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Woot made the queer journey next, and then the Tin Soldier and the Tin

Woodman went over, and all were well pleased to have overcome this serious

barrier to their progress.

Now, Soldier, cut the hay," said the Scarecrow's head, which was still held

by Woot the Wanderer.

"I'd like to, but I can't stoop over, with my bent leg, without falling," replied

Captain Fyter.

What can we do about that leg, anyhow?" asked Woot, appealing to

Polychrome.

She danced around in a circle several times without replying, and the boy

feared she had not heard him; but the Rainbow's Daughter was merely

thinking upon the problem, and presently she paused beside the Tin Soldier

and said:

"I've been taught a little fairy magic, but I've never before been asked to

mend tin legs with it, so I'm not sure I can help you. It all depends on the

good will of my unseen fairy guardians, so I'll try, and if I fail, you will be no

worse off than you are now."

She danced around the circle again, and then laid both hands upon the

twisted tin leg and sang in her sweet voice:

"Fairy Powers, come to my aid! This bent leg of tin is made; Make it

straight and strong and true, And I'll render thanks to you."

"Ah!" murmured Captain Fyter in a glad voice, as she withdrew her hands

and danced away, and they saw he was standing straight as ever, because

his leg was as shapely and strong as it had been before his accident.

The Tin Woodman had watched Polychrome with much interest, and he now

said:

"Please take the dent out of my side, Poly, for I am more crippled than was

the Soldier."

So the Rainbow's Daughter touched his side lightly and sang:

Here's a dent by accident; Such a thing was never meant. Fairy Powers,

so wondrous great, Make our dear Tin Woodman straight!"

Good!" cried the Emperor, again standing erect and strutting around to

show his fine figure. "Your fairy magic may not be able to accomplish all

The Tin Woodman of Oz