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the wood beyond the world-第3部分

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that were passed and done with; and that now he was thinking and
devising if by any means he might find out in what land dwelt those
three。  And then again he strove to put that from him; saying that
what he had seen was but meet for one brainsick; and a dreamer of
dreams。  But furthermore he thought; Yea; and was Arnold; who this
last time had seen the images of those three; a dreamer of waking
dreams? for he was nought wonted in such wise; then thought he:  At
least I am well content that he spake to me of their likeness; not I
to him; for so I may tell that there was at least something before
my eyes which grew not out of mine own brain。  And yet again; why
should I follow them; and what should I get by it; and indeed how
shall I set about it?

Thus he turned the matter over and over; and at last; seeing that if
he grew no foolisher over it; he grew no wiser; he became weary
thereof; and bestirred him; and saw to the trussing up of his goods;
and made all ready for his departure; and so wore the day and slept
at nightfall; and at daybreak comes Arnold to lead him to their
keel; which hight the Bartholomew。  He tarried nought; and with few
farewells went aboard ship; and an hour after they were in the open
sea with the ship's head turned toward Langton on Holm。



CHAPTER IV:  STORM BEFALLS THE BARTHOLOMEW; AND SHE IS DRIVEN OFF
HER COURSE



Now swift sailed the Bartholomew for four weeks toward the north…
west with a fair wind; and all was well with ship and crew。  Then
the wind died out on even of a day; so that the ship scarce made way
at all; though she rolled in a great swell of the sea; so great;
that it seemed to ridge all the main athwart。  Moreover down in the
west was a great bank of cloud huddled up in haze; whereas for
twenty days past the sky had been clear; save for a few bright white
clouds flying before the wind。  Now the shipmaster; a man right
cunning in his craft; looked long on sea and sky; and then turned
and bade the mariners take in sail and be right heedful。  And when
Walter asked him what he looked for; and wherefore he spake not to
him thereof; he said surlily:  〃Why should I tell thee what any fool
can see without telling; to wit that there is weather to hand?〃

So they abode what should befall; and Walter went to his room to
sleep away the uneasy while; for the night was now fallen; and he
knew no more till he was waked up by great hubbub and clamour of the
shipmen; and the whipping of ropes; and thunder of flapping sails;
and the tossing and weltering of the ship withal。  But; being a very
stout…hearted young man; he lay still in his room; partly because he
was a landsman; and had no mind to tumble about amongst the shipmen
and hinder them; and withal he said to himself:  What matter whether
I go down to the bottom of the sea; or come back to Langton; since
either way my life or my death will take away from me the fulfilment
of desire?  Yet soothly if there hath been a shift of wind; that is
not so ill; for then shall we be driven to other lands; and so at
the least our home…coming shall be delayed; and other tidings may
hap amidst of our tarrying。  So let all be as it will。

So in a little while; in spite of the ship's wallowing and the
tumult of the wind and waves; he fell asleep again; and woke no more
till it was full daylight; and there was the shipmaster standing in
the door of his room; the sea…water all streaming from his wet…
weather raiment。  He said to Walter:  〃Young master; the sele of the
day to thee!  For by good hap we have gotten into another day。  Now
I shall tell thee that we have striven to beat; so as not to be
driven off our course; but all would not avail; wherefore for these
three hours we have been running before the wind; but; fair sir; so
big hath been the sea that but for our ship being of the stoutest;
and our men all yare; we had all grown exceeding wise concerning the
ground of the mid…main。  Praise be to St。 Nicholas and all Hallows!
for though ye shall presently look upon a new sea; and maybe a new
land to boot; yet is that better than looking on the ugly things
down below。〃

〃Is all well with ship and crew then?〃 said Walter。

〃Yea forsooth;〃 said the shipmaster; 〃verily the Bartholomew is the
darling of Oak Woods; come up and look at it; how she is dealing
with wind and waves all free from fear。〃

So Walter did on his foul…weather raiment; and went up on to the
quarter…deck; and there indeed was a change of days; for the sea was
dark and tumbling mountain…high; and the white…horses were running
down the valleys thereof; and the clouds drave low over all; and
bore a scud of rain along with them; and though there was but a rag
of sail on her; the ship flew before the wind; rolling a great wash
of water from bulwark to bulwark。

Walter stood looking on it all awhile; holding on by a stay…rope;
and saying to himself that it was well that they were driving so
fast toward new things。

Then the shipmaster came up to him and clapped him on the shoulder
and said:  〃Well; shipmate; cheer up! and now come below again and
eat some meat; and drink a cup with me。〃

So Walter went down and ate and drank; and his heart was lighter
than it had been since he had heard of his father's death; and the
feud awaiting him at home; which forsooth he had deemed would stay
his wanderings a weary while; and therewithal his hopes。  But now it
seemed as if he needs must wander; would he; would he not; and so it
was that even this fed his hope; so sore his heart clung to that
desire of his to seek home to those three that seemed to call him
unto them。



CHAPTER V:  NOW THEY COME TO A NEW LAND



Three days they drave before the wind; and on the fourth the clouds
lifted; the sun shone out and the offing was clear; the wind had
much abated; though it still blew a breeze; and was a head wind for
sailing toward the country of Langton。  So then the master said
that; since they were bewildered; and the wind so ill to deal with;
it were best to go still before the wind that they might make some
land and get knowledge of their whereabouts from the folk thereof。
Withal he said that he deemed the land not to be very far distant。

So did they; and sailed on pleasantly enough; for the weather kept
on mending; and the wind fell till it was but a light breeze; yet
still foul for Langton。

So wore three days; and on the eve of the third; the man from the
topmast cried out that he saw land ahead; and so did they all before
the sun was quite set; though it were but a cloud no bigger than a
man's hand。

When night fell they struck not sail; but went forth toward the land
fair and softly; for it was early summer; so that the nights were
neither long nor dark。

But when it was broad daylight; they opened a land; a long shore of
rocks and mountains; and nought else that they could see at first。
Nevertheless as day wore and they drew nigher; first they saw how
the mountains fell away from the sea; and were behind a long wall of
sheer cliff; and coming nigher yet; they beheld a green plain going
up after a little in green bents and slopes to the feet of the said
cliff…wall。

No city nor haven did they see there; not even when they were far
nigher to the land; nevertheless; whereas they hankered for the
peace of the green earth after all the tossing and unrest of the
sea; and whereas also they doubted not to find at the least good and
fresh water; and belike other bait in the plain under the mountains;
they still sailed on not unmerrily; so that by nightfall they cast
anchor in five…fathom water hard by the shore。

Next morning they found that they were lying a little way off the
mouth of a river not right great; so they put out their boats and
towed the ship up into the said river; and when they had gone up it
for a mile or thereabouts they found the sea water failed; for
little was the ebb and flow of the tide on that coast。  Then was the
river deep and clear; running between smooth grassy land like to
meadows。  Also on their left board they saw presently three head of
neat cattle going; as if in a meadow of a homestead in their own
land; and a few sheep; and thereafter; about a bow…draught from the
river; they saw a little house of wood and straw…thatch under a
wooded mound; and with orchard trees about it。  They wondered little
thereat; for they knew no cause why that land should not be builded;
though it were in the far outlands。  However; they drew their ship
up to the bank; thinking that they would at least abide awhile and
ask tidings and have some refreshing of the green plain; which was
so lovely and pleasant。

But while they were busied herein they saw a man come out of the
house; and down to the river to meet them; and they soon saw that he
was tall and old; long…hoary of hair and beard; and clad mostly in
the skins of beasts。

He drew nigh without any fear or mistrust; and coming close to them
gave them the sele of the day in a kindly and pleasant voice。  The
shipmaster greeted him in his turn; and said withal:  〃Old man; art
thou the king of this country?〃

The elder laughed; 〃It hath had none other a long while;〃 said he;
〃and at least t
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