gulliver of mars(火星上的格列弗)-第47章
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sibly this robbed me of my wonted energy； and you； gentle reader； of a
description of all the strange things we passed upon that highway。
Suffice it to say we spent a scorching afternoon； the greater part of a
stifling night moored under a mud…bank with a grove of trees on top from
which gigantic fire…flies hung as though the place were illuminated for a
garden fete； and then； rowing on again in the comparatively cool hours
before dawn； turned into a backwater at cock…crow。
The skipper of our cargo boat roused me just as we turned； putting
under my sleepy nostrils a handful of toasted beans on a leaf； and a small
cup full of something that was not coffee； but smelt as good as that
matutinal beverage always does to the tired traveller。
Over our prow was an immense arch of foliage； and under… neath a
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long arcade of cool black shadows； sheltering still water； till water and
shadow suddenly ended a quarter of a mile down in a patch of brilliant
colour。 It was as peaceful as could be in the first morning light； and to
me over all there was the inexpressible attraction of the unknown。
As our boat slipped silently forward up this leafy lane； a thin white
〃feather〃 in her mouth alone breaking the steely surface of the stream； the
men rested from their work and began； as sailors will； to put on their
shore…going clothes； the while they chatted in low tones over the profits of
the voyage。 Overhead flying squirrels were flitting to and fro like bats；
or shelling fruit whereof the husks fell with a pleasant splash about us； and
on one bank a couple of early mothers were washing their babies； whose
smothered protests were almost the only sound in this morning world。
Another silent dip or two of the oars and the colour ahead crystallised
into a town。 If I said it was like an African village on a large scale； I
should probably give you the best description in the fewest words。 From
the very water's edge up to the crown of a low hill inland； extended a mass
of huts and wooden buildings； embowered and partly hidden in bright
green foliage； with here and there patches of millet； or some such food
plant； and the flowers that grow everywhere so abundantly in this country。
It was all Arcadian and peaceful enough at the moment； and as we drew
near the men were just coming out to the quays along the har… bour front；
the streets filling and the town waking to busy life。
A turn to the left through a watergate defended by towers of wood and
mud； and we were in the city harbour itself； boats of many kinds moored
on every side； quaint craft from the gulfs and bays of Nowhere； full of
unheard…of merch… andise； and manned by strange…faced crews； every
vessel a romance of nameless seas； an epitome of an undiscovered world；
and every moment the scene grew busier as the breakfast smoke arose； and
wharf and gangway set to work upon the day's labours。
Our boatloaded； as it turned out； with spoil from Seth was run to a
place of honour at the bottom of the town square； and was an object of
much curiosity to a small crowd which speedily collected and lent a hand
with the mooring ropes； the while chatting excitedly with the crew about
further tribute and the latest news from overseas。 At the same time a
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swarthy barbarian； whose trappings showed him to be some sort of
functionary； came down to our 〃captain；〃 much wagging of heads and
counting of notched sticks taking place between them。
I； indeed； was apparently the least interesting item of the cargo； and
this was embarrassing。 No hero likes to be ne… glected； it is fatal to his
part。 I had said my prayers and steeled myself to all sorts of fine
endurance on the way up； and here； when it came to the crisis； no one was
anxious to play the necessary villain。 They just helped me ashore civilly
enough； the captain nodded his head at me； mutter… ing something in an
indifferent tone to the functionary about a ghost who had wandered
overseas and begged a passage up the canal； the group about the quay
stared a little； but that was all。
Once I remember seeing a squatting； life…size heathen idol hoisted
from a vessel's hold and deposited on a sugar…box on a New York quay。
Some ribald passer…by put a battered felt hat upon Vishnu's sacred curls；
and there the poor image sat； an alien in an indifferent land； a sack across
its shoulders； a 〃billycock〃 upon its head； and honoured at most with a
passing stare。 I thought of that lonely image as al… most as lonely I stood
on the Thither men's quay； without the support of friends or heroics；
wondering what to do next。
However； a cheerful disposition is sometimes better than a banking
account； and not having the one I cultivated the other； sunning myself
amongst the bales for a time； and then； since none seemed interested in me；
wandered off into the town； partly to satisfy my curiosity； and partly in the
vague hope of ascertaining if my princess was really here； and； if possible；
getting sight of her。
Meanwhile it turned hot with a supernatural； heavy sort of heat
altogether； I overheard passersby exclaiming； out of the common； and after
wandering for an hour through gardens and endless streets of thatched huts；
I was glad enough to throw myself down in the shadow of some trees on
the outskirts of the great central pile of buildings； a whole village in itself
of beam…built towers and dwelling… place； suggesting by its superior size
that it might actually be Ar…hap's palace。
Hotter and hotter it grew； while a curious secondary sunrise in the west；
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the like of which I never saw before seemed to add to the heat； and heavier
and heavier my eye… lids； till I dozed at last； and finally slept
uncomfortably for a time。
Rousing up suddenly； imagine my surprise to see sitting； chin on knees；
about a yard away； a slender girlish figure； infinitely out of place in that
world of rough barbarians。 Was it possible？ Was I dreaming？ No； there
was no doubt about it； she was a girl of the Hither folk； slim and pretty；
but with a wonderfully sad look in her gazelle eyes； and scarcely a sign of
the indolent happiness of Seth in the pale little face regarding me so
fixedly。
〃Good gracious； miss；〃 I said； still rubbing my eyes and doubting my
senses； 〃have you dropped from the skies？ You are the very last person I
expected to see in this barbarian place。〃
〃And you too； sir。 Oh； it is lovely to see one so newly from home；
and free…seemingnot a slave。〃
〃How did you know I was from Seth？〃
〃Oh； that was easy enough；〃 and with a little laugh she pointed to a
pebble lying between us； on which was a piece of battered swee
