"Back out of here, for God's sake!" I managed to exclaim through parched2 lips. "That devil-thing is coming this way!"
He struggled desperately3 in the darkness, tugging4 madly at some obstacle, an oath smothered5 on his lips. I waited and listened, every nerve on edge.
"Dern it all, but I can't!" he groaned7 at last. "My blame ol' gun hes got wedged, and won't give an inch."
? 162 ?
"Heaven protect me, but it's Wayland!" came a voice, and the laughter broke into a roar of merriment.
"Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! This will be the death of me!"
The voice, choked and muffled9 as it was, sounded strangely hollow in that dark cave; yet it had a familiar tone. So surprising was the situation, that I could only stare into the black void, speechless. It was Burns who realized the need of action.
"Whoever the dern fool is," he growled11, his voice hoarse12 with anger, "choke the wind out of him, or his blame howling will bring every Injun on the river yere!"
"De Croix!" I exclaimed quickly, aroused to recollection by the seriousness of the situation, "stop that infernal racket, or the two of us will throttle13 you!"
He puffed14 and gurgled, striving his best to smother6 the sense of ludicrousness that mastered him. To me there was small cause for merriment; the supreme15 terror of those moments merged16 into hot anger at the deception17, and I crept forward eager to plant my hand upon the rascal's throat.
"What French mockery is this?" I exclaimed, my hand hard upon his arm. "Think you, Captain de Croix, that you can play such tricks in this wilderness18, and not be made to pay for them?"
I felt him tremble under my fierce grasp; yet ? 163 ? it was not from fear, for my words only served to loosen his laughter once more. Burns now broke in, shoving the barrel of his long rifle forward over my shoulder till he struck the Frenchman a blow that effectually silenced him.
"You chattering19 ape!" he said, growling20 like an angry bear, "another yawp like that, and I'll blow a hole clean through you! Now, you French ninny, tell us what this means, an' be quick about it if ye want ter save yer hide!"
De Croix did not answer, but he ceased to laugh, and panted as if the breath had been knocked out of him. Another impatient movement by Burns led me to speak up hastily in his defence.
"Wait," I said, laying my grasp upon his gun, "he has no breath left with which to make reply. 'Tis the French gallant21 who raced with me, the same whom you met at Hawkins's Ford23; and no doubt he felt good reason to play the ghost here in this dark pit."
"Ay," panted De Croix painfully, "I truly thought the savages24 were upon me, and sought to frighten them by the only means I could devise. Sacre! but you hit me a sore blow in the ribs25! If I have frightened you, 'twas no worse than the terror that took me at your entrance here."
For a time none spoke26, and no sound, save De Croix's labored27 breathing, broke the silence. Burns had turned slightly, and I knew was listening intently ? 164 ? for any sound without. Apparently28 satisfied that the noise made by us had not been overheard, he asked in his old deliberate drawl:
"How in thunder, Mister Parly-voo, did ye git up thet thar combination, anyhow?"
I heard the Frenchman chuckle29, and pinched him as a warning to be careful. He answered, in his reckless, easy way:
"'Twas all simple enough behind the scenes, Messieurs. I but took some old sacking discovered here, and used it as a robe, standing30 my hair well on end; and a flash of powder made the scene most realistic. The thing indeed worked well. I would I had a picture of Master Wayland's face to show Toinette!"
This chance mention of her name recalled me to myself. The undecided wager31 was yet to be won, and the night was now nearly spent. There came to me a sudden determination to risk a rush through the darkness to the Fort gates, rather than chance any further defeat at the hands of this rash gallant. Yet prudence32 bade me question somewhat further before I ventured upon so mad a deed.
"No doubt 'twas most happy from your point of view, Monsieur. From ours, it was less so; and instead of laughing, you might better be thanking your lucky stars that you did not pay more dearly for such folly33. But what brought you here? Why have you failed to reach the stockade34?"
? 165 ?
"Sacre!" he muttered carelessly, "but I had a fierce enough run for it as it was. Why did I not reach the stockade? Because, my friend, I am no real ghost to be invisible in the night, nor am I a bird to fly. 'Twas in the shadow of that big building yonder that I ran into a nest of those copper-colored fiends, and 'twas nip and tuck which of us won, had I not, by pure good luck, chanced to stumble into this hole, and so escape them. Perchance they also thought me a ghost, who knows? But, be that as it may, they were beating the river bank for me in the flesh, when you came creeping here."
We lay flat on the floor, the three of us, our eyes fastened upon the faint light that began to stream in through the entrance. I could hear Burns muttering to himself, as is often the way with men who lead lives of solitude35; and every now and then De Croix would shake silently at the recollection of what had just occurred. I minded neither of them, but chiefly planned how best I might outwit De Croix and win the prize offered by Mademoiselle. The promise of dawning day was in the outer air, too dim as yet to render our faces visible. Suddenly the slight draft of air veered36, and swept a tiny breath of smoke into my nostrils37. It came so quickly that I scarcely realized its significance until Burns scrambled38 to his knees with a growl10.
"God! the devils have run us to cover!" he cried, ? 166 ? sullenly39. "They have started a fire to smoke us out!"
It hardly needed a moment to prove this true; the thin smoke grew more and more dense40, filling the narrow entrance until we lay gasping41 for breath. De Croix, ever the most impulsive42, was the first to act.
"Parbleu!" he gasped43, pulling himself forward with his hands. "Better Indians than this foul44 air! If I die, it shall at least be in the open."
To remain longer cooped in that foul hole was indeed madness; and as soon as I could I followed him, rolling out of the entrance to the water's edge, fairly sick with the pressure upon my lungs, and caring so little what the end might be, provided I might first attain45 one breath of pure air, that before I gained strength to resist I was prisoner to as ill-looking a crew of savages as ever my eyes encountered. The villains46 triced us firmly with thongs47 of skin, and sat us up against the bank like so many puppets, dancing about before us, snapping their dirty fingers in our faces, and treating us to all manner of taunts48 and insults. 'Twas done so quickly as to seem a dream, had I not smarted so sorely from the blows dealt me, and my limbs chafed49 where the tight cords were drawn50.
I recall glancing aside at Burns; but his seamed and puckered51 face remained emotionless, as the red devils rolled him over till he stared straight up at the sky, now gray with coming dawn. The sight of De ? 167 ? Croix almost set me laughing, which won for me a kick from the brute52 who had me in special charge. The Frenchman was surely no court dandy now; his fancy clothing clung to him in rags, while the powder-flash within the cellar had blackened his face and made sad havoc53 with his gay mustache. He endeavored to smile at me as our eyes met, but the effort produced only what seemed like a demoniac grin.
"'Tis a hard life, Monsieur," I could not forbear remarking, "and will hardly remind you of Versailles."
"A French soldier smiles at fate, wherever it overtakes him," he answered, a touch of pride in his voice. "Besides, the game is not played out,—I may yet prove the first one in. But see! if I mistake not, here comes the chief of all these devils."
The new-comer strode down the high bank alone, and was greeted noisily by our captors. It was the same Indian that had halted Captain Wells the day previous; and he looked us over with a contemptuous sneer55 that curled his lips and transformed the whole expression of his hideously56 painted face. I noted57 that he paid but small heed58 to either De Croix or myself, contenting his vengeance59 with sharp kicks at our prostrate60 bodies; but as he came to Burns, he paused, bending down till he could peer into the old borderer's upturned face.
? 168 ?
"Bah! I know you," he said, brokenly. "You Ol' Burns. Stake down in village for you."
The old man neither moved his head nor gave the slightest sign that he had heard.
"Squaw eat heart," went on the Indian, prodding61 him with his stick; "feed bones to dog. All white men go that way now,—Ol' Burns first."
"Topenebe," was the quiet reply, as the victim rolled over until he half-sat against the bank, "I had the pleasure o' kickin' ye once down on the Kankakee, an' should be mighty62 glad ter do it agin. I reckon as how ye don't feel over friendly ter me, but ye're simply wastin' yer breath tauntin' me. Any time yer derned old fire is hot, I'm ready to dance."
These calm words angered the warrior63, and he spat64 at him; then he turned and grunted65 an order in his own language. With blows of their sticks the Indians got us on our feet; but when they sought to drive us up the steep bank to the prairie, Ol' Burns balked66 and absolutely refused to move.
"Not one dern step, Topenebe," he swore grimly, "with these yere things on my legs. I'm no pony67 ter be hobbled, an' blame if I'll jump 'long fer any red skin. Ye kin22 carry me, if ye ain't too lazy; but, by thunder! thar'll be no walkin' till ye cut them bonds."
Blows, curses, and threats failed alike to budge68 the old man. He simply sat down and smiled grimly at them; and we followed his example, dimly perceiving ? 169 ? there must be a purpose in it. Sheer obstinacy69 wins many a battle, and when we went up the bank our lower limbs were free, although to my mind we were as hopelessly bound as ever. Not so with Burns. I chanced to press close to him, as we came out upon the prairie, and he muttered a quick word into my ear.
"See how they herd70 us in the shade of the Agency! They are not yet ready to let the sojers know whut they're re'lly up to. Not an Injun will go beyond thet line long enough to be seen. Be ready to run fer it as soon as I say 'Go,' an' tell the Frenchman."
I succeeded in making De Croix understand, by means of the mongrel French at my command, which seemed not to be intelligible71 to the savages; and we moved forward at as slow a gait as our vigilant72 guards permitted, with every muscle tense for the coming strain. We were bunched together, with no pretence73 of order on the part of our captors; indeed, they seemed to be of various minds over what was to be done with us, though Topenebe exercised sufficient control over his mongrel followers74 to compel at least partial obedience75 to his orders. We tramped along to the west of the factory, the walls of which shut off all view of the Fort, a half-dozen of the savages about us, while the chief stalked on a few feet in advance.
We had almost reached the southwestern corner of the big Agency building, and Topenebe had already taken a step to the right, carefully keeping the log-walls ? 170 ? as a protection between our movements and the eyes of the garrison76, when Burns, shaking off the Indians nearest him, bounded suddenly forward and struck Topenebe with his head, hurling77 the fellow by his side over backward as he passed.
"Run for the gate!" he yelled.
Like an arrow from the bow, I shot around the Agency corner, and raced for the stockade, De Croix, running like a deer, barely a foot behind me. I never dreamed, in that moment of intense action, that Burns was not also coming,—that he had deliberately78 sacrificed himself in order to hold back the savages and give us the better chance for life. Behind arose the sound of struggle, but there was no indication of pursuit, and as I rounded the end of the stockade the lower gate swung open just before me and I glanced back, half pausing as I realized the old borderer had not followed us; then some one tripped me, and I fell headlong. With a sudden rush, De Croix swept by.
"France wins, Monsieur!" he cried back in mocking triumph, as I staggered to my knees.
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收听单词发音
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1
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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5
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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6
smother
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| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
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7
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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8
rippled
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| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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9
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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10
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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11
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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12
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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13
throttle
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| n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压 | |
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14
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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15
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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16
merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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17
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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18
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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19
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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20
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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21
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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22
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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23
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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24
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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25
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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26
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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27
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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28
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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29
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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30
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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31
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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32
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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33
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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34
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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35
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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36
veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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37
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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38
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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39
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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40
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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41
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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42
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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43
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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44
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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45
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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46
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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47
thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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48
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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49
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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50
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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51
puckered
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| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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53
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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54
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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55
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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56
hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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57
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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58
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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59
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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60
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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61
prodding
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| v.刺，戳( prod的现在分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
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62
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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63
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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64
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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65
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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66
balked
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| v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的过去式和过去分词 )；（指马）不肯跑 | |
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67
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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68
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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69
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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70
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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73
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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74
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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75
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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76
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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77
hurling
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| 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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78
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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