Gervase lay against the bulwarks4 listening without a word; his eyes were fixed5 on the square tower of the Cathedral rising through the pall6 of smoke that overhung the city. In thought he saw the haggard gunners on the war-torn battlements, and the sorrowing crowd pouring out from the morning service. His mind was filled with the horror and misery7 of it, and his heart was bitter within him. He suddenly started and cleared his eyes as if he could not trust his sight; then he looked again. “Merciful God!” he cried, “the flag is down.”
The little knot of men round him turned to look too, and they saw with sinking hearts that the flag, the garrison8′s token of defiance9, was no longer 326waving on the Cathedral tower. A great silence fell upon them all--a silence in which one heard the lapping of the water about the bows and the distant scream of the sea-birds, startling and shrill10.
“God′s curse light on all traitors11 and cowards!” cried McKeller.
Then they saw two jets of fire spurt12 forth13 from the tower, and a little later the sullen14 roar of the ordnance15, and the hope came into their hearts that it was only in sign of their dire16 extremity17 that the garrison had hauled down the flag. And they waited and watched, and again they heard the thunder of the cannon18 pealing20 from the tower. Then above the crown of smoke they saw the crimson21 flag run up the staff, and they knew the city was still inviolate22. An involuntary cheer broke from the crew of the Phoenix, which was taken up by the other vessels23, and a minute or two afterwards the Swallow fired a salvo in response.
“They have awakened25 up at last,” cried the master. “Now we′ll even go below and try the boiled beef, and mayhap a runnel of grog.”
“Not a drop of grog,” cried McKeller, “but what boiled beef you like. The wind is freshening from the north, and the Lord may want sober men for this day′s work.”
The captain was not destined26 to join in their midday meal; hardly had they sat down and hardly had McKeller, who generally acted as chaplain by reason of his superior gravity, finished the long grace by which the meal was introduced, than a messenger 327came from Kirke, that Douglas was to hasten with all expedition on board the Swallow.
“The more haste the less speed,” cried the Captain, to whom the summons was by no means a welcome one, and who had no taste for a further interview with Kirke. “I′ll have to answer for your speech, Mr. Orme, I′m thinking. I wish McKeller there was in my shoes.”
“You were still good to McKeller,” laughed the mate, “but this time you′ll have to do your own business.”
“I hope,” said Gervase, “that this time it means business and not more speech. And I think it does. Bring us the news, Master Douglas, that you are to lift your anchor, and I′ll not forget you as long as I live.”
“Please Heaven, you may look for your night-cap in Derry to-night.”
“With a sound head to put it in.”
“The boat is waiting, and so is the General,” added the mate.
The captain hurried out of the round-house, and Gervase and the mate sat down to finish their midday meal with but little appetite for their repast. The conversation between them flagged, and then the mate went out and presently returned with his prayer-book under his arm, from which he began to read in a low monotonous27 tone, following the words, like a backward schoolboy, with his forefinger28. He never looked up but sat with his rough unkempt head bent29 over the book.
328Half an hour passed in this way, when they heard the sound of the boat alongside and the Captain′s voice shouting to get the mainsail set.
Presently he burst into the cabin, his face all glowing with excitement and his small blue eyes dancing in his head. He ran forward and caught Gervase in both his arms, “It′s come at last, dear lad, ′tis come at last. Your speech hath done it, and we′ll moor30 by the quay31 to-night with the blessing32 of God. This is no time for books, McKeller, no time for books. The Lord be praised! We′re up the river in an hour. Browning and myself and the old Dartmouth, with Leake to give us the lead.”
Gervase and McKeller were on their feet shaking one another by the hand. They could hardly believe the good news. Then, overcome by his feelings so long pent up, Gervase burst into tears and sobbed33 aloud. The captain stood aghast, but the mate laid his hand on the young fellow′s shoulder and said with rugged34 kindliness35: “I like you all the better for your tears, Mr. Orme; you have shown that you can do a man′s work, with a man′s heart under your jacket; ′twill do you good,--rain on the parched36 grass, as the book has it. Now, you old sea dog, what are you staring at? Go on with your story and let us know what we have to do.”
“I′ll clap you in irons for a rank mutineer,” laughed the captain. “Lord love you, when I got aboard Kirke was like a lamb; not a damn in him, but all ‘By your leave′ and ‘At your pleasure′. The council of officers had resolved to attack the passage 329that afternoon, the wind and the tide being favourable37, and the messenger, that being you, Mr. Orme, having brought news that rendered their instant moving imperative38, and more stuff of that kind. I could have laughed in his face, but for the cruel white and red in his eye. I don′t like a man to have too much white in his eye.”
“Go on with your story.”
The Dartmouth goes first, and draws the fire at Culmore; we go on with what speed we can till we get to the barrier. That must give way by hook or crook39, and then up the river. A good day′s work, I′m thinking, but the little Phoenix will do her share if Andrew Douglas be alive to see it."
“With the help of God we′ll all see it,” cried the mate. “This will be a great day for all of us.”
“Serve out a measure of rum to every man-jack on board, and get under way with all the haste ye can. In a quarter of an hour ye′ll see the little Phoenix slipping through the water like a seagull. Come, Mr. Orme, and lend a hand with the weapons. I take it you are well used to them.”
Gervase followed the captain on deck where the men were busy with the halliards, and all was lively confusion and disorder40. The seamen41 were already swarming42 on the yards of the Dartmouth, and the long boat of the Swallow was in the water, with the carpenters hammering upon the rough barricado with which they were protecting her sides. The wind which from the morning had been blowing in quiet airs from the north-west, had gone round to 330the north and had freshened somewhat. In the summer sky there was hardly a cloud; the waves leapt and flashed in the sunshine, and the vessels were beginning to plunge43 at their cables in the livelier sea.
By the time that Gervase had finished his scrutiny44 of the cutlasses and muskets46, and had seen to the loading of the three guns that the Phoenix carried, McKeller and the men had the vessel24 under sail. Then the windlass was manned, and it was only when the anchor had been lifted, and the little vessel was slipping through the water that Gervase felt their work was really begun and his task was about to be completed. The captain himself had taken the tiller, standing47 square and firm, with his coat thrown aside, and the sleeves of his shirt rolled up and showing his brown, muscular arms.
“There goes the Dartmouth,” he cried to Gervase, who was standing near him, “well done, and seamanly48. And the Mountjoy--she has the lead of us, being weightier and more strongly timbered. I don′t grudge50 it to Browning; he′s a good fellow and a gallant51 seaman49. We′ve sailed together ere now. And the old Jerusalem--she′ll come up when the eggs are boiled. We′ll have to knock once or twice before they let us in.”
The Dartmouth led the way with her ports open and the iron muzzles52 of her guns all agrin, the white sails on her lofty spars swelling53 out under the freshening wind. She did not wait for her consorts54, but held her way steadily55 toward the river′s mouth where the castle of Culmore guarded 331the entrance. The Mountjoy outsailed the Phoenix much to the chagrin56 of Douglas, and three cables′ lengths already divided them. The men leaned over the bulwarks watching the fort where they could see the soldiers hastening to the guns, and could hear the drums beating the alarm. As yet the Dartmouth was not within range of the cannon, but already a round shot or two had come skipping along the water and had fallen short. As they drew toward the river′s mouth the breeze had grown lighter57, and Gervase feared that the afternoon would set in a stagnant58 calm. But they had the tide with them, and the wind blew fairly up the river.
“There′s the music now,” cried Douglas, as the guns of the fort flashed along the ramparts; “there′s a hole in the royal yonder, but ′twill take more than that to turn old Leake. Will he never let them hear him?”
The Dartmouth was already within range, but she held on her way gallantly59, never answering the fire that was poured upon her. Again and again the guns of the fort flashed out, and the frigate60′s canvas was torn by the shot, but her spars remained untouched. Still Leake held on steadily, his guns still silent and his men sheltering themselves as best they could behind the bulwarks. Only when he came within close range so that every shot might tell, his guns spoke61 for the first time. Again and again the living sheet of flame leapt from the open ports, and the great shot went crashing into the fort. As the fire of the enemy slackened perceptibly the seamen set up a great cheer, which was 332caught up by the men of the Mountjoy that had now come nearly alongside and was holding its way up the river. Lying abreast62 of the fort and within musket45 shot the crew of the frigate plied63 the fort with cannon and with small arms, while the Mountjoy, followed by the Phoenix, came drifting slowly up channel past the castle and safely out of range of its guns. Then the Dartmouth, her work being done, was moored64 in the bend of the river above Culmore, while the merchant ships went slowly up the narrow and winding65 channel, and the men in the Swallow′s long boat kept them company and bent to their oars66 with a will. The great guns in the earthen forts along the river gave them welcome as they came, and the musket balls went singing by their ears.
It was a sight to see Douglas at the tiller, with a broad smile on his face and the dancing light of battle in his eyes. Once or twice he laughed aloud as some of the smaller spars came tumbling to the deck. And now in the pauses of the great guns and above the rattle67 of the muskets, they could hear in the summer air the shouts of the citizens from the walls--shouts of triumph and delight. On that scene the chroniclers have dwelt with some pride and much pathos68. Every man who could drag himself to the wall was gathered there that summer day. Gaunt and hollow-eyed; so hunger-stricken that they could scarcely stand, wasted by fever and by wounds, they took up the joyous69 shout of triumph. Stout70 soldiers gave way to tears upon 333the necks of their comrades. Their anguish71 and despair were swallowed up in the hope of present deliverance. Here and there little groups were kneeling as in prayer for the safety of those who were bringing them succour, and never was prayer more earnest offered to the God of battles.
