CHAPTER SIX THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN HIDING
第六章 隱士們
NOW began the happiest times that Caspian had ever known.On a fine summer morning when the dew lay on the grass he set off with the Badger and the two Dwarfs,up through the forest to a high saddle in the mountains and down on to their sunny southern slopes where one looked across the green wolds of Archenland.
凱斯賓有生以來(lái)最快樂(lè)的時(shí)刻到來(lái)了。那是個(gè)夏天的早晨,青色小草上還帶著露珠,他與獾和兩個(gè)小矮人一起,越過(guò)樹(shù)林,翻過(guò)高山,來(lái)到了充滿陽(yáng)光的南山坡上。在南山坡上往下看,阿欽蘭的綠丘陵一覽無(wú)遺。
"We will go first to the Three Bulgy Bears,"said Trumpkin.
"我們先去找那三頭胖熊。"杜魯普金說(shuō)。
They came in a glade to an old hollow oak tree covered with moss,and Trufflehunter tapped with his paw three times on the trunk and there was no answer.Then he tapped again and a woolly sort of voice from inside said,"Go away.It's not time to get up yet."But when he tapped the third time there was a noise like a small earthquake from inside and a sort of door opened and out came three brown bears,very bulgy indeed and blinking their little eyes.And when everything had been explained to them (which took a long time because they were so sleepy) they said,just as Trufflehunter had said,that a son of Adam ought to be King of Narnia and all kissed Caspian-very wet,snuffly kisses they were-and offered him some honey.Caspian did not really want honey,without bread,at that time in the morning,but he thought it polite to accept.It took him a long time afterwards to get unsticky.
他們來(lái)到了林中的一處空地,這里最引人注目的是那棵空心橡樹(shù)。在它的周?chē)?,長(zhǎng)滿了青苔。特魯佛漢特敲了三下樹(shù)干,沒(méi)有回應(yīng)。它便繼續(xù)用力地敲,樹(shù)里頓時(shí)傳出一陣不清晰的抱怨,"走開(kāi),時(shí)間還早呢。"特魯佛漢特只好再敲了一次。終于,一陣響動(dòng)后,樹(shù)干上的門(mén)開(kāi)了,三只肥胖的棕熊慢悠悠地從里面走出來(lái),不斷地眨著他們的小眼睛。正如特魯佛漢特所料,它們?cè)诼?tīng)了凱斯賓的故事后,一致表示同意由亞當(dāng)?shù)膬鹤觼?lái)當(dāng)納尼亞的首領(lǐng),它們抽著鼻子親吻了凱斯賓,以此表達(dá)敬意。它們還拿出珍藏的蜂蜜來(lái)款待他。凱斯賓可不喜歡在大早上就吃蜂蜜,而且還沒(méi)有面包,不過(guò)出于禮貌,他還是非??蜌獾亟恿诉^(guò)來(lái)。但后來(lái),他花了好長(zhǎng)時(shí)間才擦掉手上黏乎乎的蜂蜜。
After that they went on till they came among tall beech trees and Trufflehunter called out,"Pattertwig! Pattertwig! Pattertwig!"and almost at once,bounding down from branch to branch till he was just above their heads,came the most magnificent red squirrel that Caspian had ever seen.He was far bigger than the ordinary dumb squirrels which he had sometimes seen in the castle gardens; indeed he was nearly the size of a terrier and the moment you looked in his face you saw that he could talk.Indeed the difficulty was to get him to stop talking,for,like all squirrels,he was a chatterer.He welcomed Caspian at once and asked if he would like a nut and Caspian said thanks,he would.But as Pattertwig went bounding away to fetch it,Trufflehunter whispered in Caspian' s ear,"Don' tlook.Look the other way.It's very bad manners among squirrels to watch anyone going to his store or to look as if you wanted to know where it was."Then Pattertwig came back with the nut and Caspian ate it and after that Pattertwig asked if he could take any messages to other friends."For I can go nearly everywhere without setting foot to ground,"he said.Trufflehunter and the Dwarfs thought this a very good idea and gave Pattertwig messages to all sorts of people with queer names telling them all to come to a feast and council on Dancing Lawn at midnight three nights ahead."And you'd better tell the three Bulgies too,"added Trumpkin."We forgot to mention it to them."
告別了胖熊,他們繼續(xù)前行。他們很快進(jìn)入了一片樺樹(shù)林中,特魯佛漢特大聲叫喊著:"佩蒂威格!佩蒂威格!佩蒂威格!"眨眼間,一只十分漂亮的紅色松鼠出現(xiàn)在了大家面前,它從樹(shù)上很靈敏地往下跳,最后落在離他們最近的樹(shù)枝上。你一看見(jiàn)它,就知道它和凱斯賓以前在城堡花園中看到的不會(huì)說(shuō)話的普通松鼠不同,它體格看起來(lái)差不多有小獵犬那么大,從它那張聰明、懂事的臉就可以肯定它會(huì)說(shuō)話。果然,它很愛(ài)講話。而且很快你就會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn),想讓它閉嘴是件難事。它表示歡迎凱斯賓國(guó)王的駕臨,還殷勤地問(wèn)他吃不吃點(diǎn)堅(jiān)果。凱斯賓表示了感謝并說(shuō)愿意嘗嘗。當(dāng)松鼠佩蒂威格一蹦一跳去拿堅(jiān)果時(shí),特魯佛漢特很小聲地對(duì)凱斯賓說(shuō),"請(qǐng)把臉轉(zhuǎn)開(kāi),不要盯著看。對(duì)松鼠來(lái)說(shuō),如果你看它進(jìn)倉(cāng)庫(kù),或是四處張望,就像是你想知道倉(cāng)庫(kù)在哪里,是不禮貌的。"不久,佩蒂威格拿著堅(jiān)果過(guò)來(lái)了。凱斯賓吃過(guò)后,它問(wèn)需不需要它去給好友們傳話。"我腳不碰地,就能夠去任何地方。"它自豪地說(shuō)。特魯佛漢特和小矮人們覺(jué)得這主意好,于是給許多名字聽(tīng)上去都很奇怪的動(dòng)物寫(xiě)了便條。邀請(qǐng)它們?cè)谌旌蟮陌胍沟讲萜簠⒓友鐣?huì)和政務(wù)會(huì)。"別忘記那三只棕熊,我們剛忘了跟他們說(shuō)這事。"杜魯普金補(bǔ)充說(shuō)。
Their next visit was to the Seven Brothers of Shuddering Wood.Trumpkin led the way back to the saddle and then down eastward on the northern slope of the mountains till they came to a very solemn place among rocks and fir trees.They went very quietly and presently Caspian could feel the ground shake under his feet as if someone were hammering down below.Trumpkin went to a flat stone about the size of the top of a water-butt,and stamped on it with his foot.After a long pause it was moved away by someone or something underneath,and there was a dark,round hole with a good deal of heat and steam coming out of it and in the middle of the hole the head of a Dwarf very like Trumpkin himself.There was a long talk here and the Dwarf seemed more suspicious than the Squirrel or the Bulgy Bears had been,but in the end the whole party were invited to come down.Caspian found himself descending a dark stairway into the earth,but when he came to the bottom he saw firelight.It was the light of a furnace.The whole place was a smithy.A subterranean stream ran past on one side of it.Two Dwarfs were at the bellows,another was holding a piece of red-hot metal on the anvil with a pair of tongs,a fourth was hammering it,and two,wiping their horny little hands on a greasy cloth,were coming forward to meet the visitors.It took some time to satisfy them that Caspian was a friend and not an enemy,but when they did,they all cried-"Long live the King,"and their gifts were noble-mail shirts and helmets and swords for Caspian and Trumpkin and Nikabrik.The Badger could have had the same if he had liked,but he said he was a beast,he was,and if his claws and teeth could not keep his skin whole,it wasn't worth keeping.The workmanship of the arms was far finer than any Caspian had ever seen,and he gladly accepted the Dwarf-made sword instead of his own,which looked,in comparison,as feeble as a toy and as clumsy as a stick.The seven brothers (who were all Red Dwarfs) promised to come to the feast at Dancing Lawn.
和松鼠告別后,他們又拜訪了顫栗森林的七兄弟。杜魯普金帶著大家翻山越嶺,沿著北山坡向東,最后進(jìn)入巖石和松樹(shù)中間的一個(gè)地方,這里一派莊嚴(yán)、肅穆。突然,凱斯賓感覺(jué)大地在震動(dòng),似乎地下有人在用鐵錘不斷地敲打。杜魯普金踏上一塊又扁又大的石頭,跺了幾下再站到一旁,好像在等待什么。過(guò)了好一會(huì)兒,石頭被移到一旁,露出一個(gè)洞,伴隨著熱氣和青煙,一個(gè)小矮人從洞口冒了出來(lái),看上去和杜魯普金很像。在洞口,他們聊了很久。比起松鼠和大熊,那小矮人疑心重得多了,但最后他還是請(qǐng)大家進(jìn)屋了。凱斯賓順著漆黑的臺(tái)階往下走,也不知過(guò)了多久,眼前忽然一亮,終于看見(jiàn)火光了。亮光來(lái)自煉鐵爐--原來(lái),這是鐵匠工廠。風(fēng)箱旁有兩個(gè)小矮人正賣(mài)力地干活,另一個(gè)小矮人正鉗著一塊燒紅了的鐵塊;還有一個(gè)在敲打著鐵塊。其中兩個(gè)小矮人在一塊滿是油的布上擦了擦滿是老繭的手,隨即過(guò)來(lái)迎接客人。特魯佛漢特說(shuō)了好多,才讓他倆相信凱斯賓并不是敵人而是朋友。明白了這些之后,他們一起大聲呼喊著,"國(guó)王萬(wàn)歲!"還送來(lái)他們的禮物:三套金光熠熠的盔甲和三把利劍。凱斯賓、杜魯普金和尼克布瑞克一人一套。獾本來(lái)也能得到一套,但它說(shuō)自己是動(dòng)物,再好的武器也比不上自己的爪子和牙齒。不是說(shuō)大話,這些東西的做工比凱斯賓以前看過(guò)的武器都精致多了。這么一對(duì)比,他原來(lái)的劍就像個(gè)玩具,跟棍子一樣粗糙。因此他很開(kāi)心地接過(guò)這些禮物。七兄弟(都是紅色小矮人)還開(kāi)心地答應(yīng)會(huì)去參加歡舞草坪的宴會(huì)。
A little farther on,in a dry,rocky ravine they reached the cave of five Black Dwarfs.They looked suspiciously at Caspian,but in the end the eldest of them said,"If he is against Miraz,we'll have him for King."And the next oldest said,"Shall we go farther up for you,up to the crags? There's an Ogre or two and a Hag that we could introduce you to,up there."
他們繼續(xù)往前走。在不遠(yuǎn)的地方,有一個(gè)干燥和滿是巖石的溝壑。他們?cè)谀抢镎业揭粋€(gè)山洞,里面有五個(gè)黑色小矮人。剛一見(jiàn)面,他們看著凱斯賓,眼里全是戒備和疑惑。不過(guò)后來(lái)他們的老大說(shuō),"如果他愿與彌若茲對(duì)抗,我們便尊敬他為王。"他們中的老二說(shuō),"需要我們送你一程嗎?那邊的山崖下住著幾個(gè)食人怪和一個(gè)巫婆。我們可以介紹給你認(rèn)識(shí),看,就在那邊。"
"Certainly not,"said Caspian.
"不必了。"凱斯賓說(shuō)。
"I should think not,indeed,"said Trufflehunter."We want none of that sort on our side."Nikabrik disagreed with this,but Trumpkin and the Badger overruled him.It gave Caspian a shock to realize that the horrible creatures out of the old stories,as well as the nice ones,had some descendants in Narnia still.
"我看也沒(méi)那個(gè)必要,"特魯佛漢特說(shuō),"我們不要讓那些家伙混入我們的隊(duì)伍。"尼克布瑞克不同意這點(diǎn),但杜魯普金和獾否決了他的意見(jiàn)。凱斯賓感到非常震驚,他這才發(fā)現(xiàn),納尼亞那些古老的故事里的可怕生靈們也有自己的后代。
"We should not have Aslan for friend if we brought in that rabble,"said Trufflehunter as they came away from the cave of the Black Dwarfs.
"我們一旦接受了那些壞蛋,阿斯蘭就不愿意做我們的朋友了。"他們從黑色小矮人的山洞走出來(lái)后,特魯佛漢特這樣說(shuō)。
"Oh,Aslan!"said Trumpkin,cheerily but contemptuously.
"哦,阿斯蘭!"杜魯普金看似歡快卻帶著點(diǎn)輕蔑地說(shuō),
"What matters much more is that you wouldn't have me."
"要是你們沒(méi)有了我這個(gè)朋友,才叫不行呢!"
"Do you believe in Aslan?"said Caspian to Nikabrik.
"你相信阿斯蘭嗎?"凱斯賓問(wèn)尼克布瑞克。
"I'll believe in anyone or anything,"said Nikabrik,"that'll batter these cursed Telmarine barbarians to pieces or drive them out of Narnia.Anyone or anything,Aslan or the White Witch,do you understand?"
"任何人、任何東西,我都相信。"尼克布瑞克說(shuō),"只要他能打敗可惡的臺(tái)爾馬暴徒,把他們從納尼亞驅(qū)逐出去,我不管他是人還是什么東西,也不管他叫阿斯蘭還是白女巫,你懂嗎?"
"Silence,silence,"said Trufflehunter."You do not know what you are saying.She was a worse enemy than Miraz and all his race."
"閉嘴,閉嘴!"特魯佛漢特說(shuō),"你都不清楚自己在說(shuō)什么。白女巫可比彌若茲和他的同類更危險(xiǎn)。"
"Not to Dwarfs,she wasn't,"said Nikabrik.
"她倒不是我們小矮人的敵人。"尼克布瑞克說(shuō)。
Their next visit was a pleasanter one.As they came lower down,the mountains opened out into a great glen or wooded gorge with a swift river running at the bottom.The open places near the river's edge were a mass of foxgloves and wild roses and the air was buzzing with bees.Here Trufflehunter called again,"Glenstorm! Glenstorm!"and after a pause Caspian heard the sound of hoofs.It grew louder till the valley trembled and at last,breaking and trampling the thickets,there came in sight the noblest creatures that Caspian had yet seen,the great Centaur Glenstorm and his three sons.His flanks were glossy chestnut and the beard that covered his broad chest was golden-red.He was a prophet and a star-gazer and knew what they had come about.
接下來(lái)的拜訪就要愉快順利得多了。他們沿著山坡下去,進(jìn)入一個(gè)寬敞的幽谷。一條湍急的河穿過(guò)谷底,成片的毛地黃和夜玫瑰鋪在河邊空地上,蜜蜂嗡嗡地來(lái)來(lái)回回忙碌著。特魯佛漢特大聲喊話,"格蘭仕托姆!格蘭仕托姆!"過(guò)了一會(huì)兒,凱斯賓聽(tīng)到了越來(lái)越近的馬蹄聲,震得河谷都隨之動(dòng)起來(lái)。忽然,他們看到灌木叢中跑出來(lái)幾個(gè)動(dòng)物。這是凱斯賓這一生見(jiàn)過(guò)的最奇特、最高貴的動(dòng)物--人馬格蘭仕托姆,他的三個(gè)兒子緊隨他身后。他健碩的馬身散發(fā)著栗色的光芒,胸前是一綹金紅色的胡須隨風(fēng)飄揚(yáng)。他是預(yù)言師,又是占星師,自然明白他的客人為何而來(lái)。
"Long live the King,"he cried."I and my sons are ready for war.When is the battle to be joined?"
"國(guó)王萬(wàn)歲!"他喊道,"我和我的孩子們已經(jīng)做好了戰(zhàn)斗的準(zhǔn)備。戰(zhàn)斗什么時(shí)候開(kāi)始?"
Up till now neither Caspian nor the others had really been thinking of a war.They had some vague idea,perhaps,of an occasional raid on some Human farmstead or of attacking a party of hunters,if it ventured too far into these southern wilds.But,in the main,they had thought only of living to themselves in woods and caves and building up an attempt at Old Narnia in hiding.As soon as Glenstorm had spoken everyone felt much more serious.
哪怕到現(xiàn)在,其實(shí)凱斯賓和其他幾人都還沒(méi)有考慮過(guò)打仗這事,他們只是有一些大概的想法。比如說(shuō),偷襲農(nóng)夫和獵人,要是他們還敢騷擾這片森林的話。他們只是希望建立一個(gè)隱匿的、傳統(tǒng)的納尼亞,可以供大家居住,僅此而已。格蘭仕托姆的話讓大家一下清醒過(guò)來(lái)了。
"Do you mean a real war to drive Miraz out of Narnia?"asked Caspian.
"你的意思是發(fā)動(dòng)一場(chǎng)正義的戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng),徹底地將彌若茲驅(qū)逐出納尼亞?"凱斯賓問(wèn)。
"What else?"said the Centaur."Why else does your Majesty go clad in mail and girt with sword?"
"不然呢?"人馬說(shuō),"陛下穿著鎧甲,佩帶寶劍,不正是為了這個(gè)嗎?"
"Is it possible,Glenstorm?"said the Badger.
"有勝算嗎,格蘭仕托姆?" 獾問(wèn)道。
"The time is ripe,"said Glenstorm."I watch the skies,Badger,for it is mine to watch,as it is yours to remember.Tarva and Alambil have met in the halls of high heaven,and on earth a son of Adam has once more arisen to rule and name the creatures.The hour has struck.Our council at the Dancing Lawn must be a council of war."He spoke in such a voice that neither Caspian nor the others hesitated for a moment: it now seemed to them quite possible that they might win a war and quite certain that they must wage one.
"時(shí)機(jī)剛剛好,"格蘭仕托姆說(shuō),"我觀察過(guò)星相,獾老弟你知道的,觀察星相是我的強(qiáng)項(xiàng),就像你能牢記歷史一樣。在天上,塔瓦和阿拉姆畢爾兩顆行星相會(huì),而在大地上,亞當(dāng)?shù)暮⒆訉⒄偌㈩I(lǐng)導(dǎo)著納尼亞人民去為自由戰(zhàn)斗。你們聽(tīng),鐘聲都響了,這次歡舞草坪的會(huì)議就是要?jiǎng)訂T大家參加這場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)。"他自信滿滿,聽(tīng)得凱斯賓和其他幾人也蠢蠢欲動(dòng)。他們覺(jué)得,這會(huì)是一場(chǎng)難以避免的正義之戰(zhàn),而最終的勝利必將屬于他們。
As it was now past the middle of the day,they rested with the Centaurs and ate such food as the centaurs provided-cakes of oaten meal,and apples,and herbs,and wine,and cheese.
時(shí)間到了中午,他們和人馬父子一起吃飯,人馬用燕麥餅、蘋(píng)果、香草、酒和乳酪招待了他們。
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 common mouse,well over a foot high when he stood on his hind legs,and with ears nearly as long as (though broader than) a rabbit's.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 Majesty's disposal."Caspian tried hard (and successfully) not to laugh,but he couldn't help thinking that Reepicheep and all his people could very easily be put in a washing basket and carried home on one's back.
他們下午要去拜訪的地方并不遠(yuǎn),就是要繞一個(gè)大彎,才能避開(kāi)人類的居住區(qū)。當(dāng)他們終于在河岸附近的一個(gè)洞口前停下來(lái)時(shí),特魯佛漢特又喊了起來(lái)。不過(guò)這次話音未落,就有東西突然從洞里蹦了出來(lái)。凱斯賓沒(méi)想到,這次是一只會(huì)說(shuō)話的老鼠。 毋庸置疑,它可比一般的老鼠大多了,它后腿立起大概有一尺多高,而它的兩只大耳朵幾乎跟兔子一般長(zhǎng)(甚至還要寬些)。它叫雷佩契普,小家伙快活又英勇,它的腰間佩帶的寶劍,小巧又鋒利。它還時(shí)不時(shí)捻動(dòng)它那幾根胡須,顯得很神氣。"陛下,我們總共有十二名鼠將。"它表現(xiàn)得非常恭敬,還快速又優(yōu)美地他鞠了一躬,"我所有的軍馬都愿意聽(tīng)從陛下的安排!"凱斯賓見(jiàn)它十分認(rèn)真的模樣,差點(diǎn)沒(méi)忍住笑出來(lái)。要知道雷佩契普和它的手下,只要用一只晾衣籃子,就能讓任何人毫不費(fèi)力地帶回家。
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).
他們那天見(jiàn)了好多朋友。如果要一個(gè)一個(gè)地講述這朋友,會(huì)很費(fèi)時(shí)間--有鉆洞高手鼴鼠,鋼牙利爪的獾家族,野兔卡梅羅,以及刺猬豪格爾斯道克等等。最后,他們?cè)谝豢诰呁O?,想休息一?huì)兒。井旁有大片軟軟的草坪,周?chē)怯軜?shù)。這時(shí),投在地上的樹(shù)影被拉得很長(zhǎng),太陽(yáng)開(kāi)始落山了。雛菊花慢慢合攏花瓣,白嘴鳥(niǎo)也陸續(xù)飛回家了。他們席地而坐,準(zhǔn)備吃晚飯。杜魯普金點(diǎn)著了他的大煙斗(尼克布瑞克不抽煙)。
"Now,"said the Badger,"if only we could wake the spirits of these trees and this well,we should have done a good day's work."
"我說(shuō),"獾說(shuō),"如果我們可以喚醒這兒的樹(shù)神,那今天就真的太圓滿了。"
"Can't we?"said Caspian.
"我們做不到嗎?"凱斯賓說(shuō)。
"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."
"做不到,"獾說(shuō),"我們沒(méi)那個(gè)能力,隨著人類的到來(lái),這塊土地的樹(shù)木被砍伐,河流被污染,樹(shù)神和水神都已經(jīng)消失好久了,沒(méi)人知道他們是否還在。對(duì)我們來(lái)講,這個(gè)損失太大了。要知道,那些臺(tái)爾馬人最懼怕樹(shù)林,只要大樹(shù)們發(fā)怒,他們就會(huì)抱頭鼠竄,迅速逃離納尼亞。"
"What imaginations you Animals have!"said Trumpkin,who didn't believe in such things."But why stop at Trees and Waters? Wouldn't it be even nicer if the stones started throwing themselves at old Miraz?"
"你們動(dòng)物的想象力真豐富!"杜魯普金說(shuō),這話他壓根不信,"你為什么只說(shuō)到樹(shù)和水呢,為什么不繼續(xù)說(shuō)下去?如果石頭可以自己飛起來(lái),直接砸向彌若茲,不是更妙嗎?"
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.
聽(tīng)到這話,獾哼了一聲,表示不屑。之后大家都沒(méi)有再說(shuō)話,凱斯賓差點(diǎn)都要睡著了。突然,他好像聽(tīng)見(jiàn)從后面的樹(shù)林深處傳來(lái)一陣低沉奇異的音樂(lè)。起初,他以為那是幻覺(jué)。于是,翻身打算接著睡,然而他耳朵才靠近地面,他立馬又聽(tīng)見(jiàn)了那樂(lè)聲,也許應(yīng)該說(shuō)是感覺(jué)到(總之很難說(shuō)是哪一種)一陣輕微的敲打聲。他一抬頭,那敲打聲就減弱了,可音樂(lè)聲又來(lái)了,而且這次更加清晰,好像是笛聲。他看到特魯佛漢特直起身,雙眼注視著森林。這時(shí),天已經(jīng)黑了,天上的月亮灑下皎潔溫和的光。凱斯賓睡了個(gè)大覺(jué),睡得比他想象要久。那音樂(lè)聲越來(lái)越近,旋律很粗獷卻又讓人精神恍惚。終于,隨著輕快的腳步聲,從樹(shù)林里來(lái)到月光下的是一群翩翩舞動(dòng)的身影--多年來(lái),這些身影一直縈繞在凱斯賓心頭。他們比小矮人高一點(diǎn),但是身材苗條,姿態(tài)優(yōu)美。在曲卷的頭發(fā)上,長(zhǎng)著兩只角,赤裸的上身在月光下散發(fā)一種光輝,它們的腿腳長(zhǎng)得和山羊一樣。
"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.
"羊怪!"凱斯賓一躍而起,喊出聲來(lái)。羊怪們立即友善地將他包圍著。他們好像心靈相通,沒(méi)有怎么交流,相互間便有了理解和信任。凱斯賓不由自主地加入到他們的舞蹈中。他們跳得很認(rèn)真,很熱情。杜魯普金踏著步子,也跟著擺動(dòng)著他那笨拙的身子跳了起來(lái),連特魯佛漢特也努力地蹦著,扭動(dòng)著。只有尼克布瑞克在一旁悶悶不樂(lè),只是默默地看著。羊怪們用它們細(xì)小的蹄子圍著凱斯賓跳來(lái)跳去,那些面孔看上去時(shí)而悲哀,時(shí)而歡快。和他們住在一起的還有幾十個(gè)小矮人,曼蒂猶斯、奧本蒂納斯、達(dá)姆納斯等人都被叫了過(guò)來(lái),向新王致敬。
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.
第二天早上凱斯賓醒來(lái),想起昨晚的事,他簡(jiǎn)直不敢相信這一切是真的。但草地上到處都是羊的蹄印。
CHAPTER SIX THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN HIDING
NOW began the happiest times that Caspian had ever known.On a fine summer morning when the dew lay on the grass he set off with the Badger and the two Dwarfs,up through the forest to a high saddle in the mountains and down on to their sunny southern slopes where one looked across the green wolds of Archenland.
"We will go first to the Three Bulgy Bears,"said Trumpkin.
They came in a glade to an old hollow oak tree covered with moss,and Trufflehunter tapped with his paw three times on the trunk and there was no answer.Then he tapped again and a woolly sort of voice from inside said,"Go away.It's not time to get up yet."But when he tapped the third time there was a noise like a small earthquake from inside and a sort of door opened and out came three brown bears,very bulgy indeed and blinking their little eyes.And when everything had been explained to them (which took a long time because they were so sleepy) they said,just as Trufflehunter had said,that a son of Adam ought to be King of Narnia and all kissed Caspian-very wet,snuffly kisses they were-and offered him some honey.Caspian did not really want honey,without bread,at that time in the morning,but he thought it polite to accept.It took him a long time afterwards to get unsticky.
After that they went on till they came among tall beech trees and Trufflehunter called out,"Pattertwig! Pattertwig! Pattertwig!"and almost at once,bounding down from branch to branch till he was just above their heads,came the most magnificent red squirrel that Caspian had ever seen.He was far bigger than the ordinary dumb squirrels which he had sometimes seen in the castle gardens; indeed he was nearly the size of a terrier and the moment you looked in his face you saw that he could talk.Indeed the difficulty was to get him to stop talking,for,like all squirrels,he was a chatterer.He welcomed Caspian at once and asked if he would like a nut and Caspian said thanks,he would.But as Pattertwig went bounding away to fetch it,Trufflehunter whispered in Caspian' s ear,"Don' tlook.Look the other way.It's very bad manners among squirrels to watch anyone going to his store or to look as if you wanted to know where it was."Then Pattertwig came back with the nut and Caspian ate it and after that Pattertwig asked if he could take any messages to other friends."For I can go nearly everywhere without setting foot to ground,"he said.Trufflehunter and the Dwarfs thought this a very good idea and gave Pattertwig messages to all sorts of people with queer names telling them all to come to a feast and council on Dancing Lawn at midnight three nights ahead."And you'd better tell the three Bulgies too,"added Trumpkin."We forgot to mention it to them."
Their next visit was to the Seven Brothers of Shuddering Wood.Trumpkin led the way back to the saddle and then down eastward on the northern slope of the mountains till they came to a very solemn place among rocks and fir trees.They went very quietly and presently Caspian could feel the ground shake under his feet as if someone were hammering down below.Trumpkin went to a flat stone about the size of the top of a water-butt,and stamped on it with his foot.After a long pause it was moved away by someone or something underneath,and there was a dark,round hole with a good deal of heat and steam coming out of it and in the middle of the hole the head of a Dwarf very like Trumpkin himself.There was a long talk here and the Dwarf seemed more suspicious than the Squirrel or the Bulgy Bears had been,but in the end the whole party were invited to come down.Caspian found himself descending a dark stairway into the earth,but when he came to the bottom he saw firelight.It was the light of a furnace.The whole place was a smithy.A subterranean stream ran past on one side of it.Two Dwarfs were at the bellows,another was holding a piece of red-hot metal on the anvil with a pair of tongs,a fourth was hammering it,and two,wiping their horny little hands on a greasy cloth,were coming forward to meet the visitors.It took some time to satisfy them that Caspian was a friend and not an enemy,but when they did,they all cried-"Long live the King,"and their gifts were noble-mail shirts and helmets and swords for Caspian and Trumpkin and Nikabrik.The Badger could have had the same if he had liked,but he said he was a beast,he was,and if his claws and teeth could not keep his skin whole,it wasn't worth keeping.The workmanship of the arms was far finer than any Caspian had ever seen,and he gladly accepted the Dwarf-made sword instead of his own,which looked,in comparison,as feeble as a toy and as clumsy as a stick.The seven brothers (who were all Red Dwarfs) promised to come to the feast at Dancing Lawn.
A little farther on,in a dry,rocky ravine they reached the cave of five Black Dwarfs.They looked suspiciously at Caspian,but in the end the eldest of them said,"If he is against Miraz,we'll have him for King."And the next oldest said,"Shall we go farther up for you,up to the crags? There's an Ogre or two and a Hag that we could introduce you to,up there."
"Certainly not,"said Caspian.
"I should think not,indeed,"said Trufflehunter."We want none of that sort on our side."Nikabrik disagreed with this,but Trumpkin and the Badger overruled him.It gave Caspian a shock to realize that the horrible creatures out of the old stories,as well as the nice ones,had some descendants in Narnia still.
"We should not have Aslan for friend if we brought in that rabble,"said Trufflehunter as they came away from the cave of the Black Dwarfs.
"Oh,Aslan!"said Trumpkin,cheerily but contemptuously.
"What matters much more is that you wouldn't have me."
"Do you believe in Aslan?"said Caspian to Nikabrik.
"I'll believe in anyone or anything,"said Nikabrik,"that'll batter these cursed Telmarine barbarians to pieces or drive them out of Narnia.Anyone or anything,Aslan or the White Witch,do you understand?"
"Silence,silence,"said Trufflehunter."You do not know what you are saying.She was a worse enemy than Miraz and all his race."
"Not to Dwarfs,she wasn't,"said Nikabrik.
Their next visit was a pleasanter one.As they came lower down,the mountains opened out into a great glen or wooded gorge with a swift river running at the bottom.The open places near the river's edge were a mass of foxgloves and wild roses and the air was buzzing with bees.Here Trufflehunter called again,"Glenstorm! Glenstorm!"and after a pause Caspian heard the sound of hoofs.It grew louder till the valley trembled and at last,breaking and trampling the thickets,there came in sight the noblest creatures that Caspian had yet seen,the great Centaur Glenstorm and his three sons.His flanks were glossy chestnut and the beard that covered his broad chest was golden-red.He was a prophet and a star-gazer and knew what they had come about.
"Long live the King,"he cried."I and my sons are ready for war.When is the battle to be joined?"
Up till now neither Caspian nor the others had really been thinking of a war.They had some vague idea,perhaps,of an occasional raid on some Human farmstead or of attacking a party of hunters,if it ventured too far into these southern wilds.But,in the main,they had thought only of living to themselves in woods and caves and building up an attempt at Old Narnia in hiding.As soon as Glenstorm had spoken everyone felt much more serious.
"Do you mean a real war to drive Miraz out of Narnia?"asked Caspian.
"What else?"said the Centaur."Why else does your Majesty go clad in mail and girt with sword?"
"Is it possible,Glenstorm?"said the Badger.
"The time is ripe,"said Glenstorm."I watch the skies,Badger,for it is mine to watch,as it is yours to remember.Tarva and Alambil have met in the halls of high heaven,and on earth a son of Adam has once more arisen to rule and name the creatures.The hour has struck.Our council at the Dancing Lawn must be a council of war."He spoke in such a voice that neither Caspian nor the others hesitated for a moment: it now seemed to them quite possible that they might win a war and quite certain that they must wage one.
As it was now past the middle of the day,they rested with the Centaurs and ate such food as the centaurs provided-cakes of oaten meal,and apples,and herbs,and wine,and cheese.
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 common mouse,well over a foot high when he stood on his hind legs,and with ears nearly as long as (though broader than) a rabbit's.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 Majesty's disposal."Caspian tried hard (and successfully) not to laugh,but he couldn't help thinking that Reepicheep and all his people could very easily be put in a washing basket and carried home on one's 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 day's work."
"Can't 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."
"What imaginations you Animals have!"said Trumpkin,who didn't believe in such things."But why stop at Trees and Waters? Wouldn't it be even nicer if the stones started throwing themselves at old Miraz?"
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.
第六章 隱士們
凱斯賓有生以來(lái)最快樂(lè)的時(shí)刻到來(lái)了。那是個(gè)夏天的早晨,青色小草上還帶著露珠,他與獾和兩個(gè)小矮人一起,越過(guò)樹(shù)林,翻過(guò)高山,來(lái)到了充滿陽(yáng)光的南山坡上。在南山坡上往下看,阿欽蘭的綠丘陵一覽無(wú)遺。
"我們先去找那三頭胖熊。"杜魯普金說(shuō)。
他們來(lái)到了林中的一處空地,這里最引人注目的是那棵空心橡樹(shù)。在它的周?chē)?,長(zhǎng)滿了青苔。特魯佛漢特敲了三下樹(shù)干,沒(méi)有回應(yīng)。它便繼續(xù)用力地敲,樹(shù)里頓時(shí)傳出一陣不清晰的抱怨,"走開(kāi),時(shí)間還早呢。"特魯佛漢特只好再敲了一次。終于,一陣響動(dòng)后,樹(shù)干上的門(mén)開(kāi)了,三只肥胖的棕熊慢悠悠地從里面走出來(lái),不斷地眨著他們的小眼睛。正如特魯佛漢特所料,它們?cè)诼?tīng)了凱斯賓的故事后,一致表示同意由亞當(dāng)?shù)膬鹤觼?lái)當(dāng)納尼亞的首領(lǐng),它們抽著鼻子親吻了凱斯賓,以此表達(dá)敬意。它們還拿出珍藏的蜂蜜來(lái)款待他。凱斯賓可不喜歡在大早上就吃蜂蜜,而且還沒(méi)有面包,不過(guò)出于禮貌,他還是非??蜌獾亟恿诉^(guò)來(lái)。但后來(lái),他花了好長(zhǎng)時(shí)間才擦掉手上黏乎乎的蜂蜜。
告別了胖熊,他們繼續(xù)前行。他們很快進(jìn)入了一片樺樹(shù)林中,特魯佛漢特大聲叫喊著:"佩蒂威格!佩蒂威格!佩蒂威格!"眨眼間,一只十分漂亮的紅色松鼠出現(xiàn)在了大家面前,它從樹(shù)上很靈敏地往下跳,最后落在離他們最近的樹(shù)枝上。你一看見(jiàn)它,就知道它和凱斯賓以前在城堡花園中看到的不會(huì)說(shuō)話的普通松鼠不同,它體格看起來(lái)差不多有小獵犬那么大,從它那張聰明、懂事的臉就可以肯定它會(huì)說(shuō)話。果然,它很愛(ài)講話。而且很快你就會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn),想讓它閉嘴是件難事。它表示歡迎凱斯賓國(guó)王的駕臨,還殷勤地問(wèn)他吃不吃點(diǎn)堅(jiān)果。凱斯賓表示了感謝并說(shuō)愿意嘗嘗。當(dāng)松鼠佩蒂威格一蹦一跳去拿堅(jiān)果時(shí),特魯佛漢特很小聲地對(duì)凱斯賓說(shuō),"請(qǐng)把臉轉(zhuǎn)開(kāi),不要盯著看。對(duì)松鼠來(lái)說(shuō),如果你看它進(jìn)倉(cāng)庫(kù),或是四處張望,就像是你想知道倉(cāng)庫(kù)在哪里,是不禮貌的。"不久,佩蒂威格拿著堅(jiān)果過(guò)來(lái)了。凱斯賓吃過(guò)后,它問(wèn)需不需要它去給好友們傳話。"我腳不碰地,就能夠去任何地方。"它自豪地說(shuō)。特魯佛漢特和小矮人們覺(jué)得這主意好,于是給許多名字聽(tīng)上去都很奇怪的動(dòng)物寫(xiě)了便條。邀請(qǐng)它們?cè)谌旌蟮陌胍沟讲萜簠⒓友鐣?huì)和政務(wù)會(huì)。"別忘記那三只棕熊,我們剛忘了跟他們說(shuō)這事。"杜魯普金補(bǔ)充說(shuō)。
" 和松鼠告別后,他們又拜訪了顫栗森林的七兄弟。杜魯普金帶著大家翻山越嶺,沿著北山坡向東,最后進(jìn)入巖石和松樹(shù)中間的一個(gè)地方,這里一派莊嚴(yán)、肅穆。突然,凱斯賓感覺(jué)大地在震動(dòng),似乎地下有人在用鐵錘不斷地敲打。杜魯普金踏上一塊又扁又大的石頭,跺了幾下再站到一旁,好像在等待什么。過(guò)了好一會(huì)兒,石頭被移到一旁,露出一個(gè)洞,伴隨著熱氣和青煙,一個(gè)小矮人從洞口冒了出來(lái),看上去和杜魯普金很像。在洞口,他們聊了很久。比起松鼠和大熊,那小矮人疑心重得多了,但最后他還是請(qǐng)大家進(jìn)屋了。凱斯賓順著漆黑的臺(tái)階往下走,也不知過(guò)了多久,眼前忽然一亮,終于看見(jiàn)火光了。亮光來(lái)自煉鐵爐--原來(lái),這是鐵匠工廠。風(fēng)箱旁有兩個(gè)小矮人正賣(mài)力地干活,另一個(gè)小矮人正鉗著一塊燒紅了的鐵塊;還有一個(gè)在敲打著鐵塊。其中兩個(gè)小矮人在一塊滿是油的布上擦了擦滿是老繭的手,隨即過(guò)來(lái)迎接客人。特魯佛漢特說(shuō)了好多,才讓他倆相信凱斯賓并不是敵人而是朋友。明白了這些之后,他們一起大聲呼喊著,""國(guó)王萬(wàn)歲!""還送來(lái)他們的禮物:三套金光熠熠的盔甲和三把利劍。凱斯賓、杜魯普金和尼克布瑞克一人一套。獾本來(lái)也能得到一套,但它說(shuō)自己是動(dòng)物,再好的武器也比不上自己的爪子和牙齒。不是說(shuō)大話,這些東西的做工比凱斯賓以前看過(guò)的武器都精致多了。這么一對(duì)比,他原來(lái)的劍就像個(gè)玩具,跟棍子一樣粗糙。因此他很開(kāi)心地接過(guò)這些禮物。七兄弟(都是紅色小矮人)還開(kāi)心地答應(yīng)會(huì)去參加歡舞草坪的宴會(huì)。
"
他們繼續(xù)往前走。在不遠(yuǎn)的地方,有一個(gè)干燥和滿是巖石的溝壑。他們?cè)谀抢镎业揭粋€(gè)山洞,里面有五個(gè)黑色小矮人。剛一見(jiàn)面,他們看著凱斯賓,眼里全是戒備和疑惑。不過(guò)后來(lái)他們的老大說(shuō),"如果他愿與彌若茲對(duì)抗,我們便尊敬他為王。"他們中的老二說(shuō),"需要我們送你一程嗎?那邊的山崖下住著幾個(gè)食人怪和一個(gè)巫婆。我們可以介紹給你認(rèn)識(shí),看,就在那邊。"
"不必了。"凱斯賓說(shuō)。
"我看也沒(méi)那個(gè)必要,"特魯佛漢特說(shuō),"我們不要讓那些家伙混入我們的隊(duì)伍。"尼克布瑞克不同意這點(diǎn),但杜魯普金和獾否決了他的意見(jiàn)。凱斯賓感到非常震驚,他這才發(fā)現(xiàn),納尼亞那些古老的故事里的可怕生靈們也有自己的后代。
"我們一旦接受了那些壞蛋,阿斯蘭就不愿意做我們的朋友了。"他們從黑色小矮人的山洞走出來(lái)后,特魯佛漢特這樣說(shuō)。
"哦,阿斯蘭!"杜魯普金看似歡快卻帶著點(diǎn)輕蔑地說(shuō),
"""要是你們沒(méi)有了我這個(gè)朋友,才叫不行呢!"""
"你相信阿斯蘭嗎?"凱斯賓問(wèn)尼克布瑞克。
"任何人、任何東西,我都相信。"尼克布瑞克說(shuō),"只要他能打敗可惡的臺(tái)爾馬暴徒,把他們從納尼亞驅(qū)逐出去,我不管他是人還是什么東西,也不管他叫阿斯蘭還是白女巫,你懂嗎?"
"閉嘴,閉嘴!"特魯佛漢特說(shuō),"你都不清楚自己在說(shuō)什么。白女巫可比彌若茲和他的同類更危險(xiǎn)。"
"她倒不是我們小矮人的敵人。"尼克布瑞克說(shuō)。
接下來(lái)的拜訪就要愉快順利得多了。他們沿著山坡下去,進(jìn)入一個(gè)寬敞的幽谷。一條湍急的河穿過(guò)谷底,成片的毛地黃和夜玫瑰鋪在河邊空地上,蜜蜂嗡嗡地來(lái)來(lái)回回忙碌著。特魯佛漢特大聲喊話,"格蘭仕托姆!格蘭仕托姆!"過(guò)了一會(huì)兒,凱斯賓聽(tīng)到了越來(lái)越近的馬蹄聲,震得河谷都隨之動(dòng)起來(lái)。忽然,他們看到灌木叢中跑出來(lái)幾個(gè)動(dòng)物。這是凱斯賓這一生見(jiàn)過(guò)的最奇特、最高貴的動(dòng)物--人馬格蘭仕托姆,他的三個(gè)兒子緊隨他身后。他健碩的馬身散發(fā)著栗色的光芒,胸前是一綹金紅色的胡須隨風(fēng)飄揚(yáng)。他是預(yù)言師,又是占星師,自然明白他的客人為何而來(lái)。
"國(guó)王萬(wàn)歲!"他喊道,"我和我的孩子們已經(jīng)做好了戰(zhàn)斗的準(zhǔn)備。戰(zhàn)斗什么時(shí)候開(kāi)始?"
哪怕到現(xiàn)在,其實(shí)凱斯賓和其他幾人都還沒(méi)有考慮過(guò)打仗這事,他們只是有一些大概的想法。比如說(shuō),偷襲農(nóng)夫和獵人,要是他們還敢騷擾這片森林的話。他們只是希望建立一個(gè)隱匿的、傳統(tǒng)的納尼亞,可以供大家居住,僅此而已。格蘭仕托姆的話讓大家一下清醒過(guò)來(lái)了。
"你的意思是發(fā)動(dòng)一場(chǎng)正義的戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng),徹底地將彌若茲驅(qū)逐出納尼亞?"凱斯賓問(wèn)。
"不然呢?"人馬說(shuō),"陛下穿著鎧甲,佩帶寶劍,不正是為了這個(gè)嗎?"
"有勝算嗎,格蘭仕托姆?" 獾問(wèn)道。
"時(shí)機(jī)剛剛好,"格蘭仕托姆說(shuō),"我觀察過(guò)星相,獾老弟你知道的,觀察星相是我的強(qiáng)項(xiàng),就像你能牢記歷史一樣。在天上,塔瓦和阿拉姆畢爾兩顆行星相會(huì),而在大地上,亞當(dāng)?shù)暮⒆訉⒄偌㈩I(lǐng)導(dǎo)著納尼亞人民去為自由戰(zhàn)斗。你們聽(tīng),鐘聲都響了,這次歡舞草坪的會(huì)議就是要?jiǎng)訂T大家參加這場(chǎng)戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)。"他自信滿滿,聽(tīng)得凱斯賓和其他幾人也蠢蠢欲動(dòng)。他們覺(jué)得,這會(huì)是一場(chǎng)難以避免的正義之戰(zhàn),而最終的勝利必將屬于他們。
時(shí)間到了中午,他們和人馬父子一起吃飯,人馬用燕麥餅、蘋(píng)果、香草、酒和乳酪招待了他們。
他們下午要去拜訪的地方并不遠(yuǎn),就是要繞一個(gè)大彎,才能避開(kāi)人類的居住區(qū)。當(dāng)他們終于在河岸附近的一個(gè)洞口前停下來(lái)時(shí),特魯佛漢特又喊了起來(lái)。不過(guò)這次話音未落,就有東西突然從洞里蹦了出來(lái)。凱斯賓沒(méi)想到,這次是一只會(huì)說(shuō)話的老鼠?!∥阌怪靡桑杀纫话愕睦鲜蟠蠖嗔?,它后腿立起大概有一尺多高,而它的兩只大耳朵幾乎跟兔子一般長(zhǎng)(甚至還要寬些)。它叫雷佩契普,小家伙快活又英勇,它的腰間佩帶的寶劍,小巧又鋒利。它還時(shí)不時(shí)捻動(dòng)它那幾根胡須,顯得很神氣。"陛下,我們總共有十二名鼠將。"它表現(xiàn)得非常恭敬,還快速又優(yōu)美地他鞠了一躬,"我所有的軍馬都愿意聽(tīng)從陛下的安排!"凱斯賓見(jiàn)它十分認(rèn)真的模樣,差點(diǎn)沒(méi)忍住笑出來(lái)。要知道雷佩契普和它的手下,只要用一只晾衣籃子,就能讓任何人毫不費(fèi)力地帶回家。
他們那天見(jiàn)了好多朋友。如果要一個(gè)一個(gè)地講述這朋友,會(huì)很費(fèi)時(shí)間--有鉆洞高手鼴鼠,鋼牙利爪的獾家族,野兔卡梅羅,以及刺猬豪格爾斯道克等等。最后,他們?cè)谝豢诰呁O?,想休息一?huì)兒。井旁有大片軟軟的草坪,周?chē)怯軜?shù)。這時(shí),投在地上的樹(shù)影被拉得很長(zhǎng),太陽(yáng)開(kāi)始落山了。雛菊花慢慢合攏花瓣,白嘴鳥(niǎo)也陸續(xù)飛回家了。他們席地而坐,準(zhǔn)備吃晚飯。杜魯普金點(diǎn)著了他的大煙斗(尼克布瑞克不抽煙)。
"我說(shuō),"獾說(shuō),"如果我們可以喚醒這兒的樹(shù)神,那今天就真的太圓滿了。"
"我們做不到嗎?"凱斯賓說(shuō)。
"做不到,"獾說(shuō),"我們沒(méi)那個(gè)能力,隨著人類的到來(lái),這塊土地的樹(shù)木被砍伐,河流被污染,樹(shù)神和水神都已經(jīng)消失好久了,沒(méi)人知道他們是否還在。對(duì)我們來(lái)講,這個(gè)損失太大了。要知道,那些臺(tái)爾馬人最懼怕樹(shù)林,只要大樹(shù)們發(fā)怒,他們就會(huì)抱頭鼠竄,迅速逃離納尼亞。"
"你們動(dòng)物的想象力真豐富!"杜魯普金說(shuō),這話他壓根不信,"你為什么只說(shuō)到樹(shù)和水呢,為什么不繼續(xù)說(shuō)下去?如果石頭可以自己飛起來(lái),直接砸向彌若茲,不是更妙嗎?"
聽(tīng)到這話,獾哼了一聲,表示不屑。之后大家都沒(méi)有再說(shuō)話,凱斯賓差點(diǎn)都要睡著了。突然,他好像聽(tīng)見(jiàn)從后面的樹(shù)林深處傳來(lái)一陣低沉奇異的音樂(lè)。起初,他以為那是幻覺(jué)。于是,翻身打算接著睡,然而他耳朵才靠近地面,他立馬又聽(tīng)見(jiàn)了那樂(lè)聲,也許應(yīng)該說(shuō)是感覺(jué)到(總之很難說(shuō)是哪一種)一陣輕微的敲打聲。他一抬頭,那敲打聲就減弱了,可音樂(lè)聲又來(lái)了,而且這次更加清晰,好像是笛聲。他看到特魯佛漢特直起身,雙眼注視著森林。這時(shí),天已經(jīng)黑了,天上的月亮灑下皎潔溫和的光。凱斯賓睡了個(gè)大覺(jué),睡得比他想象要久。那音樂(lè)聲越來(lái)越近,旋律很粗獷卻又讓人精神恍惚。終于,隨著輕快的腳步聲,從樹(shù)林里來(lái)到月光下的是一群翩翩舞動(dòng)的身影--多年來(lái),這些身影一直縈繞在凱斯賓心頭。他們比小矮人高一點(diǎn),但是身材苗條,姿態(tài)優(yōu)美。在曲卷的頭發(fā)上,長(zhǎng)著兩只角,赤裸的上身在月光下散發(fā)一種光輝,它們的腿腳長(zhǎng)得和山羊一樣。
"羊怪!"凱斯賓一躍而起,喊出聲來(lái)。羊怪們立即友善地將他包圍著。他們好像心靈相通,沒(méi)有怎么交流,相互間便有了理解和信任。凱斯賓不由自主地加入到他們的舞蹈中。他們跳得很認(rèn)真,很熱情。杜魯普金踏著步子,也跟著擺動(dòng)著他那笨拙的身子跳了起來(lái),連特魯佛漢特也努力地蹦著,扭動(dòng)著。只有尼克布瑞克在一旁悶悶不樂(lè),只是默默地看著。羊怪們用它們細(xì)小的蹄子圍著凱斯賓跳來(lái)跳去,那些面孔看上去時(shí)而悲哀,時(shí)而歡快。和他們住在一起的還有幾十個(gè)小矮人,曼蒂猶斯、奧本蒂納斯、達(dá)姆納斯等人都被叫了過(guò)來(lái),向新王致敬。
第二天早上凱斯賓醒來(lái),想起昨晚的事,他簡(jiǎn)直不敢相信這一切是真的。但草地上到處都是羊的蹄印。