The Tin Soldier seemed highly pleased at his release.
He strutted up and down the path, saying in a high,
thin voice:
"The Soldier is a splendid man
When marching on parade,
And when he meets the enemy
He never is afraid.
He rights the wrongs of nations,
His country's flag defends,
The foe he'll fight with great delight,
But seldom fights his friends."
Chapter Sixteen
Captain Fyter
"Are you really a soldier?" asked Woot, when they had
all watched this strange tin person parade up and down
the path and proudly flourish his sword.
"I was a soldier," was the reply, "but I've been a
prisoner to Mr. Rust so long that I don't know exactly
what I am."
"But -- dear me!" cried the Tin Woodman, sadly
perplexed; "how came you to be made of tin?"
"That," answered the Soldier, "is a sad, sad story I
was in love with a beautiful Munchkin girl, who lived
with a Wicked Witch. The Witch did not wish me to marry
the girl, so she enchanted my sword, which began
hacking me to pieces. When I lost my legs I went to the
tinsmith, Ku-Klip, and he made me some tin legs. When I
lost my arms, Ku-Klip made me tin arms, and when I lost
my head he made me this fine one out of tin. It was the
same way with my body, and finally I was all tin. But I
was not unhappy, for Ku-Klip made a good job of me,
having had experience in making another tin man before
me."
"Yes," observed the Tin Woodman, "it was Ku-Klip who
made me.
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