Путешествие в Страну Оз

           Hishairwasgrey,hiswhiskersweregrey;andthesewhiskersweresolongthathehadwoundtheendsofthemaroundhiswaistandtiedtheminahardknotunderneaththeleatherapronthatreachedfromhischinnearlytohisfeet,andwhichwassoiledandscratchedasifithadbeenusedalongtime.Hisnosewasbroad,andstuckupalittle;buthiseyesweretwinklingandmerry.Thelittleman’shandsandarmswereashardandtoughastheleatherinhisapron,andDorothythoughtJohnnyDooitlookedasifhehaddonealotofhardworkinhislifetime.

           "Goodmorning,Johnny,"saidtheshaggyman."Thankyouforcomingtomesoquickly."

           "Ineverwastetime,"saidthenewcomer,promptly."Butwhat’shappenedtoyou?Wheredidyougetthatdonkeyhead?Really,Iwouldn’thaveknownyouatall,ShaggyMan,ifIhadn’tlookedatyourfeet."

           TheshaggymanintroducedJohnnyDooittoDorothyandTotoandButton-BrightandtheRainbow’sDaughter,andtoldhimthestoryoftheiradventures,addingthattheywereanxiousnowtoreachtheEmeraldCityintheLandofOz,whereDorothyhadfriendswhowouldtakecareofthemandsendthemsafehomeagain.

           "But,"saidhe,"wefindthatwecan’tcrossthisdesert,whichturnsalllivingfleshthattouchesitintodust;soIhaveaskedyoutocomeandhelpus."

           JohnnyDooitpuffedhispipeandlookedcarefullyatthedreadfuldesertinfrontofthem—stretchingsofarawaytheycouldnotseeitsend.

           "Youmustride,"hesaid,briskly.

           "Whatin?"askedtheshaggyman.

           "Inasand-boat,whichhasrunnerslikeasledandsailslikeaship.