CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THEBOTTOMOFTHEWORLD"MYnameisGolg,"saidthegnome."AndIlltellyourHonoursallIknow.Aboutanhowewereallgoingaboutourwork-herwork,Ishouldsay-sadandsilent,sameaswevedoneanyotherdayforyearsandyears.Thentherecameagreatcrashandbang.
Assoonastheyheardit,everyonesaystohimself,Ihaventhadasongoradanceorletoffasquibforalongtime;whysthat?Andeveryohinkstohimself,Why,Imusthavebeenented.Andtheneveryonesaystohimself,ImblessedifIknowwhyImcarryingthisload,andImnotgoingtocarryitanyfarther:thatsthat.Anddowhrowoursadbundlesandtools.Theneveryournsahegreatredglowoveryonder.Andeveryonesaystohimself,Whatsthat?andeveryoneanswershimselfandsays,TheresacrackorchasmsplitopenandanicewarmglowingupthroughitfromtheReallyDeepLand,athousandfathomunderus.”
"GreatScott,"exclaimedEustace,"arethereotherlandsstilllowerdown?”
"Ohyes,yourHonour,"saidGolg."Lovelyplaces;whatwecalltheLandofBism.Thistrywherewearenow,theWitchstry,iswhatwecalltheShallowLands.Itsagooddealtoohesurfacetosuitus.Ugh!Youmightalmostaswellbelivingoutside,onthesurfaceitself.Yousee,nomesfromBismwhomtheWitchhascalledupherebymagictoworkforher.Butwedfottenallaboutittillthatcrashcameandthespellbroke.Wedidntknoereorwherewebelonged.Wecouldntdoanything,orthinkanything,exceptwhatsheputintoourheads.Anditwasglumandgloomythingssheputthereallthoseyears.Ivenearlyfottenhowtomakeajokeordanceajig.Butthemomentthebangcameandthechasmopenedandtheseabeganrising,itallcamebadofcourseweallsetoffasquickaswecouldtogetdownthecradhometoourownpladyouseethemovertherealllettingoffrocketsandstandingontheirheadsforjoy.AndIllbeveryobligedtoyourHonoursifyoullsoomegoandjoinin.”
"Ithinkthisissimplysplendid,"saidJill."ImsogladwefreedthegnomesaswellasourselveswheofftheWitchshead!AndImsogladtheyarentreallyhorridandgloomyanymorethanthePrincereallywaswell,whatheseemedlike.”
"Thatsallverywell,Pole,"saidPuddleglumcautiously."Butthosegnomesdidntlooktomelikechapswhowerejustrunningaway.Itlookedmorelikemilitaryformations,ifyouaskme.Doyoulookmeintheface,MrGolg,andtellmeyouwerentpreparingforbattle?”
"Ofcoursewewere,yourHonour,"saidGolg."Yousee,wedidntknowtheWitchwasdead.Wethoughtshedbewatgfromthecastle.Weweretryingtoslipawaywithoutbeingseen.Andthenwhenyouthreecameoutwithswordsandhorses,ofcourseeveryonesaystohimself,Hereites:notknowingthathisHonourwasntochsside.Andweweredetermiofightlikeanythingratherthahehopeofgoingba.”
"Illbesworntisagnome,"saidthePrince."Letgoofit,friendPuddleglum.AsfoodGolg,Ihavebeenentedlikeyouandyourfellows,andhavebutnewlyrememberedmyself.Andnow,oionmore.Doyouknowthewaytothosenewdiggings,bywhichthesorceressmeanttoleadoutanarmyagainstOverland?”
"Ee-ee-ee!"squeakedGolg."Yes,Iknowthatterribleroad.Iwillshowyouwhereitbegins.ButitisnomannerofuseyourHonouraskiogowithyouonit.Illdierather.”
"Why?"askedEustaxiously."Whatssodreadfulaboutit?”
"Toohetop,theoutside,"saidGolg,shuddering."Thatwastheworstthichdidtous.Weweregoingtobeledoutintotheopen-ontotheoutsideoftheworld.Theysaytheresnoroofatallthere;onlyahorriblegreatemptinesscalledthesky.
Andthediggingshavegonesofarthatafewstrokesofthepickwouldbringyououttoit.
Iwouldntdaregohem.”
"Hurrah!Nowyouretalking!"criedEustadJillsaid,"Butitsnothorridatallupthere.Welikeit.Welivethere.”
"IknowyouOverlanderslivethere,"saidGolg."ButIthoughtitwasbecauseyoucouldntfindyourwaydowninside.Youtreallylikeit-crawlingaboutlikefliesoopoftheworld!”
"Whataboutshowingustheroadatonce?"saidPuddleglum.
"Inagoodhour,"criedthePrihewholepartysetout.ThePrinceremountedhischarger,PuddleglumclimbedupbehindJill,andGolgledtheway.AsheweshoutingoutthegoodhattheWitchwasdeadandthatthefourOverlanderswerenotdangerous.Andthosewhoheardhimshouteditontoothers,sothatinafewmihewholeofUnderlandwasringingwithshoutsandcheers,andgnomesbyhundredsandthousands,leaping,turningcart-wheels,standingontheirheads,playingleap-frog,aingoffhugecrackers,camepressingroundCoalbladSnowflake.AndthePriotellthestoryofhisownentmentanddeliveraleasttentimes.
Inthiswaytheycametotheedgeofthechasm.Itwasaboutathousalongandperhapstwohundredwide.Theydismountedfromtheirhorsesandcametotheedge,andlookeddownintoit.Astrosmoteupintotheirfaces,mixedwithasmellwhichwasquiteuheyhadeversmelled.Itwasrich,sharp,exg,andmadeyoushedepthofthechasmwasshtthatatfirstitdazzledtheireyesandtheycouldseenothing.Wheusedtoittheythoughttheyakeoutariveroffire,and,onthebanksofthatriver,whatseemedtobefieldsandgrovesofanunbearable,hotbrilliahoughtheyweredimparedwiththeriver.Therewereblues,reds,greens,andwhitesalljumbledtogether:averygoodstained-glasswindowwiththetropicalsunstaringstraightthroughitatmiddaymighthavesomethingthesameeffect.Downtheruggedsidesofthechasm,lookingblacklikefliesagainstallthatfierylight,hundredsofEarthmenwereclimbing.
"Yourhonours,"saidGolg(aheyturolookathimtheycouldseenothingbutblaessforafewmiheireyesweresodazzled)."Yourhonours,whydont
youedowntoBism?Youdbehappiertherethaninthatcold,unprotected,nakedtryoutontop.Oratleastedownforashortvisit.”
Jilltookitfrahatheotherswouldlistentosuideaforamoment.
ToherhorrorsheheardthePrincesaying:"Truly,friendGolg,Ihavehalfamindtoedownwithyou.Forthisisamarvellousadventure,anditmaybenomortalmanhaseverlookedintoBismbeforeorwilleverhavetheceagain.AndIknownothow,astheyearspass,IshallbeartorememberthatitwasonmypowertohaveprobedtheuttermostpitofEarthandthatIforbore.
Butcouldamahere?Youdonotswiminthefire-riveritself?”
"Ohno,yourHonour.sonlysalamandersliveinthefireitself.”
"Whatkindofbeastisyoursalamander?"askedthePrince.
"Itishardtotelltheirkind,yourHonour,"saidGolg."Fortheyaretoowhite-hottolookat.Buttheyaremostlikesmalldragons.Theyspeaktousoutofthefire.Theyarewonderfullycleverwiththeirtongues:verywittyandeloquent.”
JillglancedhastilyatEustace.Shehadfeltsurethathewouldliketheideaofslidingdownthatchasmevehanshedid.Herheartsankasshesawthathisfacewasquiteged.HelookedmuchmorelikethePrihaheoldScrubbatExperimentHouse.Forallhisadventures,andthedayswhenhehadsailedwithKingCaspian,wereingba.
"Yhness,"hesaid."IfmyoldfriendReepicheeptheMousewerehere,hewouldsaywecouldnotnowrefusetheadventuresofBismwithoutagreatimpeattoourhonour.”
"Downthere,"saidGolg,"Icouldshowyold,realsilver,realdiamonds.”
"Bosh!"saidJillrudely."Asifwedidntknowthatwerebelowthedeepestminesevenhere.”
"Yes,"saidGolg."IhaveheardofthoselittlescratchesinthecrustthatyouTopdwellerscallmines.Butthatswhereyougetdeadgold,deadsilver,deadgems.DowninBismwehavethemaliveandgrowing.ThereIllpickyoubunchesofrubiesthatyoueatandsqueezeyouacupfullofdiamond-juice.Youwontcaremuchaboutfingeringthecold,deadtreasuresofyourshallowmieryouhavetastedtheliveonesofBism.”
"Myfatherwenttotheworldsend,"saidRilianthoughtfully."Itwouldbeamarvellousthingifhissoothebottomoftheworld.”
"Ifyhnesswantstoseeyourfatherwhilehesstillalive,whichIthinkhedprefer,"saidPuddleglum,"itsabouttimeweweregettingontothatroadtothediggings.”
"AndIwontgodownthathole,whateveranyonesays,"addedJill.
"Why,ifyourHonoursarereallysettogobacktoOverworld,"saidGolg,"thereisooftheroadthatsratherlowerthanthis.Andperhaps,ifthatfloodsstillrising-”
"Oh,do,do,doeon!"beggedJill.
"Ifearitmustbeso,"saidthePrihadeepsigh."ButIhavelefthalfofmyheartinthelandofBism.”
"Please!"beggedJill.
"Whereistheroad?"askedPuddleglum.
"Therearelampsalltheway,"saidGolg."YourHonourseethebeginningoftheroadonthefarsideofthechasm.”
"Howlongwillthelampsburnfor?"askedPuddleglum.
Atthatmomentahissing,scorgvoicelikethevoiceofFireitself(theywoerwardsifitcouldhavebeenasalamanders)camewhistlingupoutoftheverydepthsofBism.
"Quick!Quick!Quick!Tothecliffs,tothecliffs,tothecliffs!"itsaid."Theriftcloses.Itcloses.Itcloses.Quick!Quick!"Andatthesametime,withear-shatteringcradcreaks,therocksmoved.Already,whiletheylooked,thechasmwasnarrower.Fromeverysidebelatedgnomeswererushingintoit.Theywouldnotwaittoclimbdowntherocks.Theyflungthemselvesheadlongaherbecausesablastofhotairwasbeatingupfromthebottom,orforsomeotherreason,theycouldbeseenfloatingdownwardslikeleaves.Thickerandthickertheyfloated,tilltheirblaessalmostblottedoutthefieryriverandthegrovesoflivegems."Good-byetoyourHonours.Imoff,"shoutedGolg,anddived.Onlyafewwerelefttofollowhim.Thechasmwasnownobroaderthanastream.Nowitwasnarrowastheslitinapillarbox.Nowitwasonlyanintenselybrightthread.Then,withashocklikeathousandgoodstrainscrashingintoathousandpairsofbuffers,thelipsofrockclosed.Thehot,maddeningsmellvanished.
ThetravellerswerealoneinanUnderworldwhiowlookedfarblackerthanbefore.
Pale,dim,anddreary,thelampsmarkedthedireoftheroad.
"Now,"saidPuddleglum,"itstentoonewevealreadystayedtoolong,butwemayaswellmakeatry.Thoselampswillgiveoutinfiveminutes,Ishouldntwonder.”
Theyurgedthehorsestoaterandthunderedalongtheduskyroadiyle.Butalmostatobegangoingdownhill.TheywouldhavethoughtGolghadsehewrongwayiftheyhadnotseen,ohersideofthevalley,thelampsgoingonandupwardsasfarastheeyecouldreach.Butatthebottomofthevalleythelampsshoneonmovingwater.
"Haste,"criedthePriheygallopeddowntheslope.Itwouldhavebeennastyenoughatthebottomevenfivemierforthetidewasrunningupthevalleylikeamill-radifithadetoswimming,thehorsescouldhardlyhavewonover.Butitwasstillonlyafootortwodeep,andthoughitswishedterriblyroundthehorseslegs,theyreachedthefarsideiy.
Theheslow,wearymarchuphillwithnothiolookatbutthepalelampswhitupandupasfarastheeyecouldreach.Whentheylookedbacktheycouldseethewaterspreading.AllthehillsofUnderlandwerenowislands,anditwasonlyonthoseislandsthatthelampsremained.Everymomentsomedistantlightvanished.Soontherewouldbetotaldarknesseverywhereexceptontheroadtheywerefollowing;ahelowerpartofitbehihoughnolampshadyetgo,thelamplightshoneonwater.
Althoughtheyhadgoodreasonforhurrying,thehorsescouldnotgoonforeverwithoutarest.Theyhalted:andiheycouldhearthelappingofwater.
"IwonderiswhatshisherTime-floodedoutnow,"saidJill."Andallthosequeersleepinganimals.”
"Idontthinkwereashighasthat,"saidEustace."Dontyourememberhowwehadtogodownhilltoreachthesunlesssea?IshouldntthierhasreachedFatherTimescaveyet.”
"Thatsasmaybe,"saidPuddleglum."Immoreiedinthelampsonthisroad.
Lookabitsickly,dontthey?”
"Theyalwaysdid,"saidJill.
"Aye,"saidPuddleglum."Buttheyregreenernow.”
"Youdoosayyouthinktheyregoingout?"criedEustace.
"Well,howevertheywork,youtexpectthemtolastforever,youknow,"repliedtheMarsh-wiggle."Butdoyourspiritsdown,Scrubb.Ivegotmyeyeoertoo,andIdontthinkitsrisingsofastasitdid.”
"Smallfort,friend,"saidthePrince."Ifweotfindourwayout.Iercy,all.IamtoblameformyprideandfantasywhichdelayedusbythemouthofthelandofBism.Now,letusrideon.”
DuringthehourorsothatfollowedJillsometimesthoughtthatPuddleglumwasrightaboutthelamps,andsometimesthoughtitwasonlyherimagination.Meanwhilethelandwasging.TheroofofUnderlandwassohatevenbythatdulllighttheycouldquitedistinctly.Andthegreat,ruggedwallsofUnderlandcouldbeseendrawingcloseroneachside.Theroad,infact,wasleadingthemupintoasteeptunnel.
Theybegantopasspidshovelsandbarrowsandnsthatthediggershadretlybeenatwork.Ifonlyonecouldbesureofgettingout,allthiswasverycheering.
Butthethoughtofgoingonintoaholethatwouldgetnarrowerandnarrower,andhardertoturnba,wasveryunpleasant.
AtlasttheroofwassolouddleglumandthePrinockedtheirheadsagainstit.
Thepartydismountedahehorses.Theroadwasunevenhereaopiesstepswithsomecare.ThatwashowJillnoticedthegrowingdarkherewasnodoubtaboutitnow.Thefacesoftheotherslookedstrangeandghastlyinthegreenglow.Thenallatonce(shecould)Jillgavealittlescream.Onelight,theoneahead,wentoutaltogether.Theonebehindthemdidthesame.Thentheywereinabsolutedarkness.
"Ce,friends,"camePrinceRiliansvoice."WhetherweliveordieAslanwillbeoodlord.”
"Thatsright,Sir,"saidPuddleglumsvoice."Andyoumustalwaysremembertheresonegoodthingaboutbeingtrappeddowllsavefuneralexpenses.”
Jillheldhertongue.(Ifyoudontwantotherpeopletoknowhhtenedyouare,thisisalwaysawisethingtodo;itsyourvoicethatgivesyouaway.)
"Wemightaswellgoonasstandhere,"saidEustadwhensheheardthetrembleinhisvoice,Jillkneiseshedbeennottotrustherown.
Puddleglumaatfirstwiththeirarmsstretchedoutinfrontofthem,forfearofblunderingintoanything;JillandthePrincefollowed,leadingthehorses.
"Isay,"cameEustauchlater,"aremyeyesgoingqueeroristhereapatchoflightupthere?”
Beforeanyonecouldanswerhim,Puddleglumcalledout:"Stop.Imupagainstadeadend.Anditsearth,notrock.Whatwereyousaying,Scrubb?”
"BytheLion,"saidthePrince,"Eustaceisright.Thereisasortof-”
"Butitsnotdaylight,"saidJill."Itsonlyacoldbluesortoflight.”
"Betterthannothing,though,"saidEustace."wegetuptoit?”
"Itsnhtoverhead,"saidPuddleglum."Itsaboveus,butitsinthiswallthatIveruninto.Howwoulditbe,Pole,ifyougotonmyshouldersandsawwhetheryoucouldgetuptoit?”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Assoonastheyheardit,everyonesaystohimself,Ihaventhadasongoradanceorletoffasquibforalongtime;whysthat?Andeveryohinkstohimself,Why,Imusthavebeenented.Andtheneveryonesaystohimself,ImblessedifIknowwhyImcarryingthisload,andImnotgoingtocarryitanyfarther:thatsthat.Anddowhrowoursadbundlesandtools.Theneveryournsahegreatredglowoveryonder.Andeveryonesaystohimself,Whatsthat?andeveryoneanswershimselfandsays,TheresacrackorchasmsplitopenandanicewarmglowingupthroughitfromtheReallyDeepLand,athousandfathomunderus.”
"GreatScott,"exclaimedEustace,"arethereotherlandsstilllowerdown?”
"Ohyes,yourHonour,"saidGolg."Lovelyplaces;whatwecalltheLandofBism.Thistrywherewearenow,theWitchstry,iswhatwecalltheShallowLands.Itsagooddealtoohesurfacetosuitus.Ugh!Youmightalmostaswellbelivingoutside,onthesurfaceitself.Yousee,nomesfromBismwhomtheWitchhascalledupherebymagictoworkforher.Butwedfottenallaboutittillthatcrashcameandthespellbroke.Wedidntknoereorwherewebelonged.Wecouldntdoanything,orthinkanything,exceptwhatsheputintoourheads.Anditwasglumandgloomythingssheputthereallthoseyears.Ivenearlyfottenhowtomakeajokeordanceajig.Butthemomentthebangcameandthechasmopenedandtheseabeganrising,itallcamebadofcourseweallsetoffasquickaswecouldtogetdownthecradhometoourownpladyouseethemovertherealllettingoffrocketsandstandingontheirheadsforjoy.AndIllbeveryobligedtoyourHonoursifyoullsoomegoandjoinin.”
"Ithinkthisissimplysplendid,"saidJill."ImsogladwefreedthegnomesaswellasourselveswheofftheWitchshead!AndImsogladtheyarentreallyhorridandgloomyanymorethanthePrincereallywaswell,whatheseemedlike.”
"Thatsallverywell,Pole,"saidPuddleglumcautiously."Butthosegnomesdidntlooktomelikechapswhowerejustrunningaway.Itlookedmorelikemilitaryformations,ifyouaskme.Doyoulookmeintheface,MrGolg,andtellmeyouwerentpreparingforbattle?”
"Ofcoursewewere,yourHonour,"saidGolg."Yousee,wedidntknowtheWitchwasdead.Wethoughtshedbewatgfromthecastle.Weweretryingtoslipawaywithoutbeingseen.Andthenwhenyouthreecameoutwithswordsandhorses,ofcourseeveryonesaystohimself,Hereites:notknowingthathisHonourwasntochsside.Andweweredetermiofightlikeanythingratherthahehopeofgoingba.”
"Illbesworntisagnome,"saidthePrince."Letgoofit,friendPuddleglum.AsfoodGolg,Ihavebeenentedlikeyouandyourfellows,andhavebutnewlyrememberedmyself.Andnow,oionmore.Doyouknowthewaytothosenewdiggings,bywhichthesorceressmeanttoleadoutanarmyagainstOverland?”
"Ee-ee-ee!"squeakedGolg."Yes,Iknowthatterribleroad.Iwillshowyouwhereitbegins.ButitisnomannerofuseyourHonouraskiogowithyouonit.Illdierather.”
"Why?"askedEustaxiously."Whatssodreadfulaboutit?”
"Toohetop,theoutside,"saidGolg,shuddering."Thatwastheworstthichdidtous.Weweregoingtobeledoutintotheopen-ontotheoutsideoftheworld.Theysaytheresnoroofatallthere;onlyahorriblegreatemptinesscalledthesky.
Andthediggingshavegonesofarthatafewstrokesofthepickwouldbringyououttoit.
Iwouldntdaregohem.”
"Hurrah!Nowyouretalking!"criedEustadJillsaid,"Butitsnothorridatallupthere.Welikeit.Welivethere.”
"IknowyouOverlanderslivethere,"saidGolg."ButIthoughtitwasbecauseyoucouldntfindyourwaydowninside.Youtreallylikeit-crawlingaboutlikefliesoopoftheworld!”
"Whataboutshowingustheroadatonce?"saidPuddleglum.
"Inagoodhour,"criedthePrihewholepartysetout.ThePrinceremountedhischarger,PuddleglumclimbedupbehindJill,andGolgledtheway.AsheweshoutingoutthegoodhattheWitchwasdeadandthatthefourOverlanderswerenotdangerous.Andthosewhoheardhimshouteditontoothers,sothatinafewmihewholeofUnderlandwasringingwithshoutsandcheers,andgnomesbyhundredsandthousands,leaping,turningcart-wheels,standingontheirheads,playingleap-frog,aingoffhugecrackers,camepressingroundCoalbladSnowflake.AndthePriotellthestoryofhisownentmentanddeliveraleasttentimes.
Inthiswaytheycametotheedgeofthechasm.Itwasaboutathousalongandperhapstwohundredwide.Theydismountedfromtheirhorsesandcametotheedge,andlookeddownintoit.Astrosmoteupintotheirfaces,mixedwithasmellwhichwasquiteuheyhadeversmelled.Itwasrich,sharp,exg,andmadeyoushedepthofthechasmwasshtthatatfirstitdazzledtheireyesandtheycouldseenothing.Wheusedtoittheythoughttheyakeoutariveroffire,and,onthebanksofthatriver,whatseemedtobefieldsandgrovesofanunbearable,hotbrilliahoughtheyweredimparedwiththeriver.Therewereblues,reds,greens,andwhitesalljumbledtogether:averygoodstained-glasswindowwiththetropicalsunstaringstraightthroughitatmiddaymighthavesomethingthesameeffect.Downtheruggedsidesofthechasm,lookingblacklikefliesagainstallthatfierylight,hundredsofEarthmenwereclimbing.
"Yourhonours,"saidGolg(aheyturolookathimtheycouldseenothingbutblaessforafewmiheireyesweresodazzled)."Yourhonours,whydont
youedowntoBism?Youdbehappiertherethaninthatcold,unprotected,nakedtryoutontop.Oratleastedownforashortvisit.”
Jilltookitfrahatheotherswouldlistentosuideaforamoment.
ToherhorrorsheheardthePrincesaying:"Truly,friendGolg,Ihavehalfamindtoedownwithyou.Forthisisamarvellousadventure,anditmaybenomortalmanhaseverlookedintoBismbeforeorwilleverhavetheceagain.AndIknownothow,astheyearspass,IshallbeartorememberthatitwasonmypowertohaveprobedtheuttermostpitofEarthandthatIforbore.
Butcouldamahere?Youdonotswiminthefire-riveritself?”
"Ohno,yourHonour.sonlysalamandersliveinthefireitself.”
"Whatkindofbeastisyoursalamander?"askedthePrince.
"Itishardtotelltheirkind,yourHonour,"saidGolg."Fortheyaretoowhite-hottolookat.Buttheyaremostlikesmalldragons.Theyspeaktousoutofthefire.Theyarewonderfullycleverwiththeirtongues:verywittyandeloquent.”
JillglancedhastilyatEustace.Shehadfeltsurethathewouldliketheideaofslidingdownthatchasmevehanshedid.Herheartsankasshesawthathisfacewasquiteged.HelookedmuchmorelikethePrihaheoldScrubbatExperimentHouse.Forallhisadventures,andthedayswhenhehadsailedwithKingCaspian,wereingba.
"Yhness,"hesaid."IfmyoldfriendReepicheeptheMousewerehere,hewouldsaywecouldnotnowrefusetheadventuresofBismwithoutagreatimpeattoourhonour.”
"Downthere,"saidGolg,"Icouldshowyold,realsilver,realdiamonds.”
"Bosh!"saidJillrudely."Asifwedidntknowthatwerebelowthedeepestminesevenhere.”
"Yes,"saidGolg."IhaveheardofthoselittlescratchesinthecrustthatyouTopdwellerscallmines.Butthatswhereyougetdeadgold,deadsilver,deadgems.DowninBismwehavethemaliveandgrowing.ThereIllpickyoubunchesofrubiesthatyoueatandsqueezeyouacupfullofdiamond-juice.Youwontcaremuchaboutfingeringthecold,deadtreasuresofyourshallowmieryouhavetastedtheliveonesofBism.”
"Myfatherwenttotheworldsend,"saidRilianthoughtfully."Itwouldbeamarvellousthingifhissoothebottomoftheworld.”
"Ifyhnesswantstoseeyourfatherwhilehesstillalive,whichIthinkhedprefer,"saidPuddleglum,"itsabouttimeweweregettingontothatroadtothediggings.”
"AndIwontgodownthathole,whateveranyonesays,"addedJill.
"Why,ifyourHonoursarereallysettogobacktoOverworld,"saidGolg,"thereisooftheroadthatsratherlowerthanthis.Andperhaps,ifthatfloodsstillrising-”
"Oh,do,do,doeon!"beggedJill.
"Ifearitmustbeso,"saidthePrihadeepsigh."ButIhavelefthalfofmyheartinthelandofBism.”
"Please!"beggedJill.
"Whereistheroad?"askedPuddleglum.
"Therearelampsalltheway,"saidGolg."YourHonourseethebeginningoftheroadonthefarsideofthechasm.”
"Howlongwillthelampsburnfor?"askedPuddleglum.
Atthatmomentahissing,scorgvoicelikethevoiceofFireitself(theywoerwardsifitcouldhavebeenasalamanders)camewhistlingupoutoftheverydepthsofBism.
"Quick!Quick!Quick!Tothecliffs,tothecliffs,tothecliffs!"itsaid."Theriftcloses.Itcloses.Itcloses.Quick!Quick!"Andatthesametime,withear-shatteringcradcreaks,therocksmoved.Already,whiletheylooked,thechasmwasnarrower.Fromeverysidebelatedgnomeswererushingintoit.Theywouldnotwaittoclimbdowntherocks.Theyflungthemselvesheadlongaherbecausesablastofhotairwasbeatingupfromthebottom,orforsomeotherreason,theycouldbeseenfloatingdownwardslikeleaves.Thickerandthickertheyfloated,tilltheirblaessalmostblottedoutthefieryriverandthegrovesoflivegems."Good-byetoyourHonours.Imoff,"shoutedGolg,anddived.Onlyafewwerelefttofollowhim.Thechasmwasnownobroaderthanastream.Nowitwasnarrowastheslitinapillarbox.Nowitwasonlyanintenselybrightthread.Then,withashocklikeathousandgoodstrainscrashingintoathousandpairsofbuffers,thelipsofrockclosed.Thehot,maddeningsmellvanished.
ThetravellerswerealoneinanUnderworldwhiowlookedfarblackerthanbefore.
Pale,dim,anddreary,thelampsmarkedthedireoftheroad.
"Now,"saidPuddleglum,"itstentoonewevealreadystayedtoolong,butwemayaswellmakeatry.Thoselampswillgiveoutinfiveminutes,Ishouldntwonder.”
Theyurgedthehorsestoaterandthunderedalongtheduskyroadiyle.Butalmostatobegangoingdownhill.TheywouldhavethoughtGolghadsehewrongwayiftheyhadnotseen,ohersideofthevalley,thelampsgoingonandupwardsasfarastheeyecouldreach.Butatthebottomofthevalleythelampsshoneonmovingwater.
"Haste,"criedthePriheygallopeddowntheslope.Itwouldhavebeennastyenoughatthebottomevenfivemierforthetidewasrunningupthevalleylikeamill-radifithadetoswimming,thehorsescouldhardlyhavewonover.Butitwasstillonlyafootortwodeep,andthoughitswishedterriblyroundthehorseslegs,theyreachedthefarsideiy.
Theheslow,wearymarchuphillwithnothiolookatbutthepalelampswhitupandupasfarastheeyecouldreach.Whentheylookedbacktheycouldseethewaterspreading.AllthehillsofUnderlandwerenowislands,anditwasonlyonthoseislandsthatthelampsremained.Everymomentsomedistantlightvanished.Soontherewouldbetotaldarknesseverywhereexceptontheroadtheywerefollowing;ahelowerpartofitbehihoughnolampshadyetgo,thelamplightshoneonwater.
Althoughtheyhadgoodreasonforhurrying,thehorsescouldnotgoonforeverwithoutarest.Theyhalted:andiheycouldhearthelappingofwater.
"IwonderiswhatshisherTime-floodedoutnow,"saidJill."Andallthosequeersleepinganimals.”
"Idontthinkwereashighasthat,"saidEustace."Dontyourememberhowwehadtogodownhilltoreachthesunlesssea?IshouldntthierhasreachedFatherTimescaveyet.”
"Thatsasmaybe,"saidPuddleglum."Immoreiedinthelampsonthisroad.
Lookabitsickly,dontthey?”
"Theyalwaysdid,"saidJill.
"Aye,"saidPuddleglum."Buttheyregreenernow.”
"Youdoosayyouthinktheyregoingout?"criedEustace.
"Well,howevertheywork,youtexpectthemtolastforever,youknow,"repliedtheMarsh-wiggle."Butdoyourspiritsdown,Scrubb.Ivegotmyeyeoertoo,andIdontthinkitsrisingsofastasitdid.”
"Smallfort,friend,"saidthePrince."Ifweotfindourwayout.Iercy,all.IamtoblameformyprideandfantasywhichdelayedusbythemouthofthelandofBism.Now,letusrideon.”
DuringthehourorsothatfollowedJillsometimesthoughtthatPuddleglumwasrightaboutthelamps,andsometimesthoughtitwasonlyherimagination.Meanwhilethelandwasging.TheroofofUnderlandwassohatevenbythatdulllighttheycouldquitedistinctly.Andthegreat,ruggedwallsofUnderlandcouldbeseendrawingcloseroneachside.Theroad,infact,wasleadingthemupintoasteeptunnel.
Theybegantopasspidshovelsandbarrowsandnsthatthediggershadretlybeenatwork.Ifonlyonecouldbesureofgettingout,allthiswasverycheering.
Butthethoughtofgoingonintoaholethatwouldgetnarrowerandnarrower,andhardertoturnba,wasveryunpleasant.
AtlasttheroofwassolouddleglumandthePrinockedtheirheadsagainstit.
Thepartydismountedahehorses.Theroadwasunevenhereaopiesstepswithsomecare.ThatwashowJillnoticedthegrowingdarkherewasnodoubtaboutitnow.Thefacesoftheotherslookedstrangeandghastlyinthegreenglow.Thenallatonce(shecould)Jillgavealittlescream.Onelight,theoneahead,wentoutaltogether.Theonebehindthemdidthesame.Thentheywereinabsolutedarkness.
"Ce,friends,"camePrinceRiliansvoice."WhetherweliveordieAslanwillbeoodlord.”
"Thatsright,Sir,"saidPuddleglumsvoice."Andyoumustalwaysremembertheresonegoodthingaboutbeingtrappeddowllsavefuneralexpenses.”
Jillheldhertongue.(Ifyoudontwantotherpeopletoknowhhtenedyouare,thisisalwaysawisethingtodo;itsyourvoicethatgivesyouaway.)
"Wemightaswellgoonasstandhere,"saidEustadwhensheheardthetrembleinhisvoice,Jillkneiseshedbeennottotrustherown.
Puddleglumaatfirstwiththeirarmsstretchedoutinfrontofthem,forfearofblunderingintoanything;JillandthePrincefollowed,leadingthehorses.
"Isay,"cameEustauchlater,"aremyeyesgoingqueeroristhereapatchoflightupthere?”
Beforeanyonecouldanswerhim,Puddleglumcalledout:"Stop.Imupagainstadeadend.Anditsearth,notrock.Whatwereyousaying,Scrubb?”
"BytheLion,"saidthePrince,"Eustaceisright.Thereisasortof-”
"Butitsnotdaylight,"saidJill."Itsonlyacoldbluesortoflight.”
"Betterthannothing,though,"saidEustace."wegetuptoit?”
"Itsnhtoverhead,"saidPuddleglum."Itsaboveus,butitsinthiswallthatIveruninto.Howwoulditbe,Pole,ifyougotonmyshouldersandsawwhetheryoucouldgetuptoit?”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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