(原版)澳大利亞語文第六冊 LESSON 18

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LESSON 18 THE BARON AND THE CHARCOAL BURNER

THE BARON AND THE CHARCOAL BURNER

III

After a couple of minutes' rest, the boar charged again more fiercely than before. The hurdle could not possibly hold out long, and Lupersan felt that it was all over with him. At last, in despair, he began shouting for help. It was fortunate for him that, only the night before, a violent squall [1] had blown off the roof of the hut, so that his voice could carry some distance. His cries were answered almost immediately.

What's the matter? Where are you? Who are you?

I am Baron Lupersan. I am in the hut, attacked by a wild boar. I have no weapons. Is that you, Louis, speaking to me? Come quickly and kill this wild beast for me.

Kill a wild boar! Haven't you forbidden me to kill or wound game of any kind, big or small?

Don't talk such nonsense! Come, I tell you! Strike hard and save me!

That's all very well; but I'm afraid of the boar too. I caught sight of it, and saw what a rage it was in, and so I climbed up an oak tree. I'm astride on a branch, five feet from the ground. Besides, I have neither musket nor boar-spear. You have forbidden me to carry weapons of any kind.

THE CHARCOAL BURNER KILLS THE BOAR

You needn't go back to that old story. Where is your axe?

At the foot of the oak.

Well then, jump down, get hold of it, and split the boar's head.

That's easily said.

You're strong and handy. Quick! Quick! The hurdle is giving way!

And if I rescue you, what will you pay me?

Pay you? Pay you? Why, I'll give you ten crowns.

Ten crowns! The price of a mule! Is that the value you set on your life? I want something very different from that.

What do you want? Speak quickly. I can't hold out much longer.

In the first place, I want the release of the three poachers who are shut up in your dungeons. Then, as for myself, I want the free run of your lands for life.

That you'll never get!

Very well. Just as you like!

I'll pay you out for your stubbornness!

By the time the boar has done with you, you will be harmless enough!

The hurdle was beginning to fall to pieces.

You may have all you want, groaned the baron.

Swear it by all you hold most sacred.

I swear!

The charcoal burner sprang to the ground and seized his axe. Intent as it was on smashing through the hurdle. the boar did not notice him. Coming up cautiously but swiftly, he dealt it a tremendous blow that broke its back.

The baron was saved. He released the three poachers; and he allowed the charcoal burner to take on his lands what game he liked. But Louis was himself no poacher, as he had said, and the game suffered very little destruction from him. It was, however, always a pleasure to him to think that he had the right to take game if it pleased him to do so.

—Adapted from the French of Louis Dorey

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[1] squall: Rainy stom.