What sort of scenery we walked through, I am unable to say. The rain was above — the mud was below — the mist was all around us. The few objects, near at hand, that we did now and then see, dripped with wet, and had a shadowy visionary look. Sometimes, we met a forlorn cow steaming composedly by the roadside — or an old horse, standing11 up to his fetlocks in mire12, and sneezing vociferously13 — or a good-humoured peasant, who directed us on our road, and informed us with a grin, that this sort of “fine rain” often lasted for a fortnight. Sometimes we passed little villages built in damp holes, where trees, cottages, women scampering14 backwards15 and forwards peevishly16 on domestic errands, big boys with empty sacks over their heads and shoulders, gossiping gloomily against barn walls, and ill-conditioned pigs grunting17 for admission at closed kitchen doors, all looked soaked through and through together. Nothing, in short, could be more dreary18 and comfortless than our walk for the first two hours. But, after that, as we approached “Lizard Town,” the clouds began to part to seaward; layer after layer of mist drove past us, rolling before the wind; peeps of faint greenish-blue sky appeared and enlarged apace. By the time we had arrived at our destination, a white, watery19 sunlight was falling over the wet landscape. The prognostications of our Cornish friends were pleasantly falsified. A fine day was in store for us after all.
The man who first distinguished20 the little group of cottages that we now looked on, by the denomination22 of Lizard Town, must have possessed23 magnificent ideas indeed on the subject of nomenclature. If the place looked like anything in the world, it looked like a large collection of farm out-buildings without a farm-house. Muddy little lanes intersecting each other at every possible angle; rickety little cottages turned about to all the points of the compass; ducks, geese, cocks, hens, pigs, cows, horses, dunghills, puddles24, sheds, peat-stacks, timber, nets, seemed to be all indiscriminately huddled25 together where there was little or no room for them. To find the inn amid this confusion of animate26 and inanimate objects, was no easy matter; and when we at length discovered it, pushed our way through the live stock in the garden, and opened the kitchen door, this was the scene which burst instantaneously on our view:—
We beheld28 a small room literally29 full of babies, and babies’ mothers. Interesting infants of the tenderest possible age, draped in long clothes and short clothes, and shawls and blankets, met the eye wherever it turned. We saw babies propped30 up uncomfortably on the dresser, babies rocking snugly31 in wicker cradles, babies stretched out flat on their backs on women’s knees, babies prone32 on the floor toasting before a slow fire. Every one of these Cornish cherubs33 was crying in every variety of vocal34 key. Every one of their affectionate parents was talking at the top of her voice. Every one of their little elder brothers was screaming, squabbling, and tumbling down in the passage with prodigious35 energy and spirit. The mothers of England — and they only — can imagine the deafening36 and composite character of the noise which this large family party produced. To describe it is impossible.
Ere long, while we looked on it, the domestic scene began to change. Even as porters, policemen, and workmen of all sorts, gathered together on the line of rails at a station, move aside quickly and with one accord out of the way of the heavy engine slowly starting on its journey — so did the congregated37 mothers in the inn kitchen now move back on either hand with their babies, and clear a path for the great bulk of the hostess leisurely38 advancing from the fireside, to greet us at the door. From this most corpulent and complaisant39 of women, we received a hearty40 welcome, and a full explanation of the family orgies that were taking place under her roof. The great public meeting of all the babies in Lizard Town and the neighbouring villages, on which we had intruded41, had been convened42 by the local doctor, who had got down from London, what the landlady termed a “lot of fine fresh matter,” and was now about to strike a decisive blow at the small-pox, by vaccinating43 all the babies he could lay his hands on at “one fell swoop44.” The surgical45 ceremonies were expected to begin in a few minutes.
This last piece of information sent us out of the house without a moment’s delay. The sunlight had brightened gloriously since we had last beheld it — the rain was over — the mist was gone. But a short distance before us, rose the cliffs at the Lizard Head — the southernmost land in England — and to this point we now hastened, as the fittest spot from which to start on our rambles46 along the coast.
On our way thither47, short as it was, we observed a novelty. In the South and West of Cornwall, the footpaths48, instead of leading through or round the fields, are all on the top of the thick stone walls — some four feet high — which divide them. This curious arrangement for walking gives a startling and picturesque49 character to the figures of the country people, when you see them at a distance, striding along, not on the earth but above it, and often relieved throughout the whole length of their bodies against the sky. Preserving our equilibrium50, on these elevated pathways, with some difficulty against the strong south-west wind that was now blowing in our faces, we soon reached the topmost rocks that crown the Lizard Head: and then, the whole noble line of coast and the wild stormy ocean opened grandly into view.
On each side of us, precipice9 over precipice, cavern51 within cavern, rose the great cliffs protecting the land against the raging sea. Three hundred feet beneath, the foam52 was boiling far out over a reef of black rocks. Above and around, flocks of sea-birds flew in ever lengthening53 circles, or perched flapping their wings and sunning their plumage, on ledges55 of riven stone below us. Every object forming the wide sweep of the view was on the vastest and most majestic56 scale. The wild varieties of form in the jagged line of rocks stretched away eastward57 and westward58, as far as the eye could reach; black shapeless masses of mist scowled59 over the whole landward horizon; the bright blue sky at the opposite point was covered with towering white clouds which moved and changed magnificently; the tossing and raging of the great bright sea was sublimely60 contrasted by the solitude62 and tranquillity63 of the desert, overshadowed land — while ever and ever, sounding as they first sounded when the morning stars sang together, the rolling waves and the rushing wind pealed64 out their primeval music over the whole scene!
And now, when we began to examine the coast more in detail, inquiring the names of remarkable65 objects as we proceeded, we found ourselves in a country where each succeeding spot that the traveller visited, was memorable66 for some mighty67 convulsion of Nature, or tragically68 associated with some gloomy story of shipwreck69 and death. Turning from the Lizard Head towards a cliff at some little distance, we passed through a field on our way, overgrown with sweet-smelling wild flowers, and broken up into low grassy71 mounds72. This place is called “Pistol Meadow,” and is connected with a terrible event which is still spoken of by the country people with superstitious73 awe74.
Some hundred years since, a transport-ship, filled with troops, was wrecked75 on the reef off the Lizard Head. Two men only were washed ashore76 alive. Out of the fearful number that perished, two hundred corpses77 were driven up on the beach below Pistol Meadow; and there they were buried by tens and twenties together in great pits, the position of which is still revealed by the low irregular mounds that chequer the surface of the field. The place was named, in remembrance of the quantity of fire-arms — especially pistols — found about the wreck70 of the ill-fated ship, at low tide, on the reef below the cliffs. To this day, the peasantry continue to regard Pistol Meadow with feelings of awe and horror, and fear to walk near the graves of the drowned men at night. Nor have many of the inhabitants yet forgotten a revolting circumstance connected by traditional report with the burial of the corpses after the shipwreck. It is said, that when dead bodies were first washed ashore, troops of ferocious78, half-starved dogs suddenly appeared from the surrounding country, and could with difficulty be driven from preying79 on the mangled80 remains81 that were cast up on the beach. Ever since that period, the peasantry have been reported as holding the dog in abhorrence82. Whether this be true or not, it is certainly a rare adventure to meet with a dog in the Lizard district. You may walk through farm-yard after farm-yard, you may enter cottage after cottage, and never hear any barking at your heels — you may pass, on the road, labourer after labourer, and yet never find one of them accompanied, as in other parts of the country, by his favourite attendant cur.
Leaving Pistol Meadow, after gathering83 a few of the wild herbs growing fragrant84 and plentiful85 over the graves of the dead, we turned our steps towards the Lizard Lighthouse. As we passed before the front of the large and massive building, our progress was suddenly and startlingly checked by a hideous86 chasm87 in the cliff, sunk to a perpendicular88 depth of seventy feet, and measuring more than a hundred in circumference89. Nothing prepares the stranger for this great gulf90; no railing is placed about it; it lies hidden by rising land, and the earth all around is treacherously91 smooth. The first moment when you see it, is the moment when you start back instinctively92 from its edge, doubtful whether the hole has not yawned open in that very instant before your feet.
This chasm — melodramatically entitled by the people, “The Lion’s Den21”— was formed in an extraordinary manner, not many years since. In the evening the whole surface of the down above the cliff was smooth to the eye, and firm to the foot — in the morning it had opened into an enormous hole. The men who kept watch at the Lighthouse, heard no sounds beyond the moaning of the sea — felt no shock — looked out on the night, and saw that all was apparently93 still and quiet. Nature suffered her convulsion and effected her change in silence. Hundreds on hundreds of tons of soil had sunk down into depths beneath them, none knew in how long, or how short a time; but there the Lion’s Den was in the morning, where the firm earth had been the evening before.
The explanation of the manner in which this curious landslip occurred, is to be found by descending95 the face of the cliff, beyond the Lion’s Den, and entering a cavern in the rocks, called “Daw’s Hugo” (or Cave). The place is only accessible at low water. Passing from the beach through the opening of the cavern, you find yourself in a lofty, tortuous96 recess97, into the farthest extremity98 of which, a stream of light pours down from some eighty or a hundred feet above. This light is admitted through the Lion’s Den, and thus explains by itself the nature of the accident by which that chasm was formed. Here, the weight of the upper soil broke through the roof of the cave; and the earth which then fell into it, was subsequently washed away by the sea, which fills Daw’s Hugo at every flow of the tide. It has lately been noticed that the loose particles of ground at the bottom of the Lion’s Den, still continue to sink gradually through the narrow, slanting99 passage into the cave already formed; and it is expected that in no very long time the lower extremity of the chasm will widen so far, as to make the sea plainly visible through it from above. At present, the effect of the two streams of light pouring into Daw’s Hugo from two opposite directions — one from the Lion’s Den, the other from the seaward opening in the rocks — and falling together, in cross directions on the black rugged100 walls of the cave and the beautiful marine101 ferns growing from them, is supernaturally striking and grand. Here, Rembrandt would have loved to study; for here, even his sublime61 perception of the poetry of light and shade might have received a new impulse, and learned from the teaching of Nature one immortal102 lesson more.
Daw’s Hugo and the Lion’s Den may be fairly taken as characteristic types of the whole coast scenery about the Lizard Head, in its general aspects. Great caves and greater landslips are to be seen both eastward and westward. In calm weather you may behold103 the long prospects104 of riven rock, in their finest combination, from a boat. At such times, you may row into vast caverns106, always filled by the sea, and only to be approached when the waves ripple107 as calmly as the waters of a lake. Then, you may see the naturally arched roof high above you, adorned108 in the loveliest manner by marine plants waving to and fro gently in the wind. Rocky walls are at each side of you, variegated109 in dark red and dark green colours — now advancing, now receding110, now winding111 in and out, now rising straight and lofty, until their termination is hid in a pitch-dark obscurity which no man has ever ventured to fathom112 to its end. Beneath, is the emerald-green sea, so still and clear that you can behold the white sand far below, and can watch the fish gliding113 swiftly and stealthily out and in: while, all around, thin drops of moisture are dripping from above, like rain, into the deep quiet water below, with a monotonous114 echoing sound which half oppresses and half soothes115 the ear, at the same time.
On stormy days your course is different. Then, you wander along the summits of the cliffs; and looking down, through the hedges of tamarisk and myrtle that skirt the ends of the fields, see the rocks suddenly broken away beneath you into an immense shelving amphitheatre, on the floor of which the sea boils in fury, rushing through natural archways and narrow rifts116. Beyond them, at intervals117 as the waves fall, you catch glimpses of the brilliant blue main ocean, and the outer reefs stretching into it. Often, such wild views as these are relieved from monotony by the prospect105 of smooth cornfields and pasture-lands, or by pretty little fishing villages perched among the rocks — each with its small group of boats drawn118 up on a slip of sandy beach, and its modest, tiny gardens rising one above another, wherever the slope is gentle, and the cliff beyond rises high to shelter them from the winter winds.
But the place at which the coast scenery of the Lizard district arrives at its climax119 of grandeur120 is Kynance Cove27. Here, such gigantic specimens121 are to be seen of the most beautiful of all varieties of rock — the “serpentine122”— as are unrivalled in Cornwall; perhaps, unrivalled anywhere. A walk of two miles along the westward cliffs from Lizard Town, brought us to the top of a precipice of three hundred feet. Looking forward from this, we saw the white sand of Kynance Cove stretching out in a half circle into the sea.
What a scene was now presented to us! It was a perfect palace of rocks! Some rose perpendicularly123 and separate from each other, in the shapes of pyramids and steeples — some were overhanging at the top and pierced with dark caverns at the bottom — some were stretched horizontally on the sand, here studded with pools of water, there broken into natural archways. No one of these rocks resembled another in shape, size, or position — and all, at the moment when we looked on them, were wrapped in the solemn obscurity of a deep mist; a mist which shadowed without concealing124 them, which exaggerated their size, and, hiding all the cliffs beyond, presented them sublimely as separate and solitary125 objects in the sea-view.
It was now necessary, however, to occupy as little time as possible in contemplating126 Kynance Cove from a distance; for if we desired to explore it, immediate127 advantage was to be taken of the state of the tide, which was already rapidly ebbing128. Hurriedly descending the cliffs, therefore, we soon reached the sand: and here, leaving my companion to sketch129, I set forth130 to wander among the rocks, doubtful whither to turn my steps first. While still hesitating, I was fortunate enough to meet with a guide, whose intelligence and skill well deserve such record as I can give of them here; for, to the former I was indebted for much local information and anecdote131, and to the latter, for quitting Kynance Cove with all my limbs in as sound a condition as when I first approached it.
The guide introduced himself to me by propounding132 a sort of stranger’s catechism. 1st. “Did I want to see everything?”—“Certainly.” 2nd. “Was I giddy on the tops of high places?”—“No.” 3rd. “Would I be so good, if I got into a difficulty anywhere, as to take it easy, and catch hold of him tight?”—“Yes, very tight!” With these answers the guide appeared to be satisfied. He gave his hat a smart knock with one hand, to fix it on his head; and pointing upwards133 with the other, said, “We’ll try that rock first, to look into the gulls’ nests, and get some wild asparagus.” And away we went accordingly.
We mount the side of an immense rock which projects far out into the sea, and is the largest of the surrounding group. It is called Asparagus Island, from the quantity of wild asparagus growing among the long grass on its summit. Half way up, we cross an ugly chasm. The guide points to a small chink or crevice134, barely discernible in one side of it, and says “Devil’s Bellows135!” Then, first courteously136 putting my toes for me into a comfortable little hole in the perpendicular rock side, which just fits them, he proceeds to explain himself. Through the base of the opposite extremity of the island there is a natural channel, into which the sea rushes furiously at high tide: and finding no other vent10 but the little crevice we now look down on, is expelled through it in long, thin jets of spray, with a roaring noise resembling the sound of a gigantic bellows at work. But the sea is not yet high enough to exhibit this phenomenon, so the guide takes my toes out of the hole again for me, just as politely as he put them in; and forthwith leads the way up higher still — expounding137 as he goes, the whole art and mystery of climbing, which he condenses into this axiom:—“Never loose one hand, till you’ve got a grip with the other; and never scramble138 your toes about, where toes have no business to be.”
At last we reach the topmost ridge139 of the island, and look down upon the white restless water far beneath, and peep into one or two deserted140 gulls’ nests, and gather wild asparagus — which I can only describe as bearing no resemblance at all, that I could discover, to the garden species. Then, the guide points to another perpendicular rock, farther out at sea, looming141 dark and phantom-like in the mist, and tells me that he was the man who built the cairn of stones on its top: and then he proposes that we shall go to the opposite extremity of the ridge on which we stand, and look down into “The Devil’s Throat.”
This desirable journey is accomplished142 with the greatest ease on his part, and with considerable difficulty and delay on mine — for the wind blows fiercely over us on the height; our rock track is narrow, rugged, and slippery; the sea roars bewilderingly below; and a single false step would not be attended with agreeable consequences. Soon, however, we begin to descend94 a little from our “bad eminence,” and come to a halt before a wide, tunnelled opening, slanting sharply downwards143 in the very middle of the island — a black, gaping144 hole, into the bottom of which the sea is driven through some unknown subterranean145 channel, roaring and thundering with a fearful noise, which rises in hollow echoes through the aptly-named “Devil’s Throat.” About this hole no grass grew: the rocks rose wild, jagged, and precipitous, all around it. If ever the ghastly imagery of Dante’s terrible “Vision” was realized on earth, it was realized here.
At this place, close to the mouth of the hole, the guide suggests that we shall sit down and have a little talk! — and very impressive talk it is, when he begins the conversation by bawling146 into my ear (and down the Devil’s Throat at the same time) to make himself heard above the fierce roaring beneath us. Now, his tale is of tremendous jets of water which he has seen, during the storms of winter, shot out of the hole before which we sit, into the creek147 of the sea below — now, he tells me of a shipwreck off Asparagus Island, of half-drowned sailors floating ashore on pieces of timber, and dashed out to sea again just as they touched the strand148, by a jet from the Devil’s Throat — now, he points away in the opposite direction, under one of the steeple-shaped rocks, and speaks of a chase after smugglers that began from this place; a desperate chase, in which some of the smugglers’ cargo149, but not one of the smugglers themselves, was seized — now, he talks of another great hole in the landward rocks, where the sea may be seen boiling within: a hole into which a man who was fishing for fragments of a wreck fell and was drowned; his body being sucked away through some invisible channel, never to be seen again by mortal eyes.
Anon, the guide’s talk changes from tragedy to comedy. He begins to recount odd adventures of his own with strangers. He tells me of a huge fat woman who was got up to the top of Asparagus Island, by the easiest path, and by the exertions150 of several guides; who, left to herself, gasped151, reeled, and fell down immediately; and was just rolling off, with all the momentum152 of sixteen stone, over the precipice below her, when she was adroitly153 caught, and anchored fast to the ground, by the ankle of one leg and the calf154 of the other. Then he speaks of an elderly gentleman, who, while descending the rocks with him, suddenly stopped short at the most dangerous point, giddy and panic-stricken, pouring forth death-bed confessions155 of all his sins, and wildly refusing to move another inch in any direction. Even this man the guide got down in safety at last, by making stepping places of his hands, on which the elderly gentleman lowered himself as on a ladder, ejaculating incoherently all the way, and trembling in great agony long after he had been safely landed on the sands.
This last story ended, it is settled that we shall descend again to the beach. Stimulated156 by the ease with which my worthy157 leader goes down beneath me, I get over-confident in my dexterity158, and begin to slip here, and slide there, and come to awkward pauses at precipitous places, in what would be rather an alarming manner, but for the potent159 presence of the guide, who is always beneath me, ready to be fallen upon. Sometimes, when I am holding on with all the necessary tenacity160 of grip, as regards my hands, but, “scrambling my toes about” in a very disorderly and unworkmanlike fashion, he pops his head up from below for me to sit on; and puts my feet into crevices161 for me, with many apologies for taking the liberty! Sometimes, I fancy myself treading on what feels like soft turf; I look down, and find that I am standing like an acrobat162 on his shoulders, and hear him civilly entreating163 me to take hold of his jacket next, and let myself down over his body to the ledge54 where he is waiting for me. He never makes a false step, never stumbles, scrambles164, hesitates, or fails to have a hand always at my service. The nautical165 metaphor166 of “holding on by your eyelids” becomes a fact in his case. He really views his employer, as porters are expected to view a package labelled “glass with care.” I am firmly persuaded that he could take a drunken man up and down Asparagus Island, without the slightest risk either to himself or his charge; and I hold him in no small admiration167, when, after landing on the sand with something between a tumble and a jump, I find him raising me to my perpendicular almost before I have touched the ground, and politely hoping that I feel quite satisfied, hitherto, with his conduct as a guide.
We now go across the beach to explore some caves — dry at low water — on the opposite side. Some of these are wide, lofty, and well-lighted from without. We walk in and out and around them, as if in great, irregular, Gothic halls. Some are narrow and dark. Now, we crawl into them on hands and knees; now, we wriggle168 onward169 a few feet, serpent-like, flat on our bellies170; now, we are suddenly able to stand upright in pitch darkness, hearing faint moaning sounds of pent-up winds, when we are silent, and long reverberations of our own voices, when we speak. Then, as we turn and crawl out again, we soon see before us one bright speck171 of light that may be fancied miles and miles away — a star shining in the earth — a diamond sparkling in the bosom172 of the rock. This guides us out again pleasantly; and, on gaining the open air, we find that while we have been groping in the darkness, a change has been taking place in the regions of light, which has altered and is still altering the aspect of the whole scene.
It is now two o’clock. The tide is rising fast; the sea dashes, in higher and higher waves, on the narrowing beach. Rain and mist are both gone. Overhead, the clouds are falling asunder173 in every direction, assuming strange momentary174 shapes, quaint175 airy resemblances of the forms of the great rocks among which we stand. Height after height along the distant cliffs dawns on us gently; great golden rays shoot down over them; far out on the ocean, the waters flash into a streak176 of fire; the sails of ships passing there, glitter bright; yet a moment more, and the glorious sunlight bursts out over the whole view. The sea changes soon from dull grey to bright blue, embroidered177 thickly with golden specks178, as it rolls and rushes and dances in the wind. The sand at our feet grows brighter and purer to the eye; the sea-birds flying and swooping179 above us, look like flashes of white light against the blue firmament180; and, most beautiful of all, the wet serpentine rocks now shine forth in full splendour beneath the sun; every one of their exquisite181 varieties of colour becomes plainly visible — silver grey and bright yellow, dark red, deep brown, and malachite green appear, here combined in thin intertwined streaks182, there outspread in separate irregular patches — glorious ornaments183 of the sea-shore, fashioned by no human art! — Nature’s own home-made jewellery, which the wear of centuries has failed to tarnish184, and the rage of tempests has been powerless to destroy!
But the hour wanes185 while we stand and admire; the surf dashes nearer and nearer to our feet; soon, the sea will cover the sand, and rush swiftly into the caves where we have slowly crawled. Already the Devil’s Bellows is at work — the jets of spray spout186 forth from it with a roar. The sea thunders louder and louder in the Devil’s Throat — we must gain the cliffs while we have yet time. The guide takes his leave; my companion unwillingly187 closes his sketch-book; and we slowly ascend188 on our inland way together — looking back often and often, with no feigned189 regret, on all that we are leaving behind us at KYNANCE COVE.
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1
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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lizard
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| n.蜥蜴，壁虎 | |
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promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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7
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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mire
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| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
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vociferously
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| adv.喊叫地，吵闹地 | |
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scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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peevishly
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| adv．暴躁地 | |
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grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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denomination
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| n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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puddles
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| n.水坑， （尤指道路上的）雨水坑( puddle的名词复数 ) | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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animate
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| v.赋于生命，鼓励；adj.有生命的，有生气的 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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beheld
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| 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 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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32
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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33
cherubs
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| 小天使，胖娃娃( cherub的名词复数 ) | |
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34
vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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35
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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36
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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37
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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38
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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39
complaisant
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| adj.顺从的，讨好的 | |
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40
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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41
intruded
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| n.侵入的，推进的v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的过去式和过去分词 )；把…强加于 | |
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42
convened
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| 召开( convene的过去式 )； 召集； （为正式会议而）聚集； 集合 | |
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43
vaccinating
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| 给…接种疫苗( vaccinate的现在分词 )； 注射疫苗，接种疫苗 | |
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44
swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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45
surgical
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| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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46
rambles
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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47
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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48
footpaths
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| 人行小径，人行道( footpath的名词复数 ) | |
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49
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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50
equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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51
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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52
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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53
lengthening
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
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54
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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55
ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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56
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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57
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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58
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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59
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
sublimely
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| 高尚地，卓越地 | |
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61
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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62
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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63
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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64
pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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66
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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67
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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68
tragically
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| adv. 悲剧地，悲惨地 | |
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69
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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70
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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71
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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72
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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73
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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74
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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75
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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76
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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77
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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78
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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79
preying
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| v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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80
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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81
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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82
abhorrence
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| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
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83
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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84
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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85
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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86
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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87
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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88
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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89
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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90
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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91
treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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92
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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93
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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94
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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95
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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96
tortuous
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|
| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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97
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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98
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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99
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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100
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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101
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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102
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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103
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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104
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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105
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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106
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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107
ripple
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|
| 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 | |
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108
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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109
variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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110
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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111
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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112
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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113
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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114
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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115
soothes
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| v.安慰( soothe的第三人称单数 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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116
rifts
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| n.裂缝( rift的名词复数 )；裂隙；分裂；不和 | |
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117
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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118
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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119
climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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120
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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121
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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122
serpentine
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| adj.蜿蜒的，弯曲的 | |
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123
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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124
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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125
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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126
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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127
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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128
ebbing
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| （指潮水）退( ebb的现在分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
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129
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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130
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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131
anecdote
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| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
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132
propounding
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| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的现在分词 ) | |
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133
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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134
crevice
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| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
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135
bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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136
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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137
expounding
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的现在分词 ) | |
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138
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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139
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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140
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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141
looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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142
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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143
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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144
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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145
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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146
bawling
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的现在分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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147
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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148
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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149
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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150
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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151
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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152
momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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153
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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154
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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155
confessions
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| n.承认( confession的名词复数 )；自首；声明；（向神父的）忏悔 | |
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156
stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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157
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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158
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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160
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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161
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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162
acrobat
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| n.特技演员，杂技演员 | |
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163
entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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164
scrambles
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| n.抢夺( scramble的名词复数 )v.快速爬行( scramble的第三人称单数 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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165
nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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166
metaphor
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| n.隐喻，暗喻 | |
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167
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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168
wriggle
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| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
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169
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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170
bellies
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| n.肚子( belly的名词复数 )；腹部；（物体的）圆形或凸起部份；腹部…形的 | |
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171
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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172
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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173
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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174
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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175
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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176
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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177
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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178
specks
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| n.眼镜；斑点，微粒，污点( speck的名词复数 ) | |
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179
swooping
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的现在分词 ) | |
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180
firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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181
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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182
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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183
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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184
tarnish
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| n.晦暗，污点；vt.使失去光泽；玷污 | |
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185
wanes
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| v.衰落( wane的第三人称单数 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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186
spout
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| v.喷出，涌出；滔滔不绝地讲；n.喷管；水柱 | |
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187
unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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188
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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