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heads. On these pasteboard heads they sewed sheep's wool for hair, and

the wool was colored many tints--pink, green and lavender being the

favorite colors. The faces of these false heads were painted in many

ridiculous ways, according to the whims of the owners, and these big,

burly creatures looked so whimsical and absurd in their queer masks

that they were called "Whimsies." They foolishly imagined that no one

would suspect the little heads that were inside the imitation ones, not

knowing that it is folly to try to appear otherwise than as nature has

made us.

The Chief of the Whimsies had as little wisdom as the others, and had

been chosen chief merely because none among them was any wiser or

more capable of ruling. The Whimsies were evil spirits and could not be

killed. They were hated and feared by every one and were known as

terrible fighters because they were so strong and muscular and had not

sense enough to know when they were defeated.

General Guph thought the Whimsies would be a great help to the Nomes

in the conquest of Oz, for under his leadership they could be induced to

fight as long so they could stand up. So he traveled to their country and

asked to see the Chief, who lived in a house that had a picture of his

grotesque false head painted over the doorway.

The Chief's false head had blue hair, a turned-up nose, and a mouth that

stretched half across the face. Big green eyes had been painted upon it,

but in the center of the chin were two small holes made in the

pasteboard, so that the Chief could see through them with his own tiny

eyes; for when the big head was fastened upon his shoulders the eyes in

his own natural head were on a level with the false chin.

Said General Guph to the Chief of the Whimsies:

We Nomes are going to conquer the Land of Oz and capture our King's

Magic Belt, which the Oz people stole from him. Then we are going to

plunder and destroy the whole country. And we want the Whimsies to

help us."

Will there be any fighting?" asked the Chief.

Plenty," replied Guph.

The Emerald City of Oz