"Tell us, good Quadling, how we can get across the river." "I don't know," replied the Quadling.
"Don't you ever cross it ?" asked the girl.
"Never." "Don't travelers cross it ?" "Not to my knowledge," said he.
They were much surprised to hear this, and the man added: "It's a pretty big river, and the current is strong.

I know a man who lives on the opposite bank, for I've seen him there a good many years; but we've never spoken because neither of us has ever crossed over." "That's queer," said the Scarecrow.

"Don't you own a boat ?" The man shook his head.
"Nor a raft ?" "Where does this river go to ?" asked Dorothy.
"That way," answered the man, pointing with one hand, "it goes into the Country of the Winkies, which is ruled by the Tin Emperor, who must be a mighty magician because he's all made of tin, and yet he's alive.

And that way," pointing with the other hand, "the river runs between two mountains where dangerous people dwell." The Scarecrow looked at the water before them.
"The current flows toward the Winkie Country," said he; "and so, if we had a boat, or a raft, the river would float us there more quickly and more easily than we could walk." "That is true," agreed Dorothy; and then they all looked thoughtful and wondered what could be done.
"Why can't the man make us a raft ?" asked Ojo.
"Will you ?" inquired Dorothy, turning to the Quadling.
The chubby man shook his head.
"I'm too lazy," he said.

"My wife says I'm the laziest man in all Oz, and she is a truthful woman.