an inland voyage-第12章
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never got accustomed to the speed and fury of the river's flux； or the miracle of its continuous body。 Pan once played upon their forefathers； and so； by the hands of his river； he still plays upon these later generations down all the valley of the Oise； and plays the same air； both sweet and shrill； to tell us of the beauty and the terror of the world。
The canoe was like a leaf in the current。 It took it up and shook it； and carried it masterfully away； like a Centaur carrying off a nymph。 To keep some command on our direction required hard and diligent plying of the paddle。 The river was in such a hurry for the sea！ Every drop of water ran in a panic； like as many people in a frightened crowd。 But what crowd was ever so numerous； or so single…minded？ All the objects of sight went by at a dance measure； the eyesight raced with the racing river； the exigencies of every moment kept the pegs screwed so tight； that our being quivered like a well…tuned instrument； and the blood shook off its lethargy； and trotted through all the highways and byways of the veins and arteries； and in and out of the heart； as if circulation were but a holiday journey； and not the daily moil of three…score years and ten。 The reeds might nod their heads in warning； and with tremulous gestures tell how the river was as cruel as it was strong and cold； and how death lurked in the eddy underneath the willows。 But the reeds had to stand where they were； and those who stand still are always timid advisers。 As for us； we could have shouted aloud。 If this lively and beautiful river were； indeed； a thing of death's contrivance； the old ashen rogue had famously outwitted himself with us。 I was living three to the minute。 I was scoring points against him every stroke of my paddle； every turn of the stream。 I have rarely had better profit of my life。
For I think we may look upon our little private war with death somewhat in this light。 If a man knows he will sooner or later be robbed upon a journey； he will have a bottle of the best in every inn； and look upon all his extravagances as so much gained upon the thieves。 And above all； where instead of simply spending； he makes a profitable investment for some of his money； when it will be out of risk of loss。 So every bit of brisk living； and above all when it is healthful； is just so much gained upon the wholesale filcher； death。 We shall have the less in our pockets； the more in our stomach； when he cries stand and deliver。 A swift stream is a favourite artifice of his； and one that brings him in a comfortable thing per annum； but when he and I come to settle our accounts； I shall whistle in his face for these hours upon the upper Oise。
Towards afternoon we got fairly drunken with the sunshine and the exhilaration of the pace。 We could no longer contain ourselves and our content。 The canoes were too small for us； we must be out and stretch ourselves on shore。 And so in a green meadow we bestowed our limbs on the grass； and smoked deifying tobacco and proclaimed the world excellent。 It was the last good hour of the day； and I dwell upon it with extreme complacency。
On one side of the valley； high up on the chalky summit of the hill； a ploughman with his team appeared and disappeared at regular intervals。 At each revelation he stood still for a few seconds against the sky： for all the world （as the CIGARETTE declared） like a toy Burns who should have just ploughed up the Mountain Daisy。 He was the only living thing within view； unless we are to count the river。
On the other side of the valley a group of red roofs and a belfry showed among the foliage。 Thence some inspired bell…ringer made the afternoon musical on a chime of bells。 There was something very sweet and taking in the air he played； and we thought we had never heard bells speak so intelligibly； or sing so melodiously； as these。 It must have been to some such measure that the spinners and the young maids sang； 'Come away； Death；' in the Shakespearian Illyria。 There is so often a threatening note； something blatant and metallic； in the voice of bells； that I believe we have fully more pain than pleasure from hearing them； but these； as they sounded abroad； now high； now low； now with a plaintive cadence that caught the ear like the burthen of a popular song； were always moderate and tunable； and seemed to fall in with the spirit of still； rustic places； like the noise of a waterfall or the babble of a rookery in spring。 I could have asked the bell…ringer for his blessing； good； sedate old man； who swung the rope so gently to the time of his meditations。 I could have blessed the priest or the heritors； or whoever may be concerned with such affairs in France； who had left these sweet old bells to gladden the afternoon； and not held meetings； and made collections； and had their names repeatedly printed in the local paper； to rig up a peal of brand… new； brazen； Birmingham…hearted substitutes； who should bombard their sides to the provocation of a brand…new bell…ringer； and fill the echoes of the valley with terror and riot。
At last the bells ceased； and with their note the sun withdrew。 The piece was at an end； shadow and silence possessed the valley of the Oise。 We took to the paddle with glad hearts； like people who have sat out a noble performance and returned to work。 The river was more dangerous here； it ran swifter； the eddies were more sudden and violent。 All the way down we had had our fill of difficulties。 Sometimes it was a weir which could be shot； sometimes one so shallow and full of stakes that we must withdraw the boats from the water and carry them round。 But the chief sort of obstacle was a consequence of the late high winds。 Every two or three hundred yards a tree had fallen across the river； and usually involved more than another in its fall。
Often there was free water at the end； and we could steer round the leafy promontory and hear the water sucking and bubbling among the twigs。 Often； again； when the tree reached from bank to bank； there was room； by lying close； to shoot through underneath； canoe and all。 Sometimes it was necessary to get out upon the trunk itself and pull the boats across； and sometimes； when the stream was too impetuous for this； there was nothing for it but to land and 'carry over。' This made a fine series of accidents in the day's career； and kept us aware of ourselves。
Shortly after our re…embarkation； while I was leading by a long way； and still full of a noble； exulting spirit in honour of the sun； the swift pace； and the church bells； the river made one of its leonine pounces round a corner； and I was aware of another fallen tree within a stone…cast。 I had my backboard down in a trice； and aimed for a place where the trunk seemed high enough above the water； and the branches not too thick to let me slip below。 When a man has just vowed eternal brotherhood with the universe； he is not in a temper to take great determinations coolly； and this； which might have been a very important determination for me； had not been taken under a happy star。 The tree caught me about the chest； and while I was yet struggling to make less of myself and get through； the river took the matter out of my hands； and bereaved me of my boat。 The ARETHUSA swung round broadside on； leaned over； ejected so much of me as still remained on board； and thus disencumbered； whipped under the tree； righted； and went merrily away down stream。
I do not know how long it was before I scrambled on to the tree to which I was left clinging； but it was longer than I cared about。 My thoughts were of a grave and almost sombre character； but I still clung to my paddle。 The stream ran away with my heels as fast as I could pull up my shoulders； and I seemed； by the weight； to have all the water of the Oise in my trousers…pockets。 You can never know； till you try it； what a dead pull a river makes against a man。 Death himself had me by the heels； for this was his last ambuscado； and he must now join personally in the fray。 And still I held to my paddle。 At last I dragged myself
