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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"Now, Earthman," said the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce, stand<strong>in</strong>g over it and hold<strong>in</strong>g his sword po<strong>in</strong>t very near<br />

the prisoner's neck, "speak, up, like an honest gnome, and you shall go free. Play the<br />

knave with us, and you are but a dead Earthman. Good Puddleglum, how can it speak<br />

while you hold its mouth tight shut?"<br />

"No, and it can't bite either," said Puddleglum. "If I had the silly s<strong>of</strong>t hands that you<br />

humans have (sav<strong>in</strong>g your Highness's reverence) I'd have been all over blood by now.<br />

Yet even a Marsh-wiggle gets tired <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g chewed.'<br />

"Sirrah," said the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce to the gnome, "one bite and you die. Let its mouth open,<br />

Puddleglum."<br />

"Oo-ee-ee," squealed the Earthman, "let me go, let me go. It isn't me. I didn't do it."<br />

"Didn't do what?" asked Puddleglum.<br />

"Whatever your Honours say I did do," answered the creature.<br />

"Tell me your name," said the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce, "and what you Earthmen are all about today."<br />

"Oh please, your Honours, please, k<strong>in</strong>d gentlemen," whimpered the gnome. "Promise you<br />

will not tell the Queen's grace anyth<strong>in</strong>g I say."<br />

"<strong>The</strong> Queen's grace, as you call her," said the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce sternly, "is dead. I killed her<br />

myself."<br />

"What!" cried the gnome, open<strong>in</strong>g its ridiculous mouth wider and wider <strong>in</strong> astonishment.<br />

"Dead? <strong>The</strong> Witch dead? And by your Honour's hand?" It gave a huge sigh <strong>of</strong> relief and<br />

added, "Why then your Honour is a friend!"<br />

<strong>The</strong> Pr<strong>in</strong>ce withdrew his sword an <strong>in</strong>ch or so. Puddleglum let the creature sit up. It looked<br />

round on the four travellers with its tw<strong>in</strong>kl<strong>in</strong>g, red eyes, chuckled once or twice, and<br />

began.<br />

CHAPTER FOURTEEN<br />

THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD<br />

"MY name is Golg," said the gnome. "And I'll tell your Honours all I know. About an<br />

hour ago we were all go<strong>in</strong>g about our work - her work, I should say - sad and silent, same<br />

as we've done any other day for years and years. <strong>The</strong>n there came a great crash and bang.

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