CHAPTER FOURTEEN THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD（第4/5页）

Then began the slow，weary march uphill with nothing ahead to look at but the pale lamps which went up and up as far as the eye could reach. When they looked back they could see the water spreading. All the hills of Underland were now islands，and it was only on those islands that the lamps remained. Every moment some distant light vanished. Soon there would be total darkness everywhere except on the road they were following；and even on the lower part of it behind them，though no lamps had yet gone out，the lamplight shone on water.

Although they had good reason for hurrying，the horses could not go on for ever without a rest. They halted：and in silence they could hear the lapping of water.

“I wonder is what’s his name—Father Time—flooded out now,”said Jill. “And all those queer sleeping animals.”

“I don’t think we’re as high as that,”said Eustace. “Don’t you remember how we had to go downhill to reach the sunless sea ？ I shouldn’t think the water has reached Father Time’s cave yet.”

“That’s as may be,”said Puddleglum. “I’m more interested in the lamps on this road. Look a bit sickly，don’t they ？”

“They always did,”said Jill.

“Aye,”said Puddleglum. “But they’re greener now.”

“You don’t mean to say you think they’re going out ？ ”cried Eustace.

“Well，however they work，you can’t expect them to last for- ever，you know,”replied the Marsh-wiggle. “But don’t let your spirits down，Scrubb. I’ve got my eye on the water too，and I don’t think it’s rising so fast as it did.”

“Small comfort，friend,”said the Prince. “If we cannot find our way out. I cry you mercy，all. I am to blame for my pride and fantasy which delayed us by the mouth of the land of Bism. Now， let us ride on.”

During the hour or so that followed Jill sometimes thought that Puddleglum was right about the lamps，and sometimes thought it was only her imagination. Meanwhile，the land was changing. The roof of Underland was so near that even by that dull light they could now see it quite distinctly. And the great，rugged walls of Underland could be seen drawing closer on each side. The road，in fact，was leading them up into a steep tunnel. They began to pass picks and shovels and barrows and other signs that the diggers had recently been at work. If only one could be sure of getting out，all this was very cheering. But the thought of going on into a hole that would get narrower and narrower，and harder to turn back in，was very unpleasant.

At last the roof was so low that Puddleglum and the Prince knocked their heads against it. The party dismounted and led the horses. The road was uneven here and one had to pick one’s steps with some care. That was how Jill noticed the growing darkness. There was no doubt about it now. The faces of the others looked strange and ghastly in the green glow. Then all at once（she couldn’t help it）Jill gave a little scream. One light，the next one ahead，went out altogether. The one behind them did the same. Then they were in absolute darkness.

“Courage，friends,”came Prince Rilian’s voice. “Whether we live or die Aslan will be our good lord.”

“That’s right，Sir,”said Puddleglum’s voice. “And you must always remember there’s one good thing about being trapped down here：it’ll save funeral expenses.”

Jill held her tongue. （If you don’t want other people to know how frightened you are，this is always a wise thing to do；it’s your voice that gives you away.）

“We might as well go on as stand here,”said Eustace；and when she heard the tremble in his voice，Jill knew how wise she’d been not to trust her own.

Puddleglum and Eustace went first with their arms stretched out in front of them，for fear of blundering into anything；Jill and the Prince followed，leading the horses.

“I say,”came Eustace’s voice much later，“are my eyes going queer or is there a patch of light up there ？”