第43章

The Scarecrow Meets an Enemy The Scarecrow was not a bit afraid of King Krewl.

Indeed, he rather enjoyed the prospect of conquering the evil King and putting Gloria on the throne of Jinxland in his place.So he advanced boldly to the royal castle and demanded admittance.

Seeing that he was a stranger, the soldiers allowed him to enter.He made his way straight to the throne room, where at that time his Majesty was settling the disputes among his subjects.

"Who are you?" demanded the King.

"I'm the Scarecrow of Oz, and I command you to surrender yourself my prisoner.""Why should I do that? " inquired the King, much astonished at the straw man's audacity.

"Because I've decided you are too cruel a King to rule so beautiful a country.You must remember that Jinxland is a part of Oz, and therefore you owe allegiance to Ozma of Oz, whose friend and servant I am."Now, when he heard this, King Krewl was much disturbed in mind, for he knew the Scarecrow spoke the truth.But no one had ever before come to Jinxland from the Land of Oz and the King did not intend to be put out of his throne if he could help it.Therefore he gave a harsh, wicked laugh of derision and said:

"I'm busy, now.Stand out of my way, Scarecrow, and I'll talk with you by and by."But the Scarecrow turned to the assembled courtiers and people and called in a loud voice:

"I hereby declare, in the name of Ozma of Oz, that this man is no longer ruler of Jinxland.From this moment Princess Gloria is your rightful Queen, and I ask all of you to be loyal to her and to obey her commands."The people looked fearfully at the King, whom they all hated in their hearts, but likewise feared.Krewl was now in a terrible rage and he raised his golden sceptre and struck the Scarecrow so heavy a blow that he fell to the floor.

But he was up again, in an instant, and with Pon's riding-whip he switched the King so hard that the wicked monarch roared with pain as much as with rage, calling on his soldiers to capture the Scarecrow.

They tried to do that, and thrust their lances and swords into the straw body, but without doing any damage except to make holes in the Scarecrow's clothes.However, they were many against one and finally old Googly-Goo brought a rope which he wound around the Scarecrow, binding his legs together and his arms to his sides, and after that the fight was over.

The King stormed and danced around in a dreadful fury, for he had never been so switched since he was a boy --and perhaps not then.He ordered the Scarecrow thrust into the castle prison, which was no task at all because one man could carry him easily, bound.as he was.

Even after the prisoner was removed the King could not control his anger.He tried to figure out some way to be revenged upon the straw man, but could think of nothing that could hurt him.At last, when the terrified people and the frightened courtiers had all slunk away, old Googly-Goo approached the king with a malicious grin upon his face.

"I'll tell you what to do," said he."Build a big bonfire and burn the Scarecrow up, and that will be the end of him."The King was so delighted with this suggestion that he hugged old Googly-Goo in his joy"Of course!" he cried."The very thing.Why did I not think of it myself?"So he summoned his soldiers and retainers and bade them prepare a great bonfire in an open space in the castle park.Also he sent word to all his people to assemble and witness the destruction of the Scarecrow who had dared to defy his power.Before long a vast throng gathered in the park and the servants had heaped up enough fuel to make a fire that might be seen for miles away -- even in the daytime.

When all was prepared, the King had his throne brought out for him to sit upon and enjoy the spectacle, and then he sent his soldiers to fetch the Scarecrow.