A single guard kept watch at the door. She saw him by a flash of moonlight and then passed so close she could have touched the long old-fashioned musket1 he carried loosely across his shoulder.
The cat-like tread left no echo and she took her stand in the underbrush that had pushed its way closer and closer until its branches touched the rear walls of the jail. For two hours she stood amid the shadows, her keen young ears listening and her piercing eyes watching. Again and again she counted the steps the sentinel made as he walked back and forth2 in front of the entrance to the jail.
She knew from the sound that he passed the corner of the building for three steps in full view from her position, could she but see him through the darkness. Twice she had caught a glimpse of his stupid face as the moon flashed a moment of light through a rift4 of clouds.
"The Lord help that idiot," she muttered, "if the major's men want to pass him to-night!"
She turned with a sharp start. The bushes softly parted behind her and a stealthy step drew near. Her[Pg 59] heart stood still. She was afraid to breathe. They wouldn't hurt her if they only knew she was the major's friend. But if they found and recognized her as old Peeler's half-breed daughter, they might kill her on the spot as a spy.
She hadn't thought of this terrible possibility before. It was too late now to think. To run meant almost certain death. She flattened5 her figure against the wall of the jail and drew the underbrush close completely covering her form.
She stood motionless and as near breathless as possible until the two men who were approaching a step at a time had passed. At the corner of the jail they stopped within three feet of her. She could hear every word of their conference.
"Now, Mac, do as I tell you," a voice whispered. "Jump on him from behind as he passes the corner and get him in the gills."
"I understand."
"Choke him stiff until I get something in his mouth."
"Ah, it's too easy. I'd like a little excitement."
"We'll get it before morning——"
"Sh! what's that?"
"I didn't hear anything!"
"Something moved."
A bush had slipped from Cleo's hand. She gripped the others with desperation. Ten minutes passed amid a death-like silence. A hundred times she imagined the hand of one of these men feeling for her throat. At last she drew a deep breath.
The men began to move step by step toward the doomed6 sentinel. They were standing7 beside the front corner of the jail now waiting panther-like for their[Pg 60] prey8. They allowed him to pass twice. He stopped at the end of his beat, blew his nose and spoke9 to himself:
"God, what a lonely night!"
The girl heard him turn, his feet measure three steps on his return and stop with a dull thud. She couldn't see, but she could feel through the darkness the grip of those terrible fingers on his throat. The only sound made was the dull thud of his body on the wet ground.
In two minutes they had carried him into the shadows of a big china tree in the rear and tied him to the trunk. She could hear their sharp order:
"Break those cords now or dare to open your mouth and, no matter what happens, we'll kill you first—just for luck."
In ten minutes they had reported the success of their work to their comrades who were waiting and the men who had been picked for their dangerous task surrounded the jail and slowly took up their appointed places in the shadows.
The attacking group stopped for their final instructions not five feet from the girl's position. A flash of moonlight and she saw them—six grim white and scarlet10 figures wearing spiked11 helmets from which fell a cloth mask to their shoulders. Their big revolvers were buckled12 on the outside of their disguises and each man's hand rested on the handle.
One of them quietly slipped his robe from his shoulders, removed his helmet, put on the sentinel's coat and cap, seized his musket and walked to the door of the jail.
She heard him drop the butt13 of the gun on the flagstone at the steps and call:
"Hello, jailer!"[Pg 61]
Some one stirred inside. It was not yet one o'clock and the jailer who had been to a drinking bout14 with the soldiers had not gone to bed. In his shirt sleeves he thrust his head out the door:
"Who is it?"
"The guard, sir."
"Well, what the devil do you want?"
"Can't ye gimme a drink of somethin'? I'm soaked through and I've caught cold——"
"All right, in a minute," was the gruff reply.
The girl could hear the soft tread of the shrouded15 figures closing in on the front door. A moment more and it opened. The voice inside said:
"Here you are!"
The words had scarcely passed his lips, and there was another dull crash. A dozen masked Clansmen hurled16 themselves into the doorway17 and rushed over the prostrate18 form of the half-drunken jailer. He was too frightened to call for help. He lay with his face downward, begging for his life.
It was the work of a minute to take the keys from his trembling fingers, bind19 and gag him, and release Norton. The whole thing had been done so quietly not even a dog had barked at the disturbance20.
Again they stopped within a few feet of the trembling figure against the wall. The editor had now put on his disguise and stood in the centre of the group giving his orders as quietly as though he were talking to his printers about the form of his paper.
"Quick now, Mac," she heard him say, "we've not a moment to lose. I want two pieces of scantling strong enough for a hangman's beam. Push one of them out of the center window of the north end of the Capitol[Pg 62] building, the other from the south end. We'll hang the little Scalawag on the south side and the Carpetbagger on the north. We'll give them this grim touch of poetry at the end. Your ropes have ready swinging from these beams. Keep your men on guard there until I come."
"All right, sir!" came the quick response.
"My hundred picked men are waiting?"
"On the turnpike at the first branch——"
"Good! The Governor is spending the night at Schlitz's place, three miles out. He has been afraid to sleep at home of late, I hear. We'll give the little man and his pal21 a royal escort for once as they approach the Capitol—expect us within an hour."
A moment and they were gone. The girl staggered from her cramped22 position and flew to the house. She couldn't understand it all, but she realized that if the Governor were killed it meant possible ruin for the man she had marked her own.
A light was still burning in the mother's room. She had been nervous and restless and couldn't sleep. She heard the girl's swift, excited step on the stairway and rushed to the door:
"What is it? What has happened?"
Cleo paused for breath and gasped23:
"They've broken the jail open and he's gone with the Ku Klux to kill the Governor!"
"To kill the Governor?"
"Yessum. He's got a hundred men waiting out on the turnpike and they're going to hang the Governor from one of the Capitol windows!"
The wife caught the girl by the shoulders and cried:
"Who told you this?"[Pg 63]
"Nobody. I saw them. I was passing the jail, heard a noise and went close in the dark. I heard the major give the orders to the men."
"Oh, my God!" the little mother groaned24. "And they are going straight to the Governor's mansion25?"
"No—no—he said the Governor's out at Schlitz's place, spending the night. They're going to kill him, too——"
"Then there's time to stop them—quick—can you hitch26 a horse?"
"Yessum!"
"Run to the stable, hitch my horse to the buggy and take a note I'll write to my grandfather, old Governor Carteret—you know where his place is—the big red brick house at the edge of town?"
"Yessum——"
"His street leads into the turnpike—quick now—the horse and buggy!"
The strong young body sprang down the steps three and four rounds at a leap and in five minutes the crunch28 of swift wheels on the gravel29 walk was heard.
She sprang up the stairs, took the note from the frail30, trembling little hand and bounded out of the house again.
The clouds had passed and the moon was shining now in silent splendor31 on the sparkling refreshed trees and shrubbery. The girl was an expert in handling a horse. Old Peeler had at least taught her that. In five more minutes from the time she had left the house she was knocking furiously at the old Governor's door. He was eighty-four, but a man of extraordinary vigor32 for his age.
He came to the door alone in his night-dress, candle[Pg 64] in hand, scowling33 at the unseemly interruption of his rest.
"What is it?" he cried with impatience34.
"A note from Mrs. Norton."
At the mention of her name the fine old face softened35 and then his eyes flashed:
"She is ill?"
"No, sir—but she wants you to help her."
He took the note, placed the candle on the old-fashioned mahogany table in his hall, returned to his room for his glasses, adjusted them with deliberation and read its startling message.
He spoke without looking up:
"You know the road to Schlitz's house?"
"Yes, sir, every foot of it."
"I'll be ready in ten minutes."
"We've no time to lose—you'd better hurry," the girl said nervously36.
The old man lifted his eyebrows37:
"I will. But an ex-Governor of the state can't rush to meet the present Governor in his shirt-tail—now, can he?"
Cleo laughed:
"No, sir."
The thin, sprightly38 figure moved quickly in spite of the eighty-four years and in less than ten minutes he was seated beside the girl and they were flying over the turnpike toward the Schlitz place.
"How long since those men left the jail?" the old Governor asked roughly.
"About a half-hour, sir."
"Give your horse the rein39—we'll be too late, I'm afraid."[Pg 65]
The lines slacked over the spirited animal's back and he sprang forward as though lashed3 by the insult to his high breeding.
The sky was studded now with stars sparkling in the air cleared by the rain, and the moon flooded the white roadway with light. The buggy flew over the beaten track for a mile, and as they suddenly plunged40 down a hill the old man seized both sides of the canopy41 top to steady his body as the light rig swayed first one way and then the other.
"You're going pretty fast," he grumbled42.
"Yes, you said to give him the reins43."
"But I didn't say to throw them on the horse's head, did I?"
"No, sir," the girl giggled44.
"Pull him in!" he ordered sharply.
The strong young arms drew the horse suddenly down on his haunches and the old man lurched forward.
"I didn't say pull him into the buggy," he growled45.
The girl suppressed another laugh. He was certainly a funny old man for all his eighty odd winters. She thought that he must have been a young devil at eighteen.
"Stop a minute!" he cried sharply. "What's that roaring?"
Cleo listened:
"The wind in the trees, I think."
"Nothing of the sort—isn't this Buffalo46 creek47?"
"Yes, sir."
"That's water we hear. The creek's out of banks. The storm has made the ford48 impassable. They haven't crossed this place yet. We're in time."
The horse lifted his head and neighed. Another[Pg 66] answered from the woods and in a moment a white-masked figure galloped49 up to the buggy and spoke sharply:
"You can't cross this ford—turn back."
"Are you one of Norton's men?" the old man asked angrily.
"None of your damned business!" was the quick answer.
"I think it is, sir! I'm Governor Carteret. My age and services to this state entitle me to a hearing to-night. Tell Major Norton I must speak to him immediately—immediately, sir!" His voice rose to a high note of imperious command.
The horseman hesitated and galloped into the shadows. A moment later a tall shrouded figure on horseback slowly approached.
"Cut your wheel," the old Governor said to the girl. He stepped from the buggy without assistance. "Now turn round and wait for me." Cleo obeyed, and the venerable statesman with head erect50, his white hair and beard shining in the moonlight calmly awaited the approach of the younger man.
Norton dismounted and led his horse, the rein hanging loosely over his arm.
"Well, Governor Carteret"—the drawling voice was low and quietly determined51.
The white-haired figure suddenly stiffened52:
"Don't insult me, sir, by talking through a mask—take that thing off your head."
The major bowed and removed his mask.
When the old man spoke again, his voice trembled with emotion, he stepped close and seized Norton's arm:
"My boy, have you gone mad?"[Pg 67]
"I think not," was the even answer. The deep brown eyes were holding the older man's gaze with a cold, deadly look. "Were you ever arrested, Governor, by the henchmen of a peanut politician and thrown into a filthy53 jail without warrant and held without trial at the pleasure of a master?"
"No—by the living God!"
"And if you had been, sir?"
"I'd have killed him as I would a dog—I'd have shot him on sight—but you—you can't do this now, my boy—you carry the life of the people in your hands to-night! You are their chosen leader. The peace and dignity of a great commonwealth54 are in your care——"
"I am asserting its outraged55 dignity against a wretch56 who has basely betrayed it."
"Even so, this is not the way. Think of the consequences to-morrow morning. The President will be forced against his wishes to declare the state in insurrection. The army will be marched back into our borders and martial57 law proclaimed."
"The state is under martial law—the writ27 has been suspended."
"But not legally, my boy. I know your provocation58 has been great—yes, greater than I could have borne in my day. I'll be honest with you, but you've had better discipline, my son. I belong to the old régime and an iron will has been my only law. You must live in the new age under new conditions. You must adjust yourself to these conditions."
"The man who calls himself Governor has betrayed his high trust," Norton broke in with solemn emphasis. "He has forfeited59 his life. The people whom he has basely sold into bondage60 will applaud his execution.[Pg 68] The Klan to-night is the high court of a sovereign state and his death has been ordered."
"I insist there's a better way. Your Klan is a resistless weapon if properly used. You are a maniac61 to-night. You are pulling your own house down over your head. The election is but a few weeks off. Use your men as an army to force this election. The ballot62 is force—physical force. Apply that force. Your men can master that rabble63 of negroes on election day. Drive them from the polls. They'll run like frightened sheep. Their enfranchisement64 is a crime against civilization. Every sane65 man in the North knows this. No matter how violent your methods, an election that returns the intelligent and decent manhood of a state to power against a corrupt66, ignorant and vicious mob will be backed at last by the moral sentiment of the world. There's a fiercer vengeance67 to be meted68 out to your Scalawag Governor——"
"What do you mean?" the younger man asked.
"Swing the power of your Klan in solid line against the ballot-box at this election, carry the state, elect your Legislature, impeach69 the Governor, remove him from office, deprive him of citizenship70 and send him to the grave with the brand of shame on his forehead!"
The leader lifted his somber71 face, and the older man saw that he was hesitating:
"That's possible—yes——"
The white head moved closer:
"The only rational thing to do, my boy—come, I love you and I love my granddaughter. You've a great career before you. Don't throw your life away to-night in a single act of madness. Listen to an old man whose[Pg 69] sands are nearly run"—a trembling arm slipped around his waist.
"I appreciate your coming here to-night, Governor, of course."
"But if I came in vain, why at all?" there were tears in his voice now. "You must do as I say, my son—send those men home! I'll see the Governor to-morrow morning and I pledge you my word of honor that I'll make him revoke72 that proclamation within an hour and restore the civil rights of the people. None of those arrests are legal and every man must be released."
"He won't do it."
"When he learns from my lips that I saved his dog's life to-night, he'll do it and lick my feet in gratitude73. Won't you trust me, boy?"
The pressure of the old man's arm tightened74 and his keen eyes searched Norton's face. The strong features were convulsed with passion, he turned away and the firm mouth closed with decision:
"All right. I'll take your advice."
The old Governor was very still for a moment and his voice quivered with tenderness as he touched Norton's arm affectionately:
"You're a good boy, Dan! I knew you'd hear me. God! how I envy you the youth and strength that's yours to fight this battle!"
The leader blew a whistle and his orderly galloped up:
"Tell my men to go home and meet me to-morrow at one o'clock in the Court House Square, in their everyday clothes, armed and ready for orders. I'll dismiss the guard I left at the Capitol."
The white horseman wheeled and galloped away.[Pg 70] Norton quietly removed his disguise, folded it neatly75, took off his saddle, placed the robe between the folds of the blanket and mounted his horse.
The old Governor waved to him:
"My love to the little mother and that boy, Tom, that you've named for me!"
"Yes, Governor—good night."
The tall figure on horseback melted into the shadows and in a moment the buggy was spinning over the glistening76, moonlit track of the turnpike.
When they reached the first street lamps on the edge of town, the old man peered curiously77 at the girl by his side.
"You drive well, young woman," he said slowly. "Who taught you?"
"Old Peeler."
"You lived on his place?" he asked quickly.
"Yes, sir."
"What's your mother's name?"
"Lucy."
"Hm! I thought so."
"Why, sir?"
"Oh, nothing," was the gruff answer.
"Did you—did you know any of my people, sir?" she asked.
He looked her squarely in the face, smiled and pursed his withered78 lips:
"Yes. I happen to be personally acquainted with your grandfather and he was something of a man in his day."
"'You are a maniac to-night.'" "'You are a maniac to-night.'"
点击收听单词发音
1 musket | |
n.滑膛枪 | |
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2 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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3 lashed | |
adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 );煽动;紧系;怒斥 | |
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4 rift | |
n.裂口,隙缝,切口;v.裂开,割开,渗入 | |
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5 flattened | |
[医](水)平扁的,弄平的 | |
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6 doomed | |
命定的 | |
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7 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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8 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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9 spoke | |
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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10 scarlet | |
n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的 | |
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11 spiked | |
adj.有穗的;成锥形的;有尖顶的 | |
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12 buckled | |
a. 有带扣的 | |
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13 butt | |
n.笑柄;烟蒂;枪托;臀部;v.用头撞或顶 | |
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14 bout | |
n.侵袭,发作;一次(阵,回);拳击等比赛 | |
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15 shrouded | |
v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 );保密 | |
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16 hurled | |
v.猛投,用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 );大声叫骂 | |
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17 doorway | |
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径 | |
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18 prostrate | |
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的 | |
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19 bind | |
vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬 | |
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20 disturbance | |
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调 | |
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21 pal | |
n.朋友,伙伴,同志;vi.结为友 | |
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22 cramped | |
a.狭窄的 | |
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23 gasped | |
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要 | |
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24 groaned | |
v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 );发牢骚;抱怨;受苦 | |
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25 mansion | |
n.大厦,大楼;宅第 | |
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26 hitch | |
v.免费搭(车旅行);系住;急提;n.故障;急拉 | |
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27 writ | |
n.命令状,书面命令 | |
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28 crunch | |
n.关键时刻;艰难局面;v.发出碎裂声 | |
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29 gravel | |
n.砂跞;砂砾层;结石 | |
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30 frail | |
adj.身体虚弱的;易损坏的 | |
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31 splendor | |
n.光彩;壮丽,华丽;显赫,辉煌 | |
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32 vigor | |
n.活力,精力,元气 | |
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33 scowling | |
怒视,生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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34 impatience | |
n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
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35 softened | |
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰 | |
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36 nervously | |
adv.神情激动地,不安地 | |
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37 eyebrows | |
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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38 sprightly | |
adj.愉快的,活泼的 | |
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39 rein | |
n.疆绳,统治,支配;vt.以僵绳控制,统治 | |
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40 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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41 canopy | |
n.天篷,遮篷 | |
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42 grumbled | |
抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 ); 发牢骚; 咕哝; 发哼声 | |
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43 reins | |
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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44 giggled | |
v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45 growled | |
v.(动物)发狺狺声, (雷)作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 );低声咆哮着说 | |
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46 buffalo | |
n.(北美)野牛;(亚洲)水牛 | |
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47 creek | |
n.小溪,小河,小湾 | |
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48 Ford | |
n.浅滩,水浅可涉处;v.涉水,涉过 | |
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49 galloped | |
(使马)飞奔,奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 ); 快速做[说]某事 | |
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50 erect | |
n./v.树立,建立,使竖立;adj.直立的,垂直的 | |
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51 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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52 stiffened | |
加强的 | |
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53 filthy | |
adj.卑劣的;恶劣的,肮脏的 | |
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54 commonwealth | |
n.共和国,联邦,共同体 | |
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55 outraged | |
a.震惊的,义愤填膺的 | |
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56 wretch | |
n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人 | |
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57 martial | |
adj.战争的,军事的,尚武的,威武的 | |
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58 provocation | |
n.激怒,刺激,挑拨,挑衅的事物,激怒的原因 | |
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59 forfeited | |
(因违反协议、犯规、受罚等)丧失,失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60 bondage | |
n.奴役,束缚 | |
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61 maniac | |
n.精神癫狂的人;疯子 | |
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62 ballot | |
n.(不记名)投票,投票总数,投票权;vi.投票 | |
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63 rabble | |
n.乌合之众,暴民;下等人 | |
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64 enfranchisement | |
选举权 | |
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65 sane | |
adj.心智健全的,神志清醒的,明智的,稳健的 | |
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66 corrupt | |
v.贿赂,收买;adj.腐败的,贪污的 | |
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67 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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68 meted | |
v.(对某人)施以,给予(处罚等)( mete的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69 impeach | |
v.弹劾;检举 | |
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70 citizenship | |
n.市民权,公民权,国民的义务(身份) | |
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71 somber | |
adj.昏暗的,阴天的,阴森的,忧郁的 | |
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72 revoke | |
v.废除,取消,撤回 | |
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73 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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74 tightened | |
收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 ); (使)变紧; (使)绷紧; 加紧 | |
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75 neatly | |
adv.整洁地,干净地,灵巧地,熟练地 | |
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76 glistening | |
adj.闪耀的,反光的v.湿物闪耀,闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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77 curiously | |
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地 | |
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78 withered | |
adj. 枯萎的,干瘪的,(人身体的部分器官)因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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