"Now then, Seth. Shoot the scoundrels!" whipped out his pistol and fired, Seth doing likewise so promptly4 that the two reports sounded almost like one.
With a groan5 and a cry of agony the two wretches6, mortally wounded, fell to the ground, dropping the lantern, which, of course, was at once extinguished, leaving everything in darkness.
Vastly relieved at this sudden and surprising change in the situation, the driver was about to whip up his horses and make off when the stern voice of the Major rang out:
"Hold there! Don't start until I bid you!"
The man dropped the whip and reined7 in the horses.
"Jump out, Seth, and find the lantern," was the Major's next order, which Seth made haste to execute.
The lantern was found and relit, and then the Major proceeded to examine the fallen men.
They were both dead already, the Rangers8' aim, in spite of the imperfect light and quickness of action, having been unerring, and as the Major regarded them with an expression, curiously9 blended, of triumph and pity, he said grimly:
"You poor fools! You've got your deserts, but you should have known better than to try and rob me."
The emphasis he put upon the last word was not lost upon his fellow-passengers, who looked at one another sheepishly, for they now felt thoroughly10 ashamed of their cowardice11, and they hastened to cover their confusion by volubly expressing their gratitude12 to the Major for his gallant13 conduct.
"Recover your purses and watches, gentlemen," was his only response, however, and when that had been done, and the bodies of the two ill-starred highwaymen had been decently disposed of at the side of the road to await the action of the authorities, who would be informed in due course, the coach resumed its journey.
After they had settled down again in their seats Seth got a chance to ask the question which had been on his lips:
"Whom did you mean, sir, when you said: 'There they are! They're just in time!' and pointed14 behind the robbers?"
Major Rogers chuckled15 complacently16.
"Whom do you think I meant? Why nobody, of course. It was just a ruse17 to fool the rascals18 and get them to turn their heads so that we could fire first. And how easily they were taken in!" and he chuckled again at the success of his scheme.
Seth's admiration20 for his commander was vastly increased by this fresh proof of his courage and resourcefulness, and as for the other passengers, they professed21 that he was a perfect hero, and that no words of praise were too strong for what he had done.
At last the tiresome22 journey came to an end, and as the coach lumbered23 through the tortuous24 streets of Boston Seth's heart beat high with expectation. He was now in the big city, and the days before him could not fail to be full of novelty and interest.
They put up at a comfortable tavern25 where the Major was well known, and the best accommodation the house afforded was placed at his disposal. It was a very ordinary establishment, and in no wise resembled a modern hotel; but to Seth's untravelled eyes it seemed quite grand and the substantial fare that burdened the tables sumptuous26 indeed.
The morning after their arrival Major Rogers said:
"I have certain business to attend to that will take me the best part of the day and you will have to look after yourself. You'd better go out and see the town, but mind where you go, and don't get lost. I'll be back by supper-time."
"All right, sir," responded Seth cheerily, much pleased at the idea of being left to his own devices. "I'll take good care of myself."
After the Major, attired27 in his best uniform, had set out, Seth inquired the way to the waterside, for he was first of all anxious to see the shipping28.
He found the wharves29 crowded with shipping, and was immensely interested in the bustle30 and noise as the sailors, with many a shout and song, toiled31 away at loading or unloading the cargoes33. It was all new to him, and he did not hesitate to ask many questions of the weather-beaten men, some of whom answered him civilly enough, while others were decidedly gruff, and others still, rightly judging that he was a country lad, tried to run rigs on him.
But Seth was too shrewd to be fooled very far. He understood pretty well when he was being answered correctly, and he picked up a good deal of information as he strolled about in an apparently35 aimless way.
One of the largest ships which hailed from England was discharging a cargo32 of general goods bewildering in variety, and as Seth talked with one of the sailors he was thinking to himself:
"How I'd like to go across the ocean to England and see everything there! It must be a wonderful place. I wonder will I ever have the chance."
The possibility of his realizing his desire seemed remote enough, but that fact did not trouble him, and he made a mental resolution to get over to the Mother Land some day, however distant it might be.
His pleasant meditations36 were at this point interrupted by cries of pain and terror, coming from a boy who was evidently being cruelly treated, and instinctively he hastened to see what was the matter.
On the other side of a great pile of casks he found a hulking fellow of the wharf37-rat genus ill-using a small boy who was vainly endeavoring to escape from his clutches.
Instantly his ire was aroused, and without taking thought of the consequences, but simply obeying the chivalrous38 impulse to rescue the little victim from the ruffian, he sprang forward, and, seizing the latter by the shoulders, flung him upon his back, at the same time saying to the released boy:
"Run now! I'll not let the brute39 follow you!"
The little chap at first obeyed, but had not gone many yards ere he stopped and looked back, being anxious to see how it fared with his timely rescuer.
The wharf rat had been so taken by surprise and thrown so hard that for a moment he lay prostrate40 and breathless, but the next moment he was up, and with a foul41 oath hurled42 himself upon Seth, who had stood his ground so as to protect the flight of the boy.
So far as size and weight went the ruffian had decidedly the best of it, and if Seth had permitted him to get at close grips and fight in his own rough and tumble fashion, it certainly might have gone hard with him.
But he had more sense than to do that. He rightly judged his assailant's purpose, and when the latter was almost upon him, sprang quickly aside and thrust out his foot, at the same time landing with his right fist upon the fellow's head.
Down he went again, this time forward instead of backward, and now, utterly44 infuriated, he seized a large stone as he rose, and was about to hurl43 it at Seth, who could hardly have evaded45 the missile at such short range, when his arm was grasped by a newcomer upon the scene, who said to him sternly:
"drop that, you rascal19! If you don't fight fair, I'll throw you into the dock."
With a wolfish snarl46 he turned upon the speaker, as though he would strike him with the stone, but his uplifted hand dropped quickly, and there was something of a whine47 in his tone as he said:
"What did he hit me for? I wasn't doing nothing to him."
"Why did you hit him?" inquired the man of Seth. "What mischief48 was he up to?"
"He was beating that boy, sir," answered Seth promptly, "and I interfered49. He had no business to be hurting a little fellow like that."
"Ah, ha, just as I supposed, you miserable50 cur!" and as he spoke51 the wharfinger, who had kept hold of the bully52, gave him a good shake. "Now, look here, if you're so anxious to use your fists, why don't you take some one of your own size? I dare say this stranger would not object to having a round or two with you if you want it."
Seth smiled and nodded his head. Assured of fair play by the presence of the wharfinger, he was indignant enough with the bully to feel quite in the humor of giving him a good pummelling.
Not so, however, the other. He had already had sufficient taste of Seth's quality to show him that he was an antagonist53 by no means to be despised, and instead of accepting the challenge thus offered, he hung down his head and slunk off out of sight, while the wharfinger, chuckling54 at his discomfiture55, turned to Seth and asked him courteously56 if there was anything he could do for him, as he seemed to be a stranger.
"No, thank you, sir," Seth responded brightly. "I'm just amusing myself looking around. I never saw big ships before. I've always lived in the country."
"And I suppose everything about here is very new and strange to you," the wharfinger broke in. "Come along with me and I'll explain things a bit and then you'll understand better."
Nothing could have suited Seth better. He had been puzzled by many things he saw, but shrank from asking questions of the busy men about him, but now, thanks to his new acquaintance, all would be made clear.
The wharfinger asked him some questions about himself, and was evidently much interested when he learned that he was a member of Rogers' Rangers, the fame of whose exploits had reached even to Boston.
"And you say Major Rogers is in Boston now," he exclaimed. "Well, well! I must try and see him. I should esteem57 it an honor to shake hands with the man who has done such wonderful things if all accounts of him be true."
Seth assured him that the Major was quite as great a hero as he was reported to be, and added that if the wharfinger would come up to the tavern that evening he would introduce him to the great man.
This suggestion pleased the wharfinger very much, and so in great mutual58 good humor they began their round of the ships and warehouses59.
This was pure enjoyment60 for Seth. He asked as many questions as a school-boy, and to every one of them received an enlightening answer. They went on board several of the ships, descending61 into their holds and visiting their cabins, and chatting with their officers, some of whom showed them hearty62 hospitality, and altogether it was a rich experience to Seth, whose keen eyes took in everything, while his active mind stored away what he heard, and he said to himself exultantly63:
"Won't I have a lot to tell Reuben and the rest of them at the fort when I go back."
One of the captains whose vessel64 they boarded, just at mid-day, insisted upon their sitting down to dinner with him, and after some demur65 they consented, because it seemed easier to do so than to refuse him, and it was consequently well into the afternoon ere Seth was able to get away from his new friends and return to the tavern, where he found Major Rogers wondering what had become of him.
The Major was in high feather, and, although not ordinarily inclined to be communicative, after cutting short Seth's account of the way he had spent the morning, he proceeded to relate with great gusto how it had fared with him.
It seemed that his reception by General Shirley was very cordial, and the Commander-in-Chief had said many flattering things about the value of his services as a pleasant preliminary to the highly gratifying information that he had decided34 to give him the command of an independent company of Rangers, and he was to wait upon him the following morning in order to receive his commission and instructions for future action.
"Why, isn't that fine!" Seth exclaimed, his countenance66 glowing with pride and pleasure, for he heartily67 shared in his leader's feeling. "You will be your own master now, won't you, and do just what you like?"
"To a certain extent, yes," responded the Major complacently, "but not entirely68. I shall have, of course, to work together with those in command at the forts, but my Rangers will have no one to obey but myself."
"And what is the great General like?" Seth asked, with boyish curiosity. "Is he very big and splendid, and everything grand about him?"
Major Rogers smiled indulgently at his young companion.
"I don't think I'll tell you. I'll leave you to judge for yourself. You can come with me to-morrow morning when I go to get my commission."
"Oh! can I?" cried Seth, his face radiant at the prospect69. "You are very good. I'll be so glad to go."
That evening the wharfinger called as he had promised, and Seth, now prouder of his chief than ever, lost no time in telling him of the new honors conferred upon the Major ere he led him into his presence.
The two men were soon on easy terms, and Seth keenly enjoyed their conversation as they exchanged experiences, the one being so familiar with the life of the sea and the other with the life of the forest. Altogether it was a memorable70 day for the backwoods youth, and yet as he lay down to sleep it was with lively anticipation71 of yet more notable events which the morrow held in store for him.
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1
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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2
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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6
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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7
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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10
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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11
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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12
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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13
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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14
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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15
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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17
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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18
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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19
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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20
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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21
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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22
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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23
lumbered
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| 砍伐（lumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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24
tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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25
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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26
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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27
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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29
wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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30
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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31
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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32
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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34
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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37
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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38
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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39
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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40
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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41
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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42
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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43
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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44
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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45
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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46
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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47
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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48
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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49
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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50
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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51
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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52
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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53
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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54
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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55
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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56
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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57
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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59
warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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61
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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62
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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exultantly
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| adv.狂欢地，欢欣鼓舞地 | |
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64
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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65
demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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66
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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67
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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68
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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69
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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70
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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