CHAPTER SIX
THEADVENTURESOFEUSTACEATthatverymomeherswerewashinghandsandfatheriverandgenerallygettingreadyfordinnerahethreebestarchershadgoneupintothehillsnorthofthebayaurnedladenairofwildgoatswhichwerenowroastingoverafire.Caspianhadorderedacaskofwineashore,strongwineofArlandwhichhadtobemixedwithwaterbeforeyoudrankit,sotherewouldbeplentyforall.Theworkhad
gonewellsofaranditwasamerrymeal.OnlyafterthesedhelpingofgoatdidEdmundsay,"WheresthatblighterEustace?”
MeanwhileEustacestaredroundtheunknownvalley.Itwassonarrowanddeep,andtheprecipiceswhichsurrousosheer,thatitwaslikeahugepitortrench.Theflrassythoughstrewnwithrocks,andhereandthereEustacesawblackburntpatcheslikethoseyouseeonthesidesofarailwayembainadrysummer.
Aboutfifteenyardsawayfromhimoolofclear,smoothwater.Therewas,atfirst,nothingelseatallinthevalley;notananimal,notabird,notahesudownandgrimpeaksandhornsofmountainspeeredoverthevalleysedge.
Eustacerealizedofcoursethatinthefoghehadedownthewrongsideoftheridge,soheturooseeaboutgettingback.Butassoonashehadlookedheshuddered.Apparentlyhehadbyamazingluckfoundtheonlypossiblewaydown-alonggreenspitofland,horriblysteepandnarrow,withprecipieitherside.Therewasnootherpossiblewayofgettingback.Butcouldhedoit,nowthathesawwhatitwasreallylike?Hisheadswamattheverythoughtofit.
Heturnedroundagain,thinkingthatatanyratehedbetterhaveagooddrinkfromthepoolfirst.Butassoournedandbeforehehadtakenastepforwardintothevalleyheheardanoisebehindhim.Itwasonlyasmallitsoundedloudinthatimmensesilefrozehimdead-stillwherehestoodforased.Thenheslewedroundhisnedlooked.
Atthebottomofthecliffalittleonhislefthandwasalow,darkhole-theentraoacaveperhaps.Andoutofthistwothinwispsofsmokewereing.Andtheloosestonesjustbehedarkhollowweremoving(thatwasthenoisehehadheard)justasifsomethingwerecrawlinginthedarkbehindthem.
Somethingwascrawling.Worsestill,somethingwasingout.EdmundorLucyoryouwouldhavereizeditatoEustacehadreadherightbooks.Thethingthatcameoutofthecavewassomethinghehadneverevenimagined-alonglead-colouredsnout,dullredeyes,hersorfur,alonglithebodythattrailedontheground,legswhoseelbowswentuphigherthanitsbacklikeaspiderscruelclaws,batswingsthatmadearaspinghestones,yardsoftail.Andthelinesofsmokewereingfromitstwonostrils.Heneversaidthewontohimself.Norwouldithavemadethingsaerifhehad.
Butperhapsifhehadknowhingabonshewouldhavebeenalittlesurprisedatthisdragonsbehaviour.Itdidnotsitupandclapitswings,nordiditshootoutastreamofflamefromitsmouth.Thesmokefromitsnostrilswaslikethesmokeofafirethatwillnotlastmuger.NordiditseemtohavenoticedEustace.Itmovedveryslowlytowardsthepool-slowlyandwithmanypauses.EveninhisfearEustacefeltthatitwasanold,sadcreature.Hewonderedifhedaredmakeadashfortheast.Butitmightlookroundifhemadeanymightoretolife.Perhapsitwasonly
shamming.Anyastheusetoescapebyclimbingfromacreaturethatcouldfly?
Itreachedthepoolandsliditshorriblescalydowhegraveltodrink:butbeforeithaddrunktherecamefromitagreatcroakingorgingdafterafewtwitchesandvulsionsitrolledroundonitssideandlayperfectlystillwithoneclawintheair.Alittledarkbloodgushedfromitswide-openedmouth.Thesmokefromitsnostrilsturnedblaomentandthenfloatedaway.Nomorecame.thiswasthebrutestrick,thewayitluredtravellerstotheirdoom.Butonecouldntwaitforever.Hetookastephentwosteps,andhaltedagain.Thedragonremaiionless;henoticedtoothattheredfirehadgoofitseyes.Atlasthecameuptoit.Hewasquitesurenowthatitwasdead.Withashudderhetouchedit;nothinghappened.
ThereliefwassogreatthatEustacealmostlaughedoutloud.Hebegantofeelasifhehadfoughtandkilledthedragoninsteadofmerelyseeingitdie.Hesteppedoveritaothepoolforhisdrink,fortheheatwasgettingunbearable.Hewasnotsurprisedwhenheheardapealofthunder.Almostimmediatelyafterwardsthesundisappearedandbeforehehadfinishedhisdrinkbigdropsofrainwerefalling.
