章节正文
from the outside world," said Dorothy
"The man isn't one-legged," corrected Betsy; "he has
one wooden leg."
"It's almost as bad," declared Dorothy, watching Cap'n
Bill stump around.
"They are three mortal adventurers," said Ozma, "and
they seem worthy and honest. But I fear they will be
treated badly in Jinxland, and if they meet with any
misfortune there it will reflect upon me, for Jinxland is
a part of my dominions."
"Can't we help them in any way?" inquired Dorothy.
"That seems like a nice little girl. I'd be sorry if
anything happened to her."
"Let us watch the picture for awhile," suggested Ozma,
and so they all drew chairs before the Magic Picture and
followed the adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill and
Button-Bright. Presently the scene shifted and showed
their friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains into
Jinxland, and that somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety, for
she knew at once that Glinda the Good had sent the
Scarecrow to protect the strangers.
The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting to
the three girls in Ozma's palace, who during the
succeeding days spent much of their time in watching the
picture. It was like a story to them.
"That girl's a reg'lar trump!" exclaimed Dorothy,
referring to Trot, and Ozma answered:
"She's a dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing very
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 deliciousfragrance, 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 could enter the cave, Button-Bright was before
him, clambering down the steps without a particle of
fear. So the others followed the boy.
The first steps were wet with spray, and slippery, but
the remainder were quite dry. A rosy light seemed to come
from the interior of the cave, and this lighted their
way. After the steps there was a short tunnel, high
enough for them to walk erect in. and then they reached
the cave itself and paused in wonder and admiration.
They stood on the edge of a vast cavern, the walls
and domed roof of which were lined with countless
rubies, exquisitely cut and flashing sparkling rays
from one to another. This caused a radiant light that
permitted the entire cavern to be distinctly seen, and
"The man isn't one-legged," corrected Betsy; "he has
one wooden leg."
"It's almost as bad," declared Dorothy, watching Cap'n
Bill stump around.
"They are three mortal adventurers," said Ozma, "and
they seem worthy and honest. But I fear they will be
treated badly in Jinxland, and if they meet with any
misfortune there it will reflect upon me, for Jinxland is
a part of my dominions."
"Can't we help them in any way?" inquired Dorothy.
"That seems like a nice little girl. I'd be sorry if
anything happened to her."
"Let us watch the picture for awhile," suggested Ozma,
and so they all drew chairs before the Magic Picture and
followed the adventures of Trot and Cap'n Bill and
Button-Bright. Presently the scene shifted and showed
their friend the Scarecrow crossing the mountains into
Jinxland, and that somewhat relieved Ozma's anxiety, for
she knew at once that Glinda the Good had sent the
Scarecrow to protect the strangers.
The adventures in Jinxland proved very interesting to
the three girls in Ozma's palace, who during the
succeeding days spent much of their time in watching the
picture. It was like a story to them.
"That girl's a reg'lar trump!" exclaimed Dorothy,
referring to Trot, and Ozma answered:
"She's a dear little thing, and I'm sure nothing very
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 deliciousfragrance, 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 could enter the cave, Button-Bright was before
him, clambering down the steps without a particle of
fear. So the others followed the boy.
The first steps were wet with spray, and slippery, but
the remainder were quite dry. A rosy light seemed to come
from the interior of the cave, and this lighted their
way. After the steps there was a short tunnel, high
enough for them to walk erect in. and then they reached
the cave itself and paused in wonder and admiration.
They stood on the edge of a vast cavern, the walls
and domed roof of which were lined with countless
rubies, exquisitely cut and flashing sparkling rays
from one to another. This caused a radiant light that
permitted the entire cavern to be distinctly seen, and
- wooden [´wudn]
a.木制的；呆板的 (初中英语单词) - worthy [´wə:ði] a.有价值的；值得的 (初中英语单词)
- reflect [ri´flekt] v.反射；反响；表达 (初中英语单词)
- presently [´prezəntli] ad.不久；目前 (初中英语单词)
- anxiety [æŋ´zaiəti] n.挂念；渴望；焦虑的事 (初中英语单词)
- delicious [di´liʃəs] a.美味的，可口的 (初中英语单词)
- breath [breθ] n.呼吸；气息 (初中英语单词)
- spoken [´spəukən] speak的过去分词 (初中英语单词)
- actually [´æktʃuəli] ad.事实上；实际上 (初中英语单词)
- welfare [´welfeə] n.福利(事业) (初中英语单词)
- suspect [´sʌspekt, sə´spekt] v.怀疑；觉得 n.嫌疑犯 (初中英语单词)
- charge [tʃɑ:dʒ] v.收费；冲锋 n.费用 (初中英语单词)
- upward [´ʌpwəd] a.&ad.向上(的)；以上 (初中英语单词)
- descend [di´send] v.下来，下降 (初中英语单词)
- swiftly [´swiftli] ad.迅速地，敏捷地 (初中英语单词)
- opening [´əupəniŋ] n.开放；开端 a.开始的 (初中英语单词)
- series [´siəri:z] n.连续；系列；丛书 (初中英语单词)
- interior [in´tiəriə] n.&a.内部地(的) (初中英语单词)
- tunnel [´tʌnl] n.隧道 v.挖隧道 (初中英语单词)
- distinctly [di´stiŋktli] ad.清楚地，明晰地 (初中英语单词)
- mortal [´mɔ:tl] a.致命的 n.凡人 (高中英语单词)
- grasshopper [´grɑ:s,hɔpə] n.蚱蜢，蝗虫 (高中英语单词)
- quaint [kweint] a.离奇的；奇妙的 (高中英语单词)
- cheerfully [´tʃiəfuli] ad.高兴地，愉快地 (高中英语单词)
- hardship [´hɑ:dʃip] n.受苦，吃苦；苦难 (高中英语单词)
- brightly [´braitli] ad.明亮地；聪明地 (高中英语单词)
- fragrance [´freigrəns] n.芬芳，芳香 (高中英语单词)
- finding [´faindiŋ] n.发现物；判断；结果 (高中英语单词)
- waterfall [´wɔ:təfɔ:l] n.瀑布 (高中英语单词)
- outlet [´autlet] n.出口；出路；通风口 (高中英语单词)
- assurance [ə´ʃuərəns] n.保证；自信；信任 (高中英语单词)
- doubtful [´dautful] a.怀疑的，可疑的 (高中英语单词)
- upright [´ʌprait] a.直立的 ad.直立地 (高中英语单词)
- particle [´pɑ:tikl] n.微粒；极小量 (高中英语单词)
- slippery [´slipəri] a.滑的；不稳固的 (高中英语单词)
- remainder [ri´meində] n.剩余物；残余部分 (高中英语单词)
- cavern [´kævən] n.大山洞；大岩洞 (高中英语单词)
- radiant [´reidiənt] a.发光的 n.光源(体) (高中英语单词)
- wizard [´wizəd] n.术士；男巫 (英语四级单词)
- emerald [´emərəld] n.纯绿宝石；翠绿色 (英语四级单词)
- fairyland [´fɛərilænd] n.仙境，奇境 (英语四级单词)
- busily [´bizili] ad.忙碌地 (英语四级单词)
- unfamiliar [ʌnfə´miljə] a.不熟悉的；生疏的 (英语六级单词)
- speaking [´spi:kiŋ] n.说话 a.发言的 (英语六级单词)
- dashing [´dæʃiŋ] a.勇猛的；生气勃勃的 (英语六级单词)
- exquisitely [´ekswizit] ad.精巧地，优美地 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
京公网安备 11011202003401号
