On Hugh de Monthermer's arrival at Hereford, he found the news of Edward's escape common to all the town; but, nevertheless, he thought it necessary to communicate first to his uncle, and then to the Earl of Leicester, all that had taken place after he had left them in the morning.
"Some three hundred horses!" said De Montfort, as he listened to the young nobleman's account of his meeting with Richard de Ashby. "They are bold, upon my life! but they teach us that we have been somewhat negligent1. And so you unhorsed the traitor2, but could neither kill nor take him? It is a pity--you are sure that he is not dead?"
"Not sure, my lord," replied Hugh; "but I rather think not, for I felt the spear strike, and then glance off. I would fain have brought him into Hereford."
"Have you heard," continued De Montfort, "that our good friends the Earl of Ashby and his son have left us?--so that I fear some hopes and expectations, which your uncle mentioned regarding a fair lady's hand, may suffer disappointment."
"I have heard it, my lord," answered Hugh, "and am, I confess, not a little grieved. Nevertheless----"
"Well, what of nevertheless?" asked De Montfort, seeing that be. paused.
"Why, nevertheless, my lord," replied Hugh, "I cannot but hope that I shall succeed at last. I have never yet seen a matter of love which was destined3 to end happily begin smoothly4 at the first."
"Ay, hope!" said De Montfort. "Hope is like a hungry boy, who I once saw burn his mouth with his porridge; for he still consoled himself, poor urchin5, by saying that it would be cool enough by and by. May it be as you wish, my young friend:--and so good night; for neither you nor I can mend what is gone amiss this day."
As Hugh was leaving the room, De Montfort called to him again, saying, "Pray ask your uncle to spend an hour with me to-night. I want his warlike counsels in our present strait; I know no one more fitted to advise me."
"And none more willing, my lord," replied Hugh, quitting the room.
Bustle6, activity, preparation, the movement of troops, rumours7 Of strange events, some false, some true, portents9, even miracles--for those were times in which every man were the magnifying-glasses of superstition--doubts, expectations, suppositions in regard to the motions of every following day, filled up the next fortnight busily. Every part of the country, from one end to the other, was stirred up to fight for one party or the other; and bands of soldiers moving across to join their several banners often encountered in the same village, and by their contests "frighted the isle10 from its propriety11."
According to the best accounts that could be obtained, the number of troops which gathered round Prince Edward and the Earl of Gloucester was considerably12 larger than that which joined De Montfort in Hereford, and being principally composed of cavalry13, these levies14 dropped much more rapidly in; the foot soldiers, who were enrolling15 themselves for the party of the Lords Commissioners16, as De Montfort's faction17 was called, though infinitely18 more numerous, being very much longer in their march, and more easily intercepted19 and driven back by the enemy.
To counterbalance the depression, however, which the increasing strength of Edward and Gloucester might have spread through Hereford, rumours came daily of a great rising of the citizens of the capital, in favour of De Montfort; and there was also on his side that great moral support which is given by the assurance of being at the head of a great popular movement--for, that the cause of De Montfort was the popular one, no one can doubt who reads the ballads21, the legends, or the histories of the day. The people, beyond all question, looked upon that renowned22 leader, not only as the champion of their rights and liberties, but as a hero, which he really was, and as a saint, which he probably was not.
Still the camp of De Montfort suffered many severe defections. In political contests, the love of novelty and of change affects many more men than one would at first sight suppose, causing them to seize any pretext23 for abandoning a party to which they have been for some time attached, and for going over to the other, which they have constantly opposed. Dissensions with their leaders or their fellow partisans24, disgusts at trifling25 acts of neglect--even weariness of habitual26 associations, will produce in others the same effect; and thus a great number of the nobles, who before the famous battle of Lewes supported the Earl of Leicester, now framed or discovered an excuse for following the example of the Earl of Ashby and his son, and joining the forces of Gloucester and Prince Edward. A few, too, really doubtful of De Montfort's real intentions, and fearful of his growing power, either retired27 from his party without espousing28 that of the Prince, or abandoned him entirely29, and prepared to oppose him in arms.
Many of his weaker partisans, though adhering still to his cause, were alarmed at this defection, and looked grave and sorrowful at the intelligence received of the enemy's movements; but the Earl, though as serious in his demeanour as his age and character might require, was still firm and cheerful, as were all his principal councillors and companions.
