"No，"sheanswered，"oneisoftin，andoneofstraw;oneisagirlandanotheraLion。Noneofthemisfittowork，soyoumaytearthemintosmallpieces。"
"Verywell，"saidthewolf，andhedashedawayatfullspeed，followedbytheothers。
ItwasluckytheScarecrowandtheWoodmanwerewideawakeandheardthewolvescoming。
"Thisismyfight，"saidtheWoodman，"sogetbehindmeandI
willmeetthemastheycome。"
Heseizedhisaxe，whichhehadmadeverysharp，andastheleaderofthewolvescameontheTinWoodmanswunghisarmandchoppedthewolf’sheadfromitsbody，sothatitimmediatelydied。
Assoonashecouldraisehisaxeanotherwolfcameup，andhealsofellunderthesharpedgeoftheTinWoodman’sweapon。Therewerefortywolves，andfortytimesawolfwaskilled，sothatatlasttheyalllaydeadinaheapbeforetheWoodman。
ThenheputdownhisaxeandsatbesidetheScarecrow，whosaid，"Itwasagoodfight，friend。"
TheywaiteduntilDorothyawokethenextmorning。Thelittlegirlwasquitefrightenedwhenshesawthegreatpileofshaggywolves，buttheTinWoodmantoldherall。Shethankedhimforsavingthemandsatdowntobreakfast，afterwhichtheystartedagainupontheirjourney。
NowthissamemorningtheWickedWitchcametothedoorofhercastleandlookedoutwithheroneeyethatcouldseefaroff。
Shesawallherwolveslyingdead，andthestrangersstilltravelingthroughhercountry。Thismadeherangrierthanbefore，andsheblewhersilverwhistletwice。
Straightwayagreatflockofwildcrowscameflyingtowardher，enoughtodarkenthesky。
AndtheWickedWitchsaidtotheKingCrow，"Flyatoncetothestrangers;peckouttheireyesandtearthemtopieces。"
ThewildcrowsflewinonegreatflocktowardDorothyandhercompanions。Whenthelittlegirlsawthemcomingshewasafraid。
ButtheScarecrowsaid，"Thisismybattle，soliedownbesidemeandyouwillnotbeharmed。"
SotheyalllayuponthegroundexcepttheScarecrow，andhestoodupandstretchedouthisarms。Andwhenthecrowssawhimtheywerefrightened，asthesebirdsalwaysarebyscarecrows，anddidnotdaretocomeanynearer。ButtheKingCrowsaid：
"Itisonlyastuffedman。Iwillpeckhiseyesout。"
TheKingCrowflewattheScarecrow，whocaughtitbytheheadandtwisteditsneckuntilitdied。Andthenanothercrowflewathim，andtheScarecrowtwisteditsneckalso。Therewerefortycrows，andfortytimestheScarecrowtwistedaneck，untilatlastallwerelyingdeadbesidehim。Thenhecalledtohiscompanionstorise，andagaintheywentupontheirjourney。
WhentheWickedWitchlookedoutagainandsawallhercrowslyinginaheap，shegotintoaterriblerage，andblewthreetimesuponhersilverwhistle。
Forthwiththerewasheardagreatbuzzingintheair，andaswarmofblackbeescameflyingtowardher。
"Gotothestrangersandstingthemtodeath！"commandedtheWitch，andthebeesturnedandflewrapidlyuntiltheycametowhereDorothyandherfriendswerewalking。ButtheWoodmanhadseenthemcoming，andtheScarecrowhaddecidedwhattodo。
"TakeoutmystrawandscatteritoverthelittlegirlandthedogandtheLion，"hesaidtotheWoodman，"andthebeescannotstingthem。"ThistheWoodmandid，andasDorothylayclosebesidetheLionandheldTotoinherarms，thestrawcoveredthementirely。
ThebeescameandfoundnoonebuttheWoodmantosting，sotheyflewathimandbrokeoffalltheirstingsagainstthetin，withouthurtingtheWoodmanatall。Andasbeescannotlivewhentheirstingsarebrokenthatwastheendoftheblackbees，andtheylayscatteredthickabouttheWoodman，likelittleheapsoffinecoal。
ThenDorothyandtheLiongotup，andthegirlhelpedtheTinWoodmanputthestrawbackintotheScarecrowagain，untilhewasasgoodasever。Sotheystartedupontheirjourneyoncemore。
TheWickedWitchwassoangrywhenshesawherblackbeesinlittleheapslikefinecoalthatshestampedherfootandtoreherhairandgnashedherteeth。Andthenshecalledadozenofherslaves，whoweretheWinkies，andgavethemsharpspears，tellingthemtogotothestrangersanddestroythem。
TheWinkieswerenotabravepeople，buttheyhadtodoastheyweretold。SotheymarchedawayuntiltheycameneartoDorothy。ThentheLiongaveagreatroarandsprangtowardsthem，andthepoorWinkiesweresofrightenedthattheyranbackasfastastheycould。
WhentheyreturnedtothecastletheWickedWitchbeatthemwellwithastrap，andsentthembacktotheirwork，afterwhichshesatdowntothinkwhatsheshoulddonext。Shecouldnotunderstandhowallherplanstodestroythesestrangershadfailed;
butshewasapowerfulWitch，aswellasawickedone，andshesoonmadeuphermindhowtoact。
Therewas，inhercupboard，aGoldenCap，withacircleofdiamondsandrubiesrunningroundit。ThisGoldenCaphadacharm。
WhoeverowneditcouldcallthreetimesupontheWingedMonkeys，whowouldobeyanyordertheyweregiven。Butnopersoncouldcommandthesestrangecreaturesmorethanthreetimes。
TwicealreadytheWickedWitchhadusedthecharmoftheCap。
OncewaswhenshehadmadetheWinkiesherslaves，andsetherselftoruleovertheircountry。TheWingedMonkeyshadhelpedherdothis。ThesecondtimewaswhenshehadfoughtagainsttheGreatOzhimself，anddrivenhimoutofthelandoftheWest。
TheWingedMonkeyshadalsohelpedherindoingthis。OnlyoncemorecouldsheusethisGoldenCap，forwhichreasonshedidnotliketodosountilallherotherpowerswereexhausted。Butnowthatherfiercewolvesandherwildcrowsandherstingingbeesweregone，andherslaveshadbeenscaredawaybytheCowardlyLion，shesawtherewasonlyonewaylefttodestroyDorothyandherfriends。
SotheWickedWitchtooktheGoldenCapfromhercupboardandplacedituponherhead。Thenshestooduponherleftfootandsaidslowly：
"Ep-pe，pep-pe，kak-ke！"
Nextshestooduponherrightfootandsaid：
"Hil-lo，hol-lo，hel-lo！"
Afterthisshestooduponbothfeetandcriedinaloudvoice：
"Ziz-zy，zuz-zy，zik！"
Nowthecharmbegantowork。Theskywasdarkened，andalowrumblingsoundwasheardintheair。Therewasarushingofmanywings，agreatchatteringandlaughing，andthesuncameoutofthedarkskytoshowtheWickedWitchsurroundedbyacrowdofmonkeys，eachwithapairofimmenseandpowerfulwingsonhisshoulders。
One，muchbiggerthantheothers，seemedtobetheirleader。
HeflewclosetotheWitchandsaid，"Youhavecalledusforthethirdandlasttime。Whatdoyoucommand？"
"GotothestrangerswhoarewithinmylandanddestroythemallexcepttheLion，"saidtheWickedWitch。"Bringthatbeasttome，forIhaveamindtoharnesshimlikeahorse，andmakehimwork。"
"Yourcommandsshallbeobeyed，"saidtheleader。Then，withagreatdealofchatteringandnoise，theWingedMonkeysflewawaytotheplacewhereDorothyandherfriendswerewalking。
SomeoftheMonkeysseizedtheTinWoodmanandcarriedhimthroughtheairuntiltheywereoveracountrythicklycoveredwithsharprocks。HeretheydroppedthepoorWoodman，whofellagreatdistancetotherocks，wherehelaysobatteredanddentedthathecouldneithermovenorgroan。
OthersoftheMonkeyscaughttheScarecrow，andwiththeirlongfingerspulledallofthestrawoutofhisclothesandhead。
Theymadehishatandbootsandclothesintoasmallbundleandthrewitintothetopbranchesofatalltree。
TheremainingMonkeysthrewpiecesofstoutropearoundtheLionandwoundmanycoilsabouthisbodyandheadandlegs，untilhewasunabletobiteorscratchorstruggleinanyway。
ThentheyliftedhimupandflewawaywithhimtotheWitch’scastle，wherehewasplacedinasmallyardwithahighironfencearoundit，sothathecouldnotescape。
ButDorothytheydidnotharmatall。Shestood，withTotoinherarms，watchingthesadfateofhercomradesandthinkingitwouldsoonbeherturn。TheleaderoftheWingedMonkeysflewuptoher，hislong，hairyarmsstretchedoutandhisuglyfacegrinningterribly;buthesawthemarkoftheGoodWitch’skissuponherforeheadandstoppedshort，motioningtheothersnottotouchher。
"Wedarenotharmthislittlegirl，"hesaidtothem，"forsheisprotectedbythePowerofGood，andthatisgreaterthanthePowerofEvil。AllwecandoistocarryhertothecastleoftheWickedWitchandleaveherthere。"
So，carefullyandgently，theyliftedDorothyintheirarmsandcarriedherswiftlythroughtheairuntiltheycametothecastle，wheretheysetherdownuponthefrontdoorstep。
ThentheleadersaidtotheWitch：
"Wehaveobeyedyouasfaraswewereable。TheTinWoodmanandtheScarecrowaredestroyed，andtheLionistiedupinyouryard。
Thelittlegirlwedarenotharm，northedogshecarriesinherarms。
Yourpoweroverourbandisnowended，andyouwillneverseeusagain。"
ThenalltheWingedMonkeys，withmuchlaughingandchatteringandnoise，flewintotheairandweresoonoutofsight。
TheWickedWitchwasbothsurprisedandworriedwhenshesawthemarkonDorothy’sforehead，forsheknewwellthatneithertheWingedMonkeysnorshe，herself，darehurtthegirlinanyway。
ShelookeddownatDorothy’sfeet，andseeingtheSilverShoes，begantotremblewithfear，forsheknewwhatapowerfulcharmbelongedtothem。AtfirsttheWitchwastemptedtorunawayfromDorothy;butshehappenedtolookintothechild’seyesandsawhowsimplethesoulbehindthemwas，andthatthelittlegirldidnotknowofthewonderfulpowertheSilverShoesgaveher。SotheWickedWitchlaughedtoherself，andthought，"Icanstillmakehermyslave，forshedoesnotknowhowtouseherpower。"
ThenshesaidtoDorothy，harshlyandseverely：
"Comewithme;andseethatyoumindeverythingItellyou，forifyoudonotIwillmakeanendofyou，asIdidoftheTinWoodmanandtheScarecrow。"
Dorothyfollowedherthroughmanyofthebeautifulroomsinhercastleuntiltheycametothekitchen，wheretheWitchbadehercleanthepotsandkettlesandsweepthefloorandkeepthefirefedwithwood。
Dorothywenttoworkmeekly，withhermindmadeuptoworkashardasshecould;forshewasgladtheWickedWitchhaddecidednottokillher。
WithDorothyhardatwork，theWitchthoughtshewouldgointothecourtyardandharnesstheCowardlyLionlikeahorse;itwouldamuseher，shewassure，tomakehimdrawherchariotwhenevershewishedtogotodrive。ButassheopenedthegatetheLiongavealoudroarandboundedathersofiercelythattheWitchwasafraid，andranoutandshutthegateagain。
"IfIcannotharnessyou，"saidtheWitchtotheLion，speakingthroughthebarsofthegate，"Icanstarveyou。
YoushallhavenothingtoeatuntilyoudoasIwish。"
SoafterthatshetooknofoodtotheimprisonedLion;
buteverydayshecametothegateatnoonandasked，"Areyoureadytobeharnessedlikeahorse？"
AndtheLionwouldanswer，"No。Ifyoucomeinthisyard，I
willbiteyou。"
ThereasontheLiondidnothavetodoastheWitchwishedwasthateverynight，whilethewomanwasasleep，Dorothycarriedhimfoodfromthecupboard。Afterhehadeatenhewouldliedownonhisbedofstraw，andDorothywouldliebesidehimandputherheadonhissoft，shaggymane，whiletheytalkedoftheirtroublesandtriedtoplansomewaytoescape。Buttheycouldfindnowaytogetoutofthecastle，foritwasconstantlyguardedbytheyellowWinkies，whoweretheslavesoftheWickedWitchandtooafraidofhernottodoasshetoldthem。
Thegirlhadtoworkhardduringtheday，andoftentheWitchthreatenedtobeatherwiththesameoldumbrellashealwayscarriedinherhand。But，intruth，shedidnotdaretostrikeDorothy，becauseofthemarkuponherforehead。Thechilddidnotknowthis，andwasfulloffearforherselfandToto。OncetheWitchstruckTotoablowwithherumbrellaandthebravelittledogflewatherandbitherleginreturn。TheWitchdidnotbleedwhereshewasbitten，forshewassowickedthatthebloodinherhaddriedupmanyyearsbefore。
