As everybody knows, the great majority of Americans, upon reaching the age of natural selection, are elected to the American Institute of Arts and Ethics1, which is, so to speak, the Ellis Island of the Academy.
Occasionally a general mobilization of the Academy is ordered and, from the teeming2 population of the Institute, a new Immortal3 is selected for the American Academy of Moral Endeavor by the simple process of blindfolded4 selection from Who’s Which.
The motto of this most stately of earthly institutions is a peculiarly modest, truthful5, and unintentional epigram by Tupper:
“Unknown, I became Famous; Famous, I remain Unknown.”
And so I found it to be the case; for, when at last I was privileged to write my name, “Smith, Academician,” I discovered to my surprise that I knew none of my brother Immortals6, and, more amazing still, none of them had ever heard of me.
This latter fact became the more astonishing to me as I learned the identity of the other Immortals.
Even the President of our great republic was numbered among these Olympians. I had every right to suppose that he had heard of me. I had happened to hear of him, because his Secretary of State once mentioned him at Chautauqua.
It was a wonderfully meaningless sensation to know nobody and to discover myself equally unknown amid that matchless companionship. We were like a mixed bunch of gods, Greek, Norse, Hindu, Hottentot — all gathered on Olympus, having never heard of each other but taking it for granted that we were all gods together and all members of this club.
My initiation8 into the Academy had been fixed9 for April first, and I was much worried concerning the address which I was of course expected to deliver on that occasion before my fellow members.
It had to be an exciting address because slumber10 was not an infrequent phenomenon among the Immortals on such solemn occasions. Like dozens of dozing11 Joves a dull discourse12 always set them nodding.
But always under such circumstances the pretty ushers13 from Barnard College passed around refreshments14; a suffragette orchestra struck up; the ushers uprooted15 the seated Immortals and fox-trotted16 them into comparative consciousness.
But I didn’t wish to have my inaugural17 address interrupted, therefore I was at my wits’ ends to discover a subject of such exciting scientific interest that my august audience could not choose but listen as attentively18 as they would listen from the front row to some deathless stunt19 in vaudeville20.
That morning I had left the Bronx rather early, hoping that a long walk might compose my thoughts and enable me to think of some sufficiently21 entertaining and unusual subject for my inaugural address.
I walked as far as Columbia University, gazed with rapture22 upon its magnificent architecture until I was as satiated as though I had arisen from a banquet at Childs’.
To aid mental digestion23 I strolled over to the noble home of the Academy and Institute adjoining Mr. Huntington’s Hispano-Moresque Museum.
It was a fine, sunny morning, and the Immortals were being exercised by a number of pretty ushers from Barnard.
I gazed upon the impressive procession with pride unutterable; very soon I also should walk two and two in the sunshine, my dome24 crowned with figurative laurels25, cracking scientific witticisms26 with my fellow inmates27, or, perhaps, squeezing the pretty fingers of some — But let that pass.
I was, as I say, gazing upon this inspiring scene on a beautiful morning in February, when I became aware of a short and visibly vulgar person beside me, plucking persistently28 at my elbow.
“Are you the great Academician, Perfessor Smith?” he asked, tipping his pearl-coloured and somewhat soiled bowler29.
“Yes,” I said condescendingly. “Your description of me precludes30 further doubt. What can I do for you, my good man?”
“Are you this here Perfessor Smith of the Department of Anthropology31 in the Bronx Park Zo?logical Society?” he persisted.
“What do you desire of me?” I repeated, taking another look at him. He was exceedingly ordinary.
“Prof, old sport,” he said cordially, “I took a slant32 at the papers yesterday, an’ I seen all about the big time these guys had when you rode the goat —”
“Rode —what?”
“When you was elected. Get me?”
I stared at him. He grinned in a friendly way.
“The privacy of those solemn proceedings33 should remain sacred. It were unfit to discuss such matters with the world at large,” I said coldly.
“I get you,” he rejoined cheerfully.
“What do you desire of me?” I repeated. “Why this unseemly apropos34?”
“I was comin’ to it. Perfessor, I’ll be frank. I need money —”
“You need brains!”
“No,” he said good-humouredly, “I’ve got ’em; plenty of ’em; I’m overstocked with idees. What I want to do is to sell you a few —”
“Do you know you are impudent35!”
“Listen, friend. I seen a piece in the papers as how you was to make the speech of your life when you ride the goat for these here guys on April first —”
“I decline to listen —”
“One minute, friend! I want to ask you one thing! What are you going to talk about?”
I was already moving away but I stopped and stared at him.
“That’s the question,” he nodded with unimpaired cheerfulness, ”what are you going to talk about on April the first? Remember it’s the hot-air party of your life. Ree-member that each an’ every paper in the United States will print what you say. Now, how about it, friend? Are you up in your lines?”
Swallowing my repulsion for him I said: “Why are you concerned as to what may be the subject of my approaching address?”
“There you are, Prof!” he exclaimed delightedly; “I want to do business with you. That’s me! I’m frank about it. Say, there ought to be a wad of the joyful36 in it for us both —”
“What?”
“Sure. We can work it any old way. Take Tyng, Tyng and Company, the typewriter people. I’d be ashamed to tell you what I can get out o’ them if you’ll mention the Tyng-Tyng typewriter in your speech —”
“What you suggest is infamous37!” I said haughtily38.
“Believe me there’s enough in it to make it a financial coup39, and I ask you, Prof, isn’t a financial coup respectable?”
“You seem to be morally unfitted to comprehend —”
“Pardon me! I’m fitted up regardless with all kinds of fixtures40. I’m fixed to undertake anything. Now if you’d prefer the Bunsen Baby Biscuit bunch — why old man Bunsen would come across —”
“I won’t do such things!” I said angrily.
“Very well, very well. Don’t get riled, sir. That’s only one way to build on Fifth Avenoo. I’ve got one hundred thousand other ways —”
“I don’t want to talk to you —”
“They’re honest — some of them. Say, if you want a stric’ly honest deal I’ve got the goods. Only it ain’t as easy and the money ain’t as big —”
“I don’t want to talk to you —”
“Yes you do. You don’t reelize it but you do. Why you’re fixin’ to make the holler of your life, ain’t you? What are you goin’ to say? Hey? What you aimin’ to say to make those guys set up? What’s the use of up-stagin’? Ain’t you willin’ to pay me a few plunks if I dy-vulge to you the most startlin’ phenomena41 that has ever electrified42 civilization sense the era of P.T. Barnum!”
I was already hurrying away when the mention of that great scientist’s name halted me once more.
The little flashy man had been tagging along at my heels, talking cheerfully and volubly all the while; and now, as I halted again, he struck an attitude, legs apart, thumbs hooked in his arm-pits, and his head cocked knowingly on one side.
“Prof,” he said, “if you’d work in the Tyng-Tyng Company, or fix it up with Bunsen to mention his Baby Biscuits as the most nootritious of condeements, there’d be more in it for you an’ me. But it’s up to you.”
“Well I won’t!” I retorted.
“Very well, ve-ry well,” he said soothingly43. “Then look over another line o’ samples. No trouble to show ’em — none at all, sir! Now if P.T. Barnum was alive —”
I said very seriously: “The name of that great discoverer falling from your illiterate44 lips has halted me a second time. His name alone invests your somewhat suspicious conversation with a dignity and authority heretofore conspicuously45 absent. If, as you hint, you have any scientific information for sale which P.T. Barnum might have considered worth purchasing, you may possibly find in me a client. Proceed, young sir.”
“Say, listen, Bo — I mean, Prof. I’ve got the goods. Don’t worry. I’ve got information in my think-box that would make your kick-in speech the event of the century. The question remains46, do I get mine?”
“What is this scientific information?”
We had now walked as far as Riverside Drive. There were plenty of unoccupied benches. I sat down and he seated himself beside me.
For a few moments I gazed upon the magnificent view. Even he seemed awed47 by the proportions of the superb iron gas tank dominating the prospect48.
I gazed at the colossal49 advertisements across the Hudson, at the freight trains below; I gazed upon the lordly Hudson itself, that majestic50 sewer51 which drains the Empire State, bearing within its resistless flood millions of tons of insoluble matter from that magic fairyland which we call “up-state,” to the sea. And, thinking of disposal plants, I thought of that sublime52 paraphrase53 —“From the Mohawk to the Hudson, and from the Hudson to the Sea.”
“Bo,” he said, “I gotta hand it to you. Them guys might have got wise if you had worked in the Tyng-Tyng Company or the Bunsen stuff. There was big money into it, but it might not have went.”
I waited curiously54.
“But this here dope I’m startin’ in to cook for you is a straight, reelible, an’ hones’ pill. P.T. Barnum he would have went a million miles to see what I seen last Janooary down in the Coquina country —”
“Where is that?”
“Say; that’s what costs money to know. When I put you wise I’m due to retire from actyve business. Get me?”
“Go on.”
“Sure. I was down to the Coquina country, a-doin’— well, I was doin’ rubes. I gotta be hones’ with you, Prof. That’s what I was a-doin’ of — sellin’ farms under water to suckers. Bee-u-tiful Florida! Own your own orange grove55. Seven crops o’ strawberries every winter in Gawd’s own country — get me?”
He bestowed56 upon me a loathsome57 wink58.
“Well, it went big till I made a break and got in Dutch with the Navy Department what was surveyin’ the Everglades for a safe and sane59 harbor of refuge for the navy in time o’ war.
“Sir, they was a-dredgin’ up the farms I was sellin’, an’ the suckers heard of it an’ squealed60 somethin’ fierce, an’ I had to hustle61! Yes, sir, I had to git up an’ mosey cross-lots. And what with the Federal Gov’ment chasin’ me one way an’ them rubes an’ the sheriff of Pickalocka County racin’ me t’other, I got lost for fair — yes, sir.”
He smiled reminiscently, produced from his pockets the cold and offensive remains of a partly consumed cigar, and examined it critically. Then he requested a match.
“I shall now pass over lightly or in subdood silence the painful events of my flight,” he remarked, waving his cigar and expelling a long squirt of smoke from his unshaven lips. “Surfice it to say that I got everythin’ that was comin’ to me, an’ then some, what with snakes and murskeeters, an’ briers an’ mud, an’ hunger an’ thirst an’ heat. Wasn’t there a wop named Pizarro or somethin’ what got lost down in Florida? Well, he’s got nothin’ on me. I never want to see the dam’ state again. But I’ll go back if you say so!”
His small rat eyes rested musingly62 upon the river; he sucked thoughtfully at his cigar, hooked one soiled thumb into the armhole of his fancy vest and crossed his legs.
“To resoom,” he said cheerily; “I come out one day, half nood, onto the banks of the Miami River. The rest was a pipe after what I had went through.
“I trimmed a guy at Miami, got clothes and railroad fare, an’ ducked.
“Now the valyble portion of my discourse is this here partial information concernin’ what I seen — or rather what I run onto durin’ my crool flight from my ree-lentless persecutors.
“An’ these here is the facts: There is, contrary to maps, Coast Survey guys, an’ general opinion, a range of hills in Florida, made entirely63 of coquina.
“It’s a good big range, too, fifty miles long an’ anywhere from one to five miles acrost.
“An’ what I’ve got to say is this: Into them there Coquina hills there still lives the expirin’ remains of the cave-men —”
“What!” I exclaimed incredulously.
“Or,” he continued calmly, “to speak more stric’ly, the few individools of that there expirin’ race is now totally reduced to a few women.”
“Your statement is wild —”
“No; but they’re wild. I seen ’em. Bein’ extremely bee-utiful I approached nearer, but they hove rocks at me, they did, an’ they run into the rocks like squir’ls, they did, an’ I was too much on the blink to stick around whistlin’ for dearie.
“But I seen ’em; they was all dolled up in the skins of wild annermals. When I see the first one she was eatin’ onto a ear of corn, an’ I nearly ketched her, but she run like hellnall — yes, sir. Just like that.
“So next I looked for some cave guy to waltz up an’ paste me, but no. An’ after I had went through them dam’ Coquina mountains I realized that there was nary a guy left in this here expirin’ race, only women, an’ only about a dozen o’ them.”
He ceased, meditatively64 expelled a cloud of pungent65 smoke, and folded his arms.
“Of course,” said I with a sneer66, “you have proofs to back your pleasant tale?”
“Sure. I made a map.”
“I see,” said I sarcastically67. “You propose to have me pay you for that map?”
“Sure.”
“How much, my confiding68 friend?”
“Ten thousand plunks.”
I began to laugh. He laughed, too: “You’ll pay ’em if you take my map an’ go to the Coquina hills,” he said.
I stopped laughing: “Do you mean that I am to go there and investigate before I pay you for this information?”
“Sure. If the goods ain’t up to sample the deal is off.”
“Sample? What sample?” I demanded derisively69.
He made a gesture with one soiled hand as though quieting a balky horse.
“I took a snapshot, friend. You wanta take a slant at it?”
“You took a photograph of one of these alleged70 cave-dwellers?”
“I took ten but when these here cave-ladies hove rocks at me the fillums was put on the blink — all excep’ this one which I dee-veloped an’ printed.”
He drew from his inner coat pocket a photograph and handed it to me — the most amazing photograph I ever gazed upon. Astounded71, almost convinced I sat looking at this irrefutable evidence in silence. The smoke of his cigar drifting into my face aroused me from a sort of dazed inertia72.
“Listen,” I said, half strangled, “are you willing to wait for payment until I personally have verified the existence of these — er — creatures?”
“You betcher! When you have went there an’ have saw the goods, just let me have mine if they’re up to sample. Is that right?”
“It seems perfectly73 fair.”
“It is fair. I wouldn’t try to do a scientific guy — no, sir. Me without no eddycation, only brains? Fat chance I’d have to put one over on a Academy sport what’s chuck-a-block with Latin an’ Greek an’ scientific stuff an’ all like that!”
I admitted to myself that he’d stand no chance.
“Is it a go?” he asked.
“Where is the map?” I inquired, trembling internally with excitement.
“Ha — ha!” he said. “Listen to my mirth! The map is inside here, old sport!” and he tapped his retreating forehead with one nicotine-stained finger.
“I see,” said I, trying to speak carelessly; “you desire to pilot me.”
“I don’t desire to but I gotta go with you.”
“An accurate map —”
“Can it, old sport! A accurate map is all right when it’s pasted over the front of your head for a face. But I wear the other kind of map inside me conk. Get me?”
“I confess that I do not.”
“Well, get this, then. It’s a cash deal. If the goods is up to sample you hand me mine then an’ there. I don’t deliver no goods f.o.b. I shows ’em to you. After you have saw them it’s up to you to round ’em up. That’s all, as they say when our great President pulls a gun. There ain’t goin’ to be no shootin’; walk out quietly, ladies!”
After I had sat there for fully7 ten minutes staring at him I came to the only logical conclusion possible to a scientific mind.
I said: “You are, admittedly, unlettered; you are confessedly a chevalier of industry; personally you are exceedingly distasteful to me. But it is useless to deny that you are the most extraordinary man I ever saw. . . . How soon can you take me to these Coquina hills?”
“Gimme twenty-four hours to — fix things,” he said gaily74.
“Is that all?”
“It’s plenty, I guess. An’— say!”
“What?”
“It’s a stric’ly cash deal. Get me?”
“I shall have with me a certified75 check for ten thousand dollars. Also a pair of automatics.”
He laughed: “Huh!” he said, “I could loco your cabbage-palm soup if I was that kind! I’m on the level, Perfessor. If I wasn’t I could get you in about a hundred styles while you was blinkin’ at what you was a-thinkin’ about. But I ain’t no gun-man. You hadn’t oughta pull that stuff on me. I’ve give you your chanst; take it or leave it.”
I pondered profoundly for another ten minutes. And at last my decision was irrevocably reached.
“It’s a bargain,” I said firmly. “What is your name?”
