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Do those witches have any magical powers?" inquired the Scarecrow.

Yes, they seem to understand witchcraft in its most evil form, for one of them

has just transformed a respectable and honest old sailor--one of the strangers

who arrived there--into a grasshopper. This same witch, Blinkie by name, is

also planning to freeze the heart of a beautiful Jinxland girl named Princess

Gloria."

Why, that's a dreadful thing to do!" exclaimed the Scarecrow.

Glinda's face was very grave. She read in her book how Trot and Button-

Bright were turned out of the King's castle, and how they found refuge in the

hut of Pon, the gardener's boy.

I'm afraid those helpless earth people will endure much suffering in Jinxland,

even if the wicked King and the witches permit them to live," said the good

Sorceress, thoughtfully. "I wish I might help them."

Can I do anything?" asked the Scarecrow, anxiously. "If so, tell me what to

do, and I'll do it."

For a few moments Glinda did not reply, but sat musing over the records.

Then she said: "I am going to send you to Jinxland, to protect Trot and

Button-Bright and Cap'n Bill."

All right," answered the Scarecrow in a cheerful voice. "I know Button-Bright

already, for he has been in the Land of Oz before. You remember he went away

from the Land of Oz in one of our Wizard's big bubbles."

Yes," said Glinda, "I remember that." Then she carefully instructed the

Scarecrow what to do and gave him certain magical things which he placed in

the pockets of his ragged Munchkin coat.

As you have no need to sleep," said she, "you may as well start at once."

The night is the same as day to me," he replied, "except that I cannot see my

way so well in the dark."

I will furnish a light to guide you," promised the Sorceress.

So the Scarecrow bade her good-bye and at once started on his journey. By

morning he had reached the mountains that separated the Quadling Country

from Jinxland. The sides of these mountains were too steep to climb, but the

Scarecrow took a small rope from his pocket and tossed one end upward, into

The Scarecrow of Oz