A thread-like current crept through a maze2 of oozy3 depressions, quagmires4, seeping5 bogs6 and little pools, among patches of sodden7 brush, alders8 and rank grass. With many intricate windings9, the vagrant11 waters, swollen12 by numberless springs and rivulets13, emerged from the tangled14 morass15, became a living stream, and began its long and tortuous16 journey toward the southwest, finally to be lost in the immensity of unknown floods beyond.
The explorers called the stream the Theakiki. In the changing nomenclature of succeeding years it became the Kankakee. It was the main confluent of the Illinois, and one of the first highways of the white man to the Mississippi.
The crude topographic charts of the early voyagers on the river naturally differ much in detail and accuracy, but, in comparing them with our modern maps, we wonder at their keen observation and the painstaking18 use of their limited facilities.
16The annals of their journeys are replete19 with description, legend, romance, disheartening hardship, and unremitting battle at the barriers of nature against her would-be conquerors20.
The name of LaSalle, that resplendent figure in the exploration of the west, will be forever associated with the Kankakee. There are few pages of historic lore1 more absorbing and thrilling to the admirer of unflinching fortitude21 and dauntless heroism22 than the dramatic story of this knight23 errant of France, and his intrepid24 followers25. Among the woods and waters, and on the desolate26 frozen wastes of a strange land, they found paths that led to imperishable renown27. They were avant-coureurs of a new force that was to transform a wilderness28 into an empire, but an empire far different from that of their hopes and dreams.
LaSalle’s little band had ascended29 the St. Joseph, and had portaged their belongings31 from one of its bends about five miles away. They launched their canoes on the narrow tide of the Theakiki and descended32 the river to the Illinois. The incentives33 of the expedition were to expand the dominions34 of Louis the XIV, to extend the pale of the cross, and to find new fountains that would pour forth35 gold.
For gold and power man has scarred the earth he lives upon and annihilated36 its creatures since the dawn of recorded time, and for gold and power will he struggle to the end, whatever and wherever the end may be, for somewhere in the scheme of creation 17it is so written. The moralist may find the story on the Vanishing River, as he may find it everywhere else in the world, in his study of the fabric37 of the foibles and passions of his kind.
The old narratives38 mention a camp of Miami Indians, visible near the source of the river, at the time of LaSalle’s embarkation39. We may imagine that curious beady eyes peered from the clustered wigwams in the distance upon the newcomers, the wondering aborigines little knowing that a serpent had entered their Eden, and thenceforth their race was to look only upon a setting sun.
The river flowed through a mystic land. With magnificent sweeps and bends it wound out on open fertile areas and into dense40 virgin42 forests, doubling to and fro in its course, widening into broad lakes, and moving on to vast labyrinths43 of dank grass, rushes, lily pads, trembling bogs and impenetrable brush tangles44. The main channel often lost itself in the side currents and in mazes45 of rank vegetation. Here and there were little still tarns46 and open pools that reflected the wandering clouds by day and the changing moons at night.
There were great stretches of marshy47 wastes and flooded lowlands, where millions upon millions of water fowl48 found welcome retreats and never failing food. During the migrating seasons in the spring and fall, vast flocks of ducks were patterned against the clouds. They swooped49 down in endless hordes50. Turbulent calls and loud trumpetings heralded51 the coming of serried52 legions of geese, 18swans and brant, as they broke their ranks, settled on to the hospitable53 waters and floated in gentle contentment.
The wild rice fields were inexhaustible granaries, and intrusion into them was followed by hurried beating of hidden wings. A disturbance54 of a few birds would start a slowly increasing alarm; soon the sky would be darkened by the countless55 flocks swarming56 out of miles of grasses, and the air would be filled with the roar of fleeing pinions57. Gradually they would return to enjoy their wonted tranquility.
The feathered myriads58 came and went with the transient seasons, but great numbers remained and nested on the bogs among the rushes, and on the little oak shaded islands in the swamps.
Coots, grebes, rails, and bitterns haunted the pools and runways among the thick sedges. Sudden awkward flights out of concealed59 coverts60 often startled the quiet wayfarer61 on the currents and ponds of the swamps. The solitary62 loon’s weird63 calls echoed from distant open waters.
Swarms64 of blackbirds rose out of the reeds and rice, and, after vicarious circlings, disappeared into other grassy65 retreats, enlivening the solitudes67 with their busy clamor.
In the summer and autumn the flowers of the wet places bloomed in luxuriant profusion68. Limitless acres of pond lilies opened their chaste69 petals70 in the slumberous71 airs. Harmonies of brilliant color bedecked the russet robes of autumn, and far over 19the broad fenlands yellow and vermillion banners waved in the soft winds of early fall.
In these wild marshlands was the kingdom of the muskrat72. The little villages and isolated73 domiciles—built of roots and rushes, and plastered with mud—protruded above the surface over the wide expanses, and were concealed in cleared spaces in the high, thick grasses. The pelts74 of these prolific75 and industrious76 little animals were speedily converted into wealth in after years.
The otter77 and the mink78 hunted their prey79 on the marshes80 and in the dank labyrinths of brush and wood debris81 along the main stream. Beavers82 thrived on the tributary83 waters, where these patient and skilful84 engineers built their dams and established their towns with the sagacity and foresight85 of their kind.
On still sunshiny days the tribes of the turtles emerged from their miry retreats and basked86 in phlegmatic87 immobility on the sodden logs and decayed fallen timber that littered the course of the current through the deep woodlands. The muddy fraternity would often seem to cover every low protruding88 object that could sustain them. At the passing of a boat the gray masses would awake and tumble with loud splashings into the depths.
The fish common to our western streams and lakes were prolific in the river. Aged30 men sit in hickory rocking chairs and enliven the mythology89 of their winter firesides with tales of mighty90 catfish91, bass92, 20pike and pickerel that once swam in the clear waters and fell victims to their lures93.
The finny world has not only supplied man with invaluable94 food, but has been a beneficent stimulant95 to his imaginative faculties96.
The choruses of the bull frogs in the marshes and bayous at night are among the joys unforgettable to those who have listened to these concerts out on the moonlit stretches among the lily pads and bending rushes. The corpulent gossips in the hidden places sent forth medleys97 of resonant98 sound that resembled deep tones of bass viols. They mingled100 with the rippling101 lighter102 notes of the smaller frog folk, and all blended into lyrics103 of nocturnal harmonies that lulled104 the senses and attuned105 the heart strings106 to the Voices of the Little Things.
Colonies of blue herons nested among the sycamores and elms in the overflowed107 bottom lands bordering on the river. A well known ornithologist108 has justly called this stately bird “the symbol of the wild.” Visits to the populous109 heronries were events long to be remembered by lovers of bird life. Sometimes eight or ten of the rudely constructed nests would occupy one tree, and within an area of perhaps twenty acres, hundreds of gawky offspring would come forth in April to be fed and guarded by the powerful bills of the older birds.
These nesting retreats were often accessible from the river, and a canoe floating into the placid110 and secluded111 precincts roused instant protest from the ghostly forms perched about on the limbs. The 21great birds would circle out over the trees with hoarse112 cries, but if the intruder became motionless they would soon return and resume their family cares.
The perfect reflections in the clear still waters, with the inverted113 tracery of the tree tops against the skies below, decorated with the statuesque figures of the herons, pictured dreamlands that seemed of another world, and tempted114 errant fancy into remote paths.
The passenger pigeons came in multitudes to the river country in the fall and settled into the woods, where the ripe acorns115 afforded abundant food. The old inhabitants tell wondrous116 tales of their migrations117, when the innumerable flocks obscured the clouds and the sound of the passing of the gray hosts was that of a moaning wind. The gregariousness118 of these birds was their ruin. They congregated119 on the dead trees in such numbers as to often break the smaller limbs. Owls120, hawks121, and four-footed night marauders feasted voraciously122 upon them. They were easy victims for the nets and guns of the pot hunters and the blind destructiveness of man wherever nature has been prodigal123 of her gifts. For years these beautiful creatures have been extinct, but the lesson of their going is only now beginning to be heeded124.
The black companies of the crows kept watch and ward17 over the forests and winding10 waters. Their noisy parliaments were in constant session, and few vistas125 through the woods, or out over the open landscapes, 22were without the accents of their moving forms against the sky.
Among the many feathered species there are none that appear to take themselves more seriously. They are ubiquitous and most curious as to everything that exists or happens within the spheres of their activities, and are so much a part of our great out of doors that we would miss them sadly if they were gone.
Wild turkeys and partridges were plentiful126 in the woods and underbrush. Eagles soared in majestic127 flight over the country and dropped to the waters and into the forests upon their furtive128 prey.
In the spring the woodlands were filled with melodious129 choirs130 of the smaller birds. Their enemies were few and they thrived in their happy homes.
Deer were once abundant. Elk131 horns have been found, and there are disputed records of straggling herds132 of buffalo133. Panther tracks were sometimes seen, and the black bear—that interesting vagabond of the woods—was a faithful visitor to the wild bee trees. Wolves roved through the timber. Wild cats, foxes, woodchucks, raccoons, and hundreds of smaller animals, dwelt in the great forests.
In this happy land lived the Miami and Pottowattomie Indians. Their little villages of bark wigwams and tepees of dried skins were scattered134 along the small streams, the borders of the river, and on the many islands that divided its course.
They sat in spiritual darkness on the verdant135 banks until the white man came to change their gods 23and superstitions136, but the region teemed137 with fish, game and wild fruits, and, with their limited wants, they enjoyed the average contentment of humankind. Whether or not their moral well being improved or deteriorated138 under the teachings and influence of the Franciscan and Jesuit fathers and the protestant missionaries139, is a question for the casuists, but the ways of the white man withered140 and swept them away. Unable to hold what they could not defend, they were despoiled141 of their heritage and exiled to other climes.
Their little cemeteries142 are still found, where the buried skeletons grimly await the Great Solution, amid the curious decayed trappings of a past age that were interred143 for the use of the dead in mystical happy hunting grounds. Their problem, like ours, remains144 as profound as their sleep. Occasionally curious delvers into Indian history have unearthed145 grisly skulls146, covered with mould, and fragments of bones in these silent places.
Many thousands of stone weapons, flint arrowheads, implements147 of the red men’s simple agriculture, and utensils148 of their rude housekeeping, have been found in the soil of the land where once their lodges149 tapered150 into the green foliage151.
Traces remain of the trails that connected the villages and threaded the country in every direction.
The relations between the first settlers and the Indians seem to have been harmonious152, but friction153 of interests developed with the continued influx154 of the whites, until the primitive155 law of “might makes 24right” was applied156 to the coveted157 lands. Sculptured monuments have now been erected158 to the red chieftains by the descendants of those who robbed them—empty and belated recognition of their equities159.
Many hunters and trappers came into the wild country, lured160 by the abundant game and fur. The beavers and muskrats161 provided the greater part of the spoil of the trappers.
Gradually the pioneer farmers began clearing tracts162 in the forests, where they found a soil of exuberant163 fertility.
With improved methods and firearms the annihilation of the wild life commenced. Many hundreds of tons of scattered leaden shot lie buried in unknown miry depths, that streamed into the skies at the passing flocks. The modern breech loader worked devastating164 havoc165. The water fowl dwindled166 rapidly in numbers with the onward167 years, for the fame of the region as a sportsman’s paradise was nation wide.
The inroads of the trappers on the fur bearing animals practically exterminated168 all but the prolific and obstinate169 muskrat, destined170 to be one of the last survivors171.
In later years the trappers lived in little shacks172, “wickyups” and log cabins on the bayous, near the edges of the marshes, and on the banks of the tributary streams. Many of them were strange odd characters. The almost continual solitude66 of their lives developed their baser instincts, without teaching 25the arts of their concealment173 possessed174 by those who have social and educational advantages.
With the increasing markets for wild game they became pot hunters and sold great quantities of ducks and other slaughtered175 birds.
The rude habitations were often enlarged or rebuilt to accommodate visiting duck shooters and fishermen, for whom they acted as guides and hosts. They began to mingle99 in the life of the little towns, and occasional isolated cross road stores, that came into being at long distances apart, where they went to dispose of their pelts and game.
Queerly clad, long haired and much bewhiskered, they were picturesque176 figures, standing177 in their sharp pointed178 canoes, which they propelled with long handled paddles that served as push poles in shallow water. Dogs that were trained retrievers and devoted179 companions, often occupied the bows of the little boats. In the middle of the craft were piled wooden decoys, dead birds, muskrats or steel traps, when they journeyed to and from the marshes, where they appeared in all weathers and seasons except midsummer. During the hot months they usually loafed in somnolent180 idleness at the stores, puttered about their shacks, or did odd jobs on the farms.
There are tales of lawlessness in the country characteristic of the raw edges of civilization in a sparsely181 settled region. Horse stealing appears to have been a favorite industry of evil doers, and timber thieves were numerous. In the absence of convenient jails and courts the law of the wild was administered 26without mercy to these and other miscreants182 when they were caught.
Moonshiners, whose interests did not conflict with local public sentiment, were seldom interfered183 with. The infrequent investigations184 of emissaries of the government met with little sympathy except when they were looking for counterfeiters.
The Kankakee of old has gone, for the lands over which it spread became valuable. A mighty ditch has been excavated185, extending almost its entire course, to deepen and straighten its channel, and to drain away its marshes. The altered line of the stream left many of the rude homes of the old trappers far inland. Their occupations have ceased and they sit in melancholy186 silence and brood upon the past. For them the book is closed. They falter187 at the threshold of a new era in which nature has not fitted them to live.
Ugly steam dredges, with ponderous188 iron jaws189, came upon the river. Hoary190 patriarchs of the forest were felled. Ancient roots and green banks, mantled191 with vines, were ruthlessly blasted away. The dredge scoops192 delved193 into mossy retreats. Secret dens41 and runways were opened to the glaring light and there were many rustlings of furtive feet and wings through the invaded grasses.
The limpid194 waters reflected Mammon’s sinister195 form. The despoiler196 tore relentlessly197 through ferny aisles198 in the green embowered woods and across the swamps and flowery fens199. The glittering lakes, the meandering200 loops and bends disappeared, 27and the fecund201 marshlands yielded their life currents. The thousand night voices on their moon flooded stretches were stilled. The wild life fled. Wondering flocks in the skies looked down on the strange scene, changed their courses and winged on.
The passing of the river leaves its memories of musical ripplings over pebbly202 shoals, murmurous203 runes among the fallen timber, tremulous moon paths over darkened waters, the twinkling of wispy204 hosts of fireflies in dreamy dusks, blended perfumes of still forests, heron haunted bayous, enchanting205 islands, with their profusion of wild grapes and plums, and the glories of afterglows beyond the vast marshes.
The currents that once widened in silvery magnificence to their natural barriers, and wandered peacefully among the mysteries of the woods, now flow madly on through a man-wrought channel. In sorrow the gloomy waters flee with writhing206 swirls207 from the land where once they crept out over the low areas and rested on their ways to the sea. In the moaning of the homeless tide we may hear the requiem208 of the river.
Fields of corn and wheat stretch over the reclaimed209 acres, for the utilitarian210 has triumphed over beauty and nature’s providence211 for her wild creatures. The destruction of one of the most valuable bird refuges on the continent has almost been completed, for the sake of immediate212 wealth. The realization213 of this great economic wrong must be left to future generations. The ugly dredges are 28finishing the desecration214 on the lower reaches of the stream.
The Vanishing River moves on through a twilight215 of ignorance and error, for the sacrifice of our bird life and our regions of natural beauty is the sacrifice of precious material and spiritual gifts.
In the darkness of still nights pale phantom216 currents may creep into the denuded217 winding channels, guided by the unseen Power that directs the waters, and fade into the dim mists before the dawn.
Under the brooding care of the Great Spirit for the departed children, ghostly war plumes218 may flutter softly among the leaves and tassels219 of the corn that wave over the Red Man’s lost domain220, when the autumn winds whisper in the star-lit fields, for the land is peopled with shadows, and has passed into the realm of legend, romance and fancy.
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1
lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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oozy
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| adj.软泥的 | |
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quagmires
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| n.沼泽地，泥潭( quagmire的名词复数 ) | |
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seeping
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| v.（液体）渗( seep的现在分词 )；渗透；渗出；漏出 | |
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6
bogs
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| n.沼泽，泥塘( bog的名词复数 )；厕所v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 )；妨碍，阻碍 | |
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7
sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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alders
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| n.桤木( alder的名词复数 ) | |
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windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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rivulets
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| n.小河，小溪( rivulet的名词复数 ) | |
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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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morass
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| n.沼泽，困境 | |
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tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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painstaking
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| adj.苦干的；艰苦的，费力的，刻苦的 | |
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replete
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| adj.饱满的，塞满的；n.贮蜜蚁 | |
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conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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incentives
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| 激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机 | |
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dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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narratives
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| 记叙文( narrative的名词复数 )； 故事； 叙述； 叙述部分 | |
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embarkation
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| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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labyrinths
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| 迷宫( labyrinth的名词复数 )； （文字，建筑）错综复杂的 | |
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tangles
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| （使）缠结， （使）乱作一团( tangle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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mazes
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| 迷宫( maze的名词复数 )； 纷繁复杂的规则； 复杂难懂的细节； 迷宫图 | |
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tarns
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| n.冰斗湖，山中小湖( tarn的名词复数 ) | |
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marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hordes
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| n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 )；部落 | |
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heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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serried
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| adj.拥挤的；密集的 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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56
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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57
pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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58
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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59
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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60
coverts
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| n.隐蔽的，不公开的，秘密的( covert的名词复数 )；复羽 | |
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61
wayfarer
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| n.旅人 | |
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62
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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63
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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64
swarms
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| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
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65
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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66
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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67
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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68
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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69
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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70
petals
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| n.花瓣( petal的名词复数 ) | |
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71
slumberous
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| a.昏昏欲睡的 | |
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72
muskrat
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| n.麝香鼠 | |
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73
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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74
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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75
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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76
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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77
otter
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| n.水獭 | |
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78
mink
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| n.貂，貂皮 | |
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79
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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80
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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81
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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82
beavers
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| 海狸( beaver的名词复数 )； 海狸皮毛； 棕灰色； 拼命工作的人 | |
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83
tributary
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| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
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84
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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85
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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86
basked
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的过去式和过去分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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87
phlegmatic
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| adj.冷静的，冷淡的，冷漠的，无活力的 | |
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88
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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89
mythology
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| n.神话，神话学，神话集 | |
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90
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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91
catfish
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| n.鲶鱼 | |
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92
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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93
lures
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| 吸引力，魅力（lure的复数形式） | |
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94
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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95
stimulant
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| n.刺激物，兴奋剂 | |
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96
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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97
medleys
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| n.混杂物( medley的名词复数 )；混合物；混杂的人群；混成曲（多首声乐曲或器乐曲串联在一起） | |
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98
resonant
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| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
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99
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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100
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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101
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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102
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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103
lyrics
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| n.歌词 | |
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104
lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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105
attuned
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| v.使协调( attune的过去式和过去分词 )；调音 | |
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106
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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107
overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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108
ornithologist
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| n.鸟类学家 | |
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109
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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110
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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111
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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112
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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113
inverted
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| adj.反向的，倒转的v.使倒置，使反转( invert的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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114
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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115
acorns
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| n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 ) | |
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116
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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117
migrations
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| n.迁移，移居( migration的名词复数 ) | |
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118
gregariousness
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| 集群性；簇聚性 | |
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119
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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121
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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122
voraciously
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| adv.贪婪地 | |
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123
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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124
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
vistas
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| 长条形景色( vista的名词复数 )； 回顾； 展望； （未来可能发生的）一系列情景 | |
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126
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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127
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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128
furtive
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| adj.鬼鬼崇崇的，偷偷摸摸的 | |
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129
melodious
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| adj.旋律美妙的，调子优美的，音乐性的 | |
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130
choirs
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| n.教堂的唱诗班( choir的名词复数 )；唱诗队；公开表演的合唱团；（教堂）唱经楼 | |
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131
elk
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| n.麋鹿 | |
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132
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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133
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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134
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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135
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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136
superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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137
teemed
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| v.充满( teem的过去式和过去分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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138
deteriorated
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| 恶化，变坏( deteriorate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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139
missionaries
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| n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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140
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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141
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
cemeteries
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| n.（非教堂的）墓地，公墓( cemetery的名词复数 ) | |
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143
interred
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| v.埋，葬( inter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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145
unearthed
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| 出土的（考古） | |
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146
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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147
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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148
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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149
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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150
tapered
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| adj. 锥形的，尖削的，楔形的，渐缩的，斜的 动词taper的过去式和过去分词 | |
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151
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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152
harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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153
friction
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| n.摩擦，摩擦力 | |
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154
influx
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| n.流入，注入 | |
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155
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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156
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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157
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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158
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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159
equities
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| 普通股，股票 | |
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160
lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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161
muskrats
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| n.麝鼠（产于北美，毛皮珍贵）( muskrat的名词复数 ) | |
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162
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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163
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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164
devastating
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| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
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165
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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166
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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167
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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168
exterminated
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| v.消灭，根绝( exterminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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169
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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170
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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171
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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172
shacks
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| n.窝棚，简陋的小屋( shack的名词复数 ) | |
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173
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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174
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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175
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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176
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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177
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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178
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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179
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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180
somnolent
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| adj.想睡的，催眠的；adv.瞌睡地；昏昏欲睡地；使人瞌睡地 | |
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181
sparsely
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| adv.稀疏地；稀少地；不足地；贫乏地 | |
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182
miscreants
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| n.恶棍，歹徒( miscreant的名词复数 ) | |
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183
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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184
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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185
excavated
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| v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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186
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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187
falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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188
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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189
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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190
hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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191
mantled
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| 披着斗篷的，覆盖着的 | |
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192
scoops
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| n.小铲( scoop的名词复数 )；小勺；一勺[铲]之量；（抢先刊载、播出的）独家新闻v.抢先报道( scoop的第三人称单数 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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193
delved
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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194
limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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195
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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196
despoiler
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197
relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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198
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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199
fens
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| n.（尤指英格兰东部的）沼泽地带( fen的名词复数 ) | |
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200
meandering
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| 蜿蜒的河流，漫步，聊天 | |
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201
fecund
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| adj.多产的，丰饶的，肥沃的 | |
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202
pebbly
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| 多卵石的，有卵石花纹的 | |
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203
murmurous
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| adj.低声的 | |
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204
wispy
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| adj.模糊的；纤细的 | |
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205
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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206
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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207
swirls
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| n.旋转( swirl的名词复数 )；卷状物；漩涡；尘旋v.旋转，打旋( swirl的第三人称单数 ) | |
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208
requiem
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| n.安魂曲，安灵曲 | |
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209
reclaimed
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| adj.再生的；翻造的；收复的；回收的v.开拓( reclaim的过去式和过去分词 )；要求收回；从废料中回收（有用的材料）；挽救 | |
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210
utilitarian
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| adj.实用的，功利的 | |
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211
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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212
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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213
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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214
desecration
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| n. 亵渎神圣, 污辱 | |
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215
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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216
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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217
denuded
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| adj.[医]变光的，裸露的v.使赤裸( denude的过去式和过去分词 )；剥光覆盖物 | |
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218
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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219
tassels
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| n.穗( tassel的名词复数 )；流苏状物；（植物的）穗；玉蜀黍的穗状雄花v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须( tassel的第三人称单数 )；使抽穗， （为了使作物茁壮生长）摘去穗状雄花；用流苏装饰 | |
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220
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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