The food of the body differs not so greatly for the fool or the sage1, the elephant or the cock-sparrow; and similar chemical elements, variously disguised, support all mortals. A brief study of Pinkerton in his new setting convinced me of a kindred truth about that other and mental digestion2, by which we extract what is called “fun for our money” out of life. In the same spirit as a schoolboy, deep in Mayne Reid, handles a dummy3 gun and crawls among imaginary forests, Pinkerton sped through Kearney Street upon his daily business, representing to himself a highly coloured part in life’s performance, and happy for hours if he should have chanced to brush against a millionnaire. Reality was his romance; he gloried to be thus engaged; he wallowed in his business. Suppose a man to dig up a galleon5 on the Coromandel coast, his rakish schooner6 keeping the while an offing under easy sail, and he, by the blaze of a great fire of wreckwood, to measure ingots by the bucketful on the uproarious beach: such an one might realise a greater material spoil; he should have no more profit of romance than Pinkerton when he cast up his weekly balance-sheet in a bald office. Every dollar gained was like something brought ashore8 from a mysterious deep; every venture made was like a diver’s plunge9; and as he thrust his bold hand into the plexus of the money-market, he was delightedly aware of how he shook the pillars of existence, turned out men (as at a battle-cry) to labour in far countries, and set the gold twitching10 in the drawers of millionnaires.
I could never fathom11 the full extent of his speculations12; but there were five separate businesses which he avowed14 and carried like a banner. The Thirteen Star Golden State Brandy, Warranted Entire (a very flagrant distillation) filled a great part of his thoughts, and was kept before the public in an eloquent16 but misleading treatise17: Why Drink French Brandy? A Word to the Wise. He kept an office for advertisers, counselling, designing, acting18 as middleman with printers and bill-stickers, for the inexperienced or the uninspired: the dull haberdasher came to him for ideas, the smart theatrical19 agent for his local knowledge; and one and all departed with a copy of his pamphlet: How, When, and Where; or, the Advertiser’s Vade-Mecum. He had a tug20 chartered every Saturday afternoon and night, carried people outside the Heads, and provided them with lines and bait for six hours’ fishing, at the rate of five dollars a person. I am told that some of them (doubtless adroit21 anglers) made a profit on the transaction. Occasionally he bought wrecks22 and condemned23 vessels25; these latter (I cannot tell you how) found their way to sea again under aliases26, and continued to stem the waves triumphantly27 enough under the colours of Bolivia or Nicaragua. Lastly, there was a certain agricultural engine, glorying in a great deal of vermilion and blue paint, and filling (it appeared) a “long-felt want,” in which his interest was something like a tenth.
This for the face or front of his concerns. “On the outside,” as he phrased it, he was variously and mysteriously engaged. No dollar slept in his possession; rather he kept all simultaneously29 flying like a conjurer with oranges. My own earnings30, when I began to have a share, he would but show me for a moment, and disperse31 again, like those illusive32 money gifts which are flashed in the eyes of childhood only to be entombed in the missionary33 box. And he would come down radiant from a weekly balance-sheet, clap me on the shoulder, declare himself a winner by Gargantuan34 figures, and prove destitute35 of a quarter for a drink.
“What on earth have you done with it?” I would ask.
“Into the mill again; all re-invested!” he would cry, with infinite delight. Investment was ever his word. He could not bear what he called gambling36. “Never touch stocks, Loudon,” he would say; “nothing but legitimate37 business.” And yet, Heaven knows, many an indurated gambler might have drawn38 back appalled39 at the first hint of some of Pinkerton’s investments! One, which I succeeded in tracking home, and instance for a specimen40, was a seventh share in the charter of a certain ill- starred schooner bound for Mexico, to smuggle41 weapons on the one trip, and cigars upon the other. The latter end of this enterprise, involving (as it did) shipwreck42, confiscation43, and a lawsuit44 with the underwriters, was too painful to be dwelt upon at length. “It’s proved a disappointment,” was as far as my friend would go with me in words; but I knew, from observation, that the fabric45 of his fortunes tottered46. For the rest, it was only by accident I got wind of the transaction; for Pinkerton, after a time, was shy of introducing me to his arcana: the reason you are to hear presently.
The office which was (or should have been) the point of rest for so many evolving dollars stood in the heart of the city: a high and spacious47 room, with many plate-glass windows. A glazed48 cabinet of polished redwood offered to the eye a regiment49 of some two hundred bottles, conspicuously50 labelled. These were all charged with Pinkerton’s Thirteen Star, although from across the room it would have required an expert to distinguish them from the same number of bottles of Courvoisier. I used to twit my friend with this resemblance, and propose a new edition of the pamphlet, with the title thus improved: Why Drink French Brandy, when we give you the same labels?The doors of the cabinet revolved53 all day upon their hinges; and if there entered any one who was a stranger to the merits of the brand, he departed laden54 with a bottle. When I used to protest at this extravagance, “My dear Loudon,” Pinkerton would cry, “you don’t seem to catch on to business principles! The prime cost of the spirit is literally55 nothing. I couldn’t find a cheaper advertisement if I tried.” Against the side post of the cabinet there leaned a gaudy56 umbrella, preserved there as a relic57. It appears that when Pinkerton was about to place Thirteen Star upon the market, the rainy season was at hand. He lay dark, almost in penury58, awaiting the first shower, at which, as upon a signal, the main thoroughfares became dotted with his agents, vendors59 of advertisements; and the whole world of San Francisco, from the businessman fleeing for the ferry-boat, to the lady waiting at the corner for her car, sheltered itself under umbrellas with this strange device: Are you wet? Try Thirteen Star. “It was a mammoth60 boom,” said Pinkerton, with a sigh of delighted recollection. “There wasn’t another umbrella to be seen. I stood at this window, Loudon, feasting my eyes; and I declare, I felt like Vanderbilt.” And it was to this neat application of the local climate that he owed, not only much of the sale of Thirteen Star, but the whole business of his advertising61 agency.
The large desk (to resume our survey of the office) stood about the middle, knee-deep in stacks of handbills and posters, of Why Drink French Brandy? and The Advertiser’s Vade- Mecum. It was flanked upon the one hand by two female type-writers, who rested not between the hours of nine and four, and upon the other by a model of the agricultural machine. The walls, where they were not broken by telephone boxes and a couple of photographs — one representing the wreck7 of the James L. Moody62 on a bold and broken coast, the other the Saturday tug alive with amateur fishers — almost disappeared under oil-paintings gaudily63 framed. Many of these were relics64 of the Latin Quarter, and I must do Pinkerton the justice to say that none of them were bad, and some had remarkable65 merit. They went off slowly but for handsome figures; and their places were progressively supplied with the work of local artists. These last it was one of my first duties to review and criticise66. Some of them were villainous, yet all were saleable. I said so; and the next moment saw myself, the figure of a miserable67 renegade, bearing arms in the wrong camp. I was to look at pictures thenceforward, not with the eye of the artist, but the dealer68; and I saw the stream widen that divided me from all I loved.
“Now, Loudon,” Pinkerton had said, the morning after the lecture, “now Loudon, we can go at it shoulder to shoulder. This is what I have longed for: I wanted two heads and four arms; and now I have ‘em. You’ll find it’s just the same as art — all observation and imagination; only more movement. Just wait till you begin to feel the charm!”
I might have waited long. Perhaps I lack a sense; for our whole existence seemed to me one dreary69 bustle70, and the place we bustled71 in fitly to be called the Place of Yawning. I slept in a little den15 behind the office; Pinkerton, in the office itself, stretched on a patent sofa which sometimes collapsed72, his slumbers73 still further menaced by an imminent74 clock with an alarm. Roused by this diabolical75 contrivance, we rose early, went forth76 early to breakfast, and returned by nine to what Pinkerton called work, and I distraction77. Masses of letters must be opened, read, and answered; some by me at a subsidiary desk which had been introduced on the morning of my arrival; others by my bright-eyed friend, pacing the room like a caged lion as he dictated79 to the tinkling80 type-writers. Masses of wet proof had to be overhauled81 and scrawled82 upon with a blue pencil —“rustic”—“six-inch caps”—“bold spacing here”— or sometimes terms more fervid83, as for instance this, which I remember Pinkerton to have spirted on the margin84 of an advertisement of Soothing85 Syrup86: “Throw this all down. Have you never printed an advertisement? I’ll be round in half an hour.” The ledger87 and sale-book, besides, we had always with us. Such was the backbone88 of our occupation, and tolerable enough; but the far greater proportion of our time was consumed by visitors, whole-souled, grand fellows no doubt, and as sharp as a needle, but to me unfortunately not diverting. Some were apparently89 half-witted, and must be talked over by the hour before they could reach the humblest decision, which they only left the office to return again (ten minutes later) and rescind91. Others came with a vast show of hurry and despatch92, but I observed it to be principally show. The agricultural model for instance, which was practicable, proved a kind of flypaper for these busybodies. I have seen them blankly turn the crank of it for five minutes at a time, simulating (to nobody’s deception) business interest: “Good thing this, Pinkerton? Sell much of it? Ha! Couldn’t use it, I suppose, as a medium of advertisement for my article?”— which was perhaps toilet soap. Others (a still worse variety) carried us to neighbouring saloons to dice94 for cocktails95 and (after the cocktails were paid) for dollars on a corner of the counter. The attraction of dice for all these people was indeed extraordinary: at a certain club, where I once dined in the character of “my partner, Mr. Dodd,” the dice-box came on the table with the wine, an artless substitute for after-dinner wit.
Of all our visitors, I believe I preferred Emperor Norton; the very mention of whose name reminds me I am doing scanty97 justice to the folks of San Francisco. In what other city would a harmless madman who supposed himself emperor of the two Americas have been so fostered and encouraged? Where else would even the people of the streets have respected the poor soul’s illusion? Where else would bankers and merchants have received his visits, cashed his cheques, and submitted to his small assessments98? Where else would he have been suffered to attend and address the exhibition days of schools and colleges? where else, in God’s green earth, have taken his pick of restaurants, ransacked100 the bill of fare, and departed scathless? They tell me he was even an exacting101 patron, threatening to withdraw his custom when dissatisfied; and I can believe it, for his face wore an expression distinctly gastronomical102. Pinkerton had received from this monarch103 a cabinet appointment; I have seen the brevet, wondering mainly at the good nature of the printer who had executed the forms, and I think my friend was at the head either of foreign affairs or education: it mattered, indeed, nothing, the prestation being in all offices identical. It was at a comparatively early date that I saw Jim in the exercise of his public functions. His Majesty104 entered the office — a portly, rather flabby man, with the face of a gentleman, rendered unspeakably pathetic and absurd by the great sabre at his side and the peacock’s feather in his hat.
“I have called to remind you, Mr. Pinkerton, that you are somewhat in arrear105 of taxes,” he said, with old-fashioned, stately courtesy.
“Well, your Majesty, what is the amount?” asked Jim; and when the figure was named (it was generally two or three dollars), paid upon the nail and offered a bonus in the shape of Thirteen Star.
“I am always delighted to patronise native industries,” said Norton the First. “San Francisco is public-spirited in what concerns its Emperor; and indeed, sir, of all my domains107, it is my favourite city.”
“Come,” said I, when he was gone, “I prefer that customer to the lot.”
“It’s really rather a distinction,” Jim admitted. “I think it must have been the umbrella racket that attracted him.”
We were distinguished108 under the rose by the notice of other and greater men. There were days when Jim wore an air of unusual capacity and resolve, spoke109 with more brevity like one pressed for time, and took often on his tongue such phrases as “Longhurst told me so this morning,” or “I had it straight from Longhurst himself.” It was no wonder, I used to think, that Pinkerton was called to council with such Titans; for the creature’s quickness and resource were beyond praise. In the early days when he consulted me without reserve, pacing the room, projecting, ciphering, extending hypothetical interests, trebling imaginary capital, his “engine” (to renew an excellent old word) labouring full steam ahead, I could never decide whether my sense of respect or entertainment were the stronger. But these good hours were destined110 to curtailment111.
“Yes, it’s smart enough,” I once observed. “But, Pinkerton, do you think it’s honest?”
“You don’t think it’s honest!” he wailed112. “O dear me, that ever I should have heard such an expression on your lips!”
At sight of his distress113, I plagiarised unblushingly from Myner. “You seem to think honesty as simple as Blind Man’s Buff,” said I. “It’s a more delicate affair than that: delicate as any art.”
“O well! at that rate!” he exclaimed, with complete relief. “That’s casuistry.”
“I am perfectly114 certain of one thing: that what you propose is dishonest,” I returned.
“Well, say no more about it. That’s settled,” he replied.
Thus, almost at a word, my point was carried. But the trouble was that such differences continued to recur115, until we began to regard each other with alarm. If there were one thing Pinkerton valued himself upon, it was his honesty; if there were one thing he clung to, it was my good opinion; and when both were involved, as was the case in these commercial cruces, the man was on the rack. My own position, if you consider how much I owed him, how hateful is the trade of fault-finder, and that yet I lived and fattened116 on these questionable117 operations, was perhaps equally distressing118. If I had been more sterling119 or more combative120 things might have gone extremely far. But, in truth, I was just base enough to profit by what was not forced on my attention, rather than seek scenes: Pinkerton quite cunning enough to avail himself of my weakness; and it was a relief to both when he began to involve his proceedings121 in a decent mystery.
Our last dispute, which had a most unlooked-for consequence, turned on the refitting of condemned ships. He had bought a miserable hulk, and came, rubbing his hands, to inform me she was already on the slip, under a new name, to be repaired. When first I had heard of this industry I suppose I scarcely comprehended; but much discussion had sharpened my faculties122, and now my brow became heavy.
“I can be no party to that, Pinkerton,” said I.
He leaped like a man shot. “What next?” he cried. “What ails96 you, anyway? You seem to me to dislike everything that’s profitable.”
“This ship has been condemned by Lloyd’s agent,” said I.
“But I tell you it’s a deal. The ship’s in splendid condition; there’s next to nothing wrong with her but the garboard streak124 and the sternpost. I tell you Lloyd’s is a ring like everybody else; only it’s an English ring, and that’s what deceives you. If it was American, you would be crying it down all day. It’s Anglomania, common Anglomania,” he cried, with growing irritation125.
“I will not make money by risking men’s lives,” was my ultimatum126.
“Great Caesar! isn’t all speculation13 a risk? Isn’t the fairest kind of shipowning to risk men’s lives? And mining — how’s that for risk? And look at the elevator business — there’s danger, if you like! Didn’t I take my risk when I bought her? She might have been too far gone; and where would I have been? Loudon,” he cried, “I tell you the truth: you’re too full of refinement127 for this world!”
“I condemn24 you out of your own lips,” I replied. “‘The fairest kind of shipowning,’ says you. If you please, let us only do the fairest kind of business.”
The shot told; the Irrepressible was silenced; and I profited by the chance to pour in a broadside of another sort. He was all sunk in money-getting, I pointed128 out; he never dreamed of anything but dollars. Where were all his generous, progressive sentiments? Where was his culture? I asked. And where was the American Type?
“It’s true, Loudon,” he cried, striding up and down the room, and wildly scouring129 at his hair. “You’re perfectly right. I’m becoming materialised. O, what a thing to have to say, what a confession130 to make! Materialised! Me! Loudon, this must go on no longer. You’ve been a loyal friend to me once more; give me your hand! — you’ve saved me again. I must do something to rouse the spiritual side; something desperate; study something, something dry and tough. What shall it be? Theology? Algebra131? What’s Algebra?”
“It’s dry and tough enough,” said I; “a squared + 2ab + b squared.”
“It’s stimulating132, though?” he inquired.
I told him I believed so, and that it was considered fortifying133 to Types.
“Then that’s the thing for me. I’ll study Algebra,” he concluded.
The next day, by application to one of his type-writing women, he got word of a young lady, one Miss Mamie McBride, who was willing and able to conduct him in these bloomless meadows; and, her circumstances being lean, and terms consequently moderate, he and Mamie were soon in agreement for two lessons in the week. He took fire with unexampled rapidity; he seemed unable to tear himself away from the symbolic134 art; an hour’s lesson occupied the whole evening; and the original two was soon increased to four, and then to five. I bade him beware of female blandishments. “The first thing you know, you’ll be falling in love with the algebraist135,” said I.
“Don’t say it even in jest,” he cried. “She’s a lady I revere136. I could no more lay a hand upon her than I could upon a spirit. Loudon, I don’t believe God ever made a purer-minded woman.”
Which appeared to me too fervent137 to be reassuring138.
Meanwhile I had been long expostulating with my friend upon a different matter. “I’m the fifth wheel,” I kept telling him. “For any use I am, I might as well be in Senegambia. The letters you give me to attend to might be answered by a sucking child. And I tell you what it is, Pinkerton: either you’ve got to find me some employment, or I’ll have to start in and find it for myself.”
This I said with a corner of my eye in the usual quarter, toward the arts, little dreaming what destiny was to provide.
“I’ve got it, Loudon,” Pinkerton at last replied. “Got the idea on the Potrero cars. Found I hadn’t a pencil, borrowed one from the conductor, and figured on it roughly all the way in town. I saw it was the thing at last; gives you a real show. All your talents and accomplishments140 come in. Here’s a sketch141 advertisement. Just run your eye over it. “Sun, Ozone142, and Music! PINKERTON’S HEBDOMADARY PICNICS!” (That’s a good, catching143 phrase, “hebdomadary,” though it’s hard to say. I made a note of it when I was looking in the dictionary how to spell hectagonal. ‘Well, you’re a boss word,’ I said. ‘Before you’re very much older, I’ll have you in type as long as yourself.’ And here it is, you see.) ‘Five dollars a head, and ladies free. MONSTER OLIO OF ATTRACTIONS.’ (How does that strike you?) ‘Free luncheon144 under the greenwood tree. Dance on the elastic145 sward. Home again in the Bright Evening Hours. Manager and Honorary Steward146, H. Loudon Dodd, Esq., the well-known connoisseur147.’”
Singular how a man runs from Scylla to Charybdis! I was so intent on securing the disappearance148 of a single epithet149 that I accepted the rest of the advertisement and all that it involved without discussion. So it befell that the words “well-known connoisseur” were deleted; but that H. Loudon Dodd became manager and honorary steward of Pinkerton’s Hebdomadary Picnics, soon shortened, by popular consent, to the Dromedary.
By eight o’clock, any Sunday morning, I was to be observed by an admiring public on the wharf150. The garb123 and attributes of sacrifice consisted of a black frock coat, rosetted, its pockets bulging151 with sweetmeats and inferior cigars, trousers of light blue, a silk hat like a reflector, and a varnished152 wand. A goodly steamer guarded my one flank, panting and throbbing153, flags fluttering fore4 and aft of her, illustrative of the Dromedary and patriotism154. My other flank was covered by the ticket- office, strongly held by a trusty character of the Scots persuasion156, rosetted like his superior and smoking a cigar to mark the occasion festive157. At half-past, having assured myself that all was well with the free luncheons158, I lit a cigar myself, and awaited the strains of the “Pioneer Band.” I had never to wait long — they were German and punctual — and by a few minutes after the half-hour, I would hear them booming down street with a long military roll of drums, some score of gratuitous159 asses78 prancing160 at the head in bearskin hats and buckskin aprons161, and conspicuous51 with resplendent axes. The band, of course, we paid for; but so strong is the San Franciscan passion for public masquerade, that the asses (as I say) were all gratuitous, pranced162 for the love of it, and cost us nothing but their luncheon.
The musicians formed up in the bows of my steamer, and struck into a skittish163 polka; the asses mounted guard upon the gangway and the ticket-office; and presently after, in family parties of father, mother, and children, in the form of duplicate lovers or in that of solitary164 youth, the public began to descend165 upon us by the carful at a time; four to six hundred perhaps, with a strong German flavour, and all merry as children. When these had been shepherded on board, and the inevitable166 belated two or three had gained the deck amidst the cheering of the public, the hawser167 was cast off, and we plunged168 into the bay.
And now behold169 the honorary steward in hour of duty and glory; see me circulate amid crowd, radiating affability and laughter, liberal with my sweetmeats and cigars. I say unblushing things to hobbledehoy girls, tell shy young persons this is the married people’s boat, roguishly ask the abstracted if they are thinking of their sweethearts, offer Paterfamilias a cigar, am struck with the beauty and grow curious about the age of mamma’s youngest who (I assure her gaily) will be a man before his mother; or perhaps it may occur to me, from the sensible expression of her face, that she is a person of good counsel, and I ask her earnestly if she knows any particularly pleasant place on the Saucelito or San Rafael coast, for the scene of our picnic is always supposed to be uncertain. The next moment I am back at my giddy badinage170 with the young ladies, wakening laughter as I go, and leaving in my wake applausive comments of “Isn’t Mr. Dodd a funny gentleman?” and “O, I think he’s just too nice!”
An hour having passed in this airy manner, I start upon my rounds afresh, with a bag full of coloured tickets, all with pins attached, and all with legible inscriptions171: “Old Germany,” “California,” “True Love,” “Old Fogies,” “La Belle52 France,” “Green Erin,” “The Land of Cakes,” “Washington,” “Blue Jay,” “Robin Red-Breast,”— twenty of each denomination172; for when it comes to the luncheon, we sit down by twenties. These are distributed with anxious tact173 — for, indeed, this is the most delicate part of my functions — but outwardly with reckless unconcern, amidst the gayest flutter and confusion; and are immediately after sported upon hats and bonnets174, to the extreme diffusion175 of cordiality, total strangers hailing each other by “the number of their mess”— so we humorously name it — and the deck ringing with cries of, “Here, all Blue Jays to the rescue!” or, “I say, am I alone in this blame’ ship? Ain’t there no more Californians?”
By this time we are drawing near to the appointed spot. I mount upon the bridge, the observed of all observers.
“Captain,” I say, in clear, emphatic176 tones, heard far and wide, “the majority of the company appear to be in favour of the little cove155 beyond One Tree Point.”
“All right, Mr. Dodd,” responds the captain, heartily177; “all one to me. I am not exactly sure of the place you mean; but just you stay here and pilot me.”
I do, pointing with my wand. I do pilot him, to the inexpressible entertainment of the picnic; for I am (why should I deny it?) the popular man. We slow down off the mouth of a grassy178 valley, watered by a brook179, and set in pines and redwoods. The anchor is let go; the boats are lowered, two of them already packed with the materials of an impromptu180 bar; and the Pioneer Band, accompanied by the resplendent asses, fill the other, and move shoreward to the inviting181 strains of Buffalo182 Gals183, won’t you come out to-night? It is a part of our programme that one of the asses shall, from sheer clumsiness, in the course of this embarkation184, drop a dummy axe106 into the water, whereupon the mirth of the picnic can hardly be assuaged185. Upon one occasion, the dummy axe floated, and the laugh turned rather the wrong way.
In from ten to twenty minutes the boats are along-side again, the messes are marshalled separately on the deck, and the picnic goes ashore, to find the band and the impromptu bar awaiting them. Then come the hampers187, which are piled upon the beach, and surrounded by a stern guard of stalwart asses, axe on shoulder. It is here I take my place, note-book in hand, under a banner bearing the legend, “Come here for hampers.” Each hamper186 contains a complete outfit188 for a separate twenty, cold provender189, plates, glasses, knives, forks, and spoons: an agonized190 printed appeal from the fevered pen of Pinkerton, pasted on the inside of the lid, beseeches191 that care be taken of the glass and silver. Beer, wine, and lemonade are flowing already from the bar, and the various clans192 of twenty file away into the woods, with bottles under their arms, and the hampers strung upon a stick. Till one they feast there, in a very moderate seclusion193, all being within earshot of the band. From one till four, dancing takes place upon the grass; the bar does a roaring business; and the honorary steward, who has already exhausted194 himself to bring life into the dullest of the messes, must now indefatigably195 dance with the plainest of the women. At four a bugle-call is sounded; and by half-past behold us on board again, pioneers, corrugated196 iron bar, empty bottles, and all; while the honorary steward, free at last, subsides197 into the captain’s cabin over a brandy and soda198 and a book. Free at last, I say; yet there remains199 before him the frantic200 leavetakings at the pier201, and a sober journey up to Pinkerton’s office with two policemen and the day’s takings in a bag.
What I have here sketched202 was the routine. But we appealed to the taste of San Francisco more distinctly in particular fetes. “Ye Olde Time Pycke-Nycke,” largely advertised in hand-bills beginning “Oyez, Oyez!” and largely frequented by knights203, monks204, and cavaliers, was drowned out by unseasonable rain, and returned to the city one of the saddest spectacles I ever remember to have witnessed. In pleasing contrast, and certainly our chief success, was “The Gathering205 of the Clans,” or Scottish picnic. So many milk-white knees were never before simultaneously exhibited in public, and to judge by the prevalence of “Royal Stewart” and the number of eagle’s feathers, we were a high-born company. I threw forward the Scottish flank of my own ancestry206, and passed muster207 as a clansman with applause. There was, indeed, but one small cloud on this red-letter day. I had laid in a large supply of the national beverage208, in the shape of The “Rob Roy MacGregor O” Blend, Warranted Old and Vatted209; and this must certainly have been a generous spirit, for I had some anxious work between four and half-past, conveying on board the inanimate forms of chieftains.
To one of our ordinary festivities, where he was the life and soul of his own mess, Pinkerton himself came incognito210, bringing the algebraist on his arm. Miss Mamie proved to be a well-enough-looking mouse, with a large, limpid211 eye, very good manners, and a flow of the most correct expressions I have ever heard upon the human lip. As Pinkerton’s incognito was strict, I had little opportunity to cultivate the lady’s acquaintance; but I was informed afterwards that she considered me “the wittiest212 gentleman she had ever met.” “The Lord mend your taste in wit!” thought I; but I cannot conceal213 that such was the general impression. One of my pleasantries even went the round of San Francisco, and I have heard it (myself all unknown) bandied in saloons. To be unknown began at last to be a rare experience; a bustle woke upon my passage; above all, in humble90 neighbourhoods. “Who’s that?” one would ask, and the other would cry, “That! Why, Dromedary Dodd!” or, with withering214 scorn, “Not know Mr. Dodd of the Picnics? Well!” and indeed I think it marked a rather barren destiny; for our picnics, if a trifle vulgar, were as gay and innocent as the age of gold; I am sure no people divert themselves so easily and so well: and even with the cares of my stewardship215, I was often happy to be there.
Indeed, there were but two drawbacks in the least considerable. The first was my terror of the hobbledehoy girls, to whom (from the demands of my situation) I was obliged to lay myself so open. The other, if less momentous216, was more mortifying217. In early days, at my mother’s knee, as a man may say, I had acquired the unenviable accomplishment139 (which I have never since been able to lose) of singing Just before the Battle. I have what the French call a fillet of voice, my best notes scarce audible about a dinner-table, and the upper register rather to be regarded as a higher power of silence: experts tell me besides that I sing flat; nor, if I were the best singer in the world, does Just before the Battle occur to my mature taste as the song that I would choose to sing. In spite of all which considerations, at one picnic, memorably218 dull, and after I had exhausted every other art of pleasing, I gave, in desperation, my one song. From that hour my doom219 was gone forth. Either we had a chronic220 passenger (though I could never detect him), or the very wood and iron of the steamer must have retained the tradition. At every successive picnic word went round that Mr. Dodd was a singer; that Mr. Dodd sang Just before the Battle, and finally that now was the time when Mr. Dodd sang Just before the Battle; so that the thing became a fixture221 like the dropping of the dummy axe, and you are to conceive me, Sunday after Sunday, piping up my lamentable222 ditty and covered, when it was done, with gratuitous applause. It is a beautiful trait in human nature that I was invariably offered an encore.
I was well paid, however, even to sing. Pinkerton and I, after an average Sunday, had five hundred dollars to divide. Nay223, and the picnics were the means, although indirectly224, of bringing me a singular windfall. This was at the end of the season, after the “Grand Farewell Fancy Dress Gala.” Many of the hampers had suffered severely226; and it was judged wiser to save storage, dispose of them, and lay in a fresh stock when the campaign re- opened. Among my purchasers was a workingman of the name of Speedy, to whose house, after several unavailing letters, I must proceed in person, wondering to find myself once again on the wrong side, and playing the creditor227 to some one else’s debtor228. Speedy was in the belligerent229 stage of fear. He could not pay. It appeared he had already resold the hampers, and he defied me to do my worst. I did not like to lose my own money; I hated to lose Pinkerton’s; and the bearing of my creditor incensed230 me.
“Do you know, Mr. Speedy, that I can send you to the penitentiary231?” said I, willing to read him a lesson.
The dire225 expression was overheard in the next room. A large, fresh, motherly Irishwoman ran forth upon the instant, and fell to besiege232 me with caresses233 and appeals. “Sure now, and ye couldn’t have the heart to ut, Mr. Dodd, you, that’s so well known to be a pleasant gentleman; and it’s a pleasant face ye have, and the picture of me own brother that’s dead and gone. It’s a truth that he’s been drinking. Ye can smell it off of him, more blame to him. But, indade, and there’s nothing in the house beyont the furnicher, and Thim Stock. It’s the stock that ye’ll be taking, dear. A sore penny it has cost me, first and last, and by all tales, not worth an owld tobacco pipe.” Thus adjured234, and somewhat embarrassed by the stern attitude I had adopted, I suffered myself to be invested with a considerable quantity of what is called wild-cat stock, in which this excellent if illogical female had been squandering235 her hard-earned gold. It could scarce be said to better my position, but the step quieted the woman; and, on the other hand, I could not think I was taking much risk, for the shares in question (they were those of what I will call the Catamount Silver Mine) had fallen some time before to the bed-rock quotation236, and now lay perfectly inert237, or were only kicked (like other waste paper) about the kennel238 of the exchange by bankrupt speculators.
A month or two after, I perceived by the stock-list that Catamount had taken a bound; before afternoon, “thim stock” were worth a quite considerable pot of money; and I learned, upon inquiry239, that a bonanza240 had been found in a condemned lead, and the mine was now expected to do wonders. Remarkable to philosophers how bonanzas241 are found in condemned leads, and how the stock is always at freezing-point immediately before! By some stroke of chance the, Speedys had held on to the right thing; they had escaped the syndicate; yet a little more, if I had not come to dun them, and Mrs. Speedy would have been buying a silk dress. I could not bear, of course, to profit by the accident, and returned to offer restitution242. The house was in a bustle; the neighbours (all stock-gamblers themselves) had crowded to condole243; and Mrs. Speedy sat with streaming tears, the centre of a sympathetic group. “For fifteen year I’ve been at ut,” she was lamenting244, as I entered, “and grudging245 the babes the very milk, more shame to me! to pay their dhirty assessments. And now, my dears, I should be a lady, and driving in my coach, if all had their rights; and a sorrow on that man Dodd! As soon as I set eyes on him, I seen the divil was in the house.”
It was upon these words that I made my entrance, which was therefore dramatic enough, though nothing to what followed. For when it appeared that I was come to restore the lost fortune, and when Mrs. Speedy (after copiously246 weeping on my bosom) had refused the restitution, and when Mr. Speedy (summoned to that end from a camp of the Grand Army of the Republic) had added his refusal, and when I had insisted, and they had insisted, and the neighbours had applauded and supported each of us in turn; and when at last it was agreed we were to hold the stock together, and share the proceeds in three parts — one for me, one for Mr. Speedy, and one for his spouse247 — I will leave you to conceive the enthusiasm that reigned248 in that small, bare apartment, with the sewing-machine in the one corner, and the babes asleep in the other, and pictures of Garfield and the Battle of Gettysburg on the yellow walls. Port wine was had in by a sympathiser, and we drank it mingled249 with tears.
“And I dhrink to your health, my dear,” sobbed250 Mrs. Speedy, especially affected251 by my gallantry in the matter of the third share; “and I’m sure we all dhrink to his health — Mr. Dodd of the picnics, no gentleman better known than him; and it’s my prayer, dear, the good God may be long spared to see ye in health and happiness!”
In the end I was the chief gainer; for I sold my third while it was worth five thousand dollars, but the Speedys more adventurously253 held on until the syndicate reversed the process, when they were happy to escape with perhaps a quarter of that sum. It was just as well; for the bulk of the money was (in Pinkerton’s phrase) reinvested; and when next I saw Mrs. Speedy, she was still gorgeously dressed from the proceeds of the late success, but was already moist with tears over the new catastrophe254. “We’re froze out, me darlin’! All the money we had, dear, and the sewing-machine, and Jim’s uniform, was in the Golden West; and the vipers255 has put on a new assessment99.”
By the end of the year, therefore, this is how I stood. I had made
By Catamount Silver Mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000
By the picnics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3,000
By the lecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 600
By profit and loss on capital
in Pinkerton's business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,350
------
$9,950
to which must be added
What remained of my grandfather's
donation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8,500
------
$18,450
It appears, on the other hand, that
I had spent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4,000
------
Which thus left me to the good. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,450
A result on which I am not ashamed to say I looked with gratitude256 and pride. Some eight thousand (being late conquest) was liquid and actually tractile in the bank; the rest whirled beyond reach and even sight (save in the mirror of a balance- sheet) under the compelling spell of wizard Pinkerton. Dollars of mine were tacking257 off the shores of Mexico, in peril258 of the deep and the guarda-costas; they rang on saloon-counters in the city of Tombstone, Arizona; they shone in faro-tents among the mountain diggings; the imagination flagged in following them, so wide were they diffused259, so briskly they span to the turning of the wizard’s crank. But here, there, or everywhere I could still tell myself it was all mine, and what was more convincing, draw substantial dividends260. My fortune, I called it; and it represented, when expressed in dollars, or even British pounds, an honest pot of money; when extended into francs, a veritable fortune. Perhaps I have let the cat out of the bag; perhaps you see already where my hopes were pointing, and begin to blame my inconsistency. But I must first tell you my excuse, and the change that had befallen Pinkerton.
About a week after the picnic to which he escorted Mamie, Pinkerton avowed the state of his affections. From what I had observed on board the steamer, where methought Mamie waited on him with her limpid eyes, I encouraged the bashful lover to proceed; and the very next evening he was carrying me to call on his affianced.
“You must befriend her, Loudon, as you have always befriended me,” he said, pathetically.
“By saying disagreeable things? I doubt if that be the way to a young lady’s favour,” I replied; “and since this picnicking I begin to be a man of some experience.”
“Yes, you do nobly there; I can’t describe how I admire you,” he cried. “Not that she will ever need it; she has had every advantage. God knows what I have done to deserve her. O man, what a responsibility this is for a rough fellow and not always truthful261!”
“Brace262 up, old man, brace up!” said I.
But when we reached Mamie’s boarding-house, it was almost with tears that he presented me. “Here is Loudon, Mamie,” were his words. “I want you to love him; he has a grand nature.”
“You are certainly no stranger to me, Mr. Dodd,” was her gracious expression. “James is never weary of descanting on your goodness.”
“My dear lady,” said I, “when you know our friend a little better, you will make a large allowance for his warm heart. My goodness has consisted in allowing him to feed and clothe and toil93 for me when he could ill afford it. If I am now alive, it is to him I owe it; no man had a kinder friend. You must take good care of him,” I added, laying my hand on his shoulder, “and keep him in good order, for he needs it.”
Pinkerton was much affected by this speech, and so, I fear, was Mamie. I admit it was a tactless performance. “When you know our friend a little better,” was not happily said; and even “keep him in good order, for he needs it” might be construed263 into matter of offence; but I lay it before you in all confidence of your acquittal: was the general tone of it “patronising”? Even if such was the verdict of the lady, I cannot but suppose the blame was neither wholly hers nor wholly mine; I cannot but suppose that Pinkerton had already sickened the poor woman of my very name; so that if I had come with the songs of Apollo, she must still have been disgusted.
Here, however, were two finger-posts to Paris. Jim was going to be married, and so had the less need of my society. I had not pleased his bride, and so was, perhaps, better absent. Late one evening I broached264 the idea to my friend. It had been a great day for me; I had just banked my five thousand catamountain dollars; and as Jim had refused to lay a finger on the stock, risk and profit were both wholly mine, and I was celebrating the event with stout265 and crackers266. I began by telling him that if it caused him any pain or any anxiety about his affairs, he had but to say the word, and he should hear no more of my proposal. He was the truest and best friend I ever had or was ever like to have; and it would be a strange thing if I refused him any favour he was sure he wanted. At the same time I wished him to be sure; for my life was wasting in my hands. I was like one from home; all my true interests summoned me away. I must remind him, besides, that he was now about to marry and assume new interests, and that our extreme familiarity might be even painful to his wife. —“O no, Loudon; I feel you are wrong there,” he interjected warmly; “she DOES appreciate your nature.”— So much the better, then, I continued; and went on to point out that our separation need not be for long; that, in the way affairs were going, he might join me in two years with a fortune, small, indeed, for the States, but in France almost conspicuous; that we might unite our resources, and have one house in Paris for the winter and a second near Fontainebleau for summer, where we could be as happy as the day was long, and bring up little Pinkertons as practical artistic267 workmen, far from the money-hunger of the West. “Let me go then,” I concluded; “not as a deserter, but as the vanguard, to lead the march of the Pinkerton men.”
So I argued and pleaded, not without emotion; my friend sitting opposite, resting his chin upon his hand and (but for that single interjection) silent. “I have been looking for this, Loudon,” said he, when I had done. “It does pain me, and that’s the fact — I’m so miserably268 selfish. And I believe it’s a death blow to the picnics; for it’s idle to deny that you were the heart and soul of them with your wand and your gallant252 bearing, and wit and humour and chivalry269, and throwing that kind of society atmosphere about the thing. But for all that, you’re right, and you ought to go. You may count on forty dollars a week; and if Depew City — one of nature’s centres for this State — pan out the least as I expect, it may be double. But it’s forty dollars anyway; and to think that two years ago you were almost reduced to beggary!”
“I WAS reduced to it,” said I.
“Well, the brutes270 gave you nothing, and I’m glad of it now!” cried Jim. “It’s the triumphant28 return I glory in! Think of the master, and that cold-blooded Myner too! Yes, just let the Depew City boom get on its legs, and you shall go; and two years later, day for day, I’ll shake hands with you in Paris, with Mamie on my arm, God bless her!”
We talked in this vein271 far into the night. I was myself so exultant272 in my new-found liberty, and Pinkerton so proud of my triumph, so happy in my happiness, in so warm a glow about the gallant little woman of his choice, and the very room so filled with castles in the air and cottages at Fontainebleau, that it was little wonder if sleep fled our eyelids273, and three had followed two upon the office clock before Pinkerton unfolded the mechanism274 of his patent sofa.
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1
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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digestion
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| n.消化，吸收 | |
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dummy
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| n.假的东西；(哄婴儿的)橡皮奶头 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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galleon
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| n.大帆船 | |
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schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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8
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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12
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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14
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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15
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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16
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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17
treatise
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| n.专著；(专题)论文 | |
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18
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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19
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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20
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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21
adroit
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| adj.熟练的，灵巧的 | |
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22
wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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23
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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24
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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25
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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26
aliases
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| n.别名，化名( alias的名词复数 ) | |
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27
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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28
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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29
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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30
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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31
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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32
illusive
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| adj.迷惑人的，错觉的 | |
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33
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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34
gargantuan
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| adj.巨大的，庞大的 | |
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35
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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37
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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38
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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39
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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40
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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41
smuggle
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| vt.私运；vi.走私 | |
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42
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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43
confiscation
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| n. 没收, 充公, 征收 | |
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44
lawsuit
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| n.诉讼，控诉 | |
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45
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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46
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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48
glazed
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| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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50
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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52
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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53
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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54
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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55
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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56
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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57
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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penury
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| n.贫穷，拮据 | |
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59
vendors
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| n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方 | |
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mammoth
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| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
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advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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62
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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63
gaudily
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| adv.俗丽地 | |
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64
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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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
criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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67
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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68
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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69
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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70
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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71
bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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72
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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73
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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74
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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75
diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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76
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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77
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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78
asses
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| n. 驴，愚蠢的人，臀部 adv. (常用作后置)用于贬损或骂人 | |
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79
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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80
tinkling
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| n.丁当作响声 | |
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81
overhauled
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|
| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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82
scrawled
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| 乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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84
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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85
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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86
syrup
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| n.糖浆，糖水 | |
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87
ledger
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|
| n.总帐，分类帐；帐簿 | |
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88
backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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89
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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90
humble
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|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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91
rescind
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| v.废除，取消 | |
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92
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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93
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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94
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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95
cocktails
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| n.鸡尾酒( cocktail的名词复数 )；餐前开胃菜；混合物 | |
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96
ails
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| v.生病( ail的第三人称单数 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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97
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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98
assessments
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| n.评估( assessment的名词复数 )；评价；（应偿付金额的）估定；（为征税对财产所作的）估价 | |
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99
assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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100
ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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101
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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102
gastronomical
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| adj.美食法的，美食学的 | |
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103
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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104
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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105
arrear
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| n.欠款 | |
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106
axe
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|
| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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107
domains
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| n.范围( domain的名词复数 )；领域；版图；地产 | |
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108
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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109
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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110
destined
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|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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111
curtailment
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| n.缩减，缩短 | |
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112
wailed
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|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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114
perfectly
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|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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115
recur
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| vi.复发，重现，再发生 | |
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116
fattened
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|
| v.喂肥( fatten的过去式和过去分词 )；养肥（牲畜）；使（钱）增多；使（公司）升值 | |
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117
questionable
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|
| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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118
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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119
sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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120
combative
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| adj.好战的；好斗的 | |
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121
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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122
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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123
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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124
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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125
irritation
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|
| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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126
ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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127
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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128
pointed
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|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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129
scouring
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| 擦[洗]净，冲刷，洗涤 | |
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130
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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131
algebra
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| n.代数学 | |
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132
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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133
fortifying
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|
| 筑防御工事于( fortify的现在分词 )； 筑堡于； 增强； 强化（食品） | |
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134
symbolic
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| adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的 | |
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135
algebraist
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| n.代数学家 | |
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136
revere
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| vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏 | |
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137
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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138
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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139
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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140
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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141
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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142
ozone
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| n.臭氧，新鲜空气 | |
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143
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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144
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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145
elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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146
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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147
connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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148
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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149
epithet
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| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
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150
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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151
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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152
varnished
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| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
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153
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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154
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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155
cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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156
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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157
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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158
luncheons
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| n.午餐，午宴( luncheon的名词复数 ) | |
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159
gratuitous
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| adj.无偿的，免费的；无缘无故的，不必要的 | |
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160
prancing
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
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161
aprons
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| 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份） | |
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162
pranced
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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163
skittish
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| adj.易激动的，轻佻的 | |
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164
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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165
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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166
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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167
hawser
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| n.大缆；大索 | |
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168
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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169
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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170
badinage
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| n.开玩笑，打趣 | |
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171
inscriptions
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| （作者）题词( inscription的名词复数 )； 献词； 碑文； 证劵持有人的登记 | |
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172
denomination
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| n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位 | |
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173
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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174
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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175
diffusion
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| n.流布；普及；散漫 | |
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176
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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177
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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178
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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179
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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180
impromptu
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| adj.即席的，即兴的；adv.即兴的(地)，无准备的(地) | |
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181
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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182
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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183
gals
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| abbr.gallons （复数）加仑（液量单位）n.女孩，少女( gal的名词复数 ) | |
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184
embarkation
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| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
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185
assuaged
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| v.减轻( assuage的过去式和过去分词 )；缓和；平息；使安静 | |
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186
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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187
hampers
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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188
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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189
provender
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| n.刍草；秣料 | |
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190
agonized
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| v.使（极度）痛苦，折磨( agonize的过去式和过去分词 )；苦斗；苦苦思索；感到极度痛苦 | |
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191
beseeches
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的第三人称单数 ) | |
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192
clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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193
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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194
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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195
indefatigably
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| adv.不厌倦地，不屈不挠地 | |
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196
corrugated
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| adj.波纹的；缩成皱纹的；波纹面的；波纹状的v.（使某物）起皱褶(corrugate的过去式和过去分词) | |
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197
subsides
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的第三人称单数 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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198
soda
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| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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199
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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200
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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201
pier
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| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
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202
sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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203
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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204
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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205
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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206
ancestry
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| n.祖先，家世 | |
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207
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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208
beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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209
vatted
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| 把…盛入大桶（vat的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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210
incognito
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| adv.匿名地；n.隐姓埋名；adj.化装的，用假名的，隐匿姓名身份的 | |
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211
limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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212
wittiest
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| 机智的，言辞巧妙的，情趣横生的( witty的最高级 ) | |
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213
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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214
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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215
stewardship
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| n. n. 管理工作；管事人的职位及职责 | |
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216
momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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217
mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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218
memorably
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| 难忘的 | |
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219
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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220
chronic
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| adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的 | |
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221
fixture
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| n.固定设备；预定日期；比赛时间；定期存款 | |
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222
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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223
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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224
indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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225
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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226
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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227
creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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228
debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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229
belligerent
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| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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230
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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231
penitentiary
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| n.感化院；监狱 | |
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232
besiege
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| vt.包围，围攻，拥在...周围 | |
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233
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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234
adjured
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| v.（以起誓或诅咒等形式）命令要求( adjure的过去式和过去分词 )；祈求；恳求 | |
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235
squandering
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的现在分词 ) | |
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236
quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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237
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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238
kennel
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| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
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239
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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240
bonanza
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| n.富矿带，幸运，带来好运的事 | |
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241
bonanzas
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| n.（突然的）财源( bonanza的名词复数 )；意想不到的幸运；富矿脉；大矿囊 | |
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242
restitution
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| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
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243
condole
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| v.同情；慰问 | |
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244
lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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245
grudging
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| adj.勉强的，吝啬的 | |
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246
copiously
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| adv.丰富地，充裕地 | |
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247
spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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248
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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249
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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250
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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251
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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252
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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253
adventurously
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| adv.爱冒险地 | |
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254
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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255
vipers
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| n.蝰蛇( viper的名词复数 )；毒蛇；阴险恶毒的人；奸诈者 | |
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256
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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257
tacking
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| （帆船）抢风行驶，定位焊[铆]紧钉 | |
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258
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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259
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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260
dividends
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| 红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金 | |
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261
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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262
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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263
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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264
broached
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| v.谈起( broach的过去式和过去分词 )；打开并开始用；用凿子扩大（或修光）；（在桶上）钻孔取液体 | |
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266
crackers
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| adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘 | |
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267
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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268
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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269
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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270
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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271
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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272
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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273
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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274
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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