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lavengro-第36部分

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IS something remarkable about that horse; there is something in his 

action in which he differs from all the rest:  as he advances; the 

clamour is hushed! all eyes are turned upon him … what looks of 

interest … of respect … and; what is this? people are taking off 

their hats … surely not to that steed!  Yes; verily! men; 

especially old men; are taking off their hats to that one…eyed 

steed; and I hear more than one deep…drawn ah!



'What horse is that?' said I to a very old fellow; the counterpart 

of the old man on the pony; save that the last wore a faded suit of 

velveteen; and this one was dressed in a white frock。



'The best in mother England;' said the very old man; taking a 

knobbed stick from his mouth; and looking me in the face; at first 

carelessly; but presently with something like interest; 'he is old 

like myself; but can still trot his twenty miles an hour。  You 

won't live long; my swain; tall and over…grown ones like thee never 

does; yet; if you should chance to reach my years; you may boast to 

thy great…grand…boys thou hast seen Marshland Shales。'



Amain I did for the horse what I would neither do for earl nor 

baron; doffed my hat; yes! I doffed my hat to the wondrous horse; 

the fast trotter; the best in mother England; and I too drew a deep 

ah! and repeated the words of the old fellows around。  'Such a 

horse as this we shall never see again; a pity that he is so old。'



Now during all this time I had a kind of consciousness that I had 

been the object of some person's observation; that eyes were 

fastened upon me from somewhere in the crowd。  Sometimes I thought 

myself watched from before; sometimes from behind; and occasionally 

methought that; if I just turned my head to the right or left; I 

should meet a peering and inquiring glance; and indeed once or 

twice I did turn; expecting to see somebody whom I knew; yet always 

without success; though it appeared to me that I was but a moment 

too late; and that some one had just slipped away from the 

direction to which I turned; like the figure in a magic lanthorn。  

Once I was quite sure that there were a pair of eyes glaring over 

my right shoulder; my attention; however; was so fully occupied 

with the objects which I have attempted to describe; that I thought 

very little of this coming and going; this flitting and dodging of 

I knew not whom or what。  It was; after all; a matter of sheer 

indifference to me who was looking at me。  I could only wish 

whomsoever it might be to be more profitably employed; so I 

continued enjoying what I saw; and now there was a change in the 

scene; the wondrous old horse departed with his aged guardian; 

other objects of interest are at hand; two or three men on 

horseback are hurrying through the crowd; they are widely different 

in their appearance from the other people of the fair; not so much 

in dress; for they are clad something after the fashion of rustic 

jockeys; but in their look … no light…brown hair have they; no 

ruddy cheeks; no blue quiet glances belong to them; their features 

are dark; their locks long; black; and shining; and their eyes are 

wild; they are admirable horsemen; but they do not sit the saddle 

in the manner of common jockeys; they seem to float or hover upon 

it; like gulls upon the waves; two of them are mere striplings; but 

the third is a very tall man with a countenance heroically 

beautiful; but wild; wild; wild。  As they rush along; the crowd 

give way on all sides; and now a kind of ring or circus is formed; 

within which the strange men exhibit their horsemanship; rushing 

past each other; in and out; after the manner of a reel; the tall 

man occasionally balancing himself upon the saddle; and standing 

erect on one foot。  He had just regained his seat after the latter 

feat; and was about to push his horse to a gallop; when a figure 

started forward close from beside me; and laying his hand on his 

neck; and pulling him gently downward; appeared to whisper 

something into his ear; presently the tall man raised his head; 

and; scanning the crowd for a moment in the direction in which I 

was standing; fixed his eyes full upon me; and anon the countenance 

of the whisperer was turned; but only in part; and the side…glance 

of another pair of wild eyes was directed towards my face; but the 

entire visage of the big black man; half stooping as he was; was 

turned full upon mine。



But now; with a nod to the figure who had stopped him; and with 

another inquiring glance at myself; the big man once more put his 

steed into motion; and; after riding round the ring a few more 

times; darted through a lane in the crowd; and followed by his two 

companions disappeared; whereupon the figure who had whispered to 

him; and had subsequently remained in the middle of the space; came 

towards me; and; cracking a whip which he held in his hand so 

loudly that the report was nearly equal to that of a pocket pistol; 

he cried in a strange tone:



'What! the sap…engro?  Lor! the sap…engro upon the hill!'



'I remember that word;' said I; 'and I almost think I remember you。  

You can't be … '



'Jasper; your pal!  Truth; and no lie; brother。'



'It is strange that you should have known me;' said I。  'I am 

certain; but for the word you used; I should never have recognised 

you。'



'Not so strange as you may think; brother; there is something in 

your face which would prevent people from forgetting you; even 

though they might wish it; and your face is not much altered since 

the time you wot of; though you are so much grown。  I thought it 

was you; but to make sure I dodged about; inspecting you。  I 

believe you felt me; though I never touched you; a sign; brother; 

that we are akin; that we are dui palor … two relations。  Your 

blood beat when mine was near; as mine always does at the coming of 

a brother; and we became brothers in that lane。'



'And where are you staying?' said I; 'in this town?'



'Not in the town; the like of us don't find it exactly wholesome to 

stay in towns; we keep abroad。  But I have little to do here … come 

with me; and I'll show you where we stay。'



We descended the hill in the direction of the north; and passing 

along the suburb reached the old Norman bridge; which we crossed; 

the chalk precipice; with the ruin on its top; was now before us; 

but turning to the left we walked swiftly along; and presently came 

to some rising ground; which ascending; we found ourselves upon a 

wild moor or heath。



'You are one of them;' said I; 'whom people call … '



'Just so;' said Jasper; 'but never mind what people call us。'



'And that tall handsome man on the hill; whom you whispered?  I 

suppose he's one of ye。  What is his name?'



'Tawno Chikno;' said Jasper; 'which means the small one; we call 

him such because he is the biggest man of all our nation。  You say 

he is handsome; that is not the word; brother; he's
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