"What shall we
do, Shaggy Man? If we had wings we might fly over
the wall, but we cannot climb it and unless we get
to the Emerald City I won't be able to find the
things to restore Unc Nunkie to life."
"All very true," answered the Shaggy Man,
quietly; "but I know this gate, having passed
through it many times."
"How?" they all eagerly inquired.
"I'll show you how," said he. He stood Ojo
in the middle of the road and placed Scraps
just behind him, with her padded hands on his
shoulders. After the Patchwork Girl came the
Woozy, who held a part of her skirt in his
mouth. Then, last of all, was the Glass Cat,
holding fast to the Woozy's tail with her glass
jaws.
"Now," said the Shaggy Man, "you must all
shut your eyes tight, and keep them shut until
I tell you to open them."
"I can't," objected Scraps. "My eyes are buttons,
and they won't shut."
So the Shaggy Man tied his red handkerchief over
the Patchwork Girl's eyes and examined all the
others to make sure they had their eyes fast shut
and could see nothing.
"What's the game, anyhow--blind-man's-buff?"
asked Scraps.
"Keep quiet!" commanded the Shaggy Man,
sternly. "All ready? Then follow me."
He took Ojo's hand and led him forward over the
road of yellow bricks, toward the gate.
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