登陆注册
15296100000027

第27章

The Wicked King and Googly-Goo When our friends approached the great doorway of the castle they found it guarded by several soldiers dressed in splendid uniforms.They were armed with swords and lances.Cap'n Bill walked straight up to them and asked:

"Does the King happen to be at home?"

"His Magnificent and Glorious Majesty, King Krewl, is at present inhabiting his Royal Castle," was the stiff reply.

"Then I guess we'll go in an' say how-d'ye-do,"continued Cap'n Bill, attempting to enter the doorway.

But a soldier barred his way with a lance.

"Who are you, what are your names, and where do you come from?" demanded the soldier.

"You wouldn't know if we told you," returned the sailor, "seein' as we're strangers in a strange land.""Oh, if you are strangers you will be permitted to enter," said the soldier, lowering his lance."His Majesty is very fond of strangers.""Do many strangers come here?" asked Trot.

"You are the first that ever came to our country," said the man."But his Majesty has often said that if strangers ever arrived in Jinxland he would see that they had a very exciting time."Cap'n Bill scratched his chin thoughtfully.He wasn't very favorably impressed by this last remark.But he decided that as there was no way of escape from Jinxland it would be wise to confront the King boldly and try to win his favor.So they entered the castle, escorted by one of the soldiers.

It was certainly a fine castle, with many large rooms, all beautifully furnished.The passages were winding and handsomely decorated, and after following several of these the soldier led them into an open court that occupied the very center of the huge building.It was surrounded on every side by high turreted walls, and contained beds of flowers, fountains and walks of many colored marbles which were matched together in quaint designs.In an open space near the middle of the court they saw a group of courtiers and their ladies, who surrounded a lean man who wore upon his head a jeweled crown.His face was hard and sullen and through the slits of his half-closed eyelids the eyes glowed like coals of fire.He was dressed in brilliant satins and velvets and was seated in a golden throne-chair.

This personage was King Krewl, and as soon as Cap'n Bill saw him the old sailor knew at once that he was not going to like the King of Jinxland.

"Hello! who's here?" said his Majesty, with a deep scowl.

"Strangers, Sire," answered the soldier, bowing so low that his forehead touched the marble tiles.

"Strangers, eh? Well, well; what an unexpected visit!

Advance, strangers, and give an account of yourselves."The King's voice was as harsh as his features.Trot shuddered a little but Cap'n Bill calmly replied:

"There ain't much for us to say, 'cept as we've arrived to look over your country an' see how we like it.Judgin'

from the way you speak, you don't know who we are, or you'd be jumpin' up to shake hands an' offer us seats.

Kings usually treat us pretty well, in the great big Outside World where we come from, but in this little kingdom -- which don't amount to much, anyhow -- folks don't seem to 'a' got much culchure."The King listened with amazement to this bold speech, first with a frown and then gazing at the two children and the old sailor with evident curiosity.The courtiers were dumb with fear, for no one had ever dared speak in such a manner to their self-willed, cruel King before.

His Majesty, however, was somewhat frightened, for cruel people are always cowards, and he feared these mysterious strangers might possess magic powers that would destroy him unless he treated them well.So he commanded his people to give the new arrivals seats, and they obeyed with trembling haste.

After being seated, Cap'n Bill lighted his pipe and began puffing smoke from it, a sight so strange to them that it filled them all with wonder.Presently the King asked:

"How did you penetrate to this hidden country? Did you cross the desert or the mountains?""Desert," answered Cap'n Bill, as if the task were too easy to be worth talking about.

"Indeed! No one has ever been able to do that before,"said the King.

"Well, it's easy enough, if you know how," asserted Cap'n Bill, so carelessly that it greatly impressed his hearers.The King shifted in his throne uneasily.He was more afraid of these strangers than before.

"Do you intend to stay long in Jinxland?" was his next anxious question.

"Depends on how we like it," said Cap'n Bill."Just now I might suggest to your Majesty to order some rooms got ready for us in your dinky little castle here.And a royal banquet, with some fried onions an' pickled tripe, would set easy on our stomicks an' make us a bit happier than we are now.""Your wishes shall be attended to," said King Krewl, but his eyes flashed from between their slits in a wicked way that made Trot hope the food wouldn't be poisoned.At the King's command several of his attendants hastened away to give the proper orders to the castle servants and no sooner were they gone than a skinny old man entered the courtyard and bowed before the King.

This disagreeable person was dressed in rich velvets, with many furbelows and laces.He was covered with golden chains, finely wrought rings and jeweled ornaments.He walked with mincing steps and glared at all the courtiers as if he considered himself far superior to any or all of them.

同类推荐
  • LOVE OF LIFE

    LOVE OF LIFE

    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。
  • 校注医醇剩义

    校注医醇剩义

    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。
  • 守溪笔记

    守溪笔记

    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。
  • 莲华面经

    莲华面经

    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。
  • Green Mansions

    Green Mansions

    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。
热门推荐
  • 异界御卡师

    异界御卡师

    一个大家族的悲剧私生子,成为替死鬼死后怨念不散,在冥界通道内保留意识疯狂吞噬着一切见到的灵魂,被死界主宰发现后赐予了一个充满诱惑的机会或者说是一个充满奇异的旅程,永恒大陆,众神掌管的维度中最大的一颗有智慧生命的恒星,那里有着奇异的魔法,华丽的战技和的斗气,各种强大的种族,一卡一世界,强者汇聚,在异界没有资本怎么行?看慕容冥天在异界抬手间风起云涌,举目时俯瞰苍生!
  • 青春是场旅行

    青春是场旅行

    你在年轻的时候,是不是也以为,遇到的他是最好的!
  • 逆天修真邪少

    逆天修真邪少

    杨战天是一个不学无术的青年,一次解酒解闷,意外获得一缕古老的元神,在元神的指导下踏上了修真这条不归之路。下灭人渣,上灭仙渣!谁说一朝成魔,万劫不复,我踏上修魔之道,斩尽六道败类,人渣,仙渣,魔渣,只要是渣,天下苍生得而诛之!
  • 江治愈的短篇小说

    江治愈的短篇小说

    彩虹机可以在把对世界的影响降到最低的情况下,完成契约人的一个心愿。但是相应的,需要契约人付出等价的一些东西。彩虹机不要廉价的交换,必须是珍贵到难以割舍的东西才行。诸如情感,记忆,天赋。米高想要使用彩虹机,所以他必须付出代价。
  • 世界妖鬼录

    世界妖鬼录

    传说里究竟有多少妖,究竟有多少鬼。他们有些害人,有些助人,也不知道他们到底是不是真的。本书为大家收录了世界上多数的妖与鬼,有些可能你们知道,但我相信更多的是你们不知道的
  • 合租情缘:邪少的替身情人

    合租情缘:邪少的替身情人

    现代言情!!现代言情!!现代言情!!为了工作方便,陆瑞婕从学校宿舍搬了出来,在事务所附近租了房子。入住的第一天,敲错了门,就被一个男人夺走了初吻,同时也失了身。可明明吃亏的是她,却还要被男人威胁,和他同住在一个屋檐下。后来,陆瑞婕想起这一天的初遇,她才知道原来一切早已命中注定。PS:隐形女孩要说明一下,本书是现代言情,之前选错了类型,如果害亲们误入,无良的作家提前向亲们道歉啦!爱你们!么么哒!
  • 异世之整蛊系统

    异世之整蛊系统

    杨叶:先后被三十多辆汽车反复碾压,你能明白我的感受吗?天神:抱歉,那天喝醉了酒,手抖了一下,所以就失误了···········杨叶:既然是你酒后无德所为,那你是不是应该对我负责呢?天神:··················(我有句MMMP不知道该不该讲!)
  • 独爱汝:一世殇

    独爱汝:一世殇

    本书是一本悬疑、惊险。侦探型小说。以各个花语为导,发生了一系列的悬疑故事。《独爱汝,一世殇》由奈小殇、奈小熙、奈小初。三人合作而成、喜欢留下,不喜则走
  • 邪王毒妃:腹黑逆天九小姐

    邪王毒妃:腹黑逆天九小姐

    她,21世纪鼎鼎大名的神医,却一朝穿越到了一个莫名的时空——幽冥时空,成了墨府不受欢迎的废物九小姐。他,东陵国的瑾王殿下,冷酷邪魅强势霸道,天赋更是无与伦比。世人皆道她草包废柴,人人避恐不及,唯独他强势霸道死命纠缠。且看二人如何演绎一场追逐与被追逐的好戏
  • 张御洁探案系列

    张御洁探案系列

    话说张御洁与华胜相遇时,被华胜发现他曾爱上一位叫做王心雨的达州女孩,在网上抛下一段“我们不可能”的话,宣告结束,但是后来张御洁一直缠着这个女孩。就在成都红牌楼一带,其中一名叫做杨虎的中年业务员,被查出了得了种怪病,被好友叫救护车,送进华西医院抢救无效死亡?接着又一起案件发生了,在成都八宝街一带,一名叫做陈达的青年业务员也被神秘地被毒死家中?看似两起离奇的案件,当中,是否有何玄机,就请大家一起参与和我们的大侦探张御洁一同破获此案吧。小说交流QQ群377308583(群员发展中)