1520
THE palace of Axayacatl, in which the Spaniards were quartered, was, as the reader may remember, a vast, irregular pile of stone buildings, having but one floor, except in the centre, where another story was added, consisting of a suite1 of apartments which rose like turrets2 on the main building of the edifice4. A vast area stretched around, encompassed5 by a stone wall of no great height. This was supported by towers or bulwarks6 at certain intervals7, which gave it some degree of strength, not, indeed, as compared with European fortifications, but sufficient to resist the rude battering8 enginery of the Indians. The parapet had been pierced here and there with embrasures for the artillery9, which consisted of thirteen guns; and smaller apertures10 were made in other parts for the{108} convenience of the arquebusiers. The Spanish forces found accommodations within the great building; but the numerous body of Tlascalan auxiliaries11 could have had no other shelter than what was afforded by barracks or sheds hastily constructed for the purpose, in the spacious12 court-yard. Most of them, probably, bivouacked under the open sky, in a climate milder than that to which they were accustomed among the rude hills of their native land. Thus crowded into a small and compact compass, the whole army could be assembled at a moment’s notice; and, as the Spanish commander was careful to enforce the strictest discipline and vigilance, it was scarcely possible that he could be taken by surprise. No sooner, therefore, did the trumpet13 call to arms, as the approach of the enemy was announced, than every soldier was at his post, the cavalry14 mounted, the artillery-men at their guns, and the archers15 and arquebusiers stationed so as to give the assailants a warm reception.
On they came, with the companies, or irregular masses, into which the multitude was divided, rushing forward each in its own dense16 column, with many a gay banner displayed, and many a bright gleam of light reflected from helmet, arrow, and spear-head, as they were tossed about in their disorderly array. As they drew near the enclosure, the Aztecs set up a hideous18 yell, or rather that shrill19 whistle used in fight by the nations of Anahuac, which rose far above the sound of shell and atabal and their other rude instruments of warlike melody. They followed this by a tempest of mis{109}siles,—stones, darts20, and arrows,—which fell thick as rain on the besieged22, while volleys of the same kind descended23 from the crowded terraces in the neighborhood.[109]
The Spaniards waited until the foremost column had arrived within the best distance for giving effect to their fire, when a general discharge of artillery and arquebuses swept the ranks of the assailants and mowed24 them down by hundreds.[110] The Mexicans were familiar with the report of these formidable engines as they had been harmlessly discharged on some holiday festival; but never till now had they witnessed their murderous power. They stood aghast for a moment, as with bewildered looks they staggered under the fury of the fire;[111] but, soon rallying, the bold barbarians26 uttered a piercing cry, and rushed forward over{110} the prostrate27 bodies of their comrades. A second and a third volley checked their career, and threw them into disorder17, but still they pressed on, letting off clouds of arrows; while their comrades on the roofs of the houses took more deliberate aim at the combatants in the court-yard. The Mexicans were particularly expert in the use of the sling;[112] and the stones which they hurled28 from their elevated positions on the heads of their enemies did even greater execution than the arrows. They glanced, indeed, from the mail-covered bodies of the cavaliers, and from those who were sheltered under the cotton panoply29, or escaupil. But some of the soldiers, especially the veterans of Cortés, and many of their Indian allies, had but slight defences, and suffered greatly under this stony30 tempest.
The Aztecs, meanwhile, had advanced close under the walls of the intrenchment, their ranks broken and disordered and their limbs mangled31 by the unintermitting fire of the Christians33. But they still pressed on, under the very muzzles34 of the guns. They endeavored to scale the parapet, which, from its moderate height, was in itself a work of no great difficulty. But the moment they showed their heads above the rampart they were shot down by the unerring marksmen within, or stretched on the ground by a blow of a Tlascalan maquahuitl. Nothing daunted35, others soon appeared to take the place of the fallen, and strove by raising themselves on the writhing36 bodies of{111} their dying comrades, or by fixing their spears in the crevices37 of the wall, to surmount39 the barrier. But the attempt proved equally vain.
Defeated here, they tried to effect a breach40 in the parapet by battering it with heavy pieces of timber. The works were not constructed on those scientific principles by which one part is made to overlook and protect another. The besiegers, therefore, might operate at their pleasure, with but little molestation41 from the garrison42 within, whose guns could not be brought into a position to bear on them, and who could mount no part of their own works for their defence without exposing their persons to the missiles of the whole besieging43 army. The parapet, however, proved too strong for the efforts of the assailants. In their despair, they endeavored to set the Christian32 quarters on fire, shooting burning arrows into them, and climbing up so as to dart21 their firebrands through the embrasures. The principal edifice was of stone. But the temporary defences of the Indian allies, and other parts of the exterior44 works, were of wood. Several of these took fire, and the flame spread rapidly among the light, combustible45 materials. This was a disaster for which the besieged were wholly unprepared. They had little water, scarcely enough for their own consumption. They endeavored to extinguish the flames by heaping on earth. But in vain. Fortunately, the great building was of materials which defied the destroying element. But the fire raged in some of the outworks, connected with the parapet, with a fury which could only be checked by throwing{112} down a part of the wall itself, thus laying open a formidable breach. This, by the general’s order, was speedily protected by a battery of heavy guns, and a file of arquebusiers, who kept up an incessant46 volley through the opening on the assailants.[113]
The fight now raged with fury on both sides. The walls around the palace belched47 forth48 an unintermitting sheet of flame and smoke. The groans49 of the wounded and dying were lost in the fiercer battle-cries of the combatants, the roar of the artillery, the sharper rattle50 of the musketry, and the hissing51 sound of Indian missiles. It was the conflict of the European with the American; of civilized52 man with the barbarian25; of the science of the one with the rude weapons and warfare53 of the other. And as the ancient walls of Tenochtitlan shook under the thunders of the artillery, it announced that the white man, the destroyer, had set his foot within her precincts.[114]
Night at length came, and drew her friendly mantle54 over the contest. The Aztec seldom fought by night. It brought little repose55, however, to the Spaniards, in hourly expectation of an assault; and they found abundant occupation in restoring the breaches56 in their defences and in repairing{113} their battered57 armor. The beleaguering58 host lay on their arms through the night, giving token of their presence, now and then, by sending a stone or shaft59 over the battlements, or by a solitary60 cry of defiance61 from some warrior62 more determined63 than the rest, till all other sounds were lost in the vague, indistinct murmurs65 which float upon the air in the neighborhood of a vast assembly.
The ferocity shown by the Mexican seems to have been a thing for which Cortés was wholly unprepared. His past experience, his uninterrupted career of victory with a much feebler force at his command, had led him to underrate the military efficiency, as well as the valor66, of the Indians. The apparent facility with which the Mexicans had acquiesced67 in the outrages68 on their sovereign and themselves had led him to hold their courage, in particular, too lightly. He could not believe the present assault to be anything more than a temporary ebullition of the populace, which would soon waste itself by its own fury. And he proposed, on the following day, to sally out and inflict69 such chastisement70 on his foes71 as should bring them to their senses and show who was master in the capital.
With early dawn, the Spaniards were up and under arms; but not before their enemies had given evidence of their hostility72 by the random73 missiles which from time to time were sent into the enclosure. As the gray light of morning advanced, it showed the besieging army, far from being diminished in numbers, filling up the great square and neighboring avenues in more dense array than on{114} the preceding evening. Instead of a confused, disorderly rabble74, it had the appearance of something like a regular force, with its battalions75 distributed under their respective banners, the devices of which showed a contribution from the principal cities and districts in the Valley. High above the rest was conspicuous76 the ancient standard of Mexico, with its well-known cognizance, an eagle pouncing77 on an ocelot, emblazoned on a rich mantle of feather-work. Here and there priests might be seen mingling78 in the ranks of the besiegers, and, with frantic79 gestures, animating80 them to avenge81 their insulted deities82.
The greater part of the enemy had little clothing save the maxtlatl, or sash round the loins. They were variously armed, with long spears tipped with copper83 or flint, or sometimes merely pointed84 and hardened in the fire. Some were provided with slings85, and others with darts having two or three points, with long strings86 attached to them, by which, when discharged, they could be torn away again from the body of the wounded. This was a formidable weapon, much dreaded87 by the Spaniards. Those of a higher order yielded the terrible maquahuitl, with its sharp and brittle88 blades of obsidian89. Amidst the motley bands of warriors90 were seen many whose showy dress and air of authority intimated persons of high military consequence. Their breasts were protected by plates of metal, over which was thrown the gay surcoat of feather-work. They wore casques resembling in their form the head of some wild and ferocious91 animal, crested92 with bristly hair, or over{115}shadowed by tall and graceful93 plumes94 of many a brilliant color. Some few were decorated with the red fillet bound round the hair, having tufts of cotton attached to it, which denoted by their number that of the victories they had won, and their own pre-eminent rank among the warriors of the nation. The motley assembly plainly showed that priest, warrior, and citizen had all united to swell95 the tumult96.
Before the sun had shot his beams into the Castilian quarters, the enemy were in motion, evidently preparing to renew the assault of the preceding day. The Spanish commander determined to anticipate them by a vigorous sortie, for which he had already made the necessary dispositions97. A general discharge of ordnance98 and musketry sent death far and wide into the enemy’s ranks, and, before they had time to recover from their confusion, the gates were thrown open, and Cortés, sallying out at the head of his cavalry, supported by a large body of infantry99 and several thousand Tlascalans, rode at full gallop100 against them. Taken thus by surprise, it was scarcely possible to offer much resistance. Those who did were trampled101 down under the horses’ feet, cut to pieces with the broadswords, or pierced with the lances of the riders. The infantry followed up the blow, and the rout102 for the moment was general.
But the Aztecs fled only to take refuge behind a barricade103, or strong work of timber and earth, which had been thrown across the great street through which they were pursued. Rallying on the other side, they made a gallant104 stand, and poured{116} in turn a volley of their light weapons on the Spaniards, who, saluted105 with a storm of missiles at the same time from the terraces of the houses, were checked in their career and thrown into some disorder.[115]
Cortés, thus impeded106, ordered up a few pieces of heavy ordnance, which soon swept away the barricades107 and cleared a passage for the army. But it had lost the momentum108 acquired in its rapid advance. The enemy had time to rally and to meet the Spaniards on more equal terms. They were attacked in flank, too, as they advanced, by fresh battalions, who swarmed109 in from the adjoining streets and lanes. The canals were alive with boats filled with warriors, who with their formidable darts searched every crevice38 or weak place in the armor of proof, and made havoc110 on the unprotected bodies of the Tlascalans. By repeated and vigorous charges, the Spaniards succeeded in driving the Indians before them; though many, with a desperation which showed they loved vengeance111 better than life, sought to embarrass the movements of their horses by clinging to their legs, or, more successfully, strove to pull the riders from their saddles. And woe112 to the unfortunate cavalier who was thus dismounted,—to be despatched by the brutal113 maquahuitl, or to be dragged on board a canoe to the bloody114 altar of sacrifice!
But the greatest annoyance115 which the Spaniards endured was from the missiles from the azoteas, consisting often of large stones, hurled with a force that would tumble the stoutest116 rider from{117} his saddle. Galled117 in the extreme by these discharges, against which even their shields afforded no adequate protection, Cortés ordered fire to be set to the buildings. This was no very difficult matter, since, although chiefly of stone, they were filled with mats, cane-work, and other combustible materials, which were soon in a blaze. But the buildings stood separated from one another by canals and draw-bridges, so that the flames did not easily communicate to the neighboring edifices118. Hence the labor119 of the Spaniards was incalculably increased, and their progress in the work of destruction—fortunately for the city—was comparatively slow.[116] They did not relax their efforts, however, till several hundred houses had been consumed, and the miseries120 of a conflagration121, in which the wretched inmates122 perished equally with the defenders123, were added to the other horrors of the scene.
The day was now far spent. The Spaniards had been everywhere victorious124. But the enemy, though driven back on every point, still kept the field. When broken by the furious charges of the cavalry, he soon rallied behind the temporary defences, which, at different intervals, had been thrown across the streets, and, facing about, renewed the fight with undiminished courage, till{118} the sweeping125 away of the barriers by the cannon126 of the assailants left a free passage for the movements of their horse. Thus the action was a succession of rallying and retreating, in which both parties suffered much, although the loss inflicted127 on the Indians was probably tenfold greater than that of the Spaniards. But the Aztecs could better afford the loss of a hundred lives than their antagonists128 that of one. And, while the Spaniards showed an array broken and obviously thinned in numbers, the Mexican army, swelled129 by the tributary130 levies131 which flowed in upon it from the neighboring streets, exhibited, with all its losses, no sign of diminution132. At length, sated with carnage, and exhausted133 by toil134 and hunger, the Spanish commander drew off his men, and sounded a retreat.[117]
On his way back to his quarters, he beheld135 his friend the secretary Duero, in a street adjoining, unhorsed, and hotly engaged with a body of Mexicans, against whom he was desperately136 defending himself with his poniard. Cortés, roused at the sight, shouted his war-cry, and, dashing into the midst of the enemy, scattered137 them like chaff138 by the fury of his onset139; then, recovering his friend’s horse, he enabled him to remount, and the two{119} cavaliers, striking their spurs into their steeds, burst through their opponents and joined the main body of the army.[118] Such displays of generous gallantry were not uncommon140 in these engagements, which called forth more feats142 of personal adventure than battles with antagonists better skilled in the science of war. The chivalrous143 bearing of the general was emulated144 in full measure by Sandoval, De Leon, Olid, Alvarado, Ordaz, and his other brave companions, who won such glory under the eye of their leader as prepared the way for the independent commands which afterwards placed provinces and kingdoms at their disposal.
The undaunted Aztecs hung on the rear of their retreating foes, annoying them at every step by fresh flights of stones and arrows; and, when the Spaniards had re-entered their fortress145, the Indian host encamped around it, showing the same dogged resolution as on the preceding evening. Though true to their ancient habits of inaction during the night, they broke the stillness of the hour by insulting cries and menaces, which reached the ears of the besieged. “The gods have delivered you, at last, into our hands,” they said; “Huitzilopochtli has long cried for his victims. The stone of sacrifice is ready. The knives are sharpened. The wild beasts in the palace are roaring for their offal. And the cages,” they added, taunting146 the Tlascalans with their leanness, “are waiting for the false sons of Anahuac, who are to be fattened147 for the{120} festival!” These dismal148 menaces, which sounded fearfully in the ears of the besieged, who understood too well their import, were mingled149 with piteous lamentations for their sovereign, whom they called on the Spaniards to deliver up to them.
Cortés suffered much from a severe wound which he had received in the hand in the late action. But the anguish150 of his mind must have been still greater as he brooded over the dark prospect151 before him. He had mistaken the character of the Mexicans. Their long and patient endurance had been a violence to their natural temper, which, as their whole history proves, was arrogant152 and ferocious beyond that of most of the races of Anahuac. The restraint which, in deference153 to their monarch154 more than to their own fears, they had so long put on their natures, being once removed, their passions burst forth with accumulated violence. The Spaniards had encountered in the Tlascalan an open enemy, who had no grievance155 to complain of, no wrong to redress156. He fought under the vague apprehension157 only of some coming evil to his country. But the Aztec, hitherto the proud lord of the land, was goaded158 by insult and injury, till he had reached that pitch of self-devotion which made life cheap in comparison with revenge. Armed thus with the energy of despair, the savage159 is almost a match for the civilized man; and a whole nation, moved to its depths by a common feeling, which swallows up all selfish considerations of personal interest and safety, becomes, whatever be its resources, like the earthquake and the tornado160, the most formidable among the agencies of nature.{121}
Considerations of this kind may have passed through the mind of Cortés, as he reflected on his own impotence to restrain the fury of the Mexicans, and resolved, in despite of his late supercilious161 treatment of Montezuma, to employ his authority to allay162 the tumult,—an authority so successfully exerted in behalf of Alvarado at an earlier stage of the insurrection. He was the more confirmed in his purpose on the following morning, when the assailants, redoubling their efforts, succeeded in scaling the works in one quarter and effecting an entrance into the enclosure. It is true, they were met with so resolute163 a spirit that not a man of those who entered was left alive. But, in the impetuosity of the assault, it seemed, for a few moments, as if the place was to be carried by storm.[119]
Cortés now sent to the Aztec emperor to request his interposition with his subjects in behalf of the Spaniards. But Montezuma was not in the humor to comply. He had remained moodily164 in his quarters ever since the general’s return. Disgusted with the treatment he had received, he had still further cause for mortification165 in finding himself the ally of those who were the open enemies of his nation. From his apartment he had beheld the tragical166 scenes in his capital, and seen another, the presumptive heir to his throne, taking the place which he should have occupied at the head of his warriors and fighting the battles of his country.[120]{122} Distressed167 by his position, indignant at those who had placed him in it, he coldly answered, “What have I to do with Malinche? I do not wish to hear from him. I desire only to die. To what a state has my willingness to serve him reduced me!”[121] When urged still further to comply by Olid and Father Olmedo, he added, “It is of no use. They will neither believe me, nor the false words and promises of Malinche. You will never leave these walls alive.” On being assured, however, that the Spaniards would willingly depart if a way were opened to them by their enemies, he at length—moved, probably, more by the desire to spare the blood of his subjects than of the Christians—consented to expostulate with his people.[122]
In order to give the greater effect to his presence, he put on his imperial robes. The tilmatli, his mantle of white and blue, flowed over his shoulders, held together by its rich clasp of the green chalchivitl. The same precious gem141, with emeralds of uncommon size, set in gold, profusely168 ornamented169 other parts of his dress. His feet were shod with the golden sandals, and his brows covered by the copilli, or Mexican diadem170, resembling in form the pontifical171 tiara. Thus attired172, and surrounded by a guard of Spaniards and several{123} Aztec nobles, and preceded by the golden wand, the symbol of sovereignty, the Indian monarch ascended173 the central turret3 of the palace. His presence was instantly recognized by the people, and, as the royal retinue174 advanced along the battlements, a change, as if by magic, came over the scene. The clang of instruments, the fierce cries of the assailants, were hushed, and a deathlike stillness pervaded175 the whole assembly, so fiercely agitated176, but a few moments before, by the wild tumult of war! Many prostrated177 themselves on the ground; others bent178 the knee; and all turned with eager expectation towards the monarch whom they had been taught to reverence179 with slavish awe180, and from whose countenance181 they had been wont182 to turn away as from the intolerable splendors183 of divinity. Montezuma saw his advantage; and, while he stood thus confronted with his awe-struck people, he seemed to recover all his former authority and confidence, as he felt himself to be still a king. With a calm voice, easily heard over the silent assembly, he is said by the Castilian writers to have thus addressed them:
“Why do I see my people here in arms against the palace of my fathers? Is it that you think your sovereign a prisoner, and wish to release him? If so, you have acted rightly. But you are mistaken. I am no prisoner. The strangers are my guests. I remain with them only from choice, and can leave them when I list. Have you come to drive them from the city? That is unnecessary. They will depart of their own accord, if you will open a way for them. Return to your homes, then.{124} Lay down your arms. Show your obedience184 to me who have a right to it. The white men shall go back to their own land; and all shall be well again within the walls of Tenochtitlan.”
As Montezuma announced himself the friend of the detested185 strangers, a murmur64 ran through the multitude; a murmur of contempt for the pusillanimous186 prince who could show himself so insensible to the insults and injuries for which the nation was in arms. The swollen187 tide of their passions swept away all the barriers of ancient reverence, and, taking a new direction, descended on the head of the unfortunate monarch, so far degenerated188 from his warlike ancestors. “Base Aztec,” they exclaimed, “woman, coward! the white men have made you a woman,—fit only to weave and spin!” These bitter taunts189 were soon followed by still more hostile demonstrations190. A chief, it is said, of high rank, bent a bow or brandished191 a javelin192 with an air of defiance against the emperor,[123] when, in an instant, a cloud of stones and arrows descended on the spot where the royal train was gathered. The Spaniards appointed to protect his person had been thrown off their guard by the respectful deportment of the people during their lord’s address. They now hastily interposed their bucklers. But it was too late. Montezuma was wounded by three of the missiles, one of which, a stone, fell with such violence on his head, near the temple, as brought him senseless to the ground. The Mexicans, shocked at their own sacrilegious{125} act, experienced a sudden revulsion of feeling, and, setting up a dismal cry, dispersed193, panic-struck, in different directions. Not one of the multitudinous array remained in the great square before the palace!
The unhappy prince, meanwhile, was borne by his attendants to his apartments below. On recovering from the insensibility caused by the blow, the wretchedness of his condition broke upon him. He had tasted the last bitterness of degradation194. He had been reviled195, rejected, by his people. The meanest of the rabble had raised their hands against him. He had nothing more to live for. It was in vain that Cortés and his officers endeavored to soothe196 the anguish of his spirit and fill him with better thoughts. He spoke197 not a word in answer. His wound, though dangerous, might still, with skilful198 treatment, not prove mortal. But Montezuma refused all the remedies prescribed for it. He tore off the bandages as often as they were applied199, maintaining, all the while, the most determined silence. He sat with eyes dejected, brooding over his fallen fortunes, over the image of ancient majesty200 and present humiliation201. He had survived his honor. But a spark of his ancient spirit seemed to kindle202 in his bosom203, as it was clear he did not mean to survive his disgrace. From this painful scene the Spanish general and his followers204 were soon called away by the new dangers which menaced the garrison.
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suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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turrets
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| （六角）转台( turret的名词复数 )； （战舰和坦克等上的）转动炮塔； （摄影机等上的）镜头转台； （旧时攻城用的）塔车 | |
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turret
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| n.塔楼，角塔 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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5
encompassed
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| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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battering
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| n.用坏，损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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apertures
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| n.孔( aperture的名词复数 )；隙缝；（照相机的）光圈；孔径 | |
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auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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mowed
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| v.刈，割( mow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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barbarian
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| n.野蛮人；adj.野蛮(人)的；未开化的 | |
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barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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panoply
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| n.全副甲胄，礼服 | |
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stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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31
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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32
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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33
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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34
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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35
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
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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37
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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38
crevice
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| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
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39
surmount
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| vt.克服；置于…顶上 | |
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40
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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41
molestation
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| n.骚扰，干扰，调戏；折磨 | |
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42
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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43
besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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44
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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45
combustible
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| a. 易燃的,可燃的; n. 易燃物,可燃物 | |
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46
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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47
belched
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| v.打嗝( belch的过去式和过去分词 )；喷出，吐出；打（嗝）；嗳（气） | |
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48
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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49
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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50
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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51
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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52
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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53
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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54
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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55
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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56
breaches
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| 破坏( breach的名词复数 )； 破裂； 缺口； 违背 | |
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57
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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58
beleaguering
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| v.围攻( beleaguer的现在分词 )；困扰；骚扰 | |
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59
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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60
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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61
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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62
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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63
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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64
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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65
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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66
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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67
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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68
outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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69
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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70
chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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71
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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72
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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73
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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74
rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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75
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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76
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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77
pouncing
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的现在分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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78
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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79
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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80
animating
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| v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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81
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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82
deities
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| n.神，女神( deity的名词复数 )；神祗；神灵；神明 | |
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83
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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84
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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85
slings
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| 抛( sling的第三人称单数 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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86
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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87
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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88
brittle
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| adj.易碎的；脆弱的；冷淡的；(声音)尖利的 | |
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89
obsidian
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| n.黑曜石 | |
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90
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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91
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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92
crested
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| adj.有顶饰的，有纹章的，有冠毛的v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的过去式和过去分词 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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93
graceful
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|
| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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94
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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95
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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96
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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97
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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98
ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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99
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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100
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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101
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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102
rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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103
barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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104
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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105
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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106
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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107
barricades
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| 路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 ) | |
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108
momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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109
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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110
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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111
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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112
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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113
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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114
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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115
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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116
stoutest
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| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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117
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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118
edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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119
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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120
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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121
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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122
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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123
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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124
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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125
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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126
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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127
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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129
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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130
tributary
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| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
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131
levies
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| （部队）征兵( levy的名词复数 )； 募捐； 被征募的军队 | |
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132
diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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133
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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134
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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135
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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136
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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137
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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138
chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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139
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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140
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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141
gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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142
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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143
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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144
emulated
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| v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
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145
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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146
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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147
fattened
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| v.喂肥( fatten的过去式和过去分词 )；养肥（牲畜）；使（钱）增多；使（公司）升值 | |
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148
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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149
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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150
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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151
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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152
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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153
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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154
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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155
grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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156
redress
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| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
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157
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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158
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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159
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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160
tornado
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| n.飓风，龙卷风 | |
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161
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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162
allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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163
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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164
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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166
tragical
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| adj. 悲剧的, 悲剧性的 | |
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167
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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168
profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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169
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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171
pontifical
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| adj.自以为是的，武断的 | |
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172
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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173
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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174
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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175
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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177
prostrated
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| v.使俯伏，使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 )；（指疾病、天气等）使某人无能为力 | |
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178
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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179
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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180
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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181
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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182
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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183
splendors
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| n.华丽( splendor的名词复数 )；壮丽；光辉；显赫 | |
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184
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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185
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pusillanimous
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| adj.懦弱的，胆怯的 | |
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187
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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188
degenerated
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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189
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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190
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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191
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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192
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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193
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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194
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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195
reviled
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| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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196
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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197
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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198
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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199
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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200
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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201
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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202
kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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203
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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204
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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