按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the way； Zeb driving while the Wizard and Dorothy each held a lighted
lantern so the horse could see where to go。
Sometimes the tunnel was so narrow that the wheels of the buggy grazed
the sides； then it would broaden out as wide as a street； but the
floor was usually smooth； and for a long time they travelled on
without any accident。 Jim stopped sometimes to rest； for the climb
was rather steep and tiresome。
〃We must be nearly as high as the six colored suns； by this time；〃
said Dorothy。 〃I didn't know this mountain was so tall。〃
〃We are certainly a good distance away from the Land of the Mangaboos；〃
added Zeb； 〃for we have slanted away from it ever since we started。〃
But they kept steadily moving； and just as Jim was about tired out with
his long journey the way suddenly grew lighter； and Zeb put out the
lanterns to save the oil。
To their joy they found it was a white light that now greeted them；
for all were weary of the colored rainbow lights which； after a time；
had made their eyes ache with their constantly shifting rays。 The
sides of the tunnel showed before them like the inside of a long
spy…glass； and the floor became more level。 Jim hastened his lagging
steps at this assurance of a quick relief from the dark passage； and
in a few moments more they had emerged from the mountain and found
themselves face to face with a new and charming country。
8。 The Valley of Voices
By journeying through the glass mountain they had reached a delightful
valley that was shaped like the hollow of a great cup； with another
rugged mountain showing on the other side of it； and soft and pretty
green hills at the ends。 It was all laid out into lovely lawns and
gardens； with pebble paths leading through them and groves of
beautiful and stately trees dotting the landscape here and there。
There were orchards； too； bearing luscious fruits that are all unknown
in our world。 Alluring brooks of crystal water flowed sparkling
between their flower…strewn banks； while scattered over the valley were
dozens of the quaintest and most picturesque cottages our travelers
had ever beheld。 None of them were in clusters； such as villages or
towns； but each had ample grounds of its own； with orchards and
gardens surrounding it。
As the new arrivals gazed upon this exquisite scene they were
enraptured by its beauties and the fragrance that permeated the soft
air； which they breathed so gratefully after the confined atmosphere
of the tunnel。 Several minutes were consumed in silent admiration
before they noticed two very singular and unusual facts about this
valley。 One was that it was lighted from some unseen source； for no
sun or moon was in the arched blue sky； although every object was
flooded with a clear and perfect light。 The second and even more
singular fact was the absence of any inhabitant of this splendid
place。 From their elevated position they could overlook the entire
valley； but not a single moving object could they see。 All appeared
mysteriously deserted。
The mountain on this side was not glass； but made of a stone similar
to granite。 With some difficulty and danger Jim drew the buggy over
the loose rocks until he reached the green lawns below； where the
paths and orchards and gardens began。 The nearest cottage was still
some distance away。
〃Isn't it fine？〃 cried Dorothy； in a joyous voice； as she sprang out
of the buggy and let Eureka run frolicking over the velvety grass。
〃Yes； indeed！〃 answered Zeb。 〃We were lucky to get away from those
dreadful vegetable people。〃
〃It wouldn't be so bad；〃 remarked the Wizard； gazing around him； 〃if
we were obliged to live here always。 We couldn't find a prettier
place； I'm sure。〃
He took the piglets from his pocket and let them run on the grass； and
Jim tasted a mouthful of the green blades and declared he was very
contented in his new surroundings。
〃We can't walk in the air here； though；〃 called Eureka； who had tried
it and failed； but the others were satisfied to walk on the ground；
and the Wizard said they must be nearer the surface of the earth then
they had been in the Mangaboo country； for everything was more homelike
and natural。
〃But where are the people？〃 asked Dorothy。
The little man shook his bald head。
〃Can't imagine； my dear；〃 he replied。
They heard the sudden twittering of a bird； but could not find the
creature anywhere。 Slowly they walked along the path toward the
nearest cottage； the piglets racing and gambolling beside them and Jim
pausing at every step for another mouthful of grass。
Presently they came to a low plant which had broad； spreading leaves；
in the center of which grew a single fruit about as large as a peach。
The fruit was so daintily colored and so fragrant； and looked so
appetizing and delicious that Dorothy stopped and exclaimed：
〃What is it； do you s'pose？〃
The piglets had smelled the fruit quickly； and before the girl could
reach out her hand to pluck it every one of the nine tiny ones had
rushed in and commenced to devour it with great eagerness。
〃It's good； anyway；〃 said Zeb； 〃or those little rascals wouldn't have
gobbled it up so greedily。〃
〃Where are they？〃 asked Dorothy； in astonishment。
They all looked around； but the piglets had disappeared。
〃Dear me！〃 cried the Wizard； 〃they must have run away。 But I didn't
see them go； did you？〃
〃No！〃 replied the boy and the girl； together。
〃Here；piggy； piggy； piggy！〃 called their master； anxiously。
Several squeals and grunts were instantly heard at his feet； but the
Wizard could not discover a single piglet。
〃Where are you？〃 he asked。
〃Why； right beside you；〃 spoke a tiny voice。 〃Can't you see us？〃
〃No；〃 answered the little man； in a puzzled tone。
〃We can see you；〃 said another of the piglets。
The Wizard stooped down and put out his hand； and at once felt the
small fat body of one of his pets。 He picked it up； but could not see
what he held。
〃It is very strange；〃 said he； soberly。 〃The piglets have become
invisible； in some curious way。〃
〃I'll bet it's because they ate that peach！〃 cried the kitten。
〃It wasn't a peach； Eureka；〃 said Dorothy。 〃I only hope it wasn't poison。〃
〃It was fine； Dorothy；〃 called one of the piglets。
〃We'll eat all we can find of them；〃 said another。
〃But WE mus'n't eat them；〃 the Wizard warned the children； 〃or we too
may become invisible； and lose each other。 If we come across another
of the strange fruit we must avoid it。〃
Calling the piglets to him he picked them all up； one by one； and put
them away in his pocket； for although he could not see them he could
feel them； and when he had buttoned his coat he knew they were safe
for the present。
The travellers now resumed their walk toward the cottage； which they
presently reached。 It was a pretty place； with vines growing thickly