Chapter 10 STRIDER Frodo, Pippin, and Sam made their way back to the parlour. There was no light. Merry was not there, and the fire had burned low. It was not until they had puffed up the embers into a blaze and thrown on a couple of faggots that they discovered Strider had come with them. There he was calmly sitting in a chair by the door! ‘Hallo!’ said Pippin. ‘Who are you, and what do you want?’ ‘I am called Strider,’ he answered; ‘and though he may have forgotten it, your friend promised to have a quiet talk with me.’ “You said I might hear something to my advantage, I believe,’ said Frodo. ‘What have you to say?’ ‘Several things,’ answered Strider. ‘But, of course, I have my price.’ ‘What do you mean?’ asked Frodo sharply. ‘Don’t be alarmed! I mean just this: I will tell you what I know, and give you some good advice — but I shall want a reward.’ ‘And what will that be, pray?’ said Frodo. He suspected now that he had fallen in with a rascal, and he thought uncomfortably that he had brought only a little money with him. All of it would hardly satisfy a rogue, and he could not spare any of it. ‘No more than you can afford,’ answered Strider with a slow smile, as if he guessed Frodo’s thoughts. ‘Just this: you must take me along with you, until I wish to leave you.’ ‘Oh, indeed!’ replied Frodo, surprised, but not much relieved. ‘Even if I wanted another companion, I should not agree to any such thing, until I knew a good deal more about you, and your business.’ ‘Excellent!’ exclaimed Strider, crossing his legs and sitting back comfortably. “You seem to be coming to your senses again, and that is all to the good. You have been much too careless so far. Very well! I will tell you what I know, and leave the reward to you. You may be glad to grant it, when you have heard me.’ ‘Go on then!’ said Frodo. ‘What do you know?’ “Too much; too many dark things,’ said Strider grimly. ‘But as for your business > He got up and went to the door, opened it quickly and looked out. Then he shut it quietly and sat down again. ‘I have quick ears,’ he went on, lowering his voice, ‘and though I cannot disappear, I have hunted many wild and wary things and I can usually avoid being seen, if I wish. Now, I was behind the hedge this evening on the Road west of Bree, when four hobbits came out of the Downlands. I need not repeat all that they said to old Bombadil
第十章 神行客 佛羅多、皮聘和山姆回到客廳。裡面沒有燈光。梅里不在那裡，爐火也已轉弱。直到他們把餘燼吹旺成熊熊火焰，並扔進幾捆柴火後，才發現神行客跟他們一起進來了。他正安靜地坐在門邊的一張椅子上！「哈囉！」皮聘說。「你是誰？想做什麼？」「人們叫我神行客，」他回答道，「雖然你的朋友可能忘了，但他答應過要和我私下談談。」「我記得你說過，我也許能聽到一些對我有利的事。」佛羅多說。「你有什麼要說的？」「好幾件事，」神行客回答。「不過，當然，我有我的價碼。」「你這是什麼意思？」佛羅多尖銳地問。「別驚慌！我的意思只是：我會告訴我所知道的一切，並給你一些好建議——但我需要報酬。」「那請問會是什麼報酬呢？」佛羅多說。他現在懷疑自己是遇上了一個無賴，並不安地想起自己只帶了一點錢。這點錢根本不夠滿足一個惡棍，而他也一分都不能少。「不會超過你所能負擔的，」神行客緩緩地微笑著回答，彷彿猜透了佛羅多心思。「只要這樣：你必須帶我同行，直到我想離開你們為止。」「喔，是嗎！」佛羅多驚訝地回答，但並未因此感到寬心。「就算我想要再多一個旅伴，在更了解你和你的底細之前，我也不會同意這種事。」「太好了！」神行客大聲說，他翹起二郎腿，舒服地向後靠。「看來你又恢復理智了，這總是件好事。你到目前為止都太粗心了。很好！我會告訴我所知道的，報酬就由你決定。聽完我的話之後，你或許會很樂意給予。」「那就說吧！」佛羅多說。「你知道些什麼？」「太多了；太多黑暗的事。」神行客面色凝重地說。「但至於你的事……」他站起來走到門邊，迅速打開門朝外看了一眼。然後他輕輕地關上門，又坐了下來。「我的耳朵很靈敏，」他壓低聲音繼續說，「雖然我沒辦法隱形，但我獵捕過許多既狂野又警覺的生物，只要我願意，通常都能避免被看見。今天傍晚，當四個哈比人從丘陵地帶出來時，我就在布理以西大路旁的樹籬後面。他們對老龐巴迪說的話，我就不必全部重複了。
164 THE LORD OF THE RINGS or to one another; but one thing interested me. Please remember, said one of them, that the name Baggins must not be mentioned. I am Mr. Underhill, if any name must be given. That interested me so much that I followed them here. I slipped over the gate just behind them. Maybe Mr. Baggins has an honest reason for leaving his name behind; but if so, I should advise him and his friends to be more careful.’ ‘I don’t see what interest my name has for anyone in Bree,’ said Frodo angrily, ‘and I have still to learn why it interests you. Mr. Strider may have an honest reason for spying and eavesdropping; but if so, I should advise him to explain it.’ ‘Well answered!’ said Strider laughing. ‘But the explanation is simple: I was looking for a Hobbit called Frodo Baggins. I wanted to find him quickly. I had learned that he was carrying out of the Shire, well, a secret that concerned me and my friends. ‘Now, don’t mistake me!’ he cried, as Frodo rose from his seat, and Sam jumped up with a scowl. ‘I shall take more care of the secret than you do. And care is needed!’ He leaned forward and looked at them. ‘Watch every shadow!’ he said in a low voice. ‘Black horsemen have passed through Bree. On Monday one came down the Greenway, they say; and another appeared later, coming up the Greenway from the south.’ There was a silence. At last Frodo spoke to Pippin and Sam: ‘I ought to have guessed it from the way the gatekeeper greeted us,’ he said. ‘And the landlord seems to have heard something. Why did he press us to join the company? And why on earth did we behave so foolishly: we ought to have stayed quiet in here.’ ‘It would have been better,’ said Strider. ‘I would have stopped your going into the common-room, if I could; but the innkeeper would not let me in to see you, or take a message.’ ‘Do you think he > began Frodo. ‘No, I don’t think any harm of old Butterbur. Only he does not altogether like mysterious vagabonds of my sort.’ Frodo gave him a puzzled look. ‘Well, I have rather a rascally look, have I not?’ said Strider with a curl of his lip and a queer gleam in his eye. ‘But I hope we shall get to know one another better. When we do, I hope you will explain what happened at the end of your song. For that little prank——’ ‘It was sheer accident!’ interrupted Frodo. ‘I wonder,’ said Strider. ‘Accident, then. That accident has made your position dangerous.’ ‘Hardly more than it was already,’ said Frodo. ‘I knew these horsemen were pursuing me; but now at any rate they seem to have missed me and to have gone away.’
……或彼此交談；但有一件事引起了我的興趣。其中一人說：『請記住，絕不能提及巴金斯這個姓氏。如果非得給個名字，我就是山下先生。』這讓我非常感興趣，所以我跟著他們來到這裡。我就在他們身後溜進了大門。也許巴金斯先生有正當理由隱瞞自己的姓氏；但如果是這樣，我建議他和他的朋友們要更小心一點。」「我不明白我的名字對布理的任何人有什麼好感興趣的，」佛羅多憤怒地說，「而且我還沒搞懂為什麼你對此感興趣。神行客先生或許有正當理由進行窺探和竊聽；但如果是這樣，我建議他最好解釋一下。」「回答得好！」神行客笑著說。「但解釋很簡單：我正在尋找一位名叫佛羅多·巴金斯的哈比人。我想盡快找到他。我得知他正帶著一個……嗯，一個與我和我朋友們有關的秘密，離開夏爾。」「喂，別誤會我！」他喊道，這時佛羅多從座位上站起來，山姆也皺著眉頭跳了起來。「我會比你更小心地保護那個秘密。而且務必要小心！」他向前傾身看著他們。「注意每一個影子！」他低聲說。「黑騎士已經穿過布理了。他們說，星期一有一個沿著綠大道南下；後來又有一個出現，從南方沿著綠大道北上。」一片寂靜。最後佛羅多對皮聘和山姆說：「我早該從守門人迎接我們的方式猜到的，」他說。「而且旅店老闆似乎也聽到了些什麼。他為什麼催我們加入大家？我們到底為什麼會表現得這麼愚蠢：我們本該安靜地待在這裡的。」「那樣會比較好，」神行客說。「如果可以的話，我會阻止你們去交誼廳的；但旅店老闆不讓我進來見你們，也不讓我帶話。」「你認為他……」佛羅多開口道。「不，我不認為老奶油伯有什麼惡意。只是他不太喜歡我這種神秘的流浪漢。」佛羅多困惑地看著他。「嗯，我長得是挺像個無賴的，不是嗎？」神行客說，嘴角一撇，眼中閃過一絲奇異的光芒。「但我希望我們能更了解彼此。到時候，我希望你能解釋一下你那首歌結尾時發生了什麼事。對於那個小小的惡作劇——」「那完全是個意外！」佛羅多打斷他。「我很懷疑，」神行客說。「那就當是意外吧。那個意外已經讓你的處境變得危險了。」「未必比之前更危險，」佛羅多說。「我知道那些騎士在追我；但無論如何，他們現在似乎錯過了我，並且已經離開了。
STRIDER 165 “You must not count on that!’ said Strider sharply. “They will return. And more are coming. There are others. I know their number. I know these Riders.’ He paused, and his eyes were cold and hard. ‘And there are some folk in Bree who are not to be trusted,’ he went on. ‘Bill Ferny, for instance. He has an evil name in the Bree-land, and queer folk call at his house. You must have noticed him among the company: a swarthy sneering fellow. He was very close with one of the Southern strangers, and they slipped out together just after your ‘‘accident’”’. Not all of those Southerners mean well; and as for Ferny, he would sell anything to anybody; or make mischief for amusement.’ ‘What will Ferny sell, and what has my accident got to do with him?’ said Frodo, still determined not to understand Strider’s hints. ‘News of you, of course,’ answered Strider. ‘An account of your performance would be very interesting to certain people. After that they would hardly need to be told your real name. It seems to me only too likely that they will hear of it before this night is over. Is that enough? You can do as you like about my reward: take me as a guide or not. But I may say that I know all the lands between the Shire and the Misty Mountains, for I have wandered over them for many years. I am older than I look. I might prove useful. You will have to leave the open road after tonight; for the horsemen will watch it night and day. You may escape from Bree, and be allowed to go forward while the Sun is up; but you won’t go far. They will come on you in the wild, in some dark place where there is no help. Do you wish them to find you? They are terrible!’ The hobbits looked at him, and saw with surprise that his face was drawn as if with pain, and his hands clenched the arms of his chair. The room was very quiet and still, and the light seemed to have grown dim. For a while he sat with unseeing eyes as if walking in distant memory or listening to sounds in the Night far away. ‘There!’ he cried after a moment, drawing his hand across his brow. ‘Perhaps I know more about these pursuers than you do. You fear them, but you do not fear them enough, yet. Tomorrow you will have to escape, if you can. Strider can take you by paths that are seldom trodden. Will you have him?’ There was a heavy silence. Frodo made no answer; his mind was confused with doubt and fear. Sam frowned, and looked at his master; and at last he broke out: ‘With your leave, Mr. Frodo, I’d say no! This Strider here, he warns and he says take care; and I say yes to that, and let’s begin with him. He comes out of the Wild, and I never heard no good of such folk. He knows something, that’s plain, and more than I like;
「你可別指望那個！」神行客尖銳地說。「他們會回來的。而且還有更多正在路上。還有其他人。我知道他們的數量。我了解這些騎士。」他頓了一下，眼神冰冷而堅定。「而且布理有些居民是信不過的，」他繼續說。「比爾·蕨尼就是一個例子。他在布理地區名聲很壞，總有些古怪的人去他家。你們在人群中一定注意過他：一個皮膚黝黑、面帶譏笑的傢伙。他跟其中一個南方來的陌生人走得很近，就在你『出事』之後，他們倆就一起溜出去了。那些南方人並非個個都心懷好意；至於蕨尼，他什麼東西都能賣給任何人；或者純粹為了好玩而製造麻煩。」「蕨尼會賣什麼？我的意外又跟他有什麼關係？」佛羅多說，仍然決心不理會神行客的暗示。「當然是你的消息，」神行客回答。「對某些人來說，你那場表演的描述會非常有趣。在那之後，他們幾乎不需要再被告知你的真實姓名了。在我看來，他們今晚結束前很可能就會聽到這件事。這樣夠了嗎？我的報酬你可以隨意決定：要不要我當嚮導。但我可以說，從夏爾到迷霧山脈之間的所有土地，我都瞭若指掌，因為我已在那裡遊蕩了許多年。我比看起來要年長。我也許能派上用場。今晚過後，你們就必須離開大路了；因為那些騎士會日夜監視著它。你們也許能逃出布理，在太陽升起時被允許前進；但你們走不遠。他們會在野外，在某個沒有援助的黑暗地方追上你們。你們希望被他們找到嗎？他們很可怕！」哈比人們看著他，驚訝地發現他的臉因痛苦而扭曲，雙手緊緊抓住椅子的扶手。房間裡非常安靜，燈光似乎也變得昏暗了。有一會兒，他眼神空洞地坐著，彷彿在遙遠的記憶中行走，或是在聆聽遠方黑夜裡的聲響。「好了！」過了一會兒，他大喊一聲，用手抹過額頭。「也許我比你們更了解這些追兵。你們怕他們，但你們還不夠怕他們。明天你們必須逃走，如果可以的話。神行客可以帶你們走那些人跡罕至的小徑。你們願意接受他嗎？」一片沉重的寂靜。佛羅多沒有回答；他的腦中充滿了懷疑與恐懼。山姆皺起眉頭，看著他的主人；最後他忍不住說：「請恕我冒昧，佛羅多先生，我會說不！這位神行客，他警告我們，又叫我們要小心；我同意這點，就讓我們從他開始小心起。他從野地裡來，我從沒聽過這種人有什麼好話。他知道些什麼，這很明顯，而且比我喜歡的還多；」
166 THE LORD OF THE RINGS but it’s no reason why we should let him go leading us out into some dark place far from help, as he puts it.’ Pippin fidgeted and looked uncomfortable. Strider did not reply to Sam, but turned his keen eyes on Frodo. Frodo caught his glance and looked away. ‘No,’ he said slowly. ‘I don’t agree. I think, I think you are not really as you choose to look. You began to talk to me like the Bree-folk, but your voice has changed. Still Sam seems right in this: I don’t see why you should warn us to take care, and yet ask us to take you on trust. Why the disguise? Who are you? What do you really know about — about my business; and how do you know it?’ “The lesson in caution has been well learned,’ said Strider with a grim smile. ‘But caution is one thing and wavering is another. You will never get to Rivendell now on your own, and to trust me is your only chance. You must make up your mind. I will answer some of your questions, if that will help you to do so. But why should you believe my story, if you do not trust me already? Still here it is 4 At that moment there came a knock at the door. Mr. Butterbur had arrived with candles, and behind him was Nob with cans of hot water. Strider withdrew into a dark corner. ‘I’ve come to bid you good night,’ said the landlord, putting the candles on the table. ‘Nob! Take the water to the rooms!’ He came in and shut the door. ‘It’s like this,’ he began, hesitating and looking troubled. ‘If I’ve done any harm, I’m sorry indeed. But one thing drives out another, as you'll admit; and I’m a busy man. But first one thing and then another this week have jogged my memory, as the saying goes; and not too late I hope. You see, I was asked to look out for hobbits of the Shire, and for one by the name of Baggins in particular.’ ‘And what has that got to do with me?’ asked Frodo. ‘Ah! you know best,’ said the landlord, knowingly. ‘I won’t give you away; but I was told that this Baggins would be going by the name of Underhill, and I was given a description that fits you well enough, if I may say so.’ ‘Indeed! Let’s have it then!’ said Frodo, unwisely interrupting. ‘A stout little fellow with red cheeks,’ said Mr. Butterbur solemnly. Pippin chuckled, but Sam looked indignant. ‘That won’t help you much; it goes for most hobbits, Barley, he says to me,’ continued Mr. Butterbur with a glance at Pippin. ‘But this one 1s taller than some and fairer than most, and he has a cleft in his chin: perky chap with a bright eye. Begging your pardon, but he said it, not me.’ ‘He said it? And who was he?’ asked Frodo eagerly.
「但這不代表我們就該讓他帶我們到什麼鳥不生蛋、遠離人煙的鬼地方去，照他自己的說法。』皮聘坐立不安，看起來很不自在。神行客沒有回答山姆，而是將他銳利的目光轉向佛羅多。佛羅多迎上他的視線，又隨即移開。『不，』他緩緩地說。『我不同意。我想，我想你真實的樣子並非你選擇呈現出來的那樣。你一開始用躍馬鎮民的口氣跟我說話，但你的聲音變了。不過山姆在這點上似乎是對的：我不明白你為什麼要警告我們要小心，卻又要我們信賴你。為什麼要偽裝？你是誰？你到底知道些什麼——關於我的事；你又是怎麼知道的？』『謹慎這門課你學得很好，』神行客冷峻地一笑說。『但謹慎是一回事，猶豫不決又是另一回事。靠你們自己是絕對到不了瑞文戴爾的，信任我是你們唯一的機會。你必須下定決心。我會回答你一些問題，如果那能幫助你做決定的話。但如果你已經不信任我了，你又為什麼會相信我說的故事呢？不過，故事是這樣的——』就在那時，門上傳來一陣敲門聲。奶油伯先生帶著蠟燭來了，他身後跟著諾伯，端著幾罐熱水。神行客退到一個黑暗的角落裡。『我是來向各位道晚安的，』旅店老闆說，把蠟燭放在桌上。『諾伯！把水拿到房間去！』他走進來並關上門。『是這樣的，』他開口，語氣遲疑，神色困擾。『要是我造成了什麼傷害，我真的很抱歉。但你會承認的，一件事情總會把另一件事情給擠掉；而我是個大忙人。但這星期先是這件事，再來又是那件事，俗話說，勾起了我的記憶；希望還不算太晚。你看，有人曾要我留意來自夏爾的哈比人，特別是一個姓巴金斯的。』『那又與我何干？』佛羅多問。『啊！你心裡最清楚，』旅店老闆心照不宣地說。『我不會出賣你的；但我被告知，這位巴金斯先生會用一個叫山下的化名，而且我還拿到一份描述，恕我直言，跟你挺符合的。』『真的嗎！那就說來聽聽！』佛羅多不明智地打斷道。『一個臉頰紅潤、矮胖結實的小傢伙，』奶油伯先生嚴肅地說。皮聘咯咯地笑了，但山姆看起來很憤慨。『那幫不了你什麼忙；他說，這對大多數哈比人都適用，巴力門，』奶油伯先生瞥了皮聘一眼，繼續說道。『但這一位比一些人高，膚色比大多數人白皙，下巴還有個小凹陷：是個精神抖擻、眼睛明亮的小伙子。請您多包涵，但這是他說的，不是我。』『他說的？他是誰？』佛羅多急切地問道。
STRIDER 167 ‘Ah! That was Gandalf, if you know who I mean. A wizard they say he is, but he’s a good friend of mine, whether or no. But now I don’t know what he’ll have to say to me, if I see him again: turn all my ale sour or me into a block of wood, I shouldn’t wonder. He’s a bit hasty. Still what’s done can’t be undone.’ ‘Well, what have you done?’ said Frodo, getting impatient with the slow unravelling of Butterbur’s thoughts. ‘Where was I?’ said the landlord, pausing and snapping his fingers. ‘Ah, yes! Old Gandalf. Three months back he walked right into my room without a knock. Barley, he says, I’m off in the morning. Will you do something for me? You’ve only to name it, I said. I’m in a hurry, said he, and I’ve no time myself, but I want a message took to the Shire. Have you anyone you can send, and trust to go? I can find someone, I said, tomorrow, maybe, or the day after. Make it tomorrow, he says, and then he gave me a letter. ‘It’s addressed plain enough,’ said Mr. Butterbur, producing a letter from his pocket, and reading out the address slowly and proudly (he valued his reputation as a lettered man): Mr. FRODO BAGGINS, BAG END, HOBBITON in the SHIRE. ‘A letter for me from Gandalf!’ cried Frodo. ‘Ah!’ said Mr. Butterbur. “Then your right name is Baggins?’ ‘It is,’ said Frodo, ‘and you had better give me that letter at once, and explain why you never sent it. That’s what you came to tell me, I suppose, though you’ve taken a long time to come to the point.’ Poor Mr. Butterbur looked troubled. ‘You’re right, master,’ he said, ‘and I beg your pardon. And I’m mortal afraid of what Gandalf will say, if harm comes of it. But I didn’t keep it back a-purpose. I put it by safe. Then I couldn’t find nobody willing to go to the Shire next day, nor the day after, and none of my own folk were to spare; and then one thing after another drove it out of my mind. I’m a busy man. I'll do what I can to set matters right, and if there’s any help I can give, you’ve only to name it. ‘Leaving the letter aside, I promised Gandalf no less. Barley, he says to me, this friend of mine from the Shire, he may be coming out this way before long, him and another. He'll be calling himself Underhill. Mind that! But you need ask no questions. And if I’m not with him, he may be in trouble, and he may need help. Do whatever you can for him, and Ill be grateful, he says. And here you are, and trouble is not far off, seemingly.’ ‘What do you mean?’ asked Frodo. “These black men,’ said the landlord lowering his voice. “They’re
「啊！那是甘道夫，如果你知道我說的是誰的話。人家說他是個巫師，但不管怎樣，他是我的一個好朋友。不過現在我可不知道再見到他時，他會對我說些什麼了：把我的啤酒全都變酸，或者把我變成一塊木頭，我都不會覺得奇怪。他性子有點急。不過，木已成舟嘛。」「那麼，你做了什麼？」佛羅多說，對於奶油伯那緩慢解開的思緒開始感到不耐煩。「我說到哪了？」旅店老闆說著，頓了一下，打了個響指。「啊，對了！老甘道夫。三個月前，他連門都沒敲就直接走進我房間。『巴力曼，』他說，『我明天一早就走。你願意幫我個忙嗎？』『您儘管吩咐。』我說。『我很趕，』他說，『自己沒時間，但我想帶個信到夏爾去。你有可以派去而且信得過的人嗎？』『我可以找個人，』我說，『明天吧，或許後天。』『就明天，』他說，然後給了我一封信。「『地址寫得夠清楚了，』奶油伯先生說著，從口袋裡掏出一封信，緩慢而驕傲地讀出地址（他很看重自己作為一個文化人的名聲）：『佛羅多·巴金斯先生收，夏爾，哈比屯，袋底洞。』」「一封甘道夫給我的信！」佛羅多叫道。「啊！」奶油伯先生說，「所以你的真名是巴金斯？」「是的，」佛羅多說，「你最好立刻把信給我，並解釋為什麼你從未寄出。我想這就是你來要告訴我的事，雖然你花了很長時間才說到重點。」可憐的奶油伯先生一臉困擾。「您說得對，主人，」他說，「我向您道歉。我真是怕死了，如果這事出了什麼差錯，甘道夫會怎麼說。但我不是故意扣下信的。我把它收得好好的。但後來第二天、第三天都找不到願意去夏爾的人，我自己的人手也抽不出來；然後一件事接著一件事，我就把這事給忘了。我是個大忙人。我會盡力彌補，如果有任何我能幫得上忙的，您儘管吩咐。「撇開信不談，我對甘道夫的承諾不止於此。巴力曼，他對我說，我這位從夏爾來的朋友，他和另一個人可能不久後會路過這裡。他會自稱坡下。記住了！但你不需要問任何問題。如果我沒和他在一起，他可能會有麻煩，而且可能需要幫助。盡你所能幫助他，我會很感激的，他說。然後您就來了，而且麻煩看起來也不遠了。」「你這是什麼意思？」佛羅多問。「那些黑衣人，」旅店老闆壓低聲音說，「他們……
168 THE LORD OF THE RINGS looking for Baggins, and if they mean well, then ’'m a hobbit. It was on Monday, and all the dogs were yammering and the geese screaming. Uncanny, I called it. Nob, he came and told me that two black men were at the door asking for a hobbit called Baggins. Nob’s hair was all stood on end. I bid the black fellows be off, and slammed the door on them; but they’ve been asking the same question all the way to Archet, I hear. And that Ranger, Strider, he’s been asking questions, too. Tried to get in here to see you, before you’d had bite or sup, he did.’ ‘He did!’ said Strider suddenly, coming forward into the light. ‘And much trouble would have been saved, if you had let him in, Barliman.’ The landlord jumped with surprise. ‘You!’ he cried. “You’re always popping up. What do you want now?’ ‘He’s here with my leave,’ said Frodo. ‘He came to offer me his help.’ ‘Well, you know your own business, maybe,’ said Mr. Butterbur, looking suspiciously at Strider. ‘But if I was in your plight, I wouldn’t take up with a Ranger.’ “Then who would you take up with?’ asked Strider. ‘A fat innkeeper who only remembers his own name because people shout it at him all day? They cannot stay in The Pony for ever, and they cannot go home. They have a long road before them. Will you go with them and keep the black men off?’ ‘Me? Leave Bree! I wouldn’t do that for any money,’ said Mr. Butterbur, looking really scared. ‘But why can’t you stay here quiet for a bit, Mr. Underhill? What are all these queer goings on? What are these black men after, and where do they come from, I’d like to know?’ ‘I’m sorry I can’t explain it all,’ answered Frodo. ‘I am tired and very worried, and it’s a long tale. But if you mean to help me, I ought to warn you that you will be in danger as long as I am in your house. These Black Riders: I am not sure, but I think, I fear they come from——’ “They come from Mordor,’ said Strider in a low voice. ‘From Mordor, Barliman, if that means anything to you.’ ‘Save us!’ cried Mr. Butterbur turning pale; the name evidently was known to him. “That is the worst news that has come to Bree in my time.’ ‘It is,’ said Frodo. ‘Are you still willing to help me?’ ‘Iam,’ said Mr. Butterbur. ‘More than ever. Though I don’t know what the likes of me can do against, against > he faltered. ‘Against the Shadow in the East,’ said Strider quietly. ‘Not much, Barliman, but every little helps. You can let Mr. Underhill stay here
「在找巴金斯先生，如果他們是好意，那我就不是哈比人了。那是星期一的事，所有的狗都在亂吠，鵝也嘎嘎地尖叫。我說啊，這事真詭異。諾伯，他跑來跟我說，有兩個黑衣人在門口，要找一個叫巴金斯的哈比人。諾伯嚇得毛都豎起來了。我叫那些黑傢伙滾開，然後把門甩上；但我聽說，他們一路到雅息特都在問同樣的問題。還有那個遊俠，神行客，他也在問東問西。他還試著進來見你，在你還沒吃口東西喝口水之前，他真的這麼做了。」 「他確實這麼做了！」神行客突然說道，從暗處走到光亮下。「而且如果你當時讓他進來，巴力門，就可以省下很多麻煩了。」 旅店老闆驚訝地跳了起來。「你！」他喊道。「你老是突然冒出來。你現在又想幹嘛？」 「他待在這兒是經過我允許的，」佛羅多說。「他是來協助我的。」 「好吧，你的事你自己清楚，也許吧，」奶油伯先生說，懷疑地看著神行客。「但如果我處在你的困境，我可不會跟一個遊俠混在一起。」 「那你會跟誰混在一起？」神行客問。「一個胖旅店老闆，他會記得自己的名字只不過是大家整天對他喊的關係？他們不可能永遠待在躍馬客棧，也不能回家。他們前面還有很長的路要走。你會跟他們一起去，把那些黑衣人擋開嗎？」 「我？離開躍馬鎮！給我多少錢我都不幹，」奶油伯先生說，看起來真的很害怕。「但是山下先生，你為什麼不能安靜地在這待一陣子呢？這些怪事到底是怎麼回事？那些黑衣人到底在追什麼，他們又從哪裡來，我倒想知道？」 「很抱歉我無法解釋這一切，」佛羅多回答。「我很累，也非常擔心，而且說來話長。但如果你真的想幫我，我得警告你，只要我還在你屋裡，你就會有危險。那些黑騎士：我不確定，但我認為，我恐怕他們來自——」 「他們來自魔多，」神行客低聲說。「來自魔多，巴力門，如果你知道那意味著什麼的話。」 「天啊！」奶油伯先生臉色蒼白地叫道；這個名字他顯然聽過。「這是我有生以來，躍馬鎮聽過最壞的消息了。」 「是的，」佛羅多說。「你還願意幫我嗎？」 「我願意，」奶油伯先生說。「比之前更願意。雖然我不知道像我這樣的人能做什麼來對抗……對抗……」他結巴了。 「對抗東方之影，」神行客靜靜地說。「不多，巴力門，但不無小補。你可以讓山下先生留在這裡。」
STRIDER 169 tonight, as Mr. Underhill; and you can forget the name of Baggins, till he is far away.’ ‘T'll do that,’ said Butterbur. ‘But they'll find out he’s here without help from me, I’m afraid. It’s a pity Mr. Baggins drew attention to himself this evening, to say no more. The story of that Mr. Bilbo’s going off has been heard before tonight in Bree. Even our Nob has been doing some guessing in his slow pate; and there are others in Bree quicker in the uptake than he is.’ ‘Well, we can only hope the Riders won’t come back yet,’ said Frodo. ‘I hope not, indeed,’ said Butterbur. ‘But spooks or no spooks, they won’t get in The Pony so easy. Don’t you worry till the morning. Nob’ll say no word. No black man shall pass my doors, while I can stand on my legs. Me and my folk’ll keep watch tonight; but you had best get some sleep, if you can.’ ‘In any case we must be called at dawn,’ said Frodo. ‘We must get off as early as possible. Breakfast at six-thirty, please.’ ‘Right! Pll see to the orders,’ said the landlord. ‘Good night, Mr. Baggins — Underhill, I should say! Good night — now, bless me! Where’s your Mr. Brandybuck?’ ‘I don’t know,’ said Frodo with sudden anxiety. They had forgotten all about Merry, and it was getting late. ‘I am afraid he is out. He said something about going for a breath of air.’ ‘Well, you do want looking after and no mistake: your party might be on a holiday!’ said Butterbur. ‘I must go and bar the doors quick, but Pll see your friend is let in when he comes. I’d better send Nob to look for him. Good night to you all!’ At last Mr. Butterbur went out, with another doubtful look at Strider and a shake of his head. His footsteps retreated down the passage. ‘Well?’ said Strider. ‘When are you going to open that letter?’ Frodo looked carefully at the seal before he broke it. It seemed certainly to be Gandalf’s. Inside, written in the wizard’s strong but graceful script, was the following message: THE PRANCING PONY, BREE. Midyear’s Day, Shire Year, 1418. Dear Frodo, Bad news has reached me here. I must go off at once. You had better leave Bag End soon, and get out of the Shire before the end of fuly at latest. I will return as soon as I can; and I will follow you, tf I find that you are gone. Leave a message for me here, if you pass through Bree. You can trust the landlord (Butterbur). You may meet a friend of mine on the Road: a Man, lean, dark, tall, by some called Strider. He knows our
I70 THE LORD OF THE RINGS business and will help you. Make for Rivendell. There I hope we may meet again. If I do not come, Elrond will advise you. Yours in haste GANDALF. P PS. Do NOT use It again, not for any reason whatever! Do not travel by night! P PPS. Make sure that tt is the real Strider. There are many strange men on the roads. His true name is Aragorn.P All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that 1s strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. PPPS. I hope Butterbur sends this promptly. A worthy man, but his memory is like a lumber-room: thing wanted always = buried. If he forgets, I shall roast him. 14 Fare Well! Frodo read the letter to himself, and then passed it to Pippin and Sam. ‘Really old Butterbur has made a mess of things!’ he said. ‘He deserves roasting. If I had got this at once, we might all have been safe in Rivendell by now. But what can have happened to Gandalf? He writes as if he was going into great danger.’ ‘He has been doing that for many years,’ said Strider. Frodo turned and looked at him thoughtfully, wondering about Gandalf’s second postscript. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were Gandalf’s friend at once?’ he asked. ‘It would have saved time.’ ‘Would it? Would any of you have believed me till now?’ said Strider. ‘I knew nothing of this letter. For all I knew I had to persuade you to trust me without proofs, if I was to help you. In any case, I did not intend to tell you all about myself at once. I had to study you first, and make sure of you. The Enemy has set traps for me before now. As soon as I had made up my mind, I was ready to tell you whatever you asked. But I must admit,’ he added with a queer laugh, ‘that I hoped you would take to me for my own sake. A hunted man sometimes wearies of distrust and longs for friendship. But there, I believe my looks are against me.’ “They are — at first sight at any rate,’ laughed Pippin with sudden
……的事務，並且會幫助你。前往瑞文戴爾。我希望我們能在那里重逢。如果我沒來，愛隆會給你建議。匆此，甘道夫。 附言：無論如何，絕對不要再使用『它』！不要在夜間旅行！ 再附言：務必確認他是真正的神行客。路上有很多奇怪的人。他的真名是亞拉岡。 『是金子未必都發光， 流浪的人未必都迷惘； 老而彌堅者不會枯萎， 深根不會為霜雪所傷。 灰燼中將燃起火焰， 陰影中將現出光芒； 斷折的聖劍將被重鑄， 無冕者將再度為王。』 又附言：我希望奶油伯能及時把這封信送出。他是個值得尊敬的人，但他的記性就像個雜物間：想找的東西永遠埋在最底下。如果他忘了，我會把他烤了。再會！ 佛羅多自己讀完信，然後傳給了皮聘和山姆。「奶油伯那老傢伙真是把事情搞砸了！」他說。「他活該被烤。要是我早點拿到這封信，我們現在可能都已經安全抵達瑞文戴爾了。但甘道夫到底發生了什麼事？他寫信的口氣好像要陷入極大的危險。」 「他這麼做很多年了。」神行客說。 佛羅多轉過身，若有所思地看著他，想著甘道夫的第二個附言。「你為什麼不馬上告訴我你是甘道夫的朋友？」他問。「那樣可以省下很多時間。」 「是嗎？在那之前，你們有誰會相信我？」神行客說。「我對這封信一無所知。據我所知，如果我要幫助你們，就必須在沒有證據的情況下說服你們信任我。無論如何，我本來也沒打算立刻把自己的事全盤托出。我得先觀察你們，確定你們是可靠的。敵人以前就為我設下過陷阱。我一旦下定決心，就準備好回答你們問的任何事。但我必須承認，」他古怪地笑了一聲，補充道，「我本來希望你們會因為我這個人本身而喜歡我。一個被追捕的人有時會厭倦不信任，渴望友誼。不過，唉，我相信我的長相對我不利。」 「是啊——至少第一眼是這樣。」皮聘突然大笑起來。
STRIDER I7I relief after reading Gandalf’s letter. ‘But handsome is as handsome does, as we say in the Shire; and I daresay we shall all look much the same after lying for days in hedges and ditches.’ ‘It would take more than a few days, or weeks, or years, of wandering in the Wild to make you look like Strider,’ he answered. ‘And you would die first, unless you are made of sterner stuff than you look to be.’ Pippin subsided; but Sam was not daunted, and he still eyed Strider dubiously. ‘How do we know you are the Strider that Gandalf speaks about?’ he demanded. ‘You never mentioned Gandalf, till this letter came out. You might be a play-acting spy, for all I can see, trying to get us to go with you. You might have done in the real Strider and took his clothes. What have you to say to that?’ ‘That you are a stout fellow,’ answered Strider; ‘but I am afraid my only answer to you, Sam Gamgee, is this. If I had killed the real Strider, I could kill you. And I should have killed you already without so much talk. If I was after the Ring, I could have it - Now!’ He stood up, and seemed suddenly to grow taller. In his eyes gleamed a light, keen and commanding. Throwing back his cloak, he laid his hand on the hilt of a sword that had hung concealed by his side. They did not dare to move. Sam sat wide-mouthed staring at him dumbly. ‘But I am the real Strider, fortunately,’ he said, looking down at them with his face softened by a sudden smile. ‘I am Aragorn son of Arathorn; and if by life or death I can save you, I will.’ There was a long silence. At last Frodo spoke with hesitation. ‘I believed that you were a friend before the letter came,’ he said, ‘or at least I wished to. You have frightened me several times tonight, but never in the way that servants of the Enemy would, or so I imagine. I think one of his spies would — well, seem fairer and feel fouler, if you understand.’ ‘I see,’ laughed Strider. ‘I look foul and feel fair. Is that it? Al that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost.’ ‘Did the verses apply to you then?’ asked Frodo. ‘I could not make out what they were about. But how did you know that they were in Gandalf’s letter, if you have never seen it?’ ‘I did not know,’ he answered. ‘But Iam Aragorn, and those verses go with that name.’ He drew out his sword, and they saw that the blade was indeed broken a foot below the hilt. ‘Not much use is it, Sam?’ said Strider. ‘But the time is near when it shall be forged anew.’ Sam said nothing. ‘Well,’ said Strider, ‘with Sam’s permission we will call that settled.
皮聘讀完甘道夫的信後鬆了口氣。「不過，我們夏爾人說，『行為美才是真的美』；我想我們在樹籬和溝渠裡躺了幾天後，看起來也都會差不多。」他回答說：「要在野外流浪幾天、幾週、或幾年，才能讓你變得像神行客那樣，恐怕還差得遠呢。而且你會先死掉，除非你的骨子比外表看起來更硬朗。」皮聘安靜下來了；但山姆沒有被嚇倒，他仍然懷疑地盯著神行客。「我們怎麼知道你就是甘道夫提到的那個神行客？」他質問道。「在這封信出現之前，你從沒提過甘道夫。在我看來，你可能是個假扮的間諜，想騙我們跟你走。你可能已經幹掉了真正的神行客，穿上他的衣服。對此你有什麼話說？」「說你是個勇敢的傢伙，」神行客回答說；「但我恐怕我對你，山姆·詹吉，唯一的回答是這個。如果我殺了真正的神行客，我也能殺了你。而且我早就動手了，不會跟你廢話這麼多。如果我的目標是魔戒，我現在就能得手——就是現在！」他站了起來，似乎突然變高了。他眼中閃爍著一道銳利而威嚴的光芒。他甩開斗篷，把手放在一直藏在身旁的劍柄上。他們嚇得不敢動。山姆張大嘴巴，傻傻地瞪著他。「幸運的是，我就是真正的神行客，」他說，臉上突然露出一抹微笑，柔和地看著他們。「我是亞拉岡，亞拉松之子；如果我能用我的生命或死亡來拯救你們，我會的。」長長的沉默。最後佛羅多猶豫地開口了。「在信來之前，我就相信你是朋友了，」他說，「或者說，我希望如此。你今晚嚇了我好幾次，但從來不像索倫的僕人會用的那種方式，至少我想像是這樣。我想他的一個間諜會——嗯，看起來更美好，但感覺更邪惡，如果你懂我的意思。」「我懂了，」神行客笑道。「我看起來邪惡，但感覺美好。是這樣嗎？真金未必閃亮，遊子未必迷途。」「那幾句詩是指你嗎？」佛羅多問。「我當時沒搞懂那是在說什麼。但如果你從沒見過甘道夫的信，你是怎麼知道裡面有這幾句詩的？」「我不知道，」他回答。「但我是亞拉岡，而那幾句詩是跟著這個名字的。」他拔出劍，他們看到劍刃確實在離劍柄一呎處斷裂。「沒什麼用，是吧，山姆？」神行客說。「但它即將被重鑄的日子近了。」山姆什麼也沒說。「好吧，」神行客說，「如果山姆允許，我們就這麼定了。
172 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Strider shall be your guide. And now I think it is time you went to bed and took what rest you can. We shall have a rough road tomorrow. Even if we are allowed to leave Bree unhindered, we can hardly hope now to leave it unnoticed. But I shall try to get lost as soon as possible. I know one or two ways out of Bree-land other than the main road. If once we shake off the pursuit, I shall make for Weathertop.’ ‘Weathertop?’ said Sam. ‘What’s that?’ ‘It is a hill, just to the north of the Road, about half way from here to Rivendell. It commands a wide view all round; and there we shall have a chance to look about us. Gandalf will make for that point, if he follows us. After Weathertop our journey will become more difficult, and we shall have to choose between various dangers.’ ‘When did you last see Gandalf?’ asked Frodo. ‘Do you know where he is, or what he is doing?’ Strider looked grave. ‘I do not know,’ he said. ‘I came west with him in the spring. I have often kept watch on the borders of the Shire in the last few years, when he was busy elsewhere. He seldom left it unguarded. We last met on the first of May: at Sarn Ford down the Brandywine. He told me that his business with you had gone well, and that you would be starting for Rivendell in the last week of September. As I knew he was at your side, I went away on a journey of my own. And that has proved ill; for plainly some news reached him, and I was not at hand to help. ‘I am troubled, for the first time since I have known him. We should have had messages, even if he could not come himself. When I returned, many days ago, I heard the ill news. The tidings had gone far and wide that Gandalf was missing and the horsemen had been seen. It was the Elven-folk of Gildor that told me this; and later they told me that you had left your home; but there was no news of your leaving Buckland. I have been watching the East Road anxiously.’ ‘Do you think the Black Riders have anything to do with it — with Gandalf’s absence, I mean?’ asked Frodo. ‘I do not know of anything else that could have hindered him, except the Enemy himself,’ said Strider. ‘But do not give up hope! Gandalf is greater than you Shire-folk know — as a rule you can only see his jokes and toys. But this business of ours will be his greatest task.’ Pippin yawned. ‘I am sorry,’ he said, ‘but I am dead tired. In spite of all the danger and worry I must go to bed, or sleep where I sit. Where is that silly fellow, Merry? It would be the last straw, if we had to go out in the dark to look for him.’
《魔戒》172頁 神行客將是你們的嚮導。現在我想你們該上床去，盡可能地休息一下了。我們明天將有一段艱難的路要走。即使我們被允許不受阻礙地離開布理，我們現在也很難指望能不被注意到地離開。但我會盡快設法消失。除了大路之外，我還知道一兩條離開布理之地的路。一旦我們擺脫追蹤，我就會前往風雲頂。」 「風雲頂？」山姆說。「那是什麼？」 「那是一座山丘，就在大路北邊，從這裡到瑞文戴爾大約一半的路程。在那裡可以環顧四周廣闊的景觀；我們將有機會在那裡觀察周遭情況。如果甘道夫跟在我們後面，他會以那個地點為目標。過了風雲頂，我們的旅程會變得更加困難，我們將不得不在各種危險之間做出選擇。」 「你上次見到甘道夫是什麼時候？」佛羅多問道。「你知道他在哪裡，或是在做什麼嗎？」 神行客表情嚴肅。「我不知道，」他說。「我春天時和他一起來到西部。過去幾年，當他在別處忙碌時，我經常在夏爾的邊境守望。他很少讓那裡無人看守。我們上次見面是在五月一日：在白蘭地河南下的薩恩渡口。他告訴我，他和你之間的事進行得很順利，而且你將在九月的最後一週出發前往瑞文戴爾。因為我知道他在你身邊，我就自己去旅行了。而那證明是個壞決定；因為顯然他收到了某些消息，而我卻不在身邊幫忙。 「自從我認識他以來，我第一次感到憂慮。即使他自己不能來，我們也應該收到消息才對。幾天前我回來時，聽到了壞消息。甘道夫失蹤和騎士出現的消息已經傳得沸沸揚揚。是吉爾多的精靈族告訴我這件事的；後來他們又告訴我你已經離開了家；但沒有你離開布克蘭的消息。我一直焦急地監視著東方大道。」 「你認為黑騎士們跟這件事有關嗎——我是說，跟甘道夫的缺席有關？」佛羅多問道。 「除了敵人本身，我想不出還有什麼能阻礙他，」神行客說。「但不要放棄希望！甘道夫比你們夏爾人所知道的更偉大——通常你們只能看到他的笑話和玩具。但我們這件事將是他最重大的任務。」 皮聘打了個呵欠。「我很抱歉，」他說，「但我累死了。儘管有這麼多危險和擔憂，我必須上床睡覺，否則我就會坐在這裡睡著。那個傻傢伙梅里在哪裡？如果我們還得摸黑出去找他，那可真是最後一根稻草了。」
STRIDER 173 At that moment they heard a door slam; then feet came running along the passage. Merry came in with a rush followed by Nob. He shut the door hastily, and leaned against it. He was out of breath. They stared at him in alarm for a moment before he gasped: ‘I have seen them, Frodo! I have seen them! Black Riders!’ ‘Black Riders!’ cried Frodo. ‘Where?’ ‘Here. In the village. I stayed indoors for an hour. Then as you did not come back, I went out for a stroll. I had come back again and was standing just outside the light of the lamp looking at the stars. Suddenly I shivered and felt that something horrible was creeping near: there was a sort of deeper shade among the shadows across the road, just beyond the edge of the lamplight. It slid away at once into the dark without a sound. There was no horse.’ ‘Which way did it go?’ asked Strider, suddenly and sharply. Merry started, noticing the stranger for the first time. ‘Go onl’ said Frodo. ‘This is a friend of Gandalf’s. I will explain later.’ ‘It seemed to make off up the Road, eastward,’ continued Merry. ‘I tried to follow. Of course, it vanished almost at once; but I went round the corner and on as far as the last house on the Road.’ Strider looked at Merry with wonder. ‘You have a stout heart,’ he said; ‘but it was foolish.’ ‘I don’t know,’ said Merry. ‘Neither brave nor silly, I think. I could hardly help myself. I seemed to be drawn somehow. Anyway, I went, and suddenly I heard voices by the hedge. One was muttering; and the other was whispering, or hissing. I couldn’t hear a word that was said. I did not creep any closer, because I began to tremble all over. Then I felt terrified, and I turned back, and was just going to bolt home, when something came behind me and I...I fell over.’ ‘I found him, sir,’ put in Nob. ‘Mr. Butterbur sent me out with a lantern. I went down to West-gate, and then back up towards South-gate. Just nigh Bill Ferny’s house I thought I could see something in the Road. I couldn’t swear to it, but it looked to me as if two men was stooping over something, lifting it. I gave a shout, but when I got up to the spot there was no signs of them, and only Mr. Brandybuck lying by the roadside. He seemed to be asleep. “‘I thought Thad fallen into deep water,”’ he says to me, when I shook him. Very queer he was, and as soon as I had roused him, he got up and ran back here like a hare.’ ‘I am afraid that’s true,’ said Merry, ‘though I don’t know what I said. I had an ugly dream, which I can’t remember. I went to pieces. I don’t know what came over me.’ ‘I do,’ said Strider. ‘The Black Breath. The Riders must have left their horses outside, and passed back through the South-gate in secret. They will know all the news now, for they have visited Bill
就在那時，他們聽到一聲門被用力關上的聲音；接著，走廊上傳來急促的腳步聲。梅里衝了進來，諾伯跟在後面。他匆忙關上門，靠在門上。他喘不過氣來。大家驚恐地盯著他看了一會兒，他才喘著氣說：「我看到他們了，佛羅多！我看到他們了！黑騎士！」「黑騎士！」佛羅多叫道。「在哪裡？」「這裡。在村子裡。我在室內待了一個小時。因為你們沒回來，我就出去散了個步。我剛回來，正站在燈光照不到的地方看星星。突然間，我打了個寒顫，感覺到有什麼可怕的東西正在靠近：在路對面的陰影中，就在燈光邊緣之外，有一團更深的黑影。它一聲不響地立刻滑入黑暗中。沒有馬。」「它往哪個方向去了？」神行客突然尖銳地問道。梅里嚇了一跳，第一次注意到這個陌生人。「繼續說！」佛羅多說。「這是甘道夫的一位朋友。我待會兒再解釋。」「它似乎是沿著大路往東邊去了。」梅里繼續說。「我試著跟上去。當然，它幾乎立刻就消失了；但我繞過拐角，一直走到大路上的最後一棟房子。」神行客驚奇地看著梅里。「你有一顆勇敢的心，」他說，「但那樣做很愚蠢。」「我不知道，」梅里說。「我想既不勇敢也不傻。我幾乎無法自制。我好像莫名其妙地被吸引過去了。總之，我去了，然後突然聽到籬笆邊有說話聲。一個在喃喃自語；另一個在耳語，或者說發出嘶嘶聲。我一個字也沒聽清楚。我沒有再靠近，因為我開始全身發抖。然後我感到非常害怕，就轉身回來，正準備衝回家時，有什麼東西從我身後過來，然後我……我就摔倒了。」「先生，是我發現他的，」諾伯插話說。「奶油伯先生派我提著燈籠出去。我走到西門，然後又往南門那邊走回來。就在比爾·蕨尼家附近，我好像看到大路上有什麼東西。我不敢肯定，但在我看來，好像有兩個人彎著腰在抬什麼東西。我大喊了一聲，但等我趕到那個地方時，他們已經不見蹤影，只剩下白蘭地鹿先生躺在路邊。他好像睡著了。『我還以為自己掉進深水裡了呢，』我搖醒他時，他對我這麼說。他當時非常古怪，我一叫醒他，他就爬起來像野兔一樣跑回這裡。」「恐怕那是真的，」梅里說，「雖然我不知道我說了什麼。我做了一個醜惡的夢，但我記不起來了。我完全崩潰了。我不知道自己是怎麼了。」「我知道，」神行客說。「是『黑之吹息』。那些騎士肯定把馬留在外面，然後偷偷從南門溜回來了。他們現在會知道所有消息了，因為他們已經拜訪了比爾
174 THE LORD OF THE RINGS Ferny; and probably that Southerner was a spy as well. Something may happen in the night, before we leave Bree.’ ‘What will happen?’ said Merry. ‘Will they attack the inn?’ ‘No, I think not,’ said Strider. “They are not all here yet. And in any case that is not their way. In dark and loneliness they are strongest; they will not openly attack a house where there are lights and many people — not until they are desperate, not while all the long leagues of Eriador still lie before us. But their power is in terror, and already some in Bree are in their clutch. They will drive these wretches to some evil work: Ferny, and some of the strangers, and, maybe, the gatekeeper too. They had words with Harry at West-gate on Monday. I was watching them. He was white and shaking when they left him.’ ‘We seem to have enemies all round,’ said Frodo. ‘What are we to do?’ ‘Stay here, and do not go to your rooms! They are sure to have found out which those are. The hobbit-rooms have windows looking north and close to the ground. We will all remain together and bar this window and the door. But first Nob and I will fetch your luggage.’ While Strider was gone, Frodo gave Merry a rapid account of all that had happened since supper. Merry was still reading and pondering Gandalf’s letter when Strider and Nob returned. ‘Well Masters,’ said Nob, ‘I’ve ruffled up the clothes and put in a bolster down the middle of each bed. And I made a nice imitation of your head with a brown woollen mat, Mr. Bag — Underhill, sir,’ he added with a grin. Pippin laughed. ‘Very life-like!’ he said. ‘But what will happen when they have penetrated the disguise?’ ‘We shall see,’ said Strider. ‘Let us hope to hold the fort till morning.’ ‘Good night to you,’ said Nob, and went off to take his part in the watch on the doors. Their bags and gear they piled on the parlour-floor. They pushed a low chair against the door and shut the window. Peering out, Frodo saw that the night was still clear. The Sickle* was swinging bright above the shoulders of Bree-hill. He then closed and barred the heavy inside shutters and drew the curtains together. Strider built up the fire and blew out all the candles. The hobbits lay down on their blankets with their feet towards the hearth; but Strider settled himself in the chair against the door. They talked for a little, for Merry still had several questions to ask. ‘Jumped over the Moon!’ chuckled Merry as he rolled himself in * The Hobbits’ name for the Plough or Great Bear.
蕨尼；而且那個南方人很可能也是個間諜。在我們離開躍馬鎮之前，今晚可能會出事。」「會發生什麼事？」梅里問。「他們會攻擊旅店嗎？」「不，我想不會，」神行客說。「他們還沒全部到齊。而且，那也不是他們的行事風格。在黑暗和孤獨中他們最強大；他們不會公然攻擊一個燈火通明、人聲鼎沸的房子——除非他們已無計可施，或是在我們面前還橫亙著伊利雅德的漫漫長路時不會這麼做。但他們的力量在於製造恐懼，而且躍馬鎮裡已經有些人落在他們手裡了。他們會驅使這些可憐蟲去做些壞事：蕨尼、一些陌生人，或許還有那個守門人。他們週一在西門跟哈利說過話。我當時在觀察他們。他們離開時，他臉色發白，渾身發抖。」「我們似乎四面受敵，」佛羅多說。「我們該怎麼辦？」「待在這裡，別回你們的房間！他們肯定已經查出是哪幾間了。哈比人房間的窗戶朝北，而且離地面很近。我們全部待在一起，把這扇窗和門都閂上。不過，我跟諾伯會先去把你們的行李拿來。」神行客離開的時候，佛羅多快速地跟梅里講述了晚餐後發生的所有事情。神行客和諾伯回來時，梅里還在閱讀和思索甘道夫的信。「好了，先生們，」諾伯說，「我把衣服弄亂，在每張床中間都放了一個長枕。我還用一塊棕色的羊毛墊子，為您，巴格——山下先生，做了一個很像您頭的仿製品。」他笑著補充道。皮聘笑了。「真像！」他說。「但要是他們識破了偽裝，會發生什麼事？」「到時候就知道了，」神行客說。「我們希望能撐到早上。」「祝各位晚安，」諾伯說完，便去門口加入守夜的行列。他們把行李和裝備堆在客廳地板上。他們推了一張矮椅子抵住門，並關上窗戶。佛羅多探頭向外望，看見夜色依然晴朗。「鐮刀星」*在躍馬丘的山肩上明亮地擺盪。然後他關上並閂上厚重的內層百葉窗，再拉上窗簾。神行客把火生得更旺，並吹熄了所有蠟燭。哈比人們躺在毯子上，腳朝著壁爐；但神行客自己則在抵著門的椅子上坐定了。他們聊了一會兒，因為梅里還有幾個問題要問。「跳過了月亮！」梅里把自己裹進毯子時咯咯地笑著說。* 哈比人對北斗七星的稱呼。
STRIDER 175 his blanket. ‘Very ridiculous of you, Frodo! But I wish I had been there to see. The worthies of Bree will be discussing it a hundred years hence.’ ‘I hope so,’ said Strider. Then they all fell silent, and one by one the hobbits dropped off to sleep.
「你真是太荒唐了，佛羅多！但我真希望我當時在場能親眼目睹。布雷的鄉紳名流們一百年後都還會討論這件事。」「希望如此。」神行客說。然後他們都陷入沉默，哈比人們一個接一個地睡著了。