The Army of Glinda the Good looked very grand and imposing when it assembled at daybreak before the palace gates. The uniforms of the girl soldiers were pretty and of gay colors, and their silver-tipped spears were bright and glistening, the long shafts being inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
All the officers wore sharp, gleaming swords, and shields edged with peacock-feathers; and it really seemed that no foe could by any possibility defeat such a brilliant army.
The Sorceress rode in a beautiful palanquin which was like the body of a coach, having doors and windows with silken curtains; but instead of wheels, which a coach has, the palanquin rested upon two long, horizontal bars, which were borne upon the shoulders of twelve servants.
The Scarecrow and his comrades decided to ride in the Gump, in order to keep up with the swift march of the army; so, as soon as Glinda had started and her soldiers had marched away to the inspiring strains of music played by the royal band, our friends climbed into the sofas and followed.
The Gump flew along slowly at a point directly over the palanquin in which rode the Sorceress. 'Be careful,' said the Tin Woodman to the Scarecrow, who was leaning far over the side to look at the army below. 'You might fall.
' 'It wouldn’t matter,' remarked the educated Woggle-Bug. 'he can’t get broke so long as he is stuffed with money. ' 'Didn’t I ask you' began Tip, in a reproachful voice. 'You did! ' said the Woggle-Bug, promptly. 'And I beg your pardon.
I will really try to restrain myself. ' 'You’d better,' declared the boy. 'That is, if you wish to travel in our company. ' 'Ah! I couldn’t bear to part with you now,' murmured the Insect, feelingly; so Tip let the subject drop.