the black dwarf(黑侏儒)-第14章
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constructed the door and window of his cot； he adjusted a rude bedstead；
and a few shelves； and appeared to become somewhat soothed in his
temper as his accommodations increased。
His next task was to form a strong enclosure； and to cultivate the land
within it to the best of his power； until； by transporting mould； and
working up what was upon the spot； he formed a patch of garden…ground。
It must be naturally supposed； that； as above hinted； this solitary being
received assistance occasionally from such travellers as crossed the moor
by chance； as well as from several who went from curiosity to visit his
works。 It was； indeed； impossible to see a human creature； so unfitted； at
first sight； for hard labour； toiling with such unremitting assiduity； without
stopping a few minutes to aid him in his task； and； as no one of his
occasional assistants was acquainted with the degree of help which the
Dwarf had received from others； the celerity of his progress lost none of
its marvels in their eyes。 The strong and compact appearance of the
cottage； formed in so very short a space； and by such a being； and the
superior skill which he displayed in mechanics； and in other arts； gave
suspicion to the surrounding neighbours。 They insisted； that； if he was
not a phantom；an opinion which was now abandoned； since he plainly
appeared a being of blood and bone with themselves；yet he must be in
close league with the invisible world； and have chosen that sequestered
spot to carry on his communication with them undisturbed。 They insisted；
though in a different sense from the philosopher's application of the phrase；
that he was never less alone than when alone； and that from the heights
which commanded the moor at a distance； passengers often discovered a
person at work along with this dweller of the desert； who regularly
disappeared as soon as they approached closer to the cottage。 Such a
figure was also occasionally seen sitting beside him at the door； walking
with him in the moor； or assisting him in fetching water from his fountain。
Earnscliff explained this phenomenon by supposing it to be the Dwarf's
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THE BLACK DWARF
shadow。
〃Deil a shadow has he；〃 replied Hobbie Elliot； who was a strenuous
defender of the general opinion； 〃he's ower far in wi' the Auld Ane to have
a shadow。 Besides；〃 he argued more logically； 〃wha ever heard of a
shadow that cam between a body and the sun？ and this thing； be it what
it will； is thinner and taller than the body himsell； and has been seen to
come between him and the sun mair than anes or twice either。〃
These suspicions； which； in any other part of the country； might have
been attended with investigations a little inconvenient to the supposed
wizard； were here only productive of respect and awe。 The recluse being
seemed somewhat gratified by the marks of timid veneration with which
an occasional passenger approached his dwelling； the look of startled
surprise with which he surveyed his person and his premises； and the
hurried step with which he pressed his retreat as he passed the awful spot。
The boldest only stopped to gratify their curiosity by a hasty glance at the
walls of his cottage and garden； and to apologize for it by a courteous
salutation； which the inmate sometimes deigned to return by a word or a
nod。 Earnscliff often passed that way； and seldom without enquiring
after the solitary inmate； who seemed now to have arranged his
establishment for life。
It was impossible to engage him in any conversation on his own
personal affairs； nor was he communicative or accessible in talking on any
other subject whatever； although he seemed to have considerably relented
in the extreme ferocity of his misanthropy； or rather to be less frequently
visited with the fits of derangement of which this was a symptom。 No
argument could prevail upon him to accept anything beyond the simplest
necessaries； although much more was offered by Earnscliff out of charity；
and by his more superstitious neighbours from other motives。 The
benefits of these last he repaid by advice； when consulted （as at length he
slowly was） on their diseases； or those of their cattle。 He often furnished
them with medicines also； and seemed possessed； not only of such as were
the produce of the country； but of foreign drugs。 He gave these persons
to understand； that his name was Elshender the Recluse； but his popular
epithet soon came to be Canny Elshie； or the Wise Wight of Mucklestane…
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THE BLACK DWARF
Moor。 Some extended their queries beyond their bodily complaints； and
requested advice upon other matters； which he delivered with an oracular
shrewdness that greatly confirmed the opinion of his possessing
preternatural skill。 The querists usually left some offering upon a stone；
at a distance from his dwelling； if it was money； or any article which did
not suit him to accept； he either threw it away； or suffered it to remain
where it was without making use of it。 On all occasions his manners
were rude and unsocial； and his words； in number； just sufficient to
express his meaning as briefly as possible； and he shunned all
communication that went a syllable beyond the matter in hand。 When
winter had passed away； and his garden began to afford him herbs and
vegetables； he confined himself almost entirely to those articles of food。
He accepted； notwithstanding； a pair of she…goats from Earnscliff； which
fed on the moor； and supplied him with milk。
When Earnscliff found his gift had been received； he soon afterwards
paid the hermit a visit。 The old man was seated an a broad flat stone near
his garden door； which was the seat of science he usually occupied when
disposed to receive his patients or clients。 The inside of his hut； and that
of his garden； he kept as sacred from human intrusion as the natives of
Otaheite do their Morai；apparently he would have deemed it polluted by
the step of any human being。 When he shut himself up in his habitation；
no entreaty could prevail upon him to make himself visible； or to give
audience to any one whomsoever。
Earnscliff had been fishing in a small river at some distance。 He had
his rod in his hand； and his basket； filled with trout； at his shoulder。 He
sate down upon a stone nearly opposite to the Dwarf who； familiarized
with his presence； took no farther notice of him than by elevating his huge
mis…shapen head for the purpose of staring at him； and then again sinking
it upon his bosom； as if in profound meditation。 Earnscliff looked around
him； and observed that the hermit had increased his accommodations by
the construction of a shed for the reception of his goats。
You labour hard； Elshie；〃 he said；
