voyages of dr[1]. doolittle(都利特尔的航行)-第42节
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！
not generally known to scientists） is how this people came to be called by
the other Indian nations； the Ragged…Eared Bag…jagderags。
As soon as the village was cleared of the enemy the Doctor turned his
attention to the wounded。
In spite of the length and fierceness of the struggle； there were
surprisingly few serious injuries。 Poor Long Arrow was the worst off。
However； after the Doctor had washed his wound and got him to bed； he
opened his eyes and said he already felt better。 Bumpo was only badly
stunned。
With this part of the business over； the Doctor called to Polynesia to
have the Black Parrots drive the enemy right back into their own country
and to wait there； guarding them all night。
Polynesia gave the short word of command； and like one bird those
millions of parrots opened their red beaks and let out once more their
terrifying battle…scream。
The Bag…jagderags didn't wait to be bitten a second time； but fled
helter…skelter over the mountains from which they had come； whilst
Polynesia and her victorious army followed watchfully behind like a great；
threatening； black cloud。
The Doctor picked up his high hat which had been knocked off in the
fight； dusted it carefully and put it on。
〃To…morrow；〃 he said； shaking his fist towards the hills； 〃we will
arrange the terms of peaceand we will arrange them in the City of Bag…
jagderag。
His words were greeted with cheers of triumph from the admiring
Popsipetels。 The war was over。
153
… Page 154…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
THE SEVENTH CHAPTER
THE PEACE OF THE PARROTS
THE next day we set out for the far end of the island； and reaching it
in canoes （for we went by sea） after a journey of twenty…five hours； we
remained no longer than was necessary in the City of Bag…jagderag。
When he threw himself into that fight at Popsipetel； I saw the Doctor
really angry for the first time in my life。 But his anger； once aroused； was
slow to die。 All the way down the coast of the island he never ceased to
rail against this cowardly people who had attacked his friends； the
Popsipetels； for no other reason but to rob them of their corn； because they
were too idle to till the land themselves。 And he was still angry when he
reached the City of Bag…jagderag。
Long Arrow had not come with us for he was as yet too weak from his
wound。 But the Doctoralways clever at languageswas already getting
familiar with the Indian tongue。 Besides； among the half…dozen
Popsipetels who accompanied us to paddle the canoes； was one boy to
whom we had taught a little English。 He and the Doctor between them
managed to make themselves understood to the Bag…jagderags。 This
people； with the terrible parrots still blackening the hills about their stone
town； waiting for the word to descend and attack； were； we found； in a
very humble mood。
Leaving our canoes we passed up the main street to the palace of the
chief。 Bumpo and I couldn't help smiling with satisfaction as we saw how
the waiting crowds which lined the roadway bowed their heads to the
ground； as the little； round； angry figure of the Doctor strutted ahead of us
with his chin in the air。
At the foot of the palace…steps the chief and all the more important
personages of the tribe were waiting to meet him； smiling humbly and
holding out their hands in friendliness。 The Doctor took not the slightest
notice。 He marched right by them； up the steps to the door of the palace。
There he turned around and at once began to address the people in a firm
154
… Page 155…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
voice。
I never heard such a speech in my lifeand I am quite sure that they
never did either。 First he called them a long string of names： cowards；
loafers； thieves； vagabonds； good…for…nothings； bullies and what not。 Then
he said he was still seriously thinking of allowing the parrots to drive them
on into the sea； in order that this pleasant land might be rid； once for all； of
their worthless carcases。 At this a great cry for mercy went up； and the
chief and all of them fell on their knees； calling out that they would submit
to any conditions of peace he wished。
Then the Doctor called for one of their scribesthat is； a man who did
picture…writing。 And on the stone walls of the palace of Bag…jagderag he
bade him write down the terms of the peace as he dictated it。 This peace is
known as The Peace of The Parrots； andunlike most peaces was； and is；
strictly kepteven to this day。
It was quite long in words。 The half of the palace…front was covered
with picture…writing； and fifty pots of paint were used； before the weary
scribe had done。 But the main part of it all was that there should be no
more fighting； and that the two tribes should give solemn promise to help
one another whenever there was corn…famine or other distress in the lands
belonging to either。
This greatly surprised the Bag…jagderags。 They had expected from the
Doctor's angry face that he would at least chop a couple of hundred heads
off and probably make the rest of them slaves for life。
But when they saw that he only meant kindly by them； their great fear
of him changed to a tremendous admiration。 And as he ended his long
speech and walked briskly down the steps again on his way back to the
canoes； the group of chieftains threw themselves at his feet and cried； 〃Do
but stay with us。 Great Lord； and all the riches of Bag…jagderag shall be
poured into your lap。 Gold…mines we know of in the mountains and pearl…
beds beneath the sea。 Only stay with us； that your all…powerful wisdom
may lead our Council and our people in prosperity and peace。〃 The Doctor
held up his hand for silence。
〃No man；〃 said he； 〃would wish to be the guest of the Bag…jagderags
till they had proved by their deeds that they are an honest race。 Be true to
155
… Page 156…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
the terms of the Peace and from yourselves shall come good government
and prosperityFarewell！〃 Then he turned and followed by Bumpo； the
Popsipetels and myself； walked rapidly down to the canoes。
THE EIGHTH CHAPTER
THE HANGING STONE
BUT the change of heart in the Bag…jagderags was really sincere。 The
Doctor had made a great impression on thema deeper one than even he
himself realized at the time。 In fact I sometimes think that that speech of
his from the palace…steps had more effect upon the Indians of
Spidermonkey Island than had any of his great deeds which； great though
they were； were always magnified and exaggerated when the news of them
was passed from mouth to mouth。
A sick girl was brought to him as he reached the place where the boats
lay。 She turned out to have some quite simple ailment which he quickly
gave the remedy for。 But this increased his popularity still more。 And
when he stepped into his canoe； the people all around us actually burst into
tears。 It seems （I learned this afterwards） that they thought he was going
away across the sea； for good； to the mysterious foreign lands from which
he had come。
Some of the chieftains spoke to the Popsipetels as we pushed off。
What they said I did not understand； but we noticed that several canoes
filled with Bag…jagderags followed us at a respectful distance all the way
back to Popsipetel。
The Doctor had determined to return by the other shore； so that we
should he thus able to make a complete trip round the island's shores。
Shortly after we started； while still off the lower end of the island； we
sighted a steep point on the coast where the sea was in a great state of
turmoil； white with soapy froth。 On going nearer； we found that this was
caused by our friendly whales who were still faithfully working away with
their noses
