L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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the end of that time he faced them with a more cheerful expression upon
his painted face.
"Where is the Saw-Horse you rode here?" he asked the Pumpkinhead.
"Why, I said he was a jewel, and so your man locked him up in the
royal treasury," said Jack.
"It was the only place I could think of your Majesty," added the
Soldier, fearing he had made a blunder.
"It pleases me very much," said the Scarecrow. "Has the animal been
fed?"
"Oh, yes; I gave him a heaping peck of sawdust."
"Excellent!" cried the Scarecrow. "Bring the horse here at once."
The Soldier hastened away, and presently they heard the clattering of
the horse's wooden legs upon the pavement as he was led into the
courtyard.
His Majesty regarded the steed critically. "He doesn't seem
especially graceful!" he remarked, musingly. "but I suppose he can run?"
"He can, indeed," said Tip, gazing upon the Saw-Horse admiringly.
"Then, bearing us upon his back, he must make a dash through the
ranks of the rebels and carry us to my friend the Tin Woodman," announced
the Scarecrow.
"He can't carry four!" objected Tip.
"No, but he may be induced to carry three," said his Majesty. "I
shall therefore leave my Royal Army Behind. For, from the ease with which
he was conquered, I have little confidence in his powers."
"Still, he can run," declared Tip, laughing.
"I expected this blow" said the Soldier, sulkily; "but I can bear it.
I shall disguise myself by cutting off my lovely green whiskers. And,
after all, it is no more dangerous to face those reckless girls than to
ride this fiery, untamed wooden horse!"
"Perhaps you are right," observed his Majesty. "But, for my part, not
being a soldier, I am fond of danger. Now, my boy, you must mount first.