Дороті та Чарівник у країні Оз
17. The Nine Tiny Piglets
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"Go!"criedZeb;andatthewordthetwohorsesleapedforwardandtheracewasbegun.
Jim’sbighoofspoundedawayatagreatrate,andalthoughhedidnotlookverygracefulheraninawaytodocredittohisKentuckybreeding.ButtheSawhorsewasswifterthanthewind.Itswoodenlegsmovedsofastthattheirtwinklingcouldscarcelybeseen,andalthoughsomuchsmallerthanthecab-horseitcoveredthegroundmuchfaster.BeforetheyhadreachedthetreestheSawhorsewasfarahead,andthewoodenanimalreturnedtothestartingplaceaswasbeinglustilycheeredbytheOzitesbeforeJimcamepantinguptothecanopywherethePrincessandherfriendswereseated.
IamsorrytorecordthefactthatJimwasnotonlyashamedofhisdefeatbutforamomentlostcontrolofhistemper.AshelookedatthecomicalfaceoftheSawhorseheimaginedthatthecreaturewaslaughingathim;soinafitofunreasonableangerheturnedaroundandmadeaviciouskickthatsenthisrivaltumblingheadoverheelsupontheground,andbrokeoffoneofitslegsanditsleftear.
AninstantlatertheTigercrouchedandlauncheditshugebodythroughtheairswiftandresistlessasaballfromacannon.ThebeaststruckJimfullonhisshoulderandsenttheastonishedcab-horserollingoverandover,amidshoutsofdelightfromthespectators,whohadbeenhorrifiedbytheungraciousacthehadbeenguiltyof.
WhenJimcametohimselfandsatuponhishauncheshefoundtheCowardlyLioncrouchedononesideofhimandtheHungryTigerontheother,andtheireyeswereglowinglikeballsoffire