登陆注册
5011200000008

第8章

There were many fox-soldiers guarding the door, but they bowed to the captain and admitted him without question. The captain led them through many rooms, where richly dressed foxes were sitting on beautiful chairs or sipping tea, which was being passed around by fox-servants in white aprons. They came to a big doorway covered with heavy curtains of cloth of gold.

Beside this doorway stood a huge drum. The fox-captain went to this drum and knocked his knees against it-- first one knee and then the other--so that the drum said: "Boom-boom.""You must all do exactly what I do," ordered the captain; so the shaggy man pounded the drum with his knees, and so did Dorothy and so did Button-Bright. The boy wanted to keep on pounding it with his little fat knees, because he liked the sound of it; but the captain stopped him. Toto couldn't pound the drum with his knees and he didn't know enough to wag his tail against it, so Dorothy pounded the drum for him and that made him bark, and when the little dog barked the fox-captain scowled.

The golden curtains drew back far enough to make an opening, through which marched the captain with the others.

The broad, long room they entered was decorated in gold with stained-glass windows of splendid colors. In the corner of the room upon a richly carved golden throne, sat the fox-king, surrounded by a group of other foxes, all of whom wore great spectacles over their eyes, making them look solemn and important.

Dorothy knew the King at once, because she had seen his head carved on the arch and over the doorway of the palace. Having met with several other kings in her travels, she knew what to do, and at once made a low bow before the throne. The shaggy man bowed, too, and Button-Bright bobbed his head and said "Hello.""Most wise and noble Potentate of Foxville," said the captain, addressing the King in a pompous voice, "I humbly beg to report that Ifound these strangers on the road leading to your Foxy Majesty's dominions, and have therefore brought them before you, as is my duty.""So--so," said the King, looking at them keenly. "What brought you here, strangers?""Our legs, may it please your Royal Hairiness," replied the shaggy man.

"What is your business here?" was the next question.

"To get away as soon as possible," said the shaggy man.

The King didn't know about the Magnet, of course; but it made him love the shaggy man at once.

"Do just as you please about going away," he said; "but I'd like to show you the sights of my city and to entertain your party while you are here. We feel highly honored to have little Dorothy with us, Iassure you, and we appreciate her kindness in making us a visit. For whatever country Dorothy visits is sure to become famous."This speech greatly surprised the little girl, who asked:

"How did your Majesty know my name?"

"Why, everybody knows you, my dear," said the Fox-King. "Don't you realize that? You are quite an important personage since Princess Ozma of Oz made you her friend.""Do you know Ozma?" she asked, wondering.

"I regret to say that I do not," he answered, sadly; "but I hope to meet her soon. You know the Princess Ozma is to celebrate her birthday on the twenty-first of this month.""Is she?" said Dorothy. "I didn't know that.""Yes; it is to be the most brilliant royal ceremony ever held in any city in Fairyland, and I hope you will try to get me an invitation."Dorothy thought a moment.

"I'm sure Ozma would invite you if I asked her," she said; "but how could you get to the Land of Oz and the Emerald City? It's a good way from Kansas.""Kansas!" he exclaimed, surprised.

"Why, yes; we are in Kansas now, aren't we?" she returned.

"What a queer notion!" cried the Fox-King, beginning to laugh.

"Whatever made you think this is Kansas?""I left Uncle Henry's farm only about two hours ago; that's the reason," she said, rather perplexed.

"But, tell me, my dear, did you ever see so wonderful a city as Foxville in Kansas?" he questioned.

"No, your Majesty."

"And haven't you traveled from Oz to Kansas in less than half a jiffy, by means of the Silver Shoes and the Magic Belt?""Yes, your Majesty," she acknowledged.

"Then why do you wonder that an hour or two could bring you to Foxville, which is nearer to Oz than it is to Kansas?""Dear me!" exclaimed Dorothy; "is this another fairy adventure?""It seems to be," said the Fox-King, smiling.

Dorothy turned to the shaggy man, and her face was grave and reproachful.

"Are you a magician? or a fairy in disguise?" she asked. "Did you enchant me when you asked the way to Butterfield?"The shaggy man shook his head.

"Who ever heard of a shaggy fairy?" he replied. "No, Dorothy, my dear; I'm not to blame for this journey in any way, I assure you.

There's been something strange about me ever since I owned the Love Magnet; but I don't know what it is any more than you do. I didn't try to get you away from home, at all. If you want to find your way back to the farm I'll go with you willingly, and do my best to help you.""Never mind," said the little girl, thoughtfully. "There isn't so much to see in Kansas as there is here, and I guess Aunt Em won't be VERY much worried; that is, if I don't stay away too long.""That's right," declared the Fox-King, nodding approval. "Be contented with your lot, whatever it happens to be, if you are wise.

Which reminds me that you have a new companion on this adventure--he looks very clever and bright.""He is," said Dorothy; and the shaggy man added:

"That's his name, your Royal Foxiness--Button-Bright."

同类推荐
  • 佛说碱水喻经

    佛说碱水喻经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 名香谱

    名香谱

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 分别业报略经

    分别业报略经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 慎行论

    慎行论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 丁甘仁医案

    丁甘仁医案

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 成为无名英雄

    成为无名英雄

    无名英雄是谁,何人是无名英雄。伟大的劳动者是。无私的付出着是。伟大的军人是。人人皆可是无名英雄。
  • 斗破之韩枫

    斗破之韩枫

    韩枫被黑袍人送到斗破苍穹的世界,成为反派韩枫。没有杀掉药老,韩枫会有怎样的经历?重生归来的萧炎,是否能重新崛起?一切的一切将会在《斗破苍穹之韩枫》中为你解答。
  • 镇邪

    镇邪

    神秘古镇,古老职业,诡异之事频发,是敌是友不辨!源自东女古国的特殊习俗,传承千百年的罪恶根源。五更惊魂,离奇惨案,是阴鬼?是诅咒?还是人心为患!流血的陶罐,供奉的钟鼓,身边的好心人,死而复活的鸣冤魂,藏于地下的恐怖深渊!他们说,这个镇子闹邪,我陷入了死局中,摆不脱,逃不了!镇邪!一段难以想象的惊魂之旅……
  • 我俩妖师跑修仙

    我俩妖师跑修仙

    黎梦和妖妖看着她俩的这个徒弟,齐齐嘴角一抽,这徒弟让她俩怎么教,简直了。。。在以前的世界听说天韵道体,就是天道的亲儿子,现在不止亲眼见过了,还教过,教到后面,她们俩只能呵呵。。。(||?_?)
  • 辣个坑系统的女主

    辣个坑系统的女主

    蒙茶茶:我是甲方,我随意。红娘:最怕空气忽然安静,最怕甲方忽然的关心。月老把烫手山芋丢给了红娘,红娘给蒙茶茶安排书穿到了自己的民国小说中,蒙大神不当女主,当女配兼甲方。然后……甲方不断改方案,任意发挥打脸女主。红娘黑化了……来啊,相互伤害啊系统:阴笑………
  • 碎魂收藏家

    碎魂收藏家

    制造眼耳口鼻、召唤庞然异兽、变换形体容貌、掌握风暴与闪电……大千世界,觉醒魂名者,各怀奇能异术。而没有魂名的铂恩——“获得【海的女儿】碎片。”“获得【流浪记】碎片。”“获得【缅因】碎片。”……“碎片已达收集上限,请尽快创造新魂名。”收集灵魂碎片,融合众魂之力。无法觉醒,就选择创造!
  • 柳良

    柳良

    这是一本比较纯粹的武侠小说,没有系统的加持,没有法宝外物的金手指,就是主角一个人的小小愿望,他没有多大的追求,有也可能是为了一个人,仅此而已,但是谁挡住了他,他会提起手中的刀。他是一个刺客。
  • 溺宠小小妻

    溺宠小小妻

    他是酷帅多金的集团继承人,是她爱了七年的人。她是父母双亡的不良小孤女,是他等了七年的人。不过是回来探个病,他却霸道地将她按在了病床上。那一刻,聂冷的表情很凶残:“舍得回来了?”装傻卖萌,宋悠悠打死不认帐:“大叔,我是来查房的。”“你以为你换了身皮,我就闻不出你的味儿了?”“大叔,您认错人了。”“装,你继续装。”遇见他的那一年,她十七岁,他三十四岁,他大了她整整一倍的年华,可她却义无反顾地爱上了他。一纸强令,她被特招入社,一纸证明,他成为她的合法监护人。在她很傻很天真的外表下,燃烧着自由奔放的火苗,如果大叔是条大尾巴狼,那她就是披着羊皮的红太狼。当妖娆小萝莉,遭遇冰冷酷大叔,他们的爱情,从火星撞地球开始……(这是一个腹黑女扮猪吃老虎的故事,这是一个强权男无力抗三观的故事,有笑有泪,霸气侧漏,一对一独宠溺爱绝对搞笑文。)*…*…*…*精彩片段(一):【不要脸】“大叔,你喜欢我叫你大叔吗?”聂冷没有动,只拿一种凌厉的眸光,紧紧锁住她绝美的小脸,略有些生气地问:“宋悠悠,你就那么不要脸么?”宋悠悠摇头,眸光如水,媚媚柔柔:“大叔,我只对你不要脸。”眉一松,他言色如冷:“我是谁?”“你是,聂冷。”笑眯眯地吐出他的名字,宋悠悠再不犹豫,对准大叔那无情微冷的薄唇,便狠狠地贴了上去。大叔,大叔,你不来扑我,那只好我来反扑你。精彩片段(二):【大叔与儿子】大叔给儿子发微信说:儿子,你快躲起来吧,你们老师因为你逃学,来家里抓你了。儿子回:老爸你快躲起来吧!我今天给老师打电话请假,说您不幸英年早逝,所以我不去上学了。老爸:$&%﹠﹩%$#%\(此处省略三字经若干字。)这时门铃响起,大叔给老师开了门。老师:您是?大叔:今天头七,我回来看看。老师:…………
  • History of the Catholic Church

    History of the Catholic Church

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 假面骑士亡灵

    假面骑士亡灵

    从地狱中挣扎求生,只为生存。当曾经的人站在你面前挥起长刀,你如何自处?