shall be strangled on the gallows1.
—Shakspeare.
The Siouxes had awaited the issue of the foregoing dialogue with commendable2 patience. Most of the band were restrained, by the secret awe3 with which they regarded the mysterious character of Obed; while a few of the more intelligent chiefs gladly profited by the opportunity, to arrange their thoughts for the struggle that was plainly foreseen. Mahtoree, influenced by neither of these feelings, was content to show the trapper how much he conceded to his pleasure; and when the old man discontinued the discourse4, he received from the chief a glance, that was intended to remind him of the patience, with which he had awaited his movements. A profound and motionless silence succeeded the short interruption. Then Mahtoree arose, evidently prepared to speak. First placing himself in an attitude of dignity, he turned a steady and severe look on the whole assembly. The expression of his eye, however, changed as it glanced across the different countenances5 of his supporters and of his opponents. To the former the look, though stern, was not threatening, while it seemed to tell the latter all the hazards they incurred7, in daring to brave the resentment8 of one so powerful.
Still, in the midst of so much hauteur9 and confidence, the sagacity and cunning of the Teton did not desert him. When he had thrown the gauntlet, as it were, to the whole tribe, and sufficiently10 asserted his claim to superiority, his mien11 became more affable and his eye less angry. Then it was that he raised his voice, in the midst of a death-like stillness, varying its tones to suit the changing character of his images, and of his eloquence12.
“What is a Sioux?” the chief sagaciously began; “he is ruler of the prairies, and master of its beasts. The fishes in the 'river of troubled waters' know him, and come at his call. He is a fox in counsel; an eagle in sight; a grizzly13 bear in combat. A Dahcotah is a man!” After waiting for the low murmur14 of approbation15, which followed this flattering portrait of his people, to subside16, the Teton continued—“What is a Pawnee? A thief, who only steals from women; a Red-skin, who is not brave; a hunter, that begs for his venison. In counsel he is a squirrel, hopping17 from place to place; he is an owl18, that goes on the prairies at night; in battle he is an elk19, whose legs are long. A Pawnee is a woman.” Another pause succeeded, during which a yell of delight broke from several mouths, and a demand was made, that the taunting20 words should be translated to the unconscious subject of their biting contempt. The old man took his cue from the eyes of Mahtoree, and complied. Hard-Heart listened gravely, and then, as if apprized that his time to speak had not arrived, he once more bent21 his look on the vacant air. The orator22 watched his countenance6, with an expression that manifested how inextinguishable was the hatred23 he felt for the only chief, far and near, whose fame might advantageously be compared with his own. Though disappointed in not having touched the pride of one whom he regarded as a boy, he proceeded, what he considered as far more important, to quicken the tempers of the men of his own tribe, in order that they might be prepared to work his savage24 purposes. “If the earth was covered with rats, which are good for nothing,” he said, “there would be no room for buffaloes25, which give food and clothes to an Indian. If the prairies were covered with Pawnees, there would be no room for the foot of a Dahcotah. A Loup is a rat, a Sioux a heavy buffaloe; let the buffaloes tread upon the rats and make room for themselves.
“My brothers, a little child has spoken to you. He tells you, his hair is not grey, but frozen—that the grass will not grow where a Pale-face has died. Does he know the colour of the blood of a Big-knife? No! I know he does not; he has never seen it. What Dahcotah, besides Mahtoree, has ever struck a Pale-face? Not one. But Mahtoree must be silent. Every Teton will shut his ears when he speaks. The scalps over his lodge27 were taken by the women. They were taken by Mahtoree, and he is a woman. His mouth is shut; he waits for the feasts to sing among the girls!”
Notwithstanding the exclamations29 of regret and resentment, which followed so abasing30 a declaration, the chief took his seat, as if determined31 to speak no more. But the murmurs32 grew louder and more general, and there were threatening symptoms that the council would dissolve itself in confusion; and he arose and resumed his speech, by changing his manner to the fierce and hurried enunciation33 of a warrior34 bent on revenge.
“Let my young men go look for Tetao!” he cried; “they will find his scalp drying in Pawnee smoke. Where is the son of Bohrecheena? His bones are whiter than the faces of his murderers. Is Mahhah asleep in his lodge? You know it is many moons since he started for the blessed prairies; would he were here, that he might say of what colour was the hand that took his scalp!”
In this strain the artful chief continued for many minutes, calling those warriors35 by name, who were known to have met their deaths in battle with the Pawnees, or in some of those lawless frays36 which so often occurred between the Sioux bands and a class of white men, who were but little removed from them in the qualities of civilisation37. Time was not given to reflect on the merits, or rather the demerits, of most of the different individuals to whom he alluded38, in consequence of the rapid manner in which he ran over their names; but so cunningly did he time his events, and so thrillingly did he make his appeals, aided as they were by the power of his deep-toned and stirring voice, that each of them struck an answering chord in the breast of some one of his auditors39.
It was in the midst of one of his highest flights of eloquence, that a man, so aged40 as to walk with the greatest difficulty, entered the very centre of the circle, and took his stand directly in front of the speaker. An ear of great acuteness might possibly have detected that the tones of the orator faltered41 a little, as his flashing look first fell on this unexpected object, though the change was so trifling42, that none, but such as thoroughly43 knew the parties, would have suspected it. The stranger had once been as distinguished44 for his beauty and proportions, as had been his eagle eye for its irresistible46 and terrible glance. But his skin was now wrinkled, and his features furrowed47 with so many scars, as to have obtained for him, half a century before, from the French of the Canadas, a title which has been borne by so many of the heroes of France, and which had now been adopted into the language of the wild horde48 of whom we are writing, as the one most expressive49 of the deeds of their own brave. The murmur of Le Balafre, that ran through the assembly when he appeared, announced not only his name and the high estimation of his character, but how extraordinary his visit was considered. As he neither spoke26 nor moved, however, the sensation created by his appearance soon subsided50, and then every eye was again turned upon the speaker, and every ear once more drunk in the intoxication51 of his maddening appeals.
It would have been easy to have traced the triumph of Mahtoree, in the reflecting countenances of his auditors. It was not long before a look of ferocity and of revenge was to be seen seated on the grim visages of most of the warriors, and each new and crafty52 allusion53 to the policy of extinguishing their enemies, was followed by fresh and less restrained bursts of approbation. In the height of this success the Teton closed his speech, by a rapid appeal to the pride and hardihood of his native band, and suddenly took his seat.
In the midst of the murmurs of applause, which succeeded so remarkable54 an effort of eloquence, a low, feeble and hollow voice was heard rising on the ear, as if it rolled from the inmost cavities of the human chest, and gathered strength and energy as it issued into the air. A solemn stillness followed the sounds, and then the lips of the aged man were first seen to move.
“The day of Le Balafre is near its end,” were the first words that were distinctly audible. “He is like a buffaloe, on whom the hair will grow no longer. He will soon be ready to leave his lodge, to go in search of another, that is far from the villages of the Siouxes; therefore, what he has to say concerns not him, but those he leaves behind him. His words are like the fruit on the tree, ripe and fit to be given to chiefs.
“Many snows have fallen since Le Balafre has been found on the war-path. His blood has been very hot, but it has had time to cool. The Wahcondah gives him dreams of war no longer; he sees that it is better to live in peace.
“My brothers, one foot is turned to the happy hunting-grounds, the other will soon follow, and then an old chief will be seen looking for the prints of his father's moccasins, that he may make no mistake, but be sure to come before the Master of Life, by the same path, as so many good Indians have already travelled. But who will follow? Le Balafre has no son. His oldest has ridden too many Pawnee horses; the bones of the youngest have been gnawed55 by Konza dogs! Le Balafre has come to look for a young arm, on which he may lean, and to find a son, that when he is gone his lodge may not be empty. Tachechana, the skipping fawn56 of the Tetons, is too weak, to prop45 a warrior, who is old. She looks before her and not backwards57. Her mind is in the lodge of her husband.”
The enunciation of the veteran warrior had been calm, but distinct, and decided58. His declaration was received in silence; and though several of the chiefs, who were in the counsels of Mahtoree, turned their eyes on their leader, none presumed to oppose so aged and so venerated59 a brave, in a resolution that was strictly60 in conformity61 to the usages of the nation. The Teton himself was content to await the result with seeming composure, though the gleams of ferocity, that played about his eye, occasionally betrayed the nature of those feelings, with which he witnessed a procedure, that was likely to rob him of that one of all his intended victims whom he most hated.
In the mean time Le Balafre moved with a slow and painful step towards the captives. He stopped before the person of Hard-Heart, whose faultless form, unchanging eye, and lofty mien, he contemplated62 long, with high and evident satisfaction. Then making a gesture of authority, he awaited, until his order had been obeyed, and the youth was released from the post and his bonds, by the same blow of the knife. When the young warrior was led nearer to his dimmed and failing sight, the examination was renewed, with strictness of scrutiny63, and that admiration64, which physical excellence65 is so apt to excite in the breast of a savage.
“It is good,” the wary66 veteran murmured, when he found that all his skill in the requisites67 of a brave could detect no blemish68; “this is a leaping panther! Does my son speak with the tongue of a Teton?”
The intelligence, which lighted the eyes of the captive, betrayed how well he understood the question, but still he was far too haughty69 to communicate his ideas through the medium of a language that belonged to a hostile people. Some of the surrounding warriors explained to the old chief, that the captive was a Pawnee-Loup.
“My son opened his eyes on the 'waters of the wolves,'” said Le Balafre, in the language of that nation, “but he will shut them in the bend of the 'river with a troubled stream.' He was born a Pawnee, but he will die a Dahcotah. Look at me. I am a sycamore, that once covered many with my shadow. The leaves are fallen, and the branches begin to drop. But a single sucker is springing from my roots; it is a little vine, and it winds itself about a tree that is green. I have long looked for one fit to grow by my side. Now have I found him. Le Balafre is no longer without a son; his name will not be forgotten when he is gone! Men of the Tetons, I take this youth into my lodge.”
No one was bold enough to dispute a right, that had so often been exercised by warriors far inferior to the present speaker, and the adoption70 was listened to, in grave and respectful silence. Le Balafre took his intended son by the arm, and leading him into the very centre of the circle, he stepped aside with an air of triumph, in order that the spectators might approve of his choice. Mahtoree betrayed no evidence of his intentions, but rather seemed to await a moment better suited to the crafty policy of his character. The more experienced and sagacious chiefs distinctly foresaw the utter impossibility of two partisans71 so renowned72, so hostile, and who had so long been rivals in fame, as their prisoner and their native leader, existing amicably73 in the same tribe. Still the character of Le Balafre was so imposing74, and the custom to which he had resorted so sacred, that none dared to lift a voice in opposition75 to the measure. They watched the result with increasing interest, but with a coldness of demeanour that concealed76 the nature of their inquietude. From this state of embarrassment77, and as it might readily have proved of disorganisation, the tribe was unexpectedly relieved by the decision of the one most interested in the success of the aged chief's designs.
During the whole of the foregoing scene, it would have been difficult to have traced a single distinct emotion in the lineaments of the captive. He had heard his release proclaimed, with the same indifference78 as the order to bind79 him to the stake. But now, that the moment had arrived when it became necessary to make his election, he spoke in a way to prove that the fortitude80, which had bought him so distinguished a name, had in no degree deserted81 him.
“My father is very old, but he has not yet looked upon every thing,” said Hard-Heart, in a voice so clear as to be heard by all in presence. “He has never seen a buffaloe change to a bat. He will never see a Pawnee become a Sioux!”
There was a suddenness, and yet a calmness in the manner of delivering this decision, which assured most of the auditors that it was unalterable. The heart of Le Balafre, however, was yearning82 towards the youth, and the fondness of age was not so readily repulsed83. Reproving the burst of admiration and triumph, to which the boldness of the declaration, and the freshened hopes of revenge had given rise, by turning his gleaming eye around the band, the veteran again addressed his adopted child, as if his purpose was not to be denied.
“It is well,” he said; “such are the words a brave should use, that the warriors may see his heart. The day has been when the voice of Le Balafre was loudest among the lodges84 of the Konzas. But the root of a white hair is wisdom. My child will show the Tetons that he is brave, by striking their enemies. Men of the Dahcotahs, this is my son!”
The Pawnee hesitated a moment, and then stepping in front of the chief, he took his hard and wrinkled hand, and laid it with reverence85 on his head, as if to acknowledge the extent of his obligation. Then recoiling86 a step, he raised his person to its greatest elevation87, and looked upon the hostile band, by whom he was environed, with an air of loftiness and disdain88, as he spoke aloud, in the language of the Siouxes—
“Hard-Heart has looked at himself, within and without. He has thought of all he has done in the hunts and in the wars. Every where he is the same. There is no change. He is in all things a Pawnee. He has struck so many Tetons that he could never eat in their lodges. His arrows would fly backwards; the point of his lance would be on the wrong end; their friends would weep at every whoop89 he gave; their enemies would laugh. Do the Tetons know a Loup? Let them look at him again. His head is painted; his arm is flesh; his heart is rock. When the Tetons see the sun come from the Rocky Mountains, and move towards the land of the Pale-faces, the mind of Hard-Heart will soften90, and his spirit will become Sioux. Until that day, he will live and die a Pawnee.”
A yell of delight, in which admiration and ferocity were strangely mingled91, interrupted the speaker, and but too clearly announced the character of his fate. The captive awaited a moment, for the commotion92 to subside, and then turning again to Le Balafre, he continued, in tones conciliating and kind, as if he felt the propriety93 of softening94 his refusal, in a manner not to wound the pride of one who would so gladly be his benefactor—
“Let my father lean heavier on the fawn of the Dahcotahs,” he said: “she is weak now, but as her lodge fills with young, she will be stronger. See,” he added, directing the eyes of the other to the earnest countenance of the attentive95 trapper; “Hard-Heart is not without a grey-head to show him the path to the blessed prairies. If he ever has another father, it shall be that just warrior.”
Le Balafre turned away in disappointment from the youth, and approached the stranger, who had thus anticipated his design. The examination between these two aged men was long, mutual96, and curious. It was not easy to detect the real character of the trapper, through the mask which the hardships of so many years had laid upon his features, especially when aided by his wild and peculiar97 attire98. Some moments elapsed before the Teton spoke, and then it was in doubt whether he addressed one like himself, or some wanderer of that race who, he had heard, were spreading themselves, like hungry locusts99, throughout the land.
“The head of my brother is very white,” he said; “but the eye of Le Balafre is no longer like the eagle's. Of what colour is his skin?”
“The Wahcondah made me like these you see waiting for a Dahcotah judgment100; but fair and foul101 has coloured me darker than the skin of a fox. What of that! Though the bark is ragged102 and riven, the heart of the tree is sound.”
“My brother is a Big-knife! Let him turn his face towards the setting sun, and open his eyes. Does he see the salt lake beyond the mountains?”
“The time has been, Teton, when few could see the white on the eagle's head farther than I; but the glare of fourscore and seven winters has dimmed my eyes, and but little can I boast of sight in my latter days. Does the Sioux think a Pale-face is a god, that he can look through hills?”
“Then let my brother look at me. I am nigh him, and he can see that I am a foolish Red-man. Why cannot his people see every thing, since they crave103 all?”
“I understand you, chief; nor will I gainsay104 the justice of your words, seeing that they are too much founded in truth. But though born of the race you love so little, my worst enemy, not even a lying Mingo, would dare to say that I ever laid hands on the goods of another, except such as were taken in manful warfare105; or that I ever coveted106 more ground than the Lord has intended each man to fill.”
“And yet my brother has come among the Red-skins to find a son?”
The trapper laid a finger on the naked shoulder of Le Balafre, and looked into his scarred countenance with a wistful and confidential107 expression, as he answered—
“Ay; but it was only that I might do good to the boy. If you think, Dahcotah, that I adopted the youth in order to prop my age, you do as much injustice108 to my goodwill109, as you seem to know little of the merciless intentions of your own people. I have made him my son, that he may know that one is left behind him. Peace, Hector, peace! Is this decent, pup, when greyheads are counselling together, to break in upon their discourse with the whinings of a hound! The dog is old, Teton; and though well taught in respect of behaviour, he is getting, like ourselves, I fancy, something forgetful of the fashions of his youth.”
Further discourse, between these veterans, was interrupted by a discordant110 yell, which burst at that moment from the lips of the dozen withered111 crones, who have already been mentioned as having forced themselves into a conspicuous112 part of the circle. The outcry was excited by a sudden change in the air of Hard-Heart. When the old men turned towards the youth, they saw him standing28 in the very centre of the ring, with his head erect113, his eye fixed114 on vacancy115, one leg advanced and an arm a little raised, as if all his faculties116 were absorbed in the act of listening. A smile lighted his countenance, for a single moment, and then the whole man sunk again into his former look of dignity and coldness, suddenly recalled to self-possession. The movement had been construed117 into contempt, and even the tempers of the chiefs began to be excited. Unable to restrain their fury, the women broke into the circle in a body, and commenced their attack by loading the captive with the most bitter revilings. They boasted of the various exploits, which their sons had achieved at the expense of the different tribes of the Pawnees. They undervalued his own reputation, and told him to look at Mahtoree, if he had never yet seen a warrior. They accused him of having been suckled by a doe, and of having drunk in cowardice118 with his mother's milk. In short, they lavished119 upon their unmoved captive a torrent120 of that vindictive121 abuse, in which the women of the savages122 are so well known to excel, but which has been too often described to need a repetition here.
The effect of this outbreaking was inevitable123. Le Balafre turned away disappointed, and hid himself in the crowd, while the trapper, whose honest features were working with inward emotion, pressed nigher to his young friend, as those who are linked to the criminal, by ties so strong as to brave the opinions of men, are often seen to stand about the place of execution to support his dying moments. The excitement soon spread among the inferior warriors, though the chiefs still forbore to make the signal, which committed the victim to their mercy. Mahtoree, who had awaited such a movement among his fellows, with the wary design of concealing124 his own jealous hatred, soon grew weary of delay, and, by a glance of his eye, encouraged the tormentors to proceed.
Weucha, who, eager for this sanction, had long stood watching the countenance of the chief, bounded forward at the signal like a blood-hound loosened from the leash126. Forcing his way into the centre of the hags, who were already proceeding127 from abuse to violence, he reproved their impatience128, and bade them wait, until a warrior had begun to torment125, and then they should see their victim shed tears like a woman.
The heartless savage commenced his efforts, by flourishing his tomahawk about the head of the captive, in such a manner as to give reason to suppose, that each blow would bury the weapon in the flesh, while it was so governed as not to touch the skin. To this customary expedient129 Hard-Heart was perfectly130 insensible. His eye kept the same steady, riveted131 look on the air, though the glittering axe132 described, in its evolutions, a bright circle of light before his countenance. Frustrated133 in this attempt, the callous134 Sioux laid the cold edge on the naked head of his victim, and began to describe the different manners, in which a prisoner might be flayed135. The women kept time to his cruelties with their taunts136, and endeavoured to force some expression of the lingerings of nature from the insensible features of the Pawnee. But he evidently reserved himself for the chiefs, and for those moments of extreme anguish137, when the loftiness of his spirit might evince itself in a manner better becoming his high and untarnished reputation.
The eyes of the trapper, followed every movement of the tomahawk, with the interest of a real father, until at length, unable to command his indignation, he exclaimed—
“My son has forgotten his cunning. This is a low-minded Indian, and one easily hurried into folly138. I cannot do the thing myself, for my traditions forbid a dying warrior to revile139 his persecutors, but the gifts of a Red-skin are different. Let the Pawnee say the bitter words and purchase an easy death. I will answer for his success, provided he speaks before the grave men set their wisdom to back the folly of this fool.”
The savage Sioux, who heard his words without comprehending their meaning, turned to the speaker and menaced him with death, for his temerity140.
“Ay, work your will,” said the unflinching old man; “I am as ready now as I shall be to-morrow. Though it would be a death that an honest man might not wish to die. Look at that noble Pawnee, Teton, and see what a Red-skin may become, who fears the Master of Life, and follows his laws. How many of your people has he sent to the distant prairies?” he continued in a sort of pious141 fraud, thinking, that while the danger menaced himself, there could surely be no sin in extolling142 the merits of another; “how many howling Siouxes has he struck, like a warrior in open combat, while arrows were sailing in the air plentier than flakes143 of falling snow! Go! will Weucha speak the name of one enemy he has ever struck?”
“Hard-Heart!” shouted the Sioux, turning in his fury, and aiming a deadly blow at the head of his victim. His arm fell into the hollow of the captive's hand. For a single moment the two stood, as if entranced in that attitude, the one paralysed by so unexpected a resistance, and the other bending his head, not to meet his death, but in the act of the most intense attention. The women screamed with triumph, for they thought the nerves of the captive had at length failed him. The trapper trembled for the honour of his friend; and Hector, as if conscious of what was passing, raised his nose into the air, and uttered a piteous howl.
But the Pawnee hesitated, only for that moment. Raising the other hand, like lightning, the tomahawk flashed in the air, and Weucha sunk to his feet, brained to the eye. Then cutting a way with the bloody144 weapon, he darted145 through the opening, left by the frightened women, and seemed to descend146 the declivity147 at a single bound.
Had a bolt from Heaven fallen in the midst of the Teton band it would not have occasioned greater consternation148, than this act of desperate hardihood. A shrill149 plaintive150 cry burst from the lips of all the women, and there was a moment, that even the oldest warriors appeared to have lost their faculties. This stupor151 endured only for the instant. It was succeeded by a yell of revenge, that burst from a hundred throats, while as many warriors started forward at the cry, bent on the most bloody retribution. But a powerful and authoritative152 call from Mahtoree arrested every foot. The chief, in whose countenance disappointment and rage were struggling with the affected153 composure of his station, extended an arm towards the river, and the whole mystery was explained.
Hard-Heart had already crossed half the bottom, which lay between the acclivity and the water. At this precise moment a band of armed and mounted Pawnees turned a swell154, and galloped155 to the margin156 of the stream, into which the plunge157 of the fugitive158 was distinctly heard. A few minutes sufficed for his vigorous arm to conquer the passage, and then the shout from the opposite shore told the humbled159 Tetons the whole extent of the triumph of their adversaries160.
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gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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hauteur
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| n.傲慢 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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elk
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| n.麋鹿 | |
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taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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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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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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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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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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29
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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30
abasing
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| 使谦卑( abase的现在分词 )； 使感到羞耻； 使降低（地位、身份等）； 降下 | |
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31
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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32
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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33
enunciation
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| n.清晰的发音；表明，宣言；口齿 | |
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34
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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35
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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36
frays
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| n.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的名词复数 )v.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的第三人称单数 ) | |
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37
civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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38
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
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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40
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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41
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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42
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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43
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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44
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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45
prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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46
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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47
furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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49
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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50
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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51
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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52
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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53
allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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54
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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55
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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56
fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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57
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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58
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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59
venerated
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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61
conformity
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| n.一致，遵从，顺从 | |
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62
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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63
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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64
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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65
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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66
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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67
requisites
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| n.必要的事物( requisite的名词复数 ) | |
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68
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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69
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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70
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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71
partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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72
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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73
amicably
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| adv.友善地 | |
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74
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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75
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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76
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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77
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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78
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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79
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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80
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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81
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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82
yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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83
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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84
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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85
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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86
recoiling
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| v.畏缩( recoil的现在分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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87
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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88
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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89
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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90
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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91
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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92
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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93
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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94
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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95
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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96
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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97
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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98
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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99
locusts
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| n.蝗虫( locust的名词复数 )；贪吃的人；破坏者；槐树 | |
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100
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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101
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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102
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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103
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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104
gainsay
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| v.否认，反驳 | |
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105
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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106
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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107
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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108
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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109
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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110
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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111
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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112
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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113
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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114
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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115
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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116
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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117
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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118
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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119
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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121
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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122
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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123
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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124
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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125
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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126
leash
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| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
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127
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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128
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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129
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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130
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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131
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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132
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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133
frustrated
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| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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134
callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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135
flayed
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| v.痛打( flay的过去式和过去分词 )；把…打得皮开肉绽；剥（通常指动物）的皮；严厉批评 | |
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136
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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137
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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138
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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139
revile
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| v.辱骂，谩骂 | |
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140
temerity
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| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
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141
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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142
extolling
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| v.赞美( extoll的现在分词 )；赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的现在分词 ) | |
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143
flakes
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| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
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144
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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145
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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146
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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147
declivity
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| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
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148
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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149
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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150
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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151
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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152
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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153
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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154
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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155
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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156
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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157
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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158
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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159
humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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160
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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