But not only did I congratulate myself upon salvation6 from the past, but upon the prospect7 for the future. For storms happening so seldom in these seas, one just blown over is almost a sure guarantee of very many weeks' calm weather to come.
Now sun followed sun; and no land. And at length it almost seemed as if we must have sailed past the remotest presumable westerly limit of the chain of islands we sought; a lurking8 suspicion which I — sedulously9 kept to myself However, I could not but nourish a latent faith that all would yet be well.
On the ninth day my forebodings were over. In the gray of the dawn, perched upon the peak of our sail, a noddy was seen fast asleep. This freak was true to the nature of that curious fowl10, whose name is significant of its drowsiness11. Its plumage was snow-white, its bill and legs blood-red; the latter looking like little pantalettes. In a sly attempt at catching12 the bird, Samoa captured three tail- feathers; the alarmed creature flying away with a scream, and leaving its quills13 in his hand.
Sailing on, we gradually broke in upon immense low-sailing flights of other aquatic14 fowls15, mostly of those species which are seldom found far from land: terns, frigate-birds, mollymeaux, reef-pigeons, boobies, gulls16, and the like. They darkened the air; their wings making overhead an incessant17 rustling18 like the simultaneous turning over of ten thousand leaves. The smaller sort skimmed the sea like pebbles19 sent skipping from the shore. Over these, flew myriads20 of birds of broader wing. While high above all, soared in air the daring "Diver," or sea-kite, the power of whose vision is truly wonderful. It perceives the little flying-fish in the water, at a height which can not be less than four hundred feet. Spirally wheeling and screaming as it goes, the sea-kite, bill foremost, darts22 downward, swoops23 into the water, and for a moment altogether disappearing, emerges at last; its prey24 firmly trussed in its claws. But bearing it aloft, the bold bandit is quickly assailed25 by other birds of prey, that strive to wrest26 from him his booty. And snatched from his talons27, you see the fish falling through the air, till again caught up in the very act of descent, by the fleetest of its pursuers.
Leaving these sights astern, we presently picked up the slimy husk of a cocoanut, all over green barnacles. And shortly after, passed two or three limbs of trees, and the solitary28 trunk of a palm; which, upon sailing nearer, seemed but very recently started on its endless voyage. As noon came on; the dark purple land-haze29, which had been dimly descried30 resting upon the western horizon, was very nearly obscured. Nevertheless, behind that dim drapery we doubted not bright boughs31 were waving.
We were now in high spirits. Samoa between times humming to himself some heathenish ditty, and Jarl ten times more intent on his silence than ever; yet his eye full of expectation and gazing broad off from our bow. Of a sudden, shading his face with his hand, he gazed fixedly33 for an instant, and then springing to his feet, uttered the long-drawn sound—"Sail ho!"
Just tipping the furthest edge of the sky was a little speck34, dancing into view every time we rose upon the swells35. It looked like one of many birds; for half intercepting36 our view, fell showers of plumage: a flight of milk-white noddies flying downward to the sea.
But soon the birds are seen no more. Yet there remains37 the speck; plainly a sail; but too small for a ship. Was it a boat after a whale? The vessel38 to which it belonged far astern, and shrouded39 by the haze? So it seemed.
Quietly, however, we waited the stranger's nearer approach; confident, that for some time he would not be able to perceive us, owing to our being in what mariners40 denominate the "sun-glade," or that part of the ocean upon which the sun's rays flash with peculiar41 intensity42.
As the sail drew nigh, its failing to glisten43 white led us to doubt whether it was indeed a whale-boat. Presently, it showed yellow; and Samoa declared, that it must be the sail of some island craft. True. The stranger proving a large double-canoe, like those used by the Polynesians in making passages between distant islands.
The Upoluan was now clamorous44 for a meeting, to which Jarl was averse45. Deliberating a moment, I directed the muskets46 to be loaded; then setting the sail the wind on our quarter—we headed away for the canoe, now sailing at right angles with our previous course.
Here it must be mentioned, that from the various gay cloths and other things provided for barter48 by the captain of the Parki, I had very strikingly improved my costume; making it free, flowing, and eastern. I looked like an Emir. Nor had my Viking neglected to follow my example; though with some few modifications49 of his own. With his long tangled50 hair and harpoon51, he looked like the sea-god, that boards ships, for the first time crossing the Equator. For tatooed Samoa, he yet sported both kilt and turban, reminding one of a tawny52 leopard53, though his spots were all in one place. Besides this raiment of ours, against emergencies we had provided our boat with divers54 nankeens and silks.
But now into full view comes a yoke55 of huge clumsy prows56, shaggy with carving58, and driving through the water with considerable velocity59; the immense sprawling60 sail holding the wind like a bag. She seemed full of men; and from the dissonant61 cries borne over to us, and the canoe's widely yawing, it was plain that we had occasioned no small sensation. They seemed undetermined what course to pursue: whether to court a meeting, or avoid it; whether to regard us as friends or foes63.
As we came still nearer, distinctly beholding64 their faces, we loudly hailed them, inviting65 them to furl their sails, and allow us to board them. But no answer was returned; their confusion increasing. And now, within less than two ships'-lengths, they swept right across our bow, gazing at us with blended curiosity and fear.
Their craft was about thirty feet long, consisting of a pair of parallel canoes, very narrow, and at the distance of a yard or so, lengthwise, united by stout66 cross-timbers, lashed67 across the four gunwales. Upon these timbers was a raised platform or dais, quite dry; and astern an arched cabin or tent; behind which, were two broad-bladed paddles terminating in rude shark-tails, by which the craft was steered68.
The yard, spreading a yellow sail, was a crooked69 bough32, supported obliquely70 in the crotch of a mast, to which the green bark was still clinging. Here and there were little tufts of moss71. The high, beaked72 prow57 of that canoe in which the mast was placed, resembled a rude altar; and all round it was suspended a great variety of fruits, including scores of cocoanuts, unhusked. This prow was railed off, forming a sort of chancel within.
The foremost beam, crossing the gunwales, extended some twelve feet beyond the side of the dais; and at regular intervals73 hereupon, stout cords were fastened, which, leading up to the head of the mast, answered the purpose of shrouds74. The breeze was now streaming fresh; and, as if to force down into the water the windward side of the craft, five men stood upon this long beam, grasping five shrouds. Yet they failed to counterbalance the pressure of the sail; and owing to the opposite inclination75 of the twin canoes, these living statues were elevated high above the water; their appearance rendered still more striking by their eager attitudes, and the apparent peril76 of their position, as the mad spray from the bow dashed over them. Suddenly, the Islanders threw their craft into the wind; while, for ourselves, we lay on our oars77, fearful of alarming them by now coming nearer. But hailing them again, we said we were friends; and had friendly gifts for them, if they would peaceably permit us to approach. This understood, there ensued a mighty78 clamor; insomuch, that I bade Jarl and Samoa out oars, and row very gently toward the strangers. Whereupon, amid a storm of vociferations, some of them hurried to the furthest side of their dais; standing79 with arms arched over their heads, as if for a dive; others menacing us with clubs and spears; and one, an old man with a bamboo trellis on his head forming a sort of arbor80 for his hair, planted himself full before the tent, stretching behind him a wide plaited sling81.
Upon this hostile display, Samoa dropped his oar21, and brought his piece to bear upon the old man, who, by his attitude, seemed to menace us with the fate of the great braggart82 of Gath. But I quickly knocked down the muzzle83 of his musket47, and forbade the slightest token of hostility84; enjoining85 it upon my companions, nevertheless, to keep well on their guard.
We now ceased rowing, and after a few minutes' uproar86 in the canoe, they ran to the steering-paddles, and forcing round their craft before the wind, rapidly ran away from us. With all haste we set our sail, and pulling also at our oars, soon overtook them, determined62 upon coming into closer communion.
点击收听单词发音
1 varied | |
adj.多样的,多变化的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 smoothly | |
adv.平滑地,顺利地,流利地,流畅地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 foam | |
v./n.泡沫,起泡沫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 scoff | |
n.嘲笑,笑柄,愚弄;v.嘲笑,嘲弄,愚弄,狼吞虎咽 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 salvation | |
n.(尤指基督)救世,超度,拯救,解困 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 lurking | |
潜在 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 sedulously | |
ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 fowl | |
n.家禽,鸡,禽肉 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 drowsiness | |
n.睡意;嗜睡 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 catching | |
adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 quills | |
n.(刺猬或豪猪的)刺( quill的名词复数 );羽毛管;翮;纡管 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 aquatic | |
adj.水生的,水栖的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 fowls | |
鸟( fowl的名词复数 ); 禽肉; 既不是这; 非驴非马 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 gulls | |
n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 incessant | |
adj.不停的,连续的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 rustling | |
n. 瑟瑟声,沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 pebbles | |
[复数]鹅卵石; 沙砾; 卵石,小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 myriads | |
n.无数,极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 oar | |
n.桨,橹,划手;v.划行 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 darts | |
n.掷飞镖游戏;飞镖( dart的名词复数 );急驰,飞奔v.投掷,投射( dart的第三人称单数 );向前冲,飞奔 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 swoops | |
猛扑,突然下降( swoop的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 assailed | |
v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 );困扰;质问;毅然应对 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 wrest | |
n.扭,拧,猛夺;v.夺取,猛扭,歪曲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 talons | |
n.(尤指猛禽的)爪( talon的名词复数 );(如爪般的)手指;爪状物;锁簧尖状突出部 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 haze | |
n.霾,烟雾;懵懂,迷糊;vi.(over)变模糊 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 descried | |
adj.被注意到的,被发现的,被看到的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 boughs | |
大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 bough | |
n.大树枝,主枝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 fixedly | |
adv.固定地;不屈地,坚定不移地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 speck | |
n.微粒,小污点,小斑点 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 swells | |
增强( swell的第三人称单数 ); 肿胀; (使)凸出; 充满(激情) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 intercepting | |
截取(技术),截接 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 shrouded | |
v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 );保密 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 mariners | |
海员,水手(mariner的复数形式) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 intensity | |
n.强烈,剧烈;强度;烈度 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 glisten | |
vi.(光洁或湿润表面等)闪闪发光,闪闪发亮 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 clamorous | |
adj.吵闹的,喧哗的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 averse | |
adj.厌恶的;反对的,不乐意的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 muskets | |
n.火枪,(尤指)滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 musket | |
n.滑膛枪 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 barter | |
n.物物交换,以货易货,实物交易 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 modifications | |
n.缓和( modification的名词复数 );限制;更改;改变 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 tangled | |
adj. 纠缠的,紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 harpoon | |
n.鱼叉;vt.用鱼叉叉,用鱼叉捕获 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 tawny | |
adj.茶色的,黄褐色的;n.黄褐色 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 leopard | |
n.豹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 divers | |
adj.不同的;种种的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 yoke | |
n.轭;支配;v.给...上轭,连接,使成配偶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 prows | |
n.船首( prow的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 prow | |
n.(飞机)机头,船头 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 carving | |
n.雕刻品,雕花 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 velocity | |
n.速度,速率 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 sprawling | |
adj.蔓生的,不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 );蔓延;杂乱无序地拓展;四肢伸展坐着(或躺着) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 dissonant | |
adj.不和谐的;不悦耳的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 foes | |
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 beholding | |
v.看,注视( behold的现在分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 inviting | |
adj.诱人的,引人注目的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 steered | |
v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 );操纵;控制;引导 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 crooked | |
adj.弯曲的;不诚实的,狡猾的,不正当的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 obliquely | |
adv.斜; 倾斜; 间接; 不光明正大 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 moss | |
n.苔,藓,地衣 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 beaked | |
adj.有喙的,鸟嘴状的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 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 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 inclination | |
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 peril | |
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 oars | |
n.桨,橹( oar的名词复数 );划手v.划(行)( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 arbor | |
n.凉亭;树木 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 sling | |
vt.扔;悬挂;n.挂带;吊索,吊兜;弹弓 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 braggart | |
n.吹牛者;adj.吹牛的,自夸的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 muzzle | |
n.鼻口部;口套;枪(炮)口;vt.使缄默 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 hostility | |
n.敌对,敌意;抵制[pl.]交战,战争 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 enjoining | |
v.命令( enjoin的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 uproar | |
n.骚动,喧嚣,鼎沸 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |