Classic Audiobook Collection - The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum ~ Full Audiobook [fantasy]

Episode Date: February 10, 2023

The Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum audiobook. Genre: fantasy A Faithful Story of the Astonishing Adventure Undertaken by the Tin Woodman, assisted by Woot the Wanderer, the Scarecrow of Oz, and Polychrome, the Rainbow's Daughter. The Tin Woodman, whose real name is Nick Chopper, seeks to find the Munchkin Girl he had courted before he became a tin man. Sadly, she has a new love and no longer cares for him. As he attempts to regain her affection, Nick discovers a fellow tin man, Captain Fyter, as well as a Frankenstein monster-like creature, Chopfyt, made from their combined parts by the tinsmith, Ku-Klip. Many exciting adventures happen to everyone involved and the Land of Oz contributes much magic and happiness to the outcome. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:13:33) Chapter 02 (00:25:38) Chapter 03 (00:37:21) Chapter 04 (00:57:58) Chapter 05 (01:15:59) Chapter 06 (01:37:22) Chapter 07 (01:45:38) Chapter 08 (02:03:25) Chapter 09 (02:14:49) Chapter 10 (02:29:15) Chapter 11 (02:41:59) Chapter 12 (02:53:46) Chapter 13 (03:09:29) Chapter 14 (03:15:52) Chapter 15 (03:29:13) Chapter 16 (03:37:31) Chapter 17 (03:44:18) Chapter 18 (04:05:13) Chapter 19 (04:31:40) Chapter 20 (04:40:59) Chapter 21 (04:53:32) Chapter 22 (05:04:33) Chapter 23 (05:10:53) Chapter 24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

the tin woodman of oz by l frank balm chapter i wot the wanderer the tin woodman sat on his glittering tin throne in the handsome tin hall of his splendid tin castle in the winky country of the land of oz beside him in a chair of woven straw sat his best friend the scarecrow of oz at times they spoke to one another of curious things they had seen, and strange adventures they had known, since first they too had met and became comrades. But at times they were silent, for these things had been talked over many times between them, and they found themselves contented in merely being together, speaking now and then a brief sentence to prove they were wide-awake and attentive. But then these two quaint persons never slept.

Why should they sleep when they never tired? And now, as the brilliant sun sank low over the Winky country of Oz, tinting the glistening tin towers and ten minarets of the tin castle with glorious sunset hues, their approached along a winding pathway, Woot the Wanderer, who met at the castle entrance a winky servant. The servants of the ten woodmen all wore tin helmets, and tin breastplates and uniforms, covered with tiny tin discs, sewed closely together on silver cloth,

so that their body sparkled as beautifully as did the tin castle, and almost as beautifully as did the tin woodman himself. Woot the Wanderer looked at the man-servant, all bright and glittering, and at the magnificent castle, all bright and glittering, and as he looked his eyes grew big with wonder. for woot was not very big and not very old and wonderer though he was this proved the most gorgeous sight that had ever met his boyish gaze who lives here he asked the emperor of the winkies who is the famous tin woodman of oz replied the servant who had been trained to treat all strangers with courtesy a tin woodman how queer "'Queer,' exclaimed the little Wanderer.

"'Well, perhaps our Emperor is queer,' admitted the servant. "'But he is a kind master, and as honest and true as good tin can make him. So we who gladly serve him are apt to forget that he is not like other people.' "'May I see him?' asked Woot the Wanderer after a moment's thought. "'If it pleases you to wait a moment, I will go and ask him.' said the servant, and then he went into the hall where the tin woodman sat with his friend the scarecrow. Both were glad to learn that a stranger had arrived at the castle, for this would give them something new to talk about, so the servant was asked to admit the boy at once.

By the time Woot the Wanderer had passed through the grand corridors, all lined with ornamental tin, and under stately tin archways, and through the many tin rooms all set with beautiful tin furniture. His eyes had grown bigger than ever, and his whole little body thrilled with amazement. But astonished though he was, he was able to make a polite bow before the throne, and to say in a respectful voice, I salute your illustrious majesty and offer you my humble service. very good answered the tin woodman in his accustomed cheerful manner tell me who you are and whence you come i am known as wot the wonderer answered the boy and i have come through many travels and by roundabout ways from my former home in a far corner of the gillicling country of oz to wonder from one's home remarked the scarecrow is to encounter dangers

and hardships, especially if one is made of meat and bone. Had you no friends in that corner of the Gilligan country? Was it not home-like and comfortable? To hear a man stuffed with straw speak, and speak so well, quite startled woot, and perhaps he stared a bit rudely at the scarecrow. But after a moment he replied, I had home and friends, your honorable Strawness, but they were so quiet and happy and comfortable, that I found them dismally stupid.

Nothing in that corner of Oz interested me, but I believed that in other parts of the country I would find strange people and see new sights. And so I set out upon my wandering journey. I have been a wonderer for nearly a full year. and now my wanderings have brought me to this splendid castle i suppose said the tin woodman that in this year you have seen so much that you have become very wise no replied wute thoughtfully i am not at all wise i beg to assure your majesty the more i wonder the less i find that i know for in the land of oz much wisdom and many things may be learned. To learn is simple.

Don't you ask questions? inquired the scarecrow. Yes, I ask as many questions as I dare, but some people refuse to answer questions. That is not kind of them, declared the ten woodman. If one does not ask for information he seldom receives it, so I, for my part, make it a rule to answer any civil question that is asked. asked me.

"'So do I,' added the scarecrow, nodding. "'I am glad to hear this,' said the Wanderer. "'For it makes me bold to ask for something to eat.' "'Bless the boy!' cried the Emperor of the Winkies. "'How careless of me not to remember that Wanderers are usually hungry! I will have food brought you at once!' Saying this, he blew upon a tin whistle that was suspended from his tent. neck. And at the summons a servant appeared and bowed low. The tin woodman ordered food for the

stranger, and in a few minutes the servant brought in a tin tray, heaped with a choice array of good things to eat, all neatly displayed on tin dishes that were polished till they shone like mirrors. The tray was set upon a tin table drawn before the throne, and the servant placed a tin chair before the table for the boy to seat himself. "'Eat, friend, wanderer,' said the emperor, cordially. "'And I trust the feast will be to your liking. I myself do not eat being made in such manner that I require no food to keep me alive.

Neither does my friend the scarecrow. But all my winky people eat, being formed of flesh as you are, and so my tin cupboard is never bare, and strangers are always welcome to whatever it contains the boy ate in silence for a time being really hungry but after his appetite was somewhat satisfied he said how happened your majesty to be made of tin and still be alive that replied the tin man is a long story the longer the better said the boy won't you please tell me the story if you desire it promised the tin woodman leaning back in his tin throne and crossing his tin legs i haven't related my history in a long while because every one here knows it nearly as well as i do but you being a stranger are no doubt curious to learn how i became so beautiful and prosperous so i will recite for your benefit my strange adventures thank you said wot the wanderer still eating i was not always made of tin began the emperor for in the beginning i was a man of flesh and bone and blood and lived in the munchkin country of oz there i was by trade a woodchopper

and contributed my share to the comfort of the oz people by chopping up the trees of the forests to make firewood with which the women would cook their meals while the children would cook their meals while the children warmed themselves about the fires. For my home I had a little hut by the edge of the forest, and my life was one of much content, until I fell in love with a beautiful Munchkin girl who lived not far away. What was the Munchkin girl's name? asked Woot. Nimmie, Amy. This girl, so fair that the sunsets blushed when their rays fell upon her, lived with a powerful witch who wore silver shoes,

and who had made the poor child her slave. Nimmie Aimey was obliged to work from morning till night for the old witch of the east, scrubbing and sweeping her hut, and cooking her meals and washing her dishes. She had to cut firewood, too, until I found her one day in the forest, and fell in love with her. After that I always brought plenty of firewood to Nimmie Ame Ame, Amy, and we became very friendly.

Finally, I asked her to marry me, and she agreed to do so. But the witch happened to overhear our conversation, and it made her very angry, for she did not wish her slave to be taken away from her. The witch commanded me never to come near Nimmy Amy again, but I told her I was my own master, and would do as I pleased, not realizing that this was a careless way to speak to a witch. The next day, as I was cutting wood in the forest, the cruel witch enchanted my axe,

so that it slipped and cut off my right leg. How dreadful! cried Woot the Wanderer. Yes, it was a seeming misfortune, agreed the tin man, or a one-legged woodchopper is of little use in his trade, but I would not allow the witch to conquer me so easily. i knew a very skilful mechanic at the other side of the forest who was my friend so i hopped on one leg to him and asked him to help me he soon made me a new leg out of tin and fastened it cleverly to my meat body it had joints at the knee and at the ankle and was almost as comfortable as the leg i had lost your friend must have been a wonderful workman exclaimed root he was indeed admitted the emperor he was a tin smith by trade and could make anything out of tin when i returned to nimmy amy the girl was delighted and threw her arms around my neck and kissed me declaring she was proud of me

the witch saw the kiss and was more angry than before when i went to work in the forest next day my axe being still enchanted slipped and cut off my other leg again i hopped on my tin leg to my friend the tin smith who kindly made me another tin leg and fastened it to my body so i returned joyfully to nimmy amy who was much pleased with my glittering leg and promised that when we were wed she would always keep them oiled and polished. But the witch was more furious than ever. And as soon as I raised my axe to chop, it twisted around and cut off one of my arms. The Tensmith made me a tin arm, and I was not much worried, because Nimmie Aimey declared she still loved me.

End of Chapter 1. Chapter 2 of the Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 2. The Heart of the Tin Woodman. The Emperor of the Winkies paused in his story to reach for an oil can with which he carefully oil the joints in his tin throat, for his voice had begun to squeak a little. wot the wanderer having satisfied his hunger watched this oiling process with much curiosity but begged the tin man to go on with his tail the witch with the silver shoes hated me for having defied her resumed the emperor his voice now sounding clear as a bell and she insisted that nemi amy should never marry me

therefore she made the enchanted axe cut off my other arm and the tin smith also replaced that member with tin including these finely jointed hands that you see me using but alas after that the axe still enchanted by the cruel witch cut my body in two so that i fell to the ground then the witch who was watching from a near-by bush rushed up and seized the axe and chopped my body in two so that i fell to the ground then the witch who was watching from a near-by bush rushed up and seized the axe and chopped my chopped my body into several small pieces, after which, thinking that at last she had destroyed me, she ran away, laughing in wicked glee. But Nemi-Amy found me. She picked up my arms and legs and head, and made a bundle of them and carried them to the tin-smith, who set to work, and made me a fine body of pure tin. When he had joined the arms and legs to the body and set my head in the tin collar, I was a much better man than ever, for my body could not ache or pain me. And I was so beautiful and bright that I had no need of clothing. Clothing is always a nuisance,

because it soils and tears and has to be replaced. But my tin body only needs to be oiled and polished. Nimmie Amy still declared she would marry me, as she still loved me in spite of the witch's evil deeds. The girl declared I would make the brightest husband in all the world, which was quite true. However, the wicked witch was not yet defeated. When I returned to my work, the axe slipped and cut off my head, which was the only meat part of me then remaining. Moreover, the old woman grabbed up my severed head and carried it away with her and hid it. But Nimmy Amy came into the forest and found me wandering around helplessly, because I could not

see where to go, and she led me to my friend the Tinsmith. The faithful fellow at once set to work to make me a tin head. And he had just completed it when Nimmie Amy came running up with my old head, which she had stolen from the witch. but on reflection I considered the tin head far superior to the meat one. I am wearing it yet, so you can see its beauty and grace of outline, and the girl agreed with me that a man all made of tin was far more perfect than one formed of different materials.

The Ten Smith was as proud of his workmanship as I was, and for three whole days all admired me and praised my beauty. Being now completely formed of ten, I had no more fear of the wicked witch, for she was powerless to injure me. Nimmie Amy said we must be married at once, for then she could come to my cottage and live with me and keep me bright and sparkling.

I am sure, my dear Nick, said the brave and beautiful girl. My name was then Nick, Chopper, you should be told. that you will make the best husband any girl could have i shall not be obliged to cook for you for now you do not eat i shall not have to make your bed for tin does not tire or require sleep when we go to a dance you will not get weary before the music stops and say you want to go home all day long while you are chopping wood in the forest i shall be able to amuse myself in my own own way a privilege few wives enjoy there is no temper in your new head so you will not get angry with me finally i shall take pride in being the wife of the only ten woodmen in all the world which shows that nimmy amy was as wise as she was brave and beautiful i think she was a very nice girl said wot the wanderer but tell me please why were why were you not killed when you were chopped to pieces? In the land of Oz, replied the Emperor, no one can ever be killed.

A man with a wooden leg or a tin leg is still the same man. And as I lost parts of my meat body by degrees, I always remained the same person as in the beginning, even though in the end I was all ten and no meat. I see, said the poor. thoughtfully. "'And did you marry Nimmy, Amy?' "'No,' answered the Tin Woodman. "'I did not.'

"'She said she still loved me, "'but I found that I no longer loved her. "'My tin body contained no heart, "'and without a heart no one can love. "'So the wicked witch conquered in the end, "'and when I left the Munchkin country of Oz, "'the poor girl was still the slave of the witch, and had to do her bidding day and night.

"'Where did you go?' asked Woot. "'Well, I first started out to find a heart, "'so I could love Nimmie Amy again. "'But hearts are more scarce than one would think. "'One day, in a big forest that was strange to me, "'my joints suddenly became rusted "'because I had forgotten to oil them. "'There I stood,

"'unable to move hand or ferned, foot. And there I continued to stand while days came and went, until Dorothy and the scarecrow came along and rescued me. They oiled my joints and set me free, and I've taken good care never to rust again. Who is this Dorothy? questioned the wanderer. A little girl who happened to be in a house when it was carried by a cyclone all the way from Kansas to the land of Oz. When the house fell in the Munchkin country,

it fortunately landed on the wicked witch and smashed her flat. It was a big house, and I think the witch is under it yet. No, said the scarecrow, correcting him. Dorothy says the witch turned to dust, and the wind scattered the dust in every direction. Well, continued the tin woodman. After meeting the scarecrow and Dorothy, I went with them to the Emerald City, where the Wizard of Oz gave me a heart. But the Wizard's stock of hearts was low, and he gave me a kind heart, instead of a loving heart,

so that I could not love Nimmy Amy any more than I did when I was heartless. Couldn't the Wizard give you a heart that was both kind and loving?' asked the boy. No, that was what I asked for, but he said he was so short on hearts just then, that there was but one in stock, and I could take that or none at all. So I accepted it, and I must say that for its kind it is a very good heart indeed. It seems to me, said Woot, musingly, that the wizard fooled you? It can't be a very kind heart, you know. "'Why not?' demanded the emperor. "'Because it was unkind of you to desert the girl who loved you, and who had been faithful and true to you when you were in trouble. Had the heart the wizard gave you been a kind heart,

you would have gone back home and made the beautiful munchkin girl your wife, and then brought her here to be an empress and live in your splendid tin castle.' The Ten Woodman was so surprised at this frank speech that for a time he did nothing but stare hard at the boy-wonderer. But the scarecrow wagged his stuffed head and said in a positive tone, "'This boy is right. I've often wondered myself why you didn't go back and find that poor Munchkin girl.' Then the Ten Woodman stared hard at his friend the scarecrow. but finally he said in a serious tone of voice, I must admit that never before have I thought of such a thing as finding Nimmie Amy

and making her empress of the Winkies. But it is surely not too late even now to do this, for the girl must still be living in the Munchkin country. And since this strange wanderer has reminded me of Nimi Amie, I believe it is my duty to set out and find her. Surely it is not the girl's fault that I no longer love her. And so if I can make her happy, it is proper that I should do so, and in this way reward her for her faithfulness.

Quite right, my friend, agreed the scarecrow. Will you accompany me on this errand? asked the ten emperor. Of course, said the scarecrow. "'And will you take me along?' pleaded Woot the Wanderer in an eager voice. "'To be sure,' said the tin woodman, "'if you care to join our party. "'It was you who first told me it was my duty to find and marry Nimmie, Amy, "'and I'd like you to know that Nick Chopper, the Tin Emperor of the Winkies, "'is a man who never shirks his duty once it is pointed out to him.

It ought to be a pleasure as well as a duty, if the girl is so beautiful, said Woot, well-pleased with the idea of the adventure. Beautiful things may be admired, if not loved, asserted the ten-man. Flowers are beautiful, for instance, but we are not inclined to marry them. Duty, on the contrary, is a bugle call to action, whether you are inclined to act or not. In this case, I obey the bugle call of beauty. "'When shall we start?' inquired the scarecrow, who was always glad to embark on a new adventure. "'I don't hear any bugle, but when do we go?'

"'As soon as we can get ready,' answered the emperor. "'I'll call my servants at once in order them to make preparations for our journey.' "'Eend of chapter two. Chapter 3 of the Tin Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Liebervox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 3. Roundabout Woot the Wanderer slept that night in the tin castle of the Emperor of the Winkies, and found his tin bed quite comfortable.

Early the next morning he rose and took a walk through the gardens, where there were ten fountains and beds of kitchens, and beds of curious tin flowers, and where tin birds perched upon the branches of tin trees, and sang songs that sounded like the notes of tin whistles. All these wonders had been made by the clever, winky tin-smiths, who wound the birds up every morning so they would move about and sing. After breakfast the boy went into the throne room,

where the emperor was having his tin joints carefully oiled by a servant, while other servants were stuffing sweet fresh straw into the body of the scarecrow. Woot watched this operation with much interest, for the scarecrow's body was only a suit of clothes filled with straw. The coat was buttoned tight to keep the packed straw from falling out, and a rope was tied around the waist to hold it in shape and prevent the straw from sagging down. The scarecrow's head was a gunny sack filled with bran, on which the eyes, nose and mouth had been painted. His hands were white cotton gloves, stuffed with fine straw.

Woot noticed that even when carefully stuffed and patted into shape, the straw man was awkward in his movements and decidedly wobbly on his feet, so the boy wondered if the scarecrow would be able to travel with them all the way. to the forests of the munchkin country of Oz the preparations made for this important journey were very simple a knapsack was filled with food and given wot the wanderer to carry upon his back for the food was for his use alone the tin woodman shouldered an axe which was sharp and brightly polished and the scarecrow put the emperor's oil can in his pocket that he might oil his friend's joints should they need it. Who will govern the Winky country during your absence? asked the boy. Why, the country will run itself, answered the Emperor. As a matter of fact, my people do not need an Emperor.

For Osma of Oz watches over the welfare of all her subjects, including the Winkies. Like a good many kings and emperors, I have a grand title but very little real power, allows me time to amuse myself in my own way. The people of Oz have but one law to obey, which is behave yourself. So it is easy for them to abide by this law, and you'll notice they behave very well. But it is time for us to be off, and I am eager to start, because I suppose that that poor munchkin girl is anxiously awaiting my coming. "'She's waited a long time already, seems to me,' remarked the scarecrow as they left the grounds of the castle, and followed a path that led eastward.

"'True,' replied the tin woodman, "'but I've noticed that the last end of a wait, however long it has been, is the hardest to endure, so I must try to make Nimmie Amy happy as soon as possible.' "'Ah, that proves you have a kind heart,' remarked the, the scarecrow approvingly. "'It's too bad he hasn't a loving heart,' said Woot. "'This tin man is going to marry a nice girl through kindness, and not because he loves her, and somehow that doesn't seem quite right.'

"'Even so I am not sure it isn't best for the girl,' said the scarecrow, who seemed very intelligent for a straw man. For a loving husband is not always kind, while a kind husband is sure to make any girl content. Nimmie Amy will become an empress, announced the tin woodman proudly. I shall have a tin gown made for her with tin ruffles and tucks on it, and she shall have ten slippers and tin earrings and bracelets, and wear a tin crown on her head.

I am sure that will delight Nimi Amy, for all girls are fond of finery. are we going to the munchkin country by way of the emerald city inquired the scarecrow who looked upon the tin woodman as the leader of the party i think not was the reply we are engaged upon a rather delicate adventure for we are seeking a girl who fears her former lover has forgotten her it will be rather hard for me you must admit when i confess to nimmy amy that i have come to marry her because it is my duty to do so and therefore the fewer witnesses there are to our meeting the better for both of us after i have found nimmy amy and she has managed to control her joy and she has managed to control her joy and at our reunion, I shall take her to the Emerald City and introduce her to Osma and Dorothy, and to Betsy Bobbin and Tiny Trot, and all our other friends. But if I remember rightly, poor Nimmy Amy has a sharp tongue when angry, and she may be a trifle angry with me at first, because I have been so long in coming to her.

I can understand that, said Woot gravely. But how can we get to that part of the Munchkin country where you once lived without passing through the Emerald City? Why, that is easy, the Tin Man assured him. I have a map of Oz in my pocket, persisted the boy, and it shows that the Winky Country, where we are now, is at the West of Oz, and the Munchkin country at the east, while directly between them lies the Emerald City. True enough. But we shall go toward the north, first of all, into the Gillican country, and so pass around the Emerald City, explained the Ten Woodman. That may prove a dangerous journey, replied the boy. I used to live in one of the top corners of the Gillicking country near to Ugaboo,

and I have been told that in this northland country are many people whom it is not pleasant to meet. i was very careful to avoid them during my journey south a wanderer should have no fear observed the scarecrow who was wobbling along in a funny haphazard manner but keeping pace with his friends fear does not make me a coward returned wute growing a little red in the face but i believe it is more easy to avoid danger than to overcome it the safest way is the best way even for one who is brave and determined do not worry for we shall not go far to the north said the emperor my one idea is to avoid the emerald city without going out of our way more than necessary once around the emerald city we will turn south into the munchkin country where the scarecrow and i are well acquainted and have many friends i have traveled some in the guillican country remarked the scarecrow and while i must say i have met some strange people there at times i have never yet been harmed by them well it's all the same to me said wot with assumed carelessness dangers when they cannot be avoided are often quite interesting and i am willing to go wherever you two venture to go so they left the path they had been following and began to travel toward the north-east and all that day they were in the pleasant winky country and all the people they met saluted the emperor with great respect and wished him good luck on his journey at night they stopped at a house where they were well entertained and where woot was given

a comfortable bed to sleep in. Were the scarecrow and I alone, said the tin woodman, we would travel by night as well as by day, but with a meat person in our party we must halt at night to permit him to rest. Meat tires after a day's travel, added the scarecrow, while straw and tin never tire at all, which proves, said he, that we are somewhat superior to people,

in the common way. Woott could not deny that he was tired, and he slept soundly until morning when he was given a good breakfast smoking hot. You too miss a great deal by not eating, he said to his companions. It is true, responded the scarecrow. We miss suffering from hunger when food cannot be had,

and we miss a stomachache now and then. As he said this, the scarecrow glanced at the time, Tin Woodman who nodded his assent. All that second day they traveled steadily, entertaining one another the while with stories of adventures they had formerly met and listening to the Scarecrow recite poetry. He had learned great many poems from Professor Wogglebug

and loved to repeat them whenever anybody would listen to him. Of course, Woot and the Tin Woodman now listened because they could not do otherwise, unless they rudely ran away from their stuffed comrade. One of the scarecrow's recitations was like this. What sound is so sweet as the straw from the wheat when it cruckles so tender and low? It is yellow and bright,

so it gives me delight to cruckle wherever I go. Sweet, fresh, golden straw, there is surely no flaw, in a stuffing so clean and compact, it creaks when i walk and it thrills when i talk and its fragrance is fine for a fact to cut me don't hurt for i've no blood to squirt and i therefore can suffer no pain the straw that i use doesn't lump up or bruise though it's pounded again and again i know it is said that my beautiful head has brains of mixed wheat straw and bran but my thoughts are so good i'd not change if i could for the brains of a common meat man content with my lot i am glad that i'm not like others i meet day by day if my insides get musty or must-stuff or dusty i get newly stuffed right away end of chapter three chapter four of the ten woodman of oz by l frankbaum this libravox recalls

is in the public domain. Chapter 4. The Loons of Loonville. Toward evening the travelers found there was no longer a path to guide them, and the purple hues of the grass and trees warned them that they were now in the country of the Gillikins, where strange peoples dwelt in places that were quite unknown to the other inhabitants of Oz. The fields were wild and uncultivated, and there were, and there were no houses of any sort to be seen. But our friends kept on walking even after the sun went down, hoping to find a good place for Woot the Wanderer to sleep. But when he grew

quite dark and the boy was weary with his long walk, they halted right in the middle of a field and allowed Woot to get his supper from the food he carried in his knapsack. Then the scarecrow laid himself down so that Woot could use his stuffed body as a pillow. and the tin woodman stood up beside them all night so the dampness of the ground might not rust his joints or dull his brilliant polish whenever the dew settled on his body he carefully wiped it off with a cloth and so in the morning the emperor shone as brightly as ever in the rays of the rising sun they wakened the boy at daybreak the scarecrow saying to him we have discovered something queer and therefore we must counsel together what to do about it what have you discovered asked wute rubbing the sleep from his eyes with his knuckles and giving three wide yawns to prove he was fully awake a sign said the tin woodman a sign and another path what does the sign say inquired the boy it says that all strangers are warned not to follow this path to Loonville,' answered the scarecrow,

who could read very well when his eyes had been freshly painted. "'In that case,' said the boy, opening his knapsack to get some breakfast, "'let us travel in some other direction.' But this did not seem to please either of his companions. "'I'd like to see what Loonville looks like,' remarked the Tin Woodman. "'When one travels, it is foolish to miss any interesting sight, added the scarecrow.

But a warning means danger, protested Woot the Wanderer. And I believe it's sensible to keep out of danger whenever we can. They made no reply to this speech for a while. Then said the scarecrow, I have escaped so many dangers during my lifetime that I am not much afraid of anything that can happen. Nor am I, exclaimed the Tin Woodman, swinging his glittering axe around his tin head in a series of circles.

Few things can injure tin, and my axe is a powerful weapon to use against a foe. But our boy friend, he continued, looking solemnly at Woot, might perhaps be injured if the people of Loonville are really dangerous. So I propose he waits here, while you and I, friend Scarecrow, visit the forbidden city of Loonville. Don't worry about me, advised Woot calmly. Wherever you wish to go, I will go and share your dangers. During my wanderings I have found it more wise to keep out of danger than to venture in,

but at that time I was alone. And now I have two powerful friends to protect me. So when he finished his breakfast, they all set out along the path, that led to Loonville. "'It is a place I have never heard of before,' remarked the scarecrow as they approached a dense forest. The inhabitants may be people of some sort, or they may be animals,

but whatever they prove to be, we will have an interesting story to relate to Dorothy and Osma on our return.' The path led into the forest, but the big trees grew so closely together, and the vines and underbrush were so well. thick and matted, that they had to clear a path at each step in order to proceed. In one or two places, the tin man, who went first to clear the way, cut the branches with a blow of his axe. Woot followed next, and last of the three came the scarecrow, who could not have

kept the path at all had not his comrades broken the way for his straw-stuffed body. Presently the tin woodman pushed his way through some heavy underbrush, and almost tumbled had long into a vast cleared space in the forest. The clearing was circular, big and roomy, yet the top branches of the tall trees reached over and formed a complete dome or roof for it. Strangely enough, it was not dark in this immense natural chamber in the woodland, for the place glowed with a soft white light

that seemed to come from some unseen source. In the chamber were grouped, dozens of queer creatures, and thee so astonished the ten man, that Woot had to push his metal body aside that he might see too. And the scarecrow pushed Woot aside, so that the three travelers stood in a row staring with all their eyes. The creatures they beheld were round and ball-like, round in body, round in legs and arms, round in hands and feet and round of head. The only exception to the roundness was a slight hollow on the top of each head, making its saucer-shaped instead of dome-shaped. They wore no clothes on their puffy bodies,

nor had they any hair. Their skins were all of light-gray color, and their eyes were mere purple spots. Their noses were as puffy as the rest of them. Are they rubber, do you think? asked the scarecrow who noticed that the creatures bounded as they moved and seemed almost as light as air it is difficult to tell what they are answered woot they seem to be covered with warts the loons for so these people were called had been doing many things some playing together some working at tasks and some gathered in groups to talk but at the sound of strange voices which echoed rather loudly through the clearing all turned in the direction of the intruders then in a body they all rushed forward running and bounding with tremendous speed the tin woodman was so surprised by this sudden dash that he had no time to raise his axe before the loons were on them the creature swung their puffy hands which looked like boxing gloves and and pounded the three travelers as hard as they could on all sides the blows were quite soft and did not hurt our friends at all but the onslaught quite bewildered them so that in a brief period all three were knocked over and fell flat upon the ground once down many of the loons held them to prevent their getting up again while others wound long tendrils of vines about them binding their arms and legs to their body

and so rendering them helpless. "'Aha!' cried the biggest loon of all. "'We've got them safe. So let's carry them to King Ball and have them tried and condemned and perforated.' They had to drag their captives to the center of the domed chamber for their weight, as compared with that of the loons, prevented their being carried.

Even the scarecrow was much heavier than the puffy loons, and finally the party halted before a raised platform, on which stood a sort of throne consisting of a big, wide chair, with a string tied to one arm of it. The string led upward to the roof of the dome. Arranged before the platform, the prisoners were allowed to sit up facing the empty throne. Good, said the big loon who had commanded the party.

Now to get King Ball to judge these terrible creatures we have so bravely captured. As he spoke, he took hold of the string and began to pull as hard as he could. One or two of the others helped him, and pretty soon, as they drew in the cord, the leaves above them parted, and a loon appeared at the other end of the string. It didn't take long to draw him down to the throne, where he seated himself and was tied, in so he wouldn't float upward again. Hello, said the king, blinking his purple eyes at his followers. What's up now?

Strangers, your majesty, strangers and captives, replied the big loon pompously. Dear me, I see him, I see him very plainly, exclaimed the king, his purple eyes bulging out as he looked at the three prisoners. What curious animals! are they dangerous do you think my good ponta i'm afraid so your majesty of course they may not be dangerous but we mustn't take chances enough accidents happen to us poor looms as it is and my advice is to condemn and preforate em as quickly as possible keep your advice to yourself said the monarch in a peeped tone who's king here anyhow you are me we made you are king because you have less common sense than the rest of us answered pontaloon indignantly i could have been king myself had i wanted to but i didn't care for the hard work and responsibility as he said this the big loon strutted back and forth in the space between the throne of king ball and the prisoners and the other loons seemed much impressed by his defiance

But suddenly there came a sharp report, and Pantaloon instantly disappeared, to the great astonishment of the scarecrow, the tin woodman, and Woot the Wanderer, who saw on the spot where the big fellow had stood, a little heap of flabby wrinkled skin that looked like a collapsed rubber balloon. "'There!' exclaimed the king. "'I expected that would happen.' the conceited rascal wanted to puff himself up until he was bigger than the rest of you and this is the result of his folly get the pump working some of you and blow him up again we have to mend the puncture first your majesty suggested one of the loons and the prisoners noticed that none of them seemed surprised or shocked at the sad accident to ponta all right grumbled the king fetch till to mend him

one or two ran away and presently returned followed by a lady loon wearing huge puffed-up rubber skirts also she had a purple feather fastened to a wart on the top of her head and around her waist was a sash of fiber-like vines dried and tough that looked like strings get to work till commanded kingball panta has just exploded the lady loon picked up the bunch of skin and examined it carefully until she discovered a hole in one foot then she pulled a strand of string from her sash and drawing the edges of the hole together she tied them fast with the string thus making one of those curious warts which the strangers had noticed on so many loons having done this till loon tossed the bit of skin to the other loons and was about to the littleons and was about to the little and was about to go away when she noticed the prisoners and stopped to inspect them hear me said till what dreadful creatures where did they come from we captured them replied one of the loons and what are you going to do with them inquired the girl loon perhaps we'll condemn em and puncture em answered the king well said she still eyeing the prisoners i'm not sure they'll puncture let's try it and see one of the loons ran to the forest edge and quickly returned with a long sharp thorn he glanced at the king who nodded his head in assent and then he rushed forward and stuck the thorn into the leg of the scarecrow the scarecrow merely smiled and said nothing for the thorn didn't hurt him at all then the loon tried to prick the ten woodman's leg

but the tin only blunted the point of the thorn just as i thought said till blinking her purple eyes and shaking her puffy head but just then balloon stuck the thorn into the leg of woot the wanderer and while it had been blunted somewhat it was still sharp enough to hurt ouch yelled woot and kicked out his leg with so much energy that the frail bonds that tied him burst up part. His foot caught the loon, who was leaning over him, full on his puffy stomach, and sent him shooting up into the air. When he was high over their heads, he exploded with a loud pup, and his skin fell to the ground. "'I really believe,' said the king, rolling his spot-like eyes in a frightened way, that Ponto was right in claiming these prisoners are dangerous. Is the pump ready?' some of the looms had wheeled a big machine in front of the throne and now took ponta's skin and began to pump air into it slowly it swelled out until the king cried stop

oh no yelled ponta i'm not big enough yet you're as big as you're going to be declared the king before you exploded you were bigger than the rest of us and that caused you to be proud and overbearing now you're a little smaller than the rest and you will last longer and be more humble pump me up pump me up wailed ponta if you don't you'll break my heart if we do we'll break your skin replied the king so the loons stopped pumping air into ponta and pushed him away from the pump he was certainly more humble than before his accident for he crept into the back ground and said nothing more. Now pump up the other one, order the king. Till had already mended him, and the loons set to work to pump him full of air. During these last few moments,

no one had paid much attention to the prisoners. So Woot, finding his legs free, crept over to the tin woodman and rubbed the bonds that were still around his arms and body against the sharp edge of the axe, which quickly cut. them. The boy was now free, and the thorn, which the loon had stuck into his leg, was lying unnoticed on the ground where the creature had dropped it when he exploded. Woott leaned

forward and picked up the thorn, and, while the loons were busy watching the pump, the boy sprang to his feet and suddenly rushed upon the group. Pop, pop, pop, went three of the loons, when the wanderer pricked the them with his thorn, and at the sounds the others looked around and saw their danger. With yells of fear they bounded away in all directions, scattering about the clearing, with Woot the Wanderer in full chase. While they could run much faster than the boy, they often stumbled and fell or got in one another's way, so he managed to catch several and pricked them with his thorn. He had astonished him to see how easily the loons

exploded. When the air was let out of them, they were quite helpless. Till Loon was one of those who ran against his thorn, and many others suffered the same fate. The creatures could not escape from the enclosure, but in their fright many bounded upward and caught branches of the trees, and then climbed up out of reach of the dreaded thorn. Woot was getting pretty tired chasing them, so he stopped and came over, panting to where his friends were sitting still bound. Very well done, my wonderer, said the tin woodman. It is evident that we need fear these puffed-up creatures no longer.

So be kind enough to unfasten our bonds, and we will proceed upon our journey. Woot untied the bonds of the scarecrow and helped him to his feet. Then he freed the tin woodman, who got up without help. Looking around, they saw that the only loon, now remaining within reach, was bought. Loon the king, who had remained seated in his throne, watching the punishment of his people with a bewildered look in his purple eyes. "'Shall I puncture the king?' the boy asked his companions. King Bal must have overheard the question, for he fumbled with the cord that fastened him to

the throne, and managed to release it. Then he floated upward until he reached the leafy dome, and, parting the branches, he disappeared from sight. But the string that was tied to his body was still connected with the arm of the throne, and they knew they could pull his majesty down again if they wanted to. Let him alone, suggested the scarecrow.

He seems a good enough king for his peculiar people, and after we are gone the loons will have something of a job to pump up all those whom Woot his punctured. Every one of them ought to be experienced, exploded, declared Woott, who was angry, because his leg still hurt him. No, said the tin woodman, that would not be just fair. They were quite right to capture us, because we had no business to intrude here, having been warned to keep away from Loonville.

This is their country, not ours, and since the poor things can't get out of the clearing, they can harm no one save those who venture here out of curiosity, as we did. Well, said, my friend, agreed the scarecrow. We really had no right to disturb their peace and comfort, so let us go away. They easily found the place where they had forced their way into the enclosure, so the tin woodman pushed aside the underbrush and started first along the path. The scarecrow followed next and last came Woot,

who looked back and saw that the loons were still clinging to their perches on the the trees and watching their former captives with frightened eyes i guess they're glad to see the last of us remarked the boy and laughing at the happy ending of the adventure he followed his comrades along the path end of chapter four chapter five of the ten woodman of oz by l frankbaum this libravox recording is in the public domain chapter five mrs yupp The Giantess. When they had reached the end of the path where they had first seen the warning sign, they set off across the country in an easterly direction. Before long they reached rolling lands, which were a succession of hills and valleys, where constant climbs and descents were required, and their journey now became tedious,

because on climbing each hill they found before them nothing in the valley below it except grass or weeds or stones. Up and down they went for hours, with nothing to relieve the monotony of the landscape, until, finally, when they had topped a higher hill than usual, they discovered a cup-shaped valley before them in the center of which stood an enormous castle, built of purple stone. The castle was high and broad and long, but had no turrets or towers. so far as they could see there was but one small window and one big door on each side of the great building this is strange mused the scarecrow

i'd no idea such a big castle existed in this guillic-in country i wonder who lives here it seems to me from this distance remarked the tin woodman that it's the biggest castle i ever saw it is really too big for any use and no one could open or shut those big doors without a step-ladder perhaps if we go nearer we shall find out whether anybody lives there or not suggested wot looks to me as if nobody lived there on they went and when they reached the center of the valley where the great stone castle stood it was beginning to grow dark so they hesitated as to what to do if friendly people happen to live here said woot i shall be glad of a bed but should enemies occupy the place i prefer to sleep upon the ground and if no one at all lives here added the scarecrow we can enter and take possession and make ourselves at home while speaking he went nearer to one of the great doors which was three times as high and broad as any he had ever seen in a house before and then he discovered engraved in big letters upon a stone over the doorway the words yup castle oh ho he exclaimed i know the place now this is probably the home of mr yup a terrible giant whom i have seen confined in a cage a long way from here therefore this castle is likely to be empty and we may use it any way from here therefore this castle is likely to be empty and we may use it any way we please.

Yes, yes, said the tin emperor, nodding. I also remember Mr. You. But how are we to get into his deserted castle? The latch of the door is so far above our heads that none of us can reach it. They considered this problem for a while, and then Woot said to the tin man, If I stand upon your shoulders, I think I can unlatch the door. climb up then was the reply and when the boy was perched upon the tin shoulders of nick chopper he was just able to reach the latch and raise it at once the door swung open its great hinges making a groaning sound as if in protest so wute leaped down and followed his companions into a big bare hallway

scarcely were the three inside however when they heard the door slam shot behind them and this astonished them because no one had touched it it had closed of its own accord as if by magic moreover the latch was on the outside and the thought occurred to each of them that they were now prisoners in this unknown castle however mumbled the scarecrow we are not to blame for what cannot be helped so let us push bravely ahead and see what may be seen it was quite dark in the hallway now that the outside door was shut so as they stumbled along a stone passage they kept close together not knowing what danger was likely to befall them suddenly a soft glow enveloped them it grew brighter until they could see their surroundings distinctly they had reached the end of the passage and before them was another huge door this noiselessly swung open before them without the help of any one and through the doorway they observed a big chamber the walls of which were lined with plates of pure gold highly polished this room was also lighted although they could discover no lamps and in the center of it was a great table at which sat an immense woman she was clad in silver robes embroidered with gay floral designs and wore over this splendid raiment a short apron of elaborate lacework such an apron was no protection and was not in keeping with the handsome gown

but the huge woman wore it nevertheless the table at which she sat was spread with a white cloth and had golden dishes upon it so the travelers saw that they had surprised the giantess while she was eating her supper she had her back toward them and did not even turn around but taking a biscuit from a dish she began to butter it and said in a voice that was big and deep but not especially unpleasant why don't you come in and allow the door to shut you're causing a draught and i shall catch cold and sneeze when i get cross and when i get cross i'm liable to do something wicked come in you foolish strangers come in being thus urged they entered the room and approached the table until they stood where they faced the great giantess she continued eating but smiled in a curious way as she looked at them. Woot noticed that the door had closed silently after they had entered, and that didn't please him at all. Well, said the giantess.

What excuse have you to offer? We didn't know anyone lived here, madam, explained the scarecrow. So being travelers and strangers in these parts, and wishing to find a place for our boy friend to sleep, We ventured to enter your castle." "'You knew it was private property, I suppose,' said she, buttering another biscuit. We saw the words, Youep, Castle, over the door, but we knew that Mr. Youep is a prisoner in a cage in a far-off part of the land of Oz, so we decided that there was no one now at

home in that we might use the castle for the night." "'I see,' remarked the giantess, nodding her head, and smiling again in that curious way, a way that made Woot shudder. "'You didn't know that Mr. Youep was married, or that after he was cruelly captured, his wife still lived in his castle, and ran it to suit herself.' "'Who captured Mr. Yoop?' asked Woot, looking great. at the big woman. Wicked enemies, people who selfishly objected to Eupes taking their cows and sheep for

his food. I must admit, however, that Eup had a bad temper and had the habit of knocking over a few houses now and then when he was angry. So one day the little folks came in a great crowd and captured Mr. Eup, and carried him away to a cage somewhere in the mountains. I don't know where it is, and I don't care. For my husband treated me badly at times, forgetting the respect a giant o's to a giantess. Often he kicked me on my shins when I wouldn't wait on him. So I'm glad he is gone." "'It's a wonder the people didn't capture you, too,' remarked Woott.

"'Well, I was too clever. for them," said she, giving a sudden laugh that caused such a breeze, that the wobbly scarecrow was almost blown off his feet and had to grab his friend Nick Chopper to steady himself. "'I saw the people coming,' continued Mr. Youep. And knowing they meant mischief, I transform myself into a mouse and hid in a cupboard. after they had gone away carrying my shin-kicking husband with them i transformed myself back to my former shape again and here i've lived in peace and comfort ever since are you a witch then inquired wute well not exactly a witch she replied but i'm an artist in transformations in other words i'm a witch more of a yucco-ho than a witch and of course you know that the yucahus are the cleverest magic workers in the world

the travelers were silent for a time uneasily considering this statement and the effect it might have on their future no doubt the giantess had willfully made them her prisoners yet she spoke so cheerfully in her big voice that it had a little bit of her big voice that it had been a little bit of her prisoners that it was a little bit of her Until now they had not been alarmed in the least. By and by, the scarecrow, whose mixed brains had been working steadily, asked the woman, Are we to consider you our friend, Mrs. Youep? Or do you intend to be our enemy?" I never have friends, she said in a matter-of-fact tone. Because friends get too familiar and always forget to mind their own business. but i am not your enemy not yet anyhow indeed i'm glad you've come for my life here is rather lonely i've had no one to talk to since i transformed polychrome the daughter of the rainbow into a canary bird

how did you manage to do that asked the tin woodman in amazement polychrome is a powerful fairy she was said the giantess but now she's a canary bird one day after a rain polychrome danced off the rainbow and fell asleep on a little mound in this valley not far from my castle the sun came out and drove the rainbow away and before polly wakened i stole out and transformed her into a canary bird in a gold cage stutted with diamonds. The cage was so she couldn't fly away. I expected she'd sing and talk and we'd have good times together. But she has proved no company for me at all. Ever since the moment of her transformation, she has refused to speak a single word. Where is she now? inquired Woot, who had heard the tales of lovely Polychrome and was much interested in her. The cage is hanging up in my bedroom, said the giantess, eating another biscuit.

The travelers were now more uneasy and suspicious of the giantess than before. If Polychrome, the rainbow's daughter, who was a real fairy, had been transformed and enslaved by this huge woman who claimed to be a yukahoo. What was liable to happen to them? Said the scarecrow, twisting his stuffed head around in Mrs. Yupp's direction, Do you know, ma'am, who we are? Of course, said she. A straw man, a tin man, and a boy.

We are very important people, declared the tin woodman. All the better, she replied. i shall enjoy your society the more on that account for i mean to keep you here as long as i live to amuse me when i get lonely and she added slowly in this valley no one ever dies they didn't like this speech at all so the scarecrow frowned in a way that made mrs yupp's smile while the tinwoodman looked so fierce that mr Yup laughed. The scarecrow suspected she was going to laugh, so he slipped behind his friends to escape the wind from her breath. From this safe position, he said, warningly, We have powerful friends who will soon come to rescue us. Let them come, she returned with an accent of scorn.

When they get here they will find neither a boy, nor a tin man, nor a ten-man, nor or a scarecrow, for to-morrow morning I intend to transform you all into other shapes, so that you cannot be recognized." The threat filled them with dismay. The good-natured giantess was more terrible than they had imagined. She could smile and wear pretty clothes, and at the same time be even more cruel than her wicked husband had been. the scarecrow and the tin woodman tried to think of some way to escape from the castle before morning,

but she seemed to read their thoughts and shook her head. "'Don't worry your poor brains,' said she. "'You can't escape me, however hard you try.' "'But why should you wish to escape? I shall give you new forms that are much better than the ones you now have. Be contented with your fate, for discontent leads to unhappiness, and unhappiness in any form, is the greatest evil that can befall you. What forms do you intend to give us? asked Woot earnestly.

I haven't decided, as yet. I'll dream over it tonight, so in the morning I shall have made up my mind how to transform you. Perhaps you'd prefer to choose your own transformations, No, said Woot, I prefer to remain as I am. That's funny, she retorted. You are little, and you're weak, as you are your not much account anyhow. The best thing about you is that you're alive, for I shall be able to make of you some sort of live creature, which will be a great improvement on your present form.

She took another biscuit from a plate and dipped it, in a pot of honey and calmly began eating it. The scarecrow watched her thoughtfully. There are no fields of grain in your valley, said he. Where then did you get the flour to make your biscuits? Oh, mercy me. Do you think I'd bother to make biscuits out of flour?" she replied. That is altogether too tedious a process for a yuku-hoo. I set some traps this afternoon and caused. a lot of feel mice but as I do not like to eat mice I transformed them into hot

biscuits for my supper the honey in this pot was once a wasp's nest but since being transformed it has become sweet and delicious all I need to do when I wish to eat is to take something I don't care to keep and transform it into any sort of food I like can eat it. Are you hungry?" "'I don't eat, thank you,' said the scarecrow. "'Nor do I,' said the tin woodman. "'I have still a little natural food in my knapsack,' said Root the Wanderer. And I'd rather eat that than any wasps' nest.'

"'Everyone to his taste,' said the giantess carelessly. And having now finished her supper, she rose to her feet, clapped her hands together, and the supper table at once disappeared. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by El Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 6. The Magic of a Yukohu. Woot had seen very little of magic during his wanderings,

while the scarecrow and the tin woodman had seen a great deal of many sorts in their lives. yet all three were greatly impressed by mrs eup's powers she did not affect any mysterious airs or indulge in chants or mystic rites as most witches do nor was the giantess old and ugly or disagreeable in face or manner nevertheless she frightened her prisoners more than any witch could have done please be seated she said to them as she sat herself down in a great arm-chair and spread her beautiful and broader skirts for them to admire but all the chairs in the room were so high that our friends could not climb to the seats of them mrs yupp observed this and waved her hand when instantly a golden ladder appeared leaning against a chair opposite her own climb up she said and they obeyed the tin man and the boy assisted the more clumsy scarecrow when they were all seated in a row on the cushion of the chair the giant is continued now tell me how you happen to travel in this direction and where you came from and what your errand is so the tin woodman told her all about nimmy amy and how he had decided to find her and marry her although he had no loving heart The story seemed to amuse the big woman, who then began to ask the scarecrow questions,

and for the first time in her life heard of Osma of Oz, and of Dorothy, and Jack Pumpkinhead, and Dr. Pippt and Tick-Tock, and many other Oz people who are well known in the Emerald City. Also, Woot had to tell his story, which was very simple and did not take long. The giantess laughed heartily when the bar related their adventure at Loonville, but said she knew nothing of the Loon's because she never left her valley. "'There are wicked people who would like to capture me, as they did my giant husband, Mr. Youpe,' said she. "'So I stay at home and mind my own business.'

"'If Osma knew that you dared to work magic without her consent, she would punish you severely declared the scarecrow for this castle is in the land of Oz and no persons in the land of Oz are permitted to work magic except Glenda the good and the little wizard who lives with Osma in the Emerald City that for your Osma exclaimed the giantist snapping her fingers in derision what do i care for a girl whom i have never seen and who has never seen me. But Osma is a fairy, said the Tin Woodman, and therefore she is very powerful. Also we are under Osma's protection, and to injure us in any way would make her extremely angry.

What I do here in my private castle in this secluded valley where no one comes but fools like you, and never be known to your fairy asthma. Return the giantess. Do not seek to frighten me from my purpose, and do not allow yourselves to be frightened, for it is best to meet bravely what cannot be avoided. I am now going to bed,

and in the morning I will give you all new forms, such as will be more interesting to me than the ones you now wear. Good night and pleasant. Descent Dreams Saying this, Mrs. Youep rose from her chair and walked through a doorway into another room. So heavy was the tread of the giantess that even the walls of the big stone castle trembled as she stepped. She closed the door of her bedroom behind her, and then, suddenly, the light went out, and the three prisoners found themselves in total darkness.

The tin woodman and the scarecrow didn't mind the dark at all. But Woot the Wanderer felt worried to be left in this strange place, in this strange manner, without being able to see any danger that might threaten. The big woman might have given me a bed anyhow, he said to his companions, and scarcely had he spoken, when he felt something pressed against his legs, which were then dangling from the seat of the chair. leaning down he put out his hand and found that a bedstead had appeared with mattress sheets and covers all complete he lost no time in slipping down into the bed and was soon fast asleep during the night the scarecrow and the emperor talked in low tones together and they got out of the chair and moved all about the room feeling for some hidden spring that might open a little tone together and they got out of the chair and moved all about the room feeling for some hidden spring that might open

a door or window and permit them to escape. Morning found them still unsuccessful in the quest, and as soon as it was daylight, Woot's bed suddenly disappeared, and he dropped to the floor with a thump that quickly wakened him. After a time the giantess came from her bedroom, wearing another dress that was quite as elaborate as the one in which she had been attired the evening before, and also wearing the pretty lace apron. having seated herself in a chair she said i'm hungry so i'll have breakfast at once she clapped her hands together and instantly the table appeared before her

spread with snowy linen and laden with golden dishes but there was no food upon the table nor anything else except a pitcher of water a bundle of weeds and a handful of pebbles but the giant has poured some water into her coffee-pot Patted it once or twice with her hand, and then poured out a cup of steaming hot coffee. "'Would you like some?' she asked Woot. He was suspicious of magic coffee, but it smelled so good that he could not resist it, so he answered, If you please, madam.' The giantess poured out another cup and set it on the floor for Woot. It was as big as a tub, and the golden spoon in the wooden spoon in the the saucer beside the cup, was so heavy the boy could scarcely lift it. But Woot managed

to get a sip of the coffee and found it delicious. Mrs. Hube next transformed the weeds into a dish of oatmeal, which she ate with good appetite. "'Now then,' said she, picking up the pebbles. "'I'm wondering whether I shall have fish-balls or lamb-chops to complete my meal.' Which would you prefer Woot the Wanderer? If you please, I'll eat the food in my knapsack, answer the boy. Your magic food might taste good, but I'm afraid of it. The woman laughed at his fears and transformed the pebbles into fish balls.

I suppose you think that after you had eaten this food it would turn to stones again and make you sick. She remarked. But that would be impossible. nothing i transform ever gets back to its former shape again so these fish-balls can never more be pebbles that is why i have to be careful of my transformations she added busily eating while she talked for while i can change forms at will i can never change them back again which proves that even the powers of a clever ukohoo are limited when i have transformed you three people you must always wear the shapes that i have given you then please don't transform us begged wute for we are quite satisfied to remain as we are i am not expecting to satisfy you but intend to please myself she declared and my pleasure is to give you new shapes for if by chance your friends came in search of you, not one of them would be able to recognize you.

Her tone was so positive that they knew it would be useless to protest. The woman was not unpleasant to look at. Her face was not cruel. Her voice was big, but gracious in tone. But her words showed that she possessed a merciless heart, and no pleadings would alter her wicked purpose. Mr. Youpe took ample time to finish your breakfast, and the prisoners had no desire to hurry her, but finally the meal was concluded, and she folded her napkin and made the table disappear

by clapping her hands together. Then she turned to her captives and said, The next thing on the program is to change your forms. Have you decided what forms to give us? asked a scarecrow uneasily. Yes, I dreamed it all out while I was asleep. This tin man seems a very solemn person. Indeed, the tin woodman was looking solemn just then,

for he was greatly disturbed. So I shall change him into an owl. All she did was to point one finger at him as she spoke. but immediately the form of the tin woodman began to change and in a few seconds nick chopper the emperor of the winkies had been transformed into an owl with eyes as big as saucers and a hooked beak and strong claws but he was still tin he was a tin owl with tin legs and beak and eyes and feathers when he flew to the back of a chair and perched upon it. His tin feathers rattled against one another with a tinny clatter. The giantess seemed much amused by the tin owl's appearance, for her laugh was big and jolly. "'Ho ho, ho! You're not liable to get lost,' said she.

"'For your wings and feathers will make a racket wherever you go. And on my word a tin owl is so rare and pretty that it is an improvement on the ordinary bird. I did not intend to make you tin, but I forgot to wish you to be meat. However, ten you were and ten you are. And it's too late to change you. That settles it. Until now the scarecrow had rather doubted the possibility of Mr. Yup being able to transform him or his friend the tin woodman, for they were not. made as ordinary people are.

He had worried moreover what might happen to Woot than to himself. But now he began to worry about himself. Madam, he said hastily, I consider this action very impolite. It may even be called rude, considering we are your guests. You are not guests, or I did not invite you here, she replied. Perhaps not, but we craved hospitality. We threw ourselves upon your mercy, so to speak, and we now find you have no mercy. Therefore, if you will excuse the expression, I must say it is downright wicked to take our proper forms away from us and give us others that we do not care for.

Are you trying to make me angry?' she said frowning. By no means, said the scarecrow. I'm just trying to make you act more ladylike. Oh, indeed. In my opinion, Mr. Scarecrow, you are now acting like a bear. So a bear you shall be. Again the dreadful finger pointed, this time in the scarecrow's direction, and at once his form began to change.

In a few seconds he had become a small, brown bear, But he was stuffed with straw as he had been before. And when the little brown bear shuffled across the floor, he was just as wobbly as the scarecrow had been and moved just as awkwardly. Woot was amazed, but he was all so thoroughly frightened. Did it hurt? he asked the little brown bear. No, of course not, growled the scarecrow in the bear's farm. But I don't like walking on four legs.

it's undignified. Consider my humiliation, chirped the tin owl, trying to settle its tin feathers smoothly with its tin beak. And I can't see very well either. The light seems to hurt my eyes. That's because you are an owl, said Woot. I think you will see better in the dark. Well, remarked the giantess.

I'm very well pleased with these new forms for my part. and I'm sure you will like them better when you get used to them. So now—' She added, turning to the boy. It is your turn. Don't you think you'd better leave me as I am? asked Woot in a trembling voice. No.

She replied. I'm going to make a monkey of you. I love monkeys. They're so cute. and I think a green monkey will be lots of fun and amuse me when I am sad." Woot shivered, for again the terrible magic finger pointed, and pointed directly his way. He felt himself changing, not so very much, however, and it didn't hurt him a bit. He looked down at his limbs and body, and found that his clothes were gone,

and his skin covered with a fine silk-like green fur. His hands and feet were now those of a monkey. He realized he really was a monkey, and his first feeling was one of anger. He began to chatter as monkeys do. He bounded to the seat of a giant chair, and then to its back, and with a while leap sprang upon the laughing giantess.

His idea was to seize her hair and pull, it out by the roots, and so have revenge for her wicked transformations. But she raised a hand and said, "'Gently, my dear monkey, gently. You're not angry, you're happy as can be.' Woot stopped short. No, he wasn't a bit angry now. He felt as good-humored and gay as ever he did when a boy,

instead of pulling Mrs. Yoop's hair. He perched on her shoulder and smoothed her soft cheek with his hairy paw. In return, she smiled at the funny green animal and patted his head. Very good, said the giantess. Let us all become friends and be happy together. How is my tin owl feeling? Quite comfortable, said the owl. I don't like it to be sure, but I'm not going to allow my new form to make me unhappy.

But tell me, please, what is a ten-owl good for?' "'You are only good to make me laugh,' replied the giantess. "'Will a stuffed bear also make you laugh?' inquired the scarecrow, sitting back on his haunches to look up at her. "'Of course,' declared the giantess. "'And I have added a little magic to your transformations to make you all contented with wearing your new forms. I'm sorry I didn't think to do that when I transformed polychrome into a canary bird.

But perhaps, when she sees how cheerful you are, she will cease to be silent and sullen and take to singing. I will go get the bird and let you see her. With this, Mrs. Youpe went into the next room, and soon returned, burying a golden cage. in which sat upon a swinging perch a lively yellow canary. Polychrome, said the giantess, permit me to introduce to you a green monkey,

which used to be a boy called Woot the Wanderer, and a tin owl, which used to be a tin woodman named Nick Chupper, and a straw-stuffed little brown bear, which used to be a live-scarer. We already know one another, declared the scarecrow. The bird is polychrome, the rainbow's daughter, and she and I used to be good friends. Are you really my old friend the scarecrow? asked the bird in a sweet low voice. There, cried Mrs. Youep.

That's the first time she has spoken since she was transformed. I am really your old friend, answered the scarecrow. But you must pardon me for a person. appearing just now in this brutal form. "'I am a bird as you are, dear Polly,' said the tin woodman. "'But alas, a tin owl is not as beautiful as a canary bird.' "'How dreadful it all is!' sighed the canary. "'Couldn't you manage to escape from this terrible yucou?'

"'No,' answered the scarecrow. "'We tried to escape, but failed.' She first made us her prisoners and then transformed us. but how did she manage to get you polychrome i was asleep and she took unfair advantage of me entered the bird sadly had i been awake i could easily have protected myself tell me said the green monkey earnestly as he came close to the cage what must we do daughter of the rainbow to escape from these transformations can't you help us being a fairy at present i am powerless to even help myself answered the canary that's the exact truth exclaimed the giantess who seemed pleased to hear the bird talk even though it complained you are all helpless and in my power. So you may as well make up your minds to accept your fate and be content. Remember that you are transformed for good, since no magic on earth can break your enchantments. I am now going out for my

morning walk. For each day after breakfast I walk sixteen times around my castle for exercise. Amuse yourself while I am gone. And when I return I hope to find you all. reconciled and happy. So the giantess walked to the door by which our friends had entered the great hall and spoke one word. Open. Then the door swung open, and after Mrs. Youep had passed out, it closed again with a snap as its powerful bolts shot into place.

The green monkey had rushed toward the opening, hoping to escape, but he was too late and only got a bump on his nose as the door slammed shut. End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 7. The Lace Apron Now, said the canary in a tone more brisk than before, We may talk together more freely, as Mrs. You

You cannot hear us. Perhaps we can figure out a way to escape? Open! said Woot the monkey, still facing the door. But his command had no effect, and he slowly rejoined the others. You cannot open any door or window in this enchanted castle, unless you are wearing the magic apron, said the canary. What magic apron do you mean? asked the tin owl in a curious voice.

The lace one, which the girl is. Giantess always wears. I have been her prisoner in this cage for several weeks, and she hangs my cage in her bedroom every night, so that she can keep an eye on me, explained Polychrome the canary. Therefore, I have discovered that it is the magic apron that opens the doors and windows, and nothing else can move them. When she goes to bed, Mrs. Yupp hangs her apron,

on the bedpost, and one morning she forgot to put it on when she commanded the door to open, and the door would not move. So then she put on the lace apron, and the door obeyed her. That was how I learned the magic power of the apron. "'I see, I see,' said the little brown bear, wagging his stuffed head. "'Then if we could get this apron from Mrs. Youep, we could open the doors and escape from our prison. That is true, and it is the plan I was about to suggest, replied Polychrome, the canary bird.

However, I don't believe the owl could steal the apron or even the bear, but perhaps the monkey could hide in her room at night and get the apron while she is asleep. I'll try it, cried Root the monkey. I'll try it this very night. if I can manage to steal into her bedroom. You mustn't think about it, though, warned the bird, for she can read your thoughts whenever she cares to do so. And do not forget before you escape to take me with you.

Once I am out of the power of the giantess, I may discover a way to save us all. We won't forget our fairy friend, promised the boy, but perhaps you can tell me how to get into the bedroom. "'No,' declared Polychrome. "'I cannot advise you as to that. "'You must watch for a chance and slip in when Mrs. Youep isn't looking.' They talked it over for a while longer, and then Mrs. Yup returned.

When she entered, the door opened suddenly at her command, and closed as soon as her huge form had passed through the doorway. During the day she entered her bedroom several times, on one errand or another, but always she commanded the door to close behind her, and her prisoners found not the slightest chance to leave the big hall in which they were confined. The green monkey thought it would be wise to make a friend of the big woman, so as to gain her confidence. So he sat on the back of her chair and chattered to her while she mended her stockings,

and sewed silver buttons on some golden shoes that were as big as rowboats. This pleased the giantess, and she would pause at times to pat the monkey's head. The little brown bear curled up in a corner and lay still all day. The owl and the canary found they could converse together in the bird language, which neither the giantess nor the bear nor the monkey could understand, so at times they twittered away to each other and passed the long, dreary day quite cheerfully. After dinner, Mrs. Youep took a big fiddle from the big cupboard and played such loud and dreadful music that her prisoners were all thankful when at last she stopped and said she was going to bed.

After cautioning the monkey and bear and owl to behave themselves during the night, She picked up the cage containing the canary and, going to the door of her bedroom, commanded it to open. Just then, however, she remembered she had left her fiddle lying upon a table, so she went back for it and put it away in the cupboard, and, while her back was turned, the green monkey slipped through the open door into her bedroom and hid underneath the bed. The giantess, being sleepy, did not.

Not notice this, and entering her room she made the door close behind her, and then hung the bird cage on a peg by the window. Then she began to undress, first taking off the lace apron and laying it over the bed-post, where it was within easy reach of her hand. As soon as Mrs. Youep was in bed, the lights all went out, and Woot the monkey, crouched under the bed and waited patiently until he heard the giant snoring. Then he crept out, and in the dark, felt around until he got hold of the apron, which he at once

tied around his own waist. Next, Woot tried to find the canary. There was just enough moonlight showing through the window, to enable him to see where the cage hung, but it was out of his reach. At first he was tempted to leave polychrome and escape with his other friends. remembering his promise to the rainbow's daughter, Woot tried to think how to save her. A chair stood near the window, and this, showing dimly in the moonlight, gave him an idea. By pushing against it with all his might, he found he could move the giant chair a few inches

at a time. So he pushed and pushed until the chair was beneath the birdcage, and then he sprang noiselessly upon the seat, for his monkey's form enabled him to jump higher than he could do as a boy, and from there to the back of the chair, and so managed to reach the cage and take it off the peg. Then down he sprang to the floor, and made his way to the door. "'Open!' he commanded, and at once the door obeyed and swung open. But his voice wakened Mrs. Youep, who gave a wild cry and sprang out of bed with one bound. The green monkey dashed through the doorway, carrying the cage with him, and before the

giantess could reach the door, it slammed shut, and imprisoned her in her own bedchamber. The noise she made, pounding upon the door, and her yells of anger and dreadful threats of vengeance, filled all our friends with terror, and whoot the monkey was so excited that in the dark he could not find the outer door of the hall. But the tin owl could see very nicely in the dark, so he guided his friends to the right place, and when all were grouped before the door, Woot commanded it to open. The magic apron proved as powerful as when it has been worn by the giantess, so a moment later they had rushed through the passage and were standing in the fresh night air outside the castle,

free to go wherever they willed. End of Chapter 7. Chapter 8 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Librovox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 8 The Menace of the Forest. Quick, cried Polychrome, the canary. We must hurry, or Mrs. Youep may find some way to recapture us even now. Let us get out of her valley as soon as possible.

So they set off toward the east, moving as swiftly as they could, and for a long time they could hear the yells and struggles of the imprisoned giantess. The green monkey could run over the ground very swiftly, and he carried with him the bird-cage containing polychrome the rainbow's daughter. Also the tin owl could skip and fly along at a good rate of speed, his feathers rattling against one another with a tinkling sound as he moved. But the little brown bear, being stuffed with straw, was a clumsy traveler, and the others had to wait for him to follow. However, they were not very long in reaching the ridge that led out of Mrs. Youep's valley,

and when they had passed this ridge and descended into the next valley, they stopped to rest, for the green monkey was tired. "'I believe we are safe now,' said Polychrome when her cage was set down. and the others had all gathered around it, for Mrs. Youep dares not go outside of her own valley, for fear of being captured by her enemies. So we may take our time to consider what to do next. I'm afraid poor Mrs. Youep will starve to death if no one lets her out of her bedroom, said Woot, who had a heart as kind as that of the tin woodman. We've taken her magic apron away, and now the doors will never open. Don't worry about that, advised Polychrome.

Mrs. Yupp has plenty of magic left to console her. Are you sure of that? asked the green monkey. Yes, for I've been watching her for weeks, said the canary. She has six magic hairpins which she wears in her hair, and a magic ring which she wears on her thumb and which is invisible to all eyes except those of a fairy, and magic bracelets on both her ephemens. on both her ankles, so I am positive that she will manage to find a way out of her prison.

She might transform the door into an archway, suggested the little brown bear. That would be easy for her, said the tin owl, but I'm glad she was too angry to think of that before we got out of her valley. Well, we have escaped the big woman to be sure, remarked the green monkey, but we still wear the awful forms the cruxed. Yucou gave us, how are we going to get rid of these shapes and become ourselves again? None could answer that question. They sat around the cage, brooding over the problem, until the monkey fell asleep.

Seeing this, the canary tucked her head under her wing and also slept, and the tin owl and the brown bear did not disturb them until morning came, and it was broad daylight. I'm hungry, said Woot when he awakened, for his knapsack of food had been left behind at the castle. Then let us travel on until we can find something for you to eat, returned the scarecrow bear. There is no use in your lugging my cage any farther, declared the canary. Let me out and throw the cage away. Then I can fly with you and find my own breakfast of seeds.

also I can search for water and tell you where to find it. So the green monkey unfastened the door of the golden cage, and the canary hopped out. At first she flew high in the air and made great circles overhead, but after a time she returned and perched beside them. At the east in the direction we are following, announced the canary. There is a fine forest with a brook running through it. in the forest there may be fruits or nuts growing or berry bushes at its edge so let us go that way they agreed to this and promptly set off this time moving more deliberately the tin owl which had guided their way during the night now found the sunshine was very trying to his big eyes so he shut them tight and perched upon the back of the little brown bear which carried the owl's weight with ease

The canary sometimes perched upon the green monkey's shoulder, and sometimes fluttered on ahead of the party, and in this manner they traveled in good spirits across that valley and into the next one to the east of it. This they found to be an immense hollow, shaped like a saucer, and on its farther edge appeared the forest which polychrome had seen from the sky. "'Come to think of it,' said the tin owl, waking up and blitz. linking comically at his friends. There's no object now in our traveling to the Munchkin country.

My idea in going there was to marry Nimmie A. Amy, but however much the Munchkin girl may have loved A. Tin Woodman, I cannot reasonably expect her to marry A. Ten Owl. There is some truth in that, my friend, remarked the brown bear. And to think that I, who was considered the handsomest scarecrow in the world, am now condemned to be a scrubby, no-account beast, whose only redeeming feature is that he is stuffed with straw. Consider my case, please, said Woot.

The cruel giantess has made a monkey of a boy, and that is the most dreadful deed of all. Your color is rather pretty, said the brown bear, eyeing Woot critically. I have never seen a pea-green monkey before, and it strikes me you are. are quite gorgeous? It isn't so bad to be a bird, asserted the canary, fluttering from one to another with a free and graceful motion.

But I long to enjoy my own shape again. As Polychrome, you were the loveliest maiden I have ever seen, except, of course, Osma, said the ten owl. So the giantess did well to transform you into the loveliest of all birds, if you were to transformed at all. But tell me, since you are a fairy and have a fairy wisdom, do you think we shall be able to break these enchantments?' "'Queer things happen in the land of Oz,' replied the canary,

again perching on the green monkey's shoulder, and turning one bright eye thoughtfully toward her questioner. Mrs. Youp has declared that none of her transformations can ever be changed, even by herself, but I believe that if we could get to Glenda the good sorceress, she might find a way to restore us to our natural shapes. Glenda, as you know, is the most powerful sorceress in the world, and there are few things she cannot do if she tries. In that case, said the little brown bear, let us return southward and try to get to Glinda's

castle. It lies in the quadling country, you know, so it is a good way from here. First, however, let us visit the forest in search for something to eat, pleaded Woot. So they continued on to the edge of the forest, which consisted of many tall and beautiful trees. They discovered no fruit trees at first, so the green monkey pushed on into the forest depths, and the others followed close behind him. They were traveling quietly along under the shade of the trees, when suddenly an enormous jaguar leaped upon them from a limb

and with one blow of his paw sent the little brown bear tumbling over and over until he was stopped by a tree trunk. Instantly they all took alarm. The tin owl shrieked, hoot, hoot! And flew straight up to the branch of a tall tree, although he could scarcely see where he was going. The canary swiftly darted to a place beside the owl, and the green monkey sprang up, caught a limb,

and soon scrambled to a high perch of safety. The jaguar crouched low, and with hungry eyes regarded the little brown bear, which slowly got upon its feet and asked reproachfully, "'For goodness sake, Beast, what are you trying to do?' "'Trying to get my breakfast. "'Enter the jaguar with a snarl, and I believe I've succeeded. You ought to make a delicious meal, unless you happen to be old and tough.'

"'I'm worse than that, consider it as a breakfast,' said the bear. "'For I'm only a skin stuffed with straw and therefore not fit to eat.' "'Indeed,' cried the jaguar in a disappointed voice. "'Then you must be a magic bear, or in a magic bear, or in a little. enchanted, and I must seek my breakfast from among your companions. With this he raised his lean head to look up at the tin owl and the canary and the monkey, and he lashed his tail upon the ground and growled as fiercely as any jaguar could. My friends are enchanted also, said the little brown bear.

All of them? asked the jaguar. yes the owl is tin so you couldn't possibly eat him the canary is a fairy polychrome the daughter of the rainbow and you never could catch her because she can easily fly out of your reach there still remains the green monkey remarked the jaguar hungrily he is neither made of tin nor stuffed with straw nor can he fly i'm pretty good at climbing trees my So I think I'll capture the monkey and eat him for my breakfast." Woot the monkey, hearing this speech from his perch on the tree, became very frightened, for he knew the nature of jaguars and realized they could climb trees and leap from limb to limb with the agility of cats. So he at once began to scamper through the forest as fast as he could go, catching at a branch with his long monkey arms, and swinging his green body through space, to grasp another branch

in a neighboring tree and so on, while the jaguar followed him from below, his eyes fixed steadfastly on his prey. But presently Woot got his feet tangled in the lace apron, which he was still wearing, and that tripped him in his flight and made him fall to the ground, where the jaguar placed one huge paw upon him and said grimly, I've got you now. The fact that the apron had tripped him made Woot remember its magic powers.

And in his terror he cried out, Open! Without stopping to consider how this command might save him. But at the word, the earth opened at the exact spot where he lay under the jaguar's paw, and his body sank down. the earth closing over it again. The last thing Woot the monkey saw, as he glanced upward,

was the jaguar peering into the hole in astonishment. "'He's gone!' cried the beast with a long-drawn sigh of disappointment. "'Oh, he's gone, and now I shall have no breakfast!' The clatter of the ten owl's wings sounded above him, and the little brown bear came trotting up and asked, "'Where is the monkey? Have you eaten him so quickly?' "'No, indeed,' answered the jaguar. "'He's disappeared into the earth before I could take one bite of him.'

And now the canary perched upon a stump a little way from the forest beast, and said, "'I am glad our friend has escaped you, but as it is natural for a hungry beast to wish his breakfast, I will try to give you one. Thank you, replied the Jaguar. You're rather small for a full meal, but it's kind of you to sacrifice yourself to my appetite. Oh, I don't intend to be eaten, I assure you, said the canary. But as I am a fairy, I know something of magic, and though I am now transformed into a bird shape, I am sure I can conjure up a breakfast that will satisfy you.

If you can work magic, why don't you break the enchantment you are under and return to your proper farm? Inquire the beast, doubtingly. I haven't the power to do that, answered the canary. For Mr. Youp, the giantess who transformed me, used a peculiar form of Yucou-hoo magic that is unknown to me. However, she could not deprive me of my own fairy knowledge, so I will try to get you a breakfast. Do you think a magic breakfast would taste good, or relieve the pangs of hunger I now suffer?

asked the jaguar. I am sure it would. What would you like to eat? Give me a couple of fat rabbits, said the beast. "'Rabits? No, indeed. I'd not allow you to eat the dear little things,' declared Polychrome the canary. "'Well, three or four squirrels, then,' pleaded the jaguar. "'Do you think me so cruel?' demanded the canary indignantly. "'The squirrels are my especial friends.'

"'How about a plump a old?' asked the beast. "'Not a ten-one, you know, but a real me. Meat owl. Neither beast nor bird shall you have, said Polychrome in a positive voice. Give me a fish, then, there's a river a little way off, proposed the jaguar. No living thing shall be sacrificed to feed you, returned the canary. Then what in the world do you expect me to eat? said the jaguar in a scornful tone. How would mush and milk do? asked the canary.

the jaguar snarled in derision and lashed his tail against the ground angrily give him some scrambled eggs on toast polly suggested the bear scarecrow he ought to like that i will responded the canary and fluttering her wings she made a flight of three circles around the stump then she flew up to a tree and the bear and the owl and the jaguar saw that upon the stump had a a great green leaf upon which was a large portion of scrambled eggs on toast smoking hot There said the bear eat your breakfast friend jaguar and be content The jaguar crept closer to the stump and sniffed the fragrance of the scrambled eggs They smell so good that he tasted them and they tasted so good that he ate the strange and meal in a hurry, proving that he had been really hungry. I prefer rabbits, he muttered, licking his chops.

But I must admit, the magic breakfast has filled my stomach full, and brought me comfort. So I'm much obliged for the kindness, little fairy, and I'll now leave you in peace. Saying this, he plunged into the thick underbrush and soon disappeared. they could hear his great body crashing through the bushes until he was far distant. That was a good way to get rid of the savage beast, Polly, said the tin woodman to the canary. But I'm surprised that you didn't give our friend Woot a magic breakfast when you knew he was hungry. The reason for that, answered Pollychrome, was that my mind was so intent on other things that I quite forgot my power to produce food by magic.

But where is the monkey boy? gone said the scarecrow bear solemnly the earth has swallowed him up end of chapter eight chapter nine of the ten woodman of oz by l frank balm this librivox recording is in the public domain chapter nine the quarrelsome dragons the green monkey sank gently into the earth for a little way and then tumbled swiftly through space landing on a rocky floor with a thump that astonished him then he sat up found that no bones were broken and gazed around him he seemed to be in a big underground cave which was dimly lighted by dozens of big round disks that looked like moons they were not moons however as wute discovered when he had examined the place more carefully. They were eyes. The eyes were in the heads of enormous beasts, whose bodies trailed far behind them. Each beast was bigger than an elephant, and three times as long, and there were a dozen or more of the creatures scattered here and there about the cavern. On their bodies

were big scales as round as pie-plates, which were beautifully tinted in shades of green, purple, and orange. On the ends of their long tails were clusters of jewels. Around the great moon-like eyes were circles of diamonds, which sparkled in the subdued light that glowed from the eyes. Woot saw that the creatures had wide mouths and rows of terrible teeth, and, from the tales he had heard of such beings, he knew he had fallen into a cavern inhabited by the Great dragons that had been driven from the surface of the earth,

and were only allowed to come out once in a hundred years to search for food. Of course he had never seen dragons before. Yet there was no mistaking them, for they were unlike any other living creature. Woot sat upon the floor where he had fallen, staring around, and the owners of the big eyes returned his look, silently and motionless. Finally, one of the dragons, which was farthest away from him,

asked, in a deep, grave voice, What was that? And the greatest dragon of all, who was just in front of the green monkey, answered, in a still deeper voice, It is some foolish animal from outside. Is it good to eat? Inquired a smaller dragon,

beside the Great One, I'm hungry. Hungry? Exclaimed all the dragons in a reproachful chorus. And then the Great One said, chidingly, Tut, tut, my son, you've no reason to be hungry at this time? Why not? asked the little dragon.

I haven't eaten anything in eleven years. Eleven years is not. nothing remarked another dragon sleepily opening and closing his eyes oh i haven't feasted for eighty-seven years and i dare not get hungry for a dozen or so years to come children who eat between meals should be broken of the habit all i had eleven years ago was a rhinoceros and that was not a full meal at all grumble the young one and before that i had i had eleven years ago was a rhinoceros and that was not a full meal at all grumble the young one and before that i had a had waited sixty-two years to be fed, so it's no wonder I'm hungry." "'How old are you now?' asked Woot, forgetting his own dangerous position in his interest in the conversation. "'Why, I'm—I'm—I'm—how old am I father?' asked the little dragon.

"'Goodness gracious. What a child to ask questions. Do you want to keep me thinking all the time?' don't you know that thinking is very bad for dragons returned the big one impatiently how old am i father persisted the little dragon about six hundred and thirty i believe ask your mother no don't said an old dragon in the background haven't i enough worries what with being wakened in the middle of a nap, without being obliged to keep track of my children's ages." "'You've been fast asleep for over sixty years, mother,' said the child, dragon. "'How long a nap do you wish?'

"'I could have slept forty years longer. And this strange little green beast should be punished for falling into our cavern and disturbing us.' "'I didn't know you were here, and I didn't know I was going to fall in.' exclaimed Woot. Nevertheless, here you are. said the great dragon. And you have carelessly wakened our entire tribe.

So it stands to reason you must be punished. In what way? inquired the green monkey, trembling a little. Give me time, and I'll think of a way. you're in no hurry are you asked the great dragon no indeed cried root take your time i'd much rather you'd all go to sleep again and punish me when you wake up in a hundred years or so let me eat him pleaded the littlest dragon he is too small said the father to eat this one green monkey would only serve to make you hungry for more, and there are no more. Quit this chatter and let me get to sleep, protested another dragon, yawning in a fearful manner,

for when he opened his mouth a sheet of flame leaped forth from it and made Root jump back to get out of its way. In his jump, he bumped against the nose of a dragon behind him, which opened its mouth to growl and shot another sheet of. flame at him. The flame was bright, but not very hot. Yet Woot screamed with terror and sprang forward with a great bound. This time he landed on the paw of the great chief dragon, who angrily raised his other front paw and struck the green monkey a fierce blow.

Woot went sailing through the air, and fell sprawling upon the rocky floor, far beyond the place where the dragon tribe was. grouped. All the great beasts were now thoroughly awakened and aroused, and they blamed the monkey for disturbing their quiet. The littleest dragon darted after Woot, and the others turned their unwieldy bodies in his direction and followed, flashing from their eyes and mouth's flames, which lighted up the entire cavern. Woot almost gave himself up for lost at that moment, but he scrambled to his feet and dashed away to the farthest end of the cave,

the dragons following more leisurely because they were too clumsy to move fast. Perhaps they thought there was no need of haste, as the monkey could not escape from the cave. But, way up at the end of the place, the cavern floor was heaped with tumbled rocks, so Woot, with an agility born of fear, climbed from rock to rock,

until he found himself crouched against the cavern roof. There he waited, for he could go no farther, while over the tumble rocks slowly crept the dragons, the littlest one coming first because he was hungry as well as angry. The beasts had almost reached him when Woot, remembering his lace apron, now sadly torn and soiled, recovered his wits and shouted, Open! At the cry. A hole appeared in the roof of the cavern just over his head, and through it the sunlight streamed full upon the green monkey.

The dragons paused, astonished at the magic and blinking at the sunlight, and this gave Woot time to climb through the opening. As soon as he reached the surface of the earth, the hole closed again, and the boy monkey realized, with a thrill of joy, that he has seen the last of the dangerous dragon family. He sat upon the ground, still panting hard from his exertions, when the bushes before him parted, and his former enemy the jaguar appeared.

"'Don't run,' said the woodland beast as Woot sprang up. "'You are perfectly safe, so far as I am concerned, for since you so mysteriously disappeared I have had my breakfast I am now on my way home to sleep the rest of the day Oh, indeed, returned the green monkey in a tone both sorry and startled. Which of my friends did you manage to eat? None of them, returned the jaguar with a sly grower with a sly, I had a dish of magic scrambled eggs on toast, and it wasn't a bad feast at all. There isn't room in me for even you, and I don't regret it, because I judge from your green

color that you are not ripe and would make an indifferent meal. we jaguars have to be careful of our digestions farewell friend monkey follow the path i made through the bushes and you will find your friends with this the jaguar marched on his way and wute took his advice and followed the trail he had made until he came to the place where the little brown bear and the tin owl and the canary were confirmed furring together and wondering what had become of their comrade, the green monkey. End of Chapter 9. Chapter 10 of The Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 10.

Tommy Quick Step Our best plan, said the scarecrow bear, when the green monkey had related the story of his adventure with the dragons, is to get out of this Gillican country as soon as we can, and try to find our way to the castle of Glenda the good sorceress. There are too many dangers lurking here to suit me, and Glenda may be able to restore us to our proper forms. If we turn south now, the Tinahowl replied, we might go straight into the Emerald City. That's the place I wish to avoid, for I'd hate to have my friends see me in this sad plate.

And he blinked his eyes and fluttered his tin wings mournfully. But I am certain we have passed beyond Emerald City, the canary assured him, sailing lightly around their heads. So, should we turn south from here, we would pass into the Munch King Country, and continuing south we would reach the quadling country, where Glinda's castle is located." "'Well, since you're sure of that, let's start right away,' proposed the bear. "'It's a long journey at the best, and I'm getting tired of walking on four legs.'

"'I thought you never tired being stuffed with straw,' said Woot. "'I mean that it annoys me, to be obliged to go on all fours, when two legs are my proper walking equipment,' replied the scarecrow. I consider it beneath my dignity. In other words, my remarkable brains can tire through humiliation, although my body cannot tire. That is one of the penalties of having brains, remarked the tin owl with a sigh.

I have had no brains since I was a man of meat, and so I never worry. Nevertheless, I prefer my former manly form to this owl's shape, and would be glad to break Mrs. Youep's enchantment as soon as possible. I am so noisy just now that I disturb myself. And he fluttered his wings with a clatter that echoed throughout the forest. So, being all of one mind, they turned southward, traveling steadily on until the woods were left behind,

and the landscape turned from purple tints to blue tints, which is sure them they had entered the concheworthy, of the Munchkins. Now I feel myself more safe," said the Scarecrow Bear. I know this country pretty well, having been made here by a Munchkin farmer, and having wondered over these lovely blue lands many times. Seems to me indeed that I even remember that group of three tall trees ahead of us, and if I do, we are not far from the home of my friend Ginger.

Who is Ginger? asked Woot the green monkey. "'Haven't you heard of Ginger?' exclaimed the scarecrow in surprise. "'No,' said Woot. "'Is Ginger a man, a woman, a beast, or a bird?' "'Ginger is a girl,' explained the scarecrow bear. "'She's a fine girl, too, although a bit restless and liable to get excited. a long time ago, she raised an army of girls and called herself General Ginger. With her army she captured the Emerald City and drove me out of it, because I insisted that

an army in Oz was highly improper. But Osma punished the rash girl, and afterward Ginger and I became fast friends. Now Ginger lives peacefully on a farm near here and raises fields of cream puffs, chocolate caramels and macaroons. They say she's a pretty good farmer, and in addition to that she's an artist, and paints pictures so perfect that one can scarcely tell them from nature. She often repaints my face for me when it gets worn or mussy, and the lovely expression I wore when the giantess transformed me was painted by Ginger only a month or so ago. It was certainly a pleasant expression, agreed Woot.

"'Ginger can't paint anything,' continued the scarecrow bear with enthusiasm as they walked along together. "'Once when I came to her house my straw was old and crumpled, so that my body sagged dreadfully. I needed new straw to replace the old, but Ginger had no straw on her ranch, and I was really unable to travel further until I had been restuffed. When I explained this to Ginger, the girl at once painted a straw stack which was so natural that I went to it and secured enough straw to fill my body. It was a good quality of straw, too, and lasted me a long time. This seemed very wonderful to Woot.

Who knew that such a thing could never happen in any place but a fairy country like Oz? the munchkin country was much nicer than the gilliken country and all the fields were separated by blue fences with grassy lanes and paths of blue ground and the land seemed well cultivated they were on a little hill looking down upon this favorite country but had not quite reached the settled parts when on turning a bend in the path they were halted by a farm that barred their way a more curious creature they had seldom seen even in the land of oz where curious creatures abound it had the head of a young man evidently a munchkin with a pleasant face and hair neatly combed but the body was very long for it had twenty legs ten legs on each side and this caused the body to stretch out and lie in a horizontal position so that all the legs could touch the ground and stand firm. From the shoulders extended two small arms, at least they seem small besides so many legs.

This odd creature was dressed in the regulation clothing of the munchkin people, a dark blue coat neatly fitting the long body, and each pair of legs having a pair of sky-blue trousers, with blue-tinted stockings and blue-leather shoes turned up at the point of, to toes. "'I wonder who you are,' said Polychrome the canary, fluttering about the strange creature, who had probably been asleep on the path. "'I sometimes wonder myself who I am,' replied the many-legged young man.

But in reality I am Tommy Quickstep, and I live in a hollow tree that fell to the ground with age. I have polished the inside of it and made a door at each end, and that's a very common. comfortable residence for me because it just fits my shape. How did you happen to have such a shape? asked the scarecrow bear, sitting on his haunches and regarding Tommy quick step with a serious look. Is the shape natural? No, it was wished on me, replied Tommy with a sigh. I used to be very active and loved to run errands for anyone who needed my services. That was how I got my name of Tommy Quickstep.

I could run an errand more quickly than any other boy, and so I was very proud of myself. One day, however, I met an old lady who was a fairy or a witch or something of the sort, and she said, if I would run an errand for her to carry some magic medicine to another old woman, she would grant me just one wish, whatever the wish happened to be. Of course I consented, and taking the medicine I hurried away. It was a long distance, mostly uphill, and my legs began to grow weary. Without thinking what I was doing, I said aloud, "'Ah, dear me, I wish I had twenty legs.'

And in an instant I became the unusual creature you see beside you. Twenty legs! Twenty on one man! you may count them if you doubt my word. You've got them all right, said Woot the monkey who had already counted them. After I had delivered the magic medicine to the old woman, I returned and tried to find the witch or fairy or whatever she was who had given me the unlucky wish so she could take it away again.

I've been searching for her ever since, but never can I find her, continued poor Tommy Quickstep sadly. I suppose, said the tin owl, blinking at him, you can travel very fast with those twenty legs. At first I was able to, was the reply, but I traveled so much searching for the fairy or witch or whatever she was, that I soon got corns on my toes. Now, a corn on one toe is not so bad, but when you have a hundred toes, as I have and get coins on most of them it is far from pleasant instead of running i now painfully crawl and although i try not to be discouraged i do hope i shall find that witch or fairy or whatever she was before long i hope so too said the scarecrow but after all you have the pleasure of knowing you are unusual and therefore remarkable among the people of os

to be just like other persons is small credit to one, while to be unlike others is a mark of distinction. That sounds very pretty, returned Tommy Quick Step. But if you had to put on ten pair of trousers every morning and tie up twenty shoes, you would prefer not to be so distinguished. Was the witch or fairy or whatever she was an old person with wrinkled skin and have her teeth gone, inquired the tin owl. No, said Tommy Quickstep. Then she wasn't old Mombie, remarked the transformed emperor.

I'm not interested in who it wasn't, so much as I am and who it was, said the twenty-legged man. And whatever or whomsoever she was, she has managed to keep out of my way. If you found her, do you suppose she changed you by, back into a two-legged boy asked Woot. Perhaps so if I could run another errand for her and so earn another wish. Would you really like to be as you were before? asked Polychrome the canary, perching upon the green monkey's shoulder, to observe Cami Crickstep more attentively.

I would, indeed, was the earnest reply. Then I will see what I can do for you, promised the rainbow's daughter. and flying to the ground she took a small twig in her bill and with it made several mystic figures on each side of tommy quickstep are you a witch or a fairy or something of the sort he asked as he watched her wonderingly the canary made no answer for she was busy but the scarecrow bear replied yes she's something of the sart and a bird of a magician the twenty-legged boys transformation happened so queerly that they were all surprised at its method first tommy quick steps last two legs disappeared then the next two and the next and as each pair of legs vanished his body shortened all this while polychrome was running around him and chirping mystical words and when all the young man's legs vanished his body shortened all this while polychrome was running around him and chirping mystical words and when all the young man's legs had disappeared but two. He noticed that the canary was still busy and cried out in alarm. Stop, stop! Leave me two of my legs, or I shall be worse off than before."

"'I know,' said the canary. "'I'm only removing with my magic the Carnes from your last ten toes.' "'Thank you for being so thoughtful,' he said gratefully. And now they noticed that Tommy Quickstep was quite a nice-looking young young bellow. What will you do now? asked Woot the monkey. First, he answered, I must deliver a note which I've carried in my pocket ever since the witch or fairy or whatever she was granted my foolish wish.

And I am resolved never to speak again without taking time to think carefully on what I am going to say, for I realize that speech without thought is dangerous. and after I've delivered the note, I shall run errands again for anyone who needs my service." So he thanked Polychrome again and started away in a different direction from their own, and that was the last they saw of Tommy Quickstep. End of Chapter X. Chapter 11 of The Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Liebervox recording is in the public domain.

chapter eleven ginger's ranch as they followed a path down the blue grass hillside the first house that met the view of the travelers was joyously recognized by the scarecrow bear as the one inhabited by his friend ginger so they increased their speed and hurried toward it on reaching the place however they found the house deserted the front door stood open but no one was inside in the garden surrounding the house were neat rows of bushes bearing cream puffs and macaroons some of which were still green but others ripe and ready to eat farther back were fields of caramels and all the lands seemed well cultivated and carefully tended they looked through the fields for the girl former but she was nowhere to be seen "'Well,' finally remarked the little brown bear, "'let us go into the house and make ourselves at home. "'That will be sure to please, my friend Ginger, "'who happens to be away from home just now.

"'When she returns, she will be greatly surprised. "'Would she care if I ate some of those ripe cream puffs?' asked the green monkey. "'No, indeed. Ginger is very generous. Help yourself to all you want," said the scarecrow bear. So Woot gathered a lot of the cream puffs that were golden yellow and filled with a sweet, creamy substance, and ate until his hunger was satisfied. Then he entered the house with his friends, and sat in a rocking-chair, just as he was accustomed to do when a boy.

The canary perched herself upon the mantle, and daintily plume. her feathers. The ten-owl sat on the back of another chair. The scarecrow squatted on his hairy haunches in the middle of the room. "'I believe I remember the girl Ginger,' remarked the canary in her sweet voice. She cannot help us very much, except to direct us on our way to Glinda's castle, for she does not understand magic. But she's a good girl, honest and sensible, and I'll be glad to see her. "'All our troubles,' said the owl with a deep sigh. "'Haw rose from my foolish resolve to seek Nimmie Amy

"'and make her empress of the winkies. "'And while I wish to reproach no one, I must say "'that it was Woot the Wanderer who put the notion into my head.' "'Well, for my part, I am glad he did,' responded the canary. Your journey resulted in saving me from the giantess. And had you not traveled to the Yup Valley, I would still be Mrs. Yup's prisoner. It is much nicer to be free, even though I still bear the enchanted form of a canary bird. Do you think we shall ever be able to get our proper forms back again?' asked the green monkey earnestly.

Polychrome did not make reply at once to this important question. but after a period of thoughtfulness she said i have been taught to believe that there is an antidote for every magic charm yet mrs eup insists that no power can alter her transformations i realize that my own fairy magic cannot do it although i have thought that we sky fairies have more power than is accorded to earth fairies the yuccahu magic is admitted to be very strange in its workings and different from the magic usually practiced, but perhaps Glenda or Osma may understand it better than I. In them lies our only hope. Unless they can help us, we must remain forever as we are. A canary bird on a rainbow wouldn't be so bad,

asserted the tin owl, winking and blinking with his round ten eyes. So if you can manage to find your rainbow again, you need have little to worry about that's nonsense friend chopper exclaimed wot i know just how polychrome feels a beautiful girl is much superior to a little yellow bird and a boy such as i was far better than a green monkey neither of us can be happy again unless we recover our rightful forms i feel the same way announced the stuffed bear what do you suppose my friend the patchwork girl would think of me if she saw me wearing this beastly shape She laugh until she cried, admitted the ten-o-o-l. For my part, I'll have to give up the notion of marrying Nimmie-A-A-my, but I'll try not to let that make me unhappy.

If it's my duty, I'd like to do my duty. But if magic prevents my getting married, I'll flutter along all by myself and be just as contented. Their serious misfortunes made them all silent for a time. and as their thoughts were busy and dwelling upon the evils with which fate had burdened them none noticed that ginger had suddenly appeared in the doorway and was looking at them in astonishment the next moment her astonishment changed to anger for there in her best rocking-chair sat a green monkey a great shiny owl perched upon another chair and a brown bear squatted upon her red monkey a great shiny owl perched upon another chair and a brown bear squatted upon her parlor rug ginger did not notice the canary but she caught up a broomstick and dashed into the room shouting as she came get out of here you wild creatures how dare you enter my house with a blow of her broom she knocked the brown bear over and the tin owl tried to fly out of her reach and made a great clatter with his tin wings the green monkey was so startled by the sudden attack that he sprang into the fireplace where there was fortunately no fire and tried to escape by climbing up the chimney but he found the opening too small

and so was forced to drop down again. Then he crouched, trembling in the fireplace. His pretty green hair all blackened with soot and covered with ashes. From this position, Root watched to see what would happen next. "'Stop, Ginger, stop!' cried the brown bear, when the broom again threatened him. "'Don't you know me? I'm your old friend, the scarecrow.' "'You're trying to deceive me, you naughty beast. I can see plainly that you are a bear and a mighty poor specimen of a bear, too,' retorted the girl.

"'That's because I'm not properly stuffed,' he assured her. When Mrs. Hube transformed me, she didn't realize I should have more stuffing.' "'Who is Mrs. Yup?' inquired Ginger, pausing with the broom still upraised. "'A giantess in the Gilliken country?' oh i began to understand and mrs yope transformed you you are really the famous scarecrow of oz i was ginger just now i'm as you see me a miserable little brown bear with a poor quality of stuffing that tin owl is none other than our dear tin woodman nick chopper the emperor of the winkies while this green monkey is a nice little boy we recently became acquainted with wot the wanderer and i said the canary flying close to ginger impolychrome the daughter of the rainbow in the form of a bird goodness me cried ginger amazed that giantess must be a powerful sorceress and as wicked as she is powerful

she's a yuku hoo said polychrome fortunately we managed to escape from her castle and we are now on our way to glinda the good to see if she possesses the power to restore us to our former shapes then i must beg your pardons all of you must forgive me said ginger putting away the broom i took you to be a lot of wild unmannerly animals as was quite natural "'You are very welcome to my home, and I'm sorry I haven't the power to help you out of your troubles. Please use my home and all that I have as if it were your own.' At this declaration of peace the bear got upon his feet, and the owl resumed his perch upon the chair, and the monkey crept out of the fireplace. Ginger looked at Woot critically and scowled. "'For a green monkey,' said she.

"'You're the blackest creature I ever saw.' "'And you'll get my nice clean room all dirty with soot and ashes. "'Whatever possessed you to jump up the chimney?' "'I—I was scared,' exclaimed Woot, somewhat ashamed. "'Well, you need renovating, and that's what will happen to you right away. "'Come with me,' she commanded. "'What are you going to do?' asked Woot.

Give you a good scrubbing, said Ginger. Well, neither boys nor monkeys relish being scrubbed. So Woot shrank away from the energetic girl, trembling fearfully. But Ginger grabbed him by his paw and dragged him out to the backyard, where, in spite of his wines and struggles, she plunged him into a tub of cold water. and began to scrub him with a stiff brush and a cake of yellow soap. This was the hardest trial that Woot had endured since he became a monkey.

But no protest had any influence with Ginger, who lathered and scrubbed him in a business-like manner, and afterward dried him with a coarse towel. The bear and the owl gravely watched this operation and nodded approval when Woot's silken-green fur shone clear and bright in the afternoon sun. The canary seemed much amused and laughed a silvery ripple of laughter as she said,

"'Very well done, my good ginger. I admire your energy and judgment. But I had no idea a monkey could look so comical as this monkey did while he was being bathed. I'm not a monkey,' declared Woot resentfully. I'm just a boy in monkey's shape, that's all. If you can explain to me the difference, said Ginger,

I'll agree not to wash you again, that is, unless you foolishly get into the fireplace. All persons are usually judged by the shapes in which they appear to the eyes of others. Look at me, Woot. What am I? Woot, looked at her. You're as pretty a girl as I've ever seen. replied. Ginger frowned, that is, she tried hard to frown. Come out into the garden with me, she said, and I'll give you some of the most delicious caramel to you ever ate. They're a new variety that no one can grow but me, and they have

a heliotrope flavor. End of Chapter 11. Chapter 12 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libra Vaj, this Libra Vaj recording is in the public domain chapter 12 Osma and Dorothy in her magnificent palace in the emerald city the beautiful girl ruler of all the wonderful land of Oz sat in her dainty boudoir with her friend Princess Dorothy beside her Osma was studying a role of manuscript which she had taken from the Royal Library while Dorothy worked at her embroidery and at times stooped to pat a shaggy little black dog that lay at her feet. The little dog's name was Toto, and he was Dorothy's faithful companion.

To judge Asma of Oz by the standards of our world, you would think her very young, perhaps fourteen or fifteen years of age. Yet for years she had ruled the land of Oz and had never seen her very young. a bit older. Dorothy appeared much younger than Osma. She had been a little girl when first she came to the land of Oz, and she was a little girl still and would never seem to be a day older while she lived in this wonderful fairyland. Oz was not always a fairyland, I am told. Once it was much like other lands, except it was shut in by a dreadful desert of sandy-wa-y-way that lay all around it, thus preventing its people from all contact with the rest of the world.

Seeing this isolation, the fairy band of Queen Lourline, passing over Oz while on a journey, enchanted the country, and so made it a fairyland. And Queen Lourline left one of her fairies to rule this enchanted land of Oz, and then passed on and forgot all about it. From that moment no one in Oz ever died. Those who were old remained old. Those who were young and strong did not change as years passed them by. The children remained children always and played and romped to their heart's content,

while all the babies lived in their cradles and were tenderly cared for and never grew up. So people in Oz stopped counting how old they were in you. years, for years made no difference in their appearance, and could not alter their station. They did not get sick, so there were no doctors among them. Accidents might happen to some on rare occasions, it is true, and while no one could die naturally as other people do, it was possible that one might be totally destroyed. Such incidents, however, were very unusual, and so said that one could die. seldom was there anything to worry over that the Oz people were as happy and contented as

can be. Another strange thing about this fairyland of Oz was that whoever managed to enter it from the outside world came under the magic spell of the place and did not change in appearance as long as they lived there. So Dorothy, who now lived with Osma, seemed just the same sweet little girl she was. had been when first she came to this delightful fairyland. Perhaps all parts of Oz might not be called truly delightful, but it was surely delightful in the neighborhood of the Emerald City where Osma reigned.

Her loving influence was felt for many miles around, but there were places in the mountains of the Gilligan country, and in the forests of the Quaddling country, and perhaps in far-away parts of the Munchkin and Winky countries, where the inhabitants were somewhat rude and uncivilized, and had not yet come under the spell of Osma's wise and kindly rule. Also when Osma first became a fairyland, it harbored several witches and magicians and sorcerers and necromancers, who were scattered in various parts, but most of these had been deprived of their magical powers, and Osma had issued a royal edict forbidding anyone in her dominions to work magic except Glenda the Good and the Wizard of Oz. Osma herself, being a real

fairy, knew a lot of magic, but she only used it to benefit her subjects. This little explanation will help you to understand better the story you are reading, but most of it is already known to those who are familiar with the Oz people, whose adventures they have followed in other Oz books. Osma and Dorothy were fast friends and were much together. Everyone in Oz loved Dorothy almost as well as they did their beloved ruler. For the little Kansas girl's good fortune had not spoiled her or rendered her at all vain. She was just the same brave and true and adventurous child as before she had before she had

lived in a royal palace and became the chum of the fairy Osma. In the room in which the two sat, which was one of Osma's private suites of apartments, hung the famous magic picture. This was the source of constant interest to little Dorothy. One had but to stand before it and wish to see what any person was doing, and at once a scene would flash upon the magic canvas which showed exactly where that person was, and, like our own moving pictures, could reproduce the actions of that person as long as you care to watch them. So today, when Dorothy tired of her embroidery, she drew the curtains from before the magic picture

and wished to see what her friend Button Bright was doing. But in Bright, she saw, was playing ball with Ojo, the Munchkin boy. So Dorothy next wished to see what her Aunt M. was doing. The picture showed Aunt M. quietly engaged in darning socks for Uncle Henry. So Dorothy wished to see what her old friend the Tin Woodman was doing. The Tin Woodman was then just leaving his Tin Castle in the company of the scarecrow and Woot the Wanderer. Dorothy had never seen this boy before, so she wondered who he was. Also she was curious to know where the three were going, for she noticed Woot's knapsack

and guessed they had started on a long journey. She asked Asma about it, but Osma did not know. That afternoon Dorothy again saw the travelers in the magic picture, but they were merely tramping through the country, and Dorothy was. was not much interested in them. A couple of days later, however, the girl being again with Osma, wished to see her friends, the scarecrow and the Tin Woodman in the magic picture, and on this occasion found them in the great castle of Mrs. Youpe the giantess, who was at the time about to transform

them. Both Dorothy and Osma now became greatly interested and watched the transformations with Indigo nation and horror what a wicked giantess exclaimed dorothy yes answered ozma she must be punished for this cruelty to our friends and to the poor boy who was with him after this they followed the adventure of the little brown bear and the tin owl and the green monkey with breathless interest and were delighted when they escaped from mrs yup they did not know then who the canary was, but realized it must be the transformation of some person of consequence whom the giantess had enchanted. When finally the day came when the adventurers headed south into the Munchkin country, Dorothy asked anxiously, Can't something be done for them, Osama?

Can't you change them back into their old shapes? They've suffered enough from these dreadful transformations, seems to me. i've been studying ways to help them ever since they were transformed replied osma mrs yup is now the only yuccahoo in my dominions and the yuccahu magic is very peculiar and hard for others to understand yet i am resolved to make the attempt to break these enchantments i may not succeed but i shall do the best i can from the directions our friends are taken from the directions our friends are taken I believe they are going to pass by Ginger's Ranch. So if we start now we may meet them there. Would you like to go with me, Dorothy?' "'Of course,' answered the little girl.

"'I wouldn't miss it for anything.' "'Then order the red wagon,' said Asma of Oz, "'and we will start at once.' Dorothy ran to do as she was bid, while Osma went to her magic room to make ready the things she believed she would need. In half an hour, the red wagon stood before the grand entrance of the palace, and before it was hitched the wooden saw-horse, which was Osma's favorite steed.

This saw-horse, while made of wood, was very much alive and could travel swiftly and without tiring. To keep the ends of his wooden legs from wearing down short, Osma had shod the saw-horse with plates of pure gold. His harness was studded with brilliant emeralds and other jewels, and so, while he himself was not at all handsome, his outfit made a splendid appearance. Since the saw-horse could understand her spoken words,

Osma used no reins to guide him, she merely told him where to go. When she had come from the palace with Dorothy, they both climbed into the red wagon, and then the little dog toto ran up and asked are you going to leave me behind dorothy looked at osma who smiled in return and said toto may go with us if you wish him to so dorothy lifted the little dog into the wagon for while he could run fast he could not keep up with the speed of the wonderful saw-horse away they went over hills and through meadows covering the ground with astonishing speed it is not surprising therefore that the red wagon arrived before ginger's house just as that energetic young lady had finished scrubbing the green monkey

and was about to lead him to the caramel patch end of chapter twelve chapter thirteen of the ten woodman of oz by l frankbaum this librivox recording is in the public domain chapter thirteen the restoration the tin owl gave a hoot of the light when he saw the red wagon draw up before ginger's house and the brown bear grunted and growled with glee and trotted toward osma as fast as he could wobble as for the canary it flew swiftly to dorothy's shoulder and perched there saying in her ear thank goodness you have come to our rescue but who are you asked dorothy don't you know returned the canary no for the first time we noticed you in the magic picture you were just a bird as you are now but we've guessed that the giant woman had transformed you as she did the others yes i'm polychrome the rainbow's daughter announced the canary goodness me cried dorothy how dreadful well i make a rather pretty bird i think returned polychrome but of course i'm anxious to resume my own shape and get back upon my rainbow osma will help you i'm sure said dorothy how does it feel scarecrow to be a bear she asked addressing her old friend i don't like it declared the scarecrow bear this brutal form is quite beneath the dignity of a wholesome straw man

and think of me said the owl perching upon the dashboard of the red wagon with much noisy clattering of his tin feathers don't i look horrid dorothy with eyes several sizes too big for my body and so weak i ought to wear spectacles well said dorothy critically as she looked him over you're nothing to brag of i must confess but ozma will soon fix you up again the green monkey had hung back bashful at meeting two lovely girls while in the form of a beast but ginger now took his hand and led him forward while she introduced him to ozma and wot managed to make a low bow not really ungraceful before her girlishful before her girlishly Majesty the ruler of Oz. You have all been forced to endure a sad experience, said Osma. And so I am anxious to do all in my power to break Mrs. Yup's enchantments. But first, tell me how you happen to stray into that lonely valley where Yup Castle stands. Between them they related the object of their journey,

the scarecrow-bear-telling of the ten woodmen's resolve to find Nimi-Amy and marry her, as a just reward for her loyalty to him. Woot told of their adventures with the loons of Loonville, and the Ten Owl described the manner in which they had been captured and transformed by the Giantess. Then Polychrome related her story, and when all had been told, and Dorothy had several times removed Toto for growling at the Ten Owl, Osma remained thoughtful for a while, pondering upon what she had heard. finally she looked up and with one of her delightful smiles said to the anxious group i am not sure my magic will be able to restore every one of you because your transformations are of such a strange and unusual character

indeed mrs yup was quite justified in believing no power could alter her enchantments however i am sure i can restore the scarecrow the scarecrow the scarecrow however i am sure i can restore the scarecrow to his original shape he was stuffed with straw from the beginning and even the ukuhu magic could not alter that the giantess was merely able to make a bearer shape of a man's shape but the bear is stuffed with straw just as the man was so i feel confident i can make a man of the bear again hurrah cried the brown bear and tried clumsily to dance a jig of delight as for the tin woodman his case is much the same resumed ozma still smiling the power of the giantess could not make him anything but a tin creature whatever shape she transformed him into so it will not be impossible to restore him to his manly form anyhow i shall test my magic at once and see if it will do what i have promised She drew from her bosom a small silver wand, and, making passes with the wand over the head of the bear. She succeeded in the brief space of a moment in breaking his enchantment. The original Scarecrow of Oz again stood before them, well-stuffed with straw and with his features nicely painted upon the bag which formed his head.

The scarecrow was greatly delighted, as you may suppose. And he strutted proudly around while the powerful fairy, Osma of Oz, broke the enchantment that had transformed the tin woodman and made a tin owl into a tin man again. "'Now then,' chirped the canary eagerly. "'I'm next, Asma.' "'But your case is different,' replied Asma, no longer smiling but wearing a grave expression on her sweet face. "'I shall have to experiment on you, Polychrome.' and i may fail in all my attempts she then tried two or three different methods of magic hoping one of them would succeed in breaking polychrome's enchantment but still the rainbow's daughter remained a canary bird finally however she experimented in another way she transformed the canary into a dove and then transformed the dove into a speckled hen and then changed the speckled hen into a rabbit and then the rabbit into a fawn

and at last after mixing several powders and sprinkling them upon the fawn the yukahu enchantment was suddenly broken and before them stood one of the daintiest and loveliest creatures in any fairyland in the world polychrome was as sweet and merry indisposition as she was beautiful and when she danced and capered around in delight her beautiful hair floated around her like a golden mist and her many-hued raiment as soft as cobwebs reminded one of drifting clouds in a summer sky wute was so awed by the entrancing sight of this exquisite sky-fairy that he quite forgot his own sad plight until he noticed ozma gazing upon him with an intent expression that denoted sympathy and sorrow dorothy whispered in her friend's ear but the ruler of oz shook her head sadly ginger noticing this and understanding ozma's looks took the paw of the green monkey in her own hand and patted it softly never mind she said to him you are a very beautiful color and a monkey can climb better than a boy and do a lot of other things no boy can ever do what's the matter asked a wot a sinking feeling in his heart is ozma's magic all used up ozma herself answered him your form of enchantment my poor boy she said pityingly is different from that of the others indeed it is a form that is impossible to alter by any magic known to fairies or yucahoo's the wicked giantess was well aware when she gave you the form of a green monkey that the green monkey must exist in the land of oz for all future time

woot drew a long sigh oh well that's pretty hard luck he said bravely but if it can't be helped i must endure it that's all i don't like being a monkey but what's the use of kicking against my fate they were all very sorry for him and dorothy anxiously asked ozma couldn't glinda save him no was the reply glinda's power in transfer is no greater than my own. Before I left my palace I went to my magic room and studied Woot's case very carefully. I found that no power can do away with the green monkey. He might transfer or exchange his farm with some other person it is true, but the green monkey we cannot get rid of by any magic arts known to science. But see here, said the scarecrow, who had listened intently to the this explanation. Why not put the monkey's form on someone else?

Who would agree to make the change? asked Osma. If by force we caused anyone else to become a green monkey, we would be as cruel and wicked as Mrs. Youpe. And what good would an exchange do, she continued? Suppose, for instance, we worked the enchantment and made to-to into a green monkey. At the same moment, Woot would become a little dog. "'Leave me out of your magic, please,' said Toto with a reproachful growl. "'I wouldn't become a green monkey for anything.'

"'And I wouldn't become a dog,' said Woot. "'A green monkey is much better than a dog, it seems to me.' "'That is only a matter of opinion,' answered Toto. "'Now here's another idea,' said the scarecrow. My brains are working finely today, you must admit. Why not transform Toto into Woot the Wanderer, and then have them exchange forms? The dog would become a green monkey and the monkey would have his own natural shape again. To be sure, cried Ginger, that's a fine idea.

Leave me out of it, said Toto. I won't do it. "'Wouldn't you be willing to become a green monkey? See what a pretty color it is?' "'So that this poor boy could be restored to his own shape?' asked Ginger, pleadingly. "'No,' said Toto. "'I don't like that planned least bit,' declared Dorothy. "'For then I wouldn't have any little dog.' "'But you'd have a green monkey in his place,' persisted Ginger,

who liked Woot and wanted to help him. "'I don't want a green monkey.' said Dorothy positively. "'Don't speak of this again, I beg you,' said Woot. "'This is my own misfortune, and I would rather suffer it alone that deprived Princess Dorothy of her dog, or deprive the dog of his proper shape. And perhaps even her majesty, Asma of Oz, might not be able to transform anyone else into the shape of Woot the Wanderer.'

"'Yes, I believe I might do that,' Osma returned. But Woot is quite right. We are not justified in inflicting upon any one man or dog, the form of a green monkey. Also it is certain that in order to relieve the boy of the form he now wears, we must give it to someone else who would be forced to wear it always. I wonder, said Dorothy thoughtfully, if we couldn't find someone in the land of Oz. who would be willing to become a green monkey. Seems to me a monkey is active in spry, and he can climb trees and do a lot of clever things.

And green isn't a bad color for a monkey. It makes him unusual. I wouldn't ask anyone to take this dreadful form, said Woot. It wouldn't be right, you know. I've been a monkey for some time now, and I don't like it. It makes me a shame to be a bee-feworthy. of this sort when by right in birth I'm a boy so I'm sure it would be wicked to ask anyone else to take my place they were all silent for they knew he spoke the truth Dorothy was almost ready to cry with pity and Osma's sweet face was sad and disturbed the scarecrow rubbed and patted his stuffed head to try to make it think better while the tin woodman went into the house and began to arthur his tin joints, so that the sorrow of his friends might not cause him to weep.

Weeping is liable to rust tin, and the Emperor prided himself upon his highly polished body, now doubly dear to him, because for a time he had been deprived of it. Polychrome had danced down the garden paths and back again a dozen times, for she was seldom still a moment. Yet she had heard Osma's speech and understood very well Woot's unfortunate position. But the Rainbow's daughter, even while dancing, could think and reason very clearly. And suddenly she solved the problem in the nicest possible way. Coming close to Osma, she said,

Your Majesty! All this trouble was caused by the wickedness of Mrs. Youep the giantess. yet even now that cruel woman is living in her secluded castle enjoying the thought that she has put this terrible enchantment on Woot the Wanderer. Even now she is laughing at our despair, because we can find no way to get rid of the green monkey. Very well. We do not wish to get rid of it. Let the woman who created the form wear it herself, as a woman. a just punishment for her wickedness. I am sure your fairy power can give to Mrs. Yoop the form of Woot the Wanderer,

even at this distance from her, and then it will be possible to exchange the two forms. Mrs. Yup will become the green monkey, and Woot will recover his form again. Osma's face brightened as she listened to this clever proposal. Thank you, Polychrome, said she. The task you propose is not so easy as you suppose, but I will make the attempt, and perhaps I may succeed. End of Chapter 13. Chapter 14 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by El Frank Baum. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 14. the green monkey they now entered the house and as an interested group watched ginger at ozma's command build a fire and put a kettle of water over to boil the ruler of oz stood before the fire silent and grave while the others realizing that an important ceremony of magic was about to be performed stood quietly in the background so it's not to interrupt osma's proceeding Only Polychrome kept going in and coming out, humming softly to herself as she danced, for the Rainbow's daughter could not keep still for long, and the four walls of a room always made her nervous and ill at ease. She moved so noiselessly, however, that her movements were like the shifting of sunbeams and did not annoy anyone.

When the water in the kettle bubbled, Asma drew from her bosom, two tiny packets containing powders. These powders she threw into the kettle, and after briskly stirring the contents with a branch from a macaroon bush, Osma poured the mystic broth upon a broad platter which ginger had placed upon the table. As the broth cooled it became as silver, reflecting all objects from its smooth surface like a mirror. her companions gathered around the table eagerly attentive, and Dorothy even held little to-toe in her arms that he might see.

Osma waved her wand over the mirror-like surface. At once it reflected the interior of Yupes Castle, and in the big hall sat Mrs. Yup in her best embroidered silken robes engaged in weaving a new lace apron to replace the one she had lost. The giantess seemed rather uneasy, as if she had a faint idea that someone was spying upon her, for she kept looking behind her and this way in that, as though expecting danger from an unknown source. Perhaps some Yukohoo instinct warned her. Woot saw that she had escaped from her room by some of the magical means at her disposal

after her prisoners had escaped her. She was now occupying the big hall of her castle as she used to do. Also, Wu thought, from the cruel expression on the face of the giantess, that she was planning revenge on them as soon as her new magic apron was finished. But Asma was now making passes over the platter with her silver wand, and presently the form of the giantess began to, shrink in size and to change its shape. And now in her place sat the form of Woot the Wanderer.

And as if suddenly realizing her transformation, Mrs. Youep threw down her work and rushed to a looking-glass that stood against the wall of her room. When she saw the boy's form reflected as her own, she grew violently angry and dashed her head against the mirror, smashing it to atoms. Just then, Osma was busy with her magic wand, making strange figures, and she had also placed her left hand firmly upon the shoulder of the green monkey. So now, as all eyes were turned upon the platter, the form of Mrs. Yupp gradually changed again. She was slowly transformed into the green monkey.

And at the same time, Woot slowly regained his natural form. It was quite a surprise to them all when they raised their eyes from the platter and saw Woot the Wanderer standing beside Asma. And then they glanced at the platter again. It reflected nothing more than the walls of the room in Ginger's house in which they stood. The magic ceremonial was ended, and Osma of Oz had tried. triumphed over the wicked giantess. What will become of her, I wonder, said Dorothy as she drew a long breath.

She will always remain a green monkey, replied Osma, and in that form she will be unable to perform any magical arts whatsoever. She need not be unhappy, however, and as she lives all alone in her castle, she probably won't mind the transformation very much after she gets used to it. Anyhow it serves her right, declared Dorothy, and all agreed with her. But, said the kind-hearted Tin Woodman, I'm afraid the green monkey will starve, for Mrs. Youep used to get her food by magic, and now that the magic is taken away from her, what can she eat?

Why she'll eat what other monkeys do, returned the scarecrow. Even in the form of a green monkey, she's a very clever person, and I'm sure her wits will show her how to get plenty to eat. Don't worry about her, advised Dorothy. She didn't worry about you, and her condition is no worse than the condition she imposed on poor wute. She can't starve to death in the land of Oz, that's certain. And if she gets hungry at times, it's no more than the wicked thing to say.

serves. Let's forget Mrs. Youep, for, in spite of her being a yuckoo, our fairy friends have broken all of her transformations. End of Chapter 14. Chapter 15 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by El Frank Baum. This Libra Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 15. The Man of Ten Osma and Dorothy were quite pleased with Woot the Wanderer, whom they found modest and intelligent

and very well-mannered. The boy was truly grateful for his release from the cruel enchantment, and he promised to love, revere, and defend the girl ruler of Oz forever afterward as a faithful subject. "'You may visit me at my palace if you wish,' said Asma. where I will be glad to introduce you to two other nice boys, O. Joe the Munchkin, and Buttonbright. Thank your majesty, replied Woot. And then he turned to the Tin Woodman and inquired, What are your further plans, Mr. Emperor? Will you still seek Nimmie Amy and marry her? Or will you abandon the quest and return to the Emerald City and your own castle?

The Ten Woodman, now is highly polished and well-oiled as that. ever, reflected a while on this question, and then answered, "'Well, I see no reason why I should not find Nimmie Amie. We are now in the Muncheon country, where we are perfectly safe. And if it was right for me before our enchantment to marry Nimi Ami and make her Empress of the Winkies, it must be right now, when the enchantment has been broken and I am once more myself. Am I correct, friend Scarecrow?' you are indeed answered the scarecrow no one can oppose such logic but i'm afraid you don't love nimmy amy suggested dorothy that is just because i can't love any one replied the tin woodman

but if i cannot love my wife i can at least be kind to her and all husbands are not able to do that do you suppose nimmy amy still loves you after all these years asked dorothy i'm quite sure of it and that is why i am going to her to make her happy woot the wanderer thinks i ought to reward her for being faithful to me after my meat body was chopped to pieces and i became tin What do you think, Osma?" Asma smiled as she said, "'I do not know your Nimmy Amy, and so I cannot tell what she most needs to make her happy. But there is no harm in your going to her in asking her if she still wishes to marry you.

