He gradually became aware that what had woken him was a very faint and tiny singing noise, a reedy little sound like the wind caught in a cowries shell, but with an edge of menace to it.

他渐渐意识到叫醒他的是一种非常微弱的歌声，一种芦苇般的细小声音，就像裹在牛皮壳里的风，但有一种威胁的边缘。