17. The Royal Chariot Arrives

           TheneatyellowhousesoftheWinkieswerenowtobeseenstandinghereandtherealongtheroadway,givingthecountryamorecheerfulandcivilizedlook.Theywerefarm-houses,though,andsetfarapart;forintheLandofOztherewerenotownsorvillagesexceptthemagnificentEmeraldCityinitscenter.

           Hedgesofevergreenorofyellowrosesborderedthebroadhighwayandthefarmsshowedthecareoftheirindustriousinhabitants.Thenearerthetravelerscametothegreatcitythemoreprosperousthecountrybecame,andtheycrossedmanybridgesoverthesparklingstreamsandrivuletsthatwateredthelands.

           AstheywalkedleisurelyalongtheshaggymansaidtotheTinWoodman:

           "WhatsortofaMagicPowderwasitthatmadeyourfriendthePumpkinheadlive?"

           "ItwascalledthePowderofLife,"wastheanswer;"anditwasinventedbyacrookedSorcererwholivedinthemountainsoftheNorthCountry.AWitchnamedMombigotsomeofthispowderfromthecrookedSorcererandtookithomewithher.OzmalivedwiththeWitchthen,foritwasbeforeshebecameourPrincess,whileMombihadtransformedherintotheshapeofaboy.Well,whileMombiwasgonetothecrookedSorcerer’s,theboymadethispumpkin-headedmantoamusehimself,andalsowiththehopeoffrighteningtheWitchwithitwhenshereturned.ButMombiwasnotscared,andshesprinkledthePumpkinheadwithherMagicPowderofLife,toseeifthePowderwouldwork.Ozmawaswatching,andsawthePumpkinheadcometolife;sothatnightshetookthepepper-boxcontainingthePowderandranawaywithitandwithJack,insearchofadventures.