Part 7 (1/2)

”Several,” said Tip, briefly. ”But do keep those legs still.”

The Saw-Horse now became quiet, and held its legs rigid; so that Tip, after several efforts, was able to roll him over and set him upright.

”Ah, I seem all right now,” said the queer animal, with a sigh.

”One of your ears is broken,” Tip announced, after a careful examination.

”I'll have to make a new one.”

Then he led the Saw-Horse back to where Jack was vainly struggling to regain his feet, and after a.s.sisting the Pumpkinhead to stand upright Tip whittled out a new ear and fastened it to the horse's head.

54

”Now,” said he, addressing his steed, ”pay attention to what I'm going to tell you. 'Whoa!' means to stop; 'Get-Up!' means to walk forward; 'Trot!'

means to go as fast as you can. Understand?”

”I believe I do,” returned the horse.

”Very good. We are all going on a journey to the Emerald City, to see His Majesty, the Scarecrow; and Jack Pumpkinhead is going to ride on your back, so he won't wear out his joints.”

”I don't mind,” said the Saw-Horse. ”Anything that suits you suits me.”

Then Tip a.s.sisted Jack to get upon the horse.

”Hold on tight,” he cautioned, ”or you may fall off and crack your pumpkin head.”

”That would be horrible!” said Jack, with a shudder. ”What shall I hold on to?”

”Why, hold on to his ears,” replied Tip, after a moment's hesitation.

”Don't do that!” remonstrated the Saw-Horse; ”for then I can't hear.”

That seemed reasonable, so Tip tried to think of something else.

”I'll fix it!” said he, at length. He went into the wood and cut a short length of limb from a young, stout tree. One end of this he sharpened to a point, and then he dug a hole in the back of

55 Full page line-art drawing.

”DOES IT HURT?” ASKED THE BOY

56 the Saw-Horse, just behind its head. Next he brought a piece of rock from the road and hammered the post firmly into the animal's back.

”Stop! Stop!” shouted the horse; ”you're jarring me terribly.”