wgolding.lordoftheflies-第29部分

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　〃What　did　you　do？〃
　〃I　got　my　knee　up；〃　said　Eric　with　simple　pride；　〃and　I　hit　him　with　it　in　the　pills。　You　should　have　heard　him　holler！　He　won't　e　back　in　a　hurry　either。　So　we　didn't　do　too　badly。〃
　Ralph　moved　suddenly　in　the　dark；　but　then　he　heard　Eric　working　at　his　mouth。
　〃What's　the　matter？〃
　〃Jus'　a　tooth　loose。〃
　Piggy　drew　up　his　legs。
　〃You　all　right；　Piggy？〃
　〃I　thought　they　wanted　the　conch。〃
　Ralph　trotted　down　the　pale　beach　and　jumped　on　to　the　platform。　The　conch　still　glimmered　by　the　chiefs　seat　He　gazed　for　a　moment　or　two；　then　went　back　to　Piggy。
　〃They　didn't　take　the　conch。〃
　〃I　know。　They　didn't　e　for　the　conch。　They　came　for　something　else。　Ralph…what　am　I　going　to　do？〃
　Far　off　along　the　bowstave　of　beach；　three　figures　trotted　toward　the　Castle　Rock。　They　kept　away　from　the　forest　and　down　by　the　water。　Occasionally　they　sang　softly；　occasionally　they　turned　cartwheels　down　by　the　moving　streak　of　phosphorescence。　The　chief　led　them；　trotting　steadily；　exulting　in　his　achievement　He　was　a　chief　now　in　truth；　and　he　made　stabbing　motions　with　his　spear。　From　his　left　hand　dangled　Piggy's　broken　glasses。
　
　
　
　
　
　CHAPTER　ELEVEN
　Castle　Rock
　
　In　the　short　chill　of　dawn　the　four　boys　gathered　round　the　black　smudge　where　the　fire　had　been；　while　Ralph　knelt　and　blew。　Grey；　feathery　ashes　scurried　hither　and　thither　at　his　breath　but　no　spark　shone　among　them　The　twins　watched　anxiously　and　Piggy　sat　expressionless　behind　the　luminous　wall　of　his　myopia。　Ralph　continued　to　blow　till　his　ears　were　singing　with　the　effort；　but　then　the　first　breeze　of　dawn　took　the　job　off　his　hands　and　blinded　him　with　ashes。　He　squatted　back；　swore；　and　rubbed　water　out　of　his　eyes。
　〃No　use。〃
　Eric　looked　down　at　him　through　a　mask　of　dried　blood。　Piggy　peered　in　the　general　direction　of　Ralph。
　〃　'Course　it's　no　use；　Ralph。　Now　we　got　no　fire。〃
　Ralph　　brought　his　　face　　within　a　couple　of　feet　of　Piggy‘s。
　〃Can　you　see　me？〃
　〃A　bit。〃
　Ralph　allowed　the　swollen　flap　of　his　cheek　to　close　his　eye　again。
　〃They've　got　our　fire。〃
　Rage　shrilled　his　voice。
　〃They　stole　it！〃
　〃That's　them；〃　said　Piggy。　They　blinded　me。　See？　That's　Jack　Merridew。　You　call　an　assembly；　Ralph；　we　got　to　decide　what　to　do。〃
　〃An　assembly　for　only　us？〃
　〃It's　all　we　got。　Sam…let　me　hold　on　to　you。〃
　They　went　toward　the　platform。
　〃Blow　the　conch；〃　said　Piggy。　〃Blow　as　loud　as　you　can。〃　
　The　forest　re…echoed；　and　birds　lifted；　crying　out　of　the　treetops；　as　on　that　first　morning　ages　ago。　Both　ways　the　beach　was　deserted。　Some　littluns　came　from　the　shelters。　Ralph　sat　down　on　the　polished　trunk　and　the　three　others　stood　before　him。　He　nodded；　and　Samneric　sat　down　on　the　right。　Ralph　pushed　the　conch　into　Piggy's　hands。　He　held　the　shining　tiling　carefully　and　blinked　at　Ralph。
　〃Go　on；　then。〃
　〃I　just　take　the　conch　to　say　this。　I　can't　see　no　more　and　I　got　to　get　my　glasses　back。　Awful　things　has　been　done　on　this　island。　I　voted　for　you　for　chief。　He's　the　only　one　who　ever　got　anything　done。　So　now　you　speak；　Ralph；　and　tell　us　what。　Or　else…〃
　Piggy　broke　off；　sniveling。　Ralph　took　back　the　conch　as　he　sat　down。
　〃Just　an　ordinary　fire。　You'd　think　we　could　do　that；　wouldn't　you？　Just　a　smoke　signal　so　we　can　be　rescued。　Are　we　savages　or　what？　Only　now　there's　no　signal　going　up。　Ships　may　be　passing。　Do　you　remember　how　he　went　hunting　and　the　fire　went　out　and　a　ship　passed　by？　And　they　all　think　he's　best　as　chief。　Then　there　was；　there　was　。　。　。　that's　his　fault；　too。　If　it　hadn't　been　for　him　it　would　never　have　happened。　Now　Piggy　can't　see；　and　they　came；　stealing…〃　Ralph's　voice　ran　up　〃…at　night；　in　darkness；　and　stole　our　fire。　They　stole　it。　We'd　have　given　them　fire　if　they'd　asked。　But　they　stole　it　and　the　signal's　out　and　we　can't　ever　be　rescued。　Don't　you　see　what　I　mean？　We'd　have　given　them　fire　for　themselves　only　they　stole　it。　I…〃
　He　paused　lamely　as　the　curtain　flickered　in　his　brain。　Piggy　held　out　his　hands　for　the　conch。
　〃What　you　goin'　to　do；　Ralph？　This　is　jus'　talk　without　deciding。　I　want　my　glasses。〃
　〃I'm　trying　to　think　Supposing　we　go；　looking　like　we　used　to；　washed　and　hair　brushed…after　all　we　aren't　savages　really　and　being　rescued　isn't　a　game…〃
　He　opened　the　flap　of　his　cheek　and　looked　at　the　twins。
　〃We　could　smarten　up　a　bit　and　then　go…〃
　〃We　ought　to　take　spears；〃　said　Sam。　〃Even　Piggy。〃
　〃…because　we　may　need　them。〃
　〃You　haven't　got　the　conch！〃
　Piggy　held　up　the　shell。
　〃You　can　take　spears　if　you　want　but　I　shan't。　What's　the　good？　I'll　have　to　be　led　like　a　dog；　anyhow。　Yes；　laugh。　Co　on；　laugh。　There's　them　on　this　island　as　would　laugh　at　anything。　And　what　happened？　What's　grown…ups　goin'　to　think？　Young　Simon　was　murdered。　And　there　was　that　other　kid　what　had　a　mark　on　his　face。　Who's　seen　him　since　we　first　e　here？〃　
　〃Piggy！　Stop　a　minute！〃
　〃I　got　the　conch。　I'm　going　to　that　Jack　Merridew　an‘　tell　him；　I　am。〃　
　〃You'll　get　hurt。〃
　〃What　can　he　do　more　than　he　has？　I'll　tell　him　what's　what。　You　let　me　carry　the　conch；　Ralph。　I'll　show　him　the　one　thing　he　hasn't　got。〃
　Piggy　paused　for　a　moment　and　peered　round　at　the　dim　figures。　The　shape　of　the　old　assembly；　trodden　in　the　grass；　listened　to　him。
　〃I'm　going　to　him　with　this　conch　in　my　hands。　I'm　going　to　hold　it　out。　Look；　I'm　goin'　to　say；　you're　stronger　than　I　am　and　you　haven't　got　asthma。　You　can　see；　I'm　goin'　to　say；　and　with　both　eyes。　But　I　don't　ask　for　my　glasses　back；　not　as　a　favor。　I　don't　ask　you　to　be　a　sport；　I'll　say；　not　because　you're　strong；　but　because　what's　right's　right。　Give　me　my　glasses；　I'm　going　to　say…you　got　to！〃
　Piggy　ended；　flushed　and　trembling。　He　pushed　the　conch　quickly　into　Ralph's　hands　as　though　in　a　hurry　to　be　rid　of　it　and　wiped　the　tears　from　his　eyes。　The　green　light　was　gentle　about　them　and　the　conch　lay　at　Ralph's　feet；　fragile　and　white。　A　single　drop　of　water　that　had　escaped　Piggy's　fingers　now　flashed　on　the　delicate　curve　like　a　star。
　At　last　Ralph　sat　up　straight　and　drew　back　his　hair。
　〃All　right。　I　mean…you　can　try　if　you　like。　Well　go　with　you。〃
　〃He'll　be　painted；〃　said　Sam；　timidly。　〃You　know　how　he‘ll　be…〃
　〃…he　won't　think　much　of　us…〃
　〃…if　he　gets　waxy　we've　had　it…〃
　Ralph　scowled　at　Sam。　Dimly　he　remembered　something　that　Simon　had　said　to　him　once；　by　the　rocks。
　〃Don't　be　silly；〃　he　said。　And　then　he　added　quickly；　〃Let's　go。〃
　He　held　out　the　conch　to　Piggy　who　flushed；　this　time　with　pride。
　〃You　must　carry　it。〃　
　〃When　we're　ready　I'll　carry　it…〃　
　Piggy　sought　in　his　mind　for　words　to　convey　his　passionate　willingness　to　carry　the　conch　against　all　odds。　
　〃I　don't　mind。　I'll　be　glad；　Ralph；　only　I'll　have　to　be　led。〃
　Ralph　put　the　conch　back　on　the　shining　log。　〃We　better　eat　and　then　get　ready。〃　They　made　their　way　to　the　devastated　fruit　trees。　Piggy　was　helped　to　his　food　and　found　some　by　touch。　While　they　ate；　Ralph　thought　of　the　afternoon。　
　〃We'll　be　like　we　were。　We'll　wash…〃　
　Sam　gulped　down　a　mouthful　and　protested。　
　〃But　we　bathe　every　day！〃
　Ralph　looked　at　the　filthy　objects　before　him　and　sighed。　
　〃We　ought　to　b　our　hair。　Only　it's　too　long。〃　
　〃I've　got　both　socks　left　in　the　shelter；〃　said　Eric；　
　〃so　we　could　pull　them　over　our　heads　tike　caps；　sort　of。〃
　〃We　could　find　some　stuff；〃　said　Piggy；　〃and　tie　your　hair　back。〃　
　〃Like　a　girl！〃　
　〃No。　'Course　not。〃
　〃Then　we　must　go　as　we　are；〃　said　Ralph；　〃and　they　won't　be　any　better。〃　
　Eric　made　a　detaining　gesture。　
　〃But　they'll　be　painted！　You　know　how　it　is。〃　
　The　others　nodded。　They　understood　only　too　well　the　liberation　into　savagery　that　the　concealing　paint　brought。　
　〃Well；　we　won't　be　painted；〃　said　Ralph；　〃because　we　aren't　savages。〃　
　Samneric　looked　at　each　other。　
　〃All　the　same…〃　Ralph　shouted。　
　〃No　paint！〃　
　He　tried　to　remember。　
　〃Smoke；〃　he　said；　〃we　want　smoke。〃　
　He　turned　on　the　twins　fiercely。　
　〃I　said　'smoke'！　We've　got　to　have　smoke。〃　
　There　was　silence；　except　for　the　multitudinous　murmur　of　the　bees。　At　last　Piggy　spoke；　kindly。
　〃Course　we　have。　'Cos　the　smoke's　a　signal　and　we　can't　be　rescued　if　we　don't　have　smoke。〃
　〃I　knew　that！〃　shouted　Ralph。　He　pulled　his　arm　away　from　Piggy。　〃Are　you　suggesting…？〃
　〃I'm　jus'　saying　what　you　always　say；〃　said　Piggy　hastily。　〃I'd　thought　for　a　moment…〃
　〃I　hadn't；〃　said　Ralph　loudly。　〃I　knew　it　all　the　time。　I　hadn't　forgotten。〃
　Piggy　nodded　propitiatingly。
　〃You're　chief；　Ralph。　You　remember　everything。〃
　〃I　hadn't　forgotten。〃
　〃'Course　not。〃
　The　twins　were　examining　Ralph　curiously；　as　though　they　were　seeing　him　for　the　first　time。
　
　They　set　off　along　the　beach　in　formation。　Ralph　went　first；　limping　a　little；　his　spear　carried　over　one　shoulder。　He　saw　things　partially；　through　the　tremble　of　the　heat　haze　over　the　flashing　sands；　and　his　own　long　hair　and　injuries。　Behind　him　came　the　twins；　worried　now　for　a　while　but　full　of　unquenchable　vitality。　They　said　little　but　trailed　the　butts　of　their　wooden　spears；　for　Piggy　had　found　that；　by　looking　down　and　shielding　his　tired　sight　from　the　sun；　he　could　just　see　these　moving　along　the　sand。　He　walked　between　the　trailing　butts；　therefore；　the　conch　held　carefully　between　his　two　hands。　The　boys　made　a　pact　little　group　that　moved　over　the　beach；　four　plate…like　shadows　dancing　and　mingling　beneath　them。　There　was　no　sign　left　of　the　storm；　and　the　beach　was　swept　clean　like　a　blade　that　has　been　scoured。　The　sky　and　the　mountain　were　at　an　immense　distance；　shimmering　in　the　heat；　and　the　reef　was　lifted　by　mirage；　floating　in　a　land　of　silver　pool　halfway　up　the　sky。
　They　passed　the　place　where　the　tribe　had　danced。　The　charred　sticks　still　lay　on　the　rocks　where　the　rain　had　quenched　them　but　the　sand　by　the　water　was　smooth　again。　They　passed　this　in　silence。　No　one　doubted　that　the　tribe　would　be　found　at　the　Castle　Rock　and　when　they　came　in　sight　of　it　they　stopped　with　one　accord。　The　densest　tangle　on　the　island；　a　mass　of　twisted　stems；　black　and　green　and　impenetrable；　lay　on　their　left　and　tall　grass　swayed　before　them。　Now　Ralph　went　forward。
　Here　was　the　crushed　grass　where　they　had　all　lain　when　he　had　gone　to　prospect。　There　was　the　neck　of　land；　the　ledge　skirting　the　rock；　up　there　were　the　red　pinnacles。
　Sam　touched　his　arm。
　〃Smoke。〃
　There　was　a　tiny　smudge　of　smoke　wavering　into　the　air　on　the　other　side　of　the　rock。
　〃Some　fire…I　don't　think。〃
　Ralph　turned。
　〃What　are　we　hiding　for？〃
　He　stepped　through　the　screen　of　grass　on　to　the　little　open　space　that　led　to　the　narrow　neck。
　〃You　two　follow　behind。　I'll　go　first；　then　Piggy　a　pace　behind　me。　Keep　your　spears　ready。〃
　Piggy　peered　anxiously　into　the　luminous　veil　that　hung　between　him　and　the　world。
　〃Is　it　safe？　Ain't　there　a　cliff？　I　can　hear　the　sea。〃
　〃You　keep　right　close　to　me。〃
　Ralph　moved　forward　on　to　the　neck。　He　kicked　a　stone　and　it　bounded　into　the　water。　Then　the　sea　sucked　down；　revealing　a　red；　weedy　square　forty　feet　beneath　Ralph's　left　arm。
　〃Am　I　safe？〃　quavered　Piggy。　〃I　feel　awful…〃
　High　above　them　from　the　pinnacle