gulliver of mars(火星上的格列弗)-第24章
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came the patter of light feet without and a Martian； in a hurry for once；
with half a dozen others behind him； swept aside the curtains of my
doorway。
They peeped and peered all about the room； then one said； 〃Is Princess
Heru with you； sir？〃
〃No；〃 I answered roughly。 〃Saints alive； man； do you think I would
have you tumbling in here over each other's heels if she were？〃
〃Then it must indeed have been Heru；〃 he said； speak… ing in an awed
voice to his fellows； 〃whom we saw carried down to the harbour at
daybreak by yonder woodmen；〃 and the pink upon their pretty cheeks
faded to nothing at the suggestion。
〃What！〃 I roared； 〃Heru taken from the palace by a handful of men
and none of you infernal rascalsnone of you white…livered abortions
lifted a hand to save hercurse on you a thousand times。 Out of my way；
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you churls！〃 And snatching up coat and hat and sword I rushed furiously
down the long； marble stairs just as the short Martian night was giving
place to lavender…coloured light of morning。 I found my way somehow
down the deserted corridors where the air was heavy with aromatic
vapours； I flew by cur… tained niches and chambers where amongst
mounds of half… withered flowers the Martian lovers were slowly waking。
Down into the banquethall I sped； and there in the twilight was the litter of
the feast still aboutgold cups and silver； broken bread and meat； the
convolvulus flowers all turning their pallid faces to the rosy daylight；
making pools of brightness between the shadows。 Amongst the litter
little sapphire…coloured finches were feeding； twittering merrily to
themselves as they hopped about； and here and there down the long tables
lay asprawl a belated reveller； his empty oblivion…phial before him； his
curly head upon his arms； dreaming perhaps of last night's feast and a
neglected bride dozing dispassionate in some distant chamber。 But Heru
was not there and little I cared for twittering finches or sighing damsels。
With hasty feet I rushed down the hall out into the cool； sweet air of the
planet morning。
There I met one whom I knew； and he told me he had been among the
crowd and had heard the woodmen had gone no farther than the river gate；
that Heru was with them beyond a doubt。 I would not listen to more。
〃Good！〃 I shouted。 〃Get me a horse and just a handful of your sleek
kindred and we will pull the prize from the bear's paw even yet！ Surely；〃
I said； turning to a knot of Martian youths who stood listening a few steps
away； 〃surely some of you will come with me at this pinch？ The big
bullies are very few； the sea runs behind them； the maid in their clutch is
worth fighting for； it needs but one good onset； five minutes' gallantry； and
she is ours again。 Think how fine it will look to bring her back before
yon sleepy fellows have found their weapons。 You； there； with the blue
tunic！ you look a proper fellow； and something of a heart should beat
under such gay wrappings； will you come with me？〃
But blue…mantle； biting his thumbs； murmured he had not breakfasted
yet and edged away behind his com… panions。 Wherever I looked eyes
dropped and timid hands fidgeted as their owners backed off from my
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dangerous en… thusiasm。 There was obviously no help to be had from
them； and meantime the precious moments were flying； so with a
disdainful glance I turned on my heels and set off alone as hard as I could
go for the harbour。
But it was too late。 I rushed through the marketplace where all was
silent and deserted； I ran on to the wharves beyond and they were empty
save for the litter and embers of the fires Ar…hap's men had made during
their stay； I dashed out to the landing…place； and there at the hythe the last
boat… loads of the villains were just embarking； two boatloads of them
twenty yards from shore； and another still upon the beach。 This latter
was careening over as a dusky group of men lifted aboard to a heap of
tumbled silks and stuffs in the stern such a sweet piece of insensible
merchandise as no man； I at least of all； could mistake。 It was Heru her…
self； and the rogues were ladling her on board like so much sandal…wood
or cotton sheeting。 I did not wait for more； but out came my sword； and
yielding to a reckless impulse； for which perhaps last night's wine was as
much to blame as anything； I sprang down the steps and leapt aboard of
the boat just as it was pushed off upon the swift tide。 Full of Bersark
rage； I cut one brawny copper…coloured thief down； and struck another
with my fist between the eyes so that he went headlong into the water；
sinking like lead； and deep into the great target of his neighbour's chest I
drove my blade。 Had there been a man beside me； had there been but
two or three of all those silken triflers； too late come on the terraces above
to watch； we might have won。 But all alone what could I do？ That last
red beast turned on my blade； and as he fell dragged me half down with
him。 I staggered up； and tugging the metal from him turned on the next。
At that moment the cause of all the turmoil； roused by the fighting；
came to herself； and sitting up on the piled plunder in the boat stared
round for a moment with a child… ish horror at the barbarians whose prize
she was； then at me； then at the dead man at my feet whose blood was
welling in a red tide from the wound in his breast。 As the full meaning of
the scene dawned upon her she started to her feet； looking wonderfully
beautiful amongst those dusky forms； and extending her hands to me
began to cry in the most piteous way。 I sprang forward； and as I did so
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saw an ape… man clap his hairy paw over her mouth and faceit was like
an eclipse of the moon by a red earth…shadow； I thought at the moment
and drag her roughly back； but that was about the last I remembered。 As
I turned to hit him standing on the slippery thwart； another rogue crept up
behind and let drive with a club he had in hand。 The cud… gel caught me
sideways on the head； a glancing shot。 I can recall a blaze of light； a
strange medley of sounds in my ears； and then； clutching at a pile of stuffs
as I fell； a tall bower of spray rising on either hand； and the cool shock of
the blue sea as I plunged headlong inbut noth… ing after that！
How long after I know not； but presently a tissue of day… light crept
into my eyes； and I awoke again。 It was better than nothing perhap
