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lavengro-第120部分

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shoulder; but luckily missed my face; I fell back with the violence 

of the blow; whilst the fellow scampered off at a great rate。  

Stopping at some distance; he loaded me with abuse; and then; 

continuing his way at a rapid trot; I heard no more of him。



'What a difference!' said I; getting up; 'last night I was feted in 

the hall of a rich genius; and to…night I am knocked down and mired 

in a dark lane by the heel of Master Wise's horse … I wonder who 

gave him that name?  And yet he was wise enough to wreak his 

revenge upon me; and I was not wise enough to keep out of his way。  

Well; I am not much hurt; so it is of little consequence。'



I now bethought me that; as I had a carriage of my own; I might as 

well make use of it; I therefore got into the cart; and; taking the 

reins in my hand; gave an encouraging cry to the pony; whereupon 

the sturdy little animal started again at as brisk a pace as if he 

had not already come many a long mile。  I lay half reclining in the 

cart; holding the reins lazily; and allowing the animal to go just 

where he pleased; often wondering where he would conduct me。  At 

length I felt drowsy; and my head sank upon my breast; I soon 

aroused myself; but it was only to doze again; this occurred 

several times。  Opening my eyes after a doze somewhat longer than 

the others; I found that the drizzling rain had ceased; a corner of 

the moon was apparent in the heavens; casting a faint light; I 

looked around for a moment or two; but my eyes and brain were heavy 

with slumber; and I could scarcely distinguish where we were。  I 

had a kind of dim consciousness that we were traversing an 

uninclosed country … perhaps a heath; I thought; however; that I 

saw certain large black objects looming in the distance; which I 

had a confused idea might be woods or plantations; the pony still 

moved at his usual pace。  I did not find the jolting of the cart at 

all disagreeable; on the contrary; it had quite a somniferous 

effect upon me。  Again my eyes closed; I opened them once more; but 

with less perception in them than before; looked forward; and; 

muttering something about woodlands; I placed myself in an easier 

posture than I had hitherto done; and fairly fell asleep。



How long I continued in that state I am unable to say; but I 

believe for a considerable time; I was suddenly awakened by the 

ceasing of the jolting to which I had become accustomed; and of 

which I was perfectly sensible in my sleep。  I started up and 

looked around me; the moon was still shining; and the face of the 

heaven was studded with stars; I found myself amidst a maze of 

bushes of various kinds; but principally hazel and holly; through 

which was a path or driftway with grass growing on either side; 

upon which the pony was already diligently browsing。  I conjectured 

that this place had been one of the haunts of his former master; 

and; on dismounting and looking about; was strengthened in that 

opinion by finding a spot under an ash tree which; from its burnt 

and blackened appearance; seemed to have been frequently used as a 

fireplace。  I will take up my quarters here; thought I; it is an 

excellent spot for me to commence my new profession in; I was quite 

right to trust myself to the guidance of the pony。  Unharnessing 

the animal without delay; I permitted him to browse at free will on 

the grass; convinced that he would not wander far from a place to 

which he was so much attached; I then pitched the little tent close 

beside the ash tree to which I have alluded; and conveyed two or 

three articles into it; and instantly felt that I had commenced 

housekeeping for the first time in my life。  Housekeeping; however; 

without a fire is a very sorry affair; something like the 

housekeeping of children in their toy houses; of this I was the 

more sensible from feeling very cold and shivering; owing to my 

late exposure to the rain; and sleeping in the night air。  

Collecting; therefore; all the dry sticks and furze I could find; I 

placed them upon the fireplace; adding certain chips and a billet 

which I found in the cart; it having apparently been the habit of 

Slingsby to carry with him a small store of fuel。  Having then 

struck a spark in a tinder…box and lighted a match; I set fire to 

the combustible heap; and was not slow in raising a cheerful blaze; 

I then drew my cart near the fire; and; seating myself on one of 

the shafts; hung over the warmth with feelings of intense pleasure 

and satisfaction。  Having continued in this posture for a 

considerable time; I turned my eyes to the heaven in the direction 

of a particular star; I; however; could not find the star; nor 

indeed many of the starry train; the greater number having fled; 

from which circumstance; and from the appearance of the sky; I 

concluded that morning was nigh。  About this time I again began to 

feel drowsy; I therefore arose; and having prepared for myself a 

kind of couch in the tent; I flung myself upon it and went to 

sleep。



I will not say that I was awakened in the morning by the carolling 

of birds; as I perhaps might if I were writing a novel; I awoke 

because; to use vulgar language; I had slept my sleep out; not 

because the birds were carolling around me in numbers; as they had 

probably been for hours without my hearing them。  I got up and left 

my tent; the morning was yet more bright than that of the preceding 

day。  Impelled by curiosity; I walked about endeavouring to 

ascertain to what place chance; or rather the pony; had brought me; 

following the driftway for some time; amidst bushes and stunted 

trees; I came to a grove of dark pines; through which it appeared 

to lead; I tracked it a few hundred yards; but seeing nothing but 

trees; and the way being wet and sloughy; owing to the recent rain; 

I returned on my steps; and; pursuing the path in another 

direction; came to a sandy road leading over a common; doubtless 

the one I had traversed the preceding night。  My curiosity 

satisfied; I returned to my little encampment; and on the way 

beheld a small footpath on the left winding through the bushes; 

which had before escaped my observation。  Having reached my tent 

and cart; I breakfasted on some of the provisions which I had 

procured the day before; and then proceeded to take a regular 

account of the stock formerly possessed by Slingsby the tinker; but 

now become my own by right of lawful purchase。



Besides the pony; the cart; and the tent; I found I was possessed 

of a mattress stuffed with straw on which to lie; and a blanket to 

cover me; the last quite clean and nearly new; then there was a 

frying…pan and a kettle; the first for cooking any food which 

required cooking; and the second for heating any water which I 

might wish to heat。  I likewise found an earthen teapot and two or 

three cups; of the first I should rather say I found the remains; 

it being broken in three parts; no doubt 
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