“What‘s wrong？” asked several voices at once； for Edmund had suddenly let go of the spear.
“I couldn’t hold it，” gasped Edmund， “it seemed so heavy.” “And there it is on the bottom now，” said Caspian， “andLucy is right. It looks just the same colour as the statue.”
But Edmund， who appeared to be having some trouble with his boots.at least he was bending down and looking at them.straightened himself all at once and shouted out in the sharp voice which people hardly ever disobey：
“Get back！ Back from the water. All of you. At once！！” They all did and stared at him.
“Look，” said Edmund， “look at the toes of my boots.” “They look a bit yellow，” began Eustace.
“They‘re gold， solid gold，” interrupted Edmund. “Look atthem. Feel them. The leather’s pulled away from it already. And they‘re as heavy as lead.”
“By Aslan！” said Caspian. “You don’t mean to say.？”
“Yes， I do，” said Edmund. “That water turns things into old. It turned the spear into gold， that‘s why it got so eavy. And it was just lapping against my feet （it’s a good hing I wasn‘t barefoot） and it turned the toe.caps into old. And that poor fellow on the bottom.well， you see.” “So it isn’t a statue at all，” said Lucy in a low voice.
