Retiring to the depths of the forest, great fires were made. Sheep, fowls4, and other articles of provision, which had been brought back, were killed and prepared. Huge bonfires were lit, and the party, secure that, for twenty-four hours at least, the Spaniards could attempt no retributive measures, sat down to enjoy the banquet.
They had driven with them a few small bullocks, and also some scores of sheep. These, however, were not destined5 for the spit. They were to be placed in the heart of their country; so that, unless disturbed by the Spaniards, they might prove a source of future sustenance6 to them.
There was wild feasting that night, with dances, and songs of triumph in the negro and native dialects; and Ned and Gerald were lauded7 and praised, as the authors of the change which had taken place in the condition of the fugitives9. Even the stern severity of Ned's act was thoroughly10 approved; and it was agreed, again, that anyone refusing to obey the orders of the white chiefs should forfeit11 his life.
The blow which the negroes had struck caused intense consternation12 throughout Hispaniola. The younger, and more warlike spirits were in favor of organizing an instant crusade, for sending to the other islands for more troops, for surrounding the forest country, and for putting the last of the negroes to the sword. More peaceful counsels, however, prevailed; for it was felt that the whole open country was, as Ned had told the governor, at their mercy; that the damage which could be inflicted would be enormous; and the satisfaction of putting the fugitives to death, even if they were finally conquered, would be but a poor recompense for the blow which might be given to the prosperity and wealth of the island. All sorts of schemes were mooted13, by which the runaways14 could be beguiled16 into laying down their arms, but no practicable plan could be hit upon.
In the meantime, in the mountains, the bands improved in drill and discipline. They had now gained some confidence in themselves, and gave themselves up heartily17 to the work. Portions of land, too, were turned up; and yams and other fruits, on a larger scale than had hitherto been attempted, were planted. A good supply of goats was obtained, huts were erected18, and the lads determined19 that, at least as long as the Spaniards allowed it, their lives should be made as comfortable as possible.
Fugitive8 slaves from time to time joined the party; but Ned strongly discouraged any increase, at present, from this cause. He was sure that, were the Spaniards to find that their runaways were sheltered there, and that a general desertion of their slaves might take place; they would be obliged, in self defense20, to root out this formidable organization in their midst. Therefore, emissaries were sent out among the negroes, stating that none would be received, in the mountains, save those who had previously21 asked permission; this being only accorded in cases where such extreme brutality22 and cruelty had been exercised, by the masters, as would wholly justify23 the flight of the slave.
For some months, a sort of truce24 was maintained between the Spaniards and this little army in the woods. The blacks observed the promises, which Ned had made, with great fidelity25. The planters found that no depredations26 took place, and that the desertions among their slaves were no more numerous than before; and had it depended solely27 upon them, no further measures would have been taken.
The case, however, was different among the military party in the island. To them, the failure of the expedition into the forest, and the burning of the governor's house, were matters which seriously affected28 their pride. Defeat by English buccaneers they were accustomed to; and regarding the English, at sea, as a species of demon31 against whom human bravery availed little. They were slightly touched by it; but that they should be defied by a set of runaway15 slaves; and of natives, whom they had formerly32 regarded with contempt; was a blow to their pride.
Quietly, and without ostentation33, troops were drafted into the island from the neighboring posts, until a formidable force had been gathered there. The foresters had now plenty of means of communication with the negroes, who regarded them as saviors, to whom they could look for rescue and shelter, in case of their masters' cruelty; and were always ready to send messengers up into the forest, with news of every occurrence which took place under their observation. The grown-up slaves, of course, could not leave the plantation34; but there were numbers of fleet-footed lads who, after nightfall, could be dispatched from the huts into the mountains, and return before daylight; while, even should they remain until the next night, they would attract no attention by their absence.
Thus, then, Ned and Gerald learned that a formidable body of Spaniards were being collected, quietly, in the town; and every effort was made to meet the coming storm. The various gorges35 were blocked with high barricades37; difficult parts of the mountain were, with great labor39, scarped so as to render the advance of an armed force difficult in the extreme; great piles of stones were collected, to roll down into the ravines; and provisions of yams, sweet potatoes, and other food were stored up.
The last stronghold had, after a great debate, been fixed40 upon at a point in the heart of one of the hills. This was singularly well adapted for defense The hill itself was extremely precipitous on all sides. On one side, it fell sheer down. A goat track ran along the face of this precipice41, to a point where the hill fell back, forming a sort of semicircular arena42 on the very face of the precipice. This plateau was some two acres in extent. Here quantities of forage43 were heaped up in readiness, for the food of such animals as might be driven in there. The track itself was, with great labor, widened; platforms of wood being placed at the narrow points; and steps were cut in the hill behind the plateau to enable them, should their stronghold be stormed, to escape at the last moment up to the hilltop above. In most places the cliff behind the plateau rose so steeply as to almost overhang the foot; and in these were many gaps and crevices44, in which a considerable number of people could take shelter, so as to avoid stones and other missiles hurled45 down from above.
At one point in particular the precipice overhung, and under this a strong erection of the trunks of trees was made. This was for the animals to be placed in. The heavy roof was amply sufficient to keep out any bullet shots; while, from its position, no masses of rock could be dropped upon it.
It was not thought probable that the Spaniards would harass46 them much from above, for the ascent47 to the summit was everywhere extremely difficult; and the hillside was perfectly48 bare, and sloped so sharply upward, from the edge of the precipitous cliff, that it would be a difficult and dangerous task to descend49, so as to fire down into the arena; and, although every precaution had been taken, it was felt that there was little fear of any attack from above.
At last all was in readiness, as far as the efforts of those in the forest could avail. A message was then sent in to the governor, to the effect that the men of the forest desired to know for what purpose so many soldiers were being assembled in the island; and that, on a given day, unless some of these were embarked50 and sent off, they would consider that a war was being prepared against them, and that the agreement that the outlying settlements should be left intact was therefore invalid51.
As the boys had anticipated, the Spaniards answered this missive by an instant movement forward; and some four hundred men were reported as moving out towards the hills. This the boys were prepared for, and simultaneously52 with the movement the whole band--divided into parties of six, each of which had its fixed destination and instructions, all being alike solemnly pledged to take no life in cold blood, and to abstain53 from all unnecessary cruelties--started quickly from the forest.
That night the Spanish force halted near the edge of the forest; but at midnight a general consternation seized the camp when, from fifty different points, flames were seen suddenly to rise on the plain. Furious at this misfortune, the general in command put his cavalry54 in motion, and scoured55 the country; only to find, however, that the whole of the haciendas of the Spanish proprietors56 were in flames, and that fire had been applied57 to all the standing58 crops. Everywhere he heard the same tale; that those who had resisted had been killed, but that no harm had been inflicted upon defenseless persons.
This was so new a feature, in troubles with the negroes, that the Spaniards could not but be surprised, and filled with admiration59 at conduct so different to that to which they were accustomed. The sight of the tremendous destruction of property, however, roused them to fury; and this was still further heightened when, towards morning, a great burst of flame in the city proclaimed that the negroes had fallen upon the town, while the greater portion of its defenders60 were withdrawn61.
This was, indeed, a masterly stroke on the part of the boys. They knew that, even deducting62 those who had set forth63, there would still be an amply sufficient force in the city to defeat and crush their band; but they thought that, by a quick stroke, they might succeed in inflicting64 a heavy blow upon them. Each of the bands therefore had instructions, after doing its allotted65 share of incendiarism, to make for the town, and to meet at a certain point outside it. Then, quietly and noiselessly, they had entered. One party fell upon the armory66, and another attacked with fury the governor's house. The guards there were, as had happened with his residence in the country, cut down. Fire was applied in a dozen places and, before the astonished troops and inhabitants could rally, from the different parts of the town, the negroes were again in the country; having fulfilled their object, and carried off with them a large additional stock of arms.
Before the cavalry from the front could arrive, they were again far in the country; and, making a long detour67, gained their fastness, having struck a terrible blow, with the cost to themselves of only some eight or ten lives.
It was a singular sight, as they looked out in the morning from their hilltops. Great masses of smoke extended over the whole country; for although most of the dwellings68 were, by this time, leveled to the ground--for, built of the lightest construction, they offered but little resistance to the flames--from the fields of maize69 and cane30, clouds of smoke were still rising, as the conflagration spread; and at one stroke the whole agricultural wealth of the island was destroyed. The boys regretted that this should necessarily be the case; but they felt that it was now war, to the knife, between the Spaniards and them, and that such a defeat would be beneficial.
This, indeed, was the case; for the commander drew back his troops to the town, in order to make fresh arrangements, before venturing upon an attack on foes70 who showed themselves possessed71 of such desperate determination.
Another six weeks elapsed, indeed, before a forward movement was again commenced; and in that time considerable acquisitions of force were obtained. Strong as the bands felt themselves, they could not but be alarmed at the thought of the tremendous storm gathering72 to burst over their heads. The women had long since been sent away, to small native villages existing on the other side of the island, and living at peace with their neighbors Thither73 Ned also dispatched several of the party whom he believed to be either wanting in courage, or whose constancy he somewhat doubted. A traitor74 now would be the destruction of the party; and it was certain that any negro deserting to the enemy, and offering to act as their guide to the various strongholds of the defenders, would receive immense rewards. Thus it was imperative75 that every man, of whose fidelity and constancy the least doubt was entertained, should be carefully sent out of the way of temptation. All the band were, indeed, pledged by a most solemn oath; and death, by torture, was the penalty awarded for any act of treachery.
The greater portion of the force were now provided with European arms. The negroes had musketoons or arquebuses, the natives still retained the bow, while all had pikes and spears. They were undefended by protective amour, and in this respect the Spaniards had a great advantage in the fight; but, as the boys pointed76 out, this advantage was more than counterbalanced by the extra facility of movement, on the part of the natives, who could scale rocks and climb hills absolutely inaccessible77 to their heavily armed and weighty opponents.
The scouts78, who had been stationed on the lookout79 at the edge of the forest, brought word that the Spaniards, nigh 1500 strong, had divided in six bodies; and were marching so as to enter the forest from six different, and nearly equidistant, points. Each band was accompanied by bloodhounds, and a large number of other fierce dogs of the wolfhound breed, which the Spaniards had imported for the purpose of attacking negroes in their hiding places. Of these animals the negroes had the greatest dread80; and even the bravest, who were ready to match themselves against armed Spaniards, yet trembled at the thought of the encounter with these ferocious81 animals.
It was clear that no repetition of the tactics formerly pursued would be possible; for if any attempt at night attacks were made, the dogs would rush out and attack them; and not only prove formidable enemies themselves, but guide the Spaniards to the places where they were stationed. Ned and Gerald would fain have persuaded the natives that dogs, after all, however formidable they might appear, were easily mastered by well-armed men; and that any dog rushing to attack them would be pierced with spears and arrows, to say nothing of being shot by the arquebuses, before he could seize any of them. The negroes, however, had known so many cases in which fugitives had been horribly torn, and indeed, frequently killed, by these ferocious animals, that the dread of them was too great for them to listen to the boys' explanations. The latter, seeing that it would be useless to attempt to overcome their fears, on this ground, abstained82 from the attempt.
It had been agreed that, in the event of the Spaniards advancing from different quarters, one column only should be selected for a main attack; and that, while the others should be harassed83 by small parties, who should cast down rocks upon them while passing through the gorges, and so inflict2 as much damage as possible, no attempt would be made to strike any serious blow upon them. The column selected for attack was, naturally, that whose path led through the points which had been most strongly prepared and fortified84. This band mustered85 about three hundred; and was clearly too strong to be attacked, in open fight, by the forest bands. Gerald and Ned had already talked the matter over in every light, and decided86 that a purely87 defensive88 fight must be maintained; each place where preparations had been made being held to the last, and a rapid retreat beaten to the next barricade38.
The Spaniards advanced in heavy column. At a distance of a hundred yards, on each side, marched a body of fifty in compact mass, thereby89 sheltering the main body from any sudden attack.
The first point at which the lads had determined to make a stand was the mouth of a gorge36. Here steep rocks rose perpendicularly90 from the ground, running almost like a wall along that portion of the forest. In the midst of this was a cleft91, through which a little stream ran. It was here that the boys had made preparations. The point could not be turned, without a long and difficult march along the face of the cliff; and on the summit of this sixty men, divided into two parties, one on each side of the fissure92, were stationed.
The Spaniards advanced until they nearly reached the mouth of the ravine. It must be remembered that, although the forest was very thick, and the vegetation luxuriant; yet there were paths here and there, made by the constant passing, to and fro, of the occupants of the wood. Their main direction acted as a guide to the Spaniards; and the hounds, by their sniffing93 and eagerness, acted as a guide to the advancing force.
They paused when they saw, opening before them, this entrance to the rocky gorge. While they halted, the increased eagerness of the dogs told them that they were now approaching the point where their foes were concealed94; and the prospect95 of an attack, on so strong a position, was formidable even to such a body.
A small party, of thirty men, was told off to advance and reconnoiter the position. These were allowed to enter the gorge, and to follow it for a distance of a hundred yards, to a point where the sides were approached to their nearest point. Then, from a parapet of rock piled across the ravine came a volley of musketry; and, simultaneously, from the heights of either side great stones came crashing down. Such of the party as did not fall at the first discharge fired a volley at their invisible assailants, and then hurried back to the main body.
It was now clear that fighting, and that of a serious character, was to be undertaken. The Spanish commander rapidly reconnoitered the position; and saw that here, at least, no flanking movement was possible. He therefore ordered his men to advance, for a direct attack. Being more afraid of the stones from above than of the defenders in the ravine, the Spaniards prepared to advance in skirmishing order; in that way they would be able to creep up to the barricade of rocks with the least loss, to themselves, from the fire of its defenders; while the stones from above would prove far less dangerous than would be the case upon a solid column.
With great determination, the Spanish troops advanced to the attack. As they neared the mouth of the gorge, flights of arrows from above were poured down upon them; and these were answered by their own musketeers and bowmen, although the figures occasionally exposed above offered but a poor mark, in comparison to that afforded by the column below.
The men on the ridge96 were entirely97 natives, the boys having selected the negroes, on whose courage at close quarters they could more thoroughly rely, for the defense of the ravine. The firearms in those days could scarcely be termed arms of precision. The bell-mouth arquebuses could carry a large and heavy charge, but there was nothing like accuracy in their fire; and although a steady fire was kept up from the barricade, and many Spaniards fell; yet a larger number succeeded in making their way through the zone of fire, by taking advantage of the rocks and bushes; and these gathered, near the foot of the barricade.
The stones which came crashing from above did serious damage among them, but the real effect of these was more moral than physical. The sound of the great masses of stone, plunging98 down the hillside, setting in motion numbers of small rocks as they came, tearing down the bushes and small trees, was exceedingly terrifying at first; but as block after block dashed down, doing comparatively little harm, the Spaniards became accustomed to them; and, keeping under the shelter of masses of rock, to the last moment, prepared all their energies for the attack. The Spanish commander found that the greater portion of his troop were within striking distance, and he gave the command, to those gathered near the barricade, to spring forward to the attack.
The gorge, at this point, was some fifteen yards wide. The barricade across it was thirty feet in height. It was formed of blocks of stone, of various sizes; intermingled with which were sharp stakes, with their points projecting; lines of bushes and arms of trees, piled outwards99; and the whole was covered loosely with sharp prickly creepers, cut from the trees and heaped there. A more difficult place to climb, even without its being defended from above, would be difficult to find. The covering of thorny100 creepers hid the rocks below; and at each step the soldiers put their feet into deep holes between the masses of rock, and fell forward, lacerating themselves horribly with the thorns, or coming face downwards101 on one of the sharp-pointed stakes. But if, without any resistance from above, the feat29 of climbing this carefully prepared barricade was difficult; it was terrible when, from the ridge above, a storm of bullets swept down. It was only for a moment that the negroes exposed themselves, in the act of firing. Behind, the barricade was as level and smooth as it was difficult upon the outer side. Great steps, some three feet wide, had been prepared of wood; so that the defenders could easily mount and, standing in lines, relieve each other as they fired. The stones of the top series had been carefully chosen of a form so as to leave, between each, crevices through which the defenders could fire, while scarcely exposing themselves to the enemy.
The Spaniards behind endeavored to cover the advance of their comrades, by keeping up a heavy fire at the summit of the barricade; and several of the negroes were shot through the head, in the act of firing. Their loss, however, was small in comparison to that of the assailants; who strove, in vain, to climb up the thorny ascent, their position being the more terrible inasmuch as the fire from the parties on the rocks above never ceased, and stones kept up a sort of bombardment on those in the ravine. Even the fierce dogs could with difficulty climb the thorn-covered barriers, and those who reached the top were instantly shot, or stabbed.
At last, after suffering very considerable loss, the Spanish commander drew off his soldiers; and a wild yell of triumph rose from the negroes. The combat however had, as the boys were aware, scarcely begun; and they now waited, to see what the next effort of the Spaniards would be.
It was an hour before the latter again advanced to the attack. This time the troops were carrying large bundles of dried grass and rushes; and although again suffering heavily in the attack, they piled these at the foot of the barricade, and in another minute a flash of fire ran up the side. The smoke and flame, for a time, separated the defenders from their foes; and the fire ceased on both sides, although those above never relaxed their efforts to harass the assailants.
As the Spaniards had calculated, the flame of the great heap of straw communicated with the creepers, and burnt them up in its fiery102 tongue; and when the flames abated103, the rocks lay open and uncovered. The Spaniards now, with renewed hopes, advanced again to the attack; and this time were able, although with heavy loss, to make their way up the barricade.
When they arrived within three or four feet of the top, Ned gave the word; and a line of thirty powerful negroes, each armed with a long pike, suddenly arose and, with a yell, threw themselves over the edge and dashed down upon the Spaniards. The latter, struggling to ascend104, with unsteady footing on the loose and uneven105 rocks, were unable for an instant to defend themselves against this assault.
The negroes, barefooted, had no difficulty on the surface which proved so fatal to the Spaniards; and, like the crest106 of a wave, they swept their opponents headlong down the face of the barricade. The heavily armed Spaniards fell over each other, those in front hurling107 those behind backwards108 in wild confusion; and the first line of negroes being succeeded by another, armed with axes, who completed the work which the first line had begun; the slaughter109, for a minute, was terrible.
For some thirty paces, the negroes pursued their advantage; and then at a loud shout from Ned turned, and with a celerity equal to that of their advance, the whole were back over the barricade, before the Spaniards in rear could awaken110 from their surprise; and scarcely a shot was fired, as the dark figures bounded back into shelter.
This time, the Spanish officer drew back his men sullenly111. He felt that they had done all that could be expected of them. Upwards112 of sixty men had fallen. It would be vain to ask them to make the assault again. He knew, too, that by waiting, the other columns would be gradually approaching; and that, on the morrow, some method of getting in the enemy's rear would probably be discovered.
In the meantime, he sent off fifty men on either flank, to discover how far its rocky wall extended; while trumpeters, under strong guards, were sent up to the hilltops in the rear, and sounded the call lustily. Musketoons, heavily charged so as to make as loud a report as possible, were also fired to attract the attention of the other columns.
The boys were perfectly aware that they could not hope, finally, to defend this position. They had, however, given the Spaniards a very heavy lesson; and the success of the defense had immensely raised the spirit and courage of their men. The signal was therefore given for a retreat; and in half an hour both the Indians, on the summit of the hill, and the negroes, behind the barricade, had fallen back; leaving only some half dozen to keep up the appearance of defense, and to bring back tidings of the doings of the enemy; while the rest hurried off, to aid the detached parties to inflict heavy blows upon the other columns.
It was found that these were steadily113 approaching, but had lost a good many men. The reinforcements enabled the natives to make a more determined resistance, and in one or two places the columns were effectually checked. The reports, when night fell, were that the Spaniards had altogether lost over two hundred men; but that all their columns had advanced a considerable distance towards the center of the forest; and had halted, each as they stood; and bivouacked, keeping up huge fires and careful watches.
It formed no part, however, of the boys' plan to attack them thus; and when morning dawned the whole of the defenders, each taking different paths, as far as possible; some even making great circuits, so as to deceive the enemy, were directed to make for the central fortress114. The intermediate positions, several of which were as strong as the barricade which they had so well defended, were abandoned; for the advance from other quarters rendered it impossible to hold these.
点击收听单词发音
1 conflagration | |
n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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2 inflict | |
vt.(on)把…强加给,使遭受,使承担 | |
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3 inflicted | |
把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4 fowls | |
鸟( fowl的名词复数 ); 禽肉; 既不是这; 非驴非马 | |
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5 destined | |
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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6 sustenance | |
n.食物,粮食;生活资料;生计 | |
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7 lauded | |
v.称赞,赞美( laud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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9 fugitives | |
n.亡命者,逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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10 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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11 forfeit | |
vt.丧失;n.罚金,罚款,没收物 | |
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12 consternation | |
n.大为吃惊,惊骇 | |
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13 mooted | |
adj.未决定的,有争议的,有疑问的v.提出…供讨论( moot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14 runaways | |
(轻而易举的)胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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15 runaway | |
n.逃走的人,逃亡,亡命者;adj.逃亡的,逃走的 | |
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16 beguiled | |
v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 );使陶醉;使高兴;消磨(时间等) | |
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17 heartily | |
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 | |
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18 ERECTED | |
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
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19 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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20 defense | |
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩 | |
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21 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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22 brutality | |
n.野蛮的行为,残忍,野蛮 | |
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23 justify | |
vt.证明…正当(或有理),为…辩护 | |
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24 truce | |
n.休战,(争执,烦恼等的)缓和;v.以停战结束 | |
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25 fidelity | |
n.忠诚,忠实;精确 | |
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26 depredations | |
n.劫掠,毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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27 solely | |
adv.仅仅,唯一地 | |
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28 affected | |
adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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29 feat | |
n.功绩;武艺,技艺;adj.灵巧的,漂亮的,合适的 | |
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30 cane | |
n.手杖,细长的茎,藤条;v.以杖击,以藤编制的 | |
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31 demon | |
n.魔鬼,恶魔 | |
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32 formerly | |
adv.从前,以前 | |
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33 ostentation | |
n.夸耀,卖弄 | |
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34 plantation | |
n.种植园,大农场 | |
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35 gorges | |
n.山峡,峡谷( gorge的名词复数 );咽喉v.(用食物把自己)塞饱,填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 );作呕 | |
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36 gorge | |
n.咽喉,胃,暴食,山峡;v.塞饱,狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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37 barricades | |
路障,障碍物( barricade的名词复数 ) | |
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38 barricade | |
n.路障,栅栏,障碍;vt.设路障挡住 | |
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39 labor | |
n.劳动,努力,工作,劳工;分娩;vi.劳动,努力,苦干;vt.详细分析;麻烦 | |
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40 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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41 precipice | |
n.悬崖,危急的处境 | |
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42 arena | |
n.竞技场,运动场所;竞争场所,舞台 | |
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43 forage | |
n.(牛马的)饲料,粮草;v.搜寻,翻寻 | |
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44 crevices | |
n.(尤指岩石的)裂缝,缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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45 hurled | |
v.猛投,用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 );大声叫骂 | |
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46 harass | |
vt.使烦恼,折磨,骚扰 | |
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47 ascent | |
n.(声望或地位)提高;上升,升高;登高 | |
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48 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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49 descend | |
vt./vi.传下来,下来,下降 | |
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50 embarked | |
乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 ); 装载; 从事 | |
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51 invalid | |
n.病人,伤残人;adj.有病的,伤残的;无效的 | |
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52 simultaneously | |
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地 | |
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53 abstain | |
v.自制,戒绝,弃权,避免 | |
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54 cavalry | |
n.骑兵;轻装甲部队 | |
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55 scoured | |
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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56 proprietors | |
n.所有人,业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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57 applied | |
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用 | |
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58 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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59 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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60 defenders | |
n.防御者( defender的名词复数 );守卫者;保护者;辩护者 | |
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61 withdrawn | |
vt.收回;使退出;vi.撤退,退出 | |
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62 deducting | |
v.扣除,减去( deduct的现在分词 ) | |
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63 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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64 inflicting | |
把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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65 allotted | |
分配,拨给,摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66 armory | |
n.纹章,兵工厂,军械库 | |
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67 detour | |
n.绕行的路,迂回路;v.迂回,绕道 | |
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68 dwellings | |
n.住处,处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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69 maize | |
n.玉米 | |
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70 foes | |
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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71 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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72 gathering | |
n.集会,聚会,聚集 | |
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73 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
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74 traitor | |
n.叛徒,卖国贼 | |
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75 imperative | |
n.命令,需要;规则;祈使语气;adj.强制的;紧急的 | |
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76 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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77 inaccessible | |
adj.达不到的,难接近的 | |
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78 scouts | |
侦察员[机,舰]( scout的名词复数 ); 童子军; 搜索; 童子军成员 | |
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79 lookout | |
n.注意,前途,瞭望台 | |
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80 dread | |
vt.担忧,忧虑;惧怕,不敢;n.担忧,畏惧 | |
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81 ferocious | |
adj.凶猛的,残暴的,极度的,十分强烈的 | |
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82 abstained | |
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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83 harassed | |
adj. 疲倦的,厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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84 fortified | |
adj. 加强的 | |
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85 mustered | |
v.集合,召集,集结(尤指部队)( muster的过去式和过去分词 );(自他人处)搜集某事物;聚集;激发 | |
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86 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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87 purely | |
adv.纯粹地,完全地 | |
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88 defensive | |
adj.防御的;防卫的;防守的 | |
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89 thereby | |
adv.因此,从而 | |
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90 perpendicularly | |
adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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91 cleft | |
n.裂缝;adj.裂开的 | |
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92 fissure | |
n.裂缝;裂伤 | |
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93 sniffing | |
n.探查法v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的现在分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说 | |
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94 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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95 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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96 ridge | |
n.山脊;鼻梁;分水岭 | |
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97 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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98 plunging | |
adj.跳进的,突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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99 outwards | |
adj.外面的,公开的,向外的;adv.向外;n.外形 | |
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100 thorny | |
adj.多刺的,棘手的 | |
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101 downwards | |
adj./adv.向下的(地),下行的(地) | |
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102 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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103 abated | |
减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 ); 减去; 降价; 撤消(诉讼) | |
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104 ascend | |
vi.渐渐上升,升高;vt.攀登,登上 | |
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105 uneven | |
adj.不平坦的,不规则的,不均匀的 | |
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106 crest | |
n.顶点;饰章;羽冠;vt.达到顶点;vi.形成浪尖 | |
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107 hurling | |
n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投,用力掷( hurl的现在分词 );大声叫骂 | |
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108 backwards | |
adv.往回地,向原处,倒,相反,前后倒置地 | |
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109 slaughter | |
n.屠杀,屠宰;vt.屠杀,宰杀 | |
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110 awaken | |
vi.醒,觉醒;vt.唤醒,使觉醒,唤起,激起 | |
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111 sullenly | |
不高兴地,绷着脸,忧郁地 | |
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112 upwards | |
adv.向上,在更高处...以上 | |
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113 steadily | |
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 | |
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114 fortress | |
n.堡垒,防御工事 | |
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