Dorothy’slifebecameverysadasshegrewtounderstandthatitwouldbeharderthanevertogetbacktoKansasandAuntEmagain。
Sometimesshewouldcrybitterlyforhours，withTotosittingatherfeetandlookingintoherface，whiningdismallytoshowhowsorryhewasforhislittlemistress。TotodidnotreallycarewhetherhewasinKansasortheLandofOzsolongasDorothywaswithhim;
butheknewthelittlegirlwasunhappy，andthatmadehimunhappytoo。
NowtheWickedWitchhadagreatlongingtohaveforherowntheSilverShoeswhichthegirlalwayswore。Herbeesandhercrowsandherwolveswerelyinginheapsanddryingup，andshehadusedupallthepoweroftheGoldenCap;butifshecouldonlygetholdoftheSilverShoes，theywouldgivehermorepowerthanalltheotherthingsshehadlost。ShewatchedDorothycarefully，toseeifsheevertookoffhershoes，thinkingshemightstealthem。
Butthechildwassoproudofherprettyshoesthatshenevertookthemoffexceptatnightandwhenshetookherbath。TheWitchwastoomuchafraidofthedarktodaregoinDorothy’sroomatnighttotaketheshoes，andherdreadofwaterwasgreaterthanherfearofthedark，soshenevercamenearwhenDorothywasbathing。
Indeed，theoldWitchnevertouchedwater，noreverletwatertouchherinanyway。
Butthewickedcreaturewasverycunning，andshefinallythoughtofatrickthatwouldgiveherwhatshewanted。Sheplacedabarofironinthemiddleofthekitchenfloor，andthenbyhermagicartsmadetheironinvisibletohumaneyes。SothatwhenDorothywalkedacrossthefloorshestumbledoverthebar，notbeingabletoseeit，andfellatfulllength。
Shewasnotmuchhurt，butinherfalloneoftheSilverShoescameoff;andbeforeshecouldreachit，theWitchhadsnatcheditawayandputitonherownskinnyfoot。
Thewickedwomanwasgreatlypleasedwiththesuccessofhertrick，foraslongasshehadoneoftheshoessheownedhalfthepoweroftheircharm，andDorothycouldnotuseitagainsther，evenhadsheknownhowtodoso。
Thelittlegirl，seeingshehadlostoneofherprettyshoes，grewangry，andsaidtotheWitch，"Givemebackmyshoe！"
"Iwillnot，"retortedtheWitch，"foritisnowmyshoe，andnotyours。"
"Youareawickedcreature！"criedDorothy。"Youhavenorighttotakemyshoefromme。"
"Ishallkeepit，justthesame，"saidtheWitch，laughingather，"andsomedayIshallgettheotheronefromyou，too。"
ThismadeDorothysoveryangrythatshepickedupthebucketofwaterthatstoodnearanddasheditovertheWitch，wettingherfromheadtofoot。
Instantlythewickedwomangavealoudcryoffear，andthen，asDorothylookedatherinwonder，theWitchbegantoshrinkandfallaway。
"Seewhatyouhavedone！"shescreamed。"InaminuteIshallmeltaway。"
"I’mverysorry，indeed，"saidDorothy，whowastrulyfrightenedtoseetheWitchactuallymeltingawaylikebrownsugarbeforeherveryeyes。
"Didn’tyouknowwaterwouldbetheendofme？"askedtheWitch，inawailing，despairingvoice。
"Ofcoursenot，"answeredDorothy。"HowshouldI？"
"Well，inafewminutesIshallbeallmelted，andyouwillhavethecastletoyourself。Ihavebeenwickedinmyday，butI
neverthoughtalittlegirllikeyouwouldeverbeabletomeltmeandendmywickeddeeds。Lookout——hereIgo！"
WiththesewordstheWitchfelldowninabrown，melted，shapelessmassandbegantospreadoverthecleanboardsofthekitchenfloor。Seeingthatshehadreallymeltedawaytonothing，Dorothydrewanotherbucketofwaterandthrewitoverthemess。
Shethensweptitalloutthedoor。Afterpickingoutthesilvershoe，whichwasallthatwasleftoftheoldwoman，shecleanedanddrieditwithacloth，andputitonherfootagain。Then，beingatlastfreetodoasshechose，sheranouttothecourtyardtotelltheLionthattheWickedWitchoftheWesthadcometoanend，andthattheywerenolongerprisonersinastrangeland。
13。TheRescueTheCowardlyLionwasmuchpleasedtohearthattheWickedWitchhadbeenmeltedbyabucketofwater，andDorothyatonceunlockedthegateofhisprisonandsethimfree。Theywentintogethertothecastle，whereDorothy’sfirstactwastocallalltheWinkiestogetherandtellthemthattheywerenolongerslaves。
TherewasgreatrejoicingamongtheyellowWinkies，fortheyhadbeenmadetoworkhardduringmanyyearsfortheWickedWitch，whohadalwaystreatedthemwithgreatcruelty。Theykeptthisdayasaholiday，thenandeverafter，andspentthetimeinfeastinganddancing。
"Ifourfriends，theScarecrowandtheTinWoodman，wereonlywithus，"saidtheLion，"Ishouldbequitehappy。"
"Don’tyousupposewecouldrescuethem？"askedthegirlanxiously。
"Wecantry，"answeredtheLion。
SotheycalledtheyellowWinkiesandaskedthemiftheywouldhelptorescuetheirfriends，andtheWinkiessaidthattheywouldbedelightedtodoallintheirpowerforDorothy，whohadsetthemfreefrombondage。SoshechoseanumberoftheWinkieswholookedasiftheyknewthemost，andtheyallstartedaway。TheytraveledthatdayandpartofthenextuntiltheycametotherockyplainwheretheTinWoodmanlay，allbatteredandbent。Hisaxewasnearhim，butthebladewasrustedandthehandlebrokenoffshort。
TheWinkiesliftedhimtenderlyintheirarms，andcarriedhimbacktotheYellowCastleagain，Dorothysheddingafewtearsbythewayatthesadplightofheroldfriend，andtheLionlookingsoberandsorry。WhentheyreachedthecastleDorothysaidtotheWinkies：
"Areanyofyourpeopletinsmiths？"
"Oh，yes。Someofusareverygoodtinsmiths，"theytoldher。
"Thenbringthemtome，"shesaid。Andwhenthetinsmithscame，bringingwiththemalltheirtoolsinbaskets，sheinquired，"CanyoustraightenoutthosedentsintheTinWoodman，andbendhimbackintoshapeagain，andsolderhimtogetherwhereheisbroken？"
ThetinsmithslookedtheWoodmanovercarefullyandthenansweredthattheythoughttheycouldmendhimsohewouldbeasgoodasever。Sotheysettoworkinoneofthebigyellowroomsofthecastleandworkedforthreedaysandfournights，hammeringandtwistingandbendingandsolderingandpolishingandpoundingatthelegsandbodyandheadoftheTinWoodman，untilatlasthewasstraightenedoutintohisoldform，andhisjointsworkedaswellasever。Tobesure，therewereseveralpatchesonhim，butthetinsmithsdidagoodjob，andastheWoodmanwasnotavainmanhedidnotmindthepatchesatall。
When，atlast，hewalkedintoDorothy’sroomandthankedherforrescuinghim，hewassopleasedthathewepttearsofjoy，andDorothyhadtowipeeverytearcarefullyfromhisfacewithherapron，sohisjointswouldnotberusted。Atthesametimeherowntearsfellthickandfastatthejoyofmeetingheroldfriendagain，andthesetearsdidnotneedtobewipedaway。AsfortheLion，hewipedhiseyessooftenwiththetipofhistailthatitbecamequitewet，andhewasobligedtogooutintothecourtyardandholditinthesuntillitdried。
"IfweonlyhadtheScarecrowwithusagain，"saidtheTinWoodman，whenDorothyhadfinishedtellinghimeverythingthathadhappened，"Ishouldbequitehappy。"
"Wemusttrytofindhim，"saidthegirl。
SoshecalledtheWinkiestohelpher，andtheywalkedallthatdayandpartofthenextuntiltheycametothetalltreeinthebranchesofwhichtheWingedMonkeyshadtossedthecarecrow’sclothes。
Itwasaverytalltree，andthetrunkwassosmooththatnoonecouldclimbit;buttheWoodmansaidatonce，"I’llchopitdown，andthenwecangettheScarecrow’sclothes。"
NowwhilethetinsmithshadbeenatworkmendingtheWoodmanhimself，anotheroftheWinkies，whowasagoldsmith，hadmadeanaxe-handleofsolidgoldandfittedittotheWoodman’saxe，insteadoftheoldbrokenhandle。Otherspolishedthebladeuntilalltherustwasremovedanditglistenedlikeburnishedsilver。
Assoonashehadspoken，theTinWoodmanbegantochop，andinashorttimethetreefelloverwithacrash，whereupontheScarecrow’sclothesfelloutofthebranchesandrolledoffontheground。
DorothypickedthemupandhadtheWinkiescarrythembacktothecastle，wheretheywerestuffedwithnice，cleanstraw;andbehold！herewastheScarecrow，asgoodasever，thankingthemoverandoveragainforsavinghim。
Nowthattheywerereunited，DorothyandherfriendsspentafewhappydaysattheYellowCastle，wheretheyfoundeverythingtheyneededtomakethemcomfortable。
ButonedaythegirlthoughtofAuntEm，andsaid，"WemustgobacktoOz，andclaimhispromise。"
"Yes，"saidtheWoodman，"atlastIshallgetmyheart。"
"AndIshallgetmybrains，"addedtheScarecrowjoyfully。
"AndIshallgetmycourage，"saidtheLionthoughtfully。
"AndIshallgetbacktoKansas，"criedDorothy，clappingherhands。
"Oh，letusstartfortheEmeraldCitytomorrow！"
Thistheydecidedtodo。ThenextdaytheycalledtheWinkiestogetherandbadethemgood-bye。TheWinkiesweresorrytohavethemgo，andtheyhadgrownsofondoftheTinWoodmanthattheybeggedhimtostayandruleoverthemandtheYellowLandoftheWest。
Findingtheyweredeterminedtogo，theWinkiesgaveTotoandtheLioneachagoldencollar;andtoDorothytheypresentedabeautifulbraceletstuddedwithdiamonds;andtotheScarecrowtheygaveagold-headedwalkingstick，tokeephimfromstumbling;andtotheTinWoodmantheyofferedasilveroil-can，inlaidwithgoldandsetwithpreciousjewels。
EveryoneofthetravelersmadetheWinkiesaprettyspeechinreturn，andallshookhandswiththemuntiltheirarmsached。
DorothywenttotheWitch’scupboardtofillherbasketwithfoodforthejourney，andthereshesawtheGoldenCap。Shetrieditonherownheadandfoundthatitfittedherexactly。ShedidnotknowanythingaboutthecharmoftheGoldenCap，butshesawthatitwaspretty，soshemadeuphermindtowearitandcarryhersunbonnetinthebasket。
Then，beingpreparedforthejourney，theyallstartedfortheEmeraldCity;andtheWinkiesgavethemthreecheersandmanygoodwishestocarrywiththem。
14。TheWingedMonkeysYouwillremembertherewasnoroad——notevenapathway——
betweenthecastleoftheWickedWitchandtheEmeraldCity。
WhenthefourtravelerswentinsearchoftheWitchshehadseenthemcoming，andsosenttheWingedMonkeystobringthemtoher。
Itwasmuchhardertofindtheirwaybackthroughthebigfieldsofbuttercupsandyellowdaisiesthanitwasbeingcarried。
Theyknew，ofcourse，theymustgostraighteast，towardtherisingsun;andtheystartedoffintherightway。Butatnoon，whenthesunwasovertheirheads，theydidnotknowwhichwaseastandwhichwaswest，andthatwasthereasontheywerelostinthegreatfields。Theykeptonwalking，however，andatnightthemooncameoutandshonebrightly。Sotheylaydownamongthesweetsmellingyellowflowersandsleptsoundlyuntilmorning——
allbuttheScarecrowandtheTinWoodman。
Thenextmorningthesunwasbehindacloud，buttheystartedon，asiftheywerequitesurewhichwaytheyweregoing。
"Ifwewalkfarenough，"saidDorothy，"Iamsureweshallsometimecometosomeplace。"
Butdaybydaypassedaway，andtheystillsawnothingbeforethembutthescarletfields。TheScarecrowbegantogrumbleabit。
"Wehavesurelylostourway，"hesaid，"andunlesswefinditagainintimetoreachtheEmeraldCity，Ishallnevergetmybrains。"
"NorImyheart，"declaredtheTinWoodman。"ItseemstomeI
canscarcelywaittillIgettoOz，andyoumustadmitthisisaverylongjourney。"
"Yousee，"saidtheCowardlyLion，withawhimper，"Ihaven’tthecouragetokeeptrampingforever，withoutgettinganywhereatall。"
ThenDorothylostheart。Shesatdownonthegrassandlookedathercompanions，andtheysatdownandlookedather，andTotofoundthatforthefirsttimeinhislifehewastootiredtochaseabutterflythatflewpasthishead。SoheputouthistongueandpantedandlookedatDorothyasiftoaskwhattheyshoulddonext。
"Supposewecallthefieldmice，"shesuggested。"TheycouldprobablytellusthewaytotheEmeraldCity。"
"Tobesuretheycould，"criedtheScarecrow。"Whydidn’twethinkofthatbefore？"
DorothyblewthelittlewhistleshehadalwayscarriedabouthernecksincetheQueenoftheMicehadgivenittoher。Inafewminutestheyheardthepatteringoftinyfeet，andmanyofthesmallgraymicecamerunninguptoher。AmongthemwastheQueenherself，whoasked，inhersqueakylittlevoice：
"WhatcanIdoformyfriends？"
"Wehavelostourway，"saidDorothy。"CanyoutelluswheretheEmeraldCityis？"
"Certainly，"answeredtheQueen;"butitisagreatwayoff，foryouhavehaditatyourbacksallthistime。"ThenshenoticedDorothy’sGoldenCap，andsaid，"Whydon’tyouusethecharmoftheCap，andcalltheWingedMonkeystoyou？TheywillcarryyoutotheCityofOzinlessthananhour。"
"Ididn’tknowtherewasacharm，"answeredDorothy，insurprise。"Whatisit？"
"ItiswritteninsidetheGoldenCap，"repliedtheQueenoftheMice。"ButifyouaregoingtocalltheWingedMonkeyswemustrunaway，fortheyarefullofmischiefandthinkitgreatfuntoplagueus。"
"Won’ttheyhurtme？"askedthegirlanxiously。
"Oh，no。TheymustobeytheweareroftheCap。Good-bye！"
Andshescamperedoutofsight，withallthemicehurryingafterher。
DorothylookedinsidetheGoldenCapandsawsomewordswrittenuponthelining。These，shethought，mustbethecharm，soshereadthedirectionscarefullyandputtheCapuponherhead。
"Ep-pe，pep-pe，kak-ke！"shesaid，standingonherleftfoot。
"Whatdidyousay？"askedtheScarecrow，whodidnotknowwhatshewasdoing。
"Hil-lo，hol-lo，hel-lo！"Dorothywenton，standingthistimeonherrightfoot。
"Hello！"repliedtheTinWoodmancalmly。
"Ziz-zy，zuz-zy，zik！"saidDorothy，whowasnowstandingonbothfeet。Thisendedthesayingofthecharm，andtheyheardagreatchatteringandflappingofwings，asthebandofWingedMonkeysflewuptothem。
TheKingbowedlowbeforeDorothy，andasked，"Whatisyourcommand？"
"WewishtogototheEmeraldCity，"saidthechild，"andwehavelostourway。"
"Wewillcarryyou，"repliedtheKing，andnosoonerhadhespokenthantwooftheMonkeyscaughtDorothyintheirarmsandflewawaywithher。OtherstooktheScarecrowandtheWoodmanandtheLion，andonelittleMonkeyseizedTotoandflewafterthem，althoughthedogtriedhardtobitehim。
TheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanwereratherfrightenedatfirst，fortheyrememberedhowbadlytheWingedMonkeyshadtreatedthembefore;buttheysawthatnoharmwasintended，sotheyrodethroughtheairquitecheerfully，andhadafinetimelookingattheprettygardensandwoodsfarbelowthem。
DorothyfoundherselfridingeasilybetweentwoofthebiggestMonkeys，oneofthemtheKinghimself。Theyhadmadeachairoftheirhandsandwerecarefulnottohurther。
"WhydoyouhavetoobeythecharmoftheGoldenCap？"sheasked。
"Thatisalongstory，"answeredtheKing，withaWingedlaugh;
"butaswehavealongjourneybeforeus，Iwillpassthetimebytellingyouaboutit，ifyouwish。"
"Ishallbegladtohearit，"shereplied。
"Once，"begantheleader，"wewereafreepeople，livinghappilyinthegreatforest，flyingfromtreetotree，eatingnutsandfruit，anddoingjustaswepleasedwithoutcallinganybodymaster。Perhapssomeofuswererathertoofullofmischiefattimes，flyingdowntopullthetailsoftheanimalsthathadnowings，chasingbirds，andthrowingnutsatthepeoplewhowalkedintheforest。Butwewerecarelessandhappyandfulloffun，andenjoyedeveryminuteoftheday。
Thiswasmanyyearsago，longbeforeOzcameoutofthecloudstoruleoverthisland。
"Therelivedherethen，awayattheNorth，abeautifulprincess，whowasalsoapowerfulsorceress。Allhermagicwasusedtohelpthepeople，andshewasneverknowntohurtanyonewhowasgood。
HernamewasGayelette，andshelivedinahandsomepalacebuiltfromgreatblocksofruby。Everyonelovedher，buthergreatestsorrowwasthatshecouldfindnoonetoloveinreturn，sinceallthemenweremuchtoostupidanduglytomatewithonesobeautifulandwise。Atlast，however，shefoundaboywhowashandsomeandmanlyandwisebeyondhisyears。Gayelettemadeuphermindthatwhenhegrewtobeamanshewouldmakehimherhusband，soshetookhimtoherrubypalaceandusedallhermagicpowerstomakehimasstrongandgoodandlovelyasanywomancouldwish。
Whenhegrewtomanhood，Quelala，ashewascalled，wassaidtobethebestandwisestmaninalltheland，whilehismanlybeautywassogreatthatGayelettelovedhimdearly，andhastenedtomakeeverythingreadyforthewedding。
"MygrandfatherwasatthattimetheKingoftheWingedMonkeyswhichlivedintheforestnearGayelette’spalace，andtheoldfellowlovedajokebetterthanagooddinner。Oneday，justbeforethewedding，mygrandfatherwasflyingoutwithhisbandwhenhesawQuelalawalkingbesidetheriver。Hewasdressedinarichcostumeofpinksilkandpurplevelvet，andmygrandfatherthoughthewouldseewhathecoulddo。
AthiswordthebandflewdownandseizedQuelala，carriedhimintheirarmsuntiltheywereoverthemiddleoftheriver，andthendroppedhimintothewater。
"`Swimout，myfinefellow，’criedmygrandfather，`andseeifthewaterhasspottedyourclothes。’Quelalawasmuchtoowisenottoswim，andhewasnotintheleastspoiledbyallhisgoodfortune。Helaughed，whenhecametothetopofthewater，andswamintoshore。ButwhenGayelettecamerunningouttohimshefoundhissilksandvelvetallruinedbytheriver。
"Theprincesswasangry，andsheknew，ofcourse，whodidit。
ShehadalltheWingedMonkeysbroughtbeforeher，andshesaidatfirstthattheirwingsshouldbetiedandtheyshouldbetreatedastheyhadtreatedQuelala，anddroppedintheriver。Butmygrandfatherpleadedhard，forheknewtheMonkeyswoulddrownintheriverwiththeirwingstied，andQuelalasaidakindwordforthemalso;sothatGayelettefinallysparedthem，onconditionthattheWingedMonkeysshouldeverafterdothreetimesthebiddingoftheowneroftheGoldenCap。ThisCaphadbeenmadeforaweddingpresenttoQuelala，anditissaidtohavecosttheprincesshalfherkingdom。OfcoursemygrandfatherandalltheotherMonkeysatonceagreedtothecondition，andthatishowithappensthatwearethreetimestheslavesoftheowneroftheGoldenCap，whosoeverhemaybe。"
"Andwhatbecameofthem？"askedDorothy，whohadbeengreatlyinterestedinthestory。
"QuelalabeingthefirstowneroftheGoldenCap，"repliedtheMonkey，"hewasthefirsttolayhiswishesuponus。Ashisbridecouldnotbearthesightofus，hecalledusalltohimintheforestafterhehadmarriedherandorderedusalwaystokeepwhereshecouldneveragainseteyesonaWingedMonkey，whichweweregladtodo，forwewereallafraidofher。
"ThiswasallweeverhadtodountiltheGoldenCapfellintothehandsoftheWickedWitchoftheWest，whomadeusenslavetheWinkies，andafterwarddriveOzhimselfoutoftheLandoftheWest。NowtheGoldenCapisyours，andthreetimesyouhavetherighttolayyourwishesuponus。"
AstheMonkeyKingfinishedhisstoryDorothylookeddownandsawthegreen，shiningwallsoftheEmeraldCitybeforethem。
ShewonderedattherapidflightoftheMonkeys，butwasgladthejourneywasover。ThestrangecreaturessetthetravelersdowncarefullybeforethegateoftheCity，theKingbowedlowtoDorothy，andthenflewswiftlyaway，followedbyallhisband。
"Thatwasagoodride，"saidthelittlegirl。
"Yes，andaquickwayoutofourtroubles，"repliedtheLion。
"HowluckyitwasyoubroughtawaythatwonderfulCap！"
15。TheDiscoveryofOz，theTerribleThefourtravelerswalkeduptothegreatgateofEmeraldCityandrangthebell。Afterringingseveraltimes，itwasopenedbythesameGuardianoftheGatestheyhadmetbefore。
"What！areyoubackagain？"heasked，insurprise。
"Doyounotseeus？"answeredtheScarecrow。
"ButIthoughtyouhadgonetovisittheWickedWitchoftheWest。"
"Wedidvisither，"saidtheScarecrow。
"Andsheletyougoagain？"askedtheman，inwonder。
"Shecouldnothelpit，forsheismelted，"explainedtheScarecrow。
"Melted！Well，thatisgoodnews，indeed，"saidtheman。
"Whomeltedher？"
"ItwasDorothy，"saidtheLiongravely。
"Goodgracious！"exclaimedtheman，andhebowedverylowindeedbeforeher。
Thenheledthemintohislittleroomandlockedthespectaclesfromthegreatboxonalltheireyes，justashehaddonebefore。
AfterwardtheypassedonthroughthegateintotheEmeraldCity。
WhenthepeopleheardfromtheGuardianoftheGatesthatDorothyhadmeltedtheWickedWitchoftheWest，theyallgatheredaroundthetravelersandfollowedtheminagreatcrowdtothePalaceofOz。
Thesoldierwiththegreenwhiskerswasstillonguardbeforethedoor，buthelettheminatonce，andtheywereagainmetbythebeautifulgreengirl，whoshowedeachofthemtotheiroldroomsatonce，sotheymightrestuntiltheGreatOzwasreadytoreceivethem。
ThesoldierhadthenewscarriedstraighttoOzthatDorothyandtheothertravelershadcomebackagain，afterdestroyingtheWickedWitch;butOzmadenoreply。TheythoughttheGreatWizardwouldsendforthematonce，buthedidnot。Theyhadnowordfromhimthenextday，northenext，northenext。Thewaitingwastiresomeandwearing，andatlasttheygrewvexedthatOzshouldtreattheminsopoorafashion，aftersendingthemtoundergohardshipsandslavery。SotheScarecrowatlastaskedthegreengirltotakeanothermessagetoOz，sayingifhedidnotletthemintoseehimatoncetheywouldcalltheWingedMonkeystohelpthem，andfindoutwhetherhekepthispromisesornot。
WhentheWizardwasgiventhismessagehewassofrightenedthathesentwordforthemtocometotheThroneRoomatfourminutesafternineo’clockthenextmorning。HehadoncemettheWingedMonkeysintheLandoftheWest，andhedidnotwishtomeetthemagain。
Thefourtravelerspassedasleeplessnight，eachthinkingofthegiftOzhadpromisedtobestowonhim。Dorothyfellasleeponlyonce，andthenshedreamedshewasinKansas，whereAuntEmwastellingherhowgladshewastohaveherlittlegirlathomeagain。
Promptlyatnineo’clockthenextmorningthegreen-whiskeredsoldiercametothem，andfourminuteslatertheyallwentintotheThroneRoomoftheGreatOz。
OfcourseeachoneofthemexpectedtoseetheWizardintheshapehehadtakenbefore，andallweregreatlysurprisedwhentheylookedaboutandsawnooneatallintheroom。Theykeptclosetothedoorandclosertooneanother，forthestillnessoftheemptyroomwasmoredreadfulthananyoftheformstheyhadseenOztake。
PresentlytheyheardasolemnVoice，thatseemedtocomefromsomewherenearthetopofthegreatdome，anditsaid：
"IamOz，theGreatandTerrible。Whydoyouseekme？"
Theylookedagainineverypartoftheroom，andthen，seeingnoone，Dorothyasked，"Whereareyou？"
"Iameverywhere，"answeredtheVoice，"buttotheeyesofcommonmortalsIaminvisible。Iwillnowseatmyselfuponmythrone，thatyoumayconversewithme。"Indeed，theVoiceseemedjustthentocomestraightfromthethroneitself;sotheywalkedtowarditandstoodinarowwhileDorothysaid：
"Wehavecometoclaimourpromise，OOz。"
"Whatpromise？"askedOz。
"YoupromisedtosendmebacktoKansaswhentheWickedWitchwasdestroyed，"saidthegirl。
"Andyoupromisedtogivemebrains，"saidtheScarecrow。
"Andyoupromisedtogivemeaheart，"saidtheTinWoodman。
"Andyoupromisedtogivemecourage，"saidtheCowardlyLion。
"IstheWickedWitchreallydestroyed？"askedtheVoice，andDorothythoughtittrembledalittle。
"Yes，"sheanswered，"Imeltedherwithabucketofwater。"
"Dearme，"saidtheVoice，"howsudden！Well，cometometomorrow，forImusthavetimetothinkitover。"
"You’vehadplentyoftimealready，"saidtheTinWoodmanangrily。
"Weshan’twaitadaylonger，"saidtheScarecrow。
"Youmustkeepyourpromisestous！"exclaimedDorothy。
TheLionthoughtitmightbeaswelltofrightentheWizard，sohegavealarge，loudroar，whichwassofierceanddreadfulthatTotojumpedawayfromhiminalarmandtippedoverthescreenthatstoodinacorner。Asitfellwithacrashtheylookedthatway，andthenextmomentallofthemwerefilledwithwonder。
Fortheysaw，standinginjustthespotthescreenhadhidden，alittleoldman，withabaldheadandawrinkledface，whoseemedtobeasmuchsurprisedastheywere。TheTinWoodman，raisinghisaxe，rushedtowardthelittlemanandcriedout，"Whoareyou？"
"IamOz，theGreatandTerrible，"saidthelittleman，inatremblingvoice。"Butdon’tstrikeme——pleasedon’t——andI’lldoanythingyouwantmeto。"
Ourfriendslookedathiminsurpriseanddismay。
"IthoughtOzwasagreatHead，"saidDorothy。
"AndIthoughtOzwasalovelyLady，"saidtheScarecrow。
"AndIthoughtOzwasaterribleBeast，"saidtheTinWoodman。
"AndIthoughtOzwasaBallofFire，"exclaimedtheLion。
"No，youareallwrong，"saidthelittlemanmeekly。"Ihavebeenmakingbelieve。"
"Makingbelieve！"criedDorothy。"AreyounotaGreatWizard？"
"Hush，mydear，"hesaid。"Don’tspeaksoloud，oryouwillbeoverheard——andIshouldberuined。I’msupposedtobeaGreatWizard。"
"Andaren’tyou？"sheasked。
"Notabitofit，mydear;I’mjustacommonman。"
"You’remorethanthat，"saidtheScarecrow，inagrievedtone;
"you’reahumbug。"
"Exactlyso！"declaredthelittleman，rubbinghishandstogetherasifitpleasedhim。"Iamahumbug。"
"Butthisisterrible，"saidtheTinWoodman。"HowshallI
evergetmyheart？"
"OrImycourage？"askedtheLion。
"OrImybrains？"wailedtheScarecrow，wipingthetearsfromhiseyeswithhiscoatsleeve。
"Mydearfriends，"saidOz，"Iprayyounottospeakoftheselittlethings。Thinkofme，andtheterribletroubleI’minatbeingfoundout。"
"Doesn’tanyoneelseknowyou’reahumbug？"askedDorothy。
"Nooneknowsitbutyoufour——andmyself，"repliedOz。"I
havefooledeveryonesolongthatIthoughtIshouldneverbefoundout。ItwasagreatmistakemyeverlettingyouintotheThroneRoom。UsuallyIwillnotseeevenmysubjects，andsotheybelieveIamsomethingterrible。"
"But，Idon’tunderstand，"saidDorothy，inbewilderment。
"HowwasitthatyouappearedtomeasagreatHead？"
"Thatwasoneofmytricks，"answeredOz。"Stepthisway，please，andIwilltellyouallaboutit。"
HeledthewaytoasmallchamberintherearoftheThroneRoom，andtheyallfollowedhim。Hepointedtoonecorner，inwhichlaythegreatHead，madeoutofmanythicknessesofpaper，andwithacarefullypaintedface。
"ThisIhungfromtheceilingbyawire，"saidOz。"Istoodbehindthescreenandpulledathread，tomaketheeyesmoveandthemouthopen。"
"Buthowaboutthevoice？"sheinquired。
"Oh，Iamaventriloquist，"saidthelittleman。"IcanthrowthesoundofmyvoicewhereverIwish，sothatyouthoughtitwascomingoutoftheHead。HerearetheotherthingsIusedtodeceiveyou。"HeshowedtheScarecrowthedressandthemaskhehadwornwhenheseemedtobethelovelyLady。AndtheTinWoodmansawthathisterribleBeastwasnothingbutalotofskins，sewntogether，withslatstokeeptheirsidesout。AsfortheBallofFire，thefalseWizardhadhungthatalsofromtheceiling。Itwasreallyaballofcotton，butwhenoilwaspoureduponittheballburnedfiercely。
"Really，"saidtheScarecrow，"yououghttobeashamedofyourselfforbeingsuchahumbug。"
"Iam——Icertainlyam，"answeredthelittlemansorrowfully;
"butitwastheonlythingIcoulddo。Sitdown，please，thereareplentyofchairs;andIwilltellyoumystory。"
Sotheysatdownandlistenedwhilehetoldthefollowingtale。
"IwasborninOmaha——"
"Why，thatisn’tveryfarfromKansas！"criedDorothy。
"No，butit’sfartherfromhere，"hesaid，shakinghisheadathersadly。"WhenIgrewupIbecameaventriloquist，andatthatIwasverywelltrainedbyagreatmaster。Icanimitateanykindofabirdorbeast。"HerehemewedsolikeakittenthatTotoprickeduphisearsandlookedeverywheretoseewhereshewas。
"Afteratime，"continuedOz，"Itiredofthat，andbecameaballoonist。"
"Whatisthat？"askedDorothy。
"Amanwhogoesupinaballoononcircusday，soastodrawacrowdofpeopletogetherandgetthemtopaytoseethecircus，"
heexplained。
"Oh，"shesaid，"Iknow。"
"Well，onedayIwentupinaballoonandtheropesgottwisted，sothatIcouldn’tcomedownagain。Itwentwayupabovetheclouds，sofarthatacurrentofairstruckitandcarrieditmany，manymilesaway。ForadayandanightItraveledthroughtheair，andonthemorningoftheseconddayIawokeandfoundtheballoonfloatingoverastrangeandbeautifulcountry。
"Itcamedowngradually，andIwasnothurtabit。ButI
foundmyselfinthemidstofastrangepeople，who，seeingmecomefromtheclouds，thoughtIwasagreatWizard。OfcourseIletthemthinkso，becausetheywereafraidofme，andpromisedtodoanythingIwishedthemto。
"Justtoamusemyself，andkeepthegoodpeoplebusy，I
orderedthemtobuildthisCity，andmyPalace;andtheydiditallwillinglyandwell。ThenIthought，asthecountrywassogreenandbeautiful，IwouldcallittheEmeraldCity;andtomakethenamefitbetterIputgreenspectaclesonallthepeople，sothateverythingtheysawwasgreen。"
"Butisn’teverythingheregreen？"askedDorothy。
"Nomorethaninanyothercity，"repliedOz;"butwhenyouweargreenspectacles，whyofcourseeverythingyouseelooksgreentoyou。TheEmeraldCitywasbuiltagreatmanyyearsago，forIwasayoungmanwhentheballoonbroughtmehere，andIamaveryoldmannow。ButmypeoplehaveworngreenglassesontheireyessolongthatmostofthemthinkitreallyisanEmeraldCity，anditcertainlyisabeautifulplace，aboundinginjewelsandpreciousmetals，andeverygoodthingthatisneededtomakeonehappy。Ihavebeengoodtothepeople，andtheylikeme;
buteversincethisPalacewasbuilt，Ihaveshutmyselfupandwouldnotseeanyofthem。
"OneofmygreatestfearswastheWitches，forwhileIhadnomagicalpowersatallIsoonfoundoutthattheWitcheswerereallyabletodowonderfulthings。Therewerefouroftheminthiscountry，andtheyruledthepeoplewholiveintheNorthandSouthandEastandWest。Fortunately，theWitchesoftheNorthandSouthweregood，andIknewtheywoulddomenoharm;buttheWitchesoftheEastandWestwereterriblywicked，andhadtheynotthoughtIwasmorepowerfulthantheythemselves，theywouldsurelyhavedestroyedme。Asitwas，Ilivedindeadlyfearofthemformanyyears;soyoucanimaginehowpleasedIwaswhenIheardyourhousehadfallenontheWickedWitchoftheEast。
Whenyoucametome，IwaswillingtopromiseanythingifyouwouldonlydoawaywiththeotherWitch;but，nowthatyouhavemeltedher，IamashamedtosaythatIcannotkeepmypromises。"
"Ithinkyouareaverybadman，"saidDorothy。
"Oh，no，mydear;I’mreallyaverygoodman，butI’maverybadWizard，Imustadmit。"
"Can’tyougivemebrains？"askedtheScarecrow。
"Youdon’tneedthem。Youarelearningsomethingeveryday。
Ababyhasbrains，butitdoesn’tknowmuch。Experienceistheonlythingthatbringsknowledge，andthelongeryouareonearththemoreexperienceyouaresuretoget。"
"Thatmayallbetrue，"saidtheScarecrow，"butIshallbeveryunhappyunlessyougivemebrains。"
ThefalseWizardlookedathimcarefully。
"Well，"hesaidwithasigh，"I’mnotmuchofamagician，asIsaid;butifyouwillcometometomorrowmorning，Iwillstuffyourheadwithbrains。Icannottellyouhowtousethem，however;youmustfindthatoutforyourself。"
"Oh，thankyou——thankyou！"criedtheScarecrow。"I’llfindawaytousethem，neverfear！"
"Buthowaboutmycourage？"askedtheLionanxiously。
"Youhaveplentyofcourage，Iamsure，"answeredOz。"Allyouneedisconfidenceinyourself。Thereisnolivingthingthatisnotafraidwhenitfacesdanger。TheTruecourageisinfacingdangerwhenyouareafraid，andthatkindofcourageyouhaveinplenty。"
"PerhapsIhave，butI’mscaredjustthesame，"saidtheLion。
"Ishallreallybeveryunhappyunlessyougivemethesortofcouragethatmakesoneforgetheisafraid。"
"Verywell，Iwillgiveyouthatsortofcouragetomorrow，"
repliedOz。
"Howaboutmyheart？"askedtheTinWoodman。
"Why，asforthat，"answeredOz，"Ithinkyouarewrongtowantaheart。Itmakesmostpeopleunhappy。Ifyouonlyknewit，youareinlucknottohaveaheart。"
"Thatmustbeamatterofopinion，"saidtheTinWoodman。
"Formypart，Iwillbearalltheunhappinesswithoutamurmur，ifyouwillgivemetheheart。"
"Verywell，"answeredOzmeekly。"Cometometomorrowandyoushallhaveaheart。IhaveplayedWizardforsomanyyearsthatI
mayaswellcontinuethepartalittlelonger。"
"Andnow，"saidDorothy，"howamItogetbacktoKansas？"
"Weshallhavetothinkaboutthat，"repliedthelittleman。
"GivemetwoorthreedaystoconsiderthematterandI’lltrytofindawaytocarryyouoverthedesert。Inthemeantimeyoushallallbetreatedasmyguests，andwhileyouliveinthePalacemypeoplewillwaituponyouandobeyyourslightestwish。ThereisonlyonethingIaskinreturnformyhelp——suchasitis。YoumustkeepmysecretandtellnooneIamahumbug。"
Theyagreedtosaynothingofwhattheyhadlearned，andwentbacktotheirroomsinhighspirits。EvenDorothyhadhopethat"TheGreatandTerribleHumbug，"asshecalledhim，wouldfindawaytosendherbacktoKansas，andifhedidshewaswillingtoforgivehimeverything。
16。TheMagicArtoftheGreatHumbugNextmorningtheScarecrowsaidtohisfriends：
"Congratulateme。IamgoingtoOztogetmybrainsatlast。
WhenIreturnIshallbeasothermenare。"
"Ihavealwayslikedyouasyouwere，"saidDorothysimply。
"ItiskindofyoutolikeaScarecrow，"hereplied。"Butsurelyyouwillthinkmoreofmewhenyouhearthesplendidthoughtsmynewbrainisgoingtoturnout。"Thenhesaidgood-byetothemallinacheerfulvoiceandwenttotheThroneRoom，whereherappeduponthedoor。
"Comein，"saidOz。
TheScarecrowwentinandfoundthelittlemansittingdownbythewindow，engagedindeepthought。
"Ihavecomeformybrains，"remarkedtheScarecrow，alittleuneasily。
"Oh，yes;sitdowninthatchair，please，"repliedOz。"Youmustexcusemefortakingyourheadoff，butIshallhavetodoitinordertoputyourbrainsintheirproperplace。"
"That’sallright，"saidtheScarecrow。"Youarequitewelcometotakemyheadoff，aslongasitwillbeabetteronewhenyouputitonagain。"
SotheWizardunfastenedhisheadandemptiedoutthestraw。
Thenheenteredthebackroomandtookupameasureofbran，whichhemixedwithagreatmanypinsandneedles。Havingshakenthemtogetherthoroughly，hefilledthetopoftheScarecrow’sheadwiththemixtureandstuffedtherestofthespacewithstraw，toholditinplace。
WhenhehadfastenedtheScarecrow’sheadonhisbodyagainhesaidtohim，"Hereafteryouwillbeagreatman，forIhavegivenyoualotofbran-newbrains。"
TheScarecrowwasbothpleasedandproudatthefulfillmentofhisgreatestwish，andhavingthankedOzwarmlyhewentbacktohisfriends。
Dorothylookedathimcuriously。Hisheadwasquitebulgedoutatthetopwithbrains。
"Howdoyoufeel？"sheasked。
"Ifeelwiseindeed，"heansweredearnestly。"WhenIgetusedtomybrainsIshallknoweverything。"
"Whyarethoseneedlesandpinsstickingoutofyourhead？"
askedtheTinWoodman。
"Thatisproofthatheissharp，"remarkedtheLion。
"Well，ImustgotoOzandgetmyheart，"saidtheWoodman。
SohewalkedtotheThroneRoomandknockedatthedoor。
返回顶部