"Whistle, Woot, and keep
whistling until I come to you."
So Woot whistled, and presently Polychrome found him
and grasped his hand.
"Someone must help me up," said the Scarecrow, lying
near them; so they found the straw man and sat him upon
his feet, after which he held fast to Polychrome's
other hand.
Nick Chopper and the Tin Soldier had managed to
scramble up without assistance, but it was awkward for
them and the Tin Woodman said:
"I don't seem to stand straight, somehow. But my
joints all work, so I guess I can walk."
Guided by his voice, they reached his side, where
Woot grasped his tin fingers so they might keep
together.
The Tin Soldier was standing near by and the
Scarecrow soon touched him and took hold of his arm.
"I hope you're not wobbly," said the straw man,
"for if two of us walk unsteadily we will be sure
to fall."
"I'm not wobbly," the Tin Soldier assured him, "but
I'm certain that one of my legs is shorter than the
other. I can't see it, to tell what's gone wrong, but
I'll limp on with the rest of you until we are out of
this enchanted territory."
They now formed a line, holding hands, and turning
their faces toward Mount Munch resumed their journey.
They had not gone far, however, when a terrible growl
saluted their ears. The sound seemed to come from a
place just in front of them, so they halted abruptly
and remained silent, listening with all their ears.
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