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the wonderful wizard of oz-第8部分

小说: the wonderful wizard of oz 字数: 每页4000字

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Then giving a great spring; he shot through the air and landed safely

on the other side。  They were all greatly pleased to see how easily

he did it; and after the Scarecrow had got down from his back the Lion

sprang across the ditch again。



    Dorothy thought she would go next; so she took Toto in her

arms and climbed on the Lion's back; holding tightly to his mane

with one hand。  The next moment it seemed as if she were flying

through the air; and then; before she had time to think about it;

she was safe on the other side。  The Lion went back a third time

and got the Tin Woodman; and then they all sat down for a few

moments to give the beast a chance to rest; for his great leaps

had made his breath short; and he panted like a big dog that has

been running too long。



    They found the forest very thick on this side; and it looked

dark and gloomy。  After the Lion had rested they started along the

road of yellow brick; silently wondering; each in his own mind; if

ever they would come to the end of the woods and reach the bright

sunshine again。  To add to their discomfort; they soon heard strange

noises in the depths of the forest; and the Lion whispered to them

that it was in this part of the country that the Kalidahs lived。



    〃What are the Kalidahs?〃 asked the girl。



    〃They are monstrous beasts with bodies like bears and heads

like tigers;〃 replied the Lion; 〃and with claws so long and sharp

that they could tear me in two as easily as I could kill Toto。

I'm terribly afraid of the Kalidahs。〃



    〃I'm not surprised that you are;〃 returned Dorothy。

〃They must be dreadful beasts。〃



    The Lion was about to reply when suddenly they came to another

gulf across the road。  But this one was so broad and deep that the

Lion knew at once he could not leap across it。



    So they sat down to consider what they should do; and after

serious thought the Scarecrow said:



    〃Here is a great tree; standing close to the ditch。  If the

Tin Woodman can chop it down; so that it will fall to the other

side; we can walk across it easily。〃



    〃That is a first…rate idea;〃 said the Lion。  〃One would almost

suspect you had brains in your head; instead of straw。〃



    The Woodman set to work at once; and so sharp was his axe that

the tree was soon chopped nearly through。  Then the Lion put his

strong front legs against the tree and pushed with all his might;

and slowly the big tree tipped and fell with a crash across the

ditch; with its top branches on the other side。



    They had just started to cross this queer bridge when a sharp growl

made them all look up; and to their horror they saw running toward them

two great beasts with bodies like bears and heads like tigers。



    〃They are the Kalidahs!〃 said the Cowardly Lion; beginning to tremble。



    〃Quick!〃 cried the Scarecrow。  〃Let us cross over。〃



    So Dorothy went first; holding Toto in her arms; the Tin

Woodman followed; and the Scarecrow came next。  The Lion; although

he was certainly afraid; turned to face the Kalidahs; and then he

gave so loud and terrible a roar that Dorothy screamed and the

Scarecrow fell over backward; while even the fierce beasts stopped

short and looked at him in surprise。



    But; seeing they were bigger than the Lion; and remembering

that there were two of them and only one of him; the Kalidahs

again rushed forward; and the Lion crossed over the tree and

turned to see what they would do next。  Without stopping an

instant the fierce beasts also began to cross the tree。

And the Lion said to Dorothy:



    〃We are lost; for they will surely tear us to pieces with

their sharp claws。  But stand close behind me; and I will fight

them as long as I am alive。〃



    〃Wait a minute!〃 called the Scarecrow。  He had been thinking

what was best to be done; and now he asked the Woodman to chop

away the end of the tree that rested on their side of the ditch。

The Tin Woodman began to use his axe at once; and; just as the two

Kalidahs were nearly across; the tree fell with a crash into the

gulf; carrying the ugly; snarling brutes with it; and both were

dashed to pieces on the sharp rocks at the bottom。



    〃Well;〃 said the Cowardly Lion; drawing a long breath of

relief; 〃I see we are going to live a little while longer; and I

am glad of it; for it must be a very uncomfortable thing not to be

alive。  Those creatures frightened me so badly that my heart is

beating yet。〃



    〃Ah;〃 said the Tin Woodman sadly; 〃I wish I had a heart to beat。〃



    This adventure made the travelers more anxious than ever to

get out of the forest; and they walked so fast that Dorothy became

tired; and had to ride on the Lion's back。  To their great joy the

trees became thinner the farther they advanced; and in the

afternoon they suddenly came upon a broad river; flowing swiftly

just before them。  On the other side of the water they could see

the road of yellow brick running through a beautiful country; with

green meadows dotted with bright flowers and all the road bordered

with trees hanging full of delicious fruits。  They were greatly

pleased to see this delightful country before them。



    〃How shall we cross the river?〃 asked Dorothy。



    〃That is easily done;〃 replied the Scarecrow。  〃The Tin Woodman

must build us a raft; so we can float to the other side。〃



    So the Woodman took his axe and began to chop down small trees

to make a raft; and while he was busy at this the Scarecrow found

on the riverbank a tree full of fine fruit。  This pleased Dorothy;

who had eaten nothing but nuts all day; and she made a hearty meal

of the ripe fruit。



    But it takes time to make a raft; even when one is as industrious

and untiring as the Tin Woodman; and when night came the work was not done。

So they found a cozy place under the trees where they slept well until the

morning; and Dorothy dreamed of the Emerald City; and of the good Wizard Oz;

who would soon send her back to her own home again。









                    8。  The Deadly Poppy Field





    Our little party of travelers awakened the next morning

refreshed and full of hope; and Dorothy breakfasted like a

princess off peaches and plums from the trees beside the river。

Behind them was the dark forest they had passed safely through;

although they had suffered many discouragements; but before them

was a lovely; sunny country that seemed to beckon them on to the

Emerald City。



    To be sure; the broad river now cut them off from this

beautiful land。  But the raft was nearly done; and after the Tin

Woodman had cut a few more logs and fastened them together with

wooden pins; they were ready to start。  Dorothy sat down in the

middle of the raft and held Toto in her arms。  When the Cowardly

Lion stepped upon the raft it tipped badly; for he was big and

heavy; but the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood upon the other

end to steady it; and they had long poles in their hands to push

the raft through the water。



    They got along quite well at first; but when they reached the

middle of the river the swift current swept the raft downstream;

farther and farther away from the road of yellow brick。  And the

water grew so deep that the long poles would not touch the bottom。



    〃This is bad;〃 said the Tin Woodman; 〃for if we cannot get to

the land we shall be carried into the country of the Wicked Witch

of the West; and she will enchant us and make us her slaves。〃



    〃And then I should get no brains;〃 said the Scarecrow。



    〃And I should get no courage;〃 said the Cowardly Lion。



    〃And I should get no heart;〃 said the Tin Woodman。



    〃And I should never get back to Kansas;〃 said Dorothy。



    〃We must certainly get to the Emerald City if we can;〃

the Scarecrow continued; and he pushed so hard on his long pole

that it stuck fast in the mud at the bottom of the river。  Then;

before he could pull it out againor let gothe raft was swept

away; and the poor Scarecrow left clinging to the pole in the

middle of the river。



    〃Good…bye!〃 he called after them; and they were very sorry to leave him。

Indeed; the Tin Woodman began to cry; but fortunately remembered that he

might rust; and so dried his tears on Dorothy's apron。



    Of course this was a bad thing for the Scarecrow。



    〃I am now worse off than when I first met Dorothy;〃 he

thought。  〃Then; I was stuck on a pole in a cornfield; where I

could make…believe scare the crows; at any rate。  But surely there

is no use for a Scarecrow stuck on a pole in the middle of a

river。  I am afraid I shall never have any brains; after all!〃



    Down the stream the raft floated; and the poor Scarecrow was

left far behind。  Then the Lion said:



    〃Something must be done to save us。  I think I can swim to the

shore and pull the raft after me; if you will only hold fast to


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