Good gracious! exclaimed Shaggy. Here is a surprise, indeed!
What is it? inquired Betsy, clinging to the windlass and panting for breath.
For answer the Shaggy Man grasped the bundle of copper and dumped it upon the ground, free of the well. Then he turned it over with his foot, spread it out, and to Betsys astonishment the thing proved to be a copper man.
Just as I thought, said Shaggy, looking hard at the object. But unless there are two copper men in the world this is the most astonishing thing I ever came across.
At this moment the Rainbows Daughter and the Rose Princess approached them, and Polychrome said:
What have you found, Shaggy One?
Either an old friend, or a stranger, he replied.
Oh, heres a sign on his back! cried Betsy, who had knelt down to examine the man. Dear me; how funny! Listen to this.
Then she read the following words, engraved upon the copper plates of the mans body:
Patent Double-Action, Extra-Responsive,Thought-Creating, Perfect-Talking
Yes; but heres more, said Betsy, reading from another engraved plate:
For THINKING: Wind the Clockwork Man under his left arm, (marked No. 1).For SPEAKING: Wind the Clockwork Man under his right arm, (marked No. 2).
For WALKING and ACTION: Wind Clockwork Man in the middle of his back, (marked No. 3).
N. B. This Mechanism is guaranteed to work perfectly for a thousand years.
Of course, replied Shaggy. Lets wind him up.
In order to do this they were obliged to set the copper man upon his feet, in an upright position, and this was no easy task. He was inclined to topple over, and had to be propped again and again. The girls assisted Shaggy, and at last Tik-Tok seemed to be balanced and stood alone upon his broad feet.
Yes, said Shaggy, looking at the copper man carefully, this must be, indeed, my old friend Tik-Tok, whom I left ticking merrily in the Land of Oz. But how he came to this lonely place, and got into that old well, is surely a mystery.
If we wind him, perhaps he will tell us, suggested Betsy. Heres the key, hanging to a hook on his back. What part of him shall I wind up first?
His thoughts, of course, said Polychrome, for it requires thought to speak or move intelligently.
So Betsy wound him under his left arm, and at once little flashes of light began to show in the top of his head, which was proof that he had begun to think.
Now, then, said Shaggy, wind up his phonograph.
Whats that? she asked.
Why, his talking-machine. His thoughts may be interesting, but they dont tell us anything.
So Betsy wound the copper man under his right arm, and then from the interior of his copper body came in jerky tones the words: Ma-ny thanks!
Hurrah! cried Shaggy, joyfully, and he slapped Tik-Tok upon the back in such a hearty manner that the copper man lost his balance and tumbled to the ground in a heap. But the clockwork that enabled him to speak had been wound up and he kept saying: Pick-me-up! Pick-me-up! Pick-me-up! until they had again raised him and balanced him upon his feet, when he added politely: Ma-ny thanks!
He wont be self-supporting until we wind up his action, remarked Shaggy; so Betsy wound it, as tight as she could for the key turned rather hard and then Tik-Tok lifted his feet, marched around in a circle and ended by stopping before the group and making them all a low bow.
How in the world did you happen to be in that well, when I left you safe in Oz? inquired Shaggy.
It is a long sto-ry, replied Tik-Tok, "but Ill tell it in a few words. Af-ter you had gone in
all the metal that lies underground gold, silver, copper, brass and tin. He has an idea he also owns all the metals above ground, for he says all metal was once a part of his kingdom. So, by conquering the Metal Monarch, you will win all the riches in the world.
Ah! exclaimed General Apple, heaving a deep sigh, that would be plunder worth our while. Lets conquer him, Your Majesty.
The Queen looked reproachfully at Files, who was sitting next to the lovely Princess and whispering in her ear.
Alas, said Ann, I have no longer an Army. I have plenty of brave officers, indeed, but no private soldier for them to command. Therefore I cannot conquer Ruggedo and win all his wealth.
Why dont you make one of your officers the Private? asked Shaggy; but at once every officer began to protest and the Queen of Oogaboo shook her head as she replied:
That is impossible. A private soldier must be a terrible fighter, and my officers are unable to fight. They are exceptionally brave in commanding others to fight, but could not themselves meet the enemy and conquer.
Very true, Your Majesty, said Colonel Plum, eagerly. There are many kinds of bravery and one cannot be expected to possess them all. I myself am brave as a lion in all ways until it comes to fighting, but then my nature revolts. Fighting is unkind and liable to be injurious to others; so, being a gentleman, I never fight.