Путешествие в Страну Оз
3. A Queer Village
Acaptainmarchedinfrontofthecompanyoffox-soldiers,hisuniformembroideredwithgoldbraidtomakeithandsomerthantheothers.
Almostbeforeourfriendsrealizeditthesoldiershadsurroundedthemonallsides,andthecaptainwascallingoutinaharshvoice:
"Surrender!Youareourprisoners."
"What’sapris’ner?"askedButton-Bright.
"Aprisonerisacaptive,"repliedthefox-captain,struttingupanddownwithmuchdignity.
"What’sacaptive?"askedButton-Bright.
"You’reone,"saidthecaptain.
Thatmadetheshaggymanlaugh
"Goodafternoon,captain,"hesaid,bowingpolitelytoallthefoxesandverylowtotheircommander."Itrustyouareingoodhealth,andthatyourfamiliesareallwell?"
Thefox-captainlookedattheshaggyman,andhissharpfeaturesgrewpleasantandsmiling.
"We’reprettywell,thankyou,ShaggyMan,"saidhe;andDorothyknewthattheLoveMagnetwasworkingandthatallthefoxesnowlovedtheshaggymanbecauseofit.ButTotodidn’tknowthis,forhebeganbarkingangrilyandtriedtobitethecaptain’shairylegwhereitshowedbetweenhisredbootsandhisyellowpantaloons.
"Stop,Toto!"criedthelittlegirl,seizingthedoginherarms."Theseareourfriends."
"Why,soweare!"remarkedthecaptainintonesofastonishment."Ithoughtatfirstwewereenemies,butitseemsyouarefriendsinstead.YoumustcomewithmetoseeKingDox."
"Who’she?"askedButton-Bright,withearnesteyes.
"KingDoxofFoxville;thegreatandwisesovereignwhorulesoverourcommunity."
"What’ssov’rin,andwhat’sc’u’nity?"inquiredButton-Bright.
