Чарівництво країни Оз

           "

           Trotjumpedup,greatlyfrightened,andlookedattheterribleanimalasiffascinatedbyitsfierceeyes,fortheKalidahwaslookingather,too,anditslookwasn’tatallfriendly.ButCap’nBillcalledtoher:"Wadeintotheriver,Trot,uptoyourknees—an’staythere!"andsheobeyedhimatonce.Thesailor-manhobbledforward,thestakeinonehandandhisaxeintheother,andgotbetweenthegirlandthebeast,whichspranguponhimwithagrowlofdefiance.

           Cap’nBillmovedprettyslowly,sometimes,butnowhewasquickascouldbe.AstheKalidahsprangtowardhimhestuckouthiswoodenlegandthepointofitstruckthebeastbetweentheeyesandsentitrollingupontheground.Beforeitcouldgetuponitsfeetagainthesailorpushedthesharpstakerightthroughitsbodyandthenwiththeflatsideoftheaxehehammeredthestakeasfarintothegroundasitwouldgo.Bythismeanshecapturedthegreatbeastandmadeitharmless,fortryasitwould,itcouldnotgetawayfromthestakethatheldit.

           Cap’nBillknewhecouldnotkilltheKalidah,fornolivingthinginOzcanbekilled,sohestoodbackandwatchedthebeastwriggleandgrowlandpawtheearthwithitssharpclaws,andthen,satisfieditcouldnotescape,hetoldTrottocomeoutofthewateragainanddryherwetshoesandstockingsinthesun.

           "Areyousurehecan’tgetaway?"sheasked.

           "I’dbetacookieonit,"saidCap’nBill,soTrotcameashoreandtookoffhershoesandstockingsandlaidthemonthelogtodry,whilethesailor-manresumedhisworkontheraft.