TCN05 - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Part 02 of 09

Focus on the Family: Last time on *The Voyage of the Dawn Treader*.
Guest (Male): Once there was a boy named Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
Lucy: Do you like that picture of the ship, Lucy?
Guest (Female): Yes, I do.
Eustace: I think it's a rotten picture. I'll smash the rotten picture.
Lucy: Eustace, don't go near it.
Edmund: Edmund, be careful.
Caspian: Perhaps you'll remember that when I was a child, my usurping uncle Miraz got rid of seven friends of my father, who might have helped me, by sending them off to explore the unknown Eastern seas beyond the Lone Islands.
Lucy: Yes, and none of them came back.
Caspian: Right. Well, I swore an oath that once I established peace in Narnia, I would sail east myself for a year and a day to find my father's friends or to learn of their deaths and avenge them if I could.
Reepicheep: We may come to the very eastern end of the world on this voyage, and what might we find there? Aslan's own country. It is always from the east across the sea that the Great Lion comes to us.
Guest (Male): We are now nearly 30 days at sea and have sailed more than 400 leagues from Narnia.
Lucy: And after the Lone Islands?
Guest (Male): No one knows, your majesty.
Caspian: And it is after the Lone Islands that the adventure really begins.
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Guest (Female): It's a magic wardrobe. There's a wood inside it, and it's snowing, and it's called Narnia. Look!
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Guest (Male): Children!
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Edmund: Land in sight!
Caspian: Where?
Edmund: There, do you see? Off the starboard bow. The Lone Islands. Felimath and, do you see those gray slopes? That must be Doorn.
Lucy: Felimath and Doorn. Oh, Edmund, how long it's been since we saw them last. Do you see, Caspian?
Caspian: I do. Though I never understood why they belong to Narnia. Did Peter the High King conquer them?
Lucy: Oh, no, they were Narnian before our time, in the days of the White Witch.
Guest (Male): Are we to put in here, sire?
Caspian: I don't know, Captain. Edmund?
Edmund: I shouldn't think it would be much good landing on Felimath. It was almost uninhabited in our day and looks as if it's the same still. The people live mostly on Doorn and a little on Avra. That's the third island; you can't see it yet. They only kept sheep on Felimath.
Caspian: Then we'll have to double around that cape, I suppose, and land on Doorn. That'll mean rowing.
Lucy: I'm sorry we're not landing on Felimath. I'd like to walk there again. It was so lonely and a nice kind of loneliness. And all grass and clover and soft sea air.
Caspian: I'd love to stretch my legs, too. I tell you what, why shouldn't we go ashore in the boat and send it back? And then we could walk across Felimath and let the *Dawn Treader* pick us up on the other side.
Lucy: Oh, do let's. Edmund?
Edmund: Yes, all right.
Eustace: You'll come, Eustace?
Eustace: Anything to get off this blasted boat.
Caspian: Blasted? What do you mean?
Eustace: In a civilized country, like where I come from, the ships are so big when you're inside, you wouldn't know you were at sea at all.
Caspian: In that case, you might just as well stay ashore. Will you tell them to lower the boat, Drinian?
Drinian: Yes, sire.
Lucy: It's delightful to be ashore again. Oh, smell the earth and the grass.
Edmund: Feels like the ground is moving up and down.
Reepicheep: That's because you've been at sea for a while. It'll stop soon.
Edmund: I know that. There goes the *Dawn Treader*. She looks majestic on the water, doesn't she?
Eustace: It looks like a giant insect to me.
Edmund: Now, from this ridge we can see. Oh, there's Avra and there's Doorn across the channel.
Lucy: What's that town there on its coast?
Edmund: That must be Narrowhaven. Oh, hello. What's this?
Caspian: What?
Edmund: By that tree.
Lucy: It's only a group of men.
Edmund: Father rough-looking, if you ask me.
Caspian: Yes, and armed. What do you make of it, Reepicheep?
Reepicheep: There are seven in all. Are you concerned?
Caspian: Well, I wouldn't tell them who we are.
Reepicheep: I pray, your majesty, why not?
Caspian: It's just occurred to me that no one here can have heard from Narnia for a long time. It's just possible they may not still acknowledge our overlordship, in which case it might not be quite safe to be known as the king.
Reepicheep: We have our swords, sire.
Caspian: Yes, Reep, I know we have. But if it's a question of reconquering the three islands, I'd prefer to come back with a rather larger army. Good morning to you.
Pug: Good morning to you.
Caspian: Sirs, is there still a governor of the Lone Islands?
Pug: Go to be sure there is. Governor Gumpas. His sufficiency is at Narrowhaven. But you'll stay and drink with us?
Caspian: Thank you all the same, but we'll continue on.
Pug: Oh, but you won't. Take them, boys!
Caspian: What's the meaning of this?
Pug: Oh, I'd have thought it was clear. You're our captives now. Careful with that beast, Tacks. Don't damage him. He'll fetch the best price of the lot, I shouldn't wonder.
Reepicheep: Coward! Poltroon! Give me my sword and free my paws if you dare.
Pug: Oh, it can talk. Well, I never did. Blow me if I take less than 200 crescents for him.
Caspian: So that's what you are. A kidnapper and slaver. I hope you're proud of it.
Pug: Now, now, now, don't you start any jaw. The easier you take it, the pleasanter all round, see? I don't do this for fun. I've got my living to make, same as anyone else.
Lucy: Where will you take us?
Pug: Over to Narrowhaven for market day tomorrow.
Eustace: Is there a British consul there?
Pug: Is there a what?
Eustace: A consul. Is everyone ignorant of the basic diplomatic procedures? You see, a government establishes a consul in a foreign country to assist and aid the citizens who may be in residence and to look out for its own interests. I think you'd better gag that one, Tacks.
Pug: Gag me? But you don't seem to understand. I'm a subject of...
Pug: Now, youngsters, here's what's going to happen. There's a little village and a longboat down on the beach next to it. We'll take you out in my ship and then to Narrowhaven tomorrow, where we are going to sell you. So, let's have no fuss, and then you'll have nothing to cry about. Come on, boys. Get them in the longboat.
Pug: Well, Pug, what do you have here? More of your usual wares? Oh, yes, pleasing your lordship. Anything of interest? Hmm. How much do you want for that boy?
Bern: Which one, my lord?
Pug: That one, the one with the blond hair.
Bern: Oh, I knew your lordship would pick on the best. No deceiving your lordship with anything second-rate. That boy, well, now I've taken a fancy to him myself. Got kind of fond of him, I have. I'm so tender-hearted; I should never have taken up this job. Still, to a customer like your lordship...
Bern: Tell me a price, Carrion. You think I want to listen to the rigmarole of your filthy trade?
Pug: 300 crescents, my lord, but to anyone else...
Bern: I'll give you 150.
Lucy: Oh, please, please don't separate us, whatever you do. You don't know who we are. Lucy!
Bern: 150 then.
Pug: Done! As for you, little maiden, I'm sorry I cannot buy you all. Hand over my boy, Pug. And look, treat those others well while they're in your hands, or it'll be worse for you.
Bern: Well, now, who ever heard of a gentleman in my way of business who treated his stock better than what I do? Why, I treat them like my own dear children.
Pug: That's quite likely enough to be true. This way, lad.
Lucy: No, no, you can't!
Bern: Quiet you. Cheer up. I'm sure it'll come all right in the end.
Pug: Now, missy, don't you start taking on and spoiling your looks for the market tomorrow. Come on, boys. Let's go.
Guest (Male): Lucy, Edmund, Eustace, and Reepicheep were rowed out to the slave ship and taken below into a long, rather dark place, none too clean, where they found many unfortunate prisoners. Pug was, of course, a pirate and had just returned from cruising among the islands and capturing what he could. The children sat in the straw and wondered what was happening to Caspian and tried to stop Eustace talking as if everyone except himself was to blame. Meanwhile, Caspian was having a much more interesting time.
Bern: Look, you need me afraid of me, boy. I'll treat you well. I bought you for your face. You reminded me of someone.
Caspian: May I ask of whom, my lord?
Bern: You remind me of my master, King Caspian of Narnia.
Caspian: My lord, I am your master. I am Caspian, King of Narnia.
Bern: You make very free. How can I know this is true?
Caspian: Firstly, by my face. Secondly, because I know within six guesses who you are. You're one of those seven lords of Narnia whom my uncle Miraz sent to sea and whom I have come out to look for. Argoz, Bern, Octesian, Restimar, Mavramorn, or, oh, I've forgotten the others. I always do.
Bern: Rhoop and Revilian.
Caspian: Rhoop and Revilian, thank you. Finally, if your lordship will give me a sword, I will prove on any man's body in clean battle that I am Caspian, the son of Caspian, lawful King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands.
Bern: It is his father's very voice and trick of speech. Can it be?
Caspian: I assure you it can be and is.
Bern: My liege. Your majesty. I am the Lord Bern, one of whom you seek.
Caspian: Arise, Lord Bern. The money your lordship spent for our person will be made good from our own treasure.
Bern: It's not in Pug's purse yet, sire, and never will be, I trust. I've appealed to his sufficiency, the governor, a hundred times to crush this vile traffic in man's flesh.
Caspian: My Lord Bern, we must talk of the state of these islands. But first, what is your lordship's own story?
Bern: Oh, short enough, sire. I came thus far with my six fellows, loved a girl of the islands, and felt I'd had enough of the sea. And there was no purpose in returning to Narnia while your majesty's uncle held the reins. So I married and I've lived here ever since.
Caspian: What is this governor, this Gumpas, like? Does he still acknowledge the King of Narnia for his lord?
Bern: In words, yes. All is done in the king's name. But he would not be best pleased to find a real live King of Narnia coming in upon him. And if your majesty came before him alone and unarmed, well, he would not deny his allegiance, but he would pretend to disbelieve you. Your grace's life would be in danger. What following has your majesty in these waters?
Caspian: There is my ship, just rounding the point. We are about 30 swords if it came to fighting. Shall we not have my ship pull in and fall upon Pug and free my friends whom he holds captive?
Bern: Not by my counsel. As soon as there was a fight, two or three ships would pull out from Narrowhaven to rescue Pug. Your majesty must work by a show of more power than you really have and by the terror of the king's name. It must not come to plain battle. Gumpas is a chicken-hearted man and can be overawed. Can your majesty signal your ship?
Caspian: With my horn, yes.
Bern: Then I humbly suggest you do so. I have a plan.
Caspian: Steer straight down this channel, Captain. Then round to Avra where my estate is.
Drinian: Aye.
Caspian: But first, run up the king's banner. Hang out all the shields and send as many men to the fighting top as you can. And there, about five bowshots hence, when you get the open sea on your port bow, run up a few signals.
Drinian: Signals? To whom?
Caspian: Why, to all the other ships we haven't got, but which it might be well that Gumpas thinks we have.
Drinian: I see. And they'll read our signals and think we're communicating with a fleet.
Caspian: I see. And what shall I say?
Caspian: A whole fleet round the south of Avra and assemble at Bernstead. That'll do excellently. Their whole journey, if there were any ships, would be out of sight from Narrowhaven. Sire, why do you look so pensive?
Caspian: Because the others are languishing in the hold of that awful slave ship while I am helpless to do anything about it.
Bern: Sire, if my plan works, your friends will be freed from the hold of that ship by this time tomorrow.
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Gumpas: What is that commotion, Drilba?
Drilba: Yes, Governor.
Gumpas: What's that commotion outside? I'm trying to work.
Drilba: Well, your sufficiency, it seems to be a procession.
Gumpas: Procession? What kind of a procession?
Drilba: Well, you remember the ship that sailed down the straits yesterday?
Gumpas: I do. You said it was a merchant.
Drilba: Well, I was wrong. Or that is to say, our lookout was wrong. It was a ship of war. Oh, yes, and a party just landed in the harbor, you see, in a splendid boat. And people gathered and started shouting, and now they're coming here, or so I understand.
Gumpas: What are you babbling about? Who landed at the harbor? I see nothing in my appointment book about anyone landing at the harbor.
Drilba: Well, your sufficiency, it seems to be the king.
Gumpas: King? What king?
Guest (Male): Open! Open for the King of Narnia! Come to visit his trusty and well-beloved servant, the Governor of the Lone Islands!
Gumpas: Oh, my god. Open that door.
Drilba: Yes, Governor.
Caspian: It's about time. Thanks. Are you one of the Governor's soldiers?
Guest (Male): A guard, yes. Captain? Well, I suppose in a manner of speaking.
Caspian: It's our wish that our royal visitation to our realm of the Lone Islands should, if possible, be an occasion of joy and not terror to our loyal subjects. If it were not for that, I should have something to say about the state of your armor and weapons. As it is, you are pardoned.
Guest (Male): Oh, thank you.
Caspian: Command a cask of wine to be opened that all your men may drink our health. But at noon tomorrow, I wish to see your entire regiment here in the courtyard looking like men at arms and not like vagabonds. See to it on pain of our extreme displeasure.
Guest (Male): Yes, sire. Governor?
Gumpas: What is the meaning of this, Lord Bern? The Governor is in the King's chair. Remove him.
Caspian: Your chair, sire.
Caspian: Thank you. What, my lord, you have not given us quite the welcome we expected. We are the King of Narnia.
Gumpas: But there was nothing in the correspondence, nothing in the minutes. I have not been notified of any such thing.
Caspian: We are come to inquire into your sufficiency's conduct of your office. There are two points especially on which I require an explanation. Firstly, I find no record that the tribute due from these islands to the crown of Narnia has been received for about 150 years.
Gumpas: Oh, yes, right. That would be a question to raise at the council next month if anyone moves that a commission of inquiry be set up to report on the financial history of the islands at the first meeting next year.
Caspian: Then I also find it very clearly written in our laws that if the tribute is not delivered, the whole debt has to be paid by the Governor of the Lone Islands out of his private purse. That is quite out of the question. It is an economic impossibility. Your majesty must be joking.
Caspian: Secondly, I want to know why you have permitted this abominable and unnatural traffic in slaves to grow up here contrary to the ancient custom and usage of our dominions.
Gumpas: Necessary, unavoidable. An essential part of the economic development of the islands, I assure you. Our present burst of prosperity depends upon it.
Caspian: What need have you of slaves?
Gumpas: For export, your majesty. Sell them to the Calormenes mostly, and we have other markets. We are a great center of trade.
Caspian: In other words, you don't need them. This trade must stop.
Gumpas: I can take no responsibility for any such measure.
Caspian: Very well then. We relieve you of your office. My Lord Bern, come here.
Bern: Yes, sire.
Caspian: Kneel.
Bern: Yes, sire.
Caspian: What have you done? I hereby establish you as, as, well we've had enough of governors I think, as the Duke. Yes, Duke of the Lone Islands. If you swear to govern them in accordance with the customs, rights, usages, and laws of Narnia.
Bern: I swear.
Gumpas: But what about me?
Caspian: Yes. As for you, my lord, I forgive you your debt for the tribute. But before noon tomorrow, you and yours must be out of the castle, which is now the Duke's residence.
Gumpas: Now look here, this is all very well, but suppose all you gentlemen stop playacting and we do a little business. The question before us really...
Caspian: The question is whether you and the rest of your rabble will leave without a flogging or with one. You may choose which you prefer.
Gumpas: Well, without, of course.
