Evening star., 1919-04-20

long as they could, but when the
Gump caught on a projecting rock the
Thing stopped suddenly--bottom side
up and all were Immediately dumped
out.
BY good fortune they fell only a
few feet; for underneath them was q
monster nest. built by a colony OF
Jackdaws in a hollow ledge of rock;
so none of them-not even the Pumps
kinhead-was injured by the fall. For
Jack found his precious head resting
on the soft breast of the Scarecrow. Y
which made an excellent cushion; and
Tip fell on mass of leaves and pa
pers, which saved him from injury.
The Woggle- Bug had bumped his
round head against the Saw-Horse,
but without causing him more than a
moments Inconvenience.
The Tin Woodman was at first much
alarmed, but finding he had escaped
without even scratch upon his beau
tifW niokel-plate he at once regained
his accustomed cheerfulness and
turned to address his comrades.
X y y
our journey has ended rather sud-
denIy. said he, "and we cannot justly
blame our friend the Gump for our
accident, because he did the best he
couid under the circumstances. But
now we are ever to escape from this
nest must leave to some on with
petter brains than I possess"
Here he gazed at the Scarecrow. WIN
crawied to the edge Of the nest and
looked over. Below them was a sheer
preclpice several hundred feet in
oepth Above them was smooth
clin, unbroken save by the point OF
rock where the wrecked body of the
Gump still hung suspended from the
end or one of the sofas. There really
seemed to be no means of escape and
as they realized their helpless plight
the little band of adventures gave
way to their bewiledment.
This Is worse prison than the
palace" sadly remarked the Woegle-
Bug.
Il wish we had stayed there" moan,.
ed Jack. 'Tm afraid the mountain air :
isn't good for pumpkins"
1T won't be when the Jackdaws
come back" growled the Saw-Horss.a
which lay waving its legs in a vain
endeavor to get upon its feet again.
Jackdaws are especially fond of
pumpkins"
DO you think the birds will come
here?' asked Jack, much distressed.
"of course they WILL" said Tip; "for,
this is their nest. And there must be-
hundreds of them." he continued, "for
see what a lot of things they have
brought here"
Indeed, the nest was half f,,led
with most curious collection OF
small articles for which the birds
could have no use. but which the
thteving Jackdaws had stolen durinG !,
many years from the homes Of men.
And, as the nest was safely hidden
where no human being could reach
1t, this lost property would never
be recovered.
4 X
The Wobble- Bug. searching among
the rubbish--for the Jackdaws, stole
useless things as well as valuable
ones-turned up with his foot I
beautiful diamond necklace. This
was SO greatly admired by the Tin,
Woodman that the Woggle- Bug pres
sented 1t to him with graceful
speech, after which the Wooduan /
hung 1t around his neck with much /
pride. rejoicing exceedingly when
the big diamonds glittered in the
suns rays.
But now they heard q great lab
bering and Hopping Of wings, ana
as the. sound grew nearer to them
Tip exclaimed:
The Jackdaws are coming! And
II they find us here they will surely.
XIII US In their anger"
Il was afraid Of this! moaned tho
Pumpkinhead. MY time has Gomez"
And mine also!" said. the WoRxle.
Bug, for Jackdaws are the. great.
est enemies of my race"