the fellowship of the ring-第42部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


Poor　Mr。　Butterbur　looked　troubled。　'You're　right；　master；'　he　said；　'andI　beg　your　pardon。　And　I'm　mortal　afraid　of　what　Gandalf　will　say；　if　harmes　of　it。　But　I　didn't　keep　it　back　a…purpose。　I　put　it　by　safe。　Then　Icouldn't　find　nobody　willing　to　go　to　the　Shire　next　day；　nor　the　day　after；　
and　none　of　my　own　folk　were　to　spare；　and　then　one　thing　after　another　droveit　out　of　my　mind。　I'm　a　busy　man。　I'll　do　what　I　can　to　set　matters　right；　
and　if　there's　any　help　I　can　give；　you've　only　to　name　it。　
'Leaving　the　letter　aside；　I　promised　Gandalf　no　less。　_Barley；_　he　saysto　me；　_this　friend　of　mine　from　the　Shire；　he　may　be　ing　out　this　waybefore　long；　him　and　another。　He'll　be　calling　himself　Underhill。　Mind　that！　
But　you　need　ask　no　questions。　And　if　I'm　not　with　him；　he　may　be　in　trouble；　
and　he　may　need　help。　Do　whatever　you　can　for　him；　and　I'll　be　grateful；_　hesays。　And　here　you　are；　and　trouble　is　not　far　off；　seemingly。'　
'What　do　you　mean？'　asked　Frodo。　
'These　black　men；'　said　the　landlord　lowering　his　voice。　'They're　lookingfor　_Baggins；_　and　if　they　mean　well；　then　I'm　a　hobbit。　It　was　on　Monday；　andall　the　dogs　were　yammering　and　the　geese　screaming。　Uncanny；　I　called　it。　
Nob；　he　came　and　told　me　that　two　black　men　were　at　the　door　asking　for　ahobbit　called　Baggins。　Nob's　hair　was　all　stood　on　end。　I　bid　the　blackfellows　be　off；　and　slammed　the　door　on　them；　but　they've　been　asking　the　samequestion　all　the　way　to　Archet；　I　hear。　And　that　Ranger；　Strider；　he's　beenasking　questions；　too。　Tried　to　get　in　here　to　see　you；　before　you'd　had　bite　　
　
or　sup；　he　did。'　
'He　did！'　said　Strider　suddenly；　ing　forward　into　the　light。　'And　muchtrouble　would　have　been　saved；　if　you　had　let　him　in；　Barliman。'　
The　landlord　jumped　with　surprise。　'You！'　he　cried。　'You're　alwayspopping　up。　What　do　you　want　now？'　
'He's　here　with　my　leave；'　said　Frodo。　'He　came　to　offer　me　his　help。'　
'Well；　you　know　your　own　business；　maybe；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　lookingsuspiciously　at　Strider。　'But　if　I　was　in　your　plight；　I　wouldn't　take　up　witha　Ranger。'　
'Then　who　would　you　take　up　with？'　asked　Strider。　'A　fat　innkeeper　whoonly　remembers　his　own　name　because　people　shout　it　at　him　all　day？　Theycannot　stay　in　_The　Pony_　for　ever；　and　they　cannot　go　home。　They　have　a　longroad　before　them。　Will　you　go　with　them　and　keep　the　black　men　off？'　
'Me？　Leave　Bree！　I　wouldn't　do　that　for　any　money；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur；　
looking　really　scared。　'But　why　can't　you　stay　here　quiet　for　a　bit；　Mr。　
Underhill？　What　are　all　these　queer　goings　on？　What　are　these　black　men　after；　
and　where　do　they　e　from；　I'd　like　to　know？'　
'I'm　sorry　I　can't　explain　it　all；'　answered　Frodo。　'I　am　tired　and　veryworried；　and　it's　a　long　tale。　But　if　you　mean　to　help　me；　I　ought　to　warn　youthat　you　will　be　in　danger　as　long　as　I　am　in　your　house。　These　Black　Riders：　
I　am　not　sure；　but　I　think；　I　fear　they　e　from–––'　
'They　e　from　Mordor；'　said　Strider　in　a　low　voice。　'From　Mordor；　
Barliman；　if　that　means　anything　to　you。'　
'Save　us！'　cried　Mr。　Butterbur　turning　pale；　the　name　evidently　was　knownto　him。　'That　is　the　worst　news　that　has　e　to　Bree　in　my　time。'　'It　is；'　
said　Frodo。　'Are　you　still　willing　to　help　me？'　'I　am；'　said　Mr。　Butterbur。　
'More　than　ever。　Though　I　don't　know　what　the　likes　of　me　can　do　against；　
against–––'　he　faltered。　
'Against　the　Shadow　in　the　East；'　said　Strider　quietly。　'Not　much；　
Barliman；　but　every　little　helps。　You　can　let　Mr。　Underhill　stay　here　tonight；　
as　Mr。　Underhill；　and　you　can　forget　the　name　of　Baggins；　till　he　is　faraway。'　
'I'll　do　that；'　said　Butterbur。　'But　they'll　find　out　he's　here　withouthelp　from　me；　I'm　afraid。　It's　a　pity　Mr。　Baggins　drew　attention　to　himselfthis　evening；　to　say　no　more。　The　story　of　that　Mr。　Bilbo's　going　off　has　beenheard　before　tonight　in　Bree。　Even　our　Nob　has　been　doing　some　guessing　in　hisslow　pate：　and　there　are　others　in　Bree　quicker　in　the　uptake　than　he　is。'　
'Well；　we　can　only　hope　the　Riders　won't　e　back　yet；'　said　Frodo。　
'I　hope　not；　indeed；'　said　Butterbur。　'But　spooks　or　no　spooks；　theywon't　get　in　_The　Pony_so　easy。　Don't　you　worry　till　the　morning。　Nob'll　sayno　word。　No　black　man　shall　pass　my　doors；　while　I　can　stand　on　my　legs。　Meand　my　folk'll　keep　watch　tonight；　but　you　had　best　get　some　sleep；　if　youcan。'　　
'In　any　case　we　must　be　called　at　dawn；'　said　Frodo。　'We　must　get　off　asearly　as　possible。　Breakfast　at　six…thirty；　please。'　
'Right！　I'll　see　to　the　orders；'　said　the　landlord。　'Good　night；　Mr。　
Baggins　–　Underhill；　I　should　say！　Good　night　–　now；　bless　me！　Where's　yourMr。　Brandybuck？'　
'I　don't　know；'　said　Frodo　with　sudden　anxiety。　They　had　forgotten　allabout　Merry；　and　it　was　getting　late。　'I　am　afraid　he　is　out。　He　saidsomething　about　going　for　a　breath　of　air。'　
'Well；　you　do　want　looking　after　and　no　mistake：　your　party　might　be　on　aholiday！'　said　Butterbur。　'I　must　go　and　bar　the　doors　quick；　but　I'll　seeyour　friend　is　let　in　when　he　es。　I'd　better　send　Nob　to　look　for　him。　Goodnight　to　you　all！'　At　last　Mr。　Butterbur　went　out；　with　another　doubtful　lookat　Strider　and　a　shake　of　his　head。　His　footsteps　retreated　down　the　passage。　　
'Well？'　said　Strider。　'When　are　you　going　to　open　that　letter？'　Frodolooked　carefully　at　the　seal　before　he　broke　it。　It　seemed　certainly　to　beGandalf's。　Inside；　written　in　the　wizard's　strong　but　graceful　script；　was　the　　
　
following　message：　　
_THE　PRANCING　PONY；　BREE。　Midyear's　Day；　Shire　Year；　1418。_　
_Dear　Frodo；_　
_Bad　news　has　reached　me　here。　I　must　go　off　at　once。　You　had　betterleave　Bag　End　soon；　and　get　out　of　the　Shire　before　the　end　of　July　at　latest。　
I　will　return　as　soon　as　I　can；　and　I　will　follow　you；　if　I　find　that　you　aregone。　Leave　a　message　for　me　here；　if　you　pass　through　Bree。　You　can　trust　thelandlord　（Butterbur）。　You　may　meet　a　friend　of　mine　on　the　Road：　a　Man；　lean；　
dark；　tall；　by　some　called　Strider。　He　knows　our　business　and　will　help　you。　
Make　for　Rivendell。　There　I　hope　we　may　meet　again。　If　I　do　not　e；　Elrond　
will　advise　you。_　　
_Yours　in　haste_　　
_GANDALF_。　　
_PS。　Do　NOT　use　It　again；　not　far　any　reason　whatever！　Do　not　travel　bynight！_　
_PPS。　Make　sure　that　it　is　the　real　Strider。　There　are　many　strange　menon　the　roads。　His　true　name　is　Aragorn_。　　
All　that　is　gold　does　not　glitter；　
Not　all　those　who　wander　are　lost；　
The　old　that　is　strong　does　not　wither；　
Deep　roots　are　not　reached　by　the　frost。　
From　the　ashes　a　fire　shall　be　woken；　
A　light　from　the　shadows　shall　spring；　
Renewed　shall　be　blade　that　was　broken；　
The　crownless　again　shall　be　king。　　
_PPPS。　I　hope　Butterbur　sends　this　promptly。　A　worthy　man；　
but　his　memory　is　like　a　lumber…room：　thing　wanted　always　buried。　If　heforgets；　I　shall　roast　him。_　
_Fare　Well！_　　
Frodo　read　the　letter　to　himself；　and　then　passed　it　to　Pippin　and　Sam。　
'Really　old　Butterbur　has　made　a　mess　of　things！'　he　said。　'He　deservesroasting。　If　I　had　got　this　at　once；　we　might　all　have　been　safe　in　Rivendellby　now。　But　what　can　have　happened　to　Gandalf？　He　writes　as　if　he　was　goinginto　great　danger。'　
'He　has　been　doing　that　for　many　years；'　said　Strider。　
Frodo　turned　and　looked　at　him　thoughtfully；　wondering　about　Gandalf'ssecond　postscript。　'Why　didn't　you　tell　me　that　you　were　Gandalf's　friend　atonce？'　he　asked。　'It　would　have　saved　time。'　　
'Would　it？　Would　any　of　you　have　believed　me　till　now？'　said　Strider。　'Iknew　nothing　of　this　letter。　For　all　I　knew　I　had　to　persuade　you　to　trust　mewithout　proofs；　if　I　was　to　help　you。　In　any　case；　I　did　not　intend　to　tellyou　all　about　myself　at　once。　I　had　to　study　_you_　first；　and　make　sure　ofyou。　The　Enemy　has　set　traps　for　me　before　now。　As　soon　as　I　had　made　up　mymind；　I　was　ready　to　tell　you　whatever　you　asked。　But　I　must　admit；'　he　addedwith　a　queer　laugh；　'that　I　hoped　you　would　take　to　me　for　my　own　sake。　Ahunted　man　sometimes　wearies　of　distrust　and　longs　for　friendship。　But　there；　
I　believe　my　looks　are　against　me。'　
'They　are　–　at　first　sight　at　any　rate；'　laughed　Pippin　with　suddenrelief　after　reading　Gandalf's　letter。　'But　handsome　is　as　handsome　does；　aswe　say　in　the　Shire；　and　I　daresay　we　shall　all　look　much　the　same　after　lyingfor　days　in　hedges　and　ditches。'　　
　
'It　would　take　more　than　a　few　days；　or　weeks；　or　years；　of　wandering　inthe　Wild　to　make　you　look　like　Strider；'　he　answered。　'And　you　would　diefirst；　unless　you　are　made　of　sterner　stuff　than　you　look　to　be。'　
Pippin　subsided；　but　Sam　was　not　daunted；　and　he　still　eyed　Striderdubiously。　'How　do　we　know　you　are　the　Strider　that　Gandalf　speaks　about？'　hedemanded。　'You　never　mentioned　Gandalf；　till　this　letter　came　out。　You　mightbe　a　play…acting　spy；　for　all　I　can　see；　trying　to　get　us　to　go　with　you。　Youmight　have　done　in　the　real　Strider　and　took　his　clothes。　What　have　you　to　sayto　that？'　　
'That　you　are　a　stout　fellow；'　answered　Strider；　'but　I　am　afraid　my　onlyanswer　to　you；　Sam　Gamgee；　is　this。　If　I　had　killed　the　real　Strider；　I　couldkill　you。　And　I　should　have　killed　you　already　without　so　much　talk。　If　I　wasafter　the　Ring；　I　could　have　it　–　NOW！'　
He　stood　up；　and　seemed　suddenly　to　grow　taller。　In　his　eyes　gleamed　alight；　keen　and　manding。　Throwing　back　his　cloak；　he　laid　his　hand　on　thehilt　of　a　sword　that　had　hung　concealed　by　his　side。　They　did　not　dare　tomove。　Sam　sat　wide…mouthed　staring　at　him　dumbly。　
'But　I　_am_　the　real　Strider；　fortunately；'　he　said；　looking　down　at　themwith　his　face　softened　by　a　sudden　smile。　'I　am　Aragorn　son　of　Arathorn；　andif　by　life　or　death　I　can　save　you；　I　will。'　　
There　was　a　long　silence。　At　last　Frodo　spoke　with　hesitation。　'Ibelieved　that　you　were　a　friend　before　the　letter　came；'　he　said；　'or　at　leastI　wished　to。　You　have　frightened　me　several　times　tonight；　but　never　in　theway　that　servants　of　the　Enemy　would；　or　so　I　imagine。　I　think　one　of　hisspies　would　–　well；　seem　fairer　and　feel　fouler；　if　you　understand。'　
'I　see；'　laughed　Strider。　'I　look　foul　and　feel　fair。　Is　that　it？　_Allthat　is　gold　does　not　glitter；　not　all　those　who　wander　are　lost。'_　
'Did　the　verses　apply　to　you　then？'　asked　Frodo。　'I　could　not　make　outwhat　they　were　about。　But　how　did　you　know　that　they　were　in　Gandalf's　letter；　
if　you　have　never　seen　it？'　
'I