How long this voyage into the darkness lasted， nobody knew. Except for the creak of the rowlocks and the splash of the oars there was nothing to show that they were moving at all. Edmund， peering from the bows， could see nothing except the reflection of the lantern in the water before him. It looked a greasy sort of reflection， and the ripple made by their advancing prow appeared to be heavy， small， and lifeless. As time went on everyone except the rowers began to shiver with cold.
Suddenly， from somewhere.no one’s sense of direction as very clear by now.there came a cry， either of some human voice or else a voice of one in such extremity of rror that he had almost lost his humanity.
Caspian was still trying to speak.his mouth was too ry.when the shrill voice of Reepicheep， which sounded uder than usual in that silence， was heard.
“Who calls？” it piped. “If you are a foe we do not fear you， nd if you are a friend your enemies shall be taught the fear f us.”
“Mercy！” cried the voice. “Mercy！ Even if you are only one ore dream， have merry. Take me on board. Take me， even you strike me dead. But in the name of all mercies do not de away and leave me in this horrible land.”