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You will do what I ask first," declared the Scarecrow, firmly.

The witch was shriveling and growing smaller every moment.

Be quick, then!" she cried. "Tell me what I must do and let me do it, or it will

be too late."

You made Trot's friend, Cap'n Bill, a grasshopper. I command you to give him

back his proper form again," said the Scarecrow.

Where is he? Where's the grasshopper? Quick--quick!" she screamed.

Cap'n Bill, who had been deeply interested in this conversation, gave a great

leap from Trot's shoulder and landed on that of the Scarecrow. Blinkie saw

him alight and at once began to make magic passes and to mumble magic

incantations. She was in a desperate hurry, knowing that she had no time to

waste, and the grasshopper was so suddenly transformed into the old sailor-

man, Cap'n Bill, that he had no opportunity to jump off the Scarecrow's

shoulder; so his great weight bore the stuffed Scarecrow to the ground. No

harm was done, however, and the straw man got up and brushed the dust

from his clothes while Trot delightedly embraced Cap'n Bill.

The other box! Quick! Give me the other box," begged Blinkie, who had now

shrunk to half her former size.

Not yet," said the Scarecrow. "You must first melt Princess Gloria's frozen

heart."

I can't; it's an awful job to do that! I can't," asserted the witch, in an agony of

fear--for still she was growing smaller.

You must!" declared the Scarecrow, firmly.

The witch cast a shrewd look at him and saw that he meant it; so she began

dancing around Gloria in a frantic manner. The Princess looked coldly on, as

if not at all interested in the proceedings, while Blinkie tore a handful of hair

from her own head and ripped a strip of cloth from the bottom of her gown.

Then the witch sank upon her knees, took a purple powder from her black bag

and sprinkled it over the hair and cloth.

I hate to do it--I hate to do it!" she wailed, "for there is no more of this magic

compound in all the world. But I must sacrifice it to save my own life. A

match! Give me a match, quick!" and panting from lack of breath she gazed

imploringly from one to another.

The Scarecrow of Oz