Meanwhile the Mountjoy and the Phoenix were coming close upon the boom, and the forts on either side were plying72 them with shot. Douglas never moved. One of the seamen was struck down beside him, but he never turned his head. The wind was coming in little airs, but the tide was running hard. Gervase saw the Mountjoy through the smoke, a cable′s length ahead, suddenly strike upon the wooden barrier that lay across the river. Then the gallant little vessel swung round and grounded in the narrow channel. A great cheer went up from the banks, while they saw the redcoats hastening to their boats to board the stranded73 ship. “Now, McKeller, see what you can do with the long gun,” cried Douglas, as the mate with Gervase′s assistance brought the cannonade to bear on the mass of men who were moving to the bank. But the master of the Mountjoy was a stout seaman and knew his work. Quickly his guns were brought to the landward side, and at the discharge the little vessel slipped into the channel again, and went floating toward the boom with the running tide. Meanwhile the Swallow′s long boat under the boatswain′s mate had been laid alongside the barrier, and the bluejackets were plying it with cutlasses 334and hatchets74. Every man did his best that hour, and as the Mountjoy struck the boom a second time, the great barrier cracked and broke and went swinging up the river.
McKeller leapt upon the bulwarks regardless of the risk he ran, and waved his hat with fine enthusiasm: “God save Their Majesties,” he cried, “and down with Popery.”
Every man on board knew that the work was done and the city was saved. But the wind had fallen with the afternoon and it was a dead calm. Only with the tide the vessels came slowly up the river; then the long boats of the Swallow took them in tow, and with the setting sun the vessels came drifting into Ross′s bay. It was ten o′clock at night when the Phoenix, Andrew Douglas, Master (and a proud man was he!), came to its moorings at the little quay close by Ship Quay Gate.
No man has such gift of speech as to describe the scene when the master stepped ashore75 and raised his hat in presence of the thronging76 crowd. Men and women went frantic77 in their joy. Falling upon each other′s necks and wringing78 one another by the hand, they forgot that stern reserve that marks their race and people. Bonfires were lighted upon the ramparts, and the bells rang out a joyous peal19, and all the while the unlading of the ship went on, till all men were satisfied, and the terror of the morning seemed like a dream that had passed away.
335Gervase left the Phoenix unnoticed in the tumult79, and made his way through the deserted80 streets to his old lodging81. The door was lying open, but the house was deserted. Simon and all his family were in all likelihood among the crowd at the quay. Then he lighted his lamp and sat down to enjoy his golden dreams alone. His heart was filled with the thought of what he had done and of the reward he hoped to win.
He would call upon Dorothy in the morning--Dorothy, whose sweet face had kept him company through his perils82, and the thought of whom had moved him in his dangers. She had told him that she loved him.
The darkness was gone and they had come into the sweet sunshine at last. And so he dreamed his dreams till Mistress Sproule returned laden83 with her spoils, and gave him a joyous welcome as to one who had come back from death.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
regaining
|
|
| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
phoenix
|
|
| n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
bulwarks
|
|
| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
pall
|
|
| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
traitors
|
|
| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
spurt
|
|
| v.喷出；突然进发；突然兴隆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
ordnance
|
|
| n.大炮，军械 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
dire
|
|
| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
cannon
|
|
| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
peal
|
|
| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
pealing
|
|
| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
inviolate
|
|
| adj.未亵渎的，未受侵犯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
vessels
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
monotonous
|
|
| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
moor
|
|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
quay
|
|
| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
sobbed
|
|
| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
rugged
|
|
| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
kindliness
|
|
| n.厚道，亲切，友好的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
parched
|
|
| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
favourable
|
|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
imperative
|
|
| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
crook
|
|
| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
seamen
|
|
| n.海员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
swarming
|
|
| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
plunge
|
|
| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
scrutiny
|
|
| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
musket
|
|
| n.滑膛枪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
muskets
|
|
| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
seamanly
|
|
| 水手一样地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
seaman
|
|
| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
grudge
|
|
| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
muzzles
|
|
| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
swelling
|
|
| n.肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
consorts
|
|
| n.配偶( consort的名词复数 )；（演奏古典音乐的）一组乐师；一组古典乐器；一起v.结伴( consort的第三人称单数 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
chagrin
|
|
| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
lighter
|
|
| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
stagnant
|
|
| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
gallantly
|
|
| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
frigate
|
|
| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
abreast
|
|
| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
plied
|
|
| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
moored
|
|
| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
pathos
|
|
| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
plying
|
|
| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
stranded
|
|
| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
hatchets
|
|
| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
thronging
|
|
| v.成群，挤满( throng的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
wringing
|
|
| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
lodging
|
|
| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |