Смарагдове місто країни Оз
28. How They Drank at the Forbidden Fountain
Roquatwasdrippingwet,buthechatteredandlaughedandwantedtodrinkmoreofthewater.Nothoughtofinjuringanypersonwasnowinhismind.
BeforeheleftthetunnelhehadcommandedhisfiftythousandNomestoremainthereuntilheorderedthemtoadvance,ashewishedtogivehisalliestimetoconquerOzbeforeheappearedwithhisownarmy.OzmadidnotwishalltheseNomestooverrunherland,sosheadvancedtoKingRoquatandtakinghishandinherownsaidgently:
"Whoareyou?Whatisyourname?"
"Idon’tknow,"hereplied,smilingather."Whoareyou,mydear?"
"MynameisOzma,"shesaid;"andyournameisRoquat."
"Oh,isit?"hereplied,seemingpleased.
"Yes;youareKingoftheNomes,"shesaid.
"Ah;IwonderwhattheNomesare!"returnedtheKing,asifpuzzled.
"Theyareundergroundelves,andthattunneloverthereisfullofthem,"sheanswered."Youhaveabeautifulcavernattheotherendofthetunnel,soyoumustgotoyourNomesandsay:’Marchhome!’Thenfollowafterthemandintimeyouwillreachtheprettycavernwhereyoulive."
TheNomeKingwasmuchpleasedtolearnthis,forhehadforgottenhehadacavern.Sohewenttothetunnelandsaidtohisarmy:’Marchhome!’AtoncetheNomesturnedandmarchedbackthroughthetunnel,andtheKingfollowedafterthem,laughingwithdelighttofindhisorderssoreadilyobeyed.
TheWizardwenttoGeneralGuph,whowastryingtocounthisfingers,andtoldhimtofollowtheNomeKing,whowashismaster.Guphmeeklyobeyed,andsoalltheNomesquittedtheLandofOzforever