None seemed less depressed30 than the old Earl of Monthermer, who had always a hopeful and courteous31 answer to give to every one. "We shall beat them yet, my good friend," he said, in answer to a somewhat timid and news-seeking gentleman, who stopped him while riding down from the castle to his inn. "We shall beat them yet, do not fear. Unless some great and extraordinary error is committed on our side, or some inconceivable piece of good fortune occurs upon theirs, they must be defeated, as they were at Lewes."
"But I see," said his companion, "that the Earl has proclaimed----"
"Not the Earl, but the King," interrupted the old lord--"it is the King who has proclaimed Gloucester and all his adherents32 traitors33; but that makes very little difference. In contentions34 like these, every man is called a traitor in his turn, whatever side he takes; and as for those who have gone over to the enemy, do not let their defection alarm you. It is better always to have an open enemy than a false friend; and a wise general gives all cowards and waverers a prompt order to quit the ranks of his army, not only as a useless, but an injurious incumbrance."
Such cheerful words, and a few gallant35 acts performed in a casual skirmish here and there, kept up the spirits of the soldiery in Hereford and the neighbouring towns, till at length such a number of men were collected, as seemed to justify36 De Montfort in taking the field, although the army of the Prince might be, perhaps, by one-half more numerous than his own.
The movements of the great Earl after marching out of Hereford, became of a strange and incongruous character, which greatly puzzled and embarrassed many of his best supporters, and which have not been clearly understood even in our own time; but De Montfort's countenance37 remained calm and tranquil38, even in the midst of what seemed, to ordinary observers, checks and reverses; and it was remarked, that the two or three noblemen who were in his most intimate councils, maintained the same serene39 aspect, whatever circumstances occurred.
At the head of a large force, Edward interposed between the army of the Lords Commissioners and London, moving as it moved, and practising with consummate40 art, the science of strategy, as it was known in those days, with the evident purpose of keeping his adversary41 at a distance from his resources, without giving him battle, exactly at his own time and place. De Montfort, in the meantime, affected42 to man[oe]uvre skilfully43 for the purpose of passing Edward's superior force without fighting, and making his way direct to London. But in all these operations, the Prince seemed to have the advantage, turning his opponent at every passage, as the greyhound does the hare.
Many facts have since been discovered, which have induced modern historians to suppose that De Montfort sought merely to amuse his adversary; but, at the time, two circumstances only, led the closer observers in the Earl of Leicester's camp to believe that that great man had a covert45 object in view, and that he was not actually so completely frustrated46 by his opponent as appeared upon the surface. The first was, that perfect equanimity47 to which we have alluded48, and which he maintained under every apparent reverse. The second, was a degree of anxious impatience49, which manifested itself upon the arrival of many of the messengers who were constantly coming and going between his camp and the south-eastern parts of the country. These facts, in those who remarked them, created a suspicion that the Earl was waiting for reinforcements, not choosing to risk a battle till they had joined him; and at length a circumstance occurred which confirmed this opinion, and quieted the anxiety of many who had begun to fear that ill success was hanging over the very commencement of their career.
Towards the middle of July, the army approached the small town of Newport, after having attacked and taken Uske, which was feebly defended by some of the Earl of Gloucester's adherents. It seemed evidently the intention of De Montfort and his councillors to cross the Severn, a few miles above Newport, and take possession of Bristol; and orders to that effect had been actually given. Few vessels50, however, capable of transporting the forces of the Earl, were found at the spot where De Montfort had ordered them to be collected, and Edward himself was known to be in the neighbourhood. But several ships and galleys52 of a considerable size were to be seen moored53 at the opposite side; and Hugh de Monthermer, who commanded an advance party, threw himself into a passage boat with a small force, and crossed the estuary54 towards a point where he believed he could make good his defence, while he dispatched the vessels to the opposite shore, to bring over the main army of the Earl.
His proceedings55, as far as they were suffered to go, proved entirely successful. He effected his landing, repulsed57 a body of the enemy who attempted to dislodge him, and secured a place of disembarkation for the rest of the forces; when, to his surprise, while he was endeavouring to induce the seamen58 in the other vessels to cross to the Welsh shore, a messenger reached him, in a small row-boat, commanding his immediate59 return.
Hugh obeyed at once; and, proceeding56 to the head-quarters of De Montfort, he found his uncle and Lord Ralph Basset in conference with the Earl of Leicester. The young nobleman was about to explain the motives60 of his conduct, but De Montfort stopped him, saying--"You did quite right, my young friend; but Prince Edward and I, you must know, are as two chess-players, where the game is life and power, and neither he nor I must hazard one rash move, if we would avoid destruction. I know my own game--he is not aware of it; and it is necessary that he should not be so till the last moment."
These words were heard by many of the gentlemen round, and rumour8 soon carried them through the whole host--one person repeating them in one manner, and another in another, but all implying the same thing--that De Montfort had some dark secret purpose in view; and such was the confidence of the soldiery in their leader, that they never doubted success would attend him, whatever that purpose was.
An immediate change of movements then took place. Suddenly turning into South Wales, the army ravaged61 a district belonging to some of the adherents of Gloucester; and in his progress, De Montfort entered into a treaty with several of the Native Welsh princes, by which he obtained the assistance of a considerable body of their light armed troops. A short pause of total inactivity next succeeded, and the Earl remained encamped for two or three days on the banks of the river Lug62, apparently63 with the purpose of giving some repose64 to his forces, in the midst of the heats of July. Messengers, however, were continually coming and going; the Earl was constantly employed, either in writing or in training the troops to various military evolutions; and, after all the camp except the sentinels were sound asleep, a light was seen burning in his tent till two or three in the morning. "He used his nights," says a historian of those times, "more for thought and labour, than for sleep."
During the greater part of each day, and often during these nocturnal vigils, the old Earl of Monthermer and the Lord le Despenser remained with De Montfort, sometimes consulting with him, sometimes writing in the same tent, sometimes examining the rude maps of that period, measuring distances and tracing out lines, but not one word did either of them utter, even to their nearest and dearest relations, in regard to the plans and purposes of the general.
At length, one night towards eleven o'clock, while the army was what was both technically65 and literally66, "in the field," Hugh de Monthermer received a summons, written in the hand of De Montfort himself, desiring his immediate presence, The last words were, "Bring your dwarf67 page with you."
Tangel was accordingly roused from the corner in which he slept, and followed Hugh to the quarters of the Earl, whom they found sitting in the outer tent in company with two or three noblemen. The flap of the canvas was drawn68 back on either side, in order to admit what fresh air could be found in a sultry night of summer, and at one end of a table, round which the assembled nobles were seated, appeared a man, dusty with travelling and dressed in the garb69 of a Yorkshire forester.
"Here is a letter for you, my Lord Hugh," said De Montfort, "enclosed in one to myself;" and he handed a small packet to Hugh de Monthermer, tied, as was then customary, and fastened with yellow wax.
Hugh took it, but before he broke the seal or cut the silk, he advanced to the table and examined the outside of the letter carefully by the light of one of the lamps.
"Something seems to strike you as extraordinary," said De Montfort. "What is the matter?"
"I will tell your lordship presently," replied Hugh; and severing70 the silk with his dagger71, he read the contents.
"This is good news as far as it goes," he said at length in a low tone; "I find that my good friend Ralph Harland is on his road to join us, together with a certain forest friend of ours," he added, turning towards his uncle, "with some seven hundred bold yeomen and foresters of York and Nottingham, and more will follow. They are already far advanced on their way in Staffordshire.--But I cannot help thinking, my good lord," he added, raising his voice, "that this letter has been opened and read before it reached my hands."
As the young nobleman spoke72 he fixed73 his eyes on the messenger, who was somewhat pale before, but became paler still when he heard the last words.
"I will swear upon the blessed rood!" he cried, "that I have never opened the packet, but brought it safely hither, as I was told."
"Who told you to bring it?" asked De Montfort, fixing his stern eyes upon him.
The man hesitated a moment, and then replied, "Robin74 of Barnesdale."
"What makes you think it has been opened, Hugh?" demanded the Earl of Monthermer.
"Why, my dear uncle," answered the young nobleman, "this wax is yellow, but at the side of it is a stain of green, as if at first it had been sealed with another colour."
"Can our friend Robin write?" inquired De Montfort.
"Yea!" cried a shrill75 voice from behind Hugh de Monthermer, "as well as a Florentine reed or a turkey's quill76 in the hand of an Oxford77 clerk."
"We shall soon know more, my lord," said Hugh de Monthermer; "but this letter is not Robin's writing, this is from Ralph Harland the franklin."
"But this," replied the Earl, laying his hand upon another letter--"this purports78 to be from the bold forester, praying me to send you with some men-at-arms to reinforce them as they come, seeing that Gloucester threatens them, and they are afraid to proceed."
"That shows it to be a forgery79 at once," said Hugh, in a low voice to Leicester; "Robin never seeks aid of any man. There is treachery somewhere, my lord; but we have means at hand of convicting this fellow.--Now, sir," he continued, "tell me, and tell me true, who sent you hither; and, beware! for if you deceive me, it may cost your life."
"I have told you already," answered the man, doggedly80.
"Well then, stand forward, my little magician," cried Hugh, laying his hand upon Tangel's head. "We hear of Eastern talismans81, my lord, whereby truth and falsehood are discovered, as gold and alloy83 by the touchstone; and in this boy I have such a human talisman82, who will soon tell us how much verity84 there is in the fellow's tale. Now, Tangel, look at him well, and say if he came from Robin Hood51?"
"No," answered the dwarf, well pleased with the importance of his functions, and entering fully44 into the spirit of his master's figure of speech--"Hark! I hear Robin deny him, and say he never yet set eyes upon him." Then tugging85 the young nobleman's sleeve he whispered the words, "Go on!--ask me more!"
"And now, Tangel," continued Hugh, "can you tell me whose man he is?"
"Right well," replied the dwarf, fixing his keen gaze upon the pale face of the messenger; and then speaking slowly, he added, "He is Prince Edward's."
A slight smile came upon the man's countenance for a moment; but Tangel went on almost without a pause, watching him keenly as he spoke. "He is Prince Edward's by the Earl of Gloucester, and the Earl of Gloucester's by Richard de Ashby. Ha! ha! ha! I hear them laughing, when they think how they will take in De Montfort, and lead the Lord Hugh into a trap--and he hears them, too! Look at his face--look at his face!"
Certainly that face was now as bloodless as the visage of the dead.
"Take him away!" said De Montfort, in a stern tone--"take him away, and hang him on the first tree!"
"I will confess--I will confess," cried the man, falling upon his knees. "Spare my life, and I will confess!"
"It is your only hope of safety," replied the Earl; "tell the whole truth, and you shall be spared--out with it at once, and without hesitation86!"
"Well, then," said the detected impostor, in a whining87 tone, "I confess I am Sir Richard de Ashby's man!" and he went on to tell how a jolly monk88, passing through a village in the neighbourhood of Worcester, and making merry with some soldiers, had been recognised by one of the servants of Richard de Ashby, and instantly arrested. On searching him strictly89, the letter from Ralph Harland to Hugh de Monthermer had been found, wrapped in leather, between his sandal and the sole of his foot, and a plan was instantly formed, both for cutting off the party of the young franklin and Robin Hood, and also for leading Hugh de Monthermer into an ambuscade. "The Earl of Gloucester and Roger Mortimer," he said, "had been made acquainted with the plot, but not the Prince."
"Take him away!" said De Montfort, after the story was told--"Take him away, and guard him strictly! We may have occasion to account with these gentlemen at some future time.--Now here is an opportunity," he continued, as soon as the pretended yeoman was removed, "which some men would seize, for cutting off whatever troops the rebels may detach in execution of their pitiful schemes, but I think, my good lords, we must not waste our strength upon skirmishes. At any moment, we may have to act suddenly with our whole force, and therefore we must cast away the occasion that now presents itself of lopping off a limb from our enemy. Nevertheless, we must not forget the safety of our friends; some faithful messenger must be sent at once to meet the reinforcement from Nottingham and Yorkshire, and give them notice to take a circuit through Shropshire. Shrewsbury is ours, and all the country round; so, on that road, they will be safe. Have you any one you can send?"
Hugh looked at the dwarf, and the boy clapped his hands gladly, exclaiming, "Let me go--let me go!"
"So be it, then!" said Hugh, "I will provide him with the means at once, my lord. He had better have no letter but a purse well-filled, and a swift horse. He will not fail a word of the message----
"Hark!" cried De Montfort, "there is a sound of galloping90 from the other side of the river! The messengers, at length, I trust.--Do you know your errand, boy?"
"Right well, great man," answered the dwarf, "and I will not fail either in speed or truth."
"What, ho!--stand!--who goes there?" demanded the sentinels, who were placed about fifty yards from De Montfort's tent.
"A friend!" was the reply.
"Stand, friend, and dismount!" cried the sentinel.
"Letters," answered the other voice--"letters from the Lord Simon de Montfort, to his father, the most noble Earl of Leicester."
"Ha!" exclaimed Leicester, starting up, with his whole face beaming with satisfaction, "At length!--Let him advance!" he shouted--"Let him advance!" and a moment after, coming forward to the opening of the tent, a man, pale, haggard, and worn, presented himself, bearing a small packet in his hand.
"This is to your lordship, from your son," he said; "I left him well, at Oxford, not many hours ago, with thirty thousand men in arms, all ready to defy the world, on behalf of De Montfort."
Too eager to make any reply, the Earl of Leicester took the packet, tore it open, and read--"All is right!" he cried at length, rising with a well pleased smile, and turning to the gentlemen on his right. "Now, my good lords--now, the moment for action has come. To you, Monthermer--to you, Le Despenser, thanks--many thanks, for those wise and prudent91 counsels which have cast cool patience upon my own somewhat too impetuous nature, and enabled me to resist my own inclination92 to advance. Here have we amused these rebel lords, and the infatuated Prince, in needless marches and counter-marches, while my son has raised the country behind them, and is already at Oxford with an overwhelming force. He, on the one side,--and I on the other, we have them in a net; or, even if they escape from the toils94 that are around them, our forces united will be irresistible95, and we will drive them to fight, to surrender, or to flee the land. Let every noble lord give instant orders in his own quarter of the camp, to make ready for our advance an hour before daylight; and you, my Lord Hugh, must now direct your messenger to lead our friends from Nottingham, by Clebury and Wire Forest, on towards Worcester, keeping a keen look-out for the enemy; but, doubtless, ere they arrive we shall have cleared the country.--You have brought me good tidings," he continued, addressing the messenger, "go to my steward96, let him provide for you, and to-morrow a hundred marks shall be your reward.---Now, for a few hours, my lords, good night--good night!"
By daybreak the next morning, every tent was struck, and the main body of the army had passed the Lug. De Montfort still advanced with great care and caution, throwing out scouts97 in all directions, and never making a movement which exposed any part of his force to sudden attack. But not an enemy Wad now to be met with. The whole country, as he advanced towards Worcester, was clear, and it seemed evident to all that Edward had become aware of his danger, and was endeavouring to escape from it.
On the evening of St. Peter's day, in the year 1265, De Montfort reached a magnificent country palace of the Bishop99 of Worcester, called, in the language of the time, "Kemestoia, or Kematow," from which, in all probability, the name Kemsey is derived100. It was surrounded by an extensive park, reserved for the chase; and therein, or in a small neighbouring village, the army lodged101 during the night, while the head-quarters of the general and his royal prisoner were in the manor102, or palace of the bishop. The distance from Worcester was only three miles, but still no tidings reached the army of Prince Edward's movements.
About seven o'clock, however, a letter was received by De Montfort from his eldest103 son, who was at the head of the large body of men, marching from Oxford to reinforce him; but when he opened it and read the date, his brow became clouded, and he muttered to himself, "Kenilworth--Kenilworth! That is a great mistake! What does he in Kenilworth?"
On reading on, he found that the letter had been written just after a long night's watching in the fields to intercept20 the army of Prince Edward, which was said to be flying from Worcester, and that the young nobleman proposed to march on to join him on the Friday following, concluding that the Prince had made his escape.
De Montfort mused93, after he had perused104 the letter twice, and then murmured, "There is no help for it--there is no help for it! We must onward105 to Evesham, with all speed--Edward flying, with a large force at his command, Worcester in his power, Gloucester garrisoned106 by his troops--Dean Forest near! No, no, no! That is not likely! Edward was not made to fly.--We must guard against surprise--there is something under this!" and ringing a small hand-bell which stood upon his table, he continued aloud; as soon as one of his officers appeared, "Double the guards at every avenue of the park--throw out some fifty horse archers107 on the road to Worcester, and barricade108 the farther end of the village,--give those orders quickly, and then come back for a letter, after directing a horse and mail to make ready for Kenilworth.--Kenilworth!" he added, musing109, "What had he to do at Kenilworth? Hark ye!" he proceeded, once more addressing the man--"Get some diligent110 fellows, who do not fear for their necks, to make their way into Worcester as soon as the gates are open, and bring me tidings of what is going on--promise them high wages--we must have news."
The officer departed, and De Montfort put his hand upon his brow, repeating, to himself, "What had he to do at Kenilworth?--My heed111 aches," he continued; "ere long, perchance, it may cease to ache for ever!"
Day had dawned about an hour when, by his permission, and of the spies who, as we have seen, had been sent into Worchester, was admitted to the chamber112 of the Earl of Leicester, whom he found just putting on his steel hauberk, proposing soon to set forth113 upon his march.
"I have had a narrow escape, my lord!" cried the scout98; "all the rest are taken."
"But the news--the news!" exclaimed De Montfort, with a degree of heedlessness for human life which most veteran warriors114 acquire--"the news! What did you learn?"
"Little or nothing, my lord," answered the man, somewhat sullenly115. "I heard my companions ordered to be hanged, and saw Prince Edward's troops arriving in haste and disarray116, after a long night march. But I could only save myself by speed, and therefore could learn nothing more."
"It is enough--it is enough!" cried De Montfort. "There, fellow, is your reward!--Edward arriving in disarray at Worcester!--That is enough! Now, on to Evesham with all speed--join my boy's forces, and then return to crush this nest of hornets with my foot!"
He spoke proud and exultingly117. Ah, little did he know that at that moment his son's forces were defeated and dispersed118, thirteen of his gallant barons119 killed, and a whole host of noble prisoners following the army of Edward into Worcester!
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negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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portents
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| n.预兆( portent的名词复数 )；征兆；怪事；奇物 | |
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isle
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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enrolling
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| v.招收( enrol的现在分词 )；吸收；入学；加入；[亦作enrol]( enroll的现在分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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ballads
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| 民歌，民谣，特别指叙述故事的歌( ballad的名词复数 )； 讴 | |
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renowned
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pretext
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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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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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espousing
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的现在分词 ) | |
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29
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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33
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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34
contentions
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| n.竞争( contention的名词复数 )；争夺；争论；论点 | |
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35
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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36
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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37
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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38
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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40
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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41
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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42
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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43
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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44
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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45
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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46
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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47
equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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48
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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50
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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51
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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52
galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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53
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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estuary
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| n.河口，江口 | |
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55
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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57
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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58
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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59
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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60
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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61
ravaged
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| 毁坏( ravage的过去式和过去分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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62
lug
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| n.柄，突出部，螺帽；(英）耳朵；（俚）笨蛋；vt.拖，拉，用力拖动 | |
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63
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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64
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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technically
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| adv.专门地，技术上地 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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67
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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68
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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70
severing
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的现在分词 )；断，裂 | |
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71
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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72
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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73
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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74
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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75
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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76
quill
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| n.羽毛管；v.给（织物或衣服）作皱褶 | |
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77
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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78
purports
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| v.声称是…，（装得）像是…的样子( purport的第三人称单数 ) | |
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79
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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80
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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81
talismans
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| n.护身符( talisman的名词复数 )；驱邪物；有不可思议的力量之物；法宝 | |
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82
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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83
alloy
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| n.合金，(金属的)成色 | |
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84
verity
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| n.真实性 | |
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85
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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86
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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87
whining
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| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
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88
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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89
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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90
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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91
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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92
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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93
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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94
toils
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| 网 | |
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95
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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96
steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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97
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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98
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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99
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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100
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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101
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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102
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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103
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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104
perused
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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105
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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106
garrisoned
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| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
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107
archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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108
barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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109
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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110
diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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111
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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112
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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113
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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114
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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115
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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116
disarray
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| n.混乱，紊乱，凌乱 | |
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117
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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118
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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119
barons
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| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
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