prince caspian_c·s·刘易斯-第18章

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　hoof　occasionally　on　the　turf；　looked　much　more　imposing　than　the　telmarine　　baron　who　　

faced　him　on　the　left。　peter　had　just　shaken　hands　with　edmund　and　the　　doctor；　and　was　now　walking　down　to　the　bat。　it　was　like　the　moment　before　the　pistol　　goes　at　an　important　race；　but　very　much　worse。

〃i　wish　aslan　had　turned　up　before　it　came　to　this；〃　said　trumpkin。

〃so　do　i；〃　said　trufflehunter。　〃but　look　behind　you。鈥�

〃crows　and　crockery！〃　muttered　the　dwarf　as　soon　as　he　had　done　so。　〃what　　are　they？

huge　people　…　beautiful　people　…　like　gods　and　goddesses　and　giants。　　hundreds　and　thousands　of　them；　closing　in　behind　us。　what　are　they？鈥�

〃its　the　dryads　and　hamadryads　and　silvans；〃　said　trufflehunter。　〃aslan　　has　waked　them。鈥�

〃humph！〃　said　the　dwarf。　〃thatll　be　very　useful　if　the　enemy　try　any　　treachery。　but　it　wont　help　the　high　king　very　much　if　miraz　proves　handier　with　his　sword。鈥�

the　badger　said　nothing；　for　now　peter　and　miraz　were　entering　the　lists　　from　opposite　ends；　both　on　foot；　both　in　chain　shirts；　with　helmets　and　shields。　they　　advanced　till　they　were　close　together。　both　bowed　and　seemed　to　speak；；　but　it　was　impossible　　to　hear　what　they　said。　next　moment；　the　two　swords　flashed　in　the　sunlight。　for　a　　second　the　clash　could　be　heard　but　it　was　immediately　drowned　because　both　armies　　began　shouting　like　crowds　at　a　football　match。

〃well　done；　peter；　oh；　well　done！〃　shouted　edmund　as　he　saw　miraz　reel　back　　a　whole　pace　and　a　half。　〃follow　it　up；　quick！〃　and　peter　did；　and　for　a　few　　seconds　it　looked　as　if　the　fight　might　be　won。　but　then　miraz　pulled　himself　together　…　began　　to　make　real　use　of　his　height　and　weight　〃miraz！　miraz！　the　king！　the　king！〃　came　the　　roar　of　the　telmarines。　caspian　and　edmund　grew　white　with　sickening　anxiety。

〃peter　is　taking　some　dreadful　knocks；〃　said　edmund。

〃hullo！〃　said　caspian。　〃whats　happening　now？鈥�

〃both　falling　apart；〃　said　edmund。　〃a　bit　blown；　expect。　watch。　ah；　now　　theyre　beginning　again；　more　scientifically　this　time。　circling　round　and　round；　　feeling　each　others　defences。鈥�

〃im　afraid　this　miraz　knows　his　work；〃　muttered　the　doctor。　but　hardly　had　　he　said　this　when　there　was　such　a　clapping　and　baying　and　throwing　up　of　hoods　among　　the　old　narnians　that　it　was　nearly　deafening。

〃what　was　it？　what　was　it？〃　asked　the　doctor。　〃my　old　eyes　missed　it。鈥�

〃the　high　king　has　pricked　him　in　the　arm…pit；〃　said　caspian；　still　　clapping。　〃just　where　the　arm…hole　of　the　hauberk　let　the　point　through。　first　blood。　　〃its　looking　ugly　again　now；　though；〃　said　edmund。　〃peters　not　using　his　　shield　properly。　he　must　be　hurt　in　the　left　arm。鈥�

it　was　only　too　true。　everyone　could　see　that　peters　shield　hung　limp。　the　　shouting　of　the　telmarines　redoubled。

〃youve　seen　more　battles　than　i；〃　said　caspian。　〃is　there　any　chance　now？鈥�

〃precious　little；〃　said　edmund。　〃i　suppose　he　might　just　do　it。　with　luck。鈥�

〃oh；　why　did　we　let　it　happen　at　all？〃　said　caspian。

suddenly　all　the　shouting　on　both　sides　died　down。　edmund　was　puzzled　for　a　　moment。

then　he　said；　〃oh；　i　see。　theyve　both　agreed　to　a　rest。　e　on；　doctor。　　you　and　i　may　be　able　to　do　something　for　the　high　king。　they　ran　down　to　the　lists　and　　peter　came　outside　the　ropes　to　meet　them；　his　face　red　and　sweaty；　his　chest　heaving。

〃is　your　left　arm　wounded？〃　asked　edmund。

〃its　not　exactly　a　wound；〃　peter　said。　〃i　got　the　weight　of　his　shoulder　　on　my　shield　…　like　a　load　of　bricks　and　the　rim　of　the　shield　drove　into　my　wrist。　i　dont　　think　its　broken；　but　it　might　be　a　sprain。　if　you　could　tie　it　up　very　tight　i　think　i　could　　manage。鈥�

while　they　were　doing　this；　edmund　asked　anxiously。　〃what　do　you　think　of　　him；　peter？鈥�

〃tough；〃　said　peter。　〃very　tough。　i　have　a　chance　if　can　keep　him　on　the　　hop　till　his　weight　and　short　wind　e　against　him　…　in　this　hot　sun　too。　to　tell　the　　truth；　i　havent　much　chance　else。　give　my　love　to　…　to　everyone　at　home；　ed；　if　he　gets　me。　　here　he　es　into　the　lists　again　　so　long；　old　chap。　good…bye；　doctor。　and　i　say；　ed；　say　something　specially　　nice　to　trumpkin。　hes　been　a　brick。鈥�

edmund　couldnt　speak。　he　walked　back　with　the　doctor　to　his　own　lines　with　　a　sick　feeling　in　his　stomach。

but　the　new　bout　went　well。　peter　now　seemed　to　be　able　to　make　some　use　of　　his　shield；　and　he　certainly　made　good　use　of　his　feet。　he　was　almost　playing　tig　with　　miraz　now；　keeping　out　of　range；　shifting　his　ground；　making　the　enemy　work。

〃coward！〃　booed　the　telmarines。　〃why　dont　you　stand　up　to　him？　dont　you　　like　it；　eh？

thought　youd　e　to　fight；　not　dance。　yah！鈥�

〃oh；　i　do　hope　he　wont　listen　to　them；〃　said　caspian。

〃not　he；〃　said　edmund。　〃you　dont　know　him　…　oh！〃　for　miraz　had　got　in　a　　blow　at　last；　on　peters　helmet。　peter　staggered；　slipped　sideways；　and　fell　on　one　knee。　　the　roar　of　the　telmarines　rose　like　the　noise　of　the　sea。　〃now；　miraz；〃　they　yelled。　〃now。　　quick！

quick！　kill　him。〃　but　indeed　there　was　no　need　to　egg　the　usurper　on。　he　　was　on　top　of　peter　already。　edmund　bit　his　lips　till　the　blood　came；　as　the　sword　　flashed　down　on　peter。　it　looked　as　if　it　would　slash　off　his　head。　thank　heavens！　it　had　　glanced　down　his　right　shoulder。　the　dwarf…wrought　mail　was　sound　and　did　not　break。

〃great　scott！〃　cried　edmund。　〃hes　up　again。　peter；　go　it；　peter。鈥�

〃i　couldnt　see　what　happened；〃　said　the　doctor。　〃how　did　he　do　it？鈥�

〃grabbed　mirazs　arm　as　it　came　down；〃　said　trumpkin；　dancing　with　delight。　　〃theres　a　man　for　you！　uses　his　enemys　arm　as　a　ladder。　the　high　king！　the　high　　king！　up；　old　narnia！鈥�

〃look；〃　said　trufflehunter。　〃miraz　is　angry。　it　is　good。〃　they　were　　certainly　at　it　hammer　and　tongs　now：　such　a　flurry　of　blows　that　it　seemed　impossible　for　either　　not　to　be　killed。

as　the　excitement　grew；　the　shouting　almost　died　away。　the　spectators　were　　holding　their　breath。　it　was　most　horrible　and　most　magnificent。

a　great　shout　arose　from　the　old　narnians。　miraz　was　a　down　…　not　struck　by　　peter；　but　face　downwards；　having　tripped　on　a　tussock。　peter　stepped　back；　waiting　　for　him　to　rise。

〃oh　bother；　bother；　bother；〃　said　edmund　to　himself。　〃need　he　be　as　　gentlemanly　as　all　that？　i　suppose　he　must。　es　of　being　a　knight　and　a　high　king。　i　suppose　　it　is　what　aslan　would　like。　but　that　brute　will　be　up　again　in　a　minute　and　then　…鈥�

but　〃that　brute〃　never　rose。　the　lords　glozelle　and　sopespian　had　their　own　　plans　ready。

as　soon　as　they　saw　their　king　down　they　leaped　into　the　lists　crying；　　〃treachery！

treachery！　the　narnian　traitor　has　stabbed　him　in　the　back　while　he　lay　　helpless。　to　arms！　to　arms；　telmar！鈥�

peter　hardly　understood　what　was　happening。　he　saw　two　big　men　running　　towards　him　with　drawn　swords。　then　the　third　telmarine　had　leaped　over　the　ropes　on　　his；　left。　〃to　arms；　narnia！　treachery！〃　peter　shouted。　if　all　three　had　set　upon　him　at　　once　he　would　never　have　spoken　again。　but　glozelle　stopped　to　stab　his　own　king　dead　　where　he　lay：　〃thats　for　your　insult；　this　morning；〃　he　whispered　as　the　blade　went　　home。　　peter　swung　to　face　sopespian；　slashed　his　legs　from　under　him　and；　with　the　back…cut　　of　the　same　stroke；　walloped　off　his　head　edmund　was　now　at　his　side　crying；　〃narnia；　　narnia！　the　lion！〃　the　whole　telmarine　army　was　rushing　toward　them。　but　now　the　giant　　was　stamping　forward；　stooping　low　and　swinging　his　club。　the　centaurs　charged。　　twang；　　

twang　behind　and　hiss；　hiss　overhead　came　the　archery　of　dwarfs。　trumpkin　　was　fighting　at　his　left。　full　battle　was　joined。

〃e　back；　reepicheep；　you　little　ass！〃　shouted　peter。　〃youll　only　be　　killed。　this　is　no　place　for　mice。〃　but　the　ridiculous　little　creatures　were　dancing　in　and　　out　among　the　feet　of　both　armies；　jabbing　with　their　swords。　many　a　telmarine　warrior　that　　day　felt　his　foot　suddenly　pierced　as　if　by　a　dozen　skewers；　hopped　on　one　leg　cursing　the　　pain；　and　fell　as　often　as　not。　if　he　fell；　the　mice　finished　him　off；　if　he　did　not；　someone　　else　did。

but　almost　before　the　old　narnians　were　really　warmed　to　their　work　they　　found　the　enemy　giving　way。　toughlooking　warriors　turned　white；　gazed　in　terror　not　　on　the　old　narnians　but　on　something　behind　them；　and　then　flung　down　their　weapons；　　shrieking；　〃the　wood！　the　wood！　the　end　of　the　world！鈥�

but　soon　neither　their　cries　nor　the　sound　of　weapons　could　be　heard　any　　more；　for　both　were　drowned　in　the　ocean…like　roar　of　the　awakened　trees　as　they　plunged　　through　the　ranks　of　peters　army；　and　then　on；　in　pursuit　of　the　telmarines。　have　you　　ever　stood　at　the　edge　of　a　great　wood　on　a　high　ridge　when　a　wild　south…wester　broke　　over　it　in　full　fury　on　an　autumn　evening？　imagine　that　sound。　and　then　imagine　that　the　　wood；　instead　of　being　fixed　to　one　place；　was　rushing　at　you；　and　was　no　longer　trees　　but　huge　people；　yet　still　like　trees　because　their　long　arms　waved　like　branches　and　their　　heads　tossed　and　leaves　fell　round　them　in　showers。　it　was　like　that　for　the　telmarines。　it　　was　a　little　alarming　even　for　the　narnians。　in　a　few　minutes　all　mirazs　followers　were　　running　down　to　the　great　river　in　the　hope　of　crossing　the　bridge　to　the　town　of　　beruna　and　there　defending　themselves　behind　ramparts　and　closed　gates。

they　reached　the　river；　but　there　was　no　bridge。　it　had　disappeared　since　　yesterday。　then　utter　panic　and　horror　fell　upon　them　and　they　all　surrendered。

but　what　had　happened　to　the　bridge？

early　that　morning；　after　a　few　hours　sleep；　the　girls　had　waked；　to　see　　aslan　standing　over　them　and　to　hear　his　voice　saying；　〃we　will　make　holiday。〃　they　rubbed　　their　eyes　and　looked　round　them。　the　trees　had　all　gone　but　could　still　be　seen　　moving　away　towards　aslans　how　in　a　dark　mass。　bacchus　and　the　maenads　…　his　fierce；　　madcap　girls　…　and　silenus　were　still　with　them。　lucy；　fully　rested；　jumped　up。　everyone　　was　awake；　everyone　was　laughing；　flutes　were　playing；　cymbals　clashing。　animals；　not　　talking　animals；　were　crowding　in　upon　them　from　every　direction。

〃what　is　it；　aslan？〃　said　lucy；　her　eyes　dancing　and　her　feet　wanting　to　　dance。

〃e；　children；〃　said　he。　〃ride　on　my　back　again　today。鈥�

〃oh；　lovely！〃　cried　lucy；　and　both　girls　climbed　on　to　the　warm　golden　back　　as　they　had　done　no　one　knew　how　many　years　before。　then　the　whole　party　moved　off　　aslan　　

leading；　bacchus　and　his　maenads　leaping；　rushing；　and　turning　somersaults；　　the　beasts　frisking　round　them；　and　silenus　and　his　donkey　bringing　up　the　rear。

they　turned　a　little　to　the　right；　raced　down　a　steep　hill；　and　found　the　　long　bridge　of　beruna　in　front　of　them。　before　they　had　begun　to　cross　it；　however；　up　out　　of　the　water　came　a　great　wet；　bearded　head；　larger　than　a　mans；　crowned　with　rushes。　　it　looked　at　aslan　and　out　of　its　mouth　a　deep　voice　came。

〃hail；　lord；〃　it　said。　〃loose　my　chains。鈥�

〃who　on　earth　is　that？〃　whispered　susan。

〃i　think　its　the　river…god；　but　hush；〃　said　lucy。

〃bacchus；〃　said　aslan。　〃deliver　him　from　his　chains。鈥�

〃that　means　the　bridge；　i　expect；〃　thought　lucy。　and　so　it　did。　bacchus　and　　his　people　splashed　forward　into　the　shallow　water；　and　a　minute　later　the　most　　curious　things　began　happening。　great；　strong　trunks　of　ivy　came　curling　up　all　the