CASPIAN''S ADVENTURE IN THE MOUNTAINS
AFTER this, Caspian and his Tutor had many more secret versations oop of the Great Tower, and at each versation Caspian learned more about Old Narnia, so that thinking and dreaming about the old days, and longing that they might e back, filled nearly all his spare hours. But of course he had not many hours to spare, for now his education was beginning in ear. He learned sword-fighting and riding, swimming and diving, how to shoot with the bolay on the recorder and the theorbo, how to hunt the stag and cut him up when he was dead, besides ography, Rhetoric, Heraldry, Versification, and of course History, with a little Law, Physic, Alchemy, and Astronomy. Of Magic he learned only the theory, for Doctor elius said the practical part was not proper study for princes. "And I myself," he added, "am only a very imperfect magi and do only the smallest experiments." Of Navigation ("Which is a noble and heroical art," said the Doctor) he was taught nothing, because King Miraz disapproved of ships and the sea.
He also learned a great deal by using his own eyes and ears. As a little boy he had often wondered why he disliked his aunt, Queen Prunaprismia; he now saw that it was because she disliked him. He also began to see that Narnia was an unhappy try. The taxes were high and the laws were stern and Miraz was a cruel man.
After some years there came a time when the Queen seemed to be ill and there was a great deal of bustle and pother about her in the castle and doctors came and the courtiers whispered. This was in early summertime. And one night, while all this fuss was going on, Caspian was uedly wakened by Doctor elius after he had been only a few hours in bed.
"Are we going to do a little Astronomy, Doctor?" said Caspian.
"Hush!" said the Doctor. "Trust me and do exactly as I tell you. Put on all your clothes; you have a long journey before you."
Caspian was very surprised, but he had learo have fiden his Tutor and he began doing what he was told at once. When he was dressed the Doctor said, "I have a wallet for you. We must go into the room and fill it with victuals from yhness''s supper table."
"My gentlemen-in-waiting will be there," said Caspian.
"They are fast asleep and will not wake," said the Doctor. "I am a very mini but I at least trive a charmed sleep."
They went into the antechamber and there, sure enough, the two gentlemen-in-waiting were, sprawling on chairs and sn hard. Doctor elius quickly cut up the remains of a cold chi and some slices of venison and put them, with bread and an apple or so and a little flask of good wine, into the wallet which he then gave to Caspian. It fitted on by a strap over Caspian''s shoulder, like a satchel you would use for taking books to school.
"Have you your sword?" asked the Doctor.
"Yes," said Caspian.
"Then put this mantle over all to hide the sword and the wallet. That''s right. And now we must go to the Great Tower and talk."
When they had reached the top of the Tower (it was a cloudy night, not at all like the night when they had seen the jun of Tarva and Alambil) Doctor elius said,
"Dear Prince, you must leave this castle at ond go to seek your fortune in the wide world. Your life is in danger here."
"Why?" asked Caspian.
"Because you are the true King of Narnia: Caspiaenth, the true son and heir of Caspian the Ninth. Long life to your Majesty'' - and