WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:06.839 David and the Phoenix by Edward Ormandroyd, Chapter one, in 2 00:00:06.919 --> 00:00:10.320 which David goes mountain climbing and a mysterious voice is 3 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:14.759 overheard all the way there. David had saved this moment 4 00:00:14.839 --> 00:00:18.359 for himself, struggling not to peek until the proper time came. 5 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:21.920 When the car finally stopped, the rest of them got 6 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:25.079 out stiffly and went into the new house, but David 7 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:28.079 walked slowly into the back yard with his eyes fixed 8 00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:30.920 on the ground. For a whole minute, he stood there, 9 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:34.560 not daring to look up. Then he took a deep breath, 10 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:39.479 clenched his hands tightly, and lifted his head. There it 11 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:43.640 was as Dad had described it, but infinitely more grand. 12 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:49.399 It swept upward from the valley floor, beautifully shaped and soaring, 13 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:54.039 so tall that its misty blue peak could surely talk 14 00:00:54.200 --> 00:00:57.799 face to face with the stars. To David, who had 15 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:01.039 never seen a mountain before, the sight was almost too 16 00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:05.359 much to bear. He felt so tight and shivery inside 17 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:08.000 that he didn't know whether he wanted to laugh or 18 00:01:08.120 --> 00:01:11.560 cry or both. And the really wonderful thing about the 19 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:14.519 mountain was the way it looked at him. He was 20 00:01:14.599 --> 00:01:16.920 certain that it was smiling at him like an old 21 00:01:16.959 --> 00:01:19.719 friend who had been waiting for years to see him again. 22 00:01:20.599 --> 00:01:23.200 And when he closed his eyes he seemed to hear 23 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:27.519 a voice which whispered, come along then and climb. It 24 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:30.799 would be so easy to go. The back yard was 25 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:33.920 hedged in, with part of the hedge growing right across 26 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:36.760 the toes of the mountain, but there was a hole 27 00:01:36.920 --> 00:01:40.120 in the privet large enough to crawl through, and just 28 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:43.519 beyond the hedge, the mountain side awaited him, going up 29 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:46.840 and up in one smooth sweep until the green and 30 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:50.920 tawny faded into hazy heights of rock. It was waiting 31 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:53.920 for him. Come and climb, it whispered, come and climb. 32 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:57.560 But there was a great deal to do first. They 33 00:01:57.560 --> 00:02:01.079 were going to move into the new house. The moving 34 00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:04.519 van was standing out in front. The car must be unloaded. 35 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:09.680 David would be needed to carry things. Regretfully, he waved 36 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:13.159 his hand at the peak and whispered, it shouldn't take long. 37 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:16.039 I'll be back as soon as I can. Then he 38 00:02:16.120 --> 00:02:18.360 went around to the front door to see what could 39 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:23.919 be done about speeding things up. Inside, everything was in confusion. 40 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:29.439 Dad was pushing chairs and tables around in an aimless way. 41 00:02:30.199 --> 00:02:33.439 Mother was saying, they'll all have to go out again. 42 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:38.159 We forgot to put down the rug first. Aunt Amy 43 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:41.400 was making short dashes between the kitchen and the dining room, 44 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:45.199 muttering to herself, and Becky was roaring in her crib 45 00:02:45.280 --> 00:02:48.800 because it was time for her bottle. David asked, can 46 00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:51.479 I do anything, hoping that the answer would be no. 47 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:54.759 Come here, Aunt Amy said, grabbing him by the arm, 48 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:58.319 help me look for that ironing board. When the ironing 49 00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:01.599 board was finally located, Mother had something for him to do, 50 00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:04.960 and when he was finished with that, Dad called for 51 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:08.599 his help. So the afternoon wore on without lead up, 52 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:11.759 and also without any signs of progress in their moving. 53 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:14.719 When David finally got a chance to sneak out for 54 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:18.560 a breathing spell, he felt his heart sink. Somehow, in 55 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:22.439 all the rush and confusion, the afternoon had disappeared already 56 00:03:22.520 --> 00:03:25.400 the evening sun was throwing shadows across the side of 57 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:29.159 the mountain and touching its peak with a rudy blaze. 58 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:31.360 It was too late now, he would have to wait 59 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:34.919 until morning before he could climb. As he gazed up 60 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:37.919 miserably at the glowing summit, he thought he saw a 61 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:40.800 tiny speck soar out from it in a brief circle. 62 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:43.560 Was it a bird of some sort, or just one 63 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:45.879 of those dots that swim before your eyes when you 64 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:49.319 stare too long at the sky. It almost seemed like 65 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:52.520 the mountain waving its hand, as if to say that 66 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:55.120 it was quite all right for him to wait until morning. 67 00:03:55.639 --> 00:03:58.439 He felt better then, and returned more cheerfully to the 68 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:02.319 moving It was long after dark before the moving van 69 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:06.360 drove away. Becky crooned happily over her bottle, and the 70 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:08.479 rest of them gathered in the kitchen for a late 71 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:11.879 supper of sandwiches and canned soup, But David could not 72 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:14.800 eat until he had found the courage to ask one question, 73 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:19.680 May I climb the mountain tomorrow? Aunt Amy muttered something 74 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:22.879 about landslides, which were firmly fixed in her mind as 75 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:26.199 the fate of people who climbed mountains. But Dad said, 76 00:04:26.279 --> 00:04:28.560 I don't see why not do you, and look to 77 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:32.480 mother for agreement. Mother said, well, be very careful in 78 00:04:32.519 --> 00:04:35.879 a doubtful tome, and that was that you never know 79 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:38.800 what you will find when you climb a mountain, even 80 00:04:38.839 --> 00:04:41.639 if you have climbed them before, which, of course David 81 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:44.600 never had. Looking up from the foot of the mountain. 82 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:46.920 He had thought that it was a smooth slope from 83 00:04:46.920 --> 00:04:50.120 bottom to top, but he was discovering as he climbed 84 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:52.360 that it was not smooth at all, but very much 85 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:58.519 broken up. There were terraces, ledges, knolls, ravines, and embankments, 86 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:02.199 one after another. The exciting part of it was that 87 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.279 each feature concealed the ones above it. At the top 88 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:08.519 of a rise would be an outcropping of strangely colored rock, 89 00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:12.399 invisible from below. Beyond the outcropping, a small stand of 90 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:16.279 aspens would quiver in the breeze, their quicksilver leaves hiding 91 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:19.040 a tiny meadow on the slope behind, And when the 92 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:23.240 meadow had been discovered, there would be a something else beyond. 93 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:26.439 He was a real explorer now. When he got to 94 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:28.639 the top, he thought he would build a little tower 95 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:31.759 of stones, the way explorers always do. But at the 96 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:34.199 end of two hours steady climbing, he was ready to 97 00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:36.120 admit that he would never reach the peak. 98 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:36.680 That day. 99 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:40.240 It still rose above his head, seeming as far distant 100 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:42.800 as ever, but he did not care. Now it had 101 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:45.639 been a glorious climb, and the distance he had already 102 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:47.160 covered was a considerable one. 103 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:48.319 He looked back. 104 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:51.160 The town looked like a model of a town, with 105 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:54.680 little toy houses and different colored roofs among the trees 106 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:56.879 that made a darker patch on the pattern of the 107 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:00.040 valley floor. The mountains on the other side of the 108 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:03.120 valley seemed like blue clouds stretching out over the edge 109 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:05.879 of the world. Even the peak could not give him 110 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:08.360 a better view than this. David gazed up at the 111 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:11.879 face of a scarp, which rose like a cliff above him, 112 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:15.199 a smooth, bare wall of rock that had halted his climb. 113 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:19.199 Halfway up the scarp was a dark, horizontal line of bushes, 114 00:06:19.639 --> 00:06:22.639 something like a hedge. Apparently there was a ledge or 115 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.879 shelf there, and he decided to climb up to it 116 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:28.639 before he returned home. To scale the rock face itself 117 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:32.600 was impossible, however, there were no hand or footholds, so 118 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:34.959 he turned and made his way through the grass until 119 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:37.480 he reached the end of the bare stone. Then he 120 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:41.639 started upward again. It was hard work, vines clutched at 121 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:44.240 his feet, and the close set bushes seemed unwilling to 122 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:48.199 let him pass. He had one nasty slip, which might 123 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:50.319 have been his last if he had not grabbed a 124 00:06:50.360 --> 00:06:53.800 tough clump of weeds at the crucial instant. But oh, 125 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:56.600 it was worth it. He felt like shouting when at 126 00:06:56.680 --> 00:07:00.439 last he reached the ledge. Truly it was an enchanted place. 127 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:04.199 It was a long, level strip of ground several yards wide, 128 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:08.600 carpeted with short grass and dandelions. Bushes grew along most 129 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:11.480 of the outer edge. The inner edge was bounded by 130 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:15.000 a second scarp, a wall of red stone with sparkling 131 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:19.319 points of light embedded in its smooth surface. David threw 132 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:22.360 himself on the grass and rolled in it. It was 133 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:26.040 warm and soft and sweet smelling. It soothed away the 134 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:29.079 hurt of his aching muscles and the sting of his scratches. 135 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:32.399 He rolled over on his back and cushioned his head 136 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:35.639 in his hands. The sky seemed to be slipping along 137 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:39.639 overhead like a broad blue river. The breeze ruffled his 138 00:07:39.800 --> 00:07:44.839 hair and whispered. The bushes murmured and gossiped to each other. 139 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:47.959 Even the sunlight seemed to hum to him as it 140 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:51.240 laid warm hands on his face. But there was another 141 00:07:51.399 --> 00:07:55.120 sound which now and then rose above these murmurs. Then 142 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:57.720 it would fade and be drowned out by the breeze. 143 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:00.800 Hard to say why, but it just did not seem 144 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:04.279 to fit there. David propped himself up on his elbows 145 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:08.000 and listened more intently. The sound faded. He had been 146 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:11.519 imagining it. No, he had not been imagining it. There 147 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:12.199 it was again. 148 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:13.600 He sat up. 149 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:16.480 Now he noticed that the ledge was divided by a 150 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:19.199 thicket which grew from the inner side to the outer. 151 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:23.079 The noise, whatever it was, came from the other side 152 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:27.040 of the thicket. David's curiosity was aroused, but it occurred 153 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:29.759 to him that it might be wise to be cautious. 154 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:33.799 The noise did not sound dangerous, but well, he had 155 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:36.039 never been up a mountain before, and there was no 156 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:39.519 telling what he might find. He dropped into a crouch 157 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:42.480 and crept silently up to the tangle of bushes. His 158 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:45.120 heart began to pound, and he swallowed to relieve the 159 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:49.200 dryness in his throat. The noise was much more distinct now, 160 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:53.480 and it sounded like like. Yes, not only sounded like 161 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:59.200 but was someone talking to himself? Who could it possibly be? Well, 162 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:01.960 there was only one to find out. He dropped then 163 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:04.480 on his stomach and carefully began to worm his way 164 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:07.799 under the thicket. The branches grew very low, and the 165 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:11.519 ground was full of lumps and knobs which dug into 166 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:15.080 him with every movement. There were vines, too, and some 167 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:18.159 prickly things like thistles, which had to be pushed out 168 00:09:18.200 --> 00:09:21.279 of the way without allowing their leaves to rustle. He 169 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:24.960 progressed by inches, pushing with his toes, pulling with his 170 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:28.440 finger tips, wriggling with the rest of his body. At 171 00:09:28.519 --> 00:09:31.200 last he could see light breaking through the foliage in 172 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:34.519 front of him. He was nearing the other side. A 173 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:38.399 bunch of leaves hung before his face. He hesitated, then 174 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:42.559 pushed them aside gently, slowly, and peered out. He thought 175 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:47.480 his heart would stop. End of chapter one, Chapter two, 176 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:50.519 in which David meets the phoenix and there is a 177 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:55.080 change in plans. There stood an enormous bird. David had 178 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:57.639 been to the zoo, and at home he had a 179 00:09:57.679 --> 00:10:00.919 book of birds with colored pictures. He knew the more 180 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:04.840 common large birds of the world, the ostrich, the conder, 181 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:08.679 the albatross, eagles, cranes, storks. 182 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.240 But this bird. 183 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.360 Its shape was like that of an eagle, but stouter. 184 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:16.639 Its neck had the length and elegant curve of a 185 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:20.799 swan's neck. Its head was again like an eagle's with 186 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:25.159 a hooked bird of prey beak, but the expression in 187 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:28.960 its brown eyes was mild. The long wings were blunt 188 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:33.039 at the tips, the tail was short and broad, The 189 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:37.879 legs feathered half way down ended in taloned feet. An 190 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:42.080 iridescent sheen sparkled on its plumage, reflecting sunlight from the 191 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:46.600 scarlet crest, the golden neck and back the breast of silver, 192 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:51.200 the sapphire wings and tail. Its size alone would have 193 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:54.320 been enough to take David's breath away. He could have 194 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:57.440 stood beneath the arch of that neck with room to spare. 195 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:00.840 But the most astonishing thing was that the bird had 196 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:04.159 an open book on the ground and was apparently trying 197 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:09.399 to learn part of it by heart. Vivo vives viv 198 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:14.279 The bird read very slowly and distinctly, staring hard at 199 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:19.759 the book. Vivimos vivis viven That is simple enough, you 200 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:24.519 blockhead now. Then, without looking, it cleared its throat, looked 201 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:27.200 away from the book, and repeated in a rapid mutter, 202 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:32.720 vivo vives vive v a viv, Oh, dear, what is 203 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:36.600 the matter with me here? The temptation to peek overcame 204 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.000 it for an instant, and its head wavered. But it 205 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:42.720 said no, no, in a firm tone, looked carefully the 206 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:48.399 other way, and began once more, vivo vives, vive quite correct, 207 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:52.360 so far h v h oh dear these verbs? 208 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.840 Where was I? Oh? 209 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:59.799 Yes vivo. David's head reeled as he watched this amazing performance. 210 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:02.799 There was no need to pinch himself to see if 211 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:06.600 he were dreaming. He was perfectly wide awake. Everything else 212 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:09.919 around him was behaving in a normal way. The mountain 213 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:13.320 was solid beneath him, the sunlight streamed down as before. 214 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:18.960 Yet there was the bird, unmistakably before him, undeniably studying 215 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:23.279 its book and speaking to itself. David's mind caught hold 216 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:26.080 of a phrase and repeated it over and over again. 217 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:30.919 What on earth? What on earth? But of course there 218 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:33.799 was no answer to that question, and he might have 219 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:37.120 lain hidden there all day, staring out at the bird 220 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:40.159 and marveling, had it not been for a bee which 221 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:43.840 came droning into the thicket straight before him. He had 222 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:46.840 a horror of bees ever since he had once bumped 223 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:50.120 into a hive by mistake. When he heard that dread 224 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:54.720 sound approaching, his whole body broke into a sweat. All 225 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:57.559 thought of the bird was immediately driven from his head. 226 00:12:58.159 --> 00:13:00.120 He could tell from the noise that it was one 227 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:03.559 of those big black and yellow fuzzy bees, the ones 228 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:09.799 with the nasty dispositions. Perhaps the thought paralyzed him, perhaps 229 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:13.399 he was lying on its nest. On it came buzzing 230 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:16.720 and blundering through the leaves. Suddenly it was upon him, 231 00:13:16.840 --> 00:13:19.480 so close that he could feel the tiny breeze stirred 232 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:23.799 up by its wings. All self control vanished. He beat 233 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:26.799 at it wildly with his hands, burst out of the 234 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:30.200 thicket like an explosion, and smashed full tilt into the bird. 235 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:34.919 Before he could stop himself with a piercing squawk, the 236 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:38.799 bird shot into the air, flipped over, and came fluttering 237 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:44.399 down facing him, talons outstretched, hooked, beak open, eyes a glare. 238 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:49.480 Completely terrified, David turned and bolted for the thicket. He 239 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:52.840 managed to thrash halfway through when a vine trapped his feet. 240 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:56.960 He pitched forward, shielding his face with his arms, and 241 00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:00.840 was caught up short by a dead branch, snagging his shirt. 242 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:03.240 He was stuck. This was the end. 243 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:06.559 He closed his eyes and waited, too numb with fear 244 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:11.080 to think or cry out. Nothing happened. Slowly, he turned 245 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:15.080 his head around. The bird, although it still glared menacingly, 246 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:20.120 seemed undecided whether to attack or flee. What may I ask? 247 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:22.679 Are you doing here? It said, at last, in a 248 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:26.919 severe voice. I I I was taking a walk, David 249 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:30.639 said faintly. I'm awfully sorry if I bothered you or anything. 250 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:34.039 You should not have come up here at all. The 251 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:37.480 bird snapped, well, I'm really sorry, but there was a 252 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:40.960 bee in the bush here. I I didn't mean to. 253 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:45.240 The fright had been too much. Tears started in David's eyes, 254 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:49.200 and his lip began to tremble. The bird seemed reassured 255 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:53.600 for its manner visibly softened. It lowered and folded its wings, 256 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:58.279 and the glare faded from its eyes. I'd go away, 257 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:03.519 David mumbled, apologetically. Only I'm stuck. He rubbed his eyes 258 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:07.279 on his sleeve. The bird looked at his dismal face 259 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:11.039 and began to fidget awkwardly. There there, it said, I 260 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:15.080 had no intention of I'm afraid that I stuck. Did 261 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:15.519 you say? 262 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:16.960 Very easily? 263 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:20.639 Mended, my dear fellow, merely a question of here, let 264 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:23.639 me look. It crashed through the thicket to where David 265 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:26.200 was caught and thrust its head down through the branches. 266 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:30.600 Its muffled voice came floating up. Take heart, there seems 267 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:34.759 to be aha, just so one moment, please, bit of vine, 268 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:38.399 there we are. There was a snapping sound from below, 269 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:42.480 and David's foot was released. He unstuck the snag from 270 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:45.480 his shirt, pushed his way out of the thicket, and 271 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.320 sat down. 272 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:47.360 Weakly on the grass. 273 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:51.240 Wheugh, at least the bird was not going to harm him. 274 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:53.519 It seemed to be quite a kindly creature. 275 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:53.879 Really. 276 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:56.519 He had just frightened it and made it angry by 277 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:59.759 bursting out of the bushes. So suddenly he heard a 278 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:05.159 flailing in the thicket, followed by the bird's anxious voice. Hello, 279 00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:06.159 are you still there? 280 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.240 Yes? What? 281 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:11.559 There were more sounds of struggle. This is rather awkward. 282 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:14.440 I The fact is I am afraid that I am 283 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.399 stuck myself. 284 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:15.840 Could you? 285 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:19.600 Yes, of course, said David. He smiled to himself a 286 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:22.840 little shakily, and re entered the thicket. When he had 287 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.320 disentangled the bird, the two of them sat down on 288 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:28.720 the grass and looked at each other. They hesitated, not 289 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:32.480 quite sure how to begin, I trust, said the bird. 290 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:35.399 At last, that you are not of a scientific turn 291 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:39.600 of mind. I don't know, said David. I'm interested in things, 292 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.600 if that's what you mean. 293 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.240 No, it is not. 294 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:45.840 There is a great deal of difference between the interests 295 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:49.759 shown by normal people and the obsessive interest of scientists. 296 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:54.879 You are not, I hope, acquainted with any scientists. No Ah, 297 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:58.000 said the bird, with a relieved sigh. Everything is quite 298 00:16:58.080 --> 00:17:00.799 all right, then, I do hope that you will forgive 299 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:04.680 my behavior. I am not usually so rude. The fact 300 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:08.599 is that you gave me quite a horrible start. Oh 301 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:12.039 I'm sorry, I frightened. You frightened, my dear fellow, said 302 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:14.920 the bird testily. I am never frightened. I do not 303 00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:18.039 know the meaning of the word. What I mean is, 304 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:21.680 David said quickly, that you frightened me. This seemed to 305 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:26.559 pacify the bird, and David, to heighten the good impression, added, golly, 306 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:32.240 you looked fierce. The bird smiled complacently. I can rise 307 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:38.240 to a terrifying ferocity when aroused, a noble strain of fighting. 308 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:41.319 Blood courses through my veins. Not that I go out 309 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:45.000 of my way to seek quarrels, you understand. On the contrary, 310 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:50.079 peaceful could well describe my general attitude meditative. I am 311 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:53.839 usually to be found thinking. I have a powerful intellect. 312 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:56.759 No doubt you have noticed the stamp of genius on 313 00:17:56.799 --> 00:18:01.079 my brow. David supposed that the bird meant its scarlet crest, 314 00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:03.400 and he nodded. That's one of the first things I 315 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:07.519 noticed about you. Indeed, cried the bird, delightedly. You are 316 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:10.519 certainly more alert than most. But as I was saying, 317 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:14.480 I am usually to be found thinking. The first condition 318 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:17.960 of thinking is solitude, and that I fear is a 319 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:23.839 desert duratum, most difficult of realization. I beg your pardon, people, 320 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:27.680 explained the bird. Do not leave you alone, Oh, said David. 321 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:30.880 He flushed, thinking that the words had been aimed at him, 322 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:34.079 and began to get up, but the bird signaled him 323 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:36.759 to remain where he was. I do not mean you, 324 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:39.559 my dear fellow. I assure you that I am delighted 325 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:43.079 to make your acquaintance. It is all the others. Do 326 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.960 you know that I have spent the greater part of 327 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:48.440 my life being pursued. I was chased out of Egypt 328 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:51.200 like a common game bird, out of the mountains of 329 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:55.160 Greece too, the hills of Lebanon, the desert of Africa, 330 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:59.240 the Arabian wilds. No matter where I fled, people would 331 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:02.599 come prying and peering and sneaking after me. I have 332 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:06.559 tried Tibet, China, and the steps of Siberia with the 333 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:10.279 same result. At last, I heard of a region where 334 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:14.240 there was peace, where the inhabitants let each other alone. Here, 335 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:17.160 I thought I should pardon me for interrupting. 336 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.720 Where? Why here? 337 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:21.200 To be brief, said the bird, waving its wing toward 338 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:24.839 the valley. Here, I thought I should be able to breathe. 339 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:28.240 At my age, one likes a little quiet. Would you 340 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:31.400 believe that I am close to five hundred years old? Golly, 341 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:34.359 said David. You don't look at the bird gave a 342 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:38.680 pleased laugh. My splendid physical condition does conceal my years 343 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:42.200 at any rate. I settled here in the hope of 344 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:46.599 being left alone. But do you think I was safe? David, 345 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:49.640 seen that he was supposed to answer no, shook his head. 346 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:53.000 Quite right, said the bird. I was not. 347 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:55.799 I had been here no more than three months when 348 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:59.759 a scientist was hot on my trail, a most disagreeable fellow, 349 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:03.599 always sneaking about with binoculars a camera, and I fear 350 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:07.319 a gun. That is why you startled me. For an 351 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:11.200 instant I thought you were he Oh, David cried, I'm 352 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:14.440 awfully sorry. I didn't bother you on purpose. It's just 353 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:17.400 that I never saw a mountain before. So I climbed 354 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:20.200 up here to see what one looked like. You climbed 355 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:24.160 up here, Yes, climbed, said the bird, looking very thoughtful. 356 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:28.559 Climbed I might have known. It proves, you see, that 357 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:31.160 the same thing could be done again by someone older 358 00:20:31.160 --> 00:20:35.279 and stronger. A very grave point, Oh, I see, said David. 359 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:39.519 You mean the precisely the scientist he is, I fear 360 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.480 very persistent. 361 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:44.440 I first noticed him over there. The bird waved its wing. 362 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:47.799 Toward the opposite side of the valley, so I removed 363 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:51.720 to this location. But he will undoubtedly continue his pursuit. 364 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:55.440 The bad penny always turns up. It will not be 365 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:59.319 long before the sharp scientific nose is again quivering in 366 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:04.319 my direction. Oh dear, that's terrible. Your sympathy touches me, 367 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:07.599 said the bird huskily. It is most unusual to find 368 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:11.200 someone who understands but have no fear for me. I 369 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:15.920 am taking steps, I am preparing. Imagine his disappointment when 370 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:18.839 he arrives here and finds me flown from the nest. 371 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:23.519 I am to be brief leaving. Do you see this book, yes, 372 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:25.759 said David. I heard your reading it, but I couldn't 373 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:30.160 understand it. Is it magic? No, my boy, it is Spanish. 374 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:33.880 I have chosen a little spot, chilly but isolated in 375 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:38.200 the Andes Mountains, South America, you know, and of course 376 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:41.400 one must be prepared. I am learning Spanish so that 377 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:43.599 I shall be able to make my way about in 378 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:47.839 South America. I must admit my extreme reluctance to depart. 379 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:51.200 I have become very fond of this ledge. It is 380 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:56.200 exactly suited to my needs. Ideal climate, magnificent view. They 381 00:21:56.240 --> 00:22:00.000 fell into a lengthy silence. The bird gazed sadly out 382 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:02.480 over the valley, and David rested his chin in his 383 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:06.440 hands and thought the mystery was clearing up. The bird's 384 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:09.160 presence on the mountain and the fact that it had 385 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:12.720 been reading a book were explained, and so natural was 386 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:16.400 its speech that David found him itself accepting it as 387 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:21.079 nothing unusual. The thing that worried him now was that 388 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:24.839 the bird would soon leave here. They had only just met, 389 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:28.519 and already the promise of a most interesting friendship was dissolving. 390 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:32.279 The bird had taken time to talk to him and 391 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:34.640 explain things to him as though he were an equal, 392 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:37.880 And although he did not understand many of the long 393 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:41.000 words it used, he felt pleased at being spoken to 394 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:44.359 as though he did understand. And the bird knew all 395 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:47.960 about far away countries, had visited them and lived in them, 396 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:50.680 and had adventures in them for almost five hundred years. 397 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:52.160 Oh, there were. 398 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:56.079 So many things David wanted to know and ask about, But. 399 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.039 The bird was leaving. 400 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:59.799 If only he could persuade it to stay, even for 401 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:03.720 a short while, he could try, anyhow, and after all, 402 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.839 the bird had said itself that it did not want 403 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:10.000 to go. Bird, he stopped and flushed. It was hard 404 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:14.480 to put into words, Your servant, my boy, Well, I 405 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:17.799 I don't believe I know your name, David stammered, unable 406 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:21.640 to get the real question out. Ah forgive me, cried 407 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:25.680 the bird, jumping up. Permit me the honor of presenting myself. 408 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:29.240 I dare say my name is familiar to you, celebrated 409 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:32.480 as it is in song and story. I am the 410 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:38.119 one and only, the unique Phoenix. And the phoenix bowed deeply, 411 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:42.680 very glad to meet you, said David. I'm David, delighted, 412 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:45.839 my dear fellow, an honor and a pleasure. They shook 413 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:50.759 hand and wing solemnly. Now as you were saying, well, phoenix, 414 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:54.319 I was just thinking, David stammered, it's too bad. I mean, 415 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:57.519 couldn't you It would be nice if we well, do 416 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:00.359 you really have to go to South America? It would 417 00:24:00.359 --> 00:24:04.039 be nice if you'd stay awhile until the scientist shows up. Anyway, 418 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:08.039 and I like talking with you. His face burned. It 419 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:12.000 seemed like a lot to ask. The phoenix hurrumped several 420 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:15.000 times in its throat and shuffled its feet. Really, I 421 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:18.200 cannot tell you how how much you well? Really, such 422 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:23.720 a delightful request. Ahhrrumph Perhaps it can be arranged, oh, phoenix. 423 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:26.319 David threw his arms around the bird's neck, and then, 424 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:30.640 unable to restrain himself any longer, turned a somersault. 425 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.799 On the grass. 426 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:33.799 But for the present, it seems to be getting late, 427 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:36.599 said the phoenix. We shall talk it over some other 428 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:42.160 time and decide. Gully it is late. I hadn't noticed. Well, 429 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:44.640 i'll have to go or they'll worry about me at home. 430 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:47.400 But I can come up and see you tomorrow, can't I, 431 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:52.200 of course, my boy, in the bustle of morning, in 432 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:55.000 the hush of noon, in the ah, to be brief 433 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:59.079 at any time, and I'll bring you some cookies if 434 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:03.279 you like, ah, said the phoenix, closing its eyes. Sugar cookies, 435 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:07.160 by any chance, it asked faintly. David noticed the feathers 436 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:11.119 of its throat jumping up and down with rapid, swallowing motions. 437 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:14.880 I'll ask aunt Amy to make them tonight. Ah splendid, 438 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:18.559 my boy, splendid? Shall we say? Not more than? Ah? 439 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:22.680 That is not less than a fifteen? All right, phoenix? 440 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:25.279 My aunt Amy keeps a big jar full of cookies, 441 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:28.119 and I can have as many as I like. The 442 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:31.359 phoenix took David's arm, and together they strolled to the 443 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:34.400 other end of the ledge. Now don't mention this to 444 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:37.160 any one, but there is an old goat trail down 445 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:40.279 this side. It is somewhat grown over, but eyes as 446 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:43.000 sharp as yours should have no trouble with it. It 447 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:46.279 will make your travels up and down easier. Another thing, 448 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:49.680 I trust you will not make known our rendezvous or 449 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:52.759 what you will not tell anyone that I am here. 450 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:55.799 Oh no, I won't say a word. Well, I'll see 451 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:59.680 you tomorrow. Yes, as the French so cleverly say ah, 452 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:04.000 well to breathe brief good bye, my boy until tomorrow. 453 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:08.160 Then David waved his hand, found the goat trail and 454 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:11.519 started down. He was too happy even to whistle, so 455 00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:15.359 he contented himself with running whenever he found a level place, 456 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:18.440 and when he reached home he stood on his hands 457 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:22.599 in the back yard for two whole seconds. End of 458 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:27.880 chapter two recording by Greg Weeks. Chapter three, in which 459 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:31.000 it is decided that David should have an education and 460 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:33.200 an experiment is made. 461 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:34.119 Next day. 462 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:36.279 It took less than an hour to reach the ledge, 463 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:38.519 and David was sure that he could shorten the time 464 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:41.519 even more when he was familiar with the goat trail. 465 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:44.720 The phoenix was not in sight when he arrived, and 466 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:47.960 for an instant David was stricken with fright. Had the 467 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:51.480 bird gone in spite of its promise? But no, He 468 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:54.720 heard a reassuring noise. It came from the thicket, and 469 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:57.960 it sounded very much like a snore. David smiled to 470 00:26:58.039 --> 00:27:02.480 himself and shouted, Hello, phoenix. There was a thrashing sound 471 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:05.519 in the thicket, and the phoenix appeared looking very rumpled 472 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:08.880 and yawning behind its wing. Greetings, my boy, it cried, 473 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:12.559 a splendid morning. Then the phoenix caught sight of the 474 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:16.039 paper bag in David's hand and swallowed in a suggestive way. 475 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:20.799 David thrust the bag of cookies behind his back. Now, Phoenix, 476 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:23.400 he said firmly, you have to promise me you won't 477 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:26.519 go away to South America. You said last night that 478 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:29.000 it could be arranged, So let's arrange it right now. 479 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:33.880 Until we do not one. The phoenix drew itself up indignantly. 480 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:37.480 My very dear fellow, it said, you wound me, You 481 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:40.119 cut me to the quick. I will not be bribed. 482 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:44.880 I it stopped and swallowed again. Oh well, it continued 483 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:48.480 more mildly. One does not fight fate, does one. I 484 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:52.640 suppose under these circumstances, I must accept it's settled. Then 485 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:56.240 David cried joyfully. So they sat down on the grass together, 486 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:59.279 and for a long time nothing was heard but sounds 487 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:02.200 of munching. My boy, said the phoenix, at last, brushing 488 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:05.759 the crumbs from its chest. I take a modest pride 489 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:08.759 in my way with words, but nothing in the language 490 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:12.920 can do these ah baked poems. Justice words fail me. 491 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:16.839 I'm glad you like them, David said politely, and now 492 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:20.640 my boy, continued the phoenix as it settled back comfortably. 493 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:24.720 I have been thinking yesterday you showed an intelligent interest 494 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:28.079 in my problems and asked intelligent questions. You did not 495 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:32.440 scoff as others might have done. You have very rare qualities, 496 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:36.720 David flushed and mumbled denials. Do not be so modest, 497 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:39.359 my boy. I speak the truth. It came to me 498 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:42.079 that such a mind as yours, having these qualities, should 499 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:45.759 be further cultivated and refined, and I should be avoiding 500 00:28:45.799 --> 00:28:47.759 my clear cut duty if I did not take this 501 00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:51.880 task in hand myself. Of course, I suppose some attempt 502 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:55.400 to educate you has already been made, has it not? Well, 503 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:58.319 I go to school, if that's what you mean. Not now, though, 504 00:28:58.400 --> 00:29:02.519 because it's summer vacation. And what do they teach you there? Oh, 505 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:06.240 reading and writing and arithmetic and things like that, Aha, 506 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:11.000 said the phoenix triumphantly. Just as I suspected a classical education, 507 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:15.920 understand me, I have nothing against a classical education as such. 508 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:20.039 I realize that mathematics, Greek and Latin are excellent for 509 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:23.319 the discipline of the mind. But in the broad view, 510 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:27.279 a classical education is not a true education. Life is real, 511 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:31.160 life is earnest. One must face it with a practical education. 512 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:35.960 The problems of life, my dear fellow, Classical education completely 513 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:39.039 ignores them. For example, how do you tell a true 514 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:43.440 unicorn from a false one? I? I don't know, I thought, 515 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:48.519 not where do you find the philosopher's stone? I don't know? Well, 516 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:50.960 then I shall ask a simple one, what is the 517 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:55.559 first rule of defense when attacked by a chimera? David 518 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:59.000 scorned uncomfortably. I'm afraid I don't know that either, he 519 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:02.799 said in a small voice. There you are, cried the phoenix. 520 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:06.160 You do not have a true practical education. You are 521 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:09.079 not ready for life. I, my boy, am going to 522 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:13.519 take your education in hand, oh, said David. Do you 523 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:16.400 mean are you going to give me lessons? Through his 524 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:19.880 mind flashed a picture of the phoenix with spectacles on 525 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:22.920 its beak and a ruler in its wing, writing out 526 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:26.839 sentences on a blackboard. The thought gave him a sinking feeling. 527 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:30.480 After all, it was summer, and summer was supposed to 528 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:34.680 be vacation time. And what an education it will be. 529 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:38.880 The phoenix went on, ignoring his question, absolutely without equal 530 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:42.079 the full benefit of my vast knowledge, plus a number 531 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:46.000 of trips to Oh traveling, said David, suddenly feeling much better. 532 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:50.880 That's different, Oh phoenix, that'll be wonderful. Where will we go? Everywhere, 533 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:53.119 my boy, said the phoenix, with an airy wave of 534 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:56.440 its wing, to all corners of the earth. We shall 535 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.200 visit my friends and acquaintances. 536 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.480 Oh do you have? 537 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:02.079 Of course, my boy, I am nothing if not a 538 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:10.519 good mixer. My acquaintances to mention, but a few include fawns, dragons, unicorns, trolls, gryffins, gryffins, gryffens. 539 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:14.240 Excuse me, David interrupted, What were those last three? 540 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:14.720 Please? 541 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:19.200 Gryffins explained. The phoenix are the small, reddish, friendly ones. 542 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:23.319 Gryffons are the quick tempered, proud ones. Gryffens. 543 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:23.640 Ah. 544 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:26.160 Well, the most that anyone can say for them is 545 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:29.680 that they are harmless. They are very stupid, I see, 546 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:34.359 said David doubtfully. What do they look like? Each looks 547 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:36.799 like the other, my boy, except that some are bigger 548 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:44.599 and some are smaller. But to continue, sea monsters, leprechauns, rocks, gnomes, elves, basilisks, nymphs, 549 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:48.599 ah and many others all are of the better sort, since, 550 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:51.839 as I have many times truly observed, one is known 551 00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:55.240 by the company one keeps. And your education will cost 552 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:58.039 you nothing. Of course, it would be agreeable if you 553 00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:01.079 could supply me with cookies from time to time, as 554 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:04.799 many as you want, Phoenix, Will we go to Africa? Naturally, 555 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:08.400 my boy. Your education will include in Egypt and China 556 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:13.119 and Arabia. Yes, your education will, oh, Phoenix, Phoenix. David 557 00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:16.559 jumped up and began to caper while the phoenix beamed, 558 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:21.160 but suddenly he stopped. How are we going to travel, Phoenix? 559 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:25.680 I have wings, my boy, yes, but I don't do 560 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:28.279 not be so dense, my dear fellow. I shall carry 561 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:31.519 you on my back, of course, oh, said David, weekly 562 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:34.799 on your on your back? Are you sure that isn't 563 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:38.160 there some other? I mean, can you do it? The 564 00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:41.640 phoenix drew itself up to its full height. I am hurt, yes, 565 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:46.000 deeply hurt by your lack of faith. My magnificent build 566 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:49.079 should make it evident that I am an exceedingly powerful flier. 567 00:32:49.599 --> 00:32:52.000 In the heyday of my youth, I could fly around 568 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:55.079 the world in five hours. But come along, I shall 569 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:59.240 give you proof positive David reluctantly followed the phoenix to 570 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:02.119 a spot on the edge of the shelf where there 571 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:05.519 was a gap in the bushes. He glanced over the brink, 572 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:08.799 the sheer face of the scarp fell away beneath them, 573 00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:12.279 plunging down to the tiny trees and rocks below. He 574 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:14.079 stepped back quickly with a shudder. 575 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:16.799 Let's let's do it tomorrow, he quavered. 576 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:20.599 Nonsense, said the phoenix firmly. No time like the present. 577 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:25.119 Now then upon my back. Ha, How am I going 578 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:27.200 to sit on my back? 579 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:27.839 Quite so? 580 00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:32.119 Now your arms around my neck, your legs behind my wings? Please, 581 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:37.000 there we are ready. No, said David, faintly, splendid. The 582 00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:40.039 proof is to be demonstrated, the to be brief. We 583 00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:44.799 are off. The great wings were outstretched. David gulped, clutched 584 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:48.119 the phoenix's neck tightly, and shut his eyes. He felt 585 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:52.079 a hopping sensation, then a long, sickening, downward swoop that 586 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:55.599 seemed to leave his stomach far behind. A tremendous rush 587 00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:58.799 of air snatched at his shirt. He opened his eyes 588 00:33:58.839 --> 00:34:01.839 and choked with fright. The ground below was rushing up 589 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:05.599 to meet them, swaying and revolving. Something was terribly wrong. 590 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:10.159 The phoenix was breathing in hoarse gasps. Its wings were 591 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:13.960 pounding the air frantically. Now they had turned back, the 592 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:17.920 scarp loomed before them, solid and blank. Above them, high 593 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:20.400 above them was the ledge. It looked as though they 594 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.440 would not get. 595 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:21.880 Back to it. 596 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:26.280 Up, up, up, they crawled through the air. The wings 597 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:30.480 slapped wildly, faster and faster they were gaining, slipping back, 598 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:34.440 gaining again. The phoenix sobbed as it stretched its neck 599 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:38.719 in the last effort, fifty feet twenty feet ten. With 600 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:41.519 a tremendous surge of its wings, the phoenix managed to 601 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:44.440 get one claw over the edge and to seize the 602 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:48.199 branch of a bush in its beak. David's legs slipped 603 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:51.599 from the bird's back. He dangled over the abyss from 604 00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:55.599 the outstretched neck and prayed the bush saved them. They 605 00:34:55.679 --> 00:34:59.199 scrabbled up over the edge, tottered there for an instant, 606 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:03.000 and dropped on the grass. For a long time. They lay, 607 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:07.440 gasping and trembling. At last, the phoenix weakly raised its head. 608 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:13.000 Puff well, my boy, puff, puff, whew, very narrow squeak, 609 00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:18.519 I puff. David could not answer. Their earth reeled under him, 610 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:21.239 and would not stop no matter how tightly he clutched 611 00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:21.760 the grass. 612 00:35:22.360 --> 00:35:22.800 Puff. 613 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:27.800 I repeat, I am puff, an exceedingly powerful flier. There 614 00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:30.840 are a few birds, none I dare say who puff 615 00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:34.719 could have done even this much. The truth of the 616 00:35:34.760 --> 00:35:37.760 matter is that you are a lot puff heavier than 617 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:41.280 you look. I hope you are not being overfed at home. 618 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:44.880 I don't know, said David, wondering whether or not he 619 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:48.119 was going to be sick. Well, my course is clear, 620 00:35:48.199 --> 00:35:52.400 said the phoenix firmly. I must practice setting up exercises, 621 00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:57.679 roadwork and whatnot. Rigorous diet, lots of sleep, regular hours. Courage, 622 00:35:57.719 --> 00:36:01.360 my dear fellow. We shall do it yet. And so 623 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:05.360 for the following week the phoenix practice. Every morning, David 624 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:09.159 climbed up to the ledge, bringing sandwiches for himself, cookies 625 00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:12.519 for the phoenix, and a wet towel. Then, while he 626 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:16.800 kept count the phoenix did setting up exercises. After this, 627 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:19.440 the bird would jog, trot up and down the ledge 628 00:36:19.519 --> 00:36:23.119 and practice jumping. Then there would be a fifteen minute 629 00:36:23.159 --> 00:36:26.360 rest and refreshment period, and when that was over, the 630 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:29.119 phoenix would launch itself into the air. This was the 631 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.599 part David liked best. 632 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:32.320 It was a magnificent sight. 