CHAPTER EIGHT
TWONARROESEVERYONEwascheerfulastheDawnTreadersailedfronIsland.TheyhadfairwindsassoonastheywereoutofthebayandcameearlymtotheunknownlandwhieofthemhadseenwhenflyihemountainswhileEustacewasstilladragon.Itwasalowgreenislandinhabitedbynothingbutrabbitsandafewgoats,butfromtheruinsofstos,andfromblaedplaceswherefireshadbeen,theyjudgedthatithadbeenpeoplednotlongbefore.Therewerealsosomebonesandbrokenons.
"Pirateswork,"saidCaspian.
"Orthedragons,"saidEdmund.
Theonlyotherthingtheyfoundtherewasalittleskinboat,orcoracle,onthesands.Itwasmadeofhidestretchedoverawickerframework.Itwasatinyboat,barelyfourfeetlong,andthepaddlewhichstilllayinitroportiohoughtthateitherithadbeenmadeforachildorelsethatthepeopleofthattryhadbeenDwarfs.
Reepicheepdecidedtokeepit,asitwasjusttherightsizeforhim;soitwastakenonboard.TheycalledthatlandBurntIsland,andsailedawaybeforenoon.
Forsomefivedaystheyranbeforeasouth-south-eastwind,outofsightofalllandsandseeiherfishnull.Thentheyhadadaywhenitrainedhardtilltheafternoon.
EustacelosttwogamesofchesstoReepicheepaogetlikehisoldand
disagreeableselfagain,andEdmundsaidhewishedtheycouldhavegooAmericawithSusan.ThenLucylookedoutofthesternwindowsandsaid:"Hello!Idobelieveitsstopping.Andwhatsthat?”
TheyalltumbleduptothepoopatthisandfoundthattherainhadstoppedandthatDrinian,whowasonwatch,wasalshardatsomethingastern.Orrather,atseveralthings.Theylookedalittlelikesmoothroundedrocks,awholelihemwithintervalsofaboutfortyfeetiween.
"Buttheytberocks,"Drinianwassaying,"becausetheywerenttherefiveminutesago.”
"Andonesjustdisappeared,"saidLucy.
"Yes,andtheresanotheroneingup,"saidEdmund.
"Andnearer,"saidEustace.
"Hangit!"saidCaspian."Thewholethingismovingthisway.”
"Andmovingagreatdealquickerthanwesail,Sire,"saidDrinian."Itllbeupwithusinaminute.”
Theyallheldtheirbreath,foritisnotatallobepursuedbyanunknowhiheronlandorsea.Butwhatitturtobewasfarworsethananyonehadsuspected.Suddenly,onlyaboutthelengthofacricketpittheirportside,anappallingheadreareditselfoutofthesea.Itwasallgreensandvermilionswithpurpleblotches-exceptwhereshellfishgtoit-andshapedratherlikeahorses,thoughwithoutears.Ithadenormouseyes,eyesmadeforstaringthroughthedarkdepthsoftheo,andagapingmouthfilledwithdoublerowsofsharpfish-liketeeth.Itcameuponwhattheyfirsttooktobeahugeneck,butasmoreandmoreofitemergedeveryohatthiswasnotitsneckbutitsbodyandthatatlasttheywereseeingwhatsomanypeoplehavefoolishlywaosee-thegreatSeaSerpent.Thefoldsofitsgigantictailcouldbeseenfaraway,risingatintervalsfromthesurfadnowitsheadwastuphighertha.
Everymanrushedtohison,buttherewasnothingtobedohemonsterwasoutofreach."Shoot!Shoot!"criedtheMasterBowman,andseveralobeyed,butthearrowsglancedofftheSeaSerpentshideasifitwasironplated.Then,foradreadfulminute,everyonewasstill,staringupatitseyesandmouthandwwhereitwouldpounce.
Butitdidntpoushotitsheadforwardacrosstheshiponalevelwiththeyardofthemast.Nowitsheadwasjustbesidethefightingtop.Stillitstretchedandstretchedtillitsheadwasoverthestarboardbulwark.Thendowoe-notontothe
crowdeddeckbutintothewater,sothatthewholeshipwasunderanarchofserpent.
Andalmostatoarchbegasmaller:ihestarboardtheSeaSerpentwasnowalmosttougtheDawnTreadersside.
Eustace(whohadreallybeentryingveryhardtobehavewell,tilltherainandthechessputhimbaowdidthefirstbravethinghehadeverdone.HewaswearingaswordthatCaspianhadlenthim.Assoonastheserpentsbodywasnearenoughoarboardsidehejumpedontothebulwarkandbeganhagatitwithallhismight.ItistruethatheaplishednothingbeyondbreakingCaspianssed-bestswordintobits,butitwasafihingfiohavedone.
OtherswouldhavejoinedhimifatthatmomentReepicheephadnotcalledout,"Dontfight!Push!"ItwassounusualfortheMousetoadviseaofightthat,eveninthatterriblemoment,everyeyeturohim.Andwhenhejumpedupontothebulwark,forwardofthesnake,ahislittlefurrybackagainstitshugescaly,slimybadbeganpushingashardashecould,quiteanumberofpeoplesawwhathemeantandrushedtobothsidesoftheshiptodothesame.Andwhen,amomentlater,theSeaSerpentsheadappearedagain,thistimeoside,andthistimewithitsba,theneveryoneuood.
