Walter was in the highest spirits. A brilliant career was open to him under the most favorable circumstances; he had already distinguished8 himself, and had gained the attention of the highest personages in the realm, his immediate9 lord was one of the bravest and most chivalrous10 knights in Europe, and he had to sustain and encourage him the hopes that Lady Vernon had given him of regaining11 some day the patrimony13 of his father. It was a satisfaction to him that he was as well born as those who surrounded him, and his purse was as well lined as any in the company. Although he had spent the largess which had been bestowed14 upon him at the tournament in procuring15 clothes fitted for his rank, he was yet abundantly supplied with money, for both Geoffrey Ward17 and Giles Fletcher,[Pg 127] having no children of their own and being both well-to-do men, had insisted upon his accepting a sum which would enable him to make a good appearance with the best.
A large number of squires followed the banner of Sir Walter Manny. The records of the time show that the barons18 were generally accompanied in the field by almost as many squires as men-at-arms. The former were men of good family, sons of knights and nobles, aspirants19 for the honor of knighthood, and sons of the smaller gentry20. Many were there from pure love of a life of excitement and adventure, others in fulfillment of the feudal21 tenure22 by which all land was then held, each noble and landowner being obliged to furnish so many knights, squires, men-at-arms, and archers, in accordance with the size of his holding. The squires fought in the field in the front rank of the men-at-arms, save those who, like Walter, were attached to the person of their leader, and who in the field fought behind him or bore his orders to the companies under his banner.
In the field all drew pay, and it may be interesting in the present day to know what were the rates for which our forefathers23 risked their lives. They were as follows: Each horse archer6 received 6 deniers, each squire4 12 deniers or 1 sol, each knight1 2 sols, each knight banneret 4 sols; 20 sols went to the pound, and although the exact value of money in those days relative to that which it bears at the present time is doubtful, it may be placed at twelve[Pg 128] times the present value. Therefore each horse archer received an equivalent to 6s. a day, each squire 12s., each knight 24s., and each knight banneret 48s. per day.
Upon their arrival at the Orwell, where many troops from other parts had been gathered, the expedition at once embarked24 on board the numerous ships which had been collected. As that in which Sir Walter sailed also carried several of his knights there was not room for all his young esquires, and Walter and the three other juniors were told off into another ship. She was a smaller vessel25 than most of those which composed the expedition, and only carried twelve men-at-arms and as many archers, together with the four young squires, and a knight, Sir John Powis, who was in command of the whole.
"Your craft is but a small one," the knight said to the captain.
"She is small, but she is fast," the latter answered. "She would sail round and round the best part of the fleet. I had her built according to my own fancy. Small though she be, I warrant you she will be one of the first to arrive at Hennebon, and the sooner the better say I, since I am but paid by the trip, and would fain be back again at my regular work. It pays better carrying merchants' goods between London and Holland than taking his majesty's troops over to France."
"Your speed will not be of much avail," Sir John Powis said, "seeing that the fleet will keep together."[Pg 129]
"Yes, I know that is the order," the captain answered; "but accidents happen sometimes, you know"—and his eye twinkled. "Vessels26 get separated from fleets. If they happen to be slow ones, so much the worse for those on board; if they happen to be fast ones, so much the better, seeing that those they carry will arrive long before their comrades, and may be enabled to gain credit and renown27 while the others are whistling for a wind in mid-ocean. However, we shall see."
The next morning the fleet sailed from the Orwell. It contained 620 men-at-arms, among whom were many of the noblest and bravest of the country, and 6,000 picked archers in the pay of the king. The whole were commanded by Sir Walter. The scene was a very gay one. The banners of the nobles and knights floated from the lofty poops, and the sun shone on bright armor and steel weapons. Walter, who had never seen the sea before, was delighted. The wind was fair, and the vessels glided28 smoothly29 along over the sea. At evening the knight and his four young companions gathered in the little cabin, for it was in the first week in March, and the night was cold.
"Will you please tell me, Sir John," Walter said to the knight, "the merits of this quarrel in which we are going to fight? I know that we are going in aid of the Countess of Montford; but why she is in a sore strait I know not."
"The matter is a mixed one, Walter, and it requires a herald30 to tell you all the subtleties31 of it.[Pg 130] John III., Duke of Brittany, was present with his liege lord, Philip of Valois, in the last war with England, on the border of the Low Country. When the English retired32 from before Tournay Philip dismissed his nobles. The Duke of Burgundy was taken ill, and died at Caen, in Normandy, on the 30th of April, 1341. Arthur II., his father, had been twice married. By his first wife he had three sons, John, Guy, and Peter. John and Peter left no issue. Guy, who is also dead, left a daughter, Joan. By his second wife, Jolande de Dieux, Duke Arthur had one son, John, Count of Montford. Thus it happened that when Duke John died his half-brother, the Count of Montford, and Joan, daughter of his second brother Guy, were all that survived of the family. These were the rival claimants for the vacant dukedom. In England we have but one law of succession, which rules through the whole land. In France it is different. There the law of succession depends entirely33 upon the custom of the county, dukedom, or lordship, which is further affected34 both by the form of grant by which the territory was conveyed to its first feudal possessors and by the mode in which the province had been acquired by the kings of France. This is important, as upon these circumstances alone it depended whether the son or the granddaughter of Arthur II. should inherit the dukedom.
"Joan claimed the duchy as the daughter of the elder brother. The Salic law of France, which barred females from the right of succession, and in[Pg 131] virtue35 of which Philip of Valois succeeded to the throne instead of King Edward, certainly did not obtain in Brittany. Duke John regarded Joan as his heiress, and married her to Charles of Blois, nephew of the King of France, thus strengthening her in her position; and he also induced the provincial36 parliament of Brittany to acknowledge her husband as his successor in the dukedom. Altogether it would seem that right is upon Joan's side; but, on the other hand, the Count of Montford is the son of Jolande, a great heiress in Brittany. He is an active and energetic noble. The Bretons love not too close a connection with France, and assuredly prefer to be ruled by a duke whom they regard as one of themselves rather than by Charles of Blois, nephew of the French king. Directly Duke John was dead the Count of Montford claimed the inheritance. Assuming the title of duke he rode to Nantes, where the citizens did him homage37, and then proceeded to Limoges with a large train of men-at-arms, and there took possession of the immense treasures which the late duke had accumulated in the course of a long and tranquil38 reign39. With these sinews of war at his command he returned to Nantes, where he had left his wife the countess, who was a sister of the Count of Flanders. He immediately invited the nobility of Brittany to a grand banquet, but only one knight of any renown presented himself at the feast, the rest all holding aloof40. With the wealth of which he had possessed41 himself he levied42 large forces and took the field. He[Pg 132] first marched against Brest, where the garrison43, commanded by Walter de Clisson, refused to acknowledge him. After three days' hard fighting the place was taken. Rennes was next besieged44, and presently surrendered. Other towns fell into his hands, and so far as Brittany was concerned all opposition45, except in one or two fortresses46, ceased. In the mean while Charles of Blois sought assistance from his uncle the King of France; the Count de Montford, therefore, crossed to England and besought47 the aid of King Edward, and did homage to him as King of France. Edward, on his part, promised to assist him. The fact that Philip was sure to espouse48 the opposite side was in itself sufficient to decide him; besides which, the dukes of Brittany have always been in a special way connected with England and bear the English title of Earl of Richmond.
"Believing that his journey, which had been a secret one, was unknown to the King of France, De Montford went boldly to Paris, where he had been summoned by the king to an assembly of peers called to decide upon the succession. He found, however, that Philip had already obtained news of his journey to England. His manner convinced De Montford that it was unsafe to remain in Paris, and he secretly made his escape. Fifteen days afterward49 the peers gave judgment50 in favor of Charles of Blois. The Dukes of Normandy, Burgundy, and Bourbon, the Counts of Alen?on, Eu, and Guisnes, and many other French nobles, prepared to lead an[Pg 133] army into the field to support Charles, and the king added a body of 3,000 Genoese mercenaries in his pay.
"Knowing the storm that was preparing to break upon him, De Montford put every town and castle in a state of defense51. He himself, confiding52 in the affection of the inhabitants of Nantes, remained in that city, while his wife repaired to Rennes.
"The Duke of Normandy advanced from Angiers with an army of 5,000 men-at-arms and a numerous infantry53, and after capturing the castle of Chantoceaux marched to Nantes and laid siege to the city. A sortie was made by the besieged, led by Henry de Leon, but, being attacked by the whole of the French army, they were driven back into the town, a great many of the citizens being killed. A warm altercation54 took place between Henry de Leon and De Montford, who attributed to him the evil result of the sortie. The result was that a large number of the citizens whose friends had been captured by the French conspired55 to deliver up the place to Charles of Blois, and Henry de Leon also entered into private negotiations56 with the Duke of Normandy. De Montford, finding that he could rely neither upon the citizens nor the soldiers, surrendered to the duke on condition that his life was spared. He was sent to Paris, where he still remains57 a prisoner. Winter was coming on, and after putting Nantes in a fresh state of defense and leaving Charles of Blois there, the Duke of[Pg 134] Normandy dismissed his forces, engaging them to reassemble in the spring. Had he pushed on at once he would have experienced no resistance, so great was the panic which the surrender of Nantes and the capture of De Montford had caused among the latter's partisans58.
"In Rennes especially the deepest despondency was felt. The countess, however, showed the greatest courage and firmness. Showing herself, with her infant in her arms, she appealed to the citizens, and by her courageous59 bearing inspired them with new hopes. Having restored heart at Rennes she traveled from garrison to garrison throughout the province, and filled all with vigor60 and resolution. Feeling, however, the hopelessness of her struggle against all France, she dispatched Sir Almeric de Clisson, who had lately joined her party, to England, to ask the aid which the king had promised. He arrived a month since, and, as you see, our brave king has not been long in dispatching us to her aid; and now, youngsters, to bed, for methinks that the sea is rougher than it was and that the wind is getting up."
"Ay, that is it," the captain, who heard the knight's closing words, exclaimed. "We are in for a storm, and a heavy one, or my name is not Timothy Martin, and though with plenty of sea-room the Kitty makes not much ado about a storm more or less, it's a very different thing in the middle of a fleet of lubberly craft, which may run one down at any time. I shall edge out of them as soon as I can, you may be sure."[Pg 135]
Before morning a serious gale61 was blowing, and for the next three or four days Walter and his companions knew nothing of what was going on. Then the storm abated62, and they staggered out from their cabin. The sea was still high, but the sun shone brightly overhead. In front of them the land was visible. They looked round, but to their astonishment63 not a sail was in sight.
"Why, where is the fleet?" Walter exclaimed in astonishment.
"Snug64 in the Thames, I reckon," the captain said. "Soon after the storm came on one of the sailors pretended he saw the lights of recall on the admiral's ship; but I was too busy to look that way; I had enough to do to look after the safety of the ship. Anyhow, I saw no more of them."
"And what land is that ahead?" Walter asked.
"That is Brittany, young sir, and before nightfall we shall be in the port of Hennebon; as to the others, it may be days and it may be weeks before they arrive."
The lads were not sorry at the chance which had taken them to their destination before their companions and had given them a chance of distinguishing themselves. Late in the afternoon the ship dropped anchor off the castle of Hennebon, and Sir John Powis and his following were conveyed in the ship's boats to shore. The countess received them most graciously, and was delighted at the news that so strong a force was on its way to her aid.[Pg 136]
"In the absence of Sir Walter Manny, madam, I place myself and my men at your orders. Our horses will be landed the first thing in the morning, and we will then ride whithersoever you may bid us."
"Thanks, Sir John," the countess replied. "In that case I would that you ride by Rennes, toward which the army of the Duke of Normandy is already advancing. The garrison there is commanded by Sir William of Caddoudal, a good and valiant65 knight."
The horses were landed on the following morning, and accompanied by the four young squires and the men-at-arms, and followed by the twenty archers on foot, Sir John Powis set out for Rennes. They arrived there, but just in time, for the assailants were closing round the city. They were received with the greatest cordiality by the governor, who assigned apartments to Sir John and the squires, and lodged66 the men-at-arms and archers near them.
In a day or two the whole of the French army came up, and the siege commenced. Sir John Powis, his own request, was posted with his men for the defense of a portion of the wall which was especially open to the assaults of the enemy. These soon commenced in earnest, and the Genoese and Spanish mercenaries endeavored to carry the place by assault. Sometimes one point would be attacked, at others points far distant. Covered by the fire of the French cross-bowmen, the Spaniards and Germans came on to the assault, carrying ladders,[Pg 137] with which they strove to climb the walls, but the defenders67 plied16 them so vigorously with quarrels from their cross-bows and flights of arrows that they frequently desisted before reaching the walls. When they pushed on, and strove to ascend68, their luck was no better. Great stones were hurled69 down, and boiling oil poured upon them. The ladders were flung back, and many crushed by the fall, and in none of the assaults did they gain any footing in the town. Machines were used, but these were not sufficiently71 powerful to batter72 down the walls, and at the end of April the city was as far from being captured as it was on the day of the commencement of the siege.
Walter bore his full share in the fighting, but he had no opportunity of especially distinguishing himself, although Sir John several times commended him for his coolness when the bolts of the cross-bowmen and the stones from the machines were flying most thickly. But although as yet uninjured by the enemy's attacks, the prospect73 of the city holding out was not bright. The burghers, who had at first fought valiantly74, were soon wearied of the strife75, and of the hardships it entailed76 upon them. The siege had continued but a short time when they began to murmur77 loudly. The force under the command of the governor was but a small one, and it would have been impossible for him to resist the will of the whole population. For a time his exhortations78 and entreaties79 were attended with success, and the burghers returned to their[Pg 138] positions on the walls; but each time the difficulty became greater, and it was clear to Caddoudal and Sir John Powis that ere long the citizens would surrender the place in spite of them. The English knight was furious at the cowardliness of the citizens, and proposed to the governor to summon twenty of the leading burghers, and to hang them as a lesson to the others; but the governor shook his head.
"I have but two hundred men on whom I can rely, including your following, Sir John. We could not keep down the inhabitants for an hour; and were we to try to do so, they would open the gates and let in the French. No; I fear that we must await the end."
The following morning Sir John was awoke with the news that in the night Caddoudal had been seized and thrown into prison by the burghers, and that a deputation of citizens had already gone out through the gate to treat with the Duke of Normandy for the surrender of the city.
The English knight was furious, but with his little band he could do nothing, especially as he found that a strong guard of burghers had been placed at the door of the apartments occupied by him and the esquires, and he was informed that he must consider himself a prisoner until the conclusion of the negotiations.
Cowardly and faithless as the burghers of Rennes showed themselves to be, they nevertheless stipulated80 with the Duke of Normandy, as one of the[Pg 139] conditions of the surrender, that Caddoudal, Sir John Powis, and the troops under them should be permitted to pass through the French lines and go whithersoever they would. These terms were accepted. At mid-day the governor was released, and he with his men-at-arms and the band of Englishmen filed out from the city gate, and took their way unmolested through the lines of the French army to Hennebon.
They had been for a month in ignorance of all that had passed outside the walls, and had from day to day been eagerly looking for the arrival of Sir Walter Manny with his army to their relief. Once past the French lines they inquired of the peasantry, and heard to their surprise that the English fleet had not yet arrived.
"We were in luck indeed," Walter said to his companions, "that Captain Timothy Martin was in a hurry to get back to his tradings with the Flemings. Had he not been so we should all this time have been kicking our heels and fretting81 on board a ship."
On nearing Hennebon, Sir William Caddoudal, with Sir John Powis and the squires, rode forward and met the countess. They were the first bearers of the news of the surrender of Rennes, and the countess was filled with consternation82 at the intelligence. However, after her first burst of indignation and regret had passed, she put a brave face on it.
"They shall meet with another reception at Hen[Pg 140]nebon," she said. "This is but a small place, and my garrison here, and the soldiers you have brought, will well-nigh outnumber the burghers; and we need have no fear of such faint-heartedness as that which has given Nantes and Rennes into the hands of my enemy. The English aid cannot tarry long. Until it come we can assuredly hold the place."
All was now bustle83 in Hennebon. Sir John Powis took charge of a part of the walls, and busied himself with his men in placing the machines in position, and in preparing for defense. The countess, attired84 in armor, rode through the streets haranguing85 the townspeople. She urged the men to fight till the last, and bade the women and girls cut short their dresses so that they could the better climb the steps to the top of the walls, and that one and all should carry up stones, chalk, and baskets of lime to be cast down upon the assailants. Animated86 by her words and gestures, the townspeople set to work, and all vied with each other, from the oldest to the youngest, in carrying up stores of missiles to the walls. Never did Hennebon present such a scene of life and bustle. It seemed like an ant-hill which a passer-by has disturbed.
Absorbed in their work, none had time to think of the dangers which threatened them, and a stranger would rather have thought from their cheerful and animated countenances87 that they were preparing for a great fête than for a siege by an army to which the two chief towns in Brittany had succumbed88.
hennebon
The Citizens Prepare to Defend Hennebon.—Page 140.
[Pg 141]Ere long the French army was seen approaching. The soldiers, who had been laboring89 with the rest, buckled90 on their armor. The citizens gathered on the walls to hurl70 down the piles of stones which had been collected, and all prepared for the assault.
"Sir John Powis," the countess said, "I pray you to grant me one of your esquires, who may attend me while I ride about, and may bear my messages for me. He will not be idle, nor will he escape his share of the dangers; for, believe me, I do not intend to hide myself while you and your brave soldiers are fighting for me."
"Willingly, lady," Sir John answered. "Here is Walter Somers, the son of a good knight, and himself brave and prudent91 beyond his years; he will, I am sure, gladly devote himself to your service."
The French, encouraged by their successes, thought that it would be a comparatively easy task to capture so small a place as Hennebon, and as soon as their camp was pitched they moved forward to the attack.
"Come with me, Master Somers," the countess said. "I will mount to one of the watch-towers, where we may see all that passes."
Walter followed her, and marveled to see the lightness and agility92 with which the heroic countess, although clad in armor, mounted the rickety ladders to the summit of the watch-tower. The French were pressing forward to the assault; their cross-bowmen opened a heavy fire upon the walls, which was answered by the shafts93 of the little party[Pg 142] of English bowmen. These did much execution, for the English archers shot far harder and straighter than those of France, and it was only the best armor which could keep out their cloth-yard shafts. So small a body, however, could not check the advance of so large a force, and the French swarmed94 up to the very foot of the walls.
"Well done, my men!" the countess exclaimed, clapping her hands as a shower of heavy rocks fell among the mass of the assailants, who were striving to plant their ladders, crushing many in their fall; "but you are not looking, Master Somers. What is it that you see in yonder camp to withdraw your attention from such a fight?"
"I am thinking, countess, that the French have left their camp altogether unguarded, and that if a body of horse could make a circuit and fall upon it, the camp, with all its stores, might be destroyed before they could get back to save it."
"You are right, young sir," the countess exclaimed, "and it shall be done forthwith."
So saying, she descended96 the stairs rapidly and mounted her horse, which stood at the foot of the tower; then riding through the town, she collected a party of about three hundred men, bidding all she met mount their horses and join her at the gate on the opposite side to that on which the assault was taking place. Such as had no horses she ordered to take them from those in her own stables. Walter was mounted on one of the best of the count's chargers. Immediately the force was[Pg 143] collected, the gate was opened and the countess rode forth95 at their head. Making a considerable détour, the party rode without being observed into the rear of the French camp. Here only a few servants and horse-boys were found; these were at once killed or driven out; then all dismounting, set fire to the tents and stores; and ere the French were aware of what was going on, the whole of their camp was in flames. As soon as the conflagration97 was perceived, the French commanders drew off their men from the attack, and all ran at full speed toward the camp.
"We cannot regain12 the town," the countess said; "we will ride to Auray at full speed, and re?nter the castle when best we may."
Don Louis of Spain, who with a considerable following was fighting in the French ranks, hearing from the flying camp-followers that the countess herself was at the head of the party which had destroyed the camp, instantly mounted, and with a large number of horsemen set off in hot pursuit. A few of the countess' party who were badly mounted were overtaken and slain98, but the rest arrived safely at Auray, when the gates were shut in the face of their pursuers.
The blow was a heavy one for the besiegers, but they at once proceeded to build huts, showing that they had no intention of relinquishing99 the siege. Spies were sent from Auray, and these reported that the new camp was established on the site of the old one, and that the French evidently intended[Pg 144] to renew the attack upon the side on which they had first commenced, leaving the other side almost unwatched.
Accordingly, on the fifth day after leaving the town the countess prepared to return. Except Walter, none were informed of her intention, as she feared that news might be taken to the French camp by friends of Charles of Blois; but as soon as it was nightfall, and the gates were shut, the trumpet100 sounded to horse. In a few minutes the troop assembled in the market-place, and the countess, accompanied by Walter, placing herself at their head, rode out from the town. The strictest silence was observed. On nearing the town all were directed to dismount, to tear up the horse-cloths, and to muffle101 the feet of their horses. Then the journey was resumed, and so careless was the watch kept by the French that they passed through the sentries102 unobserved, and reached in safety the gate from which they had issued. As they neared it they were challenged from the walls, and a shout of joy was heard when Walter replied that the countess herself was present. The gates were opened and the party entered. The news of their return rapidly ran through the town, and the inhabitants, hastily attiring103 themselves, ran into the streets, filled with joy. Much depression had been felt during her absence, and few had entertained hopes that she would be able to re?nter the town. She had brought with her from Auray two hundred men, in addition to the party that had sallied out.
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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squires
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| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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archer
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| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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patrimony
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| n.世袭财产，继承物 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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barons
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| 男爵( baron的名词复数 )； 巨头； 大王； 大亨 | |
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aspirants
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| n.有志向或渴望获得…的人( aspirant的名词复数 )v.渴望的，有抱负的，追求名誉或地位的( aspirant的第三人称单数 )；有志向或渴望获得…的人 | |
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gentry
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feudal
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tenure
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| n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期 | |
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forefathers
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| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
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embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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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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renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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subtleties
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| 细微( subtlety的名词复数 )； 精细； 巧妙； 细微的差别等 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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levied
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| 征（兵）( levy的过去式和过去分词 )； 索取； 发动（战争）； 征税 | |
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43
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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fortresses
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| 堡垒，要塞( fortress的名词复数 ) | |
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besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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espouse
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| v.支持，赞成，嫁娶 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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53
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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54
altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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conspired
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| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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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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ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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72
batter
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| v.接连重击；磨损；n.牛奶面糊；击球员 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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valiantly
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| adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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76
entailed
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| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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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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exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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80
stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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81
fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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82
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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83
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
haranguing
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| v.高谈阔论( harangue的现在分词 ) | |
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86
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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87
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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89
laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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93
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 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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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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96
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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97
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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98
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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99
relinquishing
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
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100
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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101
muffle
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| v.围裹；抑制；发低沉的声音 | |
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102
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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103
attiring
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| v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的现在分词 ) | |
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