633 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:36.800 The phoenix dashed back and forth at top speed, wheeled 634 00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:42.880 in circles, shot straight up like a rocket, plunged, hovered, looped, rolled, soared, 635 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:45.880 fluttered now and then it would swoop back to the 636 00:36:45.960 --> 00:36:48.840 ledge beside David and wipe the sweat from its brow. 637 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:52.320 I trust you see signs of progress, my boy. David 638 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:55.599 would wrap the wet towel around the phoenix's neck. You're 639 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:58.719 doing better and better, phoenix. I especially liked that part 640 00:36:58.760 --> 00:37:01.400 where you twist over on your back and loop and 641 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:04.880 plunge all at the same time. I do perform that 642 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:08.679 rather well, don't I. It is not easy, but just 643 00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:13.320 the thing for acquiring ouch muscle tone. Are there any 644 00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:14.079 more cookies? 645 00:37:14.239 --> 00:37:14.519 Ah? 646 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:17.760 There are delicious. As I was saying, let this be 647 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:20.360 a lesson to you, my boy. If at first you 648 00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:24.639 don't succeed, try try again. The phoenix would take wing again, 649 00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:27.400 and David would settle back against a rock and watch. 650 00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:30.519 Sometimes he thought of the education he was to get. 651 00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:32.880 Sometimes he thought how nice it would be if he 652 00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:35.679 could fly. And sometimes he did not think at all, 653 00:37:35.719 --> 00:37:38.519 but just sat with his eyes half shut, feeling the 654 00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:40.880 sunlight on his face. And listening to the rustle of 655 00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:43.599 the wind in the thicket. At the end of the week, 656 00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:47.599 the phoenix, after a brilliant display of acrobatics, landed on 657 00:37:47.719 --> 00:37:51.320 the ledge, clasped its wings behind its back, and looked 658 00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:54.800 solemnly at David. Well, my boy, it said, I believe 659 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:58.599 your education can begin forthwith Are you ready? End of 660 00:37:58.679 --> 00:38:03.480 chapter three, Chapter four, in which David and the phoenix 661 00:38:03.559 --> 00:38:06.000 go to visit the Griffins and a great danger is 662 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:10.079 narrowly averted. A chill raced up and down David's spine 663 00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:12.960 as he got to his feet. Do do you think 664 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:17.280 a week's practice is enough? Absolutely, my dear fellow, I 665 00:38:17.320 --> 00:38:20.119 am now in the very pink of condition. Not that 666 00:38:20.199 --> 00:38:22.519 I was ever out of condition, mind you, It was 667 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:25.840 merely that I ah Well to be brief, my boy, 668 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:29.960 I am now ready, Yes, but well you remember the 669 00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:33.639 last time? Yes, look here, If it will make you 670 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:38.119 feel better, suppose we have a trial flight along the ledge. Well, 671 00:38:38.239 --> 00:38:41.840 all right, David got up as before on the phoenix's back. 672 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:44.679 The phoenix spread its wings and hopped into the air. 673 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:47.960 They glided easily down the length of the ledge, clearing 674 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:50.159 the thicket in the middle by a good two feet. 675 00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:53.480 There you are, my boy, said the bird proudly, as 676 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:56.599 they landed at the other end. Let's go, said David, 677 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:59.719 as bravely as he could. They were in the air again. 678 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:00.519 Once more. 679 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:03.239 He felt that rush of wind against his face and 680 00:39:03.320 --> 00:39:06.000 heard the pounding of wings, But this time there was 681 00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:09.960 no giddy downward swoop. He breathed again and opened his eyes. 682 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:12.920 The world was falling away, and everything on it was 683 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:16.280 growing smaller by the second. The valley could be cradled 684 00:39:16.280 --> 00:39:19.119 in two hands. The mountains on either side looked like 685 00:39:19.159 --> 00:39:22.440 wrinkles in gray cloth. Now he could see plains in 686 00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:26.480 the distance, and little silver threads of rivers. As he looked, 687 00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:30.000 the whole world began to revolve slowly. The phoenix was 688 00:39:30.039 --> 00:39:33.400 soaring in a wide circle. Well, my boy, it called 689 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:37.719 over its shoulder. Whom shall we visit first? It's really 690 00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:41.119 up to you, phoenix, David shouted back. But how about 691 00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:43.480 the the Biffins or Whiffins or. 692 00:39:43.480 --> 00:39:44.840 Whatever you call them. 693 00:39:45.119 --> 00:39:49.880 You mean the Gryffins, Gryffins and gryffins, my boy, very well, 694 00:39:50.440 --> 00:39:53.519 we shall visit the Gryffins only. However, it is best 695 00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:56.880 to leave the others alone. The phoenix swung around and 696 00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:59.960 began to fly toward the morning sun with such tremendousnes 697 00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:03.159 speed that David had to crouch down to avoid being 698 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:06.800 blown off. The wind screamed past his ears, toward his 699 00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:10.639 shirt and hair, and made his eyes brim over with tears. 700 00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:13.679 It was cold, but he was too excited to care. 701 00:40:14.239 --> 00:40:17.760 Below them, plains, rivers, forests, and cities rushed across the 702 00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:21.800 face of the earth. This is wonderful, phoenix, David shouted. 703 00:40:22.440 --> 00:40:27.760 The phoenix's reply was not clear. Normal speed, air stream, prime, 704 00:40:27.880 --> 00:40:31.360 days of my youth were the only words David caught, 705 00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:33.480 but he could tell from the tone that the phoenix 706 00:40:33.559 --> 00:40:37.800 was pleased. The view blow was not to last long. 707 00:40:38.239 --> 00:40:41.360 Within half an hour they had run into a heavy overcast, 708 00:40:41.760 --> 00:40:43.880 and for a long time it was like flying through 709 00:40:44.039 --> 00:40:48.880 very wet, cold cotton. David glanced down, hoping to see 710 00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:51.719 the fog thin out. Suddenly he caught sight of a 711 00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:55.280 black object rocketing up toward them. Before he could call 712 00:40:55.360 --> 00:40:58.320 out a warning, the thing hurtled by so close that 713 00:40:58.400 --> 00:41:01.360 its backwash very nearly knocked him from the bird's back. 714 00:41:02.320 --> 00:41:05.719 The phoenix reduced speed, and the black object, after banking 715 00:41:05.760 --> 00:41:10.519 in a wide curve, came cruising up alongside. David was 716 00:41:10.559 --> 00:41:13.280 amazed to see that it was a pale but beautiful lady, 717 00:41:13.920 --> 00:41:18.239 dressed all in black, sitting on a broom. Hello, phoenix, 718 00:41:18.280 --> 00:41:21.119 she cried in a teasing voice. I haven't seen you 719 00:41:21.199 --> 00:41:24.559 in ever so long. Good morning, I am sure, the 720 00:41:24.599 --> 00:41:30.079 phoenix replied, stiffly, staring straight ahead, Phoenix, the lady continued coaxingly. 721 00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:32.719 I'm awfully bored. Won't you race me? 722 00:41:32.920 --> 00:41:33.280 Please? 723 00:41:34.760 --> 00:41:38.000 Idle hands find mischief to do, said the phoenix severely. 724 00:41:38.440 --> 00:41:40.800 We are making good use of our time, and I 725 00:41:40.880 --> 00:41:45.039 suggest that you do the same. Don't be so stuffy, phoenix, 726 00:41:45.119 --> 00:41:47.840 she pouted, Come and race with me. I've got a 727 00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:49.880 new broom and I want to see how good it is. 728 00:41:50.039 --> 00:41:54.840 Please no, said the phoenix sharply. Oh all right for you, 729 00:41:55.079 --> 00:41:58.519 she said, tossing her head. You just don't dare, because 730 00:41:58.519 --> 00:42:01.079 you know I'll beat your tail feathers off, and she 731 00:42:01.159 --> 00:42:05.639 shot back into the mist below. Indeed, the phoenix snorted, 732 00:42:05.960 --> 00:42:07.480 beat my tail feathers off. 733 00:42:07.920 --> 00:42:09.840 Ha Is she a witch? 734 00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:13.519 David asked, yes, my boy, and a shocking example of 735 00:42:13.559 --> 00:42:16.920 the decline of the younger generation. She will come to 736 00:42:17.000 --> 00:42:17.840 no good end. 737 00:42:17.840 --> 00:42:19.800 Believe me. Tail feathers. 738 00:42:19.880 --> 00:42:22.800 Indeed, just then they burst out of the clouds and 739 00:42:22.960 --> 00:42:26.239 into the hot sunlight below them. The land was wild 740 00:42:26.320 --> 00:42:30.000 and desolate, a vast rolling plain covered for the most 741 00:42:30.079 --> 00:42:34.000 part with dry, tawny grass. Here and there were groves 742 00:42:34.000 --> 00:42:37.760 of trees drooping beneath the sun. The phoenix, still snorting 743 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:40.480 indignantly to itself, dropped to within a hundred feet of 744 00:42:40.519 --> 00:42:44.039 the ground. They began to soar back and forth. Can 745 00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:47.880 you see anything, my boy? David had never seen a griffin, 746 00:42:47.960 --> 00:42:50.440 of course, so he was not sure what to look for. 747 00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:53.519 But he caught sight of something lying in the shade 748 00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:56.639 of a bush and pointed it out to the phoenix. Ah, 749 00:42:56.760 --> 00:42:59.840 quite so, the phoenix said, doubtfully, it does not look 750 00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:02.960 like but we can take a closer look. They landed 751 00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:06.360 and walked toward the bush and its shadows sprawled a 752 00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:10.480 very untidy animal. Its tail and hind quarters were exactly 753 00:43:10.599 --> 00:43:13.599 like those of a panther, its chest and fore legs 754 00:43:13.639 --> 00:43:18.079 were like a hawk's, and it had pointed wings. Burrs 755 00:43:18.199 --> 00:43:21.760 matted its dusty fur, Its claws were shabby and split, 756 00:43:21.840 --> 00:43:25.480 and numerous black flies were crawling over its haunches. The 757 00:43:25.519 --> 00:43:30.079 bush trembled with its snoring. Bah, we are wasting our 758 00:43:30.119 --> 00:43:34.239 time here, my boy. This is a griffin, a discussing brute, 759 00:43:34.239 --> 00:43:38.480 isn't it, and the phoenix sniffed disapprovingly. Maybe if we 760 00:43:38.559 --> 00:43:41.079 wake it up, David suggested, it could tell us where 761 00:43:41.079 --> 00:43:45.039 the other ones live. Next to impossible. For one thing, 762 00:43:45.159 --> 00:43:48.679 a cannon could not awaken the beast. For another thing, 763 00:43:48.840 --> 00:43:51.239 it would not, even if awake, be able to tell 764 00:43:51.320 --> 00:43:56.320 us anything. You simply cannot imagine the stupidity of these brutes. Well, 765 00:43:56.400 --> 00:44:00.719 let's try it and away, David said, very well, but 766 00:44:00.800 --> 00:44:03.920 it will be a complete waste of time. The phoenix 767 00:44:04.000 --> 00:44:06.920 shrugged its shoulders, stepped up to the griffin and kicked 768 00:44:06.960 --> 00:44:11.159 it violently. Phoenix, David cried in alarm. Don't hurt it, 769 00:44:12.400 --> 00:44:15.880 no fear, said the phoenix, delivering another lusty kick. One 770 00:44:15.960 --> 00:44:19.519 simply cannot damage a sleeping gryffin. Give me a hand, 771 00:44:19.559 --> 00:44:23.800 my boy. David took hold of the gryffin's wing and 772 00:44:23.880 --> 00:44:26.920 the phoenix seized its tail. For the next ten minutes, 773 00:44:26.960 --> 00:44:30.400 they kicked and pulled and pounded, shouting hay and wake 774 00:44:30.519 --> 00:44:33.400 up at the top of their lungs. It was hot work, 775 00:44:33.440 --> 00:44:36.519 and David finally admitted to himself that the phoenix had 776 00:44:36.519 --> 00:44:39.880 been right, But before he could say so, the phoenix 777 00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:43.960 completely lost its temper and savagely bit the Gryffin's tail. 778 00:44:44.719 --> 00:44:45.320 That did it. 779 00:44:45.639 --> 00:44:49.360 The griffin opened one eye half way and said, unum, 780 00:44:50.280 --> 00:44:54.880 get up. The phoenix bellowed. The gryffin struggled into a 781 00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:59.679 sitting position and yawned a tremendous and noisy yawn. Then 782 00:45:00.039 --> 00:45:05.760 squinted blurrily at David and murmured, what day is it? Wednesday? 783 00:45:05.840 --> 00:45:09.760 David said, could you please tell us? Oh, Wednesday, said 784 00:45:09.800 --> 00:45:12.519 the gryffin. It thought about this for a while, mumbling 785 00:45:12.960 --> 00:45:17.400 Wednesday Wednesday to itself. It lifted one leg as if 786 00:45:17.440 --> 00:45:20.480 to scratch the fly bites, changed its mind in mid 787 00:45:20.559 --> 00:45:24.039 gesture and dropped the leg again. Oh Wednesday, it said, 788 00:45:24.079 --> 00:45:28.400 at last. So it isn't Saturday, No, said David. What 789 00:45:28.440 --> 00:45:32.079 we want to know is not Saturday, said the gryffin, 790 00:45:32.239 --> 00:45:35.880 sinking down to the ground with a huge sigh of relief. Ah, 791 00:45:36.039 --> 00:45:40.199 come back on Saturday, Saturday afternoon. I generally get up 792 00:45:40.239 --> 00:45:44.159 on Saturday in the afternoon. The words faded into a snore. 793 00:45:44.920 --> 00:45:47.519 There you are, my dear fellow, said the phoenix, just 794 00:45:47.559 --> 00:45:52.119 as I said. Oh, bore a very annoying animal, said 795 00:45:52.159 --> 00:45:55.880 David angrily. I agree, my boy, But the gryffins are different, 796 00:45:55.920 --> 00:45:58.760 I assure you. Now let me see where should we look? 797 00:45:59.639 --> 00:46:03.599 There they come, David cried. Suddenly, look, and indeed a 798 00:46:03.679 --> 00:46:08.079 number of winged creatures were loping down a hillside toward them. 799 00:46:09.280 --> 00:46:12.119 Good heavens, the phoenix shouted, those are the ones we 800 00:46:12.239 --> 00:46:15.840 do not want to meet. On my back, quick, What 801 00:46:16.000 --> 00:46:18.400 are they? David gasped as he threw himself on the 802 00:46:18.400 --> 00:46:19.079 bird's back. 803 00:46:19.519 --> 00:46:20.119 Gryffins. 804 00:46:20.679 --> 00:46:23.119 The phoenix rushed along the ground a few feet and 805 00:46:23.199 --> 00:46:26.159 sprang into the air, but it was too late. The 806 00:46:26.239 --> 00:46:29.719 foremost griffins, with powerful strokes of their wings, shot up 807 00:46:29.719 --> 00:46:33.639 to meet them. The phoenix swerved sharply. They missed the 808 00:46:33.679 --> 00:46:36.679 snapping beak of the first gryffon by half an inch, 809 00:46:36.719 --> 00:46:40.039 and dodged the second, only to smash into the third. 810 00:46:40.800 --> 00:46:43.960 David was stunned by the blow and the fall. When 811 00:46:44.039 --> 00:46:46.960 he regained consciousness, he found himself in the tight grip 812 00:46:47.000 --> 00:46:50.480 of two gryffins. The phoenix was struggling feebly with another, 813 00:46:50.880 --> 00:46:53.920 and still more were crowding around them, screaming like hawks. 814 00:46:54.800 --> 00:46:57.400 They looked like the sleeping Gryffin, but were as large 815 00:46:57.400 --> 00:47:00.599 as ponies. Their eyes were yellow and un blinking, and 816 00:47:00.679 --> 00:47:04.719 their tails twitched like an angry cat's. Their smell, like 817 00:47:04.760 --> 00:47:09.639 the lion house in the zoo, made David feel faint. Well, Phoenix, 818 00:47:09.679 --> 00:47:11.280 said the largest griffin coldly. 819 00:47:11.719 --> 00:47:13.199 You know the rule, I believe. 820 00:47:13.400 --> 00:47:17.079 The phoenix smiled weakly and cleared its throats. Ah there, Gryffin, 821 00:47:17.119 --> 00:47:19.639 it said, unsteadily. Fancy meeting you here? 822 00:47:19.920 --> 00:47:23.000 Ah? Ah? Rule? What rule? Rule? 823 00:47:23.079 --> 00:47:26.480 Twenty six, said the griffin. No human beings shall be 824 00:47:26.559 --> 00:47:29.760 allowed to enter the Oh that rule, said the phoenix, 825 00:47:29.800 --> 00:47:33.039 with a careless laugh. I thought everyone knew that the 826 00:47:33.079 --> 00:47:36.000 Council of nineteen thirty five had changed it. Can it 827 00:47:36.079 --> 00:47:38.679 be that you have not yet heard that? 828 00:47:38.800 --> 00:47:39.920 Won't do? Phoenix? 829 00:47:40.800 --> 00:47:43.199 You have also heard, of course, of the penalty for 830 00:47:43.239 --> 00:47:45.960 breaking the rule, which you must suffer along with this 831 00:47:46.119 --> 00:47:50.840 human boy. Now one moment, my dear Gryffin, I ah death. 832 00:47:51.679 --> 00:47:54.840 The phoenix quailed, and David's legs went limp under him, 833 00:47:55.119 --> 00:47:57.400 but they had no chance to plead with the Griffins. 834 00:47:57.719 --> 00:48:00.800 Their captors formed two lines. One on each sight of them, 835 00:48:00.920 --> 00:48:03.239 and at a scream of command from the leader, all 836 00:48:03.280 --> 00:48:06.280 began to march. The gryffin that had been holding the 837 00:48:06.280 --> 00:48:09.519 phoenix winked horribly at David and made a throat cutting 838 00:48:09.559 --> 00:48:13.880 gesture with its wing. Courage My boy, the phoenix whispered, 839 00:48:14.079 --> 00:48:18.760 it is always darkest before dawn. Presently they reached a hillside. 840 00:48:19.119 --> 00:48:21.320 David and the phoenix were marched up to a cave 841 00:48:21.400 --> 00:48:24.159 and thrown in. Two of the gryffins sat down at 842 00:48:24.159 --> 00:48:26.360 the entrance to guard them, while the others went off 843 00:48:26.400 --> 00:48:29.159 to consider the best method of carrying out the penalty. 844 00:48:30.119 --> 00:48:32.719 David was terribly frightened now, but he did not want 845 00:48:32.760 --> 00:48:35.480 to let the phoenix know it. In a voice which 846 00:48:35.559 --> 00:48:38.440 trembled a little, he asked, what are we going to do? 847 00:48:39.320 --> 00:48:43.000 The phoenix frowned. Do not be downcast, my boy, My 848 00:48:43.119 --> 00:48:47.599 brain is equal to any occasion. I shall think silence please, 849 00:48:48.039 --> 00:48:51.840 And the phoenix, covering its eyes with one wing, thought 850 00:48:52.119 --> 00:48:55.519 to keep himself occupied. David explored the cave, but there 851 00:48:55.559 --> 00:48:58.559 was nothing to see. The cave was small and bare. 852 00:48:59.079 --> 00:49:01.679 He tested the wall thoroughly to see if there were 853 00:49:01.679 --> 00:49:04.440 any places where they might dig their way out there 854 00:49:04.480 --> 00:49:07.519 were none. His feet raised a cloud of fine dust, 855 00:49:07.519 --> 00:49:10.239 which got into his eyes and nose and made him sneeze. 856 00:49:10.320 --> 00:49:14.079 Violently discouraged, he went back to the phoenix and sat down. 857 00:49:14.480 --> 00:49:18.239 There was a long silence. Gradually an idea came to David. 858 00:49:18.639 --> 00:49:21.039 It started as a small faint thought at the back 859 00:49:21.079 --> 00:49:24.800 of his mind. Wavered began to grow and expand and 860 00:49:24.880 --> 00:49:29.639 fill out, became bigger and clearer and better. And Phoenix 861 00:49:29.719 --> 00:49:33.599 cried David, jumping to his feet. My boy, my very 862 00:49:33.679 --> 00:49:36.679 dear boy, said the phoenix, its voice breaking with emotion. 863 00:49:37.199 --> 00:49:41.039 I have thought, I have pondered, I have well to 864 00:49:41.119 --> 00:49:44.239 be brief. It is no use stiff upper lip, my boy. 865 00:49:44.360 --> 00:49:48.519 We are doomed, Phoenix. I let this be a lesson 866 00:49:48.559 --> 00:49:51.199 to you, my boy, even though it be your last one. 867 00:49:51.639 --> 00:49:54.079 Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. 868 00:49:54.599 --> 00:49:54.880 Ah. 869 00:49:54.920 --> 00:49:56.880 Who could have said in the golden days of my 870 00:49:57.000 --> 00:49:59.599 youth that I should come to such an end, Oh 871 00:49:59.679 --> 00:50:03.239 miss bird, Oh unhappy boy Phoenix. 872 00:50:04.000 --> 00:50:05.880 But we can show them how to die, my boy, 873 00:50:06.239 --> 00:50:07.480 We still have that the. 874 00:50:07.480 --> 00:50:12.920 Last magnificent gesture. Let those who have lived wisely and 875 00:50:13.039 --> 00:50:15.679 well show that they can die in the same way. 876 00:50:16.280 --> 00:50:16.719 I hope. 877 00:50:16.719 --> 00:50:18.960 I am to go first, so that you may have 878 00:50:19.000 --> 00:50:24.360 an example to follow. Phoenix, My boy, listen please, and 879 00:50:24.519 --> 00:50:27.840 David whispered in the phoenix's ear. The plan had seemed 880 00:50:27.880 --> 00:50:29.840 like a good one while it was still in his mind, 881 00:50:30.159 --> 00:50:32.559 but put into words that sounded a little too simple. 882 00:50:33.079 --> 00:50:36.039 As he whispered, David began to feel more and more foolish, 883 00:50:36.079 --> 00:50:40.199 so that finally he stopped altogether. I I guess it's 884 00:50:40.239 --> 00:50:43.119 really kind of silly, he stammered. But the phoenix was 885 00:50:43.159 --> 00:50:46.239 looking at him with hope and admiration in its eyes. 886 00:50:46.800 --> 00:50:49.760 My very dear chap, it said solemnly, I salute you. 887 00:50:50.159 --> 00:50:53.400 I humbly await your signal. Do you really think it 888 00:50:53.440 --> 00:50:53.960 will work? 889 00:50:54.559 --> 00:50:55.039 My boy? 890 00:50:55.320 --> 00:51:00.039 It must, it can it shall proceed poor as the 891 00:51:00.079 --> 00:51:02.840 plan now seemed to David, he prepared to carry it out. 892 00:51:03.360 --> 00:51:06.079 Holding his breath so as not to sneeze again, he 893 00:51:06.119 --> 00:51:08.519 scooped up as much dust as he could hold in 894 00:51:08.559 --> 00:51:11.880 two hands. Then he took his position on one side 895 00:51:11.920 --> 00:51:15.519 of the cave, nodded the phoenix toward the other, and 896 00:51:15.679 --> 00:51:18.639 glanced out to see if the guardian Gryffins were looking. 897 00:51:18.840 --> 00:51:19.320 They were not. 898 00:51:20.199 --> 00:51:24.840 Now he whispered the cave rocked with their uproar. David 899 00:51:24.880 --> 00:51:27.519 screamed at the top of his voice and kicked the walls. 900 00:51:28.159 --> 00:51:30.840 The phoenix let out a series of ear splitting whistles 901 00:51:30.840 --> 00:51:34.639 and squawks and beat its wings frantically. Echoes bounced from 902 00:51:34.639 --> 00:51:37.960 wall to wall. The two Griffins came rushing into the cave, 903 00:51:38.119 --> 00:51:41.639 adding to the racket with their shrieking. Now, David shouted 904 00:51:41.679 --> 00:51:44.000 and he flung the double handful of dust into the 905 00:51:44.039 --> 00:51:48.079 Gryffin's faces. Instantly they were all choking and sneezing in 906 00:51:48.119 --> 00:51:50.840 the thick cloud. He plunged between the legs of the 907 00:51:50.840 --> 00:51:53.960 two Gryffins, who, in the confusion, began to bite and 908 00:51:53.960 --> 00:51:58.039 tear savagely at each other. David and the phoenix burst 909 00:51:58.079 --> 00:52:01.079 out of the cave together. The other the Griffins, aroused 910 00:52:01.079 --> 00:52:04.679 by the noise, were bounding toward them. David flung himself 911 00:52:04.760 --> 00:52:08.920 on the phoenix's back and shouted, fly and sneezed. From 912 00:52:08.960 --> 00:52:11.840 somewhere behind him, a set of talons snatched out and 913 00:52:11.920 --> 00:52:14.920 ripped through the back of his shirt. He kicked blindly 914 00:52:14.960 --> 00:52:19.960 and felt his foot crunch into something, which shrieked fly Phoenix. 915 00:52:20.000 --> 00:52:23.000 He sobbed the phoenix was already in the air and 916 00:52:23.079 --> 00:52:26.719 needed no encouragement. They heard raucous cries and the thunder 917 00:52:26.800 --> 00:52:30.360 of wings behind them. David looked back over his shoulder. 918 00:52:30.719 --> 00:52:33.920 The gryffins were rising from the ground in pursuit, their 919 00:52:34.000 --> 00:52:37.280 legs drawn up under them and their wings beating faster. 920 00:52:37.480 --> 00:52:40.880 He screamed, you have seen nothing in the way of 921 00:52:40.920 --> 00:52:44.519 flying until now, my boy. The phoenix shouted back, watch this. 922 00:52:45.400 --> 00:52:47.960 Its wings were two blurs, slicing through the air and 923 00:52:48.079 --> 00:52:53.559 roaring like kettledrums. The ground below streamed backwards. David looked 924 00:52:53.599 --> 00:52:57.360 back again. The Gryffins were falling into the distance. Their 925 00:52:57.360 --> 00:53:00.920 cries were getting fainter. Now they looked like a flock 926 00:53:01.000 --> 00:53:06.079 of starlings, now like a cluster of flies, now like gnats. 927 00:53:06.280 --> 00:53:08.920 And then they had faded out of sight, and David 928 00:53:08.960 --> 00:53:12.639 and the phoenix were streaking over the grassland alone. Ten 929 00:53:12.719 --> 00:53:16.039 minutes later they reached ashore and landed. They flopped on 930 00:53:16.079 --> 00:53:20.480 the sand, panting, and David, suddenly feeling very faint, closed 931 00:53:20.519 --> 00:53:23.519 his eyes and put his head between his knees. After 932 00:53:23.559 --> 00:53:25.960 they had got their breath, the phoenix padded David on 933 00:53:26.039 --> 00:53:29.719 the shoulder and said huskily. I congratulate you, my boy. 934 00:53:29.880 --> 00:53:33.480 Your plan was magnificent, precisely what I should have done 935 00:53:33.800 --> 00:53:36.480 had I thought of at first. Needless to say, we 936 00:53:36.559 --> 00:53:40.199 shall not go on looking for the Gryffins. But now 937 00:53:40.239 --> 00:53:43.320 you know exactly what they are like, midway in size 938 00:53:43.320 --> 00:53:46.559 between the Griffins and the Griffins, and reddish in color, 939 00:53:47.119 --> 00:53:51.280 most amiable souls, willing to do anything for anyone. It 940 00:53:51.400 --> 00:53:54.440 is hard to believe that they are all related. But enough, 941 00:53:54.480 --> 00:53:57.079 my boy, let us go home. As soon as they 942 00:53:57.119 --> 00:53:59.960 reached the ledge, the phoenix put David down and prepare 943 00:54:00.119 --> 00:54:03.159 to take off again. Where are you going, phoenix? David 944 00:54:03.239 --> 00:54:07.239 asked some business to attend to my boy, muttering under 945 00:54:07.280 --> 00:54:10.880 its breast something that sounded like tail feathers. Indeed, the 946 00:54:10.960 --> 00:54:15.159 phoenix soared off, and David, stiff and sore and thoroughly tired, 947 00:54:15.719 --> 00:54:19.400 started down the mountain side for home. End of chapter four. 948 00:54:21.039 --> 00:54:24.400 Chapter five, in which the scientist arrives in pursuit of 949 00:54:24.440 --> 00:54:28.280 the phoenix, and there are alarms and excursions by night. 950 00:54:29.920 --> 00:54:33.079 The lights downstairs were all on when David got home, 951 00:54:33.679 --> 00:54:35.519 and as soon as he opened the front door he 952 00:54:35.559 --> 00:54:39.480 could tell that they had company. He shouted, I'm home 953 00:54:39.760 --> 00:54:43.360 and sneezed. The dust from the griffin's cave still clung 954 00:54:43.400 --> 00:54:46.840 to him, tickling his nose. Well, here he is, at last, 955 00:54:47.559 --> 00:54:51.920 said dad's voice. Come on in, David. Then, as David 956 00:54:51.960 --> 00:54:55.599 walked into the living room, Good heavens, son, what's happened 957 00:54:55.639 --> 00:55:00.360 to you? You're back, David, mother said, in a horrified voice, 958 00:55:00.519 --> 00:55:05.360 Your poor back. What happened to you? David felt himself. 959 00:55:05.800 --> 00:55:08.079 The back of his shirt was ripped to tatters, and 960 00:55:08.119 --> 00:55:10.760 there were three lines of caked blood across his shoulders. 961 00:55:11.199 --> 00:55:13.599 He remembered now it was the griffin that had tried 962 00:55:13.599 --> 00:55:16.280 to grab him as he and the phoenix made their escape, 963 00:55:16.599 --> 00:55:18.880 but he had promised the phoenix to keep it secret. 964 00:55:19.360 --> 00:55:23.239 He stammered, Aye, I had an accident and dust all 965 00:55:23.280 --> 00:55:27.239 over you. Mother went on, Well, said David desperately. It 966 00:55:27.400 --> 00:55:31.880 was a dusty accident. It seems to have been very dusty. Indeed, 967 00:55:31.960 --> 00:55:36.119 said a third voice. There was a loud sneeze. David's 968 00:55:36.159 --> 00:55:39.199 father jumped up. You gave me such a shock when 969 00:55:39.239 --> 00:55:41.880 you came in that I almost forgot David. We have 970 00:55:41.960 --> 00:55:45.039 a guest, and he introduced David to a very tall, 971 00:55:45.159 --> 00:55:48.159 thin man with a bald head. His face and neck 972 00:55:48.199 --> 00:55:50.519 were burnt red by the sun, and he had on 973 00:55:50.559 --> 00:55:53.039 a pair of thick glasses which made his pale eyes 974 00:55:53.119 --> 00:55:56.400 look immense. For some reason, David took an instant dislike 975 00:55:56.480 --> 00:55:59.280 to him, but he shook hands politely and said, how 976 00:55:59.320 --> 00:56:03.199 do you do David? Eh, said the man, Well, well, 977 00:56:03.559 --> 00:56:03.920 are you. 978 00:56:03.920 --> 00:56:04.480 A good boy? 979 00:56:04.559 --> 00:56:04.920 David. 980 00:56:05.599 --> 00:56:06.960 Of all the stupid. 981 00:56:06.599 --> 00:56:09.400 Questions in the world, that was the one David hated most. 982 00:56:09.920 --> 00:56:13.559 He clenched his teeth and looked the other way. David dear, 983 00:56:13.639 --> 00:56:16.360 said mother, with an awkward laugh. I think you'd better 984 00:56:16.400 --> 00:56:19.559 go upstairs and wash and change. When David came into 985 00:56:19.559 --> 00:56:23.280 the living room again, the guest was talking excitedly, completely 986 00:56:23.360 --> 00:56:26.440 unknown to man. He was saying, it's the discovery of 987 00:56:26.480 --> 00:56:29.880 the age. My name will be famous if I succeed 988 00:56:29.880 --> 00:56:34.360 in my plans. How fascinating, Mother said, And to think 989 00:56:34.360 --> 00:56:37.760 of it happening right here. And it's huge, the guest said, 990 00:56:37.880 --> 00:56:42.440 simply huge and brilliantly colored. For a scientist like myself, 991 00:56:42.440 --> 00:56:48.400 it's more than fascinating. David was listening now, scientist, scientist. 992 00:56:48.920 --> 00:56:51.440 His heart missed a beat and he choked, Oh no, 993 00:56:51.800 --> 00:56:55.679 it couldn't be thus scientist, or could it David here 994 00:56:55.719 --> 00:56:58.320 spends all his time up on the mountain. His father said, 995 00:56:58.639 --> 00:57:01.960 maybe he's seen it. The guest turned his big, pale, 996 00:57:02.400 --> 00:57:06.000 unpleasant eyes on David. Well, David, he said, maybe you 997 00:57:06.079 --> 00:57:10.519 can help me. Now, have you seen anything unusual on 998 00:57:10.559 --> 00:57:14.920 the mountain? Unusual, said David unsteadily. There was a pain 999 00:57:15.000 --> 00:57:18.360 in his chest from the pounding of his heart. Yes, David, 1000 00:57:18.400 --> 00:57:22.119 the guest went on, Unusual, so unusual that you couldn't 1001 00:57:22.159 --> 00:57:26.440 miss it. A very large bird with bright plumage. The 1002 00:57:26.480 --> 00:57:29.559 floor under David seemed to rock. It was true, then, 1003 00:57:30.159 --> 00:57:33.239 it was horribly true. This was the scientist who had 1004 00:57:33.239 --> 00:57:39.119 been chasing the phoenix. This was their enemy bird. David dodged. Wo. Wo, 1005 00:57:39.360 --> 00:57:42.480 Why there are lots of birds up there, sparrows and 1006 00:57:42.639 --> 00:57:48.760 meadow larks and and sparrows, but nothing like a huge 1007 00:57:48.760 --> 00:57:52.599 bird with bright feathers. Well, he would have to tell 1008 00:57:52.599 --> 00:57:55.880 a lie, after all, it was for the phoenix's sake, no, 1009 00:57:56.119 --> 00:57:59.880 said David. Ah, said the scientist, but his cold eyes 1010 00:58:00.039 --> 00:58:04.159 bored into David's for another instant, plainly saying, I'm not fooled, 1011 00:58:04.199 --> 00:58:08.519 young man. It's odd. He continued that no one has 1012 00:58:08.559 --> 00:58:11.360 seen it, but I have no doubt it somewhere here. 1013 00:58:11.639 --> 00:58:13.719 I am going to begin my search as soon as 1014 00:58:13.719 --> 00:58:17.079 my equipment gets here. Tell us about it, said mother politely. 1015 00:58:17.800 --> 00:58:20.000 Well I discovered it on the other side of the valley, 1016 00:58:20.039 --> 00:58:24.079 you know, said the scientist eagerly, Quite by accident. I 1017 00:58:24.159 --> 00:58:27.960 was really looking for another species. Now, birds, you know, 1018 00:58:28.159 --> 00:58:30.800 have fixed habits. If you know those habits, you can 1019 00:58:30.840 --> 00:58:33.840 predict just what they will do at any time. This 1020 00:58:33.960 --> 00:58:36.559 particular bird was a daytime creature, so I tried to 1021 00:58:36.599 --> 00:58:39.320 watch it in between dawn and dusk. But it seemed 1022 00:58:39.320 --> 00:58:42.039 to have a mind of its own, you might almost 1023 00:58:42.159 --> 00:58:46.440 say an intelligence. It avoided me in a very clever way, 1024 00:58:46.840 --> 00:58:51.320 and it avoided my traps also uncanny. So after several 1025 00:58:51.360 --> 00:58:53.800 weeks I decided to shoot it if I got the chance. 1026 00:58:54.280 --> 00:58:57.599 Then suddenly it disappeared, but I'm certain it came over 1027 00:58:57.679 --> 00:59:00.960 to this side of the valley. There was no escape 1028 00:59:00.960 --> 00:59:03.960 from the subject. During dinner, the scientists could think and 1029 00:59:04.079 --> 00:59:08.280 talk of nothing else. He described the merits of dead falls, snares, 1030 00:59:08.320 --> 00:59:12.960 steel traps, and birdlime. He asked which they thought would 1031 00:59:13.000 --> 00:59:17.079 make the best bait, A rabbit, a beefsteak, a live 1032 00:59:17.199 --> 00:59:20.559 lamb or carrion. He told them all about the new 1033 00:59:20.639 --> 00:59:23.800 high powered long range rifle which he had ordered, and 1034 00:59:23.880 --> 00:59:26.360 he vowed to them all that he would not rest 1035 00:59:26.480 --> 00:59:29.280 until the bird was either caught or killed for the 1036 00:59:29.320 --> 00:59:34.480 advancement of human learning. David listened with horror. The dinner 1037 00:59:34.519 --> 00:59:38.159 before him went untouched. His only thought was that now 1038 00:59:38.320 --> 00:59:40.880 he would have to warn the phoenix as soon as possible. 1039 00:59:41.360 --> 00:59:44.199 The phoenix would go to South America after all, and 1040 00:59:44.280 --> 00:59:47.960 his education would end before it had even started, all 1041 00:59:48.039 --> 00:59:51.079 because of this hateful man. He fought to hold back 1042 00:59:51.119 --> 00:59:55.000 his tears. Dinner was over at last, David mumbled his 1043 00:59:55.079 --> 00:59:57.719 excuses and ducked out of the dining room, but Aunt 1044 00:59:57.800 --> 01:00:00.039 Amy seized him firmly. Just as he thought he he 1045 01:00:00.119 --> 01:00:04.360 had got away. Bed time for you, David, She said firmly, Oh, 1046 01:00:04.480 --> 01:00:08.320 aunt Amy, please, I've got to upstairs, young man. You've 1047 01:00:08.320 --> 01:00:11.840 had enough gallivanting around for one day. You're all worn out. 1048 01:00:12.559 --> 01:00:15.960 I'm not, said David, struggling. I feel fine, Look, I 1049 01:00:16.239 --> 01:00:20.639 just have to It was useless. She marched him upstairs 1050 01:00:20.639 --> 01:00:23.239 to his room and stood in the doorway until he 1051 01:00:23.280 --> 01:00:27.599 had undressed and put on his pajamas and got into bed. Now, 1052 01:00:27.639 --> 01:00:30.840 She said, you go to sleep. The mountain will still 1053 01:00:30.880 --> 01:00:33.599 be there in the morning, unless there's a land slide. 1054 01:00:34.000 --> 01:00:36.480 Good night, and she turned out the light and shut 1055 01:00:36.480 --> 01:00:36.840 the door. 1056 01:00:37.400 --> 01:00:38.239 This was awful. 1057 01:00:38.440 --> 01:00:41.880 He could not sneak down stairs because the stairs could 1058 01:00:41.920 --> 01:00:44.440 be seen from the living room. He could not climb 1059 01:00:44.519 --> 01:00:47.079 out of his window because the rose arbor was directly 1060 01:00:47.119 --> 01:00:49.920 beneath it, and he would be ripped by the thorns. 1061 01:00:50.360 --> 01:00:52.880 And mother always came in to say good night before 1062 01:00:52.920 --> 01:00:55.679 she went to bed. If he was not there when 1063 01:00:55.719 --> 01:00:57.960 she came in tonight, there would be a lot of 1064 01:00:58.079 --> 01:01:01.400 unpleasant explaining to do. The only thing then was to 1065 01:01:01.480 --> 01:01:04.239 wait until the scientist went home and everyone. 1066 01:01:03.920 --> 01:01:04.480 Was in bed. 1067 01:01:05.360 --> 01:01:08.400 It was a maddening wait. The scientist's voice went on 1068 01:01:08.639 --> 01:01:11.760 and on like the drone of an electric fan, interrupted 1069 01:01:11.760 --> 01:01:16.320 only by an occasional murmur from mother or dad. For 1070 01:01:16.360 --> 01:01:19.880 a while, David sat in bed, twisting the sheets in 1071 01:01:19.960 --> 01:01:22.360 his hands. Then he got up and paced the room 1072 01:01:22.400 --> 01:01:25.440 in his bare feet. It seemed to him that three 1073 01:01:25.599 --> 01:01:29.159 or four whole night times had passed before he finally 1074 01:01:29.159 --> 01:01:33.079 heard all three voices raised and talking at once. The 1075 01:01:33.159 --> 01:01:36.239 scientist was going now they were saying goodbye at the 1076 01:01:36.239 --> 01:01:39.679 front door. Now the door was being closed now or 1077 01:01:39.679 --> 01:01:42.480 there were footsteps on the stairs. He jumped into bed 1078 01:01:42.559 --> 01:01:44.760 just before mother put her head in and said good night. 1079 01:01:44.800 --> 01:01:49.400 Dear David murmured, pretending to be half asleep. His door 1080 01:01:49.440 --> 01:01:53.159 closed again, the light switches snapped, and there was silence. 1081 01:01:53.760 --> 01:01:56.960 He waited another half hour to make sure everyone was asleep. 1082 01:01:57.360 --> 01:02:01.039 As quickly and silently as he could, hold on his clothes, 1083 01:02:01.239 --> 01:02:03.840 crept out of his room and slid cautiously down the 1084 01:02:03.840 --> 01:02:07.760 banister in the backyard, He put on his shoes, dived 1085 01:02:07.800 --> 01:02:10.719 through the hedge, and started to race up the mountain side. 1086 01:02:12.239 --> 01:02:15.320 Fortunately there was a nearly full moon and no clouds 1087 01:02:15.320 --> 01:02:17.920 in the sky, but even with this light it was 1088 01:02:17.960 --> 01:02:20.880 not easy to keep to the trail. Several times he 1089 01:02:21.000 --> 01:02:24.320 lost his way, so that the trip took much longer 1090 01:02:24.360 --> 01:02:27.920 than usual, but he found the ledge at last, climbed 1091 01:02:27.920 --> 01:02:31.039 over the final difficult rock, and sat down to catch 1092 01:02:31.079 --> 01:02:35.320 his breath. When he could speak, he called softly, Phoenix. 1093 01:02:35.800 --> 01:02:39.800 There was no answer, Phoenix. He pushed through the thicket 1094 01:02:39.880 --> 01:02:43.840 to the other side of the ledge. Phoenix. The phoenix 1095 01:02:43.960 --> 01:02:46.800 was gone. The tears that had been stopped up all 1096 01:02:46.880 --> 01:02:50.079 evening could be held no longer. David dropped to the ground, 1097 01:02:50.480 --> 01:02:52.840 leaned his forehead against a rock, and let them go. 1098 01:02:53.320 --> 01:02:55.719 He had just remembered, as soon as they had come 1099 01:02:55.760 --> 01:02:58.400 back from the Griffin adventure, the phoenix had flown off 1100 01:02:58.440 --> 01:03:02.320 on some sort of business, and it had not said 1101 01:03:02.360 --> 01:03:06.159 when it would return. The tears cleared David's mind and 1102 01:03:06.199 --> 01:03:09.639 made him feel better. Now what he began to think. 1103 01:03:10.119 --> 01:03:12.280 If he stayed on the ledge all night, they might 1104 01:03:12.360 --> 01:03:15.000 find out at home and make a terrible fuss. But 1105 01:03:15.079 --> 01:03:17.800 if he did not warn the phoenix before morning, the 1106 01:03:17.880 --> 01:03:20.840 scientist might creep up while the bird was resting and 1107 01:03:20.960 --> 01:03:23.719 trap it or shoot it. So he would have to 1108 01:03:23.719 --> 01:03:26.679 warn the phoenix and return home, and the only way 1109 01:03:26.719 --> 01:03:29.920 to do both these things was to write the phoenix 1110 01:03:29.960 --> 01:03:33.360 a note. But he had neither paper nor pencil. A 1111 01:03:33.440 --> 01:03:36.199 fine mess he had made of everything. Now he would 1112 01:03:36.199 --> 01:03:38.920 have to go all the way back home, write the note, 1113 01:03:39.320 --> 01:03:41.119 come all the way back up to the ledge, and 1114 01:03:41.119 --> 01:03:44.440 then go home again. David trudged down the mountain side 1115 01:03:44.440 --> 01:03:46.559 in a very low mood. Now that he had a 1116 01:03:46.559 --> 01:03:49.480 definite plan to work on, his fear was gone, but 1117 01:03:49.559 --> 01:03:51.840 he felt that he had been pretty stupid to rush 1118 01:03:51.880 --> 01:03:55.280 off without thinking of everything first. In his mind he 1119 01:03:55.320 --> 01:03:58.719 could hear the phoenix saying look before you leap, my boy, 1120 01:03:59.440 --> 01:04:03.559 and other wise words of advice, and he had cried too, 1121 01:04:03.719 --> 01:04:05.639 lucky that no one had been there to see that. 1122 01:04:06.039 --> 01:04:08.280 As he approached the house, he was surprised to see 1123 01:04:08.320 --> 01:04:11.400 all the lights ablazed and to hear his name being called. 1124 01:04:11.760 --> 01:04:16.239 Oh oh, he thought, they've found out I've gone here, 1125 01:04:16.280 --> 01:04:18.599 I am, he shouted, opening the door. What's the matter. 1126 01:04:19.440 --> 01:04:22.559 It was a strange sight which met him inside. Dad, 1127 01:04:22.679 --> 01:04:25.960 in his gray pajamas, was waving a revolver and making 1128 01:04:26.000 --> 01:04:29.960 fierce noises. Mother, looking frightened, had a shoe in one hand. 1129 01:04:30.639 --> 01:04:33.079 Aunt Amy, with her hair and rags, was also well 1130 01:04:33.199 --> 01:04:37.280 armed with a big cast iron frying pan. Becky was 1131 01:04:37.320 --> 01:04:39.559 howling upstairs. David. 1132 01:04:39.639 --> 01:04:40.960 Mother cried, are you all right? 1133 01:04:41.119 --> 01:04:44.159 Where have you been? Did he hurt you? Who? Said, David, 1134 01:04:44.239 --> 01:04:48.719 I'm all right? What's the matter? The burglar? Said mother excitedly. 1135 01:04:49.159 --> 01:04:52.280 He put his head in the window and said, pst. 1136 01:04:52.920 --> 01:04:56.960 I tell you burglars don't say paste. Dad said. They 1137 01:04:57.000 --> 01:04:59.880 tried to make as little noise as possible. Just let 1138 01:04:59.880 --> 01:05:02.320 me catch him doing it again, he added, waving his 1139 01:05:02.400 --> 01:05:05.880 pistol running around on that mountain at all hours of 1140 01:05:05.920 --> 01:05:09.079 the night. Aunt Amy grumbled with burglars, and I don't 1141 01:05:09.079 --> 01:05:11.639 know what all loose in town. And then we found 1142 01:05:11.679 --> 01:05:13.840 that you were gone, and we thought he had stolen you. 1143 01:05:13.880 --> 01:05:18.079 Mother went on, where have you been? I couldn't sleep, 1144 01:05:18.119 --> 01:05:21.800 said David, So I went for a walk. Well, thank heavens, 1145 01:05:21.800 --> 01:05:26.760 you're safe, said mother, hankering after that mountain all night, 1146 01:05:26.920 --> 01:05:31.519 aunt Amy muttered, as if he wasn't up there all day. 1147 01:05:33.320 --> 01:05:37.199 Look here, son said, Dad, what do you know about this? Honestly? 1148 01:05:37.320 --> 01:05:40.119 Dad said David. I couldn't sleep. There's nothing wrong with that. 1149 01:05:40.320 --> 01:05:42.519 I can't help it if I can't sleep. So I 1150 01:05:42.559 --> 01:05:46.079 took a walk. There's nothing wrong with oh all right, 1151 01:05:46.159 --> 01:05:49.800 all right, His father said, I suppose it's just a coincidence. 1152 01:05:50.800 --> 01:05:53.119 Let's all get back to sleep, and David, the next 1153 01:05:53.119 --> 01:05:56.400 time you can't sleep, try counting sheep. Gradually the house 1154 01:05:56.480 --> 01:06:00.920 calmed down, Becky stopped wailing. Dad put away his gun. 1155 01:06:01.280 --> 01:06:05.000 Good nights were said, the lights were turned off. David 1156 01:06:05.039 --> 01:06:07.199 knew that it would be at least an hour before 1157 01:06:07.239 --> 01:06:09.559 he dared to move again, and he would have to 1158 01:06:09.599 --> 01:06:12.519 be doubly careful. This time, and he was a little 1159 01:06:12.519 --> 01:06:15.800 nervous himself now about that burglar, what if he should 1160 01:06:15.880 --> 01:06:18.400 meet him when he went out again. He tried to 1161 01:06:18.440 --> 01:06:21.119 forget about that by thinking of what he would put 1162 01:06:21.119 --> 01:06:23.920 in the note for the phoenix. He had got as 1163 01:06:23.960 --> 01:06:27.239 far as dear phoenix, and was wondering how you spelled 1164 01:06:27.480 --> 01:06:30.360 phoenix when there came a swish and a thump at 1165 01:06:30.360 --> 01:06:33.280 his window, followed by a cautious whisper. 1166 01:06:33.800 --> 01:06:40.079 Piste. David felt his scalp prickle. Wo woo, whoe. Who's that? 1167 01:06:40.440 --> 01:06:41.119 He quavered? 1168 01:06:42.000 --> 01:06:45.880 Is that you, my boy? Whispered a familiar guarded voice. Ah, 1169 01:06:45.880 --> 01:06:50.400 thank heavens, and the phoenix crawled through the window. Weak 1170 01:06:50.480 --> 01:06:54.480 with relief, David snapped on the bedside light. The phoenix 1171 01:06:54.599 --> 01:06:58.840 presented a shocking sight. Its face was drawn with fatigue, 1172 01:06:58.840 --> 01:07:04.280 and it looked rather dragged. Its back sagged, its wings 1173 01:07:04.360 --> 01:07:08.920 drooped to the floor, and it walked with a limp. Oh, Phoenix, Phoenix, 1174 01:07:09.039 --> 01:07:11.880 David whispered. He jumped to support the bird before it 1175 01:07:11.920 --> 01:07:15.880 collapsed entirely. Ah, thank you, my boy. The phoenix murmured, 1176 01:07:16.280 --> 01:07:20.239 your bed I presume may I thank you? The springs 1177 01:07:20.239 --> 01:07:23.440 creaked under its weight as the phoenix gingerly lay down. 1178 01:07:24.519 --> 01:07:27.679 What a night, my boy, what a night, it sighed, weakly, 1179 01:07:27.719 --> 01:07:28.599 closing its eyes. 1180 01:07:29.239 --> 01:07:32.119 Oh, phoenix, what happened? Can I do anything for you? 1181 01:07:32.239 --> 01:07:36.679 David whispered, A damp cooling cloth upon my forehead would 1182 01:07:36.679 --> 01:07:39.719 be welcome, my boy, murmured the phoenix, also a bit 1183 01:07:39.760 --> 01:07:43.119 of nourishment. David slid down the banister, got a handful 1184 01:07:43.159 --> 01:07:45.880 of cookies and a glass of milk, and dampened a 1185 01:07:45.920 --> 01:07:52.000 dish towel. When he returned, the phoenix was fast asleep. Phoenix, 1186 01:07:52.039 --> 01:07:55.679 he whispered, wake up, here's your The phoenix woke with 1187 01:07:55.719 --> 01:07:59.599 a violent start and stared wildly around the room. Trapped, 1188 01:07:59.800 --> 01:08:02.920 it muttered, making a frenzied effort to get off the bed. 1189 01:08:03.519 --> 01:08:08.159 Not so loud, David whispered, sharply, it's me understanding, donned 1190 01:08:08.199 --> 01:08:11.800 in the phoenix's eyes, and it eased itself back with 1191 01:08:11.880 --> 01:08:15.119 a sigh. Ah you, my boy, you gave me quite 1192 01:08:15.159 --> 01:08:18.359 a fright, I thought. But here the phoenix caught sight 1193 01:08:18.399 --> 01:08:21.920 of the milk and cookies and sat up again. Ambrosia, 1194 01:08:22.000 --> 01:08:25.600 it sighed, reverently, and nectar, you are a prince, my 1195 01:08:25.680 --> 01:08:30.119 dear fellow, and the phoenix reached out eagerly. Now, Phoenix, 1196 01:08:30.199 --> 01:08:32.439 David whispered as he wrapped the wet towel around the 1197 01:08:32.479 --> 01:08:37.279 phoenix's head. What's happened? Ah, that feels heavenly, my boy, munch, munch, 1198 01:08:38.640 --> 01:08:43.560 what has happened? Munch, munch, gulp. I was insulted. I 1199 01:08:43.640 --> 01:08:47.720 accepted a challenge, and I brilliantly maintained my honor. Let 1200 01:08:47.720 --> 01:08:50.159 that be a lesson to you, my boy, death before 1201 01:08:50.199 --> 01:08:54.600 dishonor Yes, in spite of my age. I but Phoenix, 1202 01:08:54.720 --> 01:08:56.800 what happened to be brief? 1203 01:08:56.840 --> 01:08:57.479 Then? My boy? 1204 01:08:57.800 --> 01:09:01.479 For brevity is the soul of wit. Although I am 1205 01:09:01.520 --> 01:09:04.159 not trying to be witty now, I am simply too 1206 01:09:04.199 --> 01:09:07.880 worn out brevity? Ah, where was I? I think you 1207 01:09:07.920 --> 01:09:11.800 were telling me what happened to you tonight? David said, Ah, yes, 1208 01:09:11.960 --> 01:09:14.800 quite so well. I raced the witch to put it 1209 01:09:14.880 --> 01:09:19.319 quite simply, Oh, Phoenix, did you win? She said that 1210 01:09:19.399 --> 01:09:24.439 she would beat my tail feathers off. Did she not behold, 1211 01:09:24.640 --> 01:09:27.079 my dear fellow, every tail feather intact? 1212 01:09:28.199 --> 01:09:29.239 Good for you? Phoenix? 1213 01:09:29.279 --> 01:09:32.800 How did it go? I found her somewhere over Scotland 1214 01:09:32.840 --> 01:09:36.960 and accepted her challenge. We jockeyed about for starting positions. 1215 01:09:37.000 --> 01:09:40.520 And she insulted me by offering me a handicap, which 1216 01:09:40.520 --> 01:09:43.880 of course I refused. For several hundred miles, it was 1217 01:09:43.960 --> 01:09:48.319 nip and tuck, as it were then over Luxembourg. I 1218 01:09:48.439 --> 01:09:51.760 put all my energies into a magnificent sprint and won 1219 01:09:51.800 --> 01:09:55.039 the race by three and a half broomlenks. She claimed 1220 01:09:55.079 --> 01:09:57.399 a fowl and went off in a fit of sulks. 1221 01:09:57.439 --> 01:09:58.319 Of course. 1222 01:09:59.600 --> 01:10:01.920 I never I saw a witch who was a good loser, 1223 01:10:02.239 --> 01:10:05.319 and I well, the fact is, my boy, that I 1224 01:10:05.359 --> 01:10:07.279 am not as young as I used to be. I 1225 01:10:07.399 --> 01:10:13.000 simply crawled home. Oh you poor Phoenix, but you one know. 1226 01:10:13.640 --> 01:10:16.199 Good for you, Phoenix, I'm proud of you. I didn't 1227 01:10:16.319 --> 01:10:19.479 like her at all. There you are. I had to 1228 01:10:19.520 --> 01:10:22.439 win for both of us. Now, as I wended my 1229 01:10:22.520 --> 01:10:25.000 weary way homeward, I realized that I should be too 1230 01:10:25.079 --> 01:10:28.199 tired to go traveling tomorrow. So I decided to tell 1231 01:10:28.239 --> 01:10:30.319 you in case you should want to do something else 1232 01:10:30.399 --> 01:10:33.079 during the day. But I did not know which house 1233 01:10:33.199 --> 01:10:35.760 was yours. I had to pick one at random. I 1234 01:10:35.840 --> 01:10:38.800 thrust my head in a window and uttered a cautious post. 1235 01:10:39.560 --> 01:10:42.920 Imagine my dismay when I was answered by a piercing scream. 1236 01:10:43.800 --> 01:10:47.000 I had to beat a hasty and undignified retreat into 1237 01:10:47.000 --> 01:10:50.960 a garage until all was peaceful again. Then I did 1238 01:10:51.000 --> 01:10:53.520 the same thing at the next house, and the next, 1239 01:10:53.880 --> 01:10:58.359 with the same results. The phoenix side. Would you believe it, 1240 01:10:58.439 --> 01:11:01.319 my boy, this is the fifth house I tried, but 1241 01:11:01.399 --> 01:11:03.319 I knew I was on the right track when I 1242 01:11:03.399 --> 01:11:06.680 heard them calling for you. Oh so it was you, 1243 01:11:06.880 --> 01:11:10.239 said David. You almost frightened mother to death. She thought 1244 01:11:10.279 --> 01:11:13.560 you were a burglar. My dear fellow, I am really 1245 01:11:13.640 --> 01:11:16.920 sorry for having caused any misunderstanding or fright said the 1246 01:11:16.920 --> 01:11:20.399 phoenix apologetically. It was just that I wanted to tell 1247 01:11:20.439 --> 01:11:22.840 you of my victory, that is, to tell you that 1248 01:11:22.920 --> 01:11:27.279 I should be indisposed tomorrow. Then David recalled that he 1249 01:11:27.359 --> 01:11:30.319 had something to say too. The shock of remembering was 1250 01:11:30.399 --> 01:11:33.520 such that he blurted out the news without thinking of 1251 01:11:33.640 --> 01:11:38.680 softening the blow. Phoenix, listen, the scientist is here. The 1252 01:11:38.720 --> 01:11:41.000 phoenix sat up in bed with a jerk, and David 1253 01:11:41.039 --> 01:11:44.960 barely suppressed as startled exclamation by clamping a hand over 1254 01:11:45.039 --> 01:11:48.840 its beak. It's not so bad yet, he whispered, hurriedly, 1255 01:11:48.960 --> 01:11:51.640 because he's not sure where you are. And he has 1256 01:11:51.680 --> 01:11:54.479 to wait for his equipment to get here. But oh, phoenix, 1257 01:11:54.880 --> 01:11:57.520 now I suppose you'll go to South America after all, 1258 01:11:57.560 --> 01:12:02.000 and I won't have any more education. The phoenix leaped 1259 01:12:02.000 --> 01:12:05.439 to its feet and struck a defiant pose. My boy, 1260 01:12:05.479 --> 01:12:08.840 it said angrily, you are mistaken. I refuse to be 1261 01:12:08.960 --> 01:12:13.439 chased around any longer, even the lowly worm turns. Am 1262 01:12:13.439 --> 01:12:16.319 I a mouse? Or am I the phoenix? If that 1263 01:12:16.479 --> 01:12:20.039 insufferable man wishes to pursue me further, if he cannot 1264 01:12:20.079 --> 01:12:23.399 mind his own business, then by jove, we shall meet 1265 01:12:23.439 --> 01:12:28.039 him face to face and fight to the finish. Its voice, 1266 01:12:28.079 --> 01:12:30.920 which had been getting louder and louder, ended in an 1267 01:12:30.920 --> 01:12:36.279 indignant squawk, its battle cry. As it explained later, David's 1268 01:12:36.279 --> 01:12:39.840 warning sh was too late. They heard rapid footsteps and 1269 01:12:39.920 --> 01:12:43.760 the sound of light switches snapping. Quick David said out 1270 01:12:43.800 --> 01:12:47.479 the window with a hasty farewell, my boy. The phoenix 1271 01:12:47.520 --> 01:12:50.560 plunged headlong toward the window and tripped. 1272 01:12:50.239 --> 01:12:50.960 Over the sill. 1273 01:12:51.479 --> 01:12:55.000 There was a resounding crash outside as the bird landed 1274 01:12:55.039 --> 01:12:59.079 on the rose arbor. A brief but furious thrashing and muttering, 1275 01:12:59.399 --> 01:13:03.760 and then the reeding flurry of wings Dad burst into 1276 01:13:03.760 --> 01:13:06.680 the room with his revolver, followed by Mother and Aunt 1277 01:13:06.760 --> 01:13:10.439 Amy with two frying pans. This time he stuck his 1278 01:13:10.560 --> 01:13:13.840 head in the window and said, pst at me. David cried, 1279 01:13:14.279 --> 01:13:18.199 a big dark shape in the window. This time Dad 1280 01:13:18.239 --> 01:13:21.560 telephoned the police, and no time at all, three car 1281 01:13:21.600 --> 01:13:24.399 loads of wary policemen were swarming over the house and 1282 01:13:24.520 --> 01:13:28.720 yard with guns and flashlights drawn. It was the fifth 1283 01:13:28.920 --> 01:13:31.600 or was it the sixth call they had received from 1284 01:13:31.680 --> 01:13:36.079 the neighborhood that night, they explained. There followed an hour 1285 01:13:36.119 --> 01:13:41.039 of questions, arguments, and theories, during which everyone became very excited. 1286 01:13:41.720 --> 01:13:45.479 Everyone that is except David, although he acted excited to 1287 01:13:45.479 --> 01:13:51.399 avoid suspicion. But he was happy. He had warned the phoenix, 1288 01:13:51.439 --> 01:13:53.680 and the phoenix was going to stay and there was 1289 01:13:53.720 --> 01:13:57.600 nothing to worry about until tomorrow. End of chapter five, 1290 01:13:58.840 --> 01:14:02.399 Chapter six, which the Phoenix has a plan and David 1291 01:14:02.439 --> 01:14:06.319 and the Phoenix call in a sea monster. Well you're 1292 01:14:06.359 --> 01:14:09.600 in all the papers this morning, phoenix, said David as 1293 01:14:09.600 --> 01:14:11.640 he sat down beside the reclining bird. 1294 01:14:11.720 --> 01:14:14.399 Next morning, they don't know who you. 1295 01:14:14.399 --> 01:14:17.359 Are, but they're all talking about what happened last night. 1296 01:14:17.800 --> 01:14:21.920 They call you the whispering burglar. The police are pretty worried, 1297 01:14:23.560 --> 01:14:24.840 My dear chap, said. 1298 01:14:24.680 --> 01:14:26.119 The phoenix apologetically. 1299 01:14:27.159 --> 01:14:30.880 Let me repeat my sincere regrets for causing alarm. It 1300 01:14:31.000 --> 01:14:34.319 was not my desire to the police. Did you say, 1301 01:14:35.039 --> 01:14:39.840 have they discovered any clues? No, said David, reassuringly. They 1302 01:14:39.840 --> 01:14:44.159 can't find a thing. They think the whispering burglar climbed 1303 01:14:44.239 --> 01:14:48.439 up a ladder to saste into the upstairs windows. Only 1304 01:14:48.479 --> 01:14:51.199 they can't find the ladder. They call it the missing 1305 01:14:51.279 --> 01:14:55.479 mystery clue. The phoenix gazed at the sky and mused, 1306 01:14:55.640 --> 01:14:59.039 in all the papers, you say, well, fame at last, 1307 01:15:00.079 --> 01:15:03.439 though hardly the kind I had expected. What a pity 1308 01:15:03.520 --> 01:15:07.079 that there can be no photographs with the story. Imagine 1309 01:15:07.079 --> 01:15:10.640 a picture of me on the front page, a profile perhaps, 1310 01:15:11.319 --> 01:15:14.159 or would a full length shot be more effective or both? 1311 01:15:14.760 --> 01:15:18.600 Let us say with I know you'd look very handsome, Phoenix. 1312 01:15:18.680 --> 01:15:22.039 David interrupted, But what we should be thinking about is 1313 01:15:22.079 --> 01:15:25.479 the scientist. What are we going to do? Oh that, 1314 01:15:25.680 --> 01:15:28.159 said the phoenix. I was coming to that, my boy, 1315 01:15:28.760 --> 01:15:30.399 the battle is already half won. 1316 01:15:30.840 --> 01:15:35.399 I have a plan. Good for you, Phoenix, What is it? Aha? 1317 01:15:35.560 --> 01:15:39.279 Said the phoenix, with a mysterious smile. All will unfold 1318 01:15:39.319 --> 01:15:43.239 in time. Rest assured that the plan is brilliant. In 1319 01:15:43.319 --> 01:15:47.479 one stroke of genius, it solves everything tactics, My boy, 1320 01:15:47.960 --> 01:15:49.560 Napoleon had nothing on me. 1321 01:15:50.479 --> 01:15:51.159 But what is it? 1322 01:15:51.279 --> 01:15:55.079 Phoenix tut, my boy, said the phoenix in a maddening way. 1323 01:15:55.520 --> 01:15:59.319 Control your impatience. You will see. Now we shall have 1324 01:15:59.399 --> 01:16:02.520 to buy some things, so we shall need money. Let 1325 01:16:02.560 --> 01:16:07.159 me see, several of the leprechauns have large pots of gold. No, 1326 01:16:07.399 --> 01:16:09.279 I fear they would not part with so much as 1327 01:16:09.279 --> 01:16:12.800 a penny. Tight fisted, my dear fellow, you never saw 1328 01:16:12.880 --> 01:16:13.680 such misers. 1329 01:16:13.960 --> 01:16:16.000 Hmm, Well there are the dragons. 1330 01:16:16.000 --> 01:16:20.159 Of course, they guard heaps of treasure in caves. But no, 1331 01:16:20.840 --> 01:16:24.399 they are excellent chaps in most respects, but frightfully stuffy 1332 01:16:24.479 --> 01:16:30.640 about loans and gifts. No, the gin, No, his money 1333 01:16:30.680 --> 01:16:34.520 is all tied up in Arabian oil speculation. Aha, why 1334 01:16:34.560 --> 01:16:35.960 didn't I think of that before? 1335 01:16:36.640 --> 01:16:39.680 The sea monster? Of course, do sea. 1336 01:16:39.520 --> 01:16:43.279 Monsters have money, asked David. No, but the sea monster 1337 01:16:43.359 --> 01:16:46.720 should know where a pirate treasure is buried, quite in 1338 01:16:46.840 --> 01:16:48.800 its nautical line. 1339 01:16:49.039 --> 01:16:49.960 We shall visit the. 1340 01:16:49.920 --> 01:16:53.439 Monster, my boy tomorrow. Of course, I could not fly 1341 01:16:53.520 --> 01:16:56.199 a foot to day to save my life. My muscles 1342 01:16:56.199 --> 01:17:00.479 are killing me. Oh, poor phoenix, David said, but he 1343 01:17:00.560 --> 01:17:02.840 was so excited that he could not feel much pity. 1344 01:17:03.319 --> 01:17:06.560 Pirate treasure. They were going to dig for pirate treasure. 1345 01:17:07.199 --> 01:17:10.079 We shall need a spade. I trust you will arrange 1346 01:17:10.119 --> 01:17:13.319 for it, my boy, of course, phoenix, said David, jumping 1347 01:17:13.319 --> 01:17:16.439 to his feet. I'll get everything ready right away. Don't 1348 01:17:16.479 --> 01:17:20.239 move till I get back. Impossible, my boy, the phoenix 1349 01:17:20.319 --> 01:17:24.479 groaned as it shifted into a more comfortable position. David 1350 01:17:24.600 --> 01:17:27.239 raced home to collect the necessary things for the trip, 1351 01:17:27.600 --> 01:17:30.520 Remembering how cold it had been last time. He took 1352 01:17:30.520 --> 01:17:32.720 his leather jacket out of the closet and a pair 1353 01:17:32.760 --> 01:17:35.840 of gloves and a scarf for the phoenix. He borrowed 1354 01:17:35.880 --> 01:17:38.079 a bottle of liniment and took all the cookies from 1355 01:17:38.079 --> 01:17:41.199 the cookie jar, and he picked the shortest of three 1356 01:17:41.239 --> 01:17:44.000 spades in the garage. During the rest of the day, 1357 01:17:44.119 --> 01:17:47.159 he massaged the phoenix's back and wings with a liniment. 1358 01:17:48.039 --> 01:17:51.119 He was exploding with curiosity about the plan, of course, 1359 01:17:51.479 --> 01:17:54.199 but the phoenix would only smile its smug ast smile 1360 01:17:54.319 --> 01:17:57.000 and tell him to wait and see, wait and see, 1361 01:17:57.319 --> 01:18:01.840 which almost drove David mad. Tomorrow took its time, the 1362 01:18:01.880 --> 01:18:03.960 way it always does when you are anxious to see 1363 01:18:04.000 --> 01:18:07.640 it arrive. But it finally came, and David found himself 1364 01:18:07.680 --> 01:18:11.199 with the spade held tightly under one arm, his jacket 1365 01:18:11.279 --> 01:18:14.439 zipped up to his chin, gloves on, and scarf notted. 1366 01:18:14.479 --> 01:18:18.159 Already to go to the west this time, said the phoenix, 1367 01:18:18.279 --> 01:18:20.880 as David got up on its back. This is the 1368 01:18:20.960 --> 01:18:25.119 monster's Pacific season. You know, ready, my boy, splendid, we 1369 01:18:25.199 --> 01:18:29.439 are off over the mountains and desert. They sped over 1370 01:18:29.479 --> 01:18:31.680 the shore, out across the ocean. 1371 01:18:31.720 --> 01:18:32.640 For a long time. 1372 01:18:32.680 --> 01:18:36.560 They hurtled through a huge blue loneliness, dark blue below, 1373 01:18:36.840 --> 01:18:40.439 lighter blue above. Once they passed over a ship, a 1374 01:18:40.479 --> 01:18:44.720 pencil dot trailing a pin scratch of white. Another time 1375 01:18:44.760 --> 01:18:48.199 they startled a high flying albatross, which gave a frightened 1376 01:18:48.199 --> 01:18:51.199 squawk and plunged down out of sight with folded wings. 1377 01:18:51.960 --> 01:18:54.239 Aside from that, there was nothing to see until they 1378 01:18:54.279 --> 01:18:57.760 reached the islands. The phoenix slowed down to a glide 1379 01:18:57.840 --> 01:19:02.079 and dropped lower. These are the coral atolls of the Pacific, 1380 01:19:02.199 --> 01:19:05.560 my boy, it called over its shoulder. That lake in 1381 01:19:05.600 --> 01:19:10.199 the center of each island is called the lagoon. David 1382 01:19:10.279 --> 01:19:13.399 was enchanted by the atolls. They were made of tiny 1383 01:19:13.680 --> 01:19:17.199 islets struck together like the beads of a necklace, and 1384 01:19:17.279 --> 01:19:20.640 the colors the dark blue of the sea became lighter 1385 01:19:20.680 --> 01:19:24.600 around the islands, melting from sapphire to turquoise to jade. 1386 01:19:25.119 --> 01:19:29.000 The atolls were ringed with dazzling white surf and beach, 1387 01:19:29.920 --> 01:19:33.119 and they all had cool green swaths of palm trees 1388 01:19:33.159 --> 01:19:37.720 and underbrush, and each lagoon also had its varying shades 1389 01:19:37.760 --> 01:19:40.760 of blue, like the outer sea. I fear we may 1390 01:19:40.800 --> 01:19:43.359 have trouble, my boy, said the phoenix, as they scanned 1391 01:19:43.359 --> 01:19:47.119 the empty beaches. The monster shifts about from island to 1392 01:19:47.199 --> 01:19:50.520 island to avoid discovery. We shall just have to search 1393 01:19:51.319 --> 01:19:54.640 and search. They did, atoll after atoll, until at the 1394 01:19:54.800 --> 01:19:58.439 end of an hour they were rewarded. David suddenly spotted 1395 01:19:58.479 --> 01:20:01.359 a dark object stretched out on the beach of a lagoon, 1396 01:20:01.479 --> 01:20:04.840 and at the same time the phoenix said Aha, triumphantly. 1397 01:20:05.560 --> 01:20:09.600 They began to spiral down. The sea monster was immense. 1398 01:20:09.680 --> 01:20:12.039 Its body could have filled the living room at home. 1399 01:20:12.159 --> 01:20:14.840 Its neck was twenty feet long, and so was its tail, 1400 01:20:15.279 --> 01:20:18.560 which ended in a barbed point. It had huge seal 1401 01:20:18.720 --> 01:20:21.399 like flippers, and its polished brown hide was made up 1402 01:20:21.439 --> 01:20:24.960 of scales as big as dinner plates. Wake up, monster, 1403 01:20:25.079 --> 01:20:29.199 the phoenix cried. We The next instant they were lost 1404 01:20:29.239 --> 01:20:32.439 in a cloud of flying sand and spray, through which 1405 01:20:32.479 --> 01:20:36.439 could be heard a prodigious splash. When it had cleared, 1406 01:20:36.479 --> 01:20:39.840 they found themselves alone on the beach. The only sign 1407 01:20:39.880 --> 01:20:42.319 of the sea monster was a great furrow in the sand, 1408 01:20:42.319 --> 01:20:46.600 which led down to the agitated water. Golly, that was fast, 1409 01:20:46.680 --> 01:20:49.960 David marveled as they shook the sand from themselves. Do 1410 01:20:50.039 --> 01:20:54.199 you think it'll come back, phoenix? Of course, my boy, curiosity. 1411 01:20:54.199 --> 01:20:57.079 If nothing else will bring it up again. In the meantime, 1412 01:20:57.119 --> 01:20:59.600 we might as well sit down and wait. They sat 1413 01:20:59.640 --> 01:21:03.600 down and waited. David took off his jacket. For fifteen minutes, 1414 01:21:03.640 --> 01:21:05.880 they heard nothing but the murmuring of the surf and 1415 01:21:05.920 --> 01:21:09.159 the rustling clatter of palm fronds. At last, there was 1416 01:21:09.159 --> 01:21:13.279 a slight splashing noise from the lagoon. There, David whispered, 1417 01:21:13.279 --> 01:21:17.560 pointing thirty feet off shore, an ear was being thrust 1418 01:21:17.600 --> 01:21:21.520 cautiously above the rippled surface. It twitched once or twice, 1419 01:21:21.760 --> 01:21:25.760 then pointed quiveringly in their direction. Come out, monster, The 1420 01:21:25.760 --> 01:21:29.880 phoenix shouted, It is I the Phoenix. The sea monster's 1421 01:21:29.920 --> 01:21:33.720 head appeared slowly, followed by several yards of neck. It 1422 01:21:33.800 --> 01:21:36.880 peered at them short sightedly, weaving its head from side 1423 01:21:36.880 --> 01:21:40.000 to side to get a better view. David saw that 1424 01:21:40.039 --> 01:21:42.640 it had two short, straight horns just in front of 1425 01:21:42.680 --> 01:21:46.039 its ears, eyes that were soft and cowlike, and a 1426 01:21:46.039 --> 01:21:49.760 most expressive set of whiskers. The whiskers were now at 1427 01:21:49.800 --> 01:21:53.279 a doubtful half masted angle. Ah, Phoenix, said the sea 1428 01:21:53.319 --> 01:21:56.399 monster at last, in a mild voice. Can't you remember 1429 01:21:56.439 --> 01:21:57.920 to wake me a bit more gently? 1430 01:21:58.439 --> 01:21:59.439 I thought you were. 1431 01:21:59.680 --> 01:22:02.319 Come on out, said the phoenix firmly, and stopped, looking 1432 01:22:02.359 --> 01:22:03.239 like a lost sheep. 1433 01:22:03.840 --> 01:22:05.680 Uh what about uh? 1434 01:22:06.000 --> 01:22:10.159 That said the sea monster, hesitantly, pointing one ear at David. 1435 01:22:10.880 --> 01:22:14.479 This said the phoenix is David. He is getting an education. 1436 01:22:15.079 --> 01:22:18.920 I assure you that he will not bite these sea monsters. 1437 01:22:18.960 --> 01:22:22.119 Swam toward them. Heaved itself out of the water and 1438 01:22:22.239 --> 01:22:25.640 offered it huge flipper for David to shake. Sorry I 1439 01:22:25.720 --> 01:22:28.119 rushed off like that, it said. The trouble is I've 1440 01:22:28.119 --> 01:22:31.399 had such a bad case of war nerves. Why sometimes 1441 01:22:31.439 --> 01:22:33.479 I jump out of my skin at nothing at all? 1442 01:22:34.399 --> 01:22:37.520 Were you in the war, David asks, Ah, was, I, 1443 01:22:37.680 --> 01:22:41.439 sighed the sea monster. It flopped down comfortably on its belly, 1444 01:22:41.880 --> 01:22:44.560 curled its tail around its front flippers, and sighed again. 1445 01:22:45.159 --> 01:22:48.079 But David noticed that its whiskereds had perked up to 1446 01:22:48.159 --> 01:22:52.079 a quite cheerful angle. The sea monster was obviously delighted 1447 01:22:52.119 --> 01:22:55.600 to as someone listen to its troubles. Yes, it said, 1448 01:22:55.800 --> 01:22:59.119 heaving a third sigh. I was from the very beginning 1449 01:22:59.520 --> 01:23:00.000 much again. 1450 01:23:00.239 --> 01:23:03.119 My will guns all over the place. Terrible. 1451 01:23:04.239 --> 01:23:07.720 Did they shoot you, David asked, horrified, Well at me 1452 01:23:07.840 --> 01:23:10.279 in a way. I'm thankful to say they never hit me, 1453 01:23:10.960 --> 01:23:13.840 but there were some pretty near misses. All the oceans 1454 01:23:13.840 --> 01:23:16.760 were simply packed with ships. I couldn't lift my head 1455 01:23:16.800 --> 01:23:19.079 out of the water without bringing down a perfect rain 1456 01:23:19.159 --> 01:23:22.399 of shells and bullets. The intelligent thing in that case, 1457 01:23:22.439 --> 01:23:25.319 the Phoenix broke in with a sniff, would have been 1458 01:23:25.399 --> 01:23:30.880 to stay under water. Thank you, phoenix, said the sea 1459 01:23:30.920 --> 01:23:31.720 monster dryly. 1460 01:23:32.119 --> 01:23:33.279 But I do like to. 1461 01:23:33.239 --> 01:23:38.279 Breathe now and then. Anyway, I wasn't safe even under water. 1462 01:23:39.199 --> 01:23:42.840 They'd drop depth charges on me. One ship even launched 1463 01:23:42.840 --> 01:23:47.279 a torpedo at me. How awful, said David, tut my boy, 1464 01:23:47.359 --> 01:23:49.479 said the phoenix. I have no doubt our friend is 1465 01:23:49.520 --> 01:23:53.520 stretching the truth shamelessly. You need not look so smug, monster. 1466 01:23:54.119 --> 01:23:56.159 You are not the only one in the war. I 1467 01:23:56.199 --> 01:23:59.720 have gone through anti aircraft fire a number of times, 1468 01:24:00.239 --> 01:24:03.119 some of it was very severe. In fact, once I 1469 01:24:04.000 --> 01:24:07.159 once I had the whole North Atlantic fleet after me, 1470 01:24:07.279 --> 01:24:12.800 the Sea Monster interrupted proudly. And I remember the Franco 1471 01:24:12.960 --> 01:24:16.159 Prussian war, said the phoenix, which I dare say you 1472 01:24:16.279 --> 01:24:17.880 do not well? 1473 01:24:18.079 --> 01:24:21.800 Uh no, I don't. There you are, the phoenix, crowed. 1474 01:24:22.720 --> 01:24:26.399 The Sea Monster, looking rather ruffled, pointedly turned from the 1475 01:24:26.399 --> 01:24:29.279 Phoenix and said to David, what should you like to 1476 01:24:29.359 --> 01:24:33.680 do David. David suddenly remembered what they had come for, 1477 01:24:34.199 --> 01:24:38.640 and the excitement rushed back into his heart. He opened 1478 01:24:38.640 --> 01:24:41.680 his mouth to cry, we want to dig for treasure, 1479 01:24:42.279 --> 01:24:45.680 and then stopped short. Asking for money. He knew was 1480 01:24:45.720 --> 01:24:48.800 an impolite thing to do, especially from some one you 1481 01:24:48.840 --> 01:24:51.399 had only just met, and there was no telling how 1482 01:24:51.399 --> 01:24:54.439 the Sea Monster might feel about people nosing around for 1483 01:24:54.520 --> 01:24:57.520 its treasure. So he looked at the Phoenix and waited 1484 01:24:57.560 --> 01:25:02.520 for it to speak. The Phoenix caught David's glance, cleared 1485 01:25:02.520 --> 01:25:06.399 its throat several times and looked apologetically at the sea monster. 1486 01:25:07.159 --> 01:25:11.239 Monster Old chap It said soothingly, I am deeply sorry 1487 01:25:11.359 --> 01:25:16.079 for having doubted you just now, deeply sorry. Quite all right, 1488 01:25:16.119 --> 01:25:20.319 said the sea monster stiffly. Yes, the phoenix continued, We 1489 01:25:20.439 --> 01:25:24.039 both know that you have passed through perilous times, through 1490 01:25:24.119 --> 01:25:27.720 dangers which I must confess would have left me a 1491 01:25:27.800 --> 01:25:32.199 shattered wreck. The sea monster sighed sadly, but its whiskers 1492 01:25:32.199 --> 01:25:35.840 were beginning to rise again. The monster bears up very 1493 01:25:35.880 --> 01:25:39.479 well under this fearful strain, don't you think so, my boy? 1494 01:25:39.920 --> 01:25:43.640 A splendid example for the rest of us, magnificent. The 1495 01:25:43.680 --> 01:25:48.399 sea Monster's whiskers were quivering with pleasure. Monster, Old chap 1496 01:25:48.520 --> 01:25:51.239 Old friend, you are never one to let a boon 1497 01:25:51.359 --> 01:25:54.319 companion down. If I have said at once, I have 1498 01:25:54.399 --> 01:25:58.439 said it a hundred times the sea monster, I have said. 1499 01:25:58.800 --> 01:26:04.319 The sea monster is the helpful sort. Mention the words 1500 01:26:04.640 --> 01:26:09.039 staunch friend, I have said, and immediately the sea monster 1501 01:26:09.159 --> 01:26:13.000 comes to mind. The phoenix reached up one wing and 1502 01:26:13.079 --> 01:26:17.079 began to pat the sea monsters slipper Monster, Old chum, 1503 01:26:17.399 --> 01:26:22.239 we ah, we well, the plain fact is that we ah, 1504 01:26:22.479 --> 01:26:26.720 we have need of such a trifling matter here. The 1505 01:26:26.760 --> 01:26:29.800 phoenix gave a careless laugh that I should not really 1506 01:26:29.840 --> 01:26:32.399 bring it up at all. Ah, we need a bit 1507 01:26:32.439 --> 01:26:38.600 of money, oh, said the sea monster. Its whiskers sagged. Now, 1508 01:26:38.640 --> 01:26:41.760 please do not be offended, monster, said the phoenix hastily. 1509 01:26:42.239 --> 01:26:44.479 After all, you have no need for the treasure, and 1510 01:26:44.560 --> 01:26:48.520 it does absolutely no good buried under the ground. It 1511 01:26:48.560 --> 01:26:52.960 doesn't do any harm there either, said the sea monster. Really, Phoenix, 1512 01:26:53.039 --> 01:26:57.319 I never thought you, monster, said the phoenix solemnly. This 1513 01:26:58.279 --> 01:27:04.399 is a matter of life or death. Life or death. Ha, please, monsters, 1514 01:27:04.399 --> 01:27:07.239 said David. It really is life or death, because the 1515 01:27:07.279 --> 01:27:10.239 scientist is chasing the phoenix, and the phoenix has a 1516 01:27:10.279 --> 01:27:12.880 plan to escape him, and we need some money to 1517 01:27:12.960 --> 01:27:15.760 carry out the plan so the scientists can't hurt the phoenix. 1518 01:27:18.279 --> 01:27:20.880 A few small coins will do, added the phoenix, with 1519 01:27:20.920 --> 01:27:25.439 a winning smile, A Lewis di'eure, for example, or some 1520 01:27:25.560 --> 01:27:31.279 pieces of eight, after which you may bury the rest again, please, monsters, 1521 01:27:31.359 --> 01:27:37.079 David begged. The monster looked at David, at the Phoenix, 1522 01:27:37.279 --> 01:27:39.760 and then at David again, and then at the lagoon. 1523 01:27:40.359 --> 01:27:44.880 It's sighed a very doubtful sigh. Oh all right, it said, reluctantly. 1524 01:27:45.199 --> 01:27:47.840 But for goodness sake, don't go telling anyone where you 1525 01:27:47.960 --> 01:27:51.560 found it. Of course not, said the phoenix, and David 1526 01:27:51.640 --> 01:27:54.279 leaped up and shouted hooray and grabbed the spade and 1527 01:27:54.359 --> 01:27:59.479 his jacket. The stuff is on the next island, said 1528 01:27:59.520 --> 01:28:02.159 the sea man. I can swim over with you two 1529 01:28:02.199 --> 01:28:05.319 on my back. This way, please, we have to leave 1530 01:28:05.359 --> 01:28:09.520 from the outer beach. The sea monster was a magnificent swimmer. 1531 01:28:09.880 --> 01:28:12.239 Its neck cut through the water like the stem of 1532 01:28:12.279 --> 01:28:15.560 a Viking ship, and it left a frothing wake behind. 1533 01:28:16.079 --> 01:28:18.239 Every once in a while it would plunge its head 1534 01:28:18.279 --> 01:28:20.520 into the water and come up with a fish. 1535 01:28:20.479 --> 01:28:21.760 Which it would swallow whole. 1536 01:28:23.159 --> 01:28:26.640 Should you like some breakfast, David, said the sea monster. No, 1537 01:28:26.840 --> 01:28:30.279 thank you, David answered, but you go right ahead, phoenix. 1538 01:28:30.319 --> 01:28:32.079 He added, what are you doing? 1539 01:28:33.960 --> 01:28:36.199 The phoenix, which had been walking up and down with 1540 01:28:36.239 --> 01:28:39.960 its wings clasped behind its back, stopped and gazed over 1541 01:28:40.039 --> 01:28:44.239 the sea, pacing the quarter deck, My boy, scanning the horizon. 1542 01:28:44.720 --> 01:28:46.600 That is what one usually does at sea. 1543 01:28:46.680 --> 01:28:47.560 I believe. 1544 01:28:50.439 --> 01:28:53.239 You'll be wanting us to call you admiral, next, said 1545 01:28:53.239 --> 01:28:58.640 the sea monster acidly. They steamed on twenty minutes and 1546 01:28:58.800 --> 01:29:02.439 seventy six large breakfast fish. Later, they sighted the island, 1547 01:29:02.840 --> 01:29:06.800 a little smudge on the horizon. Dead ahead land hoe, 1548 01:29:07.000 --> 01:29:12.560 A voice croaked, Thank heavens. David turned in surprise. The 1549 01:29:12.600 --> 01:29:15.520 phoenix was no longer pacing the quarter deck and scanning 1550 01:29:15.560 --> 01:29:18.680 the horizon. It was sitting limply, with its head down 1551 01:29:18.720 --> 01:29:22.640 and a glassy stare in its eyes. You had better 1552 01:29:22.720 --> 01:29:24.760 hurry up, David said to the sea monster. 1553 01:29:25.119 --> 01:29:27.800 I think the phoenix is sea sick. I am not. 1554 01:29:28.000 --> 01:29:33.199 The phoenix gasped merely, LP temporary. The sea monster turned 1555 01:29:33.239 --> 01:29:36.880 and smiled sweetly at the phoenix. You'll get used to 1556 01:29:36.920 --> 01:29:40.319 it in no time, Admiral. When they landed, however, the 1557 01:29:40.359 --> 01:29:43.479 phoenix recovered rapidly and even began to put on a 1558 01:29:43.520 --> 01:29:48.159 slight nautical swagger. The sea monster humped off down the beach, 1559 01:29:48.720 --> 01:29:51.960 followed eagerly by the two treasure hunters, and a few 1560 01:29:52.000 --> 01:29:54.279 minutes it came to a halt and sniffed the sand 1561 01:29:54.439 --> 01:29:58.520 very carefully, swinging its head snakelike to and fro. It 1562 01:29:58.600 --> 01:30:02.840 settled on one spot, sniffed, it thoroughly felt the sand 1563 01:30:02.880 --> 01:30:09.680 with its whiskers, and then solemnly announced, here, ahoy me, hearties. 1564 01:30:09.720 --> 01:30:13.319 The phoenix shouted, turn too, and stand by to splice 1565 01:30:13.359 --> 01:30:18.199 the main brace. Steady as she goes mates. David needed 1566 01:30:18.239 --> 01:30:22.800 no encouragement from anyone. He began to dig furiously, flashing 1567 01:30:22.880 --> 01:30:25.199 in the sun. The spade bit into the beach, and 1568 01:30:25.279 --> 01:30:29.079 coarse white sand spurted in all directions. The phoenix was 1569 01:30:29.159 --> 01:30:32.439 quite as excited as David. It danced around the deepening 1570 01:30:32.520 --> 01:30:37.319 hole with isa sparkle, shouting such piratical terms as shiver 1571 01:30:37.479 --> 01:30:42.439 me timbers, strike your colors, and give 'em no quarter lads. 1572 01:30:42.479 --> 01:30:45.079 Suddenly it began to beat time with its wing and 1573 01:30:45.119 --> 01:30:48.359 to sing in a raucous voice. Cut the king's throat 1574 01:30:48.439 --> 01:30:51.479 and take the king's gold. Heave ho bullies for Panama. 1575 01:30:52.000 --> 01:30:54.479 There's plenty of loot for the lad who is bold. 1576 01:30:54.920 --> 01:30:59.600 Heave away bullies for Panama. You're flat on that last note, 1577 01:30:59.640 --> 01:31:05.399 said the sea monster. My dear monster, I have perfect pitch. Oh, yes, 1578 01:31:05.520 --> 01:31:07.439 you have perfect sea legs too. 1579 01:31:07.720 --> 01:31:07.960 Well. 1580 01:31:08.239 --> 01:31:11.159 Uh, how are you coming along, my boy? Any signs 1581 01:31:11.199 --> 01:31:14.920 of treasure David did not hear. In fact, he heard 1582 01:31:15.000 --> 01:31:18.000 nothing from the first crunch of the spade onward. His 1583 01:31:18.239 --> 01:31:21.520 education was now richer by this fact. Once you start 1584 01:31:21.560 --> 01:31:24.720 out after treasure. You can think of nothing else until 1585 01:31:24.720 --> 01:31:28.319 it is found. The sun was beating hotly on him. 1586 01:31:28.600 --> 01:31:32.039 Little rivulets of sweat poured down his face and arms, 1587 01:31:32.439 --> 01:31:35.840 his muscles ached, blisters were beginning to form on his hands. 1588 01:31:36.279 --> 01:31:39.680 Heedless of all, he dug on. He had settled into 1589 01:31:39.680 --> 01:31:42.159 the rhythm of it now and nothing could distract him. 1590 01:31:43.840 --> 01:31:46.159 Tell you what's a good thing for sea sickness, said 1591 01:31:46.199 --> 01:31:50.279 the sea monster, slyly, you take a pretending not to hear. 1592 01:31:50.479 --> 01:31:53.279 The phoenix stood first on one leg and then on 1593 01:31:54.039 --> 01:31:58.119 the other, and stared into the sky. David dug tirelessly. 1594 01:31:59.239 --> 01:32:02.560 Suddenly the bade grated on something solid, and they all jumped. 1595 01:32:02.760 --> 01:32:07.039 David shouted, here it is, and shoveled up sand frantically. 1596 01:32:07.680 --> 01:32:11.119 The phoenix danced around the hole, also shouting. Even the 1597 01:32:11.119 --> 01:32:13.560 sea monster arched its neck to get a better view. 1598 01:32:14.000 --> 01:32:17.800 They could see a brass ring crusted with verdigris, fastened 1599 01:32:17.840 --> 01:32:21.680 to a partly exposed piece of wood. The sand flew. 1600 01:32:22.359 --> 01:32:24.760 Now they could see studded strips of metal bound to 1601 01:32:24.800 --> 01:32:27.600 the wood in a rusty padlock, and in a few 1602 01:32:27.640 --> 01:32:31.399 minutes a whole chest with slanting sides and a curved lid. 1603 01:32:31.560 --> 01:32:36.039 And tarnished brass hinges was uncovered. David threw the spade 1604 01:32:36.119 --> 01:32:39.479 on the beach, seized the brass handle and tugged. It 1605 01:32:39.520 --> 01:32:42.520 came off in his hand. Here, let me, said the 1606 01:32:42.560 --> 01:32:45.479 sea monster. David got out of the hole, and the 1607 01:32:45.520 --> 01:32:50.439 sea monster worked one flipper carefully under the chest. Look Out, 1608 01:32:50.479 --> 01:32:55.319 it said, and heaved its slipper up. The chest shot 1609 01:32:55.399 --> 01:32:58.479 into the air, tumbled down end over end, and split 1610 01:32:58.520 --> 01:32:59.119 wide open. 1611 01:32:59.159 --> 01:32:59.680 On the beach. 1612 01:33:00.359 --> 01:33:05.319 David gasped a dazzling, sparkling heap spilled out on the sand. 1613 01:33:05.880 --> 01:33:09.039 There were heaps of gold and silver coins, the silver 1614 01:33:09.119 --> 01:33:16.880 black with tarnish, but the gold still bright. There were pearls, rubies, diamonds, barrels, emeralds, opals, sapphires, 1615 01:33:17.119 --> 01:33:27.159 amethysts and bracelets, necklaces, pendants, sunbursts, brooches, rings, pins, combs, buckles, lockets, buttons, crucifixes, 1616 01:33:27.520 --> 01:33:31.840 and carved pieces of jade and ivory and coral and 1617 01:33:32.000 --> 01:33:39.239 jet and coronets, crowns, tierras, armbands and jeweled daggers, picture frames, vases, 1618 01:33:39.720 --> 01:33:45.399 silver knives and forks, and spoons, sugar bowls, platters, goblets. 1619 01:33:46.199 --> 01:33:49.880 For an hour, they examined the treasure. David fairly wallowed 1620 01:33:49.880 --> 01:33:52.880 in it, exclaiming, look at this one, or oh, how beautiful, 1621 01:33:53.000 --> 01:33:57.800 or just golly. The phoenix muttered such things as king's 1622 01:33:57.840 --> 01:34:02.880 ransom and wealth of the Indies. The sea monster was 1623 01:34:02.920 --> 01:34:06.119 not interested in the treasure, but kept glancing nervously. 1624 01:34:05.640 --> 01:34:07.680 Out to sea. 1625 01:34:08.239 --> 01:34:10.800 At last, the phoenix said, I think we had better 1626 01:34:10.880 --> 01:34:13.800 make our choice. Three or four coins should do it. 1627 01:34:14.720 --> 01:34:17.680 The sea monster gave a relieved sigh. Let's get the 1628 01:34:17.680 --> 01:34:20.359 rest of it underground right away. You have no idea 1629 01:34:20.399 --> 01:34:21.560 what trouble it can cause. 1630 01:34:22.520 --> 01:34:23.720 The choice was difficult. 1631 01:34:23.800 --> 01:34:25.920 There were so many coins, all of them with queer 1632 01:34:25.920 --> 01:34:30.319 writing and heads of unknown gods and kings. David finally 1633 01:34:30.359 --> 01:34:33.359 picked out four gold pieces and tied them up in 1634 01:34:33.439 --> 01:34:37.000 his handkerchief. Then the sea monster swept the rest of 1635 01:34:37.039 --> 01:34:39.920 the treasure into the hole. They all pushed sand in 1636 01:34:40.039 --> 01:34:42.079 on top of it and jumped on the mound till 1637 01:34:42.079 --> 01:34:44.399 it was level with the rest of the beach. The 1638 01:34:44.439 --> 01:34:47.880 Phoenix turned to the sea monster and said, solemnly, monster, 1639 01:34:47.960 --> 01:34:50.840 old fellow, I knew you would not fail us. You 1640 01:34:50.920 --> 01:34:53.359 stood forth in our hour of need, and we shall 1641 01:34:53.399 --> 01:34:58.119 not forget. And David echoed, thank you, monster, the sea 1642 01:34:58.159 --> 01:34:59.960 monster ducked its head and blushed. 1643 01:35:00.439 --> 01:35:02.000 A wave of fiery. 1644 01:35:01.720 --> 01:35:05.920 Red started at its nose, traveled rapidly back over its ears, 1645 01:35:06.239 --> 01:35:09.039 down its neck, along the body, and fanned out to 1646 01:35:09.079 --> 01:35:11.640 the tips of its flippers and the extreme end of 1647 01:35:11.640 --> 01:35:16.159 the barb in its tail. Even its whiskers turned pique. Well, 1648 01:35:16.399 --> 01:35:19.880 uh glad to help. Uh nothing to it, really, it mumbled. 1649 01:35:20.279 --> 01:35:23.600 Then it turned abruptly, galloped down to the sea, plunged 1650 01:35:23.640 --> 01:35:26.960 into the surf, and was gone. End of chapter six. 1651 01:35:27.920 --> 01:35:31.479 Chapter seven, in which the Phoenix plan is carried out. 1652 01:35:31.560 --> 01:35:36.640 And there are more alarms and excursions in the night. Now, 1653 01:35:36.720 --> 01:35:39.199 my boy, said the Phoenix. When they got back to 1654 01:35:39.239 --> 01:35:43.199 the Ledge that afternoon. Are the shops still open? I 1655 01:35:43.239 --> 01:35:46.159 think they're open till six, said David, shaking the sand 1656 01:35:46.159 --> 01:35:50.239 out of his shoes. Are we going to buy something? Precisely, 1657 01:35:50.319 --> 01:35:53.960 my boy, A hardware store should have what we need. 1658 01:35:54.479 --> 01:35:57.079 Now you will take our gold and purchase the following, 1659 01:35:57.680 --> 01:36:00.560 and the Phoenix listed the things it wanted and told 1660 01:36:00.640 --> 01:36:02.920 David which to bring to the ledge, in which to 1661 01:36:03.000 --> 01:36:07.800 leave below. And a hatchet. The Phoenix concluded, we have 1662 01:36:07.920 --> 01:36:11.239 one at home already, said David. Now listen phoenix, can't 1663 01:36:11.279 --> 01:36:12.720 you tell me what all this is for? 1664 01:36:13.239 --> 01:36:15.840 What are we going to do with it? My boy? 1665 01:36:16.359 --> 01:36:20.239 The feline's existence was terminated as a direct result of 1666 01:36:20.239 --> 01:36:21.640 its inquisitiveness. 1667 01:36:22.199 --> 01:36:25.640 What did you say? Curiosity killed the cat. 1668 01:36:25.479 --> 01:36:29.319 Explained the phoenix. Oh, but now run along, my boy, 1669 01:36:29.760 --> 01:36:32.199 A very important thought has just come to me. I 1670 01:36:32.279 --> 01:36:35.479 must meditate a while. The phoenix glanced at the thicket and. 1671 01:36:35.479 --> 01:36:37.039 Hid a yawn behind one wing. 1672 01:36:37.960 --> 01:36:40.560 Oh, all right, said David, I'll see you in the morning. 1673 01:36:40.600 --> 01:36:43.560 Then it wasn't until he got home that he thought 1674 01:36:43.560 --> 01:36:47.279 of something. He couldn't spend pirate gold pieces, or even 1675 01:36:47.319 --> 01:36:50.000 show them to any one without being asked a lot 1676 01:36:50.039 --> 01:36:51.359 of embarrassing questions. 1677 01:36:51.880 --> 01:36:54.039 What to do? Ask Dad or. 1678 01:36:54.000 --> 01:36:57.000 Mother or aunt Amy to lend him some money more 1679 01:36:57.039 --> 01:37:01.079 embarrassing questions. Well, he would have to rob his bank. 1680 01:37:01.640 --> 01:37:05.319 But wait, why hadn't he remembered just before they had moved, 1681 01:37:05.399 --> 01:37:08.119 Uncle Charles had given him a ten dollar bill as 1682 01:37:08.159 --> 01:37:11.000 a farewell present. He had been saving it for a 1683 01:37:11.000 --> 01:37:14.399 model airplane, but the excitement of the last few days 1684 01:37:14.399 --> 01:37:17.239 had driven it completely out of his mind. Of course, 1685 01:37:17.279 --> 01:37:20.439 the phoenix's plan was more important than any model plane 1686 01:37:20.520 --> 01:37:23.760 could be, so he kept the gold pieces tied up 1687 01:37:23.800 --> 01:37:26.399 in his handkerchief and took his ten dollars to a 1688 01:37:26.439 --> 01:37:29.640 hardware store where he bought what the phoenix wanted, a 1689 01:37:29.680 --> 01:37:33.359 coil of rope, an electric door bell, a pushbutton, and 1690 01:37:33.439 --> 01:37:36.800 one hundred feet of insulated wire. Then he brought the 1691 01:37:36.840 --> 01:37:39.800 package home, hid it behind the woodpile in the garage, 1692 01:37:39.880 --> 01:37:44.640 and sat down to think wire, bell, push button, What 1693 01:37:44.760 --> 01:37:47.920 could the phoenix possibly want with them? And what was 1694 01:37:47.960 --> 01:37:51.000 the rope for? And the hatchet. The more he puzzled 1695 01:37:51.039 --> 01:37:53.520 over it, the more confused he became, and finally he 1696 01:37:53.720 --> 01:37:55.880 just gave up. There was only one thing he was 1697 01:37:55.960 --> 01:37:58.800 sure about. Whatever the plan was, they would have to 1698 01:37:58.840 --> 01:38:01.680 carry it out as soon as possible. Two days had 1699 01:38:01.680 --> 01:38:05.039 passed since the scientist had shown up. The new gun 1700 01:38:05.119 --> 01:38:08.920 he had ordered might arrive at any time now, perhaps 1701 01:38:08.960 --> 01:38:12.359 even today, When they had been digging up the pirate treasure, 1702 01:38:12.760 --> 01:38:15.760 the scientist had got his new rifle and had started 1703 01:38:15.800 --> 01:38:19.000 to hunt through the mountains. The thought gave David a 1704 01:38:19.039 --> 01:38:21.880 creepy feeling on the back of his neck. They certainly 1705 01:38:21.880 --> 01:38:25.520 would have to hurry. Early next morning, David climbed up 1706 01:38:25.520 --> 01:38:27.920 to the ledge, bringing with him the coil of rope 1707 01:38:27.920 --> 01:38:31.199 and the hatchet. As an afterthought, he had added a 1708 01:38:31.239 --> 01:38:35.239 paper bag full of cookies. Here's the stuff, phoenix, he 1709 01:38:35.279 --> 01:38:37.239 called out as he stepped on to the ledge. 1710 01:38:37.359 --> 01:38:37.920 Where are you? 1711 01:38:38.920 --> 01:38:41.279 There was a crash from the thicket, as though someone 1712 01:38:41.359 --> 01:38:44.640 had jumped up in it suddenly, and the phoenix stumbled out, 1713 01:38:44.720 --> 01:38:48.239 rubbing its eyes. Ah splendid, my boy, Yes, I was 1714 01:38:48.399 --> 01:38:52.000 just ah thinking, phoenix, said David. I'm not going to 1715 01:38:52.039 --> 01:38:54.720 ask you again what your plan is, because I know 1716 01:38:54.760 --> 01:38:57.199 you'll tell me when it's time. But whatever it is, 1717 01:38:57.239 --> 01:38:59.800 we'd better do it right now. The scientist may show 1718 01:38:59.840 --> 01:39:04.199 up any minute. Precisely, my boy, never put off until tomorrow. 1719 01:39:04.199 --> 01:39:07.000 What can be done today? One of my favorite proverbs. 1720 01:39:07.279 --> 01:39:10.279 We shall begin immediately, hear. The phoenix caught sight of 1721 01:39:10.319 --> 01:39:13.439 the bag in David's hand and added hastily, But of 1722 01:39:13.479 --> 01:39:16.159 course we must not forget that first things come first. 1723 01:39:16.600 --> 01:39:19.600 You might have brought more, said the phoenix. Fifteen minutes later, 1724 01:39:20.079 --> 01:39:23.199 there weren't any more in the jar. David said, Phoenix, 1725 01:39:23.279 --> 01:39:25.560 Please tell me what we're going to do. I don't 1726 01:39:25.560 --> 01:39:28.520 care if curiosity did kill the cat. I've been thinking 1727 01:39:28.560 --> 01:39:31.720 about the rope and wire and bell all night, and 1728 01:39:31.800 --> 01:39:35.439 I can't make heads or tails out of it. The 1729 01:39:35.479 --> 01:39:38.800 phoenix gave a pleased laugh. Of course you cannot, my boy. 1730 01:39:38.920 --> 01:39:42.119 The plan is far too profound for you to guess 1731 01:39:42.159 --> 01:39:44.640 what it is. But set your mind at rest. I 1732 01:39:44.680 --> 01:39:51.479 shall now explain the rope and hatchet. David leaned forward eagerly. Now, scientists, 1733 01:39:51.560 --> 01:39:54.359 you know, have fixed habits. If you know those habits, 1734 01:39:54.359 --> 01:39:56.680 you can predict just what they will do at any time. 1735 01:39:58.000 --> 01:40:01.279 Our particular scientist is a daytime That is to say, 1736 01:40:01.319 --> 01:40:05.079 he comes at dawn and goes at dusk, his invariable habit. 1737 01:40:05.159 --> 01:40:08.960 My boy, Well there you are, my boy, said the 1738 01:40:08.960 --> 01:40:12.479 phoenix triumphantly. We shall sleep during the day and continue 1739 01:40:12.479 --> 01:40:13.800 your education at night. 1740 01:40:14.840 --> 01:40:15.720 Oh, said David. 1741 01:40:16.039 --> 01:40:19.479 He thought about this awhile, then asked, but suppose the 1742 01:40:19.560 --> 01:40:21.880 scientist comes up on the ledge during the day and 1743 01:40:21.960 --> 01:40:22.920 catches you asleep. 1744 01:40:23.199 --> 01:40:23.560 Aha. 1745 01:40:23.840 --> 01:40:26.800 That is where the rope and hatchet come in. Never fear, 1746 01:40:26.840 --> 01:40:30.119 my boy, I thought of that. Also, we are going 1747 01:40:30.159 --> 01:40:32.880 to construct a snare at each end of the ledge. 1748 01:40:33.119 --> 01:40:36.720 How hand me that twig, my boy. The phoenix took 1749 01:40:36.760 --> 01:40:39.840 the twig, found a bare spot of earth and sketched 1750 01:40:39.840 --> 01:40:42.640 a picture. First, we find a sapling and clear the 1751 01:40:42.640 --> 01:40:45.640 branches from it with a hatchet like this. Next, we 1752 01:40:45.680 --> 01:40:47.760 get a stake, cut a notch in it and drive 1753 01:40:47.800 --> 01:40:51.039 it into the ground, so the sapling is bent down 1754 01:40:51.119 --> 01:40:53.800 to it and fitted into the notch which holds it down. 1755 01:40:54.119 --> 01:40:56.760 You see, my boy. Now we make a noose, so 1756 01:40:57.039 --> 01:40:59.720 from a piece of rope, tie it to the end 1757 01:40:59.760 --> 01:41:02.239 of the sapling and spread the loop out on the path. 1758 01:41:02.319 --> 01:41:05.920 This way the whole snare is hidden under grass and leaves. 1759 01:41:06.720 --> 01:41:09.119 The phoenix beamed and flung out its wings in a 1760 01:41:09.199 --> 01:41:13.000 dramatic gesture. Just picture it, my dear Chap, the scientists 1761 01:41:13.039 --> 01:41:17.520 smiling evilly as he skulks along the path, the unwary footstep, 1762 01:41:17.920 --> 01:41:21.760 the sapling jarred out of the notch, springing upward the 1763 01:41:21.800 --> 01:41:25.359 tightened noose, and our arch enemy dangling by the foot 1764 01:41:25.399 --> 01:41:30.199 in mid air, completely at our mercy. Magnificent golly phoenix, 1765 01:41:30.239 --> 01:41:34.640 said David. That's pretty clever, clever, my boy, better to say, 1766 01:41:34.680 --> 01:41:38.600 a stroke of genius. Only I phoenix could have thought 1767 01:41:38.600 --> 01:41:41.720 of it, And consider the poetic justice of it. This 1768 01:41:41.880 --> 01:41:44.479 is exactly the sort of trap that the scientist once 1769 01:41:44.520 --> 01:41:48.800 set for me. Well shall we begin. The phoenix had 1770 01:41:48.800 --> 01:41:52.239 made the snares sound delightfully simple, but they soon discovered 1771 01:41:52.239 --> 01:41:55.000 that the job was harder than it sounded. First, they 1772 01:41:55.039 --> 01:41:57.880 had to find the right kind of sapling, springy and strong. 1773 01:41:58.479 --> 01:42:01.439 The sapling had to be in the right place, one 1774 01:42:01.479 --> 01:42:04.359 by the goat trail, the other at the far end 1775 01:42:04.399 --> 01:42:07.159 of the ledge. When they had been chosen, David had 1776 01:42:07.159 --> 01:42:10.520 to shinny up them to lop off their branches. That 1777 01:42:10.680 --> 01:42:14.199 was a very awkward business. A sapling swayed and trembled 1778 01:42:14.520 --> 01:42:17.199 under his weight, and he could only use one hand 1779 01:42:17.239 --> 01:42:20.079 for the hatchet. Then he had to make two stakes 1780 01:42:20.079 --> 01:42:23.079 from stout hard wood, cut a notch at one end, 1781 01:42:23.119 --> 01:42:25.119 and drive them into the ground with the flat of 1782 01:42:25.159 --> 01:42:28.159 the hatchet. But the hardest part was trying to bend 1783 01:42:28.159 --> 01:42:31.079 the sapling down to the stake and fitting it into 1784 01:42:31.119 --> 01:42:33.720 the notch. It took the weight of both of them 1785 01:42:33.760 --> 01:42:36.159 to bring the sapling to the ground. If they got 1786 01:42:36.199 --> 01:42:38.760 the slightest bit off balance, it would spring up again. 1787 01:42:39.319 --> 01:42:42.880 Once David fell off, the sapling went swish back into 1788 01:42:42.920 --> 01:42:46.239 the air, flinging the astonished phoenix thirty feet up the 1789 01:42:46.279 --> 01:42:49.960 mountain side. It was not until the afternoon, when the 1790 01:42:50.000 --> 01:42:52.960 sun had turned rudy and shadows were beginning to stretch 1791 01:42:53.039 --> 01:42:56.359 dark fingers across the land that they finished the job. 1792 01:42:56.840 --> 01:42:59.239 But at last the saplings were set in the notches, 1793 01:43:00.119 --> 01:43:03.640 uses were formed and fastened on grass, and leaves were 1794 01:43:03.680 --> 01:43:08.119 strewn over. The snares, chips, hewn branches, and other evidences 1795 01:43:08.159 --> 01:43:11.560 of their work were removed. They sat down and looked 1796 01:43:11.600 --> 01:43:15.159 proudly at each other. My boy said the phoenix. I 1797 01:43:15.199 --> 01:43:18.439 have had a wide and sometimes painful experience with traps, 1798 01:43:18.840 --> 01:43:20.840 so you may believe me when I say that these 1799 01:43:20.880 --> 01:43:22.840 are among the best I have seen. 1800 01:43:24.199 --> 01:43:25.119 We have done well. 1801 01:43:27.199 --> 01:43:30.199 They're sure strong enough, David agreed, flexing his fingers to 1802 01:43:30.239 --> 01:43:32.760 take the stiffness out of them. But what are we 1803 01:43:32.840 --> 01:43:37.000 going to do if the scientist does get caught in one? 1804 01:43:37.159 --> 01:43:40.760 We shall burn that bridge when we reach it, my boy, Now, 1805 01:43:41.159 --> 01:43:45.279 do you have the pliers, wire cutters and screwdriver below? Yes, 1806 01:43:45.319 --> 01:43:47.439 they're down in the cellar. What are we going to 1807 01:43:47.479 --> 01:43:51.399 do with them? Phoenix? Patience? Patience, you will be told 1808 01:43:51.399 --> 01:43:54.600 when the time comes. I shall meet you tonight after dark, 1809 01:43:54.640 --> 01:43:56.520 as soon as it is safe for me to come down. 1810 01:43:57.000 --> 01:43:59.960 I trust you will have everything ready. Are you coming 1811 01:44:00.319 --> 01:44:02.079 down precisely? 1812 01:44:02.119 --> 01:44:02.520 My boy? 1813 01:44:02.640 --> 01:44:05.439 A risk I admit, but a necessary one. There is 1814 01:44:05.479 --> 01:44:08.880 a hedge at the back of your house, is there not, splendid? 1815 01:44:09.159 --> 01:44:13.199 You may await me there. David, sitting in the shadow 1816 01:44:13.239 --> 01:44:15.800 of the hedge, jumped when he heard the phoenix's quiet. 1817 01:44:15.800 --> 01:44:19.520 Good evening, My boy, phoenix, he whispered, how did you 1818 01:44:19.600 --> 01:44:19.880 do it? 1819 01:44:20.279 --> 01:44:20.640 Golly? 1820 01:44:20.680 --> 01:44:22.560 I didn't see you at all, and it isn't even 1821 01:44:22.640 --> 01:44:25.399 dark yet. I have been hunted long enough, my boy, 1822 01:44:25.520 --> 01:44:28.239 to have learned a few tricks. It is merely a 1823 01:44:28.279 --> 01:44:31.920 matter of gliding close to the ground, selecting the best shadows, 1824 01:44:32.159 --> 01:44:35.159 and keeping a sharp lookout. Well, let us get on 1825 01:44:35.319 --> 01:44:37.560 with the plan. Have you the tools here? 1826 01:44:38.279 --> 01:44:38.520 Yes? 1827 01:44:38.600 --> 01:44:42.840 Here, they are splendid now, my boy, since we must 1828 01:44:42.880 --> 01:44:45.920 continue your education during the night, it is necessary that 1829 01:44:45.960 --> 01:44:48.079 we have some way of getting in touch with each other. 1830 01:44:49.000 --> 01:44:50.880 If you climb the mountain side in the dark, you 1831 01:44:50.920 --> 01:44:54.159 may unwittingly fall into our own snare. It is far 1832 01:44:54.239 --> 01:44:56.199 easier for me to come down than it is for 1833 01:44:56.279 --> 01:44:58.960 you to go up, and under cover of darkness, I 1834 01:44:58.960 --> 01:45:02.560 can do it quite safely. The question now is how 1835 01:45:02.640 --> 01:45:05.520 will you know when I have arrived that my boy 1836 01:45:05.680 --> 01:45:09.359 is the nub or crux of the situation. A difficult problem, 1837 01:45:09.359 --> 01:45:11.920 you will admit, But I have worked out the solution. 1838 01:45:12.560 --> 01:45:16.880 The Phoenix lowered its voice impressively. My boy, we are 1839 01:45:16.920 --> 01:45:19.560 going to install this bell in your room, and the 1840 01:45:19.600 --> 01:45:22.720 pushbuton on the base of that telephone pole. When I 1841 01:45:22.800 --> 01:45:25.119 arrive here at night, I shall press the button to 1842 01:45:25.199 --> 01:45:27.199 let you know that I am ready to go. A 1843 01:45:27.239 --> 01:45:33.439 magnificent idea, isn't it. It did not seem very practical 1844 01:45:33.439 --> 01:45:37.079 to David. Well, Phoenix, that's a good idea, he said, carefully, 1845 01:45:37.680 --> 01:45:39.960 But how are we going to hide the wires? And 1846 01:45:39.960 --> 01:45:43.000 what about the noise of the bell? Nothing to it, 1847 01:45:43.159 --> 01:45:46.239 my boy, the wires. There are wires between your house 1848 01:45:46.279 --> 01:45:49.159 and the telephone pole already. One more would not be 1849 01:45:49.279 --> 01:45:52.840 noticed the noise. You have a pillow on your bed 1850 01:45:53.000 --> 01:45:57.119 under which the bell can be muffled. Yes, that's true. 1851 01:45:57.199 --> 01:46:02.239 It still sounded impractical. Just a man, the Phoenix continued enthusiastically. 1852 01:46:02.560 --> 01:46:05.439 Perhaps later we can install another bell at this end. 1853 01:46:06.920 --> 01:46:09.319 Then we could learn Morse code and send messages to 1854 01:46:09.359 --> 01:46:13.920 each other, exactly like a private telephone line. Put in 1855 01:46:13.960 --> 01:46:16.479 this way, the idea had a certain appeal, and David 1856 01:46:16.520 --> 01:46:19.359 found himself warming to it. But there was another thing. 1857 01:46:19.399 --> 01:46:24.359 To consider. How about electricity, Phoenix, look above you, my boy, 1858 01:46:24.640 --> 01:46:27.560 the telephone pole is simply loaded down with power lines 1859 01:46:27.600 --> 01:46:31.880 waiting to be tapped. The phoenix was evidently set on 1860 01:46:32.000 --> 01:46:34.880 carrying out the plan, and David did not want to 1861 01:46:35.159 --> 01:46:38.640 wear out the bird's patience with more objections, and well, 1862 01:46:38.680 --> 01:46:41.600 why not, there should be no harm in trying it 1863 01:46:41.600 --> 01:46:45.079 out anyway. They gathered up the tools and walked along 1864 01:46:45.119 --> 01:46:47.840 the hedge to the telephone pole, which was in one 1865 01:46:47.920 --> 01:46:52.399 corner of the yard. The phoenix began to uncoil the wire, 1866 01:46:53.399 --> 01:46:56.960 while David gazed up doubtfully at the shadowy maze of 1867 01:46:57.079 --> 01:47:02.439 lines and insulators on the cross arms. Electricity said, the 1868 01:47:02.479 --> 01:47:07.199 phoenix thoughtfully is a complicated and profound subject. There are ampers, 1869 01:47:07.359 --> 01:47:10.399 and there are volts, and there are kilowatt hours. I 1870 01:47:10.479 --> 01:47:14.399 might also mention positive and negative, and ah, all that 1871 01:47:14.560 --> 01:47:18.760 sort of thing most profound. Perhaps I had better investigate 1872 01:47:18.880 --> 01:47:23.479 up there, screwdriver please. The phoenix took the screwdriver in 1873 01:47:23.560 --> 01:47:26.239 one claw and flew up to the top of the pole. 1874 01:47:26.840 --> 01:47:29.159 David could hear the creak of the lines under the 1875 01:47:29.159 --> 01:47:32.359 phoenix's weight and the rattling of the screwdriver against the 1876 01:47:32.359 --> 01:47:33.520 porcelain insulators. 1877 01:47:34.600 --> 01:47:35.359 For some minutes. 1878 01:47:35.399 --> 01:47:39.640 The phoenix investigated, clicking and scraping about and muttering quite so, 1879 01:47:39.880 --> 01:47:42.760 and there we are. Then it fluttered down again and 1880 01:47:42.840 --> 01:47:46.920 rubbed its wings together. The whole situation up there is 1881 01:47:46.960 --> 01:47:49.000 a lot simpler than I thought it would be, my boy. 1882 01:47:49.560 --> 01:47:51.920 The power lines merely come up to the pole on 1883 01:47:51.920 --> 01:47:54.960 one side, pass through the insulator, and go away from 1884 01:47:54.960 --> 01:47:58.439 the pole on the other side. Child's play. The covering 1885 01:47:58.479 --> 01:48:00.760 on the lines is rather tough, how however, we shall 1886 01:48:00.760 --> 01:48:05.680 have to use the wire cutters. The phoenix returned to 1887 01:48:05.760 --> 01:48:08.520 the top of the pole with the cutters and worked 1888 01:48:08.560 --> 01:48:11.680 on the wires for five more minutes. Bits of debris 1889 01:48:11.720 --> 01:48:15.079 began to shower down on the hedge. One of the 1890 01:48:15.079 --> 01:48:19.279 wires vibrated on a low note, like a slack guitar string. 1891 01:48:21.359 --> 01:48:24.800 We must not forget the difference between alternating and direct current, 1892 01:48:24.840 --> 01:48:27.319 my boy, said the phoenix, as it flew down again. 1893 01:48:27.720 --> 01:48:31.159 An important problem that where is our wire? Ah, there 1894 01:48:31.199 --> 01:48:35.079 we are the pliers. Please do you need any help 1895 01:48:35.159 --> 01:48:38.760 up there? David asked, Now everything is coming along beautifully, 1896 01:48:38.760 --> 01:48:42.119 thank you. I shall have everything finished in a flash, 1897 01:48:42.159 --> 01:48:44.560 trailing one end of the wire in its beak. The 1898 01:48:44.560 --> 01:48:48.159 phoenix flew up into the darkness. Once more, The tinkering 1899 01:48:48.279 --> 01:48:52.199 sounds began again, and a spurt of falling debris rattled 1900 01:48:52.239 --> 01:48:56.640 in the leaves of the hedge. Suddenly, it happened. There 1901 01:48:56.680 --> 01:49:00.239 was a terrific burst of blue light, sharp squawk from 1902 01:49:00.239 --> 01:49:04.199 the phoenix, and a shower of sparks. Another blue flash 1903 01:49:04.239 --> 01:49:08.479 blazed up. The lights in the house and down the 1904 01:49:08.479 --> 01:49:12.520 whole street flickered and went out in the blackness which followed. 1905 01:49:12.880 --> 01:49:15.760 Each stage of the phoenix's descent could be heard as 1906 01:49:15.800 --> 01:49:20.279 clearly as cannon shots. The twanging and snapping as it 1907 01:49:20.319 --> 01:49:23.159 tumbled through the wires, a drawn out squawk, and the 1908 01:49:23.199 --> 01:49:26.319 flop of wings in the air. Below the crash into 1909 01:49:26.319 --> 01:49:30.039 the hedge, the jarring thud against the ground. Broken wires 1910 01:49:30.079 --> 01:49:33.880 began to sputter ominously and fire out sparks. A smell 1911 01:49:33.920 --> 01:49:37.680 of singed feathers and burning rubber filled the air. By 1912 01:49:37.720 --> 01:49:40.399 the light of the sparks, David saw the phoenix staggering 1913 01:49:40.439 --> 01:49:43.920 to its feet. He jumped to the bird's side, but 1914 01:49:43.960 --> 01:49:47.640 the phoenix waved him away with its wing. Quick My boy, 1915 01:49:47.720 --> 01:49:51.399 it gasped, We must make a strategic retreat. Meet me 1916 01:49:51.479 --> 01:49:54.840 on the ledge in the morning out the phoenix beat 1917 01:49:54.840 --> 01:49:57.479 at the smoldering sparks in its tail and flew off, 1918 01:49:58.039 --> 01:50:00.840 leaving a trail of acrid smoke hanging in the air. 1919 01:50:01.640 --> 01:50:03.880 David had the presence of mind to gather up all 1920 01:50:03.920 --> 01:50:07.479 the tools, the wire, bell and pushbutton, and one of 1921 01:50:07.520 --> 01:50:10.319 the phoenix's feathers, which had been torn out during the fall. 1922 01:50:11.079 --> 01:50:13.840 He slipped through a cellar window, hid the equipment under 1923 01:50:13.880 --> 01:50:17.279 a stack of old boxes, and ran noisily up the 1924 01:50:17.359 --> 01:50:21.359 stairs into the kitchen. Hey, he shouted, The lights are out. 1925 01:50:22.439 --> 01:50:23.239 Is that you dear? 1926 01:50:23.359 --> 01:50:27.960 Came mother's anxious voice from the dining room. The telephone's dead, 1927 01:50:28.079 --> 01:50:32.079 Dad shouted from the hall. Aunt Amy came bumping down 1928 01:50:32.079 --> 01:50:35.439 the stairs with a candle. It's the burglar, she cried, 1929 01:50:35.880 --> 01:50:37.920 turning out all the lights so he can murder us 1930 01:50:37.960 --> 01:50:43.199 in our beds. Look, David shouted, the line's broken in 1931 01:50:43.239 --> 01:50:47.119 our backyard. They could hear the wailing of sirens. Now 1932 01:50:47.279 --> 01:50:50.680 fire trucks, repair trucks, and police cars pulled up in 1933 01:50:50.720 --> 01:50:51.560 front of the house. 1934 01:50:52.680 --> 01:50:53.439 Everyone in the. 1935 01:50:53.359 --> 01:50:56.560 Block turned out to see what had happened. It took 1936 01:50:56.600 --> 01:50:59.520 the repair men an hour to untangle the wires, and 1937 01:50:59.520 --> 01:51:02.760 fix them. And all the time policemen were going through 1938 01:51:02.760 --> 01:51:06.119 the crowd, asking questions and writing things down in their 1939 01:51:06.159 --> 01:51:10.199 note books. They were looking rather haggard, David thought. End 1940 01:51:10.279 --> 01:51:14.239 of chapter seven, Chapter eight, in which David and the 1941 01:51:14.279 --> 01:51:17.680 phoenix visit a banshee and a surprise as planted in 1942 01:51:17.720 --> 01:51:22.479 the enemy's camp. Next day, Mother asked David to help 1943 01:51:22.520 --> 01:51:25.119 her straighten out the garden, which had been trampled by 1944 01:51:25.119 --> 01:51:28.039 the repairman, so he could not go to see the 1945 01:51:28.079 --> 01:51:31.359 phoenix until after lunch. But when that was finished, he 1946 01:51:31.479 --> 01:51:33.760 rushed up the mountain side as fast as he could, 1947 01:51:34.399 --> 01:51:36.760 wondering all the way what he and the phoenix were 1948 01:51:36.760 --> 01:51:39.000 going to do now. The ledge was empty. When he 1949 01:51:39.039 --> 01:51:44.279 got there, he shouted phoenix and listened. Hell came a faint, 1950 01:51:44.479 --> 01:51:48.119 answering cry from the other end of the ledge. David 1951 01:51:48.199 --> 01:51:51.359 jumped through the thicket. A pitiful sight met his eyes. 1952 01:51:51.840 --> 01:51:55.079 There was the phoenix, dangling by one foot from the snare, 1953 01:51:55.560 --> 01:51:59.800 its wings fably struggling, and its free foot clawing the air. 1954 01:52:00.600 --> 01:52:04.000 The feathers of its wings and tail were singed. Great 1955 01:52:04.039 --> 01:52:07.000 beads of sweat rolled from its forehead into a puddle 1956 01:52:07.079 --> 01:52:11.000 on the ground below The snared foot was blue and swollen. 1957 01:52:12.159 --> 01:52:16.119 Get me down, gasped the phoenix weakly. David took a 1958 01:52:16.199 --> 01:52:19.039 running leap at the sapling, which broke under the sudden 1959 01:52:19.079 --> 01:52:21.640 increase of weight, and the two of them crashed to 1960 01:52:21.680 --> 01:52:25.239 the ground. He unfastened the noose and dragged the phoenix 1961 01:52:25.239 --> 01:52:29.239 to the shadiest, softest spot on the ledge hoist with 1962 01:52:29.359 --> 01:52:33.199 my own petards, said the phoenix, bitterly rub my foot. 1963 01:52:33.199 --> 01:52:37.119 Will you, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, hurts. 1964 01:52:37.520 --> 01:52:38.159 What happened? 1965 01:52:38.199 --> 01:52:40.880 David asked, as he rubbed the swollen foot. How long 1966 01:52:40.920 --> 01:52:44.119 have you been caught? Missed my way in the dark? 1967 01:52:44.199 --> 01:52:47.560 Said the phoenix, wiping its brow. Thought I was on 1968 01:52:47.640 --> 01:52:50.319 the other side of the ledge and landed right on 1969 01:52:50.479 --> 01:52:54.159 that fool trap. Hung there all night and all morning. 1970 01:52:54.720 --> 01:52:58.359 Thought you would never come, My boy, Oh dear, oh dear, 1971 01:52:58.920 --> 01:53:03.560 what a horrible experience. My tail was still on fire 1972 01:53:03.640 --> 01:53:07.039 when I landed too. I fully expected to be burned 1973 01:53:07.079 --> 01:53:12.479 to a crisp. A large tear rolled down the phoenix's beak. 1974 01:53:12.840 --> 01:53:17.359 David murmured soothing words and continued to chafe the phoenix's foot. 1975 01:53:17.800 --> 01:53:21.199 Does it feel any better now? The feeling is coming back, 1976 01:53:21.279 --> 01:53:24.920 my boy, said the phoenix, gritting its beak ouch all 1977 01:53:24.960 --> 01:53:29.199 pins and needles. It flexed its toes gingerly rub a 1978 01:53:29.239 --> 01:53:33.039 bit more, please gently, The swelling began to go down. 1979 01:53:33.560 --> 01:53:36.560 With a handful of damp grass, David soothed the marks 1980 01:53:36.640 --> 01:53:40.680 left by the noose. That stupid electric company, the phoenix 1981 01:53:40.720 --> 01:53:44.239 suddenly burst out, putting everyone in danger with a short 1982 01:53:44.279 --> 01:53:47.520 circuited power line. Let this be a lesson to you, 1983 01:53:47.600 --> 01:53:51.239 my boy. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. They 1984 01:53:51.239 --> 01:53:53.920 will hear from us. Believe me, we shall write them 1985 01:53:53.960 --> 01:53:59.159 a stiff complaint. Well, phoenix, said David. Hopefully we can 1986 01:53:59.159 --> 01:54:02.159 set the snare again if we can find another good sapling. 1987 01:54:02.560 --> 01:54:04.880 And we still have the other one, so we're pretty 1988 01:54:04.920 --> 01:54:08.399 well protected. And why couldn't we meet every night by 1989 01:54:08.520 --> 01:54:12.399 the hedge the way we did last night. The bell 1990 01:54:12.600 --> 01:54:15.399 was a good idea, but we could get along without it. 1991 01:54:16.279 --> 01:54:19.159 The phoenix sighed, I suppose you are right, my boy. 1992 01:54:19.439 --> 01:54:22.880 There is no use crying over spilt milk. One must 1993 01:54:22.880 --> 01:54:27.479 set one's jaw and good heavens, my boy duck. The 1994 01:54:27.520 --> 01:54:30.520 phoenix threw itself to the ground and wildly motioned to 1995 01:54:30.600 --> 01:54:34.079 David to do the same. He flattened himself out beside 1996 01:54:34.079 --> 01:54:37.640 the bird and said, what is it? Phoenix down the 1997 01:54:37.680 --> 01:54:40.680 mountain side, whispered the phoenix. Look, do not stick your 1998 01:54:40.720 --> 01:54:44.640 head over too far. David wormed his way to the edge, 1999 01:54:45.079 --> 01:54:48.640 peered down and gasped below him on the grassy slope 2000 01:54:48.680 --> 01:54:50.680 at the foot of the scarp with a figure clad 2001 01:54:50.720 --> 01:54:54.359 in khaki. It was the scientist. Do you think he 2002 01:54:54.479 --> 01:54:57.520 saw us? The phoenix whispered, I don't think so, David 2003 01:54:57.560 --> 01:55:01.760 whispered back, he's looking off to the left, Oh, phoenix, 2004 01:55:01.920 --> 01:55:03.159 what if he comes up here? 2005 01:55:03.279 --> 01:55:03.840 What'll we do? 2006 01:55:04.920 --> 01:55:08.279 Listen, hissed the phoenix. Run down there, talk to him, 2007 01:55:08.479 --> 01:55:12.279 lead him away, distract his attention. Anything, only be quick, 2008 01:55:12.760 --> 01:55:16.760 all right. The phoenix melted into the thicket, and David 2009 01:55:16.840 --> 01:55:19.760 jumped to his feet. As he dashed down the trail, 2010 01:55:19.840 --> 01:55:21.479 his brain whirled with questions. 2011 01:55:21.920 --> 01:55:25.319 What should he do? What could he say? How could 2012 01:55:25.319 --> 01:55:25.800 he lead. 2013 01:55:25.680 --> 01:55:29.520 The scientist away? Where would the phoenix go? In his haste, 2014 01:55:29.560 --> 01:55:32.800 he forgot one important thing. His foot tripped over the 2015 01:55:32.840 --> 01:55:36.199 pile of grass and leaves on the trail. The released 2016 01:55:36.239 --> 01:55:39.520 sapling sprang upward. The noose tightened with a cruel jerk 2017 01:55:39.560 --> 01:55:42.319 around his ankle, and he was snatched into the air. 2018 01:55:42.880 --> 01:55:45.399 As the blood rushed to his head, he lost control 2019 01:55:45.439 --> 01:55:48.520 of himself and began to struggle wildly and shout at 2020 01:55:48.600 --> 01:55:52.479 the top of his voice. The flat, dry voice of 2021 01:55:52.520 --> 01:55:56.039 the scientist drifted to him, as if through a long tunnel. 2022 01:55:56.600 --> 01:55:57.199 What's all this? 2023 01:55:57.640 --> 01:56:01.159 What are you doing here? Who set this snaw? Get 2024 01:56:01.199 --> 01:56:04.399 me down, David choked, please. A hand seized him by 2025 01:56:04.399 --> 01:56:06.960 the scruff of the neck. A knife flashed through the 2026 01:56:07.000 --> 01:56:10.439 air and cut the rope. David landed on his feet, 2027 01:56:10.520 --> 01:56:12.920 but his legs gave way and he dropped to his knees. 2028 01:56:13.359 --> 01:56:15.720 He felt dizzy as the blood rushed away from his 2029 01:56:15.800 --> 01:56:21.319 head again. The scientist tilted his sun helmet back and said, well, 2030 01:56:21.359 --> 01:56:24.960 well David, in a disagreeable tone. His eyes narrowed behind 2031 01:56:25.000 --> 01:56:29.920 the spectacles. What is this snare doing here? David struggled 2032 01:56:29.920 --> 01:56:33.159 to his feet and clutched a bush for support. Thank 2033 01:56:33.239 --> 01:56:35.720 you for cutting me down, he said. The cold blue 2034 01:56:35.720 --> 01:56:38.880 eyes found David's and held them in a hypnotic stare. 2035 01:56:39.479 --> 01:56:42.880 What is this trap doing here? Who said it? I? 2036 01:56:42.880 --> 01:56:45.520 I was coming down the trail and and I. 2037 01:56:45.520 --> 01:56:46.119 Was caught in it? 2038 01:56:46.199 --> 01:56:50.079 David stammered, You are avoiding my question, young man, said 2039 01:56:50.079 --> 01:56:55.359 the scientist who set this snare. Answer me. There was 2040 01:56:55.399 --> 01:56:58.560 a brilliant flash of gold and blue in the sunlight, 2041 01:56:59.079 --> 01:57:03.399 the whistle of feathers cleaving the air, the sharp thwock 2042 01:57:03.560 --> 01:57:07.359 of fisted talons striking The scientist pitched forward with a 2043 01:57:07.399 --> 01:57:11.159 surprised grunt and lay still across the trail, and the phoenix, 2044 01:57:11.239 --> 01:57:14.079 executing a flip in the air to check its speed, 2045 01:57:14.520 --> 01:57:21.439 settled down beside David view. Halloo, it shouted excitedly. Yoicks 2046 01:57:21.520 --> 01:57:24.359 and tally ho. Did you see that stoop? 2047 01:57:24.399 --> 01:57:26.600 My boy? By jove, the. 2048 01:57:26.319 --> 01:57:29.960 Best trained falcon could not have done better. Believe me, 2049 01:57:30.119 --> 01:57:32.560 I have been saving that blow for a long time. 2050 01:57:33.119 --> 01:57:36.439 By jove, what a magnificent stoop. I think I shall 2051 01:57:36.479 --> 01:57:41.199 take up scientist hunting as a regular thing. Thank goodness, phoenix, 2052 01:57:41.279 --> 01:57:44.600 David exclaimed, another minute, and you would have been too late, 2053 01:57:45.119 --> 01:57:46.880 But I hope you haven't hurt. 2054 01:57:46.720 --> 01:57:47.439 Him very much. 2055 01:57:48.439 --> 01:57:51.880 Nonsense, my boy, said the phoenix, A head so stuffed 2056 01:57:51.880 --> 01:57:55.119 with scientific fact cannot be injured. He will come too 2057 01:57:55.159 --> 01:57:58.520 in a short while. The phoenix lifted the scientist's sun 2058 01:57:58.560 --> 01:58:00.000 helmet and examined. 2059 01:57:59.560 --> 01:58:00.520 The back of his head. 2060 01:58:01.399 --> 01:58:04.800 A large lump is developing, my boy, A most pleasant sight. 2061 01:58:05.079 --> 01:58:08.159 I fear the sun helmet is now useless, crushed like 2062 01:58:08.159 --> 01:58:10.880 an egg shell, and the phoenix smiled proudly. 2063 01:58:11.479 --> 01:58:12.319 Well, I hope. 2064 01:58:12.199 --> 01:58:14.560 It isn't serious, David said, doubtfully. 2065 01:58:14.640 --> 01:58:15.079 In a way. 2066 01:58:15.600 --> 01:58:19.159 We'll have to do something precisely, my boy. But I 2067 01:58:19.159 --> 01:58:22.079 think we should have a drink first. The phoenix detached 2068 01:58:22.079 --> 01:58:25.159 a canteen from the scientist's belt and took a deep swig. 2069 01:58:25.720 --> 01:58:29.680 Ah delicious. Our friend is well prepared, my boy. And 2070 01:58:29.800 --> 01:58:32.640 indeed the scientist had all sorts of things with him, 2071 01:58:33.319 --> 01:58:37.479 a hand axe, a sheath knife, a compass, a camera, binoculars, 2072 01:58:37.840 --> 01:58:42.119 a stopwatch, notebooks and pencils, a coil of rope maps. 2073 01:58:42.800 --> 01:58:45.439 There was also a packet of sandwiches, which the phoenix 2074 01:58:45.479 --> 01:58:49.159 opened and began to eat. Now, listen, phoenix, we have 2075 01:58:49.279 --> 01:58:52.560 to do something quite right, my boy, the phoenix mumbled 2076 01:58:52.560 --> 01:58:57.279 with its mouthful. Have a sandwich, spoils of war, peanut butter, 2077 01:58:57.600 --> 01:59:00.880 very nourishing. The fact is that I have just thought 2078 01:59:00.920 --> 01:59:02.600 of another plan which cannot fail. 2079 01:59:03.239 --> 01:59:04.520 Have we any money left? 2080 01:59:05.199 --> 01:59:09.119 Yes, four gold pieces? Why splendid? Now, my boy, I 2081 01:59:09.159 --> 01:59:12.000 shall leave you. When the scientist wakes up. You will 2082 01:59:12.039 --> 01:59:15.119 help him down to wherever he lives. Find out where 2083 01:59:15.119 --> 01:59:17.600 his room is. I shall meet you by the hedge 2084 01:59:17.640 --> 01:59:18.199 at midnight. 2085 01:59:18.680 --> 01:59:21.680 Be sure you have the gold pieces with you? All right? 2086 01:59:21.800 --> 01:59:24.640 What are we sure you will not have a sandwich? 2087 01:59:25.119 --> 01:59:27.640 No? Thank you? What are we? Very well? 2088 01:59:27.760 --> 01:59:31.319 Farewell then, my boy, till midnight. David poured what was 2089 01:59:31.399 --> 01:59:34.279 left in the canteen over the scientist's head and fanned 2090 01:59:34.319 --> 01:59:37.920 him with a note book. Presently the man stirred and groaned. 2091 01:59:38.319 --> 01:59:41.520 Then he sat up and muttered what hit me? Can 2092 01:59:41.560 --> 01:59:45.840 you stand up yet? David said, two days to ask 2093 01:59:45.880 --> 01:59:49.319 any more questions. The scientist got up, groaning, put on 2094 01:59:49.479 --> 01:59:53.840 his broken spectacles, collected his scattered equipment, and leaned on David. 2095 01:59:54.520 --> 01:59:57.279 The two of them proceeded slowly down the trail together, 2096 01:59:57.399 --> 02:00:01.920 frequently sitting down to rest. The scientist murmured the name 2097 02:00:01.960 --> 02:00:06.039 of his hotel and pointed out the direction. Townspeople stared 2098 02:00:06.079 --> 02:00:08.199 at them as they passed, but no one stopped them 2099 02:00:08.279 --> 02:00:11.880 or asked questions, and they reached the hotel without further incident. 2100 02:00:12.479 --> 02:00:15.439 They entered the lobby and the scientist sank into a chair. 2101 02:00:16.279 --> 02:00:18.600 Let me help you to your room, said David. In 2102 02:00:18.640 --> 02:00:21.079 a few minutes, the scientist got up again and they 2103 02:00:21.079 --> 02:00:24.560 took the elevator to the fourth floor. David closely watched 2104 02:00:24.560 --> 02:00:27.319 the direction they were going, and when they came into 2105 02:00:27.359 --> 02:00:31.640 the scientist's room, he looked quickly through the window. There 2106 02:00:31.680 --> 02:00:35.600 was a fire escape just outside. He had the information now, 2107 02:00:35.960 --> 02:00:40.800 fourth floor, west side, fire escape by window. The scientist 2108 02:00:40.920 --> 02:00:43.319 eased himself on to the bed with a groan. Then 2109 02:00:43.359 --> 02:00:47.119 he turned to David and said severely, there's something strange 2110 02:00:47.159 --> 02:00:49.079 about all this, and I intend to get to the 2111 02:00:49.079 --> 02:00:52.000 bottom of it. You'll be hearing from me, young mad 2112 02:00:53.000 --> 02:00:55.920 all right, said David, closing the door, and you'll be 2113 02:00:56.000 --> 02:00:59.680 hearing from us. He added in an undertone, if I know. 2114 02:00:59.760 --> 02:01:03.840 The phoenix flying at night was colder than flying by day, 2115 02:01:03.920 --> 02:01:06.960 but it was more thrilling too. They whistled through an 2116 02:01:06.960 --> 02:01:11.600 immense blackness. Stars glittered overhead, and quicksilver patches of moonlight 2117 02:01:11.680 --> 02:01:15.880 and shadow flashed across the clouds below. They were going 2118 02:01:15.880 --> 02:01:20.039 to Ireland, but why, David did not know. The phoenix 2119 02:01:20.119 --> 02:01:23.319 was playing its weight and sea game again. In an 2120 02:01:23.359 --> 02:01:26.880 hour or so, they shot out over the edge of 2121 02:01:26.920 --> 02:01:29.960 the cloud mass, and David could see a rocky coast below, 2122 02:01:30.640 --> 02:01:34.119 dark and cold in the half light, the phoenix began 2123 02:01:34.199 --> 02:01:36.920 to slant down toward it, and presently they landed in 2124 02:01:37.000 --> 02:01:40.279 a little meadow. One side of the meadow ran down 2125 02:01:40.319 --> 02:01:43.039 to a bog filled with reeds, and on the other 2126 02:01:43.119 --> 02:01:46.760 side was a gloomy wood. Everything was dark and indistinct, 2127 02:01:46.960 --> 02:01:49.279 but David thought he could tell why the phoenix had 2128 02:01:49.319 --> 02:01:53.399 called this the Emerald Isle. The grass beneath their feet 2129 02:01:53.640 --> 02:01:56.439 was the thickest he had ever felt. He touched a 2130 02:01:56.439 --> 02:01:59.760 boulder and found it furry with moss. With the wood 2131 02:01:59.800 --> 02:02:02.199 and the reed choked bog, the whole place would be 2132 02:02:02.319 --> 02:02:06.159 rich with various greens in the daylight. Just then they 2133 02:02:06.199 --> 02:02:09.119 saw a little man approaching them from the wood. He 2134 02:02:09.239 --> 02:02:12.199 was three feet tall, dressed all in green, and had 2135 02:02:12.239 --> 02:02:15.119 a long white beard. When he reached them, he raised 2136 02:02:15.119 --> 02:02:18.840 his cap politely and said, good evenin to you. A 2137 02:02:18.920 --> 02:02:22.199 fine evening to you, my good leprechaun, said the phoenix. 2138 02:02:22.840 --> 02:02:26.079 Could you kindly tell us, will you have a cigar? 2139 02:02:26.199 --> 02:02:30.760 The leprekahan interrupted with a surprised thank you very much. 2140 02:02:30.840 --> 02:02:33.760 The phoenix took the cigar bit off the end and 2141 02:02:33.800 --> 02:02:37.720 popped it into its beak. The leprechaun lighted it, and 2142 02:02:37.760 --> 02:02:41.239 the phoenix puffed away stick A gum, lad, said the 2143 02:02:41.319 --> 02:02:45.119 leprechaun to David, holding out a pack. Why, yes, thank you, 2144 02:02:45.199 --> 02:02:47.880 said David. He took the stick of gum from the 2145 02:02:47.920 --> 02:02:51.159 pack and was immediately sorry for it. The stick was 2146 02:02:51.199 --> 02:02:53.680 made of wood and had a small wire spring like 2147 02:02:53.720 --> 02:02:56.760 a mouse trap, which snapped down on his finger and 2148 02:02:56.800 --> 02:03:00.039 made him yelp with pain. At the same instant, the 2149 02:03:00.079 --> 02:03:04.359 phoenix's cigar exploded, knocking the startled bird backwards into a bush. 2150 02:03:04.479 --> 02:03:05.359 Ha ha ha. 2151 02:03:05.560 --> 02:03:09.159 Shouted the leprechaun, rolling on the ground and holding his sides. 2152 02:03:09.600 --> 02:03:10.319 Ha ha ha. 2153 02:03:11.399 --> 02:03:14.000 In a trice, the phoenix had pounced on the leprechaun 2154 02:03:14.039 --> 02:03:17.520 and pinned him to the ground. Let him up, said 2155 02:03:17.600 --> 02:03:21.479 David furiously. I'll punch his head for him. I think, 2156 02:03:21.560 --> 02:03:24.199 my boy, said the phoenix coldly, that I shall carry 2157 02:03:24.199 --> 02:03:27.239 the creature up into the clouds and drop him, or 2158 02:03:27.239 --> 02:03:29.439 should we take him back with us and hand him 2159 02:03:29.479 --> 02:03:33.079 over to the scientist. Now, don't take a fence, your honor, 2160 02:03:33.159 --> 02:03:36.119 said the leprechaun. I thought you'd look at it as 2161 02:03:36.239 --> 02:03:41.039 kind of comic. Exceedingly comic, said the phoenix severely. I 2162 02:03:41.079 --> 02:03:45.680 am quite overcome with mirth and merriment. But perhaps perhaps 2163 02:03:45.760 --> 02:03:47.800 I shall let you off lightly if you tell us 2164 02:03:47.840 --> 02:03:51.279 where the band she lives the the banshee of Mare's 2165 02:03:51.359 --> 02:03:56.199 Nest wood the same speak. A new light of respect 2166 02:03:56.279 --> 02:04:00.000 and fear came into the leprechaun's eyes. She's a terror, 2167 02:04:00.159 --> 02:04:03.840 she is what'll you'll be wanting? None of your business, 2168 02:04:03.920 --> 02:04:04.840 roared the phoenix. 2169 02:04:04.960 --> 02:04:05.640 Where is she? 2170 02:04:06.560 --> 02:04:10.439 The leprechaun had begun to tremble. Follow the path yonder 2171 02:04:10.520 --> 02:04:12.840 through the wood until you reach the cave, Your honor, 2172 02:04:14.239 --> 02:04:16.680 you're not friends of hers, are you? You'll not be 2173 02:04:16.760 --> 02:04:19.760 telling on me. I'm really sorry for those jokes, your honor. 2174 02:04:20.600 --> 02:04:23.640 The leprechaun's fright was so genuine now that the phoenix 2175 02:04:23.680 --> 02:04:27.279 relented and let him go. The little creature dashed off 2176 02:04:27.399 --> 02:04:30.399 like a rabbit into the bog let. That be a 2177 02:04:30.479 --> 02:04:33.800 lesson to you, my boy, said the phoenix. Beware the 2178 02:04:33.880 --> 02:04:37.800 leprechaun bearing gifts. But I wonder why the thought of 2179 02:04:37.840 --> 02:04:41.640 the band she frightened him. So they followed the path 2180 02:04:41.720 --> 02:04:44.119 until they came to the mouth of a cave under 2181 02:04:44.159 --> 02:04:48.680 a heap of rocks. The phoenix plunged in and David 2182 02:04:48.760 --> 02:04:52.039 nervously followed. The cave turned out to be a long 2183 02:04:52.159 --> 02:04:56.359 passageway that led, after several turns, into a chamber. From 2184 02:04:56.359 --> 02:04:59.600 the ceiling of this rocky vault hung an electric light bulb, 2185 02:05:00.119 --> 02:05:03.640 which glared feebly through drifts of smoke. All around the 2186 02:05:03.720 --> 02:05:07.319 walls were wooden boxes stacked up to make shells and cupboards. 2187 02:05:08.560 --> 02:05:14.600 These were filled with an astonishing array of objects bottles, vials, alumbooks, retorts, 2188 02:05:14.680 --> 02:05:21.560 test tubes, decanters, cages, boxes, jars, pots, skulls, books, snake skins, wands, 2189 02:05:21.720 --> 02:05:25.760 waxen images, pins and needles, locks of hair, crystal balls, 2190 02:05:26.399 --> 02:05:31.760 playing cards, dice, witch hazel forks, tails of animals, spices, 2191 02:05:32.159 --> 02:05:38.159 bottles of ink in several colors, clay pipes, small brass 2192 02:05:38.199 --> 02:05:43.039 scale compasses, measuring cups, a piggy bank, which squealed off 2193 02:05:43.079 --> 02:05:47.199 and on in a peevish way, balls of string and ribbons, 2194 02:05:47.479 --> 02:05:52.279 a pile of magazines called the Warlock Weekly, a broken ukulele, 2195 02:05:52.600 --> 02:05:57.600 little heaps of powder, colored stones, candle ends, some potted cacti, 2196 02:05:58.039 --> 02:06:01.520 and an enormous cash register. In the middle of the chamber, 2197 02:06:01.600 --> 02:06:05.159 a little hideous crone in a mother hubbard crouched over 2198 02:06:05.199 --> 02:06:09.159 a saucepan, stirring it with a wooden spoon. The saucepan 2199 02:06:09.319 --> 02:06:12.399 was resting in the coals of an open fire, and 2200 02:06:12.560 --> 02:06:15.560 smoke and steam together spread out in a murky, foul 2201 02:06:15.600 --> 02:06:18.920 smelling fog. The crone peered at them over the top 2202 02:06:18.960 --> 02:06:22.199 of her spectacles and cackled, Come in, Come in, dearies. 2203 02:06:22.439 --> 02:06:25.119 I'll be with you as soon as ever I finished 2204 02:06:25.119 --> 02:06:28.760 this brew. The phoenix, who had been gazing around the 2205 02:06:28.840 --> 02:06:32.560 chamber in surprise, said, my dear banshee, since when have 2206 02:06:32.680 --> 02:06:38.039 you taken up witchcraft? This is most unexpected, ah tis 2207 02:06:38.079 --> 02:06:41.479 the phoenix, exclaimed the hag, peering at them again. Well 2208 02:06:41.520 --> 02:06:44.600 fancy that now, ah you may well ask, and I'll 2209 02:06:44.640 --> 02:06:47.840 be telling you tis a poor life being a banshee, 2210 02:06:48.079 --> 02:06:51.520 long hours and not so much as sixpence in it 2211 02:06:51.600 --> 02:06:54.079 for a full night's work. And I got that sick 2212 02:06:54.159 --> 02:06:58.359 of it, so I changed me trade. Sure you'll never 2213 02:06:58.439 --> 02:07:00.600 make a go of it, they told me. And at 2214 02:07:00.640 --> 02:07:03.720 your age, they says, And once you've got your station 2215 02:07:03.840 --> 02:07:07.479 in life, they says, there's no changing it. 2216 02:07:07.479 --> 02:07:08.000 It's in the. 2217 02:07:07.960 --> 02:07:11.439 Prime of me life I am, says I, and I'll 2218 02:07:11.439 --> 02:07:14.399 not be changing me mind. For all your cackling, says I. 2219 02:07:15.000 --> 02:07:18.119 And if certain mouths don't shut up, says I, I'll 2220 02:07:18.159 --> 02:07:21.079 cast spells that'll make certain people wish they were dead, 2221 02:07:22.000 --> 02:07:24.039 that set them back on their heels. You may be 2222 02:07:24.159 --> 02:07:28.079 sure well, twas the best decision of me life. The 2223 02:07:28.159 --> 02:07:31.239 money pours in like sorrows to a widow, and I'll 2224 02:07:31.279 --> 02:07:33.880 be retiring within the year to live out my days 2225 02:07:33.920 --> 02:07:34.840 like a proper queen. 2226 02:07:37.199 --> 02:07:37.720 Then the band. 2227 02:07:37.800 --> 02:07:40.239 She caught sight of David and hobbled over to him, 2228 02:07:40.359 --> 02:07:44.520 peering into his frightened eyes. Ah, the wee darling, she crooned, 2229 02:07:45.079 --> 02:07:48.359 the plump little mannikin what a broth he'd make. To 2230 02:07:48.399 --> 02:07:51.640 be sure, she pinched his arm and he started back 2231 02:07:51.760 --> 02:07:55.199 in terror, so firm and plump to make the mouth water. 2232 02:07:55.760 --> 02:07:59.439 Sell em to me, phoenix, nonsense, says the phoenix, sharply 2233 02:08:00.079 --> 02:08:03.520 what we desire at this instant. The contents of the 2234 02:08:03.560 --> 02:08:07.640 saucepan began to hiss and bubble. Whoops, dearies, the brew 2235 02:08:07.760 --> 02:08:10.920 is boiling, shrieked the banshee, and she hobbled back to 2236 02:08:10.960 --> 02:08:13.840 the fire to resume her work. She looked in a 2237 02:08:13.920 --> 02:08:19.640 recipe book, stirred, clapped her hands, sang, hair raising incantations 2238 02:08:20.079 --> 02:08:22.840 in a quavery voice, and added a pinch of salt 2239 02:08:22.880 --> 02:08:26.680 and sulfur. She sprinkled spices from a shaker, waved her 2240 02:08:26.720 --> 02:08:30.359 wand popped in a dead toad, and fanned up the 2241 02:08:30.399 --> 02:08:33.960 fire with an ostrich plume. Now for the hard part, 2242 02:08:34.079 --> 02:08:37.600 she said, grinning at them toothlessly. She measured out a 2243 02:08:37.640 --> 02:08:41.159 spoonful of green powder, weighed it in the scales, and 2244 02:08:41.239 --> 02:08:44.680 flung it into the saucepan. There was a loud explosion, 2245 02:08:45.079 --> 02:08:48.840 A huge blast of steam flared out and engulfed them. 2246 02:08:49.239 --> 02:08:51.760 When it had cleared, they saw the banshee tilting the 2247 02:08:51.800 --> 02:08:57.119 saucepan over a small bottle. One ruby drop of fluid 2248 02:08:57.159 --> 02:09:00.359 fell into the bottle. It darted forth, d days of 2249 02:09:00.439 --> 02:09:03.199 light as it fell, and tinkled like a silver coin, 2250 02:09:03.600 --> 02:09:07.720 rolling down flights of marble steps the band. She corked 2251 02:09:07.720 --> 02:09:09.840 the bottle and held it up proudly to the light. 2252 02:09:10.359 --> 02:09:13.319 Will you look at that now, she crooned, the finest 2253 02:09:13.399 --> 02:09:18.000 ever I brood ah, the mystic droplet. Some swain will 2254 02:09:18.039 --> 02:09:20.800 be buying that now and putting it in a lasses 2255 02:09:20.920 --> 02:09:23.800 cup of tea, and she'll be pining away for love 2256 02:09:23.840 --> 02:09:27.000 of him before the day's out. She put the bottle 2257 02:09:27.039 --> 02:09:30.039 on the shelf, pasted a label on it, and turned 2258 02:09:30.039 --> 02:09:33.920 to them with a business like air. Now, dearies, what'll 2259 02:09:33.920 --> 02:09:38.000 you be wanting? Filters poison? I've a special to day, 2260 02:09:38.199 --> 02:09:42.239 only five shillings of ale a spell? What about your fortunes? 2261 02:09:42.720 --> 02:09:45.920 One shilling if seen in the crystal ball, one and 2262 02:09:46.159 --> 02:09:49.600 six if read from the palm a hex, I've the 2263 02:09:49.640 --> 02:09:52.720 finest in six counties. A ticket to the wall purgesse 2264 02:09:52.840 --> 02:09:56.800 night ball. We want a whale, said the phoenix, and 2265 02:09:56.880 --> 02:10:01.399 we shall accept nothing but the best and loudest you have. Ah, 2266 02:10:01.560 --> 02:10:04.880 a Banchee's whale, is it? Cried the hag. You've come 2267 02:10:04.920 --> 02:10:07.920 to the right shop, dearies, to be sure, Now let 2268 02:10:07.920 --> 02:10:11.119 me see. She hobbled to a shelf which contained a 2269 02:10:11.199 --> 02:10:15.640 row of boxes, ran her finger along them, stopped at one, 2270 02:10:15.840 --> 02:10:20.000 and took it down. Here we are key of c sharp, 2271 02:10:20.159 --> 02:10:25.720 two minutes long, only five shillings threepence. No, no, said 2272 02:10:25.720 --> 02:10:28.560 the phoenix. A larger one. We have something more than 2273 02:10:28.600 --> 02:10:32.960 mice to frighten a bigger one. Ah, here's a lovely 2274 02:10:33.000 --> 02:10:36.119 one now five minutes long, ascending scale with a sob 2275 02:10:36.159 --> 02:10:40.159 at the end, guaranteed to scare a statue yours for 2276 02:10:40.279 --> 02:10:44.880 ten and six. I call that a real bargain now, Bah, 2277 02:10:44.960 --> 02:10:48.600 said the phoenix, impatiently. Enough of these squeaks. We want 2278 02:10:48.600 --> 02:10:52.119 a real whale, My dear banshee, such a wail as 2279 02:10:52.159 --> 02:10:54.640 never before was heard on the face of this earth 2280 02:10:55.439 --> 02:10:59.039 and stopped this babbling about shillings and pence. We are 2281 02:10:59.079 --> 02:11:03.239 prepared to pay an gold. The phoenix took the four 2282 02:11:03.279 --> 02:11:06.359 pieces of gold from David and carelessly tossed them into 2283 02:11:06.359 --> 02:11:10.640 the air the band. She's eyes flew wide open, and 2284 02:11:10.720 --> 02:11:12.760 she twirled herself around like a top. 2285 02:11:13.319 --> 02:11:13.640 Ah. 2286 02:11:13.920 --> 02:11:17.800 The sweet music of its tinklings, she exclaimed, the lovely 2287 02:11:17.880 --> 02:11:20.880 sheen of light upon it. There's a sight for eyes 2288 02:11:21.079 --> 02:11:24.520 used to nought but silver. Ah, But, dearies, I've no 2289 02:11:24.640 --> 02:11:27.920 whale worth four pieces of gold. I'll have to make 2290 02:11:27.960 --> 02:11:32.840 one up special. She hobbled rapidly around the chamber until 2291 02:11:32.880 --> 02:11:35.439 she found a box as large as a bird cage 2292 02:11:35.600 --> 02:11:39.119 and an ear trumpet. She opened the box, shook it 2293 02:11:39.159 --> 02:11:41.319 to make sure it was empty, and put in two 2294 02:11:41.359 --> 02:11:46.279 heads of cabbage. Such monstrous appetites these whales do have, 2295 02:11:46.560 --> 02:11:50.199 she explained. She fastened the lid carefully with a catch 2296 02:11:50.279 --> 02:11:53.600 lock and inserted the ear trumpet in a hole in 2297 02:11:53.680 --> 02:11:57.520 one side of the box. Then she disappeared through a 2298 02:11:57.600 --> 02:12:00.520 sound proof door, which they had not seen before on 2299 02:12:00.600 --> 02:12:03.920 account of the smoke. Fifteen minutes later, the band she 2300 02:12:04.039 --> 02:12:07.039 came out with the box, plugging up the hole in 2301 02:12:07.119 --> 02:12:09.680 its side with a bit of wax. She was pale 2302 02:12:09.760 --> 02:12:13.239 and trembling, and beads of sweat covered her face. She 2303 02:12:13.359 --> 02:12:17.239 smiled weakly at them, seized an earthenware jug and drained 2304 02:12:17.239 --> 02:12:20.479 it in one gulp. The color began to return to 2305 02:12:20.560 --> 02:12:25.000 her face. Hooshed, she gasped, wiping her brow with the 2306 02:12:25.039 --> 02:12:27.760 sleeve of her mother. Hubbard Ah, dearies, that was an 2307 02:12:27.800 --> 02:12:30.920 effort of me. Life tis a wail to make one 2308 02:12:30.960 --> 02:12:35.119 burst with pride, though I do say so, meself. Thirteen 2309 02:12:35.199 --> 02:12:38.800 minutes long by the clock, with a range of ten octaves, 2310 02:12:38.960 --> 02:12:43.079 twould frighten the old nick himself. Splendid, said the Phoenix. 2311 02:12:43.439 --> 02:12:46.800 The fact is, I sometimes suspect that that is precisely 2312 02:12:46.840 --> 02:12:51.640 with whom we are dealing at home. The light suddenly 2313 02:12:51.720 --> 02:12:55.079 dawned on David Phoenix. He cried, I bet we're going 2314 02:12:55.119 --> 02:12:58.880 to give the whale to the scientist precisely my boy. 2315 02:12:58.960 --> 02:13:03.039 The Phoenix beamed, Oh golly, golly, golly, David sang as 2316 02:13:03.039 --> 02:13:07.039 he danced around, and I'll guarantee it, dearies the band 2317 02:13:07.079 --> 02:13:10.840 she cackled, one hundred percent satisfaction or your money back, 2318 02:13:11.840 --> 02:13:15.319 defeat and confusion to the enemy. The Phoenix shouted, giving 2319 02:13:15.359 --> 02:13:19.079 the special squawk, which was its battle cry. The band 2320 02:13:19.119 --> 02:13:22.840 she received her gold. The Phoenix told David for goodness 2321 02:13:22.920 --> 02:13:25.439 sake not to drop the box or let the lid 2322 02:13:25.439 --> 02:13:30.760 pop open, or they would regret it to their dying day. David, 2323 02:13:30.800 --> 02:13:33.920 hearing the rustle of the whale as it ravenously attacked 2324 02:13:33.920 --> 02:13:37.279 the cabbages inside the box, assured the Phoenix that he 2325 02:13:37.319 --> 02:13:41.720 would be careful. The band she said, Ah, Phoenix, do 2326 02:13:41.880 --> 02:13:44.680 sell the laddie to me, but her tone was more 2327 02:13:44.680 --> 02:13:48.600 teasing than serious, and they all laughed. Goodbyes were set 2328 02:13:48.640 --> 02:13:52.079 all around, and David and the Phoenix left. The last 2329 02:13:52.079 --> 02:13:54.000 thing they heard as they felt their way up the 2330 02:13:54.079 --> 02:13:56.960 dark passage was the happy cackling of the band she 2331 02:13:57.239 --> 02:14:00.880 and the clang of the cash register. They got back 2332 02:14:00.880 --> 02:14:04.479 to the hotel before dawn and very carefully crept down 2333 02:14:04.520 --> 02:14:07.720 the fire escape into the scientist's room. They put the 2334 02:14:07.760 --> 02:14:11.279 box on the bedside table, stuck out their tongues at 2335 02:14:11.279 --> 02:14:14.920 the sleeping scientists and crept out again. Then they went home, 2336 02:14:15.279 --> 02:14:17.880 the Phoenix to the ledge, and David to bed, where 2337 02:14:17.880 --> 02:14:22.239 he fell asleep Instantly. The whale was wildly successful. The 2338 02:14:22.279 --> 02:14:24.920 scientists released it from its box at seven o'clock in 2339 02:14:24.960 --> 02:14:28.039 the morning. People living in the hotel thought the world 2340 02:14:28.079 --> 02:14:30.359 had come to its end. The rest of the town 2341 02:14:30.479 --> 02:14:34.119 wondered if it was a riot or an earthquake, or both. 2342 02:14:34.319 --> 02:14:39.680 With three steam kaliopes thrown in for good measure, David, 2343 02:14:39.720 --> 02:14:42.319 who lived twelve blocks from the hotel, stirred in his 2344 02:14:42.399 --> 02:14:45.920 sleep and dreamed he was riding a fire engine. Even 2345 02:14:45.960 --> 02:14:48.439 the phoenix claimed later that a kind of moan was 2346 02:14:48.479 --> 02:14:50.880 borne on the breeze all the way up to the ledge. 2347 02:14:51.560 --> 02:14:54.520 The hotel burst into activity like a kicked ant hill. 2348 02:14:55.000 --> 02:14:58.520 People poured down the fire escapes, shot out through the doors, 2349 02:14:58.920 --> 02:15:02.359 lowered themselves into the the street with ropes of knotted blankets. 2350 02:15:02.920 --> 02:15:06.359 Others barricaded themselves in their rooms by piling furniture against 2351 02:15:06.359 --> 02:15:09.319 the doors and windows. One guest found his way to 2352 02:15:09.359 --> 02:15:11.920 the cellar and hid in an ash can for two days. 2353 02:15:12.720 --> 02:15:15.880 The manager crawled into the office safe and locked the door, 2354 02:15:16.279 --> 02:15:18.960 without even bothering to remember that he was the only 2355 02:15:19.000 --> 02:15:22.920 one who knew the combination. The telephone exchange was jammed 2356 02:15:22.960 --> 02:15:26.159 as calls flooded in to mobilize the Boy Scouts, the 2357 02:15:26.159 --> 02:15:29.640 Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the National Guard, and the 2358 02:15:29.720 --> 02:15:34.319 Volunteer Flood Control Association. When the whale finally died out, 2359 02:15:34.680 --> 02:15:37.920 which was not until seven thirty because it had devoured 2360 02:15:37.920 --> 02:15:40.960 both cabbages during the night and had grown to more 2361 02:15:41.000 --> 02:15:44.600 than twice its original size, the police entered the hotel 2362 02:15:44.720 --> 02:15:48.560 in force, armed to the eyebrows. They found nothing. At 2363 02:15:48.560 --> 02:15:51.000 the end of a three hour search, the chief handed 2364 02:15:51.000 --> 02:15:55.359 in his resignation. As for the scientist, he disappeared completely. 2365 02:15:55.920 --> 02:15:58.560 A farmer living three miles out of town said he 2366 02:15:58.600 --> 02:16:01.159 saw a man just in a night shirt and a 2367 02:16:01.239 --> 02:16:05.399 head bandage running down the valley road. The farmer guessed 2368 02:16:05.399 --> 02:16:07.920 the man's speed to be thirty five miles an hour, 2369 02:16:08.479 --> 02:16:10.560 but he added there was such a cloud of dust 2370 02:16:10.640 --> 02:16:13.880 being raised that he could not see very well. It 2371 02:16:14.000 --> 02:16:16.640 might have been fifty miles an hour. He said. No 2372 02:16:16.720 --> 02:16:22.279 one doubted him. End of chapter eight. Chapter nine, in 2373 02:16:22.359 --> 02:16:25.319 which David and the phoenix, call on a fawn, and 2374 02:16:25.399 --> 02:16:29.479 a lovely afternoon comes to a strange end. The phoenix 2375 02:16:29.560 --> 02:16:32.680 was dead, tired, and no wonder All in one week 2376 02:16:32.799 --> 02:16:36.920 it had escaped from Griffin's, raced with a witch, made 2377 02:16:37.079 --> 02:16:40.719 round trip flights to the Pacific Isles in Ireland, been 2378 02:16:40.799 --> 02:16:44.120 caught in a snare, got burned by a short circuit, 2379 02:16:44.479 --> 02:16:47.680 and been knocked down by an exploding cigar. Even a 2380 02:16:47.680 --> 02:16:50.159 bird as strong as the phoenix canet do all these 2381 02:16:50.200 --> 02:16:53.959 things without needing a rest. So the traveling part of 2382 02:16:54.040 --> 02:16:56.639 David's education was stopped for a while to let the 2383 02:16:56.639 --> 02:17:00.000 phoenix recover. The days went by pleasantly on the land. 2384 02:17:00.840 --> 02:17:03.879 Summer was at its height. The sun fell on them 2385 02:17:03.920 --> 02:17:06.760 with just the right amount of warmth. As they lolled 2386 02:17:06.760 --> 02:17:10.120 in the grass, The air was filled with a lazy murmuring. 2387 02:17:10.840 --> 02:17:11.200 Listen. 2388 02:17:11.319 --> 02:17:15.120 The murmuring seemed to say, don't talk, don't think, close 2389 02:17:15.120 --> 02:17:18.719 your eyes and listen. Below them, the whole valley danced 2390 02:17:18.719 --> 02:17:22.120 and wavered in the heat waves, so that it seemed. 2391 02:17:21.719 --> 02:17:22.719 To be under water. 2392 02:17:23.639 --> 02:17:28.079 There were long, lazy conversations that began nowhere and ended nowhere, 2393 02:17:28.600 --> 02:17:31.600 the wonderful kind in which you say whatever comes to 2394 02:17:31.639 --> 02:17:35.520 your head without fear of being misunderstood, because what you 2395 02:17:35.680 --> 02:17:39.280 say has little importance in a way. The phoenix told 2396 02:17:39.319 --> 02:17:42.280 of the times and adventures it had had, of the 2397 02:17:42.280 --> 02:17:45.399 forgotten corners of the world, where life went on as 2398 02:17:45.479 --> 02:17:48.760 it had from the beginning, and of friends who lived there, 2399 02:17:49.479 --> 02:17:52.959 Of trolls who mined metal from the earth and made 2400 02:17:53.000 --> 02:17:56.520 from it wondrous machines which whirred and clattered and clanked 2401 02:17:56.840 --> 02:18:01.040 and did absolutely nothing. The best kind of machine after all, 2402 02:18:01.159 --> 02:18:03.840 my boy, since they injure no one, and there is 2403 02:18:03.920 --> 02:18:07.680 nothing to worry about when they break down. Of unicorns, 2404 02:18:08.079 --> 02:18:12.719 excellent chaps, but so frightfully melancholy, which shone white in 2405 02:18:12.799 --> 02:18:16.440 the sun and tossed their ivory horns like rapiers. Of 2406 02:18:16.520 --> 02:18:20.040 a dragon, who, having no treasure to guard, got together 2407 02:18:20.120 --> 02:18:23.600 a pathetic heap of colored pebbles in its cave. And 2408 02:18:23.719 --> 02:18:25.920 really he came to believe in time that they were 2409 02:18:25.959 --> 02:18:29.399 absolutely priceless, and went about with a worried frown of 2410 02:18:29.440 --> 02:18:33.399 responsibility on his brow. David, in turn, told the phoenix 2411 02:18:33.440 --> 02:18:36.000 about the games he used to play when he lived 2412 02:18:36.000 --> 02:18:39.120 in the flat country, and all about school and mother 2413 02:18:39.239 --> 02:18:42.600 and Dad and Aunt Amy and Becky. He could not 2414 02:18:42.760 --> 02:18:46.319 help laughing now and then over the scientist's defeat. But 2415 02:18:46.440 --> 02:18:49.520 whenever this came up, the phoenix would shake its head with. 2416 02:18:49.479 --> 02:18:50.799 A kind of sad wisdom. 2417 02:18:51.399 --> 02:18:55.200 My boy, there are certain things such as head colds 2418 02:18:55.520 --> 02:18:58.680 and forgetting where you have left your keys, which are inevitable, 2419 02:18:59.040 --> 02:19:02.920 And I am afraid that the scientist is too. Oh, Phoenix, 2420 02:19:02.959 --> 02:19:05.840 You don't think he'll come back, do you, Yes, my boy, 2421 02:19:06.000 --> 02:19:08.840 I do. I can see the whole train of events. 2422 02:19:09.280 --> 02:19:12.840 He will recover from his fright. He will be curious 2423 02:19:12.879 --> 02:19:16.879 about the whale and will return to investigate it. Once here, 2424 02:19:17.000 --> 02:19:19.479 he will remember us, and we shall have to take 2425 02:19:19.559 --> 02:19:22.959 him into account once more. Oh do you think it'll 2426 02:19:22.959 --> 02:19:26.559 happen soon? Oh no, my boy, nothing to worry about 2427 02:19:26.559 --> 02:19:29.120 for the time being, but we must remember that it 2428 02:19:29.159 --> 02:19:32.440 will happen some day. Yes, I guess you're right. I 2429 02:19:32.479 --> 02:19:36.479 think he's hateful. I cannot disagree with you there, my boy. 2430 02:19:36.879 --> 02:19:40.239 Of course, I have no doubt that in general the 2431 02:19:40.360 --> 02:19:45.200 advancement of science is all to the good. Knowledge is power. 2432 02:19:45.680 --> 02:19:48.840 But on days like this, I sometimes wonder, does it 2433 02:19:48.879 --> 02:19:51.159 not seem to you that the highest aim in life 2434 02:19:51.200 --> 02:19:53.959 at the moment is to enjoy the sunlight and allow 2435 02:19:54.040 --> 02:19:57.360 others to do the same, you write, Phoenix, but then 2436 02:19:57.399 --> 02:20:00.319 you always are I was just thinking the same thing. 2437 02:20:00.520 --> 02:20:01.159 It's funny. 2438 02:20:01.239 --> 02:20:05.079 I mean, well, you know, why can't people leave other 2439 02:20:05.120 --> 02:20:09.360 people alone and and well just enjoy themselves and lie 2440 02:20:09.360 --> 02:20:12.719 in the sun and listen to the wind. That is 2441 02:20:12.760 --> 02:20:15.920 the way of the world, my boy, getting and spending 2442 02:20:16.120 --> 02:20:19.719 and all that sort of thing. But come, why should 2443 02:20:19.719 --> 02:20:22.239 we worry over the follies of the rest of the world. 2444 02:20:22.639 --> 02:20:25.319 A day like this was made for living, not thinking, 2445 02:20:25.879 --> 02:20:29.760 begone dull care, and they would forget the scientist and 2446 02:20:29.879 --> 02:20:33.559 watch a pair of butterflies chase each other instead. But 2447 02:20:33.639 --> 02:20:36.639 one day, the phoenix suddenly stood up with a startled 2448 02:20:36.680 --> 02:20:40.680 expression on its face. My dear chap, it exclaimed, I 2449 02:20:40.760 --> 02:20:45.719 have just remembered tomorrow. What about tomorrow? Why, my boy, 2450 02:20:46.040 --> 02:20:50.600 tomorrow another century rounds its mark to be brief. Tomorrow 2451 02:20:50.680 --> 02:20:55.719 is my birthday, my five hundredth birthday. Well, congratulations, Phoenix, 2452 02:20:56.319 --> 02:21:01.159 thank you, my boy, five hundred destiny. Have I mentioned before, 2453 02:21:01.200 --> 02:21:04.520 my boy, that I have a magnificent destiny? No, what 2454 02:21:04.719 --> 02:21:07.879 is it, Phoenix? I well, it is strange, my boy, 2455 02:21:08.040 --> 02:21:11.639 But I do not know, but that it is magnificent, 2456 02:21:11.760 --> 02:21:16.079 no one can doubt. Do I have one too? Of course, 2457 02:21:16.120 --> 02:21:19.520 my boy, we all do. David was glad of that. 2458 02:21:19.559 --> 02:21:23.000 He did not know exactly what a destiny was, however, 2459 02:21:23.079 --> 02:21:25.040 and he tried to think of how one would look. 2460 02:21:25.440 --> 02:21:27.920 But the only picture which came to his mind was 2461 02:21:27.920 --> 02:21:32.280 that of a small, mousy creature, his destiny, looking up 2462 02:21:32.319 --> 02:21:35.719 in admiration to a splendid thing of flame and gold, 2463 02:21:35.799 --> 02:21:40.680 dazzling to the eyes, the phoenix's mysterious destiny. He said, 2464 02:21:40.959 --> 02:21:44.120 we'll have to do something special tomorrow to celebrate phoenix. 2465 02:21:44.600 --> 02:21:47.360 The phoenix looked thoughtful. I think we had better do 2466 02:21:47.479 --> 02:21:50.920 whatever we are going to do today, it said. Well, 2467 02:21:50.959 --> 02:21:53.959 we can do something today and tomorrow, then, said David, 2468 02:21:54.399 --> 02:21:57.840 after all, a birthday only comes once a year, and 2469 02:21:57.879 --> 02:22:00.319 it seems a shame to spend only one day it, 2470 02:22:00.879 --> 02:22:05.959 especially when it's a five hundredth birthday tomorrow, said the phoenix. 2471 02:22:06.000 --> 02:22:06.520 Doubtfully. 2472 02:22:06.879 --> 02:22:09.639 I have a strange feeling, my boy, for once I 2473 02:22:09.719 --> 02:22:14.760 find myself unable to explain most odd, most odd five 2474 02:22:14.840 --> 02:22:18.600 hundredth birthday. Ah well, it went on more cheerfully. I 2475 02:22:18.639 --> 02:22:22.799 shall undoubtedly remember later. The pressing question is what shall 2476 02:22:22.840 --> 02:22:26.719 we do now? David got up, thought for a while, 2477 02:22:26.799 --> 02:22:30.399 and suddenly flung his arms wide. Oh, Phoenix, he cried. 2478 02:22:30.719 --> 02:22:33.159 It's such a beautiful day. I wish it could go 2479 02:22:33.200 --> 02:22:37.159 on forever. Couldn't we go somewhere, somewhere where we Oh, 2480 02:22:37.239 --> 02:22:41.040 I don't know, I can't explain anywhere, you say, phoenix. 2481 02:22:41.920 --> 02:22:44.319 The phoenix looked at him for a long time. I 2482 02:22:44.360 --> 02:22:48.040 think I understand, my boy. Yes, how about one of 2483 02:22:48.040 --> 02:22:51.040 the forgotten places I told you about? Should you like 2484 02:22:51.079 --> 02:22:54.799 to meet a fawn? It was a green valley, completely 2485 02:22:54.879 --> 02:22:58.200 enclosed by the barren mountains which towered above it. At 2486 02:22:58.239 --> 02:23:01.360 one end, a waterfall hungung on the face of a cliff, 2487 02:23:01.680 --> 02:23:06.600 a misty thread pouring into a rainbow arched pool. A 2488 02:23:06.639 --> 02:23:10.680 brook serpentined through fields and groves of trees. There were 2489 02:23:10.680 --> 02:23:13.680 flocks of sheep and goats in the fields here, and 2490 02:23:13.719 --> 02:23:18.719 there were strange ruins of marble and red granite, columns, peristals, 2491 02:23:19.159 --> 02:23:23.600 benches carved with lions heads, and pedestals. They landed in 2492 02:23:23.680 --> 02:23:26.840 a little glade, and David got down in silent wonderment. 2493 02:23:27.319 --> 02:23:31.159 The very stillness of the air was enchanted, the grass 2494 02:23:31.280 --> 02:23:34.319 dappled with sun and shadow, wore a mantle of flowers. 2495 02:23:34.959 --> 02:23:38.079 Clouds of butterflies sprang up at their approach and swirled 2496 02:23:38.079 --> 02:23:41.479 about them. To their right stood two broken columns, half 2497 02:23:41.559 --> 02:23:45.159 hidden beneath a wild tangle of vine and clusters of 2498 02:23:45.159 --> 02:23:49.719 purple grapes. Beyond was the forest, dark and cool and silent, 2499 02:23:50.239 --> 02:23:53.760 with shafts of sunlight in it, like golden spears pinning 2500 02:23:53.799 --> 02:23:57.719 the forest floor to earth. There was no breeze, and 2501 02:23:57.799 --> 02:24:01.280 as David stood there, scarcely daring to breathe, they heard 2502 02:24:01.319 --> 02:24:03.680 the sound of shepherd pipes coming from the edge of 2503 02:24:03.680 --> 02:24:07.319 the wood. It was a minor tune, but somehow lilting too, 2504 02:24:07.879 --> 02:24:10.000 with the rippling of water in it, and the laughter 2505 02:24:10.120 --> 02:24:13.440 of birds flying high, and the whisper of reeds as 2506 02:24:13.440 --> 02:24:16.079 they bent together by the edge of streams, and the 2507 02:24:16.120 --> 02:24:19.600 gaiety of crickets by night, and the pouring of summer rain. 2508 02:24:21.000 --> 02:24:23.520 The piping died away, and the phoenix beckoned to the 2509 02:24:23.520 --> 02:24:27.239 spell bound David. Together they walked across the glade, leaving 2510 02:24:27.280 --> 02:24:31.079 behind them a wake of swirling butterflies. An immense oak 2511 02:24:31.159 --> 02:24:33.959 stood at the edge of the forest. At its foot 2512 02:24:34.079 --> 02:24:37.440 on a bed of moss, set the fawn. He was 2513 02:24:37.479 --> 02:24:40.440 the same size as David from the waist down. He 2514 02:24:40.559 --> 02:24:43.639 was covered with shaggy hair like a goat's, and instead 2515 02:24:43.639 --> 02:24:46.559 of feet, he had cloven hoofs. The hair on his 2516 02:24:46.680 --> 02:24:50.120 head was black and curly and tumbled around small pointed 2517 02:24:50.159 --> 02:24:53.120 ears and a pair of short horns. His eyes were 2518 02:24:53.159 --> 02:24:56.399 slanted slightly upward, and he had a pointed chin and 2519 02:24:56.440 --> 02:25:00.200 a snub nose. The fawn waved his pipes saucily at 2520 02:25:00.200 --> 02:25:04.079 the phoenix and gave a wry smile. Hello, phoenix, back 2521 02:25:04.120 --> 02:25:06.680 again to honor us with your wit and wisdom. What 2522 02:25:06.879 --> 02:25:10.479 gems of advice have you got for us now, my 2523 02:25:10.600 --> 02:25:13.440 dear fawn, said the phoenix stiffly. I have brought my 2524 02:25:13.520 --> 02:25:18.239 friend David, who is acquiring an education. We the fawn 2525 02:25:18.399 --> 02:25:23.520 smiled at David. Want to race? He said? Sure, said David, 2526 02:25:23.600 --> 02:25:28.159 where to one moment? Hrumped the phoenix. What we down 2527 02:25:28.200 --> 02:25:30.120 to that pedestal and back? 2528 02:25:30.200 --> 02:25:31.399 Said the fawn. 2529 02:25:31.719 --> 02:25:35.319 All right, wait till I tie my shoe. The phoenix 2530 02:25:35.360 --> 02:25:38.520 hrumped again. This is all very well in its place. 2531 02:25:38.639 --> 02:25:43.440 But we should ready, said the fawn. One, two, three go. 2532 02:25:44.680 --> 02:25:47.440 They dashed for the stone marker. It was an even 2533 02:25:47.520 --> 02:25:50.920 race until they reached the pedestal, but there, David tried 2534 02:25:50.959 --> 02:25:54.120 to turn without slowing down, slipped on the grass and 2535 02:25:54.159 --> 02:25:57.680 went sprawling on his hands and knees. The fawn knew better. 2536 02:25:58.000 --> 02:26:01.239 He sprang at the pedestal with both hooks, bounced from 2537 02:26:01.280 --> 02:26:03.520 it like a spring, and began to race back to 2538 02:26:03.600 --> 02:26:07.360 the oak. But then he too fell, tripping over a vine, 2539 02:26:07.680 --> 02:26:10.079 and David shot past him and touched the oak one 2540 02:26:10.159 --> 02:26:13.760 jump ahead of him, shouting first. They sat down on 2541 02:26:13.840 --> 02:26:17.399 the moss, panting. The fawn said, you can really run. 2542 02:26:17.600 --> 02:26:20.799 I'm sorry you fell. Well, you fell too, so that 2543 02:26:20.840 --> 02:26:23.639 makes us even, said David. They looked at each other 2544 02:26:23.680 --> 02:26:27.000 and for some reason burst out laughing. They rolled around 2545 02:26:27.000 --> 02:26:29.719 on the moss and laughed until tears came, while the 2546 02:26:29.760 --> 02:26:34.200 phoenix fidgeted in reproachful silence. When they had calmed down 2547 02:26:34.280 --> 02:26:38.879 a little, the fawn said, can you dance? No, said David. 2548 02:26:38.920 --> 02:26:42.959 I wish I could, though the educational value of dancing 2549 02:26:43.040 --> 02:26:47.680 is practically nil. The phoenix began severely. I advise sure 2550 02:26:47.719 --> 02:26:49.040 you can dance, said the fawn. 2551 02:26:49.280 --> 02:26:49.600 Listen. 2552 02:26:50.079 --> 02:26:52.639 He brought the pipes to his lips and began to play, 2553 02:26:53.440 --> 02:26:57.319 and much to his surprise and delight, David found himself 2554 02:26:57.399 --> 02:27:00.239 dancing as though he had never done anything else else 2555 02:27:00.280 --> 02:27:02.840 in his life. The wonderful thing was that he did 2556 02:27:02.920 --> 02:27:05.159 not have to think about what he was doing. The 2557 02:27:05.280 --> 02:27:08.360 music was doing it all for him. He saw that 2558 02:27:08.440 --> 02:27:11.280 even the phoenix was shuffling round in time to the piping, 2559 02:27:11.680 --> 02:27:15.200 and looking very embarrassed about it too. There said the 2560 02:27:15.239 --> 02:27:18.479 fawn when they had finished. You can dance, and very well. 2561 02:27:18.920 --> 02:27:22.639 Even old phoenix can dance. Suddenly he jumped up and cried, 2562 02:27:23.000 --> 02:27:26.680 let's go, come on, and started to run. David followed, 2563 02:27:26.879 --> 02:27:29.920 not knowing where they were going, and not caring. The 2564 02:27:29.959 --> 02:27:33.360 phoenix came after them, half running and half flying to 2565 02:27:33.479 --> 02:27:36.799 keep up. They raced across the glade, through a stand 2566 02:27:36.840 --> 02:27:40.479 of trees and out into the meadow. Beyond there, they 2567 02:27:40.520 --> 02:27:43.680 came to a bank of daisies and threw themselves into 2568 02:27:43.719 --> 02:27:45.680 the middle of it and began to pelt each other 2569 02:27:45.760 --> 02:27:49.600 with blossoms. The phoenix finally caught up in the spirit 2570 02:27:49.680 --> 02:27:52.600 of it, collected a huge bunch while they were wrestling, 2571 02:27:53.079 --> 02:27:56.440 flew suddenly over them and drowned them beneath a deluge 2572 02:27:56.440 --> 02:28:00.319 of flowers. Near By was the stream they split, lashed 2573 02:28:00.399 --> 02:28:04.200 in the shallows skipped pebbles over the surface and dug 2574 02:28:04.200 --> 02:28:06.559 a harbor with two dikes in the sandy part of 2575 02:28:06.559 --> 02:28:09.559 the shore. The fawn showed David how to build little 2576 02:28:09.600 --> 02:28:12.680 boats of reeds, and the phoenix made them sail by 2577 02:28:12.719 --> 02:28:15.799 blowing up a wind with its wings. They had a 2578 02:28:15.799 --> 02:28:19.239 tree climbing contest, which David won because his feet were 2579 02:28:19.280 --> 02:28:23.399 better than hoofs for standing on branches, but the fawn 2580 02:28:23.520 --> 02:28:26.319 won the jumping contest because of the tremendous spring in 2581 02:28:26.399 --> 02:28:30.799 his legs. They came out even in the handstand. Summer 2582 02:28:30.920 --> 02:28:34.760 salt and skin the cat contest, and the phoenix won 2583 02:28:34.799 --> 02:28:37.239 when they played skip rope with a piece of vine 2584 02:28:37.680 --> 02:28:39.879 because it could hover in the air with its wings 2585 02:28:39.920 --> 02:28:43.760 while the vine swished over and under. They had fun 2586 02:28:43.799 --> 02:28:46.440 with the sheep and goats too. The fawn made the 2587 02:28:46.479 --> 02:28:49.479 animals dance and caper to a tune from his pipes, 2588 02:28:49.840 --> 02:28:52.639 and showed David how to ride on the rams. He 2589 02:28:52.719 --> 02:28:56.879 crept up very quietly from behind, jumped suddenly on their backs, 2590 02:28:57.159 --> 02:29:00.000 got a quick grip around their necks, and a way 2591 02:29:00.360 --> 02:29:03.360 in a rush. It was almost as good as flying, 2592 02:29:03.520 --> 02:29:06.520 except that you got jolted off sooner or later. Then 2593 02:29:06.639 --> 02:29:09.639 watch out it took some quick dodging to escape the 2594 02:29:09.680 --> 02:29:13.239 horns of the angry rams. They left the goats alone 2595 02:29:13.239 --> 02:29:16.000 because of their sharper horns and the wicked look in 2596 02:29:16.040 --> 02:29:20.079 their eyes. I know where some pictures are, said the 2597 02:29:20.120 --> 02:29:22.559 fawn come on, and he led them to a kind 2598 02:29:22.600 --> 02:29:25.799 of glade ringed with shattered columns. The ground there was 2599 02:29:25.840 --> 02:29:28.879 covered with moss and drifts of leaves. They each got 2600 02:29:28.920 --> 02:29:31.760 a stick to clear away the debris and uncovered a 2601 02:29:31.760 --> 02:29:35.559 beautiful mosaic pavement. It was made of bits of colored 2602 02:29:35.559 --> 02:29:39.239 stone and tile, which were arranged to make pictures. There 2603 02:29:39.239 --> 02:29:43.079 were scenes of youths treading out wine, minstrels with lyres, 2604 02:29:44.120 --> 02:29:47.159 gods with curly hair, and a beast which was half 2605 02:29:47.200 --> 02:29:50.639 man and half horse. There were maidens dancing to flute 2606 02:29:50.680 --> 02:29:55.319 and drums, hunters battling with boars and lions, warriors clashing 2607 02:29:55.360 --> 02:29:58.360 with sword and shield and spear. There were series of 2608 02:29:58.399 --> 02:30:05.840 pictures teelling stories of wonders and adventures in far distant lands, voyages, wars, conquests. 2609 02:30:06.639 --> 02:30:10.079 The fawn proudly pointed out a picture of other fawns 2610 02:30:10.159 --> 02:30:15.319 dancing with nymphs. The phoenix gazed very thoughtfully at some 2611 02:30:15.520 --> 02:30:18.319 scenes of a bird building and sitting in a nest 2612 02:30:18.360 --> 02:30:21.280 of flames. But the last picture of this story had 2613 02:30:21.319 --> 02:30:23.559 been broken up by roots, so they could not see 2614 02:30:23.600 --> 02:30:26.520 how it ended. When they came to the end of 2615 02:30:26.520 --> 02:30:30.319 the valley where the rainbow arched over the pool, David 2616 02:30:30.360 --> 02:30:32.600 told them of the pot of gold, which is supposed 2617 02:30:32.600 --> 02:30:35.440 to be at the foot of rainbows. They looked for it, 2618 02:30:35.479 --> 02:30:38.680 but without success, because the rainbow disappeared whenever they got 2619 02:30:38.719 --> 02:30:41.719 too close to it. So David and the fawn contented 2620 02:30:41.719 --> 02:30:45.040 themselves with jumping into the pool and ducking each other 2621 02:30:45.159 --> 02:30:48.680 and making bubbly noises, while the phoenix, who could not swim, 2622 02:30:49.040 --> 02:30:49.680 stood on the. 2623 02:30:49.639 --> 02:30:51.159 Shore and beamed at them. 2624 02:30:51.520 --> 02:30:54.639 They picked ferns from under the waterfall and made wreaths 2625 02:30:54.639 --> 02:30:59.280 and garlands, which they threw at the phoenix's head like quoits. 2626 02:31:00.639 --> 02:31:03.239 The fawn showed them a certain place to shout from 2627 02:31:03.319 --> 02:31:06.399 if you wanted to hear an echo. The phoenix shouted 2628 02:31:06.680 --> 02:31:12.520 A stitch in time saves nine, and the echo dolorously answered, 2629 02:31:13.360 --> 02:31:18.239 A switch is fine for crime. Wet and tired from 2630 02:31:18.280 --> 02:31:21.159 splashing in the pool, they stretched out in the sun 2631 02:31:21.200 --> 02:31:23.920 to dry. A grape vine grew near them, and they 2632 02:31:23.959 --> 02:31:27.479 gorged themselves on the fruit, smearing their faces and hands 2633 02:31:27.479 --> 02:31:31.120 with purple, and David closed his eyes and thought, now 2634 02:31:31.159 --> 02:31:34.319 I'm having a dream, and so is the phoenix. We're 2635 02:31:34.360 --> 02:31:37.000 all dreaming the same thing and living in the dream. 2636 02:31:37.120 --> 02:31:39.639 And I wish, oh, I wish none of us will 2637 02:31:39.680 --> 02:31:42.600 ever wake up. But he had just opened his eyes 2638 02:31:42.639 --> 02:31:45.120 again when the fawn leaped to his feet and cried 2639 02:31:45.600 --> 02:31:49.079 listen and flicked his pointed ears forward like a cat. 2640 02:31:50.000 --> 02:31:52.440 David stood up and said, in a puzzled voice, I 2641 02:31:52.479 --> 02:31:55.680 don't hear anything. He noticed that the phoenix had also 2642 02:31:55.719 --> 02:31:59.760 got up and was listening uncomfortably to whatever it was. Listen, Oh, 2643 02:32:00.360 --> 02:32:02.920 cried the fawn. There was a joyous light in his 2644 02:32:03.000 --> 02:32:05.799 eyes as he leaned forward with his lips slightly parted, 2645 02:32:06.239 --> 02:32:11.120 straining toward the mysterious silence. Suddenly he shouted, uncoming, uncoming, 2646 02:32:11.440 --> 02:32:15.360 and dashed off into the wood. Good Heavens, muttered the phoenix. 2647 02:32:15.399 --> 02:32:18.719 I had forgotten about this. Let us go home, my boy. 2648 02:32:19.239 --> 02:32:22.000 A strange, uncontrollable trembling. 2649 02:32:21.559 --> 02:32:23.079 Had seized David's legs. 2650 02:32:24.120 --> 02:32:27.239 He still could hear nothing, but some feeling, some hint 2651 02:32:27.239 --> 02:32:31.079 of an unknown tremendous event hung quivering in the air 2652 02:32:31.120 --> 02:32:34.559 about them, and sent little electric thrills racing up and 2653 02:32:34.600 --> 02:32:37.479 down his whole body. Oh, phoenix, what is it? 2654 02:32:37.639 --> 02:32:38.079 What is it? 2655 02:32:38.200 --> 02:32:41.280 He whispered. I think we had best be going, my boy, 2656 02:32:41.360 --> 02:32:45.520 said the phoenix, anxiously. Come along, phoenix. But he heard 2657 02:32:45.559 --> 02:32:49.520 it now. It came whispering toward them, the sound of pipes, caroling, 2658 02:32:50.079 --> 02:32:53.120 pipes such as the fawn had played, but greater as 2659 02:32:53.159 --> 02:32:56.680 an organ is greater than a flute. The wild sweet 2660 02:32:56.719 --> 02:33:00.760 sound rose and fell, swelled like a full choir, diminished 2661 02:33:00.799 --> 02:33:04.239 into one soprano voice that pierced David through and through, 2662 02:33:05.000 --> 02:33:11.440 caressing and tugging, calling, come, come, run, run phoenix. David cried, 2663 02:33:11.559 --> 02:33:17.559 Oh phoenix, listen, listen, run run. The pipes whispered, Let 2664 02:33:17.680 --> 02:33:21.959 us go home, my boy, said the phoenix, warningly, come, come, 2665 02:33:22.120 --> 02:33:26.120 cried the pipes. They could be resisted no longer. In 2666 02:33:26.200 --> 02:33:30.079 a transport of joy. David shouted, I'm coming, and raced 2667 02:33:30.120 --> 02:33:33.840 away toward the sound. There is nothing in his mind now, 2668 02:33:34.000 --> 02:33:36.959 nothing in the whole world, but a desire to be 2669 02:33:37.079 --> 02:33:40.879 near those pipes. He must run like the winds, leap 2670 02:33:40.959 --> 02:33:45.479 and shout, roll in the grass, throw himself down flowered slopes. 2671 02:33:46.079 --> 02:33:50.280 Follow that magic music wherever it should lead. He fled 2672 02:33:50.319 --> 02:33:53.520 blindly through the wood, heedless of the branches which whipped 2673 02:33:53.520 --> 02:33:56.520 his face and the thorns which tore at his legs. 2674 02:33:56.959 --> 02:34:01.959 The pipes were calling more loudly, now, run, run faster, faster. 2675 02:34:02.840 --> 02:34:05.200 Then the phoenix plunged to earth in front of him, 2676 02:34:05.639 --> 02:34:10.319 threw out both wings and shouted stop, let me go, phoenix, 2677 02:34:10.399 --> 02:34:13.920 David cried, let me buy. I want to run, I 2678 02:34:14.000 --> 02:34:17.879 must run. He made a desperate effort to push past 2679 02:34:17.920 --> 02:34:21.280 the outstretched wings, but the phoenix flung him to the ground, 2680 02:34:21.719 --> 02:34:24.440 picked him up before he could kick once, and threw 2681 02:34:24.520 --> 02:34:27.559 him on its back. Then they were flying at full speed, 2682 02:34:28.040 --> 02:34:31.680 dodging through gaps in the branches and between close set trunks, 2683 02:34:32.079 --> 02:34:35.879 with leaves and twigs slashing them from every side. They 2684 02:34:35.920 --> 02:34:38.719 burst out of the wood and sped over a meadow. 2685 02:34:39.239 --> 02:34:43.319 David saw below them a huge fawn like figure pacing 2686 02:34:43.360 --> 02:34:48.200 majestically across the sword. A flaming wreath encircled its brow, 2687 02:34:48.719 --> 02:34:52.120 garlands of flowers hung from its arms and shoulders, and 2688 02:34:52.200 --> 02:34:56.120 those enchanted pipes were lifted to its lips. Around the 2689 02:34:56.159 --> 02:35:01.000 cloven hoofs and trailing out behind danced a maltaitude of creatures, 2690 02:35:01.559 --> 02:35:07.239 lambs and kids, gamboling, goats and rams tossing their horns, foxes, 2691 02:35:07.479 --> 02:35:11.959 furry waves of squirrels, rabbits kicking up their heels, fawns 2692 02:35:11.959 --> 02:35:16.920 and nymphs, rollicking frogs and crickets and serpents. Above them 2693 02:35:16.959 --> 02:35:21.040 flew birds and butterflies and beetles and bats in swirling clouds. 2694 02:35:21.680 --> 02:35:27.879 Full voiced the glorious pipes sang come, come, run, run, follow, 2695 02:35:28.399 --> 02:35:32.719 leap and dance, adore and obey, run, oh, run, heed 2696 02:35:32.799 --> 02:35:36.319 me before all passes follow, before it is too late, 2697 02:35:36.680 --> 02:35:42.600 too late, too late, And David, in a delirium of desire, shouted, 2698 02:35:42.959 --> 02:35:47.079 I'm coming and jumped from the phoenix's back For an instant. 2699 02:35:47.159 --> 02:35:49.719 As he fell through the air, he thought he would 2700 02:35:49.879 --> 02:35:54.200 succeed in joining the dancing throng, but the phoenix, plunging 2701 02:35:54.239 --> 02:35:58.760 after him falcon wise with folded wings, seized his collar 2702 02:35:58.840 --> 02:36:01.559 in its talons and snatched him up from the very 2703 02:36:01.680 --> 02:36:04.879 arms of the fawn, who had recognized him and called 2704 02:36:04.920 --> 02:36:08.639 his name. As he fell up toward the cloudless sky, 2705 02:36:08.840 --> 02:36:14.120 they soared. David cried, pleading, pommeling the phoenix with his fists. 2706 02:36:14.559 --> 02:36:18.280 The phoenix ignored his struggling and continued to climb with 2707 02:36:18.399 --> 02:36:23.040 tremendous wing strokes, up and up and up. The piping 2708 02:36:23.079 --> 02:36:27.159 grew fainter in the distance, its magic weakened, the enchanted 2709 02:36:27.239 --> 02:36:31.159 dancers diminished into specks. The valley fell away until it 2710 02:36:31.200 --> 02:36:34.799 was only a green splash nestled among the jagged peaks, 2711 02:36:34.840 --> 02:36:38.799 and David burst into tears, and then wondered why he 2712 02:36:38.920 --> 02:36:42.200 was crying, and tried to remember and could not. The 2713 02:36:42.280 --> 02:36:46.479 trembling left his body, and he dangled limply, his eyes closed. 2714 02:36:47.680 --> 02:36:51.479 End of chapter nine, Chapter ten, in which a five 2715 02:36:51.559 --> 02:36:55.079 hundredth birthday is celebrated and the phoenix bows to tradition. 2716 02:36:56.200 --> 02:36:58.959 That's funny, said David, rubbing his eyes and looking around 2717 02:36:59.040 --> 02:36:59.920 in a puzzled way. 2718 02:37:00.399 --> 02:37:02.879 Where are we? Phoenix? Home? 2719 02:37:03.040 --> 02:37:05.799 Is the sailor home from the hill, the phoenix said? 2720 02:37:06.239 --> 02:37:08.799 And the hunter home from the sea? Or is it 2721 02:37:08.840 --> 02:37:11.040 the other way around? At any rate, we are home, 2722 02:37:11.079 --> 02:37:14.479 my boy, And so they were. Weren't we playing with 2723 02:37:14.559 --> 02:37:15.719 a fawn just now? 2724 02:37:16.040 --> 02:37:16.440 Quite so? 2725 02:37:17.280 --> 02:37:19.239 But there was something else, David said. 2726 02:37:19.319 --> 02:37:19.719 Something. 2727 02:37:20.159 --> 02:37:23.680 Didn't somebody say follow before it is too late or 2728 02:37:23.680 --> 02:37:27.799 something like that? Did we follow? I can't remember. No, 2729 02:37:28.000 --> 02:37:30.239 my boy, By the time one hears that, it is 2730 02:37:30.319 --> 02:37:33.639 already too late. Oh too late for what? He wondered. 2731 02:37:33.799 --> 02:37:35.680 Oh well, he sighed and fell. 2732 02:37:35.559 --> 02:37:36.360 To day dreaming. 2733 02:37:37.040 --> 02:37:40.280 A cough from the phoenix brought him back. Beg your pardon. 2734 02:37:41.120 --> 02:37:43.879 I have never seen you so thoughtful, my boy. However, 2735 02:37:43.959 --> 02:37:46.959 I believe I know what you are thinking about. It 2736 02:37:47.079 --> 02:37:50.200 is a difficult problem, is it not. Yes, I was 2737 02:37:50.440 --> 02:37:53.719 just thinking what you could get me for a birthday present, 2738 02:37:53.760 --> 02:37:56.239 interrupted the phoenix. Am I not correct? 2739 02:37:56.840 --> 02:37:57.159 David? 2740 02:37:57.200 --> 02:37:59.879 Who had not given this a thought until now? Fly 2741 02:38:00.079 --> 02:38:03.879 us Aha, said the phoenix triumphantly, Just as I thought. 2742 02:38:04.559 --> 02:38:07.120 Believe me, my dear fellow, when you have been around 2743 02:38:07.120 --> 02:38:09.639 as long as I have, you can read the minds of. 2744 02:38:09.719 --> 02:38:12.760 Your friends as easily as a book. Now. 2745 02:38:12.879 --> 02:38:15.239 The problem of what to give is a hard one 2746 02:38:15.280 --> 02:38:17.840 at any time, But the problem of what to give 2747 02:38:17.920 --> 02:38:22.680 for a five hundredth birthday is even harder. A monogrammed ashtray. 2748 02:38:23.159 --> 02:38:26.520 I do not receive cigars often enough to make that practical. 2749 02:38:27.040 --> 02:38:30.680 A hand knitted sweater it would not fit. They never do. 2750 02:38:31.760 --> 02:38:35.399 A gold plated watch chain. I have no watch. No, 2751 02:38:35.639 --> 02:38:38.000 the best idea would be to get me something which 2752 02:38:38.000 --> 02:38:44.000 I can use, certainly, phoenix. David stammered, what do you want? Then, Ah, 2753 02:38:44.120 --> 02:38:46.639 we have reached the kernel of the problem. And the answer, 2754 02:38:46.719 --> 02:38:52.719 my boy, is this cinnamon. Cinnamon precisely. Also a box 2755 02:38:52.760 --> 02:38:55.159 of matches, the kind that strike anywhere. 2756 02:38:55.200 --> 02:38:55.440 You know. 2757 02:38:56.280 --> 02:38:58.719 Well, all right, it doesn't sound like much of a present. 2758 02:38:58.920 --> 02:39:01.399 But if that's what you really want, what are you 2759 02:39:01.479 --> 02:39:02.280 going to do with them? 2760 02:39:02.319 --> 02:39:02.799 Phoenix? 2761 02:39:02.920 --> 02:39:05.959 I mean, if you don't mind my asking, The plain 2762 02:39:06.040 --> 02:39:08.920 fact is, my boy, said the phoenix, doubtfully. The plain 2763 02:39:09.040 --> 02:39:13.120 fact is, well, I do not know odd, but something 2764 02:39:13.159 --> 02:39:13.639 tells me. 2765 02:39:13.600 --> 02:39:14.840 I shall need them. 2766 02:39:15.319 --> 02:39:17.559 Well, it will come to me in the morning, no doubt, 2767 02:39:17.840 --> 02:39:19.879 and then, of course I shall be very glad to 2768 02:39:19.959 --> 02:39:23.799 have them on hand, all right, Cinnamon and matches then, 2769 02:39:24.040 --> 02:39:26.719 and I'll get some. No, I won't tell you that. 2770 02:39:26.879 --> 02:39:30.920 It'll be a surprise, a surprise splendid, my boy. You 2771 02:39:31.000 --> 02:39:34.200 could not, I suppose, drop me a small hint. No, 2772 02:39:34.399 --> 02:39:37.920 but of course not one hint, and my powerful intellect 2773 02:39:38.000 --> 02:39:41.360 could guess everything, and then the surprise would be spoiled 2774 02:39:41.799 --> 02:39:46.440 well until tomorrow. Then that evening, David shut himself in 2775 02:39:46.520 --> 02:39:49.600 his room and robbed his bank. It was a squat 2776 02:39:49.719 --> 02:39:52.440 cast iron box with a penny saved as a penny 2777 02:39:52.479 --> 02:39:56.159 earned in raised letters on one side. The only way 2778 02:39:56.200 --> 02:39:58.360 to open it was to smash it with a crowbar, 2779 02:39:58.600 --> 02:40:02.200 but it could be emptied. It had to be tilted 2780 02:40:02.360 --> 02:40:04.879 just so with a knife blade in the slot to 2781 02:40:04.959 --> 02:40:08.840 catch the coins and guide them out. This is what 2782 02:40:09.000 --> 02:40:11.559 David did with a bread knife borrowed from the kitchen. 2783 02:40:12.120 --> 02:40:15.360 It was a slow, uncertain job, and one coin he 2784 02:40:15.399 --> 02:40:17.440 guessed it was a dime by the way it rattled, 2785 02:40:17.799 --> 02:40:20.920 never did come out, but the rest, which included his 2786 02:40:21.079 --> 02:40:24.920 change from Uncle Charles present, would be enough. Early next 2787 02:40:24.920 --> 02:40:27.200 morning he went to the store and bought three large 2788 02:40:27.280 --> 02:40:30.879 boxes of stick cinnamon, two cans of powdered cinnamon, and 2789 02:40:30.920 --> 02:40:34.319 a huge box of matches. For the surprise, he got 2790 02:40:34.360 --> 02:40:38.040 a whole court of strawberry ice cream with a piece 2791 02:40:38.079 --> 02:40:40.840 of dry ice to keep it from melting. He wanted 2792 02:40:40.840 --> 02:40:42.879 to buy a cake too, and candles, but there was 2793 02:40:42.920 --> 02:40:45.920 not enough money left. Then he remembered that a new 2794 02:40:45.959 --> 02:40:48.879 batch of cookies had been baked at home yesterday, which 2795 02:40:48.920 --> 02:40:51.920 would have to do instead. He wrapped the cinnamon and 2796 02:40:52.040 --> 02:40:55.200 matches up in a neat package with white paper, tied 2797 02:40:55.239 --> 02:40:58.719 it in a blue ribbon and wrote on it two Phoenix, 2798 02:40:58.840 --> 02:41:03.079 Happy five hundred from David. Then he took all the 2799 02:41:03.079 --> 02:41:06.520 cookies from a jar, borrowed two plates and spoons, put 2800 02:41:06.520 --> 02:41:09.200 everything into a large paper bag, and set out for 2801 02:41:09.239 --> 02:41:12.959 the phoenix's ledge. He was surprised to find the phoenix 2802 02:41:13.000 --> 02:41:15.319 working busily in the middle of a wide place on 2803 02:41:15.399 --> 02:41:18.840 the ledge. Apparently the bird had been at it all night, 2804 02:41:19.239 --> 02:41:21.479 for a huge pile of sticks and brush had been 2805 02:41:21.520 --> 02:41:24.760 heaped up on the ground and shaped roughly like a nest. 2806 02:41:25.639 --> 02:41:28.200 Right now, the phoenix was struggling with a small log, 2807 02:41:28.319 --> 02:41:32.040 trying to get it on the pile. Hello Phoenix, Happy birthday. 2808 02:41:32.799 --> 02:41:34.399 Ah there, my boy, thank. 2809 02:41:34.200 --> 02:41:34.920 You very much. 2810 02:41:35.159 --> 02:41:37.280 Could you kindly give me a hand with this log? 2811 02:41:38.159 --> 02:41:40.280 They heaved and grunted the piece of wood to the 2812 02:41:40.319 --> 02:41:44.959 top of the pile, and David said, what's this for, phoenix? This, 2813 02:41:45.159 --> 02:41:48.319 my boy, is a pyre, a bit untidy around the edges, 2814 02:41:48.360 --> 02:41:51.360 but none the less a pyre, Oh, said David. 2815 02:41:51.440 --> 02:41:54.360 What's that? Well, a pyre? You know, a sort of. 2816 02:41:54.440 --> 02:41:58.440 Fire as it were, Oh, fire, I thought you said, 2817 02:41:58.559 --> 02:42:02.200 Oh yes, fire. Isn't it awfully warm for a fire? 2818 02:42:03.719 --> 02:42:07.040 The weather is unusually tropical said the phoenix, cocking one 2819 02:42:07.079 --> 02:42:11.159 eye towards the sun. This fire, however, is necessary, but 2820 02:42:11.239 --> 02:42:14.319 I shall explain later. Meanwhile, if you will just aid 2821 02:42:14.360 --> 02:42:17.079 me with this branch, And for the next fifteen minutes 2822 02:42:17.120 --> 02:42:19.920 they worked over the heap, adding to it and shaping 2823 02:42:19.920 --> 02:42:23.159 it up. David kept his thoughts to himself. He can 2824 02:42:23.200 --> 02:42:25.399 see that the phoenix knew what it was doing, so 2825 02:42:25.600 --> 02:42:28.159 everything must be all right. By the way, my boy, 2826 02:42:28.239 --> 02:42:31.399 said the phoenix casually, when they had finished. My prediction 2827 02:42:31.600 --> 02:42:34.920 was correct. I knew it would be. The inevitable has occurred. 2828 02:42:35.719 --> 02:42:39.079 What are you talking about, Phoenix? The scientist, My boy, 2829 02:42:39.280 --> 02:42:42.239 he is in our midst. Once more, David clutched a 2830 02:42:42.280 --> 02:42:44.680 branch in the heap and said, oh, phoenix, in a 2831 02:42:44.680 --> 02:42:48.079 frightened voice. Now, my dear fellow, there is no cause 2832 02:42:48.079 --> 02:42:50.760 for alarm. He is not nearby at present. I sent 2833 02:42:50.879 --> 02:42:55.159 him back. Send him back. How nothing to it, my boy, 2834 02:42:55.200 --> 02:42:57.879 said the phoenix smugly. He was up at the crack 2835 02:42:57.920 --> 02:43:01.760 of dawn, toiling with typical stoopidy in full sight on 2836 02:43:01.840 --> 02:43:04.840 the slope below. He was making a blind of green 2837 02:43:04.920 --> 02:43:08.319 branches to hide in while he spies on me. Really, 2838 02:43:08.360 --> 02:43:11.639 the childishness of his efforts to think for a minute 2839 02:43:11.680 --> 02:43:14.840 he could fool me with such tricks. Well, I waited 2840 02:43:14.920 --> 02:43:17.559 until he had gone down the slope to cut more greenery, 2841 02:43:17.920 --> 02:43:20.120 and when his back was turned, I slipped down to 2842 02:43:20.200 --> 02:43:23.959 the blind and took his binoculars. But, Phoenix, what did 2843 02:43:24.000 --> 02:43:27.479 you want with his binoculars? I did not want his binoculars, 2844 02:43:27.559 --> 02:43:27.959 my boy. 2845 02:43:28.040 --> 02:43:28.719 But he did. 2846 02:43:29.200 --> 02:43:32.479 His language when he discovered the loss was simply frightful. 2847 02:43:33.159 --> 02:43:35.520 I could hear it all the way up here. Of course, 2848 02:43:35.559 --> 02:43:38.719 he had to return to town for another pair. But 2849 02:43:38.799 --> 02:43:42.319 he'll be back precisely, my boy. But he will have 2850 02:43:42.440 --> 02:43:46.000 something to keep him busy when he returns. I took 2851 02:43:46.040 --> 02:43:49.719 the liberty of destroying his blind. That will hold him. 2852 02:43:50.360 --> 02:43:52.680 But it won't hold him long, Phoenix, We've got to 2853 02:43:52.719 --> 02:43:53.719 think of something else. 2854 02:43:54.239 --> 02:43:57.920 Now, your whole birthday is spoiled. On the contrary, my boy, 2855 02:43:58.319 --> 02:44:00.959 it will hold him long enough. Now, please do not 2856 02:44:01.120 --> 02:44:03.639 ask me why. You must take my word for it, 2857 02:44:03.680 --> 02:44:07.000 and I shall explain later. And my birthday is not spoiled. 2858 02:44:07.520 --> 02:44:09.760 I am looking forward with a great deal of pleasure 2859 02:44:09.799 --> 02:44:12.719 to the surprise which you promised me. Come, let us 2860 02:44:12.799 --> 02:44:16.200 enjoy it whatever it is, and forget the scientist. Well, 2861 02:44:16.239 --> 02:44:18.000 are you sure about the scientist? 2862 02:44:18.559 --> 02:44:19.280 Absolutely? 2863 02:44:20.799 --> 02:44:23.719 The phoenix was so positive that David began to feel better. 2864 02:44:24.040 --> 02:44:26.600 He picked up the paper bag and said, well, it 2865 02:44:26.719 --> 02:44:29.479 isn't much of a surprise really, just a birthday party 2866 02:44:29.799 --> 02:44:32.040 and your present. But I think the present should come 2867 02:44:32.079 --> 02:44:35.520 after the party, don't you quite so, my boy? But 2868 02:44:35.600 --> 02:44:37.680 I shall leave the management of the whole affair in 2869 02:44:37.719 --> 02:44:41.280 your capable hands, all right, said David. Now you'll have 2870 02:44:41.360 --> 02:44:43.719 to turn around, Phoenix and not look while I'm getting 2871 02:44:43.760 --> 02:44:48.280 it ready. Phoenix obediently turned around, clasping its wings behind 2872 02:44:48.319 --> 02:44:52.200 its back and tried hard not to peek. David set 2873 02:44:52.200 --> 02:44:54.879 the party things out on the grass, ice cream in 2874 02:44:54.920 --> 02:44:57.559 the middle, the cookies in a ring around it, plates 2875 02:44:57.600 --> 02:45:00.799 on either side, and spoons beside the plates. He set 2876 02:45:00.840 --> 02:45:03.760 the phoenixes present off to one side where it could 2877 02:45:03.760 --> 02:45:08.280 be reached when they had finished. All right, Phoenix, you 2878 02:45:08.280 --> 02:45:11.360 can turn around now. The phoenix took a long look 2879 02:45:11.399 --> 02:45:14.360 at everything and said, huskily, my dear Chap, this is 2880 02:45:14.440 --> 02:45:17.079 quite the nicest moment of my life. How can I 2881 02:45:17.159 --> 02:45:21.159 possibly thank you? They sat down in their places. David 2882 02:45:21.159 --> 02:45:23.920 passed the cookies and served the ice cream, and said 2883 02:45:23.920 --> 02:45:26.280 that as far as he was concerned, this was the 2884 02:45:26.319 --> 02:45:29.280 best birthday party he had ever been to, and the 2885 02:45:29.319 --> 02:45:32.559 Phoenix said quite so, my boy. But might I make 2886 02:45:32.639 --> 02:45:36.120 so bold as to ask why? And David answered, well, 2887 02:45:36.159 --> 02:45:38.920 the reason is that usually during birthday parties you have 2888 02:45:39.000 --> 02:45:41.639 to play stupid games like pin the tail on the 2889 02:45:41.719 --> 02:45:45.319 donkey and button button who has the button, in spite 2890 02:45:45.319 --> 02:45:47.360 of the fact that eating good things is the real 2891 02:45:47.440 --> 02:45:50.959 reason for having a party, as everybody knows. And the 2892 02:45:51.000 --> 02:45:54.959 Phoenix said, precisely, my boy, But people have somehow lost 2893 02:45:55.000 --> 02:45:57.879 the main idea of the thing. When you come right 2894 02:45:57.920 --> 02:45:59.920 down to it, ice cream is the basis of it 2895 02:46:00.040 --> 02:46:03.319 any sensible party, and everything else is a waste of time. 2896 02:46:04.040 --> 02:46:07.000 And David said, yes, Phoenix, but don't forget cake and 2897 02:46:07.040 --> 02:46:09.840 cookies and candy and nuts and things. They're not as 2898 02:46:09.840 --> 02:46:12.200 good as ice cream, but they're not a complete waste 2899 02:46:12.200 --> 02:46:17.000 of time either, and the Phoenix said, of course not, 2900 02:46:17.120 --> 02:46:20.479 my dear fellow. They are important too. And speaking of 2901 02:46:20.520 --> 02:46:23.200 ice cream, have you noticed that while chocolate is very 2902 02:46:23.239 --> 02:46:27.760 good and vanilla enjoys great popularity, still there is nothing 2903 02:46:27.840 --> 02:46:32.159 like strawberry. And David said, yes, you're right, rather sadly, 2904 02:46:32.280 --> 02:46:34.120 because the Phoenix was eating most of it. 2905 02:46:35.239 --> 02:46:36.000 At last, the. 2906 02:46:35.920 --> 02:46:39.360 Ice cream carton was empty and all the cookies were gone. 2907 02:46:40.040 --> 02:46:43.319 They both sighed regretfully and brushed away the crumbs, and 2908 02:46:43.399 --> 02:46:46.040 the phoenix looked hopefully at the present David had brought. 2909 02:46:46.840 --> 02:46:49.879 Happy birthday, Phoenix, David said, and he handed the gift 2910 02:46:49.920 --> 02:46:53.200 over with a little bow. Thank you, my boy, Thank you. 2911 02:46:53.280 --> 02:46:56.399 The Phoenix opened the package eagerly and gave a pleased cry. 2912 02:46:57.000 --> 02:47:00.159 Just what I wanted, my dear chap. I'm glad you 2913 02:47:00.200 --> 02:47:03.079 like it, David said. Do you know yet what it's for? 2914 02:47:03.440 --> 02:47:06.879 Can you really use it for something? The Phoenix suddenly 2915 02:47:06.920 --> 02:47:10.280 stopped smiling and looked at David with a strange expression 2916 02:47:10.360 --> 02:47:13.879 on its face, an expression David had never seen there before. 2917 02:47:14.280 --> 02:47:17.479 A vague dread swept through him, and he faltered, Phoenix, 2918 02:47:17.920 --> 02:47:19.000 you do know what it's for? 2919 02:47:19.239 --> 02:47:20.239 What is it? Tell me? 2920 02:47:22.000 --> 02:47:25.440 Well, my boy, Well, the fact is yes, I do know. 2921 02:47:25.879 --> 02:47:28.159 It came to me this morning while I was constructing 2922 02:47:28.239 --> 02:47:31.040 the ah nest here. I am afraid it will be 2923 02:47:31.120 --> 02:47:34.719 a bit hard to explain. The cinnamon ah the cinnamon, well, 2924 02:47:34.799 --> 02:47:39.399 cinnamon branches are what I should really have. But Phoenix, 2925 02:47:39.520 --> 02:47:43.479 what's it for? Behold, my boy. The phoenix opened the 2926 02:47:43.520 --> 02:47:46.639 boxes and spread the cinnamon sticks on the nest. Then 2927 02:47:46.639 --> 02:47:49.319 it took the cans and sprinkled the cinnamon powder over 2928 02:47:49.319 --> 02:47:52.719 the top and sides of the heap, until a whole 2929 02:47:52.799 --> 02:47:56.440 nest was brick dust red. There we are, my boy, 2930 02:47:56.559 --> 02:48:00.399 said the phoenix sadly. The traditional cinnamon pyre of the 2931 02:48:00.399 --> 02:48:04.840 Phoenix celebrated in song and story. And with the third 2932 02:48:04.920 --> 02:48:08.159 mention of the word pyre, David's legs went weak and 2933 02:48:08.239 --> 02:48:11.440 something seemed to catch in his throat. He remembered now 2934 02:48:11.639 --> 02:48:14.920 where he had heard that word before. It was in 2935 02:48:15.000 --> 02:48:18.520 his Book of Explorers, and it meant it meant phoenix, 2936 02:48:18.559 --> 02:48:22.319 He choked, Who is the pyre for? 2937 02:48:22.319 --> 02:48:25.040 For myself? Said the phoenix. Phoenix. 2938 02:48:26.000 --> 02:48:28.600 Now I implore you, please, oh dear, I knew it 2939 02:48:28.600 --> 02:48:30.040 would be difficult to explain. 2940 02:48:30.559 --> 02:48:31.520 Look at me, my boy. 2941 02:48:32.440 --> 02:48:34.959 David did as he was told, although his eyes were 2942 02:48:35.000 --> 02:48:38.760 filled with tears and he could not see through the blur. Now, 2943 02:48:38.799 --> 02:48:41.680 said the phoenix gently. The fact is that I have 2944 02:48:42.000 --> 02:48:47.520 besides my unusually acute intellect and instinct. This instinct told 2945 02:48:47.559 --> 02:48:49.920 me that it was my birthday to day. It also 2946 02:48:50.079 --> 02:48:53.040 told me to build this nest of cinnamon. Now it 2947 02:48:53.120 --> 02:48:55.840 tells me that I must make this nest my pyre, 2948 02:48:56.040 --> 02:48:58.479 because that is what the phoenix does at the end 2949 02:48:58.559 --> 02:49:01.920 of five hundred years. Now, please, my boy, I admit 2950 02:49:02.000 --> 02:49:04.079 it does not appear to be a very joyful way 2951 02:49:04.120 --> 02:49:07.000 of celebrating, but it must be done. This is the 2952 02:49:07.000 --> 02:49:10.479 traditional end of the phoenix, my boy, and we cannot 2953 02:49:10.520 --> 02:49:13.239 ignore the tradition, no matter what our feelings may be. 2954 02:49:13.600 --> 02:49:18.079 Do you see no, David cried, Please, phoenix, don't do it. 2955 02:49:18.079 --> 02:49:18.760 It's horrible. 2956 02:49:19.120 --> 02:49:21.559 I won't let you do it, but I must, my 2957 02:49:21.639 --> 02:49:24.079 dear Chap, I cannot help it. This is what it 2958 02:49:24.159 --> 02:49:28.399 means to be the phoenix. Nothing can stop the tradition. Please, 2959 02:49:28.440 --> 02:49:31.520 my boy, do not take on so it is not 2960 02:49:31.639 --> 02:49:34.840 in the least horrible, I assure you. My instinct tells me. So. 2961 02:49:35.920 --> 02:49:38.040 You said you were going to give me an education, 2962 02:49:38.360 --> 02:49:42.159 David sobbed. You said we would see, you said, and 2963 02:49:42.280 --> 02:49:45.000 we've only been on four adventures. You never told me 2964 02:49:45.040 --> 02:49:48.479 about this. I am terribly sorry, my boy. I could 2965 02:49:48.479 --> 02:49:50.399 not tell you about it because I did not know 2966 02:49:50.520 --> 02:49:53.799 about it until now. As for your education, it is 2967 02:49:53.840 --> 02:49:56.120 a pity to have it cut short in this way. 2968 02:49:56.600 --> 02:49:59.680 I had great plans, but consider you have had four 2969 02:49:59.680 --> 02:50:02.200 advance inchers, which no one else in the world has had. 2970 02:50:02.520 --> 02:50:06.559 And besides my boy, we shall see each other again. 2971 02:50:06.799 --> 02:50:08.959 I do not know how or where, but I am 2972 02:50:09.000 --> 02:50:11.959 positive of it. The phoenix flicked a tear from its 2973 02:50:12.000 --> 02:50:14.879 eye with the tip of one wing, while with the 2974 02:50:14.959 --> 02:50:19.239 other it patted David awkwardly on the shoulder. Don't go, Phoenix, 2975 02:50:19.360 --> 02:50:22.559 please don't go. I must my boy here. Permit me 2976 02:50:22.600 --> 02:50:25.719 to present you with a small token ouch of our friendship. 2977 02:50:26.760 --> 02:50:29.959 Dimly through his tears, David saw the phoenix pluck the longest, 2978 02:50:30.040 --> 02:50:32.959 bluest feather from its tail, and he felt it being 2979 02:50:33.000 --> 02:50:34.079 pressed into his hand. 2980 02:50:36.319 --> 02:50:38.280 Goodbye, David, said the phoenix, gruffly. 2981 02:50:39.920 --> 02:50:43.079 David could stand it no longer. He turned and rushed 2982 02:50:43.079 --> 02:50:46.399 blindly from the phoenix, blundered into the thicket and dropped 2983 02:50:46.399 --> 02:50:48.520 to the ground with his head buried in his arms. 2984 02:50:49.399 --> 02:50:52.079 Behind him, he heard the sticks snapping as the phoenix 2985 02:50:52.120 --> 02:50:56.559 mounted its pire. A match rasped against the box. The 2986 02:50:56.600 --> 02:51:00.280 first ton of flames sizzled in the branches Davi Hevid 2987 02:51:00.280 --> 02:51:03.040 pressed his hands over his ears to shut out the sound, 2988 02:51:03.399 --> 02:51:05.319 but he could feel the heat of the flames as 2989 02:51:05.360 --> 02:51:09.639 they sprang up, and the noise would not be shut out. 2990 02:51:10.040 --> 02:51:13.760 It grew and grew, popping, crackling, roaring, until it seemed 2991 02:51:13.760 --> 02:51:17.399 to fill the world. Perhaps he fainted, or perhaps from 2992 02:51:17.479 --> 02:51:21.159 numbness he slipped into a kind of deep sleep. Whichever 2993 02:51:21.239 --> 02:51:25.440 it was, he returned to consciousness again. Suddenly his hands 2994 02:51:25.479 --> 02:51:28.040 had slipped from his ears, and a sound had brought 2995 02:51:28.120 --> 02:51:31.840 him back. He lifted his head and listened. The fire 2996 02:51:31.879 --> 02:51:34.879 had burnt itself out. Now the only noise was the 2997 02:51:34.920 --> 02:51:38.840 hiss and pop of dying embers. But these sounds were 2998 02:51:38.840 --> 02:51:41.600 too gentle to have awakened him. It must have been 2999 02:51:41.600 --> 02:51:45.280 something else. Yes, it was a voice. He could hear 3000 02:51:45.280 --> 02:51:48.520 it quite plainly. Now there were angry shouts coming from 3001 02:51:48.559 --> 02:51:52.799 somewhere below the ledge. Carefully avoiding the sight of the pyre, 3002 02:51:53.479 --> 02:51:55.280 David crawled to the edge. 3003 02:51:55.040 --> 02:51:55.920 And glanced over. 3004 02:51:56.440 --> 02:51:58.440 Far down on the slope at the foot of the 3005 02:51:58.520 --> 02:52:02.799 scarp was a tiny fire figure, dancing and bellowing with rage. 3006 02:52:02.840 --> 02:52:05.639 The scientist had returned and discovered the ruins of his 3007 02:52:05.719 --> 02:52:09.959 blind David watched him dully. No need to worry about 3008 02:52:10.040 --> 02:52:13.799 him any more, how harmless he looked now, even ridiculous 3009 02:52:14.120 --> 02:52:17.559 David turned away. He noticed then that he was holding 3010 02:52:17.639 --> 02:52:21.159 something in his hand, something soft and heavy. As he 3011 02:52:21.239 --> 02:52:24.159 lifted it to look more closely, it flashed in the sunlight. 3012 02:52:24.840 --> 02:52:27.040 It was the feather the phoenix had given him, the 3013 02:52:27.079 --> 02:52:31.559 tail feather, tail feather, but the phoenix's tail had been 3014 02:52:31.719 --> 02:52:34.680 a sapphire blue. The feather in his hand was of 3015 02:52:34.719 --> 02:52:39.360 the purest, palest gold. There was a slight stir behind him. 3016 02:52:39.520 --> 02:52:41.799 In spite of himself, he glanced at the remains of 3017 02:52:41.840 --> 02:52:45.360 the pyre, his mouth dropped open. In the middle of 3018 02:52:45.399 --> 02:52:49.559 the white ashes and glowing coals, there was movement. Something 3019 02:52:49.600 --> 02:52:53.440 within was struggling up toward the top. The noises grew 3020 02:52:53.479 --> 02:52:57.920 stronger and more definite. Charred sticks were being snapped, ashes 3021 02:52:58.000 --> 02:53:01.639 kicked aside, Embers pushed out of the way. Now like 3022 02:53:01.680 --> 02:53:04.040 a plant thrusting its way out of the soil. There 3023 02:53:04.079 --> 02:53:08.040 appeared something pale and glittering, which knotted in the breeze. 3024 02:53:08.600 --> 02:53:12.799 Little tongues of flame, it seemed, licking out into the air. No, 3025 02:53:12.920 --> 02:53:16.920 not flames, a crust of golden feathers. A heave from 3026 02:53:16.959 --> 02:53:19.520 below lifted the ashes in the center of the pile. 3027 02:53:19.920 --> 02:53:23.159 A fine cloud of flakes swirled up into the breeze. 3028 02:53:23.840 --> 02:53:27.040 There was a flash of sunlight glinting on brilliant plumage, 3029 02:53:27.360 --> 02:53:29.719 and from the ruins of the pyre stepped forth a 3030 02:53:29.760 --> 02:53:34.360 magnificent bird. It was the phoenix. It must be the phoenix, 3031 02:53:34.719 --> 02:53:37.399 but it was a new and different phoenix. It was 3032 02:53:37.440 --> 02:53:41.040 young and wild, with a fierce amber eye. Its crest 3033 02:53:41.159 --> 02:53:45.239 was tall and proud, its body the slim, muscular body 3034 02:53:45.280 --> 02:53:48.680 of a hunter. Its wings narrow and long and pointed 3035 02:53:48.719 --> 02:53:52.360 like a falcon's. The great beak and talons razor sharp 3036 02:53:52.399 --> 02:53:55.719 and curving, and all of it, from crest to talons 3037 02:53:56.120 --> 02:53:58.559 was a burnished gold that reflected the sun in a 3038 02:53:58.639 --> 02:54:03.479 thousand dazzling lights. The bird stretched its wings, shook the 3039 02:54:03.520 --> 02:54:06.719 ash from its tail, and began to preen itself. Every 3040 02:54:06.799 --> 02:54:09.600 movement was like a flash of a silent explosion. 3041 02:54:10.360 --> 02:54:12.280 Phoenix. David whispered, Phoenix. 3042 02:54:13.200 --> 02:54:16.760 The bird started, turned toward him, looked at him for 3043 02:54:16.799 --> 02:54:20.639 an instant with wild, fearless eyes, then continued its preening. 3044 02:54:21.200 --> 02:54:23.920 Suddenly it stopped and cocked its head, as if listening 3045 02:54:23.959 --> 02:54:27.399 to something. Then David heard it too, a shout down 3046 02:54:27.440 --> 02:54:31.399 the mountain side, louder and clearer, now excited and jubilant. 3047 02:54:31.920 --> 02:54:35.079 He shivered and looked down. The scientist was tearing up 3048 02:54:35.079 --> 02:54:37.879 the goat trail as fast as his long legs would 3049 02:54:37.920 --> 02:54:43.520 carry him, and he was waving a rifle. Phoenix, David cried, Fly, Fly, Phoenix. 3050 02:54:44.040 --> 02:54:47.079 The bird looked at the scientist, then at David, its 3051 02:54:47.120 --> 02:54:51.920 glance curious but without understanding. Paralyzed with fear, David remained 3052 02:54:51.959 --> 02:54:55.159 on his knees as the scientist reached an open place 3053 02:54:55.239 --> 02:54:58.040 and threw the gun up to his shoulder. The bullet 3054 02:54:58.079 --> 02:55:01.440 went whining by with an ugly hornet noise, and the 3055 02:55:01.479 --> 02:55:05.399 report of the gun echoed along the scarp. Fly Phoenix. 3056 02:55:05.479 --> 02:55:09.079 David sobbed. A second bullet, snarled at the bird and 3057 02:55:09.120 --> 02:55:11.799 spattered out little chips of rock from the inner wall 3058 02:55:11.840 --> 02:55:15.600 of the ledge. Oh, Fly Fly. David jumped up and 3059 02:55:15.680 --> 02:55:19.120 flung himself between the bird and the scientist. It's me, 3060 02:55:19.319 --> 02:55:22.879 he cried, It's David. The bird gazed at him closely, 3061 02:55:23.000 --> 02:55:25.559 and a light flickered in its eye, as though the 3062 02:55:25.639 --> 02:55:28.719 name had reached out and almost but not quite touched 3063 02:55:28.719 --> 02:55:33.120 an ancient memory. Hesitantly, it stretched forth one wing and 3064 02:55:33.159 --> 02:55:36.520 with a tip of it lightly brushed David's forehead, leaving 3065 02:55:36.559 --> 02:55:40.479 there a mark that burned coolly. Get away from that bird, 3066 02:55:40.520 --> 02:55:42.360 you little idiot, the scientist shrieked. 3067 02:55:42.440 --> 02:55:42.959 Get away. 3068 02:55:43.920 --> 02:55:47.479 David ignored him. Fly Phoenix, he cried, and he pushed 3069 02:55:47.479 --> 02:55:51.920 the bird toward the edge. Understanding dawned in the amber eyes. 3070 02:55:51.959 --> 02:55:56.040 At last, the bird, with one clear, defiant cry, leaped 3071 02:55:56.200 --> 02:55:59.559 to an out jutting boulder. The golden wings spread, the 3072 02:55:59.559 --> 02:56:03.639 golden neck curved back, the golden talons pushed against the rock. 3073 02:56:04.120 --> 02:56:07.000 The bird launched itself into the air and soared out 3074 02:56:07.040 --> 02:56:11.760 over the valley, sparkling, flashing, shimmering, a flame large as 3075 02:56:11.760 --> 02:56:15.639 a sunburst, a meteor, a diamond, a star, diminishing at 3076 02:56:15.680 --> 02:56:18.959 last to a speck of gold dust, which glimmered twice 3077 02:56:19.000 --> 02:56:22.920 in the distance before it was gone altogether. End of 3078 02:56:23.000 --> 02:56:27.440 Chapter ten. End of David in the Phoenix by Edward 3079 02:56:27.559 --> 02:56:28.200 Ormandroid