Anstey's next step was to inform the Captain. The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone2, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate3 vicinity of the light-vessel4. Allowing for the set and strength of the tide and the drift caused by the wind, between the time the mines were first sighted and the time when the West Barbican entered the danger-zone, he was able to assert that, if the ship's original course were maintained, she would pass at least ten miles to the east'ard of those most undesirable5 derelicts.
"I think we're O.K., Mr. Anstey," he remarked. "Besides, for all we know the mines might have been exploded by this time. Those naval6 Johnnies are pretty smart at that sort of thing. Well, carry on. Let me know if there are any supplementary7 warnings."
The Old Man returned to his cabin, and was soon deep in the pages of a novel; while Anstey resumed his trick, thanking his lucky stars that, unlike Mostyn's, his watch was not indefinitely prolonged through the shortcomings of two sea-sick "birds".
Just as darkness set in, the gale8 was at its height. Clouds of spray flew over the bridge as the old hooker wallowed and nosed her way through the steep, crested9 waves, for the wind had backed still more and was now dead in her teeth.
Even in the wireless10-cabin the noise was terrific. The boats in davits were creaking and groaning11, as they strained against their gripes with each disconcerting jerk of the ship. Spray in sheets rattled12 upon the tightly stretched boat-covers like volleys of small shot, while the monotonous13 clank-clank of the steam steering-gear, as the secuni (native quartermaster) strove to keep the ship within half a degree of her course, added to the turmoil14 that penetrated15 the four steel walls of the cabin.
Vainly Peter tried to concentrate his thoughts on a book. Yet, in spite of the fact that he was wearing telephones clipped to his ears, the hideous16 clamour refused to be suppressed. Reading under these conditions was out of the question. He put away the book and remained keeping his weary watch, valiantly17 combating an almost overwhelming desire for sleep.
Suddenly, with a terrific crash, something hit the deck of the flying-bridge immediately above the wireless-cabin. For a moment Peter was under the impression that one of the foremost derricks had carried away and crashed athwart the roof of the cabin.
Soon he discovered the actual cause. The stout18 wire halliard taking the for'ard end of the aerial had parted, and the two wires, spreaders, and insulators19 had fallen on the boat-deck.
Removing the now useless telephones and donning his pilot coat, Mostyn went out into the open, glad of the slight protection from the cutting wind afforded by the canvas bridge-screens and dodgers20. Already lascars, in obedience21 to the shrill22 shouts of the serang and tindal (native petty officer), had swarmed23 upon the bridge ready to clear away the debris24.
Accompanied by the bos'un Mostyn made a hasty examination of the damage. The aerials had fortunately fallen clear of the funnel25, and, although the for'ard insulators had been shattered, the drag of the wires had kept the after ones from being dashed against the main topmast.
It was "up to" the Wireless Officer to repair and set up the aerials as soon as possible.
While the lascars were clearing away a spare halliard, Peter began to replace the broken spreader and its insulators. Cut by the keen wind, drenched26 with the rain and spray, and chilled to the bone in spite of his heavy pilot coat, Mostyn struggled with refractory27 wires until his benumbed hands were almost raw and hardly capable of getting a grip on the pliers.
It was a hit-or-miss operation. In the circumstances he had no means of testing the insularity28 of the aerial. He could only hope that, when once more aloft, it would function properly.
With a sigh of relief he completed the final splice29 and turned to the serang.
"Heave away!" he ordered.
The man gave a shrill order. Instantly the hitherto passive line of lascars handling the slack of the rope broke into activity. Gradually the aerial tautened, as a score of brown-faced, thin-limbed natives tailed on to the hauling part of the wire halliard. Quickly at first, then with gradually diminishing speed, the double line of wire rose from the deck and disappeared from view in the spray-laden darkness of the night, and presently the serang reported that the aerial was close up.
Mostyn returned to his post. Glancing at the clock he noted30 with astonishment31 that the task had taken him exactly an hour. Then, replacing the telephones to his ears, he endeavoured to thaw32 his benumbed fingers in front of the electric-light globe.
Hour after hour passed in monotonous inactivity. The appearance of the devoted33 Mahmed with a cup of tea and a plate of sandwiches—most of the tea was spilt, and the sandwiches were abundantly salted and moistened in the process of mounting the bridge—proved a welcome diversion.
Just before midnight a second disaster occurred to the aerial. This time the double wires parted, practically simultaneously34, about midway between the masts. This point, being almost immediately above the funnel, is always a fruitful source of trouble, owing to the comparatively rapid deterioration35 set up by the gases from the furnaces.
Repairs, even of a makeshift nature, were for the present out of the question. It was impossible to send men aloft to assist in setting up the wires. No human being could hold on in such a gale, far less perform the intricate task of reeving fresh halliards and wires. All Mostyn could do was to make all secure in the wireless-cabin. He was then free to turn in and enjoy a few hours' rest, until the ship's arrival at Brocklington Dock should afford an opportunity for repairing the damage.
Peter was exchanging a few words with the officer of the watch when the attention of both was attracted by a flash.
"Distress36 signal!" exclaimed Peter.
"Not vivid enough," rejoined his companion "Might be a rocket from one of the Dowsings—the Inner, most likely. If——"
Another flash, faintly visible through the murk, interrupted Anstey's words. For several seconds both men listened intently for the double detonation37. None was audible. Distance and the howling of the elements had completely deadened the reports.
Even as they looked a steady pin-prick of reddish light appeared on exactly the same bearing as the previous flashes. For perhaps fifteen seconds it remained constant; then momentarily it grew in volume until a trailing column of ruddy flame, fringed by a wind-torn cloud of smoke, illuminated38 the distant horizon.
Bringing his night-glasses to bear upon the source of the flames the Third Officer studied the scene. Then, replacing the binoculars39, he shouted to his companion:
"Vessel ablaze40 from end to end. Tanker41, I guess. I'm off to call the Old Man."
Captain Bullock was quickly out of his cabin. He had waited merely to put on his bridge-coat over his pyjamas43 and thrust his bare feet into a huge pair of sea-boots. He was one of those powerfully framed, tough men for whom the sudden change of temperature had no terrors and few discomforts44.
Shouting a hoarse45 yet unmistakable order to the secum at the wheel, and ringing down to the engine-room for increased speed, Captain Bullock waited until the West Barbican had steadied on her new course, then he turned to the Third Officer.
"She's a tanker, right enough, Anstey. Got it properly in the neck. See that the boats are cleared away, although I'm afraid there's precious little chance of using them in this sea. I'm off to shift into thicker togs."
In five minutes the Old Man returned. By this time the West Barbican, making a good twelve and a half knots against the head wind and sea, had got within a couple of miles of the doomed47 vessel.
Already she was well down by the head, and blazing furiously from stem to stern. To windward of her the seas were breaking heavily against the hull48 of the burning ship. Already she had lost way and was drifting broadside on to the wind. Cascades49 of water pouring over her listing deck had no effect in quenching50 the flames but merely raised enormous clouds of steam to mingle51 with the flame-tinged, oily smoke. To leeward52 the sea was calm for almost a mile, owing to the liberation of the oil. And not only was it calm: it was a placid53 lake of fire, as the floating, highly inflammable coating of petroleum54 burnt furiously in half a dozen detached areas.
"See any signs of a boat?" demanded the Old Man.
"No, sir," replied Anstey.
"Thought not," was the rejoinder. "A boat would be swamped to wind'ard, and burnt to a cinder55 to lee'ard. Doubt even whether the poor fellows had a chance to lower away—— What's that on our port bow? By heavens, Anstey, it's a boat!"
Both men levelled their binoculars. Mostyn, keeping discreetly56 in the background, made use of the chartroom telescope.
Silhouetted57 against the glare was a ship's boat. There were people in her, but they were making no apparent effort to draw away from the danger zone. Rising and falling on the long, oily swell58, the frail59 craft was midway between two patches of fiercely burning oil that threatened to converge60 and destroy the boat and its human freight.
"We'll have to risk it, Anstey," decided61 the Old Man, as he rang for half speed. "I only hope the lascars'll stick it. I'm going to take the old hooker between those patches of burning oil. We'll try towing the boat clear. If that fails we'll have to lower one of our own boats. Pass the word for the serang to stand by to heave a line, and then give an eye to the secuni. If he runs the ship into either of those patches it'll be a serious matter."
"Ay, ay, sir."
Ringing for stop, Captain Bullock knew that there was sufficient way upon the ship to enable her to close the boat without the former being out of control. Allowance had also to be made for the wind, which, owing to the alteration62 of course, was now two points on the starboard bow.
The heat was now quite perceptible, while at intervals63 wisps of black, suffocating64 smoke swept to lee'ard, completely enveloping65 the West Barbican. On either side of her were expanses of burning oil, bubbling and popping in a series of miniature explosions, as the heated water beneath the oil vapourized and blew out through the covering layer of burning viscous66 liquid.
Right in the centre of the steadily67 decreasing avenue of unlighted oil lay the boat. Two cables' lengths beyond, and now a glowing mass of white-hot metal, lay the burning tanker, awash for'ard and with her propeller68 showing clear above the agitated69 water.
Admirably manoeuvred and conned70 by the Old Man, the West Barbican drew near the tanker's boat. Slowly she passed within heaving distance. The now excited lascars heaved lines, several of which fell short. Two at least dropped athwart the boat, but no attempt was made on the part of her crew to secure them. The luckless men were either dead or else rendered insensible by the hot, suffocating air.
The ship had now lost way. Her head was beginning to pay off. It was necessary to go ahead in order to regain71 steerage way; but, at the same time, if the work of rescue were to be consummated72, it would be necessary to make use of one of the West Barbican's boats.
"Lower away!" roared the Old Man.
At that moment the tanker disappeared beneath the surface. The tower of flame that enveloped73 her died down to a mere42 flicker74, completely outclassed by the glare of a dozen distinct patches of fiercely burning oil.
The lascars manning the falls hesitated, while their comrades in the boat showed signs of panic. In the confusion they noticed that, unaccountably there was no officer on board the lifeboat.
Mostyn was one of those men who in moments of danger are prone75 to act independently—they simply cannot remain passive spectators when there is work to be done. It was no business of the Wireless Officer to go away in the boats. His duty was to stay by the wireless gear. But in this case Peter knew that he could do nothing in the cabin with the aerial out of action. He could be of use in the boat, to take command and steady the decidedly "jumpy" Asiatics.
The overwhelming instinct to bear a hand seized him in an instant. Running aft to where the lifeboat swung outboard he leapt into the stern-sheets, grasped the yoke76 lines, and shouted to the tindal to lower away. The man, seeing that a sahib was in the boat but not recognizing who he was, gave the word to the lascars manning the falls, and the boat was lowered rapidly and evenly.
Mostyn had a momentary77 vision of the lighted scuttles78 slipping upwards79 as the boat dropped down past the ship's side. Then with a sharp flop80 the lifeboat struck the oily surface. Simultaneously the lower blocks of the falls disengaged, and the boat began to drift astern.
"Give way!" ordered Peter.
The lascars, trained to obey commands issued in English, acted smartly. With the presence of a sahib in the lifeboat their fears, if not entirely81 banished82, were cloaked by the sense of discipline.
"Pull starboard; back port."
The lifeboat turned in almost her own length.
Already the steadily converging83 patches of flames justified84 this order. To turn under the use of the helm alone would bring the boat in contact with the oil-fired water.
"Together—way 'nough—in bow."
In five minutes from the time Peter had taken his place in the stern-sheets the two boats were gunwale to gunwale. In the tanker's whaler were seven human forms huddled85 in weird86 postures87, either on the bottom-boards or across the thwarts88.
Whether they were dead or alive Mostyn knew not. All he could do was to have the seemingly inanimate bodies transhipped, and then return to the West Barbican—if he could.
Working like men possessed89, four of the lascars unceremoniously bundled the bodies into the lifeboat. Then, pushing off, they resumed their oars46, pulling desperately90 for the ship, which was now gathering91 sternway at a distance of a cable's length.
For the first time Mostyn realized the extreme gravity of the situation. The ship was now gathering sternway, drifting rapidly to lee'ard the while. The churning of her propeller had caused a large patch of burning oil to still further contract the narrow fairway between the ship and the boat.
Peter knew full well that he and the boat's crew stood less than a dog's chance should the fiery92 sea cut them off. He was also aware of the great difficulty of being picked up by the ship, since the latter had herself to be constantly manoeuvring to avoid contact with the fire. Even if the lifeboat escaped the flames, there arose the danger of her being crushed by her parent. In that case there would be little or no chance of swimming in the thick layer of oil that had not as yet become ignited.
It was touch and go. Dazzled by the glare, partly stifled93 by the thick smoke, and scorched94 by the hot, raging wind, Peter all but lost his bearings. A momentary dispersal of the smoke showed him the hull of the West Barbican less than four boats' lengths away.
"Boat oars!"
The now thoroughly95 scared lascars obeyed very hurriedly. The bowman grasped and engaged the for'ard falls, pulping96 one of his fingers in the operation. Almost simultaneously the lower block of the after falls was hooked on, and with a disconcerting jerk the lifeboat rose clear of the water.
Only by a few seconds had she won through. Before the boat was hoisted97 home the sea beneath her was covered with crackling, spluttering flames.
点击收听单词发音
1 remarkably | |
ad.不同寻常地,相当地 | |
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2 backbone | |
n.脊骨,脊柱,骨干;刚毅,骨气 | |
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3 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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4 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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5 undesirable | |
adj.不受欢迎的,不良的,不合意的,讨厌的;n.不受欢迎的人,不良分子 | |
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6 naval | |
adj.海军的,军舰的,船的 | |
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7 supplementary | |
adj.补充的,附加的 | |
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8 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
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9 crested | |
adj.有顶饰的,有纹章的,有冠毛的v.到达山顶(或浪峰)( crest的过去式和过去分词 );到达洪峰,达到顶点 | |
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10 wireless | |
adj.无线的;n.无线电 | |
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11 groaning | |
adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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12 rattled | |
慌乱的,恼火的 | |
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13 monotonous | |
adj.单调的,一成不变的,使人厌倦的 | |
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14 turmoil | |
n.骚乱,混乱,动乱 | |
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15 penetrated | |
adj. 击穿的,鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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16 hideous | |
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的 | |
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17 valiantly | |
adv.勇敢地,英勇地;雄赳赳 | |
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19 insulators | |
绝缘、隔热或隔音等的物质或装置( insulator的名词复数 ) | |
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20 dodgers | |
n.躲闪者,欺瞒者( dodger的名词复数 ) | |
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21 obedience | |
n.服从,顺从 | |
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22 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
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23 swarmed | |
密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 ); 云集; 成群地移动; 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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24 debris | |
n.瓦砾堆,废墟,碎片 | |
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25 funnel | |
n.漏斗;烟囱;v.汇集 | |
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26 drenched | |
adj.湿透的;充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 );在某人(某物)上大量使用(某液体) | |
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27 refractory | |
adj.倔强的,难驾驭的 | |
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28 insularity | |
n.心胸狭窄;孤立;偏狭;岛国根性 | |
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29 splice | |
v.接合,衔接;n.胶接处,粘接处 | |
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30 noted | |
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
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31 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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32 thaw | |
v.(使)融化,(使)变得友善;n.融化,缓和 | |
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33 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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34 simultaneously | |
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地 | |
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35 deterioration | |
n.退化;恶化;变坏 | |
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36 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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37 detonation | |
n.爆炸;巨响 | |
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38 illuminated | |
adj.被照明的;受启迪的 | |
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39 binoculars | |
n.双筒望远镜 | |
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40 ablaze | |
adj.着火的,燃烧的;闪耀的,灯火辉煌的 | |
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41 tanker | |
n.油轮 | |
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42 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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43 pyjamas | |
n.(宽大的)睡衣裤 | |
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44 discomforts | |
n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 );不愉快,苦恼 | |
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45 hoarse | |
adj.嘶哑的,沙哑的 | |
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46 oars | |
n.桨,橹( oar的名词复数 );划手v.划(行)( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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47 doomed | |
命定的 | |
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48 hull | |
n.船身;(果、实等的)外壳;vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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49 cascades | |
倾泻( cascade的名词复数 ); 小瀑布(尤指一连串瀑布中的一支); 瀑布状物; 倾泻(或涌出)的东西 | |
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50 quenching | |
淬火,熄 | |
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51 mingle | |
vt.使混合,使相混;vi.混合起来;相交往 | |
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52 leeward | |
adj.背风的;下风的 | |
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53 placid | |
adj.安静的,平和的 | |
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54 petroleum | |
n.原油,石油 | |
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55 cinder | |
n.余烬,矿渣 | |
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56 discreetly | |
ad.(言行)审慎地,慎重地 | |
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57 silhouetted | |
显出轮廓的,显示影像的 | |
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58 swell | |
vi.膨胀,肿胀;增长,增强 | |
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59 frail | |
adj.身体虚弱的;易损坏的 | |
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60 converge | |
vi.会合;聚集,集中;(思想、观点等)趋近 | |
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61 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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62 alteration | |
n.变更,改变;蚀变 | |
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63 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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64 suffocating | |
a.使人窒息的 | |
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65 enveloping | |
v.包围,笼罩,包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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66 viscous | |
adj.粘滞的,粘性的 | |
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67 steadily | |
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 | |
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68 propeller | |
n.螺旋桨,推进器 | |
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69 agitated | |
adj.被鼓动的,不安的 | |
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70 conned | |
adj.被骗了v.指挥操舵( conn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71 regain | |
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复 | |
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72 consummated | |
v.使结束( consummate的过去式和过去分词 );使完美;完婚;(婚礼后的)圆房 | |
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73 enveloped | |
v.包围,笼罩,包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74 flicker | |
vi./n.闪烁,摇曳,闪现 | |
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75 prone | |
adj.(to)易于…的,很可能…的;俯卧的 | |
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76 yoke | |
n.轭;支配;v.给...上轭,连接,使成配偶 | |
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77 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
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78 scuttles | |
n.天窗( scuttle的名词复数 )v.使船沉没( scuttle的第三人称单数 );快跑,急走 | |
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79 upwards | |
adv.向上,在更高处...以上 | |
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80 flop | |
n.失败(者),扑通一声;vi.笨重地行动,沉重地落下 | |
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81 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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82 banished | |
v.放逐,驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83 converging | |
adj.收敛[缩]的,会聚的,趋同的v.(线条、运动的物体等)会于一点( converge的现在分词 );(趋于)相似或相同;人或车辆汇集;聚集 | |
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84 justified | |
a.正当的,有理的 | |
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85 huddled | |
挤在一起(huddle的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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86 weird | |
adj.古怪的,离奇的;怪诞的,神秘而可怕的 | |
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87 postures | |
姿势( posture的名词复数 ); 看法; 态度; 立场 | |
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88 thwarts | |
阻挠( thwart的第三人称单数 ); 使受挫折; 挫败; 横过 | |
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89 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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90 desperately | |
adv.极度渴望地,绝望地,孤注一掷地 | |
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91 gathering | |
n.集会,聚会,聚集 | |
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92 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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93 stifled | |
(使)窒息, (使)窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 ); 镇压,遏制; 堵 | |
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94 scorched | |
烧焦,烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 ); 使(植物)枯萎,把…晒枯; 高速行驶; 枯焦 | |
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95 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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96 pulping | |
水果的肉质部分( pulp的现在分词 ); 果肉; 纸浆; 低级书刊 | |
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97 hoisted | |
把…吊起,升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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