For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him. Iron could be ground by rubbing it upon stone, and if he could not cut off the burr of the rivet1 with the dagger, he might perhaps be able to wear it down, by rubbing it with a stone.
He at once turned to the walls of his cell. These were not built of the unbaked clay so largely used for houses of the poorer class in Northern Egypt, but had evidently been constructed either as a prison, or more probably as a strong room where some merchant kept valuable goods. It was therefore constructed of blocks of hard stone.
It seemed to Francis that this was sandstone, and to test its quality, he sat down in the corner where the guard had, the night before, placed his supply of food and water. First he moistened a portion of the wall, then he took up a link of his chain, and rubbed for some time against it. At last, to his satisfaction, a bright patch showed that the stone was capable of wearing away iron. But in vain did he try to twist his legs so as to rub the rivet against the wall, and he gave up the attempt as impossible.
It was clear, then, that he must have a bit of the stone to rub with. He at once began to dig with the dagger in the earth at the foot of the wall, to see if he could find any such pieces. For a long time he came across no chips, even of the smallest size. As he worked, he was most careful to stamp down the earth which he had moved, scattering5 over it the sand, of which there was an abundance in the corners of the room, to obliterate6 all traces of his work.
When breakfast time approached he ceased for a while, but after the meal had been taken, he recommenced the task. He met with little success till he reached the door, but here he was more fortunate. A short distance below the surface were a number of pieces of stone of various sizes, which, he had no doubt, had been cut from the blocks to allow for the fixing of the lintel and doorpost. He chose half a dozen pieces of the handiest sizes, each having a flat surface. Then replacing the earth carefully, he took one of the pieces in his hand, and moistening it with water, set to work.
He made little progress. Still the stone did wear the iron, and he felt sure that, by perseverance8, he should succeed in wearing off the burrs. All day he worked without intermission, holding a rag wrapped round the stone to deaden the sound. He worked till his fingers ached so that he could no longer hold it, then rested for an hour or two, and resumed his work. When his guard brought his dinner he asked him when the galley9 was to sail again.
"It was to have gone today," the man said, "but the captain has been laid up with fever. He has a leech10 from Tunis attending him, and, weak as he is, he is so bent11 on going that he would have had himself carried on board the ship, had not the leech said that, in that case, he would not answer for his life, as in the state his blood is in, his wounds would assuredly mortify12 did he not remain perfectly13 quiet. So he has agreed to delay for three days."
Francis was unable to work with the stone at night, for in the stillness the sound might be heard; but for some hours he hacked14 away with the dagger at the rivets on his manacles. The next morning he was at work as soon as the chirrup of the cicadas began, as these, he knew, would completely deaden any sound he might make. By nighttime the rivet ends on the irons round his ankles were worn so thin, that he felt sure that another hour's work would bring them level with the iron, and before he went to sleep the rivets on the wrist were in the same condition.
He learned from his guard, next morning, that the captain was better, that he was to be taken on board in the cool of the evening, and that the vessel15 would start as soon as the breeze sprang up in the morning. In the afternoon his two guards entered, and bade him follow them. He was conducted to the principal house in the village, and into a room where Ruggiero Mocenigo was lying on a couch.
"I have sent for you," Ruggiero said, "to tell you that I have not forgotten you. My vengeance17 has been delayed from no fault of mine, but it will be all the sweeter when it comes. I am going to fetch Polani's daughters. I have heard that, since you thrust yourself between me and them, you have been a familiar in the house, that Polani treats you as a member of the family, and that you are in high favour with his daughters. I have kept myself informed of what happened in Venice, and I have noted18 each of these things down in the account of what I owe you. I am going to fetch Polani's daughters here, and to make Maria my wife, and then I will show her how I treat those who cross my path. It will be a lesson to her, as well as for you. You shall wish yourself dead a thousand times before death comes to you."
"I always knew that you were a villain19, Ruggiero Mocenigo," Francis said quietly, "although I hardly thought that a man who had once the honour of being a noble of Venice, would sink to become a pirate and renegade. You may carry Maria Polani off, but you will never succeed through her in obtaining a portion of her father's fortune, for I know that, the first moment her hands are free, she will stab herself to the heart, rather than remain in the power of such a wretch20."
Ruggiero snatched up a dagger from a table by his couch as Francis was speaking, but dropped it again.
"Fool," he said. "Am I not going to carry off the two girls? and do you not see that it will tame Maria's spirit effectually, when she knows that if she lays hands on herself, she will but shift the honour of being my wife from herself to her sister?"
As the laugh of anticipated triumph rang in Francis's ears, the latter, in his fury, made a spring forward to throw himself upon the villain, but he had forgotten his chains, and fell headlong on to the floor.
"Guards," Ruggiero shouted, "take this fellow away, and I charge you watch over him securely, and remember that your lives shall answer for his escape."
"There is no need for threats, signor," Philippo said. "You can rely on our vigilance, though, as far as I see, if he had but a child to watch him he would be safe in that cell of his, fettered21 as he is."
Ruggiero waved his hand impatiently, and the two men withdrew with their prisoner.
"If it were not that I have not touched my share of the booty of our last trip," Philippo said as they left the house, "I would not serve him another day. As it is, as soon as the galley returns, and we get our shares of the money, and of the sum he has promised if this expedition of his is successful, I will be off. I have had enough of this. It is bad enough to be consorting22 with Moors23, without being abused and threatened as if one was a dog."
As soon as he was alone again, Francis set to work, and by the afternoon the ends of the four rivets were worn down level with the iron, and it needed but a pressure to make the rings spring open. Then he waited for the evening before freeing himself, as by some chance he might again be visited, and even if free before nightfall he could not leave the house.
Philippo was later than usual in bringing him his meal, and Francis heard angry words passing between him and his comrade, because he had not returned to relieve him sooner.
"Is everything ready for the start?" Francis asked the man as he entered.
"Yes, the crew are all on board. The boat is to be on shore for the captain at nine o'clock, and as there is a little breeze blowing, I expect they will get up sail and start at once."
After a few minutes' talk the man left, and Francis waited until it became almost dark, then he inserted the dagger between the irons at the point of junction24. At the first wrench25 they flew apart, and his left hand was free. A few minutes' more work and the chains lay on the ground.
Taking them up, he rattled26 them together loudly. In a minute he heard the guard outside move and come to the door, then the key was inserted in the lock and the door opened.
"What on earth are you doing now?" Philippo asked as he entered.
Francis was standing27 close to the door, so that as his guard entered he had his back to him, and before the question was finished he sprang upon him, throwing him headlong to the ground with the shock, and before the astonished man could speak he was kneeling upon him, with the point of the dagger at his throat.
"If you make a sound, or utter a cry," he exclaimed, "I will drive this dagger into your throat."
Philippo could feel the point of the dagger against his skin, and remained perfectly quiet.
"I do not want to kill you, Philippo. You have not been harsh to me, and I would spare your life if I could. Hold your hands back above your head, and put your wrists together that I may fasten them. Then I will let you get up."
Philippo held up his hands as requested, and Francis bound them tightly together with a strip of twisted cloth. He then allowed him to rise.
"Now, Philippo, I must gag you. Then I will fasten your hands to a bar well above your head, so that you can't get at the rope with your teeth. I will leave you here till your comrade comes in the morning."
"I would rather that you killed me at once, signor," the man said. "Thomaso will be furious at your having made your escape, for he will certainly come in for a share of the fury of the captain. There are three or four of the crew remaining behind, and no doubt they will keep me locked up till the ship returns, and in that case the captain will be as good as his word. You had better kill me at once."
"But what am I to do, Philippo? I must ensure my own safety. If you will suggest any way by which I can do that, I will."
"I would swear any oath you like, signor, that I will not give the alarm. I will make straight across the island, and get hold of a boat there, so as to be well away before your escape is known in the morning."
"Well, look here, Philippo. I believe you are sincere, and you shall take the oath you hold most sacred."
"You can accompany me, signor, if you will. Keep my hands tied till we are on the other side of the island, and stab me if I give the alarm."
"I will not do that, Philippo. I will trust you altogether; but first take the oath you spoke28 of."
Philippo swore a terrible oath, that he would abstain29 from giving the alarm, and would cross the island and make straight for the mainland. Francis at once cut the bonds.
"You will lose your share of the plunder30, Philippo, and you will have to keep out of the way to avoid the captain's rage. Therefore I advise you, when you get to Tunis, to embark31 in the first ship that sails. If you come to Venice, ask for me, and I will make up to you for your loss of booty, and put you in the way of leading an honest life again. But before going, you must first change clothes with me. You can sell mine at Tunis for enough to buy you a dozen suits like yours; but you must divide with me what money you now have in your possession, for I cannot start penniless."
"I thank you for your kindness," the man said. "You had it in your power, with a thrust of the dagger, to make yourself safe, and you abstained32. Even were it not for my oath, I should be a treacherous33 dog, indeed, were I to betray you. I do not know what your plans are, signor, but I pray you to follow my example, and get away from this place before daylight. The people here will all aid in the search for you, and as the island is not large, you will assuredly be discovered. It has for many years been a rendezvous34 of pirates, a place to which they bring their booty to sell to the traders who come over from the mainland."
"Thank you for your advice, Philippo, and be assured I shall be off the island before daybreak, but I have some work to do first, and cannot therefore accompany you."
"May all the saints bless you, signor, and aid you to get safe away! Assuredly, if I live, I will ere long present myself to you at Venice--not for the money which you so generously promised me, but that I may, with your aid, earn an honest living among Christians35."
By this time the exchange of clothes was effected, the six ducats in Philippo's purse--the result of a little private plundering36 on one of the captured vessels37--divided; and then they left the prison room, and Philippo locked the door after them.
"Is there any chance of Thomaso returning speedily?" Francis asked. "Because, if so, he might notice your absence, and so give the alarm before the ship sets sail, in which case we should have the whole crew on our tracks."
"I do not think that he will. He will be likely to be drinking in the wine shop for an hour or two before he returns. But I tell you what I will do, signor. I will resume my place here on guard until he has returned. He will relieve me at midnight, and in the darkness will not notice the change of clothes. There will still be plenty of time for me to cross the island, and get out of sight in the boat, before the alarm is given, which will not be until six o'clock, when I ought to relieve him again. As you say, if the alarm were to be given before the vessel sails, they might start at once to cut us off before we reach the mainland, for they would make sure that we should try to escape in that direction."
"That will be the best plan, Philippo; and now goodbye."
Francis walked down to the shore. There were no boats lying there of a size he could launch unaided, but presently he heard the sound of oars38, and a small fishing boat rowed by two men approached.
"Look here, lads," he said. "I want to be put on board the ship. I ought to have been on board three hours ago, but took too much wine, and lay down for an hour or two and overslept myself. Do you think you can row quietly up alongside so that I can slip on board unnoticed? If so I will give you a ducat for your trouble."
"We can do that," the fishermen said. "We have just come from the ship now, and have sold them our catch of today. There were half a dozen other boats lying beside her, bargaining for their fish. Besides they are taking on board firewood and other stores that have been left till the last moment. So jump in and we will soon get you there."
In a few minutes they approached the side of the ship.
"I see you have got half a dozen fish left in your boat now," Francis said.
"They are of no account," one of the men said. "They are good enough for our eating, but not such as they buy on board a ship where money is plentiful39. You are heartily40 welcome to them if you have a fancy for them."
"Thank you," Francis said. "I will take two or three of them, if you can spare them. I want to play a trick with a comrade."
As the fishermen said, there were several boats lying near the vessel, and the men were leaning over the sides bargaining for fish. Handing the fishermen their promised reward, Francis sprang up the ladder to the deck. He was unnoticed, for other men had gone down into the boats for fish.
Mingling41 with the sailors, he gradually made his way to the hatchway leading into the hold, descended42 the ladder, and stowed himself away among a quantity of casks, some filled with wine and some with water, at the farther end of the hold; and as he lay there devoutly43 thanked God that his enterprise had been so far successful.
Men came down from time to time with lanterns, to stow away the lately-arrived stores, but none came near the place where Francis was hidden. The time seemed long before he heard the clank of the capstan, and knew the vessel was being hove up to her anchors. Then, after a while, he heard the creaking of cordage, and much trampling44 of feet on the deck above, and knew that she was under way. Then he made himself as comfortable as he could, in his cramped45 position, and went off to sleep.
When he woke in the morning, the light was streaming down the hatch, which was only closed in rough weather, as it was necessary frequently to go down into it for water and stores. Francis had brought the fish with him as a means of subsistence during the voyage, in case he should be unable to obtain provisions, but for this there was no occasion, as there was an abundance of fruit hanging from the beams, while piles of bread were stowed in a partition at one end of the hold. During the day, however, he did not venture to move, and was heartily glad when it again became dark, and he could venture to get out and stretch himself. He appropriated a loaf and some bunches of grapes, took a long drink from a pail placed under the tap of a water butt46, and made his way back to his corner. After a hearty47 meal he went out again for another drink, and then turned in to sleep.
So passed six days. By the rush of water against the outside planks48, he could always judge whether the vessel was making brisk way or whether she was lying becalmed. Once or twice, after nightfall, he ventured up on deck, feeling certain that in the darkness there was no fear of his being detected. From conversation he overheard on the seventh evening, he learned that Corfu had been sighted that day. For some hours the vessel's sails had been lowered, and she had remained motionless; but she was now again making for the land, and in the course of another two hours a landing was to be made.
The boats had all been got in readiness, and the men were to muster49 fully7 armed. Although, as they understood, the carrying off of two girls was their special object, it was intended that they should gather as much plunder as could be obtained. The island was rich, for many wealthy Venetians had residences there. Therefore, with the exception of a few men left on board to take care of the galley, the whole were to land. A picked boat's crew were to accompany the captain, who was now completely convalescent. The rest were to divide in bands and scatter4 over the country, pillaging50 as they went, and setting fire to the houses. It was considered that such consternation51 would be caused that nothing like resistance could be offered for some time, and by daybreak all hands were to gather at the landing place.
How far this spot was from the town, Francis had no means of learning. There was a store of spare arms in the hold, and Francis, furnishing himself with a sword and large dagger, waited until he heard a great movement overhead, and then went upon deck and joined a gang of men employed in lowering one of the boats. The boat was a large one, rowing sixteen oars and carrying some twenty men seated in the stern. Here Francis took his place with the others. The boat pushed off and waited until four others were launched and filled. Then the order was given, and the boats rowed in a body towards the shore. The men landed and formed under their respective officers, one man remaining in each boat to keep it afloat.
Francis leaped ashore52, and while the men were forming up, found no difficulty in slipping away unnoticed. As he did not know where the path was, and was afraid of making a noise, he lay down among the rocks until he heard the word of command to start given. Then he cautiously crept out, and, keeping far enough in the rear to be unseen, followed the sound of their footsteps. By the short time which had elapsed between the landing and the start, he had no doubt they were guided by some persons perfectly acquainted with the locality, probably by some natives of the island among the mixed crew.
Francis had, during his voyage, thought over the course he should pursue on landing; and saw that, ignorant as he was of the country, his only hope was in obtaining a guide who would conduct him to Polani's villa16 before the arrival of Mocenigo and his band. The fact that the crew were divided into five parties, which were to proceed in different directions, and that he did not know which of them was commanded by the captain, added to the difficulty. Had they kept together he might, after seeing the direction in which they were going, make a detour53 and get ahead of them. But he might now follow a party going in an entirely54 wrong direction, and before he could obtain a guide, Mocenigo's band might have gone so far that they could not be overtaken before they reached the villa.
There was nothing to do but to get ahead of all the parties, in the hope of coming upon a habitation before going far. As soon, therefore, as the last band had disappeared, he started at a run. The country was open, with few walls or fences; therefore on leaving the road he was able to run rapidly forwards, and in a few minutes knew that he must be ahead of the pirates. Then he again changed his course so as to strike the road he had left.
After running for about a mile he saw a light ahead of him, and soon arrived at a cottage. He knocked at the door, and then entered. The occupants of the room--a man and woman, a lad, and several children--rose to their feet at the sudden entrance of the stranger.
"Good people," Francis said. "I have just landed from a ship, and am the bearer of important messages to the Signoras Polani. I have lost my way, and it is necessary that I should go on without a moment's delay. Can you tell me how far the villa of Polani is distant?"
"It is about three miles from here," the man said.
"I will give a ducat to your son if he will run on with me at once."
The man looked doubtful. The apparel and general appearance of Francis were not prepossessing. He had been six days a prisoner in the hold without means of washing.
"See," he said, producing a ducat, "here is the money. I will give it you at once if you will order your son to go with me, and to hurry at the top of his speed."
"It's a bargain," the man said.
"Here, Rufo! start at once with the signor."
"Come along, signor," the boy said; and without another word to the parents Francis followed him out, and both set off at a run along the road.
Francis had said nothing about pirates to the peasants, for he knew that, did he do so, such alarm would be caused that they would think of nothing but flight, and he should not be able to obtain a guide. It was improbable that they would be molested55. The pirates were bent upon pillaging the villas56 of the wealthy, and would not risk the raising of an alarm by entering cottages where there was no chance of plunder.
After proceeding57 a few hundred yards, the lad struck off by a byroad at right angles to that which they had been following, and by the direction he took Francis felt that he must at first have gone far out of his way, and that the party going direct to the villa must have had a considerable start. Still, he reckoned that as he was running at the rate of three feet to every one they would march, he might hope to arrive at the house well before them.
Not a word was spoken as they ran along. The lad was wondering, in his mind, as to what could be the urgent business that could necessitate58 its being carried at such speed; while Francis felt that every breath was needed for the work he had to do. Only once or twice he spoke, to ask how much further it was to their destination.
The last answer was cheering:
"A few hundred paces farther."
"There are the lights, signor. They have not gone to bed. This is the door."
Francis knocked with the pommel of his sword, keeping up a loud continuous knocking. A minute or two passed, and then a face appeared at the window above.
"Who is it that knocks so loudly at this time of night?"
"It is Francisco Hammond. Open instantly. Danger threatens the signoras. Quick, for your life!"
The servant recognized the voice, and ran down without hesitation59 and unbarred the fastening; but for a moment he thought he must have been mistaken, as Francis ran into the lighted hall.
"Where are the ladies?" he asked. "Lead me to them instantly."
But as he spoke a door standing by was opened, and Signor Polani himself, with the two girls, appeared. They had been on the point of retiring to rest when the knocking began, and the merchant, with his drawn60 sword, was standing at the door, when he recognized Francis' voice.
They were about to utter an exclamation61 of pleasure at seeing him, and of astonishment62, not only at his sudden arrival, but at his appearance, when Francis burst out:
"There is no time for a word. You must fly instantly. Ruggiero Mocenigo is close at my heels with a band of twenty pirates."
The girls uttered a cry of alarm, and the merchant exclaimed:
"Can we not defend the house, Francisco? I have eight men here, and we can hold it till assistance comes."
"Ruggiero has a hundred," Francis said, "and all can be brought up in a short time--you must fly. For God's sake, do not delay, signor. They may be here at any moment."
"Come, girls," Polani said.
"And you, too," he went on, turning to the servants, whom the knocking had caused to assemble. "Do you follow us. Resistance would only cost you your lives.
"Here, Maria, take my hand.
"Francisco, do you see to Giulia.
"Close the door after the last of you, and bolt it. It will give us a few minutes, before they break in and discover that we have all gone.
"Which way are the scoundrels coming?"
Francis pointed63 in the direction from which he had come, and the whole party started at a fast pace in the other direction. They had not been gone five minutes, when a loud and sudden knocking broke on the silence of the night.
"It was a close thing, indeed, Francisco," the merchant said, as they ran along close to each other. "At present I feel as if I was in a dream; but you shall tell us all presently."
They were, by this time, outside the grounds of the villa, and some of the servants, who knew the country, now took the lead. In a few minutes the merchant slackened his pace.
"We are out of danger now," he said. "They will not know in which direction to search for us; and if they scatter in pursuit we could make very short work of any that might come up with us."
"I do not know that you are out of danger," Francis said. "A hundred men landed. Mocenigo, with twenty, took the line to your house, but the rest have scattered64 over the country in smaller bands, bent on murder and pillage65. Therefore, we had best keep on as fast as we can, until well beyond the circle they are likely to sweep--that is, unless the ladies are tired."
"Tired!" Maria repeated. "Why, Giulia and I go for long walks every day, and could run for an hour, if necessary."
"Then come on, my dears," the merchant said. "I am burning to know what this all means; and I am sure you are equally curious; but nothing can be said till you are in safety."
Accordingly, the party again broke into a run. A few minutes later one of the servants, looking back, exclaimed:
"They have fired the house, signor. There are flames issuing from one of the lower windows."
"I expected that," the merchant said, without looking back. "That scoundrel would, in any case, light it in his fury at finding that we have escaped; but he has probably done so, now, in hopes that the light will enable him to discover us. It is well that we are so far ahead, for the blaze will light up the country for a long way round."
"There is a wood a little way ahead, signor," the servant said. "Once through that we shall be hidden from sight, however great the light."
Arrived at the wood, they again broke into a walk. A few hundred yards beyond the wood was some rising ground, from which they could see far over the country.
"Let us stop here," the merchant said. "We are safe now. We have placed two miles between ourselves and those villains66."
The villa was now a mass of flames. Exclamations67 of fury broke from the men servants, while the women cried with anger at the sight of the destruction.
"Do not concern yourselves," the merchant said. "The house can be rebuilt, and I will see that none of you are the poorer for the loss of your belongings68.
"Now, girls, let us sit down here and hear from Francisco how it is that he has once again been your saviour69."
"Before I begin, signor, tell me whether there are any ships of war in the port, and how far that is distant from us?"
"It is not above six miles on the other side of the island. That is to say, we have been going towards it since we left the villa.
"See," he broke off, "there are flames rising in three or four directions. The rest of those villains are at their work."
"Yes. Three ships were sent here, on the report that a Moorish71 pirate had been cruising in these waters, and that several vessels were missing. When the story first came I did not credit it. The captain of the ship who brought the news told me he had met you about halfway72 across, and had told you about the supposed pirate. A vessel arrived four days later, and brought letters from my agent, but he said no word about your boat having arrived.
"Then I became uneasy; and when later news came, and still no word of you, I felt sure that something must have befallen you; that possibly the report was true, and that you had fallen into the hands of the pirates. So I at once started, in one of the galleys which the council were despatching in answer to the request of the governor here."
"In that case, signor, there is not a moment to lose. The governor should be informed that the pirate is lying on the opposite coast, and that his crew have landed, and are burning and pillaging. If orders are issued at once, the galleys could get round before morning, and so cut off the retreat of these miscreants73."
"You are quite right," Polani said, rising at once. "We will go on without a moment's delay! The girls can follow slowly under the escort of the servants."
"Oh, papa," Maria exclaimed, "you are not going to take Francisco away till we have heard his story! Can you not send forward the servants with a message to the governor?"
"No, my dear. The governor will have gone to bed, and the servants might not be able to obtain admittance to him. I must go myself. It is for your sakes, as well as for my own. We shall never feel a moment's safety, as long as this villain is at large. Francisco's story will keep till tomorrow.
"As to your gratitude74 and mine, that needs no telling. He cannot but know what we are feeling, at the thought of the almost miraculous75 escape you have had from falling into the hands of your persecutor76.
"Now come along, Francisco.
"One of you men who knows the road had better come with us. Do the rest of you all keep together.
"Two miles further, girls, as you know, is a villa of Carlo Maffene. If you feel tired, you had best stop and ask for shelter there. There is no fear that the pirates will extend their ravages77 so far. They will keep on the side of the island where they landed, so as to be able to return with their booty before daybreak to the ship."
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1
rivet
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| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
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rivets
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| 铆钉( rivet的名词复数 ) | |
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dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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4
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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5
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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6
obliterate
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| v.擦去，涂抹，去掉...痕迹，消失，除去 | |
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7
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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9
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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mortify
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| v.克制，禁欲，使受辱 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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hacked
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| 生气 | |
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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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villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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fettered
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| v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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consorting
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| v.结伴( consort的现在分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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23
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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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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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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abstained
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| v.戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的过去式和过去分词 )；弃权（不投票） | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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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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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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42
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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pillaging
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的现在分词 ) | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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detour
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| n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道 | |
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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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molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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villas
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| 别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )； （城郊）住宅 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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58
necessitate
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| v.使成为必要，需要 | |
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59
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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60
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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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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pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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70
galleys
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| n.平底大船，战舰( galley的名词复数 )；（船上或航空器上的）厨房 | |
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71
moorish
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| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
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72
halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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73
miscreants
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| n.恶棍，歹徒( miscreant的名词复数 ) | |
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74
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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75
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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76
persecutor
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| n. 迫害者 | |
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77
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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