Смарагдове місто країни Оз
11. How the General Met the First and Foremost
Alltherockshadtheshapesoffrightfulbeingsandeventhetreetrunksweregnarledandtwistedlikeserpents.
SuddenlythereappearedbeforetheNomeamanwiththeheadofanowl.Hisbodywashairylikethatofanape,andhisonlyclothingwasascarletscarftwistedaroundhiswaist.Heboreahugeclubinhishandandhisroundowleyesblinkedfiercelyupontheintruder.
"Whatareyoudoinghere?"hedemanded,threateningGuphwithhisclub.
"I’vecometoseetheFirstandForemostPhanfasmofPhantastico,"repliedtheGeneral,whodidnotlikethewaythiscreaturelookedathim,butstillwasnotafraid.
"Ah;youshallseehim!"themansaid,withasneeringlaugh."TheFirstandForemostshalldecideuponthebestwaytopunishyou."
"Hewillnotpunishme,"returnedGuph,calmly,"forIhavecomeheretodohimandhispeopleararefavor.Leadon,fellow,andtakemedirectlytoyourmaster."
Theowl-manraisedhisclubwithathreateninggesture.
"Ifyoutrytoescape,"hesaid,"beware--"
ButheretheGeneralinterruptedhim.
"Spareyourthreats,"saidhe,"anddonotbeimpertinent,orIwillhaveyouseverelypunished.Leadon,andkeepsilent!"
ThisGuphwasreallyacleverrascal,anditseemsapityhewassobad,forinagoodcausehemighthaveaccomplishedmuch.Herealizedthathehadputhimselfintoadangerouspositionbycomingtothisdreadfulmountain,buthealsoknewthatifheshowedfearhewaslost.Soheadoptedaboldmannerashisbestdefense.Thewisdomofthisplanwassoonevident,forthePhanfasmwiththeowl’sheadturnedandledthewayupthemountain.
