按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
vigor； and the resignation； of men accustomed to such a life。
It is useless to relate here； by what series of singular circumstances
Morok was induced to exchange his rough pursuit for another profession；
and at last to enter； as catechumen； a religious house at Friburg； after
which； being duly and properly converted； he began his nomadic
excursions； with his menagerie of unknown origin。
Morok continued to walk up and down the loft。 Night had come。 The three
persons whose arrival he so impatiently expected had not yet made their
appearance。 His walk became more and more nervous and irregular。
On a sudden he stopped abruptly； leaned his head towards the window； and
listened。 His ear was quick as a savage's。
〃They are here！〃 he exclaimed and his fox like eye shone with diabolic
joy。 He had caught the sound of footstepsa man's and a horse's。
Hastening to the window…shutter of the loft； he opened it cautiously； and
saw the two young girls on horseback； and the old soldier who served them
as a guide； enter the inn…yard together。
The night had set in； dark and cloudy； a high wind made the lights
flicker in the lanterns which were used to receive the new guests。 But
the description given to Morok had been so exact； that it was impossible
to mistake them。 Sure of his prey； he closed the window。 Having
remained in meditation for another quarter of an hourfor the purpose；
no doubt； of thoroughly digesting his projectshe leaned over the
aperture； from which projected the ladder； and called； 〃Goliath！〃
〃Master！〃 replied a hoarse voice。
〃Come up to me。〃
〃Here I amjust come from the slaughter…house with the meat。〃
The steps of the ladder creaked as an enormous head appeared on a level
with the floor。 The new…comer； who was more than six feet high； and
gifted with herculean proportions； had been well…named Goliath。 He was
hideous。 His squinting eyes were deep set beneath a low and projecting
forehead； his reddish hair and beard； thick and coarse as horse…hair；
gave his features a stamp of bestial ferocity； between his broad jaws；
armed with teeth which resembled fangs； he held by one corner a piece of
raw beef weighing ten or twelve pounds； finding it； no doubt； easier to
carry in that fashion； whilst he used his hands to ascend the ladder；
which bent beneath his weight。
At length the whole of this tall and huge body issued from the aperture。
Judging by his bull…neck； the astonishing breadth of his chest and
shoulders； and the vast bulk of his arms and legs； this giant need not
have feared to wrestle single…handed with a bear。 He wore an old pair
of blue trousers with red stripes； faced with tanned sheep's…skin； and a
vest； or rather cuirass； of thick leather； which was here and there
slashed by the sharp claws of the animals。
When he was fairly on the floor； Goliath unclasped his fangs； opened his
mouth； and let fall the great piece of beef； licking his blood…stained
lips with greediness。 Like many other mountebanks； this species of
monster had began by eating raw meat at the fairs for the amusement of
the public。 Thence having gradually acquired a taste for this barbarous
food； and uniting pleasure with profit； he engaged himself to perform the
prelude to the exercises of Morok； by devouring； in the presence of the
crowd； several pounds of raw flesh。
〃My share and Death's are below stairs； and here are those of Cain and
Judas；〃 said Goliath； pointing to the chunk of beef。 〃Where is the
cleaver； that I may cut it in two？No preference herebeast or man
every gullet must have it's own。〃
Then； rolling up one of the sleeves of his vest； he exhibited a fore…arm
hairy as skin of a wolf； and knotted with veins as large as one's thumb。
〃I say； master； where's the cleaver？〃He again began； as he cast round
his eyes in search of that instrument。 But instead of replying to this
inquiry； the Prophet put many questions to his disciple。
〃Were you below when just now some new travellers arrived at the inn？〃
〃Yes； master； I was coming from the slaughter…house。〃
〃Who are these travellers？〃
〃Two young lasses mounted on a white horse； and an old fellow with a big
moustache。 But the cleaver？my beasts are hungry and so am Ithe
cleaver！〃
〃Do you know where they have lodged these travellers？〃
〃The host took them to the far end of the court…yard。〃
〃The building； which overlooks the fields？〃
〃Yes； masterbut the cleaver〃
A burst of frightful roaring shook the loft； and interrupted Goliath。
〃Hark to them！〃 he exclaimed； 〃hunger has driven the beasts wild。 If I
could roar； I should do as they do。 I have never seen Judas and Cain as
they are to…night； they leap in their cages as if they'd knock all to
pieces。 As for Death； her eyes shine more than usual like candlespoor
Death！〃
〃So these girls are lodged in the building at the end of the court…yard；〃
resumed Morok； without attending to the observations of Goliath。
〃Yes； yesbut in the devil's name； where is the cleaver？ Since Karl
went away I have to do all the work； and that makes our meals very late。〃
〃Did the old man remain with the young girls？〃 asked Morok。
Goliath； amazed that； notwithstanding his importunities； his master
should still appear to neglect the animals' supper； regarded the Prophet
with an increase of stupid astonishment。
〃Answer； you brute！〃
〃If I am a brute； I have a brute's strength；〃 said Goliath； in a surly
tone； 〃and brute against brute； I have not always come the worst off。〃
〃I ask if the old man remained with the girls；〃 repeated Morok。
〃Well； thenno！〃 returned the giant。 〃The old man； after leading his
horse to the stable； asked for a tub and some water； took his stand under
the porchand thereby the light of a lanternhe is washing out
clothes。 A man with a gray moustache！paddling in soap…suds like a
washerwomanit's as if I were to feed canaries！〃 added Goliath；
shrugging his shoulders with disdain。 〃But now I've answered you；
master； let me attend to the beasts' supper；〃and； looking round for
something； he added； 〃where is the cleaver？〃
After a moment of thoughtful silence； the Prophet said to Goliath； 〃You
will give no food to the beasts this evening。〃
At first the giant could not understand these words； the idea was so
incomprehensible to him。
〃What is your pleasure； master？〃 said he。
〃I forbid you to give any food to the beasts this evening。〃
Goliath did not answer； but he opened wide his squinting eyes； folded his
hands； and drew back a couple of steps。
〃Well； dost hear me？〃 said Morok； with impatience。 〃Is it plain enough？〃
〃Not feed？ when our meat is there； and supper is already three hours
after time！〃 cried Goliath； with ever…increasing amazement。
〃Obey； and hold your tongue。〃
〃You must wish something bad to happen this evening。 Hunger makes the
beasts furiousand me also。〃
〃So much the better！〃
〃It'll drive 'em mad。〃
〃So much the better！〃
〃How； so much the better？But〃
〃It is enough！〃
〃But； devil take me； I am as hungry as the beasts！〃
〃Eat thenwho prevents it？ Your supper is ready； as you devour it raw。〃
〃I never eat without my beasts； nor they without