Finally the roar died away, like distant
thunder, and Ruggedo the Nome went on with his speech.
"Having heard the Oz people plot against your liberty, we watched to
see what they would do, and saw them all begin making ropes--ropes
long and short--with which to snare our friends the beasts. You are
angry, but we also were angry, for when the Oz people became the
enemies of the beasts they also became our enemies; for we, too, are
beasts, although we live in the sky. And my comrade and I said: 'We
will save our friends and have revenge on the Oz people,' and so we
came here to tell you of your danger and of our plan to save you."
"We can save ourselves," cried an old Elephant. "We can fight."
"The Oz people are fairies, and you can't fight against magic unless
you also have magic," answered the Nome.
"Tell us your plan!" shouted the huge Tiger, and the other beasts
echoed his words, crying: "Tell us your plan."
"My plan is simple," replied Ruggedo. "By our magic we will
transform all you animals into men and women--like the Oz people--and
we will transform all the Oz people into beasts.
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