If she does, we will give you a grand wedding at the Emerald City, and afterward, as empress of the Winkies, Nimmie Amy would become one of the most important ladies in all Oz. So it was decided that the Tin Woodman would continue his journey, and that the scarecrow and Woot the Wanderer should accompany him as before. Polychrome also decided to join their party, somewhat to the surprise of all. I hate to be cooped up in a palace, she said to Asma. And of course, the first time I meet my rainbow I shall be.

return to my own dear home in the skies, where my fairy sisters are even now awaiting me and my father is cross because I get lost so often. But I can find my rainbow just as quickly while traveling in the Munchkin country as I could if living in the Emerald City, or at any other place in Oz. So I shall go with the Tin Woodman and help him woo Nimmi Amy. Dorothy wanted to go, too. But as the ten woodman. Ten Woodman did not invite her to join his party. She felt she might be intruding if she asked to be taken. She hinted, but she found he didn't take the hint. It is quite a delicate matter for one to ask a girl to marry him, however much she loves him, and perhaps the Ten Woodman

did not desire to have too many looking on when he found his old sweetheart Nimmy Amy. So Dorothy contented herself with the thought that she would help Osma prepare a splendid wedding feast to be followed by a round of parties and festivities when the Emperor of the Winkies reached the Emerald City with his bride. Osma offered to take them all in the red wagon to a place as near to the great Munchkin Forest as a wagon could get. The wagon was big enough to seat them all, and so bidding goodbye to Ginger, who gave them, a root a basket of ripe cream puffs and caramels to take with him. Osma commanded the wooden saw-horse to start, and the strange creature moved swiftly over the lanes, and presently came to the road of yellow bricks.

This road led straight to a dense forest, where the path was too narrow for the red wagon to proceed farther, so here the party separated. Osma and Dorothy and Toto returned to the Emerald City, after wishing their friends a safe and successful journey, while the tin woodman, the scarecrow, who wot the wanderer and polychrome the rainbow's daughter, prepared to push their way through the thick forest. However, these forest paths were well known to the tin man and the scarecrow, who felt quite at home among the trees. I was born in this grand forest, said Nick Chopper, the tin emperor, speaking proudly. And it was here that the witch enchanted my axe, and I lost different parts of my meat body,

until I became all ten. Here also, for it is a big forest, Nimmie Amie lived with the wicked witch, and at the other edge of the trees stands the cottage of my friend Kuplip, the famous tinsmith who made my present beautiful farm he must be a clever workman declared wute admiringly he is simply wonderful declared the tin woodman i shall be glad to make his acquaintance said wute if you wish to meet with real cleverness remarked the scarecrow you should visit the munchkin farmer who first made me i won't say that my friend the emperor isn't all right for a tin man but any judge of beauty can understand that a scarecrow is far more artistic and refined you are too soft and flimsy said the tin woodman you are too hard and stiff said the scarecrow and this was as near to quarreling as the two friends ever came polychrome laughed at them both as well she might and wute hastened to change the subject.

At night they all camped underneath the trees. The boy ate cream puffs for supper, and offered polychrome some, but she preferred other food, and at daybreak, sipped the dew that was clustered thick on the forest flowers. Then they tramped onward again, and presently the scarecrow paused,

and said, It was on this very spot that Dorothy and I first met the tin woodman, who was rusted so badly that none of his joints would move. But after we had oiled him up, he was as good as new, and accompanied us to the Emerald City. Ah, that was a sad experience, asserted the tin woodman soberly. I was caught in a rainstorm while chopping down a tree for exercise, and before I realized it I was firmly rusted in every joint.

There I stood, axe in hand, but unable to move for days and weeks and months. Indeed, I have never known exactly how long the time was. But finally along came Dorothy, and I was saved. See, this is the very tree I was chopping at the time I rusted. You cannot be far from your old home in that case, said Woot. No, my little cabin stands not a great way off. But there is no occasion for us to visit it. Our errand is with Nimmy Amy, and her house is somewhat farther away to the left of us.

"'Didn't you say she lives with a wicked witch who made her a slave?' asked the boy. "'She did, but she doesn't,' was the reply. "'I was told the old witch was destroyed when Dorothy's house fell on her. So now Nimmy Amy must live all alone.' i haven't seen her of course since the witch was crushed for at that time i was standing rusted in the forest and had been there a long time but the poor girl must have felt very happy to be free from her cruel mistress well said the scarecrow let's travel on and find nimmy amy lead on your majesty since you know the way and we will follow so the tin woodman took a path that led through the thickest part of the thickest part of the first you know the way and we will follow so the tin woodman took a path that led through the thickest part of the thickest part of the the forest, and they followed it for some time. The light was dim here because vines and bushes and leafy foliage were all about them, and often the tin man had to push aside the branches

that obstructed their way, or cut them off with his axe. After they had proceeded some distance, the Emperor suddenly stopped short and exclaimed, "'Good gracious!' The scarecrow who was next, first bumped into his friend and then peered around his tin body and said in a tone of wonder, "'Well, I declare,' Woot the Wanderer pushed forward to see what was the matter, and cried out in astonishment, "'For goodness sake!' Then the three stood motionless, staring hard, until Polychrome's merry laughter rang out behind them and aroused them from their stupor.

in the path before them stood a tin man who was the exact duplicate of the tin woodman he was of the same size he was jointed in the same manner and he was made of shining tin from top to toe but he stood immovable with his tin jaws half parted and his tin eyes turned upward in one of his hands was held a long gleaming sword. Yes, there was the difference, the only thing that distinguished him from the Emperor of the Winkies. This tin man bore a sword, while the tin woodman bore an axe. "'It's a dream, it must be a dream,' gasped a-wut. "'That's it, of course,' said the scarecrow. "'There couldn't be two tin woodmen.' "'No,' agreed Polychrome, dancing nearer to the stranger.

This one is a tin soldier. Don't you see his sword? The tin woodman cautiously put out one tin hand, and felt of his doubles arm. Then he said in a voice that trembled with emotion. Who are you, friend? There was no reply. Can't you see he's rusted, just as you were once?

asked Polychrome, laughing again. Here, Nick Chopper, lend me your oil can a minute. the tin woodman silently handed her his oil-can without which he never traveled and polychrome first oil the stranger's tin jaws and then worked them gently to and fro until the tin soldier said that's enough thank you i can now talk but please oil my other joints wot seized the oil can and did this but all the other's water-can and did this but all the others helped wiggle the soldier as soon as they were oiled until they moved freely the ten soldiers seemed highly pleased at his release he strutted up and down the path saying in a high thin voice the soldier is a splendid man when marching on parade and when he meets the enemy he never is afraid he writes the wrongs of nations his country's flag defends the foe he'll fight with great delight but seldom fight his friends." End of Chapter 15.

Chapter 16 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 16 Captain Fighter Are you really a soldier? asked Woot when they had all watched this strange ten-person parade up and down the path and proudly flourish his sword. I was a soldier, was the reply. But I've been a prisoner to Mr. Rust so long that I don't know exactly what I am. But dear me, cried the tin woodman, sadly perplexed.

How came you to be made of tin? That, answered the soldier, is a sad, sad story. I was in love with a beautiful Munchkin girl who lived with a wicked witch. the witch did not wish me to marry the girl so she enchanted my sword which began hacking me to pieces when i lost my legs i went to the tin smith coo'clip and he made me some ten legs when i lost my arms coo'clip made me ten arms and when i lost my head he made me this fine one out of ten it was the same way with my body and finally i was all ten but i am not unhappy for coo-clip made a good job of me having had experience in making another ten man before me yes observed the tin woodman it was coo-clip who made me but tell me what was the name of the munchkin girl you were in love with she is called nimmy amy said the tin soldier Hearing this, they were all so astonished that they were silent for a time,

regarding the stranger with wondering looks. Finally the ten woodman ventured to ask, And did Nimmy Amy return your love? Not at first, admitted the soldier. When I first marched into the forest and met her, she was weeping over the loss of her former sweetheart, a woodman whose name was Nick Chopper. "'That is me,' said the tin woodman.

She told me he was nicer than a soldier, because he was all made of tin and shone beautifully in the sun. She said a tin man appealed to her artistic instincts more than an ordinary meatman, as I was then. But I did not despair, because her tin sweetheart had disappeared and could not be found. And finally, Nimi-Amy

Amy permitted me to call upon her, and we became friends. It was then that the wicked witch discovered me and became furiously angry when I said I wanted to marry the girl. She enchanted my sword, as I said. And then my troubles began. When I got my ten legs,

Nimmy-Amy began to take an interest in me. When I got my ten legs, arms she began to like me better than ever, and when I was all made of tin, she said I looked like her dear Nick Chopper, and she would be willing to marry me. The day of our wedding was set, and it turned out to be a rainy day. Nevertheless, I started out to get Nimmie Amy because the witch had been absent for some time, and we meant to elope before she got back. As I travel the forest paths, the rain.

Whetted my joints, but I paid no attention to this because my thoughts were all on my wedding with beautiful Nimmie Amy and I could think of nothing else until suddenly my leg stopped moving Then my arms rusted at the joints and I became frightened and cried for help for now I was unable to aile myself No one heard my calls and before long my jaws rusted and I I was unable to utter another sound. So I stood helpless in this spot, hoping some wanderer would come my way and save me. But this forest path is seldom used, and I have been standing here so long that I have lost all track of time. In my mind I composed poetry and sang songs, but not a sound have I been able to utter.

But this desperate condition has now been. relieved by your coming my way, and I must thank you for my rescue." "'This is wonderful,' said the scarecrow, heaving a stuffy, long sigh. I think Coo-Clip was wrong to make two ten men just alike. And the strangest thing of all is that both you ten men fell in love with the same girl.' "'As for that,' returned the soldier seriously, i must admit i lost my ability to love when i lost my meat heart cuclip gave me a tin heart to be sure ah but it doesn't love anything as far as i can discover and merely rattles against my tin ribs which makes me wish i had no heart at all yet in spite of this condition you were going to marry nimmy amy well you see i had promised that you had promised to-a-all yet in spite of this condition you were going to marry nimmy amy well you see i had promised

to marry her, and I am an honest man and always try to keep my promises. I didn't like to disappoint the poor girl who had been disappointed by one ten man already. That was not my fault, declared the Emperor of the Winkies, and then he related how he also had rusted in the forest, and after a long time had been rescued by Dorothy and the scarecrow and had traveled with them to the Emerald City in search of a heart that could love. "'If you have found such a heart, sir,' said the soldier, "'I will gladly allow you to marry Nimmy Amy in my place.' "'If she loves you best, sir,' answered the woman,

"'I shall not interfere with your wedding her. "'For, to be quite frank with you, "'I cannot yet love Nimmy Amy as I did before I became ten.' Still, one of you ought to marry the poor girl," remarked Woot. And if she likes ten men there is not much choice between you. Why don't you draw lots for her?" That wouldn't be right," said the scarecrow. The girl should be permitted to choose her own husband," asserted Polychrome.

You both go to her and allow her to take her choice. Then she will surely be happy." That, to me, seems a very fair arrangement," said the ten soldier. "'I agree to it,' said the Tin Woodman, shaking the hand of his twin to show the matter was settled. "'May I ask your name, sir?' he continued. "'Before I was cut up,' replied the other, "'I was known as Captain Fighter. But afterward I was merely called the Ten Soldier. "'Well, Captain, if you are agreeable, let us now go to Nimmie Amie's house and let her choose between us.

Very well, and if we meet the witch, we will both fight her, you with your axe and I with my sword. The witch is destroyed, announced the scarecrow, and as they walked away he told the tin soldier of much that had happened in the land of Oz since he had stood rusted in the forest. I must have stood there longer than I had imagined, he said thoughtfully. End of chapter 16. chapter seventeen of the ten woodman of oz by l frankbaum this lebrowx recording is in the public domain chapter seventeen the workshop of coo-clip it was not more than a two-hour's journey to the home where nimmy amy had lived but when our travelers arrived there they found the place deserted the door was partly off its hinges the roof had fallen in at the rear and the room had fallen in at the rear and the

the interior of the cottage was thick with dust. Not only was the place vacant, but it was evident that no one had lived there for a long time. "'I suppose,' said the scarecrow as they all stood looking wonderingly at the ruined house. That, after the wicked witch was destroyed, Nimmy Amy became lonely and went somewhere else to live. One could scarcely expect a young girl to live all alone in a forest," added Woot. she would one company of course and so i believe she has gone where other people live and perhaps she is still crying her poor little heart out because no tin man comes to marry her suggested polychrome well in that case it is the clear duty of you two ten persons to seek nimmy amy until you find her declared the scarecrow i do not know where to look for the girl said the ten soldier

for I am almost a stranger to this part of the country. I was born here, said the tin woodman, but the forest has few inhabitants except the wild beasts. I cannot think of anyone living near here with whom Nimmie Ame might care to live. Why not go to Ku Klip and ask him what has become of the girl, proposed Polychrome? That struck them all as being a good suggestion. So once more they started to tramp through the forest, taking the direct path to Ku Klip's house, for both the ten twins knew the way having followed it many times.

Cooclip lived at the far edge of the great forest, his house facing the broad plains of the Munchkin country that lay to the eastward. But when they came to this residence by the forest's edge, the Tinsmith was not at home. It was a pretty place, all painted dark blue, with trimmings of lighter blue. There was a neat blue fence around the yard, and several blue benches had been placed underneath the shady blue trees, which marked the line between forest and plain.

There was a blue lawn before the house, which was a good-sized building. Coo-Clip lived in the front part of the house and had his workshop in the back part, where he had also built a lean-to addition in order to give him more room. Although they found the Tensmith, absent on their arrival, there was smoke coming out of his chimney which proved that he would

soon return. "'And perhaps Nimmie Amy will be with him,' said the scarecrow in a cheerful voice. While they waited, the tin woodman went to the door of the workshop, and, finding it unlocked, entered and looked curiously around the room where he had been made. "'It seems almost like home to me,' he told his friends who had followed him in. The first time I came here I had lost a leg, so I had to carry it in my hand while I hopped on the other leg all the way from the place in the forest where the enchanted axe cut me. I remember that old Coo-Clip carefully put my meat leg into a barrel.

I think that is the same barrel, still standing in the corner yonder. And then at once he began to make a tin leg for me. He worked fast and with skill. I was much interested in the job. My experience was much the same, said the tin soldier. I used to bring all the parts of me which the enchanted sort had cut away, here to the tin-smith, and Ku Klip would put them into the barrel. I wonder, said Woot, if those cast-off parts of you two unfurtenates are still in that

barrel in the corner. I suppose so, replied the tin woodman. In the land of Oz, no part of a living creature can never be destroyed. If that is true, how was that wicked witch destroyed? inquired Woot. Why, she was very old, and was all dried up and withered before Oz became a fairyland, explained the scarecrow. Only her magic arts had kept her alive so long. And when Dorothy's house fell upon her, she just turned to dust and was blown away and scattered

by the wind. I do not think, however, that the parts cut away from these two young men could ever be entirely destroyed, and, if they are still in those barrels, they are likely to be just the same as when the enchanted axe or swords severed them. It doesn't matter, however, said the tin woodman. Our ten bodies are more brilliant and durable and quite satisfy us. Yes, the ten bodies are best, agreed the ten soldiers. nothing can hurt them.

Unless they get dented or rusted, said Woot, but both the tin men frowned on him. Scraps of tin, of all shapes and sizes, lay scattered around the workshop. Also there were hammers and anvils and soldering irons, and a charcoal furnace and many other tools, such as a tin-smith works with. Against two of the side walls had been built

stout work benches, and at the center of the room was a long table. At the end of the shop which adjoined the dwelling were several cupboards. After examining the interior of the workshop until his curiosity was satisfied, Woot said, I think I will go outside until Coo-Clip comes. It does not seem quite proper for us to take possession of his house while he is absent. That is true, agreed the scarecrow, and they were all about to leave the room when the ten woodman said wait a minute and they halted in obedience to the command end of chapter seventeen

chapter eighteen of the ten woodman of oz by l frank balm this leiprovox recording is in the public domain chapter eighteen the ten woodman talks to himself the ten woodman had just noticed the cupboards and was curious the cupboards and was curious to know what they contained, so he went to one of them and opened the door. There were shelves inside and upon one of the shelves, which was about on a level with his tin chin. The emperor discovered a head. It looked like a doll's head, only it was larger, and he soon saw it was the head of some person. It was facing the tin woodman, and as the cupboard door swung back, the eyes of the head slowly opened and looked at him. The Tin Woodman was not at all surprised, for in the land of Oz one runs into magic at every turn. "'Dear me,' said the Tin Woodman, staring hard.

"'It seems as if I had met you somewhere before. Good morning, sir.' "'You have the advantage of me,' replied the head. "'I never saw you before in my life. Still, your face is very familiar, persisted the Tin Woodman. Pardon me, but may I ask if you—or—if you ever had a body? Yes, at one time, answered the head. But that was so long ago I can't remember it. Did you think, with a pleasant smile, that I was born just as I am,

that a head would be created without a body? of course not said the other but how came you to lose your body well i can't recollect the details you'll have to ask coo-clip about it returned the head far curious as it may seem to you my memory is not good since my separation from the rest of me i still possess my brains and my intellect is as good as ever but my memory of some of the events i formerly experienced is quite hazy. How long have you been in this cupboard? asked the Emperor. I don't know. Haven't you a name? Oh, yes, said the head.

I used to be called Nick Chopper when I was a woodman and cut down trees for a living. Good gracious, cried the tin woodman in astonishment. If you are Nick Choppers' head, then you are me or, I'm you or—or—or—what relation are we anyhow?' "'Don't ask me,' replied the head. "'For my part I'm not anxious to claim relationship with any common manufactured article like you. You may be all right in your class, but your class isn't my class.

You're ten.' The poor emperor felt so bewildered that for a time he could only stare at his old head in silence. then he said i must admit that i wasn't at all bad looking before i became tin you're almost handsome for meat if your hair were combed you'd be quite attractive how do you expect me to comb my hair without help demanded the head indignantly i used to keep it smooth and neat when i had arms but after i was removed from the rest of me my hair got must and old coo-cliffe never has combed it for me. I'll speak to him about it, said the tin woodman. Do you remember loving a pretty munchkin girl named Nimmie Amy?

No, answered the head. That is a foolish question. The heart in my body, when I had a body, might have loved someone for all I know, but a head isn't made for love, it's made to think. Oh, do you think, then? I used to think. you must have been shut up in this cupboard for years and years what have you thought about in all that time nothing that's another foolish question a little reflection will convince you that i have had nothing to think about except the boards on the inside of the cupboard door and it didn't take me long to think of everything about those boards that could be thought of then of course i quit thinking

and are you happy happy what's that don't you know what happiness is inquired the tin woodman i haven't the faintest idea whether it's round or square or black or white or what it is and if you will pardon my lack of interest in it i will say that i don't care the tin woodman was much puzzled by these answers his traveling companions had grouped themselves at his back and had fixed their eyes on the head and listened to the conversation with much interest but until now they had not interrupted because they thought the tin woodman had the best right to talk to his own head and renew acquaintance with it but now the ten soldier remarked i wonder if my old head happens to be in any of these cupboards and he proceeded to open all the cupboard doors but no head was to be found on any of the shelves oh well never mind said wuth the wanderer i can't imagine what any one wants of a cast-off head anyhow i can understand the soldier's interest asserted polychrome dancing around the grimy work until her draperies formed a cloud around her dainty farm for sentimental reasons a man might like to see his old head once more just as one likes to revisit an old home and then to kiss it good-bye added the scarecrow i hope that tin thing won't try to kiss me good-bye exclaimed the tin woodman's farmer head and i don't see what right you folks have to destroy my peace and comfort either you belong to me the tin woodman declared i do not you and i are one we've been parted asserted the head

it would be unnatural for me to have any interest in a man made of tin please close the door and leave me alone i did not think that my old head would be so disagreeable said the emperor i-i'm quite ashamed of myself meaning you you ought to be glad that i've enough sense to know what my rights are retorted the head in this cupboard i am leading a simple life peaceful and dignified and when a mob of people in whom i am not interested disturb me they are the disagreeable ones not i with a sigh the tin woodman closed and latched the cupboard door and turned away well said the tin soldier if my old head would have treated me as coldly and in so unfriendly a manner as your old head has treated you friend's chupper, I'm glad I could not find it. Yes, I'm rather surprised at my head myself, replied the tin woodman thoughtfully. I thought I had a more pleasant disposition when I was made of meat. But just then, old Coo-Clip the Tensmith arrived, and he seemed surprised to find so many visitors.

Coo-Clip was a stout man and a short man. He had his sleeves rolled above his elven, and he had his sleeves rolled above his elven, showing muscular arms, and he wore a leathern apron that covered all the front of him and was so long that Woot was surprised he didn't step on it and trip whenever he walked. And Coo-Clip had a gray beard that was almost as long as his apron, and his head was bald on top, and his ears stuck out from his head like two fans. Over his eyes, which were bright and twinkling, he wore big spectacles. It was easy to see that the ten-smith was a kind-hearted man, as well as a merry and agreeable one. "'Ho-ho!' he cried in a joyous bass voice. "'Here are both my ten men come to visit me, and they and their friends are welcome indeed.

I am very proud of you, too, characters, I assure you, for you are so perfect that you are proof that I'm a good workman. sit down sit down all of you if you can find anything to sit on and tell me why you are here so they found seats and told him all of their adventures that they thought he would like to know coo clip was glad to learn that nick chopper the tin woodman was now emperor of the winkies and a friend of osma of oz and the tin smith was also interested in the scarecrow and polychrome he turned the straw-man man around, examining him curiously, and patted him on all sides, and then said, You are certainly wonderful, but I think you would be more durable and steady on your legs if you were made of tin. Would you like me to—' No, indeed!' interrupted the scarecrow hastily. I like myself better as I am. But to Polychrome, the tin-smith said, Nothing could improve you, my dear, for you are the most beautiful maiden I have ever seen.

It is pure happiness just to look at you. That is praise indeed from so skillful a workman, returned the Rainbow's daughter, laughing and dancing in and out the room. Then it must be this boy you wish me to help, said Coo-Clip, looking at Woot. No, said Woot. We are not here to seek your skill. but merely come to you for information then between them they related their search for nimmy amy whom the tin woodman explained he had resolved to marry yet who had promised to become the bride of the tin soldier before he unfortunately became rusted and when the story was told they asked coo'clip if he knew what had become of nimmy amy not exactly replied the story told replied the story was told they asked coo'clip if he knew what had become of nimmy amy not exactly replied the

old man. But I know that she wept bitterly when the tin soldier did not come to marry her as he had promised to do. The old witch was so provoked at the girl's tears that she beat Nimmie A. Amy with her crooked stick and then hobbled away to gather some magic herbs, with which she intended to transform the girl into an old hag so that no one would again love her or care to marry her. it was while she was away on this errand that dorothy's house fell on the wicked witch and she turned to dust and blew away when i heard this good news i sent nimmy amy to find the silver shoes which the witch had worn

but dorothy had taken them with her to the emerald city yes we know all about those silver shoes said the scarecrow well continued cooclip after that nimmy amy amy decided to go away from the forest and live with some people she was acquainted with who had a house on mount munch i have never seen the girl since do you know the name of the people on mount much with whom she went to live asked the tin woodman no nimmy amy did not mention her friend's name and i did not ask her she took with her all that she could carry of the goods that were in the witch's house and she told me i could have the rest but when i went there i found nothing worth taking except some magic powders that i did not know how to use and a bottle of magic glue what is magic glue asked it is a magic preparation with which to mend people when they cut themselves one time long ago i cut off one of my fingers by accident and i carried it to the witch who took down her little bottle and gregers glued it on again for me, see, showing them his finger. It is as good as it ever was. No one else that I ever heard of had this magic glue.

And of course when Nick Chopper cut himself to pieces with his enchanted axe, and Captain Fighter cut himself to pieces with his enchanted sword, the witch would not mend them, or allow me to glue them together because she had herself wickedly enchanted the axe and to sword. Nothing remained but for me to make them new parts out of tin. But as you see, tin answered the purpose very well, and I'm sure their tin bodies are a great improvement on their meat bodies. Very true, said the tin soldier. I quite agree with you, said the tin woodman. I happen to find my old head in your cupboard a while ago, and certainly it is not as desirable a head as the

tin one I now wear. By the way, said the tin soldier, whatever became of my old head, Cooclip, and the different parts of our bodies, asked the tin woodman. Let me think a minute, replied Cooclip. If I remember right, you two boys used to bring me most of your parts when they were cut off, and I saved them in that barrel in the corner.

You must not have brought me all the parts. for when I made Chopfit, I had hard work finding enough pieces to complete the job. I finally had to finish him with one arm. "'Who is Chopfit?' inquired Woot. "'Oh, I haven't told you about Chopfit?' exclaimed Cuclip. "'Of course not. And he's quite a curiosity, too. You'll be interested in hearing about Chopfit. This is how he happened.' One day when the witch had been destroyed and Nimmie Amy had gone to live with her friends on Mount Munch,

I was looking around the shop for something and came upon the bottle of magic glue which I had brought back from the old witch's house. It occurred to me to piece together the odds and ends of you two people, which of course were just as good as ever, and see if I couldn't make a man out of them. If I succeeded, I would have an assistant to be a friend to you two people. help me with my work, and I thought it would be a clever idea to put to some practical use the scraps of Nick Chopper and Captain Fighter. There were two perfectly good heads in my cupboard, and a lot of feet and legs and parts of bodies in the barrel, so I set to work to see what I could do.

First I pieced together a body, gluing it with the witch's magic glue, which worked perfectly. That was the hardest part of my job, however, because I piece to gather. because the bodies didn't match up well and some parts were missing. But by using a piece of Captain Fighter here and a piece of Nick Chopper there, I finally got together a very decent body with heart and all the trimmings complete. "'Whose heart did you use in making the body?' asked the Tin Woodman anxiously. "'I can't tell, for the parts had no tags on them, and one heart looks much like another.'

after the body was completed i glued two fine legs and feet onto it one leg was nick choppers and one was captain fighters and finding one leg longer than the other i trimmed it down to make the match i was much disappointed to find that i had but one arm there was an extra leg in the barrel but i could find only one arm having glued this onto the body i was red and i was reddish a little arm having glued this on to the body i was ready for the head and i had some difficulty in making up my mind which had to use finally i shut my eyes and reached out my hand toward the cupboard shelf and the first head i touched i glued upon my new man it was mine declared the tin soldier gloomily no it was mine asserted kuklip for i had given you another in exchange for it the beautiful tin head you now wear when the glue had dried my man was quite an interesting fellow i named him chop fit using a part of nick chopper's name and a part of captain fighter's name because he was a mixture of both your cast-off parts chop fit was interesting as i said but he did not prove a very agreeable companion he complained bitterly because i had given him but one arm as if it were my fault and he grumbled because the suit of blue munchkin clothes which i got for him from a neighbor did not fit him perfectly ah that was because he was wearing my old head remarked the tin soldier i remember that head used to be very particular about its clothes as an assistant the old tinsmith continued chop-fit was not a success he was awkward with tools and was always hungry

he demanded something to eat six or eight times a day so i wondered if i had fitted his insides properly indeed chop fit so much that little food was left for myself so when he proposed a-day so when he proposed a little food was left for myself so when he proposed one day to go out into the world and seek adventures i was delighted to be rid of him i even made him a tin arm to take the place of the missing one and that pleased him very much so that we parted good friends what became of chop-fit after that the scarecrow inquired i never heard he started off toward the east into the plains of the munchkin country and that was the last i ever saw of him it seems to me said the tin woodman reflectively that you did wrong in making a man out of our cast-off parts it is evident that chop fit could with justice claim relationship with both of us don't worry about that advised coo clip cheerfully it is not likely that you will ever meet the fellow and if you should meet him he doesn't know who he is made of for i never told him the secret of his manufacture. Indeed, you are the only ones who know of it, and you may keep the secret to yourselves if you wish to.

Never mind, Chopfit, said the scarecrow. Our business now is to find poor Nimmie Amy and let her choose her ten husband. To do that, it seems, from the information Coo-Clip has given us, we must travel to Mount Munch. If that's the program, let us start at once, suggested Woot. So they all went outside where they found polychrome dancing about among the trees,

and talking with the birds, and laughing as merrily as if she had not lost her rainbow, and so been separated from all her fairy sisters. They told her they were going to Mount Munch, and she replied, Very well, I am as likely to find my rainbow there as here, and any other place is as likely as there. It all depends on the weather. do you think it looks like rain they shook their heads and polychrome laughed again and danced on after them when they resumed their journey end of chapter eighteen of the ten woodman of oz by el frankbaum this librivox recording is in the public domain chapter nineteen the invisible country they were proceeding so easily and comfortably on the

their way to Mount Munch, that Woot said in a serious tone of voice, "'I'm afraid something is going to happen.' "'Why?' asked Polychrome, dancing around the group of travelers. "'Because,' said the boy, thoughtfully, "'I've noticed that when we have the least reason for getting into trouble, something is sure to go wrong. Just now the weather is delightful, the grass is beautifully blue and quite soft to our feet. The mountain we are seeking shows clearly in the distance, and there is no reason anything should happen to delay us in getting there.

Our troubles all seem to be over, and—well, that's why I'm afraid, he added with a sigh. "'Dear me,' remarked the scarecrow, "'what unhappy thoughts you have to be sure. This is proof that born brains cannot equal manufactured brains, for my brains dwell only on facts and never borrow trouble. When there is occasion for my brains to think, they think. But I would be ashamed of my brains if they kept shooting out thoughts that were merely fears and imaginings, such as do no good but are likely to do harm. "'For my part,' said the tin woodman, "'I do not think at all,

"'but allow my velvet heart to guide me all times.' "'The tin-smith filled my hollow head "'with scraps and clippings of tin,' said the soldier. "'And he told me they would do nicely for brains. "'But when I begin to think, "'the tin scraps rattle around and get so mixed "'that I'm soon bewildered. "'So I try to think.

try not to think. My tin heart is almost as useless to me, for it is hard and cold, so I'm sure the red-velet heart of my friend Nick Chopper is a better guide. Thoughtless people are not unusual, observed the scarecrow, but I consider them more fortunate than those who have useless or wicked thoughts, and do not try to curb them. Your oil can, friend Woodman, is filled with oil. But you only apply the oil to your joints, drop by drop, as you need it, and do not keep spilling it where it will do no good.

Thoughts should be restrained in the same way as your oil, and only applied when necessary and for a good purpose. If used carefully, thoughts are good things to have. Polychrome laughed at him. For the Rainbow's daughter knew more about thoughts than the scarecrow did. But the others were solemn, feeling they had been rebuked, and tramped on in silence. Suddenly Woot, who was in the lead, looked around and found that all his comrades had mysteriously disappeared. But where could they have gone to?

The broad plain was all about him, and there were neither trees nor bushes that could hide even a rabbit, nor any hole for one to fall into. Yet there he stood, alone. Surprise had caused him to halt, and with a thoughtful and puzzled expression on his face, he looked down at his feet. It startled him anew to discover that he had no feet. He reached out his hands, but he could not see them. He could feel his hands and arms and body.

He stabbed his feet on the grass and knew they were there, but in some strange way they had become invisible. While Woot stood, wondering, a crash of metal sounded in his ears, and he heard two heavy bodies tumble to the earth just beside him. "'Good gracious!' exclaimed the voice of the tin woodman. "'Mercy me!' cried the voice of the tin soldier. why didn't you look where you were going asked the tin woodman reproachfully i did but i couldn't see you said the tin soldier something has happened to my ten eyes i can't see you even now nor can i see anyone else It's the same way with me, admitted the tin woodman. Woot couldn't see either of them, although he heard them plainly, and just then something smashed against him unexpectedly and knocked him over.

But it was only the straw-stuffed body of the scarecrow that fell upon him, and while he could not see the scarecrow, he managed to push him off and rose to his feet, just as Polychrome whirled against him and made him tumble again. Sitting upon the ground, the boy asked, "'Can you see us, Polly?' "'No, indeed,' answered the rainbow's daughter. "'We've all become invisible.' "'How did it happen, do you suppose?' inquired the scarecrow,

lying where he had fallen. "'We have met with no enemy,' answered Pollycrome. "'So it must be that this part of the country has the magic quality of making people invisible, even fairies falling under the charm. We can see the grass and the flowers and the stretch of plain before us, and we can still see Mount Munch in the distance. But we cannot see ourselves or one another. Well, what are we to do about it? demanded Woot.

I think this magic affects only a small part of the plain, replied Polychrome. perhaps there is only a streak of the country where an enchantment makes people become invisible so if we get together and hold hands we can travel toward mount munch until the enchanted streak is past all right said wute jumping up give me your hand polychrome where are you here she answered whistle wute and keep whistling until i come to you so wute whistled And presently, Polychrome found him and grasped his hand. "'Someone must help me up,' said the scarecrow lying near them, so they found the straw man and set him upon his feet, after which he held fast to Polychrome's other hand. Nick Chopper and the Ten Soldier had managed to scramble up without assistance,

but it was awkward for them and the Ten Woodman said, "'I don't seem to stand straight somehow.' But my joints all work so I guess I can walk." Guided by his voice they reached his side, where Woot grasped his ten fingers so they might keep together. The tin soldier was standing nearby, and the scarecrow soon touched him and took hold of his arm. "'I hope you're not wobbly,' said the straw man.

"'For if two of us walk unsteadily we will be sure to fall.' "'I'm not wobbly,' the tin soldier. you assured him, but I'm certain that one of my legs is shorter than the other. I can't see it to tell what's gone wrong, but I'll limp on with the rest of you until we are out of this enchanted territory. They now formed a line holding hands and turning their faces toward Mount Munch resumed their journey. They had not gone far, however, when a terrible growl saluted their ears. The sound seemed to come to from a place just in front of them.

So they halted abruptly and remained silent, listening with all their ears. I smell straw, cried a hoarse voice with more growls and snarls. I smell straw, and I'm a hippo-gay-raff who loves straw and eats all he can find. I want to eat this straw. Where is it? Where is it?" The scarecrow, hearing this, trembled, but kept silent. All the others were silent, too, hoping that the invisible beast would be unable to find them. But the creature sniffed the odor of the straw, and drew nearer and nearer to them, until he reached the tin woodman on one end of the line.

It was a big beast, and it smelled of the tin woodman and grated two rows of enormous teeth against the Emperor's tin body. "'Buh, but that's not straw,' said the harsh voice, and the beast advanced along the line to wute. "'Meat, puh, you're no good. I can't eat meat,' grumbled the beast and passed on to Polychrome. Sweet meat, perfume, cobwebs and dew, nothing to eat in a fairy like you," said the creature. Now the scarecrow was next to polychrome in the line, and he realized if the beast devoured his straw he would be helpless for a long time because the last farmhouse was far behind them, and only grass covered the vast expanse of So in his fright he let go of Polychrome's hand and put the hand of the tin soldier in that of the rainbow's daughter. Then he slipped back of the line and went to the other end where he silently seized the

tin woodman's hand. Meanwhile the beast had smelled the tin soldier and found he was the last of the line. "'Mr, that's funny!' growled the hippo-garaff. i can smell straw but i can't find it well it's here somewhere and i must hunt around until i do find it for i'm hungry his voice was now at the left of them so they started on hoping to avoid him and traveled as fast as they could in the direction of mount munch i don't like this invisible country said wot with a shudder. We can't tell how many dreadful, invisible beasts are roaming around us, or what danger we'll come to next. "'Quit thinking about danger, please,' said the scarecrow, warningly.

"'Why?' asked the boy. "'If you think of some dreadful thing, it's liable to happen. But if you don't think of it and no one else thinks of it, it just can't happen. Do you see?' "'No.' answered Woot. I won't be able to see much of anything until we escape from this enchantment. But they got out of the invisible strip of country as suddenly as they had entered it, and the instant they got out they stopped short.

For just before them was a deep ditch, running at right angles as far as their eyes could see, and stopping all further progress toward Mount Munch. It's not so very wide, said Woot, but I'm sure none of us can jump across it. Polychrome began to laugh, and the scarecrow said, what's the matter? Look at the tin men, she said, with another burst of merry laughter. Woot and the scarecrow looked, and the ten men looked at themselves. It was the collision, said the ten woodman, regretfully.

ah i knew something was wrong with me and now i can see that my side is dented in so that i lean over toward the left it was the soldier's fault he shouldn't have been so careless it is your fault that my right leg is bent making it shorter than the other so that i limp badly retorted the soldier you shouldn't have stood where i was walking "'You shouldn't have walked where I was standing,' replied the tin woodman. "'It was almost a quarrel, so polychrome said soothingly. "'Never mind, friends. As soon as we have time, I am sure we can straighten the soldier's leg "'and get the dent out of the woodman's body. The scarecrow needs patting into shape, too, "'for he had a bad tumble, but our first task is to get us over this ditch.' yes the ditch is the most important thing just now added woot they were standing in a row looking hard at the unexpected barrier when a fierce growl from behind them made them all turn quickly

out of the invisible country marched a huge beast with a thick leathery skin and a surprisingly long neck the head on the top of this neck was bowed a huge beast with a thick leathery skin and a surprisingly long neck the head on the top of this neck was broad and flat and the eyes and mouth were very big and the nose and ears very small when the head was drawn down toward the beast's shoulders the neck was all wrinkles but the head could shoot up very high indeed if the creature wished it to "'Dear me!' exclaimed the scarecrow. "'That must be the hippo-gai-raff.' "'Quite right,' said the beast. "'And you're the straw, which I'm to eat for my dinner. Oh, how I love straw. I hope you don't resent my affectionate.

With its four great legs it advanced straight toward the scarecrow. But the tin woodman and the tin soldier both sprang in front of their friend and flourished their weapons. Keep off, said the tin woodman, warningly, or I'll chop you with my axe. Keep off, said the tin soldier, or I'll cut you with my sword. Would you really do that? asked the hippo-goy, Raff in a disappointed voice. We would. They both replied, and the tin woodman added,

The scarecrow is our friend, and he would be useless without his straw stuffing. So as we are comrades, faithful and true, we will defend our friends stuffing against all enemies. The hippo-gayraf sat down and looked at them sorrowfully. When one has made up his mind to have a meal of delicious straw. and then finds he can't have it. It is certainly hard luck, he said. And what good is the straw man to you or to himself, when the ditch keeps you from going any further?

Well, we can go back again, suggested Woot. True, said the hippo. And if you do, you'll be as disappointed as I am. That's some comfort anyhow. the travelers looked at the beast and then they looked across the ditch at the level plain beyond on the other side the grass had grown tall and the sun had dried it so there was a fine crop of hay that only needed to be 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 hippo gyraff straw is much more delicious to my nose ocean, and it's more scarce in this neighborhood, too. Also I must confess that I can't get across the ditch, for my body is too heavy and clumsy

for me to jump the distance. I can stretch my neck across, though, and you will notice that I've nibbled the hay on the farther edge, not because I liked it. because one must eat, and if one can't get the sort of food he desires, he must take what is offered or go hungry." "'Ah, I see you are a philosopher,' remarked the scarecrow. "'No, I'm just a hippo-girass,' was the reply. Polychrome was not afraid of the big beast. She danced close to him and said, If you can stretch your neck across the ditch, why not help us over?

We can sit on your big head one at a time, and then you can lift us across. Yes, I can, it is true, answered the hippo. But I refuse to do it. Unless—' He added and stopped short. Unless what? asked Polychrome. Unless you. You first allow me to eat the straw with which the scarecrow is stuffed?" "'No,' said the rainbow's daughter.

That is too high a price to pay. Our friend's straw is nice and fresh, for he was restuffed only a little while ago." "'I know,' agreed the hippo-gai-raff. "'That's why I wanted. If it was an old musty straw, I wouldn't care for it.' please lift us across pleaded polychrome no replied the beast since you refuse my generous offer i can be as stubborn as you are after that they were all silent for a time but then the scarecrow said bravely friends let us agree to the beast's terms give him my straw and carry the rest of of me with you across the ditch.

Once on the other side the tin soldier can cut some of the hay with his sharp sword, and you can stuff me with that material until we reach a place where there is straw. It is true I have been stuffed with straw all my life, and it will be somewhat humiliating to be filled with common hay, but I am willing to sacrifice my pride in a good cause. Moreover, to abandon our errand and so deprive the great emperor of the Winkies, or this noble soldier of his bride, would be equally humiliating, if not more so." "'You're a very honest and clever man,' exclaimed the Hippo Geyraf, admiringly. "'When I have eaten your head, perhaps I also will become clever.'

"'You're not to eat my head, you know,' returned the same. Scarecrow hastily. My head isn't stuffed with straw, and I cannot part with it. When one loses his head, he loses his brains. Very well, then. You may keep your head, said the beast. The Scarecrow's companions thanked him warmly for his loyal sacrifice to their mutual good, and then he laid down and permitted them to pull the straw from his body.

As fast as they did this, The hippo-guy raft ate up the straw. And when all was consumed, Polychrome made a neat bundle of the clothes in boots and gloves and hat, and said she would 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.' "'Hmm, but that was a fine dinner,' said the Heson. hippo, smacking his thick lips in satisfaction.

"'And I'm as good as my word. Sit on my head one at a time, and I'll land you safely on the other side.' He approached close to the edge of the ditch and squatted down. Polychrome climbed over his big body and sat herself lightly upon the flat head, holding the bundle of the scarecrow's raiment in her hand. Slowly the elastic neck stretched out until it reached the far side of the ditch when the beast lowered his head and permitted the beautiful ferry to leap to the ground. Woot made the queer journey next, and then the ten soldier and the ten woodmen went over, and all were well pleased to have overcome this serious barrier to their progress. Now, soldier, cut the hay, said the scary.

crow's head, which was still held by Woot the Wanderer. "'I'd like to, but I can't stoop over with my bent leg without falling,' replied Captain Fighter. "'What can we do about that leg anyhow?' asked Woot, appealing to Polychrome. She danced around in a circle three times, without replying, and the boy feared she had not hurt him, but the Rainbow's daughter was merely thinking upon the problem, and presently she paused beside the tin soldier and said, "'I've been taught a little fairy magic,

"'but I've never before been asked to mend ten legs with it, "'so I'm not sure I can help you. "'It all depends on the goodwill of my unseen fairy guardians, "'so I'll try, and if I fail, you'll be no worse off than you are now.' She danced around the circle again, and then laid both hands upon the 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 to you.

Ah, murmured Captain Fighter in a glad voice, as she withdrew her hands and danced away. And they saw he was standing straight as ever, because his leg was as shapely and strong as it had been before his accident the tin woodman had watched polychrome with much interest and he now said please take the dent out of my side polly for i am more crippled than was the soldier so the rainbow's daughter touched his side lightly and sang here's a dent by accident such a 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 be able to accomplish all things sweet polychrome But it works splendidly on this. Thank you very much. The hay, the hay, pleaded the scarecrow's head.

Oh, yes, the hay, said Woot. What are you waiting for, Captain Fighter? At once the tin soldier set to work, cutting hay with his sword, and in a few minutes there was quite enough with which to stuff the scarecrow's body. Woot and Polychrome did this, and it was no easy task, because the hay packed together more than straw, and as they had little experience in such work, their job, when completed,

left the scarecrow's arms and legs rather bunchy. Also there was a hump on his back, which made Woot laugh, and say it reminded him of a camel. But it was the best they could do, and when the head was fastened onto the body, they asked the scarecrow how he felt. "'A little heavy and not quite natural,' he cheerfully replied.

"'But I'll get along somehow until we reach a straw-stack. "'Don't laugh at me, please, because I'm a little ashamed of myself, and I don't want to regret a good action.' They started at once in the direction of Mount Munch, and as the scarecrow proved very clumsy in his movements, Woot took one of his arms and the tin woodman the other, and so helped their friend to walk in a straight line. And the Rainbow's daughter, as before, danced ahead of them and behind them and all around them,

and they never minded her odd ways, because to them she was like a ray of sunshine. End of Chapter 19. Chapter 20 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 20 Overnight The land of the Munchkins is full of surprises, as our travelers had already learned, and although Mount Munch was constantly growing larger as they advanced toward it,

they knew it was still a long way off, and were not certain by any means that they had escaped all danger or encountered their last adventure. The plain was broad, and as far as the eye could see, There seemed to be a level stretch of country between them and the mountain. But toward evening they came upon a hollow, in which stood a tiny blue munchkin dwelling, with a garden around it and fields of grain filling in all the rest of the hollow. They did not discover this place until they came close to the edge of it, and they were astonished at the sight that greeted them,

because they had imagined that this part of the plain had no inhabitants. "'It's a very small house,' Wu declared. "'I wonder who lives there.' "'The way to find out is to knock on the door and ask,' replied the ten woodman. "'Perhaps it is the home of Nimmie Amy.' "'Is she a dwarf?' asked the boy. "'No, indeed. Nimmie Amy is a full-sized woman.' Then I'm sure she couldn't live in that little house, said Woot.

Let's go down, suggested the scarecrow. I'm almost sure I can see a straw-stack in the backyard. They descended the hollow, which was rather steep at the sides, and soon came to the house, which was indeed rather small. Woot knocked upon a door that was not much higher than his waist, but got no reply. He knocked again, but no. Not a sound was heard. Smoke is coming out of the chimney, announced Polychrome,

who was dancing lightly through the garden, where cabbages and beets and turnips and the like were growing finely. Then someone surely lives here, said Woot, and knocked again. Now a window at the side of the house opened, and a queer head appeared. It was white and hairy, and had a long snout and little round eyes. The ears were hidden by a blue sunbonnet tied under the chin.

"'Oh, it's a pig!' exclaimed Woot. "'Pardon me! I am Mrs. Squilina Swine, wife of Professor Grunter Swine, and this is our home,' said the one in the window. "'What do you want?' "'What sort of professor is your husband?' inquired the ten woodman. curiously. He is a professor of cabbage culture and corn perfection. He is very famous in his own family, and would be the wonder of the world if he went abroad,

said Mr. Swine, in a voice that was half proud and half irritable. I must also inform you intruders that the professor is a dangerous individual, for he files his teeth every morning until— they are as sharp as needles. If you are butchers, you'd better run away and avoid trouble. We are not butchers, the ten woodman assured her. Then what are you doing with that axe, and why has the other ten man a sword? They are the only weapons we have to defend our friends from their enemies, explained the

Emperor of the Winkies, and Woot added, Do not be afraid of us, Mr. Swine, for we are harmless travelers. the tin men and the scarecrow never eat anything and polychrome feasts only on dewdrops as for me i'm rather hungry but there is plenty of food in your garden to satisfy me professor swine now joined his wife at the window looking rather scared in spite of the boy's assuring speech he wore a blue munchkin hat with pointed crown and broad brim and big spectraud covered his eyes. He peaked around from behind his wife, and after looking hard at the strangers, he said, "'My wisdom assures me that you are merely travelers, as you say, and not butchers. Butchers have reason to be afraid of me, but you are safe. We cannot invite you in, for you are too big for our house. But the boy who eats is welcome to all the carrots and

turnips he wants. Make yourselves at home in the garden, and stay all night, if you like. But in the morning you must go away, for we are quiet people and do not care for company. May I have some of your straw?' asked the scarecrow. "'Help yourself,' replied Professor Swine. "'For pigs, they're quite respectable,' remarked Woot, as they all went toward the straw-stack. "'I'm glad they didn't invite us in.' said Captain Fighter.

"'I hope I'm not too particular about my associates, but I draw the line at pigs.' The scarecrow was glad to be rid of his hay, for during the long walk it had sagged down and made him fat and squatty and more bumpy than at first. "'I'm not especially proud,' he said. "'But I love a manly figure, such as only straw-stuffing can create.

I have not felt like myself since that hungry hippo ate my last straw. Polychrome and Woot set to work, removing the hay, and then they selected the finest straw crisp and golden, and with it stuffed the scarecrow anew. He certainly looked better after the operation, and he was so pleased at being reformed that he tried to dance a little jig and almost succeeded. I shall sleep under the straw-stack tonight,

Woot decided, after he had eaten some of the vegetables from the garden, and in fact he slept very well with the two tin men and the scarecrow sitting silently beside him, and polychrome away somewhere in the moonlight, dancing her fairy dances. At daybreak the tin woodman and the tin soldier took occasion to polish their bodies and oil their joints, for both were exceedingly careful of their personal appearance.

They had forgotten the quarrel due to their accidental bumping of one another in the invisible country, and being now good friends, the ten woodman polished the ten soldiers back for him, and then the ten soldier polished the ten woodman's back. For breakfast the wanderer ate crisp lettuce and radishes, and the rainbow's daughter, who had now returned to her friends, Sipped the dew-drops that had formed on the petals of the wild flowers. As they passed the little house to renew their journey, Woot called out, "'Good-bye, Mr. and Mr. Swine!'

The window opened, and the two pigs looked out. "'A pleasant journey,' said the professor. "'Have you any children?' asked the scarecrow, who was a great friend of children. "'We have nine,' answered the professor. but they do not live with us, for when they were tiny picklets, the wizard of Oz came here and offered to care for them and to educate them, so we let him have our nine tiny piglets, for he's a good wizard, and can be relied upon to keep his promises. I know the nine tiny picklets, said the tin woodman. So do I, said the scarecrow. They still live in the Emerald City, and the wizard takes good care of them and teaches you.

them to do all sorts of tricks. Did they ever grow up? inquired Mr. Squalina Swine in an anxious voice. No, answered the scarecrow. Like all other children in the land of Oz, they will always remain children. And in the case of the tiny picklets, that is a good thing,

because they would not be nearly so cute and cunning if they were bigger. But are they happy? asked Mr. Swine. Everyone in the Emerald City is happy, said the ten woodman. They can't help it. Then the travellers said goodbye, and climbed the side of the basin that was toward Mount Munch.

End of Chapter 20. Chapter 21 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by El Frank Baum. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 21 Polychrome's Magic On this morning, which ought to be the last of this important journey, our friends started away as bright and cheery as they could be, and Woot whistled a merry tune so that Polychrome could dance to the music. On reaching the top of the hill, the plain spread out before them in all its beauty of blue grasses and wildflowers, and Mount Munch and Mount Munch

seemed much nearer than it had the previous evening. They trudged on at a brisk pace, and by noon the mountain was so close that they could admire its appearance. Its slopes were partly clothed with pretty evergreens, and its foothills were tufted with slender-waving bluegrass that had a tassel on the end of every blade. And, for the first time, they perceived,

near the foot of the mountain, a charming house, not of great size, but neatly painted, and with many flowers surrounding it, and vines climbing over the doors and windows. It was toward this solitary house that our travelers now directed their steps, thinking to inquire of the people who live there where Nimmie Aime might be found. There were no paths, but the way was quite open and clear. and they were drawing near to the dwelling when Woot the Wanderer, who was then in the lead of the little party, halted, with such an abrupt jerk, that he stumbled over backward and lay flat on his back in the meadow. The scarecrow stopped to look at the boy.

Why did you do that? he asked in surprise. Woot sat up and gazed around him in amazement. I—I don't know, he replied. The two ten men, arm in arm, started to pass them when both halted and tumbled with a great clatter into a heap beside wute. Polychrome, laughing at the absurd sight, came dancing up and she also came to a sudden stop, but managed to save herself from falling. Every one of them was much astonished, and the scarecrow said with a puzzled look, I don't see anything, nor do I, said Woot. But something hit me just the same.

Some invisible person struck me a heavy blow, declared the tin woodman, struggling to separate himself from the ten soldier, whose legs and arms were mixed with his own. I'm not sure it was a person, said Polychrome, looking more grave than usual. It seems to me that I merely ran into some hard substance which barred my way, in order to make sure of this let me try another place.

She ran back away and then with much caution, advanced in a different place. But when she reached a position on a line with the others, she halted, her arms outstretched before her. I can feel something hard, something smooth. this glass, she said. But I'm sure it is not glass. Let me try, suggested Woot getting up. But when he tried to go forward, he discovered the same barrier that polychrome had encountered.

No, he said it isn't glass. But what is it? Air, replied a small voice beside him. Solid air, that's all. They all looked downward, and found a sky. blue rabbit had stuck his head out of a burrow in the ground. The rabbit's eyes were a deeper blue than his fur, and the pretty creature seemed friendly and unafraid.

Air? exclaimed Woot, staring in astonishment into the rabbit's blue eyes. Whoever heard of air so solid that one cannot push it aside? You can't push this air aside, declared the rabbit, for it was made hard by powerful sorcery. and it forms a wall that is intended to keep people from getting to that house yonder oh it's a wall is it said the tin woodman yes it is really a wall replied the rabbit and it is fully six feet thick how high is it inquired captain fighter the ten soldier oh ever so high perhaps a mile said the rabbit couldn't we go around it asked Woot. "'Of course, for the wall is a circle,' explained the rabbit.

"'In the center of this circle stands the house, so you may walk around the wall of solid air, but you can't get to the house.' "'Who put the air wall around the house?' was the scarecrow's question. "'Nimmy Amy did that.' "'Nimmy amy?' they all exclaimed in surprise. "'Yes,' answered the rabbit. She used to live with an old witch

Who was suddenly destroyed And when Nimmie Amy ran away from the witch's house She took with her just one magic formula Pure sorcery it was Which enabled her to build this air wall around her house The house yonder It was quite a clever idea, I think For it doesn't mar the beauty of the landscape

solid air being invisible, and yet it keeps all strangers away from the house. Does Nimmy Amy live there now? asked the Tin Woodman anxiously. "'Yes, indeed,' said the rabbit. "'And does she weep and wail from morning till night?' continued the Emperor. "'No, she seems quite happy,' asserted the rabbit. The Ten Woodman seemed quite disappointed to hear this report of his own. old sweetheart. But the scarecrow reassured his friend, saying,

Never mind your majesty, however happy Nimmie Amy is now, I'm sure she will be much happier as Empress of the Winkies. Perhaps, said Captain Fighter somewhat stiffly, she will be still more happy to become the bride of a tin soldier. She shall choose between us as we have agreed, the ten woodman promised. But how shall we get to the poor girl? polychrome although dancing lightly back and forth had listened to every word of the conversation now she came forward and sat herself down just in front of the blue rabbit her many hewed draperies giving her the appearance of some beautiful flower the rabbit didn't back away an inch instead he gazed at the rainbow's daughter admiringly does your burrow go underneath the wall of the wall of the wall of the little bit of a little bit of it.

air asked polychrome to be sure answered the blue rabbit i dug it that way so i could roam in these broad fields by going out one way or eat the cabbages in nimmy amy's garden by leaving my burrow at the other end i don't think nimmy amy ought to mind the little i take from her garden or the hole i've made under her magic wall a rabbit may go and come as he pleases but in no one of the little i take from her garden or the hole i've made under her magic wall a rabbit may go and come as he pleases but No one who is bigger than I am could go through my burrow. Will you allow us to pass through it if we were able to? inquired Polychrome. Yes, indeed, answered the Blue Rabbit. I'm no especial friend of Nimmie Amy, for once she threw stones at me, just because I was nibbling some lettuce, and only yesterday she yelled shoe at me, which made me nervous.

You're welcome to use my bow. in any way you choose. But this is all nonsense, declared Woot the Wanderer. We are everyone too big to crawl through a rabbit's burrow. We are too big now, agreed the scarecrow. But you must remember that Polychrome is a fairy, and fairies have many magic powers. Woot's face brightened as he turned to the lovely daughter of the rainbow.

Could you make us a little girl? all as small as that rabbit, he asked eagerly. I can try, answered Polychrome with a smile. And presently she did it. So easily that Root was not the only one astonished. As the now tiny people grouped themselves before the rabbit's burrow, the hole appeared to them like the entrance to a tunnel, which indeed it was. I'll go first, said we, Polychrome, who had made herself

grow as small as the others, and into the tunnel she danced without hesitation. A tiny scarecrow went next, and then the two funny little tin men. "'Walk in, it's your turn,' said the Blue Rabbit to Woot the Wanderer. "'I'm coming after to see how you get along. This will be a regular surprise party to Nimmie Amy.' So Woot entered the hole and felt his way along its smooth sides in the dark, until he finally saw the glimmer of daylight ahead and knew the journey was almost over. Had he remained his natural size, the distance could have been covered in a few steps,

but to a thumb-high woot it was quite a promenade. When he emerged from the burrow he found himself but a short distance from the house in the center of the vegetable garden, where the leaves of rhubarb waving above his head seemed like trees. outside the hold and waiting for him he found all his friends. "'So far, so good,' remarked the scarecrow cheerfully. "'Yes, so far, but no farther,' returned the Tin Woodman in a plaintive and disturbed tone of voice. "'I am now close to Nimmie Amy, whom I have come ever so far to seek. But I cannot ask the girl to marry such a little man as I am now.'

"'I am no bigger than a tall. soldier," said Captain Fighter sorrowfully. Unless Polychrome can make us big again, there is little use in our visiting Nimmy Amy at all, for I'm sure she wouldn't care for a husband she might carelessly step on and ruin. Polychrome laughed merrily. "'If I make you big, you can't get out of here again,' said she. "'And if you remain little, Nimmy Amy will laugh at you, so make your choice.'

i think we'd better go back said woot seriously no said the tin woodman stoutly i have decided that it's my duty to make nimmy amy happy in case she wishes to marry me so have i announced captain fighter a good soldier never shirks from doing his duty as for that said the scarecrow tin doesn't shrink any to speak of under any under circumstances but Wooten I intend to stick to our comrades whatever they decide to do so we will ask Polychrome to make us big as we were before Polychrome agreed to this request and in half a minute all of them including herself had been enlarged again to their natural sizes they then thanked the Blue Rabbit for his kind assistance and at once approached the house of Nemi Amy End of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 22. Nimmie Amy We may be sure that at this moment our friends were all anxious to see the end of the adventure that had caused them so many trials and troubles. Perhaps the Ten Woodman's heart did not beat any faster because it was made of red velvet and stuffed with sawdust. And the tin soldier's heart was made of tin,

and reposed in his tin bosom without a hint of emotion. However, there is little doubt that they both knew that a critical moment in their lives had arrived, and that Nemi Amie's decision was destined to influence the future of one or the other. As they assumed their natural sizes and the rhubarb leaves, that had before towered above their heads, now barely covered their feet. They looked around the garden, and found that no person was visible save themselves. No sound of activity came from the house either, but they walked to the front door, which had a little porch built before it, and there the two tin men stood side by side,

while both knocked upon the door with their ten knuckles. As no one seemed eager to answer the summons, they knocked again, and then again. Finally they heard a stir from within, and someone coughed. Who's there? called a girl's voice. It's I, called the ten twins together. How did you get there? asked the voice. They hesitated how to reply, so Woot answered for them. by means of magic.

Oh, said the unseen girl, Are you friends or foes? Friends, they all exclaimed. Then they heard footsteps approach the door, which slowly opened, and revealed a very pretty Munchkin girl standing in the doorway. Nimmie, Amy, cried the ten twins. That's my name, replied the girl,

looking at them in cold surprise, but who can you be don't you know me nimmy said the ten woodman i'm your old sweetheart nick chopper don't you know me my dear said the ten soldier i'm your old sweetheart captain fighter nimmy amy smiled at them both then she looked beyond them at the rest of the party and smiled again however she seemed more amused than pleased come in she said leading the way inside even sweethearts are forgotten after a time, but you and your friends are welcome. The room they now entered was cozy and comfortable, being neatly furnished and well-swept and dusted, but they found something there besides Nimmie Amy. A man, dressed in the attractive munchkin costume, was lazily reclining in an easy-chair, and he sat up and turned his eyes on the visitors with a cold and ill.

indifferent stare that was almost insolent. He did not even rise from his seat to greet the strangers. But after glaring at them he looked away with a scowl, as if they were of too little importance to interest him. The ten men returned this man's stare with interest, but they did not look away from him because neither of them seemed able to take his eyes off this munchkin, who was remarkable in having one tin arm quite like their own ten arms. "'Seems to me,' said Captain Fighter in a voice that sounded harsh and indignant, "'that you, sir, are a vile imposter.' "'Gently, gently,' cautioned the scarecrow.

"'Don't be rude to strangers, Captain.' "'Rood?' shouted the tin soldier, now very much provoked. "'Why, he's a skerker. "'Goundrel, a thief. The villain is wearing my own head.' "'Yes,' added the tin woodman, and he's wearing my right arm. "'I can recognize it by the two warts on the little finger.' "'Good gracious!' exclaimed Woot. "'Then this must be the man whom old Coo-Clip patched together and named Chop-Fit.

The man now turned toward them still scowling. "'Yes, that is my name.' he said in a voice like a growl and it is absurd for you ten creatures or for anyone else to claim my head or arm or any part of me for they are my personal property "'You? You're a nobody!' shouted Captain Fighter. "'You're just a mix-up,' declared the Emperor. "'Now, now, gentlemen,' interrupted Nimmie Amie. "'I must ask you to be more respectful to poor Chof-Fit, for being my guests, it is not polite for you to insult my husband.'

"'Your husband?' the ten twins exclaimed in dismay. "'Yes,' said she, I married Chopfit a long time ago, because my other two sweethearts had deserted me. The reproof embarrassed both Nick Chopper and Captain Fighter. They looked down, shame-faced for a moment, and then the Tin Woodman explained in an earnest voice, I rusted. So did I, said the tin soldier. I could not know that, of course, asserted Nimmy Amy.

all I knew was that neither of you came to marry me as you had promised to do. But men are not scarce in the land of Oz. After I came here to live I met Mr. Chopfit, and he was the more interesting, because he reminded me strongly of both of you as you were before you became ten. He even had a tin arm and that reminded me of you the more. No wonder, remarked the scarecrow. but listen nimmy amy said the astonished wot he really is both of them for he is made of their cast-off parts he-he oh you're quite wrong declared polychrome laughing for she was greatly enjoying the confusion of the others

the ten men are still themselves as they will tell you and so chop-fit must be someone else they looked at her bewildered for the facts in the case were too puzzling to be grasped at once. It is all the fault of old Ku Klip, muttered the tin woodman. He had no right to use our cast-off parts to make another man with. It seems he did it, however, said Nimmie, Amy calmly. And I married him because he resembled you both. I won't say he is a husband to be proud of, because he has a mixed nature and isn't always an agreeable companion.

There are times when I have to charge. him gently, both with my tongue and with my broomstick. But he is my husband, and I must make the best of him. If you don't like him, suggested the tin woodman. Captain Fighter and I can chop him up with our axe and sword, and each take such parts of the fellow as belong to him. Then we are willing to let you select one of us as your husband. That is a good idea, approved Captain Fighter, drawing his sword.

"'No,' said Nimmy, Amy. "'I think I'll keep the husband I now have.' He is now trained to draw the water and carry in the wood, and hoe the cabbages and weed the flower-beds and dust the furniture, and perform many tasks of a like character. A new husband would have to be scolded and gently chided, until he learns my ways. So I think it will be better to keep my chop-fit,

and I see no reason why you should object to him. You two gentlemen threw him away when you became ten, because you had no further use for him, so you cannot justly claim him now. I advise you to go back to your own homes and forget me as I have forgotten you. Good advice, laughed Polychrome dancing. Are you happy? asked the tin soldier.

"'Of course I am,' said Nemi Amy. "'I'm the mistress of all I survey, the queen of my little domain.' "'Wouldn't you like to be the Empress of the Winkies?' asked the Ten Woodman. "'Mercy me,' she answered. "'That would be a lot of bother. I don't care for society, or pomp, or posing. All I ask is to be left alone and not to be annoyed by visitors.' the scarecrow nudged wout the wanderer that sounds to me like a hint he said looks as if we've had our journey for nothing remarked wute who was a little ashamed and disappointed because he had proposed the journey

i am glad however said the tin woodman that i have found nimmy amy and discovered that she is already married and happy it will relieve me of any further anxiety concerning her her. For my part, said the tin soldier, I am not sorry to be free. The only thing that really annoys me is finding my head upon Chopfit's body. As for that, I'm pretty sure it is my body, or a part of it anyway, remarked the Emperor of the Winkies. But never mind, friend Soldier, let us be willing to donate our cast-off members to ensure the happiness of Nimmie-A-A-my, and be thankful it is not our fate to hoe cabbages and draw water and be chided, in the place of this creature chop-fit. Yes, agreed the soldier.

We have much to be thankful for. Polychrome, who had wandered outside, now poked her pretty head through an open window, and exclaimed in a pleased voice, "'It's getting cloudy. Perhaps it's going to rain!' End of Chapter twenty-year. Chapter 23 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 23 Through the Tunnel It didn't rain just then, although the clouds in the sky grew thicker and more threatening. Polychrome hoped for a thunderstorm, followed by her rainbow, but the two ten men did not relish the idea of getting wet. They even preferred to remain in Nimy Amy's house, although they felt they were not welcome there, rather than go out and face the oncoming storm. But the scarecrow, who was a very thoughtful person, said to his friends, If we remain here until after the storm, and Polychrome goes away on her rainbow,

then we will be prisoners inside the wall of solid air, so it seems best to start upon our return journey at once. If I get wet, my straw stuffing will be ruined, and if you two-tend gentlemen get wet, you may perhaps rust again and become useless. But even that is better than to stay here. Once we are free of the barrier, we have Woot the Wanderer to help us,

and he can oil your joints and restuff my body if it becomes necessary, for the boy is made of meat, which neither rusts nor gets soggy or moldy. "'Come along, then,' cried Polychrome from the window, and the others, realizing the wisdom of the scarecrow speech, took leave of Nemi Amy, who was glad to be rid of them, and said good-bye to her husband, who merely scowled and made no answer, and then they hurried from the home. "'Your old parts are not very polite, I must say,' remarked the scarecrow when they were in the garden. "'No,' said Woot. "'Chopfit is a regular grouch.

"'He might have wished us a pleasant journey at the very least.' "'I beg you not to hold us responsible for that creature's actions,' pleaded the tin woodman. "'We are through with Chopfit, and shall have nothing further to do with him.' Polychrome danced ahead of the party and led them straight to the burrow of the Blue Rabbit, which they might have had some difficulty in finding without her. There she lost no time in making them all small again. The Blue Rabbit was busy nibbling cabbage leaves in Nimmy Amie's garden, so they did not ask his permission, but at once entered the burrow.

Even now the raindrops were beginning to fall, but it was quite dry inside the tunnel, and by the time they had reached the other end, outside the circular wall of solid air, the storm was at its height, and the rain was coming down in torrents. "'Let us wait here,' proposed Polychrome, peering out of the hole, and then quickly retreating. "'The rainbow won't appear until after the storm, and I can make you big again in a chiffy before I join my sisters on our bow. That's a good plan, said the scarecrow approvingly.

It will save me from getting soaked and soggy. It will save me from rusting, said the tin soldier. It will enable me to remain highly polished, said the tin woodman. Oh, as for that, I myself prefer not to get my pretty clothes wet, laughed the rainbow's daughter. But while we wait, I will bid you all adieu. I must also thank you for saving me from that dreadful giantess Mrs. You've been good and patient, comrades, and I have enjoyed our adventures together, but I am never so happy as when on my dear rainbow. Will your father scold you for getting left on the earth? asked Woot.

I suppose so, said Polychrome gaily. I'm always getting scolded for my mad pranks, as they are called. my sisters are so sweet and lovely and proper that they never dance off our rainbow and so they never have any adventures adventures to me are good fun only i never like to stay too long on earth because i don't really belong here i shall tell my father the rainbow that i'll try not to be so careless again and he will forgive me because in our sky mansions there is always joy and happiness they were indeed sorry to part with their dainty and beautiful companion and assured her of their devotion if they ever chanced to meet again she shook hands with the scarecrow and the tin men and kissed whoot the wanderer lightly upon his his forehead. And then the rain suddenly ceased, and as the tiny people left the borough of the blue rabbit, a glorious big rainbow appeared in the sky, and the end of its arch slowly descended and touched the ground just where they stood. Woot was so busy watching a score of lovely maidens, sisters of polychrome, who were leaning over the edge of the bow and another score who

danced gaily amid the radiance of the splendid hues, that he did not notice he was growing big again. But now Polychrome joined her sisters on the rainbow, and the huge arch lifted and slowly melted away as the sun burst from the clouds and sent its own white beams dancing over the meadows. Why, she's gone, exclaimed the boy, and turned to see his companions, still. still waving their hands in token of adieu to the vanished polychrome. End of Chapter 23. Chapter 24 of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain.

Chapter 24. The Curtin Falls. Well, the rest of the story is quickly told. For the return journey of our adventurers was without any important. important incident. The scarecrow was so afraid of meeting the Hippo Geyraf and having his straw aden again, that he urged his companions to select another route to the Emerald City, and they willingly consented, so that the invisible country was wholly avoided. Of course, when they reached the Emerald City, their first duty was to visit Asma's

Palace, where they were royally entertained. the tin soldier and wot the wanderer were welcomed as warmly as any strangers might be who had been the traveling companions of osma's dear old friends the scarecrow and the tin woodman at the banquet table that evening they related the manner in which they had discovered nimmy amy and told how they had found her happily married to chop fit whose relationship to nick chopper and captain fighter was so bewildering that they asked ozma's advice what to do about it you need not consider chop fit at all replied the beautiful girl ruler of oz if nimi amy is content with that misfit man for a husband we have not even just cause to blame coo-clip for gluing him together i think it was a very good idea added little dorothy for if coo'clip hadn't used up your cast-off parts they would have been wasted it's wicked to be wasteful isn't it well anyhow said woot the wanderer chopfit being kept a prisoner by his wife is too far away from any one to bother either of you ten men in any way. If you hadn't gone where he is and discovered him, you would never have worried about him.

"'What do you care anyhow?' Betsy Bobbin asked the ten woodman, "'so long as Nemi Amie is satisfied.' "'And just to think,' remarked Tiny Trot, "'that any girl would rather live with a mixture like chop-fit on far-away Mount Munch than to be the Empress of the Winkies.' It is her own choice, said the tin woodman contentedly. And after all, I'm not sure the winkies would care to have an empress. It puzzled Asma for a time to decide what to do with the tin soldier.

If he went with the tin woodman to the emperor's castle, she felt that the two tin men might not be able to live together in harmony, and, moreover, the emperor would not be so distinguished if he had a double constantly beside him. So she asked Captain Fighter if he was willing to serve her as a soldier, and he promptly declared that nothing would please him more. After he had been in her service for some time,

Osma sent him into the Gilligan country with instructions to keep order among the wild people who inhabit some parts of that unknown country of Oz. As for Woot, being a walt, being a wicket, Wanderer by profession, he was allowed to wonder wherever he desired, and Osma promised to keep watch over his future journeys, and to protect the boy as well as she was able, in case he ever got into more trouble. All this, having been happily arranged, the tin woodman returned to his tin castle, and his chosen comrade the scarecrow accompanied him on the way. The two friends were sure to pass many pleasant hours together in talking over their recent adventures, for as they neither ate nor slept, they found their greatest amusement in conversation.

End of Chapter 24. End of the Ten Woodman of Oz by L. Frank Baum.