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.