Part 9 (1/2)
65 had become a bright emerald-green in color, so he guessed they were nearing the Emerald City even before the tall spires and domes came into sight.
At length a high wall of green stone, studded thick with emeralds, loomed up before them; and fearing the Saw-Horse would not know enough to stop and so might smash them both against this wall, Jack ventured to cry ”Whoa!” as loud as he could.
So suddenly did the horse obey that had it not been for his post Jack would have been pitched off head foremost, and his beautiful face ruined.
”That was a fast ride, dear father!” he exclaimed; and then, hearing no reply, he turned around and discovered for the first time that Tip was not there.
This apparent desertion puzzled the Pumpkinhead, and made him uneasy. And while he was wondering what had become of the boy, and what he ought to do next under such trying circ.u.mstances, the gateway in the green wall opened and a man came out.
This man was short and round, with a fat face that seemed remarkably good- natured. He was clothed all in green and wore a high, peaked green hat upon his head and green spectacles over his eyes. Bowing before the Pumpkinhead he said:
”I am the Guardian of the Gates of the Emerald
66 City. May I inquire who you are, and what is your business?”
”My name is Jack Pumpkinhead,” returned the other, smilingly; ”but as to my business, I haven't the least idea in the world what it is.”
The Guardian of the Gates looked surprised, and shook his head as if dissatisfied with the reply.
”What are you, a man or a pumpkin?” he asked, politely.
”Both, if you please,” answered Jack.
”And this wooden horse--is it alive?” questioned the Guardian.
The horse rolled one knotty eye upward and winked at Jack. Then it gave a prance and brought one leg down on the Guardian's toes.
”Ouch!” cried the man; ”I'm sorry I asked that question. But the answer is most convincing. Have you any errand, sir, in the Emerald City?”
”It seems to me that I have,” replied the Pumpkinhead, seriously; ”but I cannot think what it is. My father knows all about it, but he is not here.”
”This is a strange affair very strange!” declared the Guardian. ”But you seem harmless. Folks do not smile so delightfully when they mean mischief.”
”As for that,” said Jack, ”I cannot help my smile, for it is carved on my face with a jack-knife.”
67
”Well, come with me into my room,” resumed the Guardian, ”and I will see what can be done for you.”
So Jack rode the Saw-Horse through the gateway into a little room built into the wall. The Guardian pulled a bell-cord, and presently a very tall soldier--clothed in a green uniform--entered from the opposite door. This soldier carried a long green gun over his shoulder and had lovely green whiskers that fell quite to his knees. The Guardian at once addressed him, saying:
”Here is a strange gentleman who doesn't know why he has come to the Emerald City, or what he wants. Tell me, what shall we do with him?”
The Soldier with the Green Whiskers looked at Jack with much care and curiosity. Finally he shook his head so positively that little waves rippled down his whiskers, and then he said: