The Lord of the Rings-指环王(英文版)-第42部分

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As　should　be　alyin'　in　graveyard。
Caveyard！　Paveyard！
This　many　a　year　has　Tim　been　gone；
And　I　thought　he　were　lyin'　in　graveyard。'

'My　lad；'　said　Troll；　'this　bone　I　stole。
But　what　be　bones　that　lie　in　a　hole？
Thy　nuncle　was　dead　as　a　lump　o'　lead；
Afore　I　found　his　shinbone。
Tinbone！　Thinbone！
He　can　spare　a　share　for　a　poor　old　troll；
For　he　don't　need　his　shinbone。'

Said　Tom：　'I　don't　see　why　the　likes　o'　thee
Without　axin'　leave　should　go　makin'　free
With　the　shank　or　the　shin　o'　my　father's　kin；
So　hand　the　old　bone　over！
Rover！　Trover！
Though　dead　he　be；　it　belongs　to　he；
So　hand　the　old　bone　over！'

'For　a　couple　o'　pins；'　says　Troll；　and　grins；
'I'll　eat　thee　too；　and　gnaw　thy　shins。
A　bit　o'　fresh　meal　will　go　down　sweet！
I'll　try　my　teeth　on　thee　now。
Hee　now！　See　now！
I'm　tired　o'　gnawing　old　bones　and　skins；
I've　a　mind　to　dine　on　thee　now。'

But　just　as　he　thought　his　dinner　was　caught；
He　found　his　hands　had　hold　of　naught。
Before　he　could　mind；　Tom　slipped　behind
And　gave　him　the　boot　to　larn　him。
Warn　him！　Darn　him！
A　bump　o'　the　boot　on　the　seat；　Tom　thought；
Would　be　the　way　to　larn　him。

But　harder　than　stone　is　the　flesh　and　bone
Of　a　troll　that　sits　in　the　hills　alone。
As　well　set　your　boot　to　the　mountain's　root；
For　the　seat　of　a　troll　don't　feel　it。
Peel　it！　Heal　it！
Old　Troll　laughed；　when　he　heard　Tom　groan；
And　he　knew　his　toes　could　feel　it。

Tom's　leg　is　game；　since　home　he　came；
And　his　bootless　foot　is　lasting　lame；
But　Troll　don't　care；　and　he's　still　there
With　the　bone　he　boned　from　its　owner。
Doner！　Boner！
Troll's　old　seat　is　still　the　same；
And　the　bone　he　boned　from　its　owner！

'Well；　that's　a　warning　to　us　all！'　laughed　Merry。　'It　is　as　well　you　used　a　stick；　and　not　your　hand；　Strider！'

'Where　did　you　e　by　that；　Sam？'　asked　Pippin。　'I've　never　heard　those　words　before。'

Sam　muttered　something　inaudible。　'It's　out　of　his　own　head；　of　course；'　said　Frodo。　'I　am　learning　a　lot　about　Sam　Gamgee　on　this　journey。　First　he　was　a　conspirator；　now　he's　a　jester。　He'll　end　up　by　being　a　wizard　。　or　a　warrior！'

'I　hope　not；'　said　Sam。　'I　don't　want　to　be　neither！'

In　the　afternoon　they　went　on　down　the　woods。　They　were　probably　following　the　very　track　that　Gandalf；　Bilbo；　and　the　dwarves　had　used　many　years　before。　After　a　few　miles　they　came　out　on　the　top　of　a　high　bank　above　the　Road。　At　this　point　the　Road　had　left　the　Hoarwell　far　behind　in　its　narrow　valley；　and　now　clung　close　to　the　feet　of　the　hills；　rolling　and　winding　eastward　among　woods　and　heathercovered　slopes　towards　the　Ford　and　the　Mountains。　Not　far　down　the　bank　Strider　pointed　out　a　stone　in　the　grass。　On　it　roughly　cut　and　now　much　weathered　could　still　be　seen　dwarfrunes　and　secret　marks。

'There！'　said　Merry。　'That　must　be　the　stone　that　marked　the　place　where　the　trolls'　gold　was　hidden。　How　much　is　left　of　Bilbo's　share；　I　wonder；　Frodo？'

Frodo　looked　at　the　stone；　and　wished　that　Bilbo　had　brought　home　no　treasure　more　perilous；　nor　less　easy　to　pan　with。　'None　at　all；'　he　said。　'Bilbo　gave　it　all　away。　He　told　me　he　did　not　feel　it　was　really　his；　as　it　came　from　robbers。'

The　Road　lay　quiet　under　the　long　shadows　of　early　evening。　There　was　no　sign　of　any　other　travellers　to　be　seen。　As　there　was　now　no　other　possible　course　for　them　to　take；　they　climbed　down　the　bank；　and　turning　left　went　off　as　fast　as　they　could。　Soon　a　shoulder　of　the　hills　cut　off　the　light　of　the　fast　westering　sun。　A　cold　wind　flowed　down　to　meet　them　from　the　mountains　ahead。

They　were　beginning　to　look　out　for　a　place　off　the　Road；　where　they　could　camp　for　the　night；　when　they　heard　a　sound　that　brought　sudden　fear　back　into　their　hearts：　the　noise　of　hoofs　behind　them。　They　looked　back；　but　they　could　not　see　far　because　of　the　many　windings　and　rollings　of　the　Road。　As　quickly　as　they　could　they　scrambled　off　the　beaten　way　and　up　into　the　deep　heather　and　bilberry　brushwood　on　the　slopes　above；　until　they　came　to　a　small　patch　of　thickgrowing　hazels。　As　they　peered　out　from　among　the　bushes；　they　could　see　the　Road；　faint　and　grey　in　the　failing　light；　some　thirty　feel　below　them。　The　sound　of　hoofs　drew　nearer。　They　were　going　fast；　with　a　light　clippetyclippelyclip。　Then　faintly；　as　if　it　was　blown　away　from　them　by　the　breeze；　they　seemed　to　catch　a　dim　ringing；　as　of　small　bells　tinkling。

'That　does　not　sound　like　a　Black　Rider's　horse！'　said　Frodo；　listening　intently。　The　other　hobbits　agreed　hopefully　that　it　did　not；　but　they　all　remained　full　of　suspicion。　They　had　been　in　fear　of　pursuit　for　so　long　that　any　sound　from　behind　seemed　ominous　and　unfriendly。　But　Strider　was　now　leaning　forward；　stooped　to　the　ground；　with　a　hand　to　his　ear；　and　a　look　of　joy　on　his　face。

The　light　faded；　and　the　leaves　on　the　bushes　rustled　softly。　Clearer　and　nearer　now　the　bells　jingled；　and　clippetyclip　came　the　quick　trotting　feet。　Suddenly　into　view　below　came　a　white　horse；　gleaming　in　the　shadows；　running　swiftly。　In　the　dusk　its　headstall　flickered　and　flashed；　as　if　it　were　studded　with　gems　like　living　stars。　The　rider's　cloak　streamed　behind　him；　and　his　hood　was　thrown　back；　his　golden　hair　flowed　shimmering　in　the　wind　of　his　speed。　To　Frodo　it　appeared　that　a　white　light　was　shining　through　the　form　and　raiment　of　the　rider；　as　if　through　a　thin　veil。

Strider　sprang　from　hiding　and　dashed　down　towards　the　Road；　leaping　with　a　cry　through　the　heather；　but　even　before　he　had　moved　or　called；　the　rider　had　reined　in　his　horse　and　halted；　looking　up　towards　the　thicket　where　they　stood。　When　he　saw　Strider；　he　dismounted　and　ran　to　meet　him　calling　out：　Ai　na　vedui　Dúnadan！　Mae　govannen！　His　speech　and　clear　ringing　voice　left　no　doubt　in　their　hearts：　the　rider　was　of　the　Elvenfolk。　No　others　that　dwelt　in　the　wide　world　had　voices　so　fair　to　hear。　But　there　seemed　to　be　a　note　of　haste　or　fear　in　his　call；　and　they　saw　that　he　was　now　speaking　quickly　and　urgently　to　Strider。

Soon　Strider　beckoned　to　them；　and　the　hobbits　left　the　bushes　and　hurried　down　to　the　Road。　'This　is　Glorfindel；　who　dwells　in　the　house　of　Elrond；'　said　Strider。

'Hail；　and　well　met　at　last！'　said　the　Elflord　to　Frodo。　'I　was　sent　from　Rivendell　to　look　for　you。　We　feared　that　you　were　in　danger　upon　the　road。'

'Then　Gandalf　has　reached　Rivendell？'　cried　Frodo　joyfully。

'No。　He　had　not　when　I　departed；　but　that　was　nine　days　ago；'　answered　Glorfindel。　'Elrond　received　news　that　troubled　him。　Some　of　my　kindred；　journeying　in　your　land　beyond　the　Baranduin；　learned　that　things　were　amiss；　and　sent　messages　as　swiftly　as　they　could。　They　said　that　the　Nine　were　abroad；　and　that　you　were　astray　bearing　a　great　burden　without　guidance；　for　Gandalf　had　not　returned。　There　are　few　even　in　Rivendell　that　can　ride　openly　against　the　Nine；　but　such　as　there　were；　Elrond　sent　out　north；　west；　and　south。　It　was　thought　that　you　might　turn　far　aside　to　avoid　pursuit；　and　bee　lost　in　the　Wilderness。

'It　was　my　lot　to　take　the　Road；　and　I　came　to　the　Bridge　of　Mitheithel；　and　left　a　token　there；　nigh　on　seven　days　ago。　Three　of　the　servants　of　Sauron　were　upon　the　Bridge；　but　they　withdrew　and　I　pursued　them　westward。　I　came　also　upon　two　others；　but　they　turned　away　southward。　Since　then　I　have　searched　for　your　trail。　Two　days　ago　I　found　it；　and　followed　it　over　the　Bridge；　and　today　I　marked　where　you　descended　from　the　hills　again。　But　e！　There　is　no　time　for　further　news。　Since　you　are　here　we　must　risk　the　peril　of　the　Road　and　go。　There　are　five　behind　us；　and　when　they　find　your　trail　upon　the　Road　they　will　ride　after　us　like　the　wind。　And　they　are　not　all。　Where　the　other　four　may　be；　I　do　not　know。　I　fear　that　we　may　find　the　Ford　is　already　held　against　us。'

While　Glorfindel　was　speaking　the　shades　of　evening　deepened。　Frodo　felt　a　great　weariness　e　over　him。　Ever　since　the　sun　began　to　sink　the　mist　before　his　eyes　had　darkened；　and　he　felt　that　a　shadow　was　ing　between　him　and　the　faces　of　his　friends。　Now　pain　assailed　him；　and　he　felt　cold。　He　swayed；　clutching　at　Sam's　arm。

'My　master　is　sick　and　wounded；'　said　Sam　angrily。　'He　can't　go　on　riding　after　nightfall。　He　needs　rest。'

Glorfindel　caught　Frodo　as　he　sank　to　the　ground；　and　taking　him　gently　in　his　arms　he　looked　in　his　face　with　grave　anxiety。

Briefly　Strider　told　of　the　attack　on　their　camp　under　Weathertop；　and　of　the　deadly　knife。　He　drew　out　the　hilt；　which　he　had　kept；　and　handed　it　to　the　Elf。　Glorfindel　shuddered　as　he　took　it；　but　he　looked　intently　at　it。

'There　are　evil　things　written　on　this　hilt；'　he　said；　'though　maybe　your　eyes　cannot　see　them。　Keep　it；　Aragorn；　till　we　reach　the　house　of　Elrond！　But　be　wary；　and　handle　it　as　little　as　you　may！　Alas！　the　wounds　of　this　weapon　are　beyond　my　skill　to　heal。　I　will　do　what　I　can　。　but　all　the　more　do　I　urge　you　now　to　go　on　without　rest。'

He　searched　the　wound　on　Frodo's　shoulder　with　his　fingers；　and　his　face　grew　graver；　as　if　。　But　Frodo　felt　the　chill　lessen　in　his　side　and　arm；　a　little　warmth　crept　down　from　his　shoulder　to　his　hand；　and　the　pain　grew　easier。　The　dusk　of　evening　seemed　to　grow　lighter　about　him；　as　if　a　cloud　had　been　withdrawn。　He　saw　his　friends'　faces　more　clearly　again；　and　a　measure　of　new　hope　and　strength　returned。

'You　shall　ride　my　horse；'　said　Glorfindel。　'I　will　shorten　the　stirrups　up　to　the　saddleskins；　and　you　must　sit　as　tight　as　you　can。　But　you　need　not　fear：　my　horse　will　not　let　any　rider　fall　that　I　mand　him　to　bear。　His　pace　is　light　and　smooth；　and　if　danger　presses　too　near；　he　will　bear　you　away　with　a　speed　that　even　the　black　steeds　of　the　enemy　cannot　rival。'

'No；　he　will　not！'　said　Frodo。　'I　shall　not　ride　him；　if　I　am　to　be　carried　off　to　Rivendell　or　anywhere　else；　leaving　my　friends　behind　in　danger。'

Glorfindel　smiled。　'I　doubt　very　much；'　he　said；　'if　your　friends　would　be　in　danger　if　you　were　not　with　them！　The　pursuit　would　follow　you　and　leave　us　in　peace；　I　think。　It　is　you；　Frodo；　and　that　which　you　bear　that　brings　us　all　in　peril。'

To　that　Frodo　had　no　answer；　and　he　was　persuaded　to　mount　Glorfindel's　white　horse。　The　pony　was　laden　instead　with　a　great　part　of　the　others'　burdens；　so　that　they　now　marched　lighter；　and　for　a　time　made　good　speed；　but　the　hobbits　began　to　find　it　hard　to　keep　up　with　the　swift　tireless　feet　of　the　Elf。　On　he　led　them；　into　the　mouth　of　darkness；　and　still　on　under　the　deep　clouded　night。　There　was　neither　star　nor　moon。　Not　until　the　grey　of　dawn　did　he　allow　them　to　halt。　Pippin；　Merry；　and　Sam　were　by　that　time　nearly　asleep　on　their　stumbling　legs；　and　even　Strider　seemed　by　the　sag　of　his　shoulders　to　be　weary。　Frodo　sat　upon　the　horse　in　a　dark　dream。

They　cast　themselves　down　in　the　heather　a　few　yards　from　the　roadside；　and　fell　asleep　immediately。　They　seemed　hardly　to　have　closed　their　eyes　when　Glorfindel；　who　had　set　himself　to　watch　while　they　slept；　awoke　them　again。　The　sun　had　now　climbed　far　into　the　morning；　and　the　clouds　and　mists　of　the　night　were　gone。

'Drink　this！'　said　Glorfindel　to　them；　pouring　for　each　in　turn　a　little　liquor　from　his　silverstudded　flask　of　leather。　It　was　clear　as　spring　water　and