Part 14 (1/2)
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”By the way, who has conquered me?”
”A regiment of girls, gathered from the four corners of the Land of Oz,”
replied the Soldier, still pale with fear.
”But where was my Standing Army at the time?” inquired his Majesty, looking at the Soldier, gravely.
”Your Standing Army was running,” answered the fellow, honestly; ”for no man could face the terrible weapons of the invaders.”
”Well,” said the Scarecrow, after a moment's thought, ”I don't mind much the loss of my throne, for it's a tiresome job to rule over the Emerald City.
And this crown is so heavy that it makes my head ache. But I hope the Conquerors have no intention of injuring me, just because I happen to be the King.”
”I heard them, say” remarked Tip, with some hesitation, ”that they intend to make a rag carpet of your outside and stuff their sofa-cus.h.i.+ons with your inside.”
”Then I am really in danger,” declared his Majesty, positively, ”and it will be wise for me to consider a means to escape.”
”Where can you go?” asked Jack Pumpkinhead.
”Why, to my friend the Tin Woodman, who
100 Line-Art Drawing
rules over the Winkies, and calls himself their Emperor,” was the answer. ”I am sure he will protect me.”
Tip was looking out the window.
”The palace is surrounded by the enemy,” said
101 he ”It is too late to escape. They would soon tear you to pieces.”
The Scarecrow sighed.
”In an emergency,” he announced, ”it is always a good thing to pause and reflect. Please excuse me while I pause and reflect.”
”But we also are in danger,” said the Pumpkinhead, anxiously. ”If any of these girls understand cooking, my end is not far off!”
”Nonsense!” exclaimed the Scarecrow. ”they're too busy to cook, even if they know how!”
”But should I remain here a prisoner for any length of time,” protested Jack,” I'm liable to spoil.”
”Ah! then you would not be fit to a.s.sociate with,” returned the Scarecrow.
”The matter is more serious than I suspected.”