prince caspian_c·s·刘易斯-第7部分

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the　next　place　they　were　to　visit　was　quite　near　at　hand；　but　they　had　to　　go　a　long　way　round　in　order　to　avoid　a　region　in　which　men　lived。　it　was　well　into　the　　afternoon　before　they　found　themselves　in　level　fields；　warm　between　hedgerows。　there　　trufflehunter　called　at　the　mouth　of　a　little　hole　in　a　green　bank　and　out　popped　the　　last　thing　caspian　expected　…　a　talking　mouse。　he　was　of　course　bigger　than　a　mon　mouse；　　well　over　a　foot　high　when　he　stood　on　his　hind　legs；　and　with　ears　nearly　as　long　as　　（though　broader　than）　a　rabbits。　his　name　was　reepicheep　and　he　was　a　gay　and　martial　　mouse。　he　wore　a　tiny　little　rapier　at　his　side　and　twirled　his　long　whiskers　as　if　they　　were　a　moustache。

〃there　are　twelve　of　us；　sire；〃　he　said　with　a　dashing　and　graceful　bow；　　〃and　i　place　all　the　resources　of　my　people　unreservedly　at　your　majestys　disposal。〃　　caspian　tried　hard　（and　successfully）　not　to　laugh；　but　he　couldnt　help　thinking　that　　reepicheep　and　all　his　people　could　very　easily　be　put　in　a　washing　basket　and　carried　home　on　　ones　back。

it　would　take　too　long　to　mention　all　the　creatures　whom　caspian　met　that　　day　…　clodsley　shovel　the　mole；　the　three　hardbiters　（who　were　badgers　like　　trufflehunter）；　camillo　the　hare；　and　hogglestock　the　hedgehog。　they　rested　at　last　beside　a　well　at　　the　edge　of　a　wide　and　level　circle　of　grass；　bordered　with　tall　elms　which　now　threw　　long　shadows　across　it；　for　the　sun　was　setting；　the　daisies　closing；　and　the　rooks　　flying　home　to　bed。

here　they　supped　on　food　they　had　brought　with　them　and　trumpkin　lit　his　　pipe　（nikabrik　was　not　a　smoker）。

〃now；〃　said　the　badger；　〃if　only　we　could　wake　the　spirits　of　these　trees　　and　this　well；　we　should　have　done　a　good　days　work。鈥�

〃cant　we？〃　said　caspian。

〃no；〃　said　trufflehunter。　〃we　have　no　power　over　them。　since　the　humans　　came　into　the　land；　felling　forests　and　defiling　streams；　the　dryads　and　naiads　have　sunk　　into　a　deep　sleep。　who　knows　if　ever　they　will　stir　again？　and　that　is　a　great　loss　to　　our　side。　the　telmarines　are　horribly　afraid　of　the　woods；　and　once　the　trees　moved　in　　anger；　our　enemies　would　go　mad　with　fright　and　be　chased　out　of　narnia　as　quick　as　　their　legs　could　carry　them。鈥�

〃what　imaginations　you　animals　have！〃　said　trumpkin；　who　didnt　believe　in　　such　things。　〃but　why　stop　at　trees　and　waters？　wouldnt　it　be　even　nicer　if　the　　stones　started　throwing　themselves　at　old　miraz？鈥�

the　badger　only　grunted　at　this；　and　after　that　there　was　such　a　silence　　that　caspian　had　nearly　dropped　off　to　sleep　when　he　thought　he　heard　a　faint　musical　sound　　from　the　depth　of　the　woods　at　his　back。　then　he　thought　it　was　only　a　dream　and　　turned　over　again；　but　as　soon　as　his　ear　touched　the　ground　he　felt　or　heard　（it　was　　hard　to　tell　which）　a　faint　beating　or　drumming。　he　raised　his　head。　the　beating　noise　　at　once　　

became　fainter；　but　the　music　returned；　clearer　this　time。　it　was　like　　flutes。　he　saw　that　trufflehunter　was　sitting　up　staring　into　the　wood。　the　moon　was　bright；　　caspian　had　been　asleep　longer　than　he　thought。　nearer　and　nearer　came　the　music；　a　　tune　wild　and　yet　dreamy；　and　the　noise　of　many　light　feet；　till　at　last；　out　from　the　　wood　into　the　moonlight；　came　dancing　shapes　such　as　caspian　had　been　thinking　of　all　his　　life。　they　were　not　much　taller　than　dwarfs；　but　far　slighter　and　more　graceful。　their　　curly　heads　had　little　horns；　the　upper　part　of　their　bodies　gleamed　naked　in　the　pale　　light；　but　their　legs　and　feet　were　those　of　goats。

〃fauns！〃　cried　caspian；　jumping　up；　and　in　a　moment　they　were　all　round　　him。　it　took　next　to　no　time　to　explain　the　whole　situation　to　them　and　they　accepted　　caspian　at　once。

before　he　knew　what　he　was　doing　he　found　himself　joining　in　the　dance。　　trumpkin；　with　heavier　and　jerkier　movements；　did　likewise　and　even　trufflehunter　　hopped　and　lumbered　about　as　best　he　could。　only　nikabrik　stayed　where　he　was；　looking　　on　in　silence。　the　fauns　footed　it　all　round　caspian　to　their　reedy　pipes。　their　　strange　faces；　which　seemed　mournful　and　merry　all　at　once；　looked　into　his；　dozens　of　　fauns；　mentius　and　obentinus　and　dumnus；　voluns；　voltinus；　girbius；　nimienus；　nausus；　and　　oscuns。

pattertwig　had　sent　them　all。

when　caspian　awoke　next　morning　he　could　hardly　believe　that　it　had　not　all　　been　a　dream；　but　the　grass　was　covered　with　little　cloven　hoof…marks。

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CHAPTER　SEVEN


old　narnia　in　danger　　the　place　where　they　had　met　the　fauns　was；　of　course；　dancing　lawn　itself；　　and　here　caspian　and　his　friends　remained　till　the　night　of　the　great　council。　to　　sleep　under　the　stars；　to　drink　nothing　but　well　water　and　to　live　chiefly　on　nuts　and　wild　　fruit；　was　a　strange　experience　for　caspian　after　his　bed　with　silken　sheets　in　a　　tapestried　chamber　at　the　castle；　with　meals　laid　out　on　gold　and　silver　dishes　in　the　anteroom；　　and　attendants　ready　at　his　call。　but　he　had　never　enjoyed　himself　more。　never　had　sleep　　been　more　refreshing　nor　food　tasted　more　savoury；　and　he　began　already　to　harden　and　　his　face　wore　a　kinglier　look。

when　the　great　night　came；　and　his　various　strange　subjects　came　stealing　　into　the　lawn　by　ones　and　twos　and　threes　or　by　sixes　and　sevens　…　the　moon　then　shining　　almost　at　her　full　…　his　heart　swelled　as　he　saw　their　numbers　and　heard　their　greetings。　　all　whom　he　had　met　were　there：　bulgy　bears　and　red　dwarfs　and　black　dwarfs；　moles　and　　badgers；　hares　and　hedgehogs；　and　others　whom　he　had　not　yet　seen　…　five　satyrs　as　　red　as　foxes；　the　whole　contingent　of　talking　mice；　armed　to　the　teeth　and　following　a　　shrill　trumpet；　some　owls；　the　old　raven　of　ravenscaur。　last　of　all　（and　this　took　　caspians　breath　away）；　with　the　centaurs　came　a　small　but　genuine　giant；　wimbleweather　of　　deadmans　　

hill；　carrying　on　his　back　a　basketful　of　rather　sea…sick　dwarfs　who　had　　accepted　his　offer　of　a　lift　and　were　now　wishing　they　had　walked　instead。

the　bulgy　bears　were　very　anxious　to　have　the　feast　first　and　leave　the　　council　till　afterwards：　perhaps　till　tomorrow。　reepicheep　and　his　mice　said　that　　councils　and　feasts　could　both　wait；　and　proposed　storming　miraz　in　his　own　castle　that　very　　night。

pattertwig　and　the　other　squirrels　said　they　could　talk　and　eat　at　the　same　　time；　so　why　not　have　the　council　and　feast　all　at　once？　the　moles　proposed　throwing　up　entrenchments　round　the　lawn　before　they　did　anything　else。　the　fauns　　thought　it　would　be　better　to　begin　with　a　solemn　dance。　the　old　raven；　while　agreeing　with　　the　bears　that　it　would　take　too　long　to　have　a　full　council　before　supper；　begged　to　　be　allowed　to　give　a　brief　address　to　the　whole　pany。　but　caspian　and　the　centaurs　and　　the　dwarfs　overruled　all　these　suggestions　and　insisted　on　holding　a　real　council　of　　war　at　once。

when　all　the　other　creatures　had　been　persuaded　to　sit　down　quietly　in　a　　great　circle；　and　when　（with　more　difficulty）　they　had　got　pattertwig　to　stop　running　to　and　　fro　and　saying　〃silence！　silence；　everyone；　for　the　kings　speech〃；　caspian；　feeling　a　　little　nervous；　got　up。　〃narnians！〃　he　began；　but　he　never　got　any　further；　for　at　that　very　　moment　camillo　the　hare　said；　〃hush！　theres　a　man　somewhere　near。鈥�

they　were　all　creatures　of　the　wild；　accustomed　to　being　hunted；　and　they　　all　became　still　as　statues。　the　beasts　all　turned　their　noses　in　the　direction　which　　camillo　had　indicated。

〃smells　like　man　and　yet　not　quite　like　man；〃　whispered　trufflehunter。

〃its　getting　steadily　nearer；〃　said　camillo。

〃two　badgers　and　you　three　dwarfs；　with　your　bows　at　the　…　ready；　go　softly　　off　to　meet　it；〃　said　caspian。

〃well　settle　un；〃　said　a　black　dwarf　grimly；　fitting　a　shaft　to　his　　bowstring。

〃dont　shoot　if　it　is　alone；〃　said　caspian。　〃catch　it。鈥�

〃why？〃　asked　the　dwarf。

〃do　as　youre　told；〃　said　glenstorm　the　centaur。

everyone　waited　in　silence　while　the　three　dwarfs　and　two　badgers　trotted　　stealthily　across　to　the　trees　on　the　northwest　side　of　the　lawn。　then　came　a　sharp　　dwarfish　cry；　〃stop！　who　goes　there？〃　and　a　sudden　spring。　a　moment　later　a　voice；　which　　caspian　knew　well；　could　he　heard　saying；　〃all　right；　all　right；　im　unarmed。　take　　my　wrists　if　you　like；　worthy　badgers；　but　dont　bite　right　through　them。　i　want　to　　speak　to　the　king。鈥�

〃doctor　cornelius！〃　cried　caspian　with　joy；　and　rushed　forward　to　greet　his　　old　tutor。

everyone　else　crowded　round。

〃pah！〃　said　nikabrik。　〃a　renegade　dwarf。　a　half…and…halfer！　shall　i　pass　my　　sword　through　its　throat？鈥�

〃be　quiet；　nikabrik；〃　said　trumpkin。　〃the　creature　cant　help　its　　ancestry。鈥�

〃this　is　my　greatest　friend　and　the　saviour　of　my　life；〃　said　caspian。　〃and　　anyone　who　doesnt　like　his　pany　may　leave　my　army：　at　once。　dearest　doctor；　i　am　　glad　to　see　you　again。　how　ever　did　you　find　us　out？鈥�

〃by　a　little　use　of　simple　magic；　your　majesty；〃　said　the　doctor；　who　was　　still　puffing　and　blowing　from　having　walked　so　fast。　〃but　theres　no　time　to　go　into　　that　now。　we　must　all　fly　from　this　place　at　once。　you　are　already　betrayed　and　miraz　is　　on　the　move。

before　midday　tomorrow　you　will　be　surrounded。鈥�

〃betrayed！〃　said　caspian。　〃and　by　whom？鈥�

〃another　renegade　dwarf；　no　doubt；〃　said　nikabrik。

〃by　your　horse　destrier；〃　said　doctor　cornelius。　〃the　poor　brute　knew　no　　better。　when　you　were　knocked　off；　of　course；　he　went　dawdling　back　to　his　stable　in　the　　castle。　then　the　secret　of　your　flight　was　known。　i　made　myself　scarce；　having　no　wish　　to　be　questioned　about　it　in　mirazs　torture　chamber。　i　had　a　pretty　good　guess　　from　my　crystal　as　to　where　i　should　find　you。　but　all　day　…　that　was　the　day　before　　yesterday　…　i　saw　mirazs　tracking　parties　out　in　the　woods。　yesterday　i　learned　that　his　　army　is　out。　i　dont　think　some　of　your　…　um　…　pure…blooded　dwarfs　have　as　much　woodcraft　as　　might　be　expected。　youve　left　tracks　all　over　the　place。　great　carelessness。　at　any　　rate　something　has　warned　miraz　that　old　narnia　is　not　so　dead　as　he　had　hoped；　and　he　is　　on　the　move。鈥�

〃hurrah！〃　said　a　very　shrill　and　small　voice　from　somewhere　at　the　doctors　　feet。　〃let　them　e！　all　i　ask　is　that　the　king　will　put　me　and　my　people　in　the　　front。鈥�

〃what　on　earth？〃　said　doctor　cornelius。　〃has　your　majesty　got　grasshoppers　　…　or　mosquitoes　…　in　your　army？〃　then　after　stooping　down　and　peering　carefully　　through　his　spectacles；　he　broke　into　a　laugh。

〃by　the　lion；〃　he　swore；　〃its　a　mouse。　signior　mouse；　i　desire　your　better　　acquaintance。

i　am　honoured　by　meeting　so　valiant　a　beast。鈥�

〃my　friendship　you　shall　have；　learned　man；〃　piped　reepicheep。　〃and　any　　dwarf　…　or　giant　…　in　the　army　who　does　not　give　you　good　language　shall　have　my　sword　　to　reckon　with。鈥�

〃is　there　time　for　this　foolery？〃　asked　nikabrik。　〃what　are　our　plans？　　battle　or　flight？鈥�

〃battle　if　need　be；〃　said　trumpkin。　〃but　we　are　hardly　ready　for　it　yet；　　and　this　is　no　very　defensible　place。鈥�

〃i　dont　like　the　idea　of　running　away；〃　said　caspian。

〃hear　him！　hear　him！〃　said　the　bulgy　bears。　〃whatever　we　do；　dont　lets　　have　any　running。　especially　not　before　supper；　and　not　too　soon　after　it　neither。鈥�

〃those　who　run　first　do　not　always　run　last；〃　said　the　centaur。　〃and　why　　should　we　let　the　enemy　choose