—King John.
In the mean time the industrious2 and irreclaimable hours continued their labours. The sun, which had been struggling through such masses of vapour throughout the day, fell slowly in a streak3 of clear sky, and thence sunk gloriously into the gloomy wastes, as he is wont4 to settle into the waters of the ocean. The vast herds5 which had been grazing among the wild pastures of the prairies, gradually disappeared, and the endless flocks of aquatic6 birds, that were pursuing their customary annual journey from the virgin7 lakes of the north towards the gulf8 of Mexico, ceased to fan that air, which had now become loaded with dew and vapour. In short, the shadows of night fell upon the rock, adding the mantle9 of darkness to the other dreary10 accompaniments of the place.
As the light began to fail, Esther collected her younger children at her side, and placing herself on a projecting point of her insulated fortress11, she sat patiently awaiting the return of the hunters. Ellen Wade12 was at no great distance, seeming to keep a little aloof13 from the anxious circle, as if willing to mark the distinction which existed in their characters.
“Your uncle is, and always will be, a dull calculator, Nell,” observed the mother, after a long pause in a conversation that had turned on the labours of the day; “a lazy hand at figures and foreknowledge is that said Ishmael Bush! Here he sat lolloping about the rock from light till noon, doing nothing but scheme—scheme—scheme—with seven as noble boys at his elbows as woman ever gave to man; and what's the upshot? why, night is setting in, and his needful work not yet ended.”
“It is not prudent15, certainly, aunt,” Ellen replied, with a vacancy16 in her air, that proved how little she knew what she was saying; “and it is setting a very bad example to his sons.”
“Hoity, toity, girl! who has reared you up as a judge over your elders, ay, and your betters, too! I should like to see the man on the whole frontier, who sets a more honest example to his children than this same Ishmael Bush! Show me, if you can, Miss Fault-finder, but not fault-mender, a set of boys who will, on occasion, sooner chop a piece of logging and dress it for the crop, than my own children; though I say it myself, who, perhaps, should be silent; or a cradler that knows better how to lead a gang of hands through a field of wheat, leaving a cleaner stubble in his track, than my own good man! Then, as a father, he is as generous as a lord; for his sons have only to name the spot where they would like to pitch, and he gives 'em a deed of the plantation17, and no charge for papers is ever made!”
As the wife of the squatter18 concluded, she raised a hollow, taunting19 laugh, that was echoed from the mouths of several juvenile20 imitators, whom she was training to a life as shiftless and lawless as her own; but which, notwithstanding its uncertainty21, was not without its secret charms.
“Holloa! old Eester;” shouted the well-known voice of her husband, from the plain beneath; “ar' you keeping your junkets, while we are finding you in venison and buffaloe beef? Come down—come down, old girl, with all your young; and lend us a hand to carry up the meat;—why, what a frolic you ar' in, woman! Come down, come down, for the boys are at hand, and we have work here for double your number.”
Ishmael might have spared his lungs more than a moiety22 of the effort they were compelled to make in order that he should be heard. He had hardly uttered the name of his wife, before the whole of the crouching23 circle rose in a body, and tumbling over each other, they precipitated24 themselves down the dangerous passes of the rock with ungovernable impatience25. Esther followed the young fry with a more measured gait; nor did Ellen deem it wise, or rather discreet26, to remain behind. Consequently, the whole were soon assembled at the base of the citadel27, on the open plain.
Here the squatter was found, staggering under the weight of a fine fat buck28, attended by one or two of his younger sons. Abiram quickly appeared, and before many minutes had elapsed, most of the hunters dropped in, singly and in pairs, each man bringing with him some fruits of his prowess in the field.
“The plain is free from red-skins, to-night at least,” said Ishmael, after the bustle29 of reception had a little subsided30; “for I have scoured31 the prairie for many long miles, on my own feet, and I call myself a judge of the print of an Indian moccasin. So, old woman, you can give us a few steaks of the venison, and then we will sleep on the day's work.”
“I'll not swear there are no savages32 near us,” said Abiram. “I, too, know something of the trail of a red-skin; and, unless my eyes have lost some of their sight, I would swear, boldly, that there ar' Indians at hand. But wait till Asa comes in. He pass'd the spot where I found the marks, and the boy knows something of such matters too.”
“Ay, the boy knows too much of many things,” returned Ishmael, gloomily. “It will be better for him when he thinks he knows less. But what matters it, Hetty, if all the Sioux tribes, west of the big river, are within a mile of us; they will find it no easy matter to scale this rock, in the teeth of ten bold men.”
“Call 'em twelve at once, Ishmael; call 'em twelve!” cried his termagant assistant. “For if your moth-gathering, bug-hunting friend, can be counted a man, I beg you will set me down as two. I will not turn my back to him, with the rifle or the shot-gun; and for courage!—the yearling heifer, that them skulking33 devils the Tetons stole, was the biggest coward among us all, and after her came your drivelling Doctor. Ah! Ishmael, you rarely attempt a regular trade but you come out the loser; and this man, I reckon, is the hardest bargain among them all! Would you think it, the fellow ordered me a blister34 around my mouth, because I complained of a pain in the foot?”
“It is a pity, Eester,” the husband coolly answered, “that you did not take it; I reckon it would have done considerable good. But, boys, if it should turn out as Abiram thinks, that there are Indians near us, we may have to scamper35 up the rock, and lose our suppers after all; therefore we will make sure of the game, and talk over the performances of the Doctor when we have nothing better to do.”
The hint was taken; and in a few minutes, the exposed situation in which the family was collected, was exchanged for the more secure elevation36 of the rock. Here Esther busied herself, working and scolding with equal industry, until the repast was prepared; when she summoned her husband to his meal in a voice as sonorous37 as that with which the Imam reminds the Faithful of a more important duty.
When each had assumed his proper and customary place around the smoking viands38, the squatter set the example by beginning to partake of a delicious venison steak, prepared like the hump of the bison, with a skill that rather increased than concealed39 its natural properties. A painter would gladly have seized the moment, to transfer the wild and characteristic scene to the canvass40.
The reader will remember that the citadel of Ishmael stood insulated, lofty, ragged41, and nearly inaccessible42. A bright flashing fire that was burning on the centre of its summit, and around which the busy group was clustered, lent it the appearance of some tall Pharos placed in the centre of the deserts, to light such adventurers as wandered through their broad wastes. The flashing flame gleamed from one sun-burnt countenance43 to another, exhibiting every variety of expression, from the juvenile simplicity44 of the children, mingled45 as it was with a shade of the wildness peculiar46 to their semi-barbarous lives, to the dull and immovable apathy47 that dwelt on the features of the squatter, when unexcited. Occasionally a gust48 of wind would fan the embers; and, as a brighter light shot upwards49, the little solitary50 tent was seen as it were suspended in the gloom of the upper air. All beyond was enveloped51, as usual at that hour, in an impenetrable body of darkness.
“It is unaccountable that Asa should choose to be out of the way at such a time as this,” Esther pettishly52 observed. “When all is finished and to rights, we shall have the boy coming up, grumbling53 for his meal, and hungry as a bear after his winter's nap. His stomach is as true as the best clock in Kentucky, and seldom wants winding54 up to tell the time, whether of day or night. A desperate eater is Asa, when a-hungered by a little work!”
Ishmael looked sternly around the circle of his silent sons, as if to see whether any among them would presume to say aught in favour of the absent delinquent55. But now, when no exciting causes existed to arouse their slumbering56 tempers, it seemed to be too great an effort to enter on the defence of their rebellious57 brother. Abiram, however, who, since the pacification58, either felt, or affected59 to feel, a more generous interest in his late adversary60, saw fit to express an anxiety, to which the others were strangers—
“It will be well if the boy has escaped the Tetons!” he muttered. “I should be sorry to have Asa, who is one of the stoutest61 of our party, both in heart and hand, fall into the power of the red devils.”
“Look to yourself, Abiram; and spare your breath, if you can use it only to frighten the woman and her huddling62 girls. You have whitened the face of Ellen Wade, already; who looks as pale as if she was staring to-day at the very Indians you name, when I was forced to speak to her through the rifle, because I couldn't reach her ears with my tongue. How was it, Nell! you have never given the reason of your deafness?”
The colour of Ellen's cheek changed as suddenly as the squatter's piece had flashed on the occasion to which he alluded63, the burning glow suffusing64 her features, until it even mantled65 her throat with its fine healthful tinge66. She hung her head abashed67, but did not seem to think it necessary to reply.
Ishmael, too sluggish68 to pursue the subject, or content with the pointed69 allusion70 he had just made, rose from his seat on the rock, and stretching his heavy frame, like a well-fed and fattened71 ox, he announced his intention to sleep. Among a race who lived chiefly for the indulgence of the natural wants, such a declaration could not fail of meeting with sympathetic dispositions72. One after another disappeared, each seeking his or her rude dormitory; and, before many minutes, Esther, who by this time had scolded the younger fry to sleep, found herself, if we except the usual watchman below, in solitary possession of the naked rock.
Whatever less valuable fruits had been produced in this uneducated woman by her migratory74 habits, the great principle of female nature was too deeply rooted ever to be entirely75 eradicated76. Of a powerful, not to say fierce temperament77, her passions were violent and difficult to be smothered78. But, however she might and did abuse the accidental prerogatives79 of her situation, love for her offspring, while it often slumbered80, could never be said to become extinct. She liked not the protracted81 absence of Asa. Too fearless herself to have hesitated an instant on her own account about crossing the dark abyss, into which she now sat looking with longing82 eyes, her busy imagination, in obedience83 to this inextinguishable sentiment, began to conjure84 nameless evils on account of her son. It might be true, as Abiram had hinted, that he had become a captive to some of the tribes who were hunting the buffaloe in that vicinity, or even a still more dreadful calamity85 might have befallen. So thought the mother, while silence and darkness lent their aid to the secret impulses of nature.
Agitated86 by these reflections, which put sleep at defiance87, Esther continued at her post, listening with that sort of acuteness which is termed instinct in the animals a few degrees below her in the scale of intelligence, for any of those noises which might indicate the approach of footsteps. At length, her wishes had an appearance of being realised, for the long desired sounds were distinctly audible, and presently she distinguished88 the dim form of a man at the base of the rock.
“Now, Asa, richly do you deserve to be left with an earthen bed this blessed night!” the woman began to mutter, with a revolution in her feelings, that will not be surprising to those who have made the contradictions that give variety to the human character a study. “And a hard one I've a mind it shall be! Why Abner; Abner; you Abner, do you sleep? Let me not see you dare to open the hole, till I get down. I will know who it is that wishes to disturb a peaceable, ay, and an honest family too, at such a time in the night as this!”
“Woman!” exclaimed a voice, that intended to bluster89, while the speaker was manifestly a little apprehensive90 of the consequences; “Woman, I forbid you on pain of the law to project any of your infernal missiles. I am a citizen, and a freeholder, and a graduate of two universities; and I stand upon my rights! Beware of malice91 prepense, of chance-medley, and of manslaughter. It is I—your amicus; a friend and inmate92. I—Dr. Obed Battius.”
“Who?” demanded Esther, in a voice that nearly refused to convey her words to the ears of the anxious listener beneath. “Did you say it was not Asa?”
“Nay, I am neither Asa, nor Absalom, nor any of the Hebrew princes, but Obed, the root and stock of them all. Have I not said, woman, that you keep one in attendance who is entitled to a peaceable as well as an honourable93 admission? Do you take me for an animal of the class amphibia, and that I can play with my lungs as a blacksmith does with his bellows94?”
The naturalist95 might have expended96 his breath much longer, without producing any desirable result, had Esther been his only auditor97. Disappointed and alarmed, the woman had already sought her pallet, and was preparing, with a sort of desperate indifference98, to compose herself to sleep. Abner, the sentinel below, however, had been aroused from an exceedingly equivocal situation by the outcry; and as he had now regained99 sufficient consciousness to recognise the voice of the physician, the latter was admitted with the least possible delay. Dr. Battius bustled100 through the narrow entrance, with an air of singular impatience, and was already beginning to mount the difficult ascent101, when catching102 a view of the porter, he paused, to observe with an air that he intended should be impressively admonitory—
“Abner, there are dangerous symptoms of somnolency103 about thee! It is sufficiently104 exhibited in the tendency to hiation, and may prove dangerous not only to yourself, but to all thy father's family.”
“You never made a greater mistake, Doctor,” returned the youth, gaping105 like an indolent lion; “I haven't a symptom, as you call it, about any part of me; and as to father and the children, I reckon the small-pox and the measles106 have been thoroughly107 through the breed these many months ago.”
Content with his brief admonition, the naturalist had surmounted108 half the difficulties of the ascent before the deliberate Abner ended his justification109. On the summit, Obed fully110 expected to encounter Esther, of whose linguacious powers he had too often been furnished with the most sinister111 reproofs112, and of which he stood in an awe113 too salutary to covet114 a repetition of the attacks. The reader can foresee that he was to be agreeably disappointed. Treading lightly, and looking timidly over his shoulder, as if he apprehended115 a shower of something, even more formidable than words, the Doctor proceeded to the place which had been allotted116 to himself in the general disposition73 of the dormitories.
Instead of sleeping, the worthy117 naturalist sat ruminating118 over what he had both seen and heard that day, until the tossing and mutterings which proceeded from the cabin of Esther, who was his nearest neighbour, advertised him of the wakeful situation of its inmate. Perceiving the necessity of doing something to disarm119 this female Cerberus, before his own purpose could be accomplished120, the Doctor, reluctant as he was to encounter her tongue, found himself compelled to invite a colloquial121 communication.
“You appear not to sleep, my very kind and worthy Mrs. Bush,” he said, determined122 to commence his applications with a plaster that was usually found to adhere; “you appear to rest badly, my excellent hostess; can I administer to your ailings?”
“What would you give me, man?” grumbled123 Esther; “a blister to make me sleep?”
“Say rather a cataplasm. But if you are in pain, here are some cordial drops, which, taken in a glass of my own cogniac, will give you rest, if I know aught of the materia medica.”
The Doctor, as he very well knew, had assailed124 Esther on her weak side; and, as he doubted not of the acceptable quality of his prescription125, he sat himself at work, without unnecessary delay, to prepare it. When he made his offering, it was received in a snappish and threatening manner, but swallowed with a facility that sufficiently proclaimed how much it was relished126. The woman muttered her thanks, and her leech127 reseated himself in silence, to await the operation of the dose. In less than half an hour the breathing of Esther became so profound, and, as the Doctor himself might have termed it, so very abstracted, that had he not known how easy it was to ascribe this new instance of somnolency to the powerful dose of opium128 with which he had garnished129 the brandy, he might have seen reason to distrust his own prescription. With the sleep of the restless woman, the stillness became profound and general.
Then Dr. Battius saw fit to arise, with the silence and caution of the midnight robber, and to steal out of his own cabin, or rather kennel130, for it deserved no better name, towards the adjoining dormitories. Here he took time to assure himself that all his neighbours were buried in deep sleep. Once advised of this important fact, he hesitated no longer, but commenced the difficult ascent which led to the upper pinnacle131 of the rock. His advance, though abundantly guarded, was not entirely noiseless; but while he was felicitating himself on having successfully effected his object, and he was in the very act of placing his foot on the highest ledge14 a hand was laid upon the skirts of his coat, which as effectually put an end to his advance, as if the gigantic strength of Ishmael himself had pinned him to the earth.
“Is there sickness in the tent,” whispered a soft voice in his very ear, “that Dr. Battius is called to visit it at such an hour?”
So soon as the heart of the naturalist had returned from its hasty expedition into his throat, as one less skilled than Dr. Battius in the formation of the animal would have been apt to have accounted for the extraordinary sensation with which he received this unlooked-for interruption, he found resolution to reply; using, as much in terror as in prudence132, the same precaution in the indulgence of his voice.
“My worthy Nelly! I am greatly rejoiced to find it is no other than thee. Hist! child, hist! Should Ishmael gain a knowledge of our plans, he would not hesitate to cast us both from this rock, upon the plain beneath. Hist! Nelly, hist!”
As the Doctor delivered his injunctions between the intervals133 of his ascent, by the time they were concluded, both he and his auditor had gained the upper level.
“And now, Dr. Battius,” the girl gravely demanded, “may I know the reason why you have run so great a risk of flying from this place, without wings, and at the certain expense of your neck?”
“Nothing shall be concealed from thee, worthy and trusty Nelly—but are you certain that Ishmael will not awake?”
“No fear of him; he will sleep until the sun scorches134 his eyelids135. The danger is from my aunt.”
“Esther sleepeth!” the Doctor sententiously replied. “Ellen, you have been watching on this rock, to-day?”
“I was ordered to do so.”
“And you have seen the bison, and the antelope136, and the wolf, and the deer, as usual; animals of the orders, pecora, belluae, and ferae.”
“I have seen the creatures you named in English, but I know nothing of the Indian languages.”
“There is still an order that I have not named, which you have also seen. The primates137—is it not true?”
“I cannot say. I know no animal by that name.”
“Nay, Ellen, you confer with a friend. Of the genus, homo, child?”
“Whatever else I may have had in view, I have not seen the vespertilio horribi—”
“Hush, Nelly, thy vivacity138 will betray us! Tell me, girl, have you not seen certain bipeds, called men, wandering about the prairies?”
“Surely. My uncle and his sons have been hunting the buffaloe, since the sun began to fall.”
“I must speak in the vernacular139, to be comprehended. Ellen, I would say of the species, Kentucky.”
Though Ellen reddened like the rose, her blushes were concealed by the darkness. She hesitated an instant, and then summoned sufficient spirit to say, decidedly—
“If you wish to speak in parables140, Doctor Battius, you must find another listener. Put your questions plainly in English, and I will answer them honestly in the same tongue.”
“I have been journeying in this desert, as thou knowest, Nelly, in quest of animals that have been hidden from the eyes of science, until now. Among others, I have discovered a primates, of the genus, homo; species, Kentucky; which I term, Paul—”
“Hist, for the sake of mercy!” said Ellen; “speak lower, Doctor, or we shall be ruined.”
“Hover; by profession a collector of the apes, or bee,” continued the other. “Do I use the vernacular now,—am I understood?”
“Perfectly, perfectly,” returned the girl, breathing with difficulty, in her surprise. “But what of him? did he tell you to mount this rock?—he knows nothing, himself; for the oath I gave my uncle has shut my mouth.”
“Ay, but there is one that has taken no oath, who has revealed all. I would that the mantle which is wrapped around the mysteries of nature, were as effectually withdrawn141 from its hidden treasures! Ellen! Ellen! the man with whom I have unwittingly formed a compactum, or agreement, is sadly forgetful of the obligations of honesty! Thy uncle, child.”
“You mean Ishmael Bush, my father's brother's widow's husband,” returned the offended girl, a little proudly.—“Indeed, indeed, it is cruel to reproach me with a tie that chance has formed, and which I would rejoice so much to break for ever!”
The humbled142 Ellen could utter no more, but sinking on a projection143 of the rock, she began to sob144 in a manner that rendered their situation doubly critical. The Doctor muttered a few words, which he intended as an apologetic explanation, but before he had time to complete his laboured vindication145, she arose and said with decision—
“I did not come here to pass my time in foolish tears, nor you to try to stop them. What then has brought you hither?”
“I must see the inmate of that tent.”
“You know what it contains?”
“I am taught to believe I do; and I bear a letter, which I must deliver with my own hands. If the animal prove a quadruped, Ishmael is a true man—if a biped, fledged or unfledged, I care not, he is false, and our compactum at an end!”
Ellen made a sign for the Doctor to remain where he was, and to be silent. She then glided146 into the tent, where she continued many minutes, that proved exceedingly weary and anxious to the expectant without, but the instant she returned, she took him by the arm, and together they entered beneath the folds of the mysterious cloth.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
industrious
|
|
| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
streak
|
|
| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
herds
|
|
| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
aquatic
|
|
| adj.水生的，水栖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
virgin
|
|
| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
gulf
|
|
| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
mantle
|
|
| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
fortress
|
|
| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
wade
|
|
| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
aloof
|
|
| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
ledge
|
|
| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
vacancy
|
|
| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
plantation
|
|
| n.种植园，大农场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
squatter
|
|
| n.擅自占地者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
taunting
|
|
| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
juvenile
|
|
| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
moiety
|
|
| n.一半；部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
crouching
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
precipitated
|
|
| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
discreet
|
|
| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
citadel
|
|
| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
bustle
|
|
| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
subsided
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
scoured
|
|
| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
skulking
|
|
| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
blister
|
|
| n.水疱；(油漆等的)气泡；v.(使)起泡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
scamper
|
|
| v.奔跑，快跑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
elevation
|
|
| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
sonorous
|
|
| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
viands
|
|
| n.食品，食物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
canvass
|
|
| v.招徕顾客，兜售；游说；详细检查，讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
inaccessible
|
|
| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
simplicity
|
|
| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
apathy
|
|
| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
gust
|
|
| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
enveloped
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
pettishly
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
grumbling
|
|
| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
delinquent
|
|
| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
slumbering
|
|
| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
rebellious
|
|
| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
pacification
|
|
| n. 讲和，绥靖，平定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
adversary
|
|
| adj.敌手，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
stoutest
|
|
| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
huddling
|
|
| n. 杂乱一团, 混乱, 拥挤 v. 推挤, 乱堆, 草率了事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
alluded
|
|
| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
suffusing
|
|
| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
mantled
|
|
| 披着斗篷的，覆盖着的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
tinge
|
|
| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
abashed
|
|
| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
sluggish
|
|
| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
allusion
|
|
| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
fattened
|
|
| v.喂肥( fatten的过去式和过去分词 )；养肥（牲畜）；使（钱）增多；使（公司）升值 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
dispositions
|
|
| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
migratory
|
|
| n.候鸟，迁移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
eradicated
|
|
| 画着根的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
temperament
|
|
| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
smothered
|
|
| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
prerogatives
|
|
| n.权利( prerogative的名词复数 )；特权；大主教法庭；总督委任组成的法庭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
slumbered
|
|
| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
protracted
|
|
| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
conjure
|
|
| v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
calamity
|
|
| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
bluster
|
|
| v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
apprehensive
|
|
| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
inmate
|
|
| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
honourable
|
|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
bellows
|
|
| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
naturalist
|
|
| n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
expended
|
|
| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
auditor
|
|
| n.审计员，旁听着 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
regained
|
|
| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
bustled
|
|
| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
ascent
|
|
| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
somnolency
|
|
| n.想睡，梦幻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
104
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
gaping
|
|
| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
measles
|
|
| n.麻疹，风疹，包虫病，痧子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
surmounted
|
|
| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
justification
|
|
| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
reproofs
|
|
| n.责备，责难，指责( reproof的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
113
awe
|
|
| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
covet
|
|
| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
apprehended
|
|
| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
allotted
|
|
| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
ruminating
|
|
| v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 )；反复考虑；反刍；倒嚼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
disarm
|
|
| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
colloquial
|
|
| adj.口语的，会话的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
grumbled
|
|
| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
assailed
|
|
| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
prescription
|
|
| n.处方，开药；指示，规定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
relished
|
|
| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
leech
|
|
| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
opium
|
|
| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
garnished
|
|
| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
kennel
|
|
| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
pinnacle
|
|
| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
prudence
|
|
| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
intervals
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
scorches
|
|
| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的第三人称单数 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
eyelids
|
|
| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
antelope
|
|
| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
primates
|
|
| primate的复数 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
vivacity
|
|
| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
vernacular
|
|
| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
parables
|
|
| n.（圣经中的）寓言故事( parable的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
withdrawn
|
|
| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
humbled
|
|
| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
projection
|
|
| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
vindication
|
|
| n.洗冤，证实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
glided
|
|
| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |