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"
You're one," said the captain.
That made the shaggy man laugh
Good afternoon, captain," he said, bowing politely to all the foxes and very
"
low to their commander. "I trust you are in good health, and that your
families are all well?"
The fox-captain looked at the shaggy man, and his sharp features grew
pleasant and smiling.
"
We're pretty well, thank you, Shaggy Man," said he; and Dorothy knew that
the Love Magnet was working and that all the foxes now loved the shaggy man
because of it. But Toto didn't know this, for he began barking angrily and
tried to bite the captain's hairy leg where it showed between his red boots and
his yellow pantaloons.
"
Stop, Toto!" cried the little girl, seizing the dog in her arms. "These are our
friends."
"
Why, so we are!" remarked the captain in tones of astonishment. "I thought
at first we were enemies, but it seems you are friends instead. You must come
with me to see King Dox."
"
Who's he?" asked Button-Bright, with earnest eyes.
"
King Dox of Foxville; the great and wise sovereign who rules over our
community."
"
"
"
What's sov'rin, and what's c'u'nity?" inquired Button-Bright.
Don't ask so many questions, little boy."
Why?"
"
"
Ah, why indeed?" exclaimed the captain, looking at Button-Bright admiringly.
If you don't ask questions you will learn nothing. True enough. I was wrong.
You're a very clever little boy, come to think of it--very clever indeed. But now,
friends, please come with me, for it is my duty to escort you at once to the
royal palace."
The soldiers marched back through the arch again, and with them marched
the shaggy man, Dorothy, Toto, and Button-Bright. Once through the opening
they found a fine, big city spread out before them, all the houses of carved
marble in beautiful colors. The decorations were mostly birds and other fowl,
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