第 23 节
作者:
老是不进球 更新:2022-11-28 19:15 字数:9321
〃But I am never hurt;〃 said the Sawhorse。 〃Once in a while I get
broken up some; but I am easily repaired and put in good order again。
And I never feel a break or a splinter in the least。〃
Jim was almost tempted to envy the wooden horse for being unable to
feel pain; but the creature was so absurdly unnatural that he decided
he would not change places with it under any circumstances。
〃How did you happen to be shod with gold?〃 he asked。
〃Princess Ozma did that;〃 was the reply; 〃and it saves my legs from
wearing out。 We've had a good many adventures together; Ozma and I;
and she likes me。〃
The cab…horse was about to reply when suddenly he gave a start and a
neigh of terror and stood trembling like a leaf。 For around the
corner had come two enormous savage beasts; treading so lightly that
they were upon him before he was aware of their presence。 Jim was in
the act of plunging down the path to escape when the Sawhorse cried out:
〃Stop; my brother! Stop; Real Horse! These are friends; and will do
you no harm。〃
Jim hesitated; eyeing the beasts fearfully。 One was an enormous Lion
with clear; intelligent eyes; a tawney mane bushy and well kept; and a
body like yellow plush。 The other was a great Tiger with purple
stripes around his lithe body; powerful limbs; and eyes that showed
through the half closed lids like coals of fire。 The huge forms of
these monarchs of the forest and jungle were enough to strike terror
to the stoutest heart; and it is no wonder Jim was afraid to face them。
But the Sawhorse introduced the stranger in a calm tone; saying:
〃This; noble Horse; is my friend the Cowardly Lion; who is the valiant King
of the Forest; but at the same time a faithful vassal of Princess Ozma。
And this is the Hungry Tiger; the terror of the jungle; who longs to
devour fat babies but is prevented by his conscience from doing so。
These royal beasts are both warm friends of little Dorothy and have come
to the Emerald City this morning to welcome her to our fairyland。〃
Hearing these words Jim resolved to conquer his alarm。 He bowed his
head with as much dignity as he could muster toward the savage looking
beasts; who in return nodded in a friendly way。
〃Is not the Real Horse a beautiful animal?〃 asked the Sawhorse admiringly。
〃That is doubtless a matter of taste;〃 returned the Lion。 〃In the
forest he would be thought ungainly; because his face is stretched out
and his neck is uselessly long。 His joints; I notice; are swollen and
overgrown; and he lacks flesh and is old in years。〃
〃And dreadfully tough;〃 added the Hungry Tiger; in a sad voice。 〃My
conscience would never permit me to eat so tough a morsel
as the Real Horse。〃
〃I'm glad of that;〃 said Jim; 〃for I; also; have a conscience; and it
tells me not to crush in your skull with a blow of my powerful hoof。〃
If he thought to frighten the striped beast by such language he was
mistaken。 The Tiger seemed to smile; and winked one eye slowly。
〃You have a good conscience; friend Horse;〃 it said; 〃and if you
attend to its teachings it will do much to protect you from harm。
Some day I will let you try to crush in my skull; and afterward you
will know more about tigers than you do now。〃
〃Any friend of Dorothy;〃 remarked the Cowardly Lion; 〃must be our
friend; as well。 So let us cease this talk of skull crushing and
converse upon more pleasant subjects。 Have you breakfasted; Sir Horse?〃
〃Not yet;〃 replied Jim。 〃But here is plenty of excellent clover; so
if you will excuse me I will eat now。〃
〃He's a vegetarian;〃 remarked the Tiger; as the horse began to munch
the clover。 〃If I could eat grass I would not need a conscience; for
nothing could then tempt me to devour babies and lambs。〃
Just then Dorothy; who had risen early and heard the voices of the
animals; ran out to greet her old friends。 She hugged both the Lion
and the Tiger with eager delight; but seemed to love the King of
Beasts a little better than she did his hungry friend; having known
him longer。
By this time they had indulged in a good talk and Dorothy had told
them all about the awful earthquake and her recent adventures; the
breakfast bell rang from the palace and the little girl went inside to
join her human comrades。 As she entered the great hall a voice called
out; in a rather harsh tone:
〃What! are YOU here again?〃
〃Yes; I am;〃 she answered; looking all around to see where the voice
came from。
〃What brought you back?〃 was the next question; and Dorothy's eye
rested on an antlered head hanging on the wall just over the
fireplace; and caught its lips in the act of moving。
〃Good gracious!〃 she exclaimed。 〃I thought you were stuffed。〃
〃So I am;〃 replied the head。 〃But once on a time I was part of the
Gump; which Ozma sprinkled with the Powder of Life。 I was then for a
time the Head of the finest Flying Machine that was ever known to
exist; and we did many wonderful things。 Afterward the Gump was taken
apart and I was put back on this wall; but I can still talk when I
feel in the mood; which is not often。〃
〃It's very strange;〃 said the girl。 〃What were you when you were
first alive?〃
〃That I have forgotten;〃 replied the Gump's Head; 〃and I do not think
it is of much importance。 But here comes Ozma; so I'd better hush up;
for the Princess doesn't like me to chatter since she changed her name
from Tip to Ozma。〃
Just then the girlish Ruler of Oz opened the door and greeted Dorothy
with a good…morning kiss。 The little Princess seemed fresh and rosy
and in good spirits。
〃Breakfast is served; dear;〃 she said; 〃and I am hungry。 So don't let
us keep it waiting a single minute。〃
17。 The Nine Tiny Piglets
After breakfast Ozma announced that she had ordered a holiday to be
observed throughout the Emerald City; in honor of her visitors。 The
people had learned that their old Wizard had returned to them and all
were anxious to see him again; for he had always been a rare favorite。
So first there was to be a grand procession through the streets; after
which the little old man was requested to perform some of his
wizardries in the great Throne Room of the palace。 In the afternoon
there were to be games and races。
The procession was very imposing。 First came the Imperial Cornet Band
of Oz; dressed in emerald velvet uniforms with slashes of pea…green
satin and buttons of immense cut emeralds。 They played the National
air called 〃The Oz Spangled Banner;〃 and behind them were the standard
bearers with the Royal flag。 This flag was divided into four
quarters; one being colored sky…blue; another pink; a third lavender
and a fourth white。 In the center was a large emerald…green star; and
all over the four quarters were sewn spangles that glittered
beautifully in the sunshine。 The colors represented the four
countries of Oz; and the green star the Emerald City。
Just behind the royal standard…bearers came the Princess Ozma in her
royal chariot; which was of gold encrusted with emeralds and diamonds
set in exquisite designs。 The chariot was drawn on this occasion by
the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger; who were decorated with
immense pink and blue bows。 In the chariot rode Ozma and Dorothy; the
former in splendid raiment and wearing her royal coronet; while the
little Kansas girl wore around her waist the Magic Belt she had once
captured from the Nome King。
Following the chariot came the Scarecrow mounted on the Sawhorse; and
the people cheered him almost as loudly as they did their lovely
Ruler。 Behind him stalked with regular; jerky steps; the famous
machine…man called Tik…tok; who had been wound up by Dorothy for the
occasion。 Tik…tok moved by clockwork; and was made all of burnished
copper。 He really belonged to the Kansas girl; who had much respect
for his thoughts after they had been properly wound and set going; but
as the copper man would be useless in any place but a fairy country
Dorothy had left him in charge of Ozma; who saw that he was suitably
cared for。
There followed another band after this; which was called the Royal
Court Band; because the members all lived in the palace。 They wore
white uniforms with real diamond buttons and played 〃What is Oz
without Ozma〃 very sweetly。
Then came Professor Woggle…Bug; with a group of students from the
Royal College of Scientific Athletics。 The boys wore long hair and
striped sweaters and yelled their college yell every other step they
took; to the great satisfaction of the populace; which was glad to
have this evidence that their lungs were in good condition。
The brilliantly polished Tin Woodman marched next; at the head of the
Royal Army of Oz which consisted of twenty…eight officers; from
Generals down to Captains。 There were no privates in the army because
all were so courageous and skillful