15.05.2015 Views

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

"Isn't it simply glorious!" said Aravis.<br />

At the first ridge Shasta turned <strong>in</strong> the saddle and looked back. <strong>The</strong>re was no sign <strong>of</strong><br />

Tashbaan; the desert, unbroken except by the narrow green crack which they had<br />

travelled down, spread to the horizon.<br />

"Hullo!" he said suddenly. "What's that!"<br />

"What's what?" said Bree, turn<strong>in</strong>g round. Hw<strong>in</strong> and Aravis did the same.<br />

"That," said Shasta, po<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g. "It looks like smoke. Is it a fire?"<br />

"Sand-storm, I should say," said Bree.<br />

"Not much w<strong>in</strong>d to raise it," said Aravis.<br />

"Oh!" exclaimed Hw<strong>in</strong>. "Look! <strong>The</strong>re are th<strong>in</strong>gs flash<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> it. Look! <strong>The</strong>y're helmets -<br />

and armour. And it's mov<strong>in</strong>g: mov<strong>in</strong>g this way."<br />

"By Tash!" said Aravis. "It's the army. It's Rabadash."<br />

"Oh course it is," said Hw<strong>in</strong>. "Just what I was afraid <strong>of</strong>. Quick! We must get to Anvard<br />

before it." And without another word she whisked round and began gallop<strong>in</strong>g North. Bree<br />

tossed his head and did the same.<br />

"Come on, Bree, come on," yelled Aravis over her shoulder.<br />

<strong>The</strong> race was very gruell<strong>in</strong>g for the Horses. As they topped each ridge they found another<br />

valley and another ridge beyond it; and though they knew they were go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> more or less<br />

the right direction, no one knew how far it was to Anvard. From the top <strong>of</strong> the second<br />

ridge Shasta looked back aga<strong>in</strong>. Instead <strong>of</strong> a dust-cloud well out <strong>in</strong> the desert he now saw<br />

a black, mov<strong>in</strong>g mass, rather like ants, on the far bank <strong>of</strong> the W<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g Arrow. <strong>The</strong>y were<br />

doubtless look<strong>in</strong>g for a ford.<br />

"<strong>The</strong>y're on the river!" he yelled wildly.<br />

"Quick! Quick!" shouted Aravis. "We might as well not have come at all if we don't<br />

reach Anvard <strong>in</strong> time. Gallop, Bree, gallop. Remember you're a war-horse."<br />

It was all Shasta could do to prevent himself from shout<strong>in</strong>g out similar <strong>in</strong>structions; but<br />

he thought, "<strong>The</strong> poor chap's do<strong>in</strong>g all he can already," and held his tongue. And certa<strong>in</strong>ly<br />

both Horses were do<strong>in</strong>g, if not all they could, all they thought they could; which is not<br />

quite the same th<strong>in</strong>g. Bree had caught up with Hw<strong>in</strong> and they thundered side by side over<br />

the turf. It didn't look as if Hw<strong>in</strong> could possibly keep it up much longer.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!