L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
38 >
before him with swift strides, and there was about her an air of decision
and importance that led him to suspect she was some great personage.
Finally, when he had satisfied his hunger, he ran up beside her and
tried to keep pace with her swift footsteps - a very difficult feat, for
she was much taller than he, and evidently in a hurry.
"Thank you very much for the sandwiches," said Tip, as he trotted
along. "May I ask your name?"
"I am General Jinjur," was the brief reply.
"Oh!" said the boy surprised. "What sort of a General?"
"I command the Army of Revolt in this war," answered the General,
with unnecessary sharpness.
"Oh!" he again exclaimed. "I didn't know there was a war."
"You were not supposed to know it," she returned, "for we have kept
it a secret; and considering that our army is composed entirely of girls,"
she added, with some pride, "it is surely a remarkable thing that our
Revolt is not yet discovered."
"It is, indeed," acknowledged Tip. "But where is your army?"
"About a mile from here," said General Jinjur. "The forces have
assembled from all parts of the Land of Oz, at my express command. For
this is the day we are to conquer His Majesty the Scarecrow, and wrest
from him the throne. The Army of Revolt only awaits my coming to march
upon the Emerald City."
"Well!" declared Tip, drawing a long breath, "this is certainly a
surprising thing! May I ask why you wish to conquer His Majesty the
Scarecrow?"
"Because the Emerald City has been ruled by men long enough, for one
reason," said the girl.
"Moreover, the City glitters with beautiful gems, which might far
better be used for rings, bracelets and necklaces; and there is enough
money in the King's treasury to buy every girl in our Army a dozen new