THEY went on.
The shades of evening were now coming down rapidly, and these were all intensified2 by the dense3 fog that hung around them. The woods grew more and more obscure, and the gloom that prevailed here was added to that of the twilight4 and the fog. It was evident that they could not go on much longer.
Fortunately, it was not so difficult now as it had been previously5. The trees stood farther apart than usual. There was but little underbrush. The ground was covered with moss6, but it was quite dry. This was encouraging, for if they tried to pass the night in the woods, they could not find a better place than the one which they were traversing. They would probably have given up, and decided7 upon making preparations for the night, had it not been for their desire to find Pat. If he had been with them, their journey for that night would have ended. But they did not like to think of him alone, severed8 from them, and wandering in the woods. So they kept on their way; and still, as they went along, they shouted occasionally, with some vague hope that their cry might come to the ears of the wanderer.
It grew darker and darker.
At last they began to think of halting for the night. Pat was given up. They comforted themselves with the thought that he was hardy9, and fearless, and self-reliant; that the nights were mild; and that spruce boughs10 abounded11, together with ferns and moss, on which one might sleep peacefully and pleasantly. So, as it grew darker, they talked of stopping, and making their preparations for the night before it grew too dark.
Suddenly, as they were talking over these things, they saw before them through the trees, yet not more than a dozen paces distant, a very familiar form. It was a “snake fence,”—that is to say, a fence formed of poles, built in such a way that it runs in a zigzag12 direction. At once the thought flashed upon them that they were near some farmhouse13, perhaps some settlement; and then arose the hope of a better night’s rest than could be afforded by the woods with their damp and foggy atmosphere. With a cry of joy they rushed forward. They reached it. They looked over. In a moment the cry of joy was succeeded by one of surprise.
It was a road which lay before them.
Yes, a road, wide and well travelled,—not a private path to some small cottage, not an ox-path through dense woods, but a regular road fit for carriages, and evidently leading to some settlement.
But what settlement?
In a moment they had clambered over the fence, and stood in the road with one common determination in all of them not to leave it again for any woods whatsoever14.
Yet what road was this? and where did it go?
This was the question.
And this question it was not possible to answer.
Had they continued on uninterruptedly, Bruce would have been convinced that it was the Scott’s Bay road. But their digression after Pat had led them such a journey, that he was not by any means sure; nor were any of the others. All felt that they had been wandering blindly, that after leaving the cliff they had no certainty as to their destination. This uncertainty15 had been increased by Pat’s leadership with the pole, and had been turned into utter and hopeless perplexity by their last pursuit of him. They had been wandering now, since they parted with Dr. Porter, for more than four hours. That gave time enough for them to get anywhere. It might be the road to Hall’s Harbor in which they now found themselves.
In this state of uncertainty they remained for some time.
“Well, boys,” said Bruce, at last, “it’s impossible to tell where we are; but, in my opinion, we’d better take it for granted that this is the Scott’s Bay road. It’s more likely, after all, to be that than the Hall’s Harbor road. If it is, we have to find our way back to where the wagons16 are, according to the doctor’s directions, and wait there for him. Now, if this is the Scott’s Bay road, we must turn to the right, in order to go back, for on the left it goes to Scott’s Bay. So, I say, let’s turn up the road to the right, and walk back to the wagons.”
Bruce’s opinion was accepted by the others, and his decision at once adopted. They all turned up the road to the right, and walked onward17, not knowing how far they would have to walk, yet feeling greatly inspirited by the mere18 fact that they were out of the woods.
As they went on, it grew darker and darker at every step. The sun had gone down, the shadows of night were descending19, and these shadows were all deepened by the universal fog which covered all things. The deepening gloom made their own escape from the woods appear all the more fortunate. True, they might have built a fire there, to cheer themselves by its light, and spread soft beds of moss and fern around it, and thus, even amid the forest, they could have risen superior to their dismal20 surroundings; but still there was a very great relief, which was felt by all, at their gaining a road which might lead them to some human abode21. Besides, they were hungry. They had eaten all their sandwiches, and were eager for something to assuage22 their ravenous23 appetites.
One thing there was, however, which greatly marred24 their joy, and that was the thought of poor Pat. Perhaps he still was wandering in the woods, having given up his chase, calling for them, and thinking that they had deserted25 him. The thought of poor Pat’s loneliness was a sad one to all of them, and they could only find consolation26 in their belief in his perfect ability to take care of himself. At books he might not be very brilliant, but in all the practical matters of life Pat was certainly in every way worthy27 of being left entirely28 to himself. Under such circumstances, Pat was able to shine with uncommon29 brilliancy. In all probability, he would fare better if left to his own devices, than he would if he were a member of a crowd of school-boys. With such thoughts as these they comforted themselves, and thus tried to overcome their anxiety about Pat.
They had walked about half a mile after leaving the woods, when they saw a figure approaching them. It was not far away when they first noticed that figure, and it appeared strangely familiar.
They came nearer and nearer. The familiar outlines of the approaching figure grew more and more distinct. At last the figure came close up to them, and then suspicions became a delightful30 certainty.
Yes! It was no other than Pat himself!
A wild uproar31 of cheers and voluble questionings greeted the returning wanderer.
“When did you get out of the woods?” they asked.
“Whin, is it? Sure it wor ony five minutes ago.”
“Where are you going?”
“Where, is it? Sure I’m goin back till the ‘Cad’my.”
“The Academy? Pooh! you’re going straight away from it. Come along with us. Didn’t you hear us calling you?”
“Callin me? Niver a call did I hear.”
“Why, we followed you, and yelled, and shouted, and halloed, and hooted32, and screamed, and bawled33, and roared, and squalled, and whistled, and crowed, and croaked34, and made every noise that we could make. We gave up everything to find you. It was only by chance that we found the road. We have just been talking about you. We were thinking about going into the woods again a little way, and shouting. But where’s your pole, and what’s become of the animal that you were chasing?”
“Sure an it’s the mischief35 itsilf intirely. Niver did I see such a baste36. I chased it, an chased it, an it dodged37, an I thought I sthruck it a hundhred times; but the little baste got off afther all, so it did.”
“So you didn’t catch it.”
“Catch it? Niver a catch. It tuk me tip into a place that I couldn’t get out of fur half an hour. I lost me pole, an gave up. I couldn’t find a sign of it, an I wandhered about, whin all av a suddint, I found mesilf by the road. An be the powers! it wor mesilf that wor glad till find that same. The dirty little baste that wudn’t let itsilf be caught, like a Christian38!”
“What dirty little baste?”
“Why, the wild turkey.”
“Wild turkey! Ha, ha, ha!”
“Wild duck, thin.”
“Wild duck!” cried the boys; and another laugh followed.
“Well, thin, it wor a wild goose, ony it had fower legs, so it had—whativer it wor.”
At this very remarkable39 description the boys’ laughter burst forth40 afresh.
“Well,” said Pat, “what wor it, thin?—wor it a bayver?”
“No,” said Bart, “nor a moose, either.”
“What wor it, thin?” cried Pat. “Niver did I behowld anythin like it. It had fower legs, so it had; an it had long spikes41 all over its back. Was it any kind of a rabbit, thin?”
“It was a porcupine,” said Arthur. “Haven’t you ever seen any of them?”
“Pooh!” said Bart. “Pat, look here. I’ll tell you really what it was. It was the real, identical, original, bona fide ghost, that howls and knocks in the Academy garret. You ought to have known it at once. I did, the moment I saw it.”
“Ah, blatheration take ye, wid yer ghosts, an yer howls,” said Pat, peevishly42. “An what wor that ye said?” he asked, turning to Arthur. “What wor the name av the little baste that ye mintioned jest now, thin?”
“A porcupine,” said Arthur.
“Porkypine!” said Pat. “Porky pine! Well, it wor a strange baste intirely. I thried hard to get him. It ud have been a swate baste fur the Musayum, so it wud. But I cudn’t get a howld av him, bad luck to him!”
“It’s lucky for you, Pat,” said Bart, “that you didn’t get hold of him. He’s got spikes enough about his back to stick you through and through, if you put your hand on him. You’ve got off very easily, Pat. You ought to say good luck to him.”
“Sure an it’s mesilf that niver, niver saw the aqual av that baste, so I didn’t. I hit him mesilf wid me powl a dozen cracks—yes, a hundhred; but niver a bit did he budge43 for all that same. He didn’t let out ayven a squake, so he didn’t. An me a chasin av him over the wuds! But I cudn’t get nair him.”
“O, well, Pat, it’s all right,” said Bruce. “You ought to be glad you didn’t get near him. You’d have been laid up for a couple of months if you had. If you don’t understand porcupines44, you’d better steer45 clear of them. They’re not very pleasant beasts to handle. I know that. But come, boys. It’s getting darker and darker. We mustn’t stand dawdling46 here all night. Hurry up, and come along.”
Saying this, Bruce strode forward, and all the boys followed.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
intensified
|
|
| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
dense
|
|
| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
moss
|
|
| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
severed
|
|
| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
hardy
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
abounded
|
|
| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
zigzag
|
|
| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
farmhouse
|
|
| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
whatsoever
|
|
| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
wagons
|
|
| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
dismal
|
|
| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
assuage
|
|
| v.缓和，减轻，镇定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
ravenous
|
|
| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
marred
|
|
| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
consolation
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
uncommon
|
|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
uproar
|
|
| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
hooted
|
|
| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
bawled
|
|
| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
croaked
|
|
| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
baste
|
|
| v.殴打，公开责骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
dodged
|
|
| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
Christian
|
|
| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
spikes
|
|
| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
peevishly
|
|
| adv．暴躁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
budge
|
|
| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
porcupines
|
|
| n.豪猪，箭猪( porcupine的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
steer
|
|
| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
dawdling
|
|
| adj.闲逛的，懒散的v.混（时间）( dawdle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |