For really， as it happened， the whole thing was rather like a theatre. The crowd of Narnians were like the people in the seats； the little grassy place just in front of the stable， where the bonfire burned and the Ape and the Captain stood to talk to the crowd， was like the stage； the stable itself was like the scenery at the back of the stage； and Tirian and his friends were like people peering round from behind the scenery. It was a splendid position. If any of them stepped forward into the full firelight， all eyes would be fixed on him at once： on the other hand， so long as they stood still in the shadow of the end wall of the stable， it was a hundred to one against their being noticed.
Rishda Tarkaan dragged the Ape up close to the fire. The pair of them turned to face the crowd， and this of course meant that their backs were towards Tirian and his friends.
“Now， Monkey，” said Rishda Tarkaan in a low voice. “Say the words that wiser heads have put into thy mouth. And hold up thy head.” As he spoke he gave the Ape a little prod or kick from behind with the point of his toe.
