The storm which had been raging furiously during the night had now fallen to a fresh yet warm breeze. The leaves of the singular forest of mangrove3 were softly rustling4 in the wind, and the waves, which a few hours ago were madly dashing on the shore, now were quietly running up the beach with pleasant and melodious5 murmurs6. Indeed, the prospect7 from the hut over the little bay of the Moeara Tjatjing, enclosed by its two headlands, was picturesque8 in the extreme. Under the bright beams of the early morning sun, the intense blue of the sea was glittering [27]with indescribable purity and brilliancy, the surface of the ocean was still heaving, the waves still were following each other as in pursuit, here and there a breaker might still be seen topped by a snow-white cap of foam9; but there was nothing angry in the scene. The bosom10 of Amphitrite still heaved, but all fierce and angry passions seemed to have died away. At some little distance from the land the schooner11 Kiem Ping Hin was dancing on the water, rising and falling gracefully13, while the British ensign floated at the peak.
Just in front of the hut, in which took place the stormy scenes we have described in the former chapters, and close by the small group of “Saoe” trees we have mentioned, there stood a clump15 of “Niboeng” palms. Straight and smooth as candles were their stems, and high up in the air their feathery tops were waving to the breeze. On all sides, excepting on that of the sea, the mangrove wood, with its maze16 of tangled17 roots, surrounded the hut as with an impenetrable wall.
The bay to which Lim Ho and his attendants had dragged their unhappy prisoners was thus perfectly18 lonely, closely screened from every human eye.
As soon as they had arrived at the spot, Lim Ho made a signal to his men. In an instant the prisoners had their clothes torn from their bodies, and stark19 naked they were firmly lashed20 to the smooth stems of three palm trees. The ropes, which had already served to confine the limbs of Dalima, now were used to tie Ardjan and the two Chinese spies to the trunks of these trees, which, to them, were to become stakes at which they were destined21 to endure the most excruciating agony. The victims knew well what was in store for them, and kept anxiously looking round to see what would happen; their eyes, however, glaring around with wild terror, could not, at once, discover what they sought, and what they were every moment dreading22 to see. Although the tropical sun was burning down on their backs, yet they were trembling in every limb, as if shivering with cold; their hands were fastened high up above their heads, and the ropes were passed round their loins and knee-joints. Thus they could not make the slightest movement without extreme pain, for the ropes being plaited of “Iemoetoe” were hard, rough, and prickly.
Suddenly Than Khan uttered a startled cry, he had been anxiously looking round, and he now saw a couple of sailors coming up from the wood, each carefully bearing a bundle of leaves. The wretched man knew at a glance that the hour of [28]torture was at hand. The leaves which the sailors bore well deserve description. They were broad and heart-shaped, and were attached to twigs23 resembling brushwood. The edges of the leaves were roughly jagged like the teeth of a saw, and their upper and under surfaces were covered with white hairy down. They were leaves of the “Kamadoog,” the devil thistle, the most terrible plant perhaps which the earth produces. With infinite precaution—a precaution which needs no explanation—the Javanese sailors made, of these leafy twigs, three broom-like scourges24, around the handles of which they carefully wrapped some grass and bits of rag. When he saw his men thus armed, Lim Ho gave the signal to begin. Three sailors stepped up to the victims, and with the twigs began to strike their backs, their loins, their thighs25, and the calves26 of their legs. Then was enacted27 a hideous, but most curious scene. It was not, properly speaking, any scourging28 at all, the blows which they inflicted29 were as light as possible; they rather flipped30 or stroked the flesh of their victims, and it looked as if they were engaged in simply driving away insects or troublesome flies from the naked bodies. Now and then, one or other of them would give a somewhat harder flip31, as if some obstinate32 fly refused to be dislodged from the spot. But the features of the unfortunate wretches33, who were suffering this apparently34 playful scourging, were in horrible contrast with the seeming gentleness of the treatment. The faces of Ardjan and of his companions in misfortune were actually distorted with terror, their eyes were starting from the sockets35. Wherever those dreadful leaves lightly fell on the skin, the body at once shrunk away in pain, the limbs began to quiver, the muscles began to work up and to stiffen36 in knots, as if drawn37 together by violent cramp38. But still that gentle flicking39 and stroking went on. The sufferers began to writhe40 and twist about their bodies in intolerable anguish41. Still the heartless executioners went on with their hideous task. The miserable42 victims panted for breath, a low, most pitiful moaning escaped from their lips; they gnashed their teeth with agony, they bit their lips until the blood came; but all to no purpose—nothing could bring them relief.
