fb.themarvelouslandofoz-第15节

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　　Afterward；　when　they　had　stopped　for　a　moment　to　allow　Tip　to　rest；　they　saw　forty　roads　branching　off　from　their　feet　in　forty　different　directions；　and　soon　these　forty　roads　began　whirling　around　like　a　mighty　wheel；　first　in　one　direction　and　then　in　the　other；　pletely　bewildering　their　vision。
　　But　the　Queen　called　for　them　to　follow　her　and　darted　off　in　a　straight　line；　and　when　they　had　gone　a　few　paces　the　whirling　pathways　vanished　and　were　seen　no　more。
　　Mombi's　last　trick　was　the　most　fearful　of　all。　She　sent　a　sheet　of　crackling　flame　rushing　over　the　meadow　to　consume　them；　and　for　the　first　time　the　Scarecrow　became　afraid　and　turned　to　fly。
　　〃If　that　fire　reaches　me　I　will　be　gone　in　no　time！〃　said　he；　trembling　until　his　straw　rattled。　〃It's　the　most　dangerous　thing　I　ever　encountered。〃
　　〃I'm　off；　too！〃　cried　the　Saw…Horse；　turning　and　prancing　with　agitation；　〃for　my　wood　is　so　dry　it　would　burn　like　kindlings。〃
　　〃Is　fire　dangerous　to　pumpkins？〃　asked　Jack；　fearfully。
　　〃You'll　be　baked　like　a　tart　…　and　so　will　I！〃　answered　the　Woggle…Bug；　getting　down　on　all　fours　so　he　could　run　the　faster。
　　But　the　Tin　Woodman；　having　no　fear　of　fire；　averted　the　stampede　by　a　few　sensible　words。
　　〃Look　at　the　Field　Mouse！〃　he　shouted。　〃The　fire　does　not　burn　her　in　the　least。　In　fact；　it　is　no　fire　at　all；　but　only　a　deception。〃　Indeed；　to　watch　the　little　Queen　march　calmly　through　the　advancing　flames　restored　courage　to　every　member　of　the　party；　and　they　followed　her　without　being　even　scorched。
　　〃This　is　surely　a　most　extraordinary　adventure；〃　said　the　Woggle…Bug；　who　was　greatly　amazed；　〃for　it　upsets　all　the　Natural　Laws　that　I　heard　Professor　Nowitall　teach　in　the　school…house。〃
　　〃Of　course　it　does；〃　said　the　Scarecrow；　wisely。　〃All　magic　is　unnatural；　and　for　that　reason　is　to　be　feared　and　avoided。　But　I　see　before　us　the　gates　of　the　Emerald　City；　so　I　imagine　we　have　now　overe　all　the　magical　obstacles　that　seemed　to　oppose　us。〃　Indeed；　the　walls　of　the　City　were　plainly　visible；　and　the　Queen　of　the　Field　Mice；　who　had　guided　them　so　faithfully；　came　near　to　bid　them　good…　bye。
　　〃We　are　very　grateful　to　your　Majesty　for　your　kind　assistance；〃　said　the　Tin　Woodman；　bowing　before　the　pretty　creature。
　　〃I　am　always　pleased　to　be　of　service　to　my　friends；〃　answered　the　Queen；　and　in　a　flash　she　had　darted　away　upon　her　journey　home。
　　
　　
　　　The　Prisoners　of　the　Queen
　　
　　Approaching　the　gateway　of　the　Emerald　City　the　travelers　found　it　guarded　by　two　girls　of　the　Army　of　Revolt；　who　opposed　their　entrance　by　drawing　the　knitting…needles　from　their　hair　and　threatening　to　prod　the　first　that　came　near。
　　But　the　Tin　Woodman　was　not　afraid。〃　At　the　worst　they　can　but　scratch　my　beautiful　nickel…plate；〃　he　said。　〃But　there　will　be　no　'worst；'　for　I　think　I　can　manage　to　frighten　these　absurd　soldiers　very　easily。　Follow　me　closely；　all　of　you！〃　Then；　swinging　his　axe　in　a　great　circle　to　right　and　left　before　him；　he　advanced　upon　the　gate；　and　the　others　followed　him　without　hesitation。
　　The　girls；　who　had　expected　no　resistance　whatever；　were　terrified　by　the　sweep　of　the　glittering　axe　and　fled　screaming　into　the　city；　so　that　our　travelers　passed　the　gates　in　safety　and　marched　down　the　green　marble　pavement　of　the　wide　street　toward　the　royal　palace。
　　〃At　this　rate　we　will　soon　have　your　Majesty　upon　the　throne　again；〃　said　the　Tin　Woodman；　laughing　at　his　easy　conquest　of　the　guards。
　　〃Thank　you；　friend　Nick；〃　returned　the　Scarecrow；　gratefully。　〃Nothing　can　resist　your　kind　heart　and　your　sharp　axe。〃　As　they　passed　the　rows　of　houses　they　saw　through　the　open　doors　that　men　were　sweeping　and　dusting　and　washing　dishes；　while　the　women　sat　around　in　groups；　gossiping　and　laughing。
　　〃What　has　happened？〃　the　Scarecrow　asked　a　sad…looking　man　with　a　bushy　beard；　who　wore　an　apron　and　was　wheeling　a　baby…carriage　along　the　sidewalk。
　　〃Why；　we've　had　a　revolution；　your　Majesty　as　you　ought　to　know　very　well；〃　replied　the　man；　〃and　since　you　went　away　the　women　have　been　running　things　to　suit　themselves。　I'm　glad　you　have　decided　to　e　back　and　restore　order；　for　doing　housework　and　minding　the　children　is　wearing　out　the　strength　of　every　man　in　the　Emerald　City。〃
　　〃Hm！〃　said　the　Scarecrow；　thoughtfully。　〃If　it　is　such　hard　work　as　you　say；　how　did　the　women　manage　it　so　easily？〃
　　〃I　really　do　not　know〃　replied　the　man；　with　a　deep　sigh。　〃Perhaps　the　women　are　made　of　castiron。〃　No　movement　was　made；　as　they　passed　along　the　street；　to　oppose　their　progress。　Several　of　the　women　stopped　their　gossip　long　enough　to　cast　curious　looks　upon　our　friends；　but　immediately　they　would　turn　away　with　a　laugh　or　a　sneer　and　resume　their　chatter。　And　when　they　met　with　several　girls　belonging　to　the　Army　of　Revolt；　those　soldiers；　instead　of　being　alarmed　or　appearing　surprised；　merely　stepped　out　of　the　way　and　allowed　them　to　advance　without　protest。
　　This　action　rendered　the　Scarecrow　uneasy。〃　I'm　afraid　we　are　walking　into　a　trap；〃　said　he。
　　〃Nonsense！〃　returned　Nick　Chopper；　confidently；　〃the　silly　creatures　are　conquered　already！〃　But　the　Scarecrow　shook　his　head　in　a　way　that　expressed　doubt；　and　Tip　said：　〃It's　too　easy；　altogether。　Look　out　for　trouble　ahead。〃
　　〃I　will；〃　returned　his　Majesty。　Unopposed　they　reached　the　royal　palace　and　marched　up　the　marble　steps；　which　had　once　been　thickly　crusted　with　emeralds　but　were　now　filled　with　tiny　holes　where　the　jewels　had　been　ruthlessly　torn　from　their　settings　by　the　Army　of　Revolt。　And　so　far　not　a　rebel　barred　their　way。
　　Through　the　arched　hallways　and　into　the　magnificent　throne　room　marched　the　Tin　Woodman　and　his　followers；　and　here；　when　the　green　silken　curtains　fell　behind　them；　they　saw　a　curious　sight。
　　Seated　within　the　glittering　throne　was　General　Jinjur；　with　the　Scarecrow's　second…best　crown　upon　her　head；　and　the　royal　sceptre　in　her　right　hand。　A　box　of　caramels；　from　which　she　was　eating；　rested　in　her　lap；　and　the　girl　seemed　entirely　at　ease　in　her　royal　surroundings。
　　The　Scarecrow　stepped　forward　and　confronted　her；　while　the　Tin　Woodman　leaned　upon　his　axe　and　the　others　formed　a　half…circle　back　of　his　Majesty's　person。
　　〃How　dare　you　sit　in　my　throne？〃　demanded　the　Scarecrow；　sternly　eyeing　the　intruder。　〃Don't　you　know　you　are　guilty　of　treason；　and　that　there　is　a　law　against　treason？〃
　　〃The　throne　belongs　to　whoever　is　able　to　take　it；〃　answered　Jinjur；　as　she　slowly　ate　another　caramel。　〃I　have　taken　it；　as　you　see；　so　just　now　I　am　the　Queen；　and　all　who　oppose　me　are　guilty　of　treason；　and　must　be　punished　by　the　law　you　have　just　mentioned。〃　This　view　of　the　case　puzzled　the　Scarecrow。
　　〃How　is　it；　friend　Nick？〃　he　asked；　turning　to　the　Tin　Woodman。
　　〃Why；　when　it　es　to　Law；　I　have　nothing　to；　say〃　answered　that　personage。　〃for　laws　were　never　meant　to　be　understood；　and　it　is　foolish　to　make　the　attempt。〃
　　〃Then　what　shall　we　do？〃　asked　the　Scarecrow；　in　dismay。
　　〃Why　don't　you　marry　the　Queen？　And　then　you　can　both　rule；〃　suggested　the　Woggle…Bug。
　　Jinjur　glared　at　the　insect　fiercely。　〃Why　don't　you　send　her　back　to　her　mother；　where　she　belongs？〃　asked　Jack　Pumpkinhead。
　　Jinjur　frowned。
　　〃Why　don't　you　shut　her　up　in　a　closet　until　she　behaves　herself；　and　promises　to　be　good？〃　enquired　Tip。
　　Jinjur's　lip　curled　scornfully。
　　〃Or　give　her　a　good　shaking！〃　added　the　Saw…Horse。
　　〃No；〃　said　the　Tin　Woodman；　〃we　must　treat　the　poor　girl　with　gentleness。　Let　us　give　her　all　the　Jewels　she　can　carry；　and　send　her　away　happy　and　contented。〃　At　this　Queen　Jinjur　laughed　aloud；　and　the　next　minute　clapped　her　pretty　hands　together　thrice；　as　if　for　a　signal。
　　〃You　are　very　absurd　creatures；〃　said　she；　〃but　I　am　tired　of　your　nonsense　and　have　no　time　to　bother　with　you　longer。〃　While　the　monarch　and　his　friends　listened　in　amazement　to　this　impudent　speech；　a　startling　thing　happened。
　　The　Tin　Woodman's　axe　was　snatched　from　his　grasp　by　some　person　behind　him；　and　he　found　himself　disarmed　and　helpless。　At　the　same　instant　a　shout　of　laughter　rang　in　the　ears　of　the　devoted　band；　and　turning　to　see　whence　this　came　they　found　themselves　surrounded　by　the　Army　of　Revolt；　the　girls　bearing　in　either　hand　their　glistening　knitting…needles。　The　entire　throne　room　seemed　to　be　filled　with　the　rebels；　and　the　Scarecrow　and　his　rades　realized　that　they　were　prisoners。
　　〃You　see　how　foolish　it　is　to　oppose　a　woman's　wit；〃　said　Jinjur；　gaily；　〃and　this　event　only　proves　that　I　am　more　fit　to　rule　the　Emerald　City　than　a　Scarecrow。　I　bear　you　no　ill　will；　I　assure　you；　but　lest　you　should　prove　troublesome　to　me　in　the　future　I　shall　order　you　all　to　be　destroyed。　That　is；　all　except　the　boy；　who　belongs　to　old　Mombi　and　must　be　restored　to　her　keeping。　The　rest　of　you　are　not　human；　and　therefore　it　will　not　be　wicked　to　demolish　you。　The　Saw…Horse　and　the　Pumpkinhead's　body　I　will　have　chopped　up　for　kindling…　wood；　and　the　pumpkin　shall　be　made　into　tarts。
　　The　Scarecrow　will　do　nicely　to　start　a　bonfire；　and　the　tin　man　can　be　cut　into　small　pieces　and　fed　to　the　goats。　As　f