As soon as the squadrons of the 21st Lancers had turned the shoulder of the steep Kerreri Hills, we saw in the distance a yellow-brown pointed9 dome10 rising above the blurred11 horizon. It was the Mahdi's Tomb, standing12 in the very heart of Omdurman. From the high ground the field-glass disclosed rows and rows of mud houses, making a dark patch on the brown of the plain. To the left the river, steel-grey in the morning light, forked into two channels, and on the tongue of land between them the gleam of a white building showed among the trees. Before us were the ruins of Khartoum and the confluence13 of the Blue and White Niles.
A black, solitary14 hill rose between the Kerreri position and Omdurman. A long, low ridge15 running from it concealed16 the ground beyond. For the rest there was a wide-rolling, sandy plain of great extent, surrounded on three sides by rocky hills and ridges17, and patched with coarse, starveling grass or occasional bushes. By the banks of the river which framed the picture on the left stood a straggling mud village, and this, though we did not know it, was to be the field of Omdurman. It was deserted18. Not a living creature could be seen. And now there were many who said once and for all that there would be no fight; for here we were arrived at the very walls of Omdurman, and never an enemy to bar our path. Then, with four squadrons looking very tiny on the broad expanse of ground, we moved steadily19 forward, and at the same time the Egyptian cavalry and the Camel Corps entered the plain several miles further to the west, and they too began to trot4 across it.
It was about three miles to the last ridge which lay between us and the city. If there was a Dervish army, if there was to be a battle, if the Khalifa would maintain his boast and accept the arbitrament of war, much must be visible from that ridge. We looked over. At first nothing was apparent except the walls and houses of Omdurman and the sandy plain sloping up from the river to distant hills. Then four miles away on our right front emerged a long black line with white spots. It was the enemy. It seemed to us, as we looked, that there might be 3,000 men behind a high dense20 zeriba of thorn-bushes. That, said the officers, was better than nothing. It is scarcely necessary to describe our tortuous21 movements towards the Dervish position. Looking at it now from one point of view, now from another, but always edging nearer, the cavalry slowly approached, and halted in the plain about three miles away—three great serpents of men—the light-coloured one, the 21st Lancers; a much longer and a blacker one, the Egyptian squadrons; a mottled one, the Camel Corps and Horse Artillery. From this distance a clearer view was possible, and we distinguished22 many horsemen riding about the flanks and front of the broad dark line which crowned the crest23 of the slope. A few of these rode carelessly towards the squadrons to look at them. They were not apparently24 acquainted with the long range of the Lee-Metford carbine. Several troops were dismounted, and at 800 yards fire was made on them. Two were shot and fell to the ground. Their companions, dismounting, examined them, picked up one, let the other lie, and resumed their ride, without acknowledging the bullets by even an increase of pace.
While this passed, so did the time. It was now nearly eleven o'clock. Suddenly the whole black line which seemed to be zeriba began to move. It was made of men, not bushes. Behind it other immense masses and lines of men appeared over the crest; and while we watched, amazed by the wonder of the sight, the whole face of the slope became black with swarming25 savages26. Four miles from end to end, and, as it seemed, in five great divisions, this mighty27 army advanced—swiftly. The whole side of the hill seemed to move. Between the masses horsemen galloped28 continually; before them many patrols dotted the plain; above them waved hundreds of banners, and the sun, glinting on many thousand hostile spear-points, spread a sparkling cloud.
It is now known that the Khalifa had succeeded in concentrating at Omdurman an army of more than 60,000 men. He remembered that all the former victories over the Egyptians had been won by the Dervishes attacking. He knew that in all the recent defeats they had stood on the defensive30. He therefore determined31 not to oppose the advance at the Shabluka or on the march thence to Omdurman. All was to be staked on the issue of a great battle on the plains of Kerreri. The Mahdi's prophecy was propitious32. The strength of the Dervish army seemed overwhelming. When the 'Turks' arrived, they should be driven into the river. Accordingly the Khalifa had only watched the advance of the Expeditionary Force from Wad Hamed with a patrol of cavalry about 200 strong. On the 30th he was informed that the enemy drew near, and on the 31st he assembled his bodyguard33 and regular army, with the exception of the men needed for the river batteries, on the Omdurman parade ground. He harangued34 the leaders; and remained encamped with his troops during the night. The next day all the male population of the city were compelled to join the army in the field, and only the gunners and garrisons35 on the river-face remained within. In spite, however, of his utmost vigilance, nearly 6,000 men deserted during the nights of the 31st of August and the 1st of September. This and the detachments in the forts reduced the force actually engaged in the battle to 52,000 men. The host that now advanced towards the British and Egyptian cavalry was perhaps 4,000 stronger.
Their array was regular and precise, and, facing northeast, stretched for more than four miles from flank to flank. A strong detachment of the mulazemin or guard was extended in front of the centre. Ali-Wad-Helu, with his bright green flag, prolonged the line to the left; and his 5,000 warriors36, chiefly of the Degheim and Kenana tribes, soon began to reach out towards the Egyptian cavalry. The centre and main force of the army was composed of the regular troops, formed in squares under Osman Sheikh-ed-Din and Osman Azrak. This great body comprised 12,000 black riflemen and about 13,000 black and Arab spearmen. In their midst rose the large, dark green flag which the Sheikh-ed-Din had adopted to annoy Ali-Wad-Helu, of whose distinctive37 emblem38 he was inordinately39 jealous. The Khalifa with his own bodyguard, about 2,000 strong, followed the centre. In rear of all marched Yakub with the Black Flag and 13,000 men—nearly all swordsmen and spearmen, who with those extended in front of the army constituted the guard. The right wing was formed by the brigade of the Khalifa Sherif, consisting of 2,000 Danagla tribesmen, whose principal ensign was a broad red flag. Osman Digna, with about 1,700 Hadendoa, guarded the extreme right and the flank nearest Omdurman, and his fame needed no flag. Such was the great army which now moved swiftly towards the watching squadrons; and these, pausing on the sandy ridge, pushed out a fringe of tentative patrols, as if to assure themselves that what they saw was real.
The Egyptian cavalry had meanwhile a somewhat different view of the spectacle. Working on the right of the 21st Lancers, and keeping further from the river, the leading squadrons had reached the extreme western end of the Kerreri ridge at about seven o'clock. From here the Mahdi's Tomb was visible, and, since the rocks of Surgham did not obstruct40 the view from this point, the British officers, looking through their field-glasses, saw what appeared to be a long column of brown spots moving south-westwards across the wide plain which stretches away to the west of Omdurman. The telescope, an invaluable42 aid to reconnaissance, developed the picture. The brown objects proved to be troops of horses grazing; and beyond, to the southward, camels and white flapping tents could be distinguished. There were no signs that a retreat was in progress; but from such a distance—nearly four miles—no certain information could be obtained, and Colonel Broadwood decided43 to advance closer. He accordingly led his whole command south-westward41 towards a round-topped hill which rose about four miles from the end of the Kerreri ridge and was one of the more distant hill features bounding the plain on the western side. The Egyptian cavalry moved slowly across the desert to this new point of observation. On their way they traversed the end of the Khor Shambat, a long depression which is the natural drainage channel of the plains of Kerreri and Omdurman, and joins the Nile about four miles from the city. The heavy rain of the previous night had made the low ground swampy44, and pools of water stood in the soft, wet sand. The passage, however, presented no great difficulty, and at half-past eleven the Egyptian squadrons began to climb the lower slopes of the round-topped hill. Here the whole scene burst suddenly upon them. Scarcely three miles away the Dervish army was advancing with the regularity45 of parade. The south wind carried the martial46 sound of horns and drums and—far more menacing—the deep murmur47 of a multitude to the astonished officers. Like the 21st Lancers—three miles away to their left, at the end of the long sandy ridge which runs westward from Surgham—the soldiers remained for a space spell-bound. But all eyes were soon drawn48 from the thrilling spectacle of the Dervish advance by the sound of guns on the river.
At about eleven o'clock the gunboats had ascended49 the Nile, and now engaged the enemy's batteries on both banks. Throughout the day the loud reports of their guns could be heard, and, looking from our position on the ridge, we could see the white vessels50 steaming slowly forward against the current, under clouds of black smoke from their furnaces and amid other clouds of white smoke from the artillery. The forts, which mounted nearly fifty guns, replied vigorously; but the British aim was accurate and their fire crushing. The embrasures were smashed to bits and many of the Dervish guns dismounted. The rifle trenches51 which flanked the forts were swept by the Maxim52 guns. The heavier projectiles53, striking the mud walls of the works and houses, dashed the red dust high into the air and scattered55 destruction around. Despite the tenacity56 and courage of the Dervish gunners, they were driven from their defences and took refuge among the streets of the city. The great wall of Omdurman was breached57 in many places, and a large number of unfortunate non-combatants were killed and wounded.
Meanwhile the Arab irregulars, under Major Wortley, had been sharply engaged. That officer's orders were to co-operate with the flotilla by taking in rear the forts and fortified58 villages on the east bank of the river. As soon as the gunboats had silenced the lower forts, Major Wortley ordered the irregulars to advance on them and on the houses. He placed the Jaalin, who were practically the only trustworthy men in his force, in reserve, and formed the tribes according to their capabilities59 and prejudices. On the order to attack being given, the whole force, some 3,000 strong, advanced on the buildings, from which the Dervishes at once opened fire. Arrived within 500 yards they halted, and began to discharge their rifles in the air; they also indulged in frantic60 dances expressive61 of their fury and valour, but declined to advance any further.
Major Wortley then ordered the Jaalin to attack. These—formed in a long column, animated62 by the desire for vengeance63, and being besides brave men—moved upon the village at a slow pace, and, surrounding one house after another, captured it and slew64 all its defenders65; including the Dervish Emir and 350 of his followers66. The Jaalin themselves suffered a loss of about sixty killed and wounded.
The village being captured, and the enemy on the east bank killed or dispersed67, the gunboats proceeded to engage the batteries higher up the river. The howitzer battery was now landed, and at 1.30 began to bombard the Mahdi's Tomb. This part of the proceedings68 was plainly visible to us, waiting and watching on the ridge, and its interest even distracted attention from the Dervish army. The dome of the tomb rose tall and prominent above the mud houses of the city. A lyddite shell burst over it—a great flash, a white ball of smoke, and, after a pause, the dull thud of the distant explosion. Another followed. At the third shot, instead of the white smoke, there was a prodigious69 cloud of red dust, in which the whole tomb disappeared. When this cleared away we saw that, instead of being pointed, it was now flat-topped. Other shells continued to strike it with like effect, some breaking holes in the dome, others smashing off the cupolas, all enveloping70 it in dust.
All this time the Dervishes were coming nearer, and the steady and continuous advance of the great army compelled the Egyptian cavalry to mount their horses and trot off to some safer point of view. Colonel Broadwood conceived his direct line of retreat to camp threatened, and shortly after one o'clock he began a regular retirement71. Eight squadrons of Egyptian cavalry and the Horse Artillery moved off first. Five companies of the Camel Corps, a Maxim gun section, and the ninth squadron of cavalry followed as a rear-guard under Major Tudway. The Dervish horsemen contented72 themselves with firing occasional shots, which were replied to by the Camel Corps with volleys whenever the ground was suited to dismounted action. From time to time one of the more daring Arabs would gallop29 after the retreating squadrons, but a shot from a carbine or a threatened advance always brought the adventurous73 horseman to a halt. The retirement was continued without serious interference, and the boggy74 ground of the Khor Shambat was recrossed in safety.
As soon as the Egyptian squadrons—a darker mass under the dark hills to the westward—were seen to be in retirement, the 21st Lancers were withdrawn75 slowly along the sandy ridge towards the rocks of Surgham—the position whence we had first seen the Dervish army. The regiment76 wheeled about and fell back by alternate wings, dropping two detached troops to the rear and flanks to make the enemy's patrols keep their distance. But when the Arab horsemen saw all the cavalry retiring they became very bold, and numerous small groups of fives and sixes began to draw nearer at a trot. Accordingly, whenever the ground was favourable77, the squadrons halted in turn for a few minutes to fire on them. In this way perhaps half-a-dozen were killed or wounded. The others, however, paid little attention to the bullets, and continued to pry78 curiously79, until at last it was thought necessary to send a troop to drive them away. The score of Lancers galloped back towards the inquisitive80 patrols in the most earnest fashion. The Dervishes, although more numerous, were scattered about in small parties, and, being unable to collect, they declined the combat. The great army, however, still advanced majestically81, pressing the cavalry back before it; and it was evident that if the Khalifa's movement continued, in spite of it being nearly one o'clock, there would be a collision between the main forces before the night.
From the summit of the black hill of Surgham the scene was extraordinary. The great army of Dervishes was dwarfed82 by the size of the landscape to mere83 dark smears84 and smudges on the brown of the plain. Looking east, another army was now visible—the British and Egyptian army. All six brigades had passed the Kerreri Hills, and now stood drawn up in a crescent, with their backs to the Nile. The transport and the houses of the village of Egeiga filled the enclosed space. Neither force could see the other, though but five miles divided them. The array of the enemy was, without doubt, both longer and deeper. Yet there seemed a superior strength in the solid battalions85, whose lines were so straight that they might have been drawn with a ruler.
The camp presented an animated appearance. The troops had piled arms after the march, and had already built a slender hedge of thorn-bushes around them. Now they were eating their dinners, and in high expectation of a fight. The whole army had been ordered to stand to arms at two o'clock in formation to resist the attack which it seemed the Dervishes were about to deliver. But at a quarter to two the Dervish army halted. Their drill was excellent, and they all stopped as by a single command. Then suddenly their riflemen discharged their rifles in the air with a great roar—a barbaric feu de joie. The smoke sprang up along the whole front of their array, running from one end to the other. After this they lay down on the ground, and it became certain that the matter would not be settled that day. We remained in our position among the sandhills of the ridge until the approach of darkness, and during the afternoon various petty encounters took place between our patrols and those of the enemy, resulting in a loss to them of about a dozen killed and wounded, and to us of one corporal wounded and one horse killed. Then, as the light failed, we returned to the river to water and encamp, passing into the zeriba through the ranks of the British division, where officers and men, looking out steadfastly87 over the fading plain, asked us whether the enemy were coming—and, if so, when. And it was with confidence and satisfaction that we replied, and they heard, 'Probably at daylight.'
When the gunboats had completed their bombardment, had sunk a Dervish steamer, had silenced all the hostile batteries, and had sorely battered88 the Mahdi's Tomb, they returned leisurely to the camp, and lay moored89 close to the bank to lend the assistance of their guns in case of attack. As the darkness became complete they threw their powerful searchlights over the front of the zeriba and on to the distant hills. The wheeling beams of dazzling light swept across the desolate90, yet not deserted, plain. The Dervish army lay for the night along the eastern slope of the Shambat depression. All the 50,000 faithful warriors rested in their companies near the flags of their Emirs. The Khalifa slept in rear of the centre of his host, surrounded by his generals. Suddenly the whole scene was lit by a pale glare. Abdullah and the chiefs sprang up. Everything around them was bathed in an awful white illumination. Far away by the river there gleamed a brilliant circle of light—the cold, pitiless eye of a demon91. The Khalifa put his hand on Osman Azrak's shoulder—Osman, who was to lead the frontal attack at dawn—and whispered, 'What is this strange thing?' 'Sire,' replied Osman, 'they are looking at us.' Thereat a great fear filled all their minds. The Khalifa had a small tent, which showed conspicuously92 in the searchlight. He had it hurriedly pulled down. Some of the Emirs covered their faces, lest the baleful rays should blind them. All feared that some terrible projectile54 would follow in the path of the light. And then suddenly it passed on—for the sapper who worked the lens could see nothing at that distance but the brown plain—and swept along the ranks of the sleeping army, rousing up the startled warriors, as a wind sweeps over a field of standing corn.
The Anglo-Egyptian army had not formed a quadrilateral camp, as on other nights, but had lain down to rest in the formation for attack they had assumed in the afternoon. Every fifty yards behind the thorn-bushes were double sentries93. Every hundred yards a patrol with an officer was to be met. Fifty yards in rear of this line lay the battalions, the men in all their ranks, armed and accoutred, but sprawled94 into every conceivable attitude which utter weariness could suggest or dictate95. The enemy, twice as strong as the Expeditionary Force, were within five miles. They had advanced that day with confidence and determination. But it seemed impossible to believe that they would attack by daylight across the open ground. Two explanations of their advance and halt presented themselves. Either they had offered battle in a position where they could not themselves be attacked until four o'clock in the afternoon, and hoped that the Sirdar's army, even though victorious96, would have to fight a rear-guard action in the darkness to the river; or they intended to make a night attack. It was not likely that an experienced commander would accept battle at so late an hour in the day. If the Dervishes were anxious to attack, so much the worse for them. But the army would remain strictly97 on the defensive—at any rate, until there was plenty of daylight. The alternative remained—a night attack.
Here lay the great peril98 which threatened the expedition. What was to be done with the troops during the hours of darkness? In the daytime they recked little of their enemy. But at night, when 400 yards was the extreme range at which their fire could be opened, it was a matter of grave doubt whether the front could be kept and the attack repelled99. The consequences of the line being penetrated100 in the darkness were appalling101 to think of. The sudden appearance of crowds of figures swarming to the attack through the gloom; the wild outburst of musketry and artillery all along the zeriba; the crowds still coming on in spite of the bullets; the fire getting uncontrolled, and then a great bunching and crumpling102 of some part of the front, and mad confusion, in which a multitude of fierce swordsmen would surge through the gap, cutting and slashing103 at every living thing; in which transport animals would stampede and rush wildly in all directions, upsetting every formation and destroying all attempts to restore order; in which regiments104 and brigades would shift for themselves and fire savagely105 on all sides, slaying106 alike friend and foe107; and out of which only a few thousand, perhaps only a few hundred, demoralised men would escape in barges108 and steamers to tell the tale of ruin and defeat.
The picture—true or false—flamed before the eyes of all the leaders that night; but, whatever their thoughts may have been, their tactics were bold. Whatever advice was given, whatever opinions were expressed, the responsibility was Sir Herbert Kitchener's. Upon his shoulders lay the burden, and the decision that was taken must be attributed solely109 to him. He might have formed the army into a solid mass of men and animals, arranged the infantry110 four deep all round the perimeter111, and dug as big a ditch or built as high a zeriba as time allowed. He might have filled the numerous houses with the infantry, making them join the buildings with hasty entrenchments, and so enclose a little space in which to squeeze cavalry, transport, and guns. Instead he formed his army in a long thin curve, resting on the river and enclosing a wide area of ground, about which baggage and animals were scattered in open order and luxurious112 accommodation. His line was but two deep; and only two companies per battalion86 and one Egyptian brigade (Collinson's) were in reserve. He thus obtained the greatest possible development of fire, and waited, prepared if necessary to stake everything on the arms of precision, but hoping with fervour that he would not be compelled to gamble by night.
The night was, however, undisturbed; and the moonlit camp, with its anxious generals, its weary soldiers, its fearful machinery113 of destruction, all strewn along the bank of the great river, remained plunged114 in silence, as if brooding over the chances of the morrow and the failures of the past. And hardly four miles away another army—twice as numerous, equally confident, equally brave—were waiting impatiently for the morning and the final settlement of the long quarrel.
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1
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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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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confluence
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| n.汇合，聚集 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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bodyguard
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| n.护卫，保镖 | |
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harangued
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| v.高谈阔论( harangue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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garrisons
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| 守备部队，卫戍部队( garrison的名词复数 ) | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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inordinately
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| adv.无度地，非常地 | |
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obstruct
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| v.阻隔，阻塞(道路、通道等)；n.阻碍物，障碍物 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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swampy
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| adj.沼泽的，湿地的 | |
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45
regularity
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| n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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48
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vessels
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| 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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51
trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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53
projectiles
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| n.抛射体( projectile的名词复数 )；（炮弹、子弹等）射弹，（火箭等）自动推进的武器 | |
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54
projectile
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| n.投射物，发射体；adj.向前开进的；推进的；抛掷的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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56
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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57
breached
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| 攻破( breach的现在分词 )； 破坏，违反 | |
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58
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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59
capabilities
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| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
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60
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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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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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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enveloping
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的现在分词 ) | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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boggy
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| adj.沼泽多的 | |
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75
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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pry
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| vi.窥(刺)探，打听；vt.撬动(开，起) | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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majestically
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| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
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dwarfed
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| vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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smears
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| 污迹( smear的名词复数 )； 污斑； （显微镜的）涂片； 诽谤 | |
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battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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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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demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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92
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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93
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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sprawled
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| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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98
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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99
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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100
penetrated
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| 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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101
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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102
crumpling
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| 压皱，弄皱( crumple的现在分词 )； 变皱 | |
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103
slashing
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| adj.尖锐的；苛刻的；鲜明的；乱砍的v.挥砍( slash的现在分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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104
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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105
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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106
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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107
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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108
barges
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| 驳船( barge的名词复数 ) | |
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109
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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110
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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111
perimeter
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| n.周边，周长，周界 | |
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112
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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113
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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114
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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