登陆注册
5240600000040

第40章 Chapter Seventeen The Nome King(2)

He then commanded Kitticut and Garee to lay before the Nome King the bags of gold and jewels, and they obeyed, being helpless.

"Very good," said King Kaliko, nodding approval, for like all the nomes he loved treasures of gold and jewels. "But who are the prisoners you have brought here, and why do you place them in my charge instead of guarding them, yourself? They seem gentle enough, I'm sure."

"The prisoners," returned King Gos, "are the King and Queen of Pingaree, a small island north of here. They are very evil people and came to our islands of Regos and Coregos to conquer them and slay our poor people.

Also they intended to plunder us of all our riches, but by good fortune we were able to defeat and capture them. However, they have a son who is a terrible wizard and who by magic art is trying to find this awful King and Queen of Pingaree, and to set them free, that they may continue their wicked deeds. Therefore, as we have no magic to defend ourselves with, we have brought the prisoners to you for safe keeping."

"Your Majesty," spoke up King Kitticut, addressing the Nome King with great indignation, "do not believe this tale, I implore you. It is all a lie!"

"I know it," said Kaliko. "I consider it a clever lie, though, because it is woven without a thread of truth. However, that is none of my business. The fact remains that my good friend King Gos wishes to put you in my underground caverns, so that you will be unable to escape. And why should I not please him in this little matter? Gos is a mighty King and a great warrior, while your island of Pingaree is desolated and your people scattered. In my heart, King Kitticut, I sympathize with you, but as a matter of business policy we powerful Kings must stand together and trample the weaker ones under our feet."

King Kitticut was surprised to find the King of the nomes so candid and so well informed, and he tried to argue that he and his gentle wife did not deserve their cruel fate and that it would be wiser for Kaliko to side with them than with the evil King of Regos. But Kaliko only shook his head and smiled, saying:

"The fact that you are a prisoner, my poor Kitticut, is evidence that you are weaker than King Cos, and I prefer to deal with the strong. By the way," he added, turning to the King of Regos, "have these prisoners any connection with the Land of Oz?"

"Why do you ask?" said Gos.

"Because I dare not offend the Oz people," was the reply. "I am very powerful, as you know, but Ozma of Oz is far more powerful than I; therefore, if this King and Queen of Pingaree happened to be under Ozma's protection, I would have nothing to do with them."

"I assure Your Majesty that the prisoners have nothing to do with the Oz people," Gos hastened to say.

And Kitticut, being questioned, admitted that this was true.

"But how about that wizard you mentioned?" asked the Nome King.

"Oh, he is merely a boy; but he is very ferocious and obstinate and he is assisted by a little fat sorcerer called Rinkitink and a talking goat."

"Oho! A talking goat, do you say? That certainly sounds like magic; and it also sounds like the Land of Oz, where all the animals talk," said Kaliko, with a doubtful expression.

But King Gos assured him the talking goat had never been to Oz.

"As for Rinkitink, whom you call a sorcerer," continued the Nome King, "he is a neighbor of mine, you must know, but as we are cut off from each other by high mountains beneath which a powerful river runs, I have never yet met King Rinkitink. But I have heard of him, and from all reports he is a jolly rogue, and perfectly harmless. However, in spite of your false statements and misrepresentations, I will earn the treasure you have brought me, by keeping your prisoners safe in my caverns.

"Make them work," advised Queen Cor. "They are rather delicate, and to make them work will make them suffer delightfully."

"I'll do as I please about that," said the Nome King sternly. "Be content that I agree to keep them safe."

The bargain being thus made and concluded, Kaliko first examined the gold and jewels and then sent it away to his royal storehouse, which was well filled with like treasure. Next the captives were sent away in charge of the nome with the golden collar and keys, whose name was Klik, and he escorted them to a small cavern and gave them a good supper.

"I shall lock your door," said Klik, "so there is no need of your wearing those heavy chains any longer." He therefore removed the chains and left King Kitticut and his Queen alone. This was the first time since the Northmen had carried them away from Pingaree that the good King and Queen had been alone together and free of all bonds, and as they embraced lovingly and mingled their tears over their sad fate they were also grateful that they had passed from the control of the heartless King Gos into the more considerate care of King Kaliko.

They were still captives but they believed they would be happier in the underground caverns of the nomes than in Regos and Coregos.

Meantime, in the King's royal cavern a great feast had been spread. King Gos and Queen Cor, having triumphed in their plot, were so well pleased that they held high revelry with the jolly Nome King until a late hour that night. And the next morning, having cautioned Kaliko not to release the prisoners under any consideration without their orders, the King and Queen of Regos and Coregos left the caverns of the nomes to return to the shore of the ocean where they had left their boat.

同类推荐
  • 宁古塔地方乡土志

    宁古塔地方乡土志

    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。
  • 金箓设醮仪

    金箓设醮仪

    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。
  • 黄檗山寺志

    黄檗山寺志

    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。
  • 途次大梁雪中奉天平

    途次大梁雪中奉天平

    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。
  • 送徐使君赴岳州

    送徐使君赴岳州

    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
  • 绝情

    绝情

    在家歇一天,比上班还他妈累。魏啸林浑身酸软地倒在沙发上,小声嘟囔一句。夏天炎热,一身衣服只能穿两天,攒了五天的脏衣服,加上床单枕巾,汗津津一大堆,看着就让人眼晕,还有五天没收拾的房间,没擦的地,用大半天时间干完这么多家务活,能不累吗?真他妈累。魏啸林在一家科研所资料室工作,工人出身的他,自学的日语,他的日语水平完全可以跟日本人对话,在所里是一流的,否则早被处理内退回家了。五十几岁是人生的一个大关卡,除了当官的、有学问的,普通人到了这个年龄,很多人早回家抱孩子了。
  • 读佛即是拜佛:弥勒佛传

    读佛即是拜佛:弥勒佛传

    当时没有人知道,那个挺着大肚子,背着布袋游走于街头,始终面带笑容逗弄世人的乞丐和尚,就是真正的弥勒佛。唐末乱世,在一场洪灾中,弥勒转世为人,被一对农民捡回收养,取名“契此”。就在结婚当晚,他抛下养父母、未婚妻,逃婚到岳林寺剃度出家。本想安心修行,却屡遭三个假和尚诬蔑,成为世人眼中偷吃荤腥、贪恋女色的花和尚,像过街老鼠一般受尽欺辱。在万念俱灰之时,经无名老僧指点修行,终于在弯腰插秧时重拾本来面目,从此背起布袋四处游荡,见人就笑,更在嬉笑怒骂、疯疯癫癫的言行中教化众人:少一点心眼,多一点豁达。
  • 我是首席机甲师

    我是首席机甲师

    从王者到青铜?汪滕飞笑了笑,我可是王者之上的首席。说我是穷厨子?汪滕飞笑了笑,帝国四大家族,我罩的。无权无势?来来来,皇子们过来,告诉他们谁是你老大。孤身一人?我给你数数,帝国第一骑士,帝国第一科学家,帝国第一企业家(呃,这些都是乱入的)。皇帝陛下,我们来聊一下怎么彻底改变帝国军队体系呗。王者归来,热血洒疆场,智破帝国奇案。能赢我的人,现在还没出生!
  • 大脑拯救宝典:系统君,滚粗

    大脑拯救宝典:系统君,滚粗

    一转眼已经在硝烟弥漫的抗战前夕;租界上海滩歌舞升平;从老北京来的旦角轰动江南;谷白练就恰好穿成了那个旦角。。。的疯狂追爱着。最最疯狂的一位。说好的快穿从校园小清新走起呢?谷白练对系统无声抗议。系统弱弱回了句,我不喜欢你的名字。白练,白莲,合该你倒霉。这只是故事的开端而已。
  • 孔易阐真

    孔易阐真

    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。
  • 名人传记丛书:列夫·托尔斯泰

    名人传记丛书:列夫·托尔斯泰

    名人传记丛书——列夫·托尔斯泰——失去他,俄罗斯成了孤儿:“立足课本,超越课堂”,以提高中小学生的综合素质为目的,让中小学生从课内受益到课外,是一生的良师益友。
  • 灾难来了会自救

    灾难来了会自救

    逃生,是和时间的赛跑,是一场心理的较量。掌握逃生知识,是对生命的一种珍惜和负责,刻不容缓! 《灾难来了会自救(不看会死的紧急避害逃生术)》由赵柱所著,《灾难来了会自救(不看会死的紧急避害逃生术)》涵盖了自然灾害:地震、海啸、火山爆发等;突发状况:抢劫、跟踪等各种类型的灾难及危机事件,用鲜活的例子向你讲述避险之策以及逃生 的宝贵经验。教你全面、科学、理性地应对险情及其他人身伤害,危机状态下第一时间采取自救的行动指南。作者简介
  • 两界至尊主播

    两界至尊主播

    主播客户端发生异变,可连接异世界直播平台,还有音乐、表演、游戏技能随意学,失意主播从此一发不可收拾。
  • 重生之嫡女谋嫁

    重生之嫡女谋嫁

    重生而回,夏梓晗才发现,自己上辈子过的有多窝囊和愚蠢,被渣男欺骗,被继母哄骗,还被继妹抢走未婚夫,自己最后却落得一个身败名裂,嫁赌鬼又毁容的下场。重生归来,夏梓晗只有三个愿望,一,做个天下最有钱的贵女,二,让所有害过她的人,全都得到应有的报应,三,再嫁得一只金龟婿,生几只小包子,过着夫妻恩爱琴瑟和鸣幸福生活。为了实现这三个愿望,夏梓晗努力强大自己,开铺子,学武功,赚银子,闲暇时间还不忘记虐虐继母继妹渣男什么的,把前世他们欠她的债,十倍百倍的一一讨回来。
  • 神秘富豪来袭:你是我的妻

    神秘富豪来袭:你是我的妻

    她不过是错把他当成劫匪,“轻轻”打了一下,这个小气巴拉的男人竟然使出卑鄙伎俩把她拐回家。她暗喜,有吃有住还有帅哥看,她赚大发了。帅哥诡笑,便宜占够了没?是不是该我占回来了?