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pulled a handful of them from the beanstalk, but the others had fallen out

when he dove into the hay.

Shall we use the parasol again, Lady Dot?" he asked, still staring pensively

at the bean pole. "Shall--?"

He got no farther, nor did Dorothy answer his question. Instead, she gave a

loud scream and clutched the Scarecrow's arm. The Scarecrow, taken by

surprise, fell over backward, and the Comfortable Camel, raising his head

inquiringly, gave a bellow of terror. From the Knight's shoulders a green

branch had sprung, and while the company gazed in round-eyed amazement

it stretched toward the bean pole, attached itself firmly, and then shot

straight up into the air, the Knight kicking and struggling on the end. In

another second, he was out of sight.

Come back! Come back!" screamed the Comfortable Camel, running around

distractedly.

"I doubt we'll ever see him again!" groaned the Doubtful Dromedary, craning

his neck upward.

Do something! Do something!" begged Dorothy. At which the Scarecrow

jumped up and dashed toward the little farmhouse.

I'll get an ax," he called over his shoulder, "and chop down the bean pole."

No, don't do that!" roared the Cowardly Lion, starting after him. "Do you

want to break him to pieces?"

Oh! Oh! Can't you think of something else?" cried Dorothy. "And hurry, or

he'll be up to the moon!"

The Scarecrow put both hands to his head and stared around wildly. Then,

with a triumphant wave of his hat, declared himself ready to act.

"The parasol!" cried the late Emperor of Silver Island. "Quick, Dorothy, put

up the parasol!"

Snatching the parasol, which lay at the foot of the bean pole, Dorothy

snapped it open, and the Scarecrow just had time to make a flying leap and

seize the handle before it soared upward, and in a trice they, too, had

disappeared.

Doubty! Doubty!" wailed the Comfortable Camel, crowding up to his

humpbacked friend, "we're having a pack of trouble. My knees are all a-

tremble!"

124

The Royal Book of Oz