MEANwhilfTrumpkinandthetwoboysarrivedatthedarklittlestonearchwaywhichledintotheinsideoftheMound, andtwosentinelbadgers (thewhitepatchesontheircheekswereallEdmundcouldseeofthem) leapedupwithbaredteethandaskedtheminsnarlingvoices, “Whogoesthere?”
“Trumpkin,” saidtheDwarf.“BringingtheHighKingofNarniaoutofthefarpast.”
Thebadgersnosedattheboys' hands.“Atlast,” theysaid.“Atlast.”
“Giveusalight, friends,” saidTrumpkin.
ThebadgersfoundatorchjustinsidethearchandPeterlititandhandedittoTrumpkin.“,” hesaid.“Wedon'tknowourwayaboutthisplace.”
, black, mustyplace, withanoccasionalbatflutteringinthetorchlight, , whohadbeenmostlyintheopenairsincethatmorningattherailwaystation, feltasiftheyweregoingintoatraporaprison.
“Isay, Peter,” whisperedEdmund.“'ttheylookold? Andyetwe', theyhadn'tbeenmade.”
“Yes,” saidPeter.“Thatmakesonethink.”
TheDwarfwentonaheadandthenturnedtotheright, andthentotheleft, andthendownsomesteps, —, .
“Don'tlikethesoundofthat,” whisperedTrumpkintoPeter.“Let'slistenforamoment.” Allthreestoodperfectlystillontheoutsideofthedoor.
“Youknowwellenough,” saidavoice (“That'stheKing,” whisperedTrumpkin), “, andwewerefightingforourlivesforthespaceofthreehoursandmore? IblewitwhenfirstIhadabreathingspace.”
“I'mnotlikelytoforgetit,” cametheangryvoice, “whenmyDwarfsborethebruntoftheattackandoneinfiveofthemfell.” (“That'sNikabrik,” whisperedTrumpkin.)
“Forshame, Dwarf,” cameathickvoice (“Trufflehunter's,” saidTrumpkin).“WealldidasmuchastheDwarfsandnonemorethantheKing.”
