CHAPTER ELEVEN
INTHEDARKCASTLEWHENthemeal(whichigeonpie,coldham,salad,andcakes)hadbeenbrought,andallhaddrawntheirchairsuptothetableandbegun,theKnighttinued:"Youmustuand,friends,thatIknownothingofwhoIwasandwhenceIcameintothisDarkWorld.IremembernotimewhenIwasnotdwelling,asnow,atthecourtofthisallbutheavenlyQueen;butmythoughtisthatshesavedmefromsomeevilentmentandbroughtmehitherofherexceedingbounty.(HoFrogfoot,yourcupisempty.Suffermetorefillit.)AndthisseemstomethelikelierbecauseevennowIam
boundbyaspell,fromwhichmyLadyalonefreeme.Everynightthereesanhourwhenmymindismosthorriblyged,and,aftermymind,mybody.ForfirstIbeefuriousandwildandwouldrushuponmydearestfriendstokillthem,ifIwerenotbound.Andsoohat,Iturnintothelikenessofagreatserpent,hungry,fierddeadly.(Sir,bepleasedtotakeanotherbreastofpigeoreatyou.)Sotheytellme,andtheycertainlyspeaktruth,formyLadysaysthesame.Imyselfknownothingofit,forwhenmyhourispastIawakefetfulofallthatvilefitandinmypropershapeandsoundmind-savingthatIamsomewhatwearied.(Littlelady,eatohesehoneycakes,whicharebroughtformefromsomebarbarouslandinthefarsouthoftheworld.)
NowtheQueensmajestyknowsbyherartthatIshallbefreedfromthisentmentwhenonceshehasmademekingofalandintheOverworldasupohelandisalreadychosenandtheveryplaceofourbreakingout.HerEarthmenhaveworkeddayandnightdiggingawaybehit,andhavenowgonesofarandsohighthattheytuascoreoffeetbeheverygrassonwhichtheUpdwellersofthattrywalk.ItwillbeverysoonnowthatthoseUplandersfatewilleuponthem.Sheherselfisatthediggingstonight,andIexpectamessagetogotoher.Thehinroofofearthwhichstillkeepsmefrommykingdomwillbebrokenthrough,andwithhertoguidemeandathousahmenatmyback,Ishallrideforthinarms,fallsuddenlyonourenemies,slaytheirchiefmen,castdowrongplaces,anddoubtlessbetheiredkingwithinfourayhours.”
"Itsabitroughluthem,isntit?"saidScrubb.
"Thouartaladofawondrous,quick-wwit!"exclaimedtheKnight."For,onmyhonour,Ihadhoughtofitsobefore.Iseeyourmeaning."Helookedslightly,veryslightlytroubledforamomentortwo;buthisfacesoonclearedandhebrokeout,withanotherofhisloudlaughs,"Butfieongravity!Isitnotthemostidridiculousthingintheworldtothinkofthemallgoingabouttheirbusinessandneverdreamingthatuheirpeacefulfieldsandfloors,onlyafathomdown,thereisagreatarmyreadytobreakoutuponthemlikeafountain!Andtheyohavesuspected!Why,theythemselves,whehefirstsmartoftheirdefeatisover,hardlychoosebutlaughatthethought!”
"Idontthinkitsfunnyatall,"saidJill."Ithinkyoullbeawickedtyrant.”
"What?"saidtheKnight,stilllaughingandpattingherheadinaquiteinfuriatingfashion.
"Isourlittlemaidadeeppoliti?Butneverfear,sweetheart.Inrulingthatland,IshalldoallbytheselofmyLady,whowillthenbemyQueentoo.Herwordshallbemylaw,evenasmywordwillbelawtothepeoplewehavequered.”
"WhereIefrom,"saidJill,whowasdislikinghimmoreeveryminute,"theydontthinkmuenwhoarebossedaboutbytheirwives.”
"Shaltthinkotherwisewhenthouhastamanofthineown,Iwarrantyou,"saidtheKnight,apparentlythinkingthisveryfunny."ButwithmyLady,itisater.Iamwelltenttolivebyherword,whohasalreadysavedmefromathousanddangers.No
motherhastakenpainsmoretenderlyforherchild,thantheQueensgracehasforme.
Why,lookyou,amidallhercaresandbusiness,sheridethoutwithmeintheOverworldmanyatimeandofttoacyeyestothesunlight.AndthenImustgofullyarmedandwithvisordown,sothatnomanmayseemyfadImustspeaktonoone.ForshehasfoundoutbyartmagicalthatthiswouldhindermydeliveranthegrievousentmentIlieunder.Isnotthataladyworthyofamanswholeworship?”
"Soundsaveryniceladyindeed,"saidPuddlegluminavoicewhichmealytheopposite.
TheywerethhlytiredoftheKnightstalkbeforetheyhadfinishedsupper.
Puddleglumwasthinking,"Iwonderwhatgamethatwitchisreallyplayingwiththisyoungfool."Scrubbwasthinking,"Hesagreatbaby,really:tiedtothatrs;hesasap."AndJillwasthinking,"Hesthesilliest,mostceited,selfishpigIvemetforalongtime."Butwhenthemealwasover,theKnightsmoodhadged.
Therewasnomorelaughterabouthim.
"Friends,"hesaid,"myhourisnowverynear.IamashamedthatyoushouldseemeyetIdreadbeialoheywilleilyandbindmehandandfoottoyonderchair.Alas,soitmustbe:forinmyfury,theytellme,IwoulddestroyallthatIcouldreach.”
"Isay,"saidScrubb,"Imawfullysorryaboutyourentmentofcourse,butwhatwillthosefellowsdotouswhentheyetobindyou?Theytalkedofputtingusinprison.
Alikeallthosedarkplacesverymuch.Wedmuchratherstayheretillyoure...better...ifwemay.”
"Itiswellthoughtof,"saidtheKnight."ByheQueenherselfremainswithmeinmyevilhour.SuchishertendercareformyhonourthatshewouldnotwillinglysufferanyearsbutherowhewordsIutterinthatfrenzy.ButIcouldnoteasilypersuademyattendantghatyoushouldbeleftwithme.AndIthiheirsoftfeetevennowupoairs.Ghyonderdoor:itleadsintomyotherapartments.Andthere,eitherawaitmyiheyhaveunboundme;or,ifyouwill,returnandsitwithmeinmyravings.”
Theyfollowedhisdiresandpassedoutoftheroombyadoorwhichtheyhadseenopebroughtthem,theywerepleasedtosee,notintodarknessbutintoalightedcorridor.Theytriedvariousdoorsandfound(whattheyverybadlyneeded)waterforwashingandevenalookingglass."Heneverofferedusawashbeforesupper,"saidJill,dryingherface."Selfish,selftredpig.”
&quoingbacktowatchtheentment,orshallwestayhere?"saidScrubb.
"Stayhere,Ivote,"saidJill."Idmuchrather."Butshefeltalittleinquisitiveallthesame.
"No,goback,"saidPuddleglum."ickupsomeinformation,andweneedallweget.IamsurethatQueenisawitdanenemy.AndthoseEarthmenwouldknockusontheheadassoonaslookatus.TheresastrongersmellofdangerandliesandmagidtreasonaboutthislandthanIveeversmelledbefore.Weokeepoureyesandearsopen.”
Theywentbackdownthecorridentlypushedthedooropen."Itsallright,"saidScrubb,meaningthattherewerehmenabout.Thentheyallcamebatotheroomwheretheyhadsupped.
Themaindoorwasnowshut,cealiaiweenwhichtheyhadfirsteheKnightwasseatedinacurioussilverchair,towhichhewasboundbyhisankles,hisknees,hiselbows,hiswrists,andhiswaist.Therewassweatonhisforeheadandhisfacewasfilledwithanguish.
"ein,friends,"hesaid,glangquicklyup."Thefitisuponme.Makenonoise,forItoldthatpryingchamberlainthatyouwereinbed.Now...Ifeeliting.Quick!ListenwhileIammasterofmyself.WheisupowellmaybethatIshallbegandimploreyou,witheiesandthreatenings,toloosenmybonds.
TheysayIdo.Ishallcalluponyoubyallthatismostdearandmostdreadful.Butdonotlistentome.Hardenyourheartsandstopyourears.ForwhileIamboundyouaresafe.
ButifonceIwereupandoutofthischair,thenfirstwouldyfury,andafterthat”
-heshuddered-"thegeintoaloathsomeserpent.”
"Theresnofearofourloosingyou,"saidPuddleglum."Wevenowishtomeetwildmen;orserpeher.”
"Ishouldthinknot,"saidScrubbandJilltogether.
"Allthesame,"addedPuddlegluminawhisper."Dosbetoosure.Letsbeuard.Wevemuffedeverythingelse,youknow.Hellbeing,Ishouldntwonder,osstarted.wetrustoher?Doromisethatwhateverhesayswedonttouchthosecords?Whateverhesays,mindyou?”
"Rather!"saidScrubb.
"Theresnothingintheworldhesayordothatllmakemegemymind,"saidJill.
"Hush!Somethingshappening,"saidPuddleglum.
TheKnightwasmoaning.Hisfacealeasputty,ahedinhisbonds.Aherbecauseshewassorryforhim,orforsomeotherreason,Jillthoughtthathelookedanicersortofmanthanhehadlookedbefore.
"Ah,"hegroaned."Entments,entments...theheavy,tangled,cold,clammywebofevilmagic.Buriedalive.Draggeddowheearth,downintothesooty
blaess...howmanyyearsisit?...HaveIlivedtenyears,orathousandyears,i?Maggotmenallaroundme.Oh,havemercy.Letmeout,letmegoback.Letmefeelthewindahesky...Thereusedtobealittlepool.Whenyoulookeddownintoityoucouldseeallthetreesgrowingupside-downier,allgreen,ahem,deep,verydeep,thebluesky.”
Hehadbeenspeakinginalowvoiowhelookedup,fixedhiseyesuponthem,andsaidloudandclear:"Quick!Iamsanenow.EverynightIamsane.IfonlyIcouldgetoutofthisentedchair,itwouldlast.Ishouldbeamanagain.Buteverynighttheybindme,andshtmyceisgoyouarenotenemies.Iamnotyourprisoner.Quick!Cutthesecords.”
"Standfast!Steady,"saidPuddleglumtothetwochildren.
"Ibeseechyoutohearme,"saidtheKnight,fhimselftospeakcalmly."HavetheytoldyouthatifIamreleasedfromthischairIshallkillyouandbeeaserpent?Iseebyyourfacesthattheyhave.Itisalie.ItisatthishourthatIaminmyrightmind:itisalltherestofthedaythatIamented.Youarehmennorwitches.Whyshouldyoubeontheirside?Ofyourcourtesy,cutmybonds.”
"Steady!Steady!Steady!"saidthethreetravellerstooher.
"Oh,youhaveheartsofstone,"saidtheKnight."Believeme,youlookupochwhohassufferedalmostmorethananymortalbear.WhatwronghaveIeverdoneyou,thatyoushouldsidewithmyeokeepmeinsuchmiseries?Andtheminutesareslippingpast.Nowyousaveme;whenthishourhaspassed,Ishallbewitlessagaioyandlap-dog,nay,morelikelythepawnandtool,ofthemostdevilishsorceressthateverplahewoeofmen.Andthisnight,ofallnights,whensheisaway!Youtakefrommeacethatmaynevereagain.”
"Thisisdreadful.Idowishwedstayedawaytillitwasover,"saidJill.
"Steady!"saidPuddleglum.
Theprisonersvoicewasnowrisingintoashriek."Letmego,Isay.Givememysword.
Mysword!OnceIamfreeIshalltakesuchrevengeohmenthatUnderlandwilltalkofitforathousandyears!”
"Nowthefrenzyisbeginning,"saidScrubb."Ihopethoseknotsareallright.”
"Yes,"saidPuddleglum."Hedhavetwicehisnaturalstrengthifhegotfreenow.AndImnotcleverwithmysword.Hedgetusboth,Ishouldntwonder;andthenPoleonherownwouldbelefttotacklethesnake.”
Theprisonerwasnowsostrainingathisbondsthattheytohiswristsandankles.
"Beware,"hesaid."Beware.OnenightIdidbreakthem.Butthewitchwastherethattime.Youwillnothavehertohelpyoutonight.Freemenow,andIamyourfriend.Imyourmortalenemyelse.”
"ing,isnthe?"saidPuddleglum.
"Ondforall,"saidtheprisoner,"Iadjureyoutosetmefree.Byallfearsandallloves,bythebrightskiesofOverland,bythegreatLion,byAslanhimself,Ichargeyou-“
"Oh!"criedthethreetravellersasthoughtheyhadbeenhurt."Itsthesign,"saidPuddleglum."Itwasthewordsofthesign,"saidScrubbmorecautiously."Oh,whatarewetodo?"saidJill.
Itwasadreadfulquestion.WhathadbeentheuseofpromisiherthattheywouldnotonanyatsettheKnightfree,iftheywerenowtodosothefirsttimehehappeocalluponaheyreallycaredabout?Oherhand,whathadbeentheuseoflearningthesignsiftheywerentgoingtoobeythem?YetcouldAslanhavereallymeaounbindanyoneevenalunatic-whoaskeditinhisname?Coulditbeamereact?OrhowiftheQueenoftheUnderworldknewallaboutthesignsandhadmadetheKnightlearnthisnamesimplyioentrapthem?Butthen,supposingthiswastherealsign?...Theyhadmuffedthreealready;theydarentmuffthefourth.
"Oh,ifonlyweknew!"saidJill.
"Ithinkwedoknow,"saidPuddleglum.
"Doyoumeanyouthihingwillerightifwedountiehim?"saidScrubb.
"Idontknowaboutthat,"saidPuddleglum."Yousee,AslandidnttellPolewhatwouldhappen.Heonlytoldherwhattodo.Thatfellowwillbethedeathofusoncehesup,Ishouldntwonder.Butthatdoesusofffollowingthesign.”
Theyallstoodlookingatoherwithbrighteyes.Itwasasiingmoment."Allright!"saidJillsuddenly."Letsgetitood-bye,everyone...!"Theyallshookhands.TheKnightwasscreamingbynow;therewasfoamonhischeeks.
"eon,Scrubb,"saidPuddleglum.HeandScrubbdrewtheirswordsaovertothecaptive.
"InthenameofAslan,"theysaidandbegahodicallycuttingthecords.Theinstanttheprisonerwasfree,hecrossedtheroominasinglebound,seizedhisownsword(whichhadbeentakenfromhimandlaidoable),a.
"Youfirst!"hecriedandfelluponthesilverchair.Thatmusthavebeenagoodsword.
Thesilvergavewaybeforeitsedgelikestring,andinamomewistedfragments,shiningonthefloor,wereallthatwasleft.Butasthechairbroke,therecamefromitabrightflash,asoundlikesmallthunder,and(foronemoment)aloathsomesmell.
"Liethere,vileengineofsorcery,"hesaid,"lestyourmistressshouldeveruseyouforanothervictim."Theurnedandsurveyedhisrescuers;andthesomethingwrong,whateveritwas,hadvanishedfromhisface.
"What?"hecried,turningtoPuddleglum."DoIseebeforemeaMarsh-wiggle-areal,live,ho,NarnianMarsh-wiggle?”
"Oh,soyouhaveheardofNarniaafterall?"saidJill.
"HadIfottenitwhenIwasuhespell?"askedtheKnight."Well,thatandallotherbedevilmentsarenowover.YoumaywellbelievethatIknowNarnia,forIamRilian,Prinarnia,andCaspianthegreatKingismyfather.”
"YourRoyalHighness,"saidPuddleglum,sinkingononeknee(andthechildrendidthesame),"wehaveehitherfornootherendthantoseekyou.”
"Andwhoareyou,myotherdeliverers?"saidthePrioScrubbandJill.
"WeweresentbyAslanhimselffrombeyondtheworldsendtoseekyhness,”
saidScrubb."IamEustacewhosailedwithhimtotheislandofRamandu.”
"IoweallthreeofyouagreaterdebtthanIeverpay,"saidPrinceRilian."Butmyfather?Isheyetalive?”
"HesailedeastagainbeforeweleftNarnia,mylord,"saidPuddleglum."ButyhnessmustsiderthattheKingisveryold.ItistentoonehisMajestymustdieonthevoyage.”
"Heisold,yousay.HowlongthenhaveIbeeninthepowerofthewitch?"ItismorethantenyearssinceyhnesswaslostinthewoodsatthenorthsideofNarnia.”
"Tenyears!"saidthePrince,drawinghishandacrosshisfaceasiftorubawaythepast.
"Yes,Ibelieveyou.FornowthatIammyselfIrememberthatentedlife,thoughwhileIwasentedIcouldnotremembermytrueself.Andnow,fairfriends-butwait!Iheartheirfeet(doesitnotsiaman,thatpaddingwoollytread!faugh!)oairs.Lockthedoor,boy.Orstay.Ihaveabetterthoughtthanthat.IwillfooltheseEarthmen,ifAslahewit.Takeyourcuefromme.”
Hewalkedresolutelytothedoorandflungitwideopen.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
boundbyaspell,fromwhichmyLadyalonefreeme.Everynightthereesanhourwhenmymindismosthorriblyged,and,aftermymind,mybody.ForfirstIbeefuriousandwildandwouldrushuponmydearestfriendstokillthem,ifIwerenotbound.Andsoohat,Iturnintothelikenessofagreatserpent,hungry,fierddeadly.(Sir,bepleasedtotakeanotherbreastofpigeoreatyou.)Sotheytellme,andtheycertainlyspeaktruth,formyLadysaysthesame.Imyselfknownothingofit,forwhenmyhourispastIawakefetfulofallthatvilefitandinmypropershapeandsoundmind-savingthatIamsomewhatwearied.(Littlelady,eatohesehoneycakes,whicharebroughtformefromsomebarbarouslandinthefarsouthoftheworld.)
NowtheQueensmajestyknowsbyherartthatIshallbefreedfromthisentmentwhenonceshehasmademekingofalandintheOverworldasupohelandisalreadychosenandtheveryplaceofourbreakingout.HerEarthmenhaveworkeddayandnightdiggingawaybehit,andhavenowgonesofarandsohighthattheytuascoreoffeetbeheverygrassonwhichtheUpdwellersofthattrywalk.ItwillbeverysoonnowthatthoseUplandersfatewilleuponthem.Sheherselfisatthediggingstonight,andIexpectamessagetogotoher.Thehinroofofearthwhichstillkeepsmefrommykingdomwillbebrokenthrough,andwithhertoguidemeandathousahmenatmyback,Ishallrideforthinarms,fallsuddenlyonourenemies,slaytheirchiefmen,castdowrongplaces,anddoubtlessbetheiredkingwithinfourayhours.”
"Itsabitroughluthem,isntit?"saidScrubb.
"Thouartaladofawondrous,quick-wwit!"exclaimedtheKnight."For,onmyhonour,Ihadhoughtofitsobefore.Iseeyourmeaning."Helookedslightly,veryslightlytroubledforamomentortwo;buthisfacesoonclearedandhebrokeout,withanotherofhisloudlaughs,"Butfieongravity!Isitnotthemostidridiculousthingintheworldtothinkofthemallgoingabouttheirbusinessandneverdreamingthatuheirpeacefulfieldsandfloors,onlyafathomdown,thereisagreatarmyreadytobreakoutuponthemlikeafountain!Andtheyohavesuspected!Why,theythemselves,whehefirstsmartoftheirdefeatisover,hardlychoosebutlaughatthethought!”
"Idontthinkitsfunnyatall,"saidJill."Ithinkyoullbeawickedtyrant.”
"What?"saidtheKnight,stilllaughingandpattingherheadinaquiteinfuriatingfashion.
"Isourlittlemaidadeeppoliti?Butneverfear,sweetheart.Inrulingthatland,IshalldoallbytheselofmyLady,whowillthenbemyQueentoo.Herwordshallbemylaw,evenasmywordwillbelawtothepeoplewehavequered.”
"WhereIefrom,"saidJill,whowasdislikinghimmoreeveryminute,"theydontthinkmuenwhoarebossedaboutbytheirwives.”
"Shaltthinkotherwisewhenthouhastamanofthineown,Iwarrantyou,"saidtheKnight,apparentlythinkingthisveryfunny."ButwithmyLady,itisater.Iamwelltenttolivebyherword,whohasalreadysavedmefromathousanddangers.No
motherhastakenpainsmoretenderlyforherchild,thantheQueensgracehasforme.
Why,lookyou,amidallhercaresandbusiness,sheridethoutwithmeintheOverworldmanyatimeandofttoacyeyestothesunlight.AndthenImustgofullyarmedandwithvisordown,sothatnomanmayseemyfadImustspeaktonoone.ForshehasfoundoutbyartmagicalthatthiswouldhindermydeliveranthegrievousentmentIlieunder.Isnotthataladyworthyofamanswholeworship?”
"Soundsaveryniceladyindeed,"saidPuddlegluminavoicewhichmealytheopposite.
TheywerethhlytiredoftheKnightstalkbeforetheyhadfinishedsupper.
Puddleglumwasthinking,"Iwonderwhatgamethatwitchisreallyplayingwiththisyoungfool."Scrubbwasthinking,"Hesagreatbaby,really:tiedtothatrs;hesasap."AndJillwasthinking,"Hesthesilliest,mostceited,selfishpigIvemetforalongtime."Butwhenthemealwasover,theKnightsmoodhadged.
Therewasnomorelaughterabouthim.
"Friends,"hesaid,"myhourisnowverynear.IamashamedthatyoushouldseemeyetIdreadbeialoheywilleilyandbindmehandandfoottoyonderchair.Alas,soitmustbe:forinmyfury,theytellme,IwoulddestroyallthatIcouldreach.”
"Isay,"saidScrubb,"Imawfullysorryaboutyourentmentofcourse,butwhatwillthosefellowsdotouswhentheyetobindyou?Theytalkedofputtingusinprison.
Alikeallthosedarkplacesverymuch.Wedmuchratherstayheretillyoure...better...ifwemay.”
"Itiswellthoughtof,"saidtheKnight."ByheQueenherselfremainswithmeinmyevilhour.SuchishertendercareformyhonourthatshewouldnotwillinglysufferanyearsbutherowhewordsIutterinthatfrenzy.ButIcouldnoteasilypersuademyattendantghatyoushouldbeleftwithme.AndIthiheirsoftfeetevennowupoairs.Ghyonderdoor:itleadsintomyotherapartments.Andthere,eitherawaitmyiheyhaveunboundme;or,ifyouwill,returnandsitwithmeinmyravings.”
Theyfollowedhisdiresandpassedoutoftheroombyadoorwhichtheyhadseenopebroughtthem,theywerepleasedtosee,notintodarknessbutintoalightedcorridor.Theytriedvariousdoorsandfound(whattheyverybadlyneeded)waterforwashingandevenalookingglass."Heneverofferedusawashbeforesupper,"saidJill,dryingherface."Selfish,selftredpig.”
&quoingbacktowatchtheentment,orshallwestayhere?"saidScrubb.
"Stayhere,Ivote,"saidJill."Idmuchrather."Butshefeltalittleinquisitiveallthesame.
"No,goback,"saidPuddleglum."ickupsomeinformation,andweneedallweget.IamsurethatQueenisawitdanenemy.AndthoseEarthmenwouldknockusontheheadassoonaslookatus.TheresastrongersmellofdangerandliesandmagidtreasonaboutthislandthanIveeversmelledbefore.Weokeepoureyesandearsopen.”
Theywentbackdownthecorridentlypushedthedooropen."Itsallright,"saidScrubb,meaningthattherewerehmenabout.Thentheyallcamebatotheroomwheretheyhadsupped.
Themaindoorwasnowshut,cealiaiweenwhichtheyhadfirsteheKnightwasseatedinacurioussilverchair,towhichhewasboundbyhisankles,hisknees,hiselbows,hiswrists,andhiswaist.Therewassweatonhisforeheadandhisfacewasfilledwithanguish.
"ein,friends,"hesaid,glangquicklyup."Thefitisuponme.Makenonoise,forItoldthatpryingchamberlainthatyouwereinbed.Now...Ifeeliting.Quick!ListenwhileIammasterofmyself.WheisupowellmaybethatIshallbegandimploreyou,witheiesandthreatenings,toloosenmybonds.
TheysayIdo.Ishallcalluponyoubyallthatismostdearandmostdreadful.Butdonotlistentome.Hardenyourheartsandstopyourears.ForwhileIamboundyouaresafe.
ButifonceIwereupandoutofthischair,thenfirstwouldyfury,andafterthat”
-heshuddered-"thegeintoaloathsomeserpent.”
"Theresnofearofourloosingyou,"saidPuddleglum."Wevenowishtomeetwildmen;orserpeher.”
"Ishouldthinknot,"saidScrubbandJilltogether.
"Allthesame,"addedPuddlegluminawhisper."Dosbetoosure.Letsbeuard.Wevemuffedeverythingelse,youknow.Hellbeing,Ishouldntwonder,osstarted.wetrustoher?Doromisethatwhateverhesayswedonttouchthosecords?Whateverhesays,mindyou?”
"Rather!"saidScrubb.
"Theresnothingintheworldhesayordothatllmakemegemymind,"saidJill.
"Hush!Somethingshappening,"saidPuddleglum.
TheKnightwasmoaning.Hisfacealeasputty,ahedinhisbonds.Aherbecauseshewassorryforhim,orforsomeotherreason,Jillthoughtthathelookedanicersortofmanthanhehadlookedbefore.
"Ah,"hegroaned."Entments,entments...theheavy,tangled,cold,clammywebofevilmagic.Buriedalive.Draggeddowheearth,downintothesooty
blaess...howmanyyearsisit?...HaveIlivedtenyears,orathousandyears,i?Maggotmenallaroundme.Oh,havemercy.Letmeout,letmegoback.Letmefeelthewindahesky...Thereusedtobealittlepool.Whenyoulookeddownintoityoucouldseeallthetreesgrowingupside-downier,allgreen,ahem,deep,verydeep,thebluesky.”
Hehadbeenspeakinginalowvoiowhelookedup,fixedhiseyesuponthem,andsaidloudandclear:"Quick!Iamsanenow.EverynightIamsane.IfonlyIcouldgetoutofthisentedchair,itwouldlast.Ishouldbeamanagain.Buteverynighttheybindme,andshtmyceisgoyouarenotenemies.Iamnotyourprisoner.Quick!Cutthesecords.”
"Standfast!Steady,"saidPuddleglumtothetwochildren.
"Ibeseechyoutohearme,"saidtheKnight,fhimselftospeakcalmly."HavetheytoldyouthatifIamreleasedfromthischairIshallkillyouandbeeaserpent?Iseebyyourfacesthattheyhave.Itisalie.ItisatthishourthatIaminmyrightmind:itisalltherestofthedaythatIamented.Youarehmennorwitches.Whyshouldyoubeontheirside?Ofyourcourtesy,cutmybonds.”
"Steady!Steady!Steady!"saidthethreetravellerstooher.
"Oh,youhaveheartsofstone,"saidtheKnight."Believeme,youlookupochwhohassufferedalmostmorethananymortalbear.WhatwronghaveIeverdoneyou,thatyoushouldsidewithmyeokeepmeinsuchmiseries?Andtheminutesareslippingpast.Nowyousaveme;whenthishourhaspassed,Ishallbewitlessagaioyandlap-dog,nay,morelikelythepawnandtool,ofthemostdevilishsorceressthateverplahewoeofmen.Andthisnight,ofallnights,whensheisaway!Youtakefrommeacethatmaynevereagain.”
"Thisisdreadful.Idowishwedstayedawaytillitwasover,"saidJill.
"Steady!"saidPuddleglum.
Theprisonersvoicewasnowrisingintoashriek."Letmego,Isay.Givememysword.
Mysword!OnceIamfreeIshalltakesuchrevengeohmenthatUnderlandwilltalkofitforathousandyears!”
"Nowthefrenzyisbeginning,"saidScrubb."Ihopethoseknotsareallright.”
"Yes,"saidPuddleglum."Hedhavetwicehisnaturalstrengthifhegotfreenow.AndImnotcleverwithmysword.Hedgetusboth,Ishouldntwonder;andthenPoleonherownwouldbelefttotacklethesnake.”
Theprisonerwasnowsostrainingathisbondsthattheytohiswristsandankles.
"Beware,"hesaid."Beware.OnenightIdidbreakthem.Butthewitchwastherethattime.Youwillnothavehertohelpyoutonight.Freemenow,andIamyourfriend.Imyourmortalenemyelse.”
"ing,isnthe?"saidPuddleglum.
"Ondforall,"saidtheprisoner,"Iadjureyoutosetmefree.Byallfearsandallloves,bythebrightskiesofOverland,bythegreatLion,byAslanhimself,Ichargeyou-“
"Oh!"criedthethreetravellersasthoughtheyhadbeenhurt."Itsthesign,"saidPuddleglum."Itwasthewordsofthesign,"saidScrubbmorecautiously."Oh,whatarewetodo?"saidJill.
Itwasadreadfulquestion.WhathadbeentheuseofpromisiherthattheywouldnotonanyatsettheKnightfree,iftheywerenowtodosothefirsttimehehappeocalluponaheyreallycaredabout?Oherhand,whathadbeentheuseoflearningthesignsiftheywerentgoingtoobeythem?YetcouldAslanhavereallymeaounbindanyoneevenalunatic-whoaskeditinhisname?Coulditbeamereact?OrhowiftheQueenoftheUnderworldknewallaboutthesignsandhadmadetheKnightlearnthisnamesimplyioentrapthem?Butthen,supposingthiswastherealsign?...Theyhadmuffedthreealready;theydarentmuffthefourth.
"Oh,ifonlyweknew!"saidJill.
"Ithinkwedoknow,"saidPuddleglum.
"Doyoumeanyouthihingwillerightifwedountiehim?"saidScrubb.
"Idontknowaboutthat,"saidPuddleglum."Yousee,AslandidnttellPolewhatwouldhappen.Heonlytoldherwhattodo.Thatfellowwillbethedeathofusoncehesup,Ishouldntwonder.Butthatdoesusofffollowingthesign.”
Theyallstoodlookingatoherwithbrighteyes.Itwasasiingmoment."Allright!"saidJillsuddenly."Letsgetitood-bye,everyone...!"Theyallshookhands.TheKnightwasscreamingbynow;therewasfoamonhischeeks.
"eon,Scrubb,"saidPuddleglum.HeandScrubbdrewtheirswordsaovertothecaptive.
"InthenameofAslan,"theysaidandbegahodicallycuttingthecords.Theinstanttheprisonerwasfree,hecrossedtheroominasinglebound,seizedhisownsword(whichhadbeentakenfromhimandlaidoable),a.
"Youfirst!"hecriedandfelluponthesilverchair.Thatmusthavebeenagoodsword.
Thesilvergavewaybeforeitsedgelikestring,andinamomewistedfragments,shiningonthefloor,wereallthatwasleft.Butasthechairbroke,therecamefromitabrightflash,asoundlikesmallthunder,and(foronemoment)aloathsomesmell.
"Liethere,vileengineofsorcery,"hesaid,"lestyourmistressshouldeveruseyouforanothervictim."Theurnedandsurveyedhisrescuers;andthesomethingwrong,whateveritwas,hadvanishedfromhisface.
"What?"hecried,turningtoPuddleglum."DoIseebeforemeaMarsh-wiggle-areal,live,ho,NarnianMarsh-wiggle?”
"Oh,soyouhaveheardofNarniaafterall?"saidJill.
"HadIfottenitwhenIwasuhespell?"askedtheKnight."Well,thatandallotherbedevilmentsarenowover.YoumaywellbelievethatIknowNarnia,forIamRilian,Prinarnia,andCaspianthegreatKingismyfather.”
"YourRoyalHighness,"saidPuddleglum,sinkingononeknee(andthechildrendidthesame),"wehaveehitherfornootherendthantoseekyou.”
"Andwhoareyou,myotherdeliverers?"saidthePrioScrubbandJill.
"WeweresentbyAslanhimselffrombeyondtheworldsendtoseekyhness,”
saidScrubb."IamEustacewhosailedwithhimtotheislandofRamandu.”
"IoweallthreeofyouagreaterdebtthanIeverpay,"saidPrinceRilian."Butmyfather?Isheyetalive?”
"HesailedeastagainbeforeweleftNarnia,mylord,"saidPuddleglum."ButyhnessmustsiderthattheKingisveryold.ItistentoonehisMajestymustdieonthevoyage.”
"Heisold,yousay.HowlongthenhaveIbeeninthepowerofthewitch?"ItismorethantenyearssinceyhnesswaslostinthewoodsatthenorthsideofNarnia.”
"Tenyears!"saidthePrince,drawinghishandacrosshisfaceasiftorubawaythepast.
"Yes,Ibelieveyou.FornowthatIammyselfIrememberthatentedlife,thoughwhileIwasentedIcouldnotremembermytrueself.Andnow,fairfriends-butwait!Iheartheirfeet(doesitnotsiaman,thatpaddingwoollytread!faugh!)oairs.Lockthedoor,boy.Orstay.Ihaveabetterthoughtthanthat.IwillfooltheseEarthmen,ifAslahewit.Takeyourcuefromme.”
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