I have seen soldiers suffering from shell shock led across the boulevard in Paris, held by the hand like children. I have seen one, a great, strapping2 fellow, guided to his seat in a restaurant. I have seen one stand upon the street wringing3 his hands and sobbing4 because he did not know which way to go. And no one of these unfortunates that I have ever seen would have ventured out alone upon the most trifling5 errand. Panic fear of themselves is their most distressing6 and conspicuous7 symptom.
Yet here was one of them whose last vestige8 of stamina9 seemed to have forsaken10 him, but who had yet penetrated11 into these rugged12 mountain heights. It was not so much the distance from France, as the endless up-and-down distances and winding13 ways of those Alpine14 fastnesses which made the thing seem impossible. Apparently15 he had a half forgotten smattering of some of the primitive16 outdoor arts and I had won his confidence and aroused some hope and interest in him by promising17 him a “hike.” But he was no more able to reach this sequestered18 spot unaided than a baby in arms.
Who, then, had aided him?
Try as I would, I could not persuade him to remain over night at my little inn, the fear of any noise seeming constantly with him, and I let him go, realizing with regret that perhaps he was as well off in his solitude19 with only the softer voices of nature about him.
But in the morning I was early at his retreat, with high hopes of the little excursion which awaited us. For I had thought that a quiet ramble in those unfrequented places would be a balm and solace20 to his poor nerves and wavering mind. Little did I dream what that ramble would reveal.
Our path took us through a forest thick with pines of such magnificence as I had never before seen, one as much like another as the pillars of a collonade, and for which this Jura range is famous. I have it from my host that after rainy weather the pungent21 odor from these pines is actually intoxicating22 and that wayfarers23 have been known to slumber24 under its fragrant25 influence for several days. I think I shall never again smell the spirit-rousing pungence of a Christmas tree without recalling our memorable26 ramble in that dim cathedral of the Jura Mountains.
I noticed that the sounds of nature had no such distressing effect upon my companion as did the ruder clamor of human clap-trap, and that he was more at ease in these majestic27 scenes. Perhaps kind nature, that great physician who asks no fee, had pointed28 out his solitary29 cave to him, after the thunderous tumult30 of the war—I do not know. But in any event he seemed more at ease than I had yet seen him. And I perceived clearly enough then that he was not insane—only that he had lost his grip.
He seemed to take an interest in everything about us and surprised me with the knowledge which he showed of nature and her little oddities. Once he picked up a twig31 saying that it had grown on the north side of a tree, and again a scrap32 of rock which he said was sandstone. “They’re all sandstone, these mountains,” he said, or rather asked, as if he were not quite sure of himself and afraid that I would contradict him.
“Yes,” I said. “I guess they’re mostly sandstone,” though, to tell you the truth, they might have been soapstone for all I knew.
Not once did he speak of the war and when I cautiously mentioned it in a casual way he paid no attention. It seemed that he had forgotten all about it—blessed lapse33 of memory, I thought.
Well, after a while we came upon rough country, like a miniature chain of mountains up there amid those mighty34 peaks. Here were rocky hollows and no end of little caves and glens—such picturesqueness35 as I had never seen. They say these caves are filled with the bones of extinct animals and one bleached36 relic37 I picked up. But my companion told me that it was only wood. “See,” he said smiling, “it has a grain.”
Presently he kneeled down and examined some mossy earth, and straightway, to my regret, he became greatly excited. We were in a sort of little canon which extended some hundred yards or so and petered out in an area of fairly level forest land where the trees grew sparsely41 in a rocky soil.
“What is it?” I asked, a bit anxiously.
“You mean it’s a footprint?” I asked.
“Surely,” said I; “I dare say others have passed here. We are not so far from the village.”
“It’s mine,” he said. “See?” And ignoring me, he crept along, for all the world as if he had lost something, examining the earth with great concern and increasing satisfaction.
I had never before seen him so interested, and my own interest was aroused, for if he had indeed passed here himself it might afford a clue to something or other—though I did not know what.
“It is only moss,” I said, “and——”
“It’s wax-moss,” he interrupted me with the first sign of assurance he had ever shown. “They stay in wax-moss—See?”
“Have you been here before?” I queried47. He gave no heed48, but hurried along through the gully until, having gone a hundred feet or more, his will power seemed to collapse49 and he waited for me, wringing his hands distressingly50.
“What is it?” I said.
“It’s over there,” he answered, clutching me in evident terror.
“Well, we’ll go and see it,” I answered cheerily, and we moved along, he still clutching me as if afraid that I would desert him.
It was curious to see how the one or two footprints he had found aroused him to a flight of energy which petered out as quickly and left him helpless and agitated51. I could not for the life of me imagine why those footprints should have interested him so and sent him loping along the gully. He found no others, but apparently the sight of those two or three produced a glimmer52 of memory in him. Evidently he had been here before, and was wishful to retrace53 his former path but lacked the will and courage to do so.
“I know where it is,” he said, wringing his hands. “I know now. Will you go with me?”
His look was so imploring54 and his voice so full of a kind of panic fear that I was persuaded there was something he wished to show me but dared not. His will seemed to tipple55 like a seesaw56 between resolution and irresolution57, and he fell into the old habit of starting and clutching me at every sound.
“Come,” I said, “I’ll go with you.”
I cannot describe the eager terror in his eyes, the trembling of his hands as he clutched my arm, and the irresolute58 pauses which he made as he passed along through the gully. Finally he seemed about to clamber out of the rocky depression, hesitated, and broke down utterly59, sobbing like a child.
“Look—there—,” he at last managed to gasp60 “You—go—and see.” And he gulped61 and tightened62 his grasp in panic fright.
I looked across a mass of piled up rock and saw, some distance away, a large object which seemed to stir as I watched it.
“That’s it,” he said.
“All right,” said I. “You stay here, sit down on that stone and I’ll go and see.”
He sat down, twirling the cord around his neck and watching me eagerly. As I clambered up the low embankment, he started at the slight noise I made.
Picking my way among the boulders63 I approached the object, until, a few feet from it, I paused and looked at it aghast. It was the wreck64 of a German observation balloon. The gas was entirely65 gone from its great bag which lay plastered down upon the rocks, and its formerly66 glass-enclosed car was in complete ruin. I think it must have blown across those rocks for some distance to have been so shattered.
But all the details of its wreck and dilapidation67 were as nothing to me when I saw certain markings on the broken side of its car. There were two black crosses side by side, with the German Imperial coat of arms between them.
The balloon with the two black crosses was known far and wide upon the west front. It was the little palace, the lofty headquarters of an arch demon68 of aerial frightfulness69, who was the peering eye and minion70 of his murderous superiors. I had talked with those who knew and catered71 to this sneaking72 beast, and cowered73 before his swaggering arrogance—a poor little French girl and her crippled father. He it was who had come from America to help the Fatherland; who “knew about ze ships, when zey will go”; whose two black crosses were a mark of special honor and distinction!
Well, by the grace of Heaven, he was a mystery no longer. Poor, dribbling74, guilt-haunted wretch—he had brought me face to face with the wrecked75 instrument of his crimes.
I make no excuse for what I did—I am only human. I strode back to where the stricken creature sat, twirling and twisting the cord about his neck. I was trembling and my words came short and spasmodic, but whether from amazement76 or rage I do not know now. I only know that he cowered before me like a reed blown in the blast—it stings me to the heart as I think of it now.
“So you have got your reward,” I said. “Be sure that God knows how to punish such as you! I have seen your evil eye put out and there, there it lies, over among those rocks. You must come back to it, eh? Like a murderer to its victim!”
His breath came in great, panting gulps77, he wrung78 and twisted his hands, and his look—oh, it will haunt me forever.
“I know who you are now! You will tell a little French girl that Americans are murderers and hang their people to lamp-posts! America, where you lived yourself and made your living—— Now you’ve got your reward! I have seen the house that you defiled79 with your presence—the little cottage of a French peasant! I don’t know how many ships lie at the bottom of the ocean on account of you, you sneaking, lying blackguard! But you’ve got your reward. Those innocent women and babies at the bottom of the sea are better off than you—with your peering eye put out and your senses drivelling. No wonder you’re afraid! Probably the thunder of some Yankee cannon80 knocked your brain endways. The most bestial81 German is a saint compared with you—Monsieur le Capitaine!” I sneered82. “No, keep away from me!” For he held his hands toward me with a pitiful gesture. “I’ll not interfere83 with the decree of God. You can wander in these mountains like a lost soul for all I care—drivelling about poor murdered Indians in America. If you’ve forgotten your name, I’ll tell it to you. It’s Toby! I know of one other almost as bad as you are—Slade his name is—who would sell his country. Over there at that balloon is a piece of broken cable—go and hang yourself with it—if you’ve got the nerve!”
And with that I marched away. Scarcely had I gone ten paces when his voice rose in a scream to wake the Heavens. Again and again he screeched84 in an anguish85 of despair and his piercing cries echoed from those lonely mountains until they died away in pitiable sobs86.
But I never so much as turned to look at him.
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收听单词发音
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1
ramble
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| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
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2
strapping
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| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
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3
wringing
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| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
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4
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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5
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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7
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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8
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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stamina
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| n.体力；精力；耐力 | |
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10
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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11
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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12
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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14
alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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15
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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16
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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17
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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18
sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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19
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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20
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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21
pungent
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| adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的 | |
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22
intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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23
wayfarers
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| n.旅人，（尤指）徒步旅行者( wayfarer的名词复数 ) | |
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24
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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25
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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26
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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27
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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28
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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29
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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30
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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31
twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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32
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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33
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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34
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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35
picturesqueness
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36
bleached
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| 漂白的，晒白的，颜色变浅的 | |
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37
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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38
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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39
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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40
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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41
sparsely
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| adv.稀疏地；稀少地；不足地；贫乏地 | |
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42
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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43
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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44
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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45
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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46
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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47
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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48
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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49
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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50
distressingly
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| adv. 令人苦恼地；悲惨地 | |
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51
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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52
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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53
retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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54
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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55
tipple
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| n.常喝的酒；v.不断喝，饮烈酒 | |
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56
seesaw
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| n.跷跷板 | |
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57
irresolution
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| n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定 | |
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58
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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59
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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60
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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61
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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62
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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63
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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64
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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65
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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66
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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67
dilapidation
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| n.倒塌；毁坏 | |
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68
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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69
frightfulness
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| 可怕； 丑恶； 讨厌； 恐怖政策 | |
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70
minion
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| n.宠仆；宠爱之人 | |
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71
catered
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| 提供饮食及服务( cater的过去式和过去分词 )； 满足需要，适合 | |
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72
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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73
cowered
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
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74
dribbling
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| n.（燃料或油从系统内）漏泄v.流口水( dribble的现在分词 )；（使液体）滴下或作细流；运球，带球 | |
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75
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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76
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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77
gulps
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| n.一大口（尤指液体）( gulp的名词复数 )v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的第三人称单数 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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78
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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79
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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80
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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81
bestial
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| adj.残忍的；野蛮的 | |
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82
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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84
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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85
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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86
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
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