CHAPTER THREE THE LONE ISLANDS（第4/4頁）

“Steer straight down this channel，captain，”said Bern，“and then round to Avra where my own estates are．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 about five bowshots hence， when you get open sea on your port bow，run up a few signals．”

“Signals ？ To whom ？”said Drinian．

“Why，to all the other ships we haven’t got but which it might be well that Gumpas thinks we have．”

“Oh，I see，”said Drinian，rubbing his hands．“And they’ll read our signals．What shall I say ？ Whole fleet round the South of Avra and assemble at—？”

“Bernstead，”said the Lord Bern．“That’ll do excellently．Their whole journey—if there were any ships—would be out of sight from Narrowhaven．”

Caspian was sorry for the others languishing in the hold of Pug’s slave-ship，but he could not help finding the rest of that day enjoyable．Late in the afternoon(for they had to do all by oar)，having turned to starboard round the northeast end of Doorn and port again round the point of Avra，they entered into a good harbour on Avra’s southern shore where Bern’s pleasant lands sloped down to the water’s edge．Bern’s people，many of whom they saw working in the fields，were all freemen and it was a happy and prosperous fief．Here they all went ashore and were royally feasted in a low，pillared house overlooking the bay．Bern and his gracious wife and merry daughters made them good cheer．But after dark Bern sent a messenger over by boat to Doorn to order some preparations(he did not say exactly what)for the following day．