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《黎明踏浪號》第三章 孤獨(dú)群島

所屬教程:納尼亞傳奇7本全

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2018年07月04日

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CHAPTER THREE THE LONE ISLANDS
第三章 孤獨(dú)群島

“LAND in sight,”shouted the man in the bows.
“看見陸地了!”船頭負(fù)責(zé)瞭望的人叫道。
Lucy,who had been talking to Rhince on the poop,came pattering down the ladder and raced forward.As she went she was joined by Edmund,and they found Caspian,Drinian and Reepicheep already on the forecastle.It was a coldish morning, the sky very pale and the sea very dark blue with little white caps of foam,and there,a little way off on the starboard bow,was the nearest of the Lone Islands,F(xiàn)elimath,like a low green hill in the sea,and behind it,further off,the grey slopes of its sister Doorn.
露茜本來和賴因斯在船尾聊天,一聽到叫聲趕緊下樓梯,走向船頭。路上他們遇見了愛德蒙,他也朝這個方向走來。到船頭的時候, 他們看到凱斯賓、德里寧和雷佩契普已經(jīng)在船頭的樓上了。這個清晨有點(diǎn)涼意,天空灰蒙蒙的,深藍(lán)色的海水泛著雪白的小浪花。右舷外的不遠(yuǎn)處就是孤獨(dú)群島最近的小島——費(fèi)利梅斯島,這個島就像一座低矮的青山矗立在海里。小島后面就是它的姐妹島——永遠(yuǎn)灰蒙蒙的多恩島。
“Same old Felimath !Same old Doorn,”said Lucy,clapping her hands.“Oh-Edmund,how long it is since you and I saw them last !”
“費(fèi)利梅斯還是老樣子!多恩還是老樣子!”露茜高興地拍著手,“愛德蒙,我們有多久沒見到這些島了。”
“I’ve never understood why they belong to Narnia,”said Caspian.“Did Peter the High King conquer them ?”
“我實(shí)在不明白這些島為什么會屬于納尼亞,”凱斯賓說,“難道是至尊王彼得打下來的嗎?”
“Oh no,”said Edmund.“They were Narnian before our time—in the days of the White Witch.”
“哦,不是的,”愛德蒙說,“在我們執(zhí)政之前,他們就早已屬于納尼亞了,那時還是白女巫時代呢。”
(By the way,I have never yet heard how these remote islands became attached to the crown of Narnia;if I ever do,and if the story is at all interesting,I may put it in some other book.)
( 順便說一下,我至今也沒有聽說這些偏遠(yuǎn)的島嶼是怎么成為納尼亞國土的。如果我聽說之后覺得這個故事很有趣,我會寫進(jìn)別的書里。)
“Are we to put in here,Sire ?”asked Drinian.
“我們要不要在這里靠岸,陛下?”德里寧問。
“1 shouldn’t think it would be much good landing on Felimath,”said Edmund.“It was almost uninhabited in our days and it looks as if it was the same still.The people lived mostly on Doorn and a little on Avra—that’s the third one;you can’t see it yet. They only kept sheep on Felimath.”
“我看費(fèi)利梅斯島上未必有什么好碼頭,”愛德蒙說,“我們執(zhí)政那時候這里幾乎沒有人住,現(xiàn)在看起來好像也是這樣。人們多半住在多恩島,還有一些住在阿芙拉島——第三個小島上,你們看不見, 費(fèi)利梅斯島上只能放放羊。”
“Then we’ll have to double that cape,I suppose,”said Drinian,“and land on Doorn.That’ll mean rowing.”
“我想,我們只能繞過那個海角了,”德里寧說,“到多恩島去靠岸,也就意味著我們要劃過去。”
“I’m sorry we’re not landing on Felimath,”said Lucy. “I’d like to walk there again.It was so lonely—a nice kind of loneliness,and all grass and clover and soft sea air.”
“可惜我們不在費(fèi)利梅斯島靠岸,”露茜說,“我倒是愿意去那兒走走,那里應(yīng)該很清靜,有一種讓人放松的清靜,到處長滿了野花和三葉草,吹著輕柔的海風(fēng)。”
“I’d love to stretch my legs too,”said Caspian.“I tell you what.Why shouldn’t we go ashore in the boat and send it back, and then we could walk across Felimath and let the Dawn Treader pick us up on the other side ?”
“我現(xiàn)在也想活動活動我的雙腿,”凱斯賓說,“我提議,我們先劃小船上岸,然后把小船劃回去,這樣我們就能在費(fèi)利梅斯島步行,最后讓黎明踏浪號在島的那邊接我們。”
If Caspian had been as experienced then as he became later on in this voyage he would not have made this suggestion;but at the moment it seemed an excellent one.“Oh do let’s,”said Lucy.
如果凱斯賓那時就有經(jīng)歷這次遠(yuǎn)航之后的老練,他就不會提出這個建議。但那時,他們實(shí)在想不出比這個建議更好的辦法了。“啊, 就這樣吧。”露茜說。
“You’ll come,will you ?”said Caspian to Eustace,who had come on deck with his hand bandaged.
“你要去嗎?”凱斯賓對已經(jīng)包扎好手又來到甲板上的尤斯塔斯說。
“Anything to get off this blasted boat,”said Eustace.
“只要能離開這條該死的船,怎么樣都行。”尤斯塔斯說。
“Blasted ?”said Drinian.“How do you mean ?”
“該死的?”德里寧說,“你什么意思?”
“In a civilized country like where I come from,”said Eustace,“the ships are so big that when you’re inside you wouldn’t know you were at sea at all.”
“在我們那個文明的國度,”尤斯塔斯說,“船都大得很,你在船上根本就感覺不到自己是在海上。”
“In that case you might just as well stay ashore,”said Caspian. “Will you tell them to lower the boat,Drinian.”
“如果那樣,你還不如待在岸上呢,”凱斯賓說,“你叫他們放下救生艇吧,德里寧。”
The King,the Mouse,the two Pevensies,and Eustace all got into the boat and were pulled to the beach of Felimath.When the boat had left them and was being rowed back they all turned and looked round.They were surprised at how small the Dawn Treader looked.
就這樣,國王、那只老鼠、佩文西兄妹和尤斯塔斯五個人上了救生艇,劃到費(fèi)利梅斯島的海灘,救生艇把他們留到岸上之后,又返回了大船。他們回過頭,發(fā)現(xiàn)黎明踏浪號看上去竟然那么小,小到令人詫異。
Lucy was of course barefoot,having kicked off her shoes while swimming,but that is no hardship if one is going to walk on downy turf.It was delightful to be ashore again and to smell the earth and grass,even if at first the ground seemed to be pitching up and down like a ship,as it usually does for a while if one has been at sea.It was much warmer here than it had been on board and Lucy found the sand pleasant to her feet as they crossed it.There was a lark singing.
露茜在下水游泳之前,就踢掉了鞋子,光著腳。只要不走在毛茸茸的草地上,其實(shí)她并不會感到不舒服?;氐桨渡?,聞到泥土和野草的芳香,真讓人心曠神怡。剛到岸上時,大家在船上顛簸的感覺還未完全消失,其實(shí)人在剛剛上岸時都會有這樣的感覺。這里比船上暖和多了,特別是他們走在沙地上的時候,露西覺得很舒服。不遠(yuǎn)處, 一只云雀在唱歌。
They struck inland and up a fairly steep,though low,hill. At the top of course they looked back,and there was the Dawn Treader shining like a great bright insect and crawling slowly north-westward with her oars.Then they went over the ridge and could see her no longer.
他們向前走去,爬上一座低矮卻陡峭的小山。站在山頂,免不了會回頭眺望,看到黎明踏浪號像一只發(fā)光的大甲蟲,正朝西北方向爬行。等他們翻過山嶺之后,就再也看不見她了。
Doorn now lay before them,divided from Felimath by a channel about a mile wide;behind it and to the left lay Avra.The little white town of Narrowhaven on Doorn was easily seen.
轉(zhuǎn)眼就到多恩島了,它只和費(fèi)利梅斯島隔著一條一英里寬的海峽,多恩島的后左方就是阿拉芙島。多恩島上那個白色狹長的港口很醒目。
“Hullo ! What’s this ?”said Edmund suddenly.
“看!那是什么啊?”愛德蒙突然說。
In the green valley to which they were descending six or seven rough-looking men,all armed,were sitting by a tree.
他們往下走的那個綠色山谷里,有六七個人,全副武裝,無不兇狠粗魯,蹲在樹邊。
“Don’t tell them who we are,”said Caspian.
“別跟他們透露我們的身份。”凱斯賓說。
“And pray,your Majesty,why not ?”said Reepicheep who had consented to ride on Lucy’s shoulder.
“請問陛下,為什么呢?”騎在露茜肩膀上的雷佩契普,雖然贊同卻仍有疑問。
“It just occurred to me,”replied Caspian,“that no one here can have heard from Narnia for a long time.It’s just possible they may not still acknowledge our over-lordship.In which case it might not be quite safe to be known as the King.”
“我突然想起,”凱斯賓說,“這里的人們很久都沒有聽說過納尼亞的消息了。很有可能他們根本不承認(rèn)我們的執(zhí)政。這樣的話, 讓他們知道國王到這來了,不太安全。”
“We have our swords,Sire,”said Reepicheep.
“我們有劍啊,陛下。”雷佩契普說。
“Yes,Reep,I know we have,”said Caspian.“But if it is a question of re-conquering the three islands,I’d prefer to come back with a rather larger army.”
“是啊,雷佩契普,我知道我們有劍,”凱斯賓說,“不過為了重新征服這三座小島,我更傾向于帶一支強(qiáng)大的軍隊再回來。”
By this time they were quite close to the strangers,one of whom—a big black-haired fellow—shouted out,“A good morning to you.”
這個時候,他們跟那幾個人的距離已經(jīng)很近了。其中一個黑頭發(fā)的家伙叫道:“早啊。”
“And a good morning to you,”said Caspian.“Is there still a Governor of the Lone Islands ?”
“早,”凱斯賓說,“孤獨(dú)群島還有總督嗎?”
“To be sure there is,”said the man,“Governor Gumpas.His Sufficiency is at Narrowhaven.But you’ll stay and drink with us.”
“沒錯,”那人說,“有個岡帕斯總督,他現(xiàn)在在港口。不過, 你們可以留下來和我們一起喝酒。”
Caspian thanked him,though neither he nor the others much liked the look of their new acquaintance,and all of them sat down. But hardly had they raised their cups to their lips when the black-haired man nodded to his companions and,as quick as lightning, all the five visitors found themselves wrapped in strong arms. There was a moment’s struggle but all the advantages were on one side,and soon everyone was disarmed and had their hands tied behind their backs—except Reepicheep,writhing in his captor’s grip and biting furiously.
凱斯賓謝過他,雖然他不太喜歡這些人的長相,當(dāng)然其他人也不喜歡,但大家還是坐了下來。誰知道他們還沒把酒杯送到嘴邊,那個黑頭發(fā)的家伙就對同伙點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭,不由分說,他們五個的胳膊立刻被幾條鐵臂給架住了。他們掙扎了一會,不僅于事無補(bǔ),還被那幾個人解除了所有的武器,兩只手都被綁到了身后——只有雷佩契普還在他們手里撲騰,一通亂咬。
“Careful with that beast,Tacks,”said the Leader.“Don’t damage him.He’ll fetch the best price of the lot,I shouldn’t wonder.”
“塔克斯,你要小心那只畜生。”領(lǐng)頭的說,“別傷害它,相信我, 它很值錢的。”
“Coward !Poltroon !”squeaked Reepicheep.“Give me my sword and free my paws if you dare.”
“膽小鬼!懦夫!”雷佩契普尖叫道,“你們要是有本事就松開我的手,給我劍咱們決斗!”
“Whew!”whistled the slave merchant(for that is what he was). “It can talk ! Well I never did.Blowed if I take less than two hundred crescents for him.”The Calormen crescent,which is the chief coin in those parts,is worth about a third of a pound.
“喲,”奴隸販子吹了一聲口哨( 這人果然是奴隸販子)“它會說話,我還沒聽說過老鼠還能說話的??礃幼邮悄苜u到兩百月牙了。”( 月牙是卡樂門貨幣,在此處通用,大約是三分之一英鎊)
“So that’s what you are,”said Caspian.“A kidnapper and slaver.I hope you’re proud of it.”
“原來你真是這種人,”凱斯賓說,“騙子,奴隸販子。希望這么說你會感到很得意。”
“Now,now,now,now,”said the slaver.“Don’t you start any jaw.The easier you take it,the pleasanter all round,see ? I don’t do this for fun.I’ve got my living to make same as anyone else.”
“喂,喂,喂,”奴隸販子說,“別那么多廢話,你最好老實(shí)點(diǎn), 這樣你會舒服點(diǎn)。這可不是鬧著玩的,我們干這行,也是為了生計。”
“Where will you take us ?”asked Lucy,getting the words out with some difficulty.
“你要把我們帶到哪兒?”露茜久久才敢問這么一句話。
“Over to Narrowhaven,”said the slaver.“For market day tomorrow.”
“帶到狹港,”奴隸販子說,“明天的集市。”
“Is there a British Consul there ?”asked Eustace.
“那兒有英國領(lǐng)事館嗎?”尤斯塔斯問。
“Is there a which ?”said the man.
“有什么?”那人問。
But long before Eustace was tired of trying to explain,the slaver simply said,“Well,I’ve had enough of this jabber. The Mouse is a fair treat but this one would talk the hind leg off a donkey.Off we go,mates.”
尤斯塔斯還沒來得及解釋清楚自己的想法,奴隸販子就直接說道:“得了,莫名其妙的話我聽夠了。這只老鼠非常不錯,可是這個人卻廢話一籮筐,讓人生厭。走吧,伙計們。”
Then the four human prisoners were roped together,not cruelly but securely,and made to march down to the shore. Reepicheep was carried.He had stopped biting on a threat of having his mouth tied up,but he had a great deal to say,and Lucy really wondered how any man could bear to have the things said to him which were said to the slave dealer by the Mouse.But the slave dealer,far from objecting,only said“Go on”whenever Reepicheep paused for breath,occasionally adding,“It’s as good as a play,”or,“Blimey,you can’t help almost thinking it knows what it’s saying !”or“Was it one of you what trained it ?”This so infuriated Reepicheep that in the end the number of things he thought of saying all at once nearly suffocated him and he became silent.
他們四個被綁到了一起,雖然綁得不足以勒死人,卻很結(jié)實(shí)。就這樣被押到了岸邊,雷佩契普是被提著過去的。他們嚇唬他說要捆上他的嘴巴,他才不再亂咬,可是他卻有一大堆話要說。露茜也想不通,老鼠跟奴隸販子說的這些話換個人聽絕對受不了,可是奴隸販子一點(diǎn)都不煩。還不停地回應(yīng):“說下去。”每當(dāng)雷佩契普歇口氣時他還會加上一句,“表演得不錯。”或者說,“哎呀,你真以為他說的是親身經(jīng)歷啊。”或者說,“這又是人家教會你的嗎?”雷佩契普一聽這話就火冒三丈,到最后,它原來想說的事情太多了,腦袋卻像是一下被堵住了,這才一言不發(fā)。
When they got down to the shore that looked towards Doorn they found a little village and a long-boat on the beach and,lying a little further out,a dirty bedraggled looking ship.
他們來到和多恩島隔海相望的岸邊,看到海濱有個小村子和一條長長的海灘,還停了一條臟兮兮的大船。
“Now,youngsters,”said the slave dealer,“let’s have no fuss and then you’ll have nothing to cry about.All aboard.”
“好了,你們這些人,”奴隸販子說,“不要吵了,沒什么好抱怨的, 都到船上去!”
At that moment a fine-looking bearded man came out of one of the houses(an inn,I think)and said:
這時,一個好看的大胡子從一所屋子( 像個客棧) 走出來說道:
“Well,Pug.More of your usual wares ?”
“哎,普格,你要來送貨了?”
The slaver,whose name seemed to be Pug,bowed very low,and said in a wheedling kind of voice,“Yes,please your Lordship.”
這個叫普格的奴隸販子聽到后,鞠了一躬,用諂媚的語氣說:“是, 請大人過目。”
“How much do you want for that boy ?”asked the other, pointing to Caspian.
“那個男孩子多少錢?”那個人指著凱斯賓說。
“Ah,”said Pug,“I knew your Lordship would pick on the best.No deceiving your Lordship with anything second rate.That boy,now,I’ve taken a fancy to him myself.Got kind of fond of him,I have.I’m that tender-hearted I didn’t ever ought to have taken up this job.Still,to a customer like your Lordship—”
“哎呀,”普格說,“我知道大人您最會挑了。什么貨色都瞞不過您的眼??墒?,那個孩子我也看上了。真是有點(diǎn)喜歡他,不過我天生心軟,本不應(yīng)該做這樣的買賣。不過,對您這樣的老顧客,就另當(dāng)別論了。”
“Tell me your price,carrion,”said the Lord sternly.“Do you think I want to listen to the rigmarole of your filthy trade ?”
“你說價錢吧,”那個人厲聲說,“我不想聽你的那些廢話!”
“Three hundred crescents,my Lord,to your honourable Lordship,but to anyone else—”
“大人,沖著您的面子,就給三百個月牙吧,要是別的人……”
“I’ll give you a hundred and fifty.”
“我出一百五十。”
“Oh please,please,”broke in Lucy.“Don’t separate us, whatever you do.You don’t know—”But then she stopped for she saw that Caspian didn’t even now want to be known.
“哎呀,求求你,”露茜插嘴說,“不管如何,求你別拆散我們。你不知道……”她突然停下來,因?yàn)樗肫饋韯P斯賓之前說他們不能暴露自己的身份。
“A hundred and fifty,then,”said the Lord.“As for you, little maiden,I am sorry I cannot buy you all.Unrope my boy, Pug.And look—treat these others well while they are in your hands or it’ll be the worse for you.”
“那就一百五十好了,”那位大人說,“至于你嘛,小姑娘,抱歉, 我不能把你們都買下來。普格,去松開我選中的那個孩子。另外,你最好伺候好其他幾個人,不然你肯定會遭殃的。”
“Well !”said Pug.“Now who ever heard of a gentleman in my way of business who treated his stock better than what I do ? Well ? Why,I treat’em like my own childen.”
“好吧,”普格說,“有誰聽說過我們這一行中,還有比我對他們更好的?嗯?我對他們就像對自己的孩子一樣。”
“That’s likely enough to be true,”said the other grimly.
“說得跟真的似的。”對方不以為意地說。
The dreadful moment had now come.Caspian was untied and his new master said,“This way,lad,”and Lucy burst into tears and Edmund looked very blank.But Caspian looked over his shoulder and said,“Cheer up.I’m sure it will come all right in the end.So long.”
到了分別的時刻,凱斯賓被松了綁,他的新主人說:“孩子, 走這邊。”露茜一聽就放聲大哭起來,愛德蒙卻一臉茫然。凱斯賓回過頭說,“你們打起精神,一切都會好起來的,再見。”
“Now,missie,”said Pug.“Don’t you start taking on and spoiling your looks for the market tomorrow.You be a good girl and then you won’t have nothing to cry about,see ?”
“好啦,小姑娘,”普格說,“你別哭花了臉,明天還要帶你去集市呢。乖乖地,有什么好哭的呢,是吧?”
Then they were rowed out to the slave-ship and taken below into a long,rather dark place,none too clean,where they found many other unfortunate prisoners;for Pug was of course a pirate and had just returned from cruising among the islands and capturing what he could.The children didn’t meet anyone whom they knew;the prisoners were mostly Galmians and Terebinthians. And there they sat in the straw and wondered what was happening to Caspian and tried to stop Eustace talking as if everyone except himself was to blame.
他們被帶到一艘奴隸船上,他把他們帶到船下一個很黑的地方, 臟兮兮的。還有不少倒霉的人也被關(guān)著。他們突然明白,普格原來是個海盜,經(jīng)常出沒在附近各個島嶼,把人抓回來再賣掉。這幾個孩子沒碰到熟人,說明被抓的多半是加爾馬人和特里賓西亞人。他們坐在草堆上發(fā)呆,不知道凱斯賓會不會有事。尤斯塔斯不停地抱怨這一切都是他們的錯,不關(guān)他的事。
Meanwhile Caspian was having a much more interesting time. The man who had bought him led him down a little lane between two of the village houses and so out into an open place behind the village.Then he turned and faced him.
此時,凱斯賓比他們舒服多了。買下他的那個人,帶著他走進(jìn)村里兩排房子中間的小巷子,然后回過頭來,面朝向他。
“You needn’t be afraid of me,boy,”he said.“I’ll treat you well.I bought you for your face.You reminded me of someone.”
“別害怕,孩子,”他說,“我會好好對你的。我之所以買下你, 是因?yàn)榭吹侥憔拖肫鹆硪粋€人。”
“May I ask of whom,my Lord ?”said Caspian.
“大人,請問您說的是什么人?”凱斯賓說。
“You remind me of my master,King Caspian of Narnia.”
“你讓我想起了我的主人,納尼亞的凱斯賓國王。”
Then Caspian decided to risk everything on one stroke.
凱斯賓決定豁出去了。
“My Lord,”he said,“I am your master.I am Caspian,King of Narnia.”
“大人,”他說,“其實(shí)我就是您的主人,納尼亞的國王凱斯賓。”
“You make very free,”said the other.“How shall I know this is true ?”
“說得倒輕巧,”對方說,“我怎么知道你是不是真的?”
“Firstly by my face,”said Caspian.“Secondly because I know within six guesses who you are.You are one of those seven lords of Narnia whom my Uncle Miraz sent to sea and whom I have come out to look for—Argoz,Bern,Octesian,Restimar, Mavramorn,or—or—I have forgotten the others.And finally,if your Lordship will give me a sword I will prove on any man’s body in clean battle that I am Caspian the son of Caspian,lawful King of Narnia,Lord of Cair Paravel,and Emperor of the Lone Islands.”
“首先,看我的長相,”凱斯賓說,“其次,我最多猜六次就知道你是誰。你應(yīng)該是我的叔叔彌若茲派到海外七位公爵之一。我這次就是出來找他們的——阿爾戈茲、伯恩、奧克特西安、雷斯蒂瑪、馬弗拉蒙,還有兩位的名字我記不清了。再者,如果你能給我一把劍, 我愿意正大光明地與你決斗一場,以此證明我是凱斯賓本人,是孤獨(dú)群島的君主,凱爾帕拉維爾的國王,納尼亞的國王老凱斯賓的兒子。”
“By heaven,”exclaimed the man,“it is his father’s very voice and trick of speech.My liege—your Majesty—”And there in the field he knelt and kissed the King’s hand.
“天哪,”那人突然叫道,“真是和你父親說話的聲音和習(xí)慣一模一樣,國王陛下。”他當(dāng)即跪在地上,親吻了國王的手。
“The moneys your Lordship disbursed for our person will be made good from our own treasury,”said Caspian.
“公爵您花在我們身上的錢,回頭我可以從國庫給你報銷。” 凱斯賓說。
“They’re not in Pug’s purse yet,Sire,”said the Lord Bern, for he it was.“And never will be,I trust.I have moved His Sufficiency the Governor a hundred times to crush this vile traffic in man’s flesh.”
“這些錢還沒落到普格的腰包里,陛下,”伯恩公爵說,他果真是七位公爵之一,“而且這筆錢不會到他的腰包里去,我勸過總督好多次,讓他不要再進(jìn)行邪惡的人肉奴隸買賣。”
“My Lord Bern,”said Caspian,“we must talk of the state of these Islands.But first what is your Lordship’s own story ?”
“伯恩公爵,”凱斯賓說,“我們談?wù)勥@個群島的現(xiàn)狀吧,不過應(yīng)該先說說你的情況,怎么樣?”
“Short enough,Sire,”said Bern.“I came thus far with my six fellows,loved a girl of the islands,and felt I had had enough of the sea.And there was no purpose in returning to Narnia while your Majesty’s uncle held the reins.So I married and have lived here ever since.”
“陛下,我的故事沒什么好講的,”伯恩說,“我跟六個兄弟到了這里,愛上了一個島上的姑娘。我航海也累了,所以就結(jié)了婚留在了這里。只要你叔叔還在,我就沒法回去。”
“And what is this governor,this Gumpas,like ?Does he still acknowledge the King of Narnia for his lord ?”
“你們這里的總督,那個岡帕斯怎么樣?他認(rèn)可納尼亞的國王是他的君主嗎?”
“In words,yes.All is done in the King’s name.But he would not be best pleased to find a real,live King of Narnia coming in upon him.And if your Majesty came before him alone and unarmed—well he would not deny his allegiance,but he would pretend to disbelieve you.Your Grace’s life would be in danger. What following has your Majesty in these waters ?”
“他是陽奉陰違,自己卻以國王的名義行事。如果真正的國王到了他面前,他的臉色肯定不太好看。如果陛下你赤手空拳去見他, 他肯定承認(rèn)自己已歸順,但會裝作不認(rèn)識你。這樣你就會有危險。在這里,陛下有沒有其他部屬?”
“There is my ship just rounding the point,”said Caspian.“We are about thirty swords if it came to fighting.Shall we not have my ship in and fall upon Pug and free my friends whom he holds captive ?”
“我的船應(yīng)該已經(jīng)繞過海角了,”凱斯賓說,“如果要打一場, 我們有三十把劍。我們是不是應(yīng)該把船開過來,攻打普格,然后把我那幾個朋友救出來?”
“Not by my counsel,”said Bern.“As soon as there was a fight two or three ships would put out from Narrowhaven to rescue Pug. Your Majesty must work by a show of more power than you really have,and by the terror of the King’s name.It must not come to plain battle.Gumpas is a chicken-hearted man and can be over-awed.”
“我看不行,”伯恩說,“要是打起來的話,狹港那邊會有兩三條船前來搭救普格。陛下您要擺出一副很強(qiáng)大的樣子,以國王的名義來震懾他們,一定不要真打。岡帕斯是個膽小鬼,嚇唬嚇唬他就行了。”
After a little more conversation Caspian and Bern walked down to the coast a little west of the village and there Caspian winded his horn.(This was not the great magic horn of Narnia,Queen Susan’s Horn:he had left that at home for his regent Trumpkin to use if any great need fell upon the land in the King’s absence.)Drinian, who was on the look out for a signal,recognized the royal horn at once and the Dawn Treader began standing in to shore.Then the boat put off again and in a few moments Caspian and the Lord Bern were on deck explaining the situation to Drinian.He,just like Caspian,wanted to lay the Dawn Treader alongside the slave-ship at once and board her,but Bern made the same objection.
凱斯賓和伯恩一邊說,一邊走到村子北邊的海岸,凱斯賓吹起了號角。( 這并非納尼亞那只蘇珊女王用過的、魔法無邊的號角。他把那支號角留在國內(nèi)給杜魯普金使用,在自己不在國中時,以備不時之需。) 德里寧早已做好準(zhǔn)備,只等國王的信號。聽到號角聲,黎明踏浪號就駛向了海岸,放出救生艇,把凱斯賓和伯恩公爵接到船上, 他們在甲板上向德里寧說明了情況。他和凱斯賓的想法一樣,打算把黎明踏浪號靠島而停,去奴隸船上救人。伯恩仍然不同意。
“Steer straight down this channel,captain,”said Bern,“and then round to Avra where my own estates are.But first run up the King’s banner,hang out all the shields,and send as many men to the fighting—top as you can.And about five bowshots hence, when you get open sea on your port bow,run up a few signals.”
“船長,你順著這里一直走,”伯恩說,“繞過阿芙拉島,我的領(lǐng)地就到了。到了那里揚(yáng)起帆,掛上國王的旗號,盡可能地把人手集中到觀測臺。離岸大約還有五箭之遠(yuǎn)時,趕緊發(fā)信號。”
“Signals ? To whom ?”said Drinian.
“什么信號?發(fā)給誰?”德里寧問。
“Why,to all the other ships we haven’t got but which it might be well that Gumpas thinks we have.”
“唉,沒有誰,就是幾條不存在的船啊,讓岡帕斯以為我們還有后援的艦隊。”
“Oh,I see,”said Drinian,rubbing his hands.“And they’ll read our signals.What shall I say ? Whole fleet round the South of Avra and assemble at—?”
“啊,我明白了,”德里寧摩拳擦掌,“他們會辨別我們的信號。我該在信號中說些什么呢?就說我們的艦隊包圍阿芙拉島南端,在哪里集合等等?”
“Bernstead,”said the Lord Bern.“That’ll do excellently.Their whole journey—if there were any ships—would be out of sight from Narrowhaven.”
“在伯恩斯坦,”伯恩公爵說,“這樣說就行了。在那里即便有船, 從狹港這邊看過去也看不見。”
Caspian was sorry for the others languishing in the hold of Pug’s slave-ship,but he could not help finding the rest of that day enjoyable.Late in the afternoon(for they had to do all by oar),having turned to starboard round the northeast end of Doorn and port again round the point of Avra,they entered into a good harbour on Avra’s southern shore where Bern’s pleasant lands sloped down to the water’s edge.Bern’s people,many of whom they saw working in the fields,were all freemen and it was a happy and prosperous fief.Here they all went ashore and were royally feasted in a low,pillared house overlooking the bay.Bern and his gracious wife and merry daughters made them good cheer.But after dark Bern sent a messenger over by boat to Doorn to order some preparations(he did not say exactly what)for the following day.
那一天,除了會為三個落在普格船上的朋友難過外,凱斯賓其他的時間都無比輕松愉快。那天晚上( 他們只能劃槳) 黎明踏浪號轉(zhuǎn)向右舷,繞過多恩島的東北角,又轉(zhuǎn)向左舷,繞過阿芙拉島的海角, 進(jìn)入阿芙拉南岸的一個優(yōu)良狹港。伯恩斯坦向海傾斜,地勢很好。伯恩手下的百姓多半在地里干活,他們都是自由人,生活在這片富饒的沃土。船上所有的人在此登陸了,在靠近海灣的一座矮房子里舉行了宴會。伯恩那位雍容華貴的夫人和幾個興高采烈的女兒把派對開得特別熱鬧,大家玩得也非常開心。天黑之后,伯恩派了幾個信使劃船到多恩島,為第二天做了些準(zhǔn)備( 但是他沒確切地說都是準(zhǔn)備些什么)。

CHAPTER THREE THE LONE ISLANDS

“LAND in sight,”shouted the man in the bows.
Lucy,who had been talking to Rhince on the poop,came pattering down the ladder and raced forward.As she went she was joined by Edmund,and they found Caspian,Drinian and Reepicheep already on the forecastle.It was a coldish morning, the sky very pale and the sea very dark blue with little white caps of foam,and there,a little way off on the starboard bow,was the nearest of the Lone Islands,F(xiàn)elimath,like a low green hill in the sea,and behind it,further off,the grey slopes of its sister Doorn.
“Same old Felimath !Same old Doorn,”said Lucy,clapping her hands.“Oh-Edmund,how long it is since you and I saw them last !”
“I’ve never understood why they belong to Narnia,”said Caspian.“Did Peter the High King conquer them ?”
“Oh no,”said Edmund.“They were Narnian before our time—in the days of the White Witch.”
(By the way,I have never yet heard how these remote islands became attached to the crown of Narnia;if I ever do,and if the story is at all interesting,I may put it in some other book.)
“Are we to put in here,Sire ?”asked Drinian.
“1 shouldn’t think it would be much good landing on Felimath,”said Edmund.“It was almost uninhabited in our days and it looks as if it was the same still.The people lived mostly on Doorn and a little on Avra—that’s the third one;you can’t see it yet. They only kept sheep on Felimath.”
“Then we’ll have to double that cape,I suppose,”said Drinian,“and land on Doorn.That’ll mean rowing.”
“I’m sorry we’re not landing on Felimath,”said Lucy. “I’d like to walk there again.It was so lonely—a nice kind of loneliness,and all grass and clover and soft sea air.”
“I’d love to stretch my legs too,”said Caspian.“I tell you what.Why shouldn’t we go ashore in the boat and send it back, and then we could walk across Felimath and let the Dawn Treader pick us up on the other side ?”
If Caspian had been as experienced then as he became later on in this voyage he would not have made this suggestion;but at the moment it seemed an excellent one.“Oh do let’s,”said Lucy.
“You’ll come,will you ?”said Caspian to Eustace,who had come on deck with his hand bandaged.
“Anything to get off this blasted boat,”said Eustace.
“Blasted ?”said Drinian.“How do you mean ?”
“In a civilized country like where I come from,”said Eustace,“the ships are so big that when you’re inside you wouldn’t know you were at sea at all.”
“In that case you might just as well stay ashore,”said Caspian. “Will you tell them to lower the boat,Drinian.”
The King,the Mouse,the two Pevensies,and Eustace all got into the boat and were pulled to the beach of Felimath.When the boat had left them and was being rowed back they all turned and looked round.They were surprised at how small the Dawn Treader looked.
Lucy was of course barefoot,having kicked off her shoes while swimming,but that is no hardship if one is going to walk on downy turf.It was delightful to be ashore again and to smell the earth and grass,even if at first the ground seemed to be pitching up and down like a ship,as it usually does for a while if one has been at sea.It was much warmer here than it had been on board and Lucy found the sand pleasant to her feet as they crossed it.There was a lark singing.
They struck inland and up a fairly steep,though low,hill. At the top of course they looked back,and there was the Dawn Treader shining like a great bright insect and crawling slowly north-westward with her oars.Then they went over the ridge and could see her no longer.
Doorn now lay before them,divided from Felimath by a channel about a mile wide;behind it and to the left lay Avra.The little white town of Narrowhaven on Doorn was easily seen.
“Hullo ! What’s this ?”said Edmund suddenly.
In the green valley to which they were descending six or seven rough-looking men,all armed,were sitting by a tree.
“Don’t tell them who we are,”said Caspian.
“And pray,your Majesty,why not ?”said Reepicheep who had consented to ride on Lucy’s shoulder.
“It just occurred to me,”replied Caspian,“that no one here can have heard from Narnia for a long time.It’s just possible they may not still acknowledge our over-lordship.In which case it might not be quite safe to be known as the King.”
“We have our swords,Sire,”said Reepicheep.
“Yes,Reep,I know we have,”said Caspian.“But if it is a question of re-conquering the three islands,I’d prefer to come back with a rather larger army.”
By this time they were quite close to the strangers,one of whom—a big black-haired fellow—shouted out,“A good morning to you.”
“And a good morning to you,”said Caspian.“Is there still a Governor of the Lone Islands ?”
“To be sure there is,”said the man,“Governor Gumpas.His Sufficiency is at Narrowhaven.But you’ll stay and drink with us.”
Caspian thanked him,though neither he nor the others much liked the look of their new acquaintance,and all of them sat down. But hardly had they raised their cups to their lips when the black-haired man nodded to his companions and,as quick as lightning, all the five visitors found themselves wrapped in strong arms. There was a moment’s struggle but all the advantages were on one side,and soon everyone was disarmed and had their hands tied behind their backs—except Reepicheep,writhing in his captor’s grip and biting furiously.
“Careful with that beast,Tacks,”said the Leader.“Don’t damage him.He’ll fetch the best price of the lot,I shouldn’t wonder.”
“Coward !Poltroon !”squeaked Reepicheep.“Give me my sword and free my paws if you dare.”
“Whew!”whistled the slave merchant(for that is what he was). “It can talk ! Well I never did.Blowed if I take less than two hundred crescents for him.”The Calormen crescent,which is the chief coin in those parts,is worth about a third of a pound.
“So that’s what you are,”said Caspian.“A kidnapper and slaver.I hope you’re proud of it.”
“Now,now,now,now,”said the slaver.“Don’t you start any jaw.The easier you take it,the pleasanter all round,see ? I don’t do this for fun.I’ve got my living to make same as anyone else.”
“Where will you take us ?”asked Lucy,getting the words out with some difficulty.
“Over to Narrowhaven,”said the slaver.“For market day tomorrow.”
“Is there a British Consul there ?”asked Eustace.
“Is there a which ?”said the man.
But long before Eustace was tired of trying to explain,the slaver simply said,“Well,I’ve had enough of this jabber. The Mouse is a fair treat but this one would talk the hind leg off a donkey.Off we go,mates.”
Then the four human prisoners were roped together,not cruelly but securely,and made to march down to the shore. Reepicheep was carried.He had stopped biting on a threat of having his mouth tied up,but he had a great deal to say,and Lucy really wondered how any man could bear to have the things said to him which were said to the slave dealer by the Mouse.But the slave dealer,far from objecting,only said“Go on”whenever Reepicheep paused for breath,occasionally adding,“It’s as good as a play,”or,“Blimey,you can’t help almost thinking it knows what it’s saying !”or“Was it one of you what trained it ?”This so infuriated Reepicheep that in the end the number of things he thought of saying all at once nearly suffocated him and he became silent.
When they got down to the shore that looked towards Doorn they found a little village and a long-boat on the beach and,lying a little further out,a dirty bedraggled looking ship.
“Now,youngsters,”said the slave dealer,“let’s have no fuss and then you’ll have nothing to cry about.All aboard.”
At that moment a fine-looking bearded man came out of one of the houses(an inn,I think)and said:
“Well,Pug.More of your usual wares ?”
The slaver,whose name seemed to be Pug,bowed very low,and said in a wheedling kind of voice,“Yes,please your Lordship.”
“How much do you want for that boy ?”asked the other, pointing to Caspian.
“Ah,”said Pug,“I knew your Lordship would pick on the best.No deceiving your Lordship with anything second rate.That boy,now,I’ve taken a fancy to him myself.Got kind of fond of him,I have.I’m that tender-hearted I didn’t ever ought to have taken up this job.Still,to a customer like your Lordship—”
“Tell me your price,carrion,”said the Lord sternly.“Do you think I want to listen to the rigmarole of your filthy trade ?”
“Three hundred crescents,my Lord,to your honourable Lordship,but to anyone else—”
“I’ll give you a hundred and fifty.”
“Oh please,please,”broke in Lucy.“Don’t separate us, whatever you do.You don’t know—”But then she stopped for she saw that Caspian didn’t even now want to be known.
“A hundred and fifty,then,”said the Lord.“As for you, little maiden,I am sorry I cannot buy you all.Unrope my boy, Pug.And look—treat these others well while they are in your hands or it’ll be the worse for you.”
“Well !”said Pug.“Now who ever heard of a gentleman in my way of business who treated his stock better than what I do ? Well ? Why,I treat’em like my own childen.”
“That’s likely enough to be true,”said the other grimly.
The dreadful moment had now come.Caspian was untied and his new master said,“This way,lad,”and Lucy burst into tears and Edmund looked very blank.But Caspian looked over his shoulder and said,“Cheer up.I’m sure it will come all right in the end.So long.”
“Now,missie,”said Pug.“Don’t you start taking on and spoiling your looks for the market tomorrow.You be a good girl and then you won’t have nothing to cry about,see ?”
Then they were rowed out to the slave-ship and taken below into a long,rather dark place,none too clean,where they found many other unfortunate prisoners;for Pug was of course a pirate and had just returned from cruising among the islands and capturing what he could.The children didn’t meet anyone whom they knew;the prisoners were mostly Galmians and Terebinthians. And there they sat in the straw and wondered what was happening to Caspian and tried to stop Eustace talking as if everyone except himself was to blame.
Meanwhile Caspian was having a much more interesting time. The man who had bought him led him down a little lane between two of the village houses and so out into an open place behind the village.Then he turned and faced him.
“You needn’t be afraid of me,boy,”he said.“I’ll treat you well.I bought you for your face.You reminded me of someone.”
“May I ask of whom,my Lord ?”said Caspian.
“You remind me of my master,King Caspian of Narnia.”
Then Caspian decided to risk everything on one stroke.
“My Lord,”he said,“I am your master.I am Caspian,King of Narnia.”
“You make very free,”said the other.“How shall I know this is true ?”
“Firstly by my face,”said Caspian.“Secondly because I know within six guesses who you are.You are one of those seven lords of Narnia whom my Uncle Miraz sent to sea and whom I have come out to look for—Argoz,Bern,Octesian,Restimar, Mavramorn,or—or—I have forgotten the others.And finally,if your Lordship will give me a sword I will prove on any man’s body in clean battle that I am Caspian the son of Caspian,lawful King of Narnia,Lord of Cair Paravel,and Emperor of the Lone Islands.”
“By heaven,”exclaimed the man,“it is his father’s very voice and trick of speech.My liege—your Majesty—”And there in the field he knelt and kissed the King’s hand.
“The moneys your Lordship disbursed for our person will be made good from our own treasury,”said Caspian.
“They’re not in Pug’s purse yet,Sire,”said the Lord Bern, for he it was.“And never will be,I trust.I have moved His Sufficiency the Governor a hundred times to crush this vile traffic in man’s flesh.”
“My Lord Bern,”said Caspian,“we must talk of the state of these Islands.But first what is your Lordship’s own story ?”
“Short enough,Sire,”said Bern.“I came thus far with my six fellows,loved a girl of the islands,and felt I had had enough of the sea.And there was no purpose in returning to Narnia while your Majesty’s uncle held the reins.So I married and have lived here ever since.”
“And what is this governor,this Gumpas,like ?Does he still acknowledge the King of Narnia for his lord ?”
“In words,yes.All is done in the King’s name.But he would not be best pleased to find a real,live King of Narnia coming in upon him.And if your Majesty came before him alone and unarmed—well he would not deny his allegiance,but he would pretend to disbelieve you.Your Grace’s life would be in danger. What following has your Majesty in these waters ?”
“There is my ship just rounding the point,”said Caspian.“We are about thirty swords if it came to fighting.Shall we not have my ship in and fall upon Pug and free my friends whom he holds captive ?”
“Not by my counsel,”said Bern.“As soon as there was a fight two or three ships would put out from Narrowhaven to rescue Pug. Your Majesty must work by a show of more power than you really have,and by the terror of the King’s name.It must not come to plain battle.Gumpas is a chicken-hearted man and can be over-awed.”
After a little more conversation Caspian and Bern walked down to the coast a little west of the village and there Caspian winded his horn.(This was not the great magic horn of Narnia,Queen Susan’s Horn:he had left that at home for his regent Trumpkin to use if any great need fell upon the land in the King’s absence.)Drinian, who was on the look out for a signal,recognized the royal horn at once and the Dawn Treader began standing in to shore.Then the boat put off again and in a few moments Caspian and the Lord Bern were on deck explaining the situation to Drinian.He,just like Caspian,wanted to lay the Dawn Treader alongside the slave-ship at once and board her,but Bern made the same objection.
“Steer straight down this channel,captain,”said Bern,“and then round to Avra where my own estates are.But first run up the King’s banner,hang out all the shields,and send as many men to the fighting—top as you can.And about five bowshots hence, when you get open sea on your port bow,run up a few signals.”
“Signals ? To whom ?”said Drinian.
“Why,to all the other ships we haven’t got but which it might be well that Gumpas thinks we have.”
“Oh,I see,”said Drinian,rubbing his hands.“And they’ll read our signals.What shall I say ? Whole fleet round the South of Avra and assemble at—?”
“Bernstead,”said the Lord Bern.“That’ll do excellently.Their whole journey—if there were any ships—would be out of sight from Narrowhaven.”
Caspian was sorry for the others languishing in the hold of Pug’s slave-ship,but he could not help finding the rest of that day enjoyable.Late in the afternoon(for they had to do all by oar),having turned to starboard round the northeast end of Doorn and port again round the point of Avra,they entered into a good harbour on Avra’s southern shore where Bern’s pleasant lands sloped down to the water’s edge.Bern’s people,many of whom they saw working in the fields,were all freemen and it was a happy and prosperous fief.Here they all went ashore and were royally feasted in a low,pillared house overlooking the bay.Bern and his gracious wife and merry daughters made them good cheer.But after dark Bern sent a messenger over by boat to Doorn to order some preparations(he did not say exactly what)for the following day.

第三章 孤獨(dú)群島

“看見陸地了!”船頭負(fù)責(zé)瞭望的人叫道。
露茜本來和賴因斯在船尾聊天,一聽到叫聲趕緊下樓梯,走向船頭。路上他們遇見了愛德蒙,他也朝這個方向走來。到船頭的時候, 他們看到凱斯賓、德里寧和雷佩契普已經(jīng)在船頭的樓上了。這個清晨有點(diǎn)涼意,天空灰蒙蒙的,深藍(lán)色的海水泛著雪白的小浪花。右舷外的不遠(yuǎn)處就是孤獨(dú)群島最近的小島——費(fèi)利梅斯島,這個島就像一座低矮的青山矗立在海里。小島后面就是它的姐妹島——永遠(yuǎn)灰蒙蒙的多恩島。
“費(fèi)利梅斯還是老樣子!多恩還是老樣子!”露茜高興地拍著手,“愛德蒙,我們有多久沒見到這些島了。”
“我實(shí)在不明白這些島為什么會屬于納尼亞,”凱斯賓說,“難道是至尊王彼得打下來的嗎?”
“哦,不是的,”愛德蒙說,“在我們執(zhí)政之前,他們就早已屬于納尼亞了,那時還是白女巫時代呢。”
( 順便說一下,我至今也沒有聽說這些偏遠(yuǎn)的島嶼是怎么成為納尼亞國土的。如果我聽說之后覺得這個故事很有趣,我會寫進(jìn)別的書里。)
“我們要不要在這里靠岸,陛下?”德里寧問。
“我看費(fèi)利梅斯島上未必有什么好碼頭,”愛德蒙說,“我們執(zhí)政那時候這里幾乎沒有人住,現(xiàn)在看起來好像也是這樣。人們多半住在多恩島,還有一些住在阿芙拉島——第三個小島上,你們看不見, 費(fèi)利梅斯島上只能放放羊。”
“我想,我們只能繞過那個海角了,”德里寧說,“到多恩島去靠岸,也就意味著我們要劃過去。”
“可惜我們不在費(fèi)利梅斯島靠岸,”露茜說,“我倒是愿意去那兒走走,那里應(yīng)該很清靜,有一種讓人放松的清靜,到處長滿了野花和三葉草,吹著輕柔的海風(fēng)。”
“我現(xiàn)在也想活動活動我的雙腿,”凱斯賓說,“我提議,我們先劃小船上岸,然后把小船劃回去,這樣我們就能在費(fèi)利梅斯島步行,最后讓黎明踏浪號在島的那邊接我們。”
如果凱斯賓那時就有經(jīng)歷這次遠(yuǎn)航之后的老練,他就不會提出這個建議。但那時,他們實(shí)在想不出比這個建議更好的辦法了。“啊, 就這樣吧。”露茜說。
“你要去嗎?”凱斯賓對已經(jīng)包扎好手又來到甲板上的尤斯塔斯說。
“只要能離開這條該死的船,怎么樣都行。”尤斯塔斯說。
“該死的?”德里寧說,“你什么意思?”
“在我們那個文明的國度,”尤斯塔斯說,“船都大得很,你在船上根本就感覺不到自己是在海上。”
“如果那樣,你還不如待在岸上呢,”凱斯賓說,“你叫他們放下救生艇吧,德里寧。”
就這樣,國王、那只老鼠、佩文西兄妹和尤斯塔斯五個人上了救生艇,劃到費(fèi)利梅斯島的海灘,救生艇把他們留到岸上之后,又返回了大船。他們回過頭,發(fā)現(xiàn)黎明踏浪號看上去竟然那么小,小到令人詫異。
露茜在下水游泳之前,就踢掉了鞋子,光著腳。只要不走在毛茸茸的草地上,其實(shí)她并不會感到不舒服?;氐桨渡?,聞到泥土和野草的芳香,真讓人心曠神怡。剛到岸上時,大家在船上顛簸的感覺還未完全消失,其實(shí)人在剛剛上岸時都會有這樣的感覺。這里比船上暖和多了,特別是他們走在沙地上的時候,露西覺得很舒服。不遠(yuǎn)處, 一只云雀在唱歌。
他們向前走去,爬上一座低矮卻陡峭的小山。站在山頂,免不了會回頭眺望,看到黎明踏浪號像一只發(fā)光的大甲蟲,正朝西北方向爬行。等他們翻過山嶺之后,就再也看不見她了。
轉(zhuǎn)眼就到多恩島了,它只和費(fèi)利梅斯島隔著一條一英里寬的海峽,多恩島的后左方就是阿拉芙島。多恩島上那個白色狹長的港口很醒目。
“看!那是什么啊?”愛德蒙突然說。
他們往下走的那個綠色山谷里,有六七個人,全副武裝,無不兇狠粗魯,蹲在樹邊。
“別跟他們透露我們的身份。”凱斯賓說。
“請問陛下,為什么呢?”騎在露茜肩膀上的雷佩契普,雖然贊同卻仍有疑問。
“我突然想起,”凱斯賓說,“這里的人們很久都沒有聽說過納尼亞的消息了。很有可能他們根本不承認(rèn)我們的執(zhí)政。這樣的話, 讓他們知道國王到這來了,不太安全。”
“我們有劍啊,陛下。”雷佩契普說。
“是啊,雷佩契普,我知道我們有劍,”凱斯賓說,“不過為了重新征服這三座小島,我更傾向于帶一支強(qiáng)大的軍隊再回來。”
這個時候,他們跟那幾個人的距離已經(jīng)很近了。其中一個黑頭發(fā)的家伙叫道:“早啊。”
“早,”凱斯賓說,“孤獨(dú)群島還有總督嗎?”
“沒錯,”那人說,“有個岡帕斯總督,他現(xiàn)在在港口。不過, 你們可以留下來和我們一起喝酒。”
凱斯賓謝過他,雖然他不太喜歡這些人的長相,當(dāng)然其他人也不喜歡,但大家還是坐了下來。誰知道他們還沒把酒杯送到嘴邊,那個黑頭發(fā)的家伙就對同伙點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭,不由分說,他們五個的胳膊立刻被幾條鐵臂給架住了。他們掙扎了一會,不僅于事無補(bǔ),還被那幾個人解除了所有的武器,兩只手都被綁到了身后——只有雷佩契普還在他們手里撲騰,一通亂咬。
“塔克斯,你要小心那只畜生。”領(lǐng)頭的說,“別傷害它,相信我, 它很值錢的。”
“膽小鬼!懦夫!”雷佩契普尖叫道,“你們要是有本事就松開我的手,給我劍咱們決斗!”
“喲,”奴隸販子吹了一聲口哨( 這人果然是奴隸販子)“它會說話,我還沒聽說過老鼠還能說話的??礃幼邮悄苜u到兩百月牙了。”( 月牙是卡樂門貨幣,在此處通用,大約是三分之一英鎊)
“原來你真是這種人,”凱斯賓說,“騙子,奴隸販子。希望這么說你會感到很得意。”
“喂,喂,喂,”奴隸販子說,“別那么多廢話,你最好老實(shí)點(diǎn), 這樣你會舒服點(diǎn)。這可不是鬧著玩的,我們干這行,也是為了生計。”
“你要把我們帶到哪兒?”露茜久久才敢問這么一句話。
“帶到狹港,”奴隸販子說,“明天的集市。”
“那兒有英國領(lǐng)事館嗎?”尤斯塔斯問。
“有什么?”那人問。
尤斯塔斯還沒來得及解釋清楚自己的想法,奴隸販子就直接說道:“得了,莫名其妙的話我聽夠了。這只老鼠非常不錯,可是這個人卻廢話一籮筐,讓人生厭。走吧,伙計們。”
他們四個被綁到了一起,雖然綁得不足以勒死人,卻很結(jié)實(shí)。就這樣被押到了岸邊,雷佩契普是被提著過去的。他們嚇唬他說要捆上他的嘴巴,他才不再亂咬,可是他卻有一大堆話要說。露茜也想不通,老鼠跟奴隸販子說的這些話換個人聽絕對受不了,可是奴隸販子一點(diǎn)都不煩。還不停地回應(yīng):“說下去。”每當(dāng)雷佩契普歇口氣時他還會加上一句,“表演得不錯。”或者說,“哎呀,你真以為他說的是親身經(jīng)歷啊。”或者說,“這又是人家教會你的嗎?”雷佩契普一聽這話就火冒三丈,到最后,它原來想說的事情太多了,腦袋卻像是一下被堵住了,這才一言不發(fā)。
他們來到和多恩島隔海相望的岸邊,看到海濱有個小村子和一條長長的海灘,還停了一條臟兮兮的大船。
“好了,你們這些人,”奴隸販子說,“不要吵了,沒什么好抱怨的, 都到船上去!”
這時,一個好看的大胡子從一所屋子( 像個客棧) 走出來說道:
“哎,普格,你要來送貨了?”
這個叫普格的奴隸販子聽到后,鞠了一躬,用諂媚的語氣說:“是, 請大人過目。”
“那個男孩子多少錢?”那個人指著凱斯賓說。
“哎呀,”普格說,“我知道大人您最會挑了。什么貨色都瞞不過您的眼??墒?,那個孩子我也看上了。真是有點(diǎn)喜歡他,不過我天生心軟,本不應(yīng)該做這樣的買賣。不過,對您這樣的老顧客,就另當(dāng)別論了。”
“你說價錢吧,”那個人厲聲說,“我不想聽你的那些廢話!”
“大人,沖著您的面子,就給三百個月牙吧,要是別的人……”
“我出一百五十。”
“哎呀,求求你,”露茜插嘴說,“不管如何,求你別拆散我們。你不知道……”她突然停下來,因?yàn)樗肫饋韯P斯賓之前說他們不能暴露自己的身份。
“那就一百五十好了,”那位大人說,“至于你嘛,小姑娘,抱歉, 我不能把你們都買下來。普格,去松開我選中的那個孩子。另外,你最好伺候好其他幾個人,不然你肯定會遭殃的。”
“好吧,”普格說,“有誰聽說過我們這一行中,還有比我對他們更好的?嗯?我對他們就像對自己的孩子一樣。”
“說得跟真的似的。”對方不以為意地說。
到了分別的時刻,凱斯賓被松了綁,他的新主人說:“孩子, 走這邊。”露茜一聽就放聲大哭起來,愛德蒙卻一臉茫然。凱斯賓回過頭說,“你們打起精神,一切都會好起來的,再見。”
“好啦,小姑娘,”普格說,“你別哭花了臉,明天還要帶你去集市呢。乖乖地,有什么好哭的呢,是吧?”
他們被帶到一艘奴隸船上,他把他們帶到船下一個很黑的地方, 臟兮兮的。還有不少倒霉的人也被關(guān)著。他們突然明白,普格原來是個海盜,經(jīng)常出沒在附近各個島嶼,把人抓回來再賣掉。這幾個孩子沒碰到熟人,說明被抓的多半是加爾馬人和特里賓西亞人。他們坐在草堆上發(fā)呆,不知道凱斯賓會不會有事。尤斯塔斯不停地抱怨這一切都是他們的錯,不關(guān)他的事。
此時,凱斯賓比他們舒服多了。買下他的那個人,帶著他走進(jìn)村里兩排房子中間的小巷子,然后回過頭來,面朝向他。
“別害怕,孩子,”他說,“我會好好對你的。我之所以買下你, 是因?yàn)榭吹侥憔拖肫鹆硪粋€人。”
“大人,請問您說的是什么人?”凱斯賓說。
“你讓我想起了我的主人,納尼亞的凱斯賓國王。”
凱斯賓決定豁出去了。
“大人,”他說,“其實(shí)我就是您的主人,納尼亞的國王凱斯賓。”
“說得倒輕巧,”對方說,“我怎么知道你是不是真的?”
“首先,看我的長相,”凱斯賓說,“其次,我最多猜六次就知道你是誰。你應(yīng)該是我的叔叔彌若茲派到海外七位公爵之一。我這次就是出來找他們的——阿爾戈茲、伯恩、奧克特西安、雷斯蒂瑪、馬弗拉蒙,還有兩位的名字我記不清了。再者,如果你能給我一把劍, 我愿意正大光明地與你決斗一場,以此證明我是凱斯賓本人,是孤獨(dú)群島的君主,凱爾帕拉維爾的國王,納尼亞的國王老凱斯賓的兒子。”
“天哪,”那人突然叫道,“真是和你父親說話的聲音和習(xí)慣一模一樣,國王陛下。”他當(dāng)即跪在地上,親吻了國王的手。
“公爵您花在我們身上的錢,回頭我可以從國庫給你報銷。” 凱斯賓說。
“這些錢還沒落到普格的腰包里,陛下,”伯恩公爵說,他果真是七位公爵之一,“而且這筆錢不會到他的腰包里去,我勸過總督好多次,讓他不要再進(jìn)行邪惡的人肉奴隸買賣。”
“伯恩公爵,”凱斯賓說,“我們談?wù)勥@個群島的現(xiàn)狀吧,不過應(yīng)該先說說你的情況,怎么樣?”
“陛下,我的故事沒什么好講的,”伯恩說,“我跟六個兄弟到了這里,愛上了一個島上的姑娘。我航海也累了,所以就結(jié)了婚留在了這里。只要你叔叔還在,我就沒法回去。”
“你們這里的總督,那個岡帕斯怎么樣?他認(rèn)可納尼亞的國王是他的君主嗎?”
“他是陽奉陰違,自己卻以國王的名義行事。如果真正的國王到了他面前,他的臉色肯定不太好看。如果陛下你赤手空拳去見他, 他肯定承認(rèn)自己已歸順,但會裝作不認(rèn)識你。這樣你就會有危險。在這里,陛下有沒有其他部屬?”
“我的船應(yīng)該已經(jīng)繞過海角了,”凱斯賓說,“如果要打一場, 我們有三十把劍。我們是不是應(yīng)該把船開過來,攻打普格,然后把我那幾個朋友救出來?”
“我看不行,”伯恩說,“要是打起來的話,狹港那邊會有兩三條船前來搭救普格。陛下您要擺出一副很強(qiáng)大的樣子,以國王的名義來震懾他們,一定不要真打。岡帕斯是個膽小鬼,嚇唬嚇唬他就行了。”
凱斯賓和伯恩一邊說,一邊走到村子北邊的海岸,凱斯賓吹起了號角。( 這并非納尼亞那只蘇珊女王用過的、魔法無邊的號角。他把那支號角留在國內(nèi)給杜魯普金使用,在自己不在國中時,以備不時之需。) 德里寧早已做好準(zhǔn)備,只等國王的信號。聽到號角聲,黎明踏浪號就駛向了海岸,放出救生艇,把凱斯賓和伯恩公爵接到船上, 他們在甲板上向德里寧說明了情況。他和凱斯賓的想法一樣,打算把黎明踏浪號靠島而停,去奴隸船上救人。伯恩仍然不同意。
“船長,你順著這里一直走,”伯恩說,“繞過阿芙拉島,我的領(lǐng)地就到了。到了那里揚(yáng)起帆,掛上國王的旗號,盡可能地把人手集中到觀測臺。離岸大約還有五箭之遠(yuǎn)時,趕緊發(fā)信號。”
“什么信號?發(fā)給誰?”德里寧問。
“唉,沒有誰,就是幾條不存在的船啊,讓岡帕斯以為我們還有后援的艦隊。”
“啊,我明白了,”德里寧摩拳擦掌,“他們會辨別我們的信號。我該在信號中說些什么呢?就說我們的艦隊包圍阿芙拉島南端,在哪里集合等等?”
“在伯恩斯坦,”伯恩公爵說,“這樣說就行了。在那里即便有船, 從狹港這邊看過去也看不見。”
那一天,除了會為三個落在普格船上的朋友難過外,凱斯賓其他的時間都無比輕松愉快。那天晚上( 他們只能劃槳) 黎明踏浪號轉(zhuǎn)向右舷,繞過多恩島的東北角,又轉(zhuǎn)向左舷,繞過阿芙拉島的海角, 進(jìn)入阿芙拉南岸的一個優(yōu)良狹港。伯恩斯坦向海傾斜,地勢很好。伯恩手下的百姓多半在地里干活,他們都是自由人,生活在這片富饒的沃土。船上所有的人在此登陸了,在靠近海灣的一座矮房子里舉行了宴會。伯恩那位雍容華貴的夫人和幾個興高采烈的女兒把派對開得特別熱鬧,大家玩得也非常開心。天黑之后,伯恩派了幾個信使劃船到多恩島,為第二天做了些準(zhǔn)備( 但是他沒確切地說都是準(zhǔn)備些什么)。
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