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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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"Neigh-ho - broo-hoo," said Bree. "Been sleep<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> my saddle, eh? I'll never do that<br />

aga<strong>in</strong>. Most uncomfortable-"<br />

"Oh come on, come on," said Aravis. "We've lost half the morn<strong>in</strong>g already. <strong>The</strong>re isn't a<br />

moment to spare."<br />

"A fellow's got to have a mouthful <strong>of</strong> grass," said Bree.<br />

I'm afraid we can't wait," said Aravis.<br />

"What's the terrible hurry?" said Bree. "We've crossed the desert, haven't we?"<br />

"But we're not <strong>in</strong> Archenland yet," said Aravis. "And we've got to get there before<br />

Rabadash."<br />

"Oh, we must be miles ahead <strong>of</strong> him," said Bree. "Haven't we been com<strong>in</strong>g a shorter<br />

way? Didn't that Raven friend <strong>of</strong> yours say this was a short cut, Shasta?"<br />

"He didn't say anyth<strong>in</strong>g about shorter," answered Shasta. "He only said better, because<br />

you got to a river this way. If the oasis is due North <strong>of</strong> Tashbaan, then I'm afraid this may<br />

be longer."<br />

"Well I can't go on without a snack," said Bree. "Take my bridle <strong>of</strong>f, Shasta."<br />

"P-please," said Hw<strong>in</strong>, very shyly, "I feel just like Bree that I can't go on. But when<br />

Horses have humans (with spurs and th<strong>in</strong>gs) on their backs, aren't they <strong>of</strong>ten made to go<br />

on when they're feel<strong>in</strong>g like this? and then they f<strong>in</strong>d they can. I m-mean - oughtn't we to<br />

be able to do even more, now that we're free. It's all for <strong>Narnia</strong>."<br />

"I th<strong>in</strong>k, Ma'am," said Bree very crush<strong>in</strong>gly, "that I know a little more about campaigns<br />

and forced marches and what a horse can stand than you do."<br />

To this Hw<strong>in</strong> made no answer, be<strong>in</strong>g, like most highly bred mares, a very nervous and<br />

gentle person who was easily put down. In reality she was quite right, and if Bree had had<br />

a Tarkaan on his back at that moment to make him go on, he would have found that he<br />

was good for several hours' hard go<strong>in</strong>g. But one <strong>of</strong> the worst results <strong>of</strong> be<strong>in</strong>g a slave and<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g forced to do th<strong>in</strong>gs is that when there is no one to force you any more you f<strong>in</strong>d you<br />

have almost lost the power <strong>of</strong> forc<strong>in</strong>g yourself.<br />

So they had to wait while Bree had a snack and a dr<strong>in</strong>k, and <strong>of</strong> course Hw<strong>in</strong> and the<br />

children had a snack and a dr<strong>in</strong>k too. It must have been nearly eleven o'clock <strong>in</strong> the<br />

morn<strong>in</strong>g before they f<strong>in</strong>ally got go<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>. And even then Bree took th<strong>in</strong>gs much more<br />

gently than yesterday. It was really Hw<strong>in</strong>, though she was the weaker and more tired <strong>of</strong><br />

the two, who set the pace.

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