“Sam Mink76. Write it Samuel onto that there certyfied check — if you can spare the extra seconds from your valooble time.”
2
On Monday, the first day of March, 1915, about 10:30 a.m., we came in sight of something which, until I had met Mink, I never had dreamed existed in southern Florida — a high range of hills.
It had been an eventless journey from New York to Miami, from Miami to Fort Coquina; but from there through an absolutely pathless wilderness77 as far as I could make out, the journey had been exasperating78.
Where we went I do not know even now: saw-grass and water, hammock and shell mound79, palm forests, swamps, wildernesses80 of water-oak and live-oak, vast stretches of pine, lagoons81, sloughs82, branches, muddy creeks83, reedy reaches from which wild fowl84 rose in clouds where alligators85 lurked86 or lumbered87 about after stranded88 fish, horrible mangrove89 thickets90 full of moccasins and water-turkeys, heronry more horrible still, out of which the heat from a vertical91 sun distilled92 the last atom of nauseating93 effluvia — all these choice spots we visited under the guidance of the wretched Mink. I seemed to be missing nothing that might discourage or disgust me.
He appeared to know the way, somehow, although my compass became mysteriously lost the first day out from Fort Coquina.
Again and again I felt instinctively94 that we were travelling in a vast circle, but Mink always denied it, and I had no scientific instruments to verify my deepening suspicions.
Another thing bothered me: Mink did not seem to suffer from insects or heat; in fact, to my intense annoyance95, he appeared to be having a comfortable time of it, eating and drinking with gusto, sleeping snugly96 under a mosquito bar, permitting me to do all camp work, the paddling as long as we used a canoe, and all the cooking, too, claiming, on his part, a complete ignorance of culinary art.
Sometimes he condescended97 to catch a few fish for the common pan; sometimes he bestirred himself to shoot a duck or two. But usually he played on his concertina during his leisure moments which were plentiful98.
I began to detest99 Samuel Mink.
At first I was murderously suspicious of him, and I walked about with my automatic arsenal100 ostentatiously displayed. But he looked like such a miserable101 little shrimp102 that I became ashamed of my precautions. Besides, as he cheerfully pointed103 out, a little koonti soaked in my drinking water, would have done my business for me if he had meant me any physical harm. Also he had a horrid104 habit of noosing105 moccasins for sport; and it would have been easy for him to introduce one to me while I slept.
Really what most worried me was the feeling which I could not throw off that somehow or other we were making very little progress in any particular direction.
He even admitted that there was reason for my doubts, but he confided106 to me that to find these Coquina hills, was like traversing a maze107. Doubling to and fro among forests and swamps, he insisted, was the only possible path of access to the undiscovered Coquina hills of Florida. Otherwise, he argued, these Coquina hills would long ago have been discovered.
And it seemed to me that he had been right when at last we came out on the edge of a palm forest and beheld108 that astounding109 blue outline of hills in a country which has always been supposed to lie as flat as a flabby flap-jack.
A desert of saw-palmetto stretched away before us to the base of the hills; game trails ran through it in every direction like sheep paths; a few moth-eaten Florida deer trotted away as we appeared.
Into one of these trails stepped Samuel Mink, burdened only with his concertina and a box of cigars. I, loaded with seventy pounds of impedimenta including a moving-picture apparatus110, reeled after him.
He walked on jauntily111 toward the hills, his pearl-coloured bowler hat at an angle. Occasionally he played upon his concertina as he advanced; now and then he cut a pigeon wing. I hated him. At every toilsome step I hated him more deeply. He played “Tipperary” on his concertina.
“See ’em, old top?” he inquired, nodding toward the hills. “I’m a man of my word, I am. Look at ’em! Take ’em in, old sport! An’ reemember, each an’ every hill is guaranteed to contain one bony fidy cave-lady what is the last vanishin’ traces of a extinc’ an’ dissappeerin’ race!”
We toiled112 on — that is, I did, bowed under my sweating load of paraphernalia113. He skipped in advance like some degenerate114 twentieth century faun, playing on his pipes the unmitigated melodies of George Cohan.
“Watch your step!” he cried, nimbly avoiding the attentions of a ground-rattler which tried to caress115 his ankle from under a saw-palmetto.
With a shudder116 I gave the deadly little reptile117 room and floundered forward a prey118 to exhaustion119, melancholy120, and red-bugs. A few buzzards kept pace with me, their broad, black shadows gliding121 ominously122 over the sun-drenched earth; blue-tail lizards123 went rustling124 and leaping away on every side; floppy125 soft-winged butterflies escorted me; a strange bird which seemed to be dressed in a union suit of checked gingham, flew from tree to tree as I plodded126 on, and squealed at me persistently.
At last I felt the hard coquina under foot; the cool blue shadow of the hills enveloped127 me; I slipped off my pack, dumped it beside a little rill of crystal water which ran sparkling from the hills, and sat down on a soft and fragrant128 carpet of hound’s-tongue.
After a while I drank my fill at the rill, bathed head, neck, face and arms, and, feeling delightfully129 refreshed, leaned back against the fern-covered slab130 of coquina.
“What are you doing?” I demanded of Mink who was unpacking131 the kit132 and disengaging the moving-picture machine.
“Gettin’ ready,” he replied, fussing busily with the camera.
“You don’t expect to see any cave people here, do you?” I asked with a thrill of reviving excitement.
“Why not?”
“Here?”
“Cert’nly. Why the first one I seen was a-drinkin’ into this brook133.”
“Here! Where I’m sitting?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes, sir, right there. It was this way; I was lyin’ down, tryin’ to figure the shortes’ way to Fort Coquina, an’ wishin’ I was nearer Broadway than I was to the Equator, when I heard a voice say, ‘Blub-blub, muck-a-muck!’ an’ then I seen two cave-ladies come sof’ly stealin’ along.”
“W-where?”
“Right there where you are a-sittin’. Say, they was lookers! An’ they come along quiet like two big-eyed deer, kinder nosin’ the air and listenin’.
“‘Gee whiz,’ thinks I, ‘Longacre ain’t got so much on them dames134!’ An’ at that one o’ them wore a wild-cat’s skin an’ that’s all — an’ a wild-cat ain’t big. And t’other she sported pa’m-leaf pyjamas135.
“So when they don’t see nothin’ around to hinder, they just lays down flat and takes a drink into that pool, lookin’ up every swallow like little birds listenin’ and kinder thankin’ God for a good square drink.
“I knowed they was wild girls soon as I seen ’em. Also they sez to one another, ‘Blub-blub!’ Kinder sof’ly. All the same I’ve seen wilder ladies on Broadway so I took a chanst where I was squattin’ behind a rock.
“So sez I, ‘Ah there, sweetie Blub-blub! Have a taxi on me!’ An’ with that they is on their feet, quiverin’ all over an’ nosin’ the wind. So first I took some snapshots at ’em with my Bijoo camera.
“I guess they scented136 me all right for I seen their eyes grow bigger, an’ then they give a bound an’ was off over the rocks; an’ me after ’em. Say, that was some steeple-chase until a few more cave-ladies come out on them rocks above us an’ hove chunks137 of coquina at me.
“An’ with all that dodgin’ an’ duckin’ of them there rocks the cave-girls got away; an’ I seen ’em an’ the other cave-ladies scurryin’ into little caves — one whisked into this hole, another scuttled138 into that — bing! all over!
“All I could think of was to light a cigar an’ blow the smoke in after the best-lookin’ cave-girl. But I couldn’t smoke her out, an’ I hadn’t time to starve her out. So that’s all I know about this here pree-historic an’ extinc’ race o’ vanishin’ cave-ladies.”
As his simple and illiterate narrative139 advanced I became proportionally excited; and, when he ended, I sprang to my feet in an uncontrollable access of scientific enthusiasm:
“Was she really pretty?” I asked.
“Listen, she was that peachy —”
“Enough!” I cried. “Science expects every man to do his duty! Are your films ready to record a scene without precedent140 in the scientific annals of creation?”
“They sure is!”
“Then place your camera and your person in a strategic position. This is a magnificent spot for an ambush141! Come over beside me!”
He came across to where I had taken cover among the ferns behind the parapet of coquina, and with a thrill of pardonable joy I watched him unlimber his photographic artillery142 and place it in battery where my every posture143 and action would be recorded for posterity144 if a cave-lady came down to the water-hole to drink.
“It were futile,” I explained to him in a guarded voice, “for me to attempt to cajole her as you attempted it. Neither playful nor moral suasion could avail, for it is certain that no cave-lady understands English.”
“I thought o’ that, too,” he remarked. “I said, ‘Blub-blub! muck-a-muck!’ to ’em when they started to run, but it didn’t do no good.”
I smiled: “Doubtless,” said I, “the spoken language of the cave-dweller is made up of similarly primitive145 exclamations146, and you were quite right in attempting to communicate with the cave-ladies and establish a cordial entente147. Professor Garner148 has done so among the Simian149 population of Gaboon. Your attempt is most creditable and I shall make it part of my record.
“But the main idea is to capture a living specimen150 of cave-lady, and corroborate151 every detail of that pursuit and capture upon the films.
“And believe me, Mr. Mink,” I added, my voice trembling with emotion, “no Academician is likely to go to sleep when I illustrate152 my address with such pictures as you are now about to take!”
“The police might pull the show,” he suggested.
“No,” said I, “Science is already immune; art is becoming so. Only nature need fear the violence of prejudice; and doubtless she will continue to wear pantalettes and common-sense nighties as long as our great republic endures.”
I unslung my field-glasses, adjusted them and took a penetrating153 squint154 at the hillside above.
Nothing stirred up there except a buzzard or two wheeling on tip-curled pinions155 above the palms.
Presently Mink inquired whether I had “lamped” anything, and I replied that I had not.
“They may be snoozin’ in their caves,” he suggested. “But don’t you fret156, old top; you’ll get what’s comin’ to you and I’ll get mine.”
“About that check —” I began and hesitated.
“Sure. What about it?”
“I suppose I’m to give it to you when the first cave-woman appears.”
“That’s what!”
I pondered the matter for a while in silence. I could see no risk in paying him this draft on sight.
“All right,” I said. “Bring on your cave-dwellers.”
Hour succeeded hour, but no cave-dwellers came down to the pool to drink. We ate luncheon157 — a bit of cold duck, some koonti-bread, and a dish of palm-cabbage. I smoked an inexpensive cigar; Mink lit a more pretentious158 one. Afterward159 he played on his concertina at my suggestion on the chance that the music might lure160 a cave-girl down the hill. Nymphs were sometimes caught that way, and modern science seems to be reverting161 more and more closely to the simpler truths of the classics which, in our ignorance and arrogance162, we once dismissed as fables163 unworthy of scientific notice.
However this Broadway faun piped in vain: no white-footed dryad came stealing through the ferns to gaze, perhaps to dance to the concertina’s plaintive164 melodies.
So after a while he put his concertina into his pocket, cocked his derby hat on one side, gathered his little bandy legs under his person, and squatted165 there in silence, chewing the wet and bitter end of his extinct cigar.
Toward mid-afternoon I unslung my field-glasses again and surveyed the hill.
At first I noticed nothing, not even a buzzard; then, of a sudden, my attention was attracted to something moving among the fern-covered slabs166 of coquina just above where we lay concealed167 — a slim, graceful168 shape half shadowed under a veil of lustrous169 hair which glittered like gold in the sun.
“Mink!” I whispered hoarsely170. “One of them is coming! This — this indeed is the stupendous and crowning climax171 of my scientific career!”
His comment was incredibly coarse: “Gimme the dough,” he said without a tremor172 of surprise. Indeed there was a metallic173 ring of menace in his low and entirely cold tones as he laid one hand on my arm. “No welchin’,” he said, “or I put the whole show on the bum174!”
The overwhelming excitement of the approaching crisis neutralized175 my disgust; I fished out the certified check from my pocket and flung the miserable scrap176 of paper at him. “Get your machine ready!” I hissed177. “Do you understand what these moments mean to the civilized178 world!”
“I sure do,” he said.
Nearer and nearer came the lithe179 white figure under its glorious crown of hair, moving warily180 and gracefully181 amid the great coquina slabs — nearer, nearer, until I no longer required my glasses.
She was a slender red-lipped thing, blue-eyed, dainty of hand and foot.
The spotted182 pelt183 of a wild-cat covered her, or attempted to.
I unfolded a large canvas sack as she approached the pool. For a moment or two she stood gazing around her and her close-set ears seemed to be listening. Then, apparently184 satisfied, she threw back her beautiful young head and sent a sweet wild call floating back to the sunny hillside.
“Blub-blub!” rang her silvery voice; “blub-blub! Muck-a-muck!” And from the fern-covered hollows above other voices replied joyously185 to her reassuring186 call, “Blub-blub-blub!”
The whole bunch was coming down to drink — the entire remnant of a prehistoric187 and almost extinct race of human creatures was coming to quench188 its thirst at this water-hole. How I wished for James Barnes at the camera’s crank! He alone could do justice to this golden girl before me.
One by one, clad in their simple yet modest gowns of pelts189 and garlands, five exquisitively superb specimens190 of cave-girl came gracefully down to the water-hole to drink.
Almost swooning with scientific excitement I whispered to the unspeakable Mink: “Begin to crank as soon as I move!” And, gathering191 up my big canvas sack I rose, and, still crouching192, stole through the ferns on tip-toe.
They had already begun to drink when they heard me; I must have made some slight sound in the ferns, for their keen ears detected it and they sprang to their feet.
It was a magnificent sight to see them there by the pool, tense, motionless, at gaze, their dainty noses to the wind, their beautiful eyes wide and alert.
For a moment, enchanted193, I remained spellbound in the presence of this prehistoric spectacle, then, waving my sack, I sprang out from behind the rock and cantered toward them.
Instead of scattering194 and flying up the hillside they seemed paralyzed, huddling195 together as though to get into the picture. Delighted I turned and glanced at Mink; he was cranking furiously.
With an uncontrollable shout of triumph and delight I pranced196 toward the huddling cave-girls, arms outspread as though heading a horse or concentrating chickens. And, totally forgetting the uselessness of urbanity and civilized speech as I danced around that lovely but terrified group, “Ladies!” I cried, “do not be alarmed, because I mean only kindness and proper respect. Civilization calls you from the wilds! Sentiment, pity, piety197 propel my legs, not the ruthless desire to injure or enslave you! Ladies! You are under the wing of science. An anthropologist198 is speaking to you! Fear nothing! Rather rejoice! Your wonderful race shall be rescued from extinction199 — even if I have to do it myself! Ladies, don’t run!” They had suddenly scattered200 and were now beginning to dodge201 me. “I come among you bearing the precious promises of education, of religion, of equal franchise202, of fashion!”
“Blub-blub!” they whimpered continuing to dodge me.
“Yes!” I cried in an excess of transcendental enthusiasm. “Blub-blub! And though I do not comprehend the exquisite203 simplicity204 of your primeval speech, I answer with all my heart, ‘Blub-blub!’”
Meanwhile, they were dodging205 and eluding206 me as I chased first one, then another, one hand outstretched, the other invitingly207 clutching the sack.
A hasty glance at Mink now and then revealed him industriously208 cranking away.
Once I fell into the pool. That section of the film should never be released, I determined209, as I blew the water out of my mouth, gasped210, and started after a lovely, ruddy-haired cave-girl whose curiosity had led her to linger beside the pool in which I was floundering.
But run as fast as I could and skip hither and thither211 with all the agility212 I could muster213 I did not seem to be able to seize a single cave-girl.
Every few minutes, baffled and breathless, I rested; and they always clustered together uttering their plaintively214 musical “blub-blub,” not apparently very much afraid of me, and even exhibiting curiosity. Now and then they cast glances toward Mink who was grinding away steadily215, and I could scarcely retain a shout of joy as I realized what wonderful pictures he was taking. Indeed luck seemed to be with me, so far, for never once did these beautiful prehistoric creatures retire out of photographic range.
But otherwise the problem was becoming serious. I could not catch one of them; they eluded216 me with maddening swiftness and grace; my pauses to recover my breath became more frequent.
At last, dead beat, I sat down on a slab of coquina. And when I was able to articulate I turned around toward Mink.
“You’ll have to drop your camera and come over and help me,” I panted. “I’m all in!”
“Not quite,” he said.
For a moment I did not understand him; then under my outraged217 eyes, and within the hearing of my horrified218 ears a terrible thing occurred.
“Now, ladies!” yelled Mink, “all on for the fine-ally! Up-stage there, you red-headed little spot-crabber! Mabel! Take the call! Now smile the whole bloomin’ bunch of you!”
What was he saying? I did not comprehend. I stared dully at the six cave-girls as they grouped themselves in a semi-circle behind me.
Then, as one of them came up and unfolded a white strip of cloth behind my head, the others drew from concealed pockets in their kilts of cat-fur, little silk flags of all nations and began to wave them.
Paralyzed I turned my head. On the strip of white cloth, which the tallest cave-girl was holding directly behind my head, was printed in large black letters:
SUNSET SOAP
For one cataclysmic instant I gazed upon this hideous219 spectacle, then with an unearthly cry I collapsed220 into the arms of the nicest looking one.
There is little more to say. Contrary to my fears the release of this outrageous221 film did not injure my scientific standing222. Modern science, accustomed to proprietary223 testimonials, has become reconciled to such things.
My appearance upon the films in the movies in behalf of Sunset Soap, oddly enough, seemed to enhance my scientific reputation. Even such austere224 purists as Guilford, the Cubist poet, congratulated me upon my fearless independence of ethical225 tradition.
And I had lived to learn a gentler truth than that, for, the pretty girl who had been cast for Cave-girl No. 3 — But let that pass. Adhibenda est in jocando moderatio.
Sweet are the uses of advertisement.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
ethics
|
|
| n.伦理学；伦理观，道德标准 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
teeming
|
|
| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
immortal
|
|
| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
blindfolded
|
|
| v.（尤指用布）挡住（某人）的视线( blindfold的过去式 )；蒙住（某人）的眼睛；使不理解；蒙骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
truthful
|
|
| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
immortals
|
|
| 不朽的人物( immortal的名词复数 )； 永生不朽者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
initiation
|
|
| n.开始 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
dozing
|
|
| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
discourse
|
|
| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
ushers
|
|
| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
refreshments
|
|
| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
uprooted
|
|
| v.把（某物）连根拔起( uproot的过去式和过去分词 )；根除；赶走；把…赶出家园 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
trotted
|
|
| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
inaugural
|
|
| adj.就职的；n.就职典礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
stunt
|
|
| n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
vaudeville
|
|
| n.歌舞杂耍表演 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
rapture
|
|
| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
digestion
|
|
| n.消化，吸收 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
dome
|
|
| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
laurels
|
|
| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
witticisms
|
|
| n.妙语，俏皮话( witticism的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
inmates
|
|
| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
persistently
|
|
| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
bowler
|
|
| n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
precludes
|
|
| v.阻止( preclude的第三人称单数 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
anthropology
|
|
| n.人类学 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
slant
|
|
| v.倾斜，倾向性地编写或报道；n.斜面，倾向 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
apropos
|
|
| adv.恰好地；adj.恰当的；关于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
impudent
|
|
| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
joyful
|
|
| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
infamous
|
|
| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
haughtily
|
|
| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
coup
|
|
| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
fixtures
|
|
| （房屋等的）固定装置( fixture的名词复数 )； 如（浴盆、抽水马桶）； 固定在某位置的人或物； （定期定点举行的）体育活动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
phenomena
|
|
| n.现象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
electrified
|
|
| v.使电气化( electrify的过去式和过去分词 )；使兴奋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
soothingly
|
|
| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
illiterate
|
|
| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
conspicuously
|
|
| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
awed
|
|
| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
colossal
|
|
| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
majestic
|
|
| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
sewer
|
|
| n.排水沟，下水道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
sublime
|
|
| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
paraphrase
|
|
| vt.将…释义，改写；n.释义，意义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
grove
|
|
| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
bestowed
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
loathsome
|
|
| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
wink
|
|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
sane
|
|
| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
squealed
|
|
| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
hustle
|
|
| v.推搡；竭力兜售或获取；催促；n.奔忙(碌) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
musingly
|
|
| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
63
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
meditatively
|
|
| adv.冥想地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
pungent
|
|
| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
sarcastically
|
|
| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
confiding
|
|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
derisively
|
|
| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
alleged
|
|
| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
astounded
|
|
| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
inertia
|
|
| adj.惰性，惯性，懒惰，迟钝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
gaily
|
|
| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
certified
|
|
| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
mink
|
|
| n.貂，貂皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
exasperating
|
|
| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
mound
|
|
| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
wildernesses
|
|
| 荒野( wilderness的名词复数 )； 沙漠； （政治家）在野； 不再当政（或掌权） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
lagoons
|
|
| n.污水池( lagoon的名词复数 )；潟湖；（大湖或江河附近的）小而浅的淡水湖；温泉形成的池塘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
sloughs
|
|
| n.沼泽( slough的名词复数 )；苦难的深渊；难以改变的不良心情；斯劳(Slough)v.使蜕下或脱落( slough的第三人称单数 )；舍弃；除掉；摒弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
creeks
|
|
| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
fowl
|
|
| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
alligators
|
|
| n.短吻鳄( alligator的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
lurked
|
|
| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
lumbered
|
|
| 砍伐（lumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
stranded
|
|
| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
mangrove
|
|
| n.(植物)红树，红树林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
thickets
|
|
| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
vertical
|
|
| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
distilled
|
|
| adj.由蒸馏得来的v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
nauseating
|
|
| adj.令人恶心的，使人厌恶的v.使恶心，作呕( nauseate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
snugly
|
|
| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
condescended
|
|
| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
plentiful
|
|
| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
