chronicles of narnia 4 - silver chair, the
TRANSCRIPT
TheSilverChair
C.S.Lewis
ChapterOne
BehindtheGymITwasadullautumndayandJillPolewascryingbehindthegym.Shewascryingbecausetheyhadbeenbullyingher.Thisisnotgoingtobea
schoolstory,soIshallsayaslittleaspossibleaboutJill’sschool,whichisnotapleasantsubject.Itwas“Co-educational,”aschoolforbothboysandgirls,whatusedtobecalleda“mixed”school;somesaiditwasnotnearlysomixedasthemindsofthepeoplewhoranit.Thesepeoplehadtheideathatboysandgirlsshouldbeallowedtodowhattheyliked.Andunfortunatelywhattenorfifteenofthebiggestboysandgirlslikedbestwasbullyingtheothers.Allsortsofthings,horridthings,wentonwhichatanordinaryschoolwouldhavebeenfoundoutandstoppedinhalfaterm;butatthisschooltheyweren’t.Oreveniftheywere,thepeoplewhodidthemwerenotexpelledorpunished.TheHeadsaidtheywereinterestingpsychologicalcasesandsentforthemandtalkedtothemforhours.AndifyouknewtherightsortofthingstosaytotheHead,themainresultwasthatyoubecameratherafavoritethanotherwise.
ThatwaswhyJillPolewascryingonthatdullautumndayonthedamplittlepathwhichrunsbetweenthebackofthegymandtheshrubbery.Andshehadn’tnearlyfinishedhercrywhenaboycameroundthecornerofthegymwhistling,withhishandsinhispockets.Henearlyranintoher.
“Can’tyoulookwhereyou’regoing?”saidJillPole.“Allright,”saidtheboy,“youneedn’tstart—”andthenhenoticedherface.
“Isay,Pole,”hesaid,“what’sup?”Jillonlymadefaces;thesortyoumakewhenyou’retryingtosaysomething
butfindthatifyouspeakyou’llstartcryingagain.“It’sThem,Isuppose—asusual,”saidtheboygrimly,digginghishands
fartherintohispockets.Jillnodded.Therewasnoneedforhertosayanything,evenifshecouldhave
saidit.Theybothknew.“Now,lookhere,”saidtheboy,“there’snogoodusall—”Hemeantwell,buthedidtalkratherlikesomeonebeginningalecture.Jill
suddenlyflewintoatemper(whichisquitealikelythingtohappenifyouhavebeeninterruptedinacry).
“Oh,goawayandmindyourownbusiness,”shesaid.“Nobodyaskedyoutocomebargingin,didthey?Andyou’reanicepersontostarttellinguswhatwe
alloughttodo,aren’tyou?IsupposeyoumeanweoughttospendallourtimesuckinguptoThem,andcurryingfavor,anddancingattendanceonThemlikeyoudo.”
“Oh,Lor!”saidtheboy,sittingdownonthegrassybankattheedgeoftheshrubberyandveryquicklygettingupagainbecausethegrasswassoakingwet.HisnameunfortunatelywasEustaceScrubb,buthewasn’tabadsort.
“Pole!”hesaid.“Isthatfair?HaveIbeendoinganythingofthesortthisterm?Didn’tIstanduptoCarterabouttherabbit?Anddidn’tIkeepthesecretaboutSpivvins—undertorturetoo?Anddidn’tI—”
“Id-don’tknowandIdon’tcare,”sobbedJill.Scrubbsawthatshewasn’tquiteherselfyetandverysensiblyofferedhera
peppermint.Hehadonetoo.PresentlyJillbegantoseethingsinaclearerlight.“I’msorry,Scrubb,”shesaidpresently.“Iwasn’tfair.Youhavedoneallthat
—thisterm.”“Thenwashoutlasttermifyoucan,”saidEustace.“Iwasadifferentchap
then.Iwas—gosh!whatalittletickIwas.”“Well,honestly,youwere,”saidJill.“Youthinktherehasbeenachange,then?”saidEustace.“It’snotonlyme,”saidJill.“Everyone’sbeensayingso.They’venoticedit.
EleanorBlakistonheardAdelaPennyfathertalkingaboutitinourchangingroomyesterday.Shesaid,‘Someone’sgotholdofthatScrubbkid.He’squiteunmanageablethisterm.Weshallhavetoattendtohimnext.’”
Eustacegaveashudder.EveryoneatExperimentHouseknewwhatitwaslikebeing“attendedto”byThem.
Bothchildrenwerequietforamoment.Thedropsdrippedoffthelaurelleaves.
“Whywereyousodifferentlastterm?”saidJillpresently.“Alotofqueerthingshappenedtomeinthehols,”saidEustacemysteriously.“Whatsortofthings?”askedJill.Eustacedidn’tsayanythingforquitealongtime.Thenhesaid;“Lookhere,
Pole,youandIhatethisplaceaboutasmuchasanybodycanhateanything,don’twe?”
“IknowIdo,”saidJill.“ThenIreallythinkIcantrustyou.”“Dam’goodofyou,”saidJill.“Yes,butthisisareallyterrificsecret.Pole,Isay,areyougoodatbelieving
things?Imeanthingsthateveryoneherewouldlaughat?”
“I’veneverhadthechance,”saidJill,“butIthinkIwouldbe.”“CouldyoubelievemeifIsaidI’dbeenrightoutoftheworld—outsidethis
world—lasthols?”“Iwouldn’tknowwhatyoumeant.”“Well,don’tlet’sbotheraboutthatthen.SupposingItoldyouI’dbeenina
placewhereanimalscantalkandwherethereare—er—enchantmentsanddragons—andwell,allthesortsofthingsyouhaveinfairy-tales.”Scrubbfeltterriblyawkwardashesaidthisandgotredintheface.
“Howdidyougetthere?”saidJill.Shealsofeltcuriouslyshy.“Theonlywayyoucan—byMagic,”saidEustacealmostinawhisper.“I
waswithtwocousinsofmine.Wewerejust—whiskedaway.They’dbeentherebefore.”
NowthattheyweretalkinginwhispersJillsomehowfeltiteasiertobelieve.Thensuddenlyahorriblesuspicioncameoverherandshesaid(sofiercelythatforthemomentshelookedlikeatigress);“IfIfindyou’vebeenpullingmylegI’llneverspeaktoyouagain;never,never,never.”
“I’mnot,”saidEustace.“IswearI’mnot.Iswearbyeverything.”(WhenIwasatschoolonewouldhavesaid,“IswearbytheBible.”But
BibleswerenotencouragedatExperimentHouse.)“Allright,”saidJill,“I’llbelieveyou.”“Andtellnobody?”“Whatdoyoutakemefor?”Theywereveryexcitedastheysaidthis.ButwhentheyhadsaiditandJill
lookedroundandsawthedullautumnskyandheardthedripofftheleavesandthoughtofallthehopelessnessofExperimentHouse(itwasathirteen-weektermandtherewerestillelevenweekstocome)shesaid;“Butafterall,what’sthegood?We’renotthere;we’rehere.Andwejollywellcan’tgetthere.Orcanwe?”
“That’swhatI’vebeenwondering,”saidEustace.“WhenwecamebackfromThatPlace,SomeonesaidthatthetwoPevensiekids(that’smytwocousins)couldnevergothereagain.Itwastheirthirdtime,yousee.Isupposethey’vehadtheirshare.ButheneversaidIcouldn’t.Surelyhewouldhavesaidso,unlesshemeantthatIwastogetback?AndIcan’thelpwondering,canwe—couldwe-?”
“Doyoumean,dosomethingtomakeithappen?”Eustacenodded.“Youmeanwemightdrawacircleontheground—andwriteinqueerletters
init—andstandinsideit—andrecitecharmsandspells?”“Well,”saidEustaceafterhehadthoughthardforabit.“Ibelievethatwas
thesortofthingIwasthinkingof,thoughIneverdidit.Butnowthatitcomestothepoint,I’veanideathatallthosecirclesandthingsareratherrot.Idon’tthinkhe’dlikethem.Itwouldlookasifwethoughtwecouldmakehimdothings.Butreally,wecanonlyaskhim.”
“Whoisthispersonyoukeepontalkingabout?”“TheycallhimAslaninThatPlace,”saidEustace.“Whatacuriousname!”“Nothalfsocuriousashimself,”saidEustacesolemnly.“Butlet’sgeton.It
can’tdoanyharm,justasking.Let’sstandsidebyside,likethis.Andwe’llholdoutourarmsinfrontofuswiththepalmsdown;liketheydidinRamandu’sisland—”
“Whoseisland?”“I’lltellyouaboutthatanothertime.Andhemightlikeustofacetheeast.
Let’ssee,whereistheeast?”“Idon’tknow,”saidJill.“It’sanextraordinarythingaboutgirlsthattheyneverknowthepointsofthe
compass,”saidEustace.“Youdon’tknoweither,”saidJillindignantly.“YesIdo,ifonlyyoudidn’tkeeponinterrupting.I’vegotitnow.That’sthe
east,facingupintothelaurels.Now,willyousaythewordsafterme?”“Whatwords?”askedJill.“ThewordsI’mgoingtosay,ofcourse,”answeredEustace.“Now—”Andhebegan,“Aslan,Aslan,Aslan!”“Aslan,Aslan,Aslan,”repeatedJill.“Pleaseletustwogointo—”Atthatmomentavoicefromtheothersideofthegymwasheardshouting
out,“Pole?Yes.Iknowwheresheis.She’sblubbingbehindthegym.ShallIfetchherout?”
JillandEustacegaveoneglanceateachother,divedunderthelaurels,andbeganscramblingupthesteep,earthyslopeoftheshrubberyataspeedwhichdidthemgreatcredit.(OwingtothecuriousmethodsofteachingatExperimentHouse,onedidnotlearnmuchFrenchorMathsorLatinorthingsofthatsort;butonedidlearnalotaboutgettingawayquicklyandquietlywhenTheywerelookingforone.)
Afteraboutaminute’sscrambletheystoppedtolisten,andknewbythe
noisestheyheardthattheywerebeingfollowed.“Ifonlythedoorwasopenagain!”saidScrubbastheywenton,andJill
nodded.Foratthetopoftheshrubberywasahighstonewallandinthatwalladoorbywhichyoucouldgetoutontoopenmoor.Thisdoorwasnearlyalwayslocked.Buttherehadbeentimeswhenpeoplehadfounditopen;orperhapstherehadbeenonlyonetime.Butyoumayimaginehowthememoryofevenonetimekeptpeoplehoping,andtryingthedoor;forifitshouldhappentobeunlockeditwouldbeasplendidwayofgettingoutsidetheschoolgroundswithoutbeingseen.
JillandEustace,nowbothveryhotandverygrubbyfromgoingalongbentalmostdoubleunderthelaurels,panteduptothewall.Andtherewasthedoor,shutasusual.
“It’ssuretobenogood,”saidEustacewithhishandonthehandle;andthen,“O-o-oh.ByGum!”Forthehandleturnedandthedooropened.
Amomentbefore,bothofthemhadmeanttogetthroughthatdoorwayindoublequicktime,ifbyanychancethedoorwasnotlocked.Butwhenthedooractuallyopened,theybothstoodstock-still.Forwhattheysawwasquitedifferentfromwhattheyhadexpected.
Theyhadexpectedtoseethegrey,heatheryslopeofthemoorgoingupanduptojointhedullautumnsky.Instead,ablazeofsunshinemetthem.ItpouredthroughthedoorwayasthelightofaJunedaypoursintoagaragewhenyouopenthedoor.ItmadethedropsofwateronthegrassglitterlikebeadsandshowedupthedirtinessofJill’stear-stainedface.Andthesunlightwascomingfromwhatcertainlydidlooklikeadifferentworld—whattheycouldseeofit.Theysawsmoothturf,smootherandbrighterthanJillhadeverseenbefore,andbluesky,and,dartingtoandfro,thingssobrightthattheymighthavebeenjewelsorhugebutterflies.
Althoughshehadbeenlongingforsomethinglikethis,Jillfeltfrightened.ShelookedatScrubb’sfaceandsawthathewasfrightenedtoo.
“Comeon,Pole,”hesaidinabreathlessvoice.“Canwegetback?Isitsafe?”askedJill.Atthatmomentavoiceshoutedfrombehind,amean,spitefullittlevoice.
“Nowthen,Pole,”itsqueaked.“Everyoneknowsyou’rethere.Downyoucome.”ItwasthevoiceofEdithJackle,notoneofThemherselfbutoneoftheirhangers-onandtale-bearers.
“Quick!”saidScrubb.“Here.Holdhands.Wemustn’tgetseparated.”Andbeforeshequiteknewwhatwashappening,hehadgrabbedherhandandpulled
herthroughthedoor,outoftheschoolgrounds,outofEngland,outofourwholeworldintoThatPlace.
ThesoundofEdithJackle’svoicestoppedassuddenlyasthevoiceontheradiowhenitisswitchedoff.Instantlytherewasaquitedifferentsoundallaboutthem.Itcamefromthosebrightthingsoverhead,whichnowturnedouttobebirds.Theyweremakingariotousnoise,butitwasmuchmorelikemusic—ratheradvancedmusicwhichyoudon’tquitetakeinatthefirsthearing—thanbirds’songseverareinourworld.Yet,inspiteofthesinging,therewasasortofbackgroundofimmensesilence.Thatsilence,combinedwiththefreshnessoftheair,madeJillthinktheymustbeonthetopofaveryhighmountain.
Scrubbstillhadherbythehandandtheywerewalkingforward,staringaboutthemoneveryside.Jillsawthathugetrees,ratherlikecedarsbutbigger,grewineverydirection.Butastheydidnotgrowclosetogether,andastherewasnoundergrowth,thisdidnotpreventonefromseeingalongwayintotheforesttoleftandright.AndasfarasJill’seyecouldreach,itwasallthesame—levelturf,dartingbirdswithyellow,ordragonflyblue,orrainbowplumage,blueshadows,andemptiness.Therewasnotabreathofwindinthatcool,brightair.Itwasaverylonelyforest.
Rightaheadtherewerenotrees;onlybluesky.TheywentstraightonwithoutspeakingtillsuddenlyJillheardScrubbsay,“Lookout!”andfeltherselfjerkedback.Theywereattheveryedgeofacliff.
Jillwasoneofthoseluckypeoplewhohaveagoodheadforheights.Shedidn’tmindintheleaststandingontheedgeofaprecipice.ShewasratherannoyedwithScrubbforpullingherback—“justasifIwasakid”,shesaidandshewrenchedherhandoutofhis.Whenshesawhowverywhitehehadturned,shedespisedhim.
“What’sthematter?”shesaid.Andtoshowthatshewasnotafraid,shestoodveryneartheedgeindeed;infact,agooddealnearerthanevensheliked.Thenshelookeddown.
ShenowrealizedthatScrubbhadsomeexcuseforlookingwhite,fornocliffinourworldistobecomparedwiththis.Imagineyourselfatthetopoftheveryhighestcliffyouknow.Andimagineyourselflookingdowntotheverybottom.Andthenimaginethattheprecipicegoesonbelowthat,asfaragain,tentimesasfar,twentytimesasfar.Andwhenyou’velookeddownallthatdistanceimaginelittlewhitethingsthatmight,atfirstglance,bemistakenforsheep,butpresentlyyourealizethattheyareclouds—notlittlewreathsofmistbuttheenormouswhite,puffycloudswhicharethemselvesasbigasmostmountains.Andatlast,
inbetweenthoseclouds,yougetyourfirstglimpseoftherealbottom,sofarawaythatyoucan’tmakeoutwhetherit’sfieldorwood,orlandorwater;fartherbelowthosecloudsthanyouareabovethem.
Jillstaredatit.Thenshethoughtthatperhaps,afterall,shewouldstepbackafootorsofromtheedge;butshedidn’tliketoforfearofwhatScrubbwouldthink.Thenshesuddenlydecidedthatshedidn’tcarewhathethought,andthatshewouldjollywellgetawayfromthathorribleedgeandneverlaughatanyonefornotlikingheightsagain.Butwhenshetriedtomove,shefoundshecouldn’t.Herlegsseemedtohaveturnedintoputty.Everythingwasswimmingbeforehereyes.
“Whatareyoudoing,Pole?Comeback-blitheringlittleidiot!”shoutedScrubb.Buthisvoiceseemedtohecomingfromalongwayoff.Shefelthimgrabbingather.Butbynowshehadnocontroloverherownarmsandlegs.Therewasamoment’sstrugglingonthecliffedge.Jillwastoofrightenedanddizzytoknowquitewhatshewasdoing,buttwothingssherememberedaslongasshelived(theyoftencamebacktoherindreams).OnewasthatshehadwrenchedherselffreeofScrubb’sclutches;theotherwasthat,atthesamemoment,Scrubbhimself,withaterrifiedscream,hadlosthisbalanceandgonehurtlingtothedepths.
Fortunately,shewasgivennotimetothinkoverwhatshehaddone.Somehuge,brightlycoloredanimalhadrushedtotheedgeofthecliff.Itwaslyingdown,leaningover,and(thiswastheoddthing)blowing.Notroaringorsnorting,butjustblowingfromitswide-openedmouth;blowingoutassteadilyasavacuumcleanersucksin.Jillwaslyingsoclosetothecreaturethatshecouldfeelthebreathvibratingsteadilythroughitsbody.Shewaslyingstillbecauseshecouldn’tgetup.Shewasnearlyfainting;indeed,shewishedshecouldreallyfaint,butfaintsdon’tcomefortheasking.Atlastshesaw,farawaybelowher,atinyblackspeckfloatingawayfromthecliffandslightlyupwards.Asitrose,italsogotfartheraway.Bythetimeitwasnearlyonalevelwiththecliff-topitwassofaroffthatshelostsightofit.Itwasobviouslymovingawayfromthematagreatspeed.Jillcouldn’thelpthinkingthatthecreatureathersidewasblowingitaway.
Sosheturnedandlookedatthecreature.Itwasalion.
ChapterTwo
JillisGivenaTaskWITHOUTaglanceatJillthelionrosetoitsfeetandgaveonelastblow.
Then,asifsatisfiedwithitswork,itturnedandstalkedslowlyaway,backintotheforest.
“Itmustbeadream,itmust,itmust,”saidJilltoherself.“I’llwakeupinamoment.”Butitwasn’t,andshedidn’t.
“Idowishwe’dnevercometothisdreadfulplace,”saidJill.“Idon’tbelieveScrubbknewanymoreaboutitthanIdo.Orifhedid,hehadnobusinesstobringmeherewithoutwarningmewhatitwaslike.It’snotmyfaulthefelloverthatcliff.Ifhe’dleftmealoneweshouldbothbeallright.”ThensherememberedagainthescreamthatScrubbhadgivenwhenhefell,andburstintotears.
Cryingisallrightinitswaywhileitlasts.Butyouhavetostopsoonerorlater,andthenyoustillhavetodecidewhattodo.WhenJillstopped,shefoundshewasdreadfullythirsty.Shehadbeenlyingfacedownward,andnowshesatup.Thebirdshadceasedsingingandtherewasperfectsilenceexceptforonesmall,persistentsound,whichseemedtocomefromagooddistanceaway.Shelistenedcarefully,andfeltalmostsureitwasthesoundofrunningwater.
Jillgotupandlookedroundherverycarefully.Therewasnosignofthelion;butthereweresomanytreesaboutthatitmighteasilybequiteclosewithoutherseeingit.Forallsheknew,theremightbeseverallions.Butherthirstwasverybadnow,andshepluckeduphercouragetogoandlookforthatrunningwater.Shewentontiptoes,stealingcautiouslyfromtreetotree,andstoppingtopeerroundherateverystep.
Thewoodwassostillthatitwasnotdifficulttodecidewherethesoundwascomingfrom.Itgrewclearereverymomentand,soonerthansheexpected,shecametoanopengladeandsawthestream,brightasglass,runningacrosstheturfastone’sthrowawayfromher.Butalthoughthesightofthewatermadeherfeeltentimesthirstierthanbefore,shedidn’trushforwardanddrink.Shestoodasstillasifshehadbeenturnedintostone,withhermouthwideopen.Andshehadaverygoodreason;justonthissideofthestreamlaythelion.
Itlaywithitsheadraisedanditstwoforepawsoutinfrontofit,likethelionsinTrafalgarSquare.Sheknewatoncethatithadseenher,foritseyeslookedstraightintohersforamomentandthenturnedaway—asifitknewherquite
wellanddidn’tthinkmuchofher.“IfIrunaway,it’llbeaftermeinamoment,”thoughtJill.“AndifIgoon,I
shallrunstraightintoitsmouth.”Anyway,shecouldn’thavemovedifshehadtried,andshecouldn’ttakehereyesoffit.Howlongthislasted,shecouldnotbesure;itseemedlikehours.Andthethirstbecamesobadthatshealmostfeltshewouldnotmindbeingeatenbythelionifonlyshecouldbesureofgettingamouthfulofwaterfirst.
“Ifyou’rethirsty,youmaydrink.”TheywerethefirstwordsshehadheardsinceScrubbhadspokentoheron
theedgeofthecliff.Forasecondshestaredhereandthere,wonderingwhohadspoken.Thenthevoicesaidagain,“Ifyouarethirsty,comeanddrink,”andofcoursesherememberedwhatScrubbhadsaidaboutanimalstalkinginthatotherworld,andrealizedthatitwasthelionspeaking.Anyway,shehadseenitslipsmovethistime,andthevoicewasnotlikeaman’s.Itwasdeeper,wilder,andstronger;asortofheavy,goldenvoice.Itdidnotmakeheranylessfrightenedthanshehadbeenbefore,butitmadeherfrightenedinratheradifferentway.
“Areyounotthirsty?”saidtheLion.“I’mdyingofthirst,”saidJill.“Thendrink,”saidtheLion.“MayI—couldI—wouldyoumindgoingawaywhileIdo?”saidJill.TheLionansweredthisonlybyalookandaverylowgrowl.AndasJill
gazedatitsmotionlessbulk,sherealizedthatshemightaswellhaveaskedthewholemountaintomoveasideforherconvenience.
Thedeliciousripplingnoiseofthestreamwasdrivinghernearlyfrantic.“Willyoupromisenotto—doanythingtome,ifIdocome?”saidJill.“Imakenopromise,”saidtheLion.Jillwassothirstynowthat,withoutnoticingit,shehadcomeastepnearer.“Doyoueatgirls?”shesaid.“Ihaveswallowedupgirlsandboys,womenandmen,kingsandemperors,
citiesandrealms,”saidtheLion.Itdidn’tsaythisasifitwereboasting,norasifitweresorry,norasifitwereangry.Itjustsaidit.
“Idaren’tcomeanddrink,”saidJill.“Thenyouwilldieofthirst,”saidtheLion.“Ohdear!”saidJill,cominganotherstepnearer.“IsupposeImustgoand
lookforanotherstreamthen.”“Thereisnootherstream,”saidtheLion.ItneveroccurredtoJilltodisbelievetheLion—noonewhohadseenhis
sternfacecoulddothat—andhermindsuddenlymadeitselfup.Itwastheworstthingshehadeverhadtodo,butshewentforwardtothestream,kneltdown,andbeganscoopingupwaterinherhand.Itwasthecoldest,mostrefreshingwatershehadevertasted.Youdidn’tneedtodrinkmuchofit,foritquenchedyourthirstatonce.BeforeshetasteditshehadbeenintendingtomakeadashawayfromtheLionthemomentshehadfinished.Now,sherealizedthatthiswouldbeonthewholethemostdangerousthingofall.Shegotupandstoodtherewithherlipsstillwetfromdrinking.
“Comehere,”saidtheLion.Andshehadto.Shewasalmostbetweenitsfrontpawsnow,lookingstraightintoitsface.Butshecouldn’tstandthatforlong;shedroppedhereyes.
“HumanChild,”saidtheLion.“WhereistheBoy?”“Hefelloverthecliff,”saidJill,andadded,“Sir.”Shedidn’tknowwhatelse
tocallhim,anditsoundedcheektocallhimnothing.“Howdidhecometodothat,HumanChild?”“Hewastryingtostopmefromfalling,Sir.”“Whywereyousoneartheedge,HumanChild?”“Iwasshowingoff,Sir.”“Thatisaverygoodanswer,HumanChild.Dosonomore.Andnow”(here
forthefirsttimetheLion’sfacebecamealittlelessstern)“theboyissafe.IhaveblownhimtoNarnia.Butyourtaskwillbetheharderbecauseofwhatyouhavedone.”
“Please,whattask,Sir?”saidJill.“ThetaskforwhichIcalledyouandhimhereoutofyourownworld.”ThispuzzledJillverymuch.“It’smistakingmeforsomeoneelse,”she
thought.Shedidn’tdaretotelltheLionthis,thoughshefeltthingswouldgetintoadreadfulmuddleunlessshedid.
“Speakyourthought,HumanChild,”saidtheLion.“Iwaswondering—Imean—couldtherebesomemistake?Because
nobodycalledmeandScrubb,youknow.Itwaswewhoaskedtocomehere.Scrubbsaidweweretocallto—toSomebody—itwasanameIwouldn’tknow—andperhapstheSomebodywouldletusin.Andwedid,andthenwefoundthedooropen.’
“YouwouldnothavecalledtomeunlessIhadbeencallingtoyou,”saidtheLion.
“ThenyouareSomebody,Sir?”saidJill.“Iam.Andnowhearyourtask.FarfromhereinthelandofNarniatherelives
anagedkingwhoissadbecausehehasnoprinceofhisbloodtobekingafterhim.Hehasnoheirbecausehisonlysonwasstolenfromhimmanyyearsago,andnooneinNarniaknowswherethatprincewentorwhetherheisstillalive.Butheis.Ilayonyouthiscommand,thatyouseekthislostprinceuntileitheryouhavefoundhimandbroughthimtohisfather’shouse,orelsediedintheattempt,orelsegonebackintoyourownworld.”
“How,please?”saidJill.“Iwilltellyou,Child,”saidtheLion.“ThesearethesignsbywhichIwill
guideyouinyourquest.First;assoonastheBoyEustacesetsfootinNarnia,hewillmeetanoldanddearfriend.Hemustgreetthatfriendatonce;ifhedoes,youwillbothhavegoodhelp.Second;youmustjourneyoutofNarniatothenorthtillyoucometotheruinedcityoftheancientgiants.Third;youshallfindawritingonastoneinthatruinedcity,andyoumustdowhatthewritingtellsyou.Fourth;youwillknowthelostprince(ifyoufindhim)bythis,thathewillbethefirstpersonyouhavemetinyourtravelswhowillaskyoutodosomethinginmyname,inthenameofAslan.”
AstheLionseemedtohavefinished,Jillthoughtsheshouldsaysomething.Soshesaid,“Thankyouverymuch.Isee.”
“Child,”saidAslan,inagentlervoicethanhehadyetused,“perhapsyoudonotseequiteaswellasyouthink.Butthefirststepistoremember.Repeattome,inorder,thefoursigns.”
Jilltried,anddidn’tgetthemquiteright.SotheLioncorrectedher,andmadeherrepeatthemagainandagaintillshecouldsaythemperfectly.Hewasverypatientoverthis,sothat,whenitwasdone,Jillpluckedupcouragetoask;“Please,howamItogettoNarnia?”
“Onmybreath,”saidtheLion.“IwillblowyouintothewestoftheworldasIblewEustace.”
“ShallIcatchhimintimetotellhimthefirstsign?ButIsupposeitwon’tmatter.Ifheseesanoldfriend,he’ssuretogoandspeaktohim,isn’the?”
“Youwillhavenotimetospare,”saidtheLion.“ThatiswhyImustsendyouatonce.Come.Walkbeforemetotheedgeofthecliff.”
Jillrememberedverywellthatiftherewasnotimetospare,thatwasherownfault.“IfIhadn’tmadesuchafoolofmyself,ScrubbandIwouldhavebeengoingtogether.Andhe’dhaveheardalltheinstructionsaswellasme,”shethought.Soshedidasshewastold.Itwasveryalarmingwalkingbacktotheedgeofthecliff,especiallyastheLiondidnotwalkwithherbutbehindher—makingnonoiseonhissoftpaws.
Butlongbeforeshehadgotanywhereneartheedge,thevoicebehindhersaid,“Standstill.InamomentIwillblow.But,first,remember,remember,rememberthesigns.Saythemtoyourselfwhenyouwakeinthemorningandwhenyouliedownatnight,andwhenyouwakeinthemiddleofthenight.Andwhateverstrangethingsmayhappentoyou,letnothingturnyourmindfromfollowingthesigns.Andsecondly,Igiveyouawarning.HereonthemountainIhavespokentoyouclearly;IwillnotoftendosodowninNarnia.Hereonthemountain,theairisclearandyourmindisclear;asyoudropdownintoNarnia,theairwillthicken.Takegreatcarethatitdoesnotconfuseyourmind.Andthesignswhichyouhavelearnedherewillnotlookatallasyouexpectthemtolook,whenyoumeetthemthere.Thatiswhyitissoimportanttoknowthembyheartandpaynoattentiontoappearances.Rememberthesignsandbelievethesigns.Nothingelsematters.Andnow,daughterofEve,farewell—”
Thevoicehadbeengrowingsoftertowardstheendofthisspeechandnowitfadedawayaltogether.Jilllookedbehindher.Toherastonishmentshesawthecliffalreadymorethanahundredyardsbehindher,andtheLionhimselfaspeckofbrightgoldontheedgeofit.Shehadbeensettingherteethandclenchingherfistsforaterribleblastoflion’sbreath;butthebreathhadreallybeensogentlethatshehadnotevennoticedthemomentatwhichshelefttheearth.Andnow,therewasnothingbutairforthousandsuponthousandsoffeetbelowher.
Shefeltfrightenedonlyforasecond.Foronething,theworldbeneathherwassoveryfarawaythatitseemedtohavenothingtodowithher.Foranother,floatingonthebreathoftheLionwassoextremelycomfortable.Shefoundshecouldlieonherbackoronherfaceandtwistanywayshepleased,justasyoucaninwater(ifyou’velearnedtofloatreallywell).Andbecauseshewasmovingatthesamepaceasthebreath,therewasnowind,andtheairseemedbeautifullywarm.Itwasnotintheleastlikebeinginanairplane,becausetherewasnonoiseandnovibration.IfJillhadeverbeeninaballoonshemighthavethoughtitmorelikethat;onlybetter.
Whenshelookedbacknowshecouldtakeinforthefirsttimetherealsizeofthemountainshewasleaving.Shewonderedwhyamountainsohugeasthatwasnotcoveredwithsnowandice—“butIsupposeallthatsortofthingisdifferentinthisworld,”thoughtJill.Thenshelookedbelowher;butshewassohighthatshecouldn’tmakeoutwhethershewasfloatingoverlandorsea,norwhatspeedshewasgoingat.
“ByJove!Thesigns!”saidJillsuddenly.“I’dbetterrepeatthem.”Shewasinapanicforasecondortwo,butshefoundshecouldstillsaythemallcorrectly.
“Sothat’sallright,”shesaid,andlaybackontheairasifitwasasofa,withasighofcontentment.
“Well,Idodeclare,”saidJilltoherselfsomehourslater,“I’vebeenasleep.Fancysleepingonair.Iwonderifanyone’sdoneitbefore.Idon’tsupposetheyhave.Ohbother—Scrubbprobablyhas!Onthissamejourney,alittlebitbeforeme.Let’sseewhatitlookslikedownbelow.”
Whatitlookedlikewasanenormous,verydarkblueplain.Therewerenohillstobeseen;buttherewerebiggishwhitethingsmovingslowlyacrossit.“Thosemustbeclouds,”shethought.“Butfarbiggerthantheoneswesawfromthecliff.Isupposethey’rebiggerbecausethey’renearer.Imustbegettinglower.Botherthissun.”
Thesunwhichhadbeenhighoverheadwhenshebeganherjourneywasnowgettingintohereyes.Thismeantthatitwasgettinglower,aheadofher.ScrubbwasquiterightinsayingthatJill(Idon’tknowaboutgirlsingeneral)didn’tthinkmuchaboutpointsofthecompass.Otherwiseshewouldhaveknown,whenthesunbegangettinginhereyes,thatshewastravelingprettynearlyduewest.
Staringattheblueplainbelowher,shepresentlynoticedthattherewerelittledotsofbrighter,palercolorinithereandthere.“It’sthesea!”thoughtJill.“Idobelievethoseareislands.”Andsotheywere.ShemighthavefeltratherjealousifshehadknownthatsomeofthemwereislandswhichScrubbhadseenfromaship’sdeckandevenlandedon;butshedidn’tknowthis.Then,lateron,shebegantoseethattherewerelittlewrinklesontheblueflatness;littlewrinkleswhichmustbequitebigoceanwavesifyouweredownamongthem.Andnow,allalongthehorizontherewasathickdarklinewhichgrewthickeranddarkersoquicklythatyoucouldseeitgrowing.Thatwasthefirstsignshehadhadofthegreatspeedatwhichshewastraveling.Andsheknewthatthethickeninglinemustbeland.
Suddenlyfromherleft(forthewindwasinthesouth)agreatwhitecloudcamerushingtowardsher,thistimeonthesamelevelasherself.Andbeforesheknewwhereshewas,shehadshotrightintothemiddleofitscold,wetfogginess.Thattookherbreathaway,butshewasinitonlyforamoment.Shecameoutblinkinginthesunlightandfoundherclotheswet.(Shehadonablazerandsweaterandshortsandstockingsandprettythickshoes;ithadbeenamuddysortofdayinEngland.)Shecameoutlowerthanshehadgonein;andassoonasshedidsoshenoticedsomethingwhich,Isuppose,sheoughttohavebeenexpecting,butwhichcameasasurpriseandashock.ItwasNoises.Uptillthen
shehadtraveledintotalsilence.Now,forthefirsttime,sheheardthenoiseofwavesandthecryingofseagulls.Andnow,too,shesmelledthesmellofthesea.Therewasnomistakeaboutherspeednow.Shesawtwowavesmeetwithasmackandaspoutoffoamgoupbetweenthem;butshehadhardlyseenitbeforeitwasahundredyardsbehindher.Thelandwasgettingneareratagreatpace.Shecouldseemountainsfarinland,andothernearermountainsonherleft.Shecouldseebaysandheadlands,woodsandfields,stretchesofsandybeach.Thesoundofwavesbreakingontheshorewasgrowingloudereverysecondanddrowningtheotherseanoises.
Suddenlythelandopenedrightaheadofher.Shewascomingtothemouthofariver.Shewasverylownow,onlyafewfeetabovethewater.Awave-topcameagainsthertoeandagreatsplashoffoamspurtedup,drenchinghernearlytothewaist.Nowshewaslosingspeed.Insteadofbeingcarrieduptherivershewasglidingintotheriverbankonherleft.Thereweresomanythingstonoticethatshecouldhardlytakethemallin;asmooth,greenlawn,ashipsobrightlycoloredthatitlookedlikeanenormouspieceofjewellery,towersandbattlements,bannersflutteringintheair,acrowd,gayclothes,armor,gold,swords,asoundofmusic.Butthiswasalljumbled.Thefirstthingthatsheknewclearlywasthatshehadalightedandwasstandingunderathicketoftreesclosebytheriverside,andthere,onlyafewfeetawayfromher,wasScrubb.
Thefirstthingshethoughtwashowverygrubbyanduntidyandgenerallyunimpressivehelooked.Andthesecondwas“HowwetIam!”
ChapterThree
TheSailingoftheKingWHATmadeScrubblooksodingy(andJilltoo,ifshecouldonlyhaveseen
herself)wasthesplendoroftheirsurroundings.Ihadbetterdescribethematonce.
ThroughacleftinthosemountainswhichJillhadseenfarinlandassheapproachedtheland,thesunsetlightwaspouringoveralevellawn.Onthefarsideofthelawn,itsweathervanesglitteringinthelight,roseamany-toweredandmany-turretedcastle;themostbeautifulcastleJillhadeverseen.Onthenearsidewasaquayofwhitemarbleand,mooredtothis,theship;atallshipwithhighforecastleandhighpoop,gildedandcrimson,withagreatflagatthemast-head,andmanybannerswavingfromthedecks,andarowofshields,brightassilver,alongthebulwarks.Thegangplankwaslaidtoher,andatthefootofit,justreadytogoonboard,stoodanold,oldman.Heworearichmantleofscarletwhichopenedinfronttoshowhissilvermailshirt.Therewasathincircletofgoldonhishead.Hisbeard,whiteaswool,fellnearlytohiswaist.Hestoodstraightenough,leaningonehandontheshoulderofarichlydressedlordwhoseemedyoungerthanhimself;butyoucouldseehewasveryoldandfrail.Helookedasifapuffofwindcouldblowhimaway,andhiseyeswerewatery.
ImmediatelyinfrontoftheKing—whohadturnedroundtospeaktohispeoplebeforegoingonboardtheship—therewasalittlechaironwheels,and,harnessedtoit,alittledonkey;notmuchbiggerthanabigretriever.Inthischairsatafatlittledwarf.HewasasrichlydressedastheKing,butbecauseofhisfatnessandbecausehewassittinghunchedupamongcushions,theeffectwasquitedifferent;itmadehimlooklikeashapelesslittlebundleoffurandsilkandvelvet.HewasasoldastheKing,butmorehaleandhearty,withverykeeneyes.Hisbarehead,whichwasbaldandextremelylarge,shonelikeagiganticbilliardballinthesunsetlight.
Fartherback,inahalf-circle,stoodwhatJillatonceknewtobethecourtiers.Theywerewellworthlookingatfortheirclothesandarmoralone.Asfarasthatwent,theylookedmorelikeaflower-bedthanacrowd.ButwhatreallymadeJillopenhereyesandmouthaswideastheywouldgo,wasthepeoplethemselves.If“people”wastherightword.Foronlyaboutoneineveryfivewashuman.Therestwerethingsyouneverseeinourworld.Fauns,satyrs,centaurs;Jillcouldgiveanametothese,forshehadseenpicturesofthem.Dwarfstoo.Andthere
werealotofanimalssheknewaswell;bears,badgers,moles,leopards,mice,andvariousbirds.ButthentheyweresoverydifferentfromtheanimalswhichonecalledbythesamenamesinEngland.Someofthemweremuchbigger—themice,forinstance,stoodontheirhindlegsandwereovertwofeethigh.Butquiteapartfromthat,theyalllookeddifferent.Youcouldseebytheexpressionintheirfacesthattheycouldtalkandthinkjustaswellasyoucould.
“Golly!”thoughtJill.“Soit’strueafterall.”Butnextmomentsheadded,“Iwonderaretheyfriendly?”Forshehadjustnoticed,ontheoutskirtsofthecrowd,oneortwogiantsandsomepeoplewhomshecouldn’tgiveanametoatall.
AtthatmomentAslanandthesignsrushedbackintohermind.Shehadforgottenallaboutthemforthelasthalf-hour.
“Scrubb!”shewhispered,grabbinghisarm.“Scrubb,quick!Doyouseeanyoneyouknow?”
“Soyou’veturnedupagain,haveyou?”saidScrubbdisagreeably(forwhichhehadsomereason).“Well,keepquiet,can’tyou?Iwanttolisten.”
“Don’tbeafool,”saidJill.“Thereisn’tamomenttolose.Don’tyouseesomeoldfriendhere?Becauseyou’vegottogoandspeaktohimatonce.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”saidScrubb.“It’sAslan—theLion—saysyou’vegotto,”saidJilldespairingly.“I’ve
seenhim.”“Oh,youhave,haveyou?Whatdidhesay?”“HesaidtheveryfirstpersonyousawinNarniawouldbeanoldfriend,and
you’dgottospeaktohimatonce.”“Well,there’snobodyhereI’veeverseeninmylifebefore;andanyway,I
don’tknowwhetherthisisNarnia.”“Thoughtyousaidyou’dbeenherebefore,”saidJill.“Well,youthoughtwrongthen.”“Well,Ilikethat!Youtoldme—”“Forheaven’ssakedryupandlet’shearwhatthey’resaying.”TheKingwasspeakingtotheDwarf,butJillcouldn’thearwhathesaid.And,
asfarasshecouldmakeout,theDwarfmadenoanswer,thoughhenoddedandwaggedhisheadagreatdeal.ThentheKingraisedhisvoiceandaddressedthewholecourt;buthisvoicewassooldandcrackedthatshecouldunderstandverylittleofhisspeech—especiallysinceitwasallaboutpeopleandplacesshehadneverheardof.Whenthespeechwasover,theKingstoopeddownandkissedtheDwarfonbothcheeks,straightenedhimself,raisedhisrighthandasifin
blessing,andwent,slowlyandwithfeeblesteps,upthegangwayandonboardtheship.Thecourtiersappearedtobegreatlymovedbyhisdeparture.Handkerchiefsweregotout,soundsofsobbingwereheardineverydirection.Thegangwaywascastoff,trumpetssoundedfromthepoop,andtheshipmovedawayfromthequay.(Itwasbeingtowedbyarowboat,butJilldidn’tseethat.)
“Now—”saidScrubb,buthedidn’tgetanyfarther,becauseatthatmomentalargewhiteobject—Jillthoughtforasecondthatitwasakite—cameglidingthroughtheairandalightedathisfeet.Itwasawhiteowl,butsobigthatitstoodashighasagood-sizeddwarf.
Itblinkedandpeeredasifitwereshort-sighted,andputitsheadalittleononeside,andsaidinasoft,hootingkindofvoice;“Tu-whoo,tu-whoo!Whoareyoutwo?”
“Myname’sScrubb,andthisisPole,”saidEustace.“Wouldyoumindtellinguswhereweare?”
“InthelandofNarnia,attheKing’scastleofCairParavel.”“IsthattheKingwho’sjusttakenship?”“Tootrue,tootrue,”saidtheOwlsadly,shakingitsbighead.“Butwhoare
you?There’ssomethingmagicaboutyoutwo.Isawyouarrive;youflew.EveryoneelsewassobusyseeingtheKingoffthatnobodyknew.Exceptme.Ihappenedtonoticeyou,youflew.”
“WeweresentherebyAslan,”saidEustaceinalowvoice.“Tu-whoo,tu-whoo!”saidtheOwl,rufflingoutitsfeathers.“Thisisalmost
toomuchforme,soearlyintheevening.I’mnotquitemyselftillthesun’sdown.”
“Andwe’vebeensenttofindthelostPrince,”saidJill,whohadbeenanxiouslywaitingtogetintotheconversation.
“It’sthefirstI’veheardaboutit,”saidEustace.“Whatprince?”“YouhadbettercomeandspeaktotheLordRegentatonce,”itsaid.“That’s
him,overthereinthedonkeycarriage;TrumpkintheDwarf.”Thebirdturnedandbeganleadingtheway,mutteringtoitself,“Whoo!Tu-whoo!Whatato-do!Ican’tthinkclearlyyet.It’stooearly.”
“WhatistheKing’sname?”askedEustace.“CaspiantheTenth,”saidtheOwl.AndJillwonderedwhyScrubbhad
suddenlypulledupshortinhiswalkandturnedanextraordinarycolor.Shethoughtshehadneverseenhimlooksosickaboutanything.Butbeforeshehadtimetoaskanyquestionstheyhadreachedthedwarf,whowasjustgatheringupthereinsofhisdonkeyandpreparingtodrivebacktothecastle.Thecrowdof
courtiershadbrokenupandweregoinginthesamedirection,byonesandtwosandlittleknots,likepeoplecomingawayfromwatchingagameorarace.
“Tu-whoo!Ahem!LordRegent,”saidtheOwl,stoopingdownalittleandholdingitsbeakneartheDwarf’sear.
“Heh?What’sthat?”saidtheDwarf.“Twostrangers,mylord,”saidtheOwl.“Rangers!Whatd’yemean?”saidtheDwarf.“Iseetwouncommonlygrubby
man-cubs.Whatdotheywant?”“Myname’sJill,”saidJill,pressingforward.Shewasveryeagertoexplain
theimportantbusinessonwhichtheyhadcome.“Thegirl’scalledJill,”saidtheOwl,asloudasitcould.“What’sthat?”saidtheDwarf.“Thegirlsareallkilled!Idon’tbelieveaword
ofit.Whatgirls?Whokilled‘em?”“Onlyonegirl,mylord,”saidtheOwl.“HernameisJill.”“Speakup,speakup,”saidtheDwarf.“Don’tstandtherebuzzingand
twitteringinmyear.Who’sbeenkilled?”“Nobody’sbeenkilled,”hootedtheOwl.“Who?”“Nobody.”“Allright,allright.Youneedn’tshout.I’mnotsodeafasallthat.Whatdo
youmeanbycomingheretotellmethatnobody’sbeenkilled?Whyshouldanyonehavebeenkilled?”
“BettertellhimI’mEustace,”saidScrubb.“Theboy’sEustace,mylord,”hootedtheOwlasloudasitcould.“Useless?”saidtheDwarfirritably.“Idaresayheis.Isthatanyreasonfor
bringinghimtocourt?Hey?”“Notuseless,”saidtheOwl.“Eustace.”“Usedtoit,ishe?Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,I’msure.Itellyou
whatitis,MasterGlimfeather;whenIwasayoungDwarfthereusedtobetalkingbeastsandbirdsinthiscountrywhoreallycouldtalk.Therewasn’tallthismumblingandmutteringandwhispering.Itwouldn’thavebeentoleratedforamoment.Notforamoment,Sir.Urnus,mytrumpetplease—”
AlittleFaunwhohadbeenstandingquietlybesidetheDwarf’selbowallthistimenowhandedhimasilvereartrumpet.Itwasmadelikethemusicalinstrumentcalledaserpent,sothatthetubecurledrightroundtheDwarf’sneck.WhilehewasgettingitsettledtheOwl,Glimfeather,suddenlysaidtothechildreninawhisper;“Mybrain’sabitclearernow.Don’tsayanythingabout
thelostPrince.I’llexplainlater.Itwouldn’tdo,wouldn’tdo,Tu-Whoo!Ohwhatato-do!”
“Now,”saidtheDwarf,“ifyouhaveanythingsensibletosay,MasterGlimfeather,tryandsayit.Takeadeepbreathanddon’tattempttospeaktooquickly.”
Withhelpfromthechildren,andinspiteofafitofcoughingonthepartoftheDwarf,GlimfeatherexplainedthatthestrangershadbeensentbyAslantovisitthecourtofNarnia.TheDwarfglancedquicklyupatthemwithanewexpressioninhiseyes.
“SentbytheLionHimself,hey?”hesaid.“Andfromm’m—fromthatotherPlace—beyondtheworld’send,hey?”
“Yes,mylord,”bawledEustaceintothetrumpet.“SonofAdamandDaughterofEve,hey?”saidtheDwarf.Butpeopleat
ExperimentHousehaven’theardofAdamandEve,soJillandEustacecouldn’tanswerthis.ButtheDwarfdidn’tseemtonotice.
“Well,mydears,”hesaid,takingfirstoneandthentheotherbythehandandbowinghisheadalittle.“Youareveryheartilywelcome.IfthegoodKing,mypoorMaster,hadnotthisveryhoursetsailforSevenIsles,hewouldhavebeengladofyourcoming.Itwouldhavebroughtbackhisyouthtohimforamoment—foramoment.Andnow,itishightimeforsupper.Youshalltellmeyourbusinessinfullcounciltomorrowmorning.MasterGlimfeather,seethatbedchambersandsuitableclothesandallelseareprovidedfortheseguestsinthemosthonorablefashion.And—Glimfeather—inyourear—”
HeretheDwarfputhismouthclosetotheOwl’sheadand,nodoubt,intendedtowhisper;but,likeotherdeafpeople,hewasn’taverygoodjudgeofhisownvoice,andbothchildrenheardhimsay,“Seethatthey’reproperlywashed.”
Afterthat,theDwarftoucheduphisdonkeyanditsetofftowardsthecastleatsomethingbetweenatrotandawaddle(itwasaveryfatlittlebeast),whiletheFaun,theOwl,andthechildrenfollowedataratherslowerpace.Thesunhadsetandtheairwasgrowingcool.
TheywentacrossthelawnandthenthroughanorchardandsototheNorthGateofCairParavel,whichstoodwideopen.Inside,theyfoundagrassycourtyard.Lightswerealreadyshowingfromthewindowsofthegreathallontheirrightandfromamorecomplicatedmassofbuildingsstraightahead.IntothesetheOwlledthem,andthereamostdelightfulpersonwascalledtolookafterJill.ShewasnotmuchtallerthanJillherself,andagooddealslenderer,butobviouslyfull-grown,gracefulasawillow,andherhairwaswillowytoo,and
thereseemedtobemossinit.ShebroughtJilltoaroundroominoneoftheturrets,wheretherewasalittlebathsunkinthefloorandafireofsweet-smellingwoodsburningontheflathearthandalamphangingbyasilverchainfromthevaultedroof.ThewindowlookedwestintothestrangelandofNarnia,andJillsawtheredremainsofthesunsetstillglowingbehinddistantmountains.Itmadeherlongformoreadventuresandfeelsurethatthiswasonlythebeginning.
Whenshehadhadherbath,andbrushedherhair,andputontheclothesthathadbeenlaidoutforher—theywerethekindthatnotonlyfeltnice,butlookedniceandsmelledniceandmadenicesoundswhenyoumovedaswell—shewouldhavegonebacktogazeoutofthatexcitingwindow,butshewasinterruptedbyabangonthedoor.
“Comein,”saidJill.AndincameScrubb,alsobathedandsplendidlydressedinNarnianclothes.Buthisfacedidn’tlookasifhewereenjoyingit.
“Oh,hereyouareatlast,”hesaidcrossly,flinginghimselfintoachair.“I’vebeentryingtofindyouforeversolong.”
“Well,nowyouhave,”saidJill.“Isay,Scrubb,isn’titallsimplytooexcitingandscrumptiousforwords.”ShehadforgottenallaboutthesignsandthelostPrinceforthemoment.
“Oh!That’swhatyouthink,isit?”saidScrubb;andthen,afterapause,“Iwishtogoodnesswe’dnevercome.”
“Whyonearth?”“Ican’tbearit,”saidScrubb.“SeeingtheKingCaspian—adodderingold
manlikethat.It’s—it’sfrightful.”“Why,whatharmdoesitdoyou?”“Oh,youdon’tunderstand.NowthatIcometothinkofit,youcouldn’t.I
didn’ttellyouthatthisworldhasadifferenttimefromours.”“Howdoyoumean?”“Thetimeyouspendheredoesn’ttakeupanyofourtime.Doyousee?I
mean,howeverlongwespendhere,weshallstillgetbacktoExperimentHouseatthemomentweleftit—”
“Thatwon’tbemuchfun.”“Oh,dryup!Don’tkeepinterrupting.Andwhenyou’rebackinEngland—in
ourworld—youcan’ttellhowtimeisgoinghere.ItmightbeanynumberofyearsinNarniawhilewe’rehavingoneyearathome.ThePevensiesexplaineditalltome,but,likeafool,Iforgotaboutit.Andnowapparentlyit’sbeenaboutseventyyearsNarnianyears—sinceIwasherelast.Doyouseenow?AndI
comebackandfindCaspiananold,oldman.”“ThentheKingwasanoldfriendofyours!”saidJill.Ahorridthoughthad
struckher.“Ishouldjollywellthinkhewas,”saidScrubbmiserably.“Aboutasgooda
friendasachapcouldhave.Andlasttimehewasonlyafewyearsolderthanme.Andtoseethatoldmanwithawhitebeard,andtorememberCaspianashewasthemorningwecapturedtheLoneIslands,orinthefightwiththeSeaSerpent—oh,it’sfrightful.It’sworsethancomingbackandfindinghimdead.”
“Oh,shutup,”saidJillimpatiently.“It’sfarworsethanyouthink.We’vemuffedthefirstSign.”OfcourseScrubbdidnotunderstandthis.ThenJilltoldhimaboutherconversationwithAslanandthefoursignsandthetaskoffindingthelostprincewhichhadbeenlaiduponthem.
“Soyousee,”shewoundup,“youdidseeanoldfriend,justasAslansaid,andyououghttohavegoneandspokentohimatonce.Andnowyouhaven’t,andeverythingisgoingwrongfromtheverybeginning.”
“ButhowwasItoknow?”saidScrubb.“Ifyou’donlylistenedtomewhenItriedtotellyou,we’dbeallright,”said
Jill.“Yes,andifyouhadn’tplayedthefoolontheedgeofthatcliffandjolly
nearlymurderedme—allright,Isaidmurder,andI’llsayitagainasoftenasIlike,sokeepyourhairon—we’dhavecometogetherandbothknownwhattodo.”
“Isupposehewasthefirstpersonyousaw?”saidJill.“Youmusthavebeenherehoursbeforeme.Areyousureyoudidn’tseeanyoneelsefirst?”
“Iwasonlyhereaboutaminutebeforeyou,”saidScrubb.“Hemusthaveblownyouquickerthanme.Makingupforlosttime;thetimeyoulost.”
“Don’tbeaperfectbeast,Scrubb,”saidJill.“Hallo!What’sthat?”Itwasthecastlebellringingforsupper,andthuswhatlookedliketurning
intoafirst-ratequarrelwashappilycutshort.Bothhadagoodappetitebythistime.
Supperinthegreathallofthecastlewasthemostsplendidthingeitherofthemhadeverseen;forthoughEustacehadbeeninthatworldbefore,hehadspenthiswholevisitatseaandknewnothingofthegloryandcourtesyoftheNarniansathomeintheirownland.Thebannershungfromtheroof,andeachcoursecameinwithtrumpetersandkettledrums.Thereweresoupsthatwouldmakeyourmouthwatertothinkof,andthelovelyfishescalledpavenders,andvenisonandpeacockandpies,andicesandjelliesandfruitandnuts,andall
mannerofwinesandfruitdrinks.EvenEustacecheeredupandadmittedthatitwas“somethinglike”.Andwhenalltheseriouseatinganddrinkingwasover,ablindpoetcameforwardandstruckupthegrandoldtaleofPrinceCorandAravisandthehorseBree,whichiscalledTheHorseandhisBoyandtellsofanadventurethathappenedinNarniaandCalormenandthelandsbetween,intheGoldenAgewhenPeterwasHighKinginCairParavel.(Ihaven’ttimetotellitnow,thoughitiswellworthhearing.)
Whentheyweredraggingthemselvesupstairstobed,yawningtheirheadsoff,Jillsaid,“Ibetwesleepwell,tonight”;forithadbeenafullday.Whichjustshowshowlittleanyoneknowswhatisgoingtohappentothemnext.
ChapterFour
AParliamentofOwlsITisaveryfunnythingthatthesleepieryouare,thelongeryoutakeabout
gettingtobed;especiallyifyouareluckyenoughtohaveafireinyourroom.Jillfeltshecouldn’tevenstartundressingunlessshesatdowninfrontofthefireforabitfirst.Andonceshehadsatdown,shedidn’twanttogetupagain.Shehadalreadysaidtoherselfaboutfivetimes,“Imustgotobed”,whenshewasstartledbyataponthewindow.
Shegotup,pulledthecurtain,andatfirstsawnothingbutdarkness.Thenshejumpedandstartedbackwards,forsomethingverylargehaddasheditselfagainstthewindow,givingasharptapontheglassas.itdidso.Averyunpleasantideacameintoherhead—“Supposetheyhavegiantmothsinthiscountry!Ugh!”Butthenthethingcameback,andthistimeshewasalmostsureshesawabeak,andthatthebeakhadmadethattappingnoise.“It’ssomehugebird,”thoughtJill.“Coulditbeaneagle?”Shedidn’tverymuchwantavisitevenfromaneagle,butsheopenedthewindowandlookedout.Instantly,withagreatwhirringnoise,thecreaturealightedonthewindowsillandstoodtherefillingupthewholewindow,sothatJillhadtostepbacktomakeroomforit.ItwastheOwl.
“Hush,hush!Tu-whoo,tu-whoo,”saidtheOwl.“Don’tmakeanoise.Now,areyoutworeallyinearnestaboutwhatyou’vegottodo?”
“AboutthelostPrince,youmean?”saidJill.“Yes,we’vegottobe.”FornowsherememberedtheLion’svoiceandface,whichshehadnearlyforgottenduringthefeastingandstorytellinginthehall.
“Good!”saidtheOwl.“Thenthere’snotimetowaste.Youmustgetawayfromhereatonce.I’llgoandwaketheotherhuman.
ThenI’llcomebackforyou.You’dbetterchangethosecourtclothesandputonsomethingyoucantravelin.I’llbebackintwotwos.Tu-whoo!”Andwithoutwaitingforananswer,hewasgone.
IfJillhadbeenmoreusedtoadventures,shemighthavedoubtedtheOwl’sword,butthisneveroccurredtoher;andintheexcitingideaofamidnightescapesheforgothersleepiness.Shechangedbackintosweaterandshortstherewasaguide’sknifeonthebeltoftheshortswhichmightcomeinuseful—andaddedafewofthethingsthathadbeenleftintheroomforherbythegirlwiththewillowyhair.Shechoseashortcloakthatcamedowntoherkneesandhada
hood(“justthething,ifitrains,”shethought),afewhandkerchiefsandacomb.Thenshesatdownandwaited.
ShewasgettingsleepyagainwhentheOwlreturned.“Nowwe’reready,”itsaid.“You’dbetterleadtheway,”saidJill.“Idon’tknowallthesepassagesyet.”“Tu-whoo!”saidtheOwl.“We’renotgoingthroughthecastle.Thatwould
neverdo.Youmustrideonme.Weshallfly.”“Oh!”saidJill,andstoodwithhermouthopen,notmuchlikingtheidea.
“Shan’tIbetooheavyforyou?”“Tu-whoo,tu-whoo!Don’tyoubeafool.I’vealreadycarriedtheotherone.
Now.Butwe’llputoutthatlampfirst.”Assoonasthelampwasout,thebitofthenightwhichyousawthroughthe
windowlookedlessdark—nolongerblack,butgrey.TheOwlstoodonthewindowsillwithhisbacktotheroomandraisedhiswings.Jillhadtoclimbontohisshortfatbodyandgetherkneesunderthewingsandgriptight.Thefeathersfeltbeautifullywarmandsoftbuttherewasnothingtoholdonby.“IwonderhowScrubblikedhisride!”thoughtJill.Andjustasshewasthinkingthis,withahorridplungetheyhadleftthewindowsill,andthewingsweremakingaflurryroundherears,andthenightair,rathercoolanddamp,wasflyinginherface.
Itwasmuchlighterthansheexpected,andthoughtheskywasovercast,onepatchofwaterysilvershowedwherethemoonwashidingabovetheclouds.Thefieldsbeneathherlookedgrey,andthetreesblack.Therewasacertainamountofwind—ahushing,rufflingsortofwindwhichmeantthatrainwascomingsoon.
TheOwlwheeledroundsothatthecastlewasnowaheadofthem.Veryfewofthewindowsshowedlights.Theyflewrightoverit,northwards,crossingtheriver;theairgrewcolder,andJillthoughtshecouldseethewhitereflectionoftheOwlinthewaterbeneathher.Butsoontheywereonthenorthbankoftheriver,flyingabovewoodedcountry.
TheOwlsnappedatsomethingwhichJillcouldn’tsee.“Oh,don’t,please!”saidJill.“Don’tjerklikethat.Younearlythrewmeoff.”“Ibegyourpardon,”saidtheOwl.“Iwasjustnabbingabat.There’snothing
sosustaining,inasmallway,asaniceplumplittlebat.ShallIcatchyouone?”“No,thanks,”saidJillwithashudder.Hewasflyingalittlelowernowandalarge,blacklookingobjectwas
loominguptowardsthem.Jillhadjusttimetoseethatitwasatower—apartly
ruinoustower,withalotofivyonit,shethought—whenshefoundherselfduckingtoavoidthearchwayofawindow,astheOwlsqueezedwithherthroughtheiviedcobwebbyopening,outofthefresh,greynightintoadarkplaceinsidethetopofthetower.Itwasratherfustyinsideand,themomentsheslippedofftheOwl’sback,sheknew(asoneusuallydoessomehow)thatitwasquitecrowdedAndwhenvoicesbegansayingoutofthedarknessfromeverydirection“Tu-whoo!Tu-whoo!”sheknewitwascrowdedwithowls.Shewasratherrelievedwhenaverydifferentvoicesaid;“Isthatyou,Pole?”
“Isthatyou,Scrubb?”saidJill.“Now,”saidGlimfeather,“Ithinkwe’reallhere.Letusholdaparliamentof
owls.”“Tu-whoo,tu-whoo.Trueforyou.That’stherightthingtodo,”saidseveral
voices.“Halfamoment,”saidScrubb’svoice.“There’ssomethingIwanttosay
first.”“Do,do,do,”saidtheowls;andJillsaid,“Fireahead.”“Isupposeallyouchaps-owls,Imean,”saidScrubb,“Isupposeyouallknow
thatKingCaspiantheTenth,inhisyoungdays,sailedtotheeasternendoftheworld.Well,Iwaswithhimonthatjourney;withhimandReepicheeptheMouse,andtheLordDrinianandallofthem.Iknowitsoundshardtobelieve,butpeopledon’tgrowolderinourworldatthesamespeedastheydoinyours.AndwhatIwanttosayisthis,thatI’mtheKing’sman;andifthisparliamentofowlsisanysortofplotagainsttheKing,I’mhavingnothingtodowithit.”
“Tu-whoo,tu-whoo,we’realltheKing’sowlstoo,”saidtheowls.“What’sitallaboutthen?”saidScrubb.“It’sonlythis,”saidGlimfeather.“ThatiftheLordRegent,theDwarf
Trumpkin,hearsyouaregoingtolookforthelostPrince,hewon’tletyoustart.He’dkeepyouunderlockandkeysooner.”
“GreatScott!”saidScrubb.“Youdon’tmeanthatTrumpkinisatraitor?Iusedtohearalotabouthimintheolddays,atsea.Caspian—theKing,Imean—trustedhimabsolutely.”
“Ohno,”saidavoice.“Trumpkin’snotraitor.Butmorethanthirtychampions(knights,centaurs,goodgiants,andallsorts)haveatonetimeoranothersetouttolookforthelostPrince,andnoneofthemhaveevercomeback.AndatlasttheKingsaidhewasnotgoingtohaveallthebravestNarniansdestroyedinthesearchforhisson.Andnownobodyisallowedtogo.”
“Butsurelyhe’dletusgo,”saidScrubb.“WhenheknewwhoIwasandwho
hadsentme.”(“Sentbothofus,”putinJill.)“Yes,”saidGlimfeather,“Ithink,verylikely,hewould.ButtheKing’saway.
AndTrumpkinwillsticktotherules.He’sastrueassteel,buthe’sdeafasapostandverypeppery.Youcouldnevermakehimseethatthismightbethetimeformakinganexceptiontotherule.”
“Youmightthinkhe’dtakesomenoticeofus,becausewe’reowlsandeveryoneknowshowwiseowlsare,”saidsomeoneelse.“Buthe’ssooldnowhe’donlysay,‘You’reamerechick.Irememberyouwhenyouwereanegg.Don’tcometryingtoteachme,Sir.Crabsandcrumpets!’”
ThisowlimitatedTrumpkin’svoiceratherwell,andthereweresoundsofowlishlaughterallround.ThechildrenbegantoseethattheNarniansallfeltaboutTrumpkinaspeoplefeelatschoolaboutsomecrustyteacher,whomeveryoneisalittleafraidofandeveryonemakesfunofandnobodyreallydislikes.
“HowlongistheKinggoingtobeaway?”askedScrubb.“Ifonlyweknew!”saidGlimfeather.“Yousee,therehasbeenarumorlately
thatAslanhimselfhasbeenseenintheislands—inTerebinthia,Ithinkitwas.AndtheKingsaidhewouldmakeonemoreattemptbeforehediedtoseeAslanfacetofaceagain,andaskhisadviceaboutwhoistobeKingafterhim.Butwe’reallafraidthat,ifhedoesn’tmeetAslaninTerebinthia,he’llgooneast,toSevenIslesandLoneIslands—andonandon.Henevertalksaboutit,butweallknowhehasneverforgottenthatvoyagetotheworld’send.I’msureinhisheartofheartshewantstogothereagain.”
“Thenthere’snogoodwaitingforhimtocomeback?”saidJill.“No,nogood,”saidtheOwl.“Oh,whatato-do!Ifonlyyoutwohadknown
andspokentohimatonce!He’dhavearrangedeverything—probablygivenyouanarmytogowithyouinsearchofthePrince.”
JillkeptquietatthisandhopedScrubbwouldbesportingenoughnottotellalltheowlswhythishadn’thappened.Hewas,orverynearly.Thatis,heonlymutteredunderhisbreath,“Well,itwasn’tmyfault,”beforesayingoutloud;“Verywell.We’llhavetomanagewithoutit.Butthere’sjustonethingmoreIwanttoknow.Ifthisowls’parliament,asyoucallit,isallfairandaboveboardandmeansnomischief,whydoesithavetobesojollysecret-meetinginaruinindeadofnight,andallthat?”
“Tu-whoo!Tu-whoo!”hootedseveralowls.“Whereshouldwemeet?Whenwouldanyonemeetexceptatnight?”
“Yousee,”explainedGlimfeather,“mostofthecreaturesinNarniahavesuchunnaturalhabits.Theydothingsbyday,inbroadblazingsunlight(ugh!)wheneveryoneoughttobeasleep.And,asaresult,atnightthey’resoblindandstupidthatyoucan’tgetawordoutofthem.Soweowlshavegotintothehabitofmeetingatsensiblehours,onourown,whenwewanttotalkaboutthings.”
“Isee,”saidScrubb.“Wellnow,let’sgeton.TellusallaboutthelostPrince.”Thenanoldowl,notGlimfeather,relatedthestory.
Abouttenyearsago,itappeared,whenRilian,thesonofCaspian,wasaveryyoungknight,herodewiththeQueenhismotheronaMaymorninginthenorthpartsofNarnia.Theyhadmanysquiresandladieswiththemandallworegarlandsoffreshleavesontheirheads,andhornsattheirsides;buttheyhadnohoundswiththem,fortheyweremaying,nothunting.Inthewarmpartofthedaytheycametoapleasantgladewhereafountainflowedfreshlyoutoftheearth,andtheretheydismountedandateanddrankandweremerry.AfteratimetheQueenfeltsleepy,andtheyspreadcloaksforheronthegrassybank,andPrinceRilianwiththerestofthepartywentalittlewayfromher,thattheirtalesandlaughtermightnotwakeher.Andso,presently,agreatserpentcameoutofthethickwoodandstungtheQueeninherhand.Allheardhercryoutandrushedtowardsher,andRilianwasfirstatherside.Hesawthewormglidingawayfromherandmadeafteritwithhissworddrawn.Itwasgreat,shining,andasgreenaspoison,sothathecouldseeitwell;butitglidedawayintothickbushesandhecouldnotcomeatit.Sohereturnedtohismother,andfoundthemallbusyabouther.
Buttheywerebusyinvain,foratthefirstglanceofherfaceRilianknewthatnophysicintheworldwoulddohergood.Aslongasthelifewasinhersheseemedtobetryinghardtotellhimsomething.Butshecouldnotspeakclearlyand,whateverhermessagewas,shediedwithoutdeliveringit.Itwasthenhardlytenminutessincetheyhadfirstheardhercry.
TheycarriedthedeadQueenbacktoCairParavel,andshewasbitterlymournedbyRilianandbytheKing,andbyallNarnia.Shehadbeenagreatlady,wiseandgraciousandhappy,KingCaspian’sbridewhomhehadbroughthomefromtheeasternendoftheworld.Andmensaidthatthebloodofthestarsflowedinherveins.ThePrincetookhismother’sdeathveryhardly,aswellhemight.Afterthat,hewasalwaysridingonthenorthernmarchesofNarnia,huntingforthatvenomousworm,tokillitandbeavenged.Nooneremarkedmuchonthis,thoughthePrincecamehomefromthesewanderingslookingtiredanddistraught.ButaboutamonthaftertheQueen’sdeath,somesaidtheycould
seeachangeinhim.Therewasalookinhiseyesasofamanwhohasseenvisions,andthoughhewouldbeoutallday,hishorsedidnotbearthesignsofhardriding.HischieffriendamongtheoldercourtierswastheLordDrinian,hewhohadbeenhisfather’scaptainonthatgreatvoyagetotheeastpartsoftheearth.
OneeveningDriniansaidtothePrince,“YourHighnessmustsoongiveoverseekingtheworm.Thereisnotruevengeanceonawitlessbruteastheremightbeonaman.Youwearyyourselfinvain.”ThePrinceansweredhim,“MyLord,Ihavealmostforgottenthewormthissevendays.”Drinianaskedhimwhy,ifthatwereso,herodesocontinuallyinthenorthernwoods.“Mylord,”saidthePrince,“Ihaveseentherethemostbeautifulthingthatwasevermade.”“FairPrince,”saidDrinian,“ofyourcourtesyletmeridewithyoutomorrow,thatIalsomayseethisfairthing.”“Withagoodwill,”saidRilian.
TheningoodtimeonthenextdaytheysaddledtheirhorsesandrodeagreatgallopintothenorthernwoodsandalightedatthatsamefountainwheretheQueengotherdeath.DrinianthoughtitstrangethatthePrinceshouldchoosethatplaceofallplaces,tolingerin.Andtheretheyrestedtillitcametohighnoon;andatnoonDrinianlookedupandsawthemostbeautifulladyhehadeverseen;andshestoodatthenorthsideofthefountainandsaidnowordbutbeckonedtothePrincewithherhandasifshebadehimcometoher.Andshewastallandgreat,shining,andwrappedinathingarmentasgreenaspoison.AndthePrincestaredatherlikeamanoutofhiswits.Butsuddenlytheladywasgone,Drimanknewnotwhere;andthetworeturnedtoCairParavel.ItstuckinDrinian’smindthatthisshininggreenwomanwasevil.
DriniandoubtedverymuchwhetherheoughtnottotellthisadventuretotheKing,buthehadlittlewishtobeablabandatale-bearerandsoheheldhistongue.Butafterwardshewishedhehadspoken.FornextdayPrinceRilianrodeoutalone.Thatnighthecamenotback,andfromthathournotraceofhimwaseverfoundinNarnianoranyneighboringland,andneitherhishorsenorhishatnorhiscloaknoranythingelsewaseverfound.ThenDrinianinthebitternessofhisheartwenttoCaspianandsaid,“LordKing,slaymespeedilyasagreattraitor,forbymysilenceIhavedestroyedyourson.”Andhetoldhimthestory.ThenCaspiancaughtupabattle-axeandrushedupontheLordDriniantokillhim,andDrinianstoodstillasastockforthedeathblow.Butwhentheaxewasraised,Caspiansuddenlythrewitawayandcriedout,“Ihavelostmyqueenandmyson,shallIlosemyfriendalso?”AndhefellupontheLordDrinian’sneckandembracedhimandbothwept,andtheirfriendshipwasnotbroken.
SuchwasthestoryofRilian.Andwhenitwasover,Jillsaid,“Ibetthatserpentandthatwomanwerethesameperson.”
“True,true,wethinkthesameasyou,”hootedtheowls.“Butwedon’tthinkshekilledthePrince,”saidGlimfeather,“becauseno
bones—”“Weknowshedidn’t,”saidScrubb.“AslantoldPolehewasstillalive
somewhere.”“Thatalmostmakesitworse,”saidtheoldestowl.“Itmeansshehassome
useforhim,andsomedeepschemeagainstNarnia.Long,longago,attheverybeginning,aWhiteWitchcameoutoftheNorthandboundourlandinsnowandiceforahundredyears.Andwethinkthismaybesomeofthesamecrew.”
“Verywell,then,”saidScrubb.“PoleandIhavegottofindthisPrince.Canyouhelpus?”
“Haveyouanyclue,youtwo?”askedGlimfeather.“Yes,”saidScrubb.“Weknowwe’vegottogonorth.Andweknowwe’ve
gottoreachtheruinsofagiantcity.”Atthistherewasagreatertu-whooingthanever,andnoiseofbirdsshifting
theirfeetandrufflingtheirfeathers,andthenalltheowlsstartedspeakingatonce.TheyallexplainedhowverysorrytheywerethattheythemselvescouldnotgowiththechildrenontheirsearchforthelostPrince“You’dwanttotravelbyday,andwe’dwanttotravelbynight,”theysaid.“Itwouldn’tdo,wouldn’tdo.”Oneortwoowlsaddedthatevenhereintheruinedtoweritwasn’tnearlysodarkasithadbeenwhentheybegan,andthattheparliamenthadbeengoingonquitelongenough.Infact,themerementionofajourneytotheruinedcityofgiantsseemedtohavedampedthespiritsofthosebirds.ButGlimfeathersaid;“Iftheywanttogothatway—intoEttinsmoor—wemusttakethemtooneoftheMarsh-wiggles.They’retheonlypeoplewhocanhelpthemmuch.”
“’True,true.Do,”saidtheowls.“Comeon,then,”saidGlimfeather.“I’lltakeone.Who’lltaketheother?It
mustbedonetonight.”“Iwill,asfarastheMarsh-wiggles,”saidanotherowl.“Areyouready?”saidGlimfeathertoJill.“IthinkPole’sasleep,”saidScrubb.
ChapterFive
PuddleglumJILL.wasasleep.Eversincetheowls’parliamentbeganshehadbeen
yawningterriblyandnowshehaddroppedoff.Shewasnotatallpleasedatbeingwakedagain,andatfindingherselflyingonbareboardsinadustybelfrysortofplace,completelydark,andalmostcompletelyfullofowls.Shewasevenlesspleasedwhensheheardthattheyhadtosetoffforsomewhereelse—andnot,apparently,forbed—ontheOwl’sback.
“Oh,comeon,Pole,buckup,”saidScrubb’svoice.“Afterall,itisanadventure.”
“I’msickofadventures,”saidJillcrossly.Shedid,however,consenttoclimbontoGlimfeather’sback,andwas
thoroughlywakedup(forawhile)bytheunexpectedcoldnessoftheairwhenheflewoutwithherintothenight.Themoonhaddisappearedandtherewerenostars.Farbehindhershecouldseeasinglelightedwindowwellabovetheground;doubtless,inoneofthetowersofCairParavel.Itmadeherlongtobebackinthatdelightfulbedroom,snuginbed,watchingthefirelightonthewalls.Sheputherhandsunderhercloakandwrappedittightlyroundher.Itwasuncannytoheartwovoicesinthedarkairalittledistanceaway;Scrubbandhisowlweretalkingtooneanother.“Hedoesn’tsoundtired,”thoughtJill.ShedidnotrealizethathehadbeenongreatadventuresinthatworldbeforeandthattheNarnianairwasbringingbacktohimastrengthhehadwonwhenhesailedtheEasternSeaswithKingCaspian.
Jillhadtopinchherselftokeepawake,forsheknewthatifshedozedonGlimfeather’sbackshewouldprobablyfalloff.Whenatlastthetwoowlsendedtheirflight,sheclimbedstifflyoffGlimfeatherandfoundherselfonflatground.Achillywindwasblowingandtheyappearedtobeinaplacewithouttrees.“Tu-whoo,tu-whoo!”Glimfeatherwascalling.“Wakeup,Puddleglum.Wakeup.ItisontheLion’sbusiness.”
Foralongtimetherewasnoreply.Then,alongwayoff,adimlightappearedandbegantocomenearer.Withitcameavoice.
“Owlsahoy!”itsaid.“Whatisit?IstheKingdead?HasanenemylandedinNarnia?Isitaflood?Ordragons?”
Whenthelightreachedthem,itturnedouttobethatofalargelantern.Shecouldseeverylittleofthepersonwhoheldit.Heseemedtobealllegsandarms.
Theowlsweretalkingtohim,explainingeverything,butshewastootiredtolisten.Shetriedtowakeherselfupabitwhensherealizedthattheyweresayinggoodbyetoher.Butshecouldneverafterwardsremembermuchexceptthat,soonerorlater,sheandScrubbwerestoopingtoenteralowdoorwayandthen(oh,thankheavens)werelyingdownonsomethingsoftandwarm,andavoicewassaying;“Thereyouare.Bestwecando.You’llliecoldandhard.Damptoo,Ishouldn’twonder.Won’tsleepawink,mostlikely;evenifthereisn’tathunderstormorafloodorthewigwamdoesn’tfalldownontopofusall,asI’veknownthemto.Mustmakethebestofit—”Butshewasfastasleepbeforethevoicehadended.
Whenthechildrenwokelatenextmorningtheyfoundthattheywerelying,verydryandwarm,onbedsofstrawinadarkplace.Atriangularopeningletinthedaylight.
“Whereoneartharewe?”askedJill.“InthewigwamofaMarsh-wiggle,”saidEustace.“Awhat?”“AMarsh-wiggle.Don’taskmewhatitis.Icouldn’tseeitlastnight.I’m
gettingup.Let’sgoandlookforit.”“Howbeastlyonefeelsaftersleepinginone’sclothes,”saidJill,sittingup.“Iwasjustthinkinghowniceitwasnottohavetodress,”saidEustace.“Orwasheither,Isuppose,”saidJillscornfully.ButScrubbhadalreadygot
up,yawned,shakenhimself,andcrawledoutofthewigwam.Jilldidthesame.WhattheyfoundoutsidewasquiteunlikethebitofNarniatheyhadseenon
thedaybefore.Theywereonagreatflatplainwhichwascutintocountlesslittleislandsbycountlesschannelsofwater.Theislandswerecoveredwithcoarsegrassandborderedwithreedsandrushes.Sometimestherewerebedsofrushesaboutanacreinextent.Cloudsofbirdswereconstantlyalightinginthemandrisingfromthemagain-duck,snipe,bitterns,herons.Manywigwamslikethatinwhichtheyhadpassedthenightcouldbeseendottedabout,butallatagooddistancefromoneanother;forMarsh-wigglesarepeoplewholikeprivacy.Exceptforthefringeoftheforestseveralmilestothesouthandwestofthem,therewasnotatreeinsight.Eastwardtheflatmarshstretchedtolowsand-hillsonthehorizon,andyoucouldtellbythesalttanginthewindwhichblewfromthatdirectionthatthesealayoverthere.TotheNorththerewerelowpale-coloredhills,inplacesbastionedwithrock.Therestwasallflatmarsh.Itwouldhavebeenadepressingplaceonawetevening.Seenunderamorningsun,withafreshwindblowing,andtheairfilledwiththecryingofbirds,therewas
somethingfineandfreshandcleanaboutitsloneliness.Thechildrenfelttheirspiritsrise.
“Wherehasthethingummygotto,Iwonder?”saidJill.“TheMarsh-wiggle,”saidScrubb,asifhewereratherproudofknowingthe
word.“Iexpect-hullo,thatmustbehim.”Andthentheybothsawhim,sittingwithhisbacktothem,fishing,aboutfiftyyardsaway.Hehadbeenhardtoseeatfirstbecausehewasnearlythesamecolorasthemarshandbecausehesatsostill.
“Isupposewe’dbettergoandspeaktohim,”saidJill.Scrubbnodded.Theybothfeltalittlenervous.
Astheydrewnearer,thefigureturneditsheadandshowedthemalongthinfacewithrathersunkencheeks,atightlyshutmouth,asharpnose,andnobeard.Hewaswearingahigh,pointedhatlikeasteeple,withanenormouslywideflatbrim.Thehair,ifitcouldbecalledhair,whichhungoverhislargeearswasgreeny-grey,andeachlockwasflatratherthanround,sothattheywereliketinyreeds.Hisexpressionwassolemn,hiscomplexionmuddy,andyoucouldseeatoncethathetookaseriousviewoflife.
“Goodmorning,Guests,”hesaid.“ThoughwhenIsaygoodIdon’tmeanitwon’tprobablyturntorainoritmighthesnow,orfog,orthunder.Youdidn’tgetanysleep,Idaresay.
“Yeswedid,though,”saidJill.“Wehadalovelynight.”“Ah,”saidtheMarsh-wiggle,shakinghishead.“Iseeyou’remakingthebest
ofabadjob.That’sright.You’vebeenwellbroughtup,youhave.You’velearnedtoputagoodfaceonthings.”
“Please,wedon’tknowyourname,”saidScrubb.“Puddleglum’smyname.Butitdoesn’tmatterifyouforgetit.Icanalways
tellyouagain.”Thechildrensatdownoneachsideofhim.Theynowsawthathehadvery
longlegsandarms,sothatalthoughhisbodywasnotmuchbiggerthanadwarf’s,hewouldbetallerthanmostmenwhenhestoodup.Thefingersofhishandswerewebbedlikeafrog’s,andsowerehisbarefeetwhichdangledinthemuddywater.Hewasdressedinearthcoloredclothesthathunglooseabouthim.
“I’mtryingtocatchafeweelstomakeaneelstewforourdinner,”saidPuddleglum.“ThoughIshouldn’twonderifIdidn’tgetany.Andyouwon’tlikethemmuchifIdo.”
“Whynot?”askedScrubb.“Why,it’snotinreasonthatyoushouldlikeoursortofvictuals,thoughI’ve
nodoubtyou’llputaboldfaceonit.Allthesame,whileIamacatchingofthem,ifyoutwocouldtrytolightthefire—noharmtrying!Thewood’sbehindthewigwam.Itmaybewet.Youcouldlightitinsidethewigwam,andthenwe’dgetallthesmokeinoureyes.Oryoucouldlightitoutside,andthentherainwouldcomeandputitout.Here’smytinderbox.Youwon’tknowhowtouseit,Iexpect.”
ButScrubbhadlearnedthatsortofthingonhislastadventure.Thechildrenranbacktogethertothewigwam,foundthewood(whichwasperfectlydry)andsucceededinlightingafirewithratherlessthantheusualdifficulty.ThenScrubbsatandtookcareofitwhileJillwentandhadsomesortofwash—notaveryniceone—inthenearestchannel.Afterthatshesawtothefireandhehadawash.Bothfeltagooddealfresher,butveryhungry.
PresentlytheMarsh-wigglejoinedthem.Inspiteofhisexpectationofcatchingnoeels,hehadadozenorso,whichhehadalreadyskinnedandcleaned.Heputabigpoton,mendedthefire,andlithispipe.Marsh-wigglessmokeaverystrange,heavysortoftobacco(somepeoplesaytheymixitwithmud)andthechildrennoticedthesmokefromPuddleglum’spipehardlyroseintheairatall.Ittrickledoutofthebowlanddownwardsanddriftedalongthegroundlikeamist.ItwasveryblackandsetScrubbcoughing.
“Now,”saidPuddleglum.“Thoseeelswilltakeamortallongtimetocook,andeitherofyoumightfaintwithhungerbeforethey’redone.Iknewalittlegirl—butI’dbetternottellyouthatstory.Itmightloweryourspirits,andthat’sathingIneverdo.So,tokeepyourmindsoffyourhunger,wemayaswelltalkaboutourplans.”
“Yes,dolet’s,”saidJill.“CanyouhelpustofindPrinceRilian?”TheMarsh-wigglesuckedinhischeekstilltheywerehollowerthanyou
wouldhavethoughtpossible.“Well,Idon’tknowthatyou’dcallithelp,”hesaid.“Idon’tknowthatanyonecanexactlyhelp.Itstandstoreasonwe’renotlikelytogetveryfaronajourneytotheNorth,notatthistimeoftheyear,withthewintercomingonsoonandall.Andanearlywintertoo,bythelookofthings.Butyoumustn’tletthatmakeyoudown-hearted.Verylikely,whatwithenemies,andmountains,andriverstocross,andlosingourway,andnexttonothingtoeat,andsorefeet,we’llhardlynoticetheweather.Andifwedon’tgetfarenoughtodoanygood,wemaygetfarenoughnottogetbackinahurry.”
Bothchildrennoticedthathesaid“we”,not“you”,andbothexclaimedatthesamemoment.“Areyoucomingwithus?”
“Ohyes,I’mcomingofcourse.Mightaswell,yousee.Idon’tsupposewe
shalleverseetheKingbackinNarnia,nowthathe’soncesetoffforforeignparts;andhehadanastycoughwhenheleft.Thenthere’sTrumpkin.He’sfailingfast.Andyou’llfindthere’llhavebeenabadharvestafterthisterribledrysummer.AndIshouldn’twonderifsomeenemyattackedus.Markmywords.”
“Andhowshallwestart?”saidScrubb.“Well,”saidtheMarsh-wiggleveryslowly,“alltheotherswhoeverwent
lookingforPrinceRilianstartedfromthatsamefountainwheretheLordDriniansawthelady.Theywentnorth,mostly.Andasnoneofthemevercameback,wecan’texactlysayhowtheygoton.”
“We’vegottostartbyfindingaruinedcityofgiants,”saidJill.“Aslansaidso.”
“Gottostartbyfindingit,havewe?”answeredPuddleglum.“Notallowedtostartbylookingforit,Isuppose?”
“That’swhatImeant,ofcourse,”saidJill.“Andthen,whenwe’vefoundit—”
“Yes,when!”saidPuddleglumverydryly.“Doesn’tanyoneknowwhereitis?”askedScrubb.“Idon’tknowaboutAnyone,”saidPuddleglum.“AndIwon’tsayIhaven’t
heardofthatRuinedCity.Youwouldn’tstartfromthefountain,though.You’dhavetogoacrossEttinsmoor.That’swheretheRuinedCityis,ifit’sanywhere.ButI’vebeenasfarinthatdirectionasmostpeopleandInevergottoanyruins,soIwon’tdeceiveyou.”
“Where’sEttinsmoor?”saidScrubb.“Lookovertherenorthward,”saidPuddleglum,pointingwithhispipe.“See
thosehillsandbitsofcliff?That’sthebeginningofEttinsmoor.Butthere’sariverbetweenitandus;theriverShribble.Nobridges,ofcourse.”
“Isupposewecanfordit,though,”saidScrubb.“Well,ithasbeenforded,”admittedtheMarsh-wiggle.“PerhapsweshallmeetpeopleonEttinsmoorwhocantellustheway,”said
Jill.“You’rerightaboutmeetingpeople,”saidPuddleglum.“Whatsortofpeoplelivethere?”sheasked.“It’snotformetosaytheyaren’tallrightintheirownway,”answered
Puddleglum.“Ifyouliketheirway.”“Yes,butwhatarethey?”pressedJill.“Therearesomanyqueercreaturesin
thiscountry.Imean,aretheyanimals,orbirds,ordwarfs,orwhat?”TheMarsh-wigglegavealongwhistle.“Phew!”hesaid.“Don’tyouknow?I
thoughttheowlshadtoldyou.They’regiants.”Jillwinced.Shehadneverlikedgiantseveninbooks,andshehadoncemet
oneinanightmare.ThenshesawScrubb’sface,whichhadturnedrathergreen,andthoughttoherself,“Ibethe’sinaworsefunkthanIam.”Thatmadeherfeelbraver.
“TheKingtoldmelongago,”saidScrubb—“thattimewhenIwaswithhimatsea-thathe’djollywellbeatenthosegiantsinwarandmadethempayhimtribute.”
“That’strueenough,”saidPuddleglum.“They’reatpeacewithusallright.AslongaswestayonourownsideoftheShribble,theywon’tdousanyharm.Overontheirside,ontheMoor—Still,there’salwaysachance.Ifwedon’tgetnearanyofthem,andifnoneofthemforgetthemselves,andifwe’renotseen,it’sjustpossiblewemightgetalongway.”
“Lookhere!”saidScrubb,suddenlylosinghistemper,aspeoplesoeasilydowhentheyhavebeenfrightened.“Idon’tbelievethewholethingcanbehalfasbadasyou’remakingout;anymorethanthebedsinthewigwamwerehardorthewoodwaswet.Idon’tthinkAslanwouldeverhavesentusiftherewassolittlechanceasallthat.”
HequiteexpectedtheMarsh-wiggletogivehimanangryreply,butheonlysaid,“That’sthespirit,Scrubb.That’sthewaytotalk.Putagoodfaceonit.Butweallneedtobeverycarefulaboutourtempers,seeingallthehardtimesweshallhavetogothroughtogether.Won’tdotoquarrel,youknow.Atanyrate,don’tbeginittoosoon.Iknowtheseexpeditionsusuallyendthatway;knifingoneanother,Ishouldn’twonder,beforeall’sdone.Butthelongerwecankeepoffit—”
“Well,ifyoufeelit’ssohopeless,”interruptedScrubb,“Ithinkyou’dbetterstaybehind.PoleandIcangoonalone,can’twe,Pole?”
“Shutupanddon’tbeanass,Scrubb,”saidJillhastily,terrifiedlesttheMarsh-wiggleshouldtakehimathisword.
“Don’tyouloseheart,Pole,”saidPuddleglum.“I’mcoming,sureandcertain.I’mnotgoingtoloseanopportunitylikethis.Itwilldomegood.Theyallsay—Imean,theotherwigglesallsay-thatI’mtooflighty;don’ttakelifeseriouslyenough.Ifthey’vesaiditonce,they’vesaiditathousandtimes.‘Puddleglum,’they’vesaid,‘you’realtogethertoofullofbobanceandbounceandhighspirits.You’vegottolearnthatlifeisn’tallfricasseedfrogsandeelpie.Youwantsomethingtosoberyoudownabit.We’reonlysayingitforyourowngood,Puddleglum.’That’swhattheysay.Nowajoblikethis—ajourneyupnorth
justaswinter’sbeginning,lookingforaPrincethatprobablyisn’tthere,bywayofaruinedcitythatnoonehaseverseen—willbejustthething.Ifthatdoesn’tsteadyachap,Idon’tknowwhatwill.”Andherubbedhisbigfrog-likehandstogetherasifheweretalkingofgoingtoapartyorapantomime.“Andnow,”headded,“let’sseehowthoseeelsaregettingon.”
Whenthemealcameitwasdeliciousandthechildrenhadtwolargehelpingseach.AtfirsttheMarsh-wigglewouldn’tbelievethattheyreallylikedit,andwhentheyhadeatensomuchthathehadtobelievethem,hefellbackonsayingthatitwouldprobablydisagreewiththemhorribly.“What’sfoodforwigglesmaybepoisonforhumans,Ishouldn’twonder,”hesaid.Afterthemealtheyhadtea,intins(asyou’veseenmenhavingitwhoareworkingontheroad),andPuddleglumhadagoodmanysipsoutofasquareblackbottle.Heofferedthechildrensomeofit,buttheythoughtitverynasty.
Therestofthedaywasspentinpreparationsforanearlystarttomorrowmorning.Puddleglum,beingfarthebiggest,saidhewouldcarrythreeblankets,withalargebitofbaconrolledupinsidethem.Jillwastocarrytheremainsoftheeels,somebiscuit,andthetinderbox.ScrubbwastocarrybothhisowncloakandJill’swhentheydidn’twanttowearthem.Scrubb(whohadlearnedsomeshootingwhenhesailedtotheEastunderCaspian)hadPuddleglum’ssecond-bestbow,andPuddleglumhadhisbestone;thoughhesaidthatwhatwithwinds,anddampbowstrings,andbadlight,andcoldfingers,itwasahundredtooneagainsteitherofthemhittinganything.HeandScrubbbothhadswordsScrubbhadbroughttheonewhichhadbeenleftoutforhiminhisroomatCairParavel,butJillhadtobecontentwithherknife.Therewouldhavebeenaquarrelaboutthis,butassoonastheystartedsparringthewigglerubbedhishandsandsaid,“Ah,thereyouare.Ithoughtasmuch.That’swhatusuallyhappensonadventures.”Thismadethembothshutup.
Allthreewenttobedearlyinthewigwam.Thistimethechildrenreallyhadaratherbadnight.ThatwasbecausePuddleglum,aftersaying,“You’dbettertryforsomesleep,youtwo;notthatIsupposeanyofuswillcloseaneyetonight,”instantlywentoffintosuchaloud,continuoussnorethat,whenJillatlastgottosleep,shedreamedallnightaboutroad-drillsandwaterfallsandbeinginexpresstrainsintunnels.
ChapterSix
TheWildWasteLandsoftheNorthATaboutnineo’clocknextmorningthreelonelyfiguresmighthavebeen
seenpickingtheirwayacrosstheShribblebytheshoalsandstepping-stones.Itwasashallow,noisystream,andevenJillwasnotwetaboveherkneeswhentheyreachedthenorthernbank.Aboutfiftyyardsahead,thelandroseuptothebeginningofthemoor,everywheresteeply,andoftenincliffs.
“Isupposethat’sourway!”saidScrubb,pointingleftandwesttowhereastreamfloweddownfromthemoorthroughashallowgorge.ButtheMarsh-wiggleshookhishead.
“Thegiantsmainlylivealongthesideofthatgorge,”hesaid.“Youmightsaythegorgewaslikeastreettothem.We’lldobetterstraightahead,eventhoughit’sabitsteep.”
Theyfoundaplacewheretheycouldscrambleup,andinabouttenminutesstoodpantingatthetop.Theycastalonginglookbackatthevalley-landofNarniaandthenturnedtheirfacestotheNorth.Thevast,lonelymoorstretchedonandupasfarastheycouldsee.Ontheirleftwasrockierground.Jillthoughtthatmustbetheedgeofthegiants’gorgeanddidnotmuchcareaboutlookinginthatdirection.Theysetout.
Itwasgood,springygroundforwalking,andadayofpalewintersunlight.Astheygotdeeperintothemoor,thelonelinessincreased;onecouldhearpeewitsandseeanoccasionalhawk.Whentheyhaltedinthemiddleofthemorningforarestandadrinkinalittlehollowbyastream,Jillwasbeginningtofeelthatshemightenjoyadventuresafterall,andsaidso.
“Wehaven’thadanyyet,”saidtheMarsh-wiggle.Walksafterthefirsthalt—likeschoolmorningsafterbreakorrailway
journeysafterchangingtrains—nevergoonastheywerebefore.Whentheysetoutagain,Jillnoticedthattherockyedgeofthegorgehaddrawnnearer.Andtherockswerelessflat,moreupright,thantheyhadbeen.Infacttheywerelikelittletowersofrock.Andwhatfunnyshapestheywere!
“Idobelieve,”thoughtJill,“thatallthestoriesaboutgiantsmighthavecomefromthosefunnyrocks.Ifyouwerecomingalongherewhenitwashalfdark,youcouldeasilythinkthosepilesofrockweregiants.Lookatthatone,now!Youcouldalmostimaginethatthelumpontopwasahead.Itwouldberathertoobigforthebody,butitwoulddowellenoughforanuglygiant.Andallthat
bushystuff—Isupposeit’sheatherandbirds’nests,really—woulddoquitewellforhairandbeard.Andthethingsstickingoutoneachsidearequitelikeears.They’dbehorriblybig,butthenIdaresaygiantswouldhavebigears,likeelephants.And—o-o-o-h!—”
Herbloodfroze.Thethingmoved.Itwasarealgiant.Therewasnomistakingit;shehadseenitturnitshead.Shehadcaughtaglimpseofthegreat,stupid,puff-cheekedface.Allthethingsweregiants,notrocks.Therewerefortyorfiftyofthem,allinarow;obviouslystandingwiththeirfeetonthebottomofthegorgeandtheirelbowsrestingontheedgeofthegorge,justasmenmightstandleaningonawall—lazymen,onafinemorningafterbreakfast.
“Keepstraighton,”whisperedPuddleglum,whohadnoticedthemtoo.“Don’tlookatthem.Andwhateveryoudo,don’trun.They’dbeafterusinamoment.”
Sotheykepton,pretendingnottohaveseenthegiants.Itwaslikewalkingpastthegateofahousewherethereisafiercedog,onlyfarworse.Thereweredozensanddozensofthesegiants.Theydidn’tlookangry—orkindorinterestedatall.Therewasnosignthattheyhadseenthetravelers.
Then—whizz-whizz-whizz—someheavyobjectcamehurtlingthroughtheair,andwithacrashabigboulderfellabouttwentypacesaheadofthem.Andthen—thud!—anotherfelltwentyfeetbehind.
“Aretheyaimingatus?”askedScrubb.“No,”saidPuddleglum.“We’dbeagooddealsaferiftheywere.They’re
tryingtohitthat—thatcairnovertheretotheright.Theywon’thitit,youknow.It’ssafeenough;they’resuchverybadshots.Theyplaycockshiesmostfinemornings.Abouttheonlygamethey’recleverenoughtounderstand.”
Itwasahorribletime.Thereseemednoendtothelineofgiants,andtheyneverceasedhurlingstones,someofwhichfellextremelyclose.Quiteapartfromtherealdanger,theverysightandsoundoftheirfacesandvoiceswereenoughtoscareanyone.Jilltriednottolookatthem.
Afterabouttwenty-fiveminutesthegiantsapparentlyhadaquarrel.Thisputanendtothecockshies,butitisnotpleasanttobewithinamileofquarrellinggiants.Theystormedandjeeredatoneanotherinlong,meaninglesswordsofabouttwentysyllableseach.Theyfoamedandgibberedandjumpedintheirrage,andeachjumpshooktheearthlikeabomb.Theywhammedeachotherontheheadwithgreat,clumsystonehammers;buttheirskullsweresohardthatthehammersbouncedoffagain,andthenthemonsterwhohadgiventheblowwoulddrophishammerandhowlwithpainbecauseithadstunghisfingers.But
hewassostupidthathewoulddoexactlythesamethingaminutelater.Thiswasagoodthinginthelongrun,forbytheendofanhourallthegiantsweresohurtthattheysatdownandbegantocry.Whentheysatdown,theirheadswerebelowtheedgeofthegorge,sothatyousawthemnomore;butJillcouldhearthemhowlingandblubberingandboo-booinglikegreatbabiesevenaftertheplacewasamilebehind.
Thatnighttheybivouackedonthebaremoor,andPuddleglumshowedthechildrenhowtomakethebestoftheirblanketsbysleepingbacktoback.(Thebackskeepeachotherwarmandyoucanthenhavebothblanketsontop.)Butitwaschillyevenso,andthegroundwashardandlumpy.TheMarsh-wiggletoldthemtheywouldfeelmorecomfortableifonlytheythoughthowverymuchcolderitwouldbelateronandfarthernorth;butthisdidn’tcheerthemupatall.
TheytraveledacrossEttinsmoorformanydays,savingthebaconandlivingchieflyonthemoor-fowl(theywerenot,ofcourse,talkingbirds)whichEustaceandthewiggleshot.JillratherenviedEustaceforbeingabletoshoot;hehadlearneditonhisvoyagewithKingCaspian.Astherewerecountlessstreamsonthemoor,theywerenevershortofwater.Jillthoughtthatwhen,inbooks,peopleliveonwhattheyshoot,itnevertellsyouwhatalong,smelly,messyjobitispluckingandcleaningdeadbirds,andhowcolditmakesyourfingers.Butthegreatthingwasthattheymethardlyanygiants.Onegiantsawthem,butheonlyroaredwithlaughterandstumpedawayabouthisownbusiness.
Aboutthetenthday,theyreachedaplacewherethecountrychanged.Theycametothenorthernedgeofthemoorandlookeddownalong,steepslopeintoadifferent,andgrimmer,land.Atthebottomoftheslopewerecliffs;beyondthese,acountryofhighmountains,darkprecipices,stonyvalleys,ravinessodeepandnarrowthatonecouldnotseefarintothem,andriversthatpouredoutofechoinggorgestoplungesullenlyintoblackdepths.Needlesstosay,itwasPuddleglumwhopointedoutasprinklingofsnowonthemoredistantslopes.
“Butthere’llbemoreonthenorthsideofthem,Ishouldn’twonder,”headded.
Ittookthemsometimetoreachthefootoftheslopeand,whentheydid,theylookeddownfromthetopofthecliffsatariverrunningbelowthemfromwesttoeast.Itwaswalledinbyprecipicesonthefarsideaswellasontheirown,anditwasgreenandsunless,fullofrapidsandwaterfalls.Theroarofitshooktheearthevenwheretheystood.
“Thebrightsideofitis,”saidPuddleglum,“thatifwebreakournecksgettingdownthecliff,thenwe’resafefrombeingdrownedintheriver.”
“Whataboutthat?”saidScrubbsuddenly,pointingupstreamtotheirleft.Thentheyalllookedandsawthelastthingtheywereexpecting—abridge.Andwhatabridge,too!Itwasahuge,singlearchthatspannedthegorgefromcliff-toptocliff-top;andthecrownofthatarchwasashighabovethecliff-topsasthedomeofStPaul’sisabovethestreet.
“Why,itmustbeagiants’bridge!”saidJill.“Orasorcerer’s,morelikely,”saidPuddleglum.“We’vegottolookoutfor
enchantmentsinaplacelikethis.Ithinkit’satrap.Ithinkit’llturnintomistandmeltawayjustwhenwe’reoutonthemiddleofit.”
“Oh,forgoodness’sake,don’tbesuchawetblanket,”saidScrubb.“Whyonearthshouldn’titbeaproperbridge?”
“Doyouthinkanyofthegiantswe’veseenwouldhavesensetobuildathinglikethat?”saidPuddleglum.
“Butmightn’tithavebeenbuiltbyothergiants?”saidJill.“Imean,bygiantswholivedhundredsofyearsago,andwerefarclevererthanthemodernkind.Itmighthavebeenbuiltbythesameoneswhobuiltthegiantcitywe’relookingfor.Andthatwouldmeanwewereontherighttrack—theoldbridgeleadingtotheoldcity!”
“That’sarealbrain-wave,Pole,”saidScrubb.“Itmustbethat.Comeon.”Sotheyturnedandwenttothebridge.Andwhentheyreachedit,itcertainly
seemedsolidenough.ThesinglestoneswereasbigasthoseatStonehengeandmusthavebeensquaredbygoodmasonsonce,thoughnowtheywerecrackedandcrumbled.Thebalustradehadapparentlybeencoveredwithrichcarvings,ofwhichsometracesremained;molderingfacesandformsofgiants,minotaurs,squids,centipedes,anddreadfulgods.Puddleglumstilldidn’ttrustit,butheconsentedtocrossitwiththechildren.
Theclimbuptothecrownofthearchwaslongandheavy.Inmanyplacesthegreatstoneshaddroppedout,leavinghorriblegapsthroughwhichyoulookeddownontheriverfoamingthousandsoffeetbelow.Theysawaneagleflythroughundertheirfeet.Andthehighertheywent,thecolderitgrew,andthewindblewsothattheycouldhardlykeeptheirfooting.Itseemedtoshakethebridge.
Whentheyreachedthetopandcouldlookdownthefartherslopeofthebridge,theysawwhatlookedliketheremainsofanancientgiantroadstretchingawaybeforethemintotheheartofthemountains.Manystonesofitspavementweremissingandtherewerewidepatchesofgrassbetweenthosethatremained.Andridingtowardsthemonthatancientroadweretwopeopleofnormal
grownuphumansize.“Keepon.Movetowardsthem,”saidPuddleglum.“Anyoneyoumeetina
placelikethisisaslikelyasnottobeanenemy,butwemustn’tletthemthinkwe’reafraid.”
Bythetimetheyhadsteppedofftheendofthebridgeontothegrass,thetwostrangerswerequiteclose.Onewasaknightincompletearmorwithhisvisordown.Hisarmorandhishorsewereblack;therewasnodeviceonhisshieldandnobanneretteonhisspear.Theotherwasaladyonawhitehorse,ahorsesolovelythatyouwantedtokissitsnoseandgiveitalumpofsugaratonce.Butthelady,whorodesidesaddleandworealong,flutteringdressofdazzlinggreen,waslovelierstill.
“Goodday,t-r-ravelers,”shecriedoutinavoiceassweetasthesweetestbird’ssong,trillingherR’sdelightfully.“Someofyouareyoungpilgrimstowalkthisroughwaste.”
“That’sasmaybe,Ma’am,”saidPuddleglumverystifflyandonhisguard.“We’relookingfortheruinedcityofthegiants,”saidJill.“Ther-r-ruinedcity?”saidtheLady.“Thatisastrangeplacetobeseeking.
Whatwillyoudoifyoufindit?”“We’vegotto—”beganJill,butPuddlegluminterrupted.“Beggingyourpardon,Ma’am.Butwedon’tknowyouoryourfriend—a
silentchap,isn’the?—andyoudon’tknowus.Andwe’dassoonnottalktostrangersaboutourbusiness,ifyoudon’tmind.Shallwehavealittlerainsoon,doyouthink?”
TheLadylaughed;therichest,mostmusicallaughyoucanimagine.“Well,children,”shesaid,“youhaveawise,solemnoldguidewithyou.Ithinknonetheworseofhimforkeepinghisowncounsel,butI’llbefreewithmine.IhaveoftenheardthenameofthegiantishCityRuinous,butnevermetanywhowouldtellmethewaythither.ThisroadleadstotheburghandcastleofHarfang,wheredwellthegentlegiants.Theyareasmild,civil,prudent,andcourteousasthoseofEttinsmoorarefoolish,fierce,savage,andgiventoallbeastliness.AndinHarfangyoumayormaynotheartidingsoftheCityRuinous,butcertainlyyoushallfindgoodlodgingsandmerryhosts.Youwouldbewisetowinterthere,or,attheleast,totarrycertaindaysforyoureaseandrefreshment.Thereyoushallhavesteamingbaths,softbeds,andbrighthearths;andtheroastandthebakedandthesweetandthestrongwillbeonthetablefourtimesinaday.”
“Isay!”exclaimedScrubb.“That’ssomethinglike!Thinkofsleepinginabedagain.”
“Yes,andhavingahotbath,”saidJill.“Doyouthinkthey’llaskustostay?Wedon’tknowthem,yousee.”
“Onlytellthem,”answeredtheLady,“thatSheoftheGreenKirtlesalutesthembyyou,andhassentthemtwofairSouthernchildrenfortheAutumnFeast.”
“Oh,thankyou,thankyoueversomuch,”saidJillandScrubb.“Buthaveacare,”saidtheLady.“OnwhateverdayyoureachHarfang,that
youcomenottothedoortoolate.Fortheyshuttheirgatesafewhoursafternoon,anditisthecustomofthecastlethattheyopentononewhenoncetheyhavedrawnbolt,howhardsoeverheknock.”
Thechildrenthankedheragain,withshiningeyes,andtheLadywavedtothem.TheMarsh-wiggletookoffhissteeple-hatandbowedverystiffly.ThenthesilentKnightandtheLadystartedwalkingtheirhorsesuptheslopeofthebridgewithagreatclatterofhoofs.
“Well!”saidPuddleglum.“I’dgiveagooddealtoknowwhereshe’scomingfromandwhereshe’sgoing.NotthesortyouexpecttomeetinthewildsofGiantland,isshe?Uptonogood,I’llbebound.”
“Ohrot!”saidScrubb.“Ithoughtshewassimplysuper.Andthinkofhotmealsandwarmrooms.IdohopeHarfangisn’talongwayoff.”
“Samehere,”saidJill.“Andhadn’tsheascrumptiousdress.Andthehorse!”“Allthesame,”saidPuddleglum,“Iwishweknewabitmoreabouther.”“Iwasgoingtoaskherallaboutherself,”saidJill.“ButhowcouldIwhen
youwouldn’ttellheranythingaboutus?”“Yes,”saidScrubb.“Andwhywereyousostiffandunpleasant.Didn’tyou
likethem?”“Them?”saidthewiggle.“Who’sthem?Ionlysawone.”“Didn’tyouseetheKnight?”askedJill.“Isawasuitofarmor,”saidPuddleglum.“Whydidn’thespeak?”“Iexpecthewasshy,”saidJill.“Orperhapshejustwantstolookatherand
listentoherlovelyvoice.I’msureIwouldifIwashim.”“Iwaswondering,”remarkedPuddleglum,“whatyou’dreallyseeifyou
liftedupthevisorofthathelmetandlookedinside.”“Hangitall,”saidScrubb.“Thinkoftheshapeofthearmor!Whatcouldbe
insideitexceptaman?”“Howaboutaskeleton?”askedtheMarsh-wigglewithghastlycheerfulness.
“Orperhaps,”headdedasanafterthought,“nothingatall.Imean,nothingyoucouldsee.Someoneinvisible.”
“Really,Puddleglum,”saidJillwithashudder,“youdohavethemosthorribleideas.Howdoyouthinkofthemall?”
“Oh,botherhisideas!”saidScrubb.“He’salwaysexpectingtheworst,andhe’salwayswrong.Let’sthinkaboutthoseGentleGiantsandgetontoHarfangasquicklyaswecan.IwishIknewhowfaritis.”
AndnowtheynearlyhadthefirstofthosequarrelswhichPuddleglumhadforetold;notthatJillandScrubbhadn’tbeensparringandsnappingateachotheragooddealbefore,butthiswasthefirstreallyseriousdisagreement.Puddleglumdidn’twantthemtogotoHarfangatall.Hesaidthathedidn’tknowwhatagiant’sideaofbeing“gentle”mightbe,andthat,anyway,Aslan’ssignshadsaidnothingaboutstayingwithgiants,gentleorotherwise.Thechildren,ontheotherhand,whoweresickofwindandrain,andskinnyfowlroastedovercampfires,andhard,coldearthtosleepon,wereabsolutelydeadsettovisittheGentleGiants.Intheend,Puddleglumagreedtodoso,butonlyononecondition.Theothersmustgiveanabsolutepromisethat,unlesshegavethemleave,theywouldnottelltheGentleGiantsthattheycamefromNarniaorthattheywerelookingforPrinceRilian.Andtheygavehimthispromise,andwenton.
AfterthattalkwiththeLadythingsgotworseintwodifferentways.Inthefirstplacethecountrywasmuchharder.Theroadledthroughendless,narrowvalleysdownwhichacruelnorthwindwasalwaysblowingintheirfaces.Therewasnothingthatcouldbeusedforfirewood,andtherewerenonicelittlehollowstocampin,astherehadbeenonthemoor.Andthegroundwasallstony,andmadeyourfeetsorebydayandeverybitofyousorebynight.
Inthesecondplace,whatevertheLadyhadintendedbytellingthemaboutHarfang,theactualeffectonthechildrenwasabadone.Theycouldthinkaboutnothingbutbedsandbathsandhotmealsandhowlovelyitwouldbetogetindoors.TheynevertalkedaboutAslan,orevenaboutthelostprince,now.AndJillgaveupherhabitofrepeatingthesignsovertoherselfeverynightandmorning.Shesaidtoherself,atfirst,thatshewastootired,butshesoonforgotallaboutit.AndthoughyoumighthaveexpectedthattheideaofhavingagoodtimeatHarfangwouldhavemadethemmorecheerful,itreallymadethemmoresorryforthemselvesandmoregrumpyandsnappywitheachotherandwithPuddleglum.
Atlasttheycameoneafternoontoaplacewherethegorgeinwhichtheyweretravelingwidenedoutanddarkfirwoodsroseoneitherside.Theylookedaheadandsawthattheyhadcomethroughthemountains.Beforethemlaya
desolate,rockyplain;beyondit,furthermountainscappedwithsnow.Butbetweenthemandthosefurthermountainsrosealowhillwithanirregularflattishtop.
“Look!Look!”criedJill,andpointedacrosstheplain;andthere,throughthegatheringdusk,frombeyondtheflathill,everyonesawlights.Lights!Notmoonlight,norfires,butahomelycheeringrowoflightedwindows.Ifyouhaveneverbeeninthewildwilderness,dayandnight,forweeks,youwillhardlyunderstandhowtheyfelt.
“Harfang!”criedScrubbandJillinglad,excitedvoices;and“Harfang,”repeatedPuddlegluminadull,gloomyvoice.Butheadded,“Hullo!Wildgeese!”andhadthebowoffhisshoulderinasecond.Hebroughtdownagoodfatgoose.ItwasfartoolatetothinkofreachingHarfangthatday.Buttheyhadahotmealandafire,andstartedthenightwarmerthantheyhadbeenforoveraweek.Afterthefirehadgoneout,thenightgrewbitterlycold,andwhentheywokenextmorning,theirblanketswerestiffwithfrost.
“Nevermind!”saidJill,stampingherfeet.“Hotbathstonight!”
ChapterSeven
TheHilloftheStrangeTrenchesTHEREIsnodenyingitwasabeastofaday.Overheadwasasunlesssky,
muffledincloudsthatwereheavywithsnow;underfoot,ablackfrost;blowingoverit,awindthatfeltasifitwouldtakeyourskinoff.Whentheygotdownintotheplaintheyfoundthatthispartoftheancientroadwasmuchmoreruinousthananytheyhadyetseen.Theyhadtopicktheirwayovergreatbrokenstonesandbetweenbouldersandacrossrubble;hardgoingforsorefeet.And,howevertiredtheygot,itwasfartoocoldforahalt.
Ataboutteno’clockthefirsttinysnowflakescameloiteringdownandsettledonJill’sarm.Tenminuteslatertheywerefallingquitethickly.Intwentyminutesthegroundwasnoticeablywhite.Andbytheendofhalfanhouragoodsteadysnowstorm,whichlookedasifitmeanttolastallday,wasdrivingintheirfacessothattheycouldhardlysee.
Inordertounderstandwhatfollowed,youmustkeeponrememberinghowlittletheycouldsee.Astheydrewnearthelowhillwhichseparatedthemfromtheplacewherethelightedwindowshadappeared,theyhadnogeneralviewofitatall.Itwasaquestionofseeingthenextfewpacesahead,and,evenforthat,youhadtoscrewupyoureyes.Needlesstosay,theywerenottalking.
Whentheyreachedthefootofthehilltheycaughtaglimpseofwhatmightberocksoneachside—squarishrocks,ifyoulookedatthemcarefully,butnoonedid.Allweremoreconcernedwiththeledgerightinfrontofthemwhichbarredtheirway.Itwasaboutfourfeethigh.TheMarsh-wiggle,withhislonglegs,hadnodifficultyinjumpingontothetopofit,andhethenhelpedtheothersup.Itwasanastywetbusinessforthem,thoughnotforhim,becausethesnownowlayquitedeepontheledge.Theythenhadastiffclimb—Jillfellonce—upveryroughgroundforaboutahundredyards,andcametoasecondledge.Therewerefouroftheseledgesaltogether,atquiteirregularintervals.
Astheystruggledontothefourthledge,therewasnomistakingthefactthattheywerenowatthetopoftheflathill.Uptillnowtheslopehadgiventhemsomeshelter;here,theygotthefullfuryofthewind.Forthehill,oddlyenough,wasquiteasflatontopasithadlookedfromadistance;agreatleveltablelandwhichthestormtoreacrosswithoutresistance.Inmostplacesthesnowwasstillhardlylyingatall,forthewindkeptcatchingitupoffthegroundinsheetsandclouds,andhurlingitintheirfaces.Androundtheirfeetlittleeddiesofsnowran
aboutasyousometimesseethemdoingoverice.And,indeed,inmanyplaces,thesurfacewasalmostassmoothasice.Buttomakemattersworseitwascrossedandcrisscrossedwithcuriousbanksordykes,whichsometimesdivideditupintosquaresandoblongs.Alltheseofcoursehadtobeclimbed;theyvariedfromtwotofivefeetinheightandwereaboutacoupleofyardsthick.Onthenorthsideofeachbankthesnowalreadylayindeepdrifts;andaftereachclimbyoucamedownintoadriftandgotwet.
Fightingherwayforwardwithhoodupandheaddownandnumbhandsinsidehercloak,Jillhadglimpsesofotheroddthingsonthathorribletableland—thingsonherrightthatlookedvaguelylikefactorychimneys,and,onherleft,ahugecliff,straighterthananycliffoughttobe.Butshewasn’tatallinterestedanddidn’tgivethemathought.Theonlythingsshethoughtaboutwerehercoldhands(andnoseandchinandears)andhotbathsandbedsatHarfang.
Suddenlysheskidded,slidaboutfivefeet,andfoundherselftoherhorrorslidingdownintoadark,narrowchasmwhichseemedthatmomenttohaveappearedinfrontofher.Halfasecondlatershehadreachedthebottom.Sheappearedtobeinakindoftrenchorgroove,onlyaboutthreefeetwide.Andthoughshewasshakenbythefall,almostthefirstthingshenoticedwasthereliefofbeingoutofthewind;forthewallsofthetrenchrosehighaboveher.Thenextthingshenoticedwas,naturally,theanxiousfacesofScrubbandPuddleglumlookingdownatherfromtheedge.
“Areyouhurt,Pole?”shoutedScrubb.“Bothlegsbroken,Ishouldn’twonder,”shoutedPuddleglum.Jillstoodupandexplainedthatshewasallright,butthey’dhavetohelpher
out.“Whatisityou’vefalleninto?”askedScrubb.“It’sakindoftrench,oritmightbeakindofsunkenlaneorsomething,”said
Jill.“Itrunsquitestraight.”“Yes,byJove,”saidScrubb.“Anditrunsduenorth!Iwonderisitasortof
road?Ifitwas,we’dbeoutofthisinfernalwinddownthere.Istherealotofsnowatthebottom?”
“Hardlyany.Itallblowsoverthetop,Isuppose.”“Whathappensfartheron?”“Halfasec.I’llgoandsee,”saidJill.Shegotupandwalkedalongthetrench;
butbeforeshehadgonefar,itturnedsharplytotheright.Sheshoutedthisinformationbacktotheothers.
“What’sroundthecorner?”askedScrubb.
NowithappenedthatJillhadthesamefeelingabouttwistypassagesanddarkplacesunderground,orevennearlyunderground,thatScrubbhadabouttheedgesofcliffs.Shehadnointentionofgoingroundthatcorneralone;especiallywhensheheardPuddleglumbawlingoutfrombehindher;“Becareful,Pole.It’sjustthesortofplacethatmightleadtoadragon’scave.Andinagiantcountry,theremightbegiantearth-wormsorgiantbeetles.”
“Idon’tthinkitgoesanywheremuch,”saidJill,cominghastilyback.“I’mjollywellgoingtohavealook,”saidScrubb.“Whatdoyoumeanby
anywheremuch,Ishouldliketoknow?”Sohesatdownontheedgeofthetrench(everyonewastoowetbynowtobotheraboutbeingabitwetter)andthendroppedin.HepushedpastJilland,thoughhedidn’tsayanything,shefeltsurethatheknewshehadfunkedit.Soshefollowedhimclose,buttookcarenottogetinfrontofhim.
Itproved,however,adisappointingexploration.Theywentroundtheright-handturnandstraightonforafewpaces.Heretherewasachoiceofways;straightonagain,orsharptotheright.“That’snogood,”saidScrubb,glancingdowntheright-handturn,“thatwouldbetakingusback—south.”Hewentstraighton,butoncemore,inafewsteps,theyfoundasecondturntotheright.Butthistimetherewasnochoiceofways,forthetrenchtheyhadbeenfollowingherecametoadeadend.
“Nogood,”gruntedScrubb.Jilllostnotimeinturningandleadingthewayback.WhentheyreturnedtotheplacewhereJillhadfirstfallenin,theMarsh-wigglewithhislongarmshadnodifficultyinpullingthemout.
Butitwasdreadfultobeoutontopagain.Downinthosenarrowslitsoftrenches,theirearshadalmostbeguntothaw.Theyhadbeenabletoseeclearlyandbreatheeasilyandheareachotherspeakwithoutshouting.Itwasabsolutemiserytocomebackintothewitheringcoldness.AnditdidseemhardwhenPuddleglumchosethatmomentforsaying;“Areyoustillsureofthosesigns,Pole?What’stheoneweoughttobeafter,now?”
“Oh,comeon!Botherthesigns,”saidPole.“SomethingaboutsomeonementioningAslan’sname,Ithink.ButI’mjollywellnotgoingtogivearecitationhere.”
Asyousee,shehadgottheorderwrong.Thatwasbecauseshehadgivenupsayingthesignsovereverynight.Shestillreallyknewthem,ifshetroubledtothink;butshewasnolongerso“pat”inherlessonastobesureofreelingthemoffintherightorderatamoment’snoticeandwithoutthinking.Puddleglum’squestionannoyedherbecause,deepdowninsideher,shewasalreadyannoyed
withherselffornotknowingtheLion’slessonquitesowellasshefeltsheoughttohaveknownit.Thisannoyance,addedtothemiseryofbeingverycoldandtired,madehersay,“Botherthesigns.”Shedidn’tperhapsquitemeanit.
“Oh,thatwasnext,wasit?”saidPuddleglum.“NowIwonder,areyouright?Got‘emmixed,Ishouldn’twonder.Itseemstome,thishill,thisflatplacewe’reon,isworthstoppingtohavealookat.Haveyounoticed—”
“OhLor!”saidScrubb,“isthisatimeforstoppingtoadmiretheview?Forgoodness’sakelet’sgeton.”
“Oh,look,look,look,”criedJillandpointed.Everyoneturned,andeveryonesaw.Somewayofftothenorth,andagooddealhigherupthanthetablelandonwhichtheystood,alineoflightshadappeared.Thistime,evenmoreobviouslythanwhenthetravelershadseenthemthenightbefore,theywerewindows;smallerwindowsthatmadeonethinkdeliciouslyofbedrooms,andlargerwindowsthatmadeonethinkofgreathallswithfiresroaringonthehearthandhotsouporjuicysirloinssmokingonthetable.
“Harfang!”exclaimedScrubb.“That’sallverywell,”saidPuddleglum.“ButwhatIwassayingwas—”“Oh,shutup,”saidJillcrossly.“Wehaven’tamomenttolose.Don’tyou
rememberwhattheLadysaidabouttheirlockingupsoearly?Wemustgetthereintime,wemust,wemust.We’lldieifwe’reshutoutonanightlikethis.”
“Well,itisn’texactlyanight,notyet,”beganPuddleglum;butthetwochildrenbothsaid,“Comeon,”andbeganstumblingforwardontheslipperytablelandasquicklyastheirlegswouldcarrythem.TheMarsh-wigglefollowedthem;stilltalking,butnowthattheywereforcingtheirwayintothewindagain,theycouldnothaveheardhimeveniftheyhadwantedto.Andtheydidn’twant.Theywerethinkingofbathsandbedsandhotdrinks;andtheideaofcomingtoHarfangtoolateandbeingshutoutwasalmostunbearable.
Inspiteoftheirhaste,ittookthemalongtimetocrosstheflattopofthathill.Andevenwhentheyhadcrossedit,therewerestillseveralledgestoclimbdownonthefarside.ButatlasttheyreachedthebottomandcouldseewhatHarfangwaslike.
Itstoodonahighcrag,andinspiteofitsmanytowerswasmoreahugehousethanacastle.Obviously,theGentleGiantsfearednoattack.Therewerewindowsintheoutsidewallquiteclosetotheground—athingnoonewouldhaveinaseriousfortress.Therewereevenoddlittledoorshereandthere,sothatitwouldbequiteeasytogetinandoutofthecastlewithoutgoingthroughthecourtyard.ThisraisedthespiritsofJillandScrubb.Itmadethewholeplacelook
morefriendlyandlessforbidding.Atfirsttheheightandsteepnessofthecragfrightenedthem,butpresently
theynoticedthattherewasaneasierwayupontheleftandthattheroadwounduptowardsit.Itwasaterribleclimb,afterthejourneytheyhadalreadyhad,andJillnearlygaveup.ScrubbandPuddleglumhadtohelpherforthelasthundredyards.
Butintheendtheystoodbeforethecastlegate.Theportculliswasupandthegateopen.
Howevertiredyouare,ittakessomenervetowalkuptoagiant’sfrontdoor.InspiteofallhispreviouswarningsagainstHarfang,itwasPuddleglumwhoshowedthemostcourage.
“Steadypace,now,”hesaid.“Don’tlookfrightened,whateveryoudo.We’vedonethesilliestthingintheworldbycomingatall,butnowthatwearehere,we’dbestputaboldfaceonit.”
Withthesewordshestrodeforwardintothegateway,stoodstillunderthearchwheretheechowouldhelphisvoice,andcalledoutasloudashecould.
“Ho!Porter!Guestswhoseeklodging.”Andwhilehewaswaitingforsomethingtohappen,hetookoffhishatand
knockedofftheheavymassofsnowwhichhadgatheredonitswidebrim.“Isay,”whisperedScrubbtoJill.“Hemaybeawetblanket,buthehasplenty
ofpluck—andcheek.”Adooropened,lettingoutadeliciousglowoffirelight,andthePorter
appeared.Jillbitherlipsforfearsheshouldscream.Hewasnotaperfectlyenormousgiant;thatistosay,hewasrathertallerthananappletreebutnothinglikesotallasatelegraphpole.Hehadbristlyredhair,aleatherjerkinwithmetalplatesfastenedalloveritsoastomakeakindofmailshirt,bareknees(veryhairyindeed)andthingslikeputteesonhislegs.HestoopeddownandgoggledatPuddleglum.
“Andwhatsortofcreaturedoyoucallyourself,”hesaid.Jilltookhercourageinbothhands.“Please,”shesaid,shoutingupatthe
giant.“TheLadyoftheGreenKirtlesalutestheKingoftheGentleGiants,andhassentustwoSouthernchildrenandthisMarsh-wiggle(hisname’sPuddleglum)toyourAutumnFeast.—Ifit’squiteconvenient,ofcourse,”sheadded.
“Oho!”saidthePorter.“That’squiteadifferentstory.Comein,littlepeople,comein.You’dbestcomeintothelodgewhileI’msendingwordtohisMajesty.”Helookedatthechildrenwithcuriosity.“Bluefaces,”hesaid.“I
didn’tknowtheywerethatcolor.Don’tcareaboutitmyself.ButIdaresayyoulookquitenicetooneanother.Beetlesfancyotherbeetles,theydosay.”
“Ourfacesareonlybluewithcold,”saidJill.“We’renotthiscolorreally.”“Thencomeinandgetwarm.Comein,littleshrimps,”saidthePorter.They
followedhimintothelodge.Andthoughitwasratherterribletohearsuchabigdoorclangshutbehindthem,theyforgotaboutitassoonastheysawthethingtheyhadbeenlongingforeversincesuppertimelastnight—afire.Andsuchafire!Itlookedasiffourorfivewholetreeswereblazingonit,anditwassohottheycouldn’tgowithinyardsofit.Buttheyallfloppeddownonthebrickfloor,asnearastheycouldbeartheheat,andheavedgreatsighsofrelief.
“Now,youngster,”saidthePortertoanothergiantwhohadbeensittinginthebackoftheroom,staringatthevisitorstillitlookedasifhiseyeswouldstartoutofhishead,“runacrosswiththismessagetotheHouse.”AndherepeatedwhatJillhadsaidtohim.Theyoungergiant,afterafinalstare,andagreatguffaw,lefttheroom.
“Now,Froggy,”saidthePortertoPuddleglum,“youlookasifyouwantedsomecheeringup.”HeproducedablackbottleverylikePuddleglum’sown,butabouttwentytimeslarger.“Letmesee,letmesee,”saidthePorter.“Ican’tgiveyouacuporyou’lldrownyourself.Letmesee.Thissalt-cellarwillbejustthething.Youneedn’tmentionitoverattheHouse.Thesilverwillkeepongettingoverhere,andit’snotmyfault.”
Thesalt-cellarwasnotverylikeoneofours,beingnarrowerandmoreupright,andmadequiteagoodcupforPuddleglum,whenthegiantsetitdownonthefloorbesidehim.ThechildrenexpectedPuddleglumtorefuseit,distrustingtheGentleGiantsashedid.Buthemuttered,“It’sratherlatetobethinkingofprecautionsnowthatwe’reinsideandthedoorshutbehindus.”Thenhesniffedattheliquor.“Smellsallright,”hesaid.“Butthat’snothingtogoby.Bettermakesure,”andtookasip.“Tastesallright,too,”hesaid.“Butitmightdothatatthefirstsip.Howdoesitgoon?”Hetookalargersip.“Ah!”hesaid.“Butisitthesameallthewaydown?”andtookanother.“There’llbesomethingnastyatthebottom,Ishouldn’twonder,”hesaid,andfinishedthedrink.Helickedhislipsandremarkedtothechildren,“This’llbeatest,yousee.IfIcurlup,orburst,orturnintoalizard,orsomething,thenyou’llknownottotakeanythingtheyofferyou.”Butthegiant,whowastoofaruptohearthethingsPuddleglumhadbeensayingunderhisbreath,roaredwithlaughterandsaid,“Why,Froggy,you’reaman.Seehimputitaway!”
“Notaman…Marsh-wiggle,”repliedPuddlegluminasomewhatindistinct
voice.“Notfrogeither;Marsh-wiggle.”Atthatmomentthedooropenedbehindthemandtheyoungergiantcamein
saying,“They’retogotothethrone-roomatonce.”ThechildrenstoodupbutPuddleglumremainedsittingandsaid,“Marsh-
wiggle.Marsh-wiggle.VeryrespectableMarsh-wiggle.Respectowiggle.”“Showthemtheway,young‘un,”saidthegiantPorter.“You’dbettercarry
Froggy.He’shadadropmorethan’sgoodforhim.”“Nothingwrongwithme,”saidPuddleglum.“Notafrog.Nothingfrogwith
me.I’marespectabiggle.”Buttheyounggiantcaughthimupbythewaistandsignedtothechildrento
follow.Inthisundignifiedwaytheycrossedthecourtyard.Puddleglum,heldinthegiant’sfist,andvaguelykickingtheair,didcertainlylookverylikeafrog.Buttheyhadlittletimetonoticethis,fortheysoonenteredthegreatdoorwayofthemaincastle—boththeirheartsbeatingfasterthanusual—and,afterpatteringalongseveralcorridorsatatrottokeepupwiththegiant’spaces,foundthemselvesblinkinginthelightofanenormousroom,wherelampsglowedandafireroaredonthehearthandbothwerereflectedfromthegildingofroofandcornice.Moregiantsthantheycouldcountstoodontheirleftandright,allinmagnificentrobes;andontwothronesatthefarend,sattwohugeshapesthatappearedtobetheKingandQueen.
Abouttwentyfeetfromthethrones,theystopped.ScrubbandJillmadeanawkwardattemptatabow(girlsarenottaughthowtocurtseyatExperimentHouse)andtheyounggiantcarefullyputPuddleglumdownonthefloor,wherehecollapsedintoasortofsittingposition.Withhislonglimbshelooked,totellthetruth,uncommonlylikealargespider.
ChapterEight
TheHouseofHarfang“Goon,Pole,doyourstuff,”whisperedScrubb.Jillfoundthathermouthwassodrythatshecouldn’tspeakaword.She
noddedsavagelyatScrubb.Thinkingtohimselfthathewouldneverforgiveher(orPuddleglumeither),
ScrubblickedhislipsandshouteduptotheKinggiant.“Ifyouplease,Sire,theLadyoftheGreenKirtlesalutesyoubyusandsaid
you’dliketohaveusforyourAutumnFeast.”ThegiantKingandQueenlookedateachother,noddedtoeachother,and
smiledinawaythatJilldidn’texactlylike.ShelikedtheKingbetterthantheQueen.Hehadafine,curledbeardandastraighteagle-likenose,andwasreallyrathergood-lookingasgiantsgo.TheQueenwasdreadfullyfatandhadadoublechinandafat,powderedface—whichisn’taverynicethingatthebestoftimes,andofcourselooksmuchworsewhenitistentimestoobig.ThentheKingputouthistongueandlickedhislips.Anyonemightdothat;buthistonguewassoverylargeandred,andcameoutsounexpectedly,thatitgaveJillquiteashock.
“Oh,whatgoodchildren!”saidtheQueen.(“Perhapsshe’stheniceoneafterall,”thoughtJill.)
“Yesindeed,”saidtheKing.“Quiteexcellentchildren.Wewelcomeyoutoourcourt.Givemeyourhands.”
Hestretcheddownhisgreatrighthand—verycleanandwithanynumberofringsonthefingers,butalsowithterriblepointednails.Hewasmuchtoobigtoshakethehandswhichthechildren,inturn,helduptohim;butheshookthearms.
“Andwhat’sthat?”askedtheKing,pointingtoPuddleglum.“Reshpeckobiggle,”saidPuddleglum.“Oh!”screamedtheQueen,gatheringherskirtscloseaboutherankles.“The
horridthing!It’salive.”“He’squiteallright,yourMajesty,really,heis,”saidScrubbhastily.“You’ll
likehimmuchbetterwhenyougettoknowhim.I’msureyouwill.”Ihopeyouwon’tloseallinterestinJillfortherestofthebookifItellyou
thatatthismomentshebegantocry.Therewasagooddealofexcuseforher.Herfeetandhandsandearsandnosewerestillonlyjustbeginningtothaw;
meltedsnowwastricklingoffherclothes;shehadhadhardlyanythingtoeatordrinkthatday;andherlegswereachingsothatshefeltshecouldnotgoonstandingmuchlonger.Anyway,itdidmoregoodatthemomentthananythingelsewouldhavedone,fortheQueensaid;“Ah,thepoorchild!Mylord,wedowrongtokeepourguestsstanding.Quick,someofyou!Takethemaway.Givethemfoodandwineandbaths.Comfortthelittlegirl.Giveherlollipops,giveherdolls,giveherphysics,giveherallyoucanthinkof—possetsandcomfitsandcarawaysandlullabiesandtoys.Don’tcry,littlegirl,oryouwon’tbegoodforanythingwhenthefeastcomes.”
JillwasjustasindignantasyouandIwouldhavebeenatthementionoftoysanddolls;and,thoughlollipopsandcomfitsmightbeallverywellintheirway,sheverymuchhopedthatsomethingmoresolidwouldbeprovided.TheQueen’sfoolishspeech,however,producedexcellentresults,forPuddleglumandScrubbwereatoncepickedupbygiganticgentlemen-in-waiting,andJillbyagiganticmaidofhonor,andcarriedofftotheirrooms.
Jill’sroomwasaboutthesizeofachurch,andwouldhavebeenrathergrimifithadnothadaroaringfireonthehearthandaverythickcrimsoncarpetonthefloor.Andheredelightfulthingsbegantohappentoher.ShewashandedovertotheQueen’soldNurse,whowas,fromthegiants’pointofview,alittleoldwomanalmostbentdoublewithage,and,fromthehumanpointofview,agiantesssmallenoughtogoaboutanordinaryroomwithoutknockingherheadontheceiling.Shewasverycapable,thoughJilldidwishshewouldn’tkeeponclickinghertongueandsayingthingslike“Ohla,la!Ups-a-daisy”and“There’saduck”and“Nowwe’llbeallright,mypoppet”.ShefilledagiantfootbathwithhotwaterandhelpedJillintoit.Ifyoucanswim(asJillcould)agiantbathisalovelything.Andgianttowels,thoughabitroughandcoarse,arelovelytoo,becausethereareacresofthem.Infactyoudon’tneedtodryatall,youjustrollaboutontheminfrontofthefireandenjoyyourself.Andwhenthatwasover,clean,fresh,warmedclotheswereputonJill;verysplendidclothesandalittletoobigforher,butclearlymadeforhumansnotgiantesses.“Isupposeifthatwomaninthegreenkirtlecomeshere,theymustbeusedtoguestsofoursize,”thoughtJill.
Shesoonsawthatshewasrightaboutthis,foratableandchairoftherightheightforanordinarygrownuphumanwereplacedforher,andtheknivesandforksandspoonswerethepropersizetoo.Itwasdelightfultositdown,feelingwarmandcleanatlast.Herfeetwerestillbareanditwaslovelytotreadonthegiantcarpet.Shesankinitwelloverheranklesanditwasjustthethingforsore
feet.Themeal—whichIsupposewemustcalldinner,thoughitwasnearerteatime—wascock-a-leekiesoup,andhotroastturkey,andasteamedpudding,androastchestnuts,andasmuchfruitasyoucouldeat.
TheonlyannoyingthingwasthattheNursekeptcominginandout,andeverytimeshecamein,shebroughtagigantictoywithher—ahugedoll,biggerthanJillherself,awoodenhorseonwheels,aboutthesizeofanelephant,adrumthatlookedlikeayounggasometer,andawoollylamb.Theywerecrude,badlymadethings,paintedinverybrightcolors,andJillhatedthesightofthem.ShekeptontellingtheNurseshedidn’twantthem,buttheNursesaid;“Tut-tut-tut-tut.You’llwant‘emallrightwhenyou’vehadabitofarest,Iknow!Te-he-he!Beddybye,now.Apreciouspoppet!”
Thebedwasnotagiantbedbutonlyabigfour-poster,likewhatyoumightseeinanold-fashionedhotel;andverysmallitlookedinthatenormousroom.Shewasverygladtotumbleintoit.
“Isitstillsnowing,Nurse?”sheaskedsleepily.“No.Rainingnow,ducky!”saidthegiantess.“Rain’llwashawayallthenasty
snow.Preciouspoppetwillbeabletogooutandplaytomorrow!”AndshetuckedJillupandsaidgoodnight.
Iknownothingsodisagreeableasbeingkissedbyagiantess.Jillthoughtthesame,butwasasleepinfiveminutes.
Therainfellsteadilyalltheeveningandallthenight,dashingagainstthewindowsofthecastle,andJillneverhearditbutsleptdeeply,pastsuppertimeandpastmidnight.Andthencamethedeadesthourofthenightandnothingstirredbutmiceinthehouseofthegiants.AtthathourtherecametoJilladream.Itseemedtoherthatsheawokeinthesameroomandsawthefire,sunklowandred,andinthefirelightthegreatwoodenhorse.Andthehorsecameofitsownwill,rollingonitswheelsacrossthecarpet,andstoodatherhead.Andnowitwasnolongerahorse,butalionasbigasthehorse.Andthenitwasnotatoylion,butareallion,TheRealLion,justasshehadseenhimonthemountainbeyondtheworld’send.Andasmellofallsweet-smellingthingstherearefilledtheroom.ButtherewassometroubleinJill’smind,thoughshecouldnotthinkwhatitwas,andthetearsstreameddownherfaceandwetthepillow.TheLiontoldhertorepeatthesigns,andshefoundthatshehadforgottenthemall.Atthat,agreathorrorcameoverher.AndAslantookherupinhisjaws(shecouldfeelhislipsandhisbreathbutnothisteeth)andcarriedhertothewindowandmadeherlookout.Themoonshonebright;andwritteningreatlettersacrosstheworldorthesky(shedidnotknowwhich)werethewordsUNDERME.After
that,thedreamfadedaway,andwhenshewoke,verylatenextmorning,shedidnotrememberthatshehaddreamedatall.
ShewasupanddressedandhadfinishedbreakfastinfrontofthefirewhentheNurseopenedthedoorandsaid;“Here’sprettypoppet’slittlefriendscometoplaywithher.”
IncameScrubbandtheMarsh-wiggle.“Hullo!Goodmorning,”saidJill.“Isn’tthisfun?I’vesleptaboutfifteen
hours,Ibelieve.Idofeelbetter,don’tyou?”“1do,”saidScrubb,“butPuddleglumsayshehasaheadache.Hullo!—your
windowhasawindowseat.Ifwegotuponthat,wecouldseeout.”Andatoncetheyalldidso;andatthefirstglanceJillsaid,“Oh,howperfectlydreadful!”
Thesunwasshiningand,exceptforafewdrifts,thesnowhadbeenalmostcompletelywashedawaybytherain.Downbelowthem,spreadoutlikeamap,laytheflathill-topwhichtheyhadstruggledoveryesterdayafternoon;seenfromthecastle,itcouldnotbemistakenforanythingbuttheruinsofagiganticcity.Ithadbeenflat,asJillnowsaw,becauseitwasstill,onthewhole,paved,thoughinplacesthepavementwasbroken.Thecrisscrossbankswerewhatwasleftofthewallsofhugebuildingswhichmightoncehavebeengiants’palacesandtemples.Onebitofwall,aboutfivehundredfeethigh,wasstillstanding;itwasthatwhichshehadthoughtwasacliff.Thethingsthathadlookedlikefactorychimneyswereenormouspillars,brokenoffatunequalheights;theirfragmentslayattheirbaseslikefelledtreesofmonstrousstone.Theledgeswhichtheyhadclimbeddownonthenorthsideofthehill—andalso,nodoubttheotherledgeswhichtheyhadclimbeduponthesouthside—weretheremainingstepsofgiantstairs.Tocrownall,inlarge,darkletteringacrossthecentreofthepavement,ranthewordsUNDERME.
Thethreetravelerslookedateachotherindismay,and,afterashortwhistle,Scrubbsaidwhattheywereallthinking,“Thesecondandthirdsignsmuffed.”AndatthatmomentJill’sdreamrushedbackintohermind.
“It’smyfault,”shesaidindespairingtones.“I—I’dgivenuprepeatingthesignseverynight.IfI’dbeenthinkingaboutthemIcouldhaveseenitwasthecity,eveninallthatsnow.”
“I’mworse,”saidPuddleglum.“Ididsee,ornearly.Ithoughtitlookeduncommonlylikearuinedcity.”
“You’retheonlyonewhoisn’ttoblame,”saidScrubb.“Youdidtrytomakeusstop.”
“Didn’ttryhardenough,though,”saidtheMarsh-wiggle.“AndI’dnocallto
betrying.Ioughttohavedoneit.AsifIcouldn’thavestoppedyoutwowithonehandeach!”
“Thetruthis,”saidScrubb,“weweresojollykeenongettingtothisplacethatweweren’tbotheringaboutanythingelse.AtleastIknowIwas.Eversincewemetthatwomanwiththeknightwhodidn’ttalk,we’vebeenthinkingofnothingelse.We’dnearlyforgottenaboutPrinceRilian.”
“Ishouldn’twonder,”saidPuddleglum,“ifthatwasn’texactlywhatsheintended.”
“WhatIdon’tquiteunderstand,”saidJill,“ishowwedidn’tseethelettering?Orcouldithavecometheresincelastnight.Couldhe—Aslan—haveputitthereinthenight?Ihadsuchaqueerdream.”Andshetoldthemallaboutit.
“Why,youchump!”saidScrubb.“Wedidseeit.Wegotintothelettering.Don’tyousee?WegotintotheletterEinME.Thatwasyoursunklane.WewalkedalongthebottomstrokeoftheE,duenorth—turnedtoourrightalongtheupright—cametoanotherturntotheright—that’sthemiddlestroke—andthenwentontothetopleft-handcorner,or(ifyoulike)thenorth-easterncorneroftheletter,andcameback.Liketheballyidiotsweare.”Hekickedthewindowseatsavagely,andwenton,“Soit’snogood,Pole.IknowwhatyouwerethinkingbecauseIwasthinkingthesame.YouwerethinkinghowniceitwouldhavebeenifAslanhadn’tputtheinstructionsonthestonesoftheruinedcitytillafterwe’dpassedit.Andthenitwouldhavebeenhisfault,notours.Solikely,isn’tit?No.Wemustjustownup.We’veonlyfoursignstogoby,andwe’vemuffedthefirstthree.”
“YoumeanIhave,”saidJill.“It’squitetrue.I’vespoiledeverythingeversinceyoubroughtmehere.Allthesame—I’mfrightfullysorryandallthat—allthesame,whataretheinstructions?UNDERMEdoesn’tseemtomakemuchsense.”
“Yesitdoes,though,”saidPuddleglum.“Itmeanswe’vegottolookforthePrinceunderthatcity.”
“Buthowcanwe?”askedJill.“That’sthequestion,”saidPuddleglum,rubbinghisbig,frog-likehands
together.“Howcanwenow?Nodoubt,ifwe’dhadourmindsonourjobwhenwewereattheRuinousCity,we’dhavebeenshownhow—foundalittledoor,oracave,oratunnel,metsomeonetohelpus.Mighthavebeen(youneverknow)Aslanhimself.We’dhavegotdownunderthosepaving-stonessomehoworother.Aslan’sinstructionsalwayswork;therearenoexceptions.Buthowtodoitnow—that’sanothermatter.”
“Well,weshalljusthavetogoback,Isuppose,”saidJill.“Easy,isn’tit?”saidPuddleglum.“Wemighttryopeningthatdoortobegin
with.”Andtheyalllookedatthedoorandsawthatnoneofthemcouldreachthehandle,andthatalmostcertainlynoonecouldturnitiftheydid.
“Doyouthinktheywon’tletusoutifweask?”saidJill.Andnobodysaid,buteveryonethought,“Supposingtheydon’t.”
Itwasnotapleasantidea.Puddleglumwasdeadagainstanyideaoftellingthegiantstheirrealbusinessandsimplyaskingtobeletout;andofcoursethechildrencouldn’ttellwithouthispermission,becausetheyhadpromised.Andallthreefeltprettysurethattherewouldbenochanceofescapingfromthecastlebynight.Oncetheywereintheirroomswiththedoorsshut,theywouldbeprisonerstillmorning.Theymight,ofcourse,asktohavetheirdoorsleftopen,butthatwouldrousesuspicions.
“Ouronlychance,”saidScrubb,“istotrytosneakawaybydaylight.Mightn’ttherebeanhourintheafternoonwhenmostofthegiantsareasleep?—andifwecouldstealdownintothekitchen,mightn’ttherebeabackdooropen?”
“It’shardlywhatIcallachance,”saidtheMarsh-wiggle.“Butit’sallthechancewe’relikelytoget.”Asamatteroffact,Scrubb’splanwasnotquitesohopelessasyoumightthink.Ifyouwanttogetoutofahousewithoutbeingseen,themiddleoftheafternoonisinsomewaysabettertimetotryitthanthemiddleofthenight.Doorsandwindowsaremorelikelytobeopen;andifyouarecaught,youcanalwayspretendyouweren’tmeaningtogofarandhadnoparticularplans.(Itisveryhardtomakeeithergiantsorgrownupsbelievethisifyou’refoundclimbingoutofabedroomwindowatoneo’clockinthemorning.)
“Wemustputthemofftheirguard,though,”saidScrubb.“WemustpretendwelovebeinghereandarelongingforthisAutumnFeast.”
“That’stomorrownight,”saidPuddleglum.“Iheardoneofthemsayso.”“Isee,”saidJill.“Wemustpretendtobeawfullyexcitedaboutit,andkeep
onaskingquestions.Theythinkwe’reabsoluteinfantsanyway,whichwillmakeiteasier.”
“Gay,”saidPuddleglumwithadeepsigh.“That’swhatwe’vegottobe.Gay.Asifwehadn’tacareintheworld.Frolicsome.Youtwoyoungstershaven’talwaysgotveryhighspirits,I’venoticed.Youmustwatchme,anddoasIdo.I’llbegay.Likethis”—andheassumedaghastlygrin.“Andfrolicsome”—herehecutamostmournfulcaper.“You’llsoongetintoit,ifyoukeepyoureyesonme.TheythinkI’mafunnyfellowalready,yousee.Idaresayyoutwo
thoughtIwasatrifletipsylastnight,butIdoassureyouitwas—well,mostofitwas—puton.Ihadanideaitwouldcomeinuseful,somehow.”
Thechildren,whentheytalkedovertheiradventuresafterwards,couldneverfeelsurewhetherthislaststatementwasquitestrictlytrue;buttheyweresurethatPuddleglumthoughtitwastruewhenhemadeit.
“Allright.Gay’stheword,”saidScrubb.“Now,ifwecouldonlygetsomeonetoopenthisdoor.Whilewe’refoolingaboutandbeinggay,we’vegottofindoutallwecanaboutthiscastle.”
Luckily,atthatverymomentthedooropened,andthegiantNursebustledinsaying,“Now,mypoppets.LiketocomeandseetheKingandallthecourtsettingoutonthehunting?Suchaprettysight!”
Theylostnotimeinrushingoutpastherandclimbingdownthefirststaircasetheycameto.Thenoiseofhoundsandhornsandgiantvoicesguidedthem,sothatinafewminutestheyreachedthecourtyard.Thegiantswereallonfoot,fortherearenogianthorsesinthatpartoftheworld,andthegiants’huntingisdoneonfoot;likebeaglinginEngland.Thehoundswerealsoofnormalsize.WhenJillsawthattherewerenohorsesshewasatfirstdreadfullydisappointed,forshefeltsurethatthegreatfatQueenwouldnevergoafterhoundsonfoot;anditwouldneverdotohaveheraboutthehouseallday.ButthenshesawtheQueeninakindoflittersupportedontheshouldersofsixyounggiants.Thesillyoldcreaturewasallgotupingreenandhadahornatherside.
Twentyorthirtygiants,includingtheKing,wereassembled,readyforthesport,alltalkingandlaughingfittodeafenyou;anddownbelow,nearerJill’slevel,therewerewaggingtails,andbarking,andloose,slobberymouthsandnosesofdogsthrustintoyourhand.Puddleglumwasjustbeginningtostrikewhathethoughtagayandgamesomeattitude(whichmighthavespoiledeverythingifithadbeennoticed)whenJillputonhermostattractivelychildishsmile,rushedacrosstotheQueen’slitterandshouteduptotheQueen.
“Oh,please!You’renotgoingaway,areyou?Youwillcomeback?”“Yes,mydear,”saidtheQueen.“I’llbebacktonight.”“Oh,good.Howlovely!”saidJill.“Andwemaycometothefeasttomorrow
night,mayn’twe?We’resolongingfortomorrownight!Andwedolovebeinghere.Andwhileyou’reout,wemayrunoverthewholecastleandseeeverything,mayn’twe?Dosayyes.”
TheQueendidsayyes,butthelaughterofallthecourtiersnearlydrownedhervoice.
ChapterNine
HowTheyDiscoveredSomethingWorthKnowingTHEothersadmittedafterwardsthatJillhadbeenwonderfulthatday.As
soonastheKingandtherestofthehuntingpartyhadsetoff,shebeganmakingatourofthewholecastleandaskingquestions,butallinsuchaninnocent,babyishwaythatnoonecouldsuspectherofanysecretdesign.Thoughhertonguewasneverstill,youcouldhardlysayshetalked;sheprattledandgiggled.Shemadelovetoeveryone—thegrooms,theporters,thehousemaids,theladies-in-waiting,andtheelderlygiantlordswhosehuntingdayswerepast.Shesubmittedtobeingkissedandpawedaboutbyanynumberofgiantesses,manyofwhomseemedsorryforherandcalledher“apoorlittlething”thoughnoneofthemexplainedwhy.Shemadeespecialfriendswiththecookanddiscoveredtheall-importantfacttherewasascullerydoorwhichletyououtthroughtheouterwall,sothatyoudidnothavetocrossthecourtyardorpassthegreatgatehouse.Inthekitchenshepretendedtobegreedy,andateallsortsofscrapswhichthecookandscullionsdelightedtogiveher.Butupstairsamongtheladiessheaskedquestionsabouthowshewouldbedressedforthegreatfeast,andhowlongshewouldbeallowedtositup,andwhethershewoulddancewithsomevery,verysmallgiant.Andthen(itmadeherhotalloverwhensheremembereditafterwards)shewouldputherheadononesideinanidioticfashionwhichgrownups,giantandotherwise,thoughtveryfetching,andshakehercurls,andfidget,andsay,“Oh,Idowishitwastomorrownight,don’tyou?Doyouthinkthetimewillgoquicklytillthen?”Andallthegiantessessaidshewasaperfectlittledarling;andsomeofthemdabbedtheireyeswithenormoushandkerchiefsasiftheyweregoingtocry.
“They’redearlittlethingsatthatage,”saidonegiantesstoanother.“Itseemsalmostapity...”
ScrubbandPuddleglumbothdidtheirbest,butgirlsdothatkindofthingbetterthanboys.EvenboysdoitbetterthanMarsh-wiggles.
AtlunchtimesomethinghappenedwhichmadeallthreeofthemmoreanxiousthanevertoleavethecastleoftheGentleGiants.Theyhadlunchinthegreathallatalittletableoftheirown,nearthefireplace.Atabiggertable,abouttwentyyardsaway,halfadozenoldgiantswerelunching.Theirconversationwassonoisy,andsohighupintheair,thatthechildrensoontooknomorenoticeofitthanyouwouldofhootersoutsidethewindowortrafficnoisesinthe
street.Theywereeatingcoldvenison,akindoffoodwhichJillhadnevertastedbefore,andshewaslikingit.
SuddenlyPuddleglumturnedtothem,andhisfacehadgonesopalethatyoucouldseethepalenessunderthenaturalmuddinessofhiscomplexion.Hesaid;“Don’teatanotherbite.”
“What’swrong?”askedtheothertwoinawhisper.“Didn’tyouhearwhatthosegiantsweresaying?‘That’sanicetenderhaunch
ofvenison,’saidoneofthem.‘Thenthatstagwasaliar,’saidanother.‘Why?’saidthefirstone.‘Oh,’saidtheother.‘Theysaythatwhenhewascaughthesaid,Don’tkillme,I’mtough.Youwon’tlikeme.’”ForamomentJilldidnotrealizethefullmeaningofthis.ButshedidwhenScrubb’seyesopenedwidewithhorrorandhesaid;“Sowe’vebeeneatingaTalkingstag.”
Thisdiscoverydidn’thaveexactlythesameeffectonallofthem.Jill,whowasnewtothatworld,wassorryforthepoorstagandthoughtitrottenofthegiantstohavekilledhim.Scrubb,whohadbeeninthatworldbeforeandhadatleastoneTalkingbeastashisdearfriend,felthorrified;asyoumightfeelaboutamurder.ButPuddleglum,whowasNarnianborn,wassickandfaint,andfeltasyouwouldfeelifyoufoundyouhadeatenababy.
“We’vebroughttheangerofAslanonus,”hesaid.“That’swhatcomesofnotattendingtothesigns.We’reunderacurse,Iexpect.Ifitwasallowed,itwouldbethebestthingwecoulddo,totaketheseknivesanddrivethemintoourownhearts.”
AndgraduallyevenJillcametoseeitfromhispointofview.Atanyrate,noneofthemwantedanymorelunch.Andassoonastheythoughtitsafetheycreptquietlyoutofthehall.
Itwasnowdrawingneartothattimeofthedayonwhichtheirhopesofescapedepended,andallbecamenervous.Theyhungaboutinpassagesandwaitedforthingstobecomequiet.Thegiantsinthehallsatonadreadfullylongtimeafterthemealwasover.Thebaldonewastellingastory.Whenthatwasover,thethreetravelersdawdleddowntothekitchen.Buttherewerestillplentyofgiantsthere,oratleastinthescullery,washingupandputtingthingsaway.Itwasagonizing,waitingtillthesefinishedtheirjobsand,onebyone,wipedtheirhandsandwentaway.Atlastonlyoneoldgiantesswasleftintheroom.Shepotteredabout,andpotteredabout,andatlastthethreetravelersrealizedwithhorrorthatshedidnotintendtogoawayatall.
“Well,dearies,”shesaidtothem.“Thatjob’saboutthrough.Let’sputthekettlethere.That’llmakeanicecupofteapresently.NowIcanhavealittlebit
ofarest.Justlookintothescullery,likegoodpoppets,andtellmeifthebackdoorisopen.”
“Yes,itis,”saidScrubb.“That’sright.IalwaysleaveitopensoasPusscangetinandout,thepoor
thing.”Thenshesatdownononechairandputherfeetuponanother.“Idon’tknowasImightn’thavefortywinks,”saidthegiantess.“Ifonlythat
blarneyhuntingpartydoesn’tcomebacktoosoon.”Alltheirspiritsleapedupwhenshementionedfortywinks,andfloppeddown
againwhenshementionedthereturnofthehuntingparty.“Whendotheyusuallycomeback?”askedJill.“Younevercantell,”saidthegiantess.“Butthere;goandbequietforabit,
mydearies.”Theyretreatedtothefarendofthekitchen,andwouldhaveslippedoutinto
thescullerythereandthenifthegiantesshadnotsatup,openedhereyes,andbrushedawayafly.“Don’ttryittillwe’resureshe’sreallyasleep,”whisperedScrubb.“Orit’llspoileverything.”Sotheyallhuddledatthekitchenend,waitingandwatching.Thethoughtthatthehuntersmightcomebackatanymomentwasterrible.Andthegiantesswasfidgety.Whenevertheythoughtshehadreallygonetosleep,shemoved.
“Ican’tbearthis,”thoughtJill.Todistracthermind,shebeganlookingabouther.Justinfrontofherwasacleanwidetablewithtwocleanpie-dishesonit,andanopenbook.Theyweregiantpie-dishesofcourse.Jillthoughtthatshecouldliedownjustcomfortablyinoneofthem.Thensheclimbeduponthebenchbesidethetabletolookatthebook.Sheread;MALLARD.Thisdeliciousbirdcanbecookedinavarietyofways.
“It’sacookerybook,”thoughtJillwithoutmuchinterest,andglancedoverhershoulder.Thegiantess’seyeswereshutbutshedidn’tlookasifshewereproperlyasleep.Jillglancedbackatthebook.Itwasarrangedalphabetically;andattheverynextentryherheartseemedtostopbeating;itranMAN.Thiselegantlittlebipedhaslongbeenvaluedasadelicacy.ItformsatraditionalpartoftheAutumnFeast,andisservedbetweenthefishandthejoint.EachMan...butshecouldnotbeartoreadanymore.Sheturnedround.Thegiantesshadwakenedupandwashavingafitofcoughing.Jillnudgedtheothertwoandpointedtothebook.Theyalsomountedthebenchandbentoverthehugepages.ScrubbwasstillreadingabouthowtocookMenwhenPuddleglumpointedtothenextentrybelowit.Itwaslikethis;MARSH-WIGGLE.Someauthorities
rejectthisanimalaltogetherasunfitforgiants’consumptionbecauseofitsstringyconsistencyandmuddyflavor.Theflavorcan,however,begreatlyreducedif—
Jilltouchedhisfeet,andScrubb’s,gently.Allthreelookedbackatthegiantess.Hermouthwasslightlyopenandfromhernosetherecameasoundwhichatthatmomentwasmorewelcometothemthananymusic;shesnored.Andnowitwasaquestionoftiptoework,notdaringtogotoofast,hardlydaringtobreathe,outthroughthescullery(giantsculleriessmellhorrid),outatlastintothepalesunlightofawinterafternoon.
Theywereatthetopofaroughlittlepathwhichransteeplydown.And,thankheavens,ontherightsideofthecastle;theCityRuinouswasinsight.Inafewminutestheywerebackonthebroad,steeproadwhichleddownfromthemaingateofthecastle.Theywerealsoinfullviewfromeverysinglewindowonthatside.Ifithadbeenone,ortwo,orfivewindowsthere’dbeareasonablechancethatnoonemightbelookingout.Buttherewerenearerfiftythanfive.Theynowrealized,too,thattheroadonwhichtheywere,andindeedallthegroundbetweenthemandtheCityRuinous,didn’tofferasmuchcoveraswouldhideafox;itwasallcoarsegrassandpebblesandflatstones.Tomakemattersworse,theywerenowintheclothesthatthegiantshadprovidedforthemlastnight;exceptPuddleglum,whomnothingwouldfit.Jillworeavividgreenrobe,rathertoolongforher,andoverthatascarletmantlefringedwithwhitefur.Scrubbhadscarletstockings,bluetunicandcloak,agold-hiltedsword,andafeatheredbonnet.
“Nicebitsofcolor,youtwoare,”mutteredPuddleglum.“Showupveryprettilyonawinterday.Theworstarcherintheworldcouldn’tmisseitherofyouifyouwereinrange.Andtalkingofarchers,we’llbesorrynottohaveourownbowsbeforelong,Ishouldn’twonder.Bitthin,too,thoseclothesofyours,arethey?”
“Yes,I’mfreezingalready,”saidJill.Afewminutesagowhentheyhadbeeninthekitchen,shehadthoughtthatif
onlytheycouldoncegetoutofthecastle,theirescapewouldbealmostcomplete.Shenowrealizedthatthemostdangerouspartofitwasstilltocome.
“Steady,steady,”saidPuddleglum.“Don’tlookback.Don’twalktooquickly.Whateveryoudo,don’trun.Lookasifwewerejusttakingastroll,andthen,ifanyoneseesus,hemight,justpossibly,notbother.Themomentwelooklikepeoplerunningaway,we’redone.”
ThedistancetotheCityRuinousseemedlongerthanJillwouldhavebelieved
possible.Butbit-by-bittheywerecoveringit.Thencameanoise.Theothertwogasped.Jill,whodidn’tknowwhatitwas,said,“What’sthat?”
“Huntinghorn,”whisperedScrubb.“Butdon’trunevennow,”saidPuddleglum.“NotuntilIgivetheword.”ThistimeJillcouldn’thelpglancingoverhershoulder.There,abouthalfa
mileaway,wasthehuntreturningfrombehindthemontheleft.Theywalkedon.Suddenlyagreatclamorofgiantvoicesarose;thenshouts
andhollas.“They’veseenus.Run,”saidPuddleglum.Jillgatheredupherlongskirts—horriblethingsforrunningin—andran.
Therewasnomistakingthedangernow.Shecouldhearthemusicofthehounds.ShecouldheartheKing’svoiceroaringout,“Afterthem,afterthem,orwe’llhavenoman-piestomorrow.”
Shewaslastofthethreenow,cumberedwithherdress,slippingonloosestones,herhairgettinginhermouth,running-painsacrossherchest.Thehoundsweremuchnearer.Nowshehadtorunuphill,upthestonyslopewhichledtotheloweststepofthegiantstairway.Shehadnoideawhattheywoulddowhentheygotthere,orhowtheywouldbeanybetteroffeveniftheyreachedthetop.
Butshedidn’tthinkaboutthat.Shewaslikeahuntedanimalnow;aslongasthepackwasafterher,shemustruntillshedropped.
TheMarsh-wigglewasahead.Ashecametotheloweststephestopped,lookedalittletohisright,andallofasuddendartedintoalittleholeorcreviceatthebottomofit.Hislonglegs,disappearingintoit,lookedverylikethoseofaspider.Scrubbhesitatedandthenvanishedafterhim.Jill,breathlessandreeling,cametotheplaceaboutaminutelater.Itwasanunattractivehole—acrackbetweentheearthandthestoneaboutthreefeetlongandhardlymorethanafoothigh.Youhadtoflingyourselfflatonyourfaceandcrawlin.Youcouldn’tdoitsoveryquicklyeither.Shefeltsurethatadog’steethwouldcloseonherheelbeforeshehadgotinside.
“Quick,quick.Stones.Filluptheopening,”camePuddleglum’svoiceinthedarknessbesideher.Itwaspitchblackinthere,exceptforthegreylightintheopeningbywhichtheyhadcrawledin.Theothertwowereworkinghard.ShecouldseeScrubb’ssmallhandsandtheMarsh-wiggle’sbig,frog-likehandsblackagainstthelight,workingdesperatelytopileupstones.Thensherealizedhowimportantthiswasandbegangropingforlargestonesherself,andhandingthemtotheothers.Beforethedogswerebayingandyelpingatthecavemouth,theyhaditprettywellfilled;andnow,ofcourse,therewasnolightatall.
“Fartherin,quick,”saidPuddleglum’svoice.“Let’sallholdhands,”saidJill.“Goodidea,”saidScrubb.Butittookthemquitealongtimetofindone
another’shandsinthedarkness.Thedogsweresniffingattheothersideofthebarriernow.
“Tryifwecanstandup,”suggestedScrubb.Theydidandfoundthattheycould.Then,PuddleglumholdingoutahandbehindhimtoScrubb,andScrubbholdingahandoutbehindhimtoJill(whowishedverymuchthatshewasthemiddleoneofthepartyandnotthelast),theybegangropingwiththeirfeetandstumblingforwardsintotheblackness.Itwasallloosestonesunderfoot.ThenPuddleglumcameuptoawallofrock.Theyturnedalittletotheirrightandwenton.Therewereagoodmanymoretwistsandturns.Jillhadnownosenseofdirectionatall,andnoideawherethemouthofthecavelay.
“Thequestionis,”camePuddleglum’svoiceoutofthedarknessahead,“whether,takingonethingwithanother,itwouldn’tbebettertogoback(ifwecan)andgivethegiantsatreatatthatfeastoftheirs,insteadoflosingourwayinthegutsofahillwhere,tentoone,there’sdragonsanddeepholesandgasesandwaterand—Ow!Letgo!Saveyourselves.I’m—”
Afterthatallhappenedquickly.Therewasawildcry,aswishing,dusty,gravellynoise,arattleofstones,andJillfoundherselfsliding,sliding,hopelesslysliding,andslidingquickereverymomentdownaslopethatgrewsteepereverymoment.Itwasnotasmooth,firmslope,butaslopeofsmallstonesandrubbish.Evenifyoucouldhavestoodup,itwouldhavebeennouse.Anybitofthatslopeyouhadputyourfootonwouldhaveslidawayfromunderyouandcarriedyoudownwithit.ButJillwasmorelyingthanstanding.Andthefarthertheyallslid,themoretheydisturbedallthestonesandearth,sothatthegeneraldownwardrushofeverything(includingthemselves)gotfasterandlouderanddustieranddirtier.Fromthesharpcriesandswearingoftheothertwo,JillgottheideathatmanyofthestoneswhichshewasdislodgingwerehittingScrubbandPuddleglumprettyhard.Andnowshewasgoingatafuriousrateandfeltsureshewouldbebrokentobitsatthebottom.
Yetsomehowtheyweren’t.Theywereamassofbruises,andthewetstickystuffonherfaceappearedtobeblood.Andsuchamassoflooseearth,shingle,andlargerstoneswaspileduproundher(andpartlyoverher)thatshecouldn’tgetup.Thedarknesswassocompletethatitmadenodifferenceatallwhetheryouhadyoureyesopenorshut.Therewasnonoise.AndthatwastheveryworstmomentJillhadeverknowninherlife.Supposingshewasalone;supposingthe
others...Thensheheardmovementsaroundher.Andpresentlyallthree,inshakenvoices,wereexplainingthatnoneofthemseemedtohaveanybrokenbones.
“Wecannevergetupthatagain,”saidScrubb’svoice.“Andhaveyounoticedhowwarmitis?”saidthevoiceofPuddleglum.“That
meanswe’realongwaydown.Mightbenearlyamile.”Noonesaidanything.SometimelaterPuddleglumadded;“Mytinderboxhas
gone.”AfteranotherlongpauseJillsaid,“I’mterriblythirsty.”Noonesuggesteddoinganything.Therewassoobviouslynothingtobe
done.Forthemoment,theydidnotfeelitquitesobadlyasonemighthaveexpected;thatwasbecausetheyweresotired.
Long,longafterwards,withouttheslightestwarning,anutterlystrangevoicespoke.Theyknewatoncethatitwasnottheonevoiceinthewholeworldforwhicheachhadsecretlybeenhoping;thevoiceofAslan.Itwasadark,flatvoice—almost,ifyouknowwhatthatmeans,apitch-blackvoice.Itsaid;“Whatmakeyouhere,creaturesoftheOverworld?”
ChapterTen
TravelsWithouttheSun“WHO’sthere?”shoutedthethreetravelers.“IamtheWardenoftheMarchesofUnderland,andwithmestandahundred
Earthmeninarms,”camethereply.“TellmequicklywhoyouareandwhatisyourerrandintheDeepRealm?”
“Wefelldownbyaccident,”saidPuddleglum,truthfullyenough.“Manyfalldown,andfewreturntothesunlitlands,”saidthevoice.“Make
readynowtocomewithmetotheQueenoftheDeepRealm.”“Whatdoesshewantwithus?”askedScrubbcautiously.“Idonotknow,”saidthevoice.“Herwillisnottobequestionedbut
obeyed.”Whilehesaidthesewordstherewasanoiselikeasoftexplosionand
immediatelyacoldlight,greywithalittleblueinit,floodedthecavern.Allhopethatthespeakerhadbeenidlyboastingwhenhespokeofhishundredarmedfollowersdiedatonce.Jillfoundherselfblinkingandstaringatadensecrowd.Theywereofallsizes,fromlittlegnomesbarelyafoothightostatelyfigurestallerthanmen.Allcarriedthree-prongedspearsintheirhands,andallweredreadfullypale,andallstoodasstillasstatues.Apartfromthat,theywereverydifferent;somehadtailsandothersnot,someworegreatbeardsandothershadveryround,smoothfaces,bigaspumpkins.Therewerelong,pointednoses,andlong,softnoseslikesmalltrunks,andgreatblobbynoses.Severalhadsinglehornsinthemiddleoftheirforeheads.Butinonerespecttheywereallalike;everyfaceinthewholehundredwasassadasafacecouldbe.Theyweresosadthat,afterthefirstglance,Jillalmostforgottobeafraidofthem.Shefeltshewouldliketocheerthemup.
“Well!”saidPuddleglum,rubbinghishands.“ThisisjustwhatIneeded.Ifthesechapsdon’tteachmetotakeaseriousviewoflife,Idon’tknowwhatwill.Lookatthatfellowwiththewalrusmoustache—orthatonewiththe—”
“Getup,”saidtheleaderoftheEarthmen.Therewasnothingelsetobedone.Thethreetravelersscrambledtotheirfeet
andjoinedhands.Onewantedthetouchofafriend’shandatamomentlikethat.AndtheEarthmencameallroundthem,paddingonlarge,softfeet,onwhichsomehadtentoes,sometwelve,andothersnone.
“March,”saidtheWarden;andmarchtheydid.
Thecoldlightcamefromalargeballonthetopofalongpole,andthetallestofthegnomescarriedthisattheheadoftheprocession.Byitscheerlessraystheycouldseethattheywereinanaturalcavern;thewallsandroofwereknobbed,twisted,andgashedintoathousandfantasticshapes,andthestonyfloorslopeddownwardastheyproceeded.ItwasworseforJillthanfortheothers,becauseshehateddark,undergroundplaces.Andwhen,astheywenton,thecavegotlowerandnarrower,andwhen,atlast,thelight-bearerstoodaside,andthegnomes,onebyone,stoopeddown(allexcepttheverysmallestones)andsteppedintoalittledarkcrackanddisappeared,shefeltshecouldbearitnolonger.
“Ican’tgointhere,Ican’t!Ican’t!Iwon’t,”shepanted.TheEarthmensaidnothingbuttheyallloweredtheirspearsandpointedthemather.
“Steady,Pole,”saidPuddleglum.“Thosebigfellowswouldn’tbecrawlinginthereifitdidn’tgetwiderlateron.Andthere’sonethingaboutthisundergroundwork,weshan’tgetanyrain.”
“Oh,youdon’tunderstand.Ican’t,”wailedJill.“ThinkhowIfeltonthatcliff,Pole,”saidScrubb.“Yougofirst,Puddleglum,
andI’llcomeafterher.”“That’sright,”saidtheMarsh-wiggle,gettingdownonhishandsandknees.
“Youkeepagripofmyheels,Pole,andScrubbwillholdontoyours.Thenwe’llallbecomfortable.”
“Comfortable!”saidJill.Butshegotdownandtheycrawledinontheirelbows.Itwasanastyplace.Youhadtogoflatonyourfaceforwhatseemedlikehalfanhour,thoughitmayreallyhavebeenonlyfiveminutes.Itwashot.Jillfeltshewasbeingsmothered.Butatlastadimlightshowedahead,thetunnelgrewwiderandhigher,andtheycameout,hot,dirty,andshaken,intoacavesolargethatitscarcelyseemedlikeacaveatall.
Itwasfullofadim,drowsyradiance,sothatheretheyhadnoneedoftheEarthmen’sstrangelantern.Thefloorwassoftwithsomekindofmossandoutofthisgrewmanystrangeshapes,branchedandtallliketrees,butflabbylikemushrooms.Theystoodtoofaraparttomakeaforest;itwasmorelikeapark.Thelight(agreenishgrey)seemedtocomebothfromthemandfromthemoss,anditwasnotstrongenoughtoreachtheroofofthecave,whichmusthavebeenalongwayoverhead.Acrossthemild,soft,sleepyplacetheywerenowmadetomarch.Itwasverysad,butwithaquietsortofsadnesslikesoftmusic.
Heretheypasseddozensofstrangeanimalslyingontheturf,eitherdeadorasleep,Jillcouldnottellwhich.Theseweremostlyofadragonishorbat-like
sort;Puddleglumdidnotknowwhatanyofthemwere.“Dotheygrowhere?”ScrubbaskedtheWarden.Heseemedverysurprisedat
beingspokento,butreplied,“No.Theyareallbeaststhathavefoundtheirwaydownbychasmsandcaves,outofOverlandintotheDeepRealm.Manycomedown,andfewreturntothesunlitlands.Itissaidthattheywillallwakeattheendoftheworld.”
Hismouthshutlikeaboxwhenhehadsaidthis,andinthegreatsilenceofthatcavethechildrenfeltthattheywouldnotdaretospeakagain.Thebarefeetofthegnomes,paddingonthedeepmoss,madenosound.Therewasnowind,therewerenobirds,therewasnosoundofwater.Therewasnosoundofbreathingfromthestrangebeasts.
Whentheyhadwalkedforseveralmiles,theycametoawallofrock,andinitalowarchwayleadingintoanothercavern.Itwasnot,however,sobadasthelastentranceandJillcouldgothroughitwithoutbendingherhead.Itbroughtthemintoasmallercave,longandnarrow,abouttheshapeandsizeofacathedral.Andhere,fillingalmostthewholelengthofit,layanenormousmanfastasleep.Hewasfarbiggerthananyofthegiants,andhisfacewasnotlikeagiant’s,butnobleandbeautiful.Hisbreastroseandfellgentlyunderthesnowybeardwhichcoveredhimtothewaist.Apure,silverlight(noonesawwhereitcamefrom)resteduponhim.
“Who’sthat?”askedPuddleglum.Anditwassolongsinceanyonehadspoken,thatJillwonderedhowhehadthenerve.
“ThatisoldFatherTime,whooncewasaKinginOverland,”saidtheWarden.“AndnowhehassunkdownintotheDeepRealmandliesdreamingofallthethingsthataredoneintheupperworld.Manysinkdown,andfewreturntothesunlitlands.Theysayhewillwakeattheendoftheworld.”
Andoutofthatcavetheypassedintoanother,andthenintoanotherandanother,andsoontillJilllostcount,butalwaystheyweregoingdownhillandeachcavewaslowerthanthelast,tilltheverythoughtoftheweightanddepthofearthaboveyouwassuffocating.AtlasttheycametoaplacewheretheWardencommandedhischeerlesslanterntobelitagain.Thentheypassedintoacavesowideanddarkthattheycouldseenothingofitexceptthatrightinfrontofthemastripofpalesandrandownintostillwater.Andthere,besidealittlejetty,layashipwithoutmastorsailbutwithmanyoars.Theyweremadetogoonboardherandledforwardtothebowswheretherewasaclearspaceinfrontoftherowers’benchesandaseatrunningroundinsidethebulwarks.
“OnethingI’dliketoknow,”saidPuddleglum,“iswhetheranyonefromour
world—fromup-a-top,Imeanhaseverdonethistripbefore?”“Manyhavetakenshipatthepalebeaches,”repliedtheWarden,“and—”“Yes,Iknow,”interruptedPuddleglum.“Andfewreturntothesunlitlands.
Youneedn’tsayitagain.Youareachapofoneidea,aren’tyou?”ThechildrenhuddledclosetogetheroneachsideofPuddleglum.Theyhad
thoughthimawetblanketwhiletheywerestillaboveground,butdownhereheseemedtheonlycomfortingthingtheyhad.Thenthepalelanternwashungupamidships,theEarthmensattotheoars,andtheshipbegantomove.Thelanterncastitslightonlyaveryshortway.Lookingahead,theycouldseenothingbutsmooth,darkwater,fadingintoabsoluteblackness.
“Oh,whateverwillbecomeofus?”saidJilldespairingly.“Nowdon’tyouletyourspiritsdown,Pole,”saidtheMarsh-wiggle.“There’s
onethingyou’vegottoremember.We’rebackontherightlines.WeweretogoundertheRuinedCity,andweareunderit.We’refollowingtheinstructionsagain.”
Presentlytheyweregivenfood—flat,flabbycakesofsomesortwhichhadhardlyanytaste.Andafterthat,theygraduallyfellasleep.Butwhentheywoke,everythingwasjustthesame;thegnomesstillrowing,theshipstillglidingon,stilldeadblacknessahead.Howoftentheywokeandsleptandateandsleptagain,noneofthemcouldeverremember.Andtheworstthingaboutitwasthatyoubegantofeelasifyouhadalwayslivedonthatship,inthatdarkness,andtowonderwhethersunandblueskiesandwindandbirdshadnotbeenonlyadream.
Theyhadalmostgivenuphopingorbeingafraidaboutanythingwhenatlasttheysawlightsahead;drearylights,likethatoftheirownlantern.Then,quitesuddenly,oneoftheselightscamecloseandtheysawthattheywerepassinganothership.Afterthattheymetseveralships.Then,staringtilltheireyeshurt,theysawthatsomeofthelightsaheadwereshiningonwhatlookedlikewharfs,walls,towers,andmovingcrowds.Butstilltherewashardlyanynoise.
“ByJove,”saidScrubb.“Acity!”andsoontheyallsawthathewasright.Butitwasaqueercity.Thelightsweresofewandfarapartthattheywould
hardlyhavedoneforscatteredcottagesinourworld.Butthelittlebitsoftheplacewhichyoucouldseebythelightswerelikeglimpsesofagreatseaport.Youcouldmakeoutinoneplaceawholecrowdofshipsloadingorunloading;inanother,balesofstuffandwarehouses;inathird,wallsandpillarsthatsuggestedgreatpalacesortemples;andalways,whereverthelightfell,endlesscrowds—hundredsofEarthmen,jostlingoneanotherastheypaddedsoftly
abouttheirbusinessinnarrowstreets,broadsquares,orupgreatflightsofsteps.Theircontinuedmovementmadeasortofsoft,murmuringnoiseastheshipdrewnearerandnearer;buttherewasnotasongorashoutorabellortherattleofawheelanywhere.TheCitywasasquiet,andnearlyasdark,astheinsideofanant-hill.
Atlasttheirshipwasbroughtalongsideaquayandmadefast.ThethreetravelersweretakenashoreandmarchedupintotheCity.CrowdsofEarthmen,notwoalike,rubbedshoulderswiththeminthecrowdedstreets,andthesadlightfellonmanysadandgrotesquefaces.Butnooneshowedanyinterestinthestrangers.Everygnomeseemedtobeasbusyasitwassad,thoughJillneverfoundwhattheyweresobusyabout.Buttheendlessmoving,shoving,hurrying,andthesoftpad-pad-padwenton.
Atlasttheycametowhatappearedtobeagreatcastle,thoughfewofthewindowsinitwerelighted.Heretheyweretakeninandmadetocrossacourtyard,andtoclimbmanystaircases.Thisbroughtthemintheendtoagreatmurkilylitroom.Butinonecornerofit—ohjoy!—therewasanarchwayfilledwithaquitedifferentsortoflight;thehonest,yellowish,warmlightofsuchalampashumansuse.Whatshowedbythislightinsidethearchwaywasthefootofastaircasewhichwoundupwardbetweenwallsofstone.Thelightseemedtocomefromthetop.TwoEarthmenstoodoneoneachsideofthearchlikesentries,orfootmen.
TheWardenwentuptothesetwo,andsaid,asifitwereapassword;“ManysinkdowntotheUnderworld.”
“Andfewreturntothesunlitlands,”theyanswered,asifitwerethecountersign.Thenallthreeputtheirheadstogetherandtalked.Atlastoneofthetwognomes-in-waitingsaid,“ItellyoutheQueen’sgraceisgonefromhenceonhergreataffair.Wehadbestkeepthesetopdwellersinstraitprisontillherhomecoming.Fewreturntothesunlitlands.”
AtthatmomenttheconversationwasinterruptedbywhatseemedtoJillthemostdelightfulnoiseintheworld.Itcamefromabove,fromthetopofthestaircase;anditwasaclear,ringing,perfectlyhumanvoice,thevoiceofayoungman.
“Whatcoilareyoukeepingdownthere,Mullugutherum?”itshouted.“Overworlders,ha!Bringthemuptome,andthatpresently.”
“PleaseityourHighnesstoremember,”beganMullugutherum,butthevoicecuthimshort.
“ItpleasesmyHighnessprincipallytobeobeyed,oldmutterer.Bringthem
up,”itcalled.Mullugutherumshookhishead,motionedtothetravelerstofollowandbegan
goingupthestaircase.Ateverystepthelightincreased.Therewererichtapestrieshangingonthewalls.Thelamplightshonegoldenthroughthincurtainsatthestaircase-head.TheEarthmenpartedthecurtainsandstoodaside.Thethreepassedin.Theywereinabeautifulroom,richlytapestried,withabrightfireonacleanhearth,andredwineandcutglasssparklingonthetable.Ayoungmanwithfairhairrosetogreetthem.Hewashandsomeandlookedbothboldandkind,thoughtherewassomethingabouthisfacethatdidn’tseemquiteright.HewasdressedinblackandaltogetherlookedalittlebitlikeHamlet.
“Welcome,Overworlders,”hecried.“Butstayamoment!Icryyoumercy!Ihaveseenyoutwofairchildren,andthis,yourstrangegovernor,before.WasitnotyouthreethatmetmebythebridgeonthebordersofEttinsmoorwhenIrodetherebymyLady’sside?”
“Oh...youweretheblackknightwhoneverspoke?”exclaimedJill.“AndwasthatladytheQueenofUnderland?”askedPuddleglum,innovery
friendlyvoice.AndScrubb,whowasthinkingthesame,burstout,“Becauseifitwas,Ithinkshewasjollymeantosendusofftoacastleofgiantswhointendedtoeatus.Whatharmhadweeverdoneher,Ishouldliketoknow?”
“How?”saidtheBlackKnightwithafrown.“Ifyouwerenotsoyoungawarrior,Boy,youandImusthavefoughttothedeathonthisquarrel.IcanhearnowordsagainstmyLady’shonor.Butofthisyoumaybeassured,thatwhatevershesaidtoyou,shesaidofagoodintent.Youdonotknowher.Sheisanosegayofallvirtues,astruth,mercy,constancy,gentleness,courage,andtherest.IsaywhatIknow.Herkindnesstomealone,whocaninnowayrewardher,wouldmakeanadmirablehistory.Butyoushallknowandloveherhereafter.Meanwhile,whatisyourerrandintheDeepLands?”
AndbeforePuddleglumcouldstopher,Jillblurtedout,“PleasewearetryingtofindPrinceRilianofNarnia.”Andthensherealizedwhatafrightfulriskshehadtaken;thesepeoplemightbeenemies.ButtheKnightshowednointerest.
“Rilian?Narnia?”hesaidcarelessly.“Narnia?Whatlandisthat?Ihaveneverheardthename.ItmustbeathousandleaguesfromthosepartsoftheOverworldthatIknow.Butitwasastrangefantasythatbroughtyouseekingthis—howdoyoucallhim?—Billian?Trillian?inmyLady’srealm.Indeed,tomycertainknowledge,thereisnosuchmanhere.”Helaughedveryloudlyatthis,andJillthoughttoherself,“Iwonderisthatwhat’swrongwithhisface?Isheabitsilly?”
“WehadbeentoldtolookforamessageonthestonesoftheCityRuinous,”saidScrubb.“AndwesawthewordsUNDERME.”
TheKnightlaughedevenmoreheartilythanbefore.“Youwerethemoredeceived,”hesaid.“Thosewordsmeantnothingtoyourpurpose.HadyoubutaskedmyLady,shecouldhavegivenyoubettercounsel.Forthosewordsareallthatisleftofalongerscript,whichinancienttimes,asshewellremembers,expressedthisverse;ThoughunderEarthandthronelessnowIbe,Yet,whileIlived,allEarthwasunderme.
Fromwhichitisplainthatsomegreatkingoftheancientgiants,wholiesburiedthere,causedthisboasttobecutinthestoneoverhissepulcher;thoughthebreakingupofsomestones,andthecarryingawayofothersfornewbuildings,andthefillingupofthecutswithrubble,hasleftonlytwowordsthatcanstillberead.Isitnotthemerriestjestintheworldthatyoushouldhavethoughttheywerewrittentoyou?”
ThiswaslikecoldwaterdownthebacktoScrubbandJill;foritseemedtothemverylikelythatthewordshadnothingtodowiththeirquestatall,andthattheyhadbeentakeninbyamereaccident.
“Don’tyoumindhim,”saidPuddleglum.“Therearenoaccidents.OurguideisAslan;andhewastherewhenthegiantKingcausedtheletterstobecut,andheknewalreadyallthingsthatwouldcomeofthem;includingthis.”
“Thisguideofyoursmustbealongliver,friend,”saidtheKnightwithanotherofhislaughs.
Jillbegantofindthemalittleirritating.“Anditseemstome,Sir,”answeredPuddleglum,“thatthisLadyofyours
mustbealonglivertoo,ifsherememberstheverseasitwaswhentheyfirstcutit.”
“Veryshrewd,Frog-face,”saidtheKnight,clappingPuddleglumontheshoulderandlaughingagain.“Andyouhavehitthetruth.Sheisofdivinerace,andknowsneitheragenordeath.IamthemorethankfultoherforallherinfinitebountytosuchapoormortalwretchasI.Foryoumustknow,Sirs,Iamamanundermoststrangeafflictions,andnonebuttheQueen’sgracewouldhavehadpatiencewithme.Patience,saidI?Butitgoesfarbeyondthat.ShehaspromisedmeagreatkingdominOverland,and,whenIamking,herownmostgracioushandinmarriage.Butthetaleistoolongforyoutohearfastingandstanding.Hithere,someofyou!BringwineandUpdwellers’foodformyguests.Pleaseyou,beseated,gentlemen.Littlemaiden,sitinthischair.Youshallhearitall.”
ChapterEleven
IntheDarkCastleWHENthemeal(whichwaspigeonpie,coldham,salad,andcakes)hadbeen
brought,andallhaddrawntheirchairsuptothetableandbegun,theKnightcontinued;“Youmustunderstand,friends,thatIknownothingofwhoIwasandwhenceIcameintothisDarkWorld.IremembernotimewhenIwasnotdwelling,asnow,atthecourtofthisallbutheavenlyQueen;butmythoughtisthatshesavedmefromsomeevilenchantmentandbroughtmehitherofherexceedingbounty.(HonestFrogfoot,yourcupisempty.Suffermetorefillit.)AndthisseemstomethelikelierbecauseevennowIamboundbyaspell,fromwhichmyLadyalonecanfreeme.Everynighttherecomesanhourwhenmymindismosthorriblychanged,and,aftermymind,mybody.ForfirstIbecomefuriousandwildandwouldrushuponmydearestfriendstokillthem,ifIwerenotbound.Andsoonafterthat,Iturnintothelikenessofagreatserpent,hungry,fierce,anddeadly.(Sir,bepleasedtotakeanotherbreastofpigeon,Ientreatyou.)Sotheytellme,andtheycertainlyspeaktruth,formyLadysaysthesame.Imyselfknownothingofit,forwhenmyhourispastIawakeforgetfulofallthatvilefitandinmypropershapeandsoundmind—savingthatIamsomewhatwearied.(Littlelady,eatoneofthesehoneycakes,whicharebroughtformefromsomebarbarouslandinthefarsouthoftheworld.)NowtheQueen’smajestyknowsbyherartthatIshallbefreedfromthisenchantmentwhenonceshehasmademekingofalandintheOverworldandsetitscrownuponmyhead.Thelandisalreadychosenandtheveryplaceofourbreakingout.HerEarthmenhaveworkeddayandnightdiggingawaybeneathit,andhavenowgonesofarandsohighthattheytunnelnotascoreoffeetbeneaththeverygrassonwhichtheUpdwellersofthatcountrywalk.ItwillbeverysoonnowthatthoseUplanders’fatewillcomeuponthem.Sheherselfisatthediggingstonight,andIexpectamessagetogotoher.Thenthethinroofofearthwhichstillkeepsmefrommykingdomwillbebrokenthrough,andwithhertoguidemeandathousandEarthmenatmyback,Ishallrideforthinarms,fallsuddenlyonourenemies,slaytheirchiefmen,castdowntheirstrongplaces,anddoubtlessbetheircrownedkingwithinfourandtwentyhours.”
“It’sabitroughluckonthem,isn’tit?”saidScrubb.“Thouartaladofawondrous,quick-workingwit!”exclaimedtheKnight.
“For,onmyhonor,Ihadneverthoughtofitsobefore.Iseeyourmeaning.”He
lookedslightly,veryslightlytroubledforamomentortwo;buthisfacesoonclearedandhebrokeout,withanotherofhisloudlaughs,“Butfieongravity!Isitnotthemostcomicalandridiculousthingintheworldtothinkofthemallgoingabouttheirbusinessandneverdreamingthatundertheirpeacefulfieldsandfloors,onlyafathomdown,thereisagreatarmyreadytobreakoutuponthemlikeafountain!Andtheynevertohavesuspected!Why,theythemselves,whenoncethefirstsmartoftheirdefeatisover,canhardlychoosebutlaughatthethought!”
“Idon’tthinkit’sfunnyatall,”saidJill.“Ithinkyou’llbeawickedtyrant.”“What?”saidtheKnight,stilllaughingandpattingherheadinaquite
infuriatingfashion.“Isourlittlemaidadeeppolitician?Butneverfear,sweetheart.Inrulingthatland,IshalldoallbythecounselofmyLady,whowillthenbemyQueentoo.Herwordshallbemylaw,evenasmywordwillbelawtothepeoplewehaveconquered.”
“WhereIcomefrom,”saidJill,whowasdislikinghimmoreeveryminute,“theydon’tthinkmuchofmenwhoarebossedaboutbytheirwives.”
“Shaltthinkotherwisewhenthouhastamanofthineown,Iwarrantyou,”saidtheKnight,apparentlythinkingthisveryfunny.“ButwithmyLady,itisanothermatter.Iamwellcontenttolivebyherword,whohasalreadysavedmefromathousanddangers.Nomotherhastakenpainsmoretenderlyforherchild,thantheQueen’sgracehasforme.Why,lookyou,amidallhercaresandbusiness,sheridethoutwithmeintheOverworldmanyatimeandofttoaccustommyeyestothesunlight.AndthenImustgofullyarmedandwithvisordown,sothatnomanmayseemyface,andImustspeaktonoone.ForshehasfoundoutbyartmagicalthatthiswouldhindermydeliverancefromthegrievousenchantmentIlieunder.Isnotthataladyworthyofaman’swholeworship?”
“Soundsaveryniceladyindeed,”saidPuddlegluminavoicewhichmeantexactlytheopposite.
TheywerethoroughlytiredoftheKnight’stalkbeforetheyhadfinishedsupper.Puddleglumwasthinking,“Iwonderwhatgamethatwitchisreallyplayingwiththisyoungfool.”Scrubbwasthinking,“He’sagreatbaby,really;tiedtothatwoman’sapronstrings;he’sasap.”AndJillwasthinking,“He’sthesilliest,mostconceited,selfishpigI’vemetforalongtime.”Butwhenthemealwasover,theKnight’smoodhadchanged.Therewasnomorelaughterabouthim.
“Friends,”hesaid,“myhourisnowverynear.Iamashamedthatyoushould
seemeyetIdreadbeingleftalone.Theywillcomeinpresentlyandbindmehandandfoottoyonderchair.Alas,soitmustbe,forinmyfury,theytellme,IwoulddestroyallthatIcouldreach.”
“Isay,”saidScrubb,“I’mawfullysorryaboutyourenchantmentofcourse,butwhatwillthosefellowsdotouswhentheycometobindyou?Theytalkedofputtingusinprison.Andwedon’tlikeallthosedarkplacesverymuch.We’dmuchratherstayheretillyou’re...better...ifwemay.”
“Itiswellthoughtof,”saidtheKnight.“BycustomnonebuttheQueenherselfremainswithmeinmyevilhour.SuchishertendercareformyhonorthatshewouldnotwillinglysufferanyearsbutherowntohearthewordsIutterinthatfrenzy.ButIcouldnoteasilypersuademyattendantgnomesthatyoushouldbeleftwithme.AndIthinkIheartheirsoftfeetevennowuponthestairs.Gothroughyonderdoor,itleadsintomyotherapartments.Andthere,eitherawaitmycomingwhentheyhaveunboundme;or,ifyouwill,returnandsitwithmeinmyravings.”
Theyfollowedhisdirectionsandpassedoutoftheroombyadoorwhichtheyhadnotyetseenopened.Itbroughtthem,theywerepleasedtosee,notintodarknessbutintoalightedcorridor.Theytriedvariousdoorsandfound(whattheyverybadlyneeded)waterforwashingandevenalookingglass.“Heneverofferedusawashbeforesupper,”saidJill,dryingherface.“Selfish,self-centeredpig.”
“Arewegoingbacktowatchtheenchantment,orshallwestayhere?”saidScrubb.
“Stayhere,Ivote,”saidJill.“I’dmuchrathernotseeit.”Butshefeltalittleinquisitiveallthesame.
“No,goback,”saidPuddleglum.“Wemaypickupsomeinformation,andweneedallwecanget.IamsurethatQueenisawitchandanenemy.AndthoseEarthmenwouldknockusontheheadassoonaslookatus.There’sastrongersmellofdangerandliesandmagicandtreasonaboutthislandthanI’veeversmelledbefore.Weneedtokeepoureyesandearsopen.”
Theywentbackdownthecorridorandgentlypushedthedooropen.“It’sallright,”saidScrubb,meaningthattherewerenoEarthmenabout.Thentheyallcamebackintotheroomwheretheyhadsupped.
Themaindoorwasnowshut,concealingthecurtainbetweenwhichtheyhadfirstentered.TheKnightwasseatedinacurioussilverchair,towhichhewasboundbyhisankles,hisknees,hiselbows,hiswrists,andhiswaist.Therewassweatonhisforeheadandhisfacewasfilledwithanguish.
“Comein,friends,”hesaid,glancingquicklyup.“Thefitisnotyetuponme.Makenonoise,forItoldthatpryingchamberlainthatyouwereinbed.Now...Icanfeelitcoming.Quick!ListenwhileIammasterofmyself.Whenthefitisuponme,itwellmaybethatIshallbegandimploreyou,withentreatiesandthreatenings,toloosenmybonds.TheysayIdo.Ishallcalluponyoubyallthatismostdearandmostdreadful.Butdonotlistentome.Hardenyourheartsandstopyourears.ForwhileIamboundyouaresafe.ButifonceIwereupandoutofthischair,thenfirstwouldcomemyfury,andafterthat”—heshuddered—“thechangeintoaloathsomeserpent.”
“There’snofearofourloosingyou,”saidPuddleglum.“We’venowishtomeetwildmen;orserpentseither.”
“Ishouldthinknot,”saidScrubbandJilltogether.“Allthesame,”addedPuddlegluminawhisper.“Don’tlet’sbetoosure.
Let’sbeonourguard.We’vemuffedeverythingelse,youknow.He’llbecunning,Ishouldn’twonder,oncehegetsstarted.Canwetrustoneanother?Doweallpromisethatwhateverhesayswedon’ttouchthosecords?Whateverhesays,mindyou?”
“Rather!”saidScrubb.“There’snothingintheworldhecansayordothat’llmakemechangemy
mind,”saidJill.“Hush!Something’shappening,”saidPuddleglum.TheKnightwasmoaning.Hisfacewasaspaleasputty,andhewrithedinhis
bonds.Andwhetherbecauseshewassorryforhim,orforsomeotherreason,Jillthoughtthathelookedanicersortofmanthanhehadlookedbefore.
“Ah,”hegroaned.“Enchantments,enchantments...theheavy,tangled,cold,clammywebofevilmagic.Buriedalive.Draggeddownundertheearth,downintothesootyblackness...howmanyyearsisit?...HaveIlivedtenyears,orathousandyears,inthepit?Maggotmenallaroundme.Oh,havemercy.Letmeout,letmegoback.Letmefeelthewindandseethesky...Thereusedtobealittlepool.Whenyoulookeddownintoityoucouldseeallthetreesgrowingupside-downinthewater,allgreen,andbelowthem,deep,verydeep,thebluesky.”
Hehadbeenspeakinginalowvoice;nowhelookedup,fixedhiseyesuponthem,andsaidloudandclear;“Quick!Iamsanenow.EverynightIamsane.IfonlyIcouldgetoutofthisenchantedchair,itwouldlast.Ishouldbeamanagain.Buteverynighttheybindme,andsoeverynightmychanceisgone.Butyouarenotenemies.Iamnotyourprisoner.Quick!Cutthesecords.”
“Standfast!Steady,”saidPuddleglumtothetwochildren.“Ibeseechyoutohearme,”saidtheKnight,forcinghimselftospeakcalmly.
“HavetheytoldyouthatifIamreleasedfromthischairIshallkillyouandbecomeaserpent?Iseebyyourfacesthattheyhave.Itisalie.ItisatthishourthatIaminmyrightmind;itisalltherestofthedaythatIamenchanted.YouarenotEarthmennorwitches.Whyshouldyoubeontheirside?Ofyourcourtesy,cutmybonds.”
“Steady!Steady!Steady!”saidthethreetravelerstooneanother.“Oh,youhaveheartsofstone,”saidtheKnight.“Believeme,youlookupon
awretchwhohassufferedalmostmorethananymortalcanbear.WhatwronghaveIeverdoneyou,thatyoushouldsidewithmyenemiestokeepmeinsuchmiseries?Andtheminutesareslippingpast.Nowyoucansaveme;whenthishourhaspassed,Ishallbewitlessagain—thetoyandlap-dog,nay,morelikelythepawnandtool,ofthemostdevilishsorceressthateverplannedthewoeofmen.Andthisnight,ofallnights,whensheisaway!Youtakefrommeachancethatmaynevercomeagain.”
“Thisisdreadful.Idowishwe’dstayedawaytillitwasover,”saidJill.“Steady!”saidPuddleglum.Theprisoner’svoicewasnowrisingintoashriek.“Letmego,Isay.Giveme
mysword.Mysword!OnceIamfreeIshalltakesuchrevengeonEarthmenthatUnderlandwilltalkofitforathousandyears!”
“Nowthefrenzyisbeginning,”saidScrubb.“Ihopethoseknotsareallright.”“Yes,”saidPuddleglum.“He’dhavetwicehisnaturalstrengthifhegotfree
now.AndI’mnotcleverwithmysword.He’dgetusboth,Ishouldn’twonder;andthenPoleonherownwouldbelefttotacklethesnake.”
Theprisonerwasnowsostrainingathisbondsthattheycutintohiswristsandankles.“Beware,”hesaid.“Beware.OnenightIdidbreakthem.Butthewitchwastherethattime.Youwillnothavehertohelpyoutonight.Freemenow,andIamyourfriend.I’myourmortalenemyelse.”
“Cunning,isn’the?”saidPuddleglum.“Onceandforall,”saidtheprisoner,“Iadjureyoutosetmefree.Byallfears
andallloves,bythebrightskiesofOverland,bythegreatLion,byAslanhimself,Ichargeyou—”
“Oh!”criedthethreetravelersasthoughtheyhadbeenhurt.“It’sthesign,”saidPuddleglum.“Itwasthewordsofthesign,”saidScrubbmorecautiously.“Oh,whatarewetodo?”saidJill.
Itwasadreadfulquestion.Whathadbeentheuseofpromisingoneanother
thattheywouldnotonanyaccountsettheKnightfree,iftheywerenowtodosothefirsttimehehappenedtocalluponanametheyreallycaredabout?Ontheotherhand,whathadbeentheuseoflearningthesignsiftheyweren’tgoingtoobeythem?YetcouldAslanhavereallymeantthemtounbindanyoneevenalunatic—whoaskeditinhisname?Coulditbeamereaccident?OrhowiftheQueenoftheUnderworldknewallaboutthesignsandhadmadetheKnightlearnthisnamesimplyinordertoentrapthem?Butthen,supposingthiswastherealsign?...Theyhadmuffedthreealready;theydaren’tmuffthefourth.
“Oh,ifonlyweknew!”saidJill.“Ithinkwedoknow,”saidPuddleglum.“Doyoumeanyouthinkeverythingwillcomerightifwedountiehim?”said
Scrubb.“Idon’tknowaboutthat,”saidPuddleglum.“Yousee,Aslandidn’ttellPole
whatwouldhappen.Heonlytoldherwhattodo.Thatfellowwillbethedeathofusoncehe’sup,Ishouldn’twonder.Butthatdoesn’tletusofffollowingthesign.”
Theyallstoodlookingatoneanotherwithbrighteyes.Itwasasickeningmoment.“Allright!”saidJillsuddenly.“Let’sgetitover.Goodbye,everyone…!”Theyallshookhands.TheKnightwasscreamingbynow;therewasfoamonhischeeks.
“Comeon,Scrubb,”saidPuddleglum.HeandScrubbdrewtheirswordsandwentovertothecaptive.
“InthenameofAslan,”theysaidandbeganmethodicallycuttingthecords.Theinstanttheprisonerwasfree,hecrossedtheroominasinglebound,seizedhisownsword(whichhadbeentakenfromhimandlaidonthetable),anddrewit.
“Youfirst!”hecriedandfelluponthesilverchair.Thatmusthavebeenagoodsword.Thesilvergavewaybeforeitsedgelikestring,andinamomentafewtwistedfragments,shiningonthefloor,wereallthatwasleft.Butasthechairbroke,therecamefromitabrightflash,asoundlikesmallthunder,and(foronemoment)aloathsomesmell.
“Liethere,vileengineofsorcery,”hesaid,“lestyourmistressshouldeveruseyouforanothervictim.”Thenheturnedandsurveyedhisrescuers;andthesomethingwrong,whateveritwas,hadvanishedfromhisface.
“What?”hecried,turningtoPuddleglum.“DoIseebeforemeaMarsh-wiggle—areal,live,honest,NarnianMarsh-wiggle?”
“Oh,soyouhaveheardofNarniaafterall?”saidJill.
“HadIforgottenitwhenIwasunderthespell?”askedtheKnight.“Well,thatandallotherbedevilmentsarenowover.YoumaywellbelievethatIknowNarnia,forIamRilian,PrinceofNarnia,andCaspianthegreatKingismyfather.”
“YourRoyalHighness,”saidPuddleglum,sinkingononeknee(andthechildrendidthesame),“wehavecomehitherfornootherendthantoseekyou.”
“Andwhoareyou,myotherdeliverers?”saidthePrincetoScrubbandJill.“WeweresentbyAslanhimselffrombeyondtheworld’sendtoseekyour
Highness,”saidScrubb.“IamEustacewhosailedwithhimtotheislandofRamandu.”
“IoweallthreeofyouagreaterdebtthanIcaneverpay,”saidPrinceRilian.“Butmyfather?Isheyetalive?”
“HesailedeastagainbeforeweleftNarnia,mylord,”saidPuddleglum.“ButyourHighnessmustconsiderthattheKingisveryold.ItistentoonehisMajestymustdieonthevoyage.”
“Heisold,yousay.HowlongthenhaveIbeeninthepowerofthewitch?’“ItismorethantenyearssinceyourHighnesswaslostinthewoodsatthe
northsideofNarnia.”“Tenyears!”saidthePrince,drawinghishandacrosshisfaceasiftorub
awaythepast.“Yes,Ibelieveyou.FornowthatIammyselfIcanrememberthatenchantedlife,thoughwhileIwasenchantedIcouldnotremembermytrueself.Andnow,fairfriends—butwait!Iheartheirfeet(doesitnotsickenaman,thatpaddingwoollytread!faugh!)onthestairs.Lockthedoor,boy.Orstay.Ihaveabetterthoughtthanthat.IwillfooltheseEarthmen,ifAslangivesmethewit.Takeyourcuefromme.”
Hewalkedresolutelytothedoorandflungitwideopen.
ChapterTwelve
TheQueenofUnderlandTWOEarthmenentered,butinsteadofadvancingintotheroom,theyplaced
themselvesoneoneachsideofthedoor,andboweddeeply.Theywerefollowedimmediatelybythelastpersonwhomanyonehadexpectedorwishedtosee;theLadyoftheGreenKirtle,theQueenofUnderland.Shestooddeadstillinthedoorway,andtheycouldseehereyesmovingasshetookinthewholesituation—thethreestrangers,thesilverchairdestroyed,andthePrincefree,withhisswordinhishand.
Sheturnedverywhite;butJillthoughtitwasthesortofwhitenessthatcomesoversomepeople’sfacesnotwhentheyarefrightenedbutwhentheyareangry.ForamomenttheWitchfixedhereyesonthePrince,andtherewasmurderinthem.Thensheseemedtochangehermind.
“Leaveus,”shesaidtothetwoEarthmen.“AndletnonedisturbustillIcall,onpainofdeath.”Thegnomespaddedawayobediently,andtheWitch-queenshutandlockedthedoor.
“Hownow,mylordPrince,”shesaid.“Hasyournightlyfitnotyetcomeuponyou,orisitoversosoon?Whystandyouhereunbound?Whoarethesealiens?Andisittheywhohavedestroyedthechairwhichwasyouronlysafety?”
PrinceRilianshiveredasshespoketohim.Andnowonder;itisnoteasytothrowoffinhalfanhouranenchantmentwhichhasmadeoneaslavefortenyears.Then,speakingwithagreateffort,hesaid;“Madam,therewillbenomoreneedofthatchair.Andyou,whohavetoldmeahundredtimeshowdeeplyyoupitiedmeforthesorceriesbywhichIwasbound,willdoubtlesshearwithjoythattheyarenowendedforever.Therewas,itseems,somesmallerrorinyourLadyship’swayoftreatingthem.These,mytruefriends,havedeliveredme.Iamnowinmyrightmind,andtherearetwothingsIwillsaytoyou.First—asforyourLadyship’sdesignofputtingmeattheheadofanarmyofEarthmensothatImaybreakoutintotheOverworldandthere,bymainforce,makemyselfkingoversomenationthatneverdidmewrong—murderingtheirnaturallordsandholdingtheirthroneasabloodyandforeigntyrant—nowthatIknowmyself,Idoutterlyabhorandrenounceitasplainvillainy.Andsecond;IamtheKing’ssonofNarnia,Rilian,theonlychildofCaspian,Tenthofthatname,whomsomecallCaspiantheSeafarer.Therefore,Madam,itismy
purpose,asitisalsomyduty,todepartsuddenlyfromyourHighness’scourtintomyowncountry.Pleaseityoutograntmeandmyfriendssafeconductandaguidethroughyourdarkrealm.”
NowtheWitchsaidnothingatall,butmovedgentlyacrosstheroom,alwayskeepingherfaceandeyesverysteadilytowardsthePrince.Whenshehadcometoalittlearksetinthewallnotfarfromthefireplace,sheopenedit,andtookoutfirstahandfulofagreenpowder.Thisshethrewonthefire.Itdidnotblazemuch,butaverysweetanddrowsysmellcamefromit.Andallthroughtheconversationwhichfollowed,thatsmellgrewstronger,andfilledtheroom,andmadeithardertothink.Secondly,shetookoutamusicalinstrumentratherlikeamandolin.Shebegantoplayitwithherfingers—asteady,monotonousthrummingthatyoudidn’tnoticeafterafewminutes.Butthelessyounoticedit,themoreitgotintoyourbrainandyourblood.Thisalsomadeithardtothink.Aftershehadthrummedforatime(andthesweetsmellwasnowstrong)shebeganspeakinginasweet,quietvoice.
“Narnia?”shesaid.“Narnia?IhaveoftenheardyourLordshiputterthatnameinyourravings.DearPrince,youareverysick.ThereisnolandcalledNarnia.”
“Yesthereis,though,Ma’am,”saidPuddleglum.“Yousee,Ihappentohavelivedthereallmylife.”
“Indeed,”saidtheWitch.“Tellme,Iprayyou,wherethatcountryis?”“Upthere,”saidPuddleglum,stoutly,pointingoverhead.“I—Idon’tknow
exactlywhere.”“How?”saidtheQueen,withakind,soft,musicallaugh.“Isthereacountry
upamongthestonesandmortaroftheroof?”“No,”saidPuddleglum,strugglingalittletogethisbreath.“It’sin
Overworld.”“Andwhat,orwhere,prayisthis...howdoyoucallit...Overworld?”“Oh,don’tbesosilly,”saidScrubb,whowasfightinghardagainstthe
enchantmentofthesweetsmellandthethrumming.“Asifyoudidn’tknow!It’supabove,upwhereyoucanseetheskyandthesunandthestars.Why,you’vebeenthereyourself.Wemetyouthere.”
“Icryyoumercy,littlebrother,”laughedtheWitch(youcouldn’thaveheardalovelierlaugh).“Ihavenomemoryofthatmeeting.Butweoftenmeetourfriendsinstrangeplaceswhenwedream.Andunlessalldreamedalike,youmustnotaskthemtorememberit.”
“Madam,”saidthePrincesternly,“IhavealreadytoldyourGracethatIamtheKing’ssonofNarnia.”
“Andshaltbe,dearfriend,”saidtheWitchinasoothingvoice,asifshewashumoringachild,“shaltbekingofmanyimaginedlandsinthyfancies.”
“We’vebeenthere,too,”snappedJill.Shewasveryangrybecauseshecouldfeelenchantmentgettingholdofhereverymoment.Butofcoursetheveryfactthatshecouldstillfeelit,showedthatithadnotyetfullyworked.
“AndthouartQueenofNarniatoo,Idoubtnot,prettyone,”saidtheWitchinthesamecoaxing,half-mockingtone.
“I’mnothingofthesort,”saidJill,stampingherfoot.“Wecomefromanotherworld.”
“Why,thisisaprettiergamethantheother,”saidtheWitch.“Tellus,littlemaid,whereisthisotherworld?Whatshipsandchariotsgobetweenitandours?”
OfcoursealotofthingsdartedintoJill’sheadatonce;ExperimentHouse,AdelaPennyfather,herownhome,radio-sets,cinemas,cars,airplanes,ration-books,queues.Buttheyseemeddimandfaraway.(Thrumthrum—thrum—wentthestringsoftheWitch’sinstrument.)Jillcouldn’trememberthenamesofthethingsinourworld.Andthistimeitdidn’tcomeintoherheadthatshewasbeingenchanted,fornowthemagicwasinitsfullstrength;andofcourse,themoreenchantedyouget,themorecertainyoufeelthatyouarenotenchantedatall.Shefoundherselfsaying(andatthemomentitwasarelieftosay);“No.Isupposethatotherworldmustbealladream.”
“Yes.Itisalladream,”saidtheWitch,alwaysthrumming.“Yes,alladream,”saidJill.“Thereneverwassuchaworld,”saidtheWitch.“No,”saidJillandScrubb,“neverwassuchaworld.”“Thereneverwasanyworldbutmine,”saidtheWitch.“Thereneverwasanyworldbutyours,”saidthey.Puddleglumwasstillfightinghard.“Idon’tknowrightlywhatyouallmean
byaworld,”hesaid,talkinglikeamanwhohasn’tenoughair.“Butyoucanplaythatfiddletillyourfingersdropoff,andstillyouwon’tmakemeforgetNarnia;andthewholeOverworldtoo.We’llneverseeitagain,Ishouldn’twonder.Youmayhaveblotteditoutandturneditdarklikethis,forallIknow.Nothingmorelikely.ButIknowIwasthereonce.I’veseentheskyfullofstars.I’veseenthesuncomingupoutoftheseaofamorningandsinkingbehindthemountainsatnight.AndI’veseenhimupinthemiddayskywhenIcouldn’tlookathimforbrightness.”
Puddleglum’swordshadaveryrousingeffect.Theotherthreeallbreathed
againandlookedatoneanotherlikepeoplenewlyawaked.“Why,thereitis!”criedthePrince.“Ofcourse!TheblessingofAslanupon
thishonestMarsh-wiggle.Wehaveallbeendreaming,theselastfewminutes.Howcouldwehaveforgottenit?Ofcoursewe’veallseenthesun.”
“ByJove,sowehave!”saidScrubb.“Goodforyou,Puddleglum!You’retheonlyoneofuswithanysense,Idobelieve.”
ThencametheWitch’svoice,cooingsoftlylikethevoiceofawood-pigeonfromthehighelmsinanoldgardenatthreeo’clockinthemiddleofasleepy,summerafternoon;anditsaid;“Whatisthissunthatyouallspeakof?Doyoumeananythingbytheword?”
“Yes,wejollywelldo,”saidScrubb.“Canyoutellmewhatit’slike?”askedtheWitch(thrum,thrum,thrum,went
thestrings).“PleaseityourGrace,”saidthePrince,verycoldlyandpolitely.“Yousee
thatlamp.Itisroundandyellowandgiveslighttothewholeroom;andhangethmoreoverfromtheroof.Nowthatthingwhichwecallthesunislikethelamp,onlyfargreaterandbrighter.ItgivethlighttothewholeOverworldandhangethinthesky.”
“Hangethfromwhat,mylord?”askedtheWitch;andthen,whiletheywereallstillthinkinghowtoanswerher,sheadded,withanotherofhersoft,silverlaughs;“Yousee?Whenyoutrytothinkoutclearlywhatthissunmustbe,youcannottellme.Youcanonlytellmeitislikethelamp.Yoursunisadream;andthereisnothinginthatdreamthatwasnotcopiedfromthelamp.Thelampistherealthing;thesunisbutatale,achildren’sstory.”
“Yes,Iseenow,”saidJillinaheavy,hopelesstone.“Itmustbeso.”Andwhileshesaidthis,itseemedtohertobeverygoodsense.
SlowlyandgravelytheWitchrepeated,“Thereisnosun.”Andtheyallsaidnothing.Sherepeated,inasofteranddeepervoice.“Thereisnosun.”Afterapause,andafterastruggleintheirminds,allfourofthemsaidtogether.“Youareright.Thereisnosun.”Itwassucharelieftogiveinandsayit.
“Thereneverwasasun,”saidtheWitch.“No.Thereneverwasasun,”saidthePrince,andtheMarsh-wiggle,andthe
children.ForthelastfewminutesJillhadbeenfeelingthattherewassomethingshe
mustrememberatallcosts.Andnowshedid.Butitwasdreadfullyhardtosayit.Shefeltasifhugeweightswerelaidonherlips.Atlast,withaneffortthatseemedtotakeallthegoodoutofher,shesaid;“There’sAslan.”
“Aslan?”saidtheWitch,quickeningeversoslightlythepaceofherthrumming.“Whataprettyname!Whatdoesitmean?”
“HeisthegreatLionwhocalledusoutofourownworld,”saidScrubb,“andsentusintothistofindPrinceRilian.”
“Whatisalion?”askedtheWitch.“Oh,hangitall!”saidScrubb.“Don’tyouknow?Howcanwedescribeitto
her?Haveyoueverseenacat?”“Surely,”saidtheQueen.“Ilovecats.”“Well,alionisalittlebit—onlyalittlebit,mindyoulikeahugecat—with
amane.Atleast,it’snotlikeahorse’smane,youknow,it’smorelikeajudge’swig.Andit’syellow.Andterrificallystrong.”
TheWitchshookherhead.“Isee,”shesaid,“thatweshoulddonobetterwithyourlion,asyoucallit,thanwedidwithyoursun.Youhaveseenlamps,andsoyouimaginedabiggerandbetterlampandcalleditthesun.You’veseencats,andnowyouwantabiggerandbettercat,andit’stobecalledalion.Well,‘tisaprettymake-believe,though,tosaytruth,itwouldsuityouallbetterifyouwereyounger.Andlookhowyoucanputnothingintoyourmake-believewithoutcopyingitfromtherealworld,thisworldofmine,whichistheonlyworld.Butevenyouchildrenaretoooldforsuchplay.Asforyou,mylordPrince,thatartamanfullgrown,fieuponyou!Areyounotashamedofsuchtoys?Come,allofyou.Putawaythesechildishtricks.Ihaveworkforyouallintherealworld.ThereisnoNarnia,noOverworld,nosky,nosun,noAslan.Andnow,tobedall.Andletusbeginawiserlifetomorrow.But,first,tobed;tosleep;deepsleep,softpillows,sleepwithoutfoolishdreams.”
ThePrinceandthetwochildrenwerestandingwiththeirheadshungdown,theircheeksflushed,theireyeshalfclosed;thestrengthallgonefromthem;theenchantmentalmostcomplete.ButPuddleglum,desperatelygatheringallhisstrength,walkedovertothefire.Thenhedidaverybravething.Heknewitwouldn’thurthimquiteasmuchasitwouldhurtahuman;forhisfeet(whichwerebare)werewebbedandhardandcold-bloodedlikeaduck’s.Butheknewitwouldhurthimbadlyenough;andsoitdid.Withhisbarefoothestampedonthefire,grindingalargepartofitintoashesontheflathearth.Andthreethingshappenedatonce.
First,thesweetheavysmellgrewverymuchless.Forthoughthewholefirehadnotbeenputout,agoodbitofithad,andwhatremainedsmelledverylargelyofburntMarsh-wiggle,whichisnotatallanenchantingsmell.Thisinstantlymadeeveryone’sbrainfarclearer.ThePrinceandthechildrenheldup
theirheadsagainandopenedtheireyes.Secondly,theWitch,inaloud,terriblevoice,utterlydifferentfromallthe
sweettonesshehadbeenusinguptillnow,calledout,“Whatareyoudoing?Daretotouchmyfireagain,mud-filth,andI’llturnthebloodtofireinsideyourveins.”
Thirdly,thepainitselfmadePuddleglum’sheadforamomentperfectlyclearandheknewexactlywhathereallythought.Thereisnothinglikeagoodshockofpainfordissolvingcertainkindsofmagic.
“Oneword,Ma’am,”hesaid,comingbackfromthefire;limping,becauseofthepain.“Oneword.Allyou’vebeensayingisquiteright,Ishouldn’twonder.I’machapwhoalwayslikedtoknowtheworstandthenputthebestfaceIcanonit.SoIwon’tdenyanyofwhatyousaid.Butthere’sonethingmoretobesaid,evenso.Supposewehaveonlydreamed,ormadeup,allthosethings—treesandgrassandsunandmoonandstarsandAslanhimself.Supposewehave.ThenallIcansayisthat,inthatcase,themade-upthingsseemagooddealmoreimportantthantherealones.Supposethisblackpitofakingdomofyoursistheonlyworld.Well,itstrikesmeasaprettypoorone.Andthat’safunnything,whenyoucometothinkofit.We’rejustbabiesmakingupagame,ifyou’reright.Butfourbabiesplayingagamecanmakeaplay-worldwhichlicksyourrealworldhollow.That’swhyI’mgoingtostandbytheplay-world.I’monAslan’ssideevenifthereisn’tanyAslantoleadit.I’mgoingtoliveaslikeaNarnianasIcanevenifthereisn’tanyNarnia.So,thankingyoukindlyforoursupper,ifthesetwogentlemenandtheyoungladyareready,we’releavingyourcourtatonceandsettingoutinthedarktospendourliveslookingforOverland.Notthatourliveswillbeverylong,Ishouldthink;butthat’sasmalllossiftheworld’sasdullaplaceasyousay.”
“Oh,hurrah!GoodoldPuddleglum!”criedScrubbandJill.ButthePrinceshoutedsuddenly,“Ware!LooktotheWitch.”
Whentheydidlooktheirhairnearlystoodonend.Theinstrumentdroppedfromherhands.Herarmsappearedtobefastenedto
hersides.Herlegswereintertwinedwitheachother,andherfeethaddisappeared.Thelonggreentrainofherskirtthickenedandgrewsolid,andseemedtobeallonepiecewiththewrithinggreenpillarofherinterlockedlegs.Andthatwrithinggreenpillarwascurvingandswayingasifithadnojoints,orelsewerealljoints.Herheadwasthrownfarbackandwhilehernosegrewlongerandlonger,everyotherpartofherfaceseemedtodisappear,excepthereyes.Hugeflamingeyestheywerenow,withoutbrowsorlashes.Allthistakes
timetowritedown;ithappenedsoquicklythattherewasonlyjusttimetoseeit.Longbeforetherewastimetodoanything,thechangewascomplete,andthegreatserpentwhichtheWitchhadbecome,greenaspoison,thickasJill’swaist,hadflungtwoorthreecoilsofitsloathsomebodyroundthePrince’slegs.Quickaslightninganothergreatloopdartedround,intendingtopinionhissword-armtohisside.ButthePrincewasjustintime.Heraisedhisarmsandgotthemclear;thelivingknotclosedonlyroundhischest—readytocrackhisribslikefirewoodwhenitdrewtight.
ThePrincecaughtthecreature’sneckinhislefthand,tryingtosqueezeittillitchoked.Thishelditsface(ifyoucouldcallitaface)aboutfiveinchesfromhisown.Theforkedtongueflickeredhorriblyinandout,butcouldnotreachhim.Withhisrighthandhedrewbackhisswordforthestrongestblowhecouldgive.MeanwhileScrubbandPuddleglumhaddrawntheirweaponsandrushedtohisaid.Allthreeblowsfellatonce;Scrubb’s(whichdidnotevenpiercethescalesanddidnogood)onthebodyofthesnakebelowthePrince’shand,butthePrince’sownblowandPuddleglum’sbothonitsneck.Eventhatdidnotquitekillit,thoughitbegantoloosenitsholdonRilian’slegsandchest.Withrepeatedblowstheyhackedoffitshead.Thehorriblethingwentoncoilingandmovinglikeabitofwirelongafterithaddied;andthefloor,asyoumayimagine,wasanastymess.
ThePrince,whenhehadbreath,said,“Gentlemen,Ithankyou.”Thenthethreeconquerorsstoodstaringatoneanotherandpanting,withoutanotherword,foralongtime.Jillhadverywiselysatdownandwaskeepingquiet;shewassayingtoherself,“IdohopeIdon’tfaintorblub—ordoanythingidiotic.”
“Myroyalmotherisavenged,”saidRilianpresently.“ThisisundoubtedlythesamewormthatIpursuedinvainbythefountainintheforestofNarnia,somanyyearsago.AlltheseyearsIhavebeentheslaveofmymother’sslayer.YetIamglad,gentlemen,thatthefoulWitchtooktoherserpentformatthelast.Itwouldnothavesuitedwelleitherwithmyheartorwithmyhonortohaveslainawoman.Butlooktothelady.”HemeantJill.
“I’mallright,thanks,”saidshe.“Damsel,”saidthePrince,bowingtoher.“Youareofahighcourage,and
therefore,Idoubtnot,youcomeofanoblebloodinyourownworld.Butcome,friends.Hereissomewineleft.Letusrefreshourselvesandeachpledgehisfellows.Afterthat,toourplans.”
“Ajollygoodidea,Sir,”saidScrubb.
ChapterThirteen
UnderlandWithouttheQueenALLfeltthattheyhadearnedwhatScrubbcalleda“breather”.TheWitch
hadlockedthedoorandtoldtheEarthmennottodisturbher,sotherewasnodangerofinterruptionforthepresent.Theirfirstbusinesswas,ofcourse,Puddleglum’sburntfoot.AcoupleofcleanshirtsfromthePrince’sbedroom,tornintostrips,andwellgreasedontheinsidewithbutterandsaladoiloffthesuppertable,madeafairlygooddressing.Whenthishadbeenapplied,theyallsatdownandhadalittlerefreshment,anddiscussedplansforescapingfromtheUnderworld.
Rilianexplainedthattherewerequitealotofoutletsbywhichonecouldgettothesurface;hehadbeentakenoutthroughmostofthematonetimeoranother.Buthehadnevergoneoutalone,onlywiththeWitch;andhehadalwaysreachedtheseoutletsbygoinginashipacrosstheSunlessSea.WhattheEarthmenwouldsayifhewentdowntotheharborwithouttheWitch,andwithfourstrangers,andsimplyorderedaship,noonecouldguess.Butmostlikelytheywouldaskawkwardquestions.Ontheotherhandthenewoutlet,theonefortheinvasionofOverworld,wasonthissideofthesea,andonlyafewmilesaway.ThePrinceknewthatitwasnearlyfinished;onlyafewfeetofearthdividedthediggingsfromtheouterair.Itwasevenpossiblethatithadnowbeenquitefinished.PerhapstheWitchhadcomebacktotellhimthisandtostarttheattack.Evenifitwasnot,theycouldprobablydigthemselvesoutbythatrouteinafewhours—iftheycouldonlygettherewithoutbeingstopped,andifonlytheyfoundthediggingsunguarded.Butthosewerethedifficulties.
“Ifyouaskme—”beganPuddleglum,whenScrubbinterrupted.“Isay,”heasked,“what’sthatnoise?”“I’vebeenwonderingthatforsometime!”saidJill.Theyhadall,infact,beenhearingthenoisebutithadbegunandincreasedso
graduallythattheydidnotknowwhentheyhadfirstnoticedit.Foratimeithadbeenonlyavaguedisquietlikegentlewinds,ortrafficveryfaraway.Thenitswelledtoamurmurlikethesea.Thencamerumblingsandrushings.Nowthereseemedtobevoicesaswellandalsoasteadyroaringthatwasnotvoices.
“BytheLion,”saidPrinceRilian,“itseemsthissilentlandhasfoundatongueatlast.”Herose,walkedtothewindow,anddrewasidethecurtains.Theotherscrowdedroundhimtolookout.
Theveryfirstthingtheynoticedwasagreatredglow.ItsreflectionmadearedpatchontheroofoftheUnderworldthousandsoffeetabovethem,sothattheycouldseearockyceilingwhichhadperhapsbeenhiddenindarknesseversincetheworldwasmade.Theglowitselfcamefromthefarsideofthecitysothatmanybuildings,grimandgreat,stoodupblacklyagainstit.Butitalsocastitslightdownmanystreetsthatranfromittowardsthecastle.Andinthosestreetssomethingverystrangewasgoingon.Theclosely-packed,silentcrowdsofEarthmenhadvanished.Instead,therewerefiguresdartingaboutbyones,ortwos,orthrees.Theybehavedlikepeoplewhodonotwanttobeseen;lurkinginshadowbehindbuttressesorindoorways,andthenmovingquicklyacrosstheopenintofreshplacesofhiding.Butthestrangestthingofall,toanyonewhoknewthegnomes,wasthenoise.Shoutsandcriescamefromalldirections.Butfromtheharbortherecamealow,rumblingroarwhichgrewsteadilylouderandwasalreadyshakingthewholecity.
“What’shappenedtotheEarthmen?”saidScrubb.“Isitthemshouting?”“’Tishardlypossible,”saidthePrince.“Ineverheardoneoftherascalsso
muchasspeakwithaloudvoiceinallthewearyyearsofmybondage.Somenewdevilry,Idon’tdoubt.”
“Andwhatisthatredlightoverthere?”askedJill.“Issomethingonfire?”“Ifyouaskme,”saidPuddleglum,“Ishouldsaythatwasthecentralfiresof
theEarthbreakingouttomakeanewvolcano.We’llbeinthemiddleofit,Ishouldn’twonder.”
“Lookatthatship!”saidScrubb.“Why’sitcomingonsoquickly?Noone’srowingit.”
“Look,look!”saidthePrince.“Theshipisalreadyfarthissideoftheharbor—itisinthestreet.Look!Alltheshipsaredrivingintothecity!Bymyhead,thesea’srising.Thefloodisuponus.Aslanbepraised,thiscastlestandsonhighground.Butthewatercomesongrimlyfast.”
“Oh,whatcanbehappening?”criedJill.“Fireandwaterandallthosepeopledodgingaboutthestreets.”
“I’lltellyouwhatitis,”saidPuddleglum.“ThatWitchhaslaidatrainofmagicspellssothatwhenevershewaskilled,atthatsamemomentherwholekingdomwouldfalltopieces.She’sthesortthatwouldn’tsomuchminddyingherselfifsheknewthatthechapwhokilledherwasgoingtobeburned,orburied,ordrownedfiveminuteslater.”
“Hasthitit,friendwiggle,”saidthePrince.“WhenourswordshackedofftheWitch’shead,thatstrokeendedallhermagicworks,andnowtheDeepLands
arefallingtopieces.WearelookingontheendofUnderworld.”“That’sit,Sir,”saidPuddleglum.“Unlessitshouldhappentobetheendof
thewholeworld.”“Butarewejustgoingtostayhereand—wait?”gaspedJill.“Notbymycounsel,”saidthePrince.“Iwouldsavemyhorse,Coalblack,
andtheWitch’sSnowflake(anoblebeastandworthyofabettermistress)whicharebothstabledinthecourtyard.Afterthat,letusmakeshifttogetouttohighgroundandpraythatweshallfindanoutlet.Thehorsescancarrytwoeachatneed,andifweputthemtoittheymayoutstriptheflood.”
“WillyourHighnessnotputonarmor?”askedPuddleglum.“Idon’tlikethelookofthose”—andhepointeddowntothestreet.Everyonelookeddown.Dozensofcreatures(andnowthattheywereclose,theyobviouslywereEarthmen)werecomingupfromthedirectionoftheharbor.Buttheywerenotmovinglikeanaimlesscrowd.Theybehavedlikemodernsoldiersinanattack,makingrushesandtakingcover,anxiousnottobeseenfromthecastlewindows.
“Idarenotseetheinsideofthatarmoragain,”saidthePrince.“Irodeinitasinamovabledungeon,anditstinksofmagicandslavery.ButIwilltaketheshield.”
Helefttheroomandreturnedwithastrangelightinhiseyesamomentlater.“Look,friends,”hesaid,holdingouttheshieldtowardsthem.“Anhouragoit
wasblackandwithoutdevice;andnow,this.”Theshieldhadturnedbrightassilver,andonit,redderthanbloodorcherries,wasthefigureoftheLion.
“Doubtless,”saidthePrince,“thissignifiesthatAslanwillbeourgoodlord,whetherhemeansustoliveordie.Andall’sone,forthat.Now,bymycounsel,weshallallkneelandkisshislikeness,andthenallshakehandsonewithanother,astruefriendsthatmayshortlybeparted.Andthen,letusdescendintothecityandtaketheadventurethatissentus.”
AndtheyalldidasthePrincehadsaid.ButwhenScrubbshookhandswithJill,hesaid,“Solong,Jill.SorryI’vebeenafunkandsoratty.Ihopeyougetsafehome,”andJillsaid,“Solong,Eustace.AndI’msorryI’vebeensuchapig.”AndthiswasthefirsttimetheyhadeverusedChristiannames,becauseonedidn’tdoitatschool.
ThePrinceunlockedthedoorandtheyallwentdownthestairs;threeofthemwithdrawnswords,andJillwithdrawnknife.TheattendantshadvanishedandthegreatroomatthefootofthePrince’sstairswasempty.Thegrey,dolefullampswerestillburningandbytheirlighttheyhadnodifficultyinpassinggalleryaftergalleryanddescendingstairwayafterstairway.Thenoisesfrom
outsidethecastlewerenotsoeasilyheardhereastheyhadbeenintheroomabove.Insidethehouseallwasstillasdeath,anddeserted.ItwasastheyturnedacornerintothegreathallonthegroundfloorthattheymettheirfirstEarthman—afat,whitishcreaturewithaverypiglikefacewhowasgobblingupalltheremainsoffoodonthetables.Itsquealed(thesquealalsowasverylikeapig’s)anddartedunderabench,whiskingitslongtailoutofPuddleglum’sreachinthenickoftime.Thenitrushedawaythroughthefardoortooquicklytobefollowed.
Fromthehalltheycameoutintothecourtyard.Jill,whowenttoaridingschoolintheholidays,hadjustnoticedthesmellofastable(averynice,honest,homelysmellitistomeetinaplacelikeUnderland)whenEustacesaid,“GreatScott!Lookatthat!”Amagnificentrockethadrisenfromsomewherebeyondthecastlewallsandbrokenintogreenstars.
“Fireworks!”saidJillinapuzzledvoice.“Yes,”saidEustace,“butyoucan’timaginethoseEarthpeoplelettingthem
offforfun!Itmustbeasignal.”“Andmeansnogoodtous,I’llbebound,”saidPuddleglum.“Friends,”saidthePrince,“whenonceamanislaunchedonsuchan
adventureasthis,hemustbidfarewelltohopesandfears,otherwisedeathordeliverancewillbothcometoolatetosavehishonorandhisreason.Ho,mybeauties”(hewasnowopeningthestabledoor).“Heycousins!Steady,Coalblack!Softlynow,Snowflake!Youarenotforgotten.”
Thehorseswerebothfrightenedbythestrangelightsandthenoises.Jill,whohadbeensocowardlyaboutgoingthroughablackholebetweenonecaveandanother,wentinwithoutfearbetweenthestampingandsnortingbeasts,andsheandthePrincehadthemsaddledandbridledinafewminutes.Veryfinetheylookedastheycameoutintothecourtyard,tossingtheirheads.JillmountedSnowflake,andPuddleglumgotupbehindher.EustacegotupbehindthePrinceonCoalblack.Thenwithagreatechoofhoofs,theyrodeoutofthemaingatewayintothestreet.
“Notmuchdangerofbeingburnt.That’sthebrightsideofit,”observedPuddleglum,pointingtotheirright.There,hardlyahundredyardsaway,lappingagainstthewallsofthehouses,waswater.
“Courage!”saidthePrince.“Theroadtheregoesdownsteeply.Thatwaterhasclimbedonlyhalfupthegreatesthillinthecity.Itmightcomesonearinthefirsthalf-hourandcomenonearerinthenexttwo.Myfearismoreofthat—”andhepointedwithhisswordtoagreattallEarthmanwithboar’stusks,
followedbysixothersofassortedshapesandsizeswhohadjustdashedoutofasidestreetandsteppedintotheshadowofthehouseswherenoonecouldseethem.
ThePrinceledthem,aimingalwaysinthedirectionoftheglowingredlightbutalittletotheleftofit.Hisplanwastogetroundthefire(ifitwasafire)ontohighground,inhopethattheymightfindtheirwaytothenewdiggings.Unliketheotherthree,heseemedtobealmostenjoyinghimself.Hewhistledasherode,andsangsnatchesofanoldsongaboutCorinThunder-fistofArchenland.Thetruthis,hewassogladatbeingfreefromhislongenchantmentthatalldangersseemedagameincomparison.Buttherestfounditaneeriejourney.
Behindthemwasthesoundofclashingandentangledships,andtherumbleofcollapsingbuildings.OverheadwasthegreatpatchofluridlightontheroofoftheUnderworld.Aheadwasthemysteriousglow,whichdidnotseemtogrowanybigger.Fromthesamedirectioncameacontinualhubbubofshouts,screams,cat-calls,laughter,squeals,andbellowings;andfireworksofallsortsroseinthedarkair.Noonecouldguesswhattheymeant.Nearertothem,thecitywaspartlylitupbytheredglow,andpartlybytheverydifferentlightofthedrearyGnomelamps.Butthereweremanyplaceswhereneitheroftheselightsfell,andthoseplaceswerejet-black.AndinandoutofthoseplacestheshapesofEarthmenweredartingandslippingallthetime,alwayswiththeireyesfixedonthetravelers,alwaystryingtokeepoutofsightthemselves.Therewerebigfacesandlittlefaces,hugeeyeslikefishes’eyesandlittleeyeslikebears’.Therewerefeathersandbristles,hornsandtusks,noseslikewhipcord,andchinssolongthattheylookedlikebeards.Everynowandthenagroupofthemwouldgettoobigorcometoonear.ThenthePrincewouldbrandishhisswordandmakeashowofchargingthem.Andthecreatures,withallmannerofhootings,squeakings,andcluckings,woulddiveawayintothedarkness.
Butwhentheyhadclimbedmanysteepstreetsandwerefarawayfromtheflood,andalmostoutofthetownontheinlandside,itbegantobemoreserious.Theywerenowclosetotheredglowandnearlyonalevelwithit,thoughtheystillcouldnotseewhatitreallywas.Butbyitslighttheycouldseetheirenemiesmoreclearly.Hundreds—perhapsafewthousands—ofgnomeswereallmovingtowardsit.Buttheyweredoingsoinshortrushes,andwhenevertheystopped,theyturnedandfacedthetravelers.
“IfyourHighnessaskedme,”saidPuddleglum,“I’dsaythosefellowsweremeaningtocutusoffinfront.”
“Thatwasmythoughttoo,Puddleglum,”saidthePrince.“Andwecanneverfightourwaythroughsomany.Harkyou!Letusrideforthclosebytheedgeofyonderhouse.Andevenaswereachit,doyouslipoffintoitsshadow.TheLadyandIwillgoforwardafewpaces.Someofthesedevilswillfollowus,Idoubtnot;theyarethickbehindus.Doyou,whohavelongarms,takeonealiveifyoumay,asitpassesyourambush.Wemaygetatruetaleofitorlearnwhatistheirquarrelagainstus.”
“Butwon’ttheothersallcomerushingatustorescuetheonewecatch,”saidJillinavoicenotsosteadyasshetriedtomakeit.
“Then,Madam,”saidthePrince,“youshallseeusdiefightingaroundyou,andyoumustcommendyourselftotheLion.Now,goodPuddleglum.”
TheMarsh-wiggleslippedoffintotheshadowasquicklyasacat.Theothers,forasickeningminuteorso,wentforwardatawalk.Thensuddenlyfrombehindthemtherebrokeoutaseriesofblood-curdlingscreams,mixedwiththefamiliarvoiceofPuddleglum,saying,“Nowthen!Don’tcryoutbeforeyou’rehurt,oryouwillbehurt,see?Anyonewouldthinkitwasapigbeingkilled.”
“Thatwasgoodhunting,”exclaimedthePrince,immediatelyturningCoalblackandcomingbacktothecornerofthehouse.“Eustace,”hesaid,“ofyourcourtesy,takeCoalblack’shead.”Thenhedismounted,andallthreegazedinsilencewhilePuddleglumpulledhiscatchoutintothelight.Itwasamostmiserablelittlegnome,onlyaboutthreefeetlong.Ithadasortofridge,likeacock’scomb(onlyhard),onthetopofitshead,littlepinkeyes,andamouthandchinsolargeandroundthatitsfacelookedlikethatofapigmyhippopotamus.Iftheyhadnotbeeninsuchatightplace,theywouldhaveburstintolaughteratthesightofit.
“Now,Earthman,”saidthePrince,standingoveritandholdinghisswordpointveryneartheprisoner’sneck,“speak,up,likeanhonestgnome,andyoushallgofree.Playtheknavewithus,andyouarebutadeadEarthman.GoodPuddleglum,howcanitspeakwhileyouholditsmouthtightshut?”
“No,anditcan’tbiteeither,”saidPuddleglum.“IfIhadthesillysofthandsthatyouhumanshave(savingyourHighness’sreverence)I’dhavebeenalloverbloodbynow.YetevenaMarsh-wigglegetstiredofbeingchewed.’
“Sirrah,”saidthePrincetothegnome,“onebiteandyoudie.Letitsmouthopen,Puddleglum.”
“Oo-ee-ee,”squealedtheEarthman,“letmego,letmego.Itisn’tme.Ididn’tdoit.”
“Didn’tdowhat?”askedPuddleglum.
“WhateveryourHonorssayIdiddo,”answeredthecreature.“Tellmeyourname,”saidthePrince,“andwhatyouEarthmenareallabout
today.”“Ohplease,yourHonors,please,kindgentlemen,”whimperedthegnome.
“PromiseyouwillnottelltheQueen’sgraceanythingIsay.”“TheQueen’sgrace,asyoucallher,”saidthePrincesternly,“isdead.Ikilled
hermyself.”“What!”criedthegnome,openingitsridiculousmouthwiderandwiderin
astonishment.“Dead?TheWitchdead?AndbyyourHonor’shand?”Itgaveahugesighofreliefandadded,“WhythenyourHonorisafriend!”
ThePrincewithdrewhisswordaninchorso.Puddleglumletthecreaturesitup.Itlookedroundonthefourtravelerswithitstwinkling,redeyes,chuckledonceortwice,andbegan.
ChapterFourteen
TheBottomoftheWorld“MYnameisGolg,”saidthegnome.“AndI’lltellyourHonorsallIknow.
Aboutanhouragowewereallgoingaboutourwork—herwork,Ishouldsay—sadandsilent,sameaswe’vedoneanyotherdayforyearsandyears.Thentherecameagreatcrashandbang.Assoonastheyheardit,everyonesaystohimself,Ihaven’thadasongoradanceorletoffasquibforalongtime;why’sthat?Andeveryonethinkstohimself,Why,Imusthavebeenenchanted.Andtheneveryonesaystohimself,I’mblessedifIknowwhyI’mcarryingthisload,andI’mnotgoingtocarryitanyfarther;that’sthat.Anddownweallthrowoursacksandbundlesandtools.Theneveryoneturnsandseesthegreatredglowoveryonder.Andeveryonesaystohimself,What’sthat?andeveryoneanswershimselfandsays,There’sacrackorchasmsplitopenandanicewarmglowcomingupthroughitfromtheReallyDeepLand,athousandfathomunderus.”
“GreatScott,”exclaimedEustace,“arethereotherlandsstilllowerdown?”“Ohyes,yourHonor,”saidGolg.“Lovelyplaces;whatwecalltheLandof
Bism.Thiscountrywherewearenow,theWitch’scountry,iswhatwecalltheShallowLands.It’sagooddealtoonearthesurfacetosuitus.Ugh!Youmightalmostaswellbelivingoutside,onthesurfaceitself.Yousee,we’reallpoorgnomesfromBismwhomtheWitchhascalledupherebymagictoworkforher.Butwe’dforgottenallaboutittillthatcrashcameandthespellbroke.Wedidn’tknowwhowewereorwherewebelonged.Wecouldn’tdoanything,orthinkanything,exceptwhatsheputintoourheads.Anditwasglumandgloomythingssheputthereallthoseyears.I’venearlyforgottenhowtomakeajokeordanceajig.Butthemomentthebangcameandthechasmopenedandtheseabeganrising,itallcameback.Andofcourseweallsetoffasquickaswecouldtogetdownthecrackandhometoourownplace.Andyoucanseethemovertherealllettingoffrocketsandstandingontheirheadsforjoy.AndI’llbeveryobligedtoyourHonorsifyou’llsoonletmegoandjoinin.”
“Ithinkthisissimplysplendid,”saidJill.“I’msogladwefreedthegnomesaswellasourselveswhenwecutofftheWitch’shead!AndI’msogladtheyaren’treallyhorridandgloomyanymorethanthePrincereallywaswell,whatheseemedlike.”
“That’sallverywell,Pole,”saidPuddleglumcautiously.“Butthosegnomesdidn’tlooktomelikechapswhowerejustrunningaway.Itlookedmorelike
militaryformations,ifyouaskme.Doyoulookmeintheface,Mr.Golg,andtellmeyouweren’tpreparingforbattle?”
“Ofcoursewewere,yourHonor,”saidGolg.“Yousee,wedidn’tknowtheWitchwasdead.Wethoughtshe’dbewatchingfromthecastle.Weweretryingtoslipawaywithoutbeingseen.Andthenwhenyouthreecameoutwithswordsandhorses,ofcourseeveryonesaystohimself,Hereitcomes;notknowingthathisHonorwasn’tontheWitch’sside.AndweweredeterminedtofightlikeanythingratherthangiveupthehopeofgoingbacktoBism.”
“I’llbesworn‘tisanhonestgnome,”saidthePrince.“Letgoofit,friendPuddleglum.Asforme,goodGolg,Ihavebeenenchantedlikeyouandyourfellows,andhavebutnewlyrememberedmyself.Andnow,onequestionmore.Doyouknowthewaytothosenewdiggings,bywhichthesorceressmeanttoleadoutanarmyagainstOverland?”
“Ee-ee-ee!”squeakedGolg.“Yes,Iknowthatterribleroad.Iwillshowyouwhereitbegins.ButitisnomannerofuseyourHonoraskingmetogowithyouonit.I’lldierather.”
“Why?”askedEustaceanxiously.“What’ssodreadfulaboutit?”“Toonearthetop,theoutside,”saidGolg,shuddering.“Thatwastheworst
thingtheWitchdidtous.Weweregoingtobeledoutintotheopen—ontotheoutsideoftheworld.Theysaythere’snoroofatallthere;onlyahorriblegreatemptinesscalledthesky.Andthediggingshavegonesofarthatafewstrokesofthepickwouldbringyououttoit.Iwouldn’tdaregonearthem.”
“Hurrah!Nowyou’retalking!”criedEustace,andJillsaid,“Butit’snothorridatallupthere.Welikeit.Welivethere.”
“IknowyouOverlanderslivethere,”saidGolg.“ButIthoughtitwasbecauseyoucouldn’tfindyourwaydowninside.Youcan’treallylikeit—crawlingaboutlikefliesonthetopoftheworld!”
“Whataboutshowingustheroadatonce?”saidPuddleglum.“Inagoodhour,”criedthePrince.Thewholepartysetout.ThePrince
remountedhischarger,PuddleglumclimbedupbehindJill,andGolgledtheway.Ashewent,hekeptshoutingoutthegoodnewsthattheWitchwasdeadandthatthefourOverlanderswerenotdangerous.Andthosewhoheardhimshouteditontoothers,sothatinafewminutesthewholeofUnderlandwasringingwithshoutsandcheers,andgnomesbyhundredsandthousands,leaping,turningcart-wheels,standingontheirheads,playingleap-frog,andlettingoffhugecrackers,camepressingroundCoalblackandSnowflake.AndthePrincehadtotellthestoryofhisownenchantmentanddeliveranceatleasttentimes.
Inthiswaytheycametotheedgeofthechasm.Itwasaboutathousandfeetlongandperhapstwohundredwide.Theydismountedfromtheirhorsesandcametotheedge,andlookeddownintoit.Astrongheatsmoteupintotheirfaces,mixedwithasmellwhichwasquiteunlikeanytheyhadeversmelled.Itwasrich,sharp,exciting,andmadeyousneeze.Thedepthofthechasmwassobrightthatatfirstitdazzledtheireyesandtheycouldseenothing.Whentheygotusedtoittheythoughttheycouldmakeoutariveroffire,and,onthebanksofthatriver,whatseemedtobefieldsandgrovesofanunbearable,hotbrilliance—thoughtheyweredimcomparedwiththeriver.Therewereblues,reds,greens,andwhitesalljumbledtogether;averygoodstained-glasswindowwiththetropicalsunstaringstraightthroughitatmiddaymighthavesomethingthesameeffect.Downtheruggedsidesofthechasm,lookingblacklikefliesagainstallthatfierylight,hundredsofEarthmenwereclimbing.
“Yourhonors,”saidGolg(andwhentheyturnedtolookathimtheycouldseenothingbutblacknessforafewminutes,theireyesweresodazzled).“Yourhonors,whydon’tyoucomedowntoBism?You’dbehappiertherethaninthatcold,unprotected,nakedcountryoutontop.Oratleastcomedownforashortvisit.”
Jilltookitforgrantedthatnoneoftheotherswouldlistentosuchanideaforamoment.ToherhorrorsheheardthePrincesaying;“Truly,friendGolg,Ihavehalfamindtocomedownwithyou.Forthisisamarvelousadventure,anditmaybenomortalmanhaseverlookedintoBismbeforeorwilleverhavethechanceagain.AndIknownothow,astheyearspass,IshallbeartorememberthatitwasonceinmypowertohaveprobedtheuttermostpitofEarthandthatIforbore.Butcouldamanlivethere?Youdonotswiminthefire-riveritself?”
“Ohno,yourHonor.Notwe.It’sonlysalamandersliveinthefireitself.”“Whatkindofbeastisyoursalamander?”askedthePrince.“Itishardtotelltheirkind,yourHonor,”saidGolg.“Fortheyaretoowhite-
hottolookat.Buttheyaremostlikesmalldragons.Theyspeaktousoutofthefire.Theyarewonderfullycleverwiththeirtongues;verywittyandeloquent.”
JillglancedhastilyatEustace.Shehadfeltsurethathewouldliketheideaofslidingdownthatchasmevenlessthanshedid.Herheartsankasshesawthathisfacewasquitechanged.HelookedmuchmorelikethePrincethanliketheoldScrubbatExperimentHouse.Forallhisadventures,andthedayswhenhehadsailedwithKingCaspian,werecomingbacktohim.
“YourHighness,”hesaid.“IfmyoldfriendReepicheeptheMousewerehere,hewouldsaywecouldnotnowrefusetheadventuresofBismwithoutagreat
impeachmenttoourhonor.”“Downthere,”saidGolg,“Icouldshowyourealgold,realsilver,real
diamonds.”“Bosh!”saidJillrudely.“Asifwedidn’tknowthatwe’rebelowthedeepest
minesevenhere.”“Yes,”saidGolg.“Ihaveheardofthoselittlescratchesinthecrustthatyou
Topdwellerscallmines.Butthat’swhereyougetdeadgold,deadsilver,deadgems.DowninBismwehavethemaliveandgrowing.ThereI’llpickyoubunchesofrubiesthatyoucaneatandsqueezeyouacupfullofdiamond-juice.Youwon’tcaremuchaboutfingeringthecold,deadtreasuresofyourshallowminesafteryouhavetastedtheliveonesofBism.”
“Myfatherwenttotheworld’send,”saidRilianthoughtfully.“Itwouldbeamarvelousthingifhissonwenttothebottomoftheworld.”
“IfyourHighnesswantstoseeyourfatherwhilehe’sstillalive,whichIthinkhe’dprefer,”saidPuddleglum,“it’sabouttimeweweregettingontothatroadtothediggings.”
“AndIwon’tgodownthathole,whateveranyonesays,”addedJill.“Why,ifyourHonorsarereallysettogobacktoOverworld,”saidGolg,
“thereisonebitoftheroadthat’sratherlowerthanthis.Andperhaps,ifthatflood’sstillrising—”
“Oh,do,do,docomeon!”beggedJill.“Ifearitmustbeso,”saidthePrincewithadeepsigh.“ButIhavelefthalfof
myheartinthelandofBism.”“Please!”beggedJill.“Whereistheroad?”askedPuddleglum.“Therearelampsalltheway,”saidGolg.“YourHonorcanseethebeginning
oftheroadonthefarsideofthechasm.”“Howlongwillthelampsburnfor?”askedPuddleglum.Atthatmomentahissing,scorchingvoicelikethevoiceofFireitself(they
wonderedafterwardsifitcouldhavebeenasalamander’s)camewhistlingupoutoftheverydepthsofBism.
“Quick!Quick!Quick!Tothecliffs,tothecliffs,tothecliffs!”itsaid.“Theriftcloses.Itcloses.Itcloses.Quick!Quick!”Andatthesametime,withear-shatteringcracksandcreaks,therocksmoved.Already,whiletheylooked,thechasmwasnarrower.Fromeverysidebelatedgnomeswererushingintoit.Theywouldnotwaittoclimbdowntherocks.Theyflungthemselvesheadlongand,eitherbecausesostrongablastofhotairwasbeatingupfromthebottom,orfor
someotherreason,theycouldbeseenfloatingdownwardslikeleaves.Thickerandthickertheyfloated,tilltheirblacknessalmostblottedoutthefieryriverandthegrovesoflivegems.“GoodbyetoyourHonors.I’moff,”shoutedGolg,anddived.Onlyafewwerelefttofollowhim.Thechasmwasnownobroaderthanastream.Nowitwasnarrowastheslitinapillar-box.Nowitwasonlyanintenselybrightthread.Then,withashocklikeathousandgoodstrainscrashingintoathousandpairsofbuffers,thelipsofrockclosed.Thehot,maddeningsmellvanished.ThetravelerswerealoneinanUnderworldwhichnowlookedfarblackerthanbefore.Pale,dim,anddreary,thelampsmarkedthedirectionoftheroad.
“Now,”saidPuddleglum,“it’stentoonewe’vealreadystayedtoolong,butwemayaswellmakeatry.Thoselampswillgiveoutinfiveminutes,Ishouldn’twonder.”
Theyurgedthehorsestoacanterandthunderedalongtheduskyroadinfinestyle.Butalmostatonceitbegangoingdownhill.TheywouldhavethoughtGolghadsentthemthewrongwayiftheyhadnotseen,ontheothersideofthevalley,thelampsgoingonandupwardsasfarastheeyecouldreach.Butatthebottomofthevalleythelampsshoneonmovingwater.
“Haste,”criedthePrince.Theygallopeddowntheslope.Itwouldhavebeennastyenoughatthebottomevenfiveminuteslaterforthetidewasrunningupthevalleylikeamillrace,andifithadcometoswimming,thehorsescouldhardlyhavewonover.Butitwasstillonlyafootortwodeep,andthoughitswishedterriblyroundthehorses’legs,theyreachedthefarsideinsafety.
Thenbegantheslow,wearymarchuphillwithnothingaheadtolookatbutthepalelampswhichwentupandupasfarastheeyecouldreach.Whentheylookedbacktheycouldseethewaterspreading.AllthehillsofUnderlandwerenowislands,anditwasonlyonthoseislandsthatthelampsremained.Everymomentsomedistantlightvanished.Soontherewouldbetotaldarknesseverywhereexceptontheroadtheywerefollowing;andevenonthelowerpartofitbehindthem,thoughnolampshadyetgoneout,thelamplightshoneonwater.
Althoughtheyhadgoodreasonforhurrying,thehorsescouldnotgoonforeverwithoutarest.Theyhalted;andinsilencetheycouldhearthelappingofwater.
“Iwonderiswhat’shisname—FatherTime—floodedoutnow,”saidJill.“Andallthosequeersleepinganimals.”
“Idon’tthinkwe’reashighasthat,”saidEustace.“Don’tyourememberhow
wehadtogodownhilltoreachthesunlesssea?Ishouldn’tthinkthewaterhasreachedFatherTime’scaveyet.”
“That’sasmaybe,”saidPuddleglum.“I’mmoreinterestedinthelampsonthisroad.Lookabitsickly,don’tthey?”
“Theyalwaysdid,”saidJill.“Aye,”saidPuddleglum.“Butthey’regreenernow.”“Youdon’tmeantosayyouthinkthey’regoingout?”criedEustace.“Well,howevertheywork,youcan’texpectthemtolastforever,youknow,”
repliedtheMarsh-wiggle.“Butdon’tletyourspiritsdown,Scrubb.I’vegotmyeyeonthewatertoo,andIdon’tthinkit’srisingsofastasitdid.”
“Smallcomfort,friend,”saidthePrince.“Ifwecannotfindourwayout.Icryyoumercy,all.IamtoblameformyprideandfantasywhichdelayedusbythemouthofthelandofBism.Now,letusrideon.”
DuringthehourorsothatfollowedJillsometimesthoughtthatPuddleglumwasrightaboutthelamps,andsometimesthoughtitwasonlyherimagination.Meanwhilethelandwaschanging.TheroofofUnderlandwassonearthatevenbythatdulllighttheycouldnowseeitquitedistinctly.Andthegreat,ruggedwallsofUnderlandcouldbeseendrawingcloseroneachside.Theroad,infact,wasleadingthemupintoasteeptunnel.Theybegantopasspicksandshovelsandbarrowsandothersignsthatthediggershadrecentlybeenatwork.Ifonlyonecouldbesureofgettingout,allthiswasverycheering.Butthethoughtofgoingonintoaholethatwouldgetnarrowerandnarrower,andhardertoturnbackin,wasveryunpleasant.
AtlasttheroofwassolowthatPuddleglumandthePrinceknockedtheirheadsagainstit.Thepartydismountedandledthehorses.Theroadwasunevenhereandonehadtopickone’sstepswithsomecare.ThatwashowJillnoticedthegrowingdarkness.Therewasnodoubtaboutitnow.Thefacesoftheotherslookedstrangeandghastlyinthegreenglow.Thenallatonce(shecouldn’thelpit)Jillgavealittlescream.Onelight,thenextoneahead,wentoutaltogether.Theonebehindthemdidthesame.Thentheywereinabsolutedarkness.
“Courage,friends,”camePrinceRilian’svoice.“WhetherweliveordieAslanwillbeourgoodlord.”
“That’sright,Sir,”saidPuddleglum’svoice.“Andyoumustalwaysrememberthere’sonegoodthingaboutbeingtrappeddownhere;it’llsavefuneralexpenses.”
Jillheldhertongue.(Ifyoudon’twantotherpeopletoknowhowfrightenedyouare,thisisalwaysawisethingtodo;it’syourvoicethatgivesyouaway.)
“Wemightaswellgoonasstandhere,”saidEustace;andwhensheheardthetrembleinhisvoice,Jillknewhowwiseshe’dbeennottotrustherown.
PuddleglumandEustacewentfirstwiththeirarmsstretchedoutinfrontofthem,forfearofblunderingintoanything;JillandthePrincefollowed,leadingthehorses.
“Isay,”cameEustace’svoicemuchlater,“aremyeyesgoingqueeroristhereapatchoflightupthere?”
Beforeanyonecouldanswerhim,Puddleglumcalledout;“Stop.I’mupagainstadeadend.Andit’searth,notrock.Whatwereyousaying,Scrubb?”
“BytheLion,”saidthePrince,“Eustaceisright.Thereisasortof—”“Butit’snotdaylight,”saidJill.“It’sonlyacoldbluesortoflight.”“Betterthannothing,though,”saidEustace.“Canwegetuptoit?”“It’snotrightoverhead,”saidPuddleglum.“It’saboveus,butit’sinthiswall
thatI’veruninto.Howwoulditbe,Pole,ifyougotonmyshouldersandsawwhetheryoucouldgetuptoit?”
ChapterFifteen
TheDisappearanceofJillTHEpatchoflightdidnotshowupanythingdowninthedarknesswhere
theywerestanding.Theotherscouldonlyhear,notsee,Jill’seffortstogetontotheMarsh-wiggle’sback.Thatis,theyheardhimsaying,“Youneedn’tputyourfingerinmyeye,”and,“Noryourfootinmymoutheither,”and,“That’smorelikeit,”and,“Now,I’llholdontoyourlegs.That’llleaveyourarmsfreetosteadyyourselfagainsttheearth.”
ThentheylookedupandsoontheysawtheblackshapeofJill’sheadagainstthepatchoflight.
“Well?”theyallshoutedupanxiously.“It’sahole,”calledJill’svoice.“IcouldgetthroughitifIwasalittlebit
higher.”“Whatdoyouseethroughit?”askedEustace.“Nothingmuchyet,”saidJill.“Isay,Puddleglum,letgomylegssothatIcan
standonyourshouldersinsteadofsittingonthem.Icansteadymyselfallrightagainsttheedge.”
Theycouldhearhermovingandthenmuchmoreofhercameintosightagainstthegreynessoftheopening;infactallofherdowntothewaist.
“Isay—”beganJill,butsuddenlybrokeoffwithacry;notasharpcry.Itsoundedmoreasifhermouthhadbeenmuffleduporhadsomethingpushedintoit.Afterthatshefoundhervoiceandseemedtobeshoutingoutasloudasshecould,buttheycouldn’thearthewords.Twothingsthenhappenedatthesamemoment.Thepatchoflightwascompletelyblockedupforasecondorso;andtheyheardbothascuffling,strugglingsoundandthevoiceoftheMarsh-wigglegasping;“Quick!Help!Holdontoherlegs.
Someone’spullingher.There!No,here.Toolate!”Theopening,andthecoldlightwhichfilledit,werenowperfectlyclear
again.Jillhadvanished.“Jill!Jill!”theyshoutedfrantically,buttherewasnoanswer.“Whythedickenscouldn’tyouhaveheldherfeet?”saidEustace.“Idon’tknow,Scrubb,”groanedPuddleglum.“Borntobeamisfit,I
shouldn’twonder.Fated.FatedtobePole’sdeath,justasIwasfatedtoeatTalkingStagatHarfang.Notthatitisn’tmyownfaultaswell,ofcourse.”
“Thisisthegreatestshameandsorrowthatcouldhavefallenonus,”saidthe
Prince.“Wehavesentabraveladyintothehandsofenemiesandstayedbehindinsafety.”
“Don’tpaintittooblack,Sir,”saidPuddleglum.“We’renotverysafeexceptfordeathbystarvationinthishole.”
“IwonderamIsmallenoughtogetthroughwhereJilldid?”saidEustace.WhathadreallyhappenedtoJillwasthis.Assoonasshegotherheadoutof
theholeshefoundthatshewaslookingdownasiffromanupstairswindow,notupasifthroughatrap-door.Shehadbeensolonginthedarkthathereyescouldn’tatfirsttakeinwhattheywereseeing;exceptthatshewasnotlookingatthedaylit,sunnyworldwhichshesowantedtosee.Theairseemedtobedeadlycold,andthelightwaspaleandblue.Therewasalsoagooddealofnoisegoingonandalotofwhiteobjectsflyingaboutintheair.ItwasatthatmomentthatshehadshouteddowntoPuddleglumtoletherstanduponhisshoulders.
Whenshehaddonethis,shecouldseeandhearagooddealbetter.Thenoisesshehadbeenhearingturnedouttobeoftwokinds;therhythmicalthumpofseveralfeet,andthemusicoffourfiddles,threeflutes,andadrum.Shealsogotherownpositionclear.Shewaslookingoutofaholeinasteepbankwhichslopeddownandreachedthelevelaboutfourteenfeetbelowher.Everythingwasverywhite.Alotofpeopleweremovingabout.Thenshegasped!ThepeopleweretrimlittleFauns,andDryadswithleafcrownedhairfloatingbehindthem.Forasecondtheylookedasiftheyweremovinganyhow;thenshesawthattheywerereallydoingadance—adancewithsomanycomplicatedstepsandfiguresthatittookyousometimetounderstandit.Thenitcameoverherlikeathunderclapthatthepale,bluelightwasreallymoonlight,andthewhitestuffonthegroundwasreallysnow.Andofcourse!Therewerethestarsstaringinablackfrostyskyoverhead.Andthetallblackthingsbehindthedancersweretrees.Theyhadnotonlygotoutintotheupperworldatlast,buthadcomeoutintheheartofNarnia.Jillfeltshecouldhavefaintedwithdelight;andthemusic—thewildmusic,intenselysweetandyetjusttheleastbiteerietoo,andfullofgoodmagicastheWitch’sthrumminghadbeenfullofbadmagic—madeherfeelitallthemore.
Allthistakesalongtimetotell,butofcourseittookaveryshorttimetosee.Jillturnedalmostatoncetoshoutdowntotheothers,“Isay!It’sallright.We’reout,andwe’rehome.”Butthereasonshenevergotfurtherthan“Isay”wasthis.CirclingroundandroundthedancerswasaringofDwarfs,alldressedintheirfinestclothes;mostlyscarletwithfur-linedhoodsandgoldentasselsandbigfurrytopboots.Astheycircledroundtheywerealldiligentlythrowing
snowballs.(ThosewerethewhitethingsthatJillhadseenflyingthroughtheair.)Theyweren’tthrowingthematthedancersassillyboysmighthavebeendoinginEngland.Theywerethrowingthemthroughthedanceinsuchperfecttimewiththemusicandwithsuchperfectaimthatifallthedancerswereinexactlytherightplacesatexactlytherightmoments,noonewouldbehit.ThisiscalledtheGreatSnowDanceanditisdoneeveryyearinNarniaonthefirstmoonlitnightwhenthereissnowontheground.Ofcourseitisakindofgameaswellasadance,becauseeverynowandthensomedancerwillbetheleastlittlebitwrongandgetasnowballintheface,andtheneveryonelaughs.Butagoodteamofdancers,Dwarfs,andmusicianswillkeepitupforhourswithoutasinglehit.Onfinenightswhenthecoldandthedrum-taps,andthehootingoftheowls,andthemoonlight,havegotintotheirwild,woodlandbloodandmadeitevenwilder,theywilldancetilldaybreak.Iwishyoucouldseeitforyourselves.
WhathadstoppedJillwhenshegotasfarasthesayof“Isay”wasofcoursesimplyafinebigsnowballthatcamesailingthroughthedancefromaDwarfonthefarsideandgotherfairandsquareinthemouth.Shedidn’tintheleastmind;twentysnowballswouldnothavedampedherspiritsatthatmoment.Buthoweverhappyyouarefeeling,youcan’ttalkwithyourmouthfullofsnow.Andwhen,afterconsiderablespluttering,shecouldspeakagain,shequiteforgotinherexcitementthattheothers,downinthedark,behindher,stilldidn’tknowthegoodnews.Shesimplyleanedasfaroutoftheholeasshecould,andyelledtothedancers.
“Help!Help!We’reburiedinthehill.Comeanddigusout.”TheNarnians,whohadnotevennoticedthelittleholeinthehillside,wereof
courseverysurprised,andlookedaboutinseveralwrongdirectionsbeforetheyfoundoutwherethevoicewascomingfrom.ButwhentheycaughtsightofJilltheyallcamerunningtowardsher,andasmanyascouldscrambledupthebank,andadozenormorehandswerestretcheduptohelpher.AndJillcaughtholdofthemandthusgotoutoftheholeandcameslitheringdownthebankheadfirst,andthenpickedherselfupandsaid;“Oh,dogoanddigtheothersout.Therearethreeothers,besidesthehorses.AndoneofthemisPrinceRilian.”
Shewasalreadyinthemiddleofacrowdwhenshesaidthis,forbesidesthedancersallsortsofpeoplewhohadbeenwatchingthedance,andwhomshehadnotseenatfirst,camerunningup.Squirrelscameoutofthetreesinshowers,andsodidOwls.Hedgehogscamewaddlingasfastastheirshortlegswouldcarrythem.BearsandBadgersfollowedataslowerpace.AgreatPanther,twitchingitstailinexcitement,wasthelasttojointheparty.
ButassoonastheyunderstoodwhatJillwassaying,theyallbecameactive.“Pickandshovel,boys,pickandshovel.Offforourtools!”saidtheDwarfs,anddashedawayintothewoodsattopspeed.“WakeupsomeMoles,they’rethechapsfordigging.They’requiteasgoodasDwarfs,”saidavoice.“WhatwasthatshesaidaboutPrinceRilian?”saidanother.“Hush!”saidthePanther.“Thepoorchild’scrazed,andnowonderafterbeinglostinsidethehill.Shedoesn’tknowwhatshe’ssaying.”“That’sright,”saidanoldBear.“Why,shesaidPrinceRilianwasahorse!”“No,shedidn’t,”saidaSquirrel,verypert.“Yes,shedid,”saidanotherSquirrel,evenperter.
“It’squitet-t-t-true.D-d-don’tbesosilly,”saidJill.Shespokelikethatbecauseherteethwerenowchatteringwiththecold.
ImmediatelyoneoftheDryadsflungroundherafurrycloakwhichsomeDwarfhaddroppedwhenherushedtofetchhisminingtools,andanobligingFauntrottedoffamongthetreestoaplacewhereJillcouldseefirelightinthemouthofacave,togetherahotdrink.Butbeforeitcame,alltheDwarfsreappearedwithspadesandpickaxesandchargedatthehillside.ThenJillheardcriesof“Hi!Whatareyoudoing?Putthatsworddown,”and“Now,young‘un;noneofthat,”and,“He’saviciousone,now,isn’the?”Jillhurriedtothespotanddidn’tknowwhethertolaughorcrywhenshesawEustace’sface,verypaleanddirty,projectingfromtheblacknessofthehole,andEustace’srighthandbrandishingaswordwithwhichhemadelungesatanyonewhocamenearhim.
ForofcourseEustacehadbeenhavingaverydifferenttimefromJillduringthelastfewminutes.HehadheardJillcryoutandseenherdisappearintotheunknown.LikethePrinceandPuddleglum,hethoughtthatsomeenemieshadcaughther.Andfromdownbelowhedidn’tseethatthepale,blueishlightwasmoonlight.Hethoughttheholewouldleadonlyintosomeothercave,litbysomeghostlyphosphorescenceandfilledwithgoodness-knows-whatevilcreaturesoftheUnderworld.SothatwhenhehadpersuadedPuddleglumtogivehimaback,anddrawnhissword,andpokedouthishead,hehadreallybeendoingaverybravething.Theotherswouldhavedoneitfirstiftheycould,buttheholewastoosmallforthemtoclimbthrough.Eustacewasalittlebigger,andalotclumsier,thanJill,sothatwhenhelookedouthebumpedhisheadagainstthetopoftheholeandbroughtasmallavalancheofsnowdownonhisface.Andso,whenhecouldseeagain,andsawdozensoffigurescomingathimashardastheycouldrun,itisnotsurprisingthathetriedtowardthemoff.
“Stop,Eustace,stop,”criedJill.“They’reallfriends.Can’tyousee?We’vecomeupinNarnia.Everything’sallright.”
ThenEustacedidsee,andapologizedtotheDwarfs(andtheDwarfssaidnottomentionit),anddozensofthick,hairy,dwarfishhandshelpedhimoutjustastheyhadhelpedJilloutafewminutesbefore.ThenJillscrambledupthebankandputherheadinatthedarkopeningandshoutedthegoodnewsintotheprisoners.AssheturnedawaysheheardPuddleglummutter.“Ah,poorPole.It’sbeentoomuchforher,thislastbit.Turnedherhead,Ishouldn’twonder.She’sbeginningtoseethings.”
JillrejoinedEustaceandtheyshookoneanotherbybothhandsandtookingreatdeepbreathsofthefreemidnightair.AndawarmcloakwasbroughtforEustaceandhotdrinks,forboth.Whiletheyweresippingit,theDwarfshadalreadygotallthesnowandallthesodsoffalargestripofthehillsideroundtheoriginalhole,andthepickaxesandspadeswerenowgoingasmerrilyasthefeetofFaunsandDryadshadbeengoinginthedancetenminutesbefore.Onlytenminutes!YetalreadyitfelttoJillandEustaceasifalltheirdangersinthedarkandheatandgeneralsmotherinessoftheearthmusthavebeenonlyadream.Outhere,inthecold,withthemoonandthehugestarsoverhead(Narnianstarsarenearerthanstarsinourworld)andwithkind,merryfacesallroundthem,onecouldn’tquitebelieveinUnderland.
Beforetheyhadfinishedtheirhotdrinks,adozenorsoMoles,newlywakedandstillverysleepy,andnotwellpleased,hadarrived.Butassoonastheyunderstoodwhatitwasallabout,theyjoinedinwithawill.EventheFaunsmadethemselvesusefulbycartingawaytheearthinlittlebarrows,andtheSquirrelsdancedandleapedtoandfroingreatexcitement,thoughJillneverfoundoutexactlywhattheythoughttheyweredoing.TheBearsandOwlscontentedthemselveswithgivingadvice,andkeptonaskingthechildreniftheywouldn’tliketocomeintothecave(thatwaswhereJillhadseenthefirelight)andgetwarmandhavesupper.Butthechildrencouldn’tbeartogowithoutseeingtheirfriendssetfree.
NooneinourworldcanworkatajobofthatsortasDwarfsandTalkingMolesworkinNarnia;butthen,ofcourse,MolesandDwarfsdon’tlookonitaswork.Theylikedigging.Itwasthereforenotreallylongbeforetheyhadopenedagreatblackchasminthehillside.Andoutfromtheblacknessintothemoonlight—thiswouldhavebeenratherdreadfulifonehadn’tknownwhotheywerecame,first,thelong,leggy,steeple-hattedfigureoftheMarsh-wiggle,andthen,leadingtwogreathorses,RilianthePrincehimself.
AsPuddleglumappearedshoutsbrokeoutoneveryside;“Why,it’saWiggle—why,it’soldPuddleglum—oldPuddleglumfromtheEasternMarshes—
whateverhaveyoubeendoing,Puddleglum?—there’vebeensearch-partiesoutforyou—theLordTrumpkinhasbeenputtingupnoticesthere’sarewardoffered!”Butallthisdiedaway,allinonemoment,intodeadsilence,asquicklyasthenoisediesawayinarowdydormitoryiftheHeadmasteropensthedoor.FornowtheysawthePrince.
Noonedoubtedforamomentwhohewas.TherewereplentyofBeastsandDryadsandDwarfsandFaunswhorememberedhimfromthedaysbeforehisenchanting.Thereweresomeoldoneswhocouldjustrememberhowhisfather,KingCaspian,hadlookedwhenhewasayoungman,andsawthelikeness.ButIthinktheywouldhaveknownhimanyway.PalethoughhewasfromlongimprisonmentintheDeepLands,dressedinblack,dusty,disheveled,andweary,therewassomethinginhisfaceandairwhichnoonecouldmistake.ThatlookisinthefaceofalltruekingsofNarnia,whorulebythewillofAslanandsitatCairParavelonthethroneofPetertheHighKing.
Instantlyeveryheadwasbaredandeverykneewasbent;amomentlatersuchcheeringandshouting,suchjumpsandreelsofjoy,suchhand-shakingsandkissingsandembracingsofeverybodybyeverybodyelsebrokeoutthatthetearscameintoJill’seyes.Theirquesthadbeenworthallthepainsitcost.
“PleaseityourHighness,”saidtheoldestoftheDwarfs,“thereissomeattemptatasupperinthecaveyonder,preparedagainsttheendingofthesnow-dance—”
“Withagoodwill,Father,”saidthePrince.“ForneverhadanyPrince,Knight,Gentleman,orBearsogoodastomachtohisvictualsaswefourwanderershavetonight.”
Thewholecrowdbegantomoveawaythroughthetreestowardsthecave.JillheardPuddleglumsayingtothosewhopressedroundhim.“No,no,mystorycanwait.
Nothingworthtalkingabouthashappenedtome.Iwanttohearthenews.Don’ttrybreakingittomegently,forI’dratherhaveitallatonce.HastheKingbeenshipwrecked?Anyforestfires?NowarsontheCalormenborder?Orafewdragons,Ishouldn’twonder?”Andallthecreatureslaughedaloudandsaid,“Isn’tthatjustlikeaMarsh-wiggle?”
Thetwochildrenwerenearlydroppingwithtirednessandhunger,butthewarmthofthecave,andtheverysightofit,withthefirelightdancingonthewallsanddressersandcupsandsaucersandplatesandonthesmoothstonefloor,justasitdoesinafarmhousekitchen,revivedthemalittle.Allthesametheywentfastasleepwhilesupperwasbeinggotready.AndwhiletheysleptPrinceRilianwastalkingoverthewholeadventurewiththeolderandwiser
PrinceRilianwastalkingoverthewholeadventurewiththeolderandwiserBeastsandDwarfs.Andnowtheyallsawwhatitmeant;howawickedWitch(doubtlessthesamekindasthatWhiteWitchwhohadbroughttheGreatWinteronNarnialongago)hadcontrivedthewholething,firstkillingRilian’smotherandenchantingRilianhimself.AndtheysawhowshehaddugrightunderNarniaandwasgoingtobreakoutandruleitthroughRilian;andhowhehadneverdreamedthatthecountryofwhichshewouldmakehimking(kinginname,butreallyherslave)washisowncountry.Andfromthechildren’spartofthestorytheysawhowshewasinleagueandfriendshipwiththedangerousgiantsofHarfang.“Andthelessonofitallis,yourHighness,”saidtheoldestDwarf,“thatthoseNorthernWitchesalwaysmeanthesamething,butineveryagetheyhaveadifferentplanforgettingit.”
ChapterSixteen
TheHealingofHarmsWHENJillwokenextmorningandfoundherselfinacave,shethoughtfor
onehorridmomentthatshewasbackintheUnderworld.Butwhenshenoticedthatshewaslyingonabedofheatherwithafurrymantleoverher,andsawacheeryfirecrackling(asifnewlylit)onastonehearthand,fartheroff,morningsunlightcominginthroughthecave’smouth,sherememberedallthehappytruth.Theyhadhadadelightfulsupper,allcrowdedintothatcave,inspiteofbeingsosleepybeforeitwasproperlyover.ShehadavagueimpressionofDwarfscrowdingroundthefirewithfrying-pansratherbiggerthanthemselves,andthehissing,anddelicioussmellofsausages,andmore,andmore,andmoresausages.Andnotwretchedsausageshalffullofbreadandsoybeaneither,butrealmeaty,spicyones,fatandpipinghotandburstandjustthetiniestbitburnt.Andgreatmugsoffrothychocolate,androastpotatoesandroastchestnuts,andbakedappleswithraisinsstuckinwherethecoreshadbeen,andthenicesjusttofreshenyouupafterallthehotthings.
Jillsatupandlookedaround.PuddleglumandEustacewerelyingnotfaraway,bothfastasleep.
“Hi,youtwo!”shoutedJillinaloudvoice.“Aren’tyouevergoingtogetup?”
“Shoo,shoo!”saidasleepyvoicesomewhereaboveher.“Timetobesettlingdown.Haveagoodsnooze,do,do.Don’tmakeato-do.Tu-whoo!”
“Why,Idobelieve,”saidJill,glancingupatawhitebundleoffluffyfeatherswhichwasperchedontopofagrandfatherclockinonecornerofthecave,“Idobelieveit’sGlimfeather!”
“True,true,”whirredtheOwl,liftingitsheadoutfromunderitswingandopeningoneeye.“IcameupwithamessageforthePrinceatabouttwo.Thesquirrelsbroughtusthegoodnews.MessageforthePrince.He’sgone.You’retofollowtoo.Good-day—”andtheheaddisappearedagain.
AsthereseemednofurtherhopeofgettinganyinformationfromtheOwl,Jillgotupandbeganlookingroundforanychanceofawashandsomebreakfast.ButalmostatoncealittleFauncametrottingintothecavewithasharpclick-clackofhisgoatyhoofsonthestonefloor.
“Ah!You’vewokenupatlast,DaughterofEve,”hesaid.“Perhapsyou’dbetterwaketheSonofAdam.You’vegottobeoffinafewminutesandtwo
CentaurshaveverykindlyofferedtoletyourideontheirbacksdowntoCairParavel.”Headdedinalowervoice.“Ofcourse,yourealizeitisamostspecialandunheard-ofhonortobeallowedtorideaCentaur.Idon’tknowthatIeverheardofanyonedoingitbefore.Itwouldn’tdotokeepthemwaiting.”
“Where’sthePrince?”wasthefirstquestionofEustaceandPuddleglumassoonastheyhadbeenwakened.
“He’sgonedowntomeettheKing,hisfather,atCairParavel,”answeredtheFaun,whosenamewasOrruns.“HisMajesty’sshipisexpectedinharboranymoment.ItseemsthattheKingmetAslan—Idon’tknowwhetheritwasinavisionorfacetoface—beforehehadsailedfar,andAslanturnedhimbackandtoldhimhewouldfindhislong-lostsonawaitinghimwhenhereachedNarnia.”
EustacewasnowupandheandJillsetabouthelpingOrrunstogetthebreakfast.Puddleglumwastoldtostayinbed.ACentaurcalledCloudbirth,afamoushealer,or(asOrrunscalledit)a‘leech’,wascomingtoseetohisburntfoot.
“Ah!”saidPuddlegluminatonealmostofcontentment,“he’llwanttohavethelegoffattheknee,Ishouldn’twonder.Youseeifhedoesn’t.”Buthewasquitegladtostayinbed.
BreakfastwasscrambledeggsandtoastandEustacetackleditjustasifhehadnothadaverylargesupperinthemiddleofthenight.
“Isay,SonofAdam,”saidtheFaun,lookingwithacertainaweatEustace’smouthfuls.“There’snoneedtohurryquitesodreadfullyasthat.Idon’tthinktheCentaurshavequitefinishedtheirbreakfastsyet.”
“Thentheymusthavegotupverylate,”saidEustace.“Ibetit’safterteno’clock.”
“Ohno,”saidOrruns.“Theygotupbeforeitwaslight.”“Thentheymusthavewaitedthedickensofatimeforbreakfast,”said
Eustace.“No,theydidn’t,”saidOrruns.“Theybeganeatingtheminutetheyawoke.”“Golly!”saidEustace.“Dotheyeataverybigbreakfast?”“Why,SonofAdam,don’tyouunderstand?ACentaurhasaman-stomach
andahorse-stomach.Andofcoursebothwantbreakfast.Sofirstofallhehasporridgeandpavendersandkidneysandbaconandomeletandcoldhamandtoastandmarmaladeandcoffeeandbeer.Andafterthatheattendstothehorsepartofhimselfbygrazingforanhourorsoandfinishingupwithahotmash,someoats,andabagofsugar.That’swhyit’ssuchaseriousthingtoaskaCentaurtostayfortheweekend.Averyseriousthingindeed.”
Atthatmomenttherewasasoundofhorse-hoofstappingonrockfromthemouthofthecave,andthechildrenlookedup.ThetwoCentaurs,onewithablackandonewithagoldenbeardflowingovertheirmagnificentbarechests,stoodwaitingforthem,bendingtheirheadsalittlesoastolookintothecave.Thenthechildrenbecameverypoliteandfinishedtheirbreakfastveryquickly.NoonethinksaCentaurfunnywhenheseesit.Theyaresolemn,majesticpeople,fullofancientwisdomwhichtheylearnfromthestars,noteasilymadeeithermerryorangry;buttheirangeristerribleasatidalwavewhenitcomes.
“Goodbye,dearPuddleglum,”saidJill,goingovertotheMarsh-wiggle’sbed.“I’msorrywecalledyouawetblanket.”
“So’mI,”saidEustace.“You’vebeenthebestfriendintheworld.”“AndIdohopewe’llmeetagain,”addedJill.“Notmuchchanceofthat,Ishouldsay,”repliedPuddleglum.“Idon’treckon
I’mverylikelytoseemyoldwigwamagaineither.AndthatPrince—he’sanicechap—butdoyouthinkhe’sverystrong?Constitutionruinedwithlivingunderground,Ishouldn’twonder.Looksthesortthatmightgooffanyday.”
“Puddleglum!”saidJill.“You’rearegularoldhumbug.YousoundasdolefulasafuneralandIbelieveyou’reperfectlyhappy.Andyoutalkasifyouwereafraidofeverything,whenyou’rereallyasbraveas-asalion.”
“Now,speakingoffunerals,”beganPuddleglum,butJill,whoheardtheCentaurstappingwiththeirhoofsbehindher,surprisedhimverymuchbyflingingherarmsroundhisthinneckandkissinghismuddy-lookingface,whileEustacewrunghishand.ThentheybothrushedawaytotheCentaurs,andtheMarsh-wiggle,sinkingbackonhisbed,remarkedtohimself,“Well,Iwouldn’thavedreamtofherdoingthat.EventhoughIamagood-lookingchap.”
TorideonaCentauris,nodoubt,agreathonor(andexceptJillandEustacethereisprobablynoonealiveintheworldtodaywhohashadit)butitisveryuncomfortable.FornoonewhovaluedhislifewouldsuggestputtingasaddleonaCentaur,andridingbare-backisnofun;especiallyif,likeEustace,youhaveneverlearnedtorideatall.TheCentaurswereverypoliteinagrave,gracious,grownupkindofway,andastheycanteredthroughtheNarnianwoodstheyspoke,withoutturningtheirheads,tellingthechildrenaboutthepropertiesofherbsandroots,theinfluencesoftheplanets,theninenamesofAslanwiththeirmeanings,andthingsofthatsort.Buthoweversoreandjoltedthetwohumanswere,theywouldnowgiveanythingtohavethatjourneyoveragain,toseethosegladesandslopessparklingwithlastnight’ssnow,tobemetbyrabbitsandsquirrelsandbirdsthatwishedyougoodmorning,tobreatheagaintheairof
NarniaandhearthevoicesoftheNarniantrees.Theycamedowntotheriver,flowingbrightandblueinwintersunshine,far
belowthelastbridge(whichisatthesnug,red-roofedlittletownofBeruna)andwereferriedacrossinaflatbargebytheferryman;orrather,bytheferry-wiggle,foritisMarsh-wiggleswhodomostofthewateryandfishykindsofworkinNarnia.AndwhentheyhadcrossedtheyrodealongthesouthbankoftheriverandpresentlycametoCairParavelitself.AndattheverymomentoftheirarrivaltheysawthatsamebrightshipwhichtheyhadseenwhentheyfirstsetfootinNarnia,glidinguptheriverlikeahugebird.AllthecourtwereoncemoreassembledonthegreenbetweenthecastleandthequaytowelcomeKingCaspianhomeagain.Rilian,whohadchangedhisblackclothesandwasnowdressedinascarletcloakoversilvermail,stoodclosetothewater’sedge,bare-headed,toreceivehisfather;andtheDwarfTrumpkinsatbesidehiminhislittledonkey-chair.ThechildrensawtherewouldbenochanceofreachingthePrincethroughallthatcrowd,and,anyway,theynowfeltrathershy.SotheyaskedtheCentaursiftheymightgoonsittingontheirbacksalittlelongerandthusseeeverythingovertheheadsofthecourtiers.AndtheCentaurssaidtheymight.
Aflourishofsilvertrumpetscameoverthewaterfromtheship’sdeck;thesailorsthrewarope;rats(TalkingRats,ofcourse)andMarsh-wigglesmadeitfastashore;andtheshipwaswarpedin.Musicians,hiddensomewhereinthecrowd,begantoplaysolemn,triumphalmusic.AndsoontheKing’sgalleonwasalongsideandtheRatsranthegangwayonboardher.
JillexpectedtoseetheoldKingcomedownit.Butthereappearedtobesomehitch.ALordwithapalefacecameashoreandknelttothePrinceandtoTrumpkin.Thethreeweretalkingwiththeirheadsclosetogetherforafewminutes,butnoonecouldhearwhattheysaid.Themusicplayedon,butyoucouldfeelthateveryonewasbecominguneasy.ThenfourKnights,carryingsomethingandgoingveryslowly,appearedondeck.Whentheystartedtocomedownthegangwayyoucouldseewhattheywerecarrying;itwastheoldKingonabed,verypaleandstill.Theysethimdown.ThePrincekneltbesidehimandembracedhim.TheycouldseeKingCaspianraisinghishandtoblesshisson.Andeveryonecheered,butitwasahalf-heartedcheer,fortheyallfeltthatsomethingwasgoingwrong.ThensuddenlytheKing’sheadfellbackuponhispillows,themusiciansstoppedandtherewasadeadsilence.ThePrince,kneelingbytheKing’sbed,laiddownhisheaduponitandwept.
Therewerewhisperingsandgoingstoandfro.ThenJillnoticedthatallwhoworehats,bonnets,helmets,orhoodsweretakingthemoff—Eustaceincluded.
Thensheheardarustlingandflappingnoiseupabovethecastle;whenshelookedshesawthatthegreatbannerwiththegoldenLiononitwasbeingbroughtdowntohalf-mast.Andafterthat,slowly,mercilessly,withwailingstringsanddisconsolateblowingofhorns,themusicbeganagain;thistime,atunetobreakyourheart.
TheybothslippedofftheirCentaurs(whotooknonoticeofthem).“IwishIwasathome,”saidJill.Eustacenodded,sayingnothing,andbithislip.“Ihavecome,”saidadeepvoicebehindthem.TheyturnedandsawtheLion
himself,sobrightandrealandstrongthateverythingelsebeganatoncetolookpaleandshadowycomparedwithhim.AndinlesstimethanittakestobreatheJillforgotaboutthedeadKingofNarniaandrememberedonlyhowshehadmadeEustacefalloverthecliff,andhowshehadhelpedtomuffnearlyallthesigns,andaboutallthesnappingsandquarrellings.Andshewantedtosay“I’msorry”butshecouldnotspeak.ThentheLiondrewthemtowardshimwithhiseyes,andbentdownandtouchedtheirpalefaceswithhistongue,andsaid;“Thinkofthatnomore.Iwillnotalwaysbescolding.YouhavedonetheworkforwhichIsentyouintoNarnia.”
“Please,Aslan,”saidJill,“maywegohomenow?”“Yes.IhavecometobringyouHome,”saidAslan.Thenheopenedhis
mouthwideandblew.Butthistimetheyhadnosenseofflyingthroughtheair;instead,itseemedthattheyremainedstill,andthewildbreathofAslanblewawaytheshipandthedeadKingandthecastleandthesnowandthewintersky.Forallthesethingsfloatedoffintotheairlikewreathsofsmoke,andsuddenlytheywerestandinginagreatbrightnessofmid-summersunshine,onsmoothturf,amongmightytrees,andbesideafair,freshstream.
ThentheysawthattheywereoncemoreontheMountainofAslan,highupaboveandbeyondtheendofthatworldinwhichNarnialies.ButthestrangethingwasthatthefuneralmusicforKingCaspianstillwenton,thoughnoonecouldtellwhereitcamefrom.TheywerewalkingbesidethestreamandtheLionwentbeforethem;andhebecamesobeautiful,andthemusicsodespairing,thatJilldidnotknowwhichofthemitwasthatfilledhereyeswithtears.
ThenAslanstopped,andthechildrenlookedintothestream.Andthere,onthegoldengravelofthebedofthestream,layKingCaspian,dead,withthewaterflowingoverhimlikeliquidglass.Hislongwhitebeardswayedinitlikewaterweed.Andallthreestoodandwept.EventheLionwept;greatLion-tears,eachtearmorepreciousthantheEarthwouldbeifitwasasinglesoliddiamond.
AndJillnoticedthatEustacelookedneitherlikeachildcrying,norlikeaboycryingandwantingtohideit,butlikeagrownupcrying.Atleast,thatisthenearestshecouldgettoit;butreally,asshesaid,peopledon’tseemtohaveanyparticularagesonthatmountain.
“SonofAdam,”saidAslan,“gointothatthicketandpluckthethornthatyouwillfindthere,andbringittome.”
Eustaceobeyed.Thethornwasafootlongandsharpasarapier.“Driveitintomypaw,SonofAdam,”saidAslan,holdinguphisright
forepawandspreadingoutthegreatpadtowardsEustace.“MustI?”saidEustace.“Yes,”saidAslan.ThenEustacesethisteethanddrovethethornintotheLion’spad.Andthere
cameoutagreatdropofblood,redderthanallrednessthatyouhaveeverseenorimagined.
AnditsplashedintothestreamoverthedeadbodyoftheKing.Atthesamemomentthedolefulmusicstopped.AndthedeadKingbegantobechanged.Hiswhitebeardturnedtogrey,andfromgreytoyellow,andgotshorterandvanishedaltogether;andhissunkencheeksgrewroundandfresh,andthewrinklesweresmoothed,andhiseyesopened,andhiseyesandlipsbothlaughed,andsuddenlyheleapedupandstoodbeforethem—averyyoungman,oraboy.(ButJillcouldn’tsaywhich,becauseofpeoplehavingnoparticularagesinAslan’scountry.Eveninthisworld,ofcourse,itisthestupidestchildrenwhoaremostchildishandthestupidestgrownupswhoaremostgrownup.)AndherushedtoAslanandflunghisarmsasfarastheywouldgoroundthehugeneck;andhegaveAslanthestrongkissesofaKing,andAslangavehimthewildkissesofaLion.
AtlastCaspianturnedtotheothers.Hegaveagreatlaughofastonishedjoy.“Why!Eustace!”hesaid.“Eustace!Soyoudidreachtheendoftheworld
afterall.Whataboutmysecond-bestswordthatyoubrokeonthesea-serpent?”Eustacemadeasteptowardshimwithbothhandsheldout,butthendrew
backwithasomewhatstartledexpression.“Lookhere!Isay,”hestammered.“It’sallverywell.Butaren’tyou?—I
meandidn’tyou-?”“Oh,don’tbesuchanass,”saidCaspian.“But,”saidEustace,lookingatAslan.“Hasn’the—erdied?”“Yes,”saidtheLioninaveryquietvoice,almost(Jillthought)asifhewere
laughing.“Hehasdied.Mostpeoplehave,youknow.EvenIhave.Thereare
veryfewwhohaven’t.”“Oh,”saidCaspian.“Iseewhat’sbotheringyou.YouthinkI’maghost,or
somenonsense.Butdon’tyousee?IwouldbethatifIappearedinNarnianow;becauseIdon’tbelongthereanymore.Butonecan’tbeaghostinone’sowncountry.ImightbeaghostifIgotintoyourworld.Idon’tknow.ButIsupposeitisn’tyourseither,nowyou’rehere.”
Agreathoperoseinthechildren’shearts.ButAslanshookhisshaggyhead.“No,mydears,”hesaid.“Whenyoumeetmehereagain,youwillhavecometostay.Butnotnow.Youmustgobacktoyourownworldforawhile.”
“Sir,”saidCaspian,“I’vealwayswantedtohavejustoneglimpseoftheirworld.Isthatwrong?”
“Youcannotwantwrongthingsanymore,nowthatyouhavedied,myson,”saidAslan.“Andyoushallseetheirworld—forfiveminutesoftheirtime.Itwilltakenolongerforyoutosetthingsrightthere.”ThenAslanexplainedtoCaspianwhatJillandEustaceweregoingbacktoandallaboutExperimentHouse;heseemedtoknowitquiteaswellastheydid.
“Daughter,”saidAslantoJill,“pluckaswitchoffthatbush.”Shedid;andassoonasitwasinherhanditturnedintoafinenewridingcrop.
“Now,SonsofAdam,drawyourswords,”saidAslan.“Butuseonlytheflat,foritiscowardsandchildren,notwarriors,againstwhomIsendyou.”
“Areyoucomingwithus,Aslan?”saidJill.“Theyshallseeonlymyback,”saidAslan.Heledthemrapidlythroughthewood,andbeforetheyhadgonemanypaces,
thewallofExperimentHouseappearedbeforethem.ThenAslanroaredsothatthesunshookintheskyandthirtyfeetofthewallfelldownbeforethem.Theylookedthroughthegap,downintotheschoolshrubberyandontotheroofofthegym,allunderthesamedullautumnskywhichtheyhadseenbeforetheiradventuresbegan.AslanturnedtoJillandEustaceandbreatheduponthemandtouchedtheirforeheadswithhistongue.ThenhelaydownamidthegaphehadmadeinthewallandturnedhisgoldenbacktoEngland,andhislordlyfacetowardshisownlands.AtthesamemomentJillsawfigureswhomsheknewonlytoowellrunningupthroughthelaurelstowardsthem.MostofthegangwerethereAdelaPennyfatherandCholmondelyMajor,EdithWinterblott,‘Spotty’Sorrier,bigBannister,andthetwoloathsomeGarretttwins.Butsuddenlytheystopped.Theirfaceschanged,andallthemeanness,conceit,cruelty,andsneakishnessalmostdisappearedinonesingleexpressionofterror.Fortheysawthewallfallendown,andalionaslargeasayoungelephantlying
inthegap,andthreefiguresinglitteringclotheswithweaponsintheirhandsrushingdownuponthem.For,withthestrengthofAslaninthem,JillpliedhercroponthegirlsandCaspianandEustacepliedtheflatsoftheirswordsontheboyssowellthatintwominutesallthebullieswererunninglikemad,cryingout,‘Murder!Fascists!Lions!Itisn’tfair.’AndthentheHead(whowas,bytheway,awoman)camerunningouttoseewhatwashappening.AndwhenshesawthelionandthebrokenwallandCaspianandJillandEustace(whomshequitefailedtorecognize)shehadhystericsandwentbacktothehouseandbeganringingupthepolicewithstoriesaboutalionescapedfromacircus,andescapedconvictswhobrokedownwallsandcarrieddrawnswords.InthemidstofallthisfussJillandEustaceslippedquietlyindoorsandchangedoutoftheirbrightclothesintoordinarythings,andCaspianwentbackintohisownworld.Andthewall,atAslan’sword,wasmadewholeagain.Whenthepolicearrivedandfoundnolion,nobrokenwall,andnoconvicts,andtheHeadbehavinglikealunatic,therewasaninquiryintothewholething.AndintheinquiryallsortsofthingsaboutExperimentHousecameout,andabouttenpeoplegotexpelled.Afterthat,theHead’sfriendssawthattheHeadwasnouseasaHead,sotheygothermadeanInspectortointerferewithotherHeads.Andwhentheyfoundshewasn’tmuchgoodevenatthat,theygotherintoParliamentwhereshelivedhappilyeverafter.
Eustaceburiedhisfineclothessecretlyonenightintheschoolgrounds,butJillsmuggledhershomeandworethematafancy-dressballnextholidays.AndfromthatdayforththingschangedforthebetteratExperimentHouse,anditbecamequiteagoodschool.AndJillandEustacewerealwaysfriends.
ButfaroffinNarnia,KingRilianburiedhisfather,CaspiantheNavigator,Tenthofthatname,andmournedforhim.HehimselfruledNarniawellandthelandwashappyinhisdays,thoughPuddleglum(whosefootwasasgoodasnewinthreeweeks)oftenpointedoutthatbrightmorningsbroughtonwetafternoons,andthatyoucouldn’texpectgoodtimestolast.Theopeningintothehillsidewasleftopen,andofteninhotsummerdaystheNarniansgointherewithshipsandlanternsanddowntothewaterandsailtoandfro,singing,onthecool,darkundergroundsea,tellingeachotherstoriesofthecitiesthatliefathomsdeepbelow.IfeveryouhavethelucktogotoNarniayourself,donotforgettohavealookatthosecaves.