Billy, in his youthful days, was the best hand at doing nothing in all Europe; devil a mortal could come next or near him at idleness; and, in consequence of his great practice that way, you may be sure that if any man could make a fortune by it he would have done it.
Billy was the only son of his father, barring two daughters; but they have nothing to do with the story I'm [Pg 236] telling you. Indeed it was kind father and grandfather for Billy to be handy at the knavery4 as well as at the idleness; for it was well known that not one of their blood ever did an honest act, except with a roguish intention. In short, they were altogether a dacent connection, and a credit to the name. As for Billy, all the villainy of the family, both plain and ornamental6, came down to him by way of legacy7; for it so happened that the father, in spite of all his cleverness, had nothing but his roguery to lave him.
Billy, to do him justice, improved the fortune he got: every day advanced him farther into dishonesty and poverty, until, at the long run, he was acknowledged on all hands to be the completest swindler and the poorest vagabond in the whole parish.
Billy's father, in his young days, had often been forced to acknowledge the inconvenience of not having a trade, in consequence of some nice point in law, called the "Vagrant8 Act," that sometimes troubled him. On this account he made up his mind to give Bill an occupation, and he accordingly bound him to a blacksmith; but whether Bill was to live or die by forgery9 was a puzzle to his father,—though the neighbours said that both was most likely. At all events, he was put apprentice10 to a smith for seven years, and a hard card his master had to play in managing him. He took the proper method, however, for Bill was so lazy and roguish that it would vex11 a saint to keep him in order.
"Bill," says his master to him one day that he had been sunning himself about the ditches, instead of minding his business, "Bill, my boy, I'm vexed12 to the heart to see you in such a bad state of health. You're very ill with that complaint called an All-overness; however," says he, "I think I can cure you. Nothing will bring you about but three or four sound doses every day of a medicine called 'the oil o' the hazel.' Take the first dose now," says he; and he immediately banged him with a hazel cudgel until Bill's bones ached for a week afterwards.
"If you were my son," said his master, "I tell you that, as long as I could get a piece of advice growing convenient [Pg 237] in the hedges, I'd have you a different youth from what you are. If working was a sin, Bill, not an innocenter boy ever broke bread than you would be. Good people's scarce, you think; but however that may be, I throw it out as a hint, that you must take your medicine till you're cured, whenever you happen to get unwell in the same way."
From this out he kept Bill's nose to the grinding-stone; and whenever his complaint returned, he never failed to give him a hearty13 dose for his improvement.
In the course of time, however, Bill was his own man and his own master; but it would puzzle a saint to know whether the master or the man was the more precious youth in the eyes of the world.
He immediately married a wife, and devil a doubt of it, but if he kept her in whiskey and sugar, she kept him in hot water. Bill drank and she drank; Bill fought and she fought; Bill was idle and she was idle; Bill whacked15 her and she whacked Bill. If Bill gave her one black eye, she gave him another; just to keep herself in countenance16. Never was there a blessed pair so well met; and a beautiful sight it was to see them both at breakfast-time, blinking at each other across the potato-basket, Bill with his right eye black, and she with her left.
In short, they were the talk of the whole town: and to see Bill of a morning staggering home drunk, his shirt sleeves rolled up on his smutted arms, his breast open, and an old tattered17 leather apron18, with one corner tucked up under his belt, singing one minute, and fighting with his wife the next;—she, reeling beside him, with a discoloured eye, as aforesaid, a dirty ragged19 cap on one side of her head, a pair of Bill's old slippers20 on her feet, a squalling child on her arm—now cuffing21 and dragging Bill, and again kissing and hugging him! Yes, it was a pleasant picture to see this loving pair in such a state!
This might do for a while, but it could not last. They were idle, drunken, and ill-conducted; and it was not to be supposed that they would get a farthing candle on their words. They were, of course, dhruv to great straits; and [Pg 238] faith, they soon found that their fighting, and drinking, and idleness made them the laughing-sport of the neighbours; but neither brought food to their childhre, put a coat upon their backs, nor satisfied their landlord when he came to look for his own. Still, the never a one of Bill but was a funny fellow with strangers, though, as we said, the greatest rogue unhanged.
One day he was standing22 against his own anvil23, completely in a brown study—being brought to his wit's end how to make out a breakfast for the family. The wife was scolding and cursing in the house, and the naked creatures of childhre squalling about her knees for food. Bill was fairly at an amplush, and knew not where or how to turn himself, when a poor withered24 old beggar came into the forge, tottering25 on his staff. A long white beard fell from his chin, and he looked as thin and hungry that you might blow him, one would think, over the house. Bill at this moment had been brought to his senses by distress26, and his heart had a touch of pity towards the old man; for, on looking at him a second time, he clearly saw starvation and sorrow in his face.
"God save you, honest man!" said Bill.
The old man gave a sigh, and raising himself with great pain, on his staff, he looked at Bill in a very beseeching27 way.
"Musha, God save you kindly28!" says he; "maybe you could give a poor, hungry, helpless ould man a mouthful of something to ait? You see yourself I'm not able to work; if I was, I'd scorn to be behoulding to anyone."
"Faith, honest man," said Bill, "if you knew who you're speaking to, you'd as soon ask a monkey for a churn-staff as me for either mate or money. There's not a blackguard in the three kingdoms so fairly on the shaughran as I am for both the one and the other. The wife within is sending the curses thick and heavy on me, and the childhre's playing the cat's melody to keep her in comfort. Take my word for it, poor man, if I had either mate or money I'd help you, for I know particularly well what it is to want [Pg 239] them at the present spaking; an empty sack won't stand, neighbour."
So far Bill told him truth. The good thought was in his heart, because he found himself on a footing with the beggar; and nothing brings down pride, or softens29 the heart, like feeling what it is to want.
"Why, you are in a worse state than I am," said the old man; "you have a family to provide for, and I have only myself to support."
"You may kiss the book on that, my old worthy30," replied Bill; "but come, what I can do for you I will; plant yourself up here beside the fire, and I'll give it a blast or two of my bellows31 that will warm the old blood in your body. It's a cold, miserable32, snowy day, and a good heat will be of service."
"Thank you kindly," said the old man; "I am cold, and a warming at your fire will do me good, sure enough. Oh, it is a bitter, bitter day; God bless it!" He then sat down, and Bill blew a rousing blast that soon made the stranger edge back from the heat. In a short time he felt quite comfortable, and when the numbness33 was taken out of his joints34, he buttoned himself up and prepared to depart.
"Now," says he to Bill, "you hadn't the food to give me, but what you could you did. Ask any three wishes you choose, and be they what they may, take my word for it, they shall be granted."
Now, the truth is, that Bill, though he believed himself a great man in point of 'cuteness, wanted, after all, a full quarter of being square; for there is always a great difference between a wise man and a knave3. Bill was so much of a rogue that he could not, for the blood of him, ask an honest wish, but stood scratching his head in a puzzle.
"Three wishes!" said he. "Why, let me see—did you say three?"
"Ay," replied the stranger, "three wishes—that was what I said."
"Well," said Bill, "here goes,—aha!—let me alone, my [Pg 240] old worthy!—faith I'll overreach the parish, if what you say is true. I'll cheat them in dozens, rich and poor, old and young: let me alone, man,—I have it here;" and he tapped his forehead with great glee. "Faith, you're the sort to meet of a frosty morning, when a man wants his breakfast; and I'm sorry that I have neither money nor credit to get a bottle of whiskey, that we might take our morning together."
"Well, but let us hear the wishes," said the old man; "my time is short, and I cannot stay much longer."
"Do you see this sledge35-hammer?" said Bill; "I wish, in the first place, that whoever takes it up in their hands may never be able to lay it down till I give them lave; and that whoever begins to sledge with it may never stop sledging36 till it's my pleasure to release him."
"Secondly—I have an arm-chair, and I wish that whoever sits down in it may never rise out of it till they have my consent."
"And, thirdly—that whatever money I put into my purse, nobody may have power to take it out of it but myself!"
"You devil's rip!" says the old man in a passion, shaking his staff across Bill's nose, "why did you not ask something that would sarve you both here and hereafter? Sure it's as common as the market-cross, that there's not a vagabone in his Majesty37's dominions38 stands more in need of both."
"Oh! by the elevens," said Bill, "I forgot that altogether! Maybe you'd be civil enough to let me change one of them? The sorra purtier wish ever was made than I'll make, if you'll give me another chance."
"Get out, you reprobate," said the old fellow, still in a passion. "Your day of grace is past. Little you knew who was speaking to you all this time. I'm St. Moroky, you blackguard, and I gave you an opportunity of doing something for yourself and your family; but you neglected it, and now your fate is cast, you dirty, bog-trotting profligate39. Sure, it's well known what you are! Aren't [Pg 241] you a by-word in everybody's mouth, you and your scold of a wife? By this and by that, if ever you happen to come across me again, I'll send you to where you won't freeze, you villain5!"
He then gave Bill a rap of his cudgel over the head, and laid him at his length beside the bellows, kicked a broken coal-scuttle out of his way, and left the forge in a fury.
When Billy recovered himself from the effects of the blow, and began to think on what had happened, he could have quartered himself with vexation for not asking great wealth as one of the wishes at least; but now the die was cast on him, and he could only make the most of the three he pitched upon.
He now bethought him how he might turn them to the best account, and here his cunning came to his aid. He began by sending for his wealthiest neighbours on pretence40 of business; and when he got them under his roof, he offered them the arm-chair to sit down in. He now had them safe, nor could all the art of man relieve them except worthy Bill was willing. Bill's plan was to make the best bargain he could before he released his prisoners; and let him alone for knowing how to make their purses bleed. There wasn't a wealthy man in the country he did not fleece. The parson of the parish bled heavily; so did the lawyer; and a rich attorney, who had retired41 from practice, swore that the Court of Chancery itself was paradise compared to Bill's chair.
This was all very good for a time. The fame of his chair, however, soon spread; so did that of his sledge. In a short time neither man, woman, nor child would darken his door; all avoided him and his fixtures42 as they would a spring-gun or man-trap. Bill, so long as he fleeced his neighbours, never wrought43 a hand's turn; so that when his money was out, he found himself as badly off as ever. In addition to all this, his character was fifty times worse than before; for it was the general belief that he had dealings with the old boy. Nothing now could exceed his misery44, distress, and ill-temper. The wife and he and their children [Pg 242] all fought among one another. Everybody hated them, cursed them, and avoided them. The people thought they were acquainted with more than Christian45 people ought to know. This, of course, came to Bill's ears, and it vexed him very much.
One day he was walking about the fields, thinking of how he could raise the wind once more; the day was dark, and he found himself, before he stopped, in the bottom of a lonely glen covered by great bushes that grew on each side. "Well," thought he, when every other means of raising money failed him, "it's reported that I'm in league with the old boy, and as it's a folly46 to have the name of the connection without the profit, I'm ready to make a bargain with him any day;—so," said he, raising his voice, "Nick, you sinner, if you be convanient and willing, why stand out here; show your best leg—here's your man."
The words were hardly out of his mouth when a dark, sober-looking old gentleman, not unlike a lawyer, walked up to him. Bill looked at the foot and saw the hoof47.—"Morrow, Nick," says Bill.
"Morrow, Bill," says Nick. "Well, Bill, what's the news?"
"Devil a much myself hears of late," says Bill; "is there anything fresh below?"
"I can't exactly say, Bill; I spend little of my time down now; the Tories are in office, and my hands are consequently too full of business here to pay much attention to anything else."
"A fine place this, sir," says Bill, "to take a constitutional walk in; when I want an appetite I often come this way myself—hem! High feeding is very bad without exercise."
"You know that's a bounce, Nick. I eat a breakfast this morning that would put a stone of flesh on you, if you only smelt49 at it."
"No matter; this is not to the purpose. What's that [Pg 243] you were muttering to yourself awhile ago? If you want to come to the brunt, here I'm for you."
"Nick," said Bill, "you're complate; you want nothing barring a pair of Brian O'Lynn's breeches."
Bill, in fact, was bent50 on making his companion open the bargain, because he had often heard that, in that case, with proper care on his own part, he might defeat him in the long run. The other, however, was his match.
"What was the nature of Brian's garment," inquired Nick. "Why, you know the song," said Bill—
"'Brian O'Lynn had no breeches to wear,
So he got a sheep's skin for to make him a pair;
With the fleshy side out and the woolly side in,
They'll be pleasant and cool, says Brian O'Lynn.'
"A cool pare would sarve you, Nick."
"And good right I have," said Bill; "I'm a man snug53 and well to do in the world; have lots of money, plenty of good eating and drinking, and what more need a man wish for?"
"True," said the other; "in the meantime it's rather odd that so respectable a man should not have six inches of unbroken cloth in his apparel. You are as naked a tatterdemalion as I ever laid my eyes on; in full dress for a party of scare-crows, William."
"That's my own fancy, Nick; I don't work at my trade like a gentleman. This is my forge dress, you know."
"Well, but what did you summon me here for?" said the other; "you may as well speak out, I tell you; for, my good friend, unless you do, I shan't. Smell that."
"I smell more than that," said Bill; "and by the way, I'll thank you to give me the windy side of you—curse all sulphur, I say. There, that's what I call an improvement in my condition. But as you are so stiff," says Bill, "why, the short and long of it is—that—hem—you see I'm—tut—sure you know I have a thriving trade of my own, and [Pg 244] that if I like I needn't be at a loss; but in the meantime I'm rather in a kind of a so—so—don't you take?"
"You must speak above-board, my friend," says the other. "I'm a man of few words, blunt and honest. If you have anything to say, be plain. Don't think I can be losing my time with such a pitiful rascal55 as you are."
"Well," says Bill, "I want money, then, and am ready to come into terms. What have you to say to that, Nick?"
"Let me see—let me look at you," says his companion, turning him about. "Now, Bill, in the first place, are you not as finished a scare-crow as ever stood upon two legs?"
"There you stand, with the blackguards' coat of arms quartered under your eye, and——"
"Faith, I'd bring more bidders61 than you would," said Bill, "if you were to go off at auction to-morrow. I tell you they should bid downwards62 to come to your value, Nicholas. We have no coin small enough to purchase you."
"Well, no matter," said Nick. "If you are willing to be mine at the expiration63 of seven years, I will give you more money than ever the rascally64 breed of you was worth."
"Done!" said Bill; "but no disparagement65 to my family, in the meantime; so down with the hard cash, and don't be a neger."
The money was accordingly paid down! but as nobody was present, except the giver and receiver, the amount of what Bill got was never known.
"Won't you give me a luck-penny?" said the old gentleman.
"Tut," said Billy, "so prosperous an old fellow as you cannot want it; however, bad luck to you, with all my [Pg 245] heart! and it's rubbing grease to a fat pig to say so. Be off now, or I'll commit suicide on you. Your absence is a cordial to most people, you infernal old profligate. You have injured my morals even for the short time you have been with me; for I don't find myself so virtuous66 as I was."
"Is it gratitude you speak of, man? I wonder you don't blush when you name it. However, when you come again, if you bring a third eye in your head you will see what I mane, Nicholas, ahagur."
The old gentleman, as Bill spoke68, hopped69 across the ditch, on his way to Downing-street, where of late 'tis thought he possesses much influence.
Bill now began by degrees to show off; but still wrought a little at his trade to blindfold70 the neighbours. In a very short time, however, he became a great man. So long indeed as he was a poor rascal, no decent person would speak to him; even the proud serving-men at the "Big House" would turn up their noses at him. And he well deserved to be made little of by others, because he was mean enough to make little of himself. But when it was seen and known that he had oceans of money, it was wonderful to think, although he was now a greater blackguard than ever, how those who despised him before began to come round him and court his company. Bill, however, had neither sense nor spirit to make those sunshiny friends know their distance; not he—instead of that he was proud to be seen in decent company, and so long as the money lasted, it was, "hail fellow, well met," between himself and every fair-faced spunger who had a horse under him, a decent coat to his back, and a good appetite to eat his dinners. With riches and all, Bill was the same man still; but, somehow or other, there is a great difference between a rich profligate and a poor one, and Bill found it so to his cost in both cases.
Before half the seven years was passed, Bill had his carriage, and his equipages; was hand and glove with my Lord This, and my Lord That; kept hounds and hunters; [Pg 246] was the first sportsman at the Curragh; patronised every boxing ruffian he could pick up; and betted night and day on cards, dice71, and horses. Bill, in short, should be a blood, and except he did all this, he could not presume to mingle72 with the fashionable bloods of his time.
It's an old proverb, however, that "what is got over the devil's back is sure to go off under it;" and in Bill's case this proved true. In short, the old boy himself could not supply him with money so fast as he made it fly; it was "come easy, go easy," with Bill, and so sign was on it, before he came within two years of his time he found his purse empty.
And now came the value of his summer friends to be known. When it was discovered that the cash was no longer flush with him—that stud, and carriage, and hounds were going to the hammer—whish! off they went, friends, relations, pot-companions, dinner-eaters, black-legs, and all, like a flock of crows that had smelt gunpowder73. Down Bill soon went, week after week, and day after day, until at last he was obliged to put on the leather apron, and take to the hammer again; and not only that, for as no experience could make him wise, he once more began his tap-room brawls74, his quarrels with Judy, and took to his "high feeding" at the dry potatoes and salt. Now, too, came the cutting tongues of all who knew him, like razors upon him. Those that he scorned because they were poor and himself rich, now paid him back his own with interest; and those that he measured himself with, because they were rich, and who only countenanced75 him in consequence of his wealth, gave him the hardest word in their cheeks. The devil mend him! He deserved it all, and more if he had got it.
Bill, however, who was a hardened sinner, never fretted76 himself down an ounce of flesh by what was said to him, or of him. Not he; he cursed, and fought, and swore, and schemed away as usual, taking in every one he could; and surely none could match him at villainy of all sorts, and sizes.
At last the seven years became expired, and Bill was one morning sitting in his forge, sober and hungry, the wife [Pg 247] cursing him, and the childhre squalling, as before; he was thinking how he might defraud77 some honest neighbour out of a breakfast to stop their mouths and his own too, when who walks in to him but old Nick, to demand his bargain.
"The devil welcome you!" says Bill; "but you have a fresh memory."
"A bargain's a bargain between two honest men, any day," says Satan; "when I speak of honest men, I mean yourself and me, Bill;" and he put his tongue in his cheek to make game of the unfortunate rogue he had come for.
"Nick, my worthy fellow," said Bill, "have bowels79; you wouldn't do a shabby thing; you wouldn't disgrace your own character by putting more weight upon a falling man. You know what it is to get a come down yourself, my worthy; so just keep your toe in your pump, and walk off with yourself somewhere else. A cool walk will sarve you better than my company, Nicholas."
"Bill, it's no use in shirking," said his friend; "your swindling tricks may enable you to cheat others, but you won't cheat me, I guess. You want nothing to make you perfect in your way but to travel; and travel you shall under my guidance, Billy. No, no—I'm not to be swindled, my good fellow. I have rather a—a—better opinion of myself, Mr. D., than to think that you could outwit one Nicholas Clutie, Esq.—ahem!"
"You may sneer, you sinner," replied Bill; "but I tell you that I have outwitted men who could buy and sell you to your face. Despair, you villain, when I tell you that no attorney could stand before me."
Satan's countenance got blank when he heard this; he wriggled80 and fidgeted about, and appeared to be not quite comfortable.
"In that case, then," says he, "the sooner I deceive you the better; so turn out for the Low Countries."
"Is it come to that in earnest?" said Bill, "and are you going to act the rascal at the long run?"
"'Pon honour, Bill."
[Pg 248] "Have patience, then, you sinner, till I finish this horse shoe—it's the last of a set I'm finishing for one of your friend the attorney's horses. And here, Nick, I hate idleness, you know it's the mother of mischief81; take this sledge-hammer, and give a dozen strokes or so, till I get it out of hands, and then here's with you, since it must be so."
He then gave the bellows a puff82 that blew half a peck of dust in Club-foot's face, whipped out the red-hot iron, and set Satan sledging away for bare life.
"Faith," says Bill to him, when the shoe was finished, "it's a thousand pities ever the sledge should be out of your hand; the great Parra Gow was a child to you at sledging, you're such an able tyke. Now just exercise yourself till I bid the wife and childhre good-bye, and then I'm off."
Out went Bill, of course, without the slightest notion of coming back; no more than Nick had that he could not give up the sledging, and indeed neither could he, but was forced to work away as if he was sledging for a wager83. This was just what Bill wanted. He was now compelled to sledge on until it was Bill's pleasure to release him; and so we leave him very industriously84 employed, while we look after the worthy who outwitted him.
In the meantime, Bill broke cover, and took to the country at large; wrought a little journey-work wherever he could get it, and in this way went from one place to another, till, in the course of a month, he walked back very coolly into his own forge, to see how things went on in his absence. There he found Satan in a rage, the perspiration86 pouring from him in torrents87, hammering with might and main upon the naked anvil. Bill calmly leaned his back against the wall, placed his hat upon the side of his head, put his hands into his breeches pockets, and began to whistle Shaun Gow's hornpipe. At length he says, in a very quiet and good-humoured way—
"Morrow, Nick!"
"Oh!" says Nick, still hammering away—"Oh! you double-distilled villain (hech!), may the most refined, ornamental (hech!), double-rectified, super-extra, and [Pg 249] original (hech!) collection of curses that ever was gathered (hech!) into a single nosegay of ill-fortune (hech!), shine in the button-hole of your conscience (hech!) while your name is Bill Dawson! I denounce you (hech!) as a double-milled villain, a finished, hot-pressed knave (hech!), in comparison of whom all the other knaves88 I ever knew (hech!), attorneys included, are honest men. I brand you (hech!) as the pearl of cheats, a tip-top take-in (hech!). I denounce you, I say again, for the villainous treatment (hech!) I have received at your hands in this most untoward89 (hech!) and unfortunate transaction between us; for (hech!) unfortunate, in every sense, is he that has anything to do with (hech!) such a prime and finished impostor."
"You're very warm, Nicky," says Bill; "what puts you into a passion, you old sinner? Sure if it's your own will and pleasure to take exercise at my anvil, I'm not to be abused for it. Upon my credit, Nicky, you ought to blush for using such blackguard language, so unbecoming your grave character. You cannot say that it was I set you a hammering at the empty anvil, you profligate. However, as you are so industrious85, I simply say it would be a thousand pities to take you from it. Nick, I love industry in my heart, and I always encourage it; so work away, it's not often you spend your time so creditably. I'm afraid if you weren't at that you'd be worse employed."
"Bill, have bowels," said the operative; "you wouldn't go to lay more weight on a falling man, you know; you wouldn't disgrace your character by such a piece of iniquity90 as keeping an inoffensive gentleman, advanced in years, at such an unbecoming and rascally job as this. Generosity91's your top virtue92, Bill; not but that you have many other excellent ones, as well as that, among which, as you say yourself, I reckon industry; but still it is in generosity you shine. Come, Bill, honour bright, and release me."
"Name the terms, you profligate."
"You're above terms, William; a generous fellow like you never thinks of terms."
[Pg 250] "Good-bye, old gentleman!" said Bill, very coolly; "I'll drop in to see you once a month."
"No, no, Bill, you infern—a—a—you excellent, worthy, delightful93 fellow, not so fast; not so fast. Come, name your terms, you sland——my dear Bill, name your terms."
"Seven years more."
"I agree; but——"
"And the same supply of cash as before, down on the nail here."
"Very good; very good. You're rather simple, Bill; rather soft, I must confess. Well, no matter. I shall yet turn the tab—a—hem! You are an exceedingly simple fellow, Bill; still there will come a day, my dear Bill—there will come——"
"Mum, William—mum; tace is Latin for a candle."
"Seven years more of grace, and the same measure of the needful that I got before. Ay or no?"
"Of grace, Bill! Ay! ay! ay! There's the cash. I accept the terms. Oh blood! the rascal—of grace!! Bill!"
"Well, now drop the hammer, and vanish," says Billy; "but what would you think to take this sledge, while you stay, and give me a——eh! why in such a hurry?" he added, seeing that Satan withdrew in double-quick time.
"Hollo! Nicholas!" he shouted, "come back; you forgot something!" and when the old gentleman looked behind him, Billy shook the hammer at him, on which he vanished altogether.
Billy now got into his old courses; and what shows the kind of people the world is made of, he also took up with his old company. When they saw that he had the money once more, and was sowing it about him in all directions, they immediately began to find excuses for his former extravagance.
"Say what you will," said one, "Bill Dawson's a spirited fellow, and bleeds like a prince."
[Pg 251] "He's a hospitable95 man in his own house, or out of it, as ever lived," said another.
"His only fault is," observed a third, "that he is, if anything, too generous, and doesn't know the value of money; his fault's on the right side, however."
"He has the spunk96 in him," said a fourth; "keeps a capital table, prime wines, and a standing welcome for his friends."
"Why," said a fifth, "if he doesn't enjoy his money while he lives, he won't when he's dead; so more power to him, and a wider throat to his purse."
Indeed, the very persons who were cramming97 themselves at his expense despised him at heart. They knew very well, however, how to take him on the weak side. Praise his generosity, and he would do anything; call him a man of spirit, and you might fleece him to his face. Sometimes he would toss a purse of guineas to this knave, another to that flatterer, a third to a bully98, and a fourth to some broken down rake—and all to convince them that he was a sterling99 friend—a man of mettle100 and liberality. But never was he known to help a virtuous and struggling family—to assist the widow or the fatherless, or to do any other act that was truly useful. It is to be supposed the reason of this was, that as he spent it, as most of the world do, in the service of the devil, by whose aid he got it, he was prevented from turning it to a good account. Between you and me, dear reader, there are more persons acting101 after Bill's fashion in the same world than you dream about.
When his money was out again, his friends played him the same rascally game once more. No sooner did his poverty become plain, than the knaves began to be troubled with small fits of modesty102, such as an unwillingness103 to come to his place when there was no longer anything to be got there. A kind of virgin104 bashfulness prevented them from speaking to him when they saw him getting out on the wrong side of his clothes. Many of them would turn away from him in the prettiest and most delicate manner when they thought he wanted to borrow money from them—all [Pg 252] for fear of putting him to the blush by asking it. Others again, when they saw him coming towards their houses about dinner hour, would become so confused, from mere105 gratitude, as to think themselves in another place; and their servants, seized, as it were, with the same feeling, would tell Bill that their masters were "not at home."
At length, after travelling the same villainous round as before, Bill was compelled to betake himself, as the last remedy, to the forge; in other words, he found that there is, after all, nothing in this world that a man can rely on so firmly and surely as his own industry. Bill, however, wanted the organ of common sense; for his experience—and it was sharp enough to leave an impression—ran off him like water off a duck.
He took to his employment sorely against his grain; but he had now no choice. He must either work or starve, and starvation is like a great doctor—nobody tries it till every other remedy fails them. Bill had been twice rich; twice a gentleman among blackguards, but always a blackguard among gentlemen; for no wealth or acquaintance with decent society could rub the rust106 of his native vulgarity off him. He was now a common blinking sot in his forge; a drunken bully in the tap-room, cursing and brow-beating every one as well as his wife; boasting of how much money he had spent in his day; swaggering about the high doings he carried on; telling stories about himself and Lord This at the Curragh; the dinners he gave—how much they cost him, and attempting to extort107 credit upon the strength of his former wealth. He was too ignorant, however, to know that he was publishing his own disgrace, and that it was a mean-spirited thing to be proud of what ought to make him blush through a deal board nine inches thick.
He was one morning industriously engaged in a quarrel with his wife, who, with a three-legged stool in her hand, appeared to mistake his head for his own anvil; he, in the meantime, paid his addresses to her with his leather apron, when who steps in to jog his memory about the little agreement that was between them, but old Nick. The wife, it [Pg 253] seems, in spite of all her exertions108 to the contrary, was getting the worst of it; and Sir Nicholas, willing to appear a gentleman of great gallantry, thought he could not do less than take up the lady's quarrel, particularly as Bill had laid her in a sleeping posture109. Now Satan thought this too bad; and as he felt himself under many obligations to the sex, he determined110 to defend one of them on the present occasion; so as Judy rose, he turned upon the husband, and floored him by a clever facer.
"You unmanly villain," said he, "is this the way you treat your wife? 'Pon honour, Bill, I'll chastise111 you on the spot. I could not stand by, a spectator of such ungentlemanly conduct without giving up all claim to gallant——" Whack14! the word was divided in his mouth by the blow of a churn-staff from Judy, who no sooner saw Bill struck, than she nailed Satan, who "fell" once more.
"What, you villain! that's for striking my husband like a murderer behind his back," said Judy, and she suited the action to the word, "that's for interfering112 between man and wife. Would you murder the poor man before my face? eh? If he bates me, you shabby dog you, who has a better right? I'm sure it's nothing out of your pocket. Must you have your finger in every pie?"
This was anything but idle talk; for at every word she gave him a remembrance, hot and heavy. Nicholas backed, danced, and hopped; she advanced, still drubbing him with great perseverance113, till at length he fell into the redoubtable114 arm-chair, which stood exactly behind him. Bill, who had been putting in two blows for Judy's one, seeing that his enemy was safe, now got between the devil and his wife, a situation that few will be disposed to envy him.
"Tenderness, Judy," said the husband, "I hate cruelty. Go put the tongs115 in the fire, and make them red hot. Nicholas, you have a nose," said he.
"Nicholas," says Bill, "how is your pulse? you don't look well; that is to say, you look worse than usual."
[Pg 254] The other attempted to rise, but found it a mistake.
"I'll thank you to come along," said Bill. "I have a fancy to travel under your guidance, and we'll take the Low Countries in our way, won't we? Get to your legs, you sinner; you know a bargain's a bargain between two honest men, Nicholas; meaning yourself and me. Judy, are the tongs hot?"
Satan's face was worth looking at, as he turned his eyes from the husband to the wife, and then fastened them on the tongs, now nearly at a furnace heat in the fire, conscious at the same time that he could not move out of the chair.
"Billy," said he, "you won't forget that I rewarded your generosity the last time I saw you, in the way of business." "Faith, Nicholas, it fails me to remember any generosity I ever showed you. Don't be womanish. I simply want to see what kind of stuff your nose is made of, and whether it will stretch like a rogue's conscience. If it does, we will flatter it up the chimly with red-hot tongs, and when this old hat is fixed117 on the top of it, let us alone for a weather-cock." "Have a fellow-feeling, Mr. Dawson; you know we ought not to dispute. drop the matter, and I give you the next seven years." "We know all that," says Billy, opening the red-hot tongs very coolly. "Mr. Dawson," said Satan, "if you cannot remember my friendship to yourself, don't forget how often I stood your father's friend, your grandfather's friend, and the friend of all your relations up to the tenth generation. I intended, also, to stand by your children after you, so long as the name of Dawson, and a respectable one it is, might last." "Don't be blushing, Nick," says Bill, "you are too modest; that was ever your failing; hould up your head, there's money bid for you. I'll give you such a nose, my good friend, that you will have to keep an outrider before you, to carry the end of it on his shoulder." "Mr. Dawson, I pledge my honour to raise your children in the world as high as they can go; no matter whether they desire it or not." "That's very kind of you," says the other, "and I'll do as much for your nose."
[Pg 255] He gripped it as he spoke, and the old boy immediately sung out; Bill pulled, and the nose went with him like a piece of warm wax. He then transferred the tongs to Judy, got a ladder, resumed the tongs, ascended118 the chimney, and tugged120 stoutly121 at the nose until he got it five feet above the roof. He then fixed the hat upon the top of it, and came down.
"There's a weather-cock," said Billy; "I defy Ireland to show such a beauty. Faith, Nick, it would make the purtiest steeple for a church, in all Europe, and the old hat fits it to a shaving."
In this state, with his nose twisted up the chimney, Satan sat for some time, experiencing the novelty of what might be termed a peculiar122 sensation. At last the worthy husband and wife began to relent.
"I think," said Bill, "that we have made the most of the nose, as well as the joke; I believe, Judy, it's long enough." "What is?" says Judy.
"Why, the joke," said the husband.
"Faith, and I think so is the nose," said Judy.
"What do you say yourself, Satan?" said Bill.
"Nothing at all, William," said the other; "but that—ha! ha!—it's a good joke—an excellent joke, and a goodly nose, too, as it stands. You were always a gentlemanly man, Bill, and did things with a grace; still, if I might give an opinion on such a trifle——"
"It's no trifle at all," says Bill, "if you spake of the nose." "Very well, it is not," says the other; "still, I am decidedly of opinion, that if you could shorten both the joke and the nose without further violence, you would lay me under very heavy obligations, which I shall be ready to acknowledge and repay as I ought." "Come," said Bill, "shell out once more, and be off for seven years. As much as you came down with the last time, and vanish."
The words were scarcely spoken, when the money was at his feet, and Satan invisible. Nothing could surpass the mirth of Bill and his wife at the result of this adventure. They laughed till they fell down on the floor.
[Pg 256] It is useless to go over the same ground again. Bill was still incorrigible123. The money went as the devil's money always goes. Bill caroused124 and squandered125, but could never turn a penny of it to a good purpose. In this way, year after year went, till the seventh was closed, and Bill's hour come. He was now, and had been for some time past, as miserable a knave as ever. Not a shilling had he, nor a shilling's worth, with the exception of his forge, his cabin, and a few articles of crazy furniture. In this state he was standing in his forge as before, straining his ingenuity126 how to make out a breakfast, when Satan came to look after him. The old gentleman was sorely puzzled how to get at him. He kept skulking127 and sneaking128 about the forge for some time, till he saw that Bill hadn't a cross to bless himself with. He immediately changed himself into a guinea, and lay in an open place where he knew Bill would see him. "If," said he, "I once get into his possession, I can manage him." The honest smith took the bait, for it was well gilded129; he clutched the guinea, put it into his purse, and closed it up. "Ho! ho!" shouted the devil out of the purse, "you're caught, Bill; I've secured you at last, you knave you. Why don't you despair, you villain, when you think of what's before you?" "Why, you unlucky ould dog," said Bill, "is it there you are? Will you always drive your head into every loop-hole that's set for you? Faith, Nick achora, I never had you bagged till now."
"Mr. Dawson," said he, "we understand each other. I'll give the seven years additional, and the cash on the nail." "Be aisey, Nicholas. You know the weight of the hammer, that's enough. It's not a whipping with feathers you're going to get, anyhow. Just be aisey." "Mr. Dawson, I grant I'm not your match. Release me, and I double the cash. I was merely trying your temper when I took the shape of a guinea."
"Faith and I'll try yours before I lave it, I've a notion." He immediately commenced with the sledge, and Satan [Pg 257] sang out with a considerable want of firmness. "Am I heavy enough!" said Bill.
"Lighter130, lighter, William, if you love me. I haven't been well latterly, Mr. Dawson—I have been delicate—my health, in short, is in a very precarious131 state, Mr. Dawson." "I can believe that," said Bill, "and it will be more so before I have done with you. Am I doing it right?" "Bill," said Nick, "is this gentlemanly treatment in your own respectable shop? Do you think, if you dropped into my little place, that I'd act this rascally part towards you? Have you no compunction?" "I know," replied Bill, sledging away with vehemence132, "that you're notorious for giving your friends a warm welcome. Divil an ould youth more so; but you must be daling in bad coin, must you? However, good or bad, you're in for a sweat now, you sinner. Am I doin' it purty?"
"Lovely, William—but, if possible, a little more delicate."
"Oh, how delicate you are! Maybe a cup o' tay would sarve you, or a little small gruel133 to compose your stomach."
"Mr. Dawson," said the gentleman in the purse, "hold your hand and let us understand one another. I have a proposal to make." "Hear the sinner anyhow," said the wife. "Name your own sum," said Satan, "only set me free." "No, the sorra may take the toe you'll budge till you let Bill off," said the wife; "hould him hard, Bill, barrin' he sets you clear of your engagement." "There it is, my posy," said Bill; "that's the condition. If you don't give me up, here's at you once more—and you must double the cash you gave the last time, too. So, if you're of that opinion, say ay—leave the cash and be off."
The money again appeared in a glittering heap before Bill, upon which he exclaimed—"The ay has it, you dog. Take to your pumps now, and fair weather after you, you vagrant; but Nicholas—Nick—here, here——" The other looked back, and saw Bill, with a broad grin upon him, shaking the purse at him—"Nicholas come back," said he. "I'm short a guinea." Nick shook his fist, and disappeared.
It would be useless to stop now, merely to inform our [Pg 258] readers that Bill was beyond improvement. In short, he once more took to his old habits, and lived on exactly in the same manner as before. He had two sons—one as great a blackguard as himself, and who was also named after him; the other was a well-conducted, virtuous young man, called James, who left his father, and having relied upon his own industry and honest perseverance in life, arrived afterwards to great wealth, and built the town called Castle Dawson; which is so called from its founder134 until this day.
Bill, at length, in spite of all his wealth, was obliged, as he himself said, "to travel,"—in other words, he fell asleep one day, and forgot to awaken135; or, in still plainer terms, he died.
Now, it is usual, when a man dies, to close the history of his life and adventures at once; but with our hero this cannot be the case. The moment Bill departed, he very naturally bent his steps towards the residence of St. Moroky, as being, in his opinion, likely to lead him towards the snuggest136 berth137 he could readily make out. On arriving, he gave a very humble138 kind of a knock, and St. Moroky appeared.
"Be off; there's no admittance here for so poor a youth as you are," said St Moroky.
He was now so cold and fatigued140 that he cared little where he went, provided only, as he said himself, "he could rest his bones, and get an air of the fire." Accordingly, after arriving at a large black gate, he knocked, as before, and was told he would get instant admittance the moment he gave his name.
"Billy Dawson," he replied.
"Off, instantly," said the porter to his companions, "and let his Majesty know that the rascal he dreads141 so much is here at the gate."
[Pg 259] In the meantime, his old acquaintance came running towards the gate with such haste and consternation143, that his tail was several times nearly tripping up his heels.
"Don't admit that rascal," he shouted; "bar the gate—make every chain, and lock and bolt, fast—I won't be safe—and I won't stay here, nor none of us need stay here, if he gets in—my bones are sore yet after him. No, no—begone you villain—you'll get no entrance here—I know you too well."
Bill could not help giving a broad, malicious144 grin at Satan, and, putting his nose through the bars, he exclaimed—"Ha! you ould dog, I have you afraid of me at last, have I?"
He had scarcely uttered the words, when his foe145, who stood inside, instantly tweaked him by the nose, and Bill felt as if he had been gripped by the same red-hot tongs with which he himself had formerly146 tweaked the nose of Nicholas.
Bill then departed, but soon found that in consequence of the inflammable materials which strong drink had thrown into his nose, that organ immediately took fire, and, indeed, to tell the truth, kept burning night and day, winter and summer, without ever once going out, from that hour to this.
Such was the sad fate of Billy Dawson, who has been walking without stop or stay, from place to place, ever since; and in consequence of the flame on his nose, and his beard being tangled147 like a wisp of hay, he has been christened by the country folk Will-o'-the-Wisp, while, as it were, to show the mischief of his disposition148, the circulating knave, knowing that he must seek the coldest bogs149 and quagmires150 in order to cool his nose, seizes upon that opportunity of misleading the unthinking and tipsy night travellers from their way, just that he may have the satisfaction of still taking in as many as possible.
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1
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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knavery
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| n.恶行，欺诈的行为 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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7
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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11
vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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12
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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14
whack
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| v.敲击，重打，瓜分；n.重击，重打，尝试，一份 | |
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whacked
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| a.精疲力尽的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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cuffing
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| v.掌打，拳打( cuff的现在分词 )；袖口状白血球聚集 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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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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softens
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| （使）变软( soften的第三人称单数 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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31
bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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numbness
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| n.无感觉，麻木，惊呆 | |
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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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sledge
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| n.雪橇，大锤；v.用雪橇搬运，坐雪橇往 | |
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sledging
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| v.乘雪橇( sledge的现在分词 )；用雪橇运载 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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profligate
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| adj.行为不检的；n.放荡的人，浪子，肆意挥霍者 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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fixtures
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| （房屋等的）固定装置( fixture的名词复数 )； 如（浴盆、抽水马桶）； 固定在某位置的人或物； （定期定点举行的）体育活动 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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44
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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46
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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47
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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51
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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52
waggish
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| adj.诙谐的，滑稽的 | |
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53
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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54
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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55
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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56
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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57
disparagingly
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| adv.以贬抑的口吻，以轻视的态度 | |
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58
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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59
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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60
auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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61
bidders
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| n.出价者，投标人( bidder的名词复数 ) | |
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62
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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63
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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64
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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65
disparagement
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| n.轻视，轻蔑 | |
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66
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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67
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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68
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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69
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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70
blindfold
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| vt.蒙住…的眼睛；adj.盲目的；adv.盲目地；n.蒙眼的绷带[布等]； 障眼物，蒙蔽人的事物 | |
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71
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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72
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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73
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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74
brawls
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| 吵架，打架( brawl的名词复数 ) | |
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75
countenanced
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| v.支持，赞同，批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
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76
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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77
defraud
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| vt.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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78
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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79
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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80
wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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81
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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82
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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83
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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84
industriously
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85
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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86
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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87
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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88
knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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89
untoward
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| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
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90
iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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91
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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92
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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93
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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94
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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95
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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96
spunk
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| n.勇气，胆量 | |
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97
cramming
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| n.塞满，填鸭式的用功v.塞入( cram的现在分词 )；填塞；塞满；（为考试而）死记硬背功课 | |
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98
bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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99
sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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100
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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101
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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102
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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103
unwillingness
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| n. 不愿意，不情愿 | |
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104
virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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105
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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106
rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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107
extort
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| v.勒索，敲诈，强要 | |
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108
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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109
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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110
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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111
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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112
interfering
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| adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
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113
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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114
redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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115
tongs
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| n.钳；夹子 | |
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116
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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117
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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118
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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120
tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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122
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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123
incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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124
caroused
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| v.痛饮，闹饮欢宴( carouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
squandered
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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126
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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127
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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128
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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129
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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130
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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131
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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132
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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133
gruel
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| n.稀饭，粥 | |
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134
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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135
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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136
snuggest
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| adj.整洁的( snug的最高级 )；温暖而舒适的；非常舒适的；紧身的 | |
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137
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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138
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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139
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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140
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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141
dreads
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| n.恐惧，畏惧( dread的名词复数 )；令人恐惧的事物v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的第三人称单数 ) | |
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142
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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143
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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144
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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145
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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146
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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147
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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148
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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149
bogs
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| n.沼泽，泥塘( bog的名词复数 )；厕所v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 )；妨碍，阻碍 | |
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150
quagmires
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| n.沼泽地，泥潭( quagmire的名词复数 ) | |
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