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the gate, which they found fast shut. But the Wizard advanced and pounded
upon it with his fist, saying in a loud voice, "Open!"
At once there rose above the great wall a row of immense heads, all of which
looked down at them as if to see who was intruding. The size of these heads
was astonishing, and our friends at once realized that they belonged to giants
who were standing within the city. All had thick, bushy hair and whiskers, on
some the hair being white and on others black or red or yellow, while the hair
of a few was just turning gray, showing that the giants were of all ages.
However fierce the heads might seem, the eyes were mild in expression, as if
the creatures had been long subdued, and their faces expressed patience
rather than ferocity.
"
"
"
"
What's wanted?" asked one old giant in a low, grumbling voice.
We are strangers, and we wish to enter the city," replied the Wizard.
Do you come in war or peace?" asked another.
In peace, of course," retorted the Wizard, and he added impatiently, "Do we
look like an army of conquest?"
"
No," said the first giant who had spoken, "you look like innocent tramps; but
you never can tell by appearances. Wait here until we report to our masters.
No one can enter here without the permission of Vig, the Czarover."
"
Who's that?" inquired Dorothy.
But the heads had all bobbed down and disappeared behind the walls, so
there was no answer. They waited a long time before the gate rolled back with
a rumbling sound, and a loud voice cried, "Enter!" But they lost no time in
taking advantage of the invitation.
On either side of the broad street that led into the city from the gate stood a
row of huge giants, twenty of them on a side and all standing so close together
that their elbows touched. They wore uniforms of blue and yellow and were
armed with clubs as big around as treetrunks. Each giant had around his
neck a broad band of gold, riveted on, to show he was a slave.
As our friends entered riding upon the Lion, the Woozy, the Sawhorse and the
Mule, the giants half turned and walked in two files on either side of them, as
if escorting them on their way. It looked to Dorothy as if all her party had
been made prisoners, for even mounted on their animals their heads scarcely
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