Озма из страны Оз

           Allaroundthewallsofthecavewerethousandsofdoorsofsilverandgold,builtintothesolidrock,andtheseextendedinrowsfarawayintothedistance,asfarasOzma’seyescouldfollowthem.

           WhilethelittlemaidfromOzgazedwonderinglyuponthisscenetheNomeKingutteredashrillwhistle,andatonceallthesilverandgolddoorsflewopenandsolidranksofNomesoldiersmarchedoutfromeveryone.Sogreatweretheirnumbersthattheyquicklyfilledtheimmenseundergroundcavernandforcedthebusyworkmentoabandontheirtasks.

           Althoughthistremendousarmyconsistedofrock-coloredNomes,allsquatandfat,theywereclothedinglitteringarmorofpolishedsteel,inlaidwithbeautifulgems.Uponhisbroweachworeabrilliantelectriclight,andtheyboresharpspearsandswordsandbattle-axesofsolidbronze.Itwasevidenttheywereperfectlytrained,fortheystoodinstraightrows,rankafterrank,withtheirweaponshelderectandtrue,asifawaitingbutthewordofcommandtolevelthemupontheirfoes.

           "This,"saidtheNomeKing,"isbutasmallpartofmyarmy.NoruleruponEarthhaseverdaredtofightme,andnorulereverwill,forIamtoopowerfultooppose."

           Hewhistledagain,andatoncethemartialarrayfiledthroughthesilverandgolddoorwaysanddisappeared,afterwhichtheworkmenagainresumedtheirlaborsatthefurnaces.

           Then,sadanddiscouraged,OzmaofOzturnedtoherfriends,andtheNomeKingcalmlyreseatedhimselfonhisrockthrone.

           "Itwouldbefoolishforustofight,"thegirlsaidtotheTinWoodman."ForourbraveTwenty-Sevenwouldbequicklydestroyed.