"Ay, it was just about here that the camel broke away," said Mackay, musingly11, "and over there"—he pointed12 to the east—"lies the mountain."
"It must be a terrible long way over there, Mac," commented Emu Bill, "for we should see it 'bout10 forty miles off if it is any size, an' you said it was a whopper."
Mackay looked puzzled; certainly no mountain was visible at this period.
"It must be there," he reiterated13 grimly.
[Pg 268]
Bob, too, was much exercised over the prolonged absence of the desert sentinel; it had figured so much in all their calculations that it had, indeed, been the initial quest of the expedition.
"There's an extraordinary heat haze rising up straight ahead," said he. "Perhaps it hides that shadowy mountain."
"It's there right enough," said Mackay, again. "I mind well that I didna see it until I was right up against it."
"There's something mighty14 uncanny about this place," grunted15 Never Never Dave, who had been gazing around suspiciously.
A gentle zephyr16 breeze wafted17 towards them from the obscuring mists, and they sniffed18 the air wonderingly.
"Blow me tight, boys," muttered Emu Bill, "we has struck old Jimmy Squarefoot's country."
"That are a fact," concurred19 Never Never Dave, solemnly; "we has come a bit too far on this trip. No wonder poor ole Bentley didn't get back."
"Why, what is wrong?" asked Jack20, in some alarm.
"What is wrong?" echoed Never Never. "Why, we must be near Hades, my lad; don't you smell it?"
A strong odour of a pungent21, sulphurous nature assuredly filled the air. Mackay was equally mystified with the others, though he did not give expression to his thoughts. He was trying to recall to the minutest incident the happenings of over a year ago in the same district.
"I distinctly saw their tracks," he repeated, half to himself, "and the bones——"
[Pg 269]
"But there ain't no bones now," interrupted Emu Bill. "There's some curious mystery about this here place, there is."
A cry from the Shadow, who had gone exploring on his own account some distance off, drew their attention. It was plain that he had discovered something important, for he semaphored to them excitedly as they looked. Silently they obeyed his summons, and in a few minutes were gazing at the poor relics22 of the last expedition, where they lay half covered in the sand.
There they were beyond a doubt, a mass of bleaching23 bones. Reverently24 they uncovered their heads, then Mackay knelt down by the sad litter, and great, dry sobs25 shook his breast. His companions turned away with heavy eyes, all but Bob, who remained to comfort the grief-stricken man.
"We may at least bury the remains27," he said sadly, "and I think we might put up a small mark over the spot. There are lots of trees about which we could cut down."
Mackay looked at him kindly28. "Not yet, Bob, not yet," he muttered hoarsely29; "not till I have squared accounts with the wretches30 who committed this crime. These poor fellows here were murdered after daring the dangers o' the desert; their last mortal remains have awaited my coming here on the surface o' the sweltering sands, and they cry to me for vengeance31—and vengeance they shall have before I cover them from the light o' a just Heaven." He rose with forced calm and linked his arm in Bob's. "You shall help me, Bob," he said earnestly; "you of all people have a reason——"
He ceased abruptly32 as Emu Bill appeared once more.[Pg 270] The tall bushman was apparently33 much moved, though he strove to hide his sorrow.
"I has just been talkin' to Never Never," he began, in an even voice, "an' we has come to the conclusion that we'll go an' wipe out some o' them skunks34 who did this. I reckon we'll feel better after it."
Mackay smiled faintly. "I believe we are near the end o' our search for the hidden treasure o' the Never Never," he said quietly. "The invisible mountain must mark the entrance to the land we are seeking, but we may have many a struggle before we triumph, but each difficulty overcome will bring us nearer our goal. Let us move on once more, Bill; I must see the other side o' the mountain——"
"An' nary one o' us is goin' back on you," said Emu Bill, with a grim laugh. "Wherever that there perfume comes from, I reckon Never Never an' me will see the end o' the journey."
They retraced36 their way to the camels, and in a short time were forcing a trail on into the seething37 mists. And now the stumbling camel-train experienced great difficulty in negotiating the many dry ravines that lay in their course, and they climbed over the basaltic bluffs38 which now and again reared their heads above the boulder-strewn expanse, only with the extremest effort. The sun beat down pitilessly on the wayfarers39, and here the heat was, indeed, overpowering; it seemed to rise in long, pulsating40 swells41 from the bare rocks and hang in a filmy cloud of vapour, through which the eye could see but vaguely42, as in a dream-picture. On, on, the pioneers struggled, and as they proceeded, the strange, sulphurous odour became more and more perceptible, until it assailed43 the nostrils44 in sharp,[Pg 271] burning breaths. Yet still the vision ahead was clouded by dense45 white vapours, and the horizon remained obscured. Then suddenly a curious thing happened: the shrouding46 curtain in the near distance lifted up like a giant screen in a theatre, and through the mists of dispelling47 ether a dark towering height loomed48 up vividly49.
"The mountain! the mountain!" cried Jack; and truly it was a mountain, and a mountain of so precipitous and forbidding an aspect that it looked like an immense black wall rising into the sky.
"That is just how I ran up against it before," said Mackay, calmly. "It appeared all at once, and I wondered why I didna see it earlier."
"Well, this beats me," growled50 Emu Bill. "An' why in all the world didn't we see such a colossal51 monument before? We oughter have sighted that there tower o' Babel at least two days back."
Even as he spoke52 a great white mask rose from the base of the towering elevation53, and in an instant the mighty landmark54 had vanished from their view.
"I reckon we has had a sight o' ole Jimmy Squarefoot's furnace," remarked Never Never Dave, mysteriously. "An' don't it smell strong?"
"It jest howls," groaned55 Emu Bill, gasping57 hard.
Mackay kept an unmoved silence. He apparently had no intention of being surprised at anything; but Bob somewhat eased the minds of the twain by endeavouring to explain the phenomenon they had witnessed.
"The covering haze is nothing but steam," said he. "I think the mountain must be volcanic58."
Mackay shook his head. "I shouldna wonder if it is an extinct volcano," he said; "but there was no[Pg 272] lava59 flow that I remember, and it disappeared just the same."
Notwithstanding the odd happenings during the last few minutes, the camels were not permitted to slacken their pace. Each and all of the party had determined61 to probe the mystery to the fullest, and the solution was soon forthcoming. As they forced their way into the densest62 depths of the ghost-like curtain, they became quickly aware of a gurgling, boiling sound almost at their feet. Bob's keen ears were the first to catch the unwonted echoes; but before he could speak a greenish-yellow cloud rolled before his eyes, and he staggered back, choking wildly.
"Ease off, boys," spoke Mackay. "We must scout63 around an' investigate before we go further."
The whole party, camels and all, were now enveloped64 in the wreathing smoke-columns, and the sky was hidden from sight. Blindly Bob made a few steps forward, keeping well to the right of the unseen caldron, which now bubbled and foamed65 spasmodically. The Shadow followed, stumbling and gasping, and within a minute the two found themselves in a clear and untainted atmosphere, and but a yard or so from the base of the gloomy mountain. Loudly they shouted to their companions, and soon the spectral66 forms of the camels hove into view, with Mackay and Jack treading cautiously at their head. But where were Emu Bill and Never Never Dave? They seemed to have vanished completely.
"They were alongside Jack an' me a minute ago," said Mackay, gazing wonderingly around.
"I reckon I'll go back an' see if they've stopped to look at the scenery," grunted the Shadow; and he made a dash into the heavy fumes67 once more.
[Pg 273]
The three who waited by the camels heard a startled cry, followed by a faint splash, then all was silent. Hastily Mackay seized a camel pack-rope, and would have rushed off after him, but Bob interfered68.
"I think I can guess where to find them," he said. "Let me go."
With reluctance69 Mackay saw him depart; but before Bob had entered the chaos70 the swelling mass rose before him, disclosing in his track a broad, pit-like cavity. Hurriedly he strode to the edge of the caldron; but ere he reached it the Shadow climbed out of its seething depths wet and dripping, and saying strange things to himself. Immediately behind him Never Never Dave's head popped up, and an eloquent72 flow of language was let loose upon the air. Lastly, Emu Bill scrambled73 into the open. He looked savagely75 around for a moment, until he caught sight of the Shadow, and his wrath77 overflowed78 in a torrent79 of abuse. All three were bedraggled enough looking specimens80; but the last arrivals were considerably81 worse off than the Shadow in that respect—their hair was covered with a greenish scum, which spread down over their faces and almost blinded them.
"It was all that wretched young Shadow's fault!" roared Emu Bill.
"But you were there first, Bill," remonstrated82 Mackay, laughingly.
"Of course we were. We went plump into the filthy83 boilers84; but we got a good grip o' the sides, and were sliding out quick an' lively, when, blow me! if that howlin' scarecrow didn't bounce down on top o' us, an' sent us swimmin' like tadpoles85 to the bottom. Ugh!"
But their indignation quelled86 speedily when they learnt[Pg 274] how excellent had been the intentions of the much-maligned youth.
"It must be a hot spring," said Bob.
"And there are more of them," cried Jack. "See, they are scattered87 all round the foot of the mountain."
"I reckon it is hot, right enough," grumbled88 Emu Bill. "I'm just 'bout turned into a Salamander, I is."
As Jack had noticed, quite a number of similar indentations formed a line right along the base of the mountain, and in each yawning crater90 examined, a greenish-yellow fluid bubbled tempestuously91. High overhead the smoke-wreaths dissembled into thin air, and for a brief space all was beautifully clear. Then a dull rumble89 like the mutterings of subdued92 thunder was heard, and immediately snowy puffs93 of smoke issued from the strange cavities. The denser94 fumes rapidly spread along the ground like a turbulent, foaming95 sea; then the whole seemed gradually to rise upwards96 and suspend as a filmy pall97 before the face of the mountain. Yet, strangely enough, the noxious98 odours were now almost absent.
"Ay, it's vera marvellous," said Mackay, with a sigh. "So does Nature protect her treasure-houses."
"It's a wonder you managed to get through without accident when you came," Bob observed thoughtfully. "But, then, it's possible the line was clear when you passed."
"A breeze of wind would have lifted that fog," hazarded Jack. "I should think that on some days the clouds would not be nearly so constant nor so thick."
"You're possibly right, Jack," mused99 Mackay, looking upwards. "See how the smoke curls in to the west now."
They all followed his gaze, and, surely enough, the mists[Pg 275] appeared to bend over before a powerful air current and break off into numberless flying patches of lambent spray. Assuredly, a fairly strong blast must be blowing on the mountain summit, though all was serene100 and unmoved below. They now bethought themselves of having an inspection101 of the wonderful elevation, which they had reached after so much weary striving. There it stood, gaunt and bare, precipitous in outline, and rising almost sheer to a height of over eight hundred feet, and as far as the eye could reach in either direction along the base, the same grim barrier appeared, but it curved in almost imperceptibly at each limit of observation.
"The monument might stretch across into Queensland," said Emu Bill, "if we tried to follow it round. I vote we does a scramble74 over the top."
"I tried that before, Bill," answered Mackay, "but I'm going to try it again. Only we'll look for the easiest side before we start."
"But what about the camels?" asked Jack. "We can never get them over it."
"An' we've got to remember that there's an all-fired quantity o' bloodthirsty niggers about," said Never Never Dave.
"Suppose we hobble them out on the other side of the smoke," suggested Bob. "If the blacks stay beyond the mountain they couldn't very well see them so close in, and the camels are too tired to wander much."
"It's a risk, Bob," said Mackay; "but the whole journey has been a risk, an' it's the best we can do. We can keep an eye on them from the top—if we get there."
"An' our rifles can speak for us from there well[Pg 276] enough," laughed Emu Bill; "an' there's one howlin' satisfaction about it, there's nary spear could reach us."
And so it was arranged; the four tired beasts were unloaded, the bell was unstrapped from Misery's neck, and the Shadow led them out to the plains, man?uvring most carefully in his passage between the bubbling caldrons. In a few minutes he returned, with a somewhat anxious visage.
"I is pretty certain I saw a nig on the top o' the hill when I was out back a bit," he announced.
"On the top o' the hill?" cried Emu Bill, incredulously. "Well, if they don't pop too many spears at us, I don't mind if they stay there until we get up."
"But you couldn't see anything through the haze, Shad," said Bob.
"I just did. The top o' the concern was shining strong in the sun, an' I got a sight o' a big nigger dressed like a corroborree mourner standin' looking' at me."
It was quite possible that the Shadow's information was correct, for the fine haze in the upper air would barely have obscured the bold ridge102 of the mountain summit, especially with the sun's rays beating strong upon it. Yet it was evident that the young bushman's statement was received with considerable unbelief.
"It's been a hallucination, Shad," laughed Jack.
It was already late in the afternoon, and it would have been useless to attempt the climb that night, so a tour of investigation103 was made in order to discover the least impregnable aspect of the frowning barrier, and as the little party moved along they carried their rifles ready for immediate71 action in case of a sudden alarm. But not a sign of natives was observed, and they tramped mile after[Pg 277] mile over the jagged rocky débris lining104 the base of the mountain without once noting an easier place of ascent105 than that which they had first gazed upon. Not a trace of vegetation showed on the steep declivity106; the bare rocks scintillated107 in the last rays of the setting sun, and showed up barren and forbidding. Here and there deep clefts108 appeared, striating the gloomy formation, and cutting deep into the heart of the mountain. It was one of these that drew an exclamation109 from Mackay.
"That looks vera like the cap o' a gold-bearing lode110 showing at the bottom o' the gully," he cried. He crept carefully into the yawning crevice111, and broke off a piece of the supposed auriferous stone with the iron heel of his boot. "Decomposed112 diorite," he announced, "and showing gold all over. I do believe the whole mountain is just a mass of gold lodes an' leaders."
"Well, I'm blest," murmured Emu Bill, "if that don't beat everything——"
"But we can't carry the hillock away," said Jack, hurriedly.
The difficulties of transport had at once appeared to his practical mind, and his words acted as a restraining tonic113 on the exhilarating spirits of the others.
"You're right there, Jack," agreed Mackay, with a smile, "but if we get plenty of water on the other side, we could very soon get machinery114 out here; an' I've a firm idea that our golden land o' promise lies just beyond this barrier." He tapped the rocky surface with his hand meditatively115. "And more than that," he continued, with rising excitement, "I believe we'll find rubies116 and diamonds as well. I mind we picked up some rubies in the gullies around the last camp when I was here before. At least,[Pg 278] Phil, the geologist117, said they were rubies, an' I'd back his knowledge in that direction against any man's. He said they had been shed from some mountain or other, but, of course, we hadna seen the mountain at this time; and poor Phil never did see it, either."
They commenced to retrace35 their steps, for the night was fast closing in, and as they walked along, Bob stooped down occasionally to pick up pebbles118 from the silted119 driftage at his feet, and unobtrusively placed them in his pocket for future inspection. They had almost reached the place where they had unloaded the camels, when the Shadow shouted out triumphantly—
"Look, boys! I reckon there ain't no mistake about that nigger, is there?"
He was gazing at the ridge forming the summit of the mountain, and looking up, Bob saw a tall, dishevelled figure standing60 against the sky-line and waving his arms energetically.
"By gum, he is wild!" laughed Emu Bill; "an' what a dandy outfit120 he's got; why, the beggar's got a 'possum blanket over him."
He raised his rifle mechanically, but Mackay had already levelled his piece at the silhouetted121 form.
"Please don't shoot," pleaded Bob, staying his hand. "It almost seems like murder to kill a man like that."
Mackay lowered his weapon with a groan56, and Bob, looking upwards once more, was astounded122 to see the object of his commiseration123 extending his hands as if in benediction124. He stood thus for a moment, then, with a despairing gesture, pointed towards the Western desert.
"I'm glad I didna shoot," said Mackay; "that's the[Pg 279] most wonderful savage76 I've seen. He even tried to warn us not to come further."
"That was out o' gratitood for us not shootin'," laughed Emu Bill; "but, blow me, I can't shoot a nig when he hasn't a spear or weapon o' some sort in his hand."
When they looked again, the strange aboriginal125 was gone.
The spirits of the little party were unusually cheerful that night, as they sat around their camp-fire and talked eagerly over their prospects126 on the morrow. Their objective had been reached at last, the toil127 and stress of the dreary128 journey was over, the reward—and of reward they all seemed well assured—was now about to be theirs.
"I reckon I'll give ye a hymn129 o' praise on the orchestra," remarked the Shadow, pulling his ear-shattering instrument from the pocket where it had lain silent since the finding of Fortunate Spring.
"If ye does," threatened Emu Bill, "I'll dump ye in that there smelling solution right over the head."
"Hang it, Bill," complained the unappreciated musician, "I ain't quite dry yet, as it is. Couldn't ye think o' some happier kind o' return for my professional services?"
"Anyhow," consoled Jack, "it wouldn't do to let the niggers know we were about; they might come for us when we were helplessly enslaved with your melody."
The Shadow grinned. "Right O," said he; "music is off."
But Mackay had not seemed at all unwilling130 to encourage the youth's suggestion.
"The blacks should ken26 we are about by this time," he observed lightly; "but there are six good rifles in this[Pg 280] camp, an' we might as well encourage them to come out now as at any other time. There's going to be a good moon up to-night."
"You might give us a tootle on the flute131," said Never Never Dave; "I hasn't heard ye play since we left Golden Flat."
"Let us have 'The Muskittie's Lament,'" urged the Shadow; "I is just dyin' to stretch my voice a bit."
"No, Shadow; though you are a budding Sims Reeves, I can't sympathize wi' you enough just now to listen to you singing. I must even deny you the pleasure o' hearing me warble the old familiar tune132 to-night, for I'm no' in the mood for waxing extravagantly133 joyous134. But seein' we've reached the deceivin' mountain at last, and without mishap135, I'll gie ye a blaw on the flute, if only to make this night something different from other nights."
Jack fetched the flute with alacrity136, and then seated himself beside Bob, and soon the little group were listening in hushed silence to the pensive137 strains of one of Balfe's melodies. When it was finished, the man of many moods paused for a moment, and his eyes roamed instinctively138 back towards the desert, and though the smoky cloud still intervened, Bob guessed at once that he was again filled with swelling memories of the past.
"Let us have something lively, Mac," said Emu Bill, "something that will make us forget them pestiferous niggers for a bit."
"I can't do it, Bill," came the husky response; "not here, not to-night." Then he lifted the flute once more. "I'll play you one o' Bentley's favourite hymns," he said gravely. "Well do I mind we used a' to sing it whiles when we were on the march."
[Pg 281]
Softly into the night rose the notes; they lingered by each deep crevasse139 on the mountain side, and echoed back from the rocky steeps. Unspeakably entrancing was the effect. The musician himself seemed lost in the wonderful sounds he created, and his hearers, after listening in mute attention for some time, by a common impulse joined in with the words, familiar to them all—
"Lead, kindly Light,...
Lead Thou me on."
And as the rough voices swelled140 upwards, a weird141 answering chorus floated back to them from the summit of the mountain, and lo! several dark forms appeared outlined against the starry142 sky. Emu Bill ceased his vocal143 exercises at once, and squirmed about uneasily until the flute stopped.
"Say, mates," said he, anxiously; "I hope it ain't no corroborree song they is singin'."
Mackay glanced upwards, then hastily grasped his rifle, but the vague voices in the air broke afresh upon his ears just as he was about to pull the trigger, and he laid the deadly weapon down with a shudder144.
"They are actually mimicking146 that bonnie hymn," he said nervously147. "I—I haven't the heart to shoot——"
"And aren't their voices almost musical!" cried Jack, whose ear was keenly attuned148 to melody. "They make a very much better attempt than our corroborree savages149 did about a week ago; their voices were simply hideous150."
"The aborigines are born mimics151, Jack," answered Mackay; "but, as you say, their song is usually enough to drive a man to drink—providin' he can get it. Still there may be a different sort o' savage in this mysterious[Pg 282] country. If the land itself is better, it would influence the people, and who knows maybe they have acquired some accomplishments152 unknown to their brethren on the flats."
"I can't make them out at all," said Bob, quietly. "Everything seems so unreal, so—so uncanny about here, and these niggers singing that hymn have given me the creeps."
"Let me have one go at 'The Muskittie's Lament,'" pleaded the Shadow. "I reckon it would bust153 them up to mimic145 that high note——"
"You leave that long-suffering muskittie alone," said Mackay. "We'll bust them up wi' something more solid in the morning. I'll climb that mountain or go under trying."
Conversation somewhat flagged after that. The events of the day had all been so strange and inexplicable154; the lure155 of the mountain was becoming oppressively potent156, and each of the staunch little band was filled with his own secret convictions regarding what might lie beyond.
"Better turn into your blankets, boys," said Mackay, at length. "You'll need all your energies in the morning. I'm going to keep watch and see that nothing happens while you sleep. I'm not going to risk another wipe out in this quarter."
"You ain't goin' to do sentry157 go on your own," spoke Never Never Dave. "I reckon I'll take my turn."
"An' me, of course!" cried Emu Bill.
"And ain't the poor, low-down Shadow any good?" complained that individual, pathetically. "Let me do a prance158 round, boss. I ain't a bit sleepy."
"Let Jack and me take it for the first night," said Bob, quietly.
[Pg 283]
Mackay laughed. "I know you are all vera willing, my lads, but the first night is my care; I'll ask Bob, who is next in responsibility, to take part o' the watch. Jack and the Shadow will be on duty to-morrow night, and you, Bill and Never Never, can take the next;" which equable arrangement appeared to suit every one.
Then Bob arose, rifle in hand, and stepped forward.
"No, no, Bob; not yet," said Mackay. "I'll call you in three or four hours to take a spell. Lie down and sleep for a bit, my lad."
But Bob was obdurate159. "You've been wearing yourself out these last few days," he said simply. "You can surely trust me to fill your place for the first half of the night, at least. Perhaps I may not need to call you, for I know I couldn't sleep if I tried. My brain is buzzing with odd ideas, which would be bound to keep me awake."
The elder man hesitated for a moment, then gave in. "But promise to call me at one o'clock, Bob," he said, "otherwise I'll stay up with you;" and Bob promised.
A few minutes and a row of sleeping figures lay outstretched around the fire. Bob tightened160 up his cartridge-belt, pulled up the heads of several cartridges161 so that they might be easily extracted in an emergency, examined the magazine of his gun, and closed the breech gently, bringing the trigger to full cock. Then he waited, motionless as a statue, beside the huddled162 forms of his comrades, with rifle upraised, and every nerve strung at highest tension. Well he knew that danger threatened; he felt it in the air; an ominous163 calm prevailed; how soon would it be broken by the savage yells of the guardians164 of the mountain? Bob gripped his rifle the tighter, and his[Pg 284] eyes scanned the near distance critically, then roamed aloft to the now deserted165 mountain summit. A slight sound startled him, and his finger closed gently on the trigger of his weapon, but it was only Mackay tossing restlessly in his blanket. Bob looked pityingly at the sleepless166 form, and at that moment Mackay beckoned167 him.
"I canna get it out o' my mind," he whispered, "that when I followed the tracks o' the blacks, they led right into the mountain an' no' round about it, an' it beats me to know how they managed to climb over so quickly. Keep a careful watch, Bob; keep a careful watch."
Bob nodded silently and returned to his position. He had unconsciously shared Mackay's fears before they had been spoken. Since he first saw the mysterious mount he had marvelled168 how it had been scaled, and how descents had been accomplished169.
The Southern Cross slowly sank to rest, and the edge of the Great Bear constellation170 peeped above the northern horizon. Yet still the watcher stood erect171 at his post, and the camp slumbered172.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
latitude
|
|
| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
longitude
|
|
| n.经线，经度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
melancholy
|
|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
rugged
|
|
| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
merged
|
|
| （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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
swelling
|
|
| n.肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
haze
|
|
| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
grassy
|
|
| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
bout
|
|
| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
musingly
|
|
| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
12
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
reiterated
|
|
| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
grunted
|
|
| （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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
zephyr
|
|
| n.和风，微风 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
wafted
|
|
| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
sniffed
|
|
| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
concurred
|
|
| 同意（concur的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
pungent
|
|
| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
relics
|
|
| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
bleaching
|
|
| 漂白法，漂白 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
reverently
|
|
| adv.虔诚地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
sobs
|
|
| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
ken
|
|
| n.视野，知识领域 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
hoarsely
|
|
| adv.嘶哑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
wretches
|
|
| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
skunks
|
|
| n.臭鼬( skunk的名词复数 )；臭鼬毛皮；卑鄙的人；可恶的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
retrace
|
|
| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
retraced
|
|
| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
seething
|
|
| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
bluffs
|
|
| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
wayfarers
|
|
| n.旅人，（尤指）徒步旅行者( wayfarer的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
pulsating
|
|
| adj.搏动的，脉冲的v.有节奏地舒张及收缩( pulsate的现在分词 )；跳动；脉动；受（激情）震动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
swells
|
|
| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
assailed
|
|
| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
nostrils
|
|
| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
dense
|
|
| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
shrouding
|
|
| n.覆盖v.隐瞒( shroud的现在分词 )；保密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
dispelling
|
|
| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
loomed
|
|
| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
vividly
|
|
| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
growled
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
colossal
|
|
| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
elevation
|
|
| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
landmark
|
|
| n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
gasping
|
|
| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
volcanic
|
|
| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
lava
|
|
| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
densest
|
|
| 密集的( dense的最高级 )； 密度大的； 愚笨的； （信息量大得）难理解的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
scout
|
|
| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
enveloped
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
foamed
|
|
| 泡沫的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
spectral
|
|
| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
fumes
|
|
| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
interfered
|
|
| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
reluctance
|
|
| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
chaos
|
|
| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
eloquent
|
|
| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
scrambled
|
|
| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
scramble
|
|
| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
savagely
|
|
| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
overflowed
|
|
| 溢出的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
torrent
|
|
| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
specimens
|
|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
considerably
|
|
| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
filthy
|
|
| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
boilers
|
|
| 锅炉，烧水器，水壶( boiler的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
tadpoles
|
|
| n.蝌蚪( tadpole的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
quelled
|
|
| v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
grumbled
|
|
| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
rumble
|
|
| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
crater
|
|
| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
tempestuously
|
|
| adv.剧烈地，暴风雨似地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
puffs
|
|
| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
denser
|
|
| adj. 不易看透的, 密集的, 浓厚的, 愚钝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
foaming
|
|
| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
pall
|
|
| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
noxious
|
|
| adj.有害的，有毒的；使道德败坏的，讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
mused
|
|
| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
serene
|
|
| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
inspection
|
|
| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
ridge
|
|
| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
investigation
|
|
| n.调查，调查研究 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
lining
|
|
| n.衬里，衬料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
ascent
|
|
| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
declivity
|
|
| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
scintillated
|
|
| v.（言谈举止中）焕发才智( scintillate的过去式和过去分词 )；谈笑洒脱；闪耀；闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
clefts
|
|
| n.裂缝( cleft的名词复数 )；裂口；cleave的过去式和过去分词；进退维谷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
lode
|
|
| n.矿脉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
crevice
|
|
| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
decomposed
|
|
| 已分解的，已腐烂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
tonic
|
|
| n./adj.滋补品，补药，强身的，健体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
machinery
|
|
| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
meditatively
|
|
| adv.冥想地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
rubies
|
|
| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
geologist
|
|
| n.地质学家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
pebbles
|
|
| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
silted
|
|
| v.（河流等）为淤泥淤塞( silt的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）淤塞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
outfit
|
|
| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
silhouetted
|
|
| 显出轮廓的，显示影像的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
astounded
|
|
| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
commiseration
|
|
| n.怜悯，同情 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
benediction
|
|
| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
aboriginal
|
|
| adj.（指动植物）土生的，原产地的，土著的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
prospects
|
|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
hymn
|
|
| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
unwilling
|
|
| adj.不情愿的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
flute
|
|
| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
extravagantly
|
|
| adv.挥霍无度地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
mishap
|
|
| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
alacrity
|
|
| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
pensive
|
|
| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
crevasse
|
|
| n. 裂缝，破口；v.使有裂缝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
weird
|
|
| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
starry
|
|
| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
vocal
|
|
| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
shudder
|
|
| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
mimic
|
|
| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
mimicking
|
|
| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
attuned
|
|
| v.使协调( attune的过去式和过去分词 )；调音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
mimics
|
|
| n.模仿名人言行的娱乐演员，滑稽剧演员( mimic的名词复数 )；善于模仿的人或物v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的第三人称单数 )；酷似 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
accomplishments
|
|
| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
bust
|
|
| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
inexplicable
|
|
| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
lure
|
|
| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
potent
|
|
| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
sentry
|
|
| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
prance
|
|
| v.（马）腾跃，(人)神气活现地走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
obdurate
|
|
| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
tightened
|
|
| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
cartridges
|
|
| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
huddled
|
|
| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
ominous
|
|
| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
guardians
|
|
| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
sleepless
|
|
| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
beckoned
|
|
| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
marvelled
|
|
| v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
constellation
|
|
| n.星座n.灿烂的一群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
erect
|
|
| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
slumbered
|
|
| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |