the fellowship of the ring-第21章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　indeed　get　across　it　at　allwithout　getting　wet；　scratched；　and　muddy。　They　halted；　wondering　what　to　do。　
'First　check！'　said　Pippin；　smiling　grimly。　
Sam　Gamgee　looked　back。　Through　an　opening　in　the　trees　he　caught　aglimpse　of　the　top　of　the　green　bank　from　which　they　had　climbed　down。　
'Look！'　he　said；　clutching　Frodo　by　the　arm。　They　all　looked；　and　on　theedge　high　above　them　they　saw　against　the　sky　a　horse　standing。　Beside　itstooped　a　black　figure。　
They　at　once　gave　up　any　idea　of　going　back。　Frodo　led　the　way；　andplunged　quickly　into　the　thick　bushes　beside　the　stream。　'Whew！'　he　said　toPippin。　'We　were　both　right！　The　short　cut　has　gone　crooked　already；　but　wegot　under　cover　only　just　in　time。　You've　got　sharp　ears；　Sam：　can　you　hearanything　ing？'　
They　stood　still；　almost　holding　their　breath　as　they　listened；　but　therewas　no　sound　of　pursuit。　'I　don't　fancy　he　would　try　bringing　his　horse　downthat　bank；'　said　Sam。　'But　I　guess　he　knows　we　came　down　it。　We　had　better　begoing　on。'　
Going　on　was　not　altogether　easy。　They　had　packs　to　carry；　and　the　bushesand　brambles　were　reluctant　to　let　them　through。　They　were　cut　off　from　thewind　by　the　ridge　behind；　and　the　air　was　still　and　stuffy。　When　they　forcedtheir　way　at　last　into　more　open　ground；　they　were　hot　and　tired　and　veryscratched；　and　they　were　also　no　longer　certain　of　the　direction　in　which　theywere　going。　The　banks　of　the　stream　sank；　as　it　reached　the　levels　and　becamebroader　and　shallower；　wandering　off　towards　the　Marish　and　the　River。　
'Why；　this　is　the　Stock…brook！'　said　Pippin。　'If　we　are　going　to　try　andget　back　on　to　our　course；　we　must　cross　at　once　and　bear　right。'　
They　waded　the　stream；　and　hurried　over　a　wide　open　space；　rush…grown　andtreeless；　on　the　further　side。　Beyond　that　they　came　again　to　a　belt　of　trees：　
tall　oaks；　for　the　most　part；　with　here　and　there　an　elm　tree　or　an　ash。　Theground　was　fairly　level；　and　there　was　little　undergrowth；　but　the　trees　wereloo　close　for　them　to　see　far　ahead。　The　leaves　blew　upwards　in　sudden　gustsof　wind；　and　spots　of　rain　began　to　fall　from　the　overcast　sky。　Then　the　winddied　away　and　the　rain　came　streaming　down。　They　trudged　along　as　fast　as　theycould；　over　patches　of　grass；　and　through　thick　drifts　of　old　leaves；　and　allabout　them　the　rain　pattered　and　trickled。　They　did　not　talk；　but　keptglancing　back；　and　from　side　to　side。　
After　half　an　hour　Pippin　said：　'I　hope　we　have　not　turned　too　muchtowards　the　south；　and　are　not　walking　longwise　through　this　wood！　It　is　not　avery　broad　belt　…I　should　have　said　no　more　than　a　mile　at　the　widest　–　and　weought　to　have　been　through　it　by　now。'　
'It　is　no　good　our　starting　to　go　in　zig…zags；'　said　Frodo。　'That　won'tmend　matters。　Let　us　keep　on　as　we　are　going！　I　am　not　sure　that　I　want　toe　out　into　the　open　yet。'　
They　went　on　for　perhaps　another　couple　of　miles。　Then　the　sun　gleamedout　of　ragged　clouds　again　and　the　rain　lessened。　It　was　now　past　mid…day；　andthey　felt　it　was　high　time　for　lunch。　They　halted　under　an　elm　tree：　itsleaves　though　fast　turning　yellow　were　still　thick；　and　the　ground　at　its　feelwas　fairly　dry　and　sheltered。　When　they　came　to　make　their　meal；　they　found　　
　
that　the　Elves　had　filled　their　bottles　with　a　clear　drink；　pale　golden　incolour：　it　had　the　scent　of　a　honey　made　of　many　flowers；　and　was　wonderfullyrefreshing。　Very　soon　they　were　laughing；　and　snapping　their　fingers　at　rain；　
and　at　Black　Riders。　The　last　few　miles；　they　felt；　would　soon　be　behind　them。　
Frodo　propped　his　back　against　the　tree…trunk；　and　closed　his　eyes。　Samand　Pippin　sat　near；　and　they　began　to　hum；　and　then　to　sing　softly：　　
Ho！　Ho！　Ho！　to　the　bottle　I　go　
To　heal　my　heart　and　drown　my　woe。　
Rain　may　fall　and　wind　may　blow；　
And　many　miles　be　still　to　go；　
But　under　a　tall　tree　I　will　lie；　
And　let　the　clouds　go　sailing　by。　　
_Ho！　Ho！　Ho！_　they　began　again　louder。　They　stopped　short　suddenly。　Frodosprang　to　his　feet。　A　long…drawn　wail　came　down　the　wind；　like　the　cry　of　someevil　and　lonely　creature。　It　rose　and　fell；　and　ended　on　a　high　piercing　note。　
Even　as　they　sat　and　stood；　as　if　suddenly　frozen；　it　was　answered　by　anothercry；　fainter　and　further　off；　but　no　less　chilling　to　the　blood。　There　wasthen　a　silence；　broken　only　by　the　sound　of　the　wind　in　the　leaves。　
'And　what　do　you　think　that　was？'　Pippin　asked　at　last；　trying　to　speaklightly；　but　quavering　a　little。　'If　it　was　a　bird；　it　was　one　that　I　neverheard　in　the　Shire　before。'　　
'It　was　not　bird　or　beast；'　said　Frodo。　'It　was　a　call；　or　a　signal　–　
there　were　words　in　that　cry；　though　I　could　not　catch　them。　But　no　hobbit　hassuch　a　voice。'　　
No　more　was　said　about　it。　They　were　all　thinking　of　the　Riders；　but　noone　spoke　of　them。　They　were　now　reluctant　either　to　stay　or　go　on；　but　sooneror　later　they　had　got　to　get　across　the　open　country　to　the　Ferry；　and　it　wasbest　to　go　sooner　and　in　daylight。　In　a　few　moments　they　had　shouldered　theirpacks　again　and　were　off。　
Before　long　the　wood　came　to　a　sudden　end。　Wide　grass…lands　stretchedbefore　them。　They　now　saw　that　they　had；　in　fact；　turned　too　much　to　thesouth。　Away　over　the　flats　they　could　glimpse　the　low　hill　of　Buckleburyacross　the　River；　but　it　was　now　to　their　left。　Creeping　cautiously　out　fromthe　edge　of　the　trees；　they　set　off　across　the　open　as　quickly　as　they　could。　
At　first　they　felt　afraid；　away　from　the　shelter　of　the　wood。　Far　backbehind　them　stood　the　high　place　where　they　had　breakfasted。　Frodo　halfexpected　to　see　the　small　distant　figure　of　a　horseman　on　the　ridge　darkagainst　the　sky；　but　there　was　no　sign　of　one。　The　sun　escaping　from　thebreaking　clouds；　as　it　sank　towards　the　hills　they　had　left；　was　now　shiningbrightly　again。　Their　fear　left　them；　though　they　still　felt　uneasy。　But　theland　became　steadily　more　tame　and　well…ordered。　Soon　they　came　into　well…　
tended　fields　and　meadows：　there　were　hedges　and　gates　and　dikes　for　drainage。　
Everything　seemed　quiet　and　peaceful；　just　an　ordinary　corner　of　the　Shire。　
Their　spirits　rose　with　every　step。　The　line　of　the　River　grew　nearer；　and　theBlack　Riders　began　to　seem　like　phantoms　of　the　woods　now　left　far　behind。　
They　passed　along　the　edge　of　a　huge　turnip…field；　and　came　to　a　stoutgate。　Beyond　it　a　rutted　lane　ran　between　low　well…laid　hedges　towards　adistant　clump　of　trees。　Pippin　stopped。　
'I　know　these　fields　and　this　gate！'　he　said。　'This　is　Bamfurlong；　oldFarmer　Maggot's　land。　That's　his　farm　away　there　in　the　trees。'　
'One　trouble　after　another！'　said　Frodo；　looking　nearly　as　much　alarmedas　if　Pippin　had　declared　the　lane　was　the　slot　leading　to　a　dragon's　den。　Theothers　looked　at　him　in　surprise。　
'What's　wrong　with　old　Maggot？'　asked　Pippin。　'He's　a　good　friend　to　allthe　Brandy　bucks。　Of　course　he's　a　terror　to　trespassers；　and　keeps　ferociousdogs　–　but　after　all；　folk　down　here　are　near　the　border　and　have　to　be　moreon　their　guard。'　
'I　know；'　said　Frodo。　'But　all　the　same；'　he　added　with　a　shamefaced　　
　
laugh；　'I　am　terrified　of　him　and　his　dogs。　I　have　avoided　his　farm　for　yearsand　years。　He　caught　me　several　times　trespassing　after　mushrooms；　when　I　wasa　youngster　at　Brandy　Hall。　On　the　last　occasion　he　beat　me；　and　then　took　meand　showed　me　to　his　dogs。　〃See；　lads；〃　he　said；　〃next　time　this　young　varmintsets　foot　on　my　land；　you　can　eat　him。　Now　see　him　off！〃　They　chased　me　allthe　way　to　the　Ferry。　I　have　never　got　over　the　fright　–　though　I　daresay　thebeasts　knew　their　business　and　would　not　really　have　touched　me。'　
Pippin　laughed。　'Well；　it's　time　you　made　it　up。　Especially　if　you　areing　back　to　live　in　Buckland。　Old　Maggot　is　really　a　stout　fellow　–　if　youleave　his　mushrooms　alone。　Let's　get　into　the　lane　and　then　we　shan't　betrespassing。　If　we　meet　him；　I'll　do　the　talking。　He　is　a　friend　of　Merry's；　
and　I　used　to　e　here　with　him　a　good　deal　at　one　time。'　
They　went　along　the　lane；　until　they　saw　the　thatched　roofs　of　a　largehouse　and　farm…buildings　peeping　out　among　the　trees　ahead。　The　Maggots；　andthe　Puddifoots　of　Stock；　and　most　of　the　inhabitants　of　the　Marish；　werehouse…dwellers；　and　this　farm　was　stoutly　built　of　brick　and　had　a　high　wallall　round　it。　There　was　a　wide　wooden　gate　opening　out　of　the　wall　into　thelane。　　
Suddenly　as　they　drew　nearer　a　terrific　baying　and　barking　broke　out；　anda　loud　voice　was　heard　shouting：　'Grip！　Fang！　Wolf！　e　on；　lads！'　
Frodo　and　Sam　stopped　dead；　but　Pippin　walked　on　a　few　paces。　The　gateopened　and　three　huge　dogs　came　pelting　out　into　the　lane；　and　dashed　towardsthe　travellers；　barking　fiercely。　They　took　no　notice　of　Pippin；　but　Samshrank　against　the　wall；　while　two　wolvish…looking　dogs　sniffed　at　himsuspiciously；　and　snarled　if　he　moved。　The　largest　and　most　ferocious　of　thethree　halted　in　front　of　Frodo；　bristling　and　growling。　
Through　the　gate　there　now　appeared　a　broad　thick…set　hobbit　with　a　roundred　face。　'Hallo！　Hallo！　And　who　may　you　be；　and　what　may　you　be　wanting？'　heasked。　　
'Good　afternoon；　Mr。　Maggot！'　said　Pippin。　
The　farmer　looked　at　him　closely。　'Well；　if　it　isn't　Master　Pippin　–　Mr。　
Peregrin　Took；　I　should　say！'　he　cried；　changing　from　a　scowl　to　a　grin。　'It'sa　long　time　since　I　saw　you　round　here。　It's　lucky　for　you　that　I　know　you。　Iwas　just　going　out　to　set　my　dogs　on　any　strangers。　There　are　some　funnythings　going　on　today。　Of　course；　we　do　get　queer　folk　wandering　in　theseparts　at　times。　Too　near　the　River；'　he　said；　shaking　his　head。　'But　thisfellow　was　the　most　outlandish　I　have　ever　set　eyes　on。　He　won't　cross　my　landwithout　leave　a　second　time；　not　if　I　can　stop　it。'　
'What　fellow　do　you　mean？'　asked　Pippin。　
'Then　you　haven't　seen　him？'　said　the　farmer。　'He　went　up　the　lanetowards　the　causeway　not　a　long　while　back。　He　was　a　funny　customer　and　askingfunny　questions。　But　perhaps　you'll　e　along　inside；　and　we'll　pass　the　newsmore　fortable。　I've　a　drop　of　good　ale　on　tap；　if　you　and　your　friends　arewilling；　Mr。　Took。'　
It　seemed　plain　that　the　farmer　would　tell　them　more；　if　allowed　to　do　itin　his　own　time　and　fashion；　so　they　all　accepted　the　invitation。　'What　aboutthe　dogs？'　asked　Frodo　anxiously。　
The　farmer　laughed。　'They　won't　harm　you　–　not　unless　I　tell　'em　to。　
Here；　Grip！　Fang！　Heel！'　he　cried。　'Heel；　Wolf！'　To　the　relief　of　Frodo　andSam；　the　dogs　walked　away　and　let　them　go　free。　
Pippin　introduced　the　other　two　to　the　farmer。　'Mr。　Frodo　Baggins；'　hesaid。　'You　may　not　remember　him；　but　he　used　to　live　at　Brandy　Hall。'　At　thename　Baggins　the　farmer　started；　and　gave　Frodo　a　sharp　glance。　For　a　momentFrodo　thought　that　the　memory　of　stolen　mushrooms　had　been　aroused；　and　thatthe　dogs　would　be　told　to　see　him　off。　But　Farmer　Maggot　took　him　by　the　arm。　
'Well；　if　that　isn't　queerer　than　ever？'　he　exclaimed。　'Mr。　Baggins　isit？　e　inside！　We　must　have　a　talk。'　　
They　went　into　the　farmer's　kitchen；　and　sat　by　the　wide　fire…place。　Mrs。　
Maggot　brought　out　beer　in　a　huge　jug；　and　filled　four　large　mugs。　It　was　agood　brew；　and　Pippin　found　himself　more　than　pensated　for　missing　the　　
　
_Golden　Perch。_　Sam　sipped　his　beer　suspiciously。　He　had　a　natural　mistrust　ofthe　inhabitants　of　other　parts　of　the　Shire；　and　also　he　was　not　disposed　tobe　quick　friends　with　anyone　who　had　beaten　his　master；　however　long　ago。　
After　a　few　remarks　about　th