But Lim Ho had no mercy to show his wretched victims, he waved his hand to the executioners, who, at that sign, entirely44 changed their mode of operation, and now the gentle fanning [29]was replaced by a severe downright flogging. The blows, laid on with the full strength of the sailors, rained down upon the bare bodies of the tortured wretches, their skin resounded45 under the pattering of the leaves, which, less barbarous than the men who wielded46 them, began to tear and fly from their stems.
As soon as that flogging commenced, the prisoners no longer moaned, they roared, they yelled, they howled with anguish. It was the cry of a wild beast wounded to death, which gathers up its remaining strength for one dying roar.
The limbs of the miserable men now not only shrank and writhed47; but with the convulsive energy which only such extremity48 of torture could lend, they clasped with their legs the smooth trunks of the trees, they seemed to try and sink into them and bury themselves in the wood. It was an awful spectacle, and yet, strange to say, no wounds could be seen, no contusions, no livid spots even; nothing at all in fact to account for such unheard-of suffering. The skin only looked somewhat puffy, somewhat red and inflamed49, and covered with very small blisters50. The wounds which the bodies of the victims bore were serious enough, it is true; but they had nothing to do with the leaves of the terrible nettle51. In their almost superhuman efforts to burst their bonds, and in their frantic52 contortions53, the sufferers had forced the ropes into the flesh, and here and there the strands54 had cut their way to the bone, so that streams of blood were pouring along their arms, along their thighs and loins, and were forming broad red spots on the soft slippery soil. That anguish must have been acute enough in itself; but it was nothing compared to the torture occasioned by the leaves of the devil-thistle.
At length the instruments of torture had become well nigh stripped, there was left in fact only the bare twigs, on which here and there a few tattered55 leaves were still dangling56, the poisonous leaves lay scattered57 in all directions, faded, torn, and shapeless about the feet of the sufferers. But, even then, Lim Ho did not think of causing the torture to cease, he seemed to be bent58 on utterly59 destroying his victims. He ordered the men to stop for a few moments. It was not because he felt any pity. Not at all, he merely caused the half dead bodies to be sprinkled with salt water, which, if possible, augmented61 the torments62 they endured. The monster was, in fact, on the point of resuming his inhuman63 flogging, when suddenly a cry was raised, “The police, the police!” [30]
In furious haste Lim Ho and his assistants flew up to the tortured Chinamen. In a moment they had severed64 the cords which bound them to the trees, and the next instant they were dragging the wretches who were curling and twisting in their agony along the rough path which led to the landing-place where their boat lay moored65. Two of Lim Ho’s men would have performed the same office for Ardjan, but the shouts of the rescuing party became louder every instant, the men were stricken with panic, took to their heels, and with all speed rejoined their retreating comrades.
They got to the boat just in time, for they had no sooner got into her, before five or six policemen led on by Dalima and closely followed by a crowd of people came to the spot.
“Allah,” exclaimed the young girl as she caught sight of Ardjan, who was still tied up to the tree, moaning with pain, and whose almost lifeless body was hanging like a sack in the somewhat slackened ropes; “Allah, what in the world have they done to him!”
In a moment the unfortunate man was surrounded, his bonds were severed, and he was laid down gently on a mat which somebody had run to fetch from the little watch-house. But he could not utter a word. He yelled with pain, and rolled about on the ground writhing66 like a crushed worm.
“Oh, my God!” he moaned most piteously, “I am in pain! in pain!”
“The kamadoog!” cried the bystanders in horror.
It was plain enough now. One of the spectators had taken up a few torn leaves, and at once recognised the terrible nettle. Every man in the crowd turned pale with horror. And truly the kamadoog is a dreadful plant. The slightest contact with its formidable leaves occasions a violent itching69, painful as a severe burn; and, when used as an instrument of torture, it causes the most intolerable suffering, for at least seven days; it makes the limbs stiffen, and produces a burning fever, which not unfrequently ends in the most painful death.
“Has anyone here any ‘sirihkalk?’?” (chalk made of sea-shells) cried Dalima.
Some few of the bystanders had with them the “sirih,” which they are fond of chewing. They unwrapped the sirih-leaf [31]in which were the pinang-nut, the chalk, and the tobacco, which form this highly-prized chew, and gave the chalk to the girl, who hastened to anoint the sufferer with the paste-like alkali. But, unfortunately, so great was the surface which had been exposed to the stroke of the hairy leaves, that the supply of “sirih-chalk” was altogether inadequate70, and only a very small portion of the blisters could be treated with the remedy. Dalima was in despair. There was nothing else for it but to carry Ardjan into the hut, which afforded a shelter from the burning sun. Then some of the men hurried away to fetch a supply of oil and chalk, which they hoped would mitigate71 the pain, and check the fever. By evening, if all were well, Ardjan might perhaps have so far recovered as to bear the fatigue72 of being moved to more convenient quarters.
While these remedies were being applied73 to poor Ardjan, the boat in which Lim Ho had put off, was being rowed past the djaga monjet, and was getting out of the little bay. The policemen stood on the shore calling to the crew to come back; but no one took the slightest notice of their summons, and, as they had no firearms with them to enforce obedience74, the only reply they got was a derisive75 cheer, and a shout of defiance76.
As he rowed by the djaga monjet, Lim Ho had plainly recognised Dalima, who, actively77 employed in assisting her tortured lover, was running about, in and out, here and there.
The sight of her literally78 maddened the brutal79 Chinaman; he was on the point of ordering his boat’s crew to return and row to land. But, in another instant, he came to himself, and recovered his reason. It would indeed have been the act of a madman to try and carry off the girl just then. He knew that he could place great dependence80 upon the power of his gold; but yet, in full daylight, in the very face of all those people, he felt he could hardly try its influence upon the native police. So he could only shake his fist in impotent rage, and the word to return remained unspoken.
The boat swiftly glided82 out of the Moeara Tjatjing, and at once made for the Kiem Ping Hin, which was already loosening her sails, and waiting impatiently for the return of her boat’s crew. As they mounted the deck, Captain Awal Boep Said came up to report to Lim Ho that the smoke of a steamer could just be seen on the horizon. “Probably,” he added, “it is the Matamata, she was here yesterday.”
“Those white blockheads,” muttered Lim Ho, with a [32]scornful laugh. “At night they have their coloured lights up, and we can tell them miles away. By day they take care to send up a cloud of smoke which no one can mistake. I will bet they have not discovered us yet, while we have had our eye on her ever so long ago.”
“It is the guard-ship, sir, likely enough. What are your orders?” said the captain.
“The wind has risen somewhat with the sun,” replied Lim Ho. “Set sail at once, and steer83 for Bali.”
A quarter of an hour later, the Kiem Ping Hin was gracefully heeling over to the freshening breeze, and, under full sail, was flying to the eastward84. When, much later on, the Matamata came to the Moeara Tjatjing, the smuggler85, an excellent sailing craft, was on the horizon; she was nothing more than a faint white speck86 on the deep blue sea. The clumsy old guard-ship, which, under favourable87 circumstances, could not make more than six knots, and might perhaps do eight knots under extra pressure, had not the smallest chance of overtaking the rakish schooner, running eleven knots before the breeze. In less than an hour, the vessels88 were out of sight of one another altogether.
Meanwhile, what had befallen Dalima that she thus managed to come up at the right moment of time to rescue Ardjan from compulsory89 exile? As soon as she had succeeded in gnawing90 through the rope which tied her wrists, no very difficult task for her sharp white teeth—she plucked asunder91 the knots by which her feet were confined. That did not take long, and with a gesture of contempt she flung the cords aside and was hastening from the spot. For a moment or two, however, she stood still, considering whether she ought not to go straight to the djaga monjet, perhaps she might be of some service to Ardjan. At that moment, however, she caught the voices of the two Chinamen who were coming down the pathway in quest of her. This at once brought her to a decision and thoroughly92 terrified she ran off at the top of her speed in the opposite direction. As she was speeding along she made up her mind to go straight to her mistress and implore93 her aid. But, the question was, would she listen to her story, would she help her? Well, if she would not, then she would go to the Resident, he surely could not refuse to hear her.
Thus, like a hunted roe94 she flew along, the thick forest had no terrors for her, she was a true child of Nature and knew [33]her road well, and so, in a few seconds, she had disappeared among the tangled roots of the mangrove.
It was in the early morning that she reached the grounds of the house. The first thing she saw under the half open verandah or “pandoppo” was the Resident’s daughter. Her young mistress was quite alone, she was lying back in a comfortable rocking-chair and was reading a book in which she seemed wholly absorbed.
So Dalima glided very softly into the pandoppo and, without making the least sound, with a graceful12 motion seated herself cross-legged on the floor close to the maiden95 who continued gently rocking herself as she read. “Nana,” said Dalima in the softest whisper which sounded like a gentle sigh, “Nana!”
At the sound the young girl gave a sudden start, she dropped her book and springing up from her seat, “Siapa ada?” (who is there) she cried half in terror, half in surprise.
The daughter of the Resident stood there for a few moments in the rays of the early sun, a perfect picture of loveliness. Her forehead of the purest ivory-white was surrounded by a rich mass of glossy96 dark-brown curls, her nose and chin might have served as models to a sculptor97. But, though the features were faultlessly regular, the whole face was full of animation98 and of life. The lips of the rosiest99 red and of exquisite100 form resembled a freshly opened rosebud101, the cheeks were tinged102 with the glow of health and the large deep-brown eyes were full of tenderness and plainly spoke81 of a gentle and loving disposition103 within. The neck and bust104 of the young girl were modestly veiled under the folds of a tastefully arranged “Kabaja” which, however, could not hide the well-filled and perfectly rounded form it strove to conceal105.
“Who is there?” she had cried as startled she had sprung up from her chair.
“It is I, Nana,” whispered Dalima in a scarcely audible voice.
The fair young girl, whom we have tried faintly to depict106 to the reader, was called Anna. In ordinary conversation the servants usually addressed her as “Nonna” (Miss). But Dalima, either by reason of her youth or it may be because she was shy and gentle of nature, was Anna’s special favourite and enjoyed certain privileges with her young mistress over the other servants; she was indeed looked upon in the light of a companion, and so she always used to call her “Nonna Anna” which was first contracted into “Nonanna,” and then [34]became simply “Nana.” Thus the reader will perceive that the name “Nana” has nothing whatever in common with Zola’s disgusting production, nor yet with the inhuman monster who made himself so sadly notorious at Cawnpore.
At the words “It is I, Nana,” Anna looked down and no sooner saw Dalima seated at her feet than she recovered from her scare. She offered to raise the maiden who, however, maintained her position on the floor of the verandah. “You here, Dalima,” cried she; “where in the world have you been? Mamma is dreadfully angry with you. Where have you come from?”
“Nana,” she replied, “I have been carried off!”
“By whom?” asked Anna.
“By some of Lim Ho’s men,” said Dalima.
“Lim Ho?” cried Anna now really frightened, “Lim Ho? What, have you been in his power?”
“Yes I have,” said the young girl.
“What, all night?”
“No,” replied Dalima, “No, not all night; Allah has been my protection and—”
“So, so! That gadabout has come home at last, has she?” cried a voice which caused both the girls to start with terror.
It was Anna’s mother, who just then came into the pandoppo without having been noticed either by her daughter or by Dalima.
She came straight from her bathroom as was evident from the rich black hair which flowed waving down her back, and had completely wetted the kabaja she wore, while she had covered her neck and shoulders with a bathing-towel of the finest material.
Bending her head backwards107 she drew the towel from under her hair and handed it to the nènèh (old Javanese woman) who followed her, with the order to go and dry it immediately.
Madam Laurentia van Gulpendam, whose maiden name was Termolen, was a stately matron, fully14 thirty-five years of age, and was still extremely beautiful. Years and maternity108 had not made much impression upon her charms. She had but one child, Anna, and fearing that the natural duties of a mother might impair109 her beauty, she had confided110 her daughter to the care of a nurse. In spite, however, of all precautions, the influence of time was now beginning to make itself felt, and though it could not be denied that Laurentia carried the load of years proudly enough, yet lately she had found the necessity [35]of bringing certain powders and certain mysterious toilette-confections into requisition, to help out the somewhat fading complexion111 and (to use an elegant expression of her husband who had had something to do with the sea, and was always interlarding his conversation with nautical112 terms) to caulk113 here and there an indiscreet, and too obtrusive114 wrinkle. Here and there also a silver thread might have been detected among the wealth of jet-black hair, had not the Nènèh Wong Toewa, been anxiously watchful115, and at its very first appearance plucked out the traitor116. The finely formed lips also had begun to lose somewhat of their bright carnation117; and the corners of the mouth were beginning to droop118. But for these tokens of advancing age also, the nènèh was on the watch. For preserving the mouth she had a sourish kind of fluid prepared from the red ant which she used as “vinaigre de toilette,” and for the wrinkles she had an ointment119 made of the fat of lizards120, in which when boiling hot sundry121 scorpions122 and centipedes had met a painful death. But Nènèh Wong Toewa was moreover an old, experienced doctoress, and she had many other wonderful secrets in her possession which she placed at the disposal of her mistress; and if the stately Laurentia still kept her lawful123 lord and master enthralled124 by her charms,—if the world around was still bound to confess that she was a fine woman,—if her waist, her shoulders, her bosom did still, in a ball-room, attract the greedy, admiring eyes of the men, and awakened125 envy among the ladies—then to Wong Toewa a great share of these much coveted126 honours was due, and often from behind a screen the old crone would stand unobserved and enjoy the triumph of her mistress, and delight in the homage127 which followed her wherever she went.
Laurentia Termolen was the daughter of a former resident, and was an exceedingly handsome and agreeable girl when, at the tender age of sixteen, she became the wife of Mr. van Gulpendam who, at that time, was controller of the Home Department, and her father’s right hand. Though born in India she was of European parents, both on the mother’s and father’s side: and she had had the advantage of an excellent education, that is to say, large sums of money had been lavishly128 spent upon her. She had had the very best masters in language, in music, in dancing, &c., she had even been sent to Holland to receive the finishing touches. Now, under ordinary circumstances, she might—nay she would have [36]developed into an excellent woman; but unfortunately for her, these ordinary and favourable circumstances were wanting. For both papa and mamma were people of inordinate129 ambition, and had, moreover, or perhaps in consequence of that ambition, one ruling passion, the love of display. They wanted to make a great figure in their little world, and to keep up an immense amount of outward show. But all this cost money, much money, very much money, and the means whereby they sought to obtain the necessary dross130, were not always such as would bear honest scrutiny131. From her earliest childhood, Laurentia had heard snatches of conversation, later on she had been present at incidents, and had witnessed family quarrels, in which dishonesty and prodigality132 strove for the mastery. Thus her young mind had, of necessity, been poisoned, and germs of corruption133 had been planted within her which were sure to bring forth134 the most lamentable135 results.
If now, in Holland, she had but fallen into good hands, all this might, to a great extent at least, have been remedied, and the poisonous germs within her might perhaps have been stifled136 or their growth might have been checked. But hers had been the case of so many Indian-born children. She had always been looked upon as an object of financial speculation137, she had always been considered as a kind of gold mine which her parents intended thoroughly to work and make the most of. Thus a mere60 outward veneer138 of good manners and a mare139 “jargon de bon ton” were thought amply sufficient; and of true education and moral development there had, with her, never been any question at all.
Now, had but van Gulpendam been the right man for it, he might even at the time of their marriage have made a total change in the disposition of the young girl entrusted140 to his care. But van Gulpendam was a man who had gone to India merely to make his fortune, and had but one object, namely, to return as soon as possible, and especially as rich as possible, to his own country. He was therefore the very last man to set an example of honesty and purity, and his intimacy141 with the Termolens had done nothing to counteract142 the evil that was in him. Money-making was his only passion, and his union with fair Laurentia had only served to make that sordid143 principle strike deeper roots into his heart.
After her marriage Laurentia’s duty was to follow her husband, who took good care to obtain from his father-in-law [37]none but places in the interior and most remote parts of the island. Thus he had become controller at Brandowo; after that, Assistant Resident at Bandjar Oetara; both of these places where hardly a single European could be found, and where consequently no one could watch the dodges144 and tricks of the official household.
How he had managed to be on the most excellent terms with the Regent who exacted taxes in kind, and at the same time also had the most cordial relations with the representatives of the opium145 farmers, who found it necessary to throw dust into the eyes of the Dutch authorities; and how she had lent out money to the natives on the most exorbitant146 interest for which she did not scruple147 to take, as securities, valuable articles such as jewels and heirlooms, all these dirty transactions had remained a profound secret and had not prevented van Gulpendam from rising to the position of full Resident.
This long isolation148 had, moreover, the most pernicious effect upon his grasping character, and upon the no less ambitious disposition of his young wife. By continual contact with none but inferiors who bowed down to them to the very ground, the bearing of Laurentia had grown to be intolerably arrogant149. She had become imperious woman personified, and this grave blemish150 in her character was so entirely in harmony with her outward appearance, that when she had to appear in public on official occasions in the full dignity of “Resident’s wife” she might have served as model for a Juno.
Such then was the mother of Anna van Gulpendam, as she suddenly stalked into the pandoppo and at the sight of Dalima straightway fired up and cried out: “So! has that slut come in again?”
“Now then,” she continued in her wrath151, “tell me, you young monkey, where have you been? You have been out, I’ll be bound, dragging about with that lover of yours!”
“Pardon, madam!” cried the young girl. “I did not run away. I did not indeed!”
“And you did not leave master Leo running about by himself in the garden?”
“I was carried off, madam,” said the young girl.
“Carried off!” cried Mrs. van Gulpendam scornfully, “by whom, pray?”
“By two strange Chinamen,” replied Dalima.
“How did that come to pass?” asked her mistress. [38]
Thereupon Dalima gave her mistress a detailed152 account of her forcible abduction by Ong Kwat, of which we have made mention above. We ought here to add that “sienjo Leo” just mentioned was the son of the Resident’s brother, and that the boy had been staying for a considerable time at the residence, his father at that time having his home at Billiton.
“And where did they take you to?” enquired153 Mrs. van Gulpendam. There was in her voice some little emotion, called forth no doubt by the young girl’s graphic154 description.
“They took me on board a big ship,” said Dalima.
“Whose ship was that?”
“I don’t know,” replied Dalima. “I had not, however, been on board long before Lim Ho came—”
“Lim Ho,” cried Mrs. van Gulpendam now thoroughly roused!—“Lim Ho, the son of the rich opium farmer!”
“That is the man,” replied Dalima trembling as in utter confusion she still was crouching at the feet of her Nonna Anna.
A very peculiar155 smile began to play upon Mrs. van Gulpendam’s lips, and a very peculiar fire began to sparkle in her eyes. “Anna,” said she to her daughter, “I wish you would just go and ask your father if he would like a cup of coffee, and, if he does, get it him; will you?”
The young girl at once took the hint and disappeared.
As soon as she was gone Laurentia in feverish156 haste and with heaving bosom turned to Dalima and said:
“Well, what then?”
Oh! poor Dalima understood that look so well, and little as she knew of the world she knew so well why the “nonna” had been sent away. She repressed her emotion however, and calmly enough she said:
“Lim Ho went to smoke opium.”
“Of course, of course,” said Laurentia, huskily, “of course he went to smoke opium, before—” It is utterly impossible to convey in words any idea of the expression on the face of Laurentia van Gulpendam as she allowed the word “before” to slip from her lips. Those wildly gleaming eyes, that projecting slightly quivering jaw157, those half-open lips which allowed the breath to pass with a slightly hissing158 sound, and that full bosom heaving convulsively under the wet kabaja—all these were the visible signs of passion raging unrestrained within. That face betrayed the whole story, aye and even betrayed her regret that van Gulpendam did not smoke opium. [39]
“Well,” she said at length, after having for a few moments stared at Dalima; “well, and what happened then?”
“Nothing happened at all,” was Dalima’s quiet reply.
“Nothing,” cried Laurentia; “that’s a lie! Lim Ho would have had you carried to his ship merely to—”
“Before he had done smoking,” hastily interposed Dalima, “I was rescued.”
“Rescued! rescued! By whom?”
“By Ardjan,” replied the girl, trembling more violently than before.
“By Ardjan? by Ardjan?” shouted her mistress. “Oh! you filthy159 creature. Now I see it all. Of course you ran away from ‘master Leo’ to go and have a game with your Ardjan, and now you want to put it all upon Lim Ho. Wait a bit, I will—
“Gulpendam!” she shouted, “Gulpenda-a-m!” So shrill160 and so sharp sounded her voice as she thus called for her husband, that a couple of servants came rushing in thinking something terrible must have happened.
“Call your master!” she cried to them.
“No, no,” said her mistress, “no pardon for a creature like you.”
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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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sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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mangrove
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| n.(植物)红树，红树林 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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melodious
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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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prospect
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picturesque
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foam
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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schooner
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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15
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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16
maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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17
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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18
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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19
stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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20
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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21
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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22
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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23
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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24
scourges
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| 带来灾难的人或东西，祸害( scourge的名词复数 )； 鞭子 | |
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25
thighs
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| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
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26
calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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27
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
scourging
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| 鞭打( scourge的现在分词 )； 惩罚，压迫 | |
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29
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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30
flipped
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| 轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥 | |
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31
flip
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| vt.快速翻动；轻抛；轻拍；n.轻抛；adj.轻浮的 | |
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32
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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33
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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34
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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35
sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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36
stiffen
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| v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬 | |
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37
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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38
cramp
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| n.痉挛；[pl.](腹)绞痛；vt.限制，束缚 | |
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39
flicking
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的现在分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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40
writhe
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| vt.挣扎，痛苦地扭曲；vi.扭曲，翻腾，受苦；n.翻腾，苦恼 | |
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41
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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42
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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43
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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44
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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45
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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46
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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47
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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49
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
blisters
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| n.水疱( blister的名词复数 )；水肿；气泡 | |
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51
nettle
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| n.荨麻；v.烦忧，激恼 | |
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52
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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53
contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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54
strands
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| n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 ) | |
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55
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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56
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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57
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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58
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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59
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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60
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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61
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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62
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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63
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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64
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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65
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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66
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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67
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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68
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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69
itching
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| adj.贪得的，痒的，渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 ) | |
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70
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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71
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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72
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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73
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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74
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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75
derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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76
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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77
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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78
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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79
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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80
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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81
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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82
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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83
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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84
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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85
smuggler
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| n.走私者 | |
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86
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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87
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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88
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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89
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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90
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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91
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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92
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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93
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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94
roe
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| n.鱼卵；獐鹿 | |
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95
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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96
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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97
sculptor
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| n.雕刻家，雕刻家 | |
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98
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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99
rosiest
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| adj.玫瑰色的( rosy的最高级 )；愉快的；乐观的；一切都称心如意 | |
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100
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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101
rosebud
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| n.蔷薇花蕾，妙龄少女 | |
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102
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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104
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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105
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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106
depict
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| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
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107
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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108
maternity
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| n.母性，母道，妇产科病房；adj.孕妇的，母性的 | |
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109
impair
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| v.损害，损伤；削弱，减少 | |
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110
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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111
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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112
nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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113
caulk
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| v.堵缝 | |
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114
obtrusive
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| adj.显眼的；冒失的 | |
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115
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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116
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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117
carnation
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| n.康乃馨（一种花） | |
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118
droop
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| v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡 | |
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119
ointment
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| n.药膏，油膏，软膏 | |
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120
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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121
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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122
scorpions
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| n.蝎子( scorpion的名词复数 ) | |
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123
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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124
enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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125
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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126
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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127
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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128
lavishly
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| adv.慷慨地，大方地 | |
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129
inordinate
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| adj.无节制的；过度的 | |
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130
dross
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| n.渣滓；无用之物 | |
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131
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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132
prodigality
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| n.浪费，挥霍 | |
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133
corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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134
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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135
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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136
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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137
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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138
veneer
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| n.(墙上的)饰面，虚饰 | |
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139
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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140
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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142
counteract
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| vt.对…起反作用，对抗，抵消 | |
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143
sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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144
dodges
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| n.闪躲( dodge的名词复数 )；躲避；伎俩；妙计v.闪躲( dodge的第三人称单数 )；回避 | |
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145
opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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146
exorbitant
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| adj.过分的；过度的 | |
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147
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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148
isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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149
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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150
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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151
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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152
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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153
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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154
graphic
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| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
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155
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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156
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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157
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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158
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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159
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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160
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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161
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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