www.freeclassicebooks.com

needs patting into shape, too, for he had a bad tumble, but our first task is

to get over this ditch."

"Yes, the ditch is the most important thing, just now," added Woot.

They were standing in a row, looking hard at the unexpected barrier, when a

fierce growl from behind them made them all turn quickly. Out of the

invisible country marched a huge beast with a thick, leathery skin and a

surprisingly long neck. The head on the top of this neck was broad and flat

and the eyes and mouth were very big and the nose and ears very small.

When the head was drawn down toward the beast's shoulders, the neck was

all wrinkles, but the head could shoot up very high indeed, if the creature

wished it to.

Dear me!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, "this must be the Hip-po-gy-raf."

Quite right," said the beast; "and you're the straw which I'm to eat for my

dinner. Oh, how I love straw! I hope you don't resent my affectionate

appetite?"

With its four great legs it advanced straight toward the Scarecrow, but the

Tin Woodman and the Tin Soldier both sprang in front of their friend and

flourished their weapons.

Keep off!" said the Tin Woodman, warningly, "or I'll chop you with my axe."

Keep off!" said the Tin Soldier, "or I'll cut you with my sword."

Would you really do that?" asked the Hip-po-gy-raf, in a disappointed voice.

We would," they both replied, and the Tin Woodman added: "The Scarecrow

is our friend, and he would be useless without his straw stuffing. So, as we

are comrades, faithful and true, we will defend our friend's stuffing against

all enemies."

The Hip-po-gy-raf sat down and looked at them sorrowfully.

"When one has made up his mind to have a meal of delicious straw, and

then finds he can't have it, it is certainly hard luck," he said. "And what

good is the straw man to you, or to himself, when the ditch keeps you from

going any further?"

Well, we can go back again," suggested Woot.

True," said the Hip-po; "and if you do, you'll be as disappointed as I am.

That's some comfort, anyhow."

101

The Tin Woodman of Oz