The Scarecrow and his friends were greatly
surprised at Glinda's actions; for none of them had noted the Shadow. But
the Sorceress said to them:
"Remain perfectly quiet, all of you! For the old Witch is even now with us
in this tent, and I hope to capture her."
These words so alarmed Mombi that she quickly transformed herself from a
shadow to a Black Ant, in which shape she crawled along the ground, seeking
a crack or crevice in which to hide her tiny body.
Fortunately, the ground where the tent had been pitched, being Just before
the city gates, was hard and smooth; and while the Ant still crawled about,
Glinda discovered it and ran quickly forward to effect its capture But, Just
as her hand was descending, the Witch, now fairly frantic with fear, made
her last transformation, and in the form of a huge Griffin sprang through
the wall of the tent -- tearing the silk asunder in her rush -- and in a
moment had darted away with the speed of a whirlwind.
Glinda did not hesitate to follow. She sprang upon the back of the Saw-Horse
and cried:
"Now you shall prove that you have a right to be alive! Run -- run -- run!"
The Saw-Horse ran. Like a flash he followed the
260
Griffin, his wooden legs moving so fast that they twinkled like the rays of
a star.
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