"But please go and bar all the
doors and windows of the palace, while I show this Pumpkinhead how to throw
a 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 danger
threatened 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 you
are 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 kind
indeed to me.
At this moment the Soldier with the Green Whiskers returned, and the
Scarecrow asked:
99
"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, looking
at the Soldier, gravely.
"Your Standing Army was running," answered the fellow, honestly; "for no man
could face the terrible weapons of the invaders.
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