These, as I found out, were Morattoes, the king of that country, though not friendly to the English, having agreed to join them in this enterprise. Indeed, it appeared that the pirates themselves were revolted subjects of this king, having their origin in the treachery of one Angria, the Morattoe admiral, who cast off his allegiance and seized and fortified2 divers3 strong places along the coast, where he set up an independent power. For this reason the Morattoes had despatched an army under their principal general, Ramagee Punt, to assist in extirpating4 the pirates and regaining5 their former dominions6.
As soon as the ships had swung to their anchors I saw a boat put off, bearing a flag of truce7, to [Pg 84]summon the pirates to yield up their fastness. But this proposal evidently miscarried, for the boat returned shortly, without any motions being made towards a surrender. At the same time I saw the gate on the landward side of the fortress8 opened and a chieftain wearing a rich dress come forth9, accompanied by a train of attendants, and cross over the sand spit into the Morattoes’ camp, from which he did not return that night.
This looked to me like a piece of treachery, as though the pirates were seeking to make terms with their fellow-countrymen behind the backs of the English. No doubt this transaction bore the same look to those on board the fleet, for when I came up on deck in the morning to see if any change had taken place during the night, I was astonished to see the space between the Morattoes’ camp and the sand spit covered with tents, in which were about two thousand troops newly landed from the fleet, the last of the boats that had put them ashore10 being then half-way back, and rowing right round the grabs and gallivats, which were moored11 altogether close in under the walls of the fortress. It was not difficult for me to guess that this bold exploit was the work of Colonel Clive, who had thus placed himself between his treacherous12 allies and the enemy, effectually putting a stop to all underhand communications between them. And I learned afterwards that but for this determined13 action on his part, the fortress would have been delivered up [Pg 85]to Ramagee Punt that very morning, and the English excluded from all share of the prize.
I saw some messengers pass to and fro between the ships and the land, but nothing seemed to come of it, and finally, about ten o’clock I saw a signal run up on the Talisman14, and immediately the side of every ship drove forth a vast cloud of smoke across the water, and the air was shaken by the discharge of at least three hundred guns.
Now the cowardice15 of the pirates was made manifest, for instead of manning their own fleet, which might have given much trouble if well handled, they left it exposed to the British fire, and withdrew behind the walls of their fort, from which they made a feeble reply to the broadsides of the squadron. The consequence was that before long one of the shells from the fleet set fire to a large grab, and the whole of the pirates’ vessels17, being made fast side by side, caught fire together, and were burnt to the water’s edge, amid a continual noise of explosions every time the flames reached a loaded cannon18 or a powder barrel. Thus was destroyed in a few hours a navy which had for fifty years been the terror of the Malabar coast, and had preyed19 upon the commerce of every nation trading in those seas.
So taken up was I in watching this scene of destruction that I did not at first notice what was happening to the Fair Maid. Being anchored some way off the other vessels, and further up towards [Pg 86]the sand spit, we escaped the damage that had been done to them, but now we attracted the attention of the British Fleet, and those on board naturally considering us as a prize captured by the pirates, one of the ships began to open fire on us, and sent a ball clean through the deck.
Up to this time the crew had lain inactive, taking no part in the fight. My cousin had gone ashore into the fort the night before, taking a part of the ship’s company with him, and had not returned. The boatswain was left in command, with about twenty men under him, and these now began to see that they were in a trap, being too few to fight the ship to any purpose, while any attempt to land would expose them to a destructive fire either from the fleet or from Mr. Clive’s troops, which would come along the sand spit to cut them off.
In this extremity20 old Muzzy took what was perhaps the boldest resolution any man could have come to. He decided21 to set sail, and pass right between the fort and the ships, running the gauntlet of the whole squadron, and thus escape down the river and out to the open sea. The breeze blowing out to sea, as it always does for the first half of the day on this coast, the plan seemed a good one, if once they could pass through the fire of the squadron.
This course commending itself to the crew, the sails were hoisted22 accordingly, I lending a hand, for I had no desire either to take refuge with the pirates [Pg 87]or to be sunk where we were; and having slipped our cable the Fair Maid got under weigh. This proceeding24 must have struck surprise into those who were watching us, for the frigate25 which had commenced to bombard us at once stopped fire, and waited to see what we would do. As we had no colours flying, it was difficult for them to know what we would be at, or whether we did not mean to surrender. Had we been only concerned with the fleet, our best course might have been to hoist23 the union Jack26; but in that case we had to fear the guns of the fort, close under which we meant to pass.
In this way we got along till we were right in the range of fire between the ships and the fort, and here for a minute all seemed over with us and I had fairly given myself up for lost. A whole broadside of thirty guns was fired right across us, and the only thing that saved us from being sunk instantly was our lying so low on the water that the bullets, being aimed at the walls of the fort, passed over our heads. As it was they did great damage to the rigging. The main topmast was shot away, the shrouds27 were torn to threads, and the gaff of the fore-topsail was badly wounded. Luckily for us the next vessel16 of the squadron had discharged its broadside just before we came into the line of fire, and the third merely signalled to know if we would surrender. Old Muzzy refused to answer the signal, and his conduct in this, and in not using the Fair [Pg 88]Maid’s own guns, clearly puzzled those on board the fleet.
By this time we had begun to round the corner of the rock, and paying away before the wind to go down the river, presented our stern to the remaining ships of the squadron. One of them gave us a broadside, but it was ill-directed, and only three balls took effect. They had aimed this time at the hull28, luckily for the Fair Maid, as she could ill have stood another discharge at her rigging, and though the tiller was shot away, and some damage was done to the stern, it was not serious enough to cripple her.
But just as we were beginning to breathe we were dismayed at suddenly receiving a bullet from one of the guns of the fort, which ploughed right into the deck within two feet of where I stood. I looked up astonished, and beheld29 my cousin Rupert, with the match still in his hand, looking over to watch the effect of his shot. The other men on board caught sight of him at the same moment, and a howl went up at this act of cold-blooded treachery. One of the fellows snatched up a loaded musket30 which lay on the deck, and discharged it at him, and I had the satisfaction to see him fall back swiftly, but whether actually struck by the bullet or no I could not tell.
Distracted by this unlooked-for attack, we had not noticed a fresh danger from the fleet. But now we perceived that the launch of the Admiral’s own [Pg 89]ship, the Talisman, had been manned, and was bearing right down on us, the men on board coming with great coolness and daring right past the guns of the fort. In this they were fortunately protected by the fact that the gunners were all engaged in replying to the fire of the fleet, which lay anchored above, and we being now past the direct line of fire, and out on the middle of the river, the garrison31 paid no attention to us. However, the launch would have had no chance of overtaking us but for the unlucky accident to the tiller, which had made the Fair Maid unmanageable for the moment, and caused her to come up to the wind. They were thus able to draw very near us before the man at the helm had contrived32 to rig up a makeshift tiller out of a splinter off the gunwale. Just as he began to get the ship’s head round again the launch approached within hailing distance, and bade us surrender.
Old Muzzy strictly33 forbidding any reply, they fired a bullet at us from a small swivel gun in the bows. Thereupon one of the crew—the same man who had fired at Rupert—wanted to discharge the Fair Maid’s stern gun at them; but this the boatswain would not permit.
“If we’re caught running away, they may let us off,” he said prudently34; “but if we’re caught after firing on the king’s uniform, it’s hanging for every mother’s son of us.”
The men saw the wisdom of this, and now the [Pg 90]sails began to draw again, and give a fair chance of leaving the launch behind. No sooner did this happen, than I experienced a keen feeling of regret. I had aided heartily35 in our escape so far, believing it to be the only thing I could do, but now I thought I saw a chance of being restored to my ship I could not resist the temptation. I measured the distance between the Fair Maid and the launch with my eye, and, though a poor swimmer, considered I might manage to keep afloat till the launch should pick me up. I turned round, shook hands with old Muzzy, and before he knew what I had in mind, plunged36 over the side into the water.
I heard a cry go up from the crew, who at first thought it was an accident, my zeal37 in helping38 to work the ship having put it out of their minds that I was merely a prisoner. However, they had too much to do in looking after their own escape to give much thought to me; and in the end they got very fairly away, and disappeared outside the river’s mouth.
In the meantime the launch came on towards me, and then a thing happened which I may truly say brought my heart into my mouth. For one of the marines in her, looking on me no doubt as one of the pirates, raised his musket and aimed it directly at my head. The sun was behind me, but fell full upon his face, and I could see the narrowing of his eye as he took aim, also the flash of the sunlight along the barrel. I had made up my mind that I [Pg 91]was a dead man, and was even hoping that my death would be too swift for me to feel the pain of the wound, when I saw the gun struck up and heard the voice of Irish Mick crying out in a mixture of terror and laughter—
“Sure, don’t you know him? It’s the little purser!”
The recognition came almost as near killing39 as saving me, for in their amazement40 the men of the launch ceased rowing, and as in my expectancy41 of death I had lost all power of motion I was like to have been drowned. However, they rescued me just in time, and welcomed me on board with a heartiness42 which did much to make amends43 for the suffering I had gone through since I had left their company.
I told them my story, and had to tell it again to Mr. Griffiths and the purser when I reached the ship. Mr. Sanders received me coldly, and pronounced that I had been rightly served for hankering after my former evil companions, but the lieutenant44 spoke45 to me more kindly46, and praised me for my refusal to join myself to the privateers, or rather pirates, for such they were now openly become.
I claimed his promise to let me take part in the fighting, to which he willingly consented; though, indeed, there was but little glory to be gained, as the pirates were now so cowed as to have pretty well ceased to return our fire, and before night they had made some fresh attempts towards a capitulation.
[Pg 92]
It fell through, however, and our bombardment was renewed the following day. The castle was so strong, the walls being hewn in many places out of the solid rock that we were unable to make much impression, but luckily if their walls were strong, the hearts of the pirates were too weak to prolong the defence, and it became merely a question of whether they should surrender to us or to Ramagee Punt. The Morattoes struggled hard, but Colonel Clive stood at his post like a wall between them and the fort, and after two days the pirates saw that they had met their master, and opened the gates to him.
As soon as I knew that Mr. Clive’s force would be the first to enter, I took Mr. Griffiths aside, and explained to him that there was an Englishwoman, in whom I was interested, inside the fortress, and after I had related the whole story to him he sent me ashore to the camp to lay the case before Mr. Clive.
That brave man—who was good enough to express his pleasure at seeing me safe again—heard me with great attention. As soon as I had told my story he turned to his secretary.
“Mr. Scrafton, you have heard what this young man says. I desire you will send at once for Angria’s envoy47, and tell him that if I find one hair of this girl’s head has been injured I will hang him from his own walls.”
He spoke this in a stern and terrible manner, which imparted some fear even to me. Within an [Pg 93]hour the message came back from the pirates’ chief that the Colonel’s orders should be strictly obeyed.
This was while the negotiations48 for the surrender were still in progress. By the end of the second day’s bombardment all was over, and Colonel Clive marched into the place at the head of 800 English and 1,000 Indian soldiers, who formed his whole army. I was allowed to enter at the same time.
We found the pirates drawn49 up inside to the number of several thousands. In so vast a crowd I could not distinguish the faces of any of the Fair Maid men, nor was there a sign to be seen of my cousin Rupert. Out of a feeling of shame I had concealed50 from Colonel Clive that this villain51 was among the pirates, but I made a strict search for him presently all through the place, without any result. I could only conclude that he must have been killed during the siege, unless he had made his escape in some way not easy to guess.
As soon as we had passed through the ranks of the pirates, whom Mr. Clive ordered to be disarmed52 and handed over to their Morattoe countrymen, we came into the inner court of the place, where we found Angria himself, surrounded by his chief men. He was a tall, handsome Indian, with a fierce, threatening countenance53, surmounted54 by a crimson55 turban, which blazed with rich gems56. His whole treasure lay beside him, and amounted, when it came to be reckoned up, to ￡120,000, which was divided among the fleet and army, I getting ￡6 for [Pg 94]my own share. It was considered a paltry57 booty by the men, and some hinted that the officers had taken more than their portion. There was also a dispute between the two services as to the amount of Mr. Clive’s share, which the army insisted should be equal to a rear-admiral’s, while the navy would not allow it to be more than a post-captain’s. In order to settle the matter Admiral Watson very handsomely offered to make up the difference out of his own share, which the Colonel with equal handsomeness declined; and so the affair passed off.
But the greatest prize we gained in that action, to my thinking, was the woman whom I found crouched58 in terror upon the floor of a dark, stifling59 hut, built against one of the walls of the castle, and expecting every moment to find herself in the clutches of some savage60 enemy. For Rupert had cruelly forborne to tell her that the fortress was besieged61 by an English fleet, and when I entered the place where she was confined, she no doubt believed me to be some marauder of the same stamp as those among whom she had been kept a prisoner.
I stepped up beside her with a bursting heart, and laid a hand upon her shoulder.
“Marian,” I said, “I am Athelstane Ford62, who has come to set you free.”
She trembled all over as she gave a quick look up at me, and then rose tottering63 on to her feet. And when I saw her face, how it was all shrunken [Pg 95]from its former roundness, and the colour had gone from her cheeks, and the brightness from her eyes, as she stood there before me, with her dress all dishevelled, and her beautiful long hair ragged64 and wild, the tears started to my eyes, and I swore a deep oath that if my cousin Rupert ever met me face to face again he should not depart alive.
“Athelstane,” she said presently, when we had stood gazing at each other like that for above a minute, “that detestable villain who is your kinsman65 has cruelly used me and betrayed me; but I believe you are a true man. Take me to my father, and I will bless the day that I ever saw you first.” And before I knew what she would be at, she had knelt down and kissed my hand, with a passion of weeping, that proud, beautiful creature whom I had last seen in all the glory of her youth and loveliness, the jewel of her native town.
I raised her up tenderly, and drew her forth out of that vile66 place. A week later the Admiral carried his fleet back to Bombay; but I had got my discharge, and was with Marian on board the sloop67 Thetis, of twenty-six guns, bound for the river Hooghley with despatches.
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1
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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2
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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extirpating
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| v.消灭，灭绝( extirpate的现在分词 )；根除 | |
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regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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10
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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12
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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13
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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14
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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16
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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19
preyed
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| v.掠食( prey的过去式和过去分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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21
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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22
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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24
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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25
frigate
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| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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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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27
shrouds
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| n.裹尸布( shroud的名词复数 )；寿衣；遮蔽物；覆盖物v.隐瞒( shroud的第三人称单数 )；保密 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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29
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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30
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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32
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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33
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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34
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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35
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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36
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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39
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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40
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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41
expectancy
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| n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额 | |
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42
heartiness
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| 诚实，热心 | |
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43
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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44
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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45
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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46
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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47
envoy
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| n.使节，使者，代表，公使 | |
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48
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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49
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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50
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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51
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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52
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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53
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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54
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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55
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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56
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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57
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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58
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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60
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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61
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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64
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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65
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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66
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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67
sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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