L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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disarmed and helpless. At the same instant a shout of laughter rang in the
ears of the devoted band, and turning to see whence this came they found
themselves surrounded by the Army of Revolt, the girls bearing in either
hand their glistening knitting-needles. The entire throne room seemed to
be filled with the rebels, and the Scarecrow and his comrades realized
that they were prisoners.
"You see how foolish it is to oppose a woman's wit," said Jinjur,
gaily; "and this event only proves that I am more fit to rule the Emerald
City than a Scarecrow. I bear you no ill will, I assure you; but lest you
should prove troublesome to me in the future I shall order you all to be
destroyed. That is, all except the boy, who belongs to old Mombi and must
be restored to her keeping. The rest of you are not human, and therefore
it will not be wicked to demolish you. The Saw-Horse and the Pumpkinhead's
body I will have chopped up for kindlingwood; and the pumpkin shall be
made into tarts. The Scarecrow will do nicely to start a bonfire, and the
tin man can be cut into small pieces and fed to the goats. As for this
immense Woggle-Bug - "
"Highly Magnified, if you please!" interrupted the insect.
"I think I will ask the cook to make green-turtle soup of you,"
continued the Queen, reflectively.
The Woggle-Bug shuddered.
"Or, if that won't do, we might use you for a Hungarian goulash,
stewed and highly spiced," she added, cruelly.
This programme of extermination was so terrible that the prisoners
looked upon one another in a panic of fear. The Scarecrow alone did not
give way to despair. He stood quietly before the Queen and his brow was
wrinkled in deep thought as he strove to find some means to escape.
While thus engaged he felt the straw within his breast move gently.