the fellowship of the ring-第64章

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　and　wild　howls　of　laughter。　
Stones　began　to　fall　from　the　mountain…side；　whistling　over　their　heads；　orcrashing　on　the　path　beside　them。　Every　now　and　again　they　heard　a　dullrumble；　as　a　great　boulder　rolled　down　from　hidden　heights　above。　
‘We　cannot　go　further　tonight；'　said　Boromir。　‘Let　those　call　it　the　windwho　will；　there　are　fell　voices　on　the　air；　and　these　stones　are　aimed　at　us。'　
‘I　do　call　it　the　wind；'　said　Aragorn。　‘But　that　does　not　make　what　yousay　untrue。　There　are　many　evil　and　unfriendly　things　in　the　world　that　havelittle　love　for　those　that　go　on　two　legs；　and　yet　are　not　in　league　withSauron；　but　have　purposes　of　their　own。　Some　have　been　in　this　world　longerthan　he。'　　
'Caradhras　was　called　the　Cruel；　and　had　an　ill　name；　said　Gimli；　‘longyears　ago；　when　rumour　of　Sauron　had　not　been　heard　in　these　lands。'　
‘It　matters　little　who　is　the　enemy；　if　we　cannot　beat　off　his　attack；　
said　Gandalf。　　
'But　what　can　we　do？'　cried　Pippin　miserably。　He　was　leaning　on　Merry　andFrodo；　and　he　was　shivering。　
‘Either　stop　where　we　are；　or　go　back；'　said　Gandalf。　'It　is　no　goodgoing　on。　Only　a　little　higher；　if　I　remember　rightly；　this　path　leaves　thecliff　and　runs　into　a　wide　shallow　trough　at　the　bottom　of　a　long　hard　slope。　
We　should　have　no　shelter　there　from　snow；　or　stones　–　or　anything　else。'　
‘And　it　is　no　good　going　back　while　the　storm　holds；'　said　Aragorn。　‘Wehave　passed　no　place　on　the　way　up　that　offered　more　shelter　than　this　cliff…　
wall　we　are　under　now。'　　
‘Shelter！'　muttered　Sam。　‘If　this　is　shelter；　then　one　wall　and　no　roofmake　a　house。'　　
The　pany　now　gathered　together　as　close　to　the　cliff　as　they　could。　Itfaced　southwards；　and　near　the　bottom　it　leaned　out　a　little；　so　that　they　　
　
hoped　it　would　give　them　some　protection　from　the　northerly　wind　and　from　thefalling　stones。　But　eddying　blasts　swirled　round　them　from　every　side；　and　thesnow　flowed　down　in　ever　denser　clouds。　　
They　huddled　together　with　their　backs　to　the　wall。　Bill　the　pony　stoodpatiently　but　dejectedly　in　front　of　the　hobbits；　and　screened　them　a　little；　
but　before　long　the　drifting　snow　was　above　his　hocks；　and　it　went　onmounting。　If　they　had　had　no　larger　panions　the　hobbits　would　soon　havebeen　entirely　buried。　
A　great　sleepiness　came　over　Frodo；　he　felt　himself　sinking　fast　into　awarm　and　hazy　dream。　He　thought　a　fire　was　heating　his　toes；　and　out　of　theshadows　on　the　other　side　of　the　hearth　he　heard　Bilbo's　voice　speaking_。　Idon't　think　much　of　your　diary_；　he　said。　_Snowstorms　on　January　the　twelfth：　
there　was　no　need　to　e　back　to　report　that！_　
_But　I　wanted　rest　and　sleep；　Bilbo_；　Frodo　answered　with　an　effort；　whenhe　felt　himself　shaken；　and　he　came　back　painfully　to　wakefulness。　Boromir　hadlifted　him　off　the　ground　out　of　a　nest　of　snow。　
‘This　will　be　the　death　of　the　halflings；　Gandalf；'　said　Boromir。　‘It　isuseless　to　sit　here　until　the　snow　goes　over　our　heads。　We　must　do　somethingto　save　ourselves。'　　
‘Give　them　this；'　said　Gandalf；　searching　in　his　pack　and　drawing　out　aleathern　flask。　‘Just　a　mouthful　each　–　for　all　of　us。　It　is　very　precious。　Itis　_miruvor_；　the　cordial　of　Imladris。　Elrond　gave　it　to　me　at　our　parting。　
Pass　it　round！'　　
As　soon　as　Frodo　had　swallowed　a　little　of　the　warm　and　fragrant　liquorhe　felt　a　new　strength　of　heart；　and　the　heavy　drowsiness　left　his　limbs。　Theothers　also　revived　and　found　fresh　hope　and　vigour。　But　the　snow　did　notrelent。　It　whirled　about　them　thicker　than　ever；　and　the　wind　blew　louder。　
'What　do　you　say　to　fire？'　asked　Boromir　suddenly。　'The　choice　seems　nearnow　between　fire　and　death；　Gandalf。　Doubtless　we　shall　be　hidden　from　allunfriendly　eyes　when　the　snow　has　covered　us；　but　that　will　not　help　us。'　
'You　may　make　a　fire；　if　you　can；'　answered　Gandalf。　'If　there　are　anywatchers　that　can　endure　this　storm；　then　they　can　see　us；　fire　or　no。'　Butthough　they　had　brought　wood　and　kindlings　by　the　advice　of　Boromir；　it　passedthe　skill　of　Elf　or　even　Dwarf　to　strike　a　flame　that　would　hold　amid　the　　
swirling　wind　or　catch　in　the　wet　fuel。　At　last　reluctantly　Gandalf　himselftook　a　hand。　Picking　up　a　faggot　he　held　it　aloft　for　a　moment；　and　then　witha　word　of　mand_；　naur　an　edraith　ammen！_　he　thrust　the　end　of　his　staffinto　the　midst　of　it。　At　once　a　great　spout　of　green　and　blue　flame　sprangout；　and　the　wood　flared　and　sputtered。　
‘If　there　are　any　to　see；　then　I　at　least　am　revealed　to　them；'　he　said。　
'I　have　written　_Gandalf　is　here_　in　signs　that　all　can　read　from　Rivendell　tothe　mouths　of　Anduin。'　　
But　the　pany　cared　no　longer　for　watchers　or　unfriendly　eyes。　Theirhearts　were　rejoiced　to　see　the　light　of　the　fire。　The　wood　burned　merrily；　
and　though　all　round　it　the　snow　hissed；　and　pools　of　slush　crept　under　theirfeet；　they　warmed　their　hands　gladly　at　the　blaze。　There　they　stood；　stoopingin　a　circle　round　the　little　dancing　and　blowing　flames。　A　red　light　was　ontheir　tired　and　anxious　faces；　behind　them　the　night　was　like　a　black　wall。　
But　the　wood　was　burning　fast；　and　the　snow　still　fell。　　
The　fire　burned　low。　and　the　last　faggot　was　thrown　on。　
The　night　is　getting　old；'　said　Aragorn。　〃The　dawn　is　not　far　off。'　
‘If　any　dawn　can　pierce　these　clouds；'　said　Gimli。　
Boromir　stepped　out　of　the　circle　and　stared　up　into　the　blackness。　'Thesnow　is　growing　less；'　he　said；　‘and　the　wind　is　quieter。'　
Frodo　gazed　wearily　at　the　flakes　still　falling　out　of　the　dark　to　berevealed　white　for　a　moment　in　the　light　of　the　dying　fire；　but　for　a　longtime　he　could　see　no　sign　of　their　slackening。　Then　suddenly；　as　sleep　wasbeginning　to　creep　over　him　again；　he　was　aware　that　the　wind　had　indeedfallen；　and　the　flakes　were　being　larger　and　fewer。　Very　slowly　a　dim　light　　
　
began　to　grow。　At　last　the　snow　stopped　altogether。　
As　the　light　grew　stronger　it　showed　a　silent　shrouded　world。　Below　theirrefuge　were　white　humps　and　domes　and　shapeless　deeps　beneath　which　the　paththat　they　had　trodden　was　altogether　lost；　but　the　heights　above　were　hiddenin　great　clouds　still　heavy　with　the　threat　of　snow。　
Gimli　looked　up　and　shook　his　head。　‘Caradhras　has　not　forgiven　us。'　hesaid。　‘He　has　more　snow　yet　to　fling　at　us；　if　we　go　on。　The　sooner　we　go　backand　down　the　better。'　　
To　this　all　agreed；　but　their　retreat　was　now　difficult。　It　might　wellprove　impossible。　Only　a　few　paces　from　the　ashes　of　their　fire　the　snow　laymany　feet　deep；　higher　than　the　heads　of　the　hobbits；　in　places　it　had　beenscooped　and　piled　by　the　wind　into　great　drifts　against　the　cliff。　
‘If　Gandalf　would　go　before　us　with　a　bright　flame；　he　might　melt　a　pathfor　you；'　said　Legolas。　The　storm　had　troubled　him　little；　and　he　alone　of　thepany　remained　still　light　of　heart。　
‘If　Elves　could　fly　over　mountains；　they　might　fetch　the　Sun　to　saveus；'　answered　Gandalf。　‘But　I　must　have　something　to　work　on。　I　cannot　burnsnow。'　　
‘Well；'　said　Boromir；　‘when　heads　are　at　a　loss　bodies　must　serve；　as　wesay　in　my　country。　The　strongest　of　us　must　seek　a　way。　See！　Though　all　is　nowsnow…clad；　our　path；　as　we　came　up；　turned　about　that　shoulder　of　rock　downyonder。　It　was　there　that　the　snow　first　began　to　burden　us。　If　we　could　reachthat　point；　maybe　it　would　prove　easier　beyond。　It　is　no　more　than　a　furlongoff；　I　guess。'　
‘Then　let　us　force　a　path　thither；　you　and　I！'　said　Aragorn。　
Aragorn　was　the　tallest　of　the　pany；　but　Boromir；　little　less　inheight；　was　broader　and　heavier　in　build。　He　led　the　way；　and　Aragorn　followedhim。　Slowly　they　moved　off；　and　were　soon　toiling　heavily。　In　places　the　snowwas　breast…high；　and　often　Boromir　seemed　to　bc　swimming　or　burrowing　with　hisgreat　arms　rather　than　walking。　
Legolas　watched　them　for　a　while　with　a　smile　upon　his　lips；　and　then　heturned　to　the　others。　‘The　strongest　must　seek　a　way；　say　you？　But　I　say：　leta　ploughman　plough；　but　choose　an　otter　for　swimming；　and　for　running　lightover　grass　and　leaf　or　over　snow…an　Elf。'　
With　that　he　sprang　forth　nimbly；　and　then　Frodo　noticed　as　if　for　thefirst　time；　though　he　had　long　known　it；　that　the　Elf　had　no　boots；　but　woreonly　light　shoes；　as　he　always　did；　and　his　feet　made　little　imprint　in　thesnow。　　
'Farewell！'　he　said　to　Gandalf。　‘I　go　to　find　the　Sun！'　Then　swift　as　arunner　over　firm　sand　he　shot　away；　and　quickly　overtaking　the　toiling　men；　
with　a　wave　of　his　hand　he　passed　them；　and　sped　into　the　distance；　andvanished　round　the　rocky　turn。　　
The　others　waited　huddled　together；　watching　until　Boromir　and　Aragorndwindled　into　black　specks　in　the　whiteness。　At　length　they　too　passed　fromsight。　The　time　dragged　on。　The　clouds　lowered；　and　now　a　few　flakes　of　snowcame　curling　down　again。　
An　hour；　maybe；　went　by；　though　it　seemed　far　longer；　and　then　at　lastthey　saw　Legolas　ing　back。　At　the　same　time　Boromir　and　Aragorn　reappearedround　the　bend　far　behind　him　and　came　labouring　up　the　slope。　
‘Well；'　cried　Legolas　as　he　ran　up；　‘I　have　not　brought　the　Sun。　She　iswalking　in　the　blue　fields　of　the　South；　and　a　little　wreath　of　snow　on　thisRedhorn　hillock　troubles　her　not　at　all。　But　I　have　brought　back　a　gleam　ofgood　hope　for　those　who　are　doomed　to　go　on　feet。　There　is　the　greatest　wind…　
drift　of　all　just　beyond　the　turn；　and　there　our　Strong　Men　were　almostburied。　They　despaired；　until　I　returned　and　told　them　that　the　drift　waslittle　wider　than　a　wall。　And　on　the　other　side　the　snow　suddenly　grows　less；　
while　further　down　it　is　no　more　than　a　white　coverlet　to　cool　a　hobbit's　　
toes。'　　
‘Ah；　it　is　as　I　said；'　growled　Gimli。　'It　was　no　ordinary　storm。　It　is　　
　
the　ill　will　of　Caradhras。　He　does　not　love　Elves　and　Dwarves；　and　that　driftwas　laid　to　cut　off　our　escape。'　
'But　happily　your　Caradhras　has　forgotten　that　you　have　Men　with　you；'　
said　Boromir；　who　came　up　at　that　moment。　‘And　doughty　Men　too；　if　I　may　sayit；　though　lesser　men　with　spades　might　have　served　you　better。　Still；　we　havethrust　a　lane　through　the　drift；　and　for　that　all　here　may　be　grateful　whocannot　run　as　light　as　Elves。'　
‘But　how　are　we　to　get　down　there；　even　if　you　have　cut　through　thedrift？'　said　Pippin；　voicing　the　thought　of　all　the　hobbits。　
'Have　hope！'　said　Boromir。　'I　am　weary；　but　I　still　have　some　strengthleft；　and　Aragorn　too。　We　will　bear　the　little　folk。　The　others　no　doubt　willmake　shift　to　tread　the　path　behind　us。　e；　Master　Peregrin！　I　will　beginwith　you。'　
He　lifted　up　the　hobbit。　'Cling　to　my　back！　I　shall　need　my　arms'　he　saidand　strode　forward。　Aragorn　with　Merry　came　behind。　Pippin　marvelled　at　hisstrength；　seeing　the　passage　that　he　had　already　forced　with　no　other　toolthan　his　great　limbs。　Even　now；　burdened　as　he　was；　he　was　widening　the　trackfor　those　who　followed；　thrusting　the　snow　aside　as　he　went。　
They　came　at　length　to　the　great　drift。　It　was　flung　across　the　mountain…　
path　like　a　sheer　and　sudden　wall；　and　its　crest；　sharp　as　if　shaped　withknives；　reared　up　more　than　twice　the　height　of　Boromir；　but　through　themiddle　a　passage　had　been　beaten；　rising　and　falling　like　a　bridge。　On　the　farside　Merry　and　Pippin　were　set　down；　and　there　they　waited　with　Legolas　forthe　rest　of　the　pany　to　arrive。　
After　a　while　Boromir　returned　carrying　Sam。　Behind　in　the　narrow　but　nowwell…trodden　track　came　Gandalf；　leading　Bill　with　Gimli　perched　among　thebaggage。　Last　came　Aragorn　carryin