He started at the funereal1 aspect of the room, into which, since he last stood there, undertakers seemed to have stolen. The curtains of the window were festooned with long weepers of crape. The four corners of the red cloth on the round table were knotted with crape.
Knowing nothing of these mournful customs of the country, nevertheless, Israel's instinct whispered him that Squire2 Woodcock lived no more on this earth. At once the whole three days' mystery was made clear. But what was now to be done? His friend must have died very suddenly; most probably struck down in a fit, from which he never more rose. With him had perished all knowledge of the fact that a stranger was immured3 in the mansion4. If discovered then, prowling here in the inmost privacies of a gentleman's abode5, what would befall the wanderer, already not unsuspected in the neighborhood of some underhand guilt6 as a fugitive7? If he adhered to the strict truth, what could he offer in his own defence without convicting himself of acts which, by English tribunals, would be accounted flagitious crimes? Unless, indeed, by involving the memory of the deceased Squire Woodcock in his own self acknowledged proceedings8, so ungenerous a charge should result in an abhorrent10 refusal to credit his extraordinary tale, whether as referring to himself or another, and so throw him open to still more grievous suspicions?
While wrapped in these dispiriting reveries, he heard a step not very far off in the passage. It seemed approaching. Instantly he flew to the jamb, which remained unclosed, and disappearing within, drew the stone after him by the iron knob. Owing to his hurried violence the jamb closed with a dull, dismal12 and singular noise. A shriek13 followed from within the room. In a panic, Israel fled up the dark stairs, and near the top, in his eagerness, stumbled and fell back to the last step with a rolling din9, which, reverberated14 by the arch overhead, smote15 through and through the wall, dying away at last indistinctly, like low muffled16 thunder among the clefts17 of deep hills. When raising himself instantly, not seriously bruised18 by his fall, Israel instantly listened, the echoing sounds of his descent were mingled19 with added shrieks20 from within the room. They seemed some nervous female's, alarmed by what must have appeared to her supernatural, or at least unaccountable, noises in the wall. Directly he heard other voices of alarm undistinguishably commingled21, and then they retreated together, and all again was still.
Recovering from his first amazement22, Israel revolved23 these occurrences. "No creature now in the house knows of the cell," thought he. "Some woman, the housekeeper24, perhaps, first entered the room alone. Just as she entered the jamb closed. The sudden report made her shriek; then, afterwards, the noise of my fall prolonging itself, added to her fright, while her repeated shrieks brought every soul in the house to her, who aghast at seeing her lying in a pale faint, it may be, like a corpse25, in a room hung with crape for a man just dead, they also shrieked26 out, and then with blended lamentations they bore the fainting person away. Now this will follow; no doubt it has followed ere now:—they believe that the woman saw or heard the spirit of Squire Woodcock. Since I seem then to understand how all these strange events have occurred, since I seem to know that they have plain common causes, I begin to feel cool and calm again. Let me see. Yes. I have it. By means of the idea of the ghost prevailing27 among the frightened household, by that means I will this very night make good my escape. If I can but lay hands on some of the late Squire's clothing, if but a coat and hat of his, I shall be certain to succeed. It is not too early to begin now. They will hardly come back to the room in a hurry. I will return to it and see what I can find to serve my purpose. It is the Squire's private closet, hence it is not unlikely that here some at least of his clothing will be found."
With these, thoughts, he cautiously sprung the iron under foot, peeped in, and, seeing all clear, boldly re-entered the apartment. He went straight to a high, narrow door in the opposite wall. The key was in the lock. Opening the door, there hung several coats, small-clothes, pairs of silk stockings, and hats of the deceased. With little difficulty Israel selected from these the complete suit in which he had last seen his once jovial28 friend. Carefully closing the door, and carrying the suit with him, he was returning towards the chimney, when he saw the Squire's silver-headed cane29 leaning against a corner of the wainscot. Taking this also, he stole back to his cell.
Slipping off his own clothing, he deliberately30 arrayed himself in the borrowed raiment, silk small-clothes and all, then put on the cocked hat, grasped the silver-headed cane in his right hand, and moving his small shaving-glass slowly up and down before him, so as by piecemeal31 to take in his whole figure, felt convinced that he would well pass for Squire Woodcock's genuine phantom32. But after the first feeling of self-satisfaction with his anticipated success had left him, it was not without some superstitious33 embarrassment34 that Israel felt himself encased in a dead man's broadcloth; nay35, in the very coat in which the deceased had no doubt fallen down in his fit. By degrees he began to feel almost as unreal and shadowy as the shade whose part he intended to enact36.
Waiting long and anxiously till darkness came, and then till he thought it was fairly midnight, he stole back into the closet, and standing37 for a moment uneasily in the middle of the floor, thinking over all the risks he might run, he lingered till he felt himself resolute38 and calm. Then groping for the door leading into the hall, put his hand on the knob and turned it. But the door refused to budge39. Was it locked? The key was not in. Turning the knob once more, and holding it so, he pressed firmly against the door. It did not move. More firmly still, when suddenly it burst open with a loud crackling report. Being cramped40, it had stuck in the sill. Less than three seconds passed when, as Israel was groping his way down the long wide hall towards the large staircase at its opposite end, he heard confused hurrying noises from the neighboring rooms, and in another instant several persons, mostly in night-dresses, appeared at their chamber-doors, thrusting out alarmed faces, lit by a lamp held by one of the number, a rather elderly lady in widow's weeds, who by her appearance seemed to have just risen from a sleepless41 chair, instead of an oblivious42 couch. Israel's heart beat like a hammer; his face turned like a sheet. But bracing43 himself, pulling his hat lower down over his eyes, settling his head in the collar of his coat, he advanced along the defile44 of wildly staring faces. He advanced with a slow and stately step, looked neither to the right nor the left, but went solemnly forward on his now faintly illuminated45 way, sounding his cane on the floor as he passed. The faces in the doorways46 curdled47 his blood by their rooted looks. Glued to the spot, they seemed incapable48 of motion. Each one was silent as he advanced towards him or her, but as he left each individual, one after another, behind, each in a frenzy49 shrieked out, "The Squire, the Squire!" As he passed the lady in the widow's weeds, she fell senseless and crosswise before him. But forced to be immutable50 in his purpose, Israel, solemnly stepping over her prostrate51 form, marched deliberately on.
In a few minutes more he had reached the main door of the mansion, and withdrawing the chain and bolt, stood in the open air. It was a bright moonlight night. He struck slowly across the open grounds towards the sunken fields beyond. When-midway across the grounds, he turned towards the mansion, and saw three of the front windows filled with white faces, gazing in terror at the wonderful spectre. Soon descending52 a slope, he disappeared from their view.
Presently he came to hilly land in meadow, whose grass having been lately cut, now lay dotting the slope in cocks; a sinuous53 line of creamy vapor54 meandered55 through the lowlands at the base of the hill; while beyond was a dense56 grove57 of dwarfish58 trees, with here and there a tall tapering59 dead trunk, peeled of the bark, and overpeering the rest. The vapor wore the semblance60 of a deep stream of water, imperfectly descried61; the grove looked like some closely-clustering town on its banks, lorded over by spires62 of churches.
The whole scene magically reproduced to our adventurer the aspect of Bunker Hill, Charles River, and Boston town, on the well-remembered night of the 16th of June. The same season; the same moon; the same new-mown hay on the shaven sward; hay which was scraped together during the night to help pack into the redoubt so hurriedly thrown up.
Acted on as if by enchantment63, Israel sat down on one of the cocks, and gave himself up to reverie. But, worn out by long loss of sleep, his reveries would have soon merged64 into slumber's still wilder dreams, had he not rallied himself, and departed on his way, fearful of forgetting himself in an emergency like the present. It now occurred to him that, well as his disguise had served him in escaping from the mansion of Squire Woodcock, that disguise might fatally endanger him if he should be discovered in it abroad. He might pass for a ghost at night, and among the relations and immediate66 friends of the gentleman deceased; but by day, and among indifferent persons, he ran no small risk of being apprehended67 for an entry-thief. He bitterly lamented68 his omission69 in not pulling on the Squire's clothes over his own, so that he might now have reappeared in his former guise65.
As meditating70 over this difficulty, he was passing along, suddenly he saw a man in black standing right in his path, about fifty yards distant, in a field of some growing barley71 or wheat. The gloomy stranger was standing stock-still; one outstretched arm, with weird72 intimation pointing towards the deceased Squire's abode. To the brooding soul of the now desolate73 Israel, so strange a sight roused a supernatural suspicion. His conscience morbidly74 reproaching him for the terrors he had bred in making his escape from the house, he seemed to see in the fixed75 gesture of the stranger something more than humanly significant. But somewhat of his intrepidity76 returned; he resolved to test the apparition77. Composing itself to the same deliberate stateliness with which it had paced the hall, the phantom of Squire Woodcock firmly, advanced its cane, and marched straight forward towards the mysterious stranger.
As he neared him, Israel shrunk. The dark coat-sleeve flapped on the bony skeleton of the unknown arm. The face was lost in a sort of ghastly blank. It was no living man.
But mechanically continuing his course, Israel drew still nearer and saw a scarecrow.
Not a little relieved by the discovery, our adventurer paused, more particularly to survey so deceptive78 an object, which seemed to have been constructed on the most efficient principles; probably by some broken down wax figure costumer. It comprised the complete wardrobe of a scarecrow, namely: a cocked hat, bunged; tattered79 coat; old velveteen breeches; and long worsted stockings, full of holes; all stuffed very nicely with straw, and skeletoned by a frame-work of poles. There was a great flapped pocket to the coat—which seemed to have been some laborer's—standing invitingly80 opened. Putting his hands in, Israel drew out the lid of an old tobacco-box, the broken bowl of a pipe, two rusty81 nails, and a few kernels82 of wheat. This reminded him of the Squire's pockets. Trying them, he produced a handsome handkerchief, a spectacle-case, with a purse containing some silver and gold, amounting to a little more than five pounds. Such is the difference between the contents of the pockets of scarecrows and the pockets of well-to-do squires83. Ere donning his present habiliments, Israel had not omitted to withdraw his own money from his own coat, and put it in the pocket of his own waistcoat, which he had not exchanged.
Looking upon the scarecrow more attentively84, it struck him that, miserable85 as its wardrobe was, nevertheless here was a chance for getting rid of the unsuitable and perilous86 clothes of the Squire. No other available opportunity might present itself for a time. Before he encountered any living creature by daylight, another suit must somehow be had. His exchange with the old ditcher, after his escape from the inn near Portsmouth, had familiarized him with the most deplorable of wardrobes. Well, too, he knew, and had experienced it, that for a man desirous of avoiding notice, the more wretched the clothes, the better. For who does not shun88 the scurvy89 wretch87, Poverty, advancing in battered90 hat and lamentable91 coat?
Without more ado, slipping off the Squire's raiment, he donned the scarecrow's, after carefully shaking out the hay, which, from many alternate soakings and bakings in rain and sun, had become quite broken up, and would have been almost dust, were it not for the mildew92 which damped it. But sufficient of this wretched old hay remained adhesive93 to the inside of the breeches and coat-sleeves, to produce the most irritating torment94.
The grand moral question now came up, what to do with the purse. Would it be dishonest under the circumstances to appropriate that purse? Considering the whole matter, and not forgetting that he had not received from the gentleman deceased the promised reward for his services as courier, Israel concluded that he might justly use the money for his own. To which opinion surely no charitable judge will demur95. Besides, what should he do with the purse, if not use it for his own? It would have been insane to have returned it to the relations. Such mysterious honesty would have but resulted in his arrest as a rebel, or rascal96. As for the Squire's clothes, handkerchief, and spectacle-case, they must be put out of sight with all dispatch. So, going to a morass97 not remote, Israel sunk them deep down, and heaped tufts of the rank sod upon them. Then returning to the field of corn, sat down under the lee of a rock, about a hundred yards from where the scarecrow had stood, thinking which way he now had best direct his steps. But his late ramble98 coming after so long a deprivation99 of rest, soon produced effects not so easy to be shaken off, as when reposing100 upon the haycock. He felt less anxious too, since changing his apparel. So before he was aware, he fell into deep sleep.
When he awoke, the sun was well up in the sky. Looking around he saw a farm-laborer with a pitchfork coming at a distance into view, whose steps seemed bent101 in a direction not far from the spot where he lay. Immediately it struck our adventurer that this man must be familiar with the scarecrow; perhaps had himself fashioned it. Should he miss it then, he might make immediate search, and so discover the thief so imprudently loitering upon the very field of his operations.
Waiting until the man momentarily disappeared in a little hollow, Israel ran briskly to the identical spot where the scarecrow had stood, where, standing stiffly erect104, pulling the hat well over his face, and thrusting out his arm, pointed105 steadfastly106 towards the Squire's abode, he awaited the event. Soon the man reappeared in sight, and marching right on, paused not far from Israel, and gave him an one earnest look, as if it were his daily wont107 to satisfy that all was right with the scarecrow. No sooner was the man departed to a reasonable distance, than, quitting his post, Israel struck across the fields towards London. But he had not yet quite quitted the field when it occurred to him to turn round and see if the man was completely out of sight, when, to his consternation108, he saw the man returning towards him, evidently by his pace and gesture in unmixed amazement. The man must have turned round to look before Israel had done so. Frozen to the ground, Israel knew not what to do; but next moment it struck him that this very motionlessness was the least hazardous109 plan in such a strait. Thrusting out his arm again towards the house, once more he stood stock still, and again awaited the event.
It so happened that this time, in pointing towards the house, Israel unavoidably pointed towards the advancing man. Hoping that the strangeness of this coincidence might, by operating on the man's superstition110, incline him to beat an immediate retreat, Israel kept cool as he might. But the man proved to be of a braver metal than anticipated. In passing the spot where the scarecrow had stood, and perceiving, beyond the possibility of mistake, that by, some unaccountable agency it had suddenly removed itself to a distance, instead of being, terrified at this verification of his worst apprehensions111, the man pushed on for Israel, apparently112 resolved to sift113 this mystery to the bottom.
Seeing him now determinately coming, with pitchfork valiantly114 presented, Israel, as a last means of practising on the fellow's fears of the supernatural, suddenly doubled up both fists, presenting them savagely115 towards him at a distance of about twenty paces, at the same time showing his teeth like a skull's, and demoniacally rolling his eyes. The man paused bewildered, looked all round him, looked at the springing grain, then across at some trees, then up at the sky, and satisfied at last by those observations that the world at large had not undergone a miracle in the last fifteen minutes, resolutely116 resumed his advance; the pitchfork, like a boarding-pike, now aimed full at the breast of the object. Seeing all his stratagems117 vain, Israel now threw himself into the original attitude of the scarecrow, and once again stood immovable. Abating118 his pace by degrees almost to a mere119 creep, the man at last came within three feet of him, and, pausing, gazed amazed into Israel's eyes. With a stern and terrible expression Israel resolutely returned the glance, but otherwise remained like a statue, hoping thus to stare his pursuer out of countenance120. At last the man slowly presented one prong of his fork towards Israel's left eye. Nearer and nearer the sharp point came, till no longer capable of enduring such a test, Israel took to his heels with all speed, his tattered coat-tails streaming behind him. With inveterate121 purpose the man pursued. Darting122 blindly on, Israel, leaping a gate, suddenly found himself in a field where some dozen laborers123 were at work, who recognizing the scarecrow—an old acquaintance of theirs, as it would seem—lifted all their hands as the astounding124 apparition swept by, followed by the man with the pitchfork. Soon all joined in the chase, but Israel proved to have better wind and bottom than any. Outstripping125 the whole pack he finally shot out of their sight in an extensive park, heavily timbered in one quarter. He never saw more of these people.
Loitering in the wood till nightfall, he then stole out and made the best of his way towards the house of that good natured farmer in whose corn-loft he had received his first message from Squire Woodcock. Rousing this man up a little before midnight, he informed him somewhat of his recent adventures, but carefully concealed126 his having been employed as a secret courier, together with his escape from Squire Woodcock's. All he craved127 at present was a meal. The meal being over, Israel offered to buy from the farmer his best suit of clothes, and displayed the money on the spot.
"Where did you get so much money?" said his entertainer in a tone of surprise; "your clothes here don't look as if you had seen prosperous times since you left me. Why, you look like a scarecrow."
"That may well be," replied Israel, very soberly. "But what do you say? will you sell me your suit?—here's the cash."
"I don't know about it," said the farmer, in doubt; "let me look at the money. Ha!—a silk purse come out of a beggars pocket!—Quit the house, rascal, you've turned thief."
Thinking that he could not swear to his having come by his money with absolute honesty—since indeed the case was one for the most subtle casuist—Israel knew not what to reply. This honest confusion confirmed the farmer, who with many abusive epithets128 drove him into the road, telling him that he might thank himself that he did not arrest him on the spot.
In great dolor at this unhappy repulse129, Israel trudged130 on in the moonlight some three miles to the house of another friend, who also had once succored131 him in extremity132. This man proved a very sound sleeper133. Instead of succeeding in rousing him by his knocking, Israel but succeeded in rousing his wife, a person not of the greatest amiability134. Raising the sash, and seeing so shocking a pauper135 before her, the woman upbraided136 him with shameless impropriety in asking charity at dead of night, in a dress so improper137 too. Looking down at his deplorable velveteens, Israel discovered that his extensive travels had produced a great rent in one loin of the rotten old breeches, through which a whitish fragment protruded138.
Remedying this oversight139 as well as he might, he again implored140 the woman to wake her husband.
"That I shan't!" said the woman, morosely141. "Quit the premises142, or I'll throw something on ye."
With that she brought some earthenware143 to the window, and would have fulfilled her threat, had not Israel prudently103 retreated some paces. Here he entreated144 the woman to take mercy on his plight145, and since she would not waken her husband, at least throw to him (Israel) her husband's breeches, and he would leave the price of them, with his own breeches to boot, on the sill of the door.
"Quit the premises!" reiterated147 the woman.
"The breeches, the breeches! here is the money," cried Israel, half furious with anxiety.
"Saucy148 cur," cried the woman, somehow misunderstanding him; "do you cunningly taunt149 me with wearing the breeches'? begone!"
Once more poor Israel decamped, and made for another friend. But here a monstrous150 bull-dog, indignant that the peace of a quiet family should be disturbed by so outrageous151 a tatterdemalion, flew at Israel's unfortunate coat, whose rotten skirts the brute152 tore completely off, leaving the coat razeed to a spencer, which barely came down to the wearer's waist. In attempting to drive the monster away, Israel's hat fell off, upon which the dog pounced153 with the utmost fierceness, and thrusting both paws into it, rammed154 out the crown and went snuffling the wreck155 before him. Recovering the wretched hat, Israel again beat a retreat, his wardrobe sorely the worse for his visits. Not only was his coat a mere rag, but his breeches, clawed by the dog, were slashed156 into yawning gaps, while his yellow hair waved over the top of the crownless beaver157, like a lonely tuft of heather on the highlands.
In this plight the morning discovered him dubiously158 skirmishing on the outskirts159 of a village.
"Ah! what a true patriot160 gets for serving his country!" murmured Israel. But soon thinking a little better of his case, and seeing yet another house which had once furnished him with an asylum161, he made bold to advance to the door. Luckily he this time met the man himself, just emerging from bed. At first the farmer did not recognize the fugitive, but upon another look, seconded by Israel's plaintive162 appeal, beckoned163 him into the barn, where directly our adventurer told him all he thought prudent102 to disclose of his story, ending by once more offering to negotiate for breeches and coat. Having ere this emptied and thrown away the purse which had played him so scurvy a trick with the first farmer, he now produced three crown-pieces.
"Three crown-pieces in your pocket, and no crown to your hat!" said the farmer.
"But I assure you, my friend," rejoined Israel, "that a finer hat was never worn, until that confounded bull-dog ruined it."
"True," said the farmer, "I forgot that part of your story. Well, I have a tolerable coat and breeches which I will sell you for your money."
In ten minutes more Israel was equipped in a gray coat of coarse cloth, not much improved by wear, and breeches to match. For half-a-crown more he procured164 a highly respectable looking hat.
"Now, my kind friend," said Israel, "can you tell me where Horne Tooke and John Bridges live?"
Our adventurer thought it his best plan to seek out one or other of those gentlemen, both to report proceedings and learn confirmatory tidings concerning Squire Woodcock, touching165 whose fate he did not like to inquire of others.
"Horne Tooke? What do you want with Horne Tooke," said the farmer. "He was Squire Woodcock's friend, wasn't he? The poor Squire! Who would have thought he'd have gone off so suddenly. But apoplexy comes like a bullet."
"I was right," thought Israel to himself. "But where does Horne Tooke live?" he demanded again.
"He once lived in Brentford, and wore a cassock there. But I hear he's sold out his living, and gone in his surplice to study law in Lunnon."
This was all news to Israel, who, from various amiable166 remarks he had heard from Horne Tooke at the Squire's, little dreamed he was an ordained167 clergyman. Yet a good-natured English clergyman translated Lucian; another, equally good-natured, wrote Tristam Shandy; and a third, an ill-natured appreciator of good-natured Rabelais, died a dean; not to speak of others. Thus ingenious and ingenuous169 are some of the English clergy168.
"You can't tell me, then, where to find Horne Tooke?" said Israel, in perplexity.
"You'll find him, I suppose, in Lunnon."
"What street and number?"
"Don't know. Needle in a haystack."
"Where does Mr. Bridges live?"
"Never heard of any Bridges, except Lunnon bridges, and one Molly Bridges in Bridewell."
So Israel departed; better clothed, but no wiser than before.
What to do next? He reckoned up his money, and concluded he had plenty to carry him back to Doctor Franklin in Paris. Accordingly, taking a turn to avoid the two nearest villages, he directed his steps towards London, where, again taking the post-coach for Dover, he arrived on the channel shore just in time to learn that the very coach in which he rode brought the news to the authorities there that all intercourse170 between the two nations was indefinitely suspended. The characteristic taciturnity and formal stolidity171 of his fellow-travellers—all Englishmen, mutually unacquainted with each other, and occupying different positions in life—having prevented his sooner hearing the tidings.
Here was another accumulation of misfortunes. All visions but those of eventual172 imprisonment173 or starvation vanished from before the present realities of poor Israel Potter. The Brentford gentleman had flattered him with the prospect174 of receiving something very handsome for his services as courier. That hope was no more. Doctor Franklin had promised him his good offices in procuring175 him a passage home to America. Quite out of the question now. The sage11 had likewise intimated that he might possibly see him some way remunerated for his sufferings in his country's cause. An idea no longer to be harbored. Then Israel recalled the mild man of wisdom's words—"At the prospect of pleasure never be elated; but without depression respect the omens176 of ill." But he found it as difficult now to comply, in all respects, with the last section of the maxim177, as before he had with the first.
While standing wrapped in afflictive178 reflections on the shore, gazing towards the unattainable coast of France, a pleasant-looking cousinly stranger, in seamen's dress, accosted179 him, and, after some pleasant conversation, very civilly invited him up a lane into a house of rather secret entertainment. Pleased to be befriended in this his strait, Israel yet looked inquisitively180 upon the man, not completely satisfied with his good intentions. But the other, with good-humored violence, hurried him up the lane into the inn, when, calling for some spirits, he and Israel very affectionately drank to each other's better health and prosperity.
"Take another glass," said the stranger, affably.
Israel, to drown his heavy-heartedness, complied. The liquor began to take effect.
"Ever at sea?" said the stranger, lightly.
"Oh, yes; been a whaling."
"Ah!" said the other, "happy to hear that, I assure you. Jim! Bill!" And beckoning181 very quietly to two brawny182 fellows, in a trice Israel found himself kidnapped into the naval183 service of the magnanimous old gentleman of Kew Gardens—his Royal Majesty184, George III.— "Hands off!" said Israel, fiercely, as the two men pinioned185 him.
"Reglar game-cock," said the cousinly-looking man. "I must get three guineas for cribbing him. Pleasant voyage to ye, my friend," and, leaving Israel a prisoner, the crimp, buttoning his coat, sauntered leisurely186 out of the inn.
"Oh! that's the old story," grinned his jailers. "Come along. There's no Englishman in the English fleet. All foreigners. You may take their own word for it."
To be short, in less than a week Israel found himself at Portsmouth, and, ere long, a foretopman in his Majesty's ship of the line, "Unprincipled," scudding188 before the wind down channel, in company with the "Undaunted," and the "Unconquerable;" all three haughty189 Dons bound to the East Indian waters as reinforcements to the fleet of Sir Edward Hughs.
And now, we might shortly have to record our adventurer's part in the famous engagement off the coast of Coromandel, between Admiral Suffrien's fleet and the English squadron, were it not that fate snatched him on the threshold of events, and, turning him short round whither he had come, sent him back congenially to war against England; instead of on her behalf. Thus repeatedly and rapidly were the fortunes of our wanderer planted, torn up, transplanted, and dropped again, hither and thither190, according as the Supreme191 Disposer of sailors and soldiers saw fit to appoint.
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funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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immured
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| v.禁闭，监禁( immure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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abhorrent
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| adj.可恶的，可恨的，讨厌的 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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reverberated
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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clefts
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| n.裂缝( cleft的名词复数 )；裂口；cleave的过去式和过去分词；进退维谷 | |
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18
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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19
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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20
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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21
commingled
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| v.混合，掺和，合并( commingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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23
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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24
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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25
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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26
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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28
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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29
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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30
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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31
piecemeal
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| adj.零碎的；n.片，块；adv.逐渐地；v.弄成碎块 | |
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32
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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33
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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34
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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35
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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36
enact
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| vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演 | |
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37
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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38
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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39
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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40
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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41
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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42
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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43
bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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44
defile
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| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
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45
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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46
doorways
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| n.门口，门道( doorway的名词复数 ) | |
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47
curdled
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| v.（使）凝结( curdle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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49
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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50
immutable
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| adj.不可改变的，永恒的 | |
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51
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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52
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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53
sinuous
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| adj.蜿蜒的，迂回的 | |
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54
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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55
meandered
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| （指溪流、河流等）蜿蜒而流( meander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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57
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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58
dwarfish
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| a.像侏儒的，矮小的 | |
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59
tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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60
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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61
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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62
spires
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| n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 ) | |
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63
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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64
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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65
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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66
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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67
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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68
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
omission
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| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
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70
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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71
barley
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| n.大麦，大麦粒 | |
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72
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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73
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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74
morbidly
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| adv.病态地 | |
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75
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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76
intrepidity
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| n.大胆，刚勇；大胆的行为 | |
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77
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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78
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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79
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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80
invitingly
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| adv. 动人地 | |
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81
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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82
kernels
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| 谷粒( kernel的名词复数 )； 仁； 核； 要点 | |
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83
squires
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| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
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84
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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85
miserable
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|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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86
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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87
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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88
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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89
scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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90
battered
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|
| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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91
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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92
mildew
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| n.发霉；v.（使）发霉 | |
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93
adhesive
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| n.粘合剂；adj.可粘着的，粘性的 | |
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94
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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95
demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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96
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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97
morass
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| n.沼泽，困境 | |
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98
ramble
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| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
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99
deprivation
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| n.匮乏；丧失；夺去，贫困 | |
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100
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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101
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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102
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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103
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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104
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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105
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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106
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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107
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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108
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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109
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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110
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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111
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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112
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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113
sift
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| v.筛撒，纷落，详察 | |
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114
valiantly
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| adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳 | |
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115
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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116
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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117
stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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118
abating
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| 减少( abate的现在分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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119
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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120
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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121
inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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122
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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123
laborers
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| n.体力劳动者，工人( laborer的名词复数 )；（熟练工人的）辅助工 | |
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124
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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125
outstripping
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| v.做得比…更好，（在赛跑等中）超过( outstrip的现在分词 ) | |
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126
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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127
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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128
epithets
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| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
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129
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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130
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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131
succored
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| v.给予帮助( succor的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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132
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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133
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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134
amiability
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| n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的 | |
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135
pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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136
upbraided
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| v.责备，申斥，谴责( upbraid的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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138
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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139
oversight
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| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
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140
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
morosely
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|
| adv.愁眉苦脸地，忧郁地 | |
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142
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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143
earthenware
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| n.土器，陶器 | |
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144
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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146
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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147
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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148
saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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149
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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150
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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152
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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153
pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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rammed
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| v.夯实（土等）( ram的过去式和过去分词 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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161
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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162
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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163
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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procured
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| 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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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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168
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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169
ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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171
stolidity
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| n.迟钝，感觉麻木 | |
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172
eventual
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| adj.最后的，结局的，最终的 | |
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173
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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174
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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175
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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176
omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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178
afflictive
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| 带给人痛苦的，苦恼的，难受的 | |
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179
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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inquisitively
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| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
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181
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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185
pinioned
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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187
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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188
scudding
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| n.刮面v.（尤指船、舰或云彩）笔直、高速而平稳地移动( scud的现在分词 ) | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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