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things, sweet Polychrome, but it works splendidly on tin. Thank you very

much."

"The hay--the hay!" pleaded the Scarecrow's head.

Oh, yes; the hay," said Woot. "What are you waiting for, Captain Fyter?"

At once the Tin Soldier set to work cutting hay with his sword and in a few

minutes there was quite enough with which to stuff the Scarecrow's body.

Woot and Polychrome did this and it was no easy task because the hay

packed together more than straw and as they had little experience in such

work their job, when completed, left the Scarecrow's arms and legs rather

bunchy. Also there was a hump on his back which made Woot laugh and

say it reminded him of a camel, but it was the best they could do and when

the head was fastened on to the body they asked the Scarecrow how he felt.

"A little heavy, and not quite natural," he cheerfully replied; "but I'll get

along somehow until we reach a straw-stack. Don't laugh at me, please,

because I'm a little ashamed of myself and I don't want to regret a good

action."

They started at once in the direction of Mount Munch, and as the Scarecrow

proved very clumsy in his movements, Woot took one of his arms and the

Tin Woodman the other and so helped their friend to walk in a straight line.

And the Rainbow's Daughter, as before, danced ahead of them and behind

them and all around them, and they never minded her odd ways, because to

them she was like a ray of sunshine.

105

The Tin Woodman of Oz