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Friends, let us agree to the beast's terms. Give him my straw, and carry the

rest of me with you across the ditch. Once on the other side, the Tin Soldier

can cut some of the hay with his sharp sword, and you can stuff me with

that material until we reach a place where there is straw. It is true I have

been stuffed with straw all my life and it will be somewhat humiliating to be

filled with common hay, but I am willing to sacrifice my pride in a good

cause. Moreover, to abandon our errand and so deprive the great Emperor of

the Winkies--or this noble Soldier--of his bride, would be equally

humiliating, if not more so."

"You're a very honest and clever man!" exclaimed the Hip-po-gy-raf,

admiringly. "When I have eaten your head, perhaps I also will become

clever."

"You're not to eat my head, you know," returned the Scarecrow hastily. "My

head isn't stuffed with straw and I cannot part with it. When one loses his

head he loses his brains."

"Very well, then; you may keep your head," said the beast.

The Scarecrow's companions thanked him warmly for his loyal sacrifice to

their mutual good, and then he laid down and permitted them to pull the

straw from his body. As fast as they did this, the Hip-po-gy-raf ate up the

straw, and when all was consumed Polychrome made a neat bundle of the

clothes and boots and gloves and hat and said she would carry them, while

Woot tucked the Scarecrow's head under his arm and promised to guard its

safety.

"Now, then," said the Tin Woodman, "keep your promise, Beast, and lift us

over the ditch."

"M-m-m-mum, but that was a fine dinner!" said the Hip-po, smacking his

thick lips in satisfaction, "and I'm as good as my word. Sit on my head, one

at a time, and I'll land you safely on the other side."

He approached close to the edge of the ditch and squatted down.

Polychrome climbed over his big body and sat herself lightly upon the flat

head, holding the bundle of the Scarecrow's raiment in her hand. Slowly the

elastic neck stretched out until it reached the far side of the ditch, when the

beast lowered his head and permitted the beautiful fairy to leap to the

ground.

103

The Tin Woodman of Oz