From here on the country improved and the desertplaces began to give way to fertile spots; stillno houses were yet to be seen near the road. Therewere some hills, with valleys between them, and onreaching the top of one of these hills thetravelers found before them a high wall, runningto the right and the left as far as their eyescould reach. Immediately in front of them, wherethe wall crossed the roadway, stood a gate havingstout iron bars that extended from top to bottom.They found, on coming nearer, that this gate waslocked with a great padlock, rusty through lack ofuse.

"Well," said Scraps, "I guess we'll stop here."

"It's a good guess," replied Ojo. "Our way isbarred by this great wall and gate. It looks as ifno one had passed through in many years.

"Looks are deceiving," declared the Shaggy Man,laughing at their disappointed faces, "and thisbarrier is the most deceiving thing in all Oz."

"It prevents our going any farther, anyhow,"said Scraps. "There is no one to mind the gateand let people through, and we've no key tothe padlock."

"True," replied Ojo, going a little nearer topeep through the bars of the gate. "What shall wedo, Shaggy Man? If we had wings we might fly overthe wall, but we cannot climb it and unless we getto the Emerald City I won't be able to find thethings to restore Unc Nunkie to life."

"All very true," answered the Shaggy Man,quietly; "but I know this gate, having passedthrough it many times."

"How?" they all eagerly inquired.

"I'll show you how," said he. He stood Ojoin the middle of the road and placed Scrapsjust behind him, with her padded hands on hisshoulders. After the Patchwork Girl came theWoozy, who held a part of her skirt in hismouth. Then, last of all, was the Glass Cat,holding fast to the Woozy's tail with her glassjaws.

"Now," said the Shaggy Man, "you must allshut your eyes tight, and keep them shut untilI tell you to open them."

"I can't," objected Scraps. "My eyes are but-tons, and they won't shut."

So the Shaggy Man tied his red handkerchief overthe Patchwork Girl's eyes and examined all theothers to make sure they had their eyes fast shutand could see nothing.

"What's the game, anyhow--blind-man's-buff?"asked Scraps.

"Keep quiet!" commanded the Shaggy Man,sternly. "All ready? Then follow me."

He took Ojo's hand and led him forward over theroad of yellow bricks, toward the gate. Holdingfast to one another they all followed in a row,expecting every minute to bump against the ironbars. The Shaggy Man also had his eyes closed, butmarched straight ahead, nevertheless, and afterhe had taken one hundred steps, by actual count,he stopped and said:

"Now you may open your eyes."

They did so, and to their astonishment foundthe wall and the gateway far behind them,while in front the former Blue Country of theMunchkins had given way to green fields, withpretty farm-houses scattered among them.

"That wall," explained the Shaggy Man, "iswhat is called an optical illusion. It is quite realwhile you have your eyes open, but if you arenot looking at it the barrier doesn't exist at all.It's the same way with many other evils in life;they seem to exist, and yet it's all seeming andnot true. You will notice that the wall--or whatwe thought was a wall--separates the MunchkinCountry from the green country that surroundsthe Emerald City, which lies exactly in thecenter of Oz. There are two roads of yellowbricks through the Munchkin Country, but theone we followed is the best of the two. Dorothyonce traveled the other way, and met with moredangers than we did. But all our troubles areover for the present, as another day's journeywill bring us to the great Emerald City."

They were delighted to know this, and proceededwith new courage. In a couple of hours theystopped at a farmhouse, where the people were veryhospitable and invited them to dinner. The farmfolk regarded Scraps with much curiosity but nogreat astonishment, for they were accustomed toseeing extraordinary people in the Land of Oz.

The woman of this house got her needle andthread and sewed up the holes made by theporcupine quills in the Patchwork Girl's body,after which Scraps was assured she looked asbeautiful as ever.

"You ought to have a hat to wear," remarkedthe woman, "for that would keep the sun fromfading the colors of your face. I have somepatches and scraps put away, and if you willwait two or three days I'll make you a lovelyhat that will match the rest of you."

"Never mind the hat," said Scraps, shakingher yarn braids; "it's a kind offer, but we can'tstop. I can't see that my colors have faded aparticle, as yet; can you?"

"Not much," replied the woman. "You are stillvery gorgeous, in spite of your long journey."

The children of the house wanted to keep theClass Cat to play with, so Bungle was offereda good home if she would remain; but the catwas too much interested in Ojo's adventures andrefused to stop.

"Children are rough playmates," she remarked tothe Shaggy Man, "and although this home is morepleasant than that of the Crooked Magician I fearI would soon be smashed to pieces by the boys andgirls."

After they had rested themselves they renewedtheir journey, finding the road now smooth andpleasant to walk upon and the country growing morebeautiful the nearer they drew to the EmeraldCity.

By and by Ojo began to walk on the greengrass, looking carefully around him.

"What are you trying to find?" asked Scraps.

"A six-leaved clover," said he.

"Don't do that!" exclaimed the Shaggy Man,earnestly. "It's against the Law to pick a six-leaved clover. You must wait until you get Ozma'sconsent."

"She wouldn't know it," declared the boy.

"Ozma knows many things," said the Shaggy Man."In her room is a Magic Picture that shows anyscene in the Land of Oz where strangers ortravelers happen to be. She may be watching thepicture of us even now, and noticing everythingthat we do."

"Does she always watch the Magic Picture?"asked Ojo.

"Not always, for she has many other thingsto do; but, as I said, she may be watching usthis very minute."

"I don't care," said Ojo, in an obstinate toneof voice; "Ozma's only a girl."

The Shaggy Man looked at him in surprise.

"You ought to care for Ozma," said he, "if youexpect to save your uncle. For, if you displeaseour powerful Ruler, your journey will surely provea failure; whereas, if you make a friend of Ozma,she will gladly assist you. As for her being agirl, that is another reason why you should obeyher laws, if you are courteous and polite.Everyone in Oz loves Ozma and hates her enemies,for she is as just as she is powerful."

Ojo sulked a while, but finally returned to theroad and kept away from the green clover. Theboy was moody and bad tempered for an houror two afterward, because he could really seeno harm in picking a six-leaved clover, if hefound one, and in spite of what the ShaggyMan had said he considered Ozma's law to beunjust.

They presently came to a beautiful grove of talland stately trees, through which the road wound insharp curves--first one way and then another. Asthey were walking through this grove they heardsome one in the distance singing, and the soundsgrew nearer and nearer until they coulddistinguish the words, although the bend in theroad still hid the singer. The song was somethinglike this:

"Here's to the hale old bale of strawThat's cut from the waving grain,The sweetest sight man ever sawIn forest, dell or plain.It fills me with a crunkling joyA straw-stack to behold,For then I pad this lucky boyWith strands of yellow gold."

"Ah!" exclaimed the Shaggy Man; "here comes myfriend the Scarecrow.

"What, a live Scarecrow?" asked Ojo.

"Yes; the one I told you of. He's a splendidfellow, and very intelligent. You'll like him,I'm sure.

Just then the famous Scarecrow of Oz camearound the bend in the road, riding astride awooden Sawhorse which was so small that itsrider's legs nearly touched the ground.

The Scarecrow wore the blue dress of theMunchkins, in which country he was made,and on his head was set a peaked hat with a flatbrim trimmed with tinkling bells. A rope wastied around his waist to hold him in shape. forhe was stuffed with straw in every part of himexcept the top of his head, where at one timethe Wizard of Oz had placed sawdust, mixedwith needles and pins, to sharpen his wits. Thehead itself was merely a bag of cloth, fastenedto the body at the neck, and on the front of thisbag was painted the face--ears, eyes, nose andmouth.

The Scarecrow's face was very interesting, forit bore a comical and yet winning expression,although one eye was a bit larger than the otherand ears were not mates. The Munchkin farmer whohad made the Scarecrow had neglected to sew himtogether with close stitches and therefore some ofthe straw with which he was stuffed was inclinedto stick out between the seams. His handsconsisted of padded white gloves, with the fingerslong and rather limp, and on his feet he woreMunchkin boots of blue leather with broad turns atthe tops of them.

The Sawhorse was almost as curious as its rider.It had been rudely made, in the beginning, to sawlogs upon, so that its body was a short length ofa log, and its legs were stout branches fittedinto four holes made in the body. The tail wasformed by a small branch that had been left on thelog, while the head was a gnarled bump on one endof the body. Two knots of wood formed the eyes,and the mouth was a gash chopped in the log. Whenthe Sawhorse first came to life it had no ears atall, and so could not hear; but the boy who thenowned him had whittled two ears out of bark andstuck them in the head, after which the Sawhorseheard very distinctly.

This queer wooden horse was a great favoritewith Princess Ozma, who had caused the bottoms ofits legs to be shod with plates of gold, so thewood would not wear away. Its saddle was made ofcloth-of-gold richly encrusted with precious gems.It had never worn a bridle.

As the Scarecrow came in sight of the party oftravelers, he reined in his wooden steed anddismounted, greeting the Shaggy Man with a smilingnod. Then he turned to stare at the Patchwork Girlin wonder, while she in turn stared at him.

"Shags," he whispered, drawing the Shaggy Manaside, "pat me into shape, there's a good fellow!"

While his friend punched and patted theScarecrow's body, to smooth out the humps, Scrapsturned to Ojo and whispered: "Roll me out, please;I've sagged down dreadfully from walking so muchand men like to see a stately figure."

She then fell upon the ground and the boy rolledher back and forth like a rolling-pin, until thecotton had filled all the spaces in her patchworkcovering and the body had lengthened to itsfullest extent. Scraps and the Scarecrow bothfinished their hasty toilets at the same time, andagain they faced each other.

"Allow me, Miss Patchwork," said the Shaggy Man,"to present my friend, the Right Royal Scarecrowof Oz. Scarecrow, this is Miss Scraps Patches;Scraps, this is the Scarecrow. Scarecrow--Scraps;Scraps--Scarecrow."

They both bowed with much dignity.

"Forgive me for staring so rudely," said theScarecrow, "but you are the most beautiful sightmy eyes have ever beheld."

"That is a high compliment from one who ishimself so beautiful," murmured Scraps, castingdown her suspender-button eyes by lowering herhead. "But, tell me, good sir, are you not atrifle lumpy?"

"Yes, of course; that's my straw, you know.It bunches up, sometimes, in spite of all myefforts to keep it even. Doesn't your straw everbunch?"

"Oh, I'm stuffed with cotton," said Scraps."It never bunches, but it's inclined to pack downand make me sag."

"But cotton is a high-grade stuffing. I may sayit is even more stylish, not to say aristocratic,than straw," said the Scarecrow politely. "Still,it is but proper that one so entrancingly lovelyshould have the best stuffing there is going. I--er--I'm so glad I've met you, Miss Scraps!Introduce us again, Shaggy."

"Once is enough," replied the Shaggy Man,laughing at his friend's enthusiasm.

"Then tell me where you found her, and--Dear me,what a queer cat! What are you made of--gelatine?"

"Pure glass," answered the cat, proud to haveattracted the Scarecrow's attention. "I am muchmore beautiful than the Patchwork Girl. I'mtransparent, and Scraps isn't; I've pink brains--you can see 'em work; and I've a ruby heart,finely polished, while Scraps hasn't any heart atall."

"No more have I," said the Scarecrow, shakinghands with Scraps, as if to congratulate her onthe fact. "I've a friend, the Tin Woodman, who hasa heart, but I find I get along pretty wellwithout one. And so--Well, well! here's a littleMunchkin boy, too. Shake hands, my little man. Howare you?"

Ojo placed his hand in the flabby stuffed glovethat served the Scarecrow for a hand, and theScarecrow pressed it so cordially that the strawin his glove crackled.

Meantime, the Woozy had approached the Sawhorseand begun to sniff at it. The Sawhorse resentedthis familiarity and with a sudden kick poundedthe Woozy squarely on its Lead with one gold-shodfoot.

"Take that, you monster!" it cried angrily.

The Woozy never even winked.

"To be sure," he said; "I'll take anything Ihave to. But don't make me angry, you woodenbeast, or my eyes will flash fire and burn youup."

The Sawhorse rolled its knot eyes wickedlyand kicked again, but the Woozy trotted awayand said to the Scarecrow:

"What a sweet disposition that creature has!I advise you to chop it up for kindling-woodand use me to ride upon. My back is flat andyou can't fall off."

"I think the trouble is that you haven't beenproperly introduced," said the Scarecrow,regarding the Woozy with much wonder, for he hadnever seen such a queer animal before.

"The Sawhorse is the favorite steed of PrincessOzma, the Ruler of the Land of Oz, and he lives ina stable decorated with pearls and emeralds, atthe rear of the royal palace. He is swift as thewind, untiring, and is kind to his friends. Allthe people of Oz respect the Sawhorse highly, andwhen I visit Ozma she sometimes allows me to ridehim--as I am doing to-day. Now you know what animportant personage the Sawhorse is, and if someone--perhaps your-self--will tell me your name,your rank and station, and your history, it willgive me pleasure to relate them to the Sawhorse.This will lead to mutual respect and friendship."

The Woozy was somewhat abashed by this speechand did not know how to reply. But Ojo said:

"This square beast is called the Woozy, and heisn't of much importance except that he has threehairs growing on the tip of his tail."

The Scarecrow looked and saw that this was true.

"But," said he, in a puzzled way, "what makesthose three hairs important? The Shaggy Man hasthousands of hairs, but no one has ever accusedhim of being important."

So Ojo related the sad story of Unc Nunkie'stransformation into a marble statue, and told howhe had set out to find the things the CrookedMagician wanted, in order to make a charm thatwould restore his uncle to life. One of therequirements was three hairs from a Woozy's tail,but not being able to pull out the hairs they hadbeen obliged to take the Woozy with them.

The Scarecrow looked grave as he listened and heshook his head several times, as if indisapproval.

"We must see Ozma about this matter," hesaid. "That Crooked Magician is breaking theLaw by practicing magic without a license, andI'm not sure Ozma will allow him to restore youruncle to life."

"Already I have warned the boy of that,"declared the Shaggy Man.

At this Ojo began to cry. "I want my UncNunkie!" he exclaimed. "I know how he can berestored to life, and I'm going to do it--Ozma orno Ozma! What right has this girl Ruler to keep myUnc Nunkie a statue forever?"

"Don't worry about that just now," advisedthe Scarecrow. "Go on to the Emerald City,and when you reach it have the Shaggy Mantake you to see Dorothy. Tell her your story andI'm sure she will help you. Dorothy is Ozma'sbest friend, and if you can win her to your sideyour uncle is pretty safe to live again." Then heturned to the Woozy and said: "I'm afraid youare not important enough to be introduced tothe Sawhorse, after all."

"I'm a better beast than he is," retorted theWoozy, indignantly. "My eyes can flash fire, andhis can't."

"Is this true?" inquired the Scarecrow, turningto the Munchkin boy.

"Yes," said Ojo, and told how the Woozy hadset fire to the fence.

"Have you any other accomplishments?"asked the Scarecrow.

"I have a most terrible growl--that is,sometimes," said the Woozy, as Scraps laughedmerrily and the Shaggy Man smiled. But the Patch-work Girl's laugh made the Scarecrow forget allabout the Woozy. He said to her:

"What an admirable young lady you are, andwhat jolly good company! We must be betteracquainted, for never before have I met a girlwith such exquisite coloring or such natural,artless manners."

"No wonder they call you the Wise Scarecrow,"replied Scraps.

"When you arrive at the Emerald City I will seeyou again," continued the Scarecrow. "Just now Iam going to call upon an old friend--an ordinaryyoung lady named Jinjur--who has Promised torepaint my left ear for me. You may have noticedthat the paint on my left ear has peeled off andfaded, which affects my hearing on that side.Jinjur always fixes me up when I get weather-worn."

"When do you expect to return to the EmeraldCity?" asked the Shaggy Man.

"I'll be there this evening, for I'm anxiousto have a long talk with Miss Scraps. How is it,Sawhorse; are you equal to a swift run?"

"Anything that suits you suits me," returnedthe wooden horse.

So the Scarecrow mounted to the jeweledsaddle and waved his hat, when the Sawhorsedarted away so swiftly that they were out ofsight in an instant.