Flying Soot stole up to him unseen, and softly touched his elbow.
[120]The Giant turned with so tremendous a start that masses of ash were shaken loose from the Seven Hills, and fell in clouds into the hollow. “So it is you, Flying Soot!” he cried joyfully4. “That means there is good prospect5 of mischief6 afoot.”
“Ay,” replied Flying Soot, “that there is.” He found a seat on a soft bank close to the Giant, who at once prepared himself to hear interesting news.
Flying Soot began forthwith to tell him about the Earth Fairy, who he said had sent him to ask the Giant’s aid against a young Prince who would soon be traveling that way. “He will be preceded by a flame, who is the enchanted8 Princess whom he loves,” said he. “She it is, who, under the Earth Fairy’s spell, leads him on to danger. We wish you[121] to destroy the Prince if you can. At any rate you must completely overpower him, in order that the Earth Fairy may take from him a Veil which he carries, and which she greatly covets9.”
“Surely this Veil must be endowed with marvelous power,” exclaimed the Giant, “if the Earth Fairy is so anxious to secure it.”
“True,” Flying Soot made haste to answer; “but it possesses this power only in the hands of the Prince, or of the Earth Fairy. To you or to others it would be of no use whatever.”
“Well, well,” growled10 the Giant, “she may have it and welcome for all I care. Why should I wish for a wretched Veil so long as I have my Cloak with which to work my will.”
“Why should you, indeed?” agreed the Soot Fairy. “What is a trifle like a[122] Veil, compared to a Cloak so wonderful as yours?”
Flattered by the words of Flying Soot, the Giant was now ready to exert himself to the utmost, and could hardly wait for the arrival of the Prince.
“Be sure that you do no harm to the Princess,” Flying Soot warned him. “The Earth Fairy herself will see to her. It is the Prince alone upon whom you are to exercise your power.”
“I shall remember,” replied the Giant. “Say no more, but come and watch for them with me. Through this opening between the Seven Hills we can surely see them as they approach.” Flying Soot did as the Giant bade him and together they watched and waited for some time.
At last, in the distance, they beheld11 a flashing brightness coming steadily12 toward the place where they lay in wait,[123] and close behind it followed a figure well known to Flying Soot.
“See!” he whispered, gripping the Giant’s arm. “The Princess comes, and the Prince hastens after. There also is my friend the Earth Fairy.”
“Ay,” answered the Giant with a malicious13 chuckle14. “They are coming fast. Go farther from me, Flying Soot, that I may have room to use my Cloak.” Flying Soot obeyed, and the Giant began to make ready.
He loosed his huge grey Cloak from his neck, dragged it from his shoulders, and gathered its collar firmly in his hand. Then he crouched down once more behind the hill nearest to the approaching travelers. So like to the ashes in color was the Giant’s great body that he was almost indistinguishable, as with eyes glued to the opening[124] in the side of the hill, he awaited the moment when the Prince should arrive.
Prince Radiance gave heed15 only to the Princess. With his gaze fixed16 upon her flashing light, he followed its guidance across the Wide Grey Plain. As he sped on and on, he kept ever before him the hope that by some means he might be able to bridge the distance between them. So, before he realized it, he had reached the Seven Hills of Ash, and the danger that lurked17 behind them.
The Giant’s time had come. Silently, swiftly he rose, and towered above the hills that had sheltered him. With a sweep of his mighty18 arm he flung out his cloak and cast it like a grey wall between the Prince and the Princess. Deftly19 he caught Prince Radiance in its folds, and before the Prince could make the least effort to free himself, the[125] Giant raised his Cloak high in air, and set it spinning about his head like an enormous revolving20 cloud. Larger it grew, flying faster and faster the while, and at every turn its stifling21 folds settled closer about the captive Prince.
The hoarse22 laughter of the Giant roared in his ears like thunder. Half choked, the Prince beat back the Cloak from his face, and struggled violently to escape. But round and round spun23 the Cloak as the Giant whirled his powerful arm, and Prince Radiance only exhausted24 himself against its tightening25 clasp, in vain.
The Giant’s dull eyes began to glitter for he knew that none could resist his evil Cloak for very long. Safe hidden within the hollow between the Hills of Ash, Flying Soot peered out upon them, and near him hovered26 the cruel Earth[126] Fairy, ready to dart27 out and seize the treasure that she coveted28 as soon as the Giant’s victory was gained. Princess White Flame, stricken with grief and dismay at the sudden disappearance29 of the Prince, quivered alone and helpless where the Earth Fairy held her in thrall30.
Gladly the Prince would have drawn31 his sword to slash32 his way through the Giant’s great Cloak, but he could not free his arms sufficiently33 to do so. Thus he seemed entirely34 without a weapon that he could use in his own defense35, and he was about to give himself up for lost, when suddenly he remembered the Grey Pouch36 at his side. He remembered also the words of the giver, “It will help you out of many a danger—out of many a difficulty.”
“May it not be that it will help me[127] now?” murmured the Prince faintly, “Ah, if it does not, then all hope of escape is gone.”
By a great effort he slipped his hand down to his side. With shaking fingers he undid37 the clasp of his Pouch and reached for the glowing coal that lay within. He drew it forth7, and felt, as he did so that it was on fire with magic. He pressed it against the Giant’s Cloak. Immediately a hole appeared in its folds, which widened rapidly. The air rushed in, reviving the Prince with its freshness and giving him zeal38 and new courage. So well did he use his weapon then, that presently he had before him a great opening in the thick folds through which he could pass with ease.
The Cloak in the Giant’s hands was still whirling at tremendous speed. Prince Radiance, looking out through[128] the opening saw the Seven Hills of Ash and the Wide Grey Plain spinning dizzily round and round far beneath him. Yet he was not afraid. He prepared himself to leap from the opening that he had made, when suddenly the Giant hurled39 his Cloak violently forward. Instantly the Prince was thrown through the air with such force that he was driven far out of reach or sight of his enemies. His scarlet40 mantle41 spread itself about him like great wings that bore him swiftly on and on, until at last it settled slowly and allowed him to alight in a place of safety.
The Giant, unaware42 that Prince Radiance was no longer in his power, gave his huge Cloak an abrupt43 twist. Immediately it shrunk to its former size, and he threw it down into the hollow between the Seven Hills. Then he turned to the Earth Fairy triumphantly44.
[129]
Suddenly the Giant hurled his Cloak
Suddenly the Giant hurled his Cloak violently forward
[130]
[131]“Come now, and take what you desire,” he roared, “for this miserable45 Prince is without doubt completely destroyed.”
Forth rushed the wicked Earth Fairy in a tremor46 of delight, sure that she was about to possess the Veil. With greedy hands she flung aside the folds of the Giant’s Cloak; with greedy hands she searched within its folds; but search as she would, she could find nothing. Unable to believe in such ill-fortune she tore the Cloak to right and left, but at last she knew for a certainty that the Prince was not there.
In a rage she turned upon the Giant. “Miserable creature, see what you have done!” she screamed. “With the Prince completely in your grasp as he was, you[132] have been so stupid as to allow him to escape.”
The Giant could not believe it possible. He stooped over the Cloak, and himself examined each one of its great folds, but at last he was convinced that the Earth Fairy was right. The Prince was indeed gone, and the great hole burned in the Cloak showed plainly the manner of his escape. Vexed47 as he was, his vexation changed quickly to anger as the Earth Fairy continued to pour contempt upon him for his failure, and to upbraid48 Flying Soot for having brought her to so worthless an ally.
Springing up in uncontrollable fury at her insolence49, the Giant shouted threats at her at the top of his lungs.
Flying Soot saw that he must interfere50 at once. He bent51 down and whispered quickly to the Earth Fairy, “Do[133] not tarry here an instant longer. You have made an enemy of the Giant. In another moment he will destroy us all. Come, let us go in quest of the Prince, for I have other friends who may serve you better than the Giant.”
The crafty52 Earth Fairy perceived that he was right, and yielded herself at once to his advice. Away she fled with Flying Soot across the Wide Grey Plain, taking with her the sorrowing Princess, and soon the Giant and his rage, and the Seven Hills of Ash lay far behind them.
At last Flying Soot checked the Earth Fairy’s flight. “Let us stop here while I tell you what I mean to do,” he said.
The Earth Fairy was willing. She rested her Green Wand, and Princess White Flame ceased to go forward, but her captor made sure that the Princess[134] was not near enough to herself and Flying Soot to overhear anything that might be said.
“The Prince as you know, has escaped by the work of a magic coal,” began Flying Soot. “Against such a fairy weapon the Giant’s wondrous53 Cloak is powerless. But come—I will take you to one who will be proof against this—one whose weapons are such that the Prince cannot even approach him to injure him. This powerful friend of whom I speak is the Great Black Dragon, and his haunt is yonder in the Gloomy Vale. From here, as you see, it is not far distant. I will go at once to bespeak54 his aid. Go you, on your part, and find the Prince, and when you have brought him to the Dragon, you may be sure that you will find him ready to serve you. Then shall you discover[135] also that I have not boasted of the Dragon’s power in vain.”
Glad was the Earth Fairy to consent to what promised so well for her purpose, and presently they parted, each to go upon the errand set.
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收听单词发音
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1
soot
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| n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟 | |
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2
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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7
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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enchanted
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| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
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9
covets
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| v.贪求，觊觎( covet的第三人称单数 ) | |
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10
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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11
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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12
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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13
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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14
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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15
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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16
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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17
lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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18
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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19
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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20
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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21
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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22
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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23
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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24
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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25
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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26
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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27
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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28
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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29
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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30
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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31
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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32
slash
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| vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩 | |
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33
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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34
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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35
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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36
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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37
Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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38
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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39
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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40
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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41
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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42
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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43
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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44
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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45
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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46
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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47
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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48
upbraid
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| v.斥责，责骂，责备 | |
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49
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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50
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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51
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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52
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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53
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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54
bespeak
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| v.预定；预先请求 | |
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