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lavengro-第20部分
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is now about five yards distant; and the baker; who apprehends that
something dangerous is at hand; prepares himself for the encounter;
but what avails the strength of a baker; even full grown? … what
avails the defence of a wicker shield? … what avails the wheel…
spoke; should there be an opportunity of using it; against the
impetus of an avalanche or a cannon…ball? … for to either of these
might that wild figure be compared; which; at the distance of five
yards; sprang at once with head; hands; feet and body; all
together; upon the champion of the New Town; tumbling him to the
earth amain。 And now it was the turn of the Old Town to triumph。
Our late discomfited host; returning on its steps; overwhelmed the
fallen champion with blows of every kind; and then; led on by his
vanquisher; who had assumed his arms; namely; the wheel…spoke and
wicker shield; fairly cleared the brae of their adversaries; whom
they drove down headlong into the morass。
CHAPTER VIII
Expert climbers … The crags … Something red … The horrible edge …
David Haggart … Fine materials … The greatest victory …
Extraordinary robber … The ruling passion。
MEANWHILE I had become a daring cragsman; a character to which an
English lad has seldom opportunities of aspiring; for in England
there are neither crags nor mountains。 Of these; however; as is
well known; there is no lack in Scotland; and the habits of
individuals are invariably in harmony with the country in which
they dwell。 The Scotch are expert climbers; and I was now a Scot
in most things; particularly in language。 The Castle in which I
dwelt stood upon a rock; a bold and craggy one; which; at first
sight; would seem to bid defiance to any feet save those of goats
and chamois; but patience and perseverance generally enable mankind
to overcome things which; at first sight; appear impossible。
Indeed; what is there above man's exertions? Unwearied
determination will enable him to run with the horse; to swim with
the fish; and assuredly to compete with the chamois and the goat in
agility and sureness of foot。 To scale the rock was merely child's
play for the Edinbro' callants。 It was my own favourite diversion。
I soon found that the rock contained all manner of strange crypts;
crannies; and recesses; where owls nestled; and the weasel brought
forth her young; here and there were small natural platforms;
overgrown with long grass and various kinds of plants; where the
climber; if so disposed; could stretch himself; and either give his
eyes to sleep or his mind to thought; for capital places were these
same platforms either for repose or meditation。 The boldest
features of the rock are descried on the northern side; where;
after shelving down gently from the wall for some distance; it
terminates abruptly in a precipice; black and horrible; of some
three hundred feet at least; as if the axe of nature had been here
employed cutting sheer down; and leaving behind neither excrescence
nor spur … a dizzy precipice it is; assimilating much to those so
frequent in the flinty hills of Northern Africa; and exhibiting
some distant resemblance to that of Gibraltar; towering in its
horridness above the Neutral Ground。
It was now holiday time; and having nothing particular wherewith to
occupy myself; I not unfrequently passed the greater part of the
day upon the rocks。 Once; after scaling the western crags; and
creeping round a sharp angle of the wall; overhung by a kind of
watch…tower; I found myself on the northern side。 Still keeping
close to the wall; I was proceeding onward; for I was bent upon a
long excursion which should embrace half the circuit of the Castle;
when suddenly my eye was attracted by the appearance of something
red; far below me; I stopped short; and; looking fixedly upon it;
perceived that it was a human being in a kind of red jacket; seated
on the extreme verge of the precipice which I have already made a
faint attempt to describe。 Wondering who it could be; I shouted;
but it took not the slightest notice; remaining as immovable as the
rock on which it sat。 'I should never have thought of going near
that edge;' said I to myself; 'however; as you have done it; why
should not I? And I should like to know who you are。' So I
commenced the descent of the rock; but with great care; for I had
as yet never been in a situation so dangerous; a slight moisture
exuded from the palms of my hands; my nerves were tingling; and my
brain was somewhat dizzy … and now I had arrived within a few yards
of the figure; and had recognised it: it was the wild drummer who
had turned the tide of battle in the bicker on the Castle Brae。 A
small stone which I dislodged now rolled down the rock; and tumbled
into the abyss close beside him。 He turned his head; and after
looking at me for a moment somewhat vacantly; he resumed his former
attitude。 I drew yet nearer to the horrible edge not close;
however; for fear was on me。
'What are you thinking of; David?' said I; as I sat behind him and
trembled; for I repeat that I was afraid。
DAVID HAGGART。 I was thinking of Willie Wallace。
MYSELF。 You had better be thinking of yourself; man。 A strange
place this to come to and think of William Wallace。
DAVID HAGGART。 Why so? Is not his tower just beneath our feet?
MYSELF。 You mean the auld ruin by the side of the Nor Loch … the
ugly stane bulk; from the foot of which flows the spring into the
dyke where the watercresses grow?
DAVID HAGGART。 Just sae; Geordie。
MYSELF。 And why were ye thinking of him? The English hanged him
long since; as I have heard say。
DAVID HAGGART。 I was thinking that I should wish to be like him。
MYSELF。 Do ye mean that ye would wish to be hanged?
DAVID HAGGART。 I wadna flinch from that; Geordie; if I might be a
great man first。
MYSELF。 And wha kens; Davie; how great you may be; even without
hanging? Are ye not in the high road of preferment? Are ye not a
bauld drummer already? Wha kens how high ye may rise? perhaps to
be general; or drum…major。
DAVID HAGGART。 I hae nae wish to be drum…major; it were nae great
things to be like the doited carle; Else…than…gude; as they call
him; and; troth; he has nae his name for naething。 But I should
have nae objection to be a general; and to fight the French and
Americans; and win myself a name and a fame like Willie Wallace;
and do brave deeds; such as I have been reading about in his story
book。
MYSELF。 Ye are a fule; Davie; the story book is full of lies。
Wallace; indeed! the wuddie rebel! I have heard my father say that
the Duke of Cumberland was worth twenty of Willie Wallace。
DAVID HAGGART。 Ye had better sae naething agin Willie Wallace;
Geordie; for; if ye do; De'il hae me; if I dinna tumble ye doon the
craig。
Fine materials in tha
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