The Marvelous Land of Oz

by L. Frank Baum

  While the boy stared the girl looked upon him calmly. A lunch basket stoodbeside her, and she held a dainty sandwich in one hand and a hard-boiled eggin the other, eating with an evident appetite that aroused Tip's sympathy.

  He was just about to ask a share of the luncheon when the girl stood up andbrushed the crumbs from her lap.

  "There!" said she; "it is time for me to go. Carry that basket for me andhelp yourself to its contents if you are hungry."

  Tip seized the basket eagerly and began to eat, following for a time thestrange girl without bothering to ask questions. She walked along before himwith swift strides, and there was about her an air of decision andimportance that led him to suspect she was some great personage.

  Finally, when he had satisfied his hunger, he ran up beside her and tried tokeep pace with her swift footsteps--a very difficult feat, for she wasmuch taller than he, and evidently in a hurry.

  "Thank you very much for the sandwiches," said Tip, as he trotted along."May I ask your name?"

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  "I am General Jinjur," was the brief reply.

  "Oh!" said the boy surprised. "What sort of a General?"

  "I command the Army of Revolt in this war," answered the General, withunnecessary sharpness.

  "Oh!" he again exclaimed. "I didn't know there was a war."

  "You were not supposed to know it," she returned, "for we have kept it asecret; and considering that our army is composed entirely of girls," sheadded, with some pride, "it is surely a remarkable thing that our Revolt isnot yet discovered."

  "It is, indeed," acknowledged Tip. "But where is your army?"

  "About a mile from here," said General Jinjur. "The forces have assembledfrom all parts of the Land of Oz, at my express command. For this is the daywe are to conquer His Majesty the Scarecrow, and wrest from him the throne.The Army of Revolt only awaits my coming to march upon the Emerald City."

  "Well!" declared Tip, drawing a long breath, "this is certainly a surprisingthing! May I ask why you wish to conquer His Majesty the Scarecrow?"

  "Because the Emerald City has been ruled by men long enough, for onereason," said the girl.

  87"Moreover, the City glitters with beautiful gems, which might far better beused for rings, bracelets and necklaces; and there is enough money in theKing's treasury to buy every girl in our Army a dozen new gowns. So weintend to conquer the City and run the government to suit ourselves."

  Jinjur spoke these words with an eagerness and decision that proved she wasin earnest.

  "But war is a terrible thing," said Tip, thoughtfully.

  "This war will be pleasant," replied the girl, cheerfully.

  "Many of you will be slain!" continued the boy, in an awed voice.

  "Oh, no", said Jinjur. "What man would oppose a girl, or dare to harm her?And there is not an ugly face in my entire Army."

  Tip laughed.

  "Perhaps you are right," said he. "But the Guardian of the Gate isconsidered a faithful Guardian, and the King's Army will not let the City beconquered without a struggle."

  "The Army is old and feeble," replied General Jinjur, scornfully. "Hisstrength has all been used to grow whiskers, and his wife has such a temperthat she has already pulled more than half of them

  88out by the roots. When the Wonderful Wizard reigned the Soldier with theGreen Whiskers was a very good Royal Army, for people feared the Wizard. Butno one is afraid of the Scarecrow, so his Royal Army don't count for much intime of war."

  After this conversation they proceeded some distance in silence, and beforelong reached a large clearing in the forest where fully four hundred youngwomen were assembled. These were laughing and talking together as gaily asif they had gathered for a picnic instead of a war of conquest.

  They were divided into four companies, and Tip noticed that all were dressedin costumes similar to that worn by General Jinjur. The only real differencewas that while those girls from the Munchkin country had the blue strip infront of their skirts, those from the country of the Quadlings had the redstrip in front; and those from the country of the Winkies had the yellowstrip in front, and the Gillikin girls wore the purple strip in front. Allhad green waists, representing the Emerald City they intended to conquer,and the top button on each waist indicated by its color which country thewearer came from. The uniforms were Jaunty and becoming, and quite effectivewhen massed together.

  Tip thought this strange Army bore no weapons

  89whatever; but in this he was wrong. For each girl had stuck through the knotof her back hair two long, glittering knitting-needles.

  General Jinjur immediately mounted the stump of a tree and addressed herarmy.

  "Friends, fellow-citizens, and girls!" she said; "we are about to begin ourgreat Revolt against the men of Oz! We march to conquer the Emerald City--todethrone the Scarecrow King--to acquire thousands of gorgeous gems--torifle the royal treasury--and to obtain power over our formeroppressors!"

  "Hurrah!" said those who had listened; but Tip thought most of the Army wastoo much engaged in chattering to pay attention to the words of the General.

  The command to march was now given, and the girls formed themselves intofour bands, or companies, and set off with eager strides toward the EmeraldCity.

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  The boy followed after them, carrying several baskets and wraps and packageswhich various members of the Army of Revolt had placed in his care. It wasnot long before they came to the green granite walls of the City and haltedbefore the gateway.

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  The Guardian of the Gate at once came out and looked at them curiously, asif a circus had come to town. He carried a bunch of keys swung round hisneck by a golden chain; his hands were thrust carelessly into his pockets,and he seemed to have no idea at all that the City was threatened by rebels.Speaking pleasantly to the girls, he said:

  "Good morning, my dears! What can I do for you?"

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  "Surrender instantly!" answered General Jinjur, standing before him andfrowning as terribly as her pretty face would allow her to.

  "Surrender!" echoed the man, astounded. "Why, it's impossible. It's againstthe law! I never heard of such a thing in my life."

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  "Still, you must surrender!" exclaimed the General, fiercely. "We arerevolting!"

  "You don't look it," said the Guardian, gazing from one to another,admiringly.

  "But we are!" cried Jinjur, stamping her foot, impatiently; "and we mean toconquer the Emerald City!"

  "Good gracious!" returned the surprised Guardian of the Gates; "what anonsensical idea! Go home to your mothers, my good girls, and milk the cowsand bake the bread. Don't you know it's a dangerous thing to conquer acity?"

  "We are not afraid!" responded the General; and she looked so determinedthat it made the Guardian uneasy.

  So he rang the bell for the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, and the nextminute was sorry he had done so. For immediately he was surrounded by acrowd of girls who drew the knitting-needles from their hair and beganJabbing them at the Guardian with the sharp points dangerously near his fatcheeks and blinking eyes.

  The poor man howled loudly for mercy and made no resistance when Jinjur drewthe bunch of keys from around his neck.

  Followed by her Army the General now rushed

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  GENERAL JINJUR AND HER ARMY CAPTURE THE CITY.

  94to the gateway, where she was confronted by the Royal Army of Oz--whichwas the other name for the Soldier with the Green Whiskers.

  "Halt!" he cried, and pointed his long gun full in the face of the leader.

  Some of the girls screamed and ran back, but General Jinjur bravely stoodher ground and said, reproachfully:

  "Why, how now? Would you shoot a poor, defenceless girl?"

  "No," replied the soldier, "for my gun isn't loaded."
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  "Not loaded?"

  "No; for fear of accidents. And I've forgotten where I hid the powder andshot to load it with. But if you'll wait a short time I'll try to hunt themup."

  "Don't trouble yourself," said Jinjur, cheerfully. Then she turned to herArmy and cried:

  "Girls, the gun isn't loaded!"

  "Hooray," shrieked the rebels, delighted at this good news, and theyproceeded to rush upon the Soldier with the Green Whiskers in such a crowdthat it was a wonder they didn't stick the knitting-needles into oneanother.

  But the Royal Army of Oz was too much afraid

  95of women to meet the onslaught. He simply turned about and ran with all hismight through the gate and toward the royal palace, while General Jinjur andher mob flocked into the unprotected City.

  In this way was the Emerald City captured without a drop of blood beingspilled. The Army of Revolt had become an Army of Conquerors!

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  97 The Scarecrow Plans an escape

  Tip slipped away from the girls and followed swiftly after the Soldier withthe Green Whiskers. The invading army entered the City more slowly, for theystopped to dig emeralds out of the walls and paving-stones with the pointsof their knitting-needles. So the Soldier and the boy reached the palacebefore the news had spread that the City was conquered.

  The Scarecrow and Jack Pumpkinhead were still playing at quoits in thecourtyard when the game was interrupted by the abrupt entrance of the RoyalArmy of Oz, who came flying in without his hat or gun, his clothes in saddisarray and his long beard floating a yard behind him as he ran.

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  "Tally one for me," said the Scarecrow, calmly "What's wrong, my man?" headded, addressing the Soldier.

  "Oh! your Majesty--your Majesty! The City is conquered!" gasped the RoyalArmy, who was all out of breath.

  "This is quite sudden," said the Scarecrow. "But please go and bar all thedoors and windows of the palace, while I show this Pumpkinhead how to throwa quoit."

  The Soldier hastened to do this, while Tip, who had arrived at his heels,remained in the courtyard to look at the Scarecrow with wondering eyes.

  His Majesty continued to throw the quoits as coolly as if no dangerthreatened his throne, but the Pumpkinhead, having caught sight of Tip,ambled toward the boy as fast as his wooden legs would go.

  "Good afternoon, noble parent!" he cried, delightedly. "I'm glad to see youare here. That terrible Saw-Horse ran away with me."

  "I suspected it," said Tip. "Did you get hurt? Are you cracked at all?"

  "No, I arrived safely," answered Jack, "and his Majesty has been very kindindeed to me.

  At this moment the Soldier with the Green Whiskers returned, and theScarecrow asked:

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  "By the way, who has conquered me?"

  "A regiment of girls, gathered from the four corners of the Land of Oz,"replied the Soldier, still pale with fear.

  "But where was my Standing Army at the time?" inquired his Majesty, lookingat the Soldier, gravely.

  "Your Standing Army was running," answered the fellow, honestly; "for no mancould face the terrible weapons of the invaders."

  "Well," said the Scarecrow, after a moment's thought, "I don't mind much theloss of my throne, for it's a tiresome job to rule over the Emerald City.And this crown is so heavy that it makes my head ache. But I hope theConquerors have no intention of injuring me, just because I happen to be theKing."

  "I heard them, say" remarked Tip, with some hesitation, "that they intend tomake a rag carpet of your outside and stuff their sofa-cushions with yourinside."

  "Then I am really in danger," declared his Majesty, positively, "and it willbe wise for me to consider a means to escape."

  "Where can you go?" asked Jack Pumpkinhead.

  "Why, to my friend the Tin Woodman, who

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  rules over the Winkies, and calls himself their Emperor," was the answer. "Iam sure he will protect me."

  Tip was looking out the window.

  "The palace is surrounded by the enemy," said

  101he "It is too late to escape. They would soon tear you to pieces."

  The Scarecrow sighed.

  "In an emergency," he announced, "it is always a good thing to pause andreflect. Please excuse me while I pause and reflect."

  "But we also are in danger," said the Pumpkinhead, anxiously. "If any ofthese girls understand cooking, my end is not far off!"

  "Nonsense!" exclaimed the Scarecrow. "they're too busy to cook, even if theyknow how!"

  "But should I remain here a prisoner for any length of time," protestedJack," I'm liable to spoil."

  "Ah! then you would not be fit to associate with," returned the Scarecrow."The matter is more serious than I suspected."

  "You," said the Pumpkinhead, gloomily, "are liable to live for many years.My life is necessarily short. So I must take advantage of the few days thatremain to me."

  "There, there! Don't worry," answered the Scarecrow soothingly; "if you'llkeep quiet long enough for me to think, I'll try to find some way for us allto escape."

  So the others waited in patient silence while the Scarecrow walked to acorner and stood with his

  102face to the wall for a good five minutes. At the end of that time he facedthem with a more cheerful expression upon his painted face.

  "Where is the Saw-Horse you rode here?" he asked the Pumpkinhead.

  "Why, I said he was a jewel, and so your man locked him up in the royaltreasury," said Jack.

  "It was the only place I could think of your Majesty," added the Soldier,fearing he had made a blunder.

  "It pleases me very much," said the Scarecrow. "Has the animal been fed?"

  "Oh, yes; I gave him a heaping peck of sawdust."

  "Excellent!" cried the Scarecrow. "Bring the horse here at once."

  The Soldier hastened away, and presently they heard the clattering of thehorse's wooden legs upon the pavement as he was led into the courtyard.

  His Majesty regarded the steed critically. "He doesn't seem especiallygraceful!" he remarked, musingly. "but I suppose he can run?"

  "He can, indeed," said Tip, gazing upon the Saw-Horse admiringly.

  "Then, bearing us upon his back, he must make a dash through the ranks ofthe rebels and carry us to my friend the Tin Woodman," announced theScarecrow.

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  "He can't carry four!" objected Tip.

  "No, but he may be induced to carry three," said his Majesty. "I shalltherefore leave my Royal Army Behind. For, from the ease with which he wasconquered, I have little confidence in his powers."

  "Still, he can run," declared Tip, laughing.

  "I expected this blow" said the Soldier, sulkily; "but I can bear it. Ishall disguise myself by cutting off my lovely green whiskers. And, afterall, it is no more dangerous to face those reckless girls than to ride thisfiery, untamed wooden horse!"

  "Perhaps you are right," observed his Majesty. "But, for my part, not beinga soldier, I am fond of danger. Now, my boy, you must mount first. Andplease sit as close to the horse's neck as possible."

  Tip climbed quickly to his place, and the Soldier and the Scarecrow managedto hoist the Pumpkinhead to a seat just behind him. There remained so littlespace for the King that he was liable to fall off as soon as the horsestarted.

  "Fetch a clothesline," said the King to his Army, "and tie us all together.Then if one falls off we will all fall off."

  And while the Soldier was gone for the clothesline his Majesty continued,"it is well for me to be careful, for my very existence is in danger."

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  "I have to be as careful as you do," said Jack.

  "Not exactly," replied the Scarecrow. "for if anything happened to me, thatwould be the end of me. But if anything happened to you, they could use youfor seed."

  The Soldier now returned with a long line and tied all three fir
mlytogether, also lashing them to the body of the Saw-Horse; so there seemedlittle danger of their tumbling off.

  "Now throw open the gates," commanded the Scarecrow, "and we will make adash to liberty or to death."

  The courtyard in which they were standing was located in the center of thegreat palace, which surrounded it on all sides. But in one place a passageled to an outer gateway, which the Soldier had barred by order of hissovereign. It was through this gateway his Majesty proposed to escape, andthe Royal Army now led the Saw-Horse along the passage and unbarred thegate, which swung backward with a loud crash.

  "Now," said Tip to the horse, "you must save us all. Run as fast as you canfor the gate of the City, and don't let anything stop you."

  "All right!" answered the Saw-Horse, gruffly, and dashed away so suddenlythat Tip had to gasp

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  "WE WILL MAKE A DASH TO LIBERTY OR TO DEATH."

  106for breath and hold firmly to the post he had driven into the creature'sneck.