Until the various chemicals arrived Bob was unable to make any analysis of the much-abused deposit, but he was never tired of examining samples of it, powdering them up and applying the fire test in the hope that whatever refractory15 gas or element was present, and binding16 the gold in an invisible state, might be driven off. He never cared to say much concerning the results of these experiments, but that he received undoubted satisfaction from his labours was very evident. He was engaged roasting some of the fine grains of the clay in a crucible17 when Mackay entered the tent on this morning in search of a pick-handle he had mislaid.
"Well, Bob," said he, "an' are ye gettin' any nearer a solution to that mystery of Nature?"
Bob silently pointed18 to the crucible on the small Primus stove from which dense19 yellow fumes20 were issuing.
"Smell that," he said.
Mackay sniffed21 right heartily22, and nearly choked in consequence.
"An' what sort o' a perfume do ye call that?" he demanded, when he had regained23 his composure.
"Chlorine," smilingly returned the chemist. "The clay is soaked in it, and any text-book will tell you that chlorine has a great affinity24 for gold."
Mackay became interested at once. "Let me hear your line o' argument, Bob," he grunted25. "This is a matter o' vera considerable importance, an' I'll be the last to discourage ye in your efforts."
Bob smiled just a trifle sadly. "I haven't been able to work in the shaft12 for a week," he began.
"An' ye'll no work in the shaft until that head o' yours is richt better," interrupted Mackay. "I'm no' so[Pg 95] sure," he continued, "whether I should alloo ye to worry as you're doin' aboot that wretched stuff."
The young man looked gratefully at the speaker, then turned his gaze once more to the smoking crucible.
"I think I have discovered how to treat it," he said slowly. "The chlorine must be brought into contact with another gas offering a greater affinity than gold: on their combination the gold will be set free in a metallic27 state, and can be saved in the ordinary way. All we have to do is to pump hydrogen gas into a vat28 containing a solution of the clayey mixture, keep emptying off the slimes, and in time the residue29 must be a highly concentrated gold wash. It's not very difficult, is it? I only need those acids to prove the practical working of the scheme."
Mackay remained silent for a moment, apparently30 deep in thought.
"You'll do it, Bob," he broke out eagerly. "Dead Broke should be back wi' the acids any time now, an' you'll be able to finish your tests; but I hae no doubt ye'll accomplish what we all wish, an' ye'll deserve your reward, my laddie."
About noon of the same day Dead Broke Dan was sighted in the distance, returning with the camel team, much to the relief of all in camp, for he was already a full day overdue32.
"I was a bit skeert that ole Dead Broke had anchored himself in the township," growled33 Nuggety Dick, as they all congregated34 at his shaft to watch the lumbering36 train approach.
"If he drove the animals like that all the way," hazarded Never Never Dave, "he could hiv been here two days ago. Why, the old heathen is forcing the pace."
[Pg 96]
The camels were certainly travelling at an unusually rapid rate; heavily laden37 as they were, they were actually ambling38 over the sand, and old Dead Broke Dan was running energetically alongside, plying14 his long whip with a will.
"I can't make it out," said Mackay. "Dead Broke knows well enough that it's dangerous to rush those brutes40 in that fashion. There must be something wrong."
Something apparently was wrong, for when the great hulking beasts staggered into camp, their flanks were heaving convulsively, and their mouths were flecked with foam41. Their driver, too, seemed in the last stage of collapse42.
"There's a rush comin', mates," he panted. "Macguire's gang followed me out from Kalgoorlie. I tried to shake them off an' doubled back on my own tracks, but they've got horses and buggies, an' I couldn't lose them, no matter how I dodged43. They camped less'n a mile from me last night; but I didn't unload the camels, an' scooted about one o'clock in the morning so as to get in ahead to tell you."
"We couldn't have kept it quiet much longer anyhow, boys," said Nuggety Dick. "An' I don't think we'd have minded a decent crowd comin' to the flat, but Macguire's a holy terror, and his gang are a tough party to handle."
"There's one howlin' satisfaction, mates," laughed Emu Bill. "They'll get nothin' but that miserable44 miradgy clay outside our pegs46. I kin3 just fancy I hear Macguire's words when he sees his gold vanish." He grinned delightedly at the thought.
Mackay did not say much, he knew that a rush was inevitable47, but Macguire was not exactly the kind of man he would care to have as a near neighbour. He was a[Pg 97] noted48 bully49, card-sharper, and mine-jumper, though he ostensibly kept an hotel in the township where men of a similar fraternity were wont50 to congregate35.
"How many are in the crowd, Dead Broke?" he asked.
"'Bout31 a dozen, I calc'late."
"And we are only eight," mused51 Mackay.
"You don't think the sneakin' thief will try to jump this here circus?" ejaculated Nuggety Dick.
"You may just bet your boots the same individual'll no work himsel' if he can find it already done for him," came the answer. "I shouldna wonder a bit if we have some trouble. What are you grinning at, you young baboon52?" he demanded, turning to the Shadow, who appeared to find much cause for merriment in the doubtful state of things.
The Shadow subsided53 at once. "Man boss," he complained reproachfully, "does ye think we is a gentle little Sunday-school party, just waiting to be swallowed?"
Mackay snorted in disgust. "If it werena for these laddies," he said to himself, "I would dearly enjoy a scrimmage; but I seem to have become mair cautious since they've been wi' me. It's no richt that they should see the wickedness o' human nature in its worst aspect a' at aince."
"I see them coming!" cried Bob, who was scanning the horizon closely, and a dim sand cloud in the far eastward54 distance was sure enough evidence that the rush would ere long be in their midst. Soon the various outlines of horsemen and buggies could be traced amid the enveloping55 dust; quickly the frenzied56 gold-seekers drew near, and wild halloos mingled57 with the cracking of whips, and the laboured plunging58 of horses' hoofs[Pg 98] on the ironshot sand plain. Ahead of the main party, mounted on a powerful bay horse, which he was cruelly spurring on to its last effort, rode Macguire, a tall, awkward brute39 of a man, whose heavy countenance59 as he came near, bore the exulting60 leer of the professional braggart61 and bully. At a mad gallop62 he forced his jaded63 beast right up to Nuggety Dick's shaft, then halted with a vicious jerk on the curb64 rein65, and surveyed the awaiting group with a triumphant66 grin.
"So you thought you were goin' to run this show yourselves," he sneered67 from his position in the saddle.
"I guess you've struck it plumb68 first shot," calmly returned Emu Bill, rolling his quid in his mouth with evident relish69, and ejecting a streak70 of tobacco juice which came dangerously near to finding a resting-place on the new-comer's boots.
Macguire snarled71, and looked round to see if his satellites were near at hand, and, noting their close proximity72, he jumped from his horse, threw the reins73 carelessly over a mulga sapling, and examined the stacked wash on the surface with unconcealed joy.
"An' who was the discoverer o' this bonanza74?" he demanded, aggressively, addressing every one in general.
Nuggety Dick gave a snort of annoyance75. "For a mean impertinent swab ye beat anything I've ever met," said he, in his politest tones. "An' if ye doesn't take yer miserable carcase clear o' my pegs instanter, ye'll find what ye're lookin' for in about two shakes o' a muskittie's eyelid76."
At that moment the rest of Macguire's Rush appeared on the scene, and with boisterous77 laughter hurried to range themselves by their chief's side. They were a motley crew, comprising the very worst product of the[Pg 99] goldfields, and they glared at the owners of Golden Flat with uncontrolled malevolence78. Macguire eyed his choice associates with satisfaction, before responding to Nuggety Dick's peremptory79 request, then he turned the flood-gates of his wrath80 loose on that amiable81 gentleman, who listened with dangerous sang froid. War was certainly imminent82, but before the actual outbreak had occurred, Mackay left his position beside Jack83, and stepped forward.
"This is my quarrel, Nuggety," said he. "The gentleman was looking for the discoverer o' the flat, an' I should be sorry if he went away before makin' my acquaintance."
The tone was quiet almost to mildness, and Jack and Bob marvelled85 much thereat; but the Shadow laughed softly to himself.
"Oh, it was you, was it?" blustered86 Macguire. "An' why in thunder didn't ye report to me? We might have come peaceably at first, but now we mean to boost ye out of it. I know ye hasn't registered yer find, for I has watched the Warden's office ever since you an' them youngsters passed through the township, an' there's been no notices posted. Now I calc'late we'll just begin where you leave off, an' we are obliged to ye for doin' so much work for us. Ain't that right, boys?"
A yell of approbation87 greeted his words.
"You've made a vera serious error," said Mackay, with unruffled serenity88. "You've neglected to consider that we keep guns in camp, an' there's twa or three o' them lookin' at ye now. Furthermore, we were just dyin' for a scrimmage when you popped your ugly head along, an', though ye beat us by two in numbers, I dinna just feel tremblin' wi' anxiety over the finish o' the circus. No, no, Macguire, ye canna bluff89 this crowd——"
[Pg 100]
"Does ye know who I am?" howled Macguire. "I'm the champion bruiser o' the fields, I is."
"And ye look it every time," retorted Mackay. "But before we gang in for wholesale90 bloodshed, we'd better settle our personal differences. I hae objected strongly to your unmannerly inceevility——"
"Ho! ho! ho!" roared the bruiser, rolling up his shirt-sleeves with professional exactitude. "Now, boys, the funeral is off until I knock this rooster out."
"Right O!" came the ready response from the hired ruffians, who never doubted for a moment the all-conquering prowess of their chief.
Nuggety Dick, Emu Bill, Jack, the Shadow, and Bob, quietly ranged themselves on one side, their hands gripping the butts91 of the revolvers in their belts. In the near distance, beyond the windlass, with rifles resting on the timber for greater steadiness, Never Never Dave and Dead Broke Dan kept the deadly tubes gazing at Macguire's band, much to these warriors92' disquietude. It had been Mackay's idea to have them thus prepared; the wisdom of it was already clearly evidenced.
And now Bob and Jack trembled for the safety of their friend. Macguire was both taller and broader than Mackay, and his short bull neck and bloated features gave him a decidedly repulsive93 appearance. But to their astonishment94 Mackay's face betrayed not the slightest trace of concern, though his eyes shone with a strange light. He had taken upon himself the battle of the entire camp, and he knew it.
With a yell Macguire rushed to the attack, and his right hand lunged ponderously95 forward, only to find itself warded96 lightly aside. Wildly he attempted to guard with[Pg 101] his left; but Mackay's blow came like a lightning stroke, straight from the shoulder, and was not to be denied. Macguire staggered under the shock of the concussion97, but recovered himself, and with savage98 rage struck blindly again and again at his antagonist99's head, only to find his great fists beat the empty air. Mackay simply warded off the vain strokes, and stood his ground, a grim smile beginning to dawn on his features. He had discovered the weakness of his opponent; Macguire's strength was his whole support—one of his terrible blows would have proved fatal to most men—and so had his reputation grown! But Mackay's anger burned fierce within him, and he waited his chance; it soon came. Macguire, aroused to an extraordinary pitch of ferocity, made again a desperate swinging stroke at his enemy's head with the usual futile100 result; but ere he could recover from the impetus101 of his foolish action Mackay's great fists caught him full in the face, one after the other, with a force that hurled102 the bully over in the sand. But all was not over yet; the bruiser had evidently no lack of animal courage. He picked himself up slowly, peered through his fast closing eyes to locate his enemy, and leaped like a demoniacal savage once more to the fray103. Disdaining104 to strike the half-blind wretch26, Mackay stood unmoved, and so gave the cunning trickster the chance he desired. The long, octopus105 arms of Macguire gripped him tight, and his breath spurted106 forth107 in fierce gasps108. A groan109 of dismay broke from Jack, and a yell of delight from Macguire's supporters greeted this action. Now, indeed, it was to be a trial of strength. Backwards110 and forwards they swayed, bending, twisting, writhing111, stumbling, but through it all the Shadow noticed with joy how gradually, yet surely, Mackay's[Pg 102] brawny112 arms were tightening113 over the great bulk of his antagonist. For a moment there was a lull114, the crucial point had come, and the combatants stood immovable; the muscles of Mackay's arms strained out like whipcords. Crack! crack! something seemed to have given way. Mackay relaxed his hold, and with a groan and a shiver the towering form of Macguire subsided in the sand and lay inert115. Both sides had watched the last struggle of the giants with breathless interest; and the final collapse of Macguire aroused from his supporters only a hushed exclamation116 of awe117. The victor stepped forward to them at once.
"Now, boys," he said pleasantly, "if you like, we'll begin the circus. Your leader has got a couple or so ribs118 broken, so you'd better not count on him much——"
"No! no!" they shouted in unison119; and one of them, constituting himself spokesman for the party, gave vent121 to their impressions.
"After that," he said weakly, "we don't want no more fight. Let us peg45 alongside somewheres. We promise to act straight with you."
A shuddering122 murmur123 of approval followed his words. Mackay had indeed done battle for the entire camp that day.
Then the Shadow broke out. "Didn't I tell you, Jack?" cried he, prancing124 around gleefully.
"By the Great Howlin' Billy, I've never seen a fight like that—no, never," impressively spoke120 Never Never, coming forward.
Neither Bob nor Jack said a word, their hearts seemed too full for speech; but Mackay guessed their thoughts.
"It had to be done, my laddies," said he, kindly125. "I[Pg 103] thought my fighting days were over; but it wasna to be—it wasna to be."
After that order reigned126. Some of Macguire's gang sullenly127 went off to peg out claims beyond the Golden Promise Mine; others busied themselves erecting128 a huge tent into which their fallen chief was carried, groaning129 and cursing by turns. Then the holders9 of Golden Flat returned to their labours with buoyant energy, and continued excavating130 the golden wash as if nothing untoward131 had happened to mar84 the even tenor132 of their way. Bob having received the acids he had so eagerly awaited, was soon lost in the mazes133 of calculative experiments beside his crucibles134 and test-tubes. The Shadow and Jack slogged away with steady persistency135 at the bottom of the shaft. Mackay calmly smoked the pipe of peace at the windlass head, now and again breaking out into unmelodious song to the great discomfort136 of all within hearing distance. Indeed, since his desperate encounter he seemed to have become unusually cheerful; and Bob, hearing the distracting strains, laughed softly to himself and pondered deeply on this further illustration of a many-sided nature. That evening, however, he was destined137 to be further surprised, for Mackay, having finished his tea, went quietly to a small mysterious-looking box which he kept under his bunk138, and which neither of the boys had ever seen him open before, and from a recess139 within the lid he extracted—a flute140.
"Heavens!" feebly murmured the Shadow, who was present, glaring at the instrument with exaggerated horror.
Jack laughed outright141, but checked himself suddenly when the big man began to play. Never had he heard sweeter music; the mellow142 notes rang out with exceeding softness as the great and somewhat battered143 fingers of the[Pg 104] musician strayed over the keys. No paltry144 tune145 was this, no music-hall ditty; it was the "Miserere" from Il Trovatore he played, and with such haunting sweetness that Bob rubbed his eyes and looked at him in amazement146. It was no joke, then, this strange man's professed147 love of music, and his thoughts went back to the evening they had spent in London. The last long-drawn-out note trembled to a finish; and Mackay's voice broke in on his reverie.
"What do you think o' that, Bob?"
"It was beautiful," said Bob, soberly.
"Ah, my ain whustle canna compare wi' the flute," sighed Mackay, dolorously148, applying his mouth once more to his treasure. Then he hesitated. "I think I'll play ye that bonnie tune we heard at the Queen's Hall," said he, reflectively. "D'ye mind what it was, Jack?"
"Of course I do," responded that youth, with alacrity149. "It was 'Home, Sweet Home!'"
The questioner looked grieved. "That sang doesna come into my repertoire150 when I'm oot in the bush," he reproved sternly.
"You meant, 'Lo, hear the gentle lark,'" said Bob.
The flautist nodded. "One, two, three, and off she goes," said he; and at once the liquid strains of Bishop's wonderful music echoed through the tent, with its trills and cadenzas, and with, it must be confessed, many variations from the original melody. Ere he had finished nearly all the camp were clustered at the door; even Macguire's party was represented. Then the spell was broken. Evidently the volume of sound created by the flute did not quite satisfy the player's desire for a fuller burden of song. He laid down the flute. "Watch me[Pg 105] catch that top note," said he, and, with grim desperation, he opened his mouth and began, "'Lo! hear the gentle la-a-a-a-ark——'"
A yell of horror from the doorway151, and a sudden trampling152 of feet intimated that the bulk of his audience had taken flight. The Shadow squirmed in agony, Jack shuddered153, and Bob looked pained.
"Ah, weel," grunted the singer apologetically, pausing in his valiant154 effort, "I couldna expect ye to appreciate such vera high-class music, but haud on a bit an' I'll gie ye a verse o' my ain construction, set to music o' my vera ain composition; it is called 'The Muskittie's Lament155.'"
Straightway he started, and bellowed156 out this touching157 little story, in a voice so raucous158 that even the parrots fluttering in the scrub around screamed out noisily in protest.[A] When he had finished, the Shadow and Jack had vanished, and Bob alone was left to thank him as best he could.
But he was happily spared this call on his prevaricative powers, for the vocalist did not give him an opportunity of expressing his opinion.
"Ye dinna look exactly overjoyed wi' my singin'," said he, quizzically, "but ye must admit it's vera effective."
Bob laughed, but did not venture to disagree.
"Ay," continued Mackay, with a chuckle159, "my voice has wonderfu' movin' powers, though, like my whustle, it's[Pg 106] mebbe a wee bit trying at close quarters." He proceeded to the box once more, and, to Bob's surprise, extricated160 a sextant from its depths. He gazed at it tenderly for a few moments, then handed it to his companion, who seized it eagerly, and examined it with deep interest. It was an instrument which had, apparently, seen considerable service, for the handle was grooved161 by much fingering, and the lacquer on the framework was blistered162 by the sun's rays, and altogether bare in places. But the silvered arc itself was in perfect condition, and the thin coating of vaseline over it showed that its present owner knew how to take care of the delicate fabric163. Mackay gazed curiously164 on during the young man's work of inspection165. It was almost dark now in the tent, the last glimmering166 rays of the setting sun alighted on the reflecting glasses of the sextant and danced thereon joyously167 for a moment, then the heavy gloom of night fell, and still Bob clutched the symbol of his unuttered desire, while Mackay seemed wrapt in silent meditation168. At length the elder man spoke.
"That was the chief's sextant, Bob," said he, gravely. "It was the only thing I found near the camp where he and his expedition were murdered."
"I almost guessed that," answered Bob; then he hesitated. "I wish you would let me try an observation with it," he concluded with earnestness.
"Let you?" cried Mackay. "I want you to do it. Do ye remember," he continued musingly169, "o' me sending you a book on navigation; well, that was because I wanted to influence your studies in that direction. I canna say whether I have succeeded or no'——"
Bob laughed grimly. "My father was a sailor," said[Pg 107] he. "His brother was a navigator; and I—I would dearly like to be able to steer170 a course as well."
"My lad," said Mackay, "you'll maybe get your wish sooner than you expect. I brought out the sextant just to sound you, for nae man can say that Mackay persuaded him against his will; but I see that the same blood runs in the family. Take the sextant, Bob; I give it to you, though it is my dearest possession. Handle it carefully; it has proved true on mony a long weary journey. But mind, I may ask ye to use it in earnest soon."
Without another word he arose and walked from the tent, leaving Bob alone in the darkness, his mind filled with rushing thoughts. When Jack came in, about half an hour later, and lit a candle, he found him in the same place. Truly the touch of the mystic emblem171 had aroused in him the uncontrollable indefinite longing172 which is the sure birthright of the wanderer. The call of the bush seemed to echo through his brain, the boundless173 horizon beckoned174 him.
Jack's entry helped to throw off the spell which had gripped him. He arose and placed the sextant carefully back in its case beside the flute.
"What on earth is that, Bob?" asked Jack, anxiously. "Not another musical instrument, surely."
"We'll have a look at it to-morrow, Jack," answered Bob. "It's a sextant which Mackay has given me."
"Great Scot!" ejaculated the irrepressible youth, "can he use a sextant too?"
Bob smiled. "I don't know," said he, "but I wouldn't be too sure."
"He is a regular daisy," commented Jack, enthusiastically. "Why, up at Nuggety's camp, he's explaining[Pg 108] to them the theories of music, and I'm hanged if he hasn't got them half convinced that it is their uncultivated ear that is at fault when they don't appreciate his singing."
A commotion175 from without the tent interrupted them, and the Shadow's voice shouted loudly on Jack.
"I've just rounded up a real beauty o' a snake at my camp," said he, when they appeared. "Come along, an' I'll show ye how to crack him like a whip." And the three departed.
On the following morning Macguire's followers176 considered it advisable that their damaged leader should be taken, without further delay, to the township hospital, and shortly after daybreak a buggy and a couple of horses were waiting in readiness for the journey. This sudden decision on the matter was by no means agreeable to Mackay, and he hastily called a meeting of the claim-holders in order to state his fears.
"You know, boys," said he, "we've never registered these mines at the Warden's office, as that bully Macguire seems to know, an' our miners' rights are only good enough so long as we are the strongest party."
"Well, we don't need to try and keep the Flat a secret now," growled Emu Bill. "We're bound to have half Kalgoorlie alongside us in a day or so."
"Ye don't seem to catch on to our difficulty, boys," continued Mackay. "If Macguire gets into the Warden's office first, he can simply register these mines in his own ugly name, along wi' his partners, of course, an' then, all they've got to do is swear we jumped them, an' we'll get fired out o' our own claims wi' a squad177 o' mounted police!"
[Pg 109]
Simple and open-minded bushmen, they had never thought of this.
"By Jupiter! I believe you're right," cried old Dead Broke Dan.
"But what in thunder is we to do?" complained Nuggety Dick. "If we had a horse we could beat him; but the camels are too mighty178 slow."
"Ah, now you've struck it," agreed Mackay. "But ye must remember it's a seventy-mile dry stretch from here to Kalgoorlie, an' their horses are pretty well knocked up now. It should take them a good two days to do it, even if they force for all they're worth."
At this stage the Shadow pushed his way forward. "I knows what Mackay is thinking," said he; "but I'm the man for the job, an' I'm goin' to do it too."
"Do ye think ye could manage, Shad?" asked Mackay, earnestly. "I'm no goin' to mak' a single remark aboot your bushmanship, for you've well proved your abilities in that direction, but, my lad, it's a job for a strong man, an' I meant to tak' it on mysel'."
"Ye doesn't know how powerful I is on the trot," said the lithe179 young bushman; "an' if it comes to strength, I reckon I is no chicken, either."
He bared his right arm proudly, and showed the swelling180 muscles which his tattered181 shirt-sleeve covered.
"Why, what does ye mean to do?" demanded Nuggety, like his near neighbours, somewhat bewildered. "Does ye mean to walk?"
"Give me a water-bag in my fist, and I'll pretty soon show you," came the quick retort. "I'll bet a tug182 at old Dead Broke's whiskers that I'm in before the buggy all right."
[Pg 110]
It seemed a hopeless plan, yet, owing to the arid183 and sandy nature of the country to be traversed, it was not as hopeless as it looked.
"If we let them get away first," said Mackay, "they won't think there's any need to hurry. Go an' swallow as much water as you can, an' get your water-bag primed up to the muzzle184. Jack, you'd better make enough sandwiches from that damper of yours to carry the Shadow a couple o' days."
"Couldn't I go too, Shad?" said Jack, anxiously.
"You're a bit too fresh yet, Jack; you'd want too much water," was the sententious reply.
Jack turned away without a word to prepare the sandwiches.
A few minutes later the buggy containing Macguire and one of his chosen associates drove up, and stopped opposite the party, so that the departing bully might get rid of some of his vituperative eloquence185. When he saw Mackay, his raging madness was painful to witness. Clearly his enmity, instead of dissolving, had been magnified tenfold by his humiliation186.
"I'll get even with you for this," he yelled, shaking his fist at the object of his fury; "an' ye won't live long before ye knows it too."
Mackay stepped menacingly towards the buggy. "I ought to have killed ye, ye meeserable thief," he said; but the man holding the reins was too terrified to wait longer. With a wild slash187 of the whip he set the horses plunging madly across the sand on the back track to the township, and Macguire, leaning back with livid face, hurled his last shot.
"This country won't be big enough to hold us two!" he bellowed.
Mackay smiled a hard smile. "Then I reckon ye'd better get out of it while you're healthy," he murmured, as he turned to rejoin his companions.
FOOTNOTE:
"THE MUSKITTIE'S LAMENT.
"A bright wee muskittie sat on a tree,
An' O, it was hungry as hungry could be,
An' the tears drappit doon frae its bonnie blue ee,
As it sighed and looked sad for Australia."
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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stratum
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| n.地层，社会阶层 | |
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tantalizing
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| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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holders
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| 支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物 | |
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underlie
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| v.位于...之下，成为...的基础 | |
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shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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vituperative
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| adj.谩骂的；斥责的 | |
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plying
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| 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 | |
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15
refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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16
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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17
crucible
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| n.坩锅，严酷的考验 | |
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18
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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19
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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20
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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21
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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22
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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23
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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24
affinity
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| n.亲和力，密切关系 | |
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25
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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26
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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27
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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28
vat
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| n.(=value added tax)增值税，大桶 | |
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29
residue
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| n.残余，剩余，残渣 | |
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30
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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31
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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32
overdue
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| adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的 | |
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33
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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34
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
congregate
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| v.(使)集合，聚集 | |
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36
lumbering
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| n.采伐林木 | |
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37
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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38
ambling
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的现在分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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39
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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40
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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41
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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42
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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43
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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44
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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45
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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46
pegs
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| n.衣夹( peg的名词复数 )；挂钉；系帐篷的桩；弦钮v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的第三人称单数 )；使固定在某水平 | |
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47
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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48
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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49
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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50
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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51
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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52
baboon
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| n.狒狒 | |
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53
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；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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54
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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55
enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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56
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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57
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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58
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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59
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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60
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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61
braggart
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| n.吹牛者；adj.吹牛的，自夸的 | |
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62
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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63
jaded
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| adj.精疲力竭的；厌倦的；（因过饱或过多而）腻烦的；迟钝的 | |
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64
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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65
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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66
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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67
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
plumb
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| adv.精确地，完全地；v.了解意义，测水深 | |
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69
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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70
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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71
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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72
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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73
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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74
bonanza
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| n.富矿带，幸运，带来好运的事 | |
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75
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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76
eyelid
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| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
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77
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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78
malevolence
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| n.恶意，狠毒 | |
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79
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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80
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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81
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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82
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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83
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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84
mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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85
marvelled
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| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
blustered
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| v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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87
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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88
serenity
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| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
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89
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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90
wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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91
butts
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| 笑柄( butt的名词复数 )； （武器或工具的）粗大的一端； 屁股； 烟蒂 | |
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92
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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93
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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94
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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95
ponderously
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96
warded
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| 有锁孔的，有钥匙榫槽的 | |
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97
concussion
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| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
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98
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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99
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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100
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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101
impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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102
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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103
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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104
disdaining
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| 鄙视( disdain的现在分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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105
octopus
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| n.章鱼 | |
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106
spurted
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| （液体，火焰等）喷出，（使）涌出( spurt的过去式和过去分词 )； （短暂地）加速前进，冲刺 | |
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107
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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108
gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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109
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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110
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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111
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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112
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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113
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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114
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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115
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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116
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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117
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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118
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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119
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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120
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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121
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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122
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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123
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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124
prancing
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
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125
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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126
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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127
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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128
erecting
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的现在分词 )；建立 | |
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129
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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130
excavating
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| v.挖掘( excavate的现在分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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131
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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132
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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133
mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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134
crucibles
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| n.坩埚，严酷的考验（ crucible的名词复数 ） | |
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135
persistency
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| n. 坚持(余辉, 时间常数) | |
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136
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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137
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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138
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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139
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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140
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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141
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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142
mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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143
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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144
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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145
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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146
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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147
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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148
dolorously
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| adj. 悲伤的；痛苦的；悲哀的；阴沉的 | |
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149
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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150
repertoire
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| n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表 | |
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151
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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152
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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153
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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154
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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155
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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156
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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157
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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158
raucous
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| adj.(声音)沙哑的，粗糙的 | |
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159
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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160
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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161
grooved
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| v.沟( groove的过去式和过去分词 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏 | |
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162
blistered
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| adj.水疮状的，泡状的v.（使）起水泡( blister的过去式和过去分词 )；（使表皮等）涨破，爆裂 | |
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163
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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164
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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165
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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166
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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167
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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168
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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169
musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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170
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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171
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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172
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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173
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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174
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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175
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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176
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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177
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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178
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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179
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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180
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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181
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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182
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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183
arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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184
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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185
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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186
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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187
slash
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| vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩 | |
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