The Lord of the Rings-指环王(英文版)-第30部分

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mong　the　inhabitants；　large　and　small；　of　the　four　villages；　and　a　resort　of　Rangers　and　other　wanderers；　and　for　such　travellers　（mostly　dwarves）　as　still　journeyed　on　the　East　Road；　to　and　from　the　Mountains。

It　was　dark；　and　white　stars　were　shining；　when　Frodo　and　his　panions　came　at　last　to　the　Greenwaycrossing　and　drew　near　the　village。　They　came　to　the　Westgate　and　found　it　shut；　but　at　the　door　of　the　lodge　beyond　it；　there　was　a　man　sitting。　He　jumped　up　and　fetched　a　lantern　and　looked　over　the　gate　at　them　in　surprise。

'What　do　you　want；　and　where　do　you　e　from？'　he　asked　gruffly。

'We　are　making　for　the　inn　here；'　answered　Frodo。　'We　are　journeying　east　and　cannot　go　further　tonight。'

'Hobbits！　Four　hobbits！　And　what's　more；　out　of　the　Shire　by　their　talk；'　said　the　gatekeeper；　softly　as　if　speaking　to　himself。　He　stared　at　them　darkly　for　a　moment；　and　then　slowly　opened　the　gate　and　let　them　ride　through。

'We　don't　often　see　Shirefolk　riding　on　the　Road　at　night；'　he　went　on；　as　they　halted　a　moment　by　his　door。　'You'll　pardon　my　wondering　what　business　takes　you　away　east　of　Bree！　What　may　your　names　be；　might　I　ask？'

'Our　names　and　our　business　are　our　own；　and　this　does　not　seem　a　good　place　to　discuss　them；'　said　Frodo；　not　liking　the　look　of　the　man　or　the　tone　of　his　voice。

'Your　business　is　your　own；　no　doubt；'　said　the　man；　'but　it's　my　business　to　ask　questions　after　nightfall。'

'We　are　hobbits　from　Buckland；　and　we　have　a　fancy　to　travel　and　to　stay　at　the　inn　here；'　put　in　Merry。　'I　am　Mr。　Brandybuck。　Is　that　enough　for　you？　The　Breefolk　used　to　be　fairspoken　to　travellers；　or　so　I　had　heard。'

'All　right；　all　right！'　said　the　man。　'I　meant　no　offence。　But　you'll　find　maybe　that　more　folk　than　old　Harry　at　the　gate　will　be　asking　you　questions。　There's　queer　folk　about。　If　you　go　on　to　The　Pony；　you'll　find　you're　oat　the　only　guests。'

He　wished　them　good　night；　and　they　said　no　more；　but　Frodo　could　see　in　the　lanternlight　that　the　man　was　still　eyeing　them　curiously。　He　was　glad　to　hear　the　gate　clang　to　behind　them；　as　they　rode　forward。　He　wondered　why　the　man　was　so　suspicious；　and　whether　any　one　had　been　asking　for　news　of　a　party　of　hobbits。　Could　it　have　been　Gandalf？　He　might　have　arrived；　while　they　were　delayed　in　the　Forest　and　the　Downs。　But　there　was　something　in　the　look　and　the　voice　of　the　gatekeeper　that　made　him　uneasy。

The　man　stared　after　the　hobbits　for　a　moment；　and　then　he　went　back　to　his　house。　As　soon　as　his　back　was　turned；　a　dark　figure　climbed　quickly　in　over　the　gate　and　melted　into　the　shadows　of　the　village　street。

The　hobbits　rode　on　up　a　gentle　slope；　passing　a　few　detached　houses；　and　drew　up　outside　the　inn。　The　houses　looked　large　and　strange　to　them。　Sam　stared　up　at　the　inn　with　its　three　storeys　and　many　windows；　and　felt　his　heart　sink。　He　had　imagined　himself　meeting　giants　taller　than　trees；　and　other　creatures　even　more　terrifying；　some　time　or　other　in　the　course　of　his　journey；　but　at　the　moment　he　was　finding　his　first　sight　of　Men　and　their　tall　houses　quite　enough；　indeed　too　much　for　the　dark　end　of　a　tiring　day。　He　pictured　black　horses　standing　all　saddled　in　the　shadows　of　the　innyard；　and　Black　Riders　peering　out　of　dark　upper　windows。

'We　surely　aren't　going　to　stay　here　for　the　night；　are　we；　sir？'　he　exclaimed。　'If　there　are　hobbitfolk　in　these　pans；　why　don't　we　look　for　some　that　would　be　willing　to　take　us　in？　It　would　be　more　homelike。'

'What's　wrong　with　the　inn？'　said　Frodo。　'Tom　Bombadil　remended　it。　I　expect　it's　homelike　enough　inside。'

Even　from　the　outside　the　inn　looked　a　pleasant　house　to　familiar　eyes。　It　had　a　front　on　the　Road；　and　two　wings　running　back　on　land　partly　cut　out　of　the　lower　slopes　of　the　hill；　so　that　at　the　rear　the　secondfloor　windows　were　level　with　the　ground。　There　was　a　wide　arch　leading　to　a　courtyard　between　the　two　wings；　and　on　the　left　under　the　arch　there　was　a　large　doorway　reached　by　a　few　broad　steps。　The　door　was　open　and　light　streamed　out　of　it。　Above　the　arch　there　was　a　lamp；　and　beneath　it　swung　a　large　signboard：　a　fat　white　pony　reared　up　on　its　hind　legs。　Over　the　door　was　painted　in　white　letters：　THE　PRANCING　PONY　by　BARLIMAN　BUTTERBUR。　Many　of　the　lower　windows　showed　lights　behind　thick　curtains。

As　they　hesitated　outside　in　the　gloom；　someone　began　singing　a　merry　song　inside；　and　many　cheerful　voices　joined　loudly　in　the　chorus。　They　listened　to　this　encouraging　sound　for　a　moment　and　then　got　off　their　ponies。　The　song　ended　and　there　was　a　burst　of　laughter　and　clapping。

They　led　their　ponies　under　the　arch；　and　leaving　them　standing　in　the　yard　they　climbed　up　the　steps。　Frodo　went　forward　and　nearly　bumped　into　a　short　fat　man　with　a　bald　head　and　a　red　face。　He　had　a　white　apron　on；　and　was　bustling　out　of　one　door　and　in　through　another；　carrying　a　tray　laden　with　full　mugs。

'Can　we—'　began　Frodo。

'Half　a　minute；　if　you　please！'　shouted　the　man　over　his　shoulder；　and　vanished　into　a　babel　of　voices　and　a　cloud　of　smoke。　In　a　moment　he　was　out　again；　wiping　his　hands　on　his　apron。

'Good　evening；　little　master！'　he　said；　bending　down。　'What　may　you　be　wanting？'

'Beds　for　four；　and　stabling　for　five　ponies；　if　that　can　be　managed。　Are　you　Mr。　Butterbur？'

'That's　right！　Barliman　is　my　name。　Barliman　Butterbur　at　your　service！　You're　from　the　Shire；　eh？'　he　said；　and　then　suddenly　he　clapped　his　hand　to　his　forehead；　as　if　trying　to　remember　something。　'Hobbits！'　he　cried。　'Now　what　does　that　remind　me　of？　Might　I　ask　your　names；　sir？'

'Mr。　Took　and　Mr。　Brandybuck；'　said　Frodo；　'and　this　is　Sam　Gamgee。　My　name　is　Underhill。'

'There　now！'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　snapping　his　fingers。　'It's　gone　again！　But　it'll　e　back；　when　I　have　time　to　think。　I'm　run　off　my　feet；　but　I'll　see　what　I　can　do　for　you。　We　don't　often　get　a　party　out　of　the　Shire　nowadays；　and　I　should　be　sorry　not　to　make　you　wele。　But　there　is　such　a　crowd　already　in　the　house　tonight　as　there　hasn't　been　for　long　enough。　It　never　rains　but　it　pours；　we　say　in　Bree。

'Hi！　Nob！'　he　shouted。　'Where　are　you；　you　woollyfooted　slowcoach？　Nob！'

'ing；　sir！　ing！'　A　cheerylooking　hobbit　bobbed　out　of　a　door；　and　seeing　the　travellers；　stopped　short　and　stared　at　them　with　great　interest。

'Where's　Bob？'　asked　the　landlord。　'You　don't　know？　Well　find　him！　Double　sharp！　I　haven't　got　six　legs；　nor　six　eyes　neither！　Tell　Bob　there's　five　ponies　that　have　to　be　stabled。　He　must　find　room　somehow。'　Nob　trotted　off　with　a　grin　and　a　wink。

'Well；　now；　what　was　I　going　to　say？'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　tapping　his　forehead。　'One　thing　drives　out　another；　so　to　speak。　I'm　that　busy　tonight；　my　head　is　going　round。　There's　a　party　that　came　up　the　Greenway　from　down　South　last　night　。　and　that　was　strange　enough　to　begin　with。　Then　there's　a　travelling　pany　of　dwarves　going　West　e　in　this　evening。　And　now　there's　you。　If　you　weren't　hobbits；　I　doubt　if　we　could　house　you。　But　we've　got　a　room　or　two　in　the　north　wing　that　were　made　special　for　hobbits；　when　this　place　was　built。　On　the　ground　floor　as　they　usually　prefer；　round　windows　and　all　as　they　like　it。　I　hope　you'll　be　fortable。　You'll　be　wanting　supper；　I　don't　doubt。　As　soon　as　may　be。　This　way　now！'

He　led　them　a　short　way　down　a　passage；　and　opened　a　door。　'Here　is　a　nice　little　parlour！'　he　said。　'I　hope　it　will　suit。　Excuse　me　now。　I'm　that　busy。　No　time　for　talking。　I　must　be　trotting。　It's　hard　work　for　two　legs；　but　I　don't　get　thinner。　I'll　look　in　again　later。　If　you　want　anything；　ring　the　handbell；　and　Nob　will　e。　If　he　don't　e；　ring　and　shout！'

Off　he　went　at　last；　and　left　them　feeling　rather　breathless。　He　seemed　capable　of　an　endless　stream　of　talk；　however　busy　he　might　be。　They　found　themselves　in　a　small　and　cosy　room。　There　was　a　bit　of　bright　fire　burning　on　the　hearth；　and　in　front　of　it　were　some　low　and　fortable　chairs。　There　was　a　round　table；　already　spread　with　a　white　cloth；　and　on　it　was　a　large　hand　bell。　But　Nob；　the　hobbit　servant；　came　bustling　in　long　before　they　thought　of　ringing。　He　brought　candles　and　a　tray　full　of　plates。

'Will　you　be　wanting　anything　to　drink；　masters？'　he　asked。　'And　shall　I　show　you　the　bedrooms；　while　your　supper　is　got　ready？'

They　were　washed　and　in　the　middle　of　good　deep　mugs　of　beer　when　Mr。　Butterbur　and　Nob　came　in　again。　In　a　twinkling　the　table　was　laid。　There　was　hot　soup；　cold　meats；　a　blackberry　tart；　new　loaves；　slabs　of　butter；　and　half　a　ripe　cheese：　good　plain　food；　as　good　as　the　Shire　could　show；　and　homelike　enough　to　dispel　the　last　of　Sam's　misgivings　（already　much　relieved　by　the　excellence　of　the　beer）。

The　landlord　hovered　round　for　a　link；　and　then　prepared　to　leave　them。　'I　don't　know　whether　you　would　care　to　join　the　pany；　when　you　have　supped；'　he　said；　standing　at　the　door。　'Perhaps　you　would　rather　go　to　your　beds。　Still　the　pany　would　be　very　pleased　to　wele　you；　if　you　had　a　mind。　We　don't　get　Outsiders　。　travellers　from　the　Shire；　I　should　say；　begging　your　pardon　。　often；　and　we　like　to　hear　a　bit　of　news；　or　any　story　or　song　you　may　have　in　mind。　But　as　you　please！　Ring　the　bell；　if　you　lack　anything！'

So　refreshed　and　encouraged　did　they　feel　at　the　end　of　their　supper　（about　three　quarters　of　an　hour's　steady　going；　not　hindered　by　unnecessary　talk）　that　Frodo；　Pippin；　and　Sam　decided　to　join　the　pany。　Merry　said　it　would　be　too　stuffy。　'I　shall　sit　here　quietly　by　the　fire　for　a　bit；　and　perhaps　go　out　later　for　a　sniff　of　the　air。　Mind　your　Ps　and　Qs；　and　don't　fet　that　you　are　supposed　to　be　escaping　in　secret；　and　are　still　on　the　highroad　and　not　very　far　from　the　Shire！'

'All　right！'　said　Pippin。　'Mind　yourself！　Don't　get　lost；　and　don't　fet　that　it　is　safer　indoors！'

The　pany　was　in　the　big　monroom　of　the　inn。　The　gathering　was　large　and　mixed；　as　Frodo　discovered；　when　his　eyes　got　used　to　the　light。　This　came　chiefly　from　a　blazing　logfire；　for　the　three　lamps　hanging　from　the　beams　were　dim；　and　half　veiled　in　smoke。　Barliman　Butterbur　was　standing　near　the　fire；　talking　to　a　couple　of　dwarves　and　one　or　two　strangelooking　men。　On　the　benches　were　various　folk：　men　of　Bree；　a　collection　of　local　hobbits　（sitting　chattering　together）；　a　few　more　dwarves；　and　other　vague　figures　difficult　to　make　out　away　in　the　shadows　and　ers。

As　soon　as　the　Shirehobbits　entered；　there　was　a　chorus　of　wele　from　the　Breelanders。　The　strangers；　especially　those　that　had　e　up　the　Greenway；　stared　at　them　curiously。　The　landlord　introduced　the　newers　to　the　Breefolk；　so　quickly　that；　though　they　caught　many　names；　they　were　seldom　sure　who　the　names　belonged　to。　The　Men　of　Bree　seemed　all　to　have　rather　botanical　（and　to　the　Shirefolk　rather　odd）　names；　like　Rushlight；　Goatleaf；　Heathertoes；　Appledore；　Thistlewool　and　Ferny　（not　to　mention　Butterbur）。　Some　of　the　hobbits　had　similar　names。　The　Mugworts；　for　instance；　seemed　numerous。　But　most　of　them　had　natural　names；　such　as　Banks；　Brockhouse；　Longholes；　Sandheaver；　and　Tunnelly；　many　of　which　were　used　in　the　Shire。　There　were　several　Underhills　from　Saddle；　and　as　they　could　not　imagine　sharing　a　name　without　being　related；　they　took　Frodo　to　their　hearts　as