Путешествие в Страну Оз

           "Takethemaway,"shecommandedtheguard,"andatsixo’clockrunthemthroughthemeatchopperandstartthesoupkettleboiling.Andputplentyofsaltinthebroththistime,orI’llpunishthecooksseverely."

           "Anyonions,yourMajesty?"askedoneoftheguard.

           "Plentyofonionsandgarlicandadashofredpepper.Now,go!"

           TheScoodlersledthecaptivesawayandshutthemupinoneofthehouses,leavingonlyasingleScoodlertokeepguard.

           Theplacewasasortofstore-house;containingbagsofpotatoesandbasketsofcarrots,onionsandturnips.

           "These,"saidtheirguard,pointingtothevegetables,"weusetoflavoroursoupswith."

           Theprisonerswereratherdisheartenedbythistime,fortheysawnowaytoescapeanddidnotknowhowsoonitwouldbesixo’clockandtimeforthemeatchoppertobeginwork.Buttheshaggymanwasbraveanddidnotintendtosubmittosuchahorridfatewithoutastruggle.

           "I’mgoingtofightforourlives,"hewhisperedtothechildren,"forifIfailwewillbenoworseoffthanbefore,andtositherequietlyuntilwearemadeintosoupwouldbefoolishandcowardly."

           TheScoodleronguardstoodnearthedoorway,turningfirsthiswhitesidetowardthemandthenhisblackside,asifhewantedtoshowtoallofhisgreedyfoureyesthesightofsomanyfatprisoners.Thecaptivessatinasorrowfulgroupattheotherendoftheroom—exceptPolychrome,whodancedbackandforthinthelittleplacetokeepherselfwarm,forshefeltthechillofthecave.