登陆注册
19652900000026

第26章 The Nome King(3)

He arose and took Ozma's hand, leading her to a little door at one side of the room. This he opened and they stepped out upon a balcony, from whence they obtained a wonderful view of the Underground World.

A vast cave extended for miles and miles under the mountain, and in every direction were furnaces and forges glowing brightly and Nomes hammering upon precious metals or polishing gleaming jewels. All around the walls of the cave were thousands of doors of silver and gold, built into the solid rock, and these extended in rows far away into the distance, as far as Ozma's eyes could follow them.

While the little maid from Oz gazed wonderingly upon this scene the Nome King uttered a shrill whistle, and at once all the silver and gold doors flew open and solid ranks of Nome soldiers marched out from every one. So great were their numbers that they quickly filled the immense underground cavern and forced the busy workmen to abandon their tasks.

Although this tremendous army consisted of rock-colored Nomes, all squat and fat, they were clothed in glittering armor of polished steel, inlaid with beautiful gems. Upon his brow each wore a brilliant electric light, and they bore sharp spears and swords and battle-axes of solid bronze. It was evident they were perfectly trained, for they stood in straight rows, rank after rank, with their weapons held erect and true, as if awaiting but the word of command to level them upon their foes.

"This," said the Nome King, "is but a small part of my army. No ruler upon Earth has ever dared to fight me, and no ruler ever will, for I am too powerful to oppose."

He whistled again, and at once the martial array filed through the silver and gold doorways and disappeared, after which the workmen again resumed their labors at the furnaces.

Then, sad and discouraged, Ozma of Oz turned to her friends, and the Nome King calmly reseated himself on his rock throne.

"It would be foolish for us to fight," the girl said to the Tin Woodman. "For our brave Twenty-Seven would be quickly destroyed. I'm sure I do not know how to act in this emergency.

"Ask the King where his kitchen is," suggested the Tiger. "I'm hungry as a bear."

"I might pounce upon the King and tear him in pieces," remarked the Cowardly Lion.

"Try it," said the monarch, lighting his pipe with another hot coal which he took from his pocket.

The Lion crouched low and tried to spring upon the Nome King; but he hopped only a little way into the air and came down again in the same place, not being able to approach the throne by even an inch.

"It seems to me," said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully, "that our best plan is to wheedle his Majesty into giving up his slaves, since he is too great a magician to oppose."

"This is the most sensible thing any of you have suggested," declared the Nome King. "It is folly to threaten me, but I'm so kind-hearted that I cannot stand coaxing or wheedling. If you really wish to accomplish anything by your journey, my dear Ozma, you must coax me."

"Very well," said Ozma, more cheerfully. "Let us be friends, and talk this over in a friendly manner."

"To be sure," agreed the King, his eyes twinkling merrily.

"I am very anxious," she continued, "to liberate the Queen of Ev and her children who are now ornaments and bric-a-brac in your Majesty's palace, and to restore them to their people. Tell me, sir, how this may be accomplished."

The king remained thoughtful for a moment, after which he asked:

"Are you willing to take a few chances and risks yourself, in order to set free the people of Ev?"

"Yes, indeed!" answered Ozma, eagerly.

"Then," said the Nome King, "I will make you this offer: You shall go alone and unattended into my palace and examine carefully all that the rooms contain. Then you shall have permission to touch eleven different objects, pronouncing at the time the word 'Ev,' and if any one of them, or more than one, proves to be the transformation of the Queen of Ev or any of her ten children, then they will instantly be restored to their true forms and may leave my palace and my kingdom in your company, without any objection whatever. It is possible for you, in this way, to free the entire eleven; but if you do not guess all the objects correctly, and some of the slaves remain transformed, then each one of your friends and followers may, in turn, enter the palace and have the same privileges I grant you."

"Oh, thank you! thank you for this kind offer!" said Ozma, eagerly.

"I make but one condition," added the Nome King, his eyes twinkling.

"What is it?" she enquired.

"If none of the eleven objects you touch proves to be the transformation of any of the royal family of Ev, then, instead of freeing them, you will yourself become enchanted, and transformed into an article of bric-a-brac or an ornament. This is only fair and just, and is the risk you declared you were willing to take."

同类推荐
  • 月涧禅师语录

    月涧禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 神仙食炁金柜妙录

    神仙食炁金柜妙录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 九尾狐

    九尾狐

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 湖山叙游

    湖山叙游

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 夜谭随录

    夜谭随录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 血之界祭

    血之界祭

    少年侦探陷入怪圈,调查诡异巨坑,相识神秘少女;与青梅竹马表白之际,大火降临,狂暴力量爆发,昔日侦探竟成杀人犯?为保护自己喜欢的女孩,越狱,训练,加入神秘组织,开始了与位面怪物的战斗……
  • 试验品

    试验品

    这个爱情来自于一句玩笑的开始,朱少杰用一千万和艾丽莎达成了寻找爱情的交易,朱少杰为了爱情,为了那种温暖和幸福努力改变着,随着艾丽莎父亲的离世,母亲思念成疾。朱少杰由于桃花山陵园的销售决然将母亲送到了精神病院的事情,艾丽莎的心再也激不起爱情的火花。
  • 仙剑奇缘之七杀殿

    仙剑奇缘之七杀殿

    她叫彩月,为了能和完成养母的遗愿,她踏上了人生的第一个旅途,寻找女仙后人,重振仙山派。(本书是仙剑奇缘之仙山传的一个故事)
  • 权修

    权修

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 美味新妻:老公宠上瘾

    美味新妻:老公宠上瘾

    相信一睡钟情吗?穆时光是不相信的,但自从睡了秦悠然后就不可自拔的恋上她的身子。为了能睡她一辈子撒娇耍贱卖萌无所不用其极。记者问,穆少最大的心愿是什么?穆时光毫不犹豫的说,“睡秦悠然一辈子。”记者问,秦影后你现在最想做什么?秦悠然漫不经心的说哦,“把穆时光睡了。”众人:真是不是一家人不进一家门。说的话都这么相似。众人欲哭无泪,措不及防被撒一身狗粮。
  • 乌龙婚姻纪事

    乌龙婚姻纪事

    这个世界上最苦逼的不是你升级成大龄女郎还嫁不出去,也不是你贱肉横生而难以挤进你男神的法眼,而是你莫名其妙地遇见一个人,糊涂地跟他结了婚。如果这些还不算,那么我告诉你,当你终于想起那小本子的九块钱是你付的时候,想去离婚竟然发现自己被一个类似疯子的物体缠上了....你会不会有以头抢地的冲动?我是奕珊,我想简述我这一段有点不堪回首的“乌龙婚姻纪事”。
  • 成圣之路

    成圣之路

    我从黑暗里来,向着黑暗里去。生活在秘织的囚笼世界,除了前进,薛仁川没有其他选择。友情,爱情,连同背叛的世界。如果不能选择苟活,便只有主动抗争。我从黑暗的世界来,重新塑造这个世界。感谢腾讯文学书评团提供书评支持!
  • 诛神名单

    诛神名单

    躲过了十万年前的大毁灭,睁开眼已是沧桑巨变!神器炎黄谕令惊现,如果真的可以,就遂他所愿,醒提杀人剑!红颜玄冰棺内枯等,如果真的可以,愿舍弃一切,醉卧美人膝!待到春雷动、天地合,蓦然回首!什么争权夺霸,什么三界之主,六道至尊!面对着高楼大厦,车水马龙,他不禁唏嘘:难道我追求的错了吗?这一世,他只想做一个安静的美男子。奈何风云多变……
  • 遍体鳞伤之后是成长

    遍体鳞伤之后是成长

    我们都曾经迷茫在青春这条路上,我们被弄得遍体鳞伤。痛过笑过之后,就是成长了。谁不叛逆?重要的是我们成长了。伤再痛又怎样?我们能扛。世界虚伪又怎样,我们会伪装。
  • 最胜问菩萨十住除垢断结经卷第一(一名十千日光三昧定)

    最胜问菩萨十住除垢断结经卷第一(一名十千日光三昧定)

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。