TheKingstrodeonatagreatpace, , sayingnothing; sotherewasnosoundbetweenthembutthefaintjingleofarichgoldchainthathungroundtheUnicorn'sneckandthenoiseoftwofeetandfourhoofs.
TheysoonreachedtheRiverandturnedupitwheretherewasagrassyroad: ', whattherewasofit, 'sarm-pits, butJewel (whohadfourlegsandwasthereforesteadier) keptonhisrightsoastobreaktheforceofthecurrent, andTirianputhisstrongarmroundtheUnicorn', whichwastheonlydrypartofhim, assoonastheycametoshore.
“Whathavewehere? ” andJewelsaid “Look! ”
“Itisaraft, ” saidKingTirian.
-trunks, allnewlycutandnewlyloppedoftheirbranches, hadbeenlashedtogethertomakearaft, .
“Hey! Water-Rat! Whatareyouabout? ” criedtheKing.
“TakinglogsdowntoselltotheCalormenes, Sire, ” saidtheRat, touchinghisearashemighthavetouchedhiscapifhehadhadone.
“Calormenes! ” thunderedTirian.“Whatdoyoumean? Whogaveorderforthesetreestobefelled? ”
-Ratlookedbackoveritsshoulderandshoutedout: “TheLion'sorders, .” Headdedsomethingmorebuttheycouldn'thearit.
TheKingandtheUnicornstaredatoneanotherandbothlookedmorefrightenedthantheyhadeverbeeninanybattle.
“Aslan, ” saidtheKingatlast, inaverylowvoice.“? CouldhebefellingtheholytreesandmurderingtheDryads? ”
“UnlesstheDryadshavealldonesomethingdreadfullywrong—”murmuredJewel.
“ButsellingthemtoCalormenes! ” saidtheKing.“Isitpossible? ”
“Idon'tknow, ” saidJewelmiserably.“He'snotatamelion.”
“Well, ” saidtheKingatlast, “wemustgoonandtaketheadventurethatcomestous.”
“Itistheonlythingleftforustodo, Sire, ” ;.
