“Why do you beat those rocks together?” he inquired, pointing his trunk at the chips and flakes3 about him.
“The round stone is a hammer,” the Ape Boy replied. “The ragged4 ones are flints. I make them into weapons and tools. I leave one surface smooth and chip the other to form the cutting edges.”
“Why use flint, as you call it?” Hairi asked. “And why leave one side smooth? Oomp! Why do you bother with them at all?”
[37]
“Why Do You Beat Those Rocks Together?” The Mammoth Inquired
“Flint is hard and tough,” was the answer. “Of all stone it is the best for my work. I leave one surface smooth because I know of no other way to make straight, sharp edges. These are turtle-backs;[38] flat and smooth on one surface, chipped round on the other. What do you think of them?”
The great Mammoth gazed helplessly at the flakes and broken chips scattered5 thickly over the ledge7. The Ape Boy’s explanation added but little to his store of knowledge. All rocks seemed to him cold and lifeless objects; sharp and unpleasant to the touch.
“But why beat them together?” he asked much puzzled. “Do you eat them?”
“Eat flints? What an odd question,” the Ape Boy chuckled8. “Whoever heard of any man or animal doing anything like that? They are tools and weapons just as I told you. This one,”—he stooped and picked up a large almond-shaped flake—“is an ax-head. That”—pointing to another of no definite form—“is a scraper. Here is another kind”—he selected a broad blade and held it up to the Mammoth; “the finest I have. Do you know what it is?”
Hairi shook his head vigorously. He was growing weary of rocks. Now he knew all that was to be learned of them,—and they were but commonplace things as he could see. His first curiosity was doomed9 to further disappointment. The Ape Boy pounded flints but did not eat them as the Mammoth half hoped he might. Tools and weapons[39] were beyond his power of understanding. He lost interest.
“Perhaps the little fat one knows,” the Ape Boy continued. “Do you?” and he held the flint in front of Wulli’s nose.
A spasm10 of rage seized the Rhinoceros11 on hearing himself addressed in such a disrespectful manner. “Oo-wee! No,” he squealed12 angrily.
“Never fear,” laughed his tormentor13; “this cannot harm you. It is only a knife;” and he made a pretense14 of cutting the tip of Wulli’s horn.
The Rhinoceros could only glare at him who dared take such liberties. Never had he been so teased.
“We have had our fill of rocks,” he said coldly. “Where did you leave the little red animal. You say it is asleep.”
“Yes. Only when I blow in its face to feed it, will it awaken15.”
“What does it eat?” Hairi asked.
“Sticks and leaves; the drier the better. Green ones make it sick.”
“How odd,” the Mammoth remarked. “A grass-eater and yet green things make it sick. Where does it sleep?”
“In the cleft—the Cave Lion’s path. He is afraid of it and will not return while it is there.”
[40]
“Then he stays away most of the time?” said the Mammoth.
“He comes here much more than I like,” the Ape Boy replied. “I often leave for food and water—and flints too. I leave my fire burning but sometimes it goes out. Then, like as not, I find the Cave Lion all settled here when I return. If so, I smoke him out again. He goes away growling16 and waits around for another chance.”
“To step in when you step out,” chuckled the Mammoth who was beginning to understand this novel see-saw arrangement.
“Exactly. You see there are not enough caves for everybody,—that is, men and animals. When a cave-man leaves his home, even for a short time, he is liable to find some animal occupying it when he returns. We have fierce battles sometimes. I cannot fight the Lion with a flint-ax. He is too big and strong; so I use fire.”
“Are you a cave-animal?” the Mammoth asked.
“Not a really true one. I live in a cave half of the time and am half animal so that makes me only half a cave-animal.”
“What is the other half?” inquired Wulli suddenly becoming interested.
“Man, I guess;” the Ape Boy looked thoughtfully at the ground and began twisting a stick with his toes.
[41]
“What is a man? Why is he not an animal?” the Mammoth demanded.
“I scarcely know, myself; but man is different. He walks on his hind17 legs, hunts, lives in a cave and——”
“The Bear does all that,” Wulli interrupted. “What else?”
“He uses fire—those red tongues and white clouds.”
“Polecats make bad smells. There must be something else.”
“He makes flint tools.”
The Rhinoceros had no reply ready for this statement, whereupon Hairi hastened to answer:
“Animals never crack rocks and they are proud of it. I am glad that I am not a man. They hide in caves and are ashamed to show themselves.”
“Flint-making is work to be proud of,” the Ape Boy retorted. “Were it not for that, men would be nothing but beasts.”
Haiti and Wulli both frowned. This last remark seemed to reflect upon themselves.
“So you think yourself better than us because you can crack rocks?” the Elephant sneered18.
“Certainly,” was the prompt answer. “Men can rule the world if they will; but only with the flint can they do it. When once they learn to make proper weapons none can withstand them. They[42] have not yet learned; but the time will come;” and the Ape Boy gazed at the blue sky like one inspired.
“Umph! Fine big words,” the Rhinoceros sniffed19. “But these same men scatter6 and run like rabbits whenever we meet. I have no quarrel with them but they are not friends of mine.”
“Nor mine;” the Ape Boy scowled20 and said this with such emphasis that his visitors stared.
“You say first one thing and then another,” Hairi grumbled21. “What do you mean? Are not the Trog-men your friends?”
The question aroused the Ape Boy as if by magic. His deep-set eyes blazed like two coals of fire. His lips parted in a snarling22 grin, fiercer than that of a mad wolf. Every muscle in his body swelled23 and quivered.
“I hate them,” was all he said; but every word reeked24 with loathing25 and contempt.
“Why?”
“They cast me out,” the youth fairly howled. “It is not enough that I make weapons for hunters and warriors27. They would have me be a hunter and warrior26 too. Men hated me because I would neither hunt nor fight.”
“Can you not fight?” demanded the Rhinoceros scornfully. “Even a squirrel——”
“I can,” the Ape Boy cut him short.
“But I heard you say otherwise,” Wulli snorted.
[43]
“I can if I will,” the other corrected. “That is different.”
“Are you afraid to fight?”
“I have held my own against Grun Waugh these many days,” the Ape Boy replied simply. “Have I shown fear of the Mammoth and Rhinoceros?”
“No;” Wulli gave an emphatic28 grunt29. “You have not; but I fail to understand,” and he looked thoughtfully at the ground as though at a loss what to say next.
“When I was young,” the youth continued; “none frowned upon my doing the work I like best—making flint tools and weapons. I could make them well—better than any grown man or woman—although I have always striven to do better. I did little else, but finally the time came when my people thought me big and strong enough to play a man’s part. They gave me an ax and dart30 and sent me forth31 with our best fighters.”
“That was right,” Wulli observed with an emphatic shake of his head.
“But I refused to fight.”
“Oo!” The Rhinoceros was greatly distressed32.
“And I would not hunt.”
“Hunt what?”
“Animals; the Stag, Horse and other grass-eaters.”
[44]
“Um,” Wulli blinked stupidly. “But you refused to fight?”
“Yes, I refused.”
“What did your people say about that?” Hairi asked.
“They were very angry,” the Ape Boy replied. “Had not my father interfered33, I would have been killed. But no longer would they permit me to live among them, so I was cast out to live alone, a renegade, enemy of men. Since I would not do just as they wished me to, they said that I was not one of them. I came here, to the only other home I had ever known; and here I have lived until you came, alone and without companions, man or beast.”
“Terrible,” Hairi sniffed, deeply touched by the last sentence of this narrative35. “I nearly died of loneliness one cold season when the Tundr-folk went away and left me by myself. I have one good friend; no better can be found. Why not a second—yourself? The Mammoth, Rhinoceros and Ape Boy—we three could rule the world if we willed. Come; join us.”
“But I am a man,” replied the surprised youth. “Men would frown upon me as a beast and traitor36.”
“Have they not already done so?”
The Ape Boy’s lips curled in a hideous37 snarl:[45] “I hate them.” His distorted face expressed only contempt and loathing.
“And you will join us?”
“But you object to my flint-making,” protested the youth; and yet as a recluse38 and foe39 of men, he inwardly viewed the other’s suggestion with no little favor. “I cannot give it up. I would rather make flints and abide40 alone than put them aside for the Mammoth and Rhinoceros.”
“We do not object to your flint-making,” Hairi replied. “We merely cannot see why you choose to do it. Will you join us?”
The Ape Boy looked from one to another of the pair and hesitated. They were huge, superb creatures; his heart warmed.
“Why not?” a voice within him asked. “What friends more wonderful than the Mammoth and Rhinoceros, could a lone34 man wish? Forget those who drove you into the world an outcast and throw in your lot with this mighty41 pair.”
He hesitated. “But the Rhinoceros; are his wishes the same as yours? He has not yet spoken.”
“He and I think as one,” Hairi answered quickly. “Is it not so, Wulli?”
But the Rhinoceros failed to respond. Wearied by the conversation, he had fallen asleep with head hung low upon his ample chest.
The Ape Boy peered into his face and grinned:[46] “Doesn’t he look odd that way; so big, fat and peaceful? We might do something; just to tease him; run away and hide. We can go down into the valley and be back in time to find him wondering what has become of us. He will be surprised when he awakens42.”
“He may be vexed43 as well,” the Mammoth replied gravely. “Wulli is odd about some things; a bit too serious-minded. He might take offense44.”
“Then we must make him change his ways. We will be gone but a short time. He can easily find us if he tries.”
Hairi yielded reluctantly, for a prank45 at his friend’s expense filled him with misgiving46. The Ape Boy tip-toed to the edge of the terrace, then suddenly turned and came back.
“He might think we have fallen from the Rock, when he awakens. This will teach him better.”
So saying, he picked up a chunk47 of rotten wood—short and hollow through the center. This he jammed over the tip of Wulli’s horn firmly and yet so quietly that the sleeper48 merely groaned49 but did not open his eyes. He then hurried away with the Mammoth and both descended50 into the valley. They talked and tramped about, looking at this and that but taking no heed51 of passing time and the twilight52 fast gathering53 about them. Finally the Ape Boy turned and looked up at Moustier[47] now dim and hazy54 above him in the dusk.
“It is growing late,” he said anxiously; “too late for us to find our way up in the dark. What shall we do?”
“I fear that we must stay where we are,” the Mammoth replied. “I know that I could never climb up there in the dark.”
“What if the Cave Lion returns?”
“Wulli can manage him alone, although I would not wish to have it so; but how are we to mend matters?”
Nothing more could be done so the pair proceeded to make themselves comfortable for the night. The Ape Boy snuggled up against the Mammoth’s warm coat and was soon asleep, which latter example his companion was not slow to follow.
All this time the Rhinoceros remained asleep upon the Rock of Moustier, unconscious of his own solitude55. Oncoming night cast its first twilight shadows over the valley and highlands. The bats came forth from their hiding-places and fluttered about the cliffs and ledges56 on nimble wings. Not until the chirping57 of crickets and distant cries of night-roving animals heralded58 the fast-gathering dusk did he awaken, yawn and look about to find himself alone.
It took him but a moment to see how very much[48] alone he was. As he gazed wildly about him, he saw that the Mammoth and Ape Boy were gone. He ran to one side of the terrace and looked down into the dark depths; not a sign. A quick dash to the other side produced no better results. The Mammoth had disappeared. Gloomy thoughts tormented59 the Rhinoceros; he became frantic60.
“Oo-oo-oo! he has fallen from the rock or something terrible has happened. Hairi would not have left me alone unless——” He stopped, for at that moment he caught sight of the chunk of rotten wood firmly wedged on the tip of his horn. He gasped61, sniffed and his brows contracted with terrible rage. For the second time, his glossy62 weapon had been the sport of others; once by the Ape Boy, now by——
“This is the Mammoth’s work,” he squealed, working himself into a frenzy63. “He shall pay dearly when I meet him again.”
He strove to shake loose the offending object but it stuck tight in spite of all he could do. Wulli’s rage passed all bounds. It was too late for a descent or search for his missing companions. In a storm of fury at his own helplessness, he again stepped to the edge of the terrace and peered into the black depths. A single misstep might mean a fall and a broken neck. He shivered at the thought. The clammy night mists came floating about his[49] ears. They enveloped64 the terrace in a hazy fog. He was cold, lonesome and beside himself with rage. A dark shapeless blotch65 on the rock-wall suddenly attracted his attention,—the grotto66 whose dark entrance offered him its shelter. With bitterness in his heart, Wulli backed away from the ledge into the gloomy hole. Here he stood stamping his feet until mind and body yielded beneath the strain and once more he fell into a sound sleep.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
squatted
|
|
| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
mammoth
|
|
| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
flakes
|
|
| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
scatter
|
|
| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
ledge
|
|
| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
doomed
|
|
| 命定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
spasm
|
|
| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
rhinoceros
|
|
| n.犀牛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
squealed
|
|
| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
tormentor
|
|
| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
pretense
|
|
| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
awaken
|
|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
growling
|
|
| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
sneered
|
|
| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
sniffed
|
|
| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
scowled
|
|
| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
grumbled
|
|
| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
snarling
|
|
| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
reeked
|
|
| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的过去式和过去分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
loathing
|
|
| n.厌恶，憎恨v.憎恨，厌恶( loathe的现在分词)；极不喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
emphatic
|
|
| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
grunt
|
|
| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
dart
|
|
| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
distressed
|
|
| 痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
interfered
|
|
| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
lone
|
|
| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
recluse
|
|
| n.隐居者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
foe
|
|
| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
abide
|
|
| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
awakens
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
vexed
|
|
| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
offense
|
|
| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
prank
|
|
| n.开玩笑，恶作剧；v.装饰；打扮；炫耀自己 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
misgiving
|
|
| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
chunk
|
|
| n.厚片，大块，相当大的部分（数量） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
sleeper
|
|
| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
hazy
|
|
| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
ledges
|
|
| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
chirping
|
|
| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
heralded
|
|
| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
tormented
|
|
| 饱受折磨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
glossy
|
|
| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
frenzy
|
|
| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
enveloped
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
blotch
|
|
| n.大斑点；红斑点；v.使沾上污渍，弄脏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
grotto
|
|
| n.洞穴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |