A slight haze1 blurred2 the horizon. Outside the harbour the measureless expanse of smooth water lay sparkling lay sparkling like a floor of jewels, and as empty as the sky. The short black tug3 gave a pluck to windward, in the usual way, then let go the rope, and hovered4 for a moment on the quarter with her engines stopped; while the slim, long hull5 of the ship moved ahead slowly under lower top-sails. The loose upper canvas blew out in the breeze with soft round contours, resembling small white clouds snared6 in the maze7 of ropes. Then the sheets were hauled home, the yards hoisted8, and the ship became a high and lonely pyramid, gliding9, all shining and white, through the sunlit mist. The tug turned short round and went away towards land. Twenty-six pairs of eyes watched her low broad stern crawling languidly over the beating water with fierce hurry. She resembled an enormous and aquatic10 blackbeetle, surprised by the light, overwhelmed by the sunshine, trying to escape with ineffectual effort into the distant gloom of the land. She left a lingering smudge of smoke on the sky, and two vanishing trails of foam13 on the water. On the place where she had stopped a round black patch of soot14 remained undulating on the swell15 — an unclean mark of the creature’s rest.
The Narcissus left alone, heading south, seemed to stand resplendent and still upon the restless sea, under the moving sun. Flakes16 of foam swept past her sides; the water struck her with flashing blows; the land glided17 away, slowly fading; a few birds screamed on motionless wings over the swaying mastheads. But soon the land disappeared, the birds went away; and to the west the pointed18 sail of an Arab dhow running for Bombay, rose triangular19 and upright above the sharp edge of the horizon, lingered, and vanished like an illusion. Then the ship’s wake, long and straight, stretched itself out through a day of immense solitude20. The setting sun, burning on the level of the water, flamed crimson22 below the blackness of heavy rain clouds. The sunset squall, coming up from behind, dissolved itself into the short deluge24 of a hissing25 shower. It left the ship glistening26 from trucks to waterline, and with darkened sails. She ran easily before a fair monsoon28, with her decks cleared for the night; and, moving along with her, was heard the sustained and monotonous29 swishing of the waves, mingled30 with the low whispers of men mustered31 aft for the setting of watches; the short plaint of some block aloft; or, now and then, a loud sigh of wind.
Mr. Baker32, coming out of his cabin, called out the first name sharply before closing the door behind him. He was going to take charge of the deck. On the homeward trip according to an old custom of the sea, the chief officer takes the first night-watch — from eight till midnight. So Mr. Baker, after he had heard the last ‘Yes, sir!’ said moodily33, ‘Relieve the wheel and look-out;’ and climbed with heavy feet the poop ladder to windward. Soon after Mr. Creighton came down, whistling softly, and went into the cabin. On the doorstep the steward34 lounged, in slippers35, meditative36, and with his shirt-sleeves rolled up to the armpits. On the main deck the cook, locking up the galley37 doors, had an altercation38 with young Charley about a pair of socks. He could be heard saying impressively, in the darkness amidships: ‘You don’t deserve a kindness. I’ve been drying them for you, and now you complain about the holes — and you swear, too! Right in front of me! If I hadn’t been a Christian39 — which you ain’t, you young ruffian — I would give you a clout40 on the head . . . Go away!’ Men in couples or threes stood pensive41 or moved silently along the bulwarks42 in the waist. The first busy day of a homeward passage was sinking into the dull peace of resumed routine. Aft, on the high poop, Mr. Baker walked shuffling43, grunted44 to himself in the pauses of his thoughts. Forward, the look-out man, erect45 between the flukes of the two anchors, hummed an endless tune46, keeping his eyes fixed47 dutifully ahead in a vacant stare. A multitude of stars coming out into the clear night peopled the emptiness of the sky. They glittered, as if alive above the sea; they surrounded the running ship on all sides; more intense than the eyes of a staring crowd, and as inscrutable as the souls of men.
The passage had begun; and the ship, a fragment detached from the earth, went on lonely and swift like a small planet. Round her the abysses of sky and sea met in an unattainable frontier. A great circular solitude moved with her, ever changing and ever the same, always monotonous and always imposing48. Now and then another wandering white speck49, burdened with life, appeared far off — disappeared; intent on its own destiny. The sun looked upon her all day, and every morning rose with a burning, round stare of undying curiosity. She had her own future; she was alive with the lives of those beings who trod her decks; like that earth which had given her up to the sea, she had an intolerable load of regrets and hopes. On her lived timid truth and audacious lies; and, like the earth, she was unconscious, fair to see — and condemned50 by men to an ignoble51 fate. The august loneliness of her path lent dignity to the sordid52 inspiration of her pilgrimage. She drove foaming53 to the southward, as if guided by the courage of a high endeavour. The smiling greatness of the sea dwarfed54 the extent of time. The days raced after one another, brilliant and quick like the flashes of a lighthouse, and the nights, eventful and short, resembled fleeting55 dreams. The men had shaken into their places, and the half-hourly voice of the bells ruled their life of unceasing care. Night and day the head and shoulders of a seaman56 could be seen aft by the wheel, outlined high against sunshine or starlight, very steady above the stir of revolving57 spokes59. The faces changed, passing in rotation60. Youthful faces, bearded faces, dark faces: faces serene61, or faces moody62, but all akin63 with the brotherhood64 of the sea; all with the same attentive65 expression of eyes, carefully watching the compass or the sails. Captain Allistoun, serious, and with an old red muffler round his throat all day long pervaded66 the poop. At night, many times he rose out of the darkness of the companion, such as a phantom67 above a grave, and stood watchful68 and mute under the stars, his night-shirt fluttering like a flag — then, without a sound, sank down again. He was born on the shores of the Pentland Firth. In his youth he attained69 the rank of harpooner70 in Peterhead whalers. When he spoke58 of that time his restless grey eyes became still and cold, like the loom12 of ice. Afterwards he went into the East Indian trade for the sake of change. He had commanded the Narcissus since she was built. He loved his ship, and drove her unmercifully; for his secret ambition was to make her accomplish some day a brilliantly quick passage which would be mentioned in nautical71 papers. He pronounced his owner’s name with a sardonic72 smile spoke but seldom to his officers, and reproved errors in a gentle voice, with words that cut to the quick. His hair was iron-grey, his face hard and of the colour of pump-leather. He shaved every morning of his life — at six — but once (being caught in a fierce hurricane eighty miles south-west of Mauritius) he had missed three consecutive73 days. He feared naught74 but an unforgiving God, and wished to end his days in a little house, with a plot of ground attached — far in the country — out of sight of the sea.
He, the ruler of that minute world, seldom descended75 from the Olympian heights of his poop. Below him — at his feet, so to speak — common mortals led their busy and insignificant76 lives. Along the main deck Mr. Baker grunted in a manner bloodthirsty and innocuous; and kept all our noses to the grindstone, being — as he once remarked — paid for doing that very thing. The men working about the deck were healthy and contented77 — as most seamen78 are, when once well out to sea. The true peace of God begins at any spot a thousand miles from the nearest land; and when He sends there the messengers of His might it is not in terrible wrath79 against crime, presumption80, and folly81, but paternally82, to chasten simple hearts — ignorant hearts that know nothing of life, and beat undisturbed by envy or greed.
In the evening the cleared decks had a reposeful83 aspect, resembling the autumn of the earth. The sun was sinking to rest, wrapped in a mantle84 of warm clouds. Forward, on the end of the spare spurs, the boatswain and the carpenter sat together with crossed arms; two men friendly, powerful, and deep-chested. Beside them the short, dumpy sailmaker — who had been in the Navy — related, between the whiffs of his pipe, impossible stories about Admirals. Couples tramped backwards85 and forwards, keeping step and balance without effort, in a confined space. Pigs grunted in the big pigstye. Belfast, leaning thoughtfully on his elbow, above the bars communed with them through the silence of his meditation86. Fellows with shirts open wide on sunburnt breasts sat upon the mooring87 bits, and all up the steps of the forecastle ladders. By the foremast a few discussed in a circle the characteristics of a gentleman. One said:— ‘It’s money as does it.’ Another maintained:— ‘No, it’s the way they speak.’ Lame21 Knowles stumped88 up with an unwashed face (he had the distinction of being the dirty man of the forecastle), and, showing a few yellow fangs89 in a shrewd smile, explained craftily90 that he ‘had seen some of their pants’ The backsides of them — he had observed — were thinner than paper from constant sitting down in offices, yet otherwise they looked first-rate and would last for years. It was all appearance. ‘It was,’ he said, ‘bloomin’ easy to be a gentleman when you had a clean job for life.’ They disputed endlessly, obstinate91 and childish; they repeated in shouts and with inflamed92 faces their amazing arguments; while the soft breeze, eddying93 down the enormous cavity of the foresail, that stood out distended94 above their bare heads, stirred the tumbled hair with a touch passing and light like an indulgent caress95.
They were forgetting their toil96, they were forgetting themselves. The cook approached to hear, and stood by, beaming with the inward consciousness of his faith, like a conceited97 saint unable to forget his glorious reward; Donkin, solitary98 and brooding over his wrongs on the forecastle-head, moved closer to catch the drift of the discussion below him; he turned his sallow face to the sea, and his thin nostrils99 moved, sniffing100 the breeze, as he lounged negligently101 by the rail. In the glow of sunset faces shone with interest, teeth flashed, eyes sparkled. The walking couples stood still suddenly, with broad grins; a man bending over a washtub, sat up, entranced, with the soapsuds flecking his wet arms. Even the three petty officers listened leaning back, comfortably propped102, and with superior smiles. Belfast left off scratching the ear of his favorite pig, and, open-mouthed, tried with eager eyes to have his say. He lifted his arms, grimacing103 and baffled. From a distance Charley screamed at the ring:— ‘I know about gentlemen morn’n any of you. I’ve been hintymate with ’em . . . I’ve blacked their boots.’ The cook, craning his neck to hear better, was scandalized. ‘Keep your mouth shut when your elders speak, you impudent104 young heathen — you.’ ‘All right, old Hallelujah, I’m done,’ answered Charley, soothingly105. At some opinion of dirty Knowles, delivered with an air of supernatural cunning, a ripple106 of laughter ran along, rose like a wave, burst with a startling roar. They stamped with both feet; they turned their shouting faces to the sky; many, spluttering, slapped their thighs107; while one or two, bent108 double, gasped109 hugging themselves with both arms like men in pain. The carpenter and the boatswain, without changing their attitude, shook with laughter where they sat; the sailmaker, charged with an anecdote110 about a Commodore, looked sulky; the cook was wiping his eyes with a greasy111 rag; and lame Knowles, astonished at his own success, stood in their midst showing a slow smile.
Suddenly the face of Donkin leaning high-shouldered over the after-rail became grave. Something like a weak rattle112 was heard through the forecastle door. It became a murmur113; it ended in a sighing groan114. The washerman plunged115 both his arms into the tub abruptly116; the cook became more crestfallen117 than an exposed backslider; the boatswain moved his shoulders uneasily; the carpenter got up with a spring and walked away — while the sailmaker seemed mentally to give his story up, and began to puff118 at his pipe with sombre determination. In the blackness of the doorway119 a pair of eyes glimmered120 white, and big and staring. Then James Wait’s head protruding121, became visible, as if suspended between the two hands that grasped a doorpost on each side of the face. The tassel122 of his blue woollen nightcap, cocked forward, danced gaily123 over his left eyelid124. He stepped out in a tottering125 stride. He looked powerful as ever, but showed a strange and affected126 unsteadiness in his gait; his face was perhaps a trifle thinner, and his eyes appeared rather startlingly prominent. He seemed to hasten the retreat of departing light by his very presence; the setting sun dipped sharply, as though fleeing from our nigger; a black mist emanated127 from him; a subtle and dismal128 influence a something cold and gloomy that floated out and settled on all the faces like a mourning veil. The circle broke up. The joy of laughter died on stiffened129 lips. There was not a smile left among all the ship’s company. Not a word was spoken. Many turned their backs, trying to look unconcerned; others, with averted130 heads, sent half-reluctant glances out of the corners of their eyes. They resembled criminals conscious of misdeeds more than honest men distracted by doubt; only two or three stared frankly131, but stupidly, with lips slightly open. All expected James Wait to say something, and, at the same time, had the air of knowing beforehand what he would say. He leaned his back against the doorpost, and with heavy eyes swept over us a glance domineering and pained, like a sick tyrant132 overawing a crowd of abject133 but untrustworthy slaves.
No one went away. they waited in fascinated dread134. He said ironically, with gasps135 between the words:—
‘Thank you . . . chaps. You . . . are nice . . . and . . . quiet . . . you are! Yelling so . . . before . . . the door . . . ’
He made a longer pause, during which he worked his ribs136 in an exaggerated labour of breathing. It was intolerable. Feet were shuffled137. Belfast let out a groan; but Donkin above blinked his red eyelids138 with invisible eyelashes, and smiled bitterly over the nigger’s head.
The nigger went on again with surprising ease. He gasped no more, and his voice rang, hollow and loud, as though he had been talking in an empty cavern139. He was contemptuously angry.
‘I tried to get a wink141 of sleep. You know I can’t sleep o’nights. And you come jabbering142 near the door here like a blooming lot of old women . . . You think yourselves good shipmates. Do you? . . . Much you care for a dying man!’
Belfast swung away from the pigstye. ‘Jimmy,’ he cried tremulously, ‘if you hadn’t been sick I would — ’
He stopped. The nigger waited awhile, then said, in a gloomy tone:— ‘You would . . . What? Go an’ fight another such one as yourself. Leave me alone. It won’t be for long. I’ll soon die . . . It’s coming right enough!’
Men stood around very still, breathing lightly, and with exasperated143 eyes It was just what they had expected, and hated to hear, that idea of stalking death, thrust at them many times a day like a boast and like a menace by this obnoxious144 nigger. He seemed to take a pride in that death which, so far, had attended only upon the ease of his life; he was overbearing about it, as if no one else in the world had ever been intimate with such a companion; he paraded it unceasingly before us with an affectionate persistence145 that made its presence indubitable, and at the same time incredible. No man should be suspected of such monstrous146 friendship! Was he a reality — or was he a sham147 — this ever-expected visitor of Jimmy’s? We hesitated between pity and mistrust, while, on the slightest provocation148, he shook before our eyes the bones of his bothersome and infamous149 skeleton. He was for ever trotting150 him out. He would talk of that coming death as though it had been already there, as if it had been walking the deck outside, as if it would presently come in to sleep in the only empty bunk151; as if it had sat by his side at every meal. It interfered152 daily with our occupations, with our leisure, with our amusements. We had no songs and no music in the evening, because Jimmy (we all lovingly called him Jimmy, to conceal154 our hate of his accomplice155) had managed, with that prospective156 decease of his, to disturb even Archie’s mental balance. Archie was the owner of the concertina; but after a couple of stinging lectures from Jimmy he refused to play any more. He said:— ‘Yon’s an uncanny joker. I dinna ken27 what’s wrang wi’ him, but there’s something verra wrang, verra wrang. It’s nae manner of use asking me. I won’t play.’ Our singers became mute because Jimmy was a dying man. For the same reason no chap — as Knowles remarked — could ‘drive in a nail to hang his few poor rags upon,’ without being made aware of the enormity he committed in disturbing Jimmy’s interminable last moments. At night, instead of the cheerful yell, ‘One bell! Turn out! Do you hear there? Hey! hey! hey! Show leg!’ the watches were called man by man, in whispers, so as not to interfere153 with Jimmy’s, possibly, last slumber157 on earth. True, he was always awake, and managed, as we sneaked158 out on deck, to plant in our backs some cutting remark that, for the moment, made us feel as if we had been brutes160, and afterwards made us suspect ourselves of being fools. We spoke in low tones within that fo’c’sle as though it had been a church. We ate our meals in silence and dread, for Jimmy was capricious with his food, and railed bitterly at the salt meat, at the biscuits, at the tea as at articles unfit for human consumption — ‘let alone for a dying man!’ He would say:— ‘Can’t you find a better slice of meat for a sick man who’s trying to get home to be cured — or buried? But there! if I had a chance, you fellows would do away with it. You would poison me. Look at what you have given me! ‘ We served him in his bed with rage and humility161, as if we had been the base couriers of a hated prince; and he rewarded us by his unconciliating criticism. He had found the secret of keeping for ever on the run the fundamental imbecility of mankind; he had the secret of life, that confounded dying men, and he made himself master of every moment of our existence. We grew desperate, and remained submissive. Emotional little Belfast was for ever on the verge162 of assault or on the verge of tears. One evening he confided163 to Archie:— ‘for a ha’penny I would knock his ugly block off the skulking164 dodger165!’ And the straight-forward Archie pretended to be shocked! Such was the infernal spell which that casual St. Kitt’s nigger had cast upon our guileless manhood! But the same night Belfast stole from the galley the officers’ Sunday fruit pie, to tempt140 the fastidious appetite of Jimmy. He endangered not only his long friendship with the cook but also — as is appeared — his eternal welfare. The cook was over-whelmed with grief; he did not know the culprit but he knew that wickedness flourished; he knew that Satan was abroad amongst those men, whom he looked upon as in some way under his spiritual care. Whenever he saw three or four of us standing166 together he would leave his stove, to run out and preach. We fled from him; and only Charley (who knew the thief) affronted167 the cook with a candid168 gaze which irritated the good man. ‘It’s you, I believe,’ he groaned169, sorrowful, and with a patch of soot on his chin. ‘It’s you. You are a brand for burning! No more of your socks in my galley.’ Soon, unofficially, the information was spread about that, should there be another case of stealing, our marmalade (an extra allowance: half a pound per man) would be stopped. Mr. Baker ceased to heap jocular abuse upon his favourites, and grunted suspiciously at all. The captain’s cold eyes, high up on the poop, glittered mistrustful, as he surveyed us trooping in a small mob from halyards to braces170 for the usual evening pull at all the ropes. Such stealing in a merchant ship is difficult to check, and may be taken as a declaration by the men of their dislike for their officers. It is a bad symptom. It may end in God knows what trouble. The Narcissus was still a peaceful ship, but mutual171 confidence was shaken. Donkin did not conceal his delight. We were dismayed.
Then illogical Belfast approached our nigger with great fury. James Wait, with his elbow on the pillow, choked, gasped out:— ‘Did I ask you to bone the dratted thing? Blow your blamed pie. It has made me worse — you little Irish lunatic, you!’ Belfast, with scarlet172 face and trembling lips, made a dash at him. Every man in the forecastle rose with a shout. There was a moment of wild tumult173. Some one shrieked174 piercingly:— ‘Easy, Belfast! Easy! . . . ’ We expected Belfast to strangle Wait without more ado. Dust flew. We heard it through the nigger’s cough, metallic175 and explosive like a gong. Next moment we saw Belfast hanging over him. He was saying plaintively:— ‘Don’t! Don’t, Jimmy! don’t be like that. an angel couldn’t put up with ye — sick as ye are.’ He looked round at us from Jimmy ‘s bedside, his comical mouth twitching176, and through tearful eyes; then he tried to put straight the disarranged blankets. The unceasing whisper of the sea filled the forecastle. Was James Wait frightened, or touched, or repentant177? He lay on his back with a hand to his side, and as motionless as if his expected visitor had come at last. Belfast fumbled178 about his feet, repeating with emotion:— ‘Yes. We know. Ye are bad, but . . . Just say what ye want done, and . . . We all know ye are bad — very bad . . . ‘No! Decidedly James Wait was not touched or repentant. Truth to say, he seemed rather startled. He sat up with incredible suddenness and ease. ‘Ah, you think I am bad, do you?’ he said gloomily, in his clearest baritone voice (to hear him speak sometimes you would never think t here was anything wrong with that man). ‘Do you? . . . Well, act according! Some of you haven’t sense enough to put a blanket shipshape over a sick man. There! Leave it alone’! I can die anyhow!’ Belfast turned away limply with a gesture of discouragement. In the silence of the forecastle, full of interested men, Donkin pronounced distinctly:— ‘Well, I’m blowed!’ and sniggered. Wait looked at him. He looked at him in a quite friendly manner. Nobody could tell what would please our incomprehensible invalid179: but for us the scorn of that snigger was hard to bear.
