ppy dashed away.

When he returned with an arm full of straw, the Scarecrow managed to
convince him that he was quite alive. "It is impossible to kill a
person from Oz," he explained proudly, "and that is why my present
figure is so much more satisfactory than yours. I do not have to eat
or sleep and can always be repaired. Have you some safety pins?"
Happy produced several and under the Scarecrow's direction stuffed
out his chest and pinned up his rents.

"Let us return," said the Scarecrow. "I've had enough pleasure for
one day, and can't you sing something, Tappy?" Running and fright had
somewhat affected Happy's voice, but he squeaked out a funny little
song, and the two, keeping time to the tune, came without further
mishap to the Imperial gardens. Happy had just set the royal hat upon
the Scarecrow's head and brushed off his robes when a company of
courtiers dashed out of the palace door and came running toward them.

"Great Cornstarch!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, sitting heavily down on
the silver bench. "What's the matter now? Here are all the Pig-heads
on the Island, and look how old Chew Chew is puffing!"

"One would expect a Chew Chew to puff," observed Happy slyly. "One
would--" But he got no further, for the whole company was upon them.

"Save us! Save us!" wailed the courtiers, forgetting the royal edict
and falling on their faces.

"What from?" asked the Scarecrow, holding fast to the silver bench.

"The King--the King of the Golden Islands!" shrieked the Grand Chew
Chew.

"Ah yes!" murmured the Scarecrow, frowning thoughtfully. "Was that
his fleet coming into the harbor?"

The Grand Chew Chew jumped up in astonishment. "How could your
Highness see the fleet from here?" he stuttered.

"Not from here--there," said the Scarecrow, pointing upward and
winking at Happy Toko. "My Highness goes very high, you see!"

"Your Majesty does not seem to realize the seriousness of the
matter," choked the Grand Chew Chew. "He will set fire to the island
and make us all slaves." At this, the courtiers began banging their
heads distractedly on the grass.

"Set fire to the island!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, jumping to his
feet. "Then peace to _my_ ashes! Tappy, will you see that they are sent
back to Oz?"

"Save us! Save us!" screamed the frightened Silvermen.

"The prophecy of the beanstalk has promised that you would save us.
You are the Emperor Chang Wang Woe," persisted the Grand Chew Chew,
waving his lon