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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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Like most Dwarfs he was very stocky and deep-chested. He would have been about three<br />

feet high if he had been stand<strong>in</strong>g up, and an immense beard and whiskers <strong>of</strong> coarse red<br />

hair left little <strong>of</strong> his face to be seen except a beak-like nose and tw<strong>in</strong>kl<strong>in</strong>g black eyes.<br />

"Anyway," he cont<strong>in</strong>ued, "ghosts or not, you've saved my life and I'm extremely obliged<br />

to you."<br />

"But why should we be ghosts?" asked Lucy.<br />

"I've been told all my life," said the Dwarf, "that these woods along the shore were as full<br />

<strong>of</strong> ghosts as they were <strong>of</strong> trees. That's what the story is. And that's why, when they want<br />

to get rid <strong>of</strong> anyone, they usually br<strong>in</strong>g him down here (like they were do<strong>in</strong>g with me)<br />

and say they'll leave him to the ghosts. But I always wondered if they didn't really drown<br />

'em or cut their throats. I never quite believed <strong>in</strong> the ghosts. But those two cowards<br />

you've just shot believed all right. <strong>The</strong>y were more frightened <strong>of</strong> tak<strong>in</strong>g me to my death<br />

than I was <strong>of</strong> go<strong>in</strong>g!"<br />

"Oh," said Susan. "So that's why they both ran away."<br />

"Eh? What's that?" said the Dwarf.<br />

"<strong>The</strong>y got away," said Edmund. "To the ma<strong>in</strong>land."<br />

"I wasn't shoot<strong>in</strong>g to kill, you know," said Susan. She would not have liked anyone to<br />

th<strong>in</strong>k she could miss at such a short range.<br />

"Hm," said the Dwarf. "That's not so good. That may mean trouble later on. Unless they<br />

hold their tongues for their own sake."<br />

"What were they go<strong>in</strong>g to drown you for?" asked Peter.<br />

"Oh, I'm a dangerous crim<strong>in</strong>al, I am," said the Dwarf cheerfully. "But that's a long story.<br />

Meantime, I was wonder<strong>in</strong>g if perhaps you were go<strong>in</strong>g to ask me to breakfast? You've no<br />

idea what an appetite it gives one, be<strong>in</strong>g executed."<br />

"<strong>The</strong>re's only apples," said Lucy dolefully.<br />

"Better than noth<strong>in</strong>g, but not so good as fresh fish," said the Dwarf. "It looks as if I'll<br />

have to ask you to breakfast <strong>in</strong>stead. I saw some fish<strong>in</strong>g tackle <strong>in</strong> that boat. And anyway,<br />

we must take her round to the other side <strong>of</strong> the island. We don't want anyone from the<br />

ma<strong>in</strong>land com<strong>in</strong>g down and see<strong>in</strong>g her."<br />

"I ought to have thought <strong>of</strong> that myself," said Peter.

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