"A very strange one, master. Lord Grey would tear his hair, if he knew that those two pretty birds had been hiding in the cage all day, and he never knew it. However, I see not that it can do us harm. Nay1, more, there is a probability that it may even benefit us, for if it should happen, by ill fortune, we should ever fall into the hands of the Welsh, and they should abstain2 from cutting our throats then and there, perchance these young ladies would repay the service we have rendered them, by taking us under their protection."
"It may be so, indeed, Roger, though I hope that I shall never hear more of tonight's adventure. We may reason as we will, but there is no doubt that, although we had no instructions touching3 the capture of women, we have failed in our duty."
"That will in no way trouble me, Master Oswald. When I was a monk4, I failed in my duty scores of times, and am no whit5 the worse for it; rather the better, indeed, since it is owing to my failures that I am now a free man-at-arms, instead of being mewed up for life in a convent. I shall not sleep one wink6 less, for having saved two of the prettiest girls I ever saw from having been shut up, for years, in a prison."
"I am afraid your sense of duty is not strong, Roger."
"I am afraid not, master, saving in the matter of doing my duty in face of an enemy."
"You mean, Roger, that you will do your duty when it so pleases you, and not otherwise."
"I expect that is the way with a good many of us," Roger laughed. "I wonder whether Lord Grey had any idea that Glendower's daughters were in the house when we arrived there?"
"I know not, but I remember now that they had men searching, for some time, for signs of secret passages. Whether it was from any idea that Glendower's daughters might be hidden away, I know not."
"Truly it might have been," Roger said, "for I saw, among the spoil that was carried off when the others rode for Chirk, some silks and stuffs that looked like feminine garments.
"There is somebody coming across from the next post," he broke off. "Doubtless it is the captain. You would not tell him what we have done?"
"Certainly not, Roger. My uncle is an old soldier, and though he would not, for my sake, say anything about it, I think not that he would approve of what has been done. 'Tis best, at any rate, to keep it entirely7 to ourselves."
"All quiet here, as elsewhere?" Alwyn asked as he came up.
"All quiet, Uncle."
"'Tis well; for although methinks that we could hold the place against the Welshmen, we could hardly hope that some of our posts would not be cut off, before they could reach the house. It is well to keep watch, but the more I think of it, the more I feel that Glendower will scarce attack us. He could not hold the place, did he gain it; and it might well be that, after we were turned out again, the place would be destroyed, seeing that it would need two or three hundred men to be shut up here, in garrison8."
After waiting half an hour, Alwyn again made the round of the posts, and then went in to rouse the party that were to relieve them. As soon as these issued out, the sentries9 were called in, and stretched themselves for three hours' sleep.
Before day dawned, a messenger rode in from Chirk, bearing Earl Talbot's orders for the evacuation of the house, as there could be no advantage in retaining it; and, were it empty, Glendower might return there, and afford them another opportunity for capturing him.
On the following day the party broke up. Lord Grey rode with his men to Ruthyn, and the forty men-at-arms from Ludlow returned to that town; where, a few days later, the news arrived that Glendower, with a large following, had established himself on the rugged10 height of Corwen, and was engaged in strengthening the ancient fortifications on its summit.
For a time there was quiet on the border, and then came the startling news that Glendower had suddenly surprised, plundered11, and burnt to the ground the town of Ruthyn, where a fair was being held at the time. Then, having obtained great booty, and greatly injured his enemy Lord Grey, he again retired12. It was evident that no local force of sufficient strength could be found to pursue Glendower into his fastnesses on the ranges of Berwyn and Snowdon, and nothing was done until, three months later, the king, on his return from Scotland, marched into Wales with the levies13 of Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and eight other adjacent counties, while orders were issued to the people of Shrewsbury, and other towns on the eastern border, to hold themselves in readiness to repel14 any movement of the Welsh in that direction.
The king, however, accomplished15 nothing. Glendower, with his following, took refuge among the forests of Snowdon; and the English army marched along the north coast, putting to the sword a few bands of peasantry, who ventured to oppose them; crossed to the Isle16 of Anglesey and, entering the Franciscan monastery17 of Llanfaes, slew18 some of the monks19 and carried the rest to England, and established a community of English monks in the convent. This was done because the Franciscans had been supporters of the late king, and were believed to have given aid and encouragement to Glendower.
For a time, matters settled down. Glendower was occupied in strengthening his position. So much had his reputation spread, that large numbers of Welshmen who had settled in England now sold their property, gave up their positions and abandoned their careers, and made their way across the border to join him. Still, for some months no operations were undertaken, on either side; and, a week after the return of the king and his forces, Sir Edmund Mortimer said to Oswald:
"I will no longer keep you and your following from your lord's side. I have largely strengthened my garrison, and twenty men, however valiant21, are no longer of importance. As you know, I should not have asked Percy to aid me, had I not thought that, perchance, he might have come himself, bringing with him two or three hundred men; and that my sister might have accompanied him. Maybe, if matters go on quietly on the northern marches, he may be able to do so yet; but I fear that the Scotch will take advantage of the troubles here, and may, for aught I know, have entered into communication with Glendower, so that they may together harass22 the kingdom. I have written several times to him, telling him what good service you and his men have rendered; and that I would I had five hundred such good fighters with me, in which case I would undertake, single handed, to bring this fellow to reason.
"I have written a letter which I will hand you to deliver, saying that, as at present things are quiet and Glendower is in hiding among the mountains, I have sent you back to him; not without the hope that, should greater events take place, he himself will come hither, for a while, to give me the benefit of his knowledge of border warfare23, even if he comes accompanied only by my sister and a dozen spears. I may tell you that, some two months since, he wrote saying that he should be glad to have you, and the captain of his garrison of Alnwick, back again; and I then wrote to him, saying that while the king was in Wales I would hold you, seeing that Glendower might make a great foray here, while the king was hunting for him in the north; but that, as soon as he left with his army, I would send you home."
Alwyn and the men were all well pleased when they heard that they were to return; for, since the raid on Glendower's house, their life had been a dull one, to which even the fact that they were receiving pay from Sir Edmund, as well as from Percy, was insufficient24 to reconcile them; and it was with light hearts that they started, on the following morning, for the north, arriving at Alnwick ten days after leaving. Sir Hotspur came down into the courtyard, as they rode into the castle.
"Welcome back, Oswald; and you, my trusty Alwyn!
"I thank you all, my men, for the manner in which you have borne yourselves, and that you have shown the men of the west how stoutly25 we Northumbrians can hold our own, in the day of battle. I am glad, indeed, to find that all that went have returned home; some bearing scars, indeed, but none disabled. I will instruct your captain to grant all of you a month's leave, to pay a visit to your families.
"You must sup with us tonight, Alwyn, and give us a full account of your doings, and also your frank opinion as to the state of things in the west, and the probability of long trouble with this strange Welshman, who has so boldly taken up arms, and defied the strength of England."
It was nearly a year since the party had left Alnwick, and Oswald had, in that time, greatly increased in height and strength. He was now eighteen, and as he was nearly six feet in height, and his figure had filled out greatly since he had left his home, he might well have passed as three or four years older than his real age. That evening, Alwyn gave a full account of their fray27 with the Welsh.
"These men fight stoutly, Alwyn," Percy said, when he had concluded his story.
"Right stoutly, Sir Henry, and were their discipline equal to their bravery, they would be formidable opponents, indeed; but as it is, they are quite unable to stand against men-at-arms in a set battle. In this respect they are by no means equal to the Scotch, but for surprises, or irregular fighting, I could wish to see no better men."
"It is an unfortunate affair," Percy said. "It seemed that we had finished with Wales, at Llewellyn's death, and that the two nations had become one. In London, and many other places, they were settled among us. Numbers of them studied at our universities, and in Shropshire, Radnor, Flint, and other border counties I have heard that most of the labouring men were Welsh, and have come to speak our language; and indeed, they form no small portion of the garrisons28 of the castles; so much so that I fear that, should the Welsh really ravage29 the border counties, 'tis like that not a few of the castles will fall into their hands by the treachery of their fellow countrymen in the garrisons.
"Sir Edmund speaks very highly of you, Oswald, not only for your behaviour in the fight, which was reported to him by Sir James Burgon, a knight30 well fitted to judge in such matters, but as an inmate31 of his castle. He said that, from your conversation, he has conceived a high opinion of you.
"At present things are somewhat quiet here, and it were well that you should, like your uncle, take a holiday for a time, and visit your father and mother. They have sent over, several times, for news of you."
The next morning Oswald mounted and rode off, attended by Roger, who had asked Oswald to take him with him, as he had no relations he cared to visit. Alwyn was going for a few days only, and indeed, would probably have declined to take a holiday at all, had not Oswald earnestly begged him to go with him.
"'Tis two years since you have been there," Oswald said.
"That is so, Oswald, but I have often been longer without seeing my brother; and, in truth, of late I have had so little to do, with but twenty men to look after, that I long for regular work and drill again. Still, it were best that I went with you. There are turbulent times on hand, both on this border, in Wales, and maybe in France. I may get myself killed, and your father's house may be harried32 again by the Bairds, and he may not succeed in getting off scatheless33, as he did last time; and I should blame myself, afterwards, if I had not seen him, and shaken his hand, when I had an opportunity such as the present."
Oswald had seen so much, during the two years that had passed since he first left the hold that, as he rode towards it, it seemed strange that everything should be going on as if it was but the day before that he had ridden away--the only difference being that the hold looked strangely small, and of little account, after the many strong castles he had seen.
As soon as they reached the moor34, within sight of the hold, a horseman was seen to leave it, and ride at a gallop35 towards them.
"That is ever the way," Oswald said; "we like to know, when a visitor is seen, whether he comes as friend or foe36."
As the moss37 trooper rode up, and was about to put the customary question, he recognized Oswald; and, wheeling his pony38 without a word, dashed off at full gallop, waving his spear and shouting, as he approached the hold.
They rode at a canter after him and, as they reached the entrance, his father and mother appeared at the door at the top of the steps. The latter ran down the steps and, as Oswald leapt from his horse, threw her arms round his neck.
"Thank God you are back again, my boy!" she cried; "though as yet, I can hardly believe that this tall fellow is my Oswald. But otherwise you are in no way changed."
"I think, Mother, that you are looking better than when I saw you last."
"I am well, dear," she said. "We have had a quiet year, and no cause for anxiety, and things have gone well with us; and it has been pleasant, indeed, for us to have received such good news of your doings, and to know that you stood so well with Hotspur."
Oswald now ran up the steps to greet his father, who was already talking with Alwyn, who had slipped off his horse and run to speak to his brother, while Oswald was occupied with his mother.
"Well, lad," John Forster said, laying his hand upon his shoulder, and looking him up and down, "you have grown well nigh into manhood. I always said that you would over top me, and though methinks that I have still three inches of advantage, you have yet time to grow up to look down on me.
"Well, you have done credit to us, boy, and your monkish39 reading and writing has not harmed you, as I was afraid it would. Alwyn tells me that no man of Percy's troop did better than you, in that fight with the Welsh; save, mayhap, that big man-at-arms down there, who, he tells me, cracked the skulls40 of four Welshmen who were trying to stab you, besides those he disposed of on his own account."
"I owe him my life, indeed, Father. He is a man after your own heart, strong and brave and hearty42, even jovial43 when occasion offers. He can troll out a border lay with the best, and can yet read and write as well as an abbot. His name is Roger."
"Come up, Roger," John Forster shouted, "and give me a grip of your hand. You have saved my son's life, as he tells me; and, so long as you live, there will be a nook by the fire, here, and a hearty welcome, when you are tired of soldiering."
"In truth, you are a mighty44 man," he went on, after he and Roger had exchanged a grip that would have well nigh broken the bones of an ordinary man. "I have been looked upon as one able to strike as hard a blow as any on the border; but assuredly, you would strike a heavier one. Why, man, you must be five or six inches bigger, round the chest, than I am."
"You have been an active man from your youth," Roger replied, "ever on horseback and about, while I spent years with nought45 to do but eat and drink, and build up my frame, in a monastery."
"Oswald told us, in his letters, that you had been a monk; but had, with the consent of the abbot, unfrocked yourself."
"It was so," Roger replied, with a laugh. "Methinks that it was a happy day for the abbot, as well as for myself, when I laid aside my gown; for I fear that I gave him more trouble than all the rest of his convent. Besides, it was as if a wolf's cub46 had been brought up among a litter of ladies' lapdogs--it was sure to be an ill time for both."
"And for how long are you at home with us, brother Alwyn?" John Forster asked, presently.
"I am here for a week only, John; but Oswald has leave for a month, seeing that, at present, there is no great chance of Hotspur needing his services. The Scotch are quiet since the king returned, I hear."
"Ay, they are as quiet as is their nature to be, but 'tis not likely to last long. I went not with the army, but I hear that Henry behaved so gently that the Scotch feel that it would be almost an act of ingratitude47 to meddle48 with us, for a time. However, that will not last long. Next spring they will doubtless be storming down over the hills again."
The holiday passed delightfully49 to Oswald. Roger enjoyed it even more. It was so long since the latter had been permitted the freedom of riding at will, over mountain and moor, that he was like a schoolboy enjoying an altogether unwonted holiday. He and Oswald scoured51 the country, sometimes returning late in the afternoon, but often staying for the night at the houses of one or other of Oswald's friends. Once they crossed the border, and rode to the Armstrongs', where they stopped for a couple of days, bringing Allan and Janet back with them; for Roxburgh was still held by the English, and unless when hostilities52 were actively53 going on, the people of the border, save the marauders, who were always ready to seize any opportunity that offered of carrying off booty, were on friendly terms, and maintained frequent intercourse54 with each other.
Alwyn had returned to Alnwick when his leave was up. He had spent his time quietly at the hold. He and his brother had discussed many plans by which its defences could be strengthened, but arrived at the same conclusion: that it could defend itself, at present, against any small party, but must yield, however much its defences were increased, at the approach of an invading army; since, even with the assistance of the inhabitants of the surrounding districts, it could not maintain itself until an army was gathered, and the invaders55 driven out.
Occasionally an afternoon was devoted56 to sports on the moor; and, on one occasion, John Forster sent messengers down to Yardhope, and other villages on the Coquet, and to the holds of his neighbours; inviting57 them to come to a gathering58, at which there would be prizes for riding, wrestling, running, shooting, and feats59 of arms on horseback and foot, and at which all comers would be entertained.
The result was a gathering such as had not taken place, in that part of the country, for years. Over a thousand people assembled, comprising women as well as men. The sports began early, and the various events were all eagerly contested. Ralph Gray won the horse race, a horse which he had brought from the south being far superior, in speed, to any of the smaller border horses; although, had the trial been for endurance, it would have had but small chance with them. The shooting was close, one of Percy Hope's men winning at last. The quarterstaff prize was awarded to Long Hackett, one of John Forster's retainers. At wrestling Roger bore off the palm. Some of his opponents were, in the opinion of lookers on, more skilled at the sport; but his weight and strength more than counterbalanced this, and one after another tried, in vain, to throw him to the ground; succumbing60, themselves, as soon as he put out his strength, and theirs began to be exhausted61; when, drawing them up to him with irresistible62 strength, he laid them quietly on the ground.
Oswald himself carried off the palm in a mile foot race.
At one o'clock the sports were concluded. While they had been going on, a score of men were attending to the great joints63 roasting over bonfires, six bullocks having been slaughtered64 the day before. Ducks, geese, and chickens innumerable were also cooking; while, for the table in the hold, at which the principal guests sat down, were trout65, game, and venison pasties. Here wine was provided, while outside a long row of barrels of beer were broached66, for the commonalty.
Dinner over, there was singing and dancing. Alwyn had engaged, and sent from Alnwick, a score of musicians. These were divided into five parties, stationed at some little distance apart, and round these the younger portion of the gathering soon grouped themselves; while the elders listened to border lays sung by wandering minstrels. The days were shortening fast and, as many of those present had twenty miles to ride, by six o'clock the amusements came to an end, and the gathering scattered67 in all directions, delighted with the day's proceedings68; which, although they would have been thought of but small account in the southern counties, were rare, indeed, in a district so thinly populated, and so frequently engaged in turmoil69 and strife70.
Except in the running match, Oswald had engaged in none of the contests, he being fully50 occupied in aiding his mother in welcoming the guests, and seeing to their comfort; while his father, assisted by his friends, Hope, Gray, and Liddel, superintended the arrangements for the sports, and acted as judges. In the afternoon, Oswald and his cousins had joined heartily71 in the dances, and enjoyed the day to the full as much as their visitors.
Gatherings72 of this kind were not uncommon73. Shooting, wrestling, and sword-playing for the men, and dancing on the green for the young people, took place at most of the village fairs; but the gathering at Yardhope was long talked about, as a special occasion, from the hospitality in which all were included, and the number of the heads of the border families who were present, and took part in the proceedings.
Oswald's mother had been the prime mover in the matter. She was proud of her son, and thought that it was a good occasion to present him to the countryside, as one who was now arriving at manhood, and was likely, in time, to make a figure on the border. John Forster had at first declared that it was wholly unnecessary, and that such a thing had never taken place in his time, or in his father's before him.
"That may be, husband," she said, "but Oswald has been away from us for two years, and it may be as much more before he returns. He is like to become a knight, before long--Alwyn said that the lad was sure to win his spurs--and it would be well that he should not slip out of the memory of folks here. Besides, we have his cousins, and it is well that they should carry back news that, in spite of the troublous times, we can yet be merry on suitable occasions.
"The cost will not be very great. The meat can scarcely be counted, seeing that we have as many cattle on the moor as can pick up a living there. Moreover, our neighbours all gave us a helping74 hand, to repair the hold after it was sacked last year, and 'tis but right that we should hold some sort of gathering, and this will do for the two purposes."
The last argument had more weight with John Forster than the former ones. Once having consented, he took as much interest in it as did his wife; and dug up the pot in which he stowed away any sums that remained, at the end of each year, over and above the expenses of the hold; and provided all that was required, without stinting75.
Three days after the gathering, the Armstrongs returned home, and Oswald rode with Roger to Alnwick. The next three months passed quietly and uneventfully. Snow was lying deep on the Cheviots, and until spring there was little chance of the Scotch making a foray.
Oswald worked hard in the hall, where the knights76 kept themselves in exercise, practised with the young squires78, and superintended the drilling and practice of the men-at-arms, of whom the number at the castle had been much increased; for none doubted that in the spring the Scots would, after Henry's invasion, pay a return visit to England, and that the northern counties would need a very strong force to hold them in check.
He was, several times, sent by Percy with messages to the governors of Roxburgh and Jedburgh, and to other commanders; calling upon them to be vigilant79, and to send in lists of arms and stores required, so that all should be in good order to make a stout26 resistance, when the need came.
When he had received no special orders to return with speed to Alnwick, Oswald generally found time to pay a visit of a few hours to the Armstrongs. On these excursions Roger and another man-at-arms always rode with him, for it would not have been becoming for a squire77, and messenger of Hotspur, to ride without such escort.
Alwyn had picked out, for Roger's use, one of the strongest horses in the castle. It was not a showy animal, having a big ugly head, and being vicious in temper; therefore, after some trial, it had been handed over to the men-at-arms, instead of being retained for the service of the knights. It had, at first, tried its best to establish a mastership over the trooper; but it soon found that its efforts were as nothing against the strength of its rider, and that it might as well try to shake off its saddle as to rid itself of the trooper, the grip of whose knees almost stopped its breathing. Oswald, too, was very well mounted, Sir Edmund Mortimer having presented him with one of the best horses in the stable, upon his leaving him.
Upon nearing Hiniltie one day, just as the new year had begun, Oswald was alarmed at seeing smoke wreaths ascending80 from the knoll81 behind the village upon which the Armstrongs' hold stood. Galloping82 on, he soon saw that his first impressions were correct, and that his uncle's tower was on fire. He found the village in confusion.
"The hold was suddenly attacked, two hours ago," a man said. "A party of reivers rode through here. None had seen them coming, and there was no time for us to take our women and children, and hurry to the shelter of the hold. Adam Armstrong is away at Roxburgh. Young Allan, with what few men there were at the hold, had but just time to shut the gates; but these were hewed84 down, in a short time, by the troopers. There was a stout fight as they entered. Allan was cut down and left for dead, and the troopers were all killed. Dame85 Armstrong was slain86, and her daughters carried off by the reivers; and these, as soon as they had sacked the house, set it alight and galloped87 off. Most of the men here were away in the fields, or with the flocks in the valleys, and we were too few to hinder them, and could but shut ourselves up in the houses, until they had gone."
"It is terrible," he said, at last. "Aunt killed, Janet and Jessie carried away, and Allan wounded, perhaps to death!"
"Whence came these villains89?" he asked suddenly. "From beyond the Cheviots? It can hardly be so, for this part is under the governor of Roxburgh, and no English raiders would dare to meddle with any here. Besides, my uncle has always been on good terms with them, holding himself aloof90 from all quarrels, and having friends and relations on both sides of the border."
"We believe that it was the Bairds," a man said. "There has long been a standing91 quarrel between them and the Armstrongs, partly about stolen cattle, but more, methinks, because of the relationship between the Armstrongs and your people"--for Oswald's visits to his uncle had made his face familiar to the villagers--"and they say that the Bairds have sworn that they will never rest, until they have slain the last of the Forsters."
"Where is Allan Armstrong?"
"They have carried him down to the last house in the village. The priest and Meg Margetson, who knows more of wounds and simples than anyone here, are with him."
"Has his mother's body been recovered?"
The man shook his head.
"The hold was on fire, from roof to cellar, before they left," he said. "I and others ran up there, directly they had galloped away. The house was like a furnace. And indeed, we knew not of her death until a boy, who had seen her slain, and had dropped from a window and hidden himself till they had gone, came out and told us. He, and two or three others, are the only ones left alive of those in the hold, when we arrived and saved young Allan; and indeed, whether he lives now, or not, I know not. The priest said, when we carried him in, that his state was almost beyond hope."
Oswald galloped on to the end of the village, leapt from his horse, and threw the reins to Roger, who had been muttering words that he certainly would not have found in the missals, or the books, of the monastery.
"Is there nothing to be done, Master Oswald?"
"Not at present. We must wait till my uncle returns."
Then he entered the house. He had met the priest frequently, during his stay with the Armstrongs; as he entered the room, he was standing by a pallet on which Allan was laid, while a very old woman was attending to a decoction that was boiling over the fire.
"Is there any hope, father?"
"I know not," the priest replied, shaking his head sorrowfully. "We have stanched92 the wounds, but his head is well nigh cleft93 open. I have some skill in wounds, for they are common enough in this unfortunate country, and I should say that there was no hope; but Meg here, who is noted94 through the country round for her knowledge in these matters, thinks that it is possible he may yet recover. She is now making a poultice of herbs that she will lay on the wound; or rather on the wounds, for he has no less than four."
"I think that he will live, young master," the old woman said in a quavering, high-pitched voice. "'Tis hard to kill an Armstrong. They have ever been a hardy95 race and, save the lad's father, have ever been prone96 to the giving and taking of blows. I watched by his grandfather's bed, when he was in as sore a strait as this; but he came round, and was none the worse for it, though the blow would have killed any man with a softer skull41.
"A curse upon the Bairds, I say. They have ever been a race of thieves and raiders, and it is their doings that have brought trouble on the border, as long as I can remember."
"Has any gone to bear the news to Adam Armstrong, father?"
"Yes. I sent off a messenger on horseback, as soon as they had gone. Adam left early, and the man will meet him on his way back."
Half an hour later, indeed, Adam Armstrong rode in. Oswald met him outside. His face was set and hard, and Oswald would scarce have recognized the kindly97, genial98 man who had always received him so heartily.
"There are hopes that he will live," Oswald said.
There was a slight change in the expression of Armstrong's face.
"'Tis well," he said, "that one should be saved, to take revenge for this foul99 business. All the others are gone."
"I hope we may rescue my cousins."
"We might as well try to rescue a young lamb, that had been carried off by an eagle," he said bitterly. "Even could an archer100 send a shaft101 through the bird's breastbone, the lamb would be bleeding and injured, beyond all hope, ere it touched the ground. We may revenge, Oswald, but I have no hope of rescue."
Then he went into the house, without further word.
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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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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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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14
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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15
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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16
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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17
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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18
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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19
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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20
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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21
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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22
harass
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| vt.使烦恼，折磨，骚扰 | |
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23
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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24
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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25
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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27
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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28
garrisons
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| 守备部队，卫戍部队( garrison的名词复数 ) | |
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29
ravage
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| vt.使...荒废，破坏...；n.破坏，掠夺，荒废 | |
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30
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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31
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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32
harried
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| v.使苦恼( harry的过去式和过去分词 )；不断烦扰；一再袭击；侵扰 | |
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33
scatheless
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| adj.无损伤的，平安的 | |
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34
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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35
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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36
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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37
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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38
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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39
monkish
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| adj.僧侣的，修道士的，禁欲的 | |
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40
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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41
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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42
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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44
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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45
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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46
cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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47
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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48
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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49
delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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50
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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51
scoured
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| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
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52
hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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53
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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54
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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55
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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57
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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58
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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59
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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60
succumbing
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的现在分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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61
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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62
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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63
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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64
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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66
broached
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| v.谈起( broach的过去式和过去分词 )；打开并开始用；用凿子扩大（或修光）；（在桶上）钻孔取液体 | |
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67
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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68
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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69
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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70
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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71
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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72
gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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73
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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74
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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75
stinting
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| v.限制，节省（stint的现在分词形式） | |
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76
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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77
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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78
squires
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| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
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79
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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80
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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81
knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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82
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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83
reining
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的现在分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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84
hewed
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的过去式和过去分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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85
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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86
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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87
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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88
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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89
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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90
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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91
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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92
stanched
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| v.使（伤口）止血( stanch的过去式 )；止（血）；使不漏；使不流失 | |
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93
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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94
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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95
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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96
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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97
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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98
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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99
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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100
archer
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| n.射手，弓箭手 | |
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101
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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