After an hour's ride they reached the summit of a hill from whence they espied the 
City of the Winkies and noted the tall domes of the Emperor's palace rising from the 
clusters of more modest dwellings.
    The Scarecrow became greatly animated at this sight, and exclaimed: "How delighted I 
shall be to see my old friend the Tin Woodman again! I hope that he rules his people more 
successfully than I have ruled mine!" Is the Tin Woodman the Emperor of the Winkies?" 
asked the horse.
    "Yes, indeed. They invited him to rule over them soon after the Wicked Witch was 
destroyed; and as Nick Chopper has the best heart in all the world I am sure he has 
proved an excellent and able emperor."
    "I thought that 'Emperor' was the title of a person who rules an empire," said Tip, 
"and the Country of the Winkies is only a Kingdom."
    "Don't mention that to the Tin Woodman!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, earnestly. "You 
would hurt his feelings terribly. He is a proud man, as he has every reason to be, and it 
pleases him to be termed Emperor rather than King."
    "I'm sure it makes no difference to me," replied the boy.
    The Saw-Horse now ambled forward at a pace so fast that its riders had hard work to 
stick upon its back; so there was little further conversation until they drew up beside 
the palace steps.
    An aged Winkie, dressed in a uniform of silver cloth, came forward to assist them to 
alight. Said the Scarecrow to his personage: "Show us at once to your master, the 
Emperor." The man looked from one to another of the party in an embarrassed way, and 
finally answered: "I fear I must ask you to wait for a time. The Emperor is not receiving 
this morning."
    "How is that?" enquired the Scarecrow, anxiously." I hope nothing has happened to 
him."
    "Oh, no; nothing serious," returned the man. "But this is his Majesty's day for being 
polished; and just now his august presence is thickly smeared with putz-pomade."
    "Oh, I see!" cried the Scarecrow, greatly reassured. "My friend was ever inclined to 
be a dandy, and I suppose he is now more proud than ever of his personal appearance."
    "He is, indeed," said the man, with a polite bow. "Our mighty Emperor has lately 
caused himself to be nickel-plated."
    "Good Gracious!" the Scarecrow exclaimed at hearing this. "If his wit bears the same 
polish, how sparkling it must be! But show us in - I'm sure the Emperor will receive us, 
even in his present state"
    "The Emperor's state is always magnificent," said the man. "But I will venture to 
tell him of your arrival, and will receive his commands concerning you." So the party 
followed the servant into a splendid ante-room, and the Saw- Horse ambled awkwardly after 
them, having no knowledge that a horse might be expected to remain outside.
    The travelers were at first somewhat awed by their surroundings, and even the 
Scarecrow seemed impressed as he examined the rich hangings of silver cloth caught up 
into knots and fastened with tiny silver axes. Upon a handsome center-table stood a large 
silver oil-can, richly engraved with scenes from the past adventures of the Tin Woodman, 
Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow: the lines of the engraving being traced 
upon the silver in yellow gold. On the walls hung several portraits, that of the 
Scarecrow seeming to be the most prominent and carefully executed, while a the large 
painting of the famous Wizard of Oz, in act of presenting the Tin Woodman with a heart, 
covered almost one entire end of the room.
    While the visitors gazed at these things in silent admiration they suddenly heard a 
loud voice in the next room exclaim: "Well! well! well! What a great surprise!" And then 
the door burst open and Nick Chopper rushed into their midst and caught the Scarecrow in 
a close and loving embrace that creased him into many folds and wrinkles.
    "My dear old friend! My noble comrade!" cried the Tin Woodman, joyfully. "how 
delighted!," I am to meet you once again.
    And then he released the Scarecrow and held him at arms' length while he surveyed the 
beloved, painted features.
    But, alas! the face of the Scarecrow and many portions of his body bore great 
blotches of putz-pomade; for the Tin Woodman, in his eagerness to welcome his friend, had 
quite forgotten the condition of his toilet and had rubbed the thick coating of paste 
from his own body to that of his comrade.
    "Dear me!" said the Scarecrow dolefully. "What a mess I'm in!"
    "Never mind, my friend," returned the Tin Woodman," I'll send you to my Imperial 
Laundry, and you'll come out as good as new."
    "Won't I be mangled?" asked the Scarecrow.
    "No, indeed!" was the reply. "But tell me, how came your Majesty here? and who are 
your companions?" The Scarecrow, with great politeness, introduced Tip and Jack 
Pumpkinhead, and the latter personage seemed to interest the Tin Woodman greatly.
    "You are not very substantial, I must admit," said the Emperor. "but you are 
certainly unusual, and therefore worthy to become a member of our select society."
    "I thank your Majesty, said Jack, humbly.
    "I hope you are enjoying good health?" continued the Woodman.
    "At present, yes;" replied the Pumpkinhead, with a sigh; "but I am in constant terror 
of the day when I shall spoil."
    "Nonsense!" said the Emperor - but in a kindly, sympathetic tone. "Do not, I beg of 
you, dampen today's sun with the showers of tomorrow. For before your head has time to 
spoil you can have it canned, and in that way it may be preserved indefinitely." Tip, 
during this conversation, was looking at the Woodman with undisguised amazement, and 
noticed that the celebrated Emperor of the Winkies was composed entirely of pieces of 
tin, neatly soldered and riveted together into the form of a man. He rattled and clanked 
a little, as he moved, but in the main he seemed to be most cleverly constructed, and his 
appearance was only marred by the thick coating of polishing-paste that covered him from 
head to foot.
    The boy's intent gaze caused the Tin Woodman to remember that he was not in the most 
presentable condition, so he begged his friends to excuse him while he retired to his 
private apartment and allowed his servants to polish him. This was accomplished in a 
short time, and when the emperor returned his nickel-plated body shone so magnificently 
that the Scarecrow heartily congratulated him on his improved appearance.
    "That nickel-plate was, I confess, a happy thought," said Nick; "and it was the more 
necessary because I had become somewhat scratched during my adventurous experiences. You 
will observe this engraved star upon my left breast. It not only indicates where my 
excellent heart lies, but covers very neatly the patch made by the Wonderful Wizard when 
he placed that valued organ in my breast with his own skillful hands."
    "Is your heart, then, a hand-organ?" asked the Pumpkinhead, curiously.
    "By no means," responded the emperor, with dignity. "It is, I am convinced, a 
strictly orthodox heart, although somewhat larger and warmer than most people possess." 
Then he turned to the Scarecrow and asked: "Are your subjects happy and contented, my 
dear friend?"
    "I cannot, say" was the reply. "for the girls of Oz have risen in revolt and driven 
me out of the emerald City."
    "Great Goodness!" cried the Tin Woodman, "What a calamity! They surely do not