6. The Heads of Langwidere

           Theywalkedslowlydownthepathbetweentherocks,Tiktokgoingfirst,Dorothyfollowinghim,andtheyellowhentrottingalonglastofall.

           Atthefootofthepaththecoppermanleaneddownandtossedasidewitheasetherocksthatencumberedtheway.ThenheturnedtoDorothyandsaid:

           "Letmecar-ryyourdin-ner-pail."

           Sheplaceditinhisrighthandatonce,andthecopperfingersclosedfirmlyoverthestouthandle.

           Thenthelittleprocessionmarchedoutuponthelevelsands.

           AssoonasthethreeWheelerswhowereguardingthemoundsawthem,theybegantoshouttheirwildcriesandrolledswiftlytowardthelittlegroup,asiftocapturethemorbartheirway.Butwhentheforemosthadapproachednearenough,Tiktokswungthetindinner-pailandstrucktheWheelerasharpblowoveritsheadwiththequeerweapon.Perhapsitdidnothurtverymuch,butitmadeagreatnoise,andtheWheelerutteredahowlandtumbledoveruponitsside.Thenextminuteitscrambledtoitswheelsandrolledawayasfastasitcouldgo,screechingwithfearatthesametime.

           "Itoldyoutheywereharm-less,"beganTiktok;butbeforehecouldsaymoreanotherWheelerwasuponthem.Crack!wentthedinner-pailagainstitshead,knockingitsstrawhatadozenfeetaway;andthatwasenoughforthisWheeler,also.Itrolledawayafterthefirstone,andthethirddidnotwaittobepoundedwiththepail,butjoineditsfellowsasquicklyasitswheelswouldwhirl.

           Theyellowhengaveacackleofdelight,andflyingtoaperchuponTiktok’sshoulder,shesaid:

           "Bravelydone,mycopperfriend!andwiselythoughtof,too.