Theclimateofthisislandwasaveryunpleasantone.IhanamiacewaswettotheskinandhalfblihsuchrainasoneneverseesinEurope.Therewasryingtoclimboutofthevalleyaslongasthislasted.Heboltedfortheonlyshelterinsight-thedragonscave.Therehelaydownandtriedtogethisbreath.
Mostofusknoeshouldexpecttofindinadragonslair,but,asIsaidbefore,Eustacehadreadonlythewrongbooks.Theyhadalottosayaboutexportsandimportsandgoversanddrains,buttheywereweakons.Thatiswhyheuzzledatthesurfawhichhewaslying.Partsofitweretoopricklytobestonesandtoohardtobethorns,andthereseemedtobeagreatmanyround,flatthings,anditallkedwhenhemoved.Therewaslightenoughatthecavesmouthtoexamiby.
AndofcourseEustacefoundittobewhatanyofuscouldhavetoldhiminadvareasure.Thereweres(thosewerethepricklythings),s,rings,bracelets,ingots,cups,platesandgems.
Eustalikemostboys)hadhoughtmuchoftreasurebuthesawatoheuseitwouldbeinthisnewworldwhichhehadsofoolishlystumbledinththepictureinLucysbedroomathome."Theydonthaveanytaxhere,"hesaid,"Andyoudonthavetogivetreasuretothegover.WithsomeofthisstuffIcouldhavequiteadettimehere-perhapsinen.Itsoundstheleastphohesetries.IwonderhowmuchIcarry?Thatbraceletnow-thosethingsinitareprobablydiamonds-Illslipthatonmyownwrist.Toobig,butnotifIpushitrightuphereabovemyelbow.
Thenfillmypocketswithdiamonds-thatseasierthangold.Iwonderwhenthisinfernalrainsgoingtoletup?"Hegotintoalessunfortablepartofthepile,whereitwasmostlys,aleddowntowait.Butabadfright,wheisover,andespeciallyabadfrightfollowingamountainwalk,leavesyouverytired.Eustacefellasleep.
Bythetimehewassoundasleepandsntheothershadfinisheddinnerandbecameseriouslyalarmedabouthim.Theyshouted,"Eustace!Eustace!Coo-ee!"tilltheywerehoarseandCaspianblewhishorn.
"Hesnowherenearorhedhaveheardthat,"saidLucywithawhiteface.
"foundthefellow,"saidEdmund."Whatohdidhewanttoslinkawaylikethisfor?”
"Butwemustdosomething,"saidLucy."Hemayhavegotlost,orfallenintoahole,orbeencapturedbysavages.”
"Orkilledbywildbeasts,"saidDrinian.
"Andagoodriddanceifhehas,Isay,"mutteredRhince.
"MasterRhince,"saidReepicheep,"youneverspokeawordthatbecameyouless.ThecreatureisnofriendofmiheisoftheQueensblood,andwhileheisoneofourfellowshipitsourhonourtofindhimandtoavengehimifheisdead.”
"Ofcoursewevegottofindhim(ifwe),"saidCaspianwearily."Thatsthenuisa.Itmeansasearchpartyanderouble.BotherEustace.”
MeanwhileEustaceslepta-a.Whatwokehimaininhisarm.Themoonwasshininginatthemouthofthecave,andthebedoftreasuresseemedtohavegrownmuchmorefortable:infacthecouldhardlyfeelitatall.Heuzzledbythepaininhisarmatfirst,butpresentlyitoccurredtohimthatthebraceletwhichhehadshovedupabovehiselbowhadbeestraight.Hisarmmusthaveswollenwhilehewasasleep(itwashisleftarm).
Hemovedhisrightarmiofeelhisleft,butstoppedbeforehehadmoveditanindbithislipinterror.Forjustinfrontofhim,andalittleonhisright,wherethemoonlightfellclearonthefloorofthecave,hesawahideousshapemoving.Hekhatshape:itwasadragonsclaw.Ithadmovedashemovedhishandandbecamestillwheoppedmovinghishand.
"Oh,whatafoolIvebeen,"thoughtEustace."Ofcourse,thebrutehadamateanditslyingbesideme.”
Forseveralminuteshedidnotdaretomoveamuscle.Hesawtwothinnsofsmokegoingupbeforehiseyes,blackagainstthemoonlight;justastherehadbeensmokeingfromtheonsnosebeforeitdied.Thiswassthatheheldhisbreath.Thetwonsofsmokevanished.Whenhecouldholdhisbreathnolongerheletitoutstealthily;instantlytwojetsofsmokeappearedagain.Butevehehadhetruth.
