The Oz Series
Chapter 30
Part of the The Marvelous Land of Oz: Tip's Rebellion and the Return of Ozma arc.
What happens
At daybreak the Pumpkinhead wakes Tip, who bathes in a brook and eats bread and cheese before the party resumes the journey with Jack again perched on the Saw-Horse. Tip notices the purple grass and trees fading to lavender and then taking on a brightening greenish tinge as they near the Emerald City. After about two miles, the yellow-brick road is cut by a broad, swift river. A cross-faced ferryman approaches in a ferry-boat but refuses to row them across without money, which Tip does not have; the ferryman suggests the wooden horse will float and mockingly says the pumpkinheaded loon may sink or swim.
Tip decides to attempt the crossing on the Saw-Horse, which knows no danger. He climbs on its back while Jack wades in and grasps the horse's tail to keep his pumpkin head above water. Instructed to wiggle its legs, the Saw-Horse uses them as oars and swims the party across. Tip's trouser-legs and shoes are soaked but he stays dry from the knees up, while Jack's gorgeous clothing drips entirely. Once on the far bank they regain the yellow-brick road, a continuation of the one they left.
To dry Jack's clothing by wind, Tip has Jack ride while he holds the horse's branch-tail and runs behind, calling "Get-up" and then "Trot." The Saw-Horse, remembering "Trot" means fastest speed, races so quickly that Tip cannot keep up or get the word "Whoa" out of his throat; the dead-branch tail breaks off and Tip tumbles into the dust, while the Saw-Horse and Jack dash out of sight. Tip rests, then walks on, reasoning the road ends at the Emerald City gates where they can go no further.
Meanwhile Jack, unaware Tip is left behind, rides the tearing Saw-Horse and notices the grass and trees becoming bright emerald-green. A high green wall studded with emeralds looms; fearing a crash, Jack cries "Whoa" and the horse stops so suddenly he is nearly pitched off. Discovering Tip is gone puzzles and worries Jack. The Guardian of the Gates, a short round green-clad man with a peaked green hat and green spectacles, emerges and questions Jack, who gives his name but cannot state his business. The Saw-Horse proves its life by stamping on the Guardian's toes.
The Guardian, judging Jack harmless because of his carved smile, brings him into a room in the wall and summons the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, a tall green-uniformed man carrying a long green gun with knee-length green whiskers. The Soldier decides to take Jack to His Majesty the Scarecrow, saying all outside troubles must go to the King. Green spectacles are tied onto Jack's large eyes and fitted onto the Saw-Horse, ostensibly to prevent blindness from the City's glitter.
The Soldier leads them through the inner gate into the main street of the Emerald City, where houses, towers, and pavement gleam with emeralds. The Pumpkinhead and Saw-Horse pay little attention, and the Saw-Horse kicks a barking green dog into a house. At the palace Jack dismounts with difficulty, a servant leads the Saw-Horse to the rear, and the Soldier escorts Jack inside to a waiting room, then announces him. His Majesty, bored and at leisure, orders Jack shown into the throne room, where Jack stops short in amazement at seeing the Scarecrow on his glittering throne.
Who is in play
- Tip
- Jack Pumpkinhead
- Saw-Horse
- Scarecrow
- City of Emeralds
- Guardian of the Gates
- Palace of Oz
- the soldier with the green whiskers
- green spectacles
- road of yellow brick