第 30 节
作者:
冥王 更新:2021-02-24 22:16 字数:9322
bad will happen to her。 The old sailor is a fine
character; too; for he has never once grumbled over being
a grasshopper; as so many would have done。〃
When the Scarecrow was so nearly burned up the girls
all shivered a little; and they clapped their hands in
joy when the flock of Orks came and saved him。
So it was that when all the exciting adventures in
Jinxland were over and the four Orks had begun their
flight across the mountains to carry the mortals into the
Land of Oz; Ozma called the Wizard to her and asked him
to prepare a place for the strangers to sleep。
The famous Wizard of Oz was a quaint little man who
inhabited the royal palace and attended to all the
magical things that Ozma wanted done。 He was not as
powerful as Glinda; to be sure; but he could do a great
many wonderful things。 He proved this by placing a house
in the uninhabited part of the Quadling Country where the
Orks landed Cap'n Bill and Trot and Button…Bright; and
fitting it with all the comforts I have described in the
last chapter。
Next morning Dorothy said to Ozma:
〃Oughtn't we to go meet the strangers; so we can show
them the way to the Emerald City? I'm sure that little
girl will feel shy in this beautiful land; and I know if
'twas me I'd like somebody to give me a welcome。〃
Ozma smiled at her little friend and answered:
〃You and Betsy may go to meet them; if you wish; but I
can not leave my palace just now; as I am to have a
conference with Jack Pumpkinhead and Professor Wogglebug
on important matters。 You may take the Sawhorse and the
Red Wagon; and if you start soon you will be able to meet
the Scarecrow and the strangers at Glinda's palace。〃
〃Oh; thank you!〃 cried Dorothy; and went away to tell
Betsy and to make preparations for the journey。
Chapter Twenty…Two
The Waterfall
Glinda's castle was a long way from the mountains; but
the Scarecrow began the journey cheerfully; since time
was of no great importance in the Land of Oz and he had
recently made the trip and knew the way。 It never
mattered much to Button…Bright where he was or what he
was doing; the boy was content in being alive and having
good companions to share his wanderings。 As for Trot and
Cap'n Bill; they now found themselves so comfortable and
free from danger; in this fine fairyland; and they were
so awed and amazed by the adventures they were
encountering; that the journey to Glinda's castle was
more like a pleasure trip than a hardship; so many
wonderful things were there to see。
Button…Bright had been in Oz before; but never in this
part of it; so the Scarecrow was the only one who knew
the paths and could lead them。 They had eaten a hearty
breakfast; which they found already prepared for them and
awaiting them on the table when they arose from their
refreshing sleep; so they left the magic house in a
contented mood and with hearts lighter and more happy
than they had known for many a day。 As they marched
along through the fields; the sun shone brightly and the
breeze was laden with delicious fragrance; for it carried
with it the breath of millions of wildflowers。
At noon; when they stopped to rest by the bank of a
pretty river; Trot said with a long…drawn breath that was
much like a sigh:
〃I wish we'd brought with us some of the food that was
left from our breakfast; for I'm getting hungry again。〃
Scarcely had she spoken when a table rose up before
them; as if from the ground itself; and it was loaded
with fruits and nuts and cakes and many other good things
to eat。 The little girl's eyes opened wide at this
display of magic; and Cap'n Bill was not sure that the
things were actually there and fit to eat until he had
taken them in his hand and tasted them。 But the Scarecrow
said with a laugh:
〃Someone is looking after your welfare; that is
certain; and from the looks of this table I suspect my
friend the Wizard has taken us in his charge。 I've known
him to do things like this before; and if we are in the
Wizard's care you need not worry about your future。〃
〃Who's worrying?〃 inquired Button…Bright; already at
the table and busily eating。
The Scarecrow looked around the place while the others
were feasting; and finding many things unfamiliar to him
he shook his head and remarked:
〃I must have taken the wrong path; back in that last
valley; for on my way to Jinxland I remember that I
passed around the foot of this river; where there was a
great waterfall。〃
〃Did the river make a bend; after the waterfall?〃 asked
Cap'n Bill。
〃No; the river disappeared。 Only a pool of whirling
water showed what had become of the river; but I suppose
it is under ground; somewhere; and will come to the
surface again in another part of the country。〃
〃Well;〃 suggested Trot; as she finished her luncheon;
〃as there is no way to cross this river; I s'pose we'll
have to find that waterfall; and go around it。〃
〃Exactly;〃 replied the Scarecrow; so they soon renewed
their journey; following the river for a long time until
the roar of the waterfall sounded in their ears。 By and
by they came to the waterfall itself; a sheet of silver
dropping far; far down into a tiny lake which seemed to
have no outlet。 From the top of the fall; where they
stood; the banks gradually sloped away; so that the
descent by land was quite easy; while the river could do
nothing but glide over an edge of rock and tumble
straight down to the depths below。
〃You see;〃 said the Scarecrow; leaning over the brink;
〃this is called by our Oz people the Great Waterfall;
because it is certainly the highest one in all the land;
but I think Help!〃
He had lost his balance and pitched headforemost into
the river。 They saw a flash of straw and blue clothes;
and the painted face looking upward in surprise。 The
next moment the Scarecrow was swept over the waterfall
and plunged into the basin below。
The accident had happened so suddenly that for a moment
they were all too horrified to speak or move。
〃Quick! We must go to help him or he will be drowned;〃
Trot exclaimed。
Even while speaking she began to descend the bank to
the pool below; and Cap'n Bill followed as swiftly as his
wooden leg would let him。 Button…Bright came more slowly;
calling to the girl:
〃He can't drown; Trot; he's a Scarecrow。〃
But she wasn't sure a Scarecrow couldn't drown and
never relaxed her speed until she stood on the edge of
the pool; with the spray dashing in her face。 Cap'n Bill;
puffing and panting; had just voice enough to ask; as he
reached her side:
〃See him; Trot?〃
〃Not a speck of him。 Oh; Cap'n; what do you s'pose has
become of him?〃
〃I s'pose;〃 replied the sailor; 〃that he's in that
water; more or less far down; and I'm 'fraid it'll make
his straw pretty soggy。 But as fer his bein' drowned; I
agree with Button…Bright that it can't be done。〃
There was small comfort in this assurance and Trot
stood for some time searching with her eyes the bubbling
water; in the hope that the Scarecrow would finally come
to the surface。 Presently she heard Button…Bright
calling: 〃Come here; Trot!〃 and looking around she saw
that the boy had crept over the wet rocks to the edge of
the waterfall and seemed to be peering behind it。 Making
her way toward him; she asked:
〃What do you see?〃
〃A cave;〃 he answered。 〃Let's go in。 P'r'aps we'll find
the Scarecrow there。〃
She was a little doubtful of that; but the cave
interested her; and so did it Cap'n Bill。 There was just
space enough at the edge of the sheet of water for them
to crowd in behind it; but after that dangerous entrance
they found room enough to walk upright and after a time
they came to an opening in the wall of rock。 Approaching
this opening; they gazed within it and found a series of
steps; cut so that they might easily descend into the
cavern。
Trot turned to look inquiringly at her companions。 The
falling water made such din and roaring that her voice
could not be heard。 Cap'n Bill nodded his head; but
before he