Can in this desert place buy entertainment,
Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed.
—As you like it.
Much was said and written, at the time, concerning the policy of adding the vast regions of Louisiana, to the already immense and but half-tenanted territories of the United States. As the warmth of controversy1 however subsided2, and party considerations gave place to more liberal views, the wisdom of the measure began to be generally conceded. It soon became apparent to the meanest capacity, that, while nature had placed a barrier of desert to the extension of our population in the west, the measure had made us the masters of a belt of fertile country, which, in the revolutions of the day, might have become the property of a rival nation. It gave us the sole command of the great thoroughfare of the interior, and placed the countless3 tribes of savages5, who lay along our borders, entirely6 within our control; it reconciled conflicting rights, and quieted national distrusts; it opened a thousand avenues to the inland trade, and to the waters of the Pacific; and, if ever time or necessity shall require a peaceful division of this vast empire, it assures us of a neighbour that will possess our language, our religion, our institutions, and it is also to be hoped, our sense of political justice.
Although the purchase was made in 1803, the spring of the succeeding year was permitted to open, before the official prudence7 of the Spaniard, who held the province for his European master, admitted the authority, or even of the entrance of its new proprietors8. But the forms of the transfer were no sooner completed, and the new government acknowledged, than swarms9 of that restless people, which is ever found hovering10 on the skirts of American society, plunged11 into the thickets12 that fringed the right bank of the Mississippi, with the same careless hardihood, as had already sustained so many of them in their toilsome progress from the Atlantic states, to the eastern shores of the “father of rivers.”[*]
[*] The Mississippi is thus termed in several of the Indian languages.
The reader will gain a more just idea of the importance of this
stream, if he recalls to mind the fact, that the Missouri and the
Mississippi are properly the same river. Their united lengths
cannot be greatly short of four thousand miles.
Time was necessary to blend the numerous and affluent14 colonists15 of the lower province with their new compatriots; but the thinner and more humble16 population above, was almost immediately swallowed in the vortex which attended the tide of instant emigration. The inroad from the east was a new and sudden out-breaking of a people, who had endured a momentary17 restraint, after having been rendered nearly resistless by success. The toils13 and hazards of former undertakings18 were forgotten, as these endless and unexplored regions, with all their fancied as well as real advantages, were laid open to their enterprise. The consequences were such as might easily have been anticipated, from so tempting19 an offering, placed, as it was, before the eyes of a race long trained in adventure and nurtured20 in difficulties.
Thousands of the elders, of what were then called the New States[*], broke up from the enjoyment21 of their hard-earned indulgences, and were to be seen leading long files of descendants, born and reared in the forests of Ohio and Kentucky, deeper into the land, in quest of that which might be termed, without the aid of poetry, their natural and more congenial atmosphere. The distinguished23 and resolute24 forester who first penetrated25 the wilds of the latter state, was of the number. This adventurous26 and venerable patriarch was now seen making his last remove; placing the “endless river” between him and the multitude his own success had drawn27 around him, and seeking for the renewal28 of enjoyments29 which were rendered worthless in his eyes, when trammelled by the forms of human institutions.[+]
[*] All the states admitted to the American union, since the
revolution, are called New States, with the exception of Vermont:
that had claims before the war; which were not, however, admitted
until a later day.
[+] Colonel Boon30, the patriarch of Kentucky. This venerable and hardy31
pioneer of civilisation32 emigrated to an estate three hundred miles
west of the Mississippi, in his ninety-second year, because he
found a population of ten to the square mile, inconveniently33
crowded!
In the pursuit of adventures such as these, men are ordinarily governed by their habits or deluded34 by their wishes. A few, led by the phantoms35 of hope, and ambitious of sudden affluence36, sought the mines of the virgin37 territory; but by far the greater portion of the emigrants39 were satisfied to establish themselves along the margins40 of the larger water-courses, content with the rich returns that the generous, alluvial41, bottoms of the rivers never fail to bestow42 on the most desultory43 industry. In this manner were communities formed with magical rapidity; and most of those who witnessed the purchase of the empty empire, have lived to see already a populous44 and sovereign state, parcelled from its inhabitants, and received into the bosom45 of the national union, on terms of political equality.
The incidents and scenes which are connected with this legend, occurred in the earliest periods of the enterprises which have led to so great and so speedy a result.
The harvest of the first year of our possession had long been passed, and the fading foliage46 of a few scattered47 trees was already beginning to exhibit the hues48 and tints49 of autumn, when a train of wagons50 issued from the bed of a dry rivulet52, to pursue its course across the undulating surface, of what, in the language of the country of which we write, is called a “rolling prairie.” The vehicles, loaded with household goods and implements53 of husbandry, the few straggling sheep and cattle that were herded54 in the rear, and the rugged55 appearance and careless mien56 of the sturdy men who loitered at the sides of the lingering teams, united to announce a band of emigrants seeking for the Elderado of the West. Contrary to the usual practice of the men of their caste, this party had left the fertile bottoms of the low country, and had found its way, by means only known to such adventurers, across glen and torrent57, over deep morasses58 and arid59 wastes, to a point far beyond the usual limits of civilised habitations. In their front were stretched those broad plains, which extend, with so little diversity of character, to the bases of the Rocky Mountains; and many long and dreary60 miles in their rear, foamed61 the swift and turbid62 waters of La Platte.
The appearance of such a train, in that bleak63 and solitary64 place, was rendered the more remarkable65 by the fact, that the surrounding country offered so little, that was tempting to the cupidity66 of speculation67, and, if possible, still less that was flattering to the hopes of an ordinary settler of new lands.
The meagre herbage of the prairie, promised nothing, in favour of a hard and unyielding soil, over which the wheels of the vehicles rattled68 as lightly as if they travelled on a beaten road; neither wagons nor beasts making any deeper impression, than to mark that bruised69 and withered70 grass, which the cattle plucked, from time to time, and as often rejected, as food too sour, for even hunger to render palatable71.
Whatever might be the final destination of these adventurers, or the secret causes of their apparent security in so remote and unprotected a situation, there was no visible sign of uneasiness, uncertainty72, or alarm, among them. Including both sexes, and every age, the number of the party exceeded twenty.
At some little distance in front of the whole, marched the individual, who, by his position and air, appeared to be the leader of the band. He was a tall, sun-burnt, man, past the middle age, of a dull countenance73 and listless manner. His frame appeared loose and flexible; but it was vast, and in reality of prodigious74 power. It was, only at moments, however, as some slight impediment opposed itself to his loitering progress, that his person, which, in its ordinary gait seemed so lounging and nerveless, displayed any of those energies, which lay latent in his system, like the slumbering75 and unwieldy, but terrible, strength of the elephant. The inferior lineaments of his countenance were coarse, extended and vacant; while the superior, or those nobler parts which are thought to affect the intellectual being, were low, receding76 and mean.
The dress of this individual was a mixture of the coarsest vestments of a husbandman with the leathern garments, that fashion as well as use, had in some degree rendered necessary to one engaged in his present pursuits. There was, however, a singular and wild display of prodigal77 and ill judged ornaments78, blended with his motley attire79. In place of the usual deer-skin belt, he wore around his body a tarnished80 silken sash of the most gaudy81 colours; the buck-horn haft of his knife was profusely82 decorated with plates of silver; the marten's fur of his cap was of a fineness and shadowing that a queen might covet83; the buttons of his rude and soiled blanket-coat were of the glittering coinage of Mexico; the stock of his rifle was of beautiful mahogany, riveted84 and banded with the same precious metal, and the trinkets of no less than three worthless watches dangled85 from different parts of his person. In addition to the pack and the rifle which were slung86 at his back, together with the well filled, and carefully guarded pouch87 and horn, he had carelessly cast a keen and bright wood-axe across his shoulder, sustaining the weight of the whole with as much apparent ease, as if he moved, unfettered in limb, and free from incumbrance.
A short distance in the rear of this man, came a group of youths very similarly attired88, and bearing sufficient resemblance to each other, and to their leader, to distinguish them as the children of one family. Though the youngest of their number could not much have passed the period, that, in the nicer judgment89 of the law, is called the age of discretion90, he had proved himself so far worthy91 of his progenitors92 as to have reared already his aspiring93 person to the standard height of his race. There were one or two others, of different mould, whose descriptions must however be referred to the regular course of the narrative94.
Of the females, there were but two who had arrived at womanhood; though several white-headed, olive-skinned faces were peering out of the foremost wagon51 of the train, with eyes of lively curiosity and characteristic animation95. The elder of the two adults, was the sallow and wrinkled mother of most of the party, and the younger was a sprightly96, active, girl, of eighteen, who in figure, dress, and mien, seemed to belong to a station in society several gradations above that of any one of her visible associates. The second vehicle was covered with a top of cloth so tightly drawn, as to conceal97 its contents, with the nicest care. The remaining wagons were loaded with such rude furniture and other personal effects, as might be supposed to belong to one, ready at any moment to change his abode98, without reference to season or distance.
Perhaps there was little in this train, or in the appearance of its proprietors, that is not daily to be encountered on the highways of this changeable and moving country. But the solitary and peculiar99 scenery, in which it was so unexpectedly exhibited, gave to the party a marked character of wildness and adventure.
In the little valleys, which, in the regular formation of the land, occurred at every mile of their progress, the view was bounded, on two of the sides, by the gradual and low elevations100, which gave name to the description of prairie we have mentioned; while on the others, the meagre prospect101 ran off in long, narrow, barren perspectives, but slightly relieved by a pitiful show of coarse, though somewhat luxuriant vegetation. From the summits of the swells103, the eye became fatigued104 with the sameness and chilling dreariness106 of the landscape. The earth was not unlike the Ocean, when its restless waters are heaving heavily, after the agitation107 and fury of the tempest have begun to lessen108. There was the same waving and regular surface, the same absence of foreign objects, and the same boundless109 extent to the view. Indeed so very striking was the resemblance between the water and the land, that, however much the geologist110 might sneer111 at so simple a theory, it would have been difficult for a poet not to have felt, that the formation of the one had been produced by the subsiding112 dominion113 of the other. Here and there a tall tree rose out of the bottoms, stretching its naked branches abroad, like some solitary vessel114; and, to strengthen the delusion115, far in the distance, appeared two or three rounded thickets, looming116 in the misty117 horizon like islands resting on the waters. It is unnecessary to warn the practised reader, that the sameness of the surface, and the low stands of the spectators, exaggerated the distances; but, as swell102 appeared after swell, and island succeeded island, there was a disheartening assurance that long, and seemingly interminable, tracts118 of territory must be passed, before the wishes of the humblest agriculturist could be realised.
Still, the leader of the emigrants steadily119 pursued his way, with no other guide than the sun, turning his back resolutely120 on the abodes121 of civilisation, and plunging122, at each step, more deeply if not irretrievably, into the haunts of the barbarous and savage4 occupants of the country. As the day drew nigher to a close, however, his mind, which was, perhaps, incapable123 of maturing any connected system of forethought, beyond that which related to the interests of the present moment, became, in some slight degree, troubled with the care of providing for the wants of the hours of darkness.
On reaching the crest124 of a swell that was a little higher than the usual elevations, he lingered a minute, and cast a half curious eye, on either hand, in quest of those well known signs, which might indicate a place, where the three grand requisites125 of water, fuel and fodder126 were to be obtained in conjunction.
It would seem that his search was fruitless; for after a few moments of indolent and listless examination, he suffered his huge frame to descend22 the gentle declivity127, in the same sluggish128 manner that an over fatted beast would have yielded to the downward pressure.
His example was silently followed by those who succeeded him, though not until the young men had manifested much more of interest, if not of concern in the brief enquiry, which each, in his turn, made on gaining the same look-out. It was now evident, by the tardy129 movements both of beasts and men, that the time of necessary rest was not far distant. The matted grass of the lower land, presented obstacles which fatigue105 began to render formidable, and the whip was becoming necessary to urge the lingering teams to their labour. At this moment, when, with the exception of the principal individual, a general lassitude was getting the mastery of the travellers, and every eye was cast, by a sort of common impulse, wistfully forward, the whole party was brought to a halt, by a spectacle, as sudden as it was unexpected.
The sun had fallen below the crest of the nearest wave of the prairie, leaving the usual rich and glowing train on its track. In the centre of this flood of fiery130 light, a human form appeared, drawn against the gilded131 background, as distinctly, and seemingly as palpable, as though it would come within the grasp of any extended hand. The figure was colossal132; the attitude musing133 and melancholy134, and the situation directly in the route of the travellers. But imbedded, as it was, in its setting of garish135 light, it was impossible to distinguish its just proportions or true character.
The effect of such a spectacle was instantaneous and powerful. The man in front of the emigrants came to a stand, and remained gazing at the mysterious object, with a dull interest, that soon quickened into superstitious136 awe137. His sons, so soon as the first emotions of surprise had a little abated138, drew slowly around him, and, as they who governed the teams gradually followed their example, the whole party was soon condensed in one, silent, and wondering group. Notwithstanding the impression of a supernatural agency was very general among the travellers, the ticking of gun-locks was heard, and one or two of the bolder youths cast their rifles forward, in readiness for service.
“Send the boys off to the right,” exclaimed the resolute wife and mother, in a sharp, dissonant139 voice; “I warrant me, Asa, or Abner will give some account of the creature!”
“It may be well enough, to try the rifle,” muttered a dull looking man, whose features, both in outline and expression, bore no small resemblance to the first speaker, and who loosened the stock of his piece and brought it dexterously140 to the front, while delivering this opinion; “the Pawnee Loups are said to be hunting by hundreds in the plains; if so, they'll never miss a single man from their tribe.”
“Stay!” exclaimed a soft toned, but alarmed female voice, which was easily to be traced to the trembling lips of the younger of the two women; “we are not altogether; it may be a friend!”
“Who is scouting141, now?” demanded the father, scanning, at the same time, the cluster of his stout142 sons, with a displeased143 and sullen144 eye. “Put by the piece, put by the piece;” he continued, diverting the other's aim, with the finger of a giant, and with the air of one it might be dangerous to deny. “My job is not yet ended; let us finish the little that remains145, in peace.”
The man, who had manifested so hostile an intention, appeared to understand the other's allusion146, and suffered himself to be diverted from his object. The sons turned their inquiring looks on the girl, who had so eagerly spoken, to require an explanation; but, as if content with the respite147 she had obtained for the stranger, she sunk back, in her seat, and chose to affect a maidenly148 silence.
In the mean time, the hues of the heavens had often changed. In place of the brightness, which had dazzled the eye, a gray and more sober light had succeeded, and as the setting lost its brilliancy, the proportions of the fanciful form became less exaggerated, and finally distinct. Ashamed to hesitate, now that the truth was no longer doubtful, the leader of the party resumed his journey, using the precaution, as he ascended149 the slight acclivity, to release his own rifle from the strap150, and to cast it into a situation more convenient for sudden use.
There was little apparent necessity, however, for such watchfulness151. From the moment when it had thus unaccountably appeared, as it were, between the heavens and the earth, the stranger's figure had neither moved nor given the smallest evidence of hostility152. Had he harboured any such evil intention, the individual who now came plainly into view, seemed but little qualified153 to execute them.
A frame that had endured the hardships of more than eighty seasons, was not qualified to awaken154 apprehension155, in the breast of one as powerful as the emigrant38. Notwithstanding his years, and his look of emaciation156, if not of suffering, there was that about this solitary being, however, which said that time, and not disease, had laid his hand heavily on him. His form had withered, but it was not wasted. The sinews and muscles, which had once denoted great strength, though shrunken, were still visible; and his whole figure had attained157 an appearance of induration, which, if it were not for the well known frailty158 of humanity, would have seemed to bid defiance159 to the further approaches of decay. His dress was chiefly of skins, worn with the hair to the weather; a pouch and horn were suspended from his shoulders; and he leaned on a rifle of uncommon160 length, but which, like its owner, exhibited the wear of long and hard service.
As the party drew nigher to this solitary being, and came within a distance to be heard, a low growl161 issued from the grass at his feet, and then, a tall, gaunt, toothless, hound, arose lazily from his lair162, and shaking himself, made some show of resisting the nearer approach of the travellers.
“Down, Hector, down,” said his master, in a voice, that was a little tremulous and hollow with age. “What have ye to do, pup, with men who journey on their lawful163 callings?”
“Stranger, if you ar' much acquainted in this country,” said the leader of the emigrants, “can you tell a traveller where he may find necessaries for the night?”
“Is the land filled on the other side of the Big River?” demanded the old man, solemnly, and without appearing to hearken to the other's question; “or why do I see a sight, I had never thought to behold164 again?”
“Why, there is country left, it is true, for such as have money, and ar' not particular in the choice,” returned the emigrant; “but to my taste, it is getting crowdy. What may a man call the distance, from this place to the nighest point on the main river?”
“A hunted deer could not cool his sides, in the Mississippi, without travelling a weary five hundred miles.”
“And what may you name the district, hereaway?”
“By what name,” returned the old man, pointing significantly upward, “would you call the spot, where you see yonder cloud?”
The emigrant looked at the other, like one who did not comprehend his meaning, and who half suspected he was trifled with, but he contented165 himself by saying—
“You ar' but a new inhabitant, like myself, I reckon, stranger, otherwise you would not be backward in helping166 a traveller to some advice; words cost but little, and sometimes lead to friendships.”
“Advice is not a gift, but a debt that the old owe to the young. What would you wish to know?”
“Where I may camp for the night. I'm no great difficulty maker167, as to bed and board; but, all old journeyers, like myself, know the virtue168 of sweet water, and a good browse169 for the cattle.”
“Come then with me, and you shall be master of both; and little more is it that I can offer on this hungry prairie.”
As the old man was speaking, he raised his heavy rifle to his shoulder, with a facility a little remarkable for his years and appearance, and without further words led the way over the acclivity to the adjacent bottom.
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1
controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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2
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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3
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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4
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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5
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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6
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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7
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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8
proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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9
swarms
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| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
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10
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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11
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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12
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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13
toils
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| 网 | |
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14
affluent
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| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
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15
colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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16
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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17
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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18
undertakings
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| 企业( undertaking的名词复数 )； 保证； 殡仪业； 任务 | |
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19
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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20
nurtured
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| 养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长 | |
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21
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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22
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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23
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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25
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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26
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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27
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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28
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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29
enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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30
boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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31
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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inconveniently
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| ad.不方便地 | |
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34
deluded
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
phantoms
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| n.鬼怪，幽灵( phantom的名词复数 ) | |
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affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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emigrant
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| adj.移居的，移民的；n.移居外国的人，移民 | |
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emigrants
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| n.（从本国移往他国的）移民( emigrant的名词复数 ) | |
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40
margins
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| 边( margin的名词复数 )； 利润； 页边空白； 差数 | |
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41
alluvial
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| adj.冲积的；淤积的 | |
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42
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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43
desultory
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| adj.散漫的，无方法的 | |
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44
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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45
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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46
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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47
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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49
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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51
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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52
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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53
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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54
herded
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| 群集，纠结( herd的过去式和过去分词 )； 放牧； （使）向…移动 | |
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55
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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56
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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57
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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58
morasses
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| n.缠作一团( morass的名词复数 )；困境；沼泽；陷阱 | |
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59
arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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60
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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61
foamed
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| 泡沫的 | |
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62
turbid
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| adj.混浊的，泥水的，浓的 | |
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63
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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64
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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65
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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66
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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67
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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68
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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69
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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70
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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71
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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72
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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73
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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74
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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75
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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76
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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77
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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78
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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79
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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tarnished
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| （通常指金属）（使）失去光泽，（使）变灰暗( tarnish的过去式和过去分词 )； 玷污，败坏 | |
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81
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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82
profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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83
covet
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| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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84
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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85
dangled
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| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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86
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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87
pouch
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| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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88
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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89
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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90
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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91
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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92
progenitors
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| n.祖先( progenitor的名词复数 )；先驱；前辈；原本 | |
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93
aspiring
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| adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求 | |
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94
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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95
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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96
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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97
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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98
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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99
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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100
elevations
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| （水平或数量）提高( elevation的名词复数 )； 高地； 海拔； 提升 | |
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101
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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102
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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103
swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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104
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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105
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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106
dreariness
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| 沉寂，可怕，凄凉 | |
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107
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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108
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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109
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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110
geologist
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| n.地质学家 | |
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111
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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112
subsiding
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的现在分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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113
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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114
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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115
delusion
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| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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116
looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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117
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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118
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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119
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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120
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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121
abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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122
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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123
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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124
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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125
requisites
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| n.必要的事物( requisite的名词复数 ) | |
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126
fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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127
declivity
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| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
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128
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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129
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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130
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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131
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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132
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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133
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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134
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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135
garish
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| adj.华丽而俗气的，华而不实的 | |
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136
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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137
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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138
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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139
dissonant
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| adj.不和谐的；不悦耳的 | |
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140
dexterously
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| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
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141
scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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143
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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144
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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145
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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146
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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147
respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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148
maidenly
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| adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的 | |
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149
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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151
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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152
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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153
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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154
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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155
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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156
emaciation
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| n.消瘦，憔悴，衰弱 | |
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157
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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158
frailty
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| n.脆弱；意志薄弱 | |
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159
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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160
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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161
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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162
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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163
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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164
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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165
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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166
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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167
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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168
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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169
browse
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| vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草 | |
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