In the spring of 1871 Jesse and Frank James secretly returned to their haunts in Jackson county, Missouri, where they remained for some time arranging for an expedition into Iowa. Their plans being perfected, they, with five other bandits, started north, riding by night, until they reached Corydon, the bank in which place they had
previously1 decided2 to rob. At ten o'clock in the morning the seven desperadoes made a furious charge into the center of the town and commenced a fusilade of firing, threatening to kill every person found on the streets within five minutes
afterward3. None of the citizens thought of offering any resistance, and dashing up to the bank, three of the robbers dismounted and rushed in with cocked pistols, and demanded of the[Pg 52] cashier every cent the bank contained. Finding himself powerless, and realizing that death would be his certain portion if he refused to comply with the
immediate4 demands of the desperate
outlaws5, the cashier opened the safe and permitted them to appropriate nearly $40,000. The money was placed in a sack, which they invariably carried with them for the purpose, and then the seven desperadoes rode rapidly out of the city, firing their pistols indiscriminately as they swept through the streets.
The citizens were, of course, intensely excited, and after the
disappearance6 of the robbers a hundred persons volunteered their services to the sheriff to assist in the
apprehension7 of the bold plunderers. Efforts at capture were made by a large body of men, but like all similar attempts, the result was nothing. They were followed into Missouri and telegrams sent to every town in the State, but, like
imps8 of darkness, the seven dare-devils disappeared and were not again seen for several months; but it is now known that they were lying quietly in their impregnable haunt in the eastern part of Jackson county, waiting for a return of quiet.
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收听单词发音
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1
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） |
参考例句： |
- The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
- Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。
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2
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 |
参考例句： |
- This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
- There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
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3
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 |
参考例句： |
- Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏，然后吃饭。
- Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来，这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。
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4
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 |
参考例句： |
- His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
- We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。
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5
outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 |
参考例句： |
- During his year in the forest, Robin met many other outlaws. 在森林里的一年，罗宾遇见其他许多绿林大盗。
- I didn't have to leave the country or fight outlaws. 我不必离开自己的国家，也不必与不法分子斗争。
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6
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 |
参考例句： |
- He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
- Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。
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7
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 |
参考例句： |
- There were still areas of doubt and her apprehension grew.有些地方仍然存疑，于是她越来越担心。
- She is a girl of weak apprehension.她是一个理解力很差的女孩。
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8
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 |
参考例句： |
- Those imps are brewing mischief. 那些小淘气们正在打坏主意。 来自辞典例句
- No marvel if the imps follow when the devil goes before. 魔鬼带头，难怪小鬼纷纷跟随。 来自互联网
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