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Not ve-ry far," answered Tik-tok, "and we have plen-ty of time. To-night we

will stop at the pal-ace of the Tin Wood-man, and to-mor-row night we will ar-

rive at the Em-er-ald Ci-ty."

Goody!" cried Dorothy. "I'd like to see dear Nick Chopper again. How's his

heart?"

It's fine," said Billina; "the Tin Woodman says it gets softer and kindlier every

day. He's waiting at his castle to welcome you, Dorothy; but he couldn't come

with us because he's getting polished as bright as possible for Ozma's party."

Well then," said Dorothy, "let's start on, and we can talk more as we go."

They proceeded on their journey in a friendly group, for Polychrome had

discovered that the copper man was harmless and was no longer afraid of

him. Button-Bright was also reassured, and took quite a fancy to Tik-tok. He

wanted the clockwork man to open himself, so that he might see the wheels go

round; but that was a thing Tik-tok could not do. Button-Bright then wanted

to wind up the copper man, and Dorothy promised he should do so as soon as

any part of the machinery ran down. This pleased Button-Bright, who held

fast to one of Tik-tok's copper hands as he trudged along the road, while

Dorothy walked on the other side of her old friend and Billina perched by

turns upon his shoulder or his copper hat. Polly once more joyously danced

ahead and Toto ran after her, barking with glee. The shaggy man was left to

walk behind; but he didn't seem to mind that a bit, and whistled merrily or

looked curiously upon the pretty scenes they passed.

At last they came to a hilltop from which the tin castle of Nick Chopper could

plainly be seen, its towers glistening magnificently under the rays of the

declining sun.

How pretty!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I've never seen the Emp'ror's new house

before."

He built it because the old castle was damp, and likely to rust his tin body,"

said Billina. "All those towers and steeples and domes and gables took a lot of

tin, as you can see."

Is it a toy?" asked Button-Bright softly.

No, dear," answered Dorothy; "it's better than that. It's the fairy dwelling of a

fairy prince."

The Road to Oz