Caspian: Now, while you move your things out of the castle, Lord Bern and I will visit the slave market. Where is it held?
Gumpas: Near the harbor, your highness.
Pug: Way down, gentlemen, gentlemen. Lot 23, fine Terabithian agricultural laborer. Suitable for the mines or for the galleys. Under 25 years of age, not a bad tooth in his head. Good brawny fellow. Tacks, let the gentleman see.
Pug: Whoa, there's muscle for you! Look at the chest on him. 10 crescents from the gentleman in the corner. You must be joking, sir. 15, 18. 18 is bid for Lot 23. Any advance on 18? 21, thank you, sir. 21 is bid for Lot 23. 21, 21 is bid. Any advance? What is this? What is going on? On your knees! Every one of you! To the King of Narnia!
Pug: Your highness.
Caspian: Your life is forfeit, Pug, for laying hands on our royal person yesterday. Oh, but your ignorance is pardoned. The slave trade was forbidden in all our dominions a quarter of an hour ago. I declare every slave in this market free.
Caspian: Now, where are my friends?
Pug: Friends? Oh, the dear little girl and nice young gentleman. Oh, why, they were snapped up at once.
Lucy: We're here! We're here! At your service, sire!
Caspian: Every man who has bought a slave today must have his money back. Pug, bring out your takings to the last minim.
Pug: But does your good majesty mean to make me a beggar?
Caspian: You have lived on broken hearts all your life, and if you are a beggar, it is better to be a beggar than a slaver. Where is my other friend?
Pug: Oh, you mean the one that won't shut up? Oh, take him, please. Glad to have him off my hands. Priced him at five crescents in the end, and even so, no one would have him. Threw him in free with the other lot, and still no one would have him. Tacks, bring out Sulky.
Eustace: Caspian! I say, as usual, you've been enjoying yourself somewhere while the rest of us were prisoners. I suppose you haven't found out about the British consul. Of course not.
Caspian: Gentlemen, as your king, I now declare this slave market abolished for all time. Three cheers for King Caspian! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!
Guest (Male): Sire, this is the last of the provisions for our voyage. We may set sail when you are ready.
Caspian: Thank you, Captain.
Bern: Your highness, I wish you would reconsider. Stay with us a while longer.
Caspian: We've been here for three weeks already, my Lord Duke. Besides, aren't you curious about the fate of your friends? The other six lords who sailed on without you.
Bern: A day doesn't pass when I don't wonder what became of them. Or what there really is behind that distant horizon. Nothing, most likely.
Caspian: That isn't what the merchant captains say. Each of them has grand stories to tell of the world east of here.
Bern: Only stories, my king. Of islands inhabited by headless men, floating islands, waterspouts, and a fire that burned along the water. The truth may be something else altogether.
Caspian: Ah, but one sailor said that Aslan's country is there, beyond the end of the world.
Bern: It was a rumor he'd heard from his father. And I do wish your majesty wouldn't go. We may need your help here. His closing the slave market might make a new world for us here. But war with the Calormenes is what I foresee. My liege, think again.
Caspian: I must go, my Lord Duke. I made an oath. And anyway, what could I say to Reepicheep?
Bern: Then this is farewell, King Caspian. Until we meet again.
Caspian: I can only hope that we will.
Focus on the Family: Next time on *The Voyage of the Dawn Treader*.
Caspian: What, pray tell, are you doing?
Edmund: Anyone found stealing water in future will get two dozen.
Eustace: Cups of water?
Edmund: Lashes with a whip, Eustace.
Eustace: Ah. Nobody's looking. I could simply slip away and then I'll join the others when they've finished their work.
Lucy: He's nowhere near, or he'd have heard that horn, Caspian.
Caspian: I agree.
Focus on the Family: *The Voyage of the Dawn Treader* from *The Chronicles of Narnia* by C.S. Lewis is a production of Focus on the Family. I'm Doug Gresham. Thank you for listening.