detest
|
|
| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
arsenal
|
|
| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
shrimp
|
|
| n.虾，小虾；矮小的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
horrid
|
|
| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
noosing
|
|
| v.绞索，套索( noose的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
106
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： |
|
|
|
|
107
maze
|
|
| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
astounding
|
|
| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
apparatus
|
|
| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
jauntily
|
|
| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
toiled
|
|
| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
paraphernalia
|
|
| n.装备；随身用品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
degenerate
|
|
| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
caress
|
|
| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
shudder
|
|
| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
reptile
|
|
| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
exhaustion
|
|
| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
gliding
|
|
| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
ominously
|
|
| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
lizards
|
|
| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
rustling
|
|
| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
floppy
|
|
| adj.松软的，衰弱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
plodded
|
|
| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
enveloped
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
fragrant
|
|
| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
delightfully
|
|
| 大喜，欣然 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
slab
|
|
| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
unpacking
|
|
| n.取出货物，拆包[箱]v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的现在分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
kit
|
|
| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
brook
|
|
| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
dames
|
|
| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
pyjamas
|
|
| n.（宽大的）睡衣裤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
scented
|
|
| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
chunks
|
|
| 厚厚的一块( chunk的名词复数 )； （某物）相当大的数量或部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
scuttled
|
|
| v.使船沉没( scuttle的过去式和过去分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
precedent
|
|
| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
ambush
|
|
| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
artillery
|
|
| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
posture
|
|
| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
posterity
|
|
| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
primitive
|
|
| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
exclamations
|
|
| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
entente
|
|
| n.协定；有协定关系的各国 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
garner
|
|
| v.收藏；取得 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
simian
|
|
| adj.似猿猴的；n.类人猿，猴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
specimen
|
|
| n.样本，标本 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
corroborate
|
|
| v.支持，证实，确定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
illustrate
|
|
| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
penetrating
|
|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
squint
|
|
| v. 使变斜视眼, 斜视, 眯眼看, 偏移, 窥视; n. 斜视, 斜孔小窗; adj. 斜视的, 斜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
pinions
|
|
| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
fret
|
|
| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
luncheon
|
|
| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
pretentious
|
|
| adj.自命不凡的，自负的，炫耀的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
lure
|
|
| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
reverting
|
|
| 恢复( revert的现在分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
arrogance
|
|
| n.傲慢，自大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
fables
|
|
| n.寓言( fable的名词复数 )；神话，传说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
plaintive
|
|
| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
squatted
|
|
| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
slabs
|
|
| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
graceful
|
|
| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
lustrous
|
|
| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
hoarsely
|
|
| adv.嘶哑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
climax
|
|
| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
tremor
|
|
| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
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： |
|
|
|
|
174
bum
|
|
| n.臀部；流浪汉，乞丐；vt.乞求，乞讨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
neutralized
|
|
| v.使失效( neutralize的过去式和过去分词 )；抵消；中和；使（一个国家）中立化 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
scrap
|
|
| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
hissed
|
|
| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
civilized
|
|
| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
lithe
|
|
| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
warily
|
|
| adv.留心地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
gracefully
|
|
| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
spotted
|
|
| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
pelt
|
|
| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
joyously
|
|
| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
reassuring
|
|
| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
prehistoric
|
|
| adj.（有记载的）历史以前的，史前的，古老的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
quench
|
|
| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
pelts
|
|
| n. 皮毛，投掷, 疾行 vt. 剥去皮毛，（连续）投掷 vi. 猛击，大步走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
specimens
|
|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
crouching
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
enchanted
|
|
| adj. 被施魔法的，陶醉的，入迷的 动词enchant的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
scattering
|
|
| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
huddling
|
|
| n. 杂乱一团, 混乱, 拥挤 v. 推挤, 乱堆, 草率了事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
pranced
|
|
| v.（马）腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
piety
|
|
| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
anthropologist
|
|
| n.人类学家，人类学者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
extinction
|
|
| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
dodge
|
|
| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
franchise
|
|
| n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
203
exquisite
|
|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
204
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
205
dodging
|
|
| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
206
eluding
|
|
| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的现在分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
207
invitingly
|
|
| adv. 动人地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
208
industriously
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
209
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
210
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： |
|
|
|
|
211
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
212
agility
|
|
| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
213
muster
|
|
| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
214
plaintively
|
|
| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
215
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
216
eluded
|
|
| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
217
outraged
|
|
| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
218
horrified
|
|
| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
219
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
220
collapsed
|
|
| adj.倒塌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
221
outrageous
|
|
| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
222
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
223
proprietary
|
|
| n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
224
austere
|
|
| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
225
ethical
|
|
| adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |