So it was no sleepy work, tallying17 for the thirty-seven swart fellows who were doing Don Roman’s fall shearing, and any one less practiced than Lorenzo might have lost[205] count now and then. Every one seemed to be working his best, but the two cries that came oftenest of any were “trece” and “diezisiete.” Number thirteen was a short, thickset Mexican from Los Lunas, known (because of his unusually dark complexion) as Black Juan, and number seventeen was that two-fisted Pedro of Cubero. They had been for several years the two best shearers in Valencia county, and therefore, very naturally, rivals—though in some way they had never come together before. But now finding themselves, on the eve of the fall clip of 50,000 sheep, face to face each with a man he had never seen, but had disliked for ten years, neither could refrain from a slight curl of the lip. That fellow such a guapo? Huh! He might make a noise among the slowpokes down in the valley, but beside a real shearer there wouldn’t be enough of him to make a shadow! It was not long before their thoughts came to speech, and soon they had made a wager19 for a sheep-shearing race on the morrow. The ponies20 upon which they had come, their tattered21 blankets and a large proportion of their prospective22 wages were staked on which should shear1 the more fleeces between sunrise and sunset.
[206]
For eleven hours, now, the race had been in progress. Lorenzo had given the word when the first rim23 of sun peered above the yellow mesas. At noon the other shearers had taken the usual half hour to swallow the rude meal of tortillas and roasted sheep-ribs, but Juan and Pedro had worked doggedly24 on. The crunch25 of their shears seemed never to stop, and against the numbers thirteen and seventeen the little slanting26 marks (each fourth one crossed) had crept clear across the tally card and Lorenzo had to start a new line for each of them.
Five o’clock—five-thirty—six—and suddenly the timekeeper shouted “Ya ’stá!” The noise redoubled for a moment as each man hurried to finish his present sheep, and then stopped. Bent backs straightened slowly amid a general sigh of relief. A hard day, truly. Not a man in the corral, even down to young Blea, who had not sheared27 his sixty or seventy sheep. But the rivals? All crowded around Lorenzo as he began to count up.
“M—m—m—twenty-four, twenty-five—twenty-five tallies28 and three. Pedro has one hundred and twenty-eight sheep!” And Juan? “M—m—m—twenty-seven tallies and one—one hundred and thirty-six![207] Bravo! Que guapo!” And the evening air rang with shouts.
“How, fairly, sleepyhead? Have I not worked openly before all?”
But Pedro went over the fence sullenly30 and walked away, muttering to himself. Only when a couple of other shearers joined him at his camp-fire did he give further vent18 to his feelings.
“Thrice fool that I was,” he snarled31, “to make a bet against that! For clearly to-day my shears were bewitched and would not cut well. And you know well the why—it is that old bruja of a Candelária who has given them the evil eye! For yesterday, as she passed, my dog ran at her, whereat I laughed, and in the act she turned and cursed me.”
“Thou didst ill,” said one of his companions. “All know that she is a witch, and works all manner of evil to them that offend her. Why, there was Marcelino, who refused to give her meat when he killed a sheep, and straightway she made a mouse to steal into his stomach, so that it was near to kill him.”
[208]
“But I am not Marcelino, then, to go pay a horse to another witch to cure me. No, I will have-me-them with her. She shall pay me for this loss and for the laughter they have put upon me.”
“What is that, Pedro?” said young Alonzo, coming up just then and squatting32 by the fire. “You wouldn’t hurt the poor old woman?”
“Who gave you a candle in this funeral?” snapped the defeated shearer. “That is what I will do. There are too many of these brujas putting spells on innocent folks, and there’s only one way to cure them—the way they did in San Mateo last year. We’ll stone her for a witch. And much care thou, that thou get not hurt also!”
The two others made no serious opposition33 to Pedro’s plan. They had nothing against the old woman themselves, but every one knew that such witches were a great pest to the community—perhaps it would be a public service to put her out of the way. Besides, they were rather used to being led around by the nose by Pedro, who, in addition to his prowess as a shearer, was so powerful and reckless that he had become the acknowledged leader of a certain class.
[209]
“Pues, understood! We will go over presently and give the old hag a shower of St. Peter’s tears! And thou”—turning to Alonzo, who was rising to go—“the less tongue, the less sore bones, eh?”
Candelária lived across the arroyo34 in a miserable35 little jacal of pi?on[37] trunks chinked with mud, right up against the side of the great lava36 flow. She was a sorry-looking hag; and, on seeing her, the first thought of much better educated people than Pedro would very likely have been: “What an old witch!” She was tall and gaunt and incredibly wrinkled, but with such keen black eyes that almost every one shrank at her gaze.
Alonzo himself was certainly not fond of her, and probably it would not be too much to say that he was secretly a bit afraid of this grim, dark figure in greasy37 tatters, despite his year of school in the little mission at San Rafael. But at thought of her being stoned to death he felt a sudden revulsion.
“But what to do?” he muttered to himself as he slouched away from the camp-fire. “Pedro is bad to meddle38 with, and no one here will help me; even Don Roman is afraid of the witches, and hates them. Ea! I will[210] go warn her, so she can hide till the shearers have gone.”
It was already very dark as he stumbled over the rocky ground and turned west along the bank of the arroyo. This was a deep ravine plowed39 through the meadow by the intermittent40 brook41 from the snows of the Zu?i mountains. In summer there was no stream, but here and there were pools enough for the thirsty sheep and cattle. Now there had been rains, and a narrow rill connected the brimming pools. He found the white, peeled log which served as a footbridge from bank to bank, and started to walk cautiously across it. Midway he stopped suddenly with an audible chuckle42, turned, came back and shambled toward the corrals. Something seemed to amuse him mightily43, for at every few steps he paused to laugh softly. Camp-fires burned all about the corral, and even far up the rocky mesa, where the sheep were being herded44 for the night; but Alonzo had eyes for but one. Near an angle of the enclosure stood a stout45 post, and not far from its foot was a bed of embers surrounded with sooty kettles and frying pans. It was Telango’s slaughter46 house and kitchen, where that greasy gentleman turned twenty[211] sheep a day into soups and joints47 for the shearers.
Telango was at the moment absent, and when he returned to his post a kettle of mutton tallow that had been trying out over the embers was missing. That should have made a pretty row, for the cook was a touchy48 autocrat49; but, supper being over, Telango was so sleepy that he would scarce have noticed it had his whole kitchen been carried off.
“Well, are we ready?” asked Pedro in a low tone of his allies a little after 8 o’clock. Every one else was asleep, apparently50. The camp-fires had all died down and no one was moving. Pedro rose quietly and stole off into the darkness, followed by Pepe and ’Lipe. “Close behind me,” he whispered, “and with care, for if she hears us she can hide in the malpaís, where no one could find her.”
“But perhaps she would not run,” broke out ’Lipe uneasily, as they neared the arroyo. “Since she is a witch she might rather throw a spell on us.”
“Quiet you the mouth, stupid! We have only to take care that she does not hear us.”
“But I have heard that they need not the ears, for the evil spirits tell them.”
[212]
“Let the evil one tell her, if he will!” growled Pedro. “I would like to see him keep this from her,” and he picked up a jagged lava fragment over which he had stumbled. “Be not sheep! Close behind me, now.”
Pedro stepped out upon the log whose white length stretching into the gloom seemed to rest upon nothing. His teguas made no noise upon the wood, and he was midway across when suddenly there came a stifled51 oath. His feet flew right and left and he dropped astride the log with a violence that shook the breath out of him, and in the same instant began to slip to one side. In vain he clutched at the log. It gave no hold, and lurching over he dropped twenty feet. There was a tremendous splash; and then another and another. Pepe and ’Lipe had followed their leader downward without even stopping to sit down first.
The shores here were steep and rocky, cut deep in a lava flow millenniums older than that whose jet black miles lay along the pretty meadow. In the middle was a long, deep pool wherein the few boys of Alamitos were wont52 to swim in summer. Just now it was not particularly attractive. During the shearing several thousand sheep[213] were watered daily at the head of this pool and at the shallower one above, and at such times no one thought of bathing in the odorous mess.
Any one listening might have heard for some seconds after the splashes nothing but a faint gurgle, as of bubbles breaking. Then there were curious snorts and plashings, as if that invisible black abyss had suddenly become the home of a hippopotamus53 family, and then a laborious54 thrashing about. Presently there was a rattle55 of pebbles56, mingled57 with coughs and angry mutterings, as if some one were trying to scale the banks.
“Why didn’t you come this side, stupids?” Pedro whispered across when he had done choking and sputtering58. “The bruja lives over here—not yonder. Vamos!”
“But man! We are not crazy! Seest thou not that she has the power and so easily has bewitched us? If we go further we shall find worse.”
“Four times fools! It was only that I slipped, and you, being scared, fell also. Come on!”
“Thanks,” answered Pepe and ’Lipe in a breath. “But even fools know better than to defy the evil one.”
[214]
“Come over or you answer to me!” snorted Pedro, forgetting his caution. “Cowards that you are, I’ll show you,” and he started back across the log to get in arguing reach of the deserters.
But four steps from the bank his feet again suddenly leaped out from under him and the log smote60 him in the back with a loud thump61, and a wild splash flung a dirty rain in the faces of his terrified companions.
“Uh, uh!” he gasped62, coming to the surface at last. “Kff! Tchoo!” for he had swallowed a most unsavory pint63.
“Ah, ha-ha!” rang a weird64, shrill65 laugh from the southern bank. Pepe and ’Lipe crossed themselves and took to their heels, without thought of waiting for their leader. It struck a chill through Pedro, too, as he floundered to the shore and clambered up the jagged rocks frantically66, cutting his hands and knees. But he hardly noticed that—all he could think of was the mocking laugh. Candelária’s laugh! After all, she was too strong! There was no use fighting against these witches—just see how easily she had undone67 his strength and wit! No more witch hunts for him—and he scrambled up the bank in utter rout68. Just then a dark form reached out overhead. Pedro[215] did not see it; but in an instant came a warm, suffocating69 avalanche70 which choked his cry of terror and half blinded him.
“Murder!” he managed to sputter59 at last. “So-cor-r-r-ro!” and he fled to the camp like one chased by wolves.
“So, thief! Shameless! It was thou that stole my tallow, then!” roared Telango, who had discovered his loss just now. “To anoint that dirty head, eh? Then take this!” and with a stout cudgel he belabored71 the luckless Pedro till the latter broke away and fled into further darkness. No wonder Telango had found him out—his great shock of hair and beard were matted in a gray, greasy mask, like the runnings of a cheap candle.
Pedro did not finish the shearing season. Next morning he was missing from Alamitos, and a few days later news came that he was in Cubero. His accomplices72 had no explanations to offer for his disappearance73 or for their wet clothing, and as for Alonzo, he “told nothing to nobody.” Only at times he was observed to drop his shears and double up as though he had a pain in his stomach, while his face would become suspiciously red. Furthermore, he came carelessly up to Telango at noon with:
“Oh, here’s your lard bucket—I picked it up by the arroyo. And say—if you want to make candles, you’d better go scrape the foot-log. Somebody has greased the whole middle of it!”
“What thing?” grumbled74 Telango. “Of the witches, no doubt. And quizas the same who anointed Pedro.”
“Quizas,” answered Alonzo solemnly, and he walked off without cracking a smile.
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收听单词发音
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1
shear
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| n.修剪，剪下的东西，羊的一岁；vt.剪掉，割，剥夺；vi.修剪，切割，剥夺，穿越 | |
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shears
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| n.大剪刀 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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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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tally
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| n.计数器，记分，一致，测量；vt.计算，记录，使一致；vi.计算，记分，一致 | |
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scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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7
triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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shearer
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| n.剪羊毛的人；剪切机 | |
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tallied
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| v.计算，清点( tally的过去式和过去分词 )；加标签（或标记）于；（使）符合；（使）吻合 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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flopped
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| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
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12
shearing
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| n.剪羊毛，剪取的羊毛v.剪羊毛( shear的现在分词 )；切断；剪切 | |
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13
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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14
snipping
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| n.碎片v.剪( snip的现在分词 ) | |
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15
pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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16
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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17
tallying
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| v.计算，清点( tally的现在分词 )；加标签（或标记）于；（使）符合；（使）吻合 | |
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18
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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21
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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23
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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crunch
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| n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声 | |
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slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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sheared
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| v.剪羊毛( shear的过去式和过去分词 )；切断；剪切 | |
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28
tallies
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| n.账( tally的名词复数 )；符合；（计数的）签；标签v.计算，清点( tally的第三人称单数 )；加标签（或标记）于；（使）符合；（使）吻合 | |
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29
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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30
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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32
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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33
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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arroyo
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| n.干涸的河床，小河 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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36
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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38
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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39
plowed
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| v.耕( plow的过去式和过去分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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40
intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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41
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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42
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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43
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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44
herded
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| 群集，纠结( herd的过去式和过去分词 )； 放牧； （使）向…移动 | |
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46
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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47
joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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48
touchy
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| adj.易怒的；棘手的 | |
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49
autocrat
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| n.独裁者；专横的人 | |
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50
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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51
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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52
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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53
hippopotamus
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| n.河马 | |
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54
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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55
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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56
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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57
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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58
sputtering
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| n.反应溅射法；飞溅；阴极真空喷镀；喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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59
sputter
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| n.喷溅声；v.喷溅 | |
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60
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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61
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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62
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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63
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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64
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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65
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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66
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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67
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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68
rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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70
avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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71
belabored
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| v.毒打一顿( belabor的过去式和过去分词 )；责骂；就…作过度的说明；向…唠叨 | |
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72
accomplices
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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73
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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74
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
参考例句： |
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