Presentlyhedecidedthathewouldedgeverycautiouslytohisleftandtrytocreepoutofthecave.Perhapsthecreaturewasasleep-andanywayitwashisonlyce.Butofcoursebeforeheedgedtothelefthelookedtotheleft.Ohhorror!therewasadragonsclawonthatsidetoo.
NoonewillblameEustaceifatthismomentheshedtears.Hewassurprisedatthesizeofhisowntearsashesawthemsplashingontothetreasureinfrontofhim.Theyalsoseemedstrangelyhot;steamwentupfromthem.
Buttherewasnog.Hemusttrytocrawloutfrombetweewons.
Hebegaendinghisrightarm.Thedragonsfore-legandclawonhisrightwentthroughexactlythesamemotiohoughthewouldtryhisleft.Thedragonlimbonthatsidemovedtoo.
Twons,oneoneachside,mimigwhateverhedid!Hisnervebrokeandhesimplymadeaboltforit.
Therewassuchaclatterandrasping,andkingofgold,andgrindingofstones,asherushedoutofthecavethathethoughttheywerebothfollowinghim.Hedarentlookback.Herushedtothepool.Thetwistedshapeofthedeaddragonlyinginthemoonlightwouldhavebeenenoughthtenanowhehardlynoticedit.Hisideawastogetintothewater.
Butjustashereachedtheedgeofthepooltwothingshappened.Firstofallitcameoverhimlikeathunder-clapthathehadbeenrunningonallfours-andwhyohhadhebeendoingthat?Andsedly,ashebenttowardsthewater,hethoughtforasedthatyetanonwasstaringupathimoutofthepool.Butinaninstantherealizedthetruth.Thedragohepoolwashisownrefle.Therewasnodoubtofit.Itmovedashemoved:itopenedandshutitsmouthasheopenedandshuthis.
Hehadturonwhilehewasasleep.Sleepingonshoardwithgreedy,dragonishthoughtsinhisheart,hehadbeeadragonhimself.
Thatexplainedeverything.Therehadbeennotwonsbesidehiminthecave.Theclawsthtahadbeenhishtaclaw.Thetwonsofsmokehadbeeningfromhisownnostrils.Asforthepaininhisleftarm(orwhathadbeenhisleftarm)hecouldnowseewhathadhappenedbysquintingwithhislefteye.Thebraceletwhichhadfittedverynicelyontheupperarmofaboywasfartoosmallforthethick,stumpyfon.Ithadsunkdeeplyintohisscalyfleshandtherewasathrobbingbulgeoneachsideofit.Hetoreattheplacewithhisdragohbutcouldoff.
Inspiteofthepain,hisfirstfeelingwasoneofrelief.Therewasnothingtobeafraidofanymore.Hewasaterrorhimselfandnothingintheworldbutaknight(andnotallofthose)woulddaretoattackhim.HecouldgetevenwithCaspianandEdmundnowBut
themomehoughtthisherealizedthathedidntwantto.Hewaobefriends.Hewaogetbackamonghumansandtalkandlaughandsharethings.Herealizedthathewasamoofffromthewholehumanraappallinglonelinesscameoverhim.Hebegahattheothershadnotreallybeenfiendsatall.Hebegantowonderifhehimselfhadbeensuicepersonashehadalwayssupposed.Helongedfortheirvoices.HewouldhavebeengratefulforakindwordevenfromReepicheep.
Whehoughtofthistheponthathadbeeaceliftedupitsvoidwept.Apowerfuldragitseyesoutuhemooniedvalleyisasightandasoundhardlytobeimagined.
Atlasthedecidedhewouldtrytofindhiswaybacktotheshore.HerealizednowthatCaspianwouldneverhavesailedawayahim.Asurethatsomehoworotherhewouldbeabletomakepeopleuandwhohewas.
Hetookalongdrinkandthen(Iknowthissoundsshog,butitisntifyouthinkitover)heatenearlyallthedeaddragon.Hewashalf-waythroughitbeforeherealizedwhathewasdoing;for,yousee,thoughhismindwasthemiace,histastesandhisdigestionweredragonish.Andthereisnothingadragonlikessowellasfreshdragon.
Thatiswhyyousoseldomfindmorethanoninthesamety.
Theuroclimboutofthevalley.Hebegantheclimbandassoonashejumpedhefoundthathewasflying.Hehadquitefottenabouthiswingsanditwasagreatsurprisetohim-thefirstpleasantsurprisehehadhadforalongtime.Herosehighintotheairandsawinnumerablemountain-topsspreadoutbehhiminthemoonlight.HecouldseethebaylikeasilverslabandtheDawnTreaderlyingatanchorandcampfirestwinklinginthewoodsbesidethebeach.Fromagreatheighthelaunchedhimselfdowntowardstheminasingleglide.
LucywassleepingverysoundlyforshehadsatuptillthereturnofthesearchpartyinhopeofgoodnewsaboutEustace.IthadbeenledbyCaspianandhadebacklateandweary.Theirnewswasdisquieting.TheyhadfoundnotraceofEustacebuthadseenadeaddragoninavalley.Theytriedtomakethebestofitandeveryoneassuredeveryohattherewerenotlikelytohemonsabout,andthatonewhichwasdeadataboutthreeoclockthatafternoon(whichwaswhentheyhadseenit)wouldhardlyhavebeenkillingpeopleaveryfewhoursbefore.
"Uatethelittlebratanddiedofhim:hedpoisonanything,"saidRhihesaidthisunderhisbreathandnooneheardit.
ButlaterinthenightLucywaswakened,verysoftly,andfoundthewholepanygatheredclosetogetherandtalkinginwhispers.
"Whatisit?"saidLucy.
"Wemustallshowgreatstancy,"Caspianwassaying."Adragonhasjustflowhetree-topsandlightedonthebeach.Yes,Iamafraiditisbetweenusandtheship.Andarrowsarenouseagainstdragons.Andtheyrenotatallafraidoffire.”
"WithyourMajestysleave-"beganReepicheep.
"No,Reepicheep,"saidtheKingveryfirmly,"youarenottoattemptasinglebatwithit.AndunlessyoupromisetoobeymeinthismatterIllhaveyoutiedup.Wemustjustkeepclosewatd,assoonasitislight,godowntothebeadgiveitbattle.Iwilllead.KingEdmundwillbehtandtheLordDrinianoherearenootherarraobemade.Itwillbelightinacoupleofhours.Inanhourstimeletamealbeservedoutandwhatisleftofthewine.Aeverythingbedonesilently.”
"Perhapsitwillgoaway,"saidLucy.
"Itllbeworseifitdoes,"saidEdmund,"becausethenweshantknowwhereitis.IftheresaintheroomIliketobeabletoseeit.”
Therestofthenightwadreadful,ahemealcame,thoughtheykheyoughttoeat,manyfoundthattheyhadverypoorappetites.AndendlesshoursseemedtopassbeforethedarkhinnedandbirdsbeganchirpinghereandthereandthewotcolderaerthanithadbeenallnightandCaspiansaid,"Nowforit,friends.”
Theygotup,allwithswordsdrawn,andformedthemselvesintoasolidmasswithLuthemiddleandReepicheeponhershoulder.Itwashaingaboutandeveryofonderofeveryohanatordinarytimes.Amomentlatertheyweremarg.Itgrewlighterastheycametotheedgeofthewood.Andthereonthesand,likeagiantlizard,oraflexiblecrocodile,oraserpentwithlegs,hugeandhorribleandhumpy,laythedragon.
Butwhenitsawthem,insteadofrisingupandblowingfireandsmoke,thedragoreated-youcouldalmostsayitwaddled-batotheshallowsofthebay.
"Whatsitwaggingitsheadlikethatfor?"saidEdmund.
"Andnowitsnodding,"saidCaspian.
"Andtheressomethingingfromitseyes,"saidDrinian.
"Oh,tyousee,"saidLucy."Itsg.Thosearetears.”
"Ishouldnttrusttothat,Maam,"saidDrinian."Thatswhatcrocodilesdo,toputyouoffyuard.”
"Itwaggeditsheadwhenyousaidthat,"remarkedEdmund."JustasifitmeantNo.
Look,thereitgoesagain.”
"Doyouthinkituandswhatweresaying?"askedLucy.
Thedragonsheadviolently.
ReepicheepslippedoffLucysshoulderandsteppedtothefront.
&quon,"camehisshrillvoice,"youuandspeech?”
Thedragonnodded.
"youspeak?”
Itshookitshead.
"Then,"saidReepicheep,"itisidletoaskyouyourbusiness.Butifyouwillswearfriendshipwithusraiseyourleftfaboveyourhead.”
Itdidso,butclumsilybecausethatlegwassoreandswollenwiththegoldenbracelet"Ohlook,"saidLucy,"theressomethingwrongwithitsleg.Thepoorthing-thatsprobablywhatitwasgabout.PerhapsitcametoustobecuredlikeinAndroclesandthelion.”
"Becareful,Lucy,"saidCaspian."Itsaverycleverdragonbutitmaybealiar.”
Lucyhad,however,alreadyrunforward,followedbyReepicheep,asfastashisshscouldcarryhim,andthenofcoursetheboysandDriniaoo.
"Showmeyourpoorpaw,"saidLucy,"Imightbeabletocureit.”
Thedragon-that-had-beeaceheldoutitssgladlyenough,rememberinghowLucyscordialhadcuredhimofsea-siessbeforehebecameadragon.Buthewasdisappoihemagicfluidreducedtheswellingandeasedthepainalittlebutitcouldnotdissolvethegold.
Everyonehadnowcrowdedroundtowatchthetreatment,andCaspiansuddenlyexclaimed,"Look!"Hewasstaringatthebracelet.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
gonewellsofaranditwasamerrymeal.OnlyafterthesedhelpingofgoatdidEdmundsay,"WheresthatblighterEustace?”
MeanwhileEustacestaredroundtheunknownvalley.Itwassonarrowanddeep,andtheprecipiceswhichsurrousosheer,thatitwaslikeahugepitortrench.Theflrassythoughstrewnwithrocks,andhereandthereEustacesawblackburntpatcheslikethoseyouseeonthesidesofarailwayembainadrysummer.
Aboutfifteenyardsawayfromhimoolofclear,smoothwater.Therewas,atfirst,nothingelseatallinthevalley;notananimal,notabird,notahesudownandgrimpeaksandhornsofmountainspeeredoverthevalleysedge.
Eustacerealizedofcoursethatinthefoghehadedownthewrongsideoftheridge,soheturooseeaboutgettingback.Butassoonashehadlookedheshuddered.Apparentlyhehadbyamazingluckfoundtheonlypossiblewaydown-alonggreenspitofland,horriblysteepandnarrow,withprecipieitherside.Therewasnootherpossiblewayofgettingback.Butcouldhedoit,nowthathesawwhatitwasreallylike?Hisheadswamattheverythoughtofit.
Heturnedroundagain,thinkingthatatanyratehedbetterhaveagooddrinkfromthepoolfirst.Butassoournedandbeforehehadtakenastepforwardintothevalleyheheardanoisebehindhim.Itwasonlyasmallitsoundedloudinthatimmensesilefrozehimdead-stillwherehestoodforased.Thenheslewedroundhisnedlooked.
Atthebottomofthecliffalittleonhislefthandwasalow,darkhole-theentraoacaveperhaps.Andoutofthistwothinwispsofsmokewereing.Andtheloosestonesjustbehedarkhollowweremoving(thatwasthenoisehehadheard)justasifsomethingwerecrawlinginthedarkbehindthem.
Somethingwascrawling.Worsestill,somethingwasingout.EdmundorLucyoryouwouldhavereizeditatoEustacehadreadherightbooks.Thethingthatcameoutofthecavewassomethinghehadneverevenimagined-alonglead-colouredsnout,dullredeyes,hersorfur,alonglithebodythattrailedontheground,legswhoseelbowswentuphigherthanitsbacklikeaspiderscruelclaws,batswingsthatmadearaspinghestones,yardsoftail.Andthelinesofsmokewereingfromitstwonostrils.Heneversaidthewontohimself.Norwouldithavemadethingsaerifhehad.
Butperhapsifhehadknowhingabonshewouldhavebeenalittlesurprisedatthisdragonsbehaviour.Itdidnotsitupandclapitswings,nordiditshootoutastreamofflamefromitsmouth.Thesmokefromitsnostrilswaslikethesmokeofafirethatwillnotlastmuger.NordiditseemtohavenoticedEustace.Itmovedveryslowlytowardsthepool-slowlyandwithmanypauses.EveninhisfearEustacefeltthatitwasanold,sadcreature.Hewonderedifhedaredmakeadashfortheast.Butitmightlookroundifhemadeanymightoretolife.Perhapsitwasonly
shamming.Anyastheusetoescapebyclimbingfromacreaturethatcouldfly?
Itreachedthepoolandsliditshorriblescalydowhegraveltodrink:butbeforeithaddrunktherecamefromitagreatcroakingorgingdafterafewtwitchesandvulsionsitrolledroundonitssideandlayperfectlystillwithoneclawintheair.Alittledarkbloodgushedfromitswide-openedmouth.Thesmokefromitsnostrilsturnedblaomentandthenfloatedaway.Nomorecame.thiswasthebrutestrick,thewayitluredtravellerstotheirdoom.Butonecouldntwaitforever.Hetookastephentwosteps,andhaltedagain.Thedragonremaiionless;henoticedtoothattheredfirehadgoofitseyes.Atlasthecameuptoit.Hewasquitesurenowthatitwasdead.Withashudderhetouchedit;nothinghappened.
ThereliefwassogreatthatEustacealmostlaughedoutloud.Hebegantofeelasifhehadfoughtandkilledthedragoninsteadofmerelyseeingitdie.Hesteppedoveritaothepoolforhisdrink,fortheheatwasgettingunbearable.Hewasnotsurprisedwhenheheardapealofthunder.Almostimmediatelyafterwardsthesundisappearedandbeforehehadfinishedhisdrinkbigdropsofrainwerefalling.
Theclimateofthisislandwasaveryunpleasantone.IhanamiacewaswettotheskinandhalfblihsuchrainasoneneverseesinEurope.Therewasryingtoclimboutofthevalleyaslongasthislasted.Heboltedfortheonlyshelterinsight-thedragonscave.Therehelaydownandtriedtogethisbreath.
Mostofusknoeshouldexpecttofindinadragonslair,but,asIsaidbefore,Eustacehadreadonlythewrongbooks.Theyhadalottosayaboutexportsandimportsandgoversanddrains,buttheywereweakons.Thatiswhyheuzzledatthesurfawhichhewaslying.Partsofitweretoopricklytobestonesandtoohardtobethorns,andthereseemedtobeagreatmanyround,flatthings,anditallkedwhenhemoved.Therewaslightenoughatthecavesmouthtoexamiby.
AndofcourseEustacefoundittobewhatanyofuscouldhavetoldhiminadvareasure.Thereweres(thosewerethepricklythings),s,rings,bracelets,ingots,cups,platesandgems.
Eustalikemostboys)hadhoughtmuchoftreasurebuthesawatoheuseitwouldbeinthisnewworldwhichhehadsofoolishlystumbledinththepictureinLucysbedroomathome."Theydonthaveanytaxhere,"hesaid,"Andyoudonthavetogivetreasuretothegover.WithsomeofthisstuffIcouldhavequiteadettimehere-perhapsinen.Itsoundstheleastphohesetries.IwonderhowmuchIcarry?Thatbraceletnow-thosethingsinitareprobablydiamonds-Illslipthatonmyownwrist.Toobig,butnotifIpushitrightuphereabovemyelbow.
Thenfillmypocketswithdiamonds-thatseasierthangold.Iwonderwhenthisinfernalrainsgoingtoletup?"Hegotintoalessunfortablepartofthepile,whereitwasmostlys,aleddowntowait.Butabadfright,wheisover,andespeciallyabadfrightfollowingamountainwalk,leavesyouverytired.Eustacefellasleep.
Bythetimehewassoundasleepandsntheothershadfinisheddinnerandbecameseriouslyalarmedabouthim.Theyshouted,"Eustace!Eustace!Coo-ee!"tilltheywerehoarseandCaspianblewhishorn.
"Hesnowherenearorhedhaveheardthat,"saidLucywithawhiteface.
"foundthefellow,"saidEdmund."Whatohdidhewanttoslinkawaylikethisfor?”
"Butwemustdosomething,"saidLucy."Hemayhavegotlost,orfallenintoahole,orbeencapturedbysavages.”
"Orkilledbywildbeasts,"saidDrinian.
"Andagoodriddanceifhehas,Isay,"mutteredRhince.
"MasterRhince,"saidReepicheep,"youneverspokeawordthatbecameyouless.ThecreatureisnofriendofmiheisoftheQueensblood,andwhileheisoneofourfellowshipitsourhonourtofindhimandtoavengehimifheisdead.”
"Ofcoursewevegottofindhim(ifwe),"saidCaspianwearily."Thatsthenuisa.Itmeansasearchpartyanderouble.BotherEustace.”
MeanwhileEustaceslepta-a.Whatwokehimaininhisarm.Themoonwasshininginatthemouthofthecave,andthebedoftreasuresseemedtohavegrownmuchmorefortable:infacthecouldhardlyfeelitatall.Heuzzledbythepaininhisarmatfirst,butpresentlyitoccurredtohimthatthebraceletwhichhehadshovedupabovehiselbowhadbeestraight.Hisarmmusthaveswollenwhilehewasasleep(itwashisleftarm).
Hemovedhisrightarmiofeelhisleft,butstoppedbeforehehadmoveditanindbithislipinterror.Forjustinfrontofhim,andalittleonhisright,wherethemoonlightfellclearonthefloorofthecave,hesawahideousshapemoving.Hekhatshape:itwasadragonsclaw.Ithadmovedashemovedhishandandbecamestillwheoppedmovinghishand.
"Oh,whatafoolIvebeen,"thoughtEustace."Ofcourse,thebrutehadamateanditslyingbesideme.”
Forseveralminuteshedidnotdaretomoveamuscle.Hesawtwothinnsofsmokegoingupbeforehiseyes,blackagainstthemoonlight;justastherehadbeensmokeingfromtheonsnosebeforeitdied.Thiswassthatheheldhisbreath.Thetwonsofsmokevanished.Whenhecouldholdhisbreathnolongerheletitoutstealthily;instantlytwojetsofsmokeappearedagain.Butevehehadhetruth.
Presentlyhedecidedthathewouldedgeverycautiouslytohisleftandtrytocreepoutofthecave.Perhapsthecreaturewasasleep-andanywayitwashisonlyce.Butofcoursebeforeheedgedtothelefthelookedtotheleft.Ohhorror!therewasadragonsclawonthatsidetoo.
NoonewillblameEustaceifatthismomentheshedtears.Hewassurprisedatthesizeofhisowntearsashesawthemsplashingontothetreasureinfrontofhim.Theyalsoseemedstrangelyhot;steamwentupfromthem.
Buttherewasnog.Hemusttrytocrawloutfrombetweewons.
Hebegaendinghisrightarm.Thedragonsfore-legandclawonhisrightwentthroughexactlythesamemotiohoughthewouldtryhisleft.Thedragonlimbonthatsidemovedtoo.
Twons,oneoneachside,mimigwhateverhedid!Hisnervebrokeandhesimplymadeaboltforit.
Therewassuchaclatterandrasping,andkingofgold,andgrindingofstones,asherushedoutofthecavethathethoughttheywerebothfollowinghim.Hedarentlookback.Herushedtothepool.Thetwistedshapeofthedeaddragonlyinginthemoonlightwouldhavebeenenoughthtenanowhehardlynoticedit.Hisideawastogetintothewater.
Butjustashereachedtheedgeofthepooltwothingshappened.Firstofallitcameoverhimlikeathunder-clapthathehadbeenrunningonallfours-andwhyohhadhebeendoingthat?Andsedly,ashebenttowardsthewater,hethoughtforasedthatyetanonwasstaringupathimoutofthepool.Butinaninstantherealizedthetruth.Thedragohepoolwashisownrefle.Therewasnodoubtofit.Itmovedashemoved:itopenedandshutitsmouthasheopenedandshuthis.
Hehadturonwhilehewasasleep.Sleepingonshoardwithgreedy,dragonishthoughtsinhisheart,hehadbeeadragonhimself.
Thatexplainedeverything.Therehadbeennotwonsbesidehiminthecave.Theclawsthtahadbeenhishtaclaw.Thetwonsofsmokehadbeeningfromhisownnostrils.Asforthepaininhisleftarm(orwhathadbeenhisleftarm)hecouldnowseewhathadhappenedbysquintingwithhislefteye.Thebraceletwhichhadfittedverynicelyontheupperarmofaboywasfartoosmallforthethick,stumpyfon.Ithadsunkdeeplyintohisscalyfleshandtherewasathrobbingbulgeoneachsideofit.Hetoreattheplacewithhisdragohbutcouldoff.
Inspiteofthepain,hisfirstfeelingwasoneofrelief.Therewasnothingtobeafraidofanymore.Hewasaterrorhimselfandnothingintheworldbutaknight(andnotallofthose)woulddaretoattackhim.HecouldgetevenwithCaspianandEdmundnowBut
themomehoughtthisherealizedthathedidntwantto.Hewaobefriends.Hewaogetbackamonghumansandtalkandlaughandsharethings.Herealizedthathewasamoofffromthewholehumanraappallinglonelinesscameoverhim.Hebegahattheothershadnotreallybeenfiendsatall.Hebegantowonderifhehimselfhadbeensuicepersonashehadalwayssupposed.Helongedfortheirvoices.HewouldhavebeengratefulforakindwordevenfromReepicheep.
Whehoughtofthistheponthathadbeeaceliftedupitsvoidwept.Apowerfuldragitseyesoutuhemooniedvalleyisasightandasoundhardlytobeimagined.
Atlasthedecidedhewouldtrytofindhiswaybacktotheshore.HerealizednowthatCaspianwouldneverhavesailedawayahim.Asurethatsomehoworotherhewouldbeabletomakepeopleuandwhohewas.
Hetookalongdrinkandthen(Iknowthissoundsshog,butitisntifyouthinkitover)heatenearlyallthedeaddragon.Hewashalf-waythroughitbeforeherealizedwhathewasdoing;for,yousee,thoughhismindwasthemiace,histastesandhisdigestionweredragonish.Andthereisnothingadragonlikessowellasfreshdragon.
Thatiswhyyousoseldomfindmorethanoninthesamety.
Theuroclimboutofthevalley.Hebegantheclimbandassoonashejumpedhefoundthathewasflying.Hehadquitefottenabouthiswingsanditwasagreatsurprisetohim-thefirstpleasantsurprisehehadhadforalongtime.Herosehighintotheairandsawinnumerablemountain-topsspreadoutbehhiminthemoonlight.HecouldseethebaylikeasilverslabandtheDawnTreaderlyingatanchorandcampfirestwinklinginthewoodsbesidethebeach.Fromagreatheighthelaunchedhimselfdowntowardstheminasingleglide.
LucywassleepingverysoundlyforshehadsatuptillthereturnofthesearchpartyinhopeofgoodnewsaboutEustace.IthadbeenledbyCaspianandhadebacklateandweary.Theirnewswasdisquieting.TheyhadfoundnotraceofEustacebuthadseenadeaddragoninavalley.Theytriedtomakethebestofitandeveryoneassuredeveryohattherewerenotlikelytohemonsabout,andthatonewhichwasdeadataboutthreeoclockthatafternoon(whichwaswhentheyhadseenit)wouldhardlyhavebeenkillingpeopleaveryfewhoursbefore.
"Uatethelittlebratanddiedofhim:hedpoisonanything,"saidRhihesaidthisunderhisbreathandnooneheardit.
ButlaterinthenightLucywaswakened,verysoftly,andfoundthewholepanygatheredclosetogetherandtalkinginwhispers.
"Whatisit?"saidLucy.
"Wemustallshowgreatstancy,"Caspianwassaying."Adragonhasjustflowhetree-topsandlightedonthebeach.Yes,Iamafraiditisbetweenusandtheship.Andarrowsarenouseagainstdragons.Andtheyrenotatallafraidoffire.”
"WithyourMajestysleave-"beganReepicheep.
"No,Reepicheep,"saidtheKingveryfirmly,"youarenottoattemptasinglebatwithit.AndunlessyoupromisetoobeymeinthismatterIllhaveyoutiedup.Wemustjustkeepclosewatd,assoonasitislight,godowntothebeadgiveitbattle.Iwilllead.KingEdmundwillbehtandtheLordDrinianoherearenootherarraobemade.Itwillbelightinacoupleofhours.Inanhourstimeletamealbeservedoutandwhatisleftofthewine.Aeverythingbedonesilently.”
"Perhapsitwillgoaway,"saidLucy.
"Itllbeworseifitdoes,"saidEdmund,"becausethenweshantknowwhereitis.IftheresaintheroomIliketobeabletoseeit.”
Therestofthenightwadreadful,ahemealcame,thoughtheykheyoughttoeat,manyfoundthattheyhadverypoorappetites.AndendlesshoursseemedtopassbeforethedarkhinnedandbirdsbeganchirpinghereandthereandthewotcolderaerthanithadbeenallnightandCaspiansaid,"Nowforit,friends.”
Theygotup,allwithswordsdrawn,andformedthemselvesintoasolidmasswithLuthemiddleandReepicheeponhershoulder.Itwashaingaboutandeveryofonderofeveryohanatordinarytimes.Amomentlatertheyweremarg.Itgrewlighterastheycametotheedgeofthewood.Andthereonthesand,likeagiantlizard,oraflexiblecrocodile,oraserpentwithlegs,hugeandhorribleandhumpy,laythedragon.
Butwhenitsawthem,insteadofrisingupandblowingfireandsmoke,thedragoreated-youcouldalmostsayitwaddled-batotheshallowsofthebay.
"Whatsitwaggingitsheadlikethatfor?"saidEdmund.
"Andnowitsnodding,"saidCaspian.
"Andtheressomethingingfromitseyes,"saidDrinian.
"Oh,tyousee,"saidLucy."Itsg.Thosearetears.”
"Ishouldnttrusttothat,Maam,"saidDrinian."Thatswhatcrocodilesdo,toputyouoffyuard.”
"Itwaggeditsheadwhenyousaidthat,"remarkedEdmund."JustasifitmeantNo.
Look,thereitgoesagain.”
"Doyouthinkituandswhatweresaying?"askedLucy.
Thedragonsheadviolently.
ReepicheepslippedoffLucysshoulderandsteppedtothefront.
&quon,"camehisshrillvoice,"youuandspeech?”
Thedragonnodded.
"youspeak?”
Itshookitshead.
"Then,"saidReepicheep,"itisidletoaskyouyourbusiness.Butifyouwillswearfriendshipwithusraiseyourleftfaboveyourhead.”
Itdidso,butclumsilybecausethatlegwassoreandswollenwiththegoldenbracelet"Ohlook,"saidLucy,"theressomethingwrongwithitsleg.Thepoorthing-thatsprobablywhatitwasgabout.PerhapsitcametoustobecuredlikeinAndroclesandthelion.”
"Becareful,Lucy,"saidCaspian."Itsaverycleverdragonbutitmaybealiar.”
Lucyhad,however,alreadyrunforward,followedbyReepicheep,asfastashisshscouldcarryhim,andthenofcoursetheboysandDriniaoo.
"Showmeyourpoorpaw,"saidLucy,"Imightbeabletocureit.”
Thedragon-that-had-beeaceheldoutitssgladlyenough,rememberinghowLucyscordialhadcuredhimofsea-siessbeforehebecameadragon.Buthewasdisappoihemagicfluidreducedtheswellingandeasedthepainalittlebutitcouldnotdissolvethegold.
Everyonehadnowcrowdedroundtowatchthetreatment,andCaspiansuddenlyexclaimed,"Look!"Hewasstaringatthebracelet.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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