L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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quite at our ease."
The two sofas were now bound firmly together with ropes and
clothes-lines, and then Nick Chopper fastened the Gump's head to one end.
"That will show which is the front end of the Thing," said he,
greatly pleased with the idea." And, really, if you examine it critically,
the Gump looks very well as a figure-head. These great palm-leaves, for
which I have endangered my life seven times, must serve us as wings."
"Are they strong enough?" asked the boy.
"They are as strong as anything we can get," answered the Woodman;
"and although they are not in proportion to the Thing's body, we are not
in a position to be very particular."
So he fastened the palm-leaves to the sofas, two on each side.
Said the Woggle-Bug, with considerable admiration:
"The Thing is now complete, and only needs to be brought to life."
"Stop a moment!" exclaimed Jack." Are you not going to use my broom?"
"What for?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Why, it can be fastened to the back end for a tail," answered the
Pumpkinhead. "Surely you would not call the Thing complete without a tail.
"
"Hm!" said the Tin Woodman, "I do not see the use of a tail. We are
not trying to copy a beast, or a fish, or a bird. All we ask of the Thing
is to carry us through the air.
"Perhaps, after the Thing is brought to life, it can use a tail to
steer with," suggested the Scarecrow. "For if it flies through the air it
will not be unlike a bird, and I've noticed that all birds have tails,
which they use for a rudder while flying."
"Very well," answered Nick, "the broom shall be used for a tail," and
he fastened it firmly to the back end of the sofa body.
Tip took the pepper-box from his pocket.
"The Thing looks very big," said he, anxiously; "and I am not sure