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"I can understand that," said Woot gravely. "But how can we get to that part

of the Munchkin Country where you once lived without passing through the

Emerald City?"

Why, that is easy," the Tin Man assured him.

I have a map of Oz in my pocket," persisted the boy, "and it shows that the

Winkie Country, where we now are, is at the west of Oz, and the Munchkin

Country at the east, while directly between them lies the Emerald City."

True enough; but we shall go toward the north, first of all, into the Gillikin

Country, and so pass around the Emerald City," explained the Tin

Woodman.

That may prove a dangerous journey," replied the boy. "I used to live in one

of the top corners of the Gillikin Country, near to Oogaboo, and I have been

told that in this northland country are many people whom it is not pleasant

to meet. I was very careful to avoid them during my journey south."

"A Wanderer should have no fear," observed the Scarecrow, who was

wobbling along in a funny, haphazard manner, but keeping pace with his

friends.

"Fear does not make one a coward," returned Woot, growing a little red in

the face, "but I believe it is more easy to avoid danger than to overcome it.

The safest way is the best way, even for one who is brave and determined."

Do not worry, for we shall not go far to the north," said the Emperor. "My

one idea is to avoid the Emerald City without going out of our way more

than is necessary. Once around the Emerald City we will turn south into the

Munchkin Country, where the Scarecrow and I are well acquainted and have

many friends."

"I have traveled some in the Gillikin Country," remarked the Scarecrow, "and

while I must say I have met some strange people there at times, I have never

yet been harmed by them."

Well, it's all the same to me," said Woot, with assumed carelessness.

Dangers, when they cannot be avoided, are often quite interesting, and I am

willing to go wherever you two venture to go."

So they left the path they had been following and began to travel toward the

northeast, and all that day they were in the pleasant Winkie Country, and

all the people they met saluted the Emperor with great respect and wished

him good luck on his journey. At night they stopped at a house where they

The Tin Woodman of Oz