Romeo, son of Sir Hercules and Pasta, was a golden chestnut9, with a narrow blaze and white hind10 legs. Originally imported to Tasmania from England, he was in 1842 located at Miamamaluke Station on the 'Devil's River' in Victoria, then the property of the Messrs. Hunter. He died in my possession some years later, and, as I used to look at him for at least half an hour every day for the first few months of ownership, I may, without presumption11, attempt a pen-and-ink portrait.
Not a large horse—he might almost be classified as small, indeed, compared with modern fashionable families, but of superb symmetry and superfine quality. 'A head light and lean,' though scarcely equal to The Premier's, his neck was of 378moderate length, with a delicately-marked crest12. But his shoulder! Never have I seen mortal horse with such another. It was a study. So oblique13 was it; so graceful14 and elastic15 was the fore-action in consequence, that you wondered how horses of less perfect mechanism16 got on at all. His back was short, his croup high. The finely formed, silken-haired tail, which after his death hung in my room, was set on like that of an Arab. He might easily have been ridden without a girth to the saddle. Though his back appeared to be hardly the length of one, he stood over more ground than horses that looked bigger in every way. His barrel was rounded and well ribbed up. Below the knee and hock the legs were admirably clean and flat-boned, with pasterns just long enough to give the elastic motion which so peculiarly distinguishes the thoroughbred.
In those days (I was young, to be sure) I occasionally relieved my pent-up feelings by the perpetration of verse. In an old scrap-book are traced certain 'Lines to a Thoroughbred' which must have been inspired by Romeo. They commence—
Is he not glorious, in the high beauty proud,
Which from his desert-spurning Arab sires
To him was given? Mark the frontlet broad!
The delicate, pointed18 ear, and silken mane,
Scarce coarser than the locks which Delia boasts,
Attest19 his stainless20 race, etc.
Allusion21 was also made, if I mistake not, to a problematic ancestor, the well-ridden steed of the poets, who after
Children's voices greet the rescued sire,
became 'a cherished playmate, loving and beloved.' Though high-tempered enough, Romeo was a good-humoured horse in the main, but the companionship of grooms22 and stable-boys had partly rubbed off the inherited gentillesse of the desert. Notably24 in one particular.
Whether he had been in some way teased or troubled, or that some mischievous25 groom23 had been at the pains to teach him the specific trick, I cannot say; but the fact was notorious that if any one—in or near the stable—made a noise with the mouth, like the drawing of a cork26, the old 379horse fell into a paroxysm of rage and went open-mouthed at all and sundry27 being within reach at the time.
The knowledge of this peculiarity28 was turned to account more than once as a practical joke, sometimes with results more or less unpleasant to the unsuspecting bystander. But the joke occasionally recoiled29. I happen to know of one instance. A well-known veterinary surgeon of those days, one Mr. Robertson—afterwards drowned in the Goulburn, poor fellow!—happened to be paying a visit of inspection31, when a thoughtless friend made the cork-drawing signal. It was Romeo versus32 Robertson, with a vengeance33. Like a wild horse of the prairies, he charged the astonished vet30, a resolute34 active man, who had all he could do to protect himself with a heavy, cutting whip which he fortunately carried at the time. He got out of the box unharmed, but seriously ruffled35 and demoralised.
The first thing which occurred to him, however, on banging the door of the loose-box behind him, was to lay his whip with hearty36 goodwill37 and emphasis across the shoulders of the humourist. Robertson was a burly Scot of more than average physique. His blood was up, and I do not recall the fact of the author of this unusually keen jest making effective resistance. He probably was cured of that particular form of joking, and learned practically that horseplay is one of the games in which two can engage. I never knew the old horse to commit unprovoked assaults, and think that some unusual experience must have led to the tendency described.
Though ordinarily well-behaved, it will be noted38 that there was a savour of dangerous dealing39 when aroused, and, as might be expected, a few of his progeny40 were not famous for the mildness of their tempers. They were, however, handsome and distinguished-looking, good in every relation of equine life. They supplied for many years a regular contingent41 to all the races in Victoria, and, indeed, within a widely extended radius42 round Kalangadoo and beyond the South Australian border. Few indeed were the meets, metropolitan43 or provincial44, in which a Romeo colt or filly did not figure in the first flight. Latterly he became the property of Mr. Hector Norman Simson, from whose stud the celebrated45 Flying Doe and other cracks were evolved.
Young Romeo, Baroness46, Countess, and Clinker had all won 380reputations on the Flemington race-course—which then presented a somewhat different appearance—before 1842. Young Romeo, a handsome, upstanding, dark chestnut horse, then the property of Captain Brunswick Smyth of the 50th Regiment48, was raffled49, in 1843, I think for a hundred and fifty guineas. We took a five-guinea ticket, but my drawing, innocently young as I then was, did not carry the proverbial gambler's luck. Oberon, a sweet little white-faced chestnut that Dr. David Thomas used to drive somewhat unprofessionally as tandem50 leader about Melbourne in 1851, was one of the later offspring. The worthy51 doctor, ever ready for a lark52, delighted in getting Oberon's head over the shoulders of stout53 old gentlemen in the street before they were aware of him or his chariot.
It was somewhere near the end of the 'forties,' those pioneering years paving the way to the golden era which set in for Australia shortly after their decease. I happened to be in Melbourne upon a cattle speculation54. At Kirk's Bazaar55 after breakfast I saw my ideal steed in a loose-box, apparently56 for sale. After feasting my eyes upon him for a reasonable period, I interviewed Mr. Dalmahoy Campbell, and sought particulars.
The old horse by this time had grown hollow-backed, and was evidently on his last legs. Still at a moderate price he would not be unprofitable, and the value of his blood distributed amid my stud could hardly, I thought, be over-estimated. The main thing to be considered by a prudent57 young pastoralist (I really was one in those days) was the price. This turned out to be under ￡50. Money was not abundant in that particular year. Stock were ludicrously cheap. For some reason his owners had decided58 to sell the dear old horse. His age and growing infirmities were against him. Still here was a chance I might never get again. I had just made a largish offer for the store cattle referred to. There was no use talking, however. I felt like a man who had been offered the Godolphin Arabian by a sheik hard-pushed for a ransom59. I must have the horse; that was all about it.
There was another slight difficulty. I had not ten ￡5 notes in my pocket. Far otherwise. I stated facts in the office. I can see old 'Dal's' kind face as he said, 'We'll take your bill at three months, my boy; that will give you time to 381turn round.' I gratefully assented61, and Romeo—intoxicating thought—was mine. That was my first bill. Never before did I write 'Rolf Boldrewood' across the face or back or below any of those insidious62 substitutes for ready money. Would that the negotiable instrument had been my last. Well impressed on my mind was the look of the worthy gentleman who managed the financial department of the firm which had the privilege of 'keeping my account' when I exultingly63 informed him of my transaction. He had grown grey in commerce, not altogether successfully. Doubtless memory carried him back for a moment over years of high hope, guarded enterprise, succeeded by wearing anxiety and dull despair. Looking into my youthful, sanguine64 countenance65, he said, 'Take my advice, and never sign another. I wish I had never seen one.'
I did not take his advice, it is hardly necessary to say. It was many a year before the application came in. Such is the general course of events. But if every future acceptance had been as anxiously considered, as punctually paid, and as profitably contracted as Number One aforesaid, no great harm would have been done.
I rode proudly out of Melbourne next day, leading my valued purchase, duly muzzled66 and sheeted, along the western road. Travelling by easy stages, only varied67 by a swim across the Leigh River, 'where ford68 there was none,' I got on well. It was an anxious moment for me, though, when the strong current swept my precious steed round in midstream; but he fought gallantly69 for a landing, which we finally gained. A slip, a stagger, and we were safely over. At Dunmore he received the admiration70 which was his due, while I was congratulated on my enterprise and good fortune.
When I reached home the illustrious stranger was treated with deserved attention. A roomy loose-box was specially71 dedicated72 to his use. Boiled food, ground corn, every delicacy73 of the season was lavished74 upon him. A revival75 of constitution apparently took place. But he only lived a year, leaving behind him, however, at Dunmore the beautiful, graceful Pasta, half-sister to St. George, and also to The Margravine and Track-Deer; and at Squattlesea Mere76, Bonnie Dundee, Ben Bolt, Fairy, and a few other notable nags77. 'He owed me nothing,' as his groom said when I sorrowfully attended 382his burial in the capacity of chief mourner. He lies under a blackwood tree on an 'island' in the mere, where the close-spreading clover blossoms climb and struggle amid the tussock grass of the marshes78. He was accorded respectful interment, and my grief was more sincere than that which accompanies more ostentatious funerals. He had not perhaps the opportunity which another year would have furnished of leaving an illustrious progeny in the Port Fairy district, but some of his offspring made their mark.
Dundee, being my principal hackney and stock horse, was a wonderful performer. An admixture of Clifton blood gave him height and 'scope.' He had the sloped Romeo shoulder, with propelling machinery79 of unusual power. He was fortunately just short of racing80 speed. But he was a grand 'camp horse'; could be ridden without flinching81 right into the shoulder of the worst outlaw82 of the herd83, carrying a fourteen-stone weight over any three-railed fence, and stay for a week. He lived to make a trans-Murray reputation, and still the wild riders of the mallee remember the powerful chestnut that was so well to the front with Sylvester Browne and the brothers Beveridge in more than one 'moonlighting' foray.
Ben Bolt, his half-brother, was a bright chestnut, with four white legs, a broad blaze, and a considerable quantity of white in the corners of his eyes, with which he had an uncanny way of regarding his rider. He was truly illustrious in more ways than one. There is no record of any white man (or black one either) having seen him tired. At the end of the longest day, or the most terrific 'cutting-out' work, Ben's head was up, his clear eyes watchful84, his uneasy tail, switching slowly from side to side, like a leopard85 not fully60 agitated86. He had been known to leave Melbourne after a trip with fat cattle (his rider had a young wife on the station certainly), and late on the second day the marshes of the Eumeralla were in sight. A hundred and eighty miles—winter weather too! I can state from personal experience that as a hackney he was deliciously easy, fast, and free. But the luxurious87 sensation of being so charmingly carried was modified by the ever-present thought that he could 'buck88 you into a tree-top' whenever it so pleased him; and at what minute the fit might take him no one had ever been able to foretell89.
383Sprung from a daughter of the Traveller line, Ben inherited the dire90 resolution of that potent91 blood, with a fervent92 intensity93 peculiar17 to the descendants of Romeo. The 'nick' was therefore only a partial success. If one had required, as do certain Indian rajahs, a horse warranted to distinguish himself in combat with a tiger, Ben Bolt was the very animal. Once let him get his heels into position and no living tiger would have had a show. He might as well spring at a mitrailleuse. But under saddle he was distinctly unreliable.
I used to break my own colts in those days, and in the course of events Ben was duly haltered and enticed94 into the stable. Though sensitive certainly, he was not overtly95 rebellious96 until the third day, when he kicked at me in what I held to be an unfair and treacherous97 manner. I gave him a tap in requital98 with the butt-end of a hay-fork, upon which he deliberately99 kicked down the partition between his and the next loose-box. He hardly left a slab100 standing47, and generally conducted himself as if he was not sure whether he would not smash the whole building while he was about it.
I avoided contention101 after this, and in every way applied102 myself to calm his fears and inspire confidence. It was all in vain. When approached he would contract every muscle till his flesh felt like a board, glaring the while at you with his strangely bright, white-rimmed eyes, in a blood-curdling homicidal way. However, at the end of a week I backed him, looking to every strap103 and girth, and picking a good soft spot to fall on. He was led, as was the fashion then, along by the side of another horse, and, to every one's surprise, walked away like an old stager. No irregularity took place the next day or the one following. His mouth was good; he held his head up. I was charmed, and rode him proudly about by myself. Next morning he was queer and sullen104, and in the middle of the day, for no earthly reason apparently, reared, plunged105, bolted, and commenced to buck like a demon106. I 'stuck to him' until he gradually got way on, and being apparently temporarily insane, ran into a paling fence, against which he fell down. I came off, of course, but remounted, when he did nothing further.
I rode him daily afterwards, until he passed into the second 384stage of breaking, being comparatively handy and pleasanter than many older horses, but we never seemed to get nearer to confidential107 relations. He took me unawares again ('underhand,' as Mr. Paterson's native young man hath it) while out on the run, and kicked savagely108 at me while falling. I began to think—having certain responsibilities—that it was hardly worth while to run such risk of life and limb only for the sake, too, of twenty or thirty pounds, and the strictly109 local reputation of 'being able to ride anything.'
So I relinquished110 the task of Ben's education to Frank Lawrence, my stud groom, than whom no better rough-rider ever sat in saddle. Plucky111, patient, and a fine horseman generally, he gradually brought the rebel round. The reformation was apparently complete. Kept in regular work, he ceased to be fractious, and acquired a decent character in the neighbourhood. He even carried the black boy without protest.
Months passed. The stock-riders were mustering112 up for the morning's work—neighbours and station hands. Frank was sitting carelessly on Ben Bolt, now regularly 'made' and recognised as a stock-horse. Suddenly, without a moment's warning he 'exploded'—there is no other word for it. Before any one could offer a remark, Frank was catapulted on to the crown of his head, and Ben was tearing down the paddock, kicking at his bridle-reins113 and trying to send the saddle after the man. Frank arose slowly, and after a careful examination of his neck had convinced him that it was not really broken, as might have been surmised114, said, 'I believe Ben means to finish me yet.'
'I would shoot him now if I thought that, Frank,' I answered; 'the treacherous brute115. Better take another horse to-day.'
Frank, of course, would not hear of this, and remounted the ungrateful one, led up as he was in a few minutes, with eyes like burning coals and nostrils116 quivering in anything but a reassuring117 manner. He made no sign, however, and came in, after about fourteen hours' galloping119 and camp work, as fresh as a daisy.
When the station changed hands I passed our mutual120 friend over to Frank, who sold him at a profit. Our paths lay thenceforward apart. Years afterwards, my brother and 385I walked into the stables of Cobb and Co. at Hamilton, by candlelight, while awaiting a start in the mail. The team which interested us stood harnessed and ready.
'Did you ever see that chestnut leader before?' I queried121.
'Great Jove! there he stands—white legs and all—the dear old tiger. To think that we should ever come to sit behind Ben Bolt!'
'Looks like it.'
'Nice horse that chestnut with the white hind legs, ostler.'
'Pretty fair, sir. Depends on 'ow 'e's 'andled, in a manner of speakin'.'
'So I should think. How did you get him?'
'Well, he chucked Mr. Jones sky-high; broke his back-ribs, like; so he took and swapped122 him to the Company.'
'How does he go?'
'Well, he goes right enough when you get him in, but we drives him a double stage every day, just to stiddy him. He's been a year on this piece, and we don't care how soon we get shut on 'im.'
As the day broke, the cry of 'all aboard' was sounded; the passengers took their seats in the coach as the horses were led out. The leaders were not 'hitched123' till the last moment; Ben Bolt having a second helper told off to him as he came out with head up and waving tail, the old fashion. Very quickly and noiselessly was he attached, and as the driver drew his reins tight the coach moved on, without a word or whip-touch, Ben demonstrating by the way in which he went into his collar that he was ready and willing to undertake the whole contract. At the end of our stage of twenty-two miles, done in quick time, three horses only were taken out. Ben Bolt, after having run true and level for every yard of the distance, and never once having slackened his pace, was treated to another twenty miles in the company of the fresh team.
'Good horse, that near-side leader,' I remarked to the driver tentatively.
'He's the devil on four legs, if you want to know,' gruffly answered that official; 'takes me all my time to watch him. He'll smash some of us yet, if he don't kill himself first.'
I returned a year after to find the prediction verified. Ben Bolt was no more. True to his name and reputation, 386he had broken away from the helper while being put to, and after a headlong gallop118 was discovered to have injured himself beyond hope of recovery. He died a soldier's death. But for the 'accidents and offences' resulting from his demoniac temper, I shall always hold his maternal124 ancestor, Traveller, mainly responsible.
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1
perennial
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| adj.终年的；长久的 | |
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2
goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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3
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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premier
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| adj.首要的；n.总理，首相 | |
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immortality
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| n.不死，不朽 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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oblique
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| adj.斜的，倾斜的，无诚意的，不坦率的 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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attest
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| vt.证明，证实；表明 | |
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stainless
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| adj.无瑕疵的，不锈的 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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notably
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| adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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sundry
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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vet
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| n.兽医，退役军人；vt.检查 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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versus
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| prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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progeny
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| n.后代，子孙；结果 | |
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contingent
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| adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队 | |
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radius
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| n.半径，半径范围；有效航程，范围，界限 | |
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metropolitan
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| adj.大城市的，大都会的 | |
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provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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baroness
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| n.男爵夫人，女男爵 | |
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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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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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raffled
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| v.以抽彩方式售（物）( raffle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tandem
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| n.同时发生；配合；adv.一个跟着一个地；纵排地；adj.（两匹马）前后纵列的 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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bazaar
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| n.集市，商店集中区 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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60
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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61
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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63
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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64
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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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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66
muzzled
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| 给（狗等）戴口套( muzzle的过去式和过去分词 )； 使缄默，钳制…言论 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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68
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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69
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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70
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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71
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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72
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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74
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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revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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76
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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77
nags
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| n.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的名词复数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的第三人称单数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责 | |
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78
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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79
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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80
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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81
flinching
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的现在分词 ) | |
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82
outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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83
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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85
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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86
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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88
buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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89
foretell
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| v.预言，预告，预示 | |
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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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overtly
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| ad.公开地 | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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requital
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| n.酬劳；报复 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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100
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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101
contention
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| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
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102
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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103
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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104
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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105
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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106
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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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
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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109
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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110
relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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111
plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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112
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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113
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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114
surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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115
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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116
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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117
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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118
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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119
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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120
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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121
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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122
swapped
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| 交换（工作）( swap的过去式和过去分词 )； 用…替换，把…换成，掉换（过来） | |
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123
hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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124
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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