"Mark! Oh, Mark!" he called, softly. "Git up, thar! It's time to be hustlin'!"
There was no answer, and Texas got up, yawning, and went to the other bed.
[Pg 27]"Git up thar, you prize fighter you!"
And as he spoke4 he aimed a blow at the bed, and the next moment he started back in amazement5, for his hand had touched nothing but a mattress6, and Texas knew that the bed was empty.
"Wow!" he muttered. "He's gone without me!"
And with this thought in his mind he rushed to his watch to see if he were too late.
No, it was just ten minutes to four, and Texas started hastily to dress, wondering at the same time what on earth could have led Mark to go so early and without his friend.
"That was the goldurndest queer trick I ever did hear of in my life, by jingo!"
It took him but a few short moments to fling his clothes on; and then he stepped quickly across the hall and entered a room on the other side.
"I wonder if that Parson's gone with him," he muttered.
The "Parson" had not, for Texas found him engaged in encasing his long, bony legs in a pair of trousers that would have held a dozen such.
"Are you accoutered for the combat?" he whispered, in[Pg 28] a sepulchral7 tone, sleepily brushing his long black hair from his eyes. "Where is Mark?"
"The fool's gone up there without us!" replied the Texan, angrily.
"Without us!" echoed Stanard, sliding into his pale sea-green socks.
"Bless my soul!" echoed a voice from the bed—Indian was too sleepy to get up. "Bless my soul, what an extraordinary proceeding8!"
"Come on," said Texas. "Hurry up."
The "Parson" snatched up his coat and made for the door.
"I think," said he, halting at the door in hesitation9. "I think I'll leave my book behind. I'll hardly need it, do you think?"
Texas was beginning to get angry, as he thought, over Mark's "fool trick."
The two dodged11 the sentry12 without much trouble; it is probable that the sentry didn't want to see them, even if he did. They ran hastily out through the sally port and across the parade ground, Texas, in his impatience13, dragging his long-legged companion in tow. They made[Pg 29] a long detour14 and approached Fort Clinton from behind the hotel, in order to avoid the camp. Hearing voices from inside the embankment, Texas sprang hastily forward, scrambled15 up the bank, and peered down into the inclosure.
"Here they are," called one of the cadets, and then, as he glanced at the two, he added: "But where's Mallory?"
And Texas gazed about him in blank amazement.
"Where is he?" he echoed. "Where is he? Why, ain't he yere?"
It was the cadets' turn to look surprised.
"Here?" echoed Corporal Jasper. "Here! Why, we haven't seen him."
"Hain't seen him!" roared Texas, wild with vexation. "What in thunder!"
"Wasn't he in your room?" inquired somebody.
"No. He was gone! I thought, of course, he'd come out yere."
And Texas fell to pacing up and down inside the fort, chewing at his finger nails and muttering angrily to himself, while the yearlings gathered into a group and speculated what the strange turn in the affair could mean.
Some such idea was lurking18 in Texas' mind, too, but it made him mad that any of his enemies should say it.
"If he has," he bellowed19, wheeling about angrily and facing the cadet. "If he has it's because you've tricked him again, you ole white-legged scoundrel you!"
Texas doubled up his fists and looked ready to fight right then; Bull Harris opened his mouth to answer, but Jasper interposed:
"That's enough," said he. "We can settle this some other time. The question is now about Mallory. You say, Mr. Powers, you've not the least idea where he is?"
"If I had," responded Texas, "if I had, d'you think I'd be hyar?"
Jasper glanced at his watch. "It's five minutes after now," said he, "and I——"
He got no farther, for Texas started forward on a run.
"I'm a goin' to look fo' him!" he announced. And then he sprang over the embankment and disappeared, while the cadets stood about waiting impatiently, and speculating as to what Mark's conduct could mean. Poor Stanard sat sprawled20 out on top of the earthworks, where[Pg 31] he sat down in amazement and confusion when he discovered that Mark was not on hand; and there he sat yet, too much amazed and confused to move or say anything.
Meanwhile Texas was hurrying back to barracks with all the speed he could command, his mind in a confused state of anxiety and doubt and anger. The position of humiliation21 in which Mark's conduct had placed him was gall22 and wormwood to him, and he was fast working himself into a temper of the Texas style.
He rushed upstairs, forgetting that such a thing as a sentry existed. He burst into the room and gazed about him. The place was empty still, and Texas slammed the door and marched downstairs again, and raced back to the fort.
The cadets were still waiting impatiently, for it was a good while after four by this time.
"Find him?" they inquired.
"No, I didn't!" snapped Texas.
"No fight, then," said Jasper. "It's evident he's flunked."
"Wow!" cried Texas! "No fight! What's the matter with me?"
[Pg 32]And, suiting the action to the word, he whipped off his coat.
"Not to-day," responded Jasper, with decision. "You'll have your chance another day."
Texas' face was fiery24 red with anger, and he doubled up his fists and made a leap for the last speaker.
"You coyote!" he roared. "You an' me'll fight now!"
Bull Harris started back, and before Texas could reach him half a dozen cadets interfered25. Williams, the would-be defender26 of his class, seized the half-wild fellow by the shoulders and forced him back.
"Just take it easy," he commanded. "Just take it easy. You'll learn to control yourself before you've been here long."
Texas could do nothing, for he was surrounded completely. Bull Harris was led away, and then the rest of the cadets scattered27 to steal into camp, but Texas snatched up his coat in a rage, and strode away toward barracks, muttering angrily to himself, the "Parson" following behind in silence. The latter ventured to interpose a remark on the way, and Texas turned upon him angrily.
"Shut up!" he growled. "Mind your business!"
[Pg 33]Stanard gazed at him in silence.
"I guess I'll have to knock him down again," he said to himself.
But he didn't, at least, not then; and Texas pranced28 up to his room and flung himself into a chair, muttering uncomplimentary remarks about Mark and West Point and everything in it. It was just half-past four when he entered, and for fifteen minutes he sat and pounded the floor with his heel in rage. Texas was about as mad as he knew how to be, which was very mad indeed. And then suddenly there was a step in the hall and the door was burst open. Texas turned and looked.
It was Mark!
Texas sprang to his feet in an instant, all his wrath29 aflame. Mark had come in hurriedly, for he had evidently been running.
"What happened——" he began, but he got no further.
"You confounded coward!" roared Texas. "Whar did you git the nerve to show yo' face round hyar?"
"Why, Texas?" exclaimed Mark, in amazement.
[Pg 34]"I jest tell you, sah, they ain't no room in my room fo' a coward that sneaks32 off when he's got a fight. Now I——"
"I left word for you," said Mark, interrupting him.
Mark's face was as white as a sheet, but he kept his temper.
"Now, Texas," he began again, soothingly34. "Now, Texas——"
"Take that, too, will ye?" sneered Texas. "You're coward enough to swallow that, too, hey? Wonder how much more you'll stand. Try that."
And before Mark could raise his arm the other sprang forward and dealt him a stinging blow upon the face.
Mark stepped back, his whole frame quivering.
"How much?" he repeated, slowly. "Not that."
And then, just as slowly, he took off his coat.
"Fight, hey?" laughed Texas. "Wow! Ready?" he added, flinging his own jacket on the floor and getting his great long arms into motion. "Ready?"
"Yes," said Mark. "I am ready."
And in an instant the other leaped forward, just as he[Pg 35] had done at Fort Clinton, except that he omitted the yelling, being indoors with a sentry nearby.
Physically35 two fighters were never more evenly matched; no one, to look at them, could have picked the winner, for both were giants. But there was a difference apparent before very long. Texas fought in the wild and savage36 style of the prairie, nip-and-tuck, go-as-you-please; and he was wild with anger. He had swept the yearlings at Fort Clinton before him that way and he thought to do it again. Mark had another style, a style that Texas had never seen. He learned a good deal about it in a very few minutes.
Texas started with a rush, striking right and left with all the power of his arms; and Mark simply stepped to one side and let the wall stop Texas. That made Texas angrier still, if such a thing can be imagined. He turned and made another dash, this time aiming a savage blow at his opponent's head. In it was all the power of the Texan's great right arm, and it was meant to kill. Mark moved his head to one side and let the blow pass, stopping the rush with a firm prod37 in the other's chest; then he stepped aside and waited for another rush. For he did not want to hurt his excited roommate if he could help it.
[Pg 36]A repetition of this had no effect upon Texas, however, except to increase his fury, and Mark found that he was fast getting mad himself. A glancing blow upon the head that brought blood capped the climax38, and Mark gritted39 his teeth and got to work. Texas made another lunge, which Mark dodged, and then, before the former could stop, Mark caught him a crushing blow upon the jaw40 which made his teeth rattle41. Texas staggered back, and Mark followed him up rapidly, planting blow after blow upon the body of his wildly striking opponent. And in a few moments Texas, the invincible42 Texas, was being rapidly pummeled into submission43.
"I'll leave his face alone," thought Mark, as he aimed a blow that half paralyzed the other's right wrist. "For I don't want the cadets to know about this."
And just then he landed an extra hard crack upon the other's chest, and Texas went down in a corner.
"Want any more?" inquired Mark, gravely.
"I guess that's enough," thought Mark, as the other lay still and gasped45. "I guess that's enough for poor Texas."
[Pg 37]And so saying, he took out his handkerchief, wiped the blood from his face, and then opened the door and went out.
"I'm sorry I had to do it," he mused46; "sorry as thunder! But he made me. And anyhow, he won't want to fight very soon again."
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
wane
|
|
| n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
streaks
|
|
| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
awaken
|
|
| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
mattress
|
|
| n.床垫，床褥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
sepulchral
|
|
| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
growled
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
dodged
|
|
| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
sentry
|
|
| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
detour
|
|
| n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
scrambled
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
flunked
|
|
| v.( flunk的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）（考试、某学科的成绩等）不及格；评定（某人）不及格；（因不及格而） 退学 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
joyfully
|
|
| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
lurking
|
|
| 潜在 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
bellowed
|
|
| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
sprawled
|
|
| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
humiliation
|
|
| n.羞辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
gall
|
|
| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
sneered
|
|
| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
fiery
|
|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
interfered
|
|
| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
defender
|
|
| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
pranced
|
|
| v.（马）腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
prancing
|
|
| v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
twitching
|
|
| n.颤搐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
sneaks
|
|
| abbr.sneakers (tennis shoes) 胶底运动鞋（网球鞋）v.潜行( sneak的第三人称单数 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
liar
|
|
| n.说谎的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
soothingly
|
|
| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
physically
|
|
| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
prod
|
|
| vt.戳，刺；刺激，激励 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
climax
|
|
| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
gritted
|
|
| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的过去式和过去分词 )；咬紧牙关 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
jaw
|
|
| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
invincible
|
|
| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
submission
|
|
| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
mused
|
|
| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |