But where, to-morrow?—Well, all's one for that
—Richard the Third.
The travellers soon discovered the usual and unerring evidences that the several articles necessary to their situation were not far distant. A clear and gurgling spring burst out of the side of the declivity2, and joining its waters to those of other similar little fountains in its vicinity, their united contributions formed a run, which was easily to be traced, for miles along the prairie, by the scattering3 foliage4 and verdure which occasionally grew within the influence of its moisture. Hither, then, the stranger held his way, eagerly followed by the willing teams, whose instinct gave them a prescience of refreshment5 and rest.
On reaching what he deemed a suitable spot, the old man halted, and with an enquiring6 look, he seemed to demand if it possessed7 the needed conveniences. The leader of the emigrants8 cast his eyes, understandingly, about him, and examined the place with the keenness of one competent to judge of so nice a question, though in that dilatory10 and heavy manner, which rarely permitted him to betray precipitation.
“Ay, this may do,” he said, satisfied with his scrutiny11; “boys, you have seen the last of the sun; be stirring.”
The young men manifested a characteristic obedience12. The order, for such in tone and manner it was, in truth, was received with respect; but the utmost movement was the falling of an axe13 or two from the shoulder to the ground, while their owners continued to regard the place with listless and incurious eyes. In the mean time, the elder traveller, as if familiar with the nature of the impulses by which his children were governed, disencumbered himself of his pack and rifle, and, assisted by the man already mentioned as disposed to appeal so promptly14 to the rifle, he quietly proceeded to release the cattle from the gears.
At length the eldest15 of the sons stepped heavily forward, and, without any apparent effort, he buried his axe to the eye, in the soft body of a cotton-wood tree. He stood, a moment, regarding the effect of the blow, with that sort of contempt with which a giant might be supposed to contemplate16 the puny17 resistance of a dwarf18, and then flourishing the implement19 above his head, with the grace and dexterity20 with which a master of the art of offence would wield21 his nobler though less useful weapon, he quickly severed22 the trunk of the tree, bringing its tall top crashing to the earth in submission23 to his prowess. His companions regarded the operation with indolent curiosity, until they saw the prostrate24 trunk stretched on the ground, when, as if a signal for a general attack had been given, they advanced in a body to the work, and in a space of time, and with a neatness of execution that would have astonished an ignorant spectator, they stripped a small but suitable spot of its burden of forest, as effectually, and almost as promptly, as if a whirlwind had passed along the place.
The stranger had been a silent but attentive25 observer of their progress. As tree after tree came whistling down, he cast his eyes upward at the vacancies26 they left in the heavens, with a melancholy27 gaze, and finally turned away, muttering to himself with a bitter smile, like one who disdained28 giving a more audible utterance29 to his discontent. Pressing through the group of active and busy children, who had already lighted a cheerful fire, the attention of the old man became next fixed30 on the movements of the leader of the emigrants and of his savage31 looking assistant.
These two had, already, liberated32 the cattle, which were eagerly browsing33 the grateful and nutritious34 extremities35 of the fallen trees, and were now employed about the wagon36, which has been described as having its contents concealed37 with so much apparent care. Notwithstanding this particular conveyance39 appeared to be as silent, and as tenantless40 as the rest of the vehicles, the men applied41 their strength to its wheels, and rolled it apart from the others, to a dry and elevated spot, near the edge of the thicket42. Here they brought certain poles, which had, seemingly, been long employed in such a service, and fastening their larger ends firmly in the ground, the smaller were attached to the hoops43 that supported the covering of the wagon. Large folds of cloth were next drawn44 out of the vehicle, and after being spread around the whole, were pegged45 to the earth in such a manner as to form a tolerably capacious and an exceedingly convenient tent. After surveying their work with inquisitive47, and perhaps jealous eyes, arranging a fold here, and driving a peg46 more firmly there, the men once more applied their strength to the wagon, pulling it, by its projecting tongue, from the centre of the canopy48, until it appeared in the open air, deprived of its covering, and destitute49 of any other freight, than a few light articles of furniture. The latter were immediately removed, by the traveller, into the tent with his own hands, as though to enter it, were a privilege, to which even his bosom50 companion was not entitled.
Curiosity is a passion that is rather quickened than destroyed by seclusion51, and the old inhabitant of the prairies did not view these precautionary and mysterious movements, without experiencing some of its impulses. He approached the tent, and was about to sever1 two of its folds, with the very obvious intention of examining, more closely, into the nature of its contents, when the man who had once already placed his life in jeopardy52, seized him by the arm, and with a rude exercise of his strength threw him from the spot he had selected as the one most convenient for his object.
“It's an honest regulation, friend,” the fellow, drily observed, though with an eye that threatened volumes, “and sometimes it is a safe one, which says, mind your own business.”
“Men seldom bring any thing to be concealed into these deserts,” returned the old man, as if willing, and yet a little ignorant how to apologize for the liberty he had been about to take, “and I had hoped no offence, in examining your comforts.”
“They seldom bring themselves, I reckon; though this has the look of an old country, to my eye it seems not to be overly peopled.”
“The land is as aged53 as the rest of the works of the Lord, I believe; but you say true, concerning its inhabitants. Many months have passed since I have laid eyes on a face of my own colour, before your own. I say again, friend, I meant no harm; I did not know, but there was something behind the cloth, that might bring former days to my mind.”
As the stranger ended his simple explanation, he walked meekly54 away, like one who felt the deepest sense of the right which every man has to the quiet enjoyment55 of his own, without any troublesome interference on the part of his neighbour; a wholesome56 and just principle that he had, also, most probably imbibed57 from the habits of his secluded58 life. As he passed towards the little encampment of the emigrants, for such the place had now become, he heard the voice of the leader calling aloud, in its hoarse59 tones, the name of—
“Ellen Wade60.”
The girl who has been already introduced to the reader, and who was occupied with the others of her sex around the fires, sprang willingly forward at this summons; and, passing the stranger with the activity of a young antelope61, she was instantly lost behind the forbidden folds of the tent. Neither her sudden disappearance62, nor any of the arrangements we have mentioned, seemed, however, to excite the smallest surprise among the remainder of the party. The young men, who had already completed their tasks with the axe, were all engaged after their lounging and listless manner; some in bestowing63 equitable64 portions of the fodder65 among the different animals; others in plying66 the heavy pestle67 of a moveable homminy-mortar[*]; and one or two in wheeling the remainder of the wagons68 aside, and arranging them in such a manner as to form a sort of outwork for their otherwise defenceless bivouac.
[*] Homminy, is a dish composed chiefly of cracked corn, or maize69.
These several duties were soon performed, and, as darkness now began to conceal38 the objects on the surrounding prairie, the shrill-toned termagant, whose voice since the halt had been diligently70 exercised among her idle and drowsy71 offspring, announced, in tones that might have been heard at a dangerous distance, that the evening meal waited only for the approach of those who were to consume it. Whatever may be the other qualities of a border man, he is seldom deficient72 in the virtue73 of hospitality. The emigrant9 no sooner heard the sharp call of his wife, than he cast his eyes about him in quest of the stranger, in order to offer him the place of distinction, in the rude entertainment to which they were so unceremoniously summoned.
“I thank you, friend,” the old man replied to the rough invitation to take a seat nigh the smoking kettle; “you have my hearty74 thanks; but I have eaten for the day, and am not one of them, who dig their graves with their teeth. Well; as you wish it, I will take a place, for it is long sin' I have seen people of my colour, eating their daily bread.”
“You ar' an old settler, in these districts, then?” the emigrant rather remarked than enquired75, with a mouth filled nearly to overflowing76 with the delicious homminy, prepared by his skilful77, though repulsive78 spouse79. “They told us below, we should find settlers something thinnish, hereaway, and I must say, the report was mainly true; for, unless, we count the Canada traders on the big river, you ar' the first white face I have met, in a good five hundred miles; that is calculating according to your own reckoning.”
“Though I have spent some years, in this quarter, I can hardly be called a settler, seeing that I have no regular abode80, and seldom pass more than a month, at a time, on the same range.”
“A hunter, I reckon?” the other continued, glancing his eyes aside, as if to examine the equipments of his new acquaintance; “your fixen seem none of the best, for such a calling.”
“They are old, and nearly ready to be laid aside, like their master,” said the old man, regarding his rifle, with a look in which affection and regret were singularly blended; “and I may say they are but little needed, too. You are mistaken, friend, in calling me a hunter; I am nothing better than a trapper.”[*]
[*] It is scarcely necessary to say, that this American word means one
who takes his game in a trap. It is of general use on the
frontiers. The beaver81, an animal too sagacious to be easily
killed, is oftener taken in this way than in any other.
“If you ar' much of the one, I'm bold to say you ar' something of the other; for the two callings, go mainly together, in these districts.”
“To the shame of the man who is able to follow the first be it so said!” returned the trapper, whom in future we shall choose to designate by his pursuit; “for more than fifty years did I carry my rifle in the wilderness82, without so much as setting a snare83 for even a bird that flies the heavens;—much less, a beast that has nothing but legs, for its gifts.”
“I see but little difference whether a man gets his peltry by the rifle or by the trap,” said the ill-looking companion of the emigrant, in his rough manner. “The 'arth was made for our comfort; and, for that matter, so ar' its creatur's.”
“You seem to have but little plunder84,[*] stranger, for one who is far abroad,” bluntly interrupted the emigrant, as if he had a reason for wishing to change the conversation. “I hope you ar' better off for skins.”
[*] The cant85 word for luggage in the western states of America is
“plunder.” The term might easily mislead one as to the character
of the people, who, notwithstanding their pleasant use of so
expressive86 a word, are, like the inhabitants of all new
settlements, hospitable87 and honest. Knavery88 of the description
conveyed by “plunder,” is chiefly found in regions more civilised.
“I make but little use of either,” the trapper quietly replied. “At my time of life, food and clothing be all that is needed; and I have little occasion for what you call plunder, unless it may be, now and then, to barter89 for a horn of powder, or a bar of lead.”
“You ar' not, then, of these parts by natur', friend,” the emigrant continued, having in his mind the exception which the other had taken to the very equivocal word, which he himself, according to the custom of the country, had used for “baggage,” or “effects.”
“I was born on the sea-shore, though most of my life has been passed in the woods.”
The whole party now looked up at him, as men are apt to turn their eyes on some unexpected object of general interest. One or two of the young men repeated the words “sea-shore” and the woman tendered him one of those civilities with which, uncouth90 as they were, she was little accustomed to grace her hospitality, as if in deference91 to the travelled dignity of her guest. After a long, and, seemingly, a meditating92 silence, the emigrant, who had, however, seen no apparent necessity to suspend the functions of his masticating93 powers, resumed the discourse94.
“It is a long road, as I have heard, from the waters of the west to the shores of the main sea?”
“It is a weary path, indeed, friend; and much have I seen, and something have I suffered, in journeying over it.”
“A man would see a good deal of hard travel in going its length!”
“Seventy and five years have I been upon the road; and there are not half that number of leagues in the whole distance, after you leave the Hudson, on which I have not tasted venison of my own killing95. But this is vain boasting. Of what use are former deeds, when time draws to an end?”
“I once met a man that had boated on the river he names,” observed the eldest son, speaking in a low tone of voice, like one who distrusted his knowledge, and deemed it prudent96 to assume a becoming diffidence in the presence of a man who had seen so much: “from his tell, it must be a considerable stream, and deep enough for a keel-boat, from top to bottom.”
“It is a wide and deep water-course, and many sightly towns are there growing on its banks,” returned the trapper; “and yet it is but a brook97 to the waters of the endless river.”
“I call nothing a stream that a man can travel round,” exclaimed the ill-looking associate of the emigrant: “a real river must be crossed; not headed, like a bear in a county hunt.”[*]
[*] There is a practice, in the new countries, to assemble the men of
a large district, sometimes of an entire county, to exterminate98
the beasts of prey99. They form themselves into a circle of several
miles in extent, and gradually draw nearer, killing all before
them. The allusion100 is to this custom, in which the hunted beast is
turned from one to another.
“Have you been far towards the sun-down, friend?” interrupted the emigrant, as if he desired to keep his rough companion as much as possible out of the discourse. “I find it is a wide tract101 of clearing, this, into which I have fallen.”
“You may travel weeks, and you will see it the same. I often think the Lord has placed this barren belt of prairie behind the States, to warn men to what their folly102 may yet bring the land! Ay, weeks, if not months, may you journey in these open fields, in which there is neither dwelling103 nor habitation for man or beast. Even the savage animals travel miles on miles to seek their dens104; and yet the wind seldom blows from the east, but I conceit105 the sound of axes, and the crash of falling trees, are in my ears.”
As the old man spoke106 with the seriousness and dignity that age seldom fails to communicate even to less striking sentiments, his auditors107 were deeply attentive, and as silent as the grave. Indeed, the trapper was left to renew the dialogue himself, which he soon did by asking a question, in the indirect manner so much in use by the border inhabitants.
“You found it no easy matter to ford108 the water-courses, and to make your way so deep into the prairies, friend, with teams of horses and herds109 of horned beasts?”
“I kept the left bank of the main river,” the emigrant replied, “until I found the stream leading too much to the north, when we rafted ourselves across without any great suffering. The women lost a fleece or two from the next year's shearing110, and the girls have one cow less to their dairy. Since then, we have done bravely, by bridging a creek111 every day or two.”
“It is likely you will continue west, until you come to land more suitable for a settlement?”
“Until I see reason to stop, or to turn ag'in,” the emigrant bluntly answered, rising at the same time, and cutting short the dialogue by the suddenness of the movement. His example was followed by the trapper, as well as the rest of the party; and then, without much deference to the presence of their guest, the travellers proceeded to make their dispositions112 to pass the night. Several little bowers113, or rather huts, had already been formed of the tops of trees, blankets of coarse country manufacture, and the skins of buffaloes114, united without much reference to any other object than temporary comfort. Into these covers the children, with their mother, soon drew themselves, and where, it is more than possible, they were all speedily lost in the oblivion of sleep. Before the men, however, could seek their rest, they had sundry115 little duties to perform; such as completing their works of defence, carefully concealing116 the fires, replenishing the fodder of their cattle, and setting the watch that was to protect the party, in the approaching hours of night.
The former was effected by dragging the trunks of a few trees into the intervals118 left by the wagons, and along the open space between the vehicles and the thicket, on which, in military language, the encampment would be said to have rested; thus forming a sort of chevaux-de-frise on three sides of the position. Within these narrow limits (with the exception of what the tent contained), both man and beast were now collected; the latter being far too happy in resting their weary limbs, to give any undue119 annoyance120 to their scarcely more intelligent associates. Two of the young men took their rifles; and, first renewing the priming, and examining the flints with the utmost care, they proceeded, the one to the extreme right, and the other to the left, of the encampment, where they posted themselves within the shadows of the thicket; but in such positions as enabled each to overlook a portion of the prairie.
The trapper loitered about the place, declining to share the straw of the emigrant, until the whole arrangement was completed; and then, without the ceremony of an adieu, he slowly retired121 from the spot.
It was now in the first watch of the night; and the pale, quivering, and deceptive122 light, from a new moon, was playing over the endless waves of the prairie, tipping the swells123 with gleams of brightness, and leaving the interval117 land in deep shadow. Accustomed to scenes of solitude124 like the present, the old man, as he left the encampment, proceeded alone into the waste, like a bold vessel125 leaving its haven126 to enter on the trackless field of the ocean. He appeared to move for some time without object, or, indeed, without any apparent consciousness, whither his limbs were carrying him. At length, on reaching the rise of one of the undulations, he came to a stand; and, for the first time since leaving the band, who had caused such a flood of reflections and recollections to crowd upon his mind, the old man became aware of his present situation. Throwing one end of his rifle to the earth, he stood leaning on the other, again lost in deep contemplation for several minutes, during which time his hound came and crouched127 at his feet. A deep, menacing growl128, from the faithful animal, first aroused him from his musing129.
“What now, dog?” he said, looking down at his companion, as if he addressed a being of an intelligence equal to his own, and speaking in a voice of great affection. “What is it, pup? ha! Hector; what is it nosing, now? It won't do, dog; it won't do; the very fa'ns play in open view of us, without minding so worn out curs, as you and I. Instinct is their gift, Hector and, they have found out how little we are to be feared, they have!”
The dog stretched his head upward, and responded to the words of his master by a long and plaintive130 whine131, which he even continued after he had again buried his head in the grass, as if he held an intelligent communication with one who so well knew how to interpret dumb discourse.
“This is a manifest warning, Hector!” the trapper continued, dropping his voice, to the tones of caution and looking warily132 about him. “What is it, pup; speak plainer, dog; what is it?”
The hound had, however, already laid his nose to the earth, and was silent; appearing to slumber133. But the keen quick glances of his master, soon caught a glimpse of a distant figure, which seemed, through the deceptive light, floating along the very elevation134 on which he had placed himself. Presently its proportions became more distinct, and then an airy, female form appeared to hesitate, as if considering whether it would be prudent to advance. Though the eyes of the dog were now to be seen glancing in the rays of the moon, opening and shutting lazily, he gave no further signs of displeasure.
“Come nigher; we are friends,” said the trapper, associating himself with his companion by long use, and, probably, through the strength of the secret tie that connected them together; “we are your friends; none will harm you.”
Encouraged by the mild tones of his voice, and perhaps led on by the earnestness of her purpose, the female approached, until she stood at his side; when the old man perceived his visitor to be the young woman, with whom the reader, has already become acquainted by the name of “Ellen Wade.”
“I had thought you were gone,” she said, looking timidly and anxiously around. “They said you were gone; and that we should never see you again. I did not think it was you!”
“Men are no common objects in these empty fields,” returned the trapper, “and I humbly135 hope, though I have so long consorted136 with the beasts of the wilderness, that I have not yet lost the look of my kind.”
“Oh! I knew you to be a man, and I thought I knew the whine of the hound, too,” she answered hastily, as if willing to explain she knew not what, and then checking herself, like one fearful of having already said too much.
“I saw no dogs, among the teams of your father,” the trapper remarked.
“Father!” exclaimed the girl, feelingly, “I have no father! I had nearly said no friend.”
The old man turned towards her, with a look of kindness and interest, that was even more conciliating than the ordinary, upright, and benevolent137 expression of his weather-beaten countenance138.
“Why then do you venture in a place where none but the strong should come?” he demanded. “Did you not know that, when you crossed the big river, you left a friend behind you that is always bound to look to the young and feeble, like yourself.”
“Of whom do you speak?”
“The law—'tis bad to have it, but, I sometimes think, it is worse to be entirely139 without it. Age and weakness have brought me to feel such weakness, at times. Yes—yes, the law is needed, when such as have not the gifts of strength and wisdom are to be taken care of. I hope, young woman, if you have no father, you have at least a brother.”
The maiden140 felt the tacit reproach conveyed in this covert141 question, and for a moment she remained in an embarrassed silence. But catching142 a glimpse of the mild and serious features of her companion, as he continued to gaze on her with a look of interest, she replied, firmly, and in a manner that left no doubt she comprehended his meaning:
“Heaven forbid that any such as you have seen, should be a brother of mine, or any thing else near or dear to me! But, tell me, do you then actually live alone, in this desert district, old man; is there really none here besides yourself?”
“There are hundreds, nay143, thousands of the rightful owners of the country, roving about the plains; but few of our own colour.”
“And have you then met none who are white, but us?” interrupted the girl, like one too impatient to await the tardy144 explanations of age and deliberation.
“Not in many days—Hush, Hector, hush,” he added in reply to a low, and nearly inaudible, growl from his hound. “The dog scents145 mischief146 in the wind! The black bears from the mountains sometimes make their way, even lower than this. The pup is not apt to complain of the harmless game. I am not so ready and true with the piece as I used-to-could-be, yet I have struck even the fiercest animals of the prairie in my time; so, you have little reason for fear, young woman.”
The girl raised her eyes, in that peculiar147 manner which is so often practised by her sex, when they commence their glances, by examining the earth at their feet, and terminate them by noting every thing within the power of human vision; but she rather manifested the quality of impatience148, than any feeling of alarm.
A short bark from the dog, however, soon gave a new direction to the looks of both, and then the real object of his second warning became dimly visible.
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1
sever
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| v.切开，割开；断绝，中断 | |
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declivity
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| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
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3
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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4
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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5
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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6
enquiring
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| a.爱打听的，显得好奇的 | |
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7
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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8
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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9
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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10
dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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11
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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12
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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13
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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14
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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19
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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21
wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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vacancies
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| n.空房间( vacancy的名词复数 )；空虚；空白；空缺 | |
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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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disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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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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liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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browsing
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| v.吃草( browse的现在分词 )；随意翻阅；（在商店里）随便看看；（在计算机上）浏览信息 | |
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34
nutritious
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| adj.有营养的，营养价值高的 | |
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35
extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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36
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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37
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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38
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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39
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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40
tenantless
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| adj.无人租赁的，无人居住的 | |
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41
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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42
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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43
hoops
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| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
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44
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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pegged
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| v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的过去式和过去分词 )；使固定在某水平 | |
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46
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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47
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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48
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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49
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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50
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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51
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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52
jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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53
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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54
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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55
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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56
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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57
imbibed
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| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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58
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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59
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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60
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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61
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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62
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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63
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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64
equitable
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| adj.公平的；公正的 | |
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65
fodder
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| n.草料；炮灰 | |
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66
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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67
pestle
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| n.杵 | |
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68
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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69
maize
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| n.玉米 | |
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70
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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71
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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72
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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73
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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74
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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75
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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76
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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77
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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78
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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79
spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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80
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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81
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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82
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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83
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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84
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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85
cant
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| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
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86
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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87
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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88
knavery
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| n.恶行，欺诈的行为 | |
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89
barter
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| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
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90
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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91
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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92
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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93
masticating
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| v.咀嚼( masticate的现在分词 )；粉碎，磨烂 | |
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94
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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95
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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96
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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97
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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98
exterminate
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| v.扑灭，消灭，根绝 | |
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99
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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100
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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101
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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102
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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103
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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104
dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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105
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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106
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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107
auditors
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| n.审计员，稽核员( auditor的名词复数 )；（大学课程的）旁听生 | |
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108
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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109
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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110
shearing
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| n.剪羊毛，剪取的羊毛v.剪羊毛( shear的现在分词 )；切断；剪切 | |
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111
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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112
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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113
bowers
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| n.（女子的）卧室( bower的名词复数 )；船首锚；阴凉处；鞠躬的人 | |
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114
buffaloes
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| n.水牛（分非洲水牛和亚洲水牛两种）( buffalo的名词复数 )；（南非或北美的）野牛；威胁；恐吓 | |
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115
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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116
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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117
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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118
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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119
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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120
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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121
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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122
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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123
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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124
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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125
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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126
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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127
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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129
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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130
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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131
whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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132
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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133
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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134
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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135
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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136
consorted
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| v.结伴( consort的过去式和过去分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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137
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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138
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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139
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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140
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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141
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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142
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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143
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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144
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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145
scents
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| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
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146
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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147
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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148
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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