bitten him had he not known very well he was made of tin. Finally one
of the biggest mice spoke.
Is there anything we can do, it asked, to repay you for saving the
life of our Queen?
Nothing that I know of, answered the Woodman; but the Scarecrow, who
had been trying to think, but could not because his head was stuffed
with straw, said, quickly, Oh, yes; you can save our friend, the
Cowardly Lion, who is asleep in the poppy bed.
A Lion! cried the little Queen. Why, he would eat us all up.
Oh, no, declared the Scarecrow; this Lion is a coward.
Really? asked the Mouse.
He says so himself, answered the Scarecrow, and he would never hurt
anyone who is our friend. If you will help us to save him I promise
that he shall treat you all with kindness.
Very well, said the Queen, we trust you. But what shall we do?
Are there many of these mice which call you Queen and are willing to
obey you?
Oh, yes; there are thousands, she replied.
Then send for them all to come here as soon as possible, and let each
one bring a long piece of string.
The Queen turned to the mice that attended her and told them to go at
once and get all her people. As soon as they heard her orders they ran
away in every direction as fast as possible.
Now, said the Scarecrow to the Tin Woodman, you must go to those
trees by the riverside and make a truck that will carry the Lion.
So the Woodman went at once to the trees and began to work; and he soon
made a truck out of the limbs of trees, from which he chopped away all
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