The diminution6 of light, the gray, reddish mist which arose on the air, came from no natural cause, and Philip instinctively7 climbed a tree to gain, if possible, a more extended view.
To his great joy, from this point of vantage he could see flames on the further side of the island. Fire betokened8 the presence of human beings, and with a glad cry Philip descended9 from the tree to press forward at full speed.
The conflagration10, however, was much further away than he at first supposed. An hour passed, and yet he had not approached near enough to discern it through the thicket11. Several times, while[77] following the depressions of the land, his range of vision was so obscured that it became necessary to again climb a tree to make certain he was pursuing the proper direction, and after four hours had elapsed the guiding light died away entirely13.
He was now without any means of shaping a course, and, knowing full well the folly14 of traveling at random15 in a forest during the night when objects are distorted by the gloom, he came to a halt.
While groping around to find a suitable place in which to sleep, he discovered, to his great surprise, that the trees no longer grew at irregular intervals16, but were standing17 in straight rows, as if planted by the hand of man. The soil had every appearance of having been tilled; instead of walking on a springy turf, or over the decaying leaves of the jungle, his feet sunk in the loam18. The foliage19 no longer presented such a variety of plants, but was all of the same species and covered thickly with fruit.
Plucking one from a branch that bent20 down within reach he discovered that it was a guava, produced by a regular system of culture. There was an absence of harshness which characterizes this fruit in its natural state, and the discovery was further proof to him that human beings dwelt upon the island.
After a light repast of the pleasant-flavored but ill-smelling apple he lay down to rest, and did not awaken21 until a terrific uproar22, similar to that which so startled his disagreeable companions the first day[78] of his arrival at the island, rang out on the clear air.
The din12, indistinct at first, assumed the various gradations belonging to the voices of wild animals—from the tiger’s snarl23 and the howling of the hyena24 to the most piercing shrieks25 and shrillest whistles.
It was but natural that Philip should feel thoroughly26 alarmed, and make every effort to seek refuge from this new danger which seemed close at hand. Running forward he followed, without absolutely intending to do so, the line of cultivated trees, and at the further end, in what appeared to be a vast thicket, he crouched27, waiting until the sun should reveal the denizens28 of the jungle.
The day, which in the tropics does not steal on by degrees but bursts forth in a sudden glory, filled the forest with dazzling light, and through the numerous openings in the foliage Philip beheld29 that which might seem to be improbable but for the fact that it can be supported by the testimony30 of one of the most celebrated31 German naturalists32.
In a vast cleared space which formed a natural arena33 was a group of individuals partially clad in uniforms such as are worn by many of our merchant-sailors, who believe that a distinctive34 dress on shipboard is conducive35 to discipline.
The members of this gathering36 were seated on a slight elevation37 apparently38 in grave deliberation, as if holding a sort of court-martial, while among them was one who towered above the others, with a cap on which were three bands of gold-lace, and a coat plentifully39 bedecked with the same material.
[79]
It was not the uniforms nor the positions of these individuals which surprised Philip. The cause of his profound astonishment40, amounting almost to bewilderment, was the fact that the entire assembly was composed of apes, and the one in authority wore a uniform identical with that which Philip had seen on Captain Seaworth the day when he and his officers made the purchases at the animal-trainer’s establishment.
Composing this court—if such it can be called—and ranged about the leader in circles, were all species of the monkey-tribe, or, to speak more correctly, the ferocious41 members of that large family. Each one was clad in some portion of a uniform, but none save the leader boasted of an entire suit. Two or three had nothing more than caps; others wore trousers, and several displayed partial suits of underclothing. One ape was the proud possessor of a blue coat; another carried a saber with the belt around his neck, while a number had the weapons minus belts. Two or three were fortunate only in having gloves, which were as often on their feet as their hands. Some had coats on hind-side before without any attempt at buttoning them, and not a few were decorated with bright-colored ribbons. Philip also noticed half a dozen who had portions of female wearing apparel, such as dresses or capes42.
The majority of the party were armed with some kind of a weapon, either saber, boarding-pike, or capstan-bar.
Philip hardly completed his inspection43 of this[80] singular-looking assembly when he who appeared to be the leader began what was evidently a speech lasting44 four or five minutes, and listened to with the utmost gravity by all.
When he had concluded, half a dozen of those nearest him marched solemnly into the thicket opposite Philip’s hiding-place, and returned with twenty of the most inoffensive of the monkey-tribe, known as vervets, all of whom were securely bound with ropes made from bark.
These were arraigned45 before the leader like so many criminals, and he addressed them with a succession of harsh, guttural cries until the poor creatures vainly tried to escape from the awful presence, but only to be dragged back by their captors, who belabored46 them with bamboo sticks.
During fully a quarter of an hour this scene was continued, and then, as if at a signal from the leader, a squad47 of huge apes, each of whom was armed with a long stick, began flogging the prisoners unmercifully.
It was possible for Philip to hear the blows even though so far away, and the unfortunate vervets gave vent48 to the most plaintive49 cries, which sounded very much like appeals for mercy.
The executioners—for such they appeared to be—continued the punishment until seemingly wearied with their cruel exertions50, and then, unloosing their bonds, drove the culprits from among them into the depths of the forest.
No sooner was this done than the entire assembly[81] crowded around the leader, stroking his back, licking his hands, fawning51 at his feet, and in every possible way showing the utmost respect mingled52 with fear.
When the big ape had received sufficient adulation to satisfy him he waved his hand by way of signal for his followers53 to desist, and then, arising majestically54, started toward what was evidently a continuation of the clearing, followed by his adherents55.
If Philip’s surprise at this strange proceeding56 had been great, one can imagine how much it was intensified57 when he recognized in this pompous58 leader none other than the gigantic Goliah whom he had once owned and sold to Captain Seaworth!
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1
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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2
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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3
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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4
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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5
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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6
diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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7
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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8
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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10
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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11
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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12
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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13
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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14
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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15
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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16
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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17
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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18
loam
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| n.沃土 | |
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19
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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20
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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21
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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22
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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23
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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24
hyena
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| n.土狼，鬣狗 | |
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25
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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26
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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27
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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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
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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31
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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32
naturalists
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| n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者 | |
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33
arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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34
distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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35
conducive
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| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
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36
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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37
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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38
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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39
plentifully
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| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
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40
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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41
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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42
capes
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| 碎谷； 斗篷( cape的名词复数 )； 披肩； 海角； 岬 | |
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43
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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44
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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45
arraigned
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| v.告发( arraign的过去式和过去分词 )；控告；传讯；指责 | |
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46
belabored
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| v.毒打一顿( belabor的过去式和过去分词 )；责骂；就…作过度的说明；向…唠叨 | |
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47
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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48
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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49
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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50
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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51
fawning
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| adj.乞怜的，奉承的v.（尤指狗等）跳过来往人身上蹭以示亲热( fawn的现在分词 )；巴结；讨好 | |
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52
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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53
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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54
majestically
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| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
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55
adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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56
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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57
intensified
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| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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