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The people looked fearfully at the King, whom they all hated in their hearts,

but likewise feared. Krewl was now in a terrible rage and he raised his golden

sceptre and struck the Scarecrow so heavy a blow that he fell to the floor.

But he was up again, in an instant, and with Pon's riding-whip he switched

the King so hard that the wicked monarch roared with pain as much as with

rage, calling on his soldiers to capture the Scarecrow.

They tried to do that, and thrust their lances and swords into the straw body,

but without doing any damage except to make holes in the Scarecrow's

clothes. However, they were many against one and finally old Googly-Goo

brought a rope which he wound around the Scarecrow, binding his legs

together and his arms to his sides, and after that the fight was over.

The King stormed and danced around in a dreadful fury, for he had never

been so switched since he was a boy--and perhaps not then. He ordered the

Scarecrow thrust into the castle prison, which was no task at all because one

man could carry him easily, bound as he was.

Even after the prisoner was removed the King could not control his anger. He

tried to figure out some way to be revenged upon the straw man, but could

think of nothing that could hurt him. At last, when the terrified people and the

frightened courtiers had all slunk away, old Googly-Goo approached the king

with a malicious grin upon his face.

I'll tell you what to do," said he. "Build a big bonfire and burn the Scarecrow

up, and that will be the end of him."

The King was so delighted with this suggestion that he hugged old Googly-Goo

in his joy.

Of course!" he cried. "The very thing. Why did I not think of it myself?"

So he summoned his soldiers and retainers and bade them prepare a great

bonfire in an open space in the castle park. Also he sent word to all his people

to assemble and witness the destruction of the Scarecrow who had dared to

defy his power. Before long a vast throng gathered in the park and the

servants had heaped up enough fuel to make a fire that might be seen for

miles away--even in the daytime.

When all was prepared, the King had his throne brought out for him to sit

upon and enjoy the spectacle, and then he sent his soldiers to fetch the

Scarecrow.

The Scarecrow of Oz