dly and kicked again, but the
Woozy trotted away and said to the Scarecrow:

"What a sweet disposition that creature has! I advise you to chop it up
for kindling-wood and use me to ride upon. My back is flat and you
can't fall off."

"I think the trouble is that you haven't been properly introduced,"
said the Scarecrow, regarding the Woozy with much wonder, for he had
never seen such a queer animal before.

"The Sawhorse is the favorite steed of Princess Ozma, the Ruler of the
Land of Oz, and he lives in a stable decorated with pearls and
emeralds, at the rear of the royal palace. He is swift as the wind,
untiring, and is kind to his friends. All the people of Oz respect the
Sawhorse highly, and when I visit Ozma she sometimes allows me to ride
him--as I am doing to-day. Now you know what an important personage the
Sawhorse is, and if some one--perhaps yourself--will tell me your name,
your rank and station, and your history, it will give me pleasure to
relate them to the Sawhorse. This will lead to mutual respect and
friendship."

The Woozy was somewhat abashed by this speech and did not know how to
reply. But Ojo said:

"This square beast is called the Woozy, and he isn't of much importance
except that he has three hairs growing on the tip of his tail."

The Scarecrow looked and saw that this was true.

"But," said he, in a puzzled way, "what makes those three hairs
important? The Shaggy Man has thousands of hairs, but no one has ever
accused him of being important."

So Ojo related the sad story of Unc Nunkie's transformation into a
marble statue, and told how he had set out to find the things the
Crooked Magician wanted, in order to make a charm that would restore
his uncle to life. One of the requirements was three hairs from a
Woozy's tail, but not being able to pull out the hairs they had been
obliged to take the Woozy with them.

The Scarecrow looked grave as he listened and he shook his head several
times, as if in disapproval.

"We must see Ozma about this matter," he said. "That Crooked Magician
is breaking the Law by practicing magic without a license, and I'm not
sure Ozma will allow him to restore your uncle to life."

"Already I have warned the boy of that," declared the Shaggy Man.

At this Ojo began to cry. "I want my Unc Nunkie!" he exclaimed. "I know
how he can be restored to life, and I'm going to do it--Ozma or no
Ozma! What right has this girl Ruler to keep my Unc Nunkie a statue
fo