The Camp is a vast plain. It spreads its smooth, unbroken surface for hundreds of miles, with no natural hillock higher than those which the termite6 ants have erected7, and no[49] depression more marked than those which the huge cart-wheels have cut in the loose surface soil. It can best be characterized as an ocean of land, spreading out like an unruffled sea from horizon to horizon. Here and there, in the distance, objects may seem to arise out of this vast expanse like little islands at sea, and the illusion at times seems almost perfect. A nearer approach, however, shows them to be the buildings of an estancia, or a grove8 of trees. Even the groves9 did not exist before the hand of man altered the landscape, for the plains of Argentina were unblessed by any forest growth whatsoever—with the single exception of the rare ombu tree, specimens10 of which might be met with at intervals11 of several miles. Spots, which at a distance appear as dark lumps, finally shape themselves into humble12 structures of black mud, which are the homes of colonists14. Their sombre and unattractive exterior15 may be relieved by the flaming red or vivid blue dress of an Italian girl, which makes a welcome bit of colour under the circumstances. The dust clouds in the distance will be found to be floating behind horses’ hoofs16, or the wheels of a cumbersome17 wagon18 drawn19 by several yokes20 of oxen. These clouds move onward21 across the[50] pampa much as the black smoke trails behind a slow-moving steamer.
These vast stretches of level land may produce a certain sense of irritation22 upon one newly arrived in Argentina. He may ride for league upon league on his horse, or travel for hour after hour by train, awaiting that change of scenery, which his experience leads him to believe will inevitably23 occur. He might start in the centre of the republic and travel for scores of leagues east, west, north or south, and find the same unending monotony. But there is, nevertheless, a certain fascination24 about this very vastness of the Camp which grows upon one; in these leagues upon leagues of rich soil, which here spread themselves in readiness to receive the seed from the hand of the farmer, and to yield forth25 an abounding27 harvest in return for the labour bestowed28. Upon these plains one may watch the herds30 of cattle and the flocks of the sheep which are scattered31 clear to the limit of one’s vision, a distance so great that the largest animals stand out as mere32 specks33 against the sky. One may travel through miles of the golden grain ready for the sickles34 of the reaper35, and then will come upon an equal stretch of flax in flower, which gives the fields[51] a bluish tint36. Interspersed37 with the wheat and flax may be seen the green corn and the purple of the alfalfa blossom. These broad patches follow one another in almost endless succession. Although one’s horizon is at all times limited, he knows that, in whatever direction he looks, that which lies beyond is an exact repetition of what is stretched out before his eyes.
“AGRICULTURE HAS SPREAD FAR AND WIDE”
Agriculture has spread far and wide in Argentina in the last two decades. Its forces are moving ever westward38 and southward, driving the “squatter” ever farther and farther afield. It has already crossed the boundaries of what was once known as Patagonia, no man’s land. Wire fences now enclose the lands which once were the scenes of settlers’ battles and boundary disputes. Grains and alfalfa have replaced the coarse natural grass, which was indigenous39 to these plains. Groves of willow40, eucalyptus41 and poplar have been planted in the older sections of the Camp and make a diversion in the landscape. The picturesque42 windmill, made in the United States, is a familiar landmark43 on the horizon almost everywhere, for it is necessary to pump all the water during the greater part of the year.
[52]
The Camp has never been divided into homesteads. The most of it is owned by the estancieros, whose holdings are estimated by the square league, almost six thousand acres. A man with only one square league is a small farmer, and there are many estates of five and ten square leagues. Many of these were purchased for a mere pittance44 twenty years ago, and the rise in value has made the owner a wealthy man, so that he can live in Buenos Aires a part of the year in luxury, or take a trip to Europe each year, as many of them do.
Formerly45 Argentina was almost entirely46 a pastoral country. Millions of cattle and sheep wandered over these plains and fed on the rich herbage. The amount of land devoted47 to stock grazing has been reduced, but the quick-growing alfalfa furnishes more pasture to the acre. At the present time there are thirty million cattle, sixty-seven million sheep, seven million, five hundred thousand horses and mules48 in the republic, which is a very respectable showing, and places Argentina as one of the most important stock-raising countries in the world. They are very fine stock too. It was the care of the stock that gave rise to the “gaucho49,” the cowboy of South America, and it was this[53] character that gave romance and local colour to the Camp.
THRESHING GRAIN ON AN ESTANCIA
As a grain-raising country Argentina has advanced by leaps and bounds. At the present time it is the greatest flax-raising country in the world, and our own linseed oil mills have been obliged to import seed from there during the past two years. It is second only to the United States and Russia in the production of wheat, and in some years has exported more than our own land. At the stations one will sometimes see mountains of wheat bags awaiting shipment to the ports, where hundreds of vessels50 are ready to carry this grain to the hungering millions of Europe. The threshing outfits51 move ponderously52 from one estancia to another, doing the entire work of harvesting on a percentage basis, usually one sack out of every three. Some of them are pulled by oxen or mules, and others are run by traction53 power. These processions move across the plains in imposing54 fashion. The huge stacks commence to rise in twos and threes like giant mushrooms, until the landscape is dotted with them. Then strings55 of wagons56, laden57 to the brim, carry the wheat to the warehouses58, which open wide their doors to receive this valuable product[54] of the soil. The stacks must be made very secure, for the winds sweep over these plains with almost incredible velocity59.
“NOT A HANDSOME STRUCTURE, BUT ... RATHER STRIKING”
Italians have flocked to Argentina by the hundreds of thousands. They have become the most important asset of the agriculturist. The colonist13 is usually allotted60 a certain number of acres, which he cultivates on a fixed61 share. Perhaps the landlord reserves as his portion one bag out of every ten of grain. The colonist is given the bare land, and must provide his own dwelling62. But that is a simple matter. Rough boards are made into a mould, similar to that prepared for the pouring of cement, into which mud mixed with straw is placed. When this has dried the boards are removed, and the wall of the house is finished. Spaces for doors and windows are then cut out, a roof placed over it, and the house is ready for occupancy. Or this mud may be cut into bricks, which are allowed to dry in the sun and then laid up into walls. A roof of thatch63 made of coarse grasses is generally used. From an artistic64 standpoint the result is not a handsome structure, but it is rather striking. The black mud walls are sombre and commonplace, and even the best of them is scarcely more than a[55] hovel. There is reason, however, for this economy in the construction of a house, as the colonist may be obliged to move to another section of the plantation65 in two or three years, or even to another plantation, when it will be necessary to build another home. The frugal66 Italian during these years is no doubt sending money back to Italy, or depositing it in a bank in a neighbouring town. Many of them, after a few years, tiring of the mud walls and ceaseless work, go back to their beloved Italy, where the few thousands saved make them veritable capitalists among their friends and neighbours.
The estanciero’s life is a rather lonely one, for his neighbours are few and far between. If he is an Englishman or Scotchman, as many of them are, you will find the British atmosphere all about. There will be tennis courts, cricket grounds, and, perhaps, a golf course where the family and their friends will find recreation. Pheasant hatcheries are sometimes maintained, and these birds and the long-eared rabbits, which are very plentiful67, furnish the shooting so popular with the British sportsman. The Camp store, however, is the centre of life on the estancia. It is the post office and the general place of rendezvous68. There are[56] heaps of padlocks and nails, stacks of lamps and coils of wire. Beside quaintly69 carved native saddles will be fierce-looking knives a foot or more in length, which peacefully repose70 in bright new leather sheaths. Boots that might have graced a cavalier of old jostle against bottles of patent medicine guaranteed to cure every ill to which human flesh is heir. Business is never done in haste. The gaucho measures time by the progress of the sun, and an odd half hour or so never bothers him. There is always a little time for gossip before and after the purchase has been made, and then there must be a drink for friendship’s sake.
Drouths come sometimes, and the locusts71, to break in upon the prosperity of both colonist and estanciero. But there is seldom an absolute failure. The locusts are present almost every year, and it is a constantly recurring72 fight against the scourge73 of these pests.
The real development of the live stock industry in Argentina began with the discovery that meat could be frozen and shipped any distance. Since that time the growth has been almost phenomenal. It used to be that long-horned, rakish, bony criollos (native stock) wandered[57] over the pampas feeding on the succulent grasses, and dying by the thousands during a season of drouth. Now the sleek74 short-horned stock have taken their places, and they fatten75 upon the rich alfalfa pastures which have been sown by the planter. This plant roots so deep that it will remain green in drouths that would cause the native grass to become dry and dead. Fine sheep have superseded76 the scrubby animals that once stalked the plains; and even the horse has acquired finer legs and shoulders, and developed a more graceful77 arch to his neck. Indeed, it may be said that the average stock in Argentina will compare favourably78 with those of any other nation on the globe. The change has been brought about by the importation of the very best breeding stock from Europe, which have formed the nuclei79 for the present herds.
The Durham, Hereford and polled Angus are the chief grades of cattle that one will find. In one section of the country one breed will predominate, and a few leagues away another will prevail almost exclusively. Cattle are always sold at so much a head, and never by weight. “Do you never weigh them?” I asked of an estanciero. “Oh, yes, we weigh a few[58] so that we have an idea of the general average.” In the transaction, however, between him and the buyer, weight is never mentioned. The buyer will look over the bunch for sale and offer a stated figure, which may or may not be accepted. They are then delivered to him at a given point, and shipped to the stockyards in Buenos Aires, or to one of the many slaughterhouses in the republic. The number of stock to be kept is a serious problem for the proprietor81. More than one estanciero has been ruined by overstocking his estancia, and then, either locusts or the drouth coming, he was left without feed for his animals.
The cattle dip is a very necessary adjunct to every stock farm. The idea was adopted from Australia, where the cattle raisers had similar experience with the tick fever. It consists of a wide yard which gradually narrows into a lane wide enough for only one animal. When the animal is driven forward it faces a lengthy82 tank which it is necessary to ford80. This tank is filled with a medicated solution and, as the animal swims through it, men with poles push them entirely under. The animal does not enjoy swimming through this nauseous, badly-tasting mixture, but he has no[59] option, so, shutting his mouth tightly, he flounders through in the best way possible. It is rather a sorry looking creature, however, that emerges on the other side. Another form of dipping cattle is a cage into which an animal is driven, and this is submerged in a tank filled with this medicated solution. Either method accomplishes the desired result, which is to give the cattle a thorough saturation83 that will kill the tick.
Second in importance comes sheep. Although they abound26 all over the republic they are found in greatest numbers in the southern provinces. The development of these animals has been studied a great deal lately and scientific methods have been introduced. The finest of rams84 have been imported in order to improve the breed and the former coarse wool is now being replaced by a much finer quality. The Argentine merinos will now rank with those from any part of the world. One will find Leicesters, Oxfords, Black-faced Downs and all the other fine breeds. A number of New Zealand ranchers have come to Argentina in recent years, and they have been especially successful in sheep raising. The breeds have been bettered, and foot-rot as well as other diseases[60] combated with so that the results have been very beneficial to the industry.
Sheep farming in Argentina is an old industry. The number of sheep has grown until there are now at least ten for each man, woman and child in the republic. How many sheep the pampas can support is hardly known, but it would be several times the present number. Where there is plenty of rain an acre will support three or four head, and at other places it would be safer to keep three or four acres for each sheep. In the Buenos Aires province the best ranchers place about six hundred sheep to each square mile. The sheep farming is all conducted on a big scale, and there are few small flocks. The most of the flocks range from ten thousand to seventy-five thousand, with some possibly several times the latter number. The sheep are watched on the open pampas by shepherds on horseback, each having the care of a fixed number. It is the shepherd’s duty to see that the flocks do not mingle86, and to keep them free from disease. For this work they receive a stated sum monthly, which would not be considered large in the United States.
Formerly the sheep were raised for the wool, pelts87 and tallow only. Even then they were[61] profitable. The carcasses were even used for fuel. Now, with the development of the frozen meat industry, this meat feeds the mutton-eaters of England. Hundreds and thousands of tons of frozen mutton are shipped down the La Plata every month. It is frozen so stiff that it will keep for months and be as palatable88 as freshly slaughtered89 meat. The slaughtering90 establishments are mostly located along the Paraná River, between Buenos Aires and Rosario. Acres upon acres are covered with sheep pens, slaughtering houses and freezing establishments. The frozen carcass is sewed up in fine white muslin cloths, and then laid away to await the next steamer, whose hold will be filled with these ghostly bundles. The wool is sent to the great wool market in Buenos Aires. Each man’s wool is placed in a pile by itself, all unwashed, and so brings a low price because of the weight of the grease in it, for wool will lose almost half its weight in washing. The Argentine farmer prefers to sell it at the lower rate and allow the European or American buyers to clean it.
The lambing and shearing91 seasons are the two busiest and most anxious seasons for the sheep raiser. A good lambing season will almost[62] double the flock, so prolific92 do they become. Sheep shearing used to be done almost entirely by hand, but nearly all the big ranches93 now have sheep-shearing machines driven by steam or gasoline power. Still, whether done by hand in the old way or by machines in the modern way, sheep shearing is arduous94 work. The shearers often go about in bands from ranch85 to ranch. The quickness and skill of some of the shearers borders almost on the marvellous. One hundred sheep daily is a fair average for good shearers, but some exceptionally expert operators can double that score. A great deal of care has to be exercised to clip the wool as close as possible, and still leave the animal uninjured. A shearer95 who could not practise his business without badly cutting the sheep would soon be discharged as incompetent96. The poor animals have to put up with a few scratches and cuts, but it is seldom that one is severely97 injured. The amount of wool and mutton sent out from these sheep ranches is almost incredible. An especially fine quality of wool is produced on the great ranches of Patagonia, one of which is larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Horses are also raised in great numbers in[63] Argentina. One who sees the fine draught98 horses in Buenos Aires need not be told that Argentine horses are of good breed and quality. The average Argentinian thinks that he knows more about a horse than anything else. Pedigreed stallions have been imported by the hundreds, and the very best blood has been brought in. One will find as good horses in Argentina as anywhere. They are generally well taken care of, too, for lean and skinny horses are very rare. During the Boer-English war fortunes were made out of horses, for the British government bought thousands of head and paid fancy prices. They were beaten, too, in many a bargain by the shrewd estancieros. Pig breeding has not been developed much as yet, although considerable stride has been made in some sections, but the export of pork does not amount to any considerable sum. Great hopes are, however, entertained by the Argentinians for this industry also.
All agriculture is on a gigantic scale. The rapid development has been a surprise to even the most hopeful estanciero. Railways have, in many instances, been almost unable to cope with some of the crops, and trains have been run night and day to carry the grain to the[64] exporting centres. The wheat accumulates at the shipping99 points until vast stacks are piled up at the various stations in the wheat lands. One company’s cars cannot run over another company’s tracks, and this further adds to the congestion100. The wheat is carried to the stations on huge carts with wheels eight feet high and drawn by from ten to a dozen oxen. A load of several tons may be balanced between these two lofty wheels. As the carts move forward they are accompanied by an awful screeching101 noise which is ear-splitting. The carter does not care to use grease, as he says that the noise encourages the oxen. The cry goes up each year for more labourers to care for the crops, and the need still exists. Because of the lack of elevators and granaries the grain must be quickly gathered and threshed. Women and girls, men and boys all work from early morning until late at night for the few harvest weeks. The grains are generally more profitable than stock, and in some districts have crowded the latter out. Corn is one of the most profitable crops at the present time.
“THE HARVESTING MACHINES ARE USUALLY PROPELLED FROM THE REAR”
During the harvest time the Camp is a busy place. Clouds of dust all over the horizon denote activity in the grain fields. Managers and[65] overseers are kept busy riding from one group to another. Thousands of Italians come over for the harvests and then return to their native land. The harvesting machines are usually propelled from the rear, either by steam power or animals. Attached to the side of the “strippers,” which simply cut off the heads of the grain, is a large harvest cart into which the grain drops. Four roads will be cut from a central point at right angles to each other, which run to the outer edge of the wheat field. In the central point the oblong stacks are formed. By this system the fields of golden grain rapidly disappear before the onslaughts of the cutting machines.
Thirty years ago Argentina was a wheat-importing nation. Some of the knowing ones said wheat could not be successfully grown on the pampas. Since then the grain-producing area has been increased each year and the beginning of the end is not yet in sight. At first it was thought that only the land between the Paraná and Uruguay Rivers was available, but now it has spread south into Patagonia and west to the Andes. The available wheat land has been estimated at more than 200,000,000 acres, of which only a small per cent. is at[66] present under cultivation102. This wheat land is mostly a rich black loam103, from a few inches to three feet or more deep, surmounting104 a subsoil of clay.
There are few rivers or lakes on the Camp and there is little surface water. The old-fashioned wells sunk very deep in the ground, in which the buckets are raised by horse power, are still quite common. Windmills of American make add a picturesqueness105 to the landscape. Ponds are banked up into which the water is pumped, and from them the troughs are filled. These wells seldom go dry even in the severe drouths in that land.
The midday siesta106 is almost universal in the Camp, for the sun beats down unmercifully hot for a few hours. The languor107 of these hours is all-pervading. Stock huddle108 together and put their heads in the shadow of the bodies of the others. The mosquito is very much at home on the Camp and sometimes makes the nights unappreciated.
A GAUCHO AND HIS WIFE ON AN OUTING
One fearful disease is the anthrax, which is taken from cattle. The first symptom is a red mark on the skin, which is irritating. If unattended to this will develop into a blue boil surrounded by little blisters109. After a while the[67] sensitiveness disappears and no pain is felt. The blue is more pronounced and a full-fledged case of anthrax is developed. Something must be done promptly110. The common treatment, when no surgeon is near, is to heat a wire red hot and burn out the infected spot clean from the surrounding flesh. This is a decidedly painful operation when performed without an?sthetics, and requires a remarkable111 degree of stoicism. The affected112 spot is absolutely without feeling. If this or another effective operation is not performed by the third day the chance of recovery is very slight, it is said. The gauchos113 are the principal sufferers.
Like his counterpart, the cowboy of the western plains, the gaucho is a unique character, and his individuality is probably the result of his environment and the life he has led. The freedom of the plains and lack of refining society have made him a man with a rough exterior which, however, oftentimes clothes a tender human heart. The gaucho of Argentina is generally of mixed blood. The blood may have become mixed centuries back, when the first Spaniards came to this country, but it still shows in his swarthy features. For centuries these people have lived an easy-going, care-free[68] existence on the great plains of that republic. If there is one thing the gaucho loves, it is his freedom, and it is difficult to accustom114 him to the restraint that becomes necessary as development and private ownership proceed. In the centuries past the gauchos have always been engaged in the wars and revolutions which were common. The side they fought on did not matter much, for it was victory only that was sought. When there were no public disturbances115 to furnish excitement, they got up feuds116 on their own account, and fought each other. The Camp is full of tales of the gauchos and their deeds or misdeeds, many of which savour of real knight-errantry. It is these tales that has given the Argentinian plains an individuality. The old-time lawless gaucho has generally disappeared in the march of civilization, but the modified character remains117 and works for the ranch owner. Many of them have intermarried with the Italian and Spanish colonists who have migrated there. The railroad has perhaps been the greatest enemy of the gaucho, just as it was of the cowboy on our own western plains, because settlers have everywhere followed the iron horse.
The costume of the gaucho has not changed.[69] It still consists of a broad sombrero, a shirt and the bombachos—wide Turkish trousers that range in colour from black to snow-white, and which fall to just above the ankle, where they are enclosed in a pair of tight-fitting boots. The poncho118, a blanket which is placed over the shoulders in cool weather, varies from the most sombre hues119 to the boldest colours—brown and black to brilliant scarlet120 or purple. The effect of such a brilliantly-clothed apparition121 coming upon you unawares in a remote district can better be imagined than described. A great broad knife is almost invariably stuck in the belt, many of them a foot in length and of fantastic pattern. It is generally encased in a leathern, but sometimes in a metal, scabbard. This knife is intended not only for defence, but it is his principal aid in eating lunches out on the Camp. His favourite food is asado con1 cuero, beef roasted over the fire without removing the hide, and he is an expert in preparing this luxury. Dressed in all his finery, and mounted upon a saddle inlaid and ornamented122 with silver as many are, with fancy stirrups and huge clanking spurs, the South American gaucho is a sight worthy123 to behold124.
The gaucho is a born horseman. From earliest[70] childhood he has been accustomed to a horse’s back. Before his legs are long enough to reach the stirrups of a saddle the gaucho rides bareback, and an occasional tumble does not seem to be minded, for they are determined125 to ride. Caution or fear concerning horses is not known among them—such sentiments are altogether incomprehensible to their understanding. I have seen contests between the gauchos and American cowboys in Buenos Aires, and, although the latter are quicker in saddling and mounting a pony126, they cannot stick on a bucking127 broncho any better than the former.
GAUCHOS BRANDING CATTLE
The gaucho is a rather taciturn individual, and is not given to many words. At the same time he is easily offended if any sense of superiority is shown. He may not show resentment128 on the surface, but a volcano may rage underneath129 a placid130 and immobile countenance131. If there is, in his opinion, sufficient provocation132, he will probably bide133 his time for revenge and await it patiently. It is not always done in the open, either, since he does not want a chance for failure. If he likes his employer his devotion is admirable, and he will serve with a commendable134 faithfulness. When roused by[71] liquor the gaucho is often very troublesome, and then it is that he starts out to avenge135 real or fancied slights, and he sometimes commits serious crimes. Money does not appeal to the gaucho in a strong sense, and crimes as a rule are not committed for that purpose, but they are to avenge slights or real wrongs for which he thinks personal reprisal136 is the only adequate remedy. To requite137 a wrong with him is a point of honour. The gauchos are natural gamblers and, besides ordinary games of the Camp, there is scarcely anything that is not made the subject of wagering138, and the average gaucho’s money soon disappears. It is doubtful whether education will make the gaucho a more efficient ranch hand, though it will make him a better and more intelligent citizen of a republic.
The work of the gaucho is generally confined to the care of stock, of which such vast herds swarm139 the pampas in almost every direction. The mustering140 of cattle in Argentina is called a “rodeo.” Viewed from a distance, one will see a line strongly marked wind its way over the level plain, with a dust cloud hanging over it, which is visible long before the animals come in view. As the armies of red, white and dun animals approach nearer one will see the[72] picturesque gauchos riding here and there like officers of an army bearing commands.
When the place of rendezvous has been reached the cattle are kept tramping around a central point, as they are not near so likely to get frightened or stampeded if kept on the move. When the inspection141 or count is ended, the different herds are gradually separated by the gauchos and driven back to the feeding grounds. If a count is intended a line is formed through which the cattle are driven, and the cattle are numbered as they pass through the line. This is sometimes a difficult operation, and especially is it so if they aim to divide the herd into two or more bodies. One animal is driven to the right, another to the left and so on. This sometimes leads to a great deal of excitement and confusion among the cattle, and stampedes are easy to happen under such circumstances. Stockyards have been built on many ranches, where a narrow passage is constructed through which only one animal is able to pass at a time. This greatly simplifies the counting or dividing process. Furthermore, there is less danger of the animals injuring each other in their excitement. The gauchos are clever with the lasso, but cannot equal the[73] American cowboy with that rope. Altogether the gaucho is a very useful and a very necessary man on the cattle estancias of Argentina, and his services are generally appreciated.
