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Chapter IX The Queen of the Field Mice “ We cannot be far from the road of yellow brick , now , ” remarked the Scarecrow , as he stood beside the girl , “ for we have come nearly as far as the river carried us away . ” The Tin Woodman was about to reply when he heard a low growl , and turning his head ( which worked beautifully on hinges ) he saw a strange beast come bounding over the grass toward them . It was , indeed , a great yellow Wildcat , and the Woodman thought it must be chasing something , for its ears were lying close to its head and its mouth was wide open , showing two rows of ugly teeth , while its red eyes glowed like balls of fire . As it came nearer the Tin Woodman saw that running before the beast was a little gray field mouse , and although he had no heart he knew it was wrong for the Wildcat to try to kill such a pretty , harmless creature . So the Woodman raised his axe , and as the Wildcat ran by he gave it a quick blow that cut the beast’s head clean off from its body , and it rolled over at his feet in two pieces . The field mouse , now that it was freed from its enemy , stopped short ; and coming slowly up to the Woodman it said , in a squeaky little voice : “ Oh , thank you ! Thank you ever so much for saving my life . ” “ Don’t speak of it , I beg of you , ” replied the Woodman . “ I have no heart , you know , so I am careful to help all those who may need a friend , even if it happens to be only a mouse . ” “ Only a mouse ! ” cried the little animal , indignantly . “ Why , I am a Queen — the Queen of all the Field Mice ! ” “ Oh , indeed , ” said the Woodman , making a bow . “ Therefore you have done a great deed , as well as a brave one , in saving my life , ” added the Queen . At that moment several mice were seen running up as fast as their little legs could carry them , and when they saw their Queen they exclaimed : “ Oh , your Majesty , we thought you would be killed ! How did you manage to escape the great Wildcat ? ” They all bowed so low to the little Queen that they almost stood upon their heads . “ This funny tin man , ” she answered , “ killed the Wildcat and saved my life . So hereafter you must all serve him , and obey his slightest wish . ” “ We will ! ” cried all the mice , in a shrill chorus . And then they scampered in all directions , for Toto had awakened from his sleep , and seeing all these mice around him he gave one bark of delight and jumped right into the middle of the group . Toto had always loved to chase mice when he lived in Kansas , and he saw no harm in it . But the Tin Woodman caught the dog in his arms and held him tight , while he called to the mice , “ Come back ! Come back ! Toto shall not hurt you . ” At this the Queen of the Mice stuck her head out from underneath a clump of grass and asked , in a timid voice , “ Are you sure he will not bite us ? ” “ I will not let him , ” said the Woodman ; “ so do not be afraid . ”
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