Imagine being able to look over the tree tops as you gallop along the road! Every once in a while High Boy would drop down to a lower level so his riders could see whether anyone was passing. While he was jogging along about five feet from the ground, a farmer turned into the lane. He was driving a huge herd of cattle and called loudly for High Boy to get out of the way. Instead, High Boy merely turned sideways and shot upward, allowing the whole procession to pass under his body. Leaning over, Trot and Philador saw the farmer sitting in the middle of the road mopping his forehead, and they laughingly agreed that traveling on High Boy was the most interesting experience they had yet had. The Scarecrow was still uneasy about his stuffing, but even he was enjoying the ride, pointing out all the sights to Benny and the medicine man, and explaining all the treats in store when they reached the Emerald City. "I cannot imagine who carried you to the Ozure Isles. Are you sure it was not the blue gull?" questioned Philador, as High Boy jogged comfortably along the blue highway. "No, it was a man with golden wings," insisted Trot positively, "and he must have been terribly strong to have carried Benny all that way." As Philador still puzzled over the strange bird-man, she called out suddenly: "Why, we must have gone right by Jinjur's house!" "So we have!" muttered the Scarecrow, looking back regretfully. "She'd have given you some fine ginger-bread, too." "Never mind," neighed High Boy. "We'll be in the Emerald City in time for tea and there's a village just ahead. Maybe they'll have some fresh cake or buns." Stretching up his long legs, High Boy looked over the walls of the little town at the next turn of the road. It seemed entirely deserted and all the houses had shuttered windows and tightly locked doors. Dropping down to regular horse size, High Boy trotted up to the wooden door in the wall and butted his head three times against the panels. For a moment there was absolute silence, and then a muffled voice called out crossly: "Can't you read?" "It says 'Keep Out!'" whispered Trot, leaning over so she could read the sign nailed on the door. "Can't you let us in?" bellowed High Boy, beginning to stamp with impatience at the delay. "We're in a hurry and have to go through this town. Let us in, do you hear?" "I hear!" shouted the voice defiantly, "But I'll not let you in. I'm the Out Keeper." "Hah, hah!" roared the Scarecrow. "I've often heard of an Inn Keeper but never an Out Keeper. Come out, Keeper, and let's have a look at you!" Almost instantly the top section of the door flew open and the upper half and head of the Out Keeper appeared. "Help!" gasped Trot, clutching the medicine man. And no wonder! CHAPTER 15 The Shutter Faces