Чарівництво країни Оз
10. Stuck Fast
Thestakewasstickingrightthroughhim,however,sohefoundarockdeeplysetinthebankandpressedthesharppointofthestakeuponthesurfaceofthisrockuntilhehaddrivenitclearthroughhisbody.Then,bygettingthestaketangledamongsomethornybushes,andwigglinghisbody,hemanagedtodrawitoutaltogether.
"There!"heexclaimed,"exceptforthosetwoholesinme,I’masgoodasever;butImustadmitthatthatoldwooden-leggedfellowsavedbothhimselfandthegirlbymakingmeaprisoner."
NowtheKalidahs,althoughthemostdisagreeablecreaturesintheLandofOz,wereneverthelessmagicalinhabitantsofamagicalFairyland,andintheirnaturesacertainamountofgoodwasmingledwiththeevil.Thisonewasnotveryrevengeful,andnowthathislatefoeswereindangerofperishing,hisangeragainstthemfadedaway.
"OurownKalidahKing,"hereflected,"hascertainmagicalpowersofhisown.Perhapsheknowshowtofillupthesetwoholesinmybody."
SowithoutpayinganymoreattentiontoTrotandCap’nBillthantheywerepayingtohim,heenteredtheforestandtrottedalongasecretpaththatledtothehiddenlairofalltheKalidahs.
WhiletheKalidahwasmakinggooditsescapeCap’nBilltookhispipefromhispocketandfilleditwithtobaccoandlightedit.Then,ashepuffedoutthesmoke,hetriedtothinkwhatcouldbedone.
"TheGlassCatseemsallright,"hesaid,"an’mywoodenlegdidn’ttakerootsandgrow,either.Soit’sonlyfleshthatgetscaught."
"It’smagicthatdoesit,Cap’n!"
"Iknow,Trot,andthat’swhatsticksme.