Озма з країни Оз
17. The Scarecrow Wins the Fight
Perhapsthelittlemonarchcouldnotbemorefuriousthanhewasbefore,butthegirl’slaughternearlydrovehimfrantic,andheroaredatherlikeasavagebeast.Then,ashefoundthatallhisenchantmentswerelikelytobedispelledandhisvictimseveryonesetfree,hesuddenlyrantothelittledoorthatopeneduponthebalconyandgavetheshrillwhistlethatsummonedhiswarriors.
Atoncethearmyfiledoutofthegoldandsilverdoorsingreatnumbers,andmarchedupawindingstairsandintothethroneroom,ledbyasternfeaturedNomewhowastheircaptain.Whentheyhadnearlyfilledthethroneroomtheyformedranksinthebigundergroundcavernbelow,andthenstoodstilluntiltheyweretoldwhattodonext.
Dorothyhadpressedbacktoonesideofthecavernwhenthewarriorsentered,andnowshestoodholdinglittlePrinceEvring’shandwhilethegreatLioncrouchedupononesideandtheenormousTigercrouchedontheotherside.
"Seizethatgirl!"shoutedtheKingtohiscaptain,andagroupofwarriorssprangforwardtoobey.ButboththeLionandTigersnarledsofiercelyandbaredtheirstrong,sharpteethsothreateningly,thatthemendrewbackinalarm.
"Don’tmindthem!"criedtheNomeKing;"theycannotleapbeyondtheplaceswheretheynowstand."
"Buttheycanbitethosewhoattempttotouchthegirl,"saidthecaptain.
"I’llfixthat,"answeredtheKing."I’llenchantthemagain,sothattheycan’topentheirjaws."
Hesteppedoutofthethronetodothis,butjustthentheSawhorseranupbehindhimandgavethefatmonarchapowerfulkickwithbothhiswoodenhindlegs.
