Just as the two turned in surprise on recognizing the wounded man’s voice thus unexpectedly, another noise caught their ears, and caused them to check the greetings on their lips. From the third passage came the clatter13 of feet running swiftly over the stone floor. As they gazed, the squat14 figure of Jake darted15 into the room, to halt, panting, as his eyes fell on the three men.
“Hurrah!” the boatman gasped16 weakly, for the hasty pace from the pit below had winded him. He swung his lantern in a flourish of triumph.
The glee of the man permitted only one possible explanation. The three witnesses of that[320] exultant17 entrance knew that the treasure had been found. Forthwith, they shared the messenger’s excitement. Jake told his story in few words. Within a half-minute of his coming, the four were hurrying down the third passage, toward the spot where Saxe was waiting beside his chest of gold. He heard the noise of their approach, and, with a little start, aroused himself from the blissful dreaming into which he had fallen, wherein the gold of a woman’s hair had counted as of more worth than that locked in the brass-bound box at his feet.
There ensued a period of general joy, though the specific causes of delight varied18 somewhat. Jake took keen pleasure in the fact that the one exciting incident of a humdrum19 life was ending in success. David was glad that the adventure on which he had embarked21 was achieved with victory to his friend’s hopes. Roy was savagely22 pleased over this discovery, which thus summarily put an end to Masters’ ambitions. Billy beheld23 with pride a final vindication24 of his exactitude in ratiocination25. Saxe was happy in the thought that here was wealth to offer the one whom he loved. The[321] subtly sweet flavor of that happiness was in the knowledge that the way to it had been pointed26 by her whom his friends had called his logical enemy. His enemy—she, Margaret! His lips curved to a tender smile.
Roy promptly27 assumed control of the operations involved in the disposal of the treasure. He had been a practical miner, was skilled in ingenious devices for the moving of heavy weights. He appointed David, who had had similar experiences, his chief helper. Billy Walker seated himself as comfortably as he might on one of the fragments cast up from the pit, and prepared to offer such comments on future events as should suggest themselves to an orderly and logical mind. Jake proposed breaking open the lock, and then loading themselves with as much gold as they could carry, for transportation to the launch. Roy refused acceptance of this simple method.
“It must weight about a thousand pounds,” he said. “It’s too heavy for us to carry all the way to the shore alone. Bring that heaviest cable from the launch, Jake, and the pulley-tackle that’s in the locker28. Do that first. Perhaps Dave and I may be able to rig the[322] pulley, and haul the chest up into the room above. Then, after you’ve brought the rope, go in the launch, and get half-a-dozen men from the Landing, to help. Bring along, too, four heavy poles. We’ll lash29 those on, to serve as handles in carrying the chest to the launch. Arrange for a lumber30 wagon31 at the Landing. Miss Thurston told me there’s a bank at the nearest town—Hadley—about three miles from the Landing. Eh?” Jake nodded assent32. “The day’s young yet,” Roy concluded. “We’ll land Abernethey’s gold in the bank before night.”
“Bank shets up at three o’clock,” the boatman objected.
“It’ll open again fast enough for what’s in this box,” Roy retorted. “You hurry up that cable, Jake.”
“I’ll go with him,” David said. “It may need more than the cable length for the business, it’s quite a stretch up that slope.” Roy nodded assent, and the two hastened off.
During their absence, Roy, with the assistance of Saxe, busied himself in arranging a smooth plane of stones in that end of the pit nearer the ascent33, in such fashion as to afford[323] an easy slide for the chest. Soon, the cable was brought, and, while the others devoted34 themselves to the adjustment of this, Jake departed on his mission to the Landing.
The workers in the tunnel found themselves confronted with serious difficulty when it came to passing the rope underneath35 the chest. It required the joint36 efforts of the four, though Billy Walker’s aid was not contributed without expostulation against the uselessness of this part of the labor37. In the end, however, what by great exertion38 on the part of each and by the employment of the pickaxes as levers and bits of rock as supports, the task was achieved, and the rope was got in position under the chest. The remainder of the business was simple enough. In a short time, the box was firmly set within the hempen39 bands, knotted with seamanlike40 smartness by Roy, and the main length of the cable was free for adjustment to block and tackle. The extent of it, to Roy’s relief, proved ample for the purpose, and forthwith he and David carried the free end of it up the slope to the level of the chamber, in quest of some projection41 of rock to which the hook of the block might be made[324] fast. Saxe and Billy remained below, beside the treasure-chest.
Saxe lighted another cigarette, Billy had recourse to one of his customary black cigars, and the two smoked contentedly42 in silence. Saxe could hear indistinctly from time to time the movements of Roy and David, busy on the level above. And then, presently, his ears detected another sound. He listened—idly at first, soon with growing interest, finally with intent curiosity, which swiftly became excitement. The noise was faint, intermittent43, yet persistent44. In his earlier attention to it, Saxe found difficulty in locating the direction whence the sound issued, but, later on, he became sure that it had its origin somewhere in the other passage, beyond the barrier that divided the pit into two parts. The fact filled him with amazement45. He knew the whereabouts of all in his own party. He could still hear Roy and David, active on the level above; Billy Walker was there present with him by the pit; Jake, ere this, was on his way to the Landing in the launch. It was impossible that the boatman should have disobeyed instructions, to return into the other passage for some mysterious[325] purpose of his own. But, since all the members of his party were thus accounted for, the explanation of that persistent sound there beyond the barrier became more difficult. It was certain that someone was occupied at the end of the other passage. Who, then, could that person be? It could not be Margaret, the only other who knew the entrance to the cavern. No, not the only other who knew—there was Masters! On the instant, as the thought came, Saxe knew that the enemy was again at work.
The reason baffled the listener. What could the man of treacherous46 schemes be doing thus on the wrong side of the barrier? Saxe felt the puzzle too hard for his solving, and turned to Billy Walker, seeking the light of pure reason to clear away the mists of darkness with which the event was shrouded47. The sage was nodding in somnolent48 relaxation49, though still puffing50 his cigar.
“Wake up, Billy!” Saxe called, softly.
“I’m not asleep,” he remarked crossly, following[326] the universal habit of denial in such case.
“Well, then, listen,” Saxe requested. “Don’t you hear that noise—like somebody pounding?”
The sage gave ear obediently. It was evident that, after a moment of attention, he perceived the noise, for his expression brightened to one of interest. His inference as to the significance of the occurrence was not left long in doubt. He turned presently to Saxe, with a wide grin on his heavy lips.
“Our nimble and indefatigable52 friend is at his old tricks again,” he declared, in a whisper, without the least hesitation53. “There remains54 for our deduction55 the precise variety of this latest deviltry.” Having thus delivered himself, the oracle56 closed his eyes, and, while continuing to listen, scowled57 portentously58 in token of absorbed ratiocination, which Saxe was at pains not to interrupt. It was perhaps two minutes before Billy Walker spoke59 again. When he did so, there was unaccustomed liveliness in the method of his delivery; he displayed an agitation60 that first startled Saxe, then alarmed him.
[327]“You said that Miss West mentioned another entrance to this cavern; Masters has probably availed himself of that. He has spied on us, and so has learned of our discovery of the treasure here. He has not dared to attack the lot of us openly. Very likely, he believes it will take us a considerable time to get out the chest. He may have come near enough to hear Roy and Dave up there, and from the silence between you and me he has supposed no one left here. He intends to get a hole through the barrier there, then to have the chest open, and to help himself to what he can while nobody’s looking. He may expect to have the whole night to work in. Of course, there’s a possibility he may mean just to get a loophole, and then pick us off one by one. That’s not likely, but he’s capable of anything.”
“He’ll have something of a job to break through there,” Saxe objected.
“Dynamite!” Saxe repeated, aghast.
“Yes, dynamite,” Billy stated again, with emphasis. “We know that he understands how to employ the explosive on occasion.” He[328] stood up, seized his lantern, and started at a half-trot up the ascent. “Probably, he wouldn’t mind much if some of us got hurt.” He turned his head to shout raucously63 over his shoulder at Saxe, who below him stood staring in horrified64 amazement: “But he’ll be at a safe distance, and—so’ll I.” He ran on, wheezing65 grievously. Yet once again, he turned to roar toward his friend, in a voice of menace: “Run, you blithering idiot—for your life!”
At that, the paralysis66 of astonishment fell from Saxe. He, in turn, caught up his lantern, and set off racing67 up the slope. He had gone scarcely a dozen steps when a report sounded behind him. It was not loud—indeed, it was so faint and muffled68 that, for a moment, Saxe doubted if, in truth, this could be the explosion prophesied69 by Billy Walker. He halted and looked back. From his position, he could see with sufficient clearness to the barrier. In the dim light, he could distinguish no apparent change in the aspect. Then, of a sudden, his eyes fell on a rush of waters near the floor at the end of the passage. Now that the echoes of the detonation70 had passed, he heard the hissing71 of their flow. Even as he stared,[329] astounded72, vaguely73 terrified, though without understanding of the catastrophe74, the flood mounted visibly. In a flash of horror, Saxe realized the peril75 darting76 upon him. He whirled with a great cry and fled from the death that menaced. A swift glance over his shoulder as he reached the level, showed the boiling element hard on his heels. He shouted a second time, in futile77 warning to his friends. In the next moment, the light of his lantern revealed Billy Walker, running at a good pace just before him.
There was no need of the telling. Even as he spoke, the first waves lashed80 their feet. No time was given them to mend their speed. Before they could do more than realize the coming of the flood, it had reached to their waists, to their armpits. They had dropped the drenched81 lanterns—they were swimming blindly on the rushing torrent82. But Billy, whose bulk kept him afloat easily, had put out a hand, so that he held fast to Saxe’s collar. Thus, they were borne onward83 together[330] through the fearful blackness, tossed and torn by the coil of waters. That contact of each with the other was their single comfort.
Of a sudden, they felt themselves twisted violently to one side. Then, for once, the majestic84 volume of Billy Walker’s voice served his necessity. The words bellowed85 in Saxe’s ear came softly, as from an infinite distance, yet clearly.
“There’s no turn like that—we’re in the chamber. Make to the left—to the ledges86, for your life! It’s our only chance.”
By mercy of fate, the eddy87 helped them on their course. But for that, they could never have won through against the mighty88 urge of the current. The eddy sent them far to the left, and they fought on with all their strength, when the pull of it would have swung them back toward the vortex. Then as he felt that he could strive no more, Saxe felt his fingers touch on stone. While his hand rasped on the rock for hold, his feet found footing. In the next moment, he realized as never before the great strength of his companion. A violent thrust upward fairly shot him clear of the water. Before he had time to help himself,[331] Billy was again at his side, was dragging him still higher on the tumble of rocks.
“To the top!” boomed the sage. “It may be high enough, and it may not. Anyhow, it’s the only chance.” And, presently, the two were on the summit of the pile of stone. Below them, the writhing89 waters clamored in rage. But the flood did not reach to them. Each second, Saxe expected to feel the swirl90 of it about his feet, leaping to engulf91 him; he was shuddering92 from dread93 of it. The quick horror of the event bred cowardice94. Then, yet once again, he heard the huge voice of his friend.
“We’re safe—safe!”
But Saxe could not believe him.
“How do you know?” he shouted.
“The water just reaches my foot. It has mounted no higher through a full minute.”
“But it may yet.”
This time, Billy heard.
“Use your reason, the water at my foot marks the level of the lake. It can rise no higher. Cheer up, my boy.”
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收听单词发音
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1
basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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2
mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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3
luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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4
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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5
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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8
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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12
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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14
squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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15
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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16
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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17
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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18
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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humdrum
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| adj.单调的，乏味的 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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22
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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23
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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24
vindication
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| n.洗冤，证实 | |
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ratiocination
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| n.推理；推断 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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29
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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30
lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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31
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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32
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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34
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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37
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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39
hempen
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| adj. 大麻制的, 大麻的 | |
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40
seamanlike
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| 海员般的，熟练水手似的 | |
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41
projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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42
contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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43
intermittent
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| adj.间歇的，断断续续的 | |
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44
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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45
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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46
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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47
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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48
somnolent
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| adj.想睡的，催眠的；adv.瞌睡地；昏昏欲睡地；使人瞌睡地 | |
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49
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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50
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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51
dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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52
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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53
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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54
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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55
deduction
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| n.减除，扣除，减除额；推论，推理，演绎 | |
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56
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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57
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
portentously
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59
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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60
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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61
dynamite
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| n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破) | |
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62
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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63
raucously
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| adv.粗声地；沙哑地 | |
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64
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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65
wheezing
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| v.喘息，发出呼哧呼哧的喘息声( wheeze的现在分词 )；哮鸣 | |
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66
paralysis
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| n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症) | |
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67
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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68
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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69
prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
detonation
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| n.爆炸；巨响 | |
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71
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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72
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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73
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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74
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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75
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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76
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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77
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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78
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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79
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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80
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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81
drenched
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| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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82
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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83
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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84
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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85
bellowed
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| 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 | |
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86
ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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87
eddy
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| n.漩涡，涡流 | |
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88
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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89
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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90
swirl
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| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
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91
engulf
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| vt.吞没，吞食 | |
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92
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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93
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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94
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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