewhitebread，andenjoyedhermeal。TheLionatesomeoftheporridge，butdidnotcareforit，sayingitwasmadefromoatsandoatswerefoodforhorses，notforlions。TheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanatenothingatall。Totoatealittleofeverything，andwasgladtogetagoodsupperagain。
ThewomannowgaveDorothyabedtosleepin，andTotolaydownbesideher，whiletheLionguardedthedoorofherroomsoshemightnotbedisturbed。TheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanstoodupinacornerandkeptquietallnight，althoughofcoursetheycouldnotsleep。
Thenextmorning，assoonasthesunwasup，theystartedontheirway，andsoonsawabeautifulgreenglowintheskyjustbeforethem。
"ThatmustbetheEmeraldCity，"saidDorothy。
Astheywalkedon，thegreenglowbecamebrighterandbrighter，anditseemedthatatlasttheywerenearingtheendoftheirtravels。
YetitwasafternoonbeforetheycametothegreatwallthatsurroundedtheCity。Itwashighandthickandofabrightgreencolor。
Infrontofthem，andattheendoftheroadofyellowbrick，wasabiggate，allstuddedwithemeraldsthatglitteredsointhesunthateventhepaintedeyesoftheScarecrowweredazzledbytheirbrilliancy。
Therewasabellbesidethegate，andDorothypushedthebuttonandheardasilverytinklesoundwithin。Thenthebiggateswungslowlyopen，andtheyallpassedthroughandfoundthemselvesinahigharchedroom，thewallsofwhichglistenedwithcountlessemeralds。
BeforethemstoodalittlemanaboutthesamesizeastheMunchkins。Hewasclothedallingreen，fromhisheadtohisfeet，andevenhisskinwasofagreenishtint。Athissidewasalargegreenbox。
WhenhesawDorothyandhercompanionsthemanasked，"WhatdoyouwishintheEmeraldCity？"
"WecameheretoseetheGreatOz，"saidDorothy。
Themanwassosurprisedatthisanswerthathesatdowntothinkitover。
"IthasbeenmanyyearssinceanyoneaskedmetoseeOz，"
hesaid，shakinghisheadinperplexity。"Heispowerfulandterrible，andifyoucomeonanidleorfoolisherrandtobotherthewisereflectionsoftheGreatWizard，hemightbeangryanddestroyyouallinaninstant。"
"Butitisnotafoolisherrand，noranidleone，"repliedtheScarecrow;"itisimportant。AndwehavebeentoldthatOzisagoodWizard。"
"Soheis，"saidthegreenman，"andherulestheEmeraldCitywiselyandwell。Buttothosewhoarenothonest，orwhoapproachhimfromcuriosity，heismostterrible，andfewhaveeverdaredasktoseehisface。IamtheGuardianoftheGates，andsinceyoudemandtoseetheGreatOzImusttakeyoutohisPalace。
Butfirstyoumustputonthespectacles。"
"Why？"askedDorothy。
"BecauseifyoudidnotwearspectaclesthebrightnessandgloryoftheEmeraldCitywouldblindyou。EventhosewholiveintheCitymustwearspectaclesnightandday。Theyarealllockedon，forOzsoordereditwhentheCitywasfirstbuilt，andIhavetheonlykeythatwillunlockthem。"
Heopenedthebigbox，andDorothysawthatitwasfilledwithspectaclesofeverysizeandshape。Allofthemhadgreenglassesinthem。TheGuardianoftheGatesfoundapairthatwouldjustfitDorothyandputthemoverhereyes。Thereweretwogoldenbandsfastenedtothemthatpassedaroundthebackofherhead，wheretheywerelockedtogetherbyalittlekeythatwasattheendofachaintheGuardianoftheGatesworearoundhisneck。
Whentheywereon，Dorothycouldnottakethemoffhadshewished，butofcourseshedidnotwishtobeblindedbytheglareoftheEmeraldCity，soshesaidnothing。
ThenthegreenmanfittedspectaclesfortheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanandtheLion，andevenonlittleToto;andallwerelockedfastwiththekey。
ThentheGuardianoftheGatesputonhisownglassesandtoldthemhewasreadytoshowthemtothePalace。Takingabiggoldenkeyfromapegonthewall，heopenedanothergate，andtheyallfollowedhimthroughtheportalintothestreetsoftheEmeraldCity。
11。TheWonderfulCityofOzEvenwitheyesprotectedbythegreenspectacles，DorothyandherfriendswereatfirstdazzledbythebrilliancyofthewonderfulCity。Thestreetswerelinedwithbeautifulhousesallbuiltofgreenmarbleandstuddedeverywherewithsparklingemeralds。Theywalkedoverapavementofthesamegreenmarble，andwheretheblockswerejoinedtogetherwererowsofemeralds，setclosely，andglitteringinthebrightnessofthesun。Thewindowpaneswereofgreenglass;eventheskyabovetheCityhadagreentint，andtheraysofthesunweregreen。
Thereweremanypeople——men，women，andchildren——walkingabout，andthesewerealldressedingreenclothesandhadgreenishskins。
TheylookedatDorothyandherstrangelyassortedcompanywithwonderingeyes，andthechildrenallranawayandhidbehindtheirmotherswhentheysawtheLion;butnoonespoketothem。
Manyshopsstoodinthestreet，andDorothysawthateverythinginthemwasgreen。Greencandyandgreenpopcornwereofferedforsale，aswellasgreenshoes，greenhats，andgreenclothesofallsorts。Atoneplaceamanwassellinggreenlemonade，andwhenthechildrenboughtitDorothycouldseethattheypaidforitwithgreenpennies。
Thereseemedtobenohorsesnoranimalsofanykind;themencarriedthingsaroundinlittlegreencarts，whichtheypushedbeforethem。Everyoneseemedhappyandcontentedandprosperous。
TheGuardianoftheGatesledthemthroughthestreetsuntiltheycametoabigbuilding，exactlyinthemiddleoftheCity，whichwasthePalaceofOz，theGreatWizard。Therewasasoldierbeforethedoor，dressedinagreenuniformandwearingalonggreenbeard。
"Herearestrangers，"saidtheGuardianoftheGatestohim，"andtheydemandtoseetheGreatOz。"
"Stepinside，"answeredthesoldier，"andIwillcarryyourmessagetohim。"
SotheypassedthroughthePalaceGatesandwereledintoabigroomwithagreencarpetandlovelygreenfurnituresetwithemeralds。Thesoldiermadethemallwipetheirfeetuponagreenmatbeforeenteringthisroom，andwhentheywereseatedhesaidpolitely：
"PleasemakeyourselvescomfortablewhileIgotothedooroftheThroneRoomandtellOzyouarehere。"
Theyhadtowaitalongtimebeforethesoldierreturned。
When，atlast，hecameback，Dorothyasked：
"HaveyouseenOz？"
"Oh，no，"returnedthesoldier;"Ihaveneverseenhim。
ButIspoketohimashesatbehindhisscreenandgavehimyourmessage。Hesaidhewillgrantyouanaudience，ifyousodesire;
buteachoneofyoumustenterhispresencealone，andhewilladmitbutoneeachday。Therefore，asyoumustremaininthePalaceforseveraldays，Iwillhaveyoushowntoroomswhereyoumayrestincomfortafteryourjourney。"
"Thankyou，"repliedthegirl;"thatisverykindofOz。"
Thesoldiernowblewuponagreenwhistle，andatonceayounggirl，dressedinaprettygreensilkgown，enteredtheroom。Shehadlovelygreenhairandgreeneyes，andshebowedlowbeforeDorothyasshesaid，"FollowmeandIwillshowyouyourroom。"
SoDorothysaidgood-byetoallherfriendsexceptToto，andtakingthedoginherarmsfollowedthegreengirlthroughsevenpassagesandupthreeflightsofstairsuntiltheycametoaroomatthefrontofthePalace。Itwasthesweetestlittleroomintheworld，withasoftcomfortablebedthathadsheetsofgreensilkandagreenvelvetcounterpane。Therewasatinyfountaininthemiddleoftheroom，thatshotasprayofgreenperfumeintotheair，tofallbackintoabeautifullycarvedgreenmarblebasin。
Beautifulgreenflowersstoodinthewindows，andtherewasashelfwitharowoflittlegreenbooks。WhenDorothyhadtimetoopenthesebooksshefoundthemfullofqueergreenpicturesthatmadeherlaugh，theyweresofunny。
Inawardrobeweremanygreendresses，madeofsilkandsatinandvelvet;andallofthemfittedDorothyexactly。
"Makeyourselfperfectlyathome，"saidthegreengirl，"andifyouwishforanythingringthebell。Ozwillsendforyoutomorrowmorning。"
SheleftDorothyaloneandwentbacktotheothers。Theseshealsoledtorooms，andeachoneofthemfoundhimselflodgedinaverypleasantpartofthePalace。OfcoursethispolitenesswaswastedontheScarecrow;forwhenhefoundhimselfaloneinhisroomhestoodstupidlyinonespot，justwithinthedoorway，towaittillmorning。Itwouldnotresthimtoliedown，andhecouldnotclosehiseyes;soheremainedallnightstaringatalittlespiderwhichwasweavingitswebinacorneroftheroom，justasifitwerenotoneofthemostwonderfulroomsintheworld。
TheTinWoodmanlaydownonhisbedfromforceofhabit，forherememberedwhenhewasmadeofflesh;butnotbeingabletosleep，hepassedthenightmovinghisjointsupanddowntomakesuretheykeptingoodworkingorder。TheLionwouldhavepreferredabedofdriedleavesintheforest，anddidnotlikebeingshutupinaroom;
buthehadtoomuchsensetoletthisworryhim，sohespranguponthebedandrolledhimselfuplikeacatandpurredhimselfasleepinaminute。
Thenextmorning，afterbreakfast，thegreenmaidencametofetchDorothy，andshedressedherinoneoftheprettiestgowns，madeofgreenbrocadedsatin。DorothyputonagreensilkapronandtiedagreenribbonaroundToto’sneck，andtheystartedfortheThroneRoomoftheGreatOz。
Firsttheycametoagreathallinwhichweremanyladiesandgentlemenofthecourt，alldressedinrichcostumes。Thesepeoplehadnothingtodobuttalktoeachother，buttheyalwayscametowaitoutsidetheThroneRoomeverymorning，althoughtheywereneverpermittedtoseeOz。AsDorothyenteredtheylookedathercuriously，andoneofthemwhispered：
"AreyoureallygoingtolookuponthefaceofOztheTerrible？"
"Ofcourse，"answeredthegirl，"ifhewillseeme。"
"Oh，hewillseeyou，"saidthesoldierwhohadtakenhermessagetotheWizard，"althoughhedoesnotliketohavepeopleasktoseehim。Indeed，atfirsthewasangryandsaidIshouldsendyoubackwhereyoucamefrom。Thenheaskedmewhatyoulookedlike，andwhenImentionedyoursilvershoeshewasverymuchinterested。AtlastItoldhimaboutthemarkuponyourforehead，andhedecidedhewouldadmityoutohispresence。"
Justthenabellrang，andthegreengirlsaidtoDorothy，"Thatisthesignal。YoumustgointotheThroneRoomalone。"
SheopenedalittledoorandDorothywalkedboldlythroughandfoundherselfinawonderfulplace。Itwasabig，roundroomwithahigharchedroof，andthewallsandceilingandfloorwerecoveredwithlargeemeraldssetcloselytogether。Inthecenteroftheroofwasagreatlight，asbrightasthesun，whichmadetheemeraldssparkleinawonderfulmanner。
ButwhatinterestedDorothymostwasthebigthroneofgreenmarblethatstoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Itwasshapedlikeachairandsparkledwithgems，asdideverythingelse。InthecenterofthechairwasanenormousHead，withoutabodytosupportitoranyarmsorlegswhatever。Therewasnohairuponthishead，butithadeyesandanoseandmouth，andwasmuchbiggerthantheheadofthebiggestgiant。
AsDorothygazeduponthisinwonderandfear，theeyesturnedslowlyandlookedathersharplyandsteadily。Thenthemouthmoved，andDorothyheardavoicesay：
"IamOz，theGreatandTerrible。Whoareyou，andwhydoyouseekme？"
ItwasnotsuchanawfulvoiceasshehadexpectedtocomefromthebigHead;soshetookcourageandanswered：
"IamDorothy，theSmallandMeek。Ihavecometoyouforhelp。"
Theeyeslookedatherthoughtfullyforafullminute。
Thensaidthevoice：
"Wheredidyougetthesilvershoes？"
"IgotthemfromtheWickedWitchoftheEast，whenmyhousefellonherandkilledher，"shereplied。
"Wheredidyougetthemarkuponyourforehead？"continuedthevoice。
"ThatiswheretheGoodWitchoftheNorthkissedmewhenshebademegood-byeandsentmetoyou，"saidthegirl。
Againtheeyeslookedathersharply，andtheysawshewastellingthetruth。ThenOzasked，"Whatdoyouwishmetodo？"
"SendmebacktoKansas，wheremyAuntEmandUncleHenryare，"
sheansweredearnestly。"Idon’tlikeyourcountry，althoughitissobeautiful。AndIamsureAuntEmwillbedreadfullyworriedovermybeingawaysolong。"
Theeyeswinkedthreetimes，andthentheyturneduptotheceilinganddowntothefloorandrolledaroundsoqueerlythattheyseemedtoseeeverypartoftheroom。AndatlasttheylookedatDorothyagain。
"WhyshouldIdothisforyou？"askedOz。
"BecauseyouarestrongandIamweak;becauseyouareaGreatWizardandIamonlyalittlegirl。"
"ButyouwerestrongenoughtokilltheWickedWitchoftheEast，"
saidOz。
"Thatjusthappened，"returnedDorothysimply;"Icouldnothelpit。"
"Well，"saidtheHead，"Iwillgiveyoumyanswer。YouhavenorighttoexpectmetosendyoubacktoKansasunlessyoudosomethingformeinreturn。Inthiscountryeveryonemustpayforeverythinghegets。Ifyouwishmetousemymagicpowertosendyouhomeagainyoumustdosomethingformefirst。HelpmeandIwillhelpyou。"
"WhatmustIdo？"askedthegirl。
"KilltheWickedWitchoftheWest，"answeredOz。
"ButIcannot！"exclaimedDorothy，greatlysurprised。
"YoukilledtheWitchoftheEastandyouwearthesilvershoes，whichbearapowerfulcharm。ThereisnowbutoneWickedWitchleftinallthisland，andwhenyoucantellmesheisdeadIwillsendyoubacktoKansas——butnotbefore。"
Thelittlegirlbegantoweep，shewassomuchdisappointed;
andtheeyeswinkedagainandlookeduponheranxiously，asiftheGreatOzfeltthatshecouldhelphimifshewould。
"Ineverkilledanything，willingly，"shesobbed。"EvenifI
wantedto，howcouldIkilltheWickedWitch？Ifyou，whoareGreatandTerrible，cannotkillheryourself，howdoyouexpectmetodoit？"
"Idonotknow，"saidtheHead;"butthatismyanswer，anduntiltheWickedWitchdiesyouwillnotseeyouruncleandauntagain。RememberthattheWitchisWicked——tremendouslyWicked-andoughttobekilled。Nowgo，anddonotasktoseemeagainuntilyouhavedoneyourtask。"
SorrowfullyDorothylefttheThroneRoomandwentbackwheretheLionandtheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanwerewaitingtohearwhatOzhadsaidtoher。"Thereisnohopeforme，"shesaidsadly，"forOzwillnotsendmehomeuntilIhavekilledtheWickedWitchoftheWest;andthatIcanneverdo。"
Herfriendsweresorry，butcoulddonothingtohelpher;soDorothywenttoherownroomandlaydownonthebedandcriedherselftosleep。
ThenextmorningthesoldierwiththegreenwhiskerscametotheScarecrowandsaid：
"Comewithme，forOzhassentforyou。"
SotheScarecrowfollowedhimandwasadmittedintothegreatThroneRoom，wherehesaw，sittingintheemeraldthrone，amostlovelyLady。Shewasdressedingreensilkgauzeandworeuponherflowinggreenlocksacrownofjewels。Growingfromhershoulderswerewings，gorgeousincolorandsolightthattheyflutterediftheslightestbreathofairreachedthem。
WhentheScarecrowhadbowed，asprettilyashisstrawstuffingwouldlethim，beforethisbeautifulcreature，shelookeduponhimsweetly，andsaid：
"IamOz，theGreatandTerrible。Whoareyou，andwhydoyouseekme？"
NowtheScarecrow，whohadexpectedtoseethegreatHeadDorothyhadtoldhimof，wasmuchastonished;butheansweredherbravely。
"IamonlyaScarecrow，stuffedwithstraw。ThereforeIhavenobrains，andIcometoyouprayingthatyouwillputbrainsinmyheadinsteadofstraw，sothatImaybecomeasmuchamanasanyotherinyourdominions。"
"WhyshouldIdothisforyou？"askedtheLady。
"Becauseyouarewiseandpowerful，andnooneelsecanhelpme，"
answeredtheScarecrow。
"Inevergrantfavorswithoutsomereturn，"saidOz;"butthismuchIwillpromise。IfyouwillkillformetheWickedWitchoftheWest，Iwillbestowuponyouagreatmanybrains，andsuchgoodbrainsthatyouwillbethewisestmaninalltheLandofOz。"
"IthoughtyouaskedDorothytokilltheWitch，"saidtheScarecrow，insurprise。
"SoIdid。Idon’tcarewhokillsher。ButuntilsheisdeadIwillnotgrantyourwish。Nowgo，anddonotseekmeagainuntilyouhaveearnedthebrainsyousogreatlydesire。"
TheScarecrowwentsorrowfullybacktohisfriendsandtoldthemwhatOzhadsaid;andDorothywassurprisedtofindthattheGreatWizardwasnotaHead，asshehadseenhim，butalovelyLady。
"Allthesame，"saidtheScarecrow，"sheneedsaheartasmuchastheTinWoodman。"
OnthenextmorningthesoldierwiththegreenwhiskerscametotheTinWoodmanandsaid：
"Ozhassentforyou。Followme。"
SotheTinWoodmanfollowedhimandcametothegreatThroneRoom。HedidnotknowwhetherhewouldfindOzalovelyLadyoraHead，buthehopeditwouldbethelovelyLady。"For，"hesaidtohimself，"ifitisthehead，IamsureIshallnotbegivenaheart，sinceaheadhasnoheartofitsownandthereforecannotfeelforme。ButifitisthelovelyLadyIshallbeghardforaheart，forallladiesarethemselvessaidtobekindlyhearted。
ButwhentheWoodmanenteredthegreatThroneRoomhesawneithertheHeadnortheLady，forOzhadtakentheshapeofamostterribleBeast。Itwasnearlyasbigasanelephant，andthegreenthroneseemedhardlystrongenoughtoholditsweight。TheBeasthadaheadlikethatofarhinoceros，onlytherewerefiveeyesinitsface。Therewerefivelongarmsgrowingoutofitsbody，anditalsohadfivelong，slimlegs。Thick，woollyhaircoveredeverypartofit，andamoredreadful-lookingmonstercouldnotbeimagined。ItwasfortunatetheTinWoodmanhadnoheartatthatmoment，foritwouldhavebeatloudandfastfromterror。Butbeingonlytin，theWoodmanwasnotatallafraid，althoughhewasmuchdisappointed。
"IamOz，theGreatandTerrible，"spoketheBeast，inavoicethatwasonegreatroar。"Whoareyou，andwhydoyouseekme？"
"IamaWoodman，andmadeoftin。ThereforeIhavenoheart，andcannotlove。IprayyoutogivemeaheartthatImaybeasothermenare。"
"WhyshouldIdothis？"demandedtheBeast。
"BecauseIaskit，andyoualonecangrantmyrequest，"
answeredtheWoodman。
Ozgavealowgrowlatthis，butsaid，gruffly："Ifyouindeeddesireaheart，youmustearnit。"
"How？"askedtheWoodman。
"HelpDorothytokilltheWickedWitchoftheWest，"repliedtheBeast。"WhentheWitchisdead，cometome，andIwillthengiveyouthebiggestandkindestandmostlovingheartinalltheLandofOz。"
SotheTinWoodmanwasforcedtoreturnsorrowfullytohisfriendsandtellthemoftheterribleBeasthehadseen。
TheyallwonderedgreatlyatthemanyformstheGreatWizardcouldtakeuponhimself，andtheLionsaid：
"IfheisaBeastwhenIgotoseehim，Ishallroarmyloudest，andsofrightenhimthathewillgrantallIask。AndifheisthelovelyLady，Ishallpretendtospringuponher，andsocompelhertodomybidding。AndifheisthegreatHead，hewillbeatmymercy;forIwillrollthisheadallabouttheroomuntilhepromisestogiveuswhatwedesire。Sobeofgoodcheer，myfriends，forallwillyetbewell。"
ThenextmorningthesoldierwiththegreenwhiskersledtheLiontothegreatThroneRoomandbadehimenterthepresenceofOz。
TheLionatoncepassedthroughthedoor，andglancingaroundsaw，tohissurprise，thatbeforethethronewasaBallofFire，sofierceandglowinghecouldscarcelybeartogazeuponit。HisfirstthoughtwasthatOzhadbyaccidentcaughtonfireandwasburningup;butwhenhetriedtogonearer，theheatwassointensethatitsingedhiswhiskers，andhecreptbacktremblinglytoaspotnearerthedoor。
Thenalow，quietvoicecamefromtheBallofFire，andthesewerethewordsitspoke：
"IamOz，theGreatandTerrible。Whoareyou，andwhydoyouseekme？"
AndtheLionanswered，"IamaCowardlyLion，afraidofeverything。
Icametoyoutobegthatyougivemecourage，sothatinrealityImaybecometheKingofBeasts，asmencallme。"
"WhyshouldIgiveyoucourage？"demandedOz。
"BecauseofallWizardsyouarethegreatest，andalonehavepowertograntmyrequest，"answeredtheLion。
TheBallofFireburnedfiercelyforatime，andthevoicesaid，"BringmeproofthattheWickedWitchisdead，andthatmomentIwillgiveyoucourage。ButaslongastheWitchlives，youmustremainacoward。"
TheLionwasangryatthisspeech，butcouldsaynothinginreply，andwhilehestoodsilentlygazingattheBallofFireitbecamesofuriouslyhotthatheturnedtailandrushedfromtheroom。
Hewasgladtofindhisfriendswaitingforhim，andtoldthemofhisterribleinterviewwiththeWizard。
"Whatshallwedonow？"askedDorothysadly。
"Thereisonlyonethingwecando，"returnedtheLion，"andthatistogotothelandoftheWinkies，seekouttheWickedWitch，anddestroyher。"
"Butsupposewecannot？"saidthegirl。
"ThenIshallneverhavecourage，"declaredtheLion。
"AndIshallneverhavebrains，"addedtheScarecrow。
"AndIshallneverhaveaheart，"spoketheTinofWoodman。
"AndIshallneverseeAuntEmandUncleHenry，"saidDorothy，beginningtocry。
"Becareful！"criedthegreengirl。"Thetearswillfallonyourgreensilkgownandspotit。"
SoDorothydriedhereyesandsaid，"Isupposewemusttryit;
butIamsureIdonotwanttokillanybody，eventoseeAuntEmagain。"
"Iwillgowithyou;butI’mtoomuchofacowardtokilltheWitch，"saidtheLion。
"Iwillgotoo，"declaredtheScarecrow;"butIshallnotbeofmuchhelptoyou，Iamsuchafool。"
"Ihaven’tthehearttoharmevenaWitch，"remarkedtheTinWoodman;"butifyougoIcertainlyshallgowithyou。"
Thereforeitwasdecidedtostartupontheirjourneythenextmorning，andtheWoodmansharpenedhisaxeonagreengrindstoneandhadallhisjointsproperlyoiled。TheScarecrowstuffedhimselfwithfreshstrawandDorothyputnewpaintonhiseyesthathemightseebetter。Thegreengirl，whowasverykindtothem，filledDorothy’sbasketwithgoodthingstoeat，andfastenedalittlebellaroundToto’sneckwithagreenribbon。
Theywenttobedquiteearlyandsleptsoundlyuntildaylight，whentheywereawakenedbythecrowingofagreencockthatlivedinthebackyardofthePalace，andthecacklingofahenthathadlaidagreenegg。
12。TheSearchfortheWickedWitchThesoldierwiththegreenwhiskersledthemthroughthestreetsoftheEmeraldCityuntiltheyreachedtheroomwheretheGuardianoftheGateslived。Thisofficerunlockedtheirspectaclestoputthembackinhisgreatbox，andthenhepolitelyopenedthegateforourfriends。
"WhichroadleadstotheWickedWitchoftheWest？"askedDorothy。
"Thereisnoroad，"answeredtheGuardianoftheGates。
"Nooneeverwishestogothatway。"
"How，then，arewetofindher？"inquiredthegirl。
"Thatwillbeeasy，"repliedtheman，"forwhensheknowsyouareinthecountryoftheWinkiesshewillfindyou，andmakeyouallherslaves。"
"Perhapsnot，"saidtheScarecrow，"forwemeantodestroyher。"
"Oh，thatisdifferent，"saidtheGuardianoftheGates。
"Noonehaseverdestroyedherbefore，soInaturallythoughtshewouldmakeslavesofyou，asshehasoftherest。Buttakecare;
forsheiswickedandfierce，andmaynotallowyoutodestroyher。
KeeptotheWest，wherethesunsets，andyoucannotfailtofindher。"
Theythankedhimandbadehimgood-bye，andturnedtowardtheWest，walkingoverfieldsofsoftgrassdottedhereandtherewithdaisiesandbuttercups。Dorothystillworetheprettysilkdressshehadputoninthepalace，butnow，tohersurprise，shefounditwasnolongergreen，butpurewhite。TheribbonaroundToto’sneckhadalsolostitsgreencolorandwasaswhiteasDorothy’sdress。
TheEmeraldCitywassoonleftfarbehind。Astheyadvancedthegroundbecamerougherandhillier，fortherewerenofarmsnorhousesinthiscountryoftheWest，andthegroundwasuntilled。
Intheafternoonthesunshonehotintheirfaces，fortherewerenotreestoofferthemshade;sothatbeforenightDorothyandTotoandtheLionweretired，andlaydownuponthegrassandfellasleep，withtheWoodmanandtheScarecrowkeepingwatch。
NowtheWickedWitchoftheWesthadbutoneeye，yetthatwasaspowerfulasatelescope，andcouldseeeverywhere。So，asshesatinthedoorofhercastle，shehappenedtolookaroundandsawDorothylyingasleep，withherfriendsallabouther。Theywerealongdistanceoff，buttheWickedWitchwasangrytofindtheminhercountry;sosheblewuponasilverwhistlethathungaroundherneck。
Atoncetherecamerunningtoherfromalldirectionsapackofgreatwolves。Theyhadlonglegsandfierceeyesandsharpteeth。
"Gotothosepeople，"saidtheWitch，"andtearthemtopieces。"
"Areyounotgoingtomakethemyourslaves？"askedtheleaderofthewolves。
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