ThebrutehadmadealoopofitselfroundtheDawnTreaderandwasbeginningtodrawthelooptight.Whenitgotquitetight-snap!-therewouldbefloatingmatchwoodwheretheshiphadbeenanditcouldpickthemoutofthewateronebyoheironlyceushtheloopbackwardtillitslidoverthestern;orelse(toputthesamethinganotherway)topushtheshipforwardoutoftheloop.
Reepicheepalonehad,ofcourse,nomoreceofdoingthisthanofliftingupacathedral,buthehadnearlykilledhimselfwithtryingbeforeothersshovedhimaside.
VerysoonthewholeshipspanyexceptLudtheMouse(whichwasfainting)
wasintwolonglinesalowobulwarks,easchesttothebackofthemaninfront,sothattheweightofthewholelinewasiman,pushingfortheirlives.Forafewsiingseds(whichseemedlikehours)nothingappearedtohappen.Jointscracked,sweatdropped,breathcameingruntsandgasps.Thentheyfeltthattheshipwasmoving.Theysawthatthesnake-loopwasfurtherfromthemastthanithadbeen.Buttheyalsosawthatitwassmaller.Andnowtherealdangerwasathand.Couldtheygetitoverthepoop,orwasitalreadytootight?Yes.Itwouldjustfit.Itwasrestingonthepooprails.Adozenormorespranguponthepoop.Thiswasfarbetter.TheSeaSerpentsbodywassolownowthattheyakealineacrossthepoopandpushsidebyside.
Hoperosehightilleveryonerememberedthehighcarvedstern,thedragontail,oftheDawnTreader.Itwouldbequiteimpossibletogetthebruteoverthat.
"Anaxe,"criedCaspianhoarsely,"andstillshove."Lucy,whoknewwhereeverythingwas,heardhimwhereshewasstandingonthemaiaringupatthepoop.Inafewsedsshehadbeenbelow,gottheaxe,andwasrushinguptheladdertothepoop.Butjustasshereachedthetoptherecameagreatcrashingnoiselikeatreeingdownandtheshiprockedanddartedforward.Foratthatverymoment,whetherbecausetheSea
Serpentwasbeingpushedsohard,orbecauseitfoolishlydecidedtodrawtheight,thewholeofthecarvedsternbrokeoffandtheshipwasfree.
TheothersweretooexhaustedtoseewhatLucysaw.There,afewyardsbehiheloopofSeaSerpentsbodygotrapidlysmalleranddisappearedintoasplash.Lucyalwayssaid(butofcourseshewasveryexcitedatthemoment,anditmayhavebeenonlyimagination)thatshesawalookofidioticsatisfaonthecreaturesface.Whatiscertainisthatitwasaverystupidanimal,forinsteadofpursuingtheshipittursheadroundandbegannosingallalongitsownbodyasifitexpectedtofindthewreckageoftheDawnTreaderthere.ButtheDawnTreaderwasalreadywellaway,runningbeforeafreshbreeze,andthemenlayandsatpantingandgroaningallaboutthedeck,tillpresentlytheywereabletotalkaboutit,aolaughaboutit.Andwhensomerumhadbeenservedouttheyevenraisedacheer;andeveryonepraisedthevalourofEustace(thoughithadntdoneanygood)andofReepicheep.
Afterthistheysailedforthreedaysmoreandsawnothingbutseaandsky.Onthefourthdaythewindgedtothenorthandtheseasbegantorise;bytheafternoonithadnearlybeeagale.Butatthesametimetheysightedlandontheirportbow.
"Byyourleave,Sire,"saidDrinian,"wewilltrytogetuheleeofthattrybyrowingandlieinharbour,maybetillthisisover."Caspianagreed,butalainstthegaledidnthemtothelandbeforeevening.Bythelastlightofthatdaytheysteeredintoanaturalharbourandanchored,butashorethatnight.Inthemtheyfoundthemselvesinthegreenbayed,lonely-lookingtrywhichslopeduptoarockysummit.Fromthewindynorthbeyondthatsummitcloudscamestreamingrapidly.Theyloweredtheboatandloadedherwithanyofthewatercaskswhichwerey.
"Whichstreamshallwewaterat,Drinian?"saidCaspiaookhisseatiersoftheboat."Thereseemtobetwoingdownintothebay.”
"Itmakeslittleodds,Sire,"saidDrinian."ButIthinkitsashorterpulltothatoarboard-theeasternone.”
"Hereestherain,"saidLucy.
"Ishouldthinkitdoes!"saidEdmund,foritwasalreadypeltinghard."Isay,letsgototheotherstream.Therearetreesthereandwellhavesomeshelter.”
"Yes,lets,"saidEustace."Nopointiierthanweneed.”
ButallthetimeDrinianwassteadilysteeringtothestarboard,liketiresomepeopleincarswhotifortymilesanhourwhileyouareexplainingtothemthattheyareonthewrongroad.
"Theyreright,Drinian,"saidCaspian."Whydontyherheadroundandmakeforthewesternstream?”
"AsyourMajestypleases,"saidDrinianalittleshortly.Hehadhadananxiousdaywiththeweatheryesterday,andhedidntlikeadvilandsmen.Buthealteredcourse;anditturafterwardsthatitwasagoodthinghedid.
Bythetimetheyhadfiering,therainwasoverandCaspian,withEustace,thePevensies,andReepicheep,decidedtotothetopofthehillacouldbeseen.Itwasastiffishclimbthroughcrassaherandtheysawherman,exceptseagulls.Whentheyreachedthetoptheysawthatitwasaverysmallisland,notmorethayacres;andfromthisheightthesealookedlargerandmoredesolatethanitdidfromthedeck,oreventhefightingtop,oftheDawnTreader.
"Crazy,youknow,"saidEustacetoLualowvoice,lookingattheeasternhorizon.
"Sailingonandonintothatwithnoideawhatwemaygetto."Butheonlysaiditoutofhabit,notreallynastilyashewouldhavedooime.
Itwastoocoldtostaylongontheridgeforthewindstillblewfreshlyfromthenorth.
"Dosgobackthesameway,"saidLucyastheyturned;"letsgoalongabitandedownbytheotherstream,theoneDrinianwaogoto.”
Everyoneagreedtothisandafteraboutfifteenmiheywereatthesourceofthesedriver.Itwasamoreiingplacethantheyhadexpected;adeeplittlemountainlake,surroundedbycliffsexceptforanarrowelontheseawardsideoutofwhichthewaterflowed.Hereatlasttheywereoutofthewind,andallsatdowniherabovethecliffforarest.
Allsatdown,butowasEdmund)jumpedupagainveryquickly.
"Theygoinforsharpstohisisland,"hesaid,gropingaboutiher."Whereisthewretchedthing?...Ah,nowIvegotit...Hullo!Itwasntastoall,itsasword-hilt.No,byjove,itsawholesword;whattherusthasleftofit.Itmusthavelainherefes.”
"Narnian,too,bythelookofit,"saidCaspian,astheyallcrowdedround.
"Imsittingohingtoo,"saidLucy."Somethinghard."Itturtobetheremainsofamail-shirt.Bythistimeeveryonewasonhandsandknees,feelingihickheatherineverydire.Theirsearchrevealed,onebyone,ahelmet,adagger,andafews;notencrestsbutgenuineNarnian"Lions"and"Trees"suchasyoumightseeanydayinthemarket-placeofBeaversdamorBeruna.
"Looksasifthismightbeallthatsleftofoneofoursevenlords,"saidEdmund.
"JustwhatIwasthinking,"saidCaspian."Iwonderwhichitwas.Theresnothingonthedaggertoshow.AndIwonderhowhedied.”
"Andhowwearetoavengehim,"addedReepicheep.
Edmund,theonlyohepartywhohadreadseveraldetectivestories,hadmeanwhilebeenthinking.
"Lookhere,"hesaid,"theressomethingveryfishyaboutthis.Hethavebeenkilledinafight.”
"Whynot?"askedCaspian.
"Nobones,"saidEdmund."Anenemymighttakethearmourahebody.Butwhoeverheardofachapwhodwonafightcarryingawaythebodyandleavingthearmour?”
"Perhapshewaskilledbyawildanimal,"Lucysuggested.
"Itdbeacleveranimal,"saidEdmund,"thatwouldtakeamansmailshirtoff.”
"Perhapsadragon?"saidCaspian.
"Nothingdoing,"saidEustace."Adragoncouldntdoit.Ioughttoknow.”
"Well,letsgetawayfromtheplayway,"saidLucy.ShehadlikesittingdownagainsinceEdmundhadraisedthequestionofbones.
"Ifyoulike,"saidCaspiaingup."Idontthinkanyofthisstuffisworthtakingaway.”
Theycamedownandroundtothelittleopenihestreamcameoutofthelake,andstoodlookingatthedeepwaterwithinthecircleofcliffs.Ifithadbeenahotday,nodoubtsomewouldhavebeeedtobatheandeveryonewouldhavehadadrink.
Indeed,evenasitwas,EustacewasontheverypointofstoopingdownandscoopingupsomewaterinhishandswhenReepicheepandLucybothatthesamemomentcried,"Look,"sohefotabouthisdrinkandlooked.
Thebottomofthepoolwasmadereyish-bluestonesaererfectlyclear,andoomlayalife-sizefigureofaman,madeapparentlyofgold.Itlayfacedownwardswithitsarmsstretchedoutaboveitshead.Anditsohappehatastheylookedatit,thecloudspartedandthesunsho.Thegoldenshapewaslitupfromendtoend.Lucythoughtitwasthemostbeautifulstatueshehadeverseen.
"Well!"whistledCaspian."Thatwasworthingtosee!Iwonder,wegetitout?”
"Wediveforit,Sire,"saidReepicheep.
"Nogoodatall,"saidEdmund."Atleast,ifitsreallygold-solidgold-itllbefartooheavytup.Andthatpoolstwelveorfifteedeepifitsaninch.Halfamoment,though.ItsagoodthingIvebroughtahuntingspearwithme.Letsseewhatthedepthislike.Holdontomyhand,Caspian,whileIleanoutoverthewaterabit.”
CaspiantookhishandandEdmund,leaningforward,begantolowerhisspearintothewater.
Beforeitwashalf-wayinLucysaid,"Idontbelievethestatueisgoldatall.Itsonlythelight.Yourspearlooksjustthesamecolour.”
"Whatswrong?"askedseveralvoicesatonundhadsuddegoofthespear.
"Icouldntholdit,"gaspedEdmund,"itseemedsoheavy.”
"Aisoomnow,"saidCaspian,"andLucyisright.Itlooksjustthesamecolourasthestatue.”
ButEdmund,earedtobehavingsometroublewithhisboots-atleasthewasbendingdownandlookingatthem-straightenedhimselfallatondshoutedoutinthesharpvoicewhichpeoplehardlyeverdisobey:"Getback!Bathewater.Allofyou.Atonce!!”
Theyalldidandstaredathim.
"Look,"saidEdmund,"lookatthetoesofmyboots.”
"Theylookabityellow,"begaace.
"Theyregold,solidgold,"interruptedEdmund."Lookatthem.Feelthem.Theleatherspulledawayfromitalready.Andtheyreasheavyaslead.”
"ByAslan!"saidCaspian."Youdoosay-?”
"Yes,Ido,"saidEdmund."Thatwaterturnsthingsintogold.Itturhespearintogold,thatswhyitgotsoheavy.Anditwasjustlappingagainstmyfeet(itsagoodthingIwasntbarefoot)anditturhetoe-capsintogold.Andthatpoorfellowoom-well,yousee.”
"Soitisntastatueatall,"saidLualowvoice.
"No.Thewholethingisplainnow.Hewashereonahotday.Heundressedontopofthecliff-whereweweresitting.Theclotheshaverottedawayorbeentakenbybirdstoliswith;thearmoursstillthere.Thenhedivedand-”
"Dont,"saidLucy."Whatahorriblething.”
"Andwhatanarrowshavewevehad,"saidEdmund.
"Narrowindeed,"saidReepicheep."Anyonesfinger,anyonesfoot,anyoneswhisker,oraail,mighthaveslippedintothewateratanymoment.”
"Allthesame,"saidCaspian,"wemayaswelltestit."Hestoopeddownandwrenchedupasprayofheather.Then,verycautiously,hekbesidethepoolanddippeditin.Itwasheatherthathedipped;whathedrewouterfectmodelofheathermadeofthepurestgold,heavyandsoftaslead.
"TheKingwhoowhisisland,"saidCaspianslowly,andhisfaceflushedashespoke,"wouldsooherichestofalltheKingsoftheworld.IclaimthislandforeverasaNarnianpossession.ItshallbecalledGoldwaterIsland.AndIbindallofyoutosecrecy.
knowofthis.NotevenDrinian-onpaih,doyouhear?”
"Whoareyoutalkingto?"saidEdmund."Imnosubjectofyours.Ifanythingitstheotherwayround.IamohefourasnsofNarniaandyouareunderallegiaheHighKingmybrother.”
"Soithasetothat,KingEdmund,hasit?"saidCaspian,layinghishandonhissword-hilt.
"Oh,stopit,bothofyou,"saidLucy."Thatstheworstofdoinganythingwithboys.
Youreallsuchswaggering,bullyingidiots-oooh!-"Hervoicediedawayintoagasp.
Andeveryoneelsesawwhatshehadseen.
Acrossthegreyhillsideabovethem-grey,fortheheatherwasinbloom-withoutnoise,andwithoutlookingatthem,andshiningasifhewereinbrightsunlightthoughthesunhadinfaein,passedwithslowpacethehugestlionthathumaneyeshaveeverseen.IndescribingtheseLucysaidafterwards,"Hewasthesizeofanelephant,”
thoughataimesheonlysaid,"Thesizeofacart-horse."Butitwasnotthesizethatmattered.Nobodydaredtoaskwhatitwas.TheykwasAslan.
Andnobodyeversaherehewent.Theylookedatoherlikepeoplewakingfromsleep.
"etalkingabout?"saidCaspian."HaveIbeenmakingratheranassofmyself?”
"Sire,"saidReepicheep,"thisisaplacewithacurseonit.LetusgetbaboardatondifImighthavethehonourofnamingthisisland,IshouldcallitDeathwater.”
"Thatstrikesmeasaverygoodname,Reep,"saidCaspian,"thoughnowthatIetothinkofit,Idontknowwhy.ButtheweatherseemstobesettlingandIdaresayDrinianwouldliketobeoff.Whatalotweshallhavetotellhim.”
Butinfacttheyhadnotmuchtotellforthememoryofthelasthourhadallbeefused.
"TheirMajestiesallseemedabitbewitchedwhentheycameaboard,"saidDriniantoRhinehourslaterwhentheDawnTreaderwasoncemoreundersailahwaterIslandalreadybelowthehorizon."Somethinghappeheminthatplace.
TheonlythingIcouldgetclearwasthattheythinktheyvefoundthebodyofoheselordswerelookingfor.”
"Youdontsayso,Captain,"answeredRhince."Well,thatsthree.Onlyfourmore.AtthisratewemightbehomesooheNewYear.Andagoodthingtoo.Mybaccysrunningabitlow.Goodnight,Sir.”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
"Pirateswork,"saidCaspian.
"Orthedragons,"saidEdmund.
Theonlyotherthingtheyfoundtherewasalittleskinboat,orcoracle,onthesands.Itwasmadeofhidestretchedoverawickerframework.Itwasatinyboat,barelyfourfeetlong,andthepaddlewhichstilllayinitroportiohoughtthateitherithadbeenmadeforachildorelsethatthepeopleofthattryhadbeenDwarfs.
Reepicheepdecidedtokeepit,asitwasjusttherightsizeforhim;soitwastakenonboard.TheycalledthatlandBurntIsland,andsailedawaybeforenoon.
Forsomefivedaystheyranbeforeasouth-south-eastwind,outofsightofalllandsandseeiherfishnull.Thentheyhadadaywhenitrainedhardtilltheafternoon.
EustacelosttwogamesofchesstoReepicheepaogetlikehisoldand
disagreeableselfagain,andEdmundsaidhewishedtheycouldhavegooAmericawithSusan.ThenLucylookedoutofthesternwindowsandsaid:"Hello!Idobelieveitsstopping.Andwhatsthat?”
TheyalltumbleduptothepoopatthisandfoundthattherainhadstoppedandthatDrinian,whowasonwatch,wasalshardatsomethingastern.Orrather,atseveralthings.Theylookedalittlelikesmoothroundedrocks,awholelihemwithintervalsofaboutfortyfeetiween.
"Buttheytberocks,"Drinianwassaying,"becausetheywerenttherefiveminutesago.”
"Andonesjustdisappeared,"saidLucy.
"Yes,andtheresanotheroneingup,"saidEdmund.
"Andnearer,"saidEustace.
"Hangit!"saidCaspian."Thewholethingismovingthisway.”
"Andmovingagreatdealquickerthanwesail,Sire,"saidDrinian."Itllbeupwithusinaminute.”
Theyallheldtheirbreath,foritisnotatallobepursuedbyanunknowhiheronlandorsea.Butwhatitturtobewasfarworsethananyonehadsuspected.Suddenly,onlyaboutthelengthofacricketpittheirportside,anappallingheadreareditselfoutofthesea.Itwasallgreensandvermilionswithpurpleblotches-exceptwhereshellfishgtoit-andshapedratherlikeahorses,thoughwithoutears.Ithadenormouseyes,eyesmadeforstaringthroughthedarkdepthsoftheo,andagapingmouthfilledwithdoublerowsofsharpfish-liketeeth.Itcameuponwhattheyfirsttooktobeahugeneck,butasmoreandmoreofitemergedeveryohatthiswasnotitsneckbutitsbodyandthatatlasttheywereseeingwhatsomanypeoplehavefoolishlywaosee-thegreatSeaSerpent.Thefoldsofitsgigantictailcouldbeseenfaraway,risingatintervalsfromthesurfadnowitsheadwastuphighertha.
Everymanrushedtohison,buttherewasnothingtobedohemonsterwasoutofreach."Shoot!Shoot!"criedtheMasterBowman,andseveralobeyed,butthearrowsglancedofftheSeaSerpentshideasifitwasironplated.Then,foradreadfulminute,everyonewasstill,staringupatitseyesandmouthandwwhereitwouldpounce.
Butitdidntpoushotitsheadforwardacrosstheshiponalevelwiththeyardofthemast.Nowitsheadwasjustbesidethefightingtop.Stillitstretchedandstretchedtillitsheadwasoverthestarboardbulwark.Thendowoe-notontothe
crowdeddeckbutintothewater,sothatthewholeshipwasunderanarchofserpent.
Andalmostatoarchbegasmaller:ihestarboardtheSeaSerpentwasnowalmosttougtheDawnTreadersside.
Eustace(whohadreallybeentryingveryhardtobehavewell,tilltherainandthechessputhimbaowdidthefirstbravethinghehadeverdone.HewaswearingaswordthatCaspianhadlenthim.Assoonastheserpentsbodywasnearenoughoarboardsidehejumpedontothebulwarkandbeganhagatitwithallhismight.ItistruethatheaplishednothingbeyondbreakingCaspianssed-bestswordintobits,butitwasafihingfiohavedone.
OtherswouldhavejoinedhimifatthatmomentReepicheephadnotcalledout,"Dontfight!Push!"ItwassounusualfortheMousetoadviseaofightthat,eveninthatterriblemoment,everyeyeturohim.Andwhenhejumpedupontothebulwark,forwardofthesnake,ahislittlefurrybackagainstitshugescaly,slimybadbeganpushingashardashecould,quiteanumberofpeoplesawwhathemeantandrushedtobothsidesoftheshiptodothesame.Andwhen,amomentlater,theSeaSerpentsheadappearedagain,thistimeoside,andthistimewithitsba,theneveryoneuood.
ThebrutehadmadealoopofitselfroundtheDawnTreaderandwasbeginningtodrawthelooptight.Whenitgotquitetight-snap!-therewouldbefloatingmatchwoodwheretheshiphadbeenanditcouldpickthemoutofthewateronebyoheironlyceushtheloopbackwardtillitslidoverthestern;orelse(toputthesamethinganotherway)topushtheshipforwardoutoftheloop.
Reepicheepalonehad,ofcourse,nomoreceofdoingthisthanofliftingupacathedral,buthehadnearlykilledhimselfwithtryingbeforeothersshovedhimaside.
VerysoonthewholeshipspanyexceptLudtheMouse(whichwasfainting)
wasintwolonglinesalowobulwarks,easchesttothebackofthemaninfront,sothattheweightofthewholelinewasiman,pushingfortheirlives.Forafewsiingseds(whichseemedlikehours)nothingappearedtohappen.Jointscracked,sweatdropped,breathcameingruntsandgasps.Thentheyfeltthattheshipwasmoving.Theysawthatthesnake-loopwasfurtherfromthemastthanithadbeen.Buttheyalsosawthatitwassmaller.Andnowtherealdangerwasathand.Couldtheygetitoverthepoop,orwasitalreadytootight?Yes.Itwouldjustfit.Itwasrestingonthepooprails.Adozenormorespranguponthepoop.Thiswasfarbetter.TheSeaSerpentsbodywassolownowthattheyakealineacrossthepoopandpushsidebyside.
Hoperosehightilleveryonerememberedthehighcarvedstern,thedragontail,oftheDawnTreader.Itwouldbequiteimpossibletogetthebruteoverthat.
"Anaxe,"criedCaspianhoarsely,"andstillshove."Lucy,whoknewwhereeverythingwas,heardhimwhereshewasstandingonthemaiaringupatthepoop.Inafewsedsshehadbeenbelow,gottheaxe,andwasrushinguptheladdertothepoop.Butjustasshereachedthetoptherecameagreatcrashingnoiselikeatreeingdownandtheshiprockedanddartedforward.Foratthatverymoment,whetherbecausetheSea
Serpentwasbeingpushedsohard,orbecauseitfoolishlydecidedtodrawtheight,thewholeofthecarvedsternbrokeoffandtheshipwasfree.
TheothersweretooexhaustedtoseewhatLucysaw.There,afewyardsbehiheloopofSeaSerpentsbodygotrapidlysmalleranddisappearedintoasplash.Lucyalwayssaid(butofcourseshewasveryexcitedatthemoment,anditmayhavebeenonlyimagination)thatshesawalookofidioticsatisfaonthecreaturesface.Whatiscertainisthatitwasaverystupidanimal,forinsteadofpursuingtheshipittursheadroundandbegannosingallalongitsownbodyasifitexpectedtofindthewreckageoftheDawnTreaderthere.ButtheDawnTreaderwasalreadywellaway,runningbeforeafreshbreeze,andthemenlayandsatpantingandgroaningallaboutthedeck,tillpresentlytheywereabletotalkaboutit,aolaughaboutit.Andwhensomerumhadbeenservedouttheyevenraisedacheer;andeveryonepraisedthevalourofEustace(thoughithadntdoneanygood)andofReepicheep.
Afterthistheysailedforthreedaysmoreandsawnothingbutseaandsky.Onthefourthdaythewindgedtothenorthandtheseasbegantorise;bytheafternoonithadnearlybeeagale.Butatthesametimetheysightedlandontheirportbow.
"Byyourleave,Sire,"saidDrinian,"wewilltrytogetuheleeofthattrybyrowingandlieinharbour,maybetillthisisover."Caspianagreed,butalainstthegaledidnthemtothelandbeforeevening.Bythelastlightofthatdaytheysteeredintoanaturalharbourandanchored,butashorethatnight.Inthemtheyfoundthemselvesinthegreenbayed,lonely-lookingtrywhichslopeduptoarockysummit.Fromthewindynorthbeyondthatsummitcloudscamestreamingrapidly.Theyloweredtheboatandloadedherwithanyofthewatercaskswhichwerey.
"Whichstreamshallwewaterat,Drinian?"saidCaspiaookhisseatiersoftheboat."Thereseemtobetwoingdownintothebay.”
"Itmakeslittleodds,Sire,"saidDrinian."ButIthinkitsashorterpulltothatoarboard-theeasternone.”
"Hereestherain,"saidLucy.
"Ishouldthinkitdoes!"saidEdmund,foritwasalreadypeltinghard."Isay,letsgototheotherstream.Therearetreesthereandwellhavesomeshelter.”
"Yes,lets,"saidEustace."Nopointiierthanweneed.”
ButallthetimeDrinianwassteadilysteeringtothestarboard,liketiresomepeopleincarswhotifortymilesanhourwhileyouareexplainingtothemthattheyareonthewrongroad.
"Theyreright,Drinian,"saidCaspian."Whydontyherheadroundandmakeforthewesternstream?”
"AsyourMajestypleases,"saidDrinianalittleshortly.Hehadhadananxiousdaywiththeweatheryesterday,andhedidntlikeadvilandsmen.Buthealteredcourse;anditturafterwardsthatitwasagoodthinghedid.
Bythetimetheyhadfiering,therainwasoverandCaspian,withEustace,thePevensies,andReepicheep,decidedtotothetopofthehillacouldbeseen.Itwasastiffishclimbthroughcrassaherandtheysawherman,exceptseagulls.Whentheyreachedthetoptheysawthatitwasaverysmallisland,notmorethayacres;andfromthisheightthesealookedlargerandmoredesolatethanitdidfromthedeck,oreventhefightingtop,oftheDawnTreader.
"Crazy,youknow,"saidEustacetoLualowvoice,lookingattheeasternhorizon.
"Sailingonandonintothatwithnoideawhatwemaygetto."Butheonlysaiditoutofhabit,notreallynastilyashewouldhavedooime.
Itwastoocoldtostaylongontheridgeforthewindstillblewfreshlyfromthenorth.
"Dosgobackthesameway,"saidLucyastheyturned;"letsgoalongabitandedownbytheotherstream,theoneDrinianwaogoto.”
Everyoneagreedtothisandafteraboutfifteenmiheywereatthesourceofthesedriver.Itwasamoreiingplacethantheyhadexpected;adeeplittlemountainlake,surroundedbycliffsexceptforanarrowelontheseawardsideoutofwhichthewaterflowed.Hereatlasttheywereoutofthewind,andallsatdowniherabovethecliffforarest.
Allsatdown,butowasEdmund)jumpedupagainveryquickly.
"Theygoinforsharpstohisisland,"hesaid,gropingaboutiher."Whereisthewretchedthing?...Ah,nowIvegotit...Hullo!Itwasntastoall,itsasword-hilt.No,byjove,itsawholesword;whattherusthasleftofit.Itmusthavelainherefes.”
"Narnian,too,bythelookofit,"saidCaspian,astheyallcrowdedround.
"Imsittingohingtoo,"saidLucy."Somethinghard."Itturtobetheremainsofamail-shirt.Bythistimeeveryonewasonhandsandknees,feelingihickheatherineverydire.Theirsearchrevealed,onebyone,ahelmet,adagger,andafews;notencrestsbutgenuineNarnian"Lions"and"Trees"suchasyoumightseeanydayinthemarket-placeofBeaversdamorBeruna.
"Looksasifthismightbeallthatsleftofoneofoursevenlords,"saidEdmund.
"JustwhatIwasthinking,"saidCaspian."Iwonderwhichitwas.Theresnothingonthedaggertoshow.AndIwonderhowhedied.”
"Andhowwearetoavengehim,"addedReepicheep.
Edmund,theonlyohepartywhohadreadseveraldetectivestories,hadmeanwhilebeenthinking.
"Lookhere,"hesaid,"theressomethingveryfishyaboutthis.Hethavebeenkilledinafight.”
"Whynot?"askedCaspian.
"Nobones,"saidEdmund."Anenemymighttakethearmourahebody.Butwhoeverheardofachapwhodwonafightcarryingawaythebodyandleavingthearmour?”
"Perhapshewaskilledbyawildanimal,"Lucysuggested.
"Itdbeacleveranimal,"saidEdmund,"thatwouldtakeamansmailshirtoff.”
"Perhapsadragon?"saidCaspian.
"Nothingdoing,"saidEustace."Adragoncouldntdoit.Ioughttoknow.”
"Well,letsgetawayfromtheplayway,"saidLucy.ShehadlikesittingdownagainsinceEdmundhadraisedthequestionofbones.
"Ifyoulike,"saidCaspiaingup."Idontthinkanyofthisstuffisworthtakingaway.”
Theycamedownandroundtothelittleopenihestreamcameoutofthelake,andstoodlookingatthedeepwaterwithinthecircleofcliffs.Ifithadbeenahotday,nodoubtsomewouldhavebeeedtobatheandeveryonewouldhavehadadrink.
Indeed,evenasitwas,EustacewasontheverypointofstoopingdownandscoopingupsomewaterinhishandswhenReepicheepandLucybothatthesamemomentcried,"Look,"sohefotabouthisdrinkandlooked.
Thebottomofthepoolwasmadereyish-bluestonesaererfectlyclear,andoomlayalife-sizefigureofaman,madeapparentlyofgold.Itlayfacedownwardswithitsarmsstretchedoutaboveitshead.Anditsohappehatastheylookedatit,thecloudspartedandthesunsho.Thegoldenshapewaslitupfromendtoend.Lucythoughtitwasthemostbeautifulstatueshehadeverseen.
"Well!"whistledCaspian."Thatwasworthingtosee!Iwonder,wegetitout?”
"Wediveforit,Sire,"saidReepicheep.
"Nogoodatall,"saidEdmund."Atleast,ifitsreallygold-solidgold-itllbefartooheavytup.Andthatpoolstwelveorfifteedeepifitsaninch.Halfamoment,though.ItsagoodthingIvebroughtahuntingspearwithme.Letsseewhatthedepthislike.Holdontomyhand,Caspian,whileIleanoutoverthewaterabit.”
CaspiantookhishandandEdmund,leaningforward,begantolowerhisspearintothewater.
Beforeitwashalf-wayinLucysaid,"Idontbelievethestatueisgoldatall.Itsonlythelight.Yourspearlooksjustthesamecolour.”
"Whatswrong?"askedseveralvoicesatonundhadsuddegoofthespear.
"Icouldntholdit,"gaspedEdmund,"itseemedsoheavy.”
"Aisoomnow,"saidCaspian,"andLucyisright.Itlooksjustthesamecolourasthestatue.”
ButEdmund,earedtobehavingsometroublewithhisboots-atleasthewasbendingdownandlookingatthem-straightenedhimselfallatondshoutedoutinthesharpvoicewhichpeoplehardlyeverdisobey:"Getback!Bathewater.Allofyou.Atonce!!”
Theyalldidandstaredathim.
"Look,"saidEdmund,"lookatthetoesofmyboots.”
"Theylookabityellow,"begaace.
"Theyregold,solidgold,"interruptedEdmund."Lookatthem.Feelthem.Theleatherspulledawayfromitalready.Andtheyreasheavyaslead.”
"ByAslan!"saidCaspian."Youdoosay-?”
"Yes,Ido,"saidEdmund."Thatwaterturnsthingsintogold.Itturhespearintogold,thatswhyitgotsoheavy.Anditwasjustlappingagainstmyfeet(itsagoodthingIwasntbarefoot)anditturhetoe-capsintogold.Andthatpoorfellowoom-well,yousee.”
"Soitisntastatueatall,"saidLualowvoice.
"No.Thewholethingisplainnow.Hewashereonahotday.Heundressedontopofthecliff-whereweweresitting.Theclotheshaverottedawayorbeentakenbybirdstoliswith;thearmoursstillthere.Thenhedivedand-”
"Dont,"saidLucy."Whatahorriblething.”
"Andwhatanarrowshavewevehad,"saidEdmund.
"Narrowindeed,"saidReepicheep."Anyonesfinger,anyonesfoot,anyoneswhisker,oraail,mighthaveslippedintothewateratanymoment.”
"Allthesame,"saidCaspian,"wemayaswelltestit."Hestoopeddownandwrenchedupasprayofheather.Then,verycautiously,hekbesidethepoolanddippeditin.Itwasheatherthathedipped;whathedrewouterfectmodelofheathermadeofthepurestgold,heavyandsoftaslead.
"TheKingwhoowhisisland,"saidCaspianslowly,andhisfaceflushedashespoke,"wouldsooherichestofalltheKingsoftheworld.IclaimthislandforeverasaNarnianpossession.ItshallbecalledGoldwaterIsland.AndIbindallofyoutosecrecy.
knowofthis.NotevenDrinian-onpaih,doyouhear?”
"Whoareyoutalkingto?"saidEdmund."Imnosubjectofyours.Ifanythingitstheotherwayround.IamohefourasnsofNarniaandyouareunderallegiaheHighKingmybrother.”
"Soithasetothat,KingEdmund,hasit?"saidCaspian,layinghishandonhissword-hilt.
"Oh,stopit,bothofyou,"saidLucy."Thatstheworstofdoinganythingwithboys.
Youreallsuchswaggering,bullyingidiots-oooh!-"Hervoicediedawayintoagasp.
Andeveryoneelsesawwhatshehadseen.
Acrossthegreyhillsideabovethem-grey,fortheheatherwasinbloom-withoutnoise,andwithoutlookingatthem,andshiningasifhewereinbrightsunlightthoughthesunhadinfaein,passedwithslowpacethehugestlionthathumaneyeshaveeverseen.IndescribingtheseLucysaidafterwards,"Hewasthesizeofanelephant,”
thoughataimesheonlysaid,"Thesizeofacart-horse."Butitwasnotthesizethatmattered.Nobodydaredtoaskwhatitwas.TheykwasAslan.
Andnobodyeversaherehewent.Theylookedatoherlikepeoplewakingfromsleep.
"etalkingabout?"saidCaspian."HaveIbeenmakingratheranassofmyself?”
"Sire,"saidReepicheep,"thisisaplacewithacurseonit.LetusgetbaboardatondifImighthavethehonourofnamingthisisland,IshouldcallitDeathwater.”
"Thatstrikesmeasaverygoodname,Reep,"saidCaspian,"thoughnowthatIetothinkofit,Idontknowwhy.ButtheweatherseemstobesettlingandIdaresayDrinianwouldliketobeoff.Whatalotweshallhavetotellhim.”
Butinfacttheyhadnotmuchtotellforthememoryofthelasthourhadallbeefused.
"TheirMajestiesallseemedabitbewitchedwhentheycameaboard,"saidDriniantoRhinehourslaterwhentheDawnTreaderwasoncemoreundersailahwaterIslandalreadybelowthehorizon."Somethinghappeheminthatplace.
TheonlythingIcouldgetclearwasthattheythinktheyvefoundthebodyofoheselordswerelookingfor.”
"Youdontsayso,Captain,"answeredRhince."Well,thatsthree.Onlyfourmore.AtthisratewemightbehomesooheNewYear.Andagoodthingtoo.Mybaccysrunningabitlow.Goodnight,Sir.”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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