Resolution They Came To
Descending1 into the cabin with Samoa, I bade him hunt up the brigantine's log, the captain's writing-desk, and nautical2 instruments; in a word, aught that could throw light on the previous history of the craft, or aid in navigating3 her homeward.
But nearly every thing of the kind had disappeared: log, quadrant, and ship's papers. Nothing was left but the sextant-case, which Jarl and I had lighted upon in the state-room.
Upon this, vague though they were, my suspicions returned; and I — closely questioned the Islander concerning the disappearance5 of these important articles. In reply, he gave me to understand, that the nautical instruments had been clandestinely6 carried down into the forecastle by Annatoo; and by that indefatigable7 and inquisitive8 dame9 they had been summarily taken apart for scientific inspection10. It was impossible to restore them; for many of the fixtures11 were lost, including the colored glasses, sights, and little mirrors; and many parts still recoverable, were so battered12 and broken as to be entirely13 useless. For several days afterward14, we now and then came across bits of the quadrant or sextant; but it was only to mourn over their fate.
However, though sextant and quadrant were both unattainable, I did not so quickly renounce15 all hope of discovering a chronometer16, which, if in good order, though at present not ticking, might still be made in some degree serviceable. But no such instrument was to be seen. No: nor to be heard of; Samoa himself professing17 utter ignorance.
Annatoo, I threatened and coaxed18; describing the chronometer—a live, round creature like a toad19, that made a strange noise, which I — imitated; but she knew nothing about it. Whether she had lighted upon it unbeknown to Samoa, and dissected20 it as usual, there was now no way to determine. Indeed, upon this one point, she maintained an air of such inflexible21 stupidity, that if she were really fibbing, her dead-wall countenance22 superseded23 the necessity for verbal deceit.
It may be, however, that in this particular she was wronged; for, as with many small vessels25, the Parki might never have possessed26 the instrument in question. All thought, therefore, of feeling our way, as we should penetrate27 farther and farther into the watery28 wilderness29, was necessarily abandoned.
The log book had also formed a portion of Annatoo's pilferings. It seems she had taken it into her studio to ponder over. But after amusing herself by again and again counting over the leaves, and wondering how so many distinct surfaces could be compacted together in so small a compass, she had very suddenly conceived an aversion to literature, and dropped the book overboard as worthless. Doubtless, it met the fate of many other ponderous30 tomes; sinking quickly and profoundly. What Camden or Stowe hereafter will dive for it?
One evening Samoa brought me a quarto half-sheet of yellowish, ribbed paper, much soiled and tarry, which he had discovered in a dark hole of the forecastle. It had plainly formed part of the lost log; but all the writing thereon, at present decipherable, conveyed no information upon the subject then nearest my heart.
But one could not but be struck by a tragical31 occurrence, which the page very briefly32 recounted; as well, as by a noteworthy pictorial33 illustration of the event in the margin34 of the text. Save the cut, there was no further allusion35 to the matter than the following:— "This day, being calm, Tooboi, one of the Lahina men, went overboard for a bath, and was eaten up by a shark. Immediately sent forward for his bag."
Now, this last sentence was susceptible36 of two meanings. It is truth, that immediately upon the decease of a friendless sailor at sea, his shipmates oftentimes seize upon his effects, and divide them; though the dead man's clothes are seldom worn till a subsequent voyage. This proceeding37 seems heartless. But sailors reason thus: Better we, than the captain. For by law, either scribbled38 or unscribbled, the effects of a mariner39, dying on shipboard, should be held in trust by that officer. But as sailors are mostly foundlings and castaways, and carry all their kith and kin4 in their arms and their legs, there hardly ever appears any heir-at-law to claim their estate; seldom worth inheriting, like Esterhazy's. Wherefore, the withdrawal41 of a dead man's "kit40" from the forecastle to the cabin, is often held tantamount to its virtual appropriation42 by the captain. At any rate, in small ships on long voyages, such things have been done.
Thus much being said, then, the sentence above quoted from the Parki's log, may be deemed somewhat ambiguous. At the time it struck me as singular; for the poor diver's grass bag could not have contained much of any thing valuable unless, peradventure, he had concealed43 therein some Cleopatra pearls, feloniously abstracted from the shells brought up from the sea.
Aside of the paragraph, copied above, was a pen-and-ink sketch44 of the casualty, most cruelly executed; the poor fellow's legs being represented half way in the process of deglutition; his arms firmly grasping the monster's teeth, as if heroically bent45 upon making as tough a morsel46 of himself as possible.
But no doubt the honest captain sketched47 this cenotaph to the departed in all sincerity48 of heart; perhaps, during the melancholy49 leisure which followed the catastrophe50. Half obliterated51 were several stains upon the page; seemingly, lingering traces of a salt tear or two.
From this unwonted embellishment of the text, I was led to infer, that the designer, at one time or other, must have been engaged in the vocation52 of whaling. For, in India ink, the logs of certain whalemen are decorated by somewhat similar illustrations.
When whales are seen, but not captured, the fact is denoted by an outline figure representing the creature's flukes, the broad, curving lobes53 of his tail. But in those cases where the monster is both chased and killed, this outline is filled up jet black; one for every whale slain54; presenting striking objects in turning over the log; and so facilitating reference. Hence, it is quite imposing55 to behold56, all in a row, three or four, sometime five or six, of these drawings; showing that so many monsters that day jetted their last spout57. And the chief mate, whose duty it is to keep the ship's record, generally prides himself upon the beauty, and flushy likeness58 to life, of his flukes; though, sooth to say, many of these artists are no Landseers.
After vainly searching the cabin for those articles we most needed, we proceeded to explore the hold, into which as yet we had not penetrated59. Here, we found a considerable quantity of pearl shells; cocoanuts; an abundance of fresh water in casks; spare sails and rigging; and some fifty barrels or more of salt beef and biscuit. Unromantic as these last mentioned objects were, I lingered over them long, and in a revery. Branded upon each barrel head was the name of a place in America, with which I was very familiar. It is from America chiefly, that ship's stores are originally procured60 for the few vessels sailing out of the Hawaiian Islands.
Having now acquainted myself with all things respecting the Parki, which could in any way be learned, I repaired to the quarter-deck, and summoning round me Samoa, Annatoo, and Jarl, gravely addressed them.
I said, that nothing would give me greater satisfaction than forthwith to return to the scene of the massacre61, and chastise62 its surviving authors. But as there were only four of us in all; and the place of those islands was wholly unknown to me; and even if known, would be altogether out of our reach, since we possessed no instruments of navigation; it was quite plain that all thought of returning thither63 was entirely useless. The last mentioned reason, also, prevented our voyaging to the Hawaiian group, where the vessel24 belonged; though that would have been the most advisable step, resulting, as it would, if successful, in restoring the ill-fated craft to her owners.
But all things considered, it seemed best, I added, cautiously to hold on our way to the westward64. It was our easiest course; for we would ever have the wind from astern; and though we could not so much as hope to arrive at any one spot previously65 designated, there was still a positive certainty, if we floated long enough, of falling in with islands whereat to refresh ourselves; and whence, if we thought fit, we might afterward embark66 for more agreeable climes. I then reminded them of the fact, that so long as we kept the sea, there was always some prospect67 of encountering a friendly sail; in which event, our solicitude68 would be over.
All this I said in the mild, firm tone of a superior; being anxious, at once to assume the unquestioned supremacy69. For, otherwise, Jarl and I might better quit the vessel forthwith, than remain on board subject to the outlandish caprices of Annatoo, who through Samoa would then have the sway. But I was sure of my Viking; and if Samoa proved docile70, had no fear of his dame.
And therefore during my address, I steadfastly71 eyed him; thereby72 learning enough to persuade me, that though he deferred73 to me at present, he was, notwithstanding, a man who, without precisely74 meditating75 mischief76, could upon occasion act an ugly part. But of his courage, and savage77 honor, such as it was, I had little doubt. Then, wild buffalo78 that he was, tamed down in the yoke79 matrimonial, I — could not but fancy, that if upon no other account, our society must please him, as rendering80 less afflictive81 the tyranny of his spouse82.
For a hen-pecked husband, by the way, Samoa was a most terrible fellow to behold. And though, after all, I liked him; it was as you fancy a fiery83 steed with mane disheveled, as young Alexander fancied Bucephalus; which wild horse, when he patted, he preferred holding by the bridle84. But more of Samoa anon.
Our course determined85, and the command of the vessel tacitly yielded up to myself, the next thing done was to put every thing in order. The tattered86 sails were replaced by others, dragged up from the sail- room below; in several places, new running-rigging was rove; blocks restrapped; and the slackened stays and shrouds87 set taught. For all of which, we were mostly indebted to my Viking's unwearied and skillful marling-spike, which he swayed like a scepter.
The little Parki's toilet being thus thoroughly88 made for the first time since the massacre, we gave her new raiment to the breeze, and daintily squaring her yards, she gracefully89 glided90 away; honest old Jarl at the helm, watchfully91 guiding her path, like some devoted92 old foster-father.
As I stood by his side like a captain, or walked up and down on the quarter-deck, I felt no little importance upon thus assuming for the first time in my life, the command of a vessel at sea. The novel circumstances of the case only augmented93 this feeling; the wild and remote seas where we were; the character of my crew, and the consideration, that to all purposes, I was owner, as well as commander of the craft I sailed.
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1 descending | |
n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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2 nautical | |
adj.海上的,航海的,船员的 | |
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3 navigating | |
v.给(船舶、飞机等)引航,导航( navigate的现在分词 );(从海上、空中等)横越;横渡;飞跃 | |
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4 kin | |
n.家族,亲属,血缘关系;adj.亲属关系的,同类的 | |
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5 disappearance | |
n.消失,消散,失踪 | |
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6 clandestinely | |
adv.秘密地,暗中地 | |
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7 indefatigable | |
adj.不知疲倦的,不屈不挠的 | |
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8 inquisitive | |
adj.求知欲强的,好奇的,好寻根究底的 | |
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9 dame | |
n.女士 | |
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10 inspection | |
n.检查,审查,检阅 | |
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11 fixtures | |
(房屋等的)固定装置( fixture的名词复数 ); 如(浴盆、抽水马桶); 固定在某位置的人或物; (定期定点举行的)体育活动 | |
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12 battered | |
adj.磨损的;v.连续猛击;磨损 | |
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13 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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14 afterward | |
adv.后来;以后 | |
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15 renounce | |
v.放弃;拒绝承认,宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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16 chronometer | |
n.精密的计时器 | |
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17 professing | |
声称( profess的现在分词 ); 宣称; 公开表明; 信奉 | |
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18 coaxed | |
v.哄,用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 );巧言骗取;哄劝,劝诱 | |
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19 toad | |
n.蟾蜍,癞蛤蟆 | |
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20 dissected | |
adj.切开的,分割的,(叶子)多裂的v.解剖(动物等)( dissect的过去式和过去分词 );仔细分析或研究 | |
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21 inflexible | |
adj.不可改变的,不受影响的,不屈服的 | |
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22 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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23 superseded | |
[医]被代替的,废弃的 | |
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24 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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25 vessels | |
n.血管( vessel的名词复数 );船;容器;(具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的)人 | |
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26 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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27 penetrate | |
v.透(渗)入;刺入,刺穿;洞察,了解 | |
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28 watery | |
adj.有水的,水汪汪的;湿的,湿润的 | |
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29 wilderness | |
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠 | |
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30 ponderous | |
adj.沉重的,笨重的,(文章)冗长的 | |
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31 tragical | |
adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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32 briefly | |
adv.简单地,简短地 | |
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33 pictorial | |
adj.绘画的;图片的;n.画报 | |
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34 margin | |
n.页边空白;差额;余地,余裕;边,边缘 | |
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35 allusion | |
n.暗示,间接提示 | |
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36 susceptible | |
adj.过敏的,敏感的;易动感情的,易受感动的 | |
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37 proceeding | |
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报 | |
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38 scribbled | |
v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 );乱画;草草地写;匆匆记下 | |
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39 mariner | |
n.水手号不载人航天探测器,海员,航海者 | |
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40 kit | |
n.用具包,成套工具;随身携带物 | |
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41 withdrawal | |
n.取回,提款;撤退,撤军;收回,撤销 | |
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42 appropriation | |
n.拨款,批准支出 | |
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43 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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44 sketch | |
n.草图;梗概;素描;v.素描;概述 | |
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45 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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46 morsel | |
n.一口,一点点 | |
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47 sketched | |
v.草拟(sketch的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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48 sincerity | |
n.真诚,诚意;真实 | |
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49 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
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50 catastrophe | |
n.大灾难,大祸 | |
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51 obliterated | |
v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 );涂去;擦掉;彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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52 vocation | |
n.职业,行业 | |
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53 lobes | |
n.耳垂( lobe的名词复数 );(器官的)叶;肺叶;脑叶 | |
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54 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
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55 imposing | |
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的 | |
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56 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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57 spout | |
v.喷出,涌出;滔滔不绝地讲;n.喷管;水柱 | |
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58 likeness | |
n.相像,相似(之处) | |
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59 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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60 procured | |
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 );拉皮条 | |
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61 massacre | |
n.残杀,大屠杀;v.残杀,集体屠杀 | |
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62 chastise | |
vt.责骂,严惩 | |
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63 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
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64 westward | |
n.西方,西部;adj.西方的,向西的;adv.向西 | |
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65 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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66 embark | |
vi.乘船,着手,从事,上飞机 | |
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67 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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68 solicitude | |
n.焦虑 | |
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69 supremacy | |
n.至上;至高权力 | |
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70 docile | |
adj.驯服的,易控制的,容易教的 | |
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71 steadfastly | |
adv.踏实地,不变地;岿然;坚定不渝 | |
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72 thereby | |
adv.因此,从而 | |
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73 deferred | |
adj.延期的,缓召的v.拖延,延缓,推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 );服从某人的意愿,遵从 | |
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74 precisely | |
adv.恰好,正好,精确地,细致地 | |
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75 meditating | |
a.沉思的,冥想的 | |
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76 mischief | |
n.损害,伤害,危害;恶作剧,捣蛋,胡闹 | |
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77 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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78 buffalo | |
n.(北美)野牛;(亚洲)水牛 | |
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79 yoke | |
n.轭;支配;v.给...上轭,连接,使成配偶 | |
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80 rendering | |
n.表现,描写 | |
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81 afflictive | |
带给人痛苦的,苦恼的,难受的 | |
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82 spouse | |
n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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83 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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84 bridle | |
n.笼头,束缚;vt.抑制,约束;动怒 | |
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85 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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86 tattered | |
adj.破旧的,衣衫破的 | |
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87 shrouds | |
n.裹尸布( shroud的名词复数 );寿衣;遮蔽物;覆盖物v.隐瞒( shroud的第三人称单数 );保密 | |
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88 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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89 gracefully | |
ad.大大方方地;优美地 | |
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90 glided | |
v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔 | |
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91 watchfully | |
警惕地,留心地 | |
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92 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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93 Augmented | |
adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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