"I wouldn't have believed," he muttered, "what a shattering influence a night watch has on a man's nerves."
The long wailing10 cry of a dingo now penetrated11 piercingly over the desert from the west, and the watcher stirred uneasily at the mournful sound which seemed to convey in it all the sadness and despair of a voice from the nether12 world.
The weird13 notes had scarcely died away when he became conscious of a peculiar14 tap-tapping almost close beside him. He could not make it out; the black surface of the barring range rose before his eyes, but he could[Pg 286] distinguish nothing there, and the moon shone clearly on the giant rock. Tap! Tap! Tap! Softly the echoes came but imperceptibly growing louder; anxiously he scanned the bare hillside for some clue to the mystery, and as his eyes reached the ridge15 of the mountain he was startled to see a tall beshrouded figure standing16 there, and apparently17 gazing down upon him. Bob was certain the apparition18 had not been in the same place but a minute ago, and surely he could not be responsible for these strange noises which seemed to come from the mountain, yet with no cause showing. Tap! Tap! Tap! Harsher and more metallic19 the ghostly reverberations rang, and now a faint call wafted20 down from the heights; again and again it came, gently falling on the mystified listener's ears like a voice from the skies, and the strange figure aloft waved his arms in wild gesticulation. Sharper and still sharper sounded the demoralizing tapping, and with it now came a curious shuffling21, slight almost to noiselessness, but Bob's sensitive ears were not to be deceived. A cold sweat broke out upon his brow; the vague disturbances22 of the night were issuing not from the side of the mountain, but from its interior! With a quick stride he reached Mackay, and at a touch the sleeper5 awoke.
"What is it, lad, what is it?" he asked, breathlessly, his rifle already in his hand.
Bob placed his finger on his lips, and pointed23 silently to the mountain.
"They're coming through it!" he whispered, hoarsely24.
Mackay nodded briefly26, and strode silently over to the resounding27 wall, and Bob hastily aroused the sleepers. In a moment the camp was prepared, and meanwhile Mackay was walking stealthily along the base of the mount, his[Pg 287] ears bent28 down to the rock as he strove to locate the mysterious alarms. And now the distant call from the hilltop floated down to them once more, and Emu Bill started at the sound, and looked up wonderingly, for the faint double note of a coo-ee had this time been plainly heard, and the tall form on the distant heights was despairingly pointing outwards29 across the desert.
"That nigger can coo-ee like a good 'un," muttered he, "an' he's tryin' to warn us. I reckon that's because we didn't shoot him to-day; but I never believed a nig could feel any gratitood."
Suddenly the echoes ceased, and all was silent as a tomb. Bob looked, and saw Mackay crouched30 hard against the rocky wall on the edge of a deep fissure31 which showed down half the face of the mountain. He seemed like an animal preparing for a deadly spring.
"I reckon we should go over beside him," said Never Never Dave, but so speedy had been the developments of events that there was no time to decide upon a definite course of action. Indeed, not one of the party guessed what wild happening was about to take place. Bob somehow expected to hear the preliminary yells of an attacking horde33, even as they had heard them before, but no such outcry took place. He saw Mackay beckon34 wildly with one hand over his shoulder, and quickly he obeyed the summons, the others following with silent footsteps. Then a stone clattered35 noisily at the bottom of the ravine, and to Bob's amazement36, a swarthy face appeared from the depths, surmounted37 by a tall waving head-dress of feathers. As the warrior38 emerged further into view, Bob's astonishment39 increased, for here was no naked savage40, but a gorgeously arrayed aboriginal41, splendidly proportioned, and[Pg 288] carrying in his hand a long curved bow and several arrows. Bob had just time to note this much and no more, for Mackay's rifle belched42 out almost in the new arrival's face, but the shot had been fired with the hands resting loosely on the ground, and the bullet sped high, scattering43 the nodding plumes44 of the astonished black in all directions. With a cry of pent-up fury, Mackay lunged forward to grasp his prey45, and at once the stalwart native closed with him. And now crowding up behind, one by one, a solemn procession of similarly attired46 warriors47 came trooping. The first of the number without hesitation48 rushed to the assistance of his struggling comrade, the others calmly bore down upon the little group, who, with Bob at their head, had watched the scene as in a dream. With a hoarse25 snarl49 of rage Never Never Dave opened fire, and almost at the same instant the entire artillery50 of the camp spouted51 out flame and smoke and leaden hail. In reply, a cloud of arrows flew about their heads, and Bob felt one pierce the muscle of his arm, but he pulled out the slender barb52 with a wrench53, and again his rifle spoke54, and the roar of many reports in his ears told him that his comrades too were strenuously56 engaged. Backwards57 and forwards the spectral58 warriors surged, and yet never a sound escaped their lips, and they strove with steady effort to come to close quarters with the camp defenders59.
Meanwhile, Mackay was engaged in desperate encounter on the edge of the fray60. His first antagonist61 he had flung from him almost immediately, limp and broken, from that dreadful clutch. The second he had rendered hors de combat with a single blow of his mighty62 fist. Then two more rushed upon him, but profiting by the experience of their brethren they evaded63 his circling arms, and hurled64[Pg 289] themselves upon his lower limbs, and there they clutched leech-like, while others hastened to attack him from behind. Mackay marvelled65 for the moment why they had not shot him down with their arrows; his own rifle had been thrown aside after the first fruitless shot, but now his revolver flashed in his hand, and the weighty stock came down crash on the head of his nearest encumbrance66, but before he could use it again, he was seized from the back and pulled to the earth, yet even as he fell his revolver exploded upwards67 into the faces of his foes68, and he chuckled70 in grim joy as he felt their relaxing hold. It was at this stage that Bob missed him from their midst. The attack had drawn71 off somewhat, and he glanced around for the first time in search of his companions. Then he noticed the seething72 band standing over the fallen giant, and a wild fury filled his heart.
"Come on, boys," he cried, "Mackay's down!" and he dashed to the rescue.
Quick as he was Never Never Dave was quicker, and his clubbed rifle swung light as a feather in his strong right hand, but it fell heavy as lead on the heads of the all too previous natives, who had not looked for further molestation73 from that quarter. With a guttural exclamation74 they leaped aside, and Mackay arose bleeding and scarred. But the end was not yet; even while the defenders were congratulating themselves on their victory the natives once more swooped75 down upon them, and their arrows whistled loudly through the air. They had guessed that the death-dealing weapons of the little party had lost their power, for indeed there had not been a shot fired these many minutes, and the magazines of the rifles were empty. But they still had their revolvers, and at the first[Pg 290] discharge the angry blacks seemed to waver, but still they came on. As in a dream Bob saw a wild, grinning face peering into his, while a heavy club was raised to strike; vainly he tried to lift his revolver, the blood rushed to his head, his brain reeled, another instant and the blow would have fallen, when, with a stifled76 cry, Jack77 dashed before him and sprang fiercely at the savage's throat. The very force of his onslaught bore back the gloating native, the club fell, but it fell harmlessly to the ground as Jack's fingers closed on its owner's throat. But the warrior had had enough; disentangling himself from the youth's grasp, with many a wriggle78 and gasp79, he turned and fled, and when Jack looked round he found that the entire enemy had vanished.
"Now, boys," said Mackay, cheerily, "let us estimate the damage. You, Bob, have got an arrow-hole in your arm, an' I'm surprised you've managed to hold out so long, but if you had got that crack on the head that was meant for you, you would never have seen old England again."
Bob laughed weakly. "I'm pretty right," he said. "What about yourself?"
"Nothing serious, my lad; and you, Jack?"
"Not a scratch," responded that youth, brightly.
"As for me, boys," echoed out Emu Bill's voice dismally80, "I'm a regular pin-cushion, I am. I reckon they've ventilated me a bit; but hang it all, them arrows don't hurt worth a cent."
But where were the Shadow and Never Never Dave? The former they found sitting moodily81 by the base of the mountain, his back propped82 against it for support.
"That there last rush 'bout32 finished me," he said.[Pg 291] "A howling gorilla83 gave me a tender smack84 on the back wi' his club, an'—an' I believe it's broken."
Mackay laughed. "The back or the club, Shadow?" said he; whereat the sorrowful youngster arose painfully to his feet, and communed with himself in language deep and eloquent86.
"Where in thunder has Never Never gone?" cried Emu Bill, anxiously, as they looked in vain for the well-known figure of the bushman.
"He was beside me when that last rush came on," said Jack, almost tearfully. "I didn't see what happened to any one after that."
"Dave! Dave!" cried Emu Bill, and there was a quiver in his voice which sounded strangely on his lips. "Where are you, Dave?"
Then a thin, weak voice answered out of the gloom by the ravine.
"I is right here, Bill, old man, right here."
And there they found him, lying aslant87 on the loose débris as he had fallen, an inert88 mass. His face was upturned to the sky, and his breath issued between his clenched89 teeth in long spasmodic jerks. He smiled feebly as they bent over him.
"I'm sent for this trip, boys," he murmured.
"Don't say that, Dave," groaned90 Emu Bill, in anguish91; "you ain't goin' to leave your old comrade, Dave?"
Mackay knelt down by the stricken man and placed his hand over the feebly beating heart, and a hoarse cry of pain burst from his lips, which was echoed by the sad little group around.
"They must have given you a sair crack, Davie, man," said he, "a sair, sair crack."
[Pg 292]
Then he caught sight of the broken butts92 of two arrows in the sufferer's broad chest, and he turned aside with a heavy sigh.
"Never Never's going, lads," he said, with deep emotion. "Say your good-byes before it is too late."
Emu Bill gently pillowed his dying comrade's head upon his knee, and the tears ran down his rugged93 cheeks unchecked, and dropped upon Never Never Dave's pallid94 face.
EMU BILL GENTLY PILLOWED HIS DYING COMRADE'S HEAD UPON HIS KNEE
"EMU BILL GENTLY PILLOWED HIS DYING COMRADE'S
HEAD UPON HIS KNEE"
"Couldn't we carry him over and lay him on the blankets?" whispered Bob.
Mackay sadly shook his head. Then Never Never Dave opened his eyes and glanced at the sorrowing assembly, while his old smile struggled to his lips.
"Good-bye, boys," he whispered, "don't fret95 'bout me. I is goin' on a long, long trail, where there ain't no nigs an' no snakes. Never Never has made his last bush journey, I reckon. But—but—we reached the mountain." He ceased and laboured for breath, while the blood welled out from his cruel wounds with the exertion96. Silently each pressed round and squeezed the bushman's rough and horny hand in a farewell grip. Once more the man whose life-blood was ebbing97 so cruelly fast away spoke, but now he was in the fantasy of delirium98. "We'll get the spring all right, Bob. Don't worry, my lad—and the mountain, wi' gold and diamonds—we'll reach it, after all. Over the mountain—over—the—mountain." And so Never Never Dave went forth99 himself on a new quest with a smile on his lips, the smile of a man who knew no fear even at the end of his earthly pilgrimage. Emu Bill gathered the stiffening100 form in his arms, gulping101 down the great sobs102 with an effort, and tenderly he carried his lifeless burden[Pg 293] over to the camp-fire, and sad indeed were the hearts of the melancholy procession which followed.
"I reckon Never Never has had his wish, anyhow," said Emu Bill, quietly. "He has passed in his checks with his boots on."
"May we a' go out on the long trail as bravely," spoke Mackay, solemnly. "Dave has gone over the mountain right enough. Over the mountain o' earthly difficulty and down through the valley of the shadow. We should not pity him now, boys, for he's free o' all the sorrows an' cares, an' disappointments o' this vale o' tears. But we mustn't forget the living, lads, though we respect the dead, or there may be more o' us starting out on the long trail before sunrise. Get a lamp, Jack, an' we'll have a look at that gully where they came out."
"You're right, Mac," answered Emu Bill; "I'll get a pick too, in case we need it."
The lamp was speedily brought, and they started over to the gully whence the natives had emerged, and as they crossed the scene of their conflict Jack stumbled over the dead body of one of the warriors. He shuddered104 painfully, and Bob, who was at his hand, drew him aside.
"There are three more of them, Jack," he whispered. "Never Never, hasn't gone under unavenged."
Mackay heard the words, and he laughed harshly.
"Ay, there's three more o' them, Bob," he said, "and there's a dozen more who feel a bit mair pained in their anatomy105 than we do."
They reached the treacherous106 ravine, and Mackay, taking the lamp in his hand, cautiously moved forwards and downwards107 into the deep recess108, and gazed at the rocky rubble109 there strewn in bewilderment. In a moment[Pg 294] Emu Bill stood beside him, pick in hand, but he too was nonplussed110 completely by the very natural appearance of affairs.
"I'll swear I saw them come outen this here hole," he said.
"We can't blame ourselves vera much for neglectin' to notice things," agreed Mackay, with a grim smile.
In the depths of the fissure which striated111 the mountain, only a number of loose boulders112 were to be seen.
"I reckon I'll try and shift some o' them," spoke Emu Bill. He stooped down and lifted one or two of the heaviest rock fragments, while Mackay held the light, and examined the markings on the walls of the cavern113 with keen interest.
"There ain't no opening here at all," cried Emu Bill, looking round fearfully, as if half expecting to find the savages114 still close in the vicinity. "I'm certain sure they couldn't get through here."
Mackay smiled. "I don't know what sort o' blacks we've struck, Bill," he said earnestly; "but if they constructed this trap-door arrangement they've got a wonderful amount o' intelligence."
He traced with his finger an irregularly shaped shelving crack in the southerly wall. It seemed a perfectly115 natural occurrence in every way, as indeed it was, but the edges gaped116 considerably117 towards the top, and Mackay, pressing lightly against the mossy front, caused the overlapping118 rim8 to close solid into the rock. By this time Bob, Jack, and the Shadow had scrambled119 in beside the two.
"But they couldn't get through that measly crack," protested Emu Bill, not quite understanding.
Mackay reached for the pick, and inserting the sharp[Pg 295] point into the thin, almost unnoticeable crack now showing, pulled gently, and behold120, the weighty rock swung back on end revealing a narrow, tunnel-like entrance penetrating121 into the mountain. At the same time a draught122 of damp and stifling123 air issued from the dark and gloomy passage way, extinguishing the lamp, and before they could look again, the rock fell softly back into position, and this time it closed with a snap. Again Mackay endeavoured to lever it open, but now the solid formation refused to be moved; try as he might, the doorway124 into the mountain seemed closed conclusively125 against him.
"Surely it cannot be a natural cave formation?" said Bob.
"Nary cave, Bob," returned Emu Bill, decisively.
"Not in a diorite rock," added Mackay, much perplexed126.
They stood gazing at the tantalizing127 face of the ponderous128 doorway for some time without speaking. Then Mackay was aroused to action.
"We'll find out all about it before we go away from here," he said, "but in the meantime we'll barricade129 the swinging rock on this side to prevent any one coming out. I have an idea that it wasn't right closed at first or we would never have been able to find it; the blacks were in too great a hurry to be cautious, I'm thinking."
With a will they all set to work and built up a rampart of massive boulders in the ravine. Then they sadly went back to the camp-fire to await the coming of the dawn. All thought of sleep had left them now, and they sat moodily by the flickering130 flames for some time without a word being spoken, then as the chill morning air made[Pg 296] itself felt, Bob's wounded arm, which he had not yet examined, began to grow stiff, and his head throbbed131 painfully. The Shadow, too, was far from comfortable, though he made no complaint, and he fought against his growing weakness manfully but at last, with a weary sigh, he fell back limp on his blanket. Then Mackay rose with an exclamation of regret.
"Bill," he said, "we've forgotten that these young mates of ours are scarcely as tough as we are. We'd better try an' doctor up their bruises132 a bit."
Emu Bill staggered to his feet with a sympathetic grunt133, and walked blindly towards the camel packs in search of something that might serve for bandages, and Mackay stooped over the fallen Shadow and pulled back the neck of his much-torn shirt. The cause of that individual's relapse was not difficult to find, a great jagged gash134 on the young bushman's shoulder showed what a fierce blow he had received, evidently from a flint-studded club. Jack hurried to fetch water to lave the bloody135 wound, but the Shadow refused to receive any attention.
"Let the thing dry, boss," he said, sitting up once more. "I reckon I ain't no tender chicken to howl 'bout a muskittie bite."
Bob's memento136 of the affray was a little more serious; one of the barbs137 of the arrow had broken in his arm, keeping the wound open, and the blood was still dripping down his sleeve in great gouty drops. Mackay carefully cut out the splintered wood with the point of his sheath-knife, an acutely painful operation; but the patient never winced138.
Then Emu Bill returned. "I can't find nary cloth 'ceptin' flour-bags," he announced. "Take a bit o' this here shirt o' mine."
[Pg 297]
He ripped off a sleeve of his garment and handed it to Mackay, and with it Bob's arm was soon tightly dressed. And now the rosy139 light of approaching dawn began to spread over the scene, and the stars faded out one by one before the radiant sun's advance. Morning had come at last. Yes, morning had come, and with it appeared in all their grim hideousness140 the evidences of the long night's struggle. There was Never Never Dave stretched beside them, his calm white face gazing peacefully towards the heavens. A little way off four huddled141 forms lay bent up in the dust, their torn plumes scattered142 around them. Here and there arrows and clubs were strewn, and gory143 tracks marked the way towards the subterranean144 passage wherein the warriors had retreated. Bob surveyed the ghastly relics145 with a sorrowful countenance146. Here to him was a new aspect of the wanderer's life. In the pursuit of Nature's treasure the risks were many if the rewards were great. All was not sunshine and romance and pleasurable excitement. He stood for some minutes in silent contemplation.
"Yes," he said aloud, "and I, too, would have been lying there, had it not been for you, Jack."
"Don't speak about it, Bob," returned the boy at his side, with a shudder103. "How could I have gone home without you?"
Mackay had, in the mean time, been examining the discarded weapons of the aborigines with critical interest.
"It seems to me," he said quietly, "that we might all have been lying there if the warriors hadn't imagined us to be asleep. I can only find about twenty arrows altogether. I think they could only have carried one or two each, never dreaming they would have need for more."
[Pg 298]
"I reckon that is why they tried to rush us every time," remarked Emu Bill. "They were too cock-sure, they were; an' we've got to be thankful for it. But ain't this a funny get up for nigs, even if they is on for a corroborree dance?"
He pointed to the strange habiliments of the dead warriors. Each native was cloaked in a rich opossum robe, suspended from the shoulders almost down to the heels.
"I can't make them out, Bill," said Mackay. "They are different from any tribe I've ever run across before. They're bigger than an ordinary native, and their faces look almost intelligent. But we've forgotten about the mountain passage. Surely the blacks couldn't have made that. There's more o' a mystery here than I can fathom147, Bill; but we'll soon know what it all means."
"I just reckon we will," grated Emu Bill as they turned away.
Jack, who was now the most active member of the party, was not long in preparing breakfast, and the stimulating148 influence of the boiling tea did much to revive their weary spirits.
"If only Never Never hadn't gone under," said the Shadow, as he munched149 at his hard, unpalatable damper fare, "I could have felt real joyous150, I could. I reckon we has struck the land o' gold and di'monds right enough."
The mysterious mountain had assuredly grown more and more mystifying. What wonderful secret could be hid beyond? What strange people could have made the tunnel through its mighty heart?
"I am convinced we are about to make a wonderful[Pg 299] discovery," said Bob. "Ordinary aborigines could never have constructed that passage——"
"And allowing that they could," interjected Jack; "what purpose is it supposed to serve?"
"I reckon it's the treasure chamber151 o' the Never Never we has struck at last," observed Emu Bill, with quiet assurance. "Nary man ever knew what to expect in this here country; but we has struck the secret, only poor old Dave ain't with us no more."
There was no doubt that the expedition had reached a region of strange mystery in the heart of the great unknown land of the Never Never. Their humble152 repast over, there now came the sad duty of interring153 the body of their dead comrade. Silently they filed off, armed with pick and shovel154, in search of a soft spot in which to dig the grave. But no kindly155 soil was to be found; the bare rock appeared everywhere immediately below the surface.
"There's only one thing we can do," said Mackay. "We must drill and shoot a hole down wi' gelignite, that is, unless we carry poor Dave out across these springs into the desert, but for my part I'd rather bury him close into the mountain. I think he would have liked it himself. Let us give poor old Dave a big monument, boys, I'm sure none o' us will grudge156 the work."
Grudge the work? Not they. It was the last tribute they could pay to the faithful and brave companion of their travels, and with heavy hearts they set about their task. A case of gelignite had been included in the outfit157 of the expedition in anticipation158 of any valuable ore deposits being found which might necessitate159 blasting before samples could be obtained, and now for the first[Pg 300] time the deadly explosive was called into requisition, and for a most melancholy purpose. The long steel drills which had done such good work in the Golden Promise Mine were also called into play, and all forenoon Mackay and Emu Bill laboured at their sad work, relieved occasionally by Jack, the Shadow, and Bob, for though the last two were then wholly unfitted for any exertion, they insisted on taking their turn, Bob swinging the great hammer with his one free hand, while the Shadow held and turned the drill. At every half hour or so the mighty roar of an explosion would burst forth from the rocky excavation160, and a hail of boulders and showers of iron sand were hurled into the air.
In the midst of this turmoil161 Bob happened to look up, and he was scarcely surprised to see the same gloomy figure on the mountain summit watching their operations intently.
"I can understand his warning now," he muttered to himself. "He knew they were going to attack us from the tunnel. But why should he have wished to save us?"
The more he considered the matter the more puzzled he became. Then he observed quite a number of the oddly garbed162 natives join their companion on the hilltop. Again and again the dull boom of the heavy gelignite charges echoed out on the still air, and after each ponderous report a fresh group seemed to gather up aloft until Bob could count fully85 fifty of them.
"I reckon this here circus sort o' disturbs them," grunted163 Emu Bill.
Mackay looked anxious. "I hope there's no more o' them," he remarked gravely. "We've struck a [Pg 301]bigger-sized tribe than we calculated on, Bill, an' we'll have to be vera cautious."
At last the tomb was completed and reverently164 they wrapped the dead man in his blanket and carried him to his last earthly rest. No tears now dimmed their eyes, their sorrow was deep set in the heart; it had passed the mere165 emotional stage, and could find relief only in strenuous55 action. Then they stood around the open grave with bowed heads, while Mackay repeated a brief prayer. Long afterwards Bob remembered the quiet dignity of his utterance166, the simple eloquence167 of his tribute, and the whole pathetic scene would return to him with all its overwhelming memories. When he had finished, they shovelled168 in the loose sand and rubble in solemn silence, and built up a cairn over the top.
The natives from their position of vantage had gazed stolidly169 down on them throughout the entire ceremonial; but now they dispersed170, leaving but one solitary171 watcher on the height.
"We'll have to plant these natives now," said Mackay; "we can't leave them lying like that."
They walked over and surveyed the bodies again, and the Shadow taking the long opossum robe from one of them, threw it over his own shoulders with a chuckle69 of satisfaction.
"I reckon this here ornament172 should just fit me," said he, turning round for inspection173.
Emu Bill laughed hoarsely. "Throw the wretched thing away, Shad," he growled174. "Ye doesn't want to wear a nig's wardrobe, does ye?"
But a wild idea had just then entered Mackay's head; he bent down and gathered several of the emu[Pg 302] feathers lying around; these he stuck in the Shadow's hair much to that youth's disgust.
"Why, Shad, if your face was blacked you'd pass for one of the warriors!" exclaimed Jack, noting the effect at once.
"We'll save these decorations for future use," said Mackay, quietly.
Emu Bill whistled softly, "I never thought o' that," said he. "I reckon it's a real daisy idea."
Quickly they despoiled175 the natives of their gorgeous trappings, and Bob sighed when the miserable176 bodies were revealed in all their savage nakedness, and marvelled at the unusual muscular development showing in their chest and limbs.
"Ay, Bob," said Mackay, guessing his thoughts, "one of these fellows is worth two of any other tribe, I ken4. Somehow, though I have a sair grudge against them, I feel sort o' sorry to see such bonnie specimens177 slaughtered178."
"But I reckon they would have danced round our funeral all right," said Emu Bill, savagely179. "Hang it, the nigs in this here country ain't fit to live, they ain't."
"There are no opossums about here, are there?" asked Jack, suddenly.
"Nary one," answered Emu Bill, with a laugh. "Why, they couldn't live on sand, an' there ain't no trees around that a muskittie couldn't bend by sitting on them."
"Then where could these skins come from?" cried the lad.
Bob shook his head dubiously180, and Emu Bill seemed to[Pg 303] have thought of the matter for the first time. Mackay alone seemed confident in his knowledge.
"It's a sure proof, Jack," said he, "that beyond the mountain there must be a different kind o' country, a country o' forests and rivers, maybe, and our Eldorado."
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1
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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2
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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3
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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4
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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5
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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6
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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7
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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8
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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9
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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10
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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11
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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13
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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14
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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15
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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16
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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17
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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18
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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19
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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22
disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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23
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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24
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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25
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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26
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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27
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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28
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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29
outwards
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| adj.外面的，公开的，向外的；adv.向外；n.外形 | |
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30
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
fissure
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| n.裂缝；裂伤 | |
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32
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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33
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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34
beckon
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| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
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35
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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36
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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37
surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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38
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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39
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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40
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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41
aboriginal
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| adj.（指动植物）土生的，原产地的，土著的 | |
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42
belched
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| v.打嗝( belch的过去式和过去分词 )；喷出，吐出；打（嗝）；嗳（气） | |
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43
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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44
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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45
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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46
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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48
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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49
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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50
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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51
spouted
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| adj.装有嘴的v.（指液体）喷出( spout的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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52
barb
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| n.（鱼钩等的）倒钩，倒刺 | |
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53
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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54
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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55
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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56
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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57
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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58
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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59
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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60
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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61
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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62
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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63
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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64
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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65
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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66
encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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67
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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68
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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69
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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70
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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72
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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73
molestation
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| n.骚扰，干扰，调戏；折磨 | |
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74
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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75
swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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77
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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78
wriggle
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| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
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79
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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80
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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81
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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82
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
gorilla
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| n.大猩猩，暴徒，打手 | |
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84
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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85
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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86
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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87
aslant
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| adv.倾斜地；adj.斜的 | |
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88
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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89
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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90
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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91
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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92
butts
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| 笑柄( butt的名词复数 )； （武器或工具的）粗大的一端； 屁股； 烟蒂 | |
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93
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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94
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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95
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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96
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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97
ebbing
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| （指潮水）退( ebb的现在分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
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98
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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99
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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100
stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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101
gulping
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的现在分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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102
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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103
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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104
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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105
anatomy
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| n.解剖学，解剖；功能，结构，组织 | |
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106
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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107
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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108
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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109
rubble
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| n.（一堆）碎石，瓦砾 | |
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110
nonplussed
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| adj.不知所措的，陷于窘境的v.使迷惑( nonplus的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
striated
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| adj.有纵线，条纹的 | |
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112
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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113
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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114
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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115
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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116
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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117
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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118
overlapping
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| adj./n.交迭（的） | |
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119
scrambled
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| 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 | |
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120
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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121
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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122
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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123
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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124
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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125
conclusively
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| adv.令人信服地，确凿地 | |
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126
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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127
tantalizing
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| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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128
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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129
barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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130
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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131
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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132
bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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133
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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134
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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135
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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136
memento
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| n.纪念品，令人回忆的东西 | |
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137
barbs
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| n.（箭头、鱼钩等的）倒钩( barb的名词复数 )；带刺的话；毕露的锋芒；钩状毛 | |
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138
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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139
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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140
hideousness
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141
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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142
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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143
gory
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| adj.流血的；残酷的 | |
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144
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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145
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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146
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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147
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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148
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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149
munched
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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151
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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152
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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153
interring
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| v.埋，葬( inter的现在分词 ) | |
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154
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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156
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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157
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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158
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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159
necessitate
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| v.使成为必要，需要 | |
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160
excavation
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| n.挖掘，发掘；被挖掘之地 | |
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161
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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162
garbed
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| v.（尤指某类人穿的特定）服装，衣服，制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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163
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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reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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166
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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167
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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168
shovelled
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| v.铲子( shovel的过去式和过去分词 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份 | |
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169
stolidly
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| adv.迟钝地，神经麻木地 | |
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170
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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171
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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172
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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174
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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175
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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176
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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177
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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178
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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179
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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180
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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