The weather had been excessively hot since the Shadow left, and this fact had done much to restore the spirits of the gang, for, judging from their own feelings, they considered that the energy of Mackay's messenger would be spent long before he could hope to reach the township. At the Golden Promise the windlass was deserted13, and the red symbol hung limp overhead. But it was not lack of energy that had occasioned this[Pg 132] apparent lapse14 of duty. Mackay and Jack15 had been in the tent all morning watching Bob's final experiments with the refractory16 clay formation which were to decide whether or no the great bulk of the Flat's treasure could be saved to them. Bob's head was now quite better, but prolonged study in a clime which is not adapted for acute mental effort had made his young face appear drawn17 and haggard, yet his eyes shone with the light of enthusiasm as he busied himself with his rather crude appliances and set them in order for a last conclusive18 test. Mackay had hastily constructed a small vat19 for him, made from the hardest wood to be found in the bush, with an overflow20 tap some halfway21 up its height. This the young chemist now quarter filled with the crushed compound to be tested, and made up the level with water, to which he afterwards added some salt.
"It will ensure its conductivity," he explained; but neither Mackay nor Jack were much enlightened, so they held their peace. Next a rubber tube, with an oddly-conceived wooden shield on its exposed extremity22 was thrust into the receptacle, then a small bottle containing some liquid which bubbled and effervesced23 alarmingly, was brought forward, and its loose nozzle connected to the free end of the tube.
"A simple method of generating hydrogen," said Bob dreamily, "just iron pebbles24 and very dilute25 sulphuric acid." Mackay ventured a non-committal grunt26, but Jack's face now showed keen appreciation27. Lastly the two wires of a very small electric battery—Bob's own manufacture—were connected to corresponding metallic28 sheets lining29 the opposing ends of the vat. "That is merely as an added assistance to help the decomposing30 of the stuff into its[Pg 133] elements," muttered Bob; then he fixed31 the nozzle of the hydrogen generator32 tightly and stepped back.
At once a gurgling boiling sound arose from the vat, and its contents swelled33 up in bubbling circles of slime and soapy ooze34. Mackay, obeying a motion from Bob, hastily pulled out the overflow tap, and so caused the more solid matter within to subside35. Again Bob loaded the vat, and again Mackay allowed the foaming36 mass to overflow, and never a word was spoken. The operation was repeated until fully2 a hundredweight of the refractory substance had been utilized38, and by this time the floor of the tent was aswim with the dense39 oily scum let loose.
"That should be enough to calculate on," said Bob. "And now comes the crucial point." He undid40 all connections and handed the muddy box to Mackay, who took it silently, and emptied the coarse sandy residue41 into an awaiting gold-pan.
"It's lost its puggy nature, anyway," he commented, pouring on it some water from a kerosene42 tin. He gave the pan a rapid swirl43, then an oblique44 turn, and gasped45. The bottom of the basin was literally46 covered with a thin film of the finest imaginable golden grains, which blazed and sparkled in the penetrating47 sunlight!
Bob looked and heaved a sigh of profound thankfulness. Jack looked, and celebrated48 his joy by whooping49 like a red Indian. Mackay looked and looked, indeed, he did not once take his eyes off the dazzling spectacle. Bob guessed his fears, and at once dispersed50 them.
"It's the genuine article this time," he said with assurance. "If it was going to melt away it would have done so in the acid solution; but the fact is it has just[Pg 134] been set free from the solution, and so is now as stable and tangible51 as the sands of the desert."
The rough, horny handed pioneer set the pan down on the floor, and wiped the beaded perspiration52 from his forehead, then he reached out his great fist and took Bob's hand in a fervent53 grasp.
"It's no' often I have to acknowledge a better man than mysel'," he said grimly; "but I must admit you've knocked the wind clean out o' me wi' this grand process o' yours. Why, my laddie, it means fortune for you in the years to come, an ever growin' fortune, for ye can charge what ye like for your discovery. An' you little mair than a youngster, too! Man, Bob, you've got a held that any professor might well envy."
Bob laughed right heartily54 as he returned the elder man's grip. The tension on his nerves had gone, and he felt almost constrained55, like Jack, to shout in his gladness.
"If it means fortune, I shall refuse to take more than my third of it," he said, with grave emphasis. "This is a partnership56 affair. I'd rather break the whole concern up now than make a halfpenny that you two didn't share." Then he gave utterance57 to a firm, fixed belief, which had done much to sustain him during his intricate studies of the deceptive58 formation. "As for my youth," he continued, with a smile, and addressing himself more directly to Mackay, "I won't allow that that should entitle me to any credit, for the same brain is with us always, and, surely, when it is young, and fully developed, it should be able to grasp and evolve theories which, when older, it would hesitate to accept. The beaten track is so hard to forsake59 when one grows old in text-book experience. If the ordinary science professor came along here now and[Pg 135] examined my theories concerning this stuff and its treatment, without being shown their proof in practice, he would call them absurd and irrational60. And why? Because I have gone wide of all precedent61 and text-book knowledge, and treated the compound for gold in an unstable62 state, and in that unstable state it is not supposed to exist." The young man spoke37 clearly and logically, yet with an unusual twinkle in his keen blue eyes.
When he had finished, Mackay ventured a word of admonition.
"Too much study when the brain is young, Bob," said he, "is vera dangerous indeed, though I quite agree wi' you in your line o' argument. Young genius, hooever, blossoms an' dees like the flowers of the spring—they never reach their summer; so the auld63 fossilized, follow-my-leader blockheads exist and flourish an' are aye wi' us. But I'll see that ye dinna work oot any more scientific problems for a bit. It'll be a grand relaxation64 after this for you to study the beauties o' Nature as shown in the Never Never country back here." He laughed sardonically65, and waved his hand towards the unknown east.
"I'll be with you whenever you are ready," answered Bob, eagerly.
"And I'll bet you won't shake me out of it," spoke up Jack; and Mackay was comforted.
The sound of approaching footsteps was now heard outside the tent. Mackay hastily seized the gold pan, and placed it out of sight.
"Not a word aboot the discovery," he advised. "It will keep for a bit, until we hear what Macguire's tactics are."
A second more, and Emu Bill popped his head inside.[Pg 136] "Hang ye, Mac," said he, "I've nearly burst myself hollerin' down that shaft12 o' yours. I didn't think you'd be loafin' round at this time o' day, I didn't."
"What's that you've got in your fist?" asked Mackay, evading66 all explanations, and glancing at a huge, greyish fragment which Emu Bill was carrying abstractedly about.
"Oh—that? That's another specimen67 I wanted to show ye. The gold in it fairly howled at me down the shaft; but there ain't enough in it now to fill a muskittie's eye. All my wash has made into the humbuggin' stuff now. I'll have to give it best, boys, I will."
The resigned melancholy68 of his voice worked strangely on the feelings of Bob and Jack, and they gazed questioningly at Mackay, who nodded.
"Ay, show it to him, Bob," said he. "I think the Emu kens69 well enough hoo to haud his tongue."
"My goodness, mates," faltered70 Bill, in an awed71 whisper, when he saw the pan, "that is an almighty72 fine prospect73. I reckon it must be twenty-ounce stuff. Where in thunder did ye get it?"
"It came from your shaft, Emu," said Bob. "It's the same deceiving miradgy humbugging material as that you've got in your hand. I've just found out how to bring back the gold after it fades away."
Emu Bill stared in amazement74. "Will somebody kindly75 kick me?" he murmured feebly. "Is my sight goin' back on me again, or is it a real honest fact that hits me on the optic nerve?"
But he was soon led to understand that the gold in the pan was no delusion76 of the senses—that it was indeed a solid, substantial quantity.
[Pg 137]
"I takes off my hat to you, Bob," he said, with a little catch in his usually strong voice; and he suited the action to the word. "This'll mean new life to the whole Flat; an' I hope it'll spell fortune to you, my lad. What a pity Macguire's crowd got hitched77 on alongside the Golden Promise. They'll hit it every time, most likely; an', hang me! if they deserve it."
"We'll keep quiet aboot this discovery until we see how the bold Macguire tackles on to the mirage78," said Mackay. "The meeserable thief may have jumped our ground in the Warden79's office, for a' we know."
Emu Bill grasped the situation at once. "I'm a thick-head," said he. "Of course that bounder doesn't know; an' he won't know from me nuther. Mums the word, it is; an' what a howlin' joy it will be to see Macguire clutch on to the mirage. But I'll bet my boots, Mac, that the Shadow has busted80 up his claim-jumping game. I knows the young beggar, I does."
"An' so do I," said Mackay. "But I'll no blame him all the same if he canna accomplish the impossible."
It was now well after midday, and Emu Bill departed to prepare his lunch.
"I guess it's about time we had something to eat too," said Jack, who had been of that opinion for over an hour, and the three sallied out.
Jack was an expert at boiling the billy and making tea, and Mackay had a wonderful knowledge of the art of bush cookery, so that between them they always contrived81 to make a fairly palatable82 repast, notwithstanding the unvaried nature of their stores. Bob generally carried the water, or unearthed83 from their hiding-place the few enamelled cups and plates necessary; but, as he said[Pg 138] himself, his assistance in matters culinary would never have been missed. On this occasion he amused himself taking altitudes of the sun with his cherished sextant, while his companions attended to the more practical affairs. In one direction—slightly north of west from the camp—the open desert could be traced without interruption in the shape of scrub or hillocks, until it merged84 into the distant horizon. Bob had discovered this two days before, when he first endeavoured to make use of Mackay's gift, and he knew that it was just about one o'clock in the afternoon that the sextant reflectors would bring the sun down to this level line, and so give a true declination without the use of an artificial horizon. He ogled85 away in this direction now, keeping time by Mackay's old but trusty chronometer86 which lay on the sand before him, until Jack's call of "tucker"—which is the bush synonym87 for all sorts and conditions of meals—caused him to seek his wonted place at the open-air table.
"There is a dot or speck88 on the sky-line which I can't make out," he said, placing the sextant down carefully at his side. "I don't remember of it being there yesterday."
"Perhaps it's a tree grown up like Jonah's gourd," laughed Jack. "Have some more tea, Bob; and you'll see two trees next time you look!"
A little later Mackay lolled back in lazy satisfaction. "I believe," he said with a chuckle89, "that I'm just in the mood to gie ye another verse o' 'The Muskittie's Lament90.' I see Jack's no feenished, so I'll be sure o' him listening to my masterpiece this time." He lifted up his voice and sent forth91 a doleful wail92 as a preliminary; then, noting the grieved countenances93 of his audience,[Pg 139] he relented. "I'll get my flute94 an' play ye a bit frae the 'Bohemian Girl' instead. I'm no' so sure that I could tackle that high note in 'The Muskittie's Lament' on a fu' stomach."
He arose and walked to the tent, returning almost immediately with his instrument. But before he sat down his eye happened to glance over the unbroken track towards the west, and a frown settled over his features.
"Your obstruction95 on the sky-line was a man on horseback, Bob," said he; "I hope he's no' another professional fighter, wha wants me to chastise96 him into a humbler spirit."
Since the arrival of Macguire's party a further influx97 from the outside world had been daily expected, for news of gold "strikes" travels quickly, and the sudden exodus98 of nearly a dozen men from a comparatively small centre could only be construed99 in one way. Therefore, little more than passing interest was paid to the approaching horseman, who was yet a considerable way off, and Mackay, squatting100 down on the sand, blew at his flute right merrily, and promptly101 forgot all about him. The boys, too, quickly became enthralled102 with his melody, though with them there was always the shivering dread103 that the flautist would burst into song, and so break the spell that bound them. Many and various were the airs he played, but at last he sought solace104 in the old Scotch105 song, "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon," and the feeling which he managed to infuse into the instrument was simply wonderful.
"Ay, my lads," said Mackay, when he had finished, "there's naething like the auld Scots sangs for awakenin'[Pg 140] kindly memories o' the land we're aye so glad to get away from. I'm no so sure, mind you, that it isna good fur us whiles to have a wholesome106, tender sentiment gruppin' at the strings107 o' oor cauld hearts, an' playing strange music thereon; it straightens oor backs, an' gies us a grander sympathy——"
He ceased his flow of eloquence108, and assumed a listening attitude of intense eagerness. Faintly over the plains had come the sound of a voice raised in cheerful song.
"Our visitor seems in a happy mood," said Bob, turning to look.
Mackay grunted109, Jack laughed outright110, for distinctly through the still air came the staccato refrain—
"A—bright—wee—muskittie—sat—on—a—tree."
The horseman was coming forward at an easy trot111, jerking out the plaintive112 strains of Mackay's pet ditty to the novel time of his steed's clattering113 hoof-beats. As yet he was too far distant to be plainly distinguishable, but the song was enough for Mackay.
"It's that confounded Shadow wha's murderin' that bonnie verse," said he; "but how in the name o' goodness can he be back already? An' he's got a horse, too. A good hundred and fifty miles in three days. Well, well——"
At this stage, Nuggety Dick, Emu Bill, Dead Broke Dan, and Never Never Dave made their hasty appearance, all in a state of extreme excitement.
"I do believe it's the Shadow!" cried Nuggety.
"It's the Shad, right enough," grinned Jack; "don't you hear him?"
[Pg 141]
Louder swelled the melancholy chorus—
"A bright wee muskittie——"
"Confound that pestilential muskittie!" roared Mackay, in high dudgeon, amid the laughter of his companions. "My poetic114 inspiration will be fair destroyed after hearin' my gem115 o' beauty abused in such a manner."
But his wrath116 simmered down speedily as the redoubtable117 Shadow rode up, travel-stained and weary, his sole upper vestment still further torn and bedraggled, so that it clung to him only in shreds118 and patches.
"I reckon I has had a daisy time," he said lightly, slipping from the saddle. But the effort of his long journey had told on his numbed119 limbs, and he staggered and would have fallen had not Mackay's ready grip supported him.
"Come and have something to eat, you young rascal," said the aggrieved120 composer. "You can tell us your news afterwards."
Jack even now had tea ready for the wayfarer121, but the wiry youth refused to be pampered122.
"Well, boss," said he, "I'm only a bit stiff, that's all. Everything's all right. I got in ahead o' Macguire by an hour, an' fixed up with the Warden like a streak123. I has had a great time——" And he would have begun a narration124 of his experiences right then, had not Jack insisted on his having his tea while it was warm.
It would be difficult to express the satisfaction that was felt over the Shadow's successful journey, and when the lad had finished his meal, and told of his numerous adventures on the route and in the township, not one among them but felt that the young bushman had proved his worth in no[Pg 142] uncertain degree. But it was Mackay's hearty125 "Well done, my laddie," that seemed to give him greatest pleasure, and he cast about him for some means of showing his gladness.
"I was practisin' your song as I came along," he announced brightly. "It's a rattlin' fine song, it is. I like it best where the muskittie——"
He opened his mouth for a preparatory howl, then, noting the stern glance cast at him by the man he desired to propitiate126, he subsided127 in dismay.
"Ye dinna need to intensify128 your original offence, young man," quoth the aggrieved one, solemnly. "I heard ye slaughterin' that puir wee muskittie about a mile off. There's an auld and true proverb which says: 'Fools rush in whaur angels fear to pit doon their feet.' Are ye no aware that that song is set for an angelic tenor129 voice like mine, an' no at a' suited for that bark o' yours, which is like the laboured croak130 o' a burst bassoon? Never mind," he continued magnanimously, "I'll forgie ye, an' I'll mak' ye up a touching131 wee song for yersel' some o' these days."
The culprit shuddered132 at the terrible threat, then hastily departed with Bob and Jack to talk of subjects more pleasing to their common fancy.
All this time Macguire's motley crew had been eyeing the group from the vantage-point of one of their shafts, and that their feelings were anything but pleasurable was very plainly evident. They could not understand the early return of the messenger, but they guessed correctly enough that he must in some way have baulked their chief's plans, and their disappointment was keen.
Events in the history of Golden Flat happened quickly[Pg 143] now. Early next morning, Jackson, of the Exchange Hotel, weighed in with several horses and a buggy. He was accompanied by three well-known prospectors133, whom Mackay and his companions welcomed heartily.
"We need a few decent miners here badly," said he to them. "Just peg134 out at the end o' the lead; your chances are pretty good there yet." To Jackson he whispered a word of advice. "I've an idea," said he, mysteriously, "that the ground next the Golden Promise will be abandoned in a day or so. I should like to do ye a good turn, if only because o' your kindness to the Shadow, so I'm givin' ye the hint."
A suggestion on such an important matter connected with a new field was as good as a law unto Jackson.
"I'll wait about then, Mac," said he, "and if I can do anything in your interest afterwards, you can bet your shirt it shall be done."
Another day brought a fresh number of excited gold-seekers to the Flat, and then they came so regularly that a plainly marked track quickly connected the camp with Kalgoorlie. Before the week was out, the population of Golden Flat had increased to a hundred, and still gaunt, bearded miners came trooping in, and spread themselves promiscuously135 throughout the surrounding country in the hope of being able to catch on to the invisible channel. Some arrived on foot, many having merely the uppers of their boots left to them, on reaching their destination; and to see these men marching stubbornly onward136 over the burning desert, carrying their entire paraphernalia137 on their backs, and their eyes agleam with hungry desire, affected138 Bob strangely. His extremely sensitive nature quailed139 at the thought of such indomitable energy being rewarded[Pg 144] only by bitter disappointment, for he knew well that only a small proportion of their number could hope to benefit. Buggies, bicycles, and horses all rolled up; and then came a great heavy waggon140, drawn by a tugging141, straining camel team. It stopped opposite the Golden Promise mine, and one of the twain who accompanied it, a lean and lanky142 corrugated-faced individual, stepped forward and interviewed Mackay.
"Any use stickin' up a battery here, mate?"
"Well, I calculate between us we can give you nearly a thousand tons o' wash, but I couldn't promise what more."
"That's good enough for us," responded the sprightly143 battery owner, and he turned to his awaiting companion. "Up she goes, Jim," said he.
They sought a suitable site some little way off, where the chances of striking water at no great depth promised favourably144, and before the day was done Golden Flat battery was almost ready to begin work.
"They'll get a bit o' a shock when they tackle the miradgy clayey stuff," Mackay murmured, as he watched the enterprising builders, "but I don't suppose they'd believe me if I told them about it. Anyhow, we can realize now on what we've got on the surface. For the rest, we must trust to Bob's discovery."
It would be difficult to imagine the metamorphosis the quiet Flat underwent in that short week. Tents scattered145 everywhere, and the air was never free from the shattering roar of exploding gelignite, which indicated how earnestly the new-comers were endeavouring to bottom on their claims.
During this strenuous146 period in the life of the Flat,[Pg 145] work at the Golden Promise mine proceeded surely and steadily147, and the wash-dirt was accumulating in great piles at the shaft head. In view of the watchful148 eyes of a section of the community given to legitimate149 claim jumping, the Shadow had gone back to his own workings, where, by the occasional assistance of Emu Bill, he succeeded in excavating150 his ground to excellent purpose. Bob now took his old place in the subterranean151 chamber152 of the mine, though Mackay was loth indeed to permit it.
"I would rather see ye riggin' up the process on a big scale," he said. "Still, it's maybe just as well to keep it quiet for a bit, until we see what happens when the loafing gang next us bottoms on the mirage."
Bob thought so too. His sympathies were all indeed with the hard-working miners who were battling away so persistently153 at the remote ends of the Flat; but to confer a benefit on the men who would so meanly have stolen his own and companions' holdings! It was scarcely natural that he should view such an idea with any favour, especially when there were many honest toilers around who might have a chance to secure a portion of the ground held by the gang should they decide to abandon it, for their pegs154 confined a nine-man allotment, an area which, with the claims of their own party, practically covered the known auriferous ground of the Flat.
"If the beggars once bottomed on that deceptive compound," said he, grimly, to himself, "I don't think they would wait much longer. The gold that vanisheth would be too much for them."
But Macguire's satellites in no way hurried the sinking of their many shafts, indeed, it soon became[Pg 146] apparent that they were rather retarding155 operations for a purpose. Jack was one of the first to notice this odd dilatoriness156.
"They've had three misfires in the shaft next to us to-day," said he, as Mackay and Bob emerged from their labours one evening. Jack had been on windlass duty, and so from his high post could not fail to observe the progress made during the day on the mines in his near vicinity.
"I wonder what they are up to?" remarked Bob, thoughtfully. "They ought to have bottomed some days ago, judging by the level and trend of the drift in the Golden Promise."
But their scheme was simple enough, as it turned out. Jackson unconsciously explained it away that same night while he was talking to Bob by the camp-fire.
"Your neighbours have offered to sell me one of their claims for ￡1000," said he. "They haven't struck the wash yet, but they say, judgin' from your ore on the surface, theirs must be as good, if not better, when they hit it."
"Oh, that's their idea, is it?" commented Mackay, who had been listening. "I'm no' denyin' that it's a good plan in some cases for both sides, an' I believe they are perfectly157 honest accordin' to their calculations, but——"
He shook his head decisively.
"Why, what do you think is the matter?" asked Jackson. "Haven't they a good chance of striking the channel?"
Mackay laughed. "They'll hit the channel plumb158 enough," said he; then he hesitated. "You haven't been[Pg 147] down our shaft yet?" he added. "But I'll take you below in the morning, and show ye something that'll surprise you. You're no' half a bad sort, Jackson, and you and me have worked together before, otherwise I wouldna say a single word aboot the concern, though I admit freely I have no goodwill159 towards the meeserable crowd next to us."
The tactics of the objectionable party were, after all, but the tactics of the non-mining element on all goldfields, who invariably prefer to sell a chance rather than take even remote risk of disaster. The true gold-miner is built differently; to him his chance is everything, the whole glamour160 of his life lies in its tantalizing161 uncertainty162, and poor and needy163 though he may be, he must pursue Nature's elusive164 treasure to the end, be it bitter or sweet.
A fortnight had elapsed since the Shadow's return, and Golden Flat thrived and grew apace. The crashing rattle165 of the ever-active stamping-battery made day and night alike hideous166. A saw-mill, too, had appeared on the scene, and its characteristic din was added to the prevailing167 discords168. Deep wells had been sunk, tapping only strongly brackish169 water, but a condensing plant was almost immediately established to purify this sufficiently170 for culinary purposes, and the far-seeing proprietor171 was reaping a goodly harvest from the sale of the warm fluid, sparingly dispensed172 at a shilling a gallon.
From the Golden Promise mine, nearly two hundred tons of the valuable wash had been raised to the surface and this was being regularly conveyed to the greedy battery, which consumed it at the rate of twenty tons a day, and rendered the resultant bullion173 to the happy[Pg 148] owners of the mine. But the partners of the Golden Promise knew well that their claim would yield little more of the same material; another fifty tons at the utmost was Mackay's computation, and then—then the deceptive under-stratum would have to be considered. Meanwhile, the news of the Golden Promise's richness spread like wildfire throughout the Flat; the battery returns on the first day of treatment gave the exceptionally high result of one hundred and twenty ounces of gold from the twenty tons of ore crushed.
"That means, wi' gold at ￡4 an ounce, ￡480 between the three o' us, my lads," said Mackay, when he heard the news. "An' we can calculate on twelve times that amount afore we're on to the mirage stuff."
"How does that compare with our home earnings174, Jack?" laughed Bob.
"I think the steam yacht is coming a bit nearer," admitted that youth, lightly. "But," and his voice grew sorrowful, "isn't it a pity that we haven't two or three thousand tons——"
"Now, now, young 'un," Mackay interrupted sternly, "you must never give way to useless reflections. What is, is, and let us be thankful. The future is before ye, my lad, look to it for your Eldorado."
"After all," reasoned Bob, "we are never really contented175. Our ideas of happiness seem to change so much; we are always seeking what we imagine to be a definite object, and when we reach it, another and apparently176 far greater incentive177 beckons178 us on—on to what?"
"There you go," grumbled179 Jack, "preaching a first-class sermon when we ought to be slogging away down in the shaft."
[Pg 149]
Bob started to his feet at once. "I clean forgot, Jack," said he; "your mention of the steam yacht which we used to talk about in the old days set me thinking."
They disappeared together, engaged in earnest conversation. A rough ladder-way had been fixed in the shaft by this time, so that it was not necessary for the windlass to be called into requisition every time an ascent180 or descent was made. Mackay, who had just been returning from his labours below when he received the information about the battery results, sat musing181 on the edge of his bunk182 for some minutes after the boys had departed. Bob's words had aroused in him a strange feeling of restlessness and discontent, which, try as he might, he could not shake off.
"It's the call of the Never Never gripping me again," he muttered hoarsely183. "I wonder what great secret that terrible country holds as a recompense for all the lives it has taken. Is it only a shadow that attracts, after all?"
He arose wearily, and went back to the shaft he had so recently vacated, and, notwithstanding the protests of his young associates, took up his pick and worked with fierce energy.
"It's a wee bit o' mental depression that's dropped on me sudden-like," explained he; "an' there's nothing like hard graft184 for bringing the balance true quickly."
The time passed, and still he smote185 away with untiring persistency186. Then Jack seized the pick from his hand.
"It's time to go aloft and have supper," said he, "then I want to hear you play the flute for a bit. I'm just dying to hear some decent music."
Mackay smiled kindly at the boy. "You've hit me on my tender spot," he made reply. "Do you think you could appreciate 'The Muskittie's Lament' the nicht?"
"Even 'The Muskittie's Lament,'" Jack added valorously.
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scintillating
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| adj．才气横溢的,闪闪发光的; 闪烁的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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shimmered
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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brawny
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doggedly
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gravel
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din
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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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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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15
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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16
refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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17
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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18
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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19
vat
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| n.(=value added tax)增值税，大桶 | |
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20
overflow
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| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
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21
halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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22
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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23
effervesced
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| v.冒气泡，起泡沫( effervesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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25
dilute
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| vt.稀释，冲淡；adj.稀释的，冲淡的 | |
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26
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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27
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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28
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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29
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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30
decomposing
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| 腐烂( decompose的现在分词 )； （使）分解； 分解（某物质、光线等） | |
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31
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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32
generator
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| n.发电机，发生器 | |
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33
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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34
ooze
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| n.软泥，渗出物；vi.渗出，泄漏；vt.慢慢渗出，流露 | |
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35
subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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36
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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37
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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38
utilized
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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40
Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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41
residue
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| n.残余，剩余，残渣 | |
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42
kerosene
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| n.(kerosine)煤油，火油 | |
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43
swirl
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| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
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44
oblique
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| adj.斜的，倾斜的，无诚意的，不坦率的 | |
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45
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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46
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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47
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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48
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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49
whooping
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| 发嗬嗬声的，发咳声的 | |
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50
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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51
tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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52
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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53
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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54
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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55
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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56
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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57
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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58
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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59
forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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60
irrational
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| adj.无理性的，失去理性的 | |
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61
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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62
unstable
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| adj.不稳定的，易变的 | |
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63
auld
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| adj.老的，旧的 | |
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64
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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65
sardonically
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| adv.讽刺地，冷嘲地 | |
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66
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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67
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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68
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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69
kens
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| vt.知道（ken的第三人称单数形式） | |
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70
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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71
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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73
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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74
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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75
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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76
delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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77
hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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78
mirage
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| n.海市蜃楼，幻景 | |
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79
warden
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| n.监察员，监狱长，看守人，监护人 | |
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80
busted
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| adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词 | |
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81
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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82
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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83
unearthed
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| 出土的（考古） | |
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84
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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85
ogled
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
chronometer
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| n.精密的计时器 | |
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87
synonym
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| n.同义词，换喻词 | |
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88
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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89
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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90
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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91
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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92
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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93
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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94
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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95
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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96
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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97
influx
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| n.流入，注入 | |
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98
exodus
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| v.大批离去，成群外出 | |
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99
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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100
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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101
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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102
enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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103
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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104
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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105
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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106
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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107
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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108
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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109
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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110
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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111
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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112
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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113
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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114
poetic
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| adj.富有诗意的，有诗人气质的，善于抒情的 | |
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115
gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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116
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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117
redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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118
shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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119
numbed
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| v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
aggrieved
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| adj.愤愤不平的，受委屈的；悲痛的；（在合法权利方面）受侵害的v.令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式)；令委屈，令苦恼，侵害( aggrieve的过去式和过去分词) | |
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121
wayfarer
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| n.旅人 | |
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122
pampered
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| adj.饮食过量的，饮食奢侈的v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
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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124
narration
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| n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体 | |
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125
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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126
propitiate
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| v.慰解，劝解 | |
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127
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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128
intensify
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| vt.加强；变强；加剧 | |
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129
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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130
croak
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| vi.嘎嘎叫，发牢骚 | |
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131
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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132
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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133
prospectors
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| n.勘探者，探矿者( prospector的名词复数 ) | |
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134
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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135
promiscuously
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| adv.杂乱地，混杂地 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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137
paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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quailed
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| 害怕，发抖，畏缩( quail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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waggon
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| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
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141
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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142
lanky
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| adj.瘦长的 | |
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143
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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144
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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146
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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147
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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148
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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149
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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excavating
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| v.挖掘( excavate的现在分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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151
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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152
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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154
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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retarding
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| 使减速( retard的现在分词 )； 妨碍； 阻止； 推迟 | |
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156
dilatoriness
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| n.迟缓，拖延 | |
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157
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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plumb
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| adv.精确地，完全地；v.了解意义，测水深 | |
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goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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glamour
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| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
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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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162
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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168
discords
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| 不和（discord的复数形式） | |
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brackish
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| adj.混有盐的；咸的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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bullion
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| n.金条，银条 | |
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earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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177
incentive
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| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
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beckons
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的第三人称单数 ) | |
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179
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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181
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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182
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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183
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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184
graft
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| n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接 | |
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185
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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186
persistency
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| n. 坚持(余辉, 时间常数) | |
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