Donkin’s position in the forecastle was distinguished180 but unsafe. He stood on the bad eminence181 of a general dislike. He was left alone; and in his isolation182 he could do nothing but think of the gales183 of the Cape11 of Good Hope and envy us the possession of warm clothing and waterproofs184. Our sea-boots, our oilskin coats, our well-filled sea-chests, were to him so many causes for bitter meditation: he had none of those things, and he felt instinctively185 that no man, when the need arose, would offer to share them with him. He was impudently186 cringing187 to us and systematically188 insolent189 to the officers. He anticipated the best results, for himself, from such a line of conduct — and was mistaken. Such natures forget that under extreme provocation men will be just — whether they want to be so or not. Donkin’s insolence190 to long-suffering Mr. Baker became at last intolerable to us, and we rejoiced when the mate, one dark nigh, tamed him for good. I was done neatly191, with great decency192 and decorum, and with little noise. We had been called — just before midnight — to trim the yards, and Donkin — as usual made — as usual, made insulting remarks. We stood sleepily in a row with the forebrace in our hands waiting for the next order, and heard in the darkness a scuffly trampling193 of feet, an exclamation194 of surprise, sounds of cuffs195 and slaps, suppressed, hissing whispers:— ‘Ah! Will you!’ . . . ‘Don’t! . . . Don’t!’ . . . ‘Then behave.’ . . . ‘Oh! Oh! . . . ’ Afterwards there were soft thuds mixed with the rattle of iron things as if a man’s body had been tumbling helplessly amongst the main-pump rods. Before we could realise the situation, Mr. Baker’s voice was heard very near and a little impatient:— ‘Haul away, men! Lay back on that rope!’ And we did lay back on the rope with great alacrity196. As if nothing had happened, the chief mate went on trimming the yards with his usual and exasperating197 fastidiousness. We didn’t at the time see anything of Donkin, and did not care. Had the chief officer thrown him overboard, no man would have said as much as ‘Hallo! he’s gone!’ But, in truth, no great harm was done — even if Donkin did lose one of his front teeth. We perceived this in the morning, and preserved a ceremonious silence: the etiquette198 of the forecastle commanded us to be blind and dumb in such a case, and we cherished the decencies of our life more than ordinary landsmen respect theirs. Charley, with unpardonable want of savoir vivre, yelled out:— ‘‘Ave you been to your dentyst? . . . Hurt ye, didn’t it?’ He got a box on the ear from one of his best friends. The boy was surprised, and remained plunged in grief for at least three hours. We were sorry for him, but youth requires even more discipline than age. Donkin grinned venomously. From that day he became pitiless; told Jimmy that he was a ‘black fraud’; hinted to us that we were an imbecile lot, daily taken in by a vulgar nigger. And Jimmy seemed to like the fellow!
Singleton lived untouched by human emotions. Taciturn and unsmiling, he breathed amongst us — in that alone resembling the rest of the crowd. We were trying to be decent chaps, and found it jolly difficult; we oscillated between the desire of virtue199 and the fear of ridicule200; we wished to save ourselves from the pain of remorse201, but did not want to be made the contemptible202 dupes of our sentiment. Jimmy’s hateful accomplice seemed to have blown with his impure203 breath undreamt-of subtleties204 into our hearts. We were disturbed and cowardly. That we knew. Singleton seemed to know nothing, understand nothing. We had thought him till then as wise as he looked, but now we dared, at times, suspect him of being stupid — from old age. One day, however, at dinner, as we sat on our boxes round a tin dish that stood on the deck within the circle of our feet, Jimmy expressed his general disgust with men and things in words that were particularly disgusting. Singleton lifted his head. We became mute. The old man, addressing Jimmy, asked:— ‘Are you dying?’ Thus interrogated205, Jame Wait appeared horribly startled and confused. We were all startled. Mouths remained open; hearts thumped206; eyes blinked; a dropped tin fork rattled207 in the dish; a man rose as if to go out, and stood still. In less than a minute Jimmy pulled himself together. — ‘Why? Can’t you see I am?’ he answered shakily. Singleton lifted a piece of soaked biscuit (‘his teeth’ — he declared — ‘had no edge on them now’) to his lips. — ‘Well, get on with your dying,’ he said with venerable mildness: ‘don’t raise a blamed fuss with us over that job. We can’t help you.’ Jimmy fell back in his bunk, and for a long time lay very still wiping the perspiration208 off his chin. The dinner-tins were put away quickly. On deck we discussed the incident in whispers. Some showed a chuckling209 exultation210. Many looked grave. Wamibo, after long periods of staring dreaminess, attempted abortive211 smiles; and one of the young Scandinavians, much tormented212 by doubt, ventured in the second dog-watch to approach Singleton (the old man did not encourage us much to speak to him) and ask sheepishly: — ‘You think he will die?’ Singleton looked up. — ‘Why, of course he will die.‘he said deliberately213. This seemed decisive. It was promptly214 imparted to every one by him who had consulted the oracle215. Shy and eager, he would step up and with averted gaze recite his formula:— ‘Old Singleton says he will die.’ It was a relief! At last we knew that our compassion216 would not be misplaced, and we could again smile without misgivings217 — but we reckoned without Donkin. Donkin ‘didn’t want to ’ave no truck with ’em dirty furriners.’ When Neillssen came to him with the news: ‘Singleton says he will die,’ he answered him by a spiteful ‘And so will you — you fat-headed Dutchman. Wish you Dutchmen were hall dead — ‘stead comin’ takin’ our money hinto your starvin’ country.’ We were appalled218. We perceived that after all Singleton’s answer meant nothing. We began to hate him for making fun of us. All our certitudes were going; we were on doubtful terms with our officers; the cook had given us up for lost; we had overheard the boatswain’s opinion that ‘we were a crowd of softies’ We suspected Jimmy, one another, and even our very selves. We did not know what to do. At every insignificant turn of our humble219 life we met Jimmy overbearing and blocking the way, arm-in-arm with his awful and veiled familiar. It was a weird220 servitude.
It began a week after leaving Bombay and came on us stealthily like any other great misfortune. Every one had remarked that Jimmy from the first was very slack at his work; but we thought it simply the outcome of his philosophy of life. Donkin said:— ‘You put no more weight on a rope than a bloody221 spurrer.’ He disdained222 him. Belfast, ready for a fight, exclaimed provokingly:— ‘You don’t kill yourself, old man!’ —— ‘Would you?’ he retorted with extreme scorn — and Belfast retired223. One morning, as we were washing decks, Mr. Baker called to him:— ‘Bring your broom over here, Wait.’ He strolled languidly. ‘Move yourself! Ough!’ grunted Mr. Baker. ‘What’s the matter with y our hind23 legs?’ He stopped dead short. He gazed slowly with eyes that bulged224 out, with an expression audacious and sad. — ‘It isn’t my legs,’ he said, ‘it’s my lungs.’ Everybody listened. — ‘What’s . . . Ough . . .!’ ‘What’s wrong with them?’ inquired Mr. Baker. All the watch stood around on the wet deck, grinning, with brooms or buckets in their hands. He said mournfully:— ‘Going — or gone. Can’t you see I’m a dying man? I know it!’ Mr. Baker was disgusted. — ‘Then why the devil did you ship aboard here? — ‘ ‘I must live till I die — mustn’t I?’ he replied. The grins became audible. — ‘Go off the deck — get out of my sight,’ said Mr. Baker. He was nonplussed225. It was an unique experience. James Wait, obedient, dropped his broom, and walked slowly forward. A burst of laughter followed him. It was too funny. All hands laughed . . . They laughed! . . . Alas226!’
He became the tormentor227 of all our moments; he was worse than a nightmare. You couldn’t see that there was anything wrong with him: a nigger does not show. He was not very fat — certainly — but then he was no leaner than other niggers we had known. He coughed often, but the most prejudiced person could perceive that, mostly, he coughed when it suited his purpose. he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, do his work — and he wouldn’t lie up. One day he would skip aloft with the best of them, and next time we would be obliged to risk our lives to get his limp body down. He was reported, he was examined; he was remonstrated228 with, threatened, cajoled, lectured. He was called into the cabin to interview the captain. There were wild rumours229. It was said he had cheeked the old man; it was said he had frightened him. Charley maintained that the ‘skipper, weepin’ ’as giv’ ’im ’is blessin’ an’ a pot of jam.’ Knowles had it from the steward that the unspeakable Jimmy had been reeling against the cabin furniture; that he had groaned; that he had complained of general brutality230 and disbelief; and had ended by coughing all over the old man’s meteorological journals which were then spread on the table. At any rate, Wait returned forward supported by the steward. who, in a pained and shocked voice, entreated231 us:— ‘Here! Catch hold of him, one or you. He is to lie up.’ Jimmy drank a tin mugful of coffee, and, after bullying232 first one and then another, went to bed. He remained there most of the time, but when it suited him would come on deck and appear amongst us. He was scornful and brooding; he looked ahead upon the sea; and no one could tell what was the meaning of that black man sitting apart in a meditative attitude and as motionless as a carving233.
He refused steadily234 all medicine; he threw sago and cornflour overboard till the steward got tired of bringing it to him. He asked for paregoric. They sent him a big bottle; enough to poison a wilderness235 of babes. He kept it between his mattress236 and the deal lining237 of the ship’s side; and nobody ever saw him take a dose. Donkin abused him to his face, jeered238 at him while he gasped; and the same day Wait would lend him a warm jersey239. Once Donkin reviled240 him for half an hour; reproached him with the extra work his malingering gave to the watch; and ended by calling him ‘a black-faced swine.’ Under the spell of our accursed perversity241 we were horror-struck. But Jimmy positively242 seemed to revel243 in that abuse. It made him look cheerful — and Donkin had a pair of old sea boots thrown at him. ‘Here, you East-end trash,’ boomed Wait, ‘you may have that.’
At last Mr. Baker had to tell the captain that James Wait was disturbing the peace of the ship. ‘Knock discipline on the head — he will, Ough,’ grunted Mr. Baker. As a matter of fact, the starboard watch came as near as possible to refusing duty, when ordered one morning by the boatswain to wash out their forecastle. It appears Jimmy objected to a wet floor — and that morning we were in a compassionate244 mood. We thought the boatswain a brute159, and, practically, told him so. Only Mr. Baker’s delicate tact245 prevented an all-fired row: he refused to take us seriously. He came bustling246 forward, and called us many unpolite names, but in such a hearty247 and seamanlike248 manner that we began to feel ashamed of ourselves. In truth, we thought him much too good a sailor to annoy him willingly: and after all Jimmy might have been a fraud — probably was! The forecastle got a clean up that morning; but in the afternoon a sick-bay was fitted up in the deck-house. It was a nice little cabin opening on deck, and with two berths249. Jimmy’s belongings250 were transported there, and then — notwithstanding his protests — Jimmy himself. He said he couldn’t walk. Four men carried him on a blanket. He complained that he would have to die there alone, like a dog. We grieved for him, and were delighted to have him removed from the forecastle. We attended him as before. The galley was next door, and the cook looked in many times a day. Wait became a little more cheerful. Knowles affirmed having heard him laugh to himself in peals251 one day. Others had seen him walking about on deck at night. His little place, with the door ajar on a long hook, was always full of tobacco smoke. We spoke through the crack cheerfully, sometimes abusively, as we passed by, intent on our work. He fascinated us. He would never let doubt die. He overshadowed the ship. Invulnerable in his promise of speedy corruption252 he trampled253 on our self-respect, he demonstrated to us daily our want of moral courage; he tainted254 our lives. Had we been a miserable255 gang of wretched immortals256, unhallowed alike by hope and fear, he could not have lorded it over us with a more pitiless assertion of his sublime257 privilege.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
haze
|
|
| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
blurred
|
|
| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
tug
|
|
| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
hovered
|
|
| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
hull
|
|
| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
snared
|
|
| v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
maze
|
|
| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
hoisted
|
|
| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
gliding
|
|
| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
aquatic
|
|
| adj.水生的，水栖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
cape
|
|
| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
loom
|
|
| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
foam
|
|
| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
soot
|
|
| n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
swell
|
|
| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
flakes
|
|
| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
triangular
|
|
| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
lame
|
|
| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
deluge
|
|
| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
hissing
|
|
| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
glistening
|
|
| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
ken
|
|
| n.视野，知识领域 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
monsoon
|
|
| n.季雨，季风，大雨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
monotonous
|
|
| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
mustered
|
|
| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
baker
|
|
| n.面包师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
moodily
|
|
| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
steward
|
|
| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
slippers
|
|
| n. 拖鞋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
meditative
|
|
| adj.沉思的，冥想的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
galley
|
|
| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
altercation
|
|
| n.争吵，争论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
clout
|
|
| n.用手猛击；权力，影响力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
pensive
|
|
| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
bulwarks
|
|
| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
shuffling
|
|
| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
grunted
|
|
| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
erect
|
|
| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
speck
|
|
| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
condemned
|
|
| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
ignoble
|
|
| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
sordid
|
|
| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
foaming
|
|
| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
dwarfed
|
|
| vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
fleeting
|
|
| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
seaman
|
|
| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
revolving
|
|
| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
spokes
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条( spoke的名词复数 )；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
rotation
|
|
| n.旋转；循环，轮流 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
serene
|
|
| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
moody
|
|
| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
akin
|
|
| adj.同族的，类似的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
brotherhood
|
|
| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
attentive
|
|
| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
pervaded
|
|
| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
phantom
|
|
| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
watchful
|
|
| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
attained
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
harpooner
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
nautical
|
|
| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
sardonic
|
|
| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
consecutive
|
|
| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
seamen
|
|
| n.海员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
paternally
|
|
| adv.父亲似地；父亲一般地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
reposeful
|
|
| adj.平稳的，沉着的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
84
mantle
|
|
| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
backwards
|
|
| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
meditation
|
|
| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
mooring
|
|
| n.停泊处；系泊用具，系船具；下锚v.停泊，系泊（船只）(moor的现在分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
stumped
|
|
| 僵直地行走，跺步行走( stump的过去式和过去分词 )； 把（某人）难住； 使为难； （选举前）在某一地区作政治性巡回演说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
fangs
|
|
| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
craftily
|
|
| 狡猾地，狡诈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
inflamed
|
|
| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
eddying
|
|
| 涡流，涡流的形成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
distended
|
|
| v.（使）膨胀，肿胀( distend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
caress
|
|
| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
conceited
|
|
| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
nostrils
|
|
| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
sniffing
|
|
| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
negligently
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
propped
|
|
| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
grimacing
|
|
| v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
impudent
|
|
| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
soothingly
|
|
| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
ripple
|
|
| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
thighs
|
|
| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
anecdote
|
|
| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
greasy
|
|
| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
crestfallen
|
|
| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
puff
|
|
| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
glimmered
|
|
| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
protruding
|
|
| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
tassel
|
|
| n.流苏，穗；v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
gaily
|
|
| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
eyelid
|
|
| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
tottering
|
|
| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
emanated
|
|
| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的过去式和过去分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
dismal
|
|
| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
stiffened
|
|
| 加强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
averted
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
frankly
|
|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
tyrant
|
|
| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
abject
|
|
| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
gasps
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
ribs
|
|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
shuffled
|
|
| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
eyelids
|
|
| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
cavern
|
|
| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
tempt
|
|
| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
jabbering
|
|
| v.急切而含混不清地说( jabber的现在分词 )；急促兴奋地说话；结结巴巴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
exasperated
|
|
| adj.恼怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
obnoxious
|
|
| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
persistence
|
|
| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
sham
|
|
| n./adj.假冒(的)，虚伪(的) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
provocation
|
|
| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
infamous
|
|
| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
trotting
|
|
| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
bunk
|
|
| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
interfered
|
|
| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
accomplice
|
|
| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
prospective
|
|
| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
sneaked
|
|
| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
brute
|
|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
brutes
|
|
| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
humility
|
|
| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
verge
|
|
| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
confided
|
|
| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
skulking
|
|
| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
dodger
|
|
| n.躲避者；躲闪者；广告单 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
affronted
|
|
| adj.被侮辱的，被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 )；相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
candid
|
|
| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
braces
|
|
| n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
shrieked
|
|
| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
metallic
|
|
| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
twitching
|
|
| n.颤搐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
repentant
|
|
| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
fumbled
|
|
| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
invalid
|
|
| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
eminence
|
|
| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
isolation
|
|
| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
gales
|
|
| 龙猫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
waterproofs
|
|
| n.防水衣物，雨衣 usually plural( waterproof的名词复数 )v.使防水，使不透水( waterproof的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
impudently
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
cringing
|
|
| adj.谄媚，奉承 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
systematically
|
|
| adv.有系统地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
insolent
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
insolence
|
|
| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
neatly
|
|
| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
decency
|
|
| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
trampling
|
|
| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
cuffs
|
|
| n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
alacrity
|
|
| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
exasperating
|
|
| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
etiquette
|
|
| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
ridicule
|
|
| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
contemptible
|
|
| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
203
impure
|
|
| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
204
subtleties
|
|
| 细微( subtlety的名词复数 )； 精细； 巧妙； 细微的差别等 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
205
interrogated
|
|
| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
206
thumped
|
|
| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
207
rattled
|
|
| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
208
perspiration
|
|
| n.汗水；出汗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
209
chuckling
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
210
exultation
|
|
| n.狂喜，得意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
211
abortive
|
|
| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
212
tormented
|
|
| 饱受折磨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
213
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
214
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
215
oracle
|
|
| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
216
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
217
misgivings
|
|
| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
218
appalled
|
|
| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
219
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
220
weird
|
|
| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
221
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
222
disdained
|
|
| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
223
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
224
bulged
|
|
| 凸出( bulge的过去式和过去分词 )； 充满； 塞满（某物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
225
nonplussed
|
|
| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
226
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
227
tormentor
|
|
| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
228
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
229
rumours
|
|
| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
230
brutality
|
|
| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
231
entreated
|
|
| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
232
bullying
|
|
| v.恐吓，威逼( bully的现在分词 )；豪；跋扈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
233
carving
|
|
| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
234
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
235
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
236
mattress
|
|
| n.床垫，床褥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
237
lining
|
|
| n.衬里，衬料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
238
jeered
|
|
| v.嘲笑( jeer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
239
jersey
|
|
| n.运动衫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
240
reviled
|
|
| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
241
perversity
|
|
| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
242
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
243
revel
|
|
| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
244
compassionate
|
|
| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
245
tact
|
|
| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
246
bustling
|
|
| adj.喧闹的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
247
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
248
seamanlike
|
|
| 海员般的，熟练水手似的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
249
berths
|
|
| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
250
belongings
|
|
| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
251
peals
|
|
| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
252
corruption
|
|
| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
253
trampled
|
|
| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
254
tainted
|
|
| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
255
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
256
immortals
|
|
| 不朽的人物( immortal的名词复数 )； 永生不朽者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
257
sublime
|
|
| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |