Jill was already asleep.As soon as the owl's meeting began, she yawned, and now she had fallen asleep.When she was awakened again, she was very reluctant.At the same time, she found herself lying on a bare wooden plank in a dusty, pitch-black place like a bell tower full of owls.She was all the more reluctant when she heard that they were going to fly somewhere else on the back of an owl and, apparently, not to bed."
Oh, let's go, Jill, cheer up."
Eustace's voice, "At the end of the day, this is an adventure. ”"I hate to take risks."
Jill said angrily.In the end, in any case, she agreed to climb on Grimfeather's back.As it carried her into the night, the unexpected chill in the air brought her to her senses for only a moment.The moon is gone, not a single star is gone.In the distance behind her, she could see a lighted window on the ground, most likely a window in one of Kelpalaville's towers.It made her very eager to go back to that delightful bedroom, curled up comfortably on the bed, looking at the fire on the wall.She put her hand under the cloak and wrapped her body tightly.She heard two voices in the night sky not far away, and it made her feel incredible.Eustace was talking to the owl carrying him."
Doesn't sound like he's very tired."
Jill thought to himself.She didn't realize that Eustace had experienced several great adventures in the world before, and that the air of Narnia had restored the strength he had gained when he sailed with King Caspian to the East Sea.Jill had to pinch herself to stay awake, knowing that if she snooze on Grimfeather's back, she would probably fall.When the two owls finally finished their flight, she stiffened and crawled off Grimfeather and stood on the flat ground.A cold wind hit, and they appeared in a place where there were no trees around."
Woo-ho, woo-ho," cried Grimfeyeser, "wake up, Pudgren, wake up."
This is an important task assigned by the lion king. ”For a long time, there was no answer.Then, a little dim light appeared in the distance, and it began to slowly approach.Immediately after, a voice came."
Hey, owl," it said, "what the hell is going on, is the king dead, or is there an enemy landing in Narnia, or is there a flood, or is there a dragon," and when the light reached them, Jill realized that it was a large lantern.She could only faintly see the "man" carrying the lantern, which seemed to have arms and legs all over his body.The owls were talking to it, explaining what was going on, but she was too tired to listen to what they were saying.She barely bred herself up when she realized they were saying goodbye to herself.But afterwards, she didn't remember anything more than that, and it wasn't long before she and Eustace both bent down and walked into a low doorway, and oh, thank goodness they were all lying on something soft and warm.A voice said, "This is it, we've tried to do our best."
I don't think it's surprising that you can feel cold, hard and damp when you lie here, and you probably won't be able to sleep for a second.Even if there weren't any thunderstorms, or floods, or if the hut hadn't fallen on you at all, as far as I know, it happened.I had to look as far away as I could, and just let it go," and before he could finish speaking, Jill was already asleep.The next morning, when they woke up, they found themselves lying on a very dry and warm straw bed.Daylight shone in through a triangular opening."
Where the hell are we now," Jill asked."
In a swamp monster's shack."
Eustace replied."
What's the same," Jill asked in surprise."
A swamp monster.Don't ask me what it is.I didn't see it last night, and I'm getting up now.Let's go find it. ”Eustace proposed."
It's a nasty feeling to sleep with clothes on and wake up."
Jill sat up as she spoke."
I'm thinking about how happy it is to not have to get dressed so much."
Eustace said."
I'm guessing you're still thinking, it's better not to wash your face."
Jill said disdainfully.But Eustace got up, yawned, moved a little, and crawled out of the shack.Jill climbed out as well.They found the outdoors completely different from the small piece of Narnia they had seen yesterday.They were in a wide plain where numerous canals cut the plain into islands.The islands are covered with coarse weeds and are surrounded by reeds and rushes.There are also some grassy grass beds of about an acre, in which flocks of birds rise and fall, including ducks, snipe, ducks, and herons.A number of shacks could be seen dotted around the area, the same one they had stayed in the previous night, but they were all separated by a certain distance, as the swamp monsters were very concerned about their privacy and did not like to be disturbed.Not a single tree could be seen except for the edge of the forest, which was separated by miles to the west and south.To the east, the flat marshland stretches to the low sand dunes near the horizon, and you can tell from the direction the wind blows, and from the strong salty smell that the wind carries in it, the sea is on that side.To the north, there are white low hills and rock-cut fortresses everywhere.The rest of the place is flat swampland.If it happens to be a wet night, it can be a frustrating place.Looking around under the morning sun, the breeze blows around you, and the air is filled with the chirping of birds.Although the place is deserted, lonely and desolate, it is sunny, fresh and clean, and the children begin to feel that they have become emotional and full of fighting spirit."
I'm wondering where that guy is," Jill asked."
Swamp monsters."
Eustace said, as if proud to know the name, "I think hey, that must be it." ”By this time they had both seen it sitting there with their backs to them, about fifty yards away, fishing.At first it was hard for them to spot it, because it was almost the same color as the swamp, and it sat there motionless."
I think we'd better go over and talk to it."
Jill suggests.Eustace nodded in agreement.Both of them felt a little nervous and uneasy.As they approached, the figure turned its head, and then they saw a slender face with sunken cheeks, a pointed nose, closed lips, and no beard.It wears a hat that is as tall and pointed as a spire, with a large wide flat brim.Its hair, if it may be called hair, was grayish-green, hanging down above its large ears, and each hair was flat, not round, and looked like tiny reeds.Its expression is very serious, and its complexion is dark.You can see right away that it is also serious about life."
Good morning, guests," it said, "but when I say yes, it doesn't mean that it can't rain, or snow, or fog, or thunder, or anything like that.I'm sure you didn't sleep at all last night. ”"That being said, we did fall asleep.""
We had a really nice night. ”"Ah," the swamp monster said, shaking his head, "I know you can be the best in the worst of situations.That's right.You are well educated and have learned to pretend that you don't care. ”"Sorry, we don't know your name yet."
Eustace said."
Pudgren is my name.But if you forget, don't worry, I'll always tell you again. ”The two children sat on either side of it.Only now did they discover that it had long, long legs and arms, and although it was not much larger than a dwarf, it was taller than most humans when it stood up.Its fingers were webbed like a frog's claws, and its feet were webbed as they swayed in the muddy waters.It was dressed in an earthy yellow garment, which hung over its body and looked too loose and loose."
I'm trying to catch a few eels for an eel soup to serve as our meal," Pudgren said, "but if I don't catch one, it's not surprising."
And, even if I did, you wouldn't necessarily like it. ”"Why don't you like it?"
asked Eustace curiously."
Why I don't think you would like our food for any reason, though I have no doubt that you would pretend to be casual and smiling.Still, while I'm catching fish, if you both could try to make a fire, you might as well try the firewood at the back of the hut, it's probably wet.You can make a fire in the hut, but then all the smoke will choke on our eyes.Or you can make a fire outside, but in that case, if it rains, the fire will be extinguished.This is my velvet box, I don't think you know how to use it" In fact, Eustace had already learned this during his last adventure.The two children ran back to the hut together, found that the firewood was completely dry, and succeeded in making a fire without much difficulty.Then Eustace sat down and tended to the fire.In the meantime, Jill went to the nearest canal to wash a little, and the wash was not very satisfying.After washing, she came to take care of the fire, and Eustace ran to wash it.After cleaning up, both of them felt much better, but they felt hungry.It wasn't long before Pudgren returned.Although it might not have caught a single eel on its own, it had caught a dozen, and it had already skinned and cleaned.He placed a large jar on the fire, added some firewood, and lit its pipe.The swamp monster smoked a very strange, strong-smelling tobacco, some say that it was mixed with mud.At the same time, the two children also noticed that the smoke in Pudgren's pipe did not rise at all, but slowly floated out of the pot of the tobacco pouch, drifted downward, and naturally floated to the ground, like a puff of fog.The smoke was so dark that it made Scrobe cough endlessly."
All right," said Pudgren, "those eels take so long to cook that any of you might go hungry before they're ready."
I know a little girl, but I'd better not tell you that story, it would make you feel down, and I would never be able to do that.So, to stop your brains from thinking about hunger, let's talk about our plan first. ”"Okay, let's talk about it then.""
Can you help us find Prince Rylian," said Jille, "Pudgren smoked his pipe desperately with his cheeks until both cheeks were deeply sunken, and you couldn't imagine how hollow they were."
Ah, I don't know you call it help.""
I don't know anyone who can really help."
It stands to reason that if we go north, our journey is unlikely to be too far, because winter is fast approaching at this time of year.Looking at the situation, this year is also early winter.But you don't have to be depressed and depressed about it.There is a good chance that we will encounter some enemy, or face high mountains, or wade into rivers, or get lost, and then we will have nothing to eat, and we will have sore feet, and because of all this, it will be difficult for us to notice the weather conditions.And if we don't go far enough to do anything, then we don't have to rush back, we might as well go further. ”Both children noticed that it was saying "we" instead of "you", and both cheered at the same moment: "Do you want to go with us?"
"Oh, yes, of course I'm going with you, and you know what's the matter with you, now that the king has left for a foreign land, I don't think we'll ever have a chance to see the king return to Narnia again."
Moreover, he left coughing very badly.And then there's Durupkin, who is aging rapidly.You will see that after this terrible dry summer, the grain harvest will fail.I don't think it's surprising if someone attacks us then.Take my words to heart," "So, how do we begin to search," Eustace asked."
Well," said Pudgren, slowly, "all the others who have gone in search of Prince Rylian have set out from the fountain where Lord Drinin saw the woman.They're almost always heading north, and, you know, none of them came back, so we can't say exactly how they're going. ”"We must start by finding a Giant's Ruins," said Jill, "and that's what Aslan commanded. ”"We've got to find it in the first place, huh," Pudgren said, "I guess we're not allowed to just look around," "Of course, that's what I mean," said Jill, "and then, when we found the place," "yes, I don't know when," Pudgren said solemnly."
Does anyone know where it is?"
asked Eustace."
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I don't know anyone who knows there," Pudgren said, "and I'm never going to say I haven't heard of the ruins of that city."
Then again, you don't have to start from the fountain, you have to go through the Edins Moor.If there is such a place, then it is the site of the ruins of Giant.In fact, I've walked a long way in that direction, like most people, but I've never been to the ruins, and I won't lie to you. ”"Where's the Edins Wasteland?"
asked Eustace."
Look north," said Pudgren, pointing with his pipe, "see the hills and cliffs, which are the Eddings Moors?"
There is also a river between us and it, called the Slieb River.Of course, there is no bridge over the river. ”"We can wade across the water."
Eustace said."
Well, you can wade through."
The swamp monster admitted."
Maybe we'll meet someone in the Edins Moors who can tell us how to go."
Jill said."
You're right about who you'll meet."
Pudgren said."
What kind of people live there?"
asked Jill."
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with them living their own way."
Pudgren replied, "If you like their way of life." ”"You're right.But who are they," Jill asked, "and there are so many strange creatures in this country.I mean, they're beasts, birds, dwarfs, or whatever," Pudgren whistled a long whistle."
Oh," said it, "don't you know, I thought the owl had told you."
They are giants. ”Jill cringed, even in books, she had never liked giants, and once in a nightmare, she had met a giant.At the same time, she saw that Eustace's face was already blue, and she thought to herself, "I bet he's even more flustered than I am." ”Thinking about it like this, she felt a little braver than before."
The king told me a long time ago," said Eustace, "that I was at sea with him at that time, and that he had beaten the giants in war, and had forced them to pay tribute to him. ”"That's absolutely true," Pudgren said, "and it's right that they're at peace with us."
As long as we stay on our own side of the Slib River, they won't hurt us.On their side, in the wasteland, however, there is always a case, isn't it, if we don't approach any of the giants, if none of them get carried away, and we are not seen by them, then we are likely to go a long way. ”"Hey, listen to me," said Eustace, who suddenly began to lose his temper, and is always prone to tantrums when people are frightened, "I don't believe that the whole thing is half as bad as you say, just like you said that the bed in the shed is hard and the wood is wet, and that it is not so terrible.If the chances of accomplishing this mission are so slim, I don't think Aslan will send us here. ”He was expecting an angry reply from the Swamp Monster, but it simply replied, "Well said Eustace."
It's about talking like this, pretending not to take it seriously.But we all need to be careful with our temper and know that we are going to have a hard time together.Quarrels don't work, you have to know that.In any case, at least don't get into a fight too quickly at first.I know that some expeditions usually end their expeditions for such reasons and stab each other before they are finished, which I don't think is surprising.But we're going to try to make it happen a little bit longer. ”"Well, if you're feeling hopeless," interrupted Eustace, "I think you'd better stay."
Jill and I can go alone, won't we, Jill" "Eustace, shut up, don't be stupid there" Jill said quickly, for fear that the swamp monster would take his words to heart."
Jill, don't be discouraged."
Pudgren said, "I'll go, for sure and sure."
I don't want to miss this opportunity.It's going to be good for me.They all said I meant, and the other swamp monsters said I was too frivolous, too busy, and not serious enough about life.Once they say it once, they say it a thousand times endlessly.Pudgren, they say, you're too bombastic, too ambitious, too impetuous.You have to understand that life isn't all fried frog and eel pies, you need to do something to clear yourself up, Pudgren, we say that for your own good.That's what they say.An errand like this, traveling north just before winter begins, in search of a prince who may not be there, through the ruins of a giant city that no one has ever seen, is right for me right now.If that doesn't make a guy composed, then I don't really know what to do. ”It said as it rubbed its big hands like frog paws, as if it were talking about going to a party or watching a pantomime."
Now, then," it adds, "let's see how well those eels are cooked." ”When the eel dish was served, it was so delicious that the children ate two large portions.At first, Pudgren didn't believe they really liked it.However, when it saw that they had eaten so much, it had to believe it.Taking a step back, perhaps the food may not be to their taste at all."
I don't think it's surprising that something is food for swamp monsters, but maybe it's poison for humans."
It said.After the meal they began to drink tea, which was served in tin pots, just like the people you see working on the road hold, and Pudgren took many sips of tea from a square, black bottle.He asked the two kids to drink some too, but they thought it was disgusting.The rest of the time, they began to prepare for the departure the next morning.Pudgren, who was much older than them, said he would bring three blankets and wrap a large piece of bacon wrapped in the blanket.Jill was in charge of bringing the leftover eels, some biscuits, and a box of velvet.When Eustace and Jill don't want to wear their cloaks, Eustace is in charge of holding them.On his last voyage to the East of the World under Caspian, Eustace had learned some archery and had taken with him the second-best bow of Pudgren.At the same time, Pudgren brought its best bow, and of course, it said something windy, and the bowstring was damp, the light was poor, and the fingers were cold, and the two of them had only a one percent chance of hitting the target.Both he and Eustace were armed with swords, and Eustace brought the sword that had been placed in the room prepared for him at the castle of Kelpalavil.Jill had to use the knife she was carrying.They also had a big fight about it.But as soon as they began to argue, the swamp monster rubbed his hands together and said, "Ah, I said that a long time ago.As expected, this is usually the case with adventure trips. ”The words made them both shut their mouths.All three of them went to bed early in the shack.The kids had a pretty bad night tonight.That's because after Pudgren said, "You two better go to bed early, I didn't say we couldn't sleep tonight." ”Immediately, there was a continuous thunderous snoring.And when Jill finally falls asleep, she spends the night dreaming of road boring machines, waterfalls, and special express cars in the tunnels.t1706231537: