Mackay had so far led the march, steering3 an approximate course by the sun, but immediately they stopped, he called Bob aside for a conference.
"You see," he said, "when we went out before we started from a more northerly latitude5, an' I calculate we should hit our old track in another hundred and eighty miles if we keep angling in a wee bit north o' east. I've got a copy o' the log up to pretty near the—the finish, an' here's where I think we ought to join on to Bentley's route." He unfolded a long track chart which he carried in his hand; it was made up of several sheets of ordinary note-paper, gummed laterally8 together, and on its much faded surface several inky hieroglyphics9 stood out bravely. He pointed10 to a besmeared cross nearly halfway11 over the chart, and Bob, looking closely, read the printed lettering[Pg 208] beside it: "Fortunate Spring, lat. 28° 17′ 5′′, long. 125° 19′ 6′′."
HE UNFOLDED A LONG TRACK CHART WHICH HE CARRIED IN HIS HAND
"HE UNFOLDED A LONG TRACK CHART WHICH
HE CARRIED IN HIS HAND"
"We are somewhere under the twenty-fifth parallel just now," reflected Bob. "That means we are about 120 miles south of your old track. I'd better draw out our present position on my own chart and mark a compass course for Fortunate Spring."
Mackay looked relieved. "Be vera exact wi' your calculations, my lad," he said earnestly, as he walked away.
Bob took the sun's altitude three times while a hasty lunch was being prepared, and laboriously13 checked each result to five places of decimals, then he carefully marked their temporary camp's position on his still bare chart, and drew a dotted line thence to the location of Fortunate Spring.
"We'll have to travel nor'-east half north to make it," said he.
Mackay nodded cheerfully. "I hope we are lucky in strikin' water," he observed. "About ten days is our stretch without it, for the camels can't stand more, and they can't stand that often either."
"We'll hit it right enough," commented Emu Bill, hopefully.
"If it's in the country, you kin12 bet I'll smell it," grunted15 Never Never. "I'm strong at nosin' out water, I am."
"Oh, after that one hundred and eighty miles, I'll know where we are," said Mackay; "but there's always some little uncertainty16 as we understood from the first, an' it won't be outside o' our calculations if we do go thirsty a bit."
[Pg 209]
"Not a blessed fraction!" cried the Shadow, decanting17 the boiling tea from the billy into the enamelled cups. "Who says sugar? You, Emu? Well, there ain't none; have a try at saccharine18, an' be happy." He gulped19 down his own portion hurriedly, then ran off to round up Fireworks, which was beginning to stray too far from his neighbours, and ten minutes later the expedition was once more on the move.
The next several days passed uneventfully; the same uninspiring desert sands prevailed, and the intense heat haze21 radiating from its shimmering22 surface affected23 the eyes of the travellers, causing them to quiver and blink painfully, while overhead the sun stared down from a cloudless sky. Not a trace of moisture was visible anywhere, certainly no water could exist amid these barren wastes, and all hoped most anxiously that a change in the monotonous24 landscape might soon take place.
"It's a pretty thirsty lookin' start we've made," said Mackay, when a week had elapsed, and they still struggled along ankle deep in the burning sands. Bob was walking by his side keeping an eager eye on what appeared to be a light cloud-patch on the far horizon. He had noticed it for some time, but was unwilling25 to mention his hopes in case they might be doomed27 to early disappointment. Now, however, he felt pretty sure that his eyes had not deceived him.
"There's a belt of timber straight ahead," he announced quietly, after Mackay had spoken. The elder man shifted his gaze somewhat, and with puckered28 eyes surveyed the slight break on the horizon's even curve.
"You're quite richt, Bob," he remarked, with a sigh of relief. "I've been steerin' by the shadow o' the sun[Pg 210] across the camels, an' I've almost mesmerized29 mysel', I think, or I should have seen those trees earlier. It's a hard course for a bushman, Bob, that fractional nor'-easter you gave me."
Emu Bill and Never Never Dave had by this time found it necessary to assist in pulling the camels through the sand. Jack30, leading Misery31, had not much difficulty with his charge, for that wiry animal plodded32 steadily33 onward34 with ponderous35 movement despite all obstacles, but Fireworks was by no means as energetic as he once was, and the Shadow anathematized him roundly as he, with bent6 shoulders, strained at the nose-rope of the reluctant beast, a proceeding36 which the two bushmen had soon to emulate37. Now, when these weary individuals heard of the impending38 change in the land surface, they gave vent20 to their joy in sundry39 whoops40 of delight.
"It looks likely country for water, Mac," cried Never Never, as they drew nearer, and could plainly distinguish the feathery scrub in their course. The sand too as they advanced, hardened considerably41, and here and there great dioritic blows reared their heads above the plain.
"You're right there, Dave," responded Mackay, after a while, "if there's been any rain in the district for the last year or two we ought to find a rock hole—Hillo! Easy boys, and get your rifles ready. I see a wheen niggers dodgin' aboot among the scrub."
"Nigs!" echoed Emu Bill and Never Never almost with one voice. There was an inflection of decided42 pleasure in the exclamation43, as if these two had longed for a skirmish to ease the routine of their journey. Mackay himself seemed in no way displeased44, yet he took care to impress caution on his impetuous associates. "A spear or[Pg 211] boomerang can kill as well's a bullet," he warned, while each man examined his rifle. "Now, Jack, don't be so anxious to get forrit, an' keep on the lee side o' Misery an' no' at his head when we get near."
As yet Bob was unable to distinguish any aborigines among the sparse45 scrub, but as they continued their wary46 advance he soon perceived several dusky forms crouching47 amid the timber, and his heart gave a bound when the savage48 creatures suddenly stood up and united in a shrill49 yell of defiance50. He had never dreamt that these wild denizens51 of the bush could be so hideous52; they seemed more ape than man, their faces were covered by long tangling53 hair black as jet, and only white gleaming eyes were visible; their bodies were repulsively54 scarred and painted. This much Bob had time to notice, then a hail of spears rustled55 out from the scrub, fell short, and buried their barbed tips in the sand at their feet. And now the bush seemed alive with blacks; uncouth56 forms sprang from the side of each tiny sapling where they had been standing57 motionless, and harsh guttural screams filled the air.
"They're a bit more numerous than I thought," muttered Mackay, calling a halt, "an' I've an idea that if we dinna rush them pretty quick, they'll rush us. Now, Jack, swing Misery round an' let him stand, then grab your rifle." Jack obeyed promptly58, and at that moment another shower of spears hurtled overhead.
"By gum!" growled59 Never Never, "they'll get our range next try."
"They're comin' for us now, I reckon!" cried the Shadow, and of that there could be no doubt; the shrieking60 horde61 had evidently decided to exterminate62 the invaders63 of[Pg 212] their domain64 without further delay. On they came, brandishing65 their waddies and boomerangs, a compact mass of blood-thirsty black fury.
"Now, boys!" roared Mackay, "Aim low and stop them." A thunderous discharge followed his words, and six rifles spat66 out their leaden challenge to the foe67. The wonderful din7 created by the exploding cordite apparently68 stupefied the blacks for a moment; they ceased their wild rush, and gazed with astonishment69 at those of their number who had fallen. Despite Mackay's oft-repeated animosity towards the aborigines in general, he could not countenance70 wholesale71 slaughter72. "They're a poor lot, boys," said he; yet even while he commiserated73 with them the savages74 joined in another determined75 rush. There must have been over twenty of them, and so impetuously did they come that they were within twenty yards of the white defenders76 before a second volley made them hesitate, and even now they did not all stop; a few stalwart warriors77 kept on their mad course, and hurled78 themselves almost upon the reeking79 rifle muzzles80. If the attack had been made in full force things would have gone hard with the expedition. As it was, however, the little group had no difficulty in beating back the frenzied81 band. The Shadow and Jack were in their element; they little recked of danger when plying82 their heated weapons, though the vengeful club of one of the natives had missed Jack's head by little more than a hair's breadth, and the Shadow's face had been severely83 gashed84 by a flying boomerang. Bob could not fail to observe how serious matters would have been had the natives made their onrush in skirmishing order; their close blocked formation made it impossible for even the most random85 shots to miss their billet, and[Pg 213] now as the savage and discomfited86 creatures sullenly87 withdrew, they dragged with them many maimed and wounded comrades.
"I can't understand why the beggars are so stupid," said Bob, watching the last of them disappear in the distance.
"Ye may learn more o' their tactics before our journey is finished," Mackay observed quietly; "at the same time, there is a wonderful difference among the tribes, an' that is where the explorer's danger lies. He may judge from a nomadic88 spiritless lot which he may chance to meet that a' natives are the same, and he may gie his life for the mistake later on."
By this time the team was again on the move, and within a few minutes a halt was made in the densest89 part of the scrub, while Never Never and Emu Bill searched around for water. But the search was vain, no welcome spring or rock-hole could be found, and a heavy gloom began to affect the spirits of the party whose hopes had been raised so high only to be thus rudely dashed. Even Mackay, usually most cheerful in times of stress and danger, looked grave as he reflected upon their somewhat unenviable position. He knew what the others had not calculated upon. He knew that the camels were already at their last extremity90 of endurance; accustomed as they had been while at Golden Flat to drink every few days, they had not absorbed their full supply before starting. Misery alone, hardened veteran of many desert journeys that he was, had drunk his fill, and now his great reserve of strength showed plainly over the other beasts.
"I reckon them nigs had a mighty91 cheek to make such a howlin' fight for nothin'," complained the Shadow. "One[Pg 214] would have thought they was protectin' a lake o' cool crystal water——"
"Slow up on that, Shad, or I'll squelch92 ye wi' an empty water-bag," warned Emu Bill, who could not stand reference to such an unlimited93 supply of the precious fluid at this moment.
"There must be water about, all the same," said Bob. "These natives, I suppose, get thirsty, like other people. I'm off to have a look round myself," and he sped away.
"Be vera careful, Bob, be careful——"
But Bob was already out of earshot, pursuing a dogged course eastward94 in the wake of the retreating blacks. In his hand he grasped a heavy Colt revolver, which he had extricated95 from the holster on his belt. A wild idea had seized him; he meant, if possible, to capture one of the blacks and make him disclose the treasure they had guarded so fiercely. It was a foolhardy plan which had so hastily formulated96 in his brain, and in his calmer moments Bob would have been quick to realize what a desperate venture was that which he had now so lightly undertaken. But the urgent necessity of finding water was powerfully impressed upon him, and caution for the time being was thrown to the winds. Eagerly he rushed along, and in a few minutes had passed out of sight of his companions; then suddenly two ebony-skinned warriors barred his path; he had blundered right on to them by the merest accident. At a glance he saw that they were armed with waddies and boomerangs only, their spears having probably been discharged in the fray97 from which they had fled. Yet a waddie at close quarters is no mean weapon, and Bob pulled himself up promptly, and with a stern smile levelled his revolver. His astonishment was[Pg 215] great when, with a curious gurgle of mingled98 surprise and fear, the dusky twain dropped their weapons and incontinently fled before him. And now Bob's heart was filled with wrath99 because of the cowardice100 of the pair. Had they only waited and surrendered quietly to his request—though how he could have made them understand his wishes he did not stop to think—all might have been well. With scarce a pause he gave chase, covering the ground in long impetuous strides, but it soon became evident that unless something unforeseen occurred to check the flight of the fugitives101, he could never hope to overtake them. On they sped, clearing the sand in great bounds, even stopping at intervals102 to gaze back at their pursuer. Bob's chagrin103 was deep, and he sent one or two revolver bullets crashing after the disappearing couple which had the effect of making them run the faster, while far in the rear the excited cries of his anxious comrades showed that they were now concerning themselves over his prolonged absence.
Yet the ardour of the pursuit had taken possession of Bob; with a mighty effort he managed to quicken his pace so that he actually drew up considerably on the fleet-footed pair—scarce fifty yards divided them. "Another spurt104 and I've got them," thought Bob, and he clenched105 his teeth and strove boldly in the attempt. Now thirty yards only separated them, now twenty, now ten. Bob chuckled106 grimly to himself at the prospect107 of after all being successful in the chase, and stretched out his hand, then in an instant the hitherto level course came to an abrupt108 stop, a layer of branches and spinifex grass spread right across the track. The blacks had cleared it at a leap, but before Bob had time to prepare for a spring he had staggered into the midst of the cut[Pg 216] brushwood, and at once felt himself sinking down into space. It all occurred in a second or so. He clutched wildly at the pigmy branches as he descended109 through them, but they broke in his hands, and with a rush and a plunge110 he fell downwards111 into an unknown depth.
When he recovered himself, about a minute later, he became aware that he was standing, considerably shaken and bruised112, waist deep in some semi-solid fluid at the bottom of a natural shaft113, which he mentally calculated to be at least twenty feet deep. He had found water for a surety, and now would have given much to get out of its slimy embrace, but the steep dioritic walls were quite unscalable. Bob was hopelessly a prisoner. Then did he blame himself most bitterly for his mistaken ardour and lack of perception. The wily natives had but pretended to be overcome at the last wild rush so as to lead him directly over the subterranean114 trap.
"Mackay was certainly right," he muttered. "Their cunning is nothing short of devilish; and after being told of that, here I go like a fool and prove it for myself."
He had little time, however, for unprofitable moralizings, and he peered up and around his strange prison-house with anxious eyes, yet his surroundings were of so murky115 a nature that he could only vaguely116 guess the description of the trap into which he had fallen. His gaze was instinctively117 directed toward the gaping118 hole in the brushwood through which he had fallen, though what he expected to see there he did not very well know. But he now realized the nature of the blacks too fully14 to believe for a moment that they intended to leave him to his fate without further molestation119.
"Why, the water is bad enough as it is," he said,[Pg 217] with a forced attempt at pleasantry. "They'll certainly come to fish me out before long."
He had not been in his awkward predicament many minutes when a black grinning face stared down at him. Bob shuddered120 and crouched121 closer to the damp rocks; he was half prepared for a stone to be thrown or a spear to be poked122 tantalizingly123 in his direction, but no such proceedings124 were taken. The demoniacally leering face continued to look down at him without movement for several seconds, when it was joined by another equally hideous; they belonged to the two savages who had led him such an unfortunate chase. They had now returned to view their victim after having probably given the alarm to their fellows. Bob groaned125 in dismay, but returned their gaze with stoical complacency, having not yet fully comprehended his true position.
At length, however, his strange gaolers, with many guttural exclamations126, began to cover up the tell-tale gap in the layer of furze; then their prisoner's senses returned to him with a rush, and his emotions almost overwhelmed him. The blacks surely meant to cover up the hole so that his companions might not find him, and when they would depart after vain searchings, he would be left to the tender mercies of the "stupid" natives he had so commiserated! In truth Bob's cup of bitterness was filled to overflowing127.
But he decided, nevertheless, to do his best to prevent the success of their scheme. His revolver was still dry, for he had by some odd instinct clung to it tenaciously128 despite his demoralizing downfall, and now he became aware for the first time that he held it in his hand. He fired two shots upwards129 in rapid succession. Operations[Pg 218] ceased on the instant, and Bob felt comforted. He knew that Mackay would soon seek him out if any clue as to his whereabouts was left. His rejoicings, however, were premature130, and very speedily checked. As he gazed at the sky through the gap which gave him light, he noticed the aperture131 slowly yet surely grow narrower and narrower. The blacks were pushing the superfluous132 brush over the opening by the aid of long sticks! Bob shouted with the full force of his lungs and discharged the remaining shots in his revolver upwards, but only a hoarse133 cackle of satisfaction from the natives answered his attempts at communication with the outside world, and soon—as the last glimpse of sky was shut out—he was enveloped134 in absolute darkness.
"Well, I assuredly could not have landed myself in a worse fix if I had tried," he soliloquized with wonderful calm. "Here I am, shut up in a twenty-feet water-hole in the middle of the Australian desert and surrounded by hostile savages. That's pretty good for a start—and, I'm afraid, for a finish too." He continued his unpleasant musings, while he carefully reloaded his revolver. Then he wondered what his companions would do when he failed to appear, and a ray of hope flashed across his sorely tried brain. Mackay and Emu Bill were expert bushmen, and indeed so was Never Never Dave. He had often heard them speak of tracking up clues of even the very flimsiest nature; might they not, after all, be able to follow the slight impressions left by his footsteps on the sandy gravel135?... What a cruel irony136 of Fate to plunge him headlong into what he most desired to find—water. Had he been caught in a sand-hole he would not have felt so much aggrieved137; but water, of all things! While thinking[Pg 219] in this strain, he remembered that, though he had been extremely thirsty all day, he had not yet tasted of his find. But his thirst had effectually gone from him, and he abhorred138 the slimy touch of the fluid which encircled his limbs. Suddenly he felt some huge creature brush against his knee, and then climb up against him with many a wriggle139 and splutter. What new horror was this? Bob was anything but timid in temperament140, yet he shivered at the sinuous141 contact of this unknown thing, and endeavoured frantically142 to shake it off, but it only clung the tighter.
Some little time now elapsed, to Bob it seemed like half an hour, for the moments dragged like ages, though five minutes would have been a nearer estimate. Then a subdued143 muttering was heard above, and he expected every instant to see more hideous faces grinning at him through the bushy covering. He guessed that the whole tribe had now arrived to witness his plight144; and he was not far wrong, for nearly all the warriors whose powers of locomotion145 had not been interfered146 with earlier in the day had assembled overhead. The weary sojourner147 in the depths kept his gaze fixed148 on the roof of the shaft where one or two gleams of light filtered through the last unevenly149 laid scrub; his eyes had by this time grown accustomed to the gloom of his environment, and while he watched he carefully cocked his revolver, and adjusted it to fire on the hair trigger, so that his aim might not be disturbed at a critical juncture150. Soon a gaunt black hand drew aside the branches; Bob's haste was his own undoing151. Had he waited long enough the oily-skinned savage might have let in the light more fully, but as it was he fired, and a howl of pain told him he had not fired[Pg 220] in vain; but the brushwood fell back into position, and his prison was left as dark as ever. He now made an effort to climb up the walls of the dank and evil-smelling pit in which he was immured152; but the flinty formations exposed were dripping with moisture, and slippery, and offered no place for foothold. Bob would have given much then for a match, there were a few in the pockets of his nether153 garments, but they were well submerged beneath the level of the water, and consequently useless. The floundering animal that had climbed against his legs next aroused his curiosity; he could not imagine what sort of creature it might be, and his courage was not sufficient to prompt his making a practical investigation154 as to its form or temper with his hand, which, as it afterwards turned out, was just as well for the hand. Another lull155 ensued, and he began to be alarmed at the silence of his dusky gaolers. Were they premeditating some sudden and novel doom26 for himself, or had they indeed abandoned him to die in this horrible water-trap? And where were his companions all the time? To relieve the monotony he fired two more shots upwards at random and was rejoiced to hear another yell of pain from outside, but a retaliation156 in the shape of a fusillade of stones came crashing down, missing him by a few inches only. Again he fired, and again. Bob had grown desperate, he did not much care what form the reply of the natives would take, but now he heard an answering shot in the distance, while near at hand the Shadow's well-known voice hilloed out lustily. There now appeared to be considerable agitation157 among the blacks above; their feet pattered on the sand confusedly, and then a shrill yell intimated to Bob clearly enough that his tormentors had taken flight.
[Pg 221]
He was about to congratulate himself heartily158 on escaping so opportunely159 from a distinctly awkward predicament, when he heard the sand crunch160 under hurrying footsteps, and the Shadow, now close above, commenced to shout his name. He was evidently bent on following the retreating natives, for he halted not a moment, but kept up his mad rush forward. Before the horrified161 prisoner below could raise an alarm, he had jumped impetuously into the snare162 which had already done its work so well, and a moment later he tumbled down heavily head over heels by Bob's side. The spray he threw up almost blinded Bob, and the fetid odours that were thus again let loose, caused him to gasp163 wildly. His comrade in misfortune struggled to his feet with eloquent164 maledictions, and his amazement165 when he recognized Bob—the light was now streaming down through the gap he had made—was very genuine indeed.
"What in thunder is you doing here?" he cried.
Bob considered the question rather superfluous under the circumstances.
"Me? Oh, I'm fishing!" he replied laconically166.
The Shadow ceased his flow of language for a moment, and examined the walls of his gloomy habitation with interest. It did not take him long to grasp the situation.
"Hang it, that was a tidy trick to play on a peaceable sort o' cuss like me. They've bagged the pair of us, an' if we'd had the savvy167 o' a mosquito, we didn't oughter be here," he snorted in extreme disgust.
"It is a bit humiliating," admitted Bob, not at all displeased that the wonderfully acute Shadow had blundered into the trap as easily as himself. It tended to soothe168 his wounded feelings in no little degree. "But[Pg 222] all the same," he added brightly, "we've found water, and that's worth some inconvenience, isn't it?"
The Shadow grunted something unintelligible169 and began to prospect in the almost viscous170 fluid with both hands.
"There's some slimy crawler shoved up against me," he growled, "an' I reckon I'm goin' to break his little back, so that he won't have no appetite to feed on us afterwards." He groped around viciously.
"I have had a good half hour of its company, whatever it is," remarked Bob. "But the splash you made frightened him off for a bit. But hold hard! Shadow, hold hard, man! Don't you see what it is?"
Bob's eyes, more accustomed to the dull environment than his companion's, had now detected an unusually large-sized iguana171 struggling in the water; it had apparently fallen in from above, as they had done, and its snapping jaws172 looked decidedly dangerous. The Shadow ceased his investigations173 with remarkable174 celerity, then lifted up his voice in fluent condemnation175 of all sorts and conditions of crawling creatures. When he had exhausted176 his store of expletives, he made a vain effort to climb the oozy177 walls of the cavern178, and succeeded only in getting a fresh douche for his pains.
"I wonder who'll come first," he murmured feebly, "Mackay or them savages? I reckon we shid know pretty sudden."
They were not left much longer in doubt. The report of Mackay's powerful rifle broke the silence, they recognized it by the heavy charge of powder it fired and the series of shrill yells which answered it showed that the natives were still in the vicinity. Anon the anxious[Pg 223] pair heard the scrub break before the advance of some hurrying person, and the crunch, crunch of feet in the sand.
"Go back and mind the camels, Jack," they heard Mackay's decisive voice ring out. "I'll find Bob, if he's above ground, an' that reckless young rascal179 o' a Shadow too."
"But we ain't above ground!" roared the last-named youth, forgetting that his voice would be absorbed in the echoes of the shaft before it reached the surface. On came the stalwart bushman, and the fierce invective180 against the blacks in general, and these savages in particular, which issued from his lips as he ran, came as a revelation to Bob, who had never heard his friend so moved.
In a few moments he had reached the vicinity of the pit wherein the adventurous181 pair were entombed, and Bob made ready to signal once more with his revolver, but such action was unnecessary. The experienced eye of Mackay had quickly noticed the cut brushwood, and he bore down towards it without hesitation182. Then, thrusting his head through the opening in the bushy covering, he surveyed the captives below with a grim smile of amusement. "So this is where you are, my lads," said he. His relief was so evident that Bob and the Shadow felt even more ashamed because of the trouble they had caused than there was any need for. Then Bob found his speech.
"There's water here," he cried.
"Water!" Mackay's ruddy features positively183 glowed with pleasure. "Well, well, I shouldna wonder but what you've taken the only means o' finding it, an' though it was a novel sort o' method, an' just a trifle dangerous, we canna be too thankful that it has succeeded. Now, you'll[Pg 224] hae to content yoursel's a bit longer while I see aboot gettin' a rope to pu' ye up——"
"Don't go away, boss!" howled the Shadow. "Them yelpin' baboons'll be back in two shakes if ye does." But Mackay had no intention of going away; he proceeded to signal with his rifle, and soon the entire camp, camels and all, arrived in answer to his call. Great was the hilarity184 of Jack and the two bushmen when they learned of the strange position in which Bob and the Shadow had been found; but their joy was real indeed that water had been discovered, after all, and when they raised their dripping comrades to the surface they embarrassed them more by their expressions of gratitude185 than by their display of what under the circumstances would surely have been but a pardonable levity186.
Now came the tedious process of drawing water for the camels to drink, and also for refilling the almost dry canvas bags which Remorse187 carried. For the latter purpose the thick sand-impregnated fluid was laboriously filtered through a sheet of calico, so that a fair amount of its solid matter was eliminated. But it was not the sediment188 that was the most objectionable feature of the liquid; it simply stank189 with vile190 odours, so that Emu Bill and Never Never Dave, who had undertaken the duty of hauling up the buckets, had anything but a pleasant time while they were so engaged. The boys marvelled191 at the extraordinary capacity of the camels for the uninviting solution; between them they managed to absorb well over a hundred gallons, and when at length they were satisfied, very little save mud remained at the bottom of the shaft.
"I would never have believed these natives capable[Pg 225] of such a smart trick as that they played on me," said Bob, who had been unusually silent since his rescue. "Imagine the forethought of the beggars in covering up that confounded hole, and then luring192 me directly on to it!"
"They're no' so deficient193 in gumption194 as you at first considered, Bob, my lad," answered Mackay, with a twinkle in his eye. "However, I don't think they covered up the shaft exactly for your benefit. Just look——" He kicked a few of the branches aside and drew Bob's attention to their wholly sapless nature. "These same bits o' twigs195 have done duty for many a long day. The natives cover the water principally to prevent evaporation196 as much as possible, but also to keep all sorts o' animals an' reptiles197 from fallin' into it an' so spoilin' the flavour. The water has vera likely lain in that rock-hole for years, an' only such judicious198 economy on their part has left us enough for our needs."
"I reckon they'll have to shift their lodgings199 pretty soon," laughed the Shadow, "for they'll have a pretty hard job gettin' a drink when we leave, an' the next man that does a dive into the reservoir as Bob an' me did, shid strike something hard at the bottom."
The afternoon was already far advanced, but when Never Never Dave suggested that they should camp where they were until morning, Mackay would not hear of such a proceeding.
"We'll find trouble soon enough without lookin' for it, Dave," said he, "an' if there's one thing I dislike it's camping near a crowd o' niggers in the night time. They would try to swipe us out before morning, for the miserable200 vermin get vera brave after sundown. No,[Pg 226] boys, we'll head out right now for Fortunate Spring. Fetch out the compass, Jack, an' let me have a look at that course again. The sun has shifted a bit since I worked out the correct shadow to steer4 by."
Immediately afterwards Misery's bell began to chime, and the camel team moved on its weary way.
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1
dwarfed
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| vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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2
eucalypti
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| n.桉树 | |
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3
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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5
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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6
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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7
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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8
laterally
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| ad.横向地；侧面地；旁边地 | |
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hieroglyphics
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| n.pl.象形文字 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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11
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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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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laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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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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15
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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16
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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17
decanting
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| n.滗析（手续）v.将（酒等）自瓶中倒入另一容器( decant的现在分词 ) | |
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18
saccharine
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| adj.奉承的，讨好的 | |
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19
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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20
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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21
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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22
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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23
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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24
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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25
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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26
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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27
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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28
puckered
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| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
mesmerized
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| v.使入迷( mesmerize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
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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31
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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32
plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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33
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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34
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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35
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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36
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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37
emulate
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| v.努力赶上或超越，与…竞争；效仿 | |
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38
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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39
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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40
whoops
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| int.呼喊声 | |
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41
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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42
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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43
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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44
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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45
sparse
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| adj.稀疏的，稀稀落落的，薄的 | |
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46
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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47
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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48
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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49
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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50
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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51
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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52
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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53
tangling
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| （使）缠结， （使）乱作一团( tangle的现在分词 ) | |
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54
repulsively
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| adv.冷淡地 | |
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55
rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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57
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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58
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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59
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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60
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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61
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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62
exterminate
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| v.扑灭，消灭，根绝 | |
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63
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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64
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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65
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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66
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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67
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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68
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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69
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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70
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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71
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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72
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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73
commiserated
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| v.怜悯，同情( commiserate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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75
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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76
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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77
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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78
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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79
reeking
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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80
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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81
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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82
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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83
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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84
gashed
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| v.划伤，割破( gash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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86
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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87
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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88
nomadic
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| adj.流浪的；游牧的 | |
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89
densest
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| 密集的( dense的最高级 )； 密度大的； 愚笨的； （信息量大得）难理解的 | |
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90
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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91
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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92
squelch
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| v.压制，镇压；发吧唧声 | |
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93
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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94
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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95
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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96
formulated
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| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
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97
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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98
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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99
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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100
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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101
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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102
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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103
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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104
spurt
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| v.喷出；突然进发；突然兴隆 | |
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105
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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107
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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108
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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109
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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110
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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111
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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112
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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113
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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114
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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115
murky
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| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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116
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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117
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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118
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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119
molestation
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| n.骚扰，干扰，调戏；折磨 | |
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120
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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121
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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123
tantalizingly
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| adv.…得令人着急，…到令人着急的程度 | |
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124
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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125
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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126
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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127
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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128
tenaciously
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| 坚持地 | |
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129
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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130
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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131
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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132
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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133
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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134
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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135
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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136
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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137
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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138
abhorred
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| v.憎恶( abhor的过去式和过去分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰 | |
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139
wriggle
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| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
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140
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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141
sinuous
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| adj.蜿蜒的，迂回的 | |
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142
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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143
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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144
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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145
locomotion
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| n.运动，移动 | |
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146
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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147
sojourner
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| n.旅居者，寄居者 | |
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148
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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149
unevenly
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| adv.不均匀的 | |
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150
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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151
undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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152
immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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153
nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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154
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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155
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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156
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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157
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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158
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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159
opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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160
crunch
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| n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声 | |
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161
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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162
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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163
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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165
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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166
laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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167
savvy
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| v.知道，了解；n.理解能力，机智，悟性；adj.有见识的，懂实际知识的，通情达理的 | |
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168
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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169
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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170
viscous
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| adj.粘滞的，粘性的 | |
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171
iguana
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| n.美洲大蜥蜴，鬣鳞蜥 | |
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172
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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173
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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174
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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175
condemnation
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| n.谴责; 定罪 | |
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176
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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177
oozy
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| adj.软泥的 | |
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178
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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179
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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180
invective
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| n.痛骂，恶意抨击 | |
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181
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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182
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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183
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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184
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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185
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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186
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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187
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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188
sediment
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| n.沉淀，沉渣，沉积(物) | |
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189
stank
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| n. (英)坝，堰，池塘 动词stink的过去式 | |
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190
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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191
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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192
luring
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的现在分词形式） | |
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193
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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194
gumption
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| n.才干 | |
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195
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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196
evaporation
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| n.蒸发，消失 | |
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197
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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198
judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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199
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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200
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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