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con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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prospered
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| 成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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eccentricities
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| n.古怪行为( eccentricity的名词复数 )；反常；怪癖 | |
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lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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termite
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| n.白蚁 | |
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ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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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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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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colonist
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| n.殖民者，移民 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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cumbersome
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| adj.笨重的，不便携带的 | |
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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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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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yokes
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| 轭( yoke的名词复数 )； 奴役； 轭形扁担； 上衣抵肩 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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22
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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24
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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25
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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abound
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| vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于 | |
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abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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30
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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31
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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32
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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33
specks
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| n.眼镜；斑点，微粒，污点( speck的名词复数 ) | |
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34
sickles
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| n.镰刀( sickle的名词复数 ) | |
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35
reaper
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| n.收割者，收割机 | |
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36
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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37
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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38
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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39
indigenous
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| adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的 | |
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40
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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41
eucalyptus
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| n.桉树，桉属植物 | |
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42
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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43
landmark
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| n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标 | |
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44
pittance
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| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
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45
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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46
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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47
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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48
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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49
gaucho
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| n. 牧人 | |
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50
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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51
outfits
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| n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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52
ponderously
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53
traction
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| n.牵引；附着摩擦力 | |
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54
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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55
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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56
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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57
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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58
warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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59
velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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60
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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62
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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63
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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64
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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65
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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66
frugal
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| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
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67
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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68
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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69
quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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70
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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71
locusts
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| n.蝗虫( locust的名词复数 )；贪吃的人；破坏者；槐树 | |
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72
recurring
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| adj.往复的，再次发生的 | |
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73
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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74
sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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75
fatten
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| v.使肥，变肥 | |
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76
superseded
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| [医]被代替的，废弃的 | |
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77
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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78
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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79
nuclei
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| n.核 | |
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80
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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81
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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82
lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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83
saturation
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| n.饱和(状态)；浸透 | |
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84
rams
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| n.公羊( ram的名词复数 )；(R-)白羊（星）座；夯；攻城槌v.夯实（土等）( ram的第三人称单数 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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85
ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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86
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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87
pelts
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| n. 皮毛，投掷, 疾行 vt. 剥去皮毛，（连续）投掷 vi. 猛击，大步走 | |
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88
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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89
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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90
slaughtering
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
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91
shearing
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| n.剪羊毛，剪取的羊毛v.剪羊毛( shear的现在分词 )；切断；剪切 | |
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92
prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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93
ranches
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| 大农场， （兼种果树，养鸡等的）大牧场( ranch的名词复数 ) | |
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94
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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95
shearer
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| n.剪羊毛的人；剪切机 | |
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96
incompetent
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| adj.无能力的，不能胜任的 | |
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97
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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98
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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99
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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100
congestion
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| n.阻塞，消化不良 | |
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101
screeching
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的现在分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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102
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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103
loam
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| n.沃土 | |
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104
surmounting
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| 战胜( surmount的现在分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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105
picturesqueness
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106
siesta
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| n.午睡 | |
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107
languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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108
huddle
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| vi.挤作一团；蜷缩；vt.聚集；n.挤在一起的人 | |
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109
blisters
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| n.水疱( blister的名词复数 )；水肿；气泡 | |
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110
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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111
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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112
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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113
gauchos
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| n.南美牧人( gaucho的名词复数 ) | |
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114
accustom
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| vt.使适应，使习惯 | |
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115
disturbances
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| n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍 | |
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116
feuds
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| n.长期不和，世仇( feud的名词复数 ) | |
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117
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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118
poncho
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| n.斗篷，雨衣 | |
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119
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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120
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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121
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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122
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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123
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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124
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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125
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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126
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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127
bucking
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| v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的现在分词 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
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128
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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129
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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130
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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131
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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132
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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133
bide
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| v.忍耐；等候；住 | |
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134
commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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135
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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136
reprisal
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| n.报复，报仇，报复性劫掠 | |
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137
requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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138
wagering
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| v.在（某物）上赌钱，打赌( wager的现在分词 )；保证，担保 | |
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139
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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140
mustering
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的现在分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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141
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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