Amos made this muttered remark in the ear of his chum when a missile of some sort splashed the water, so that the spray blew across their faces.
Whether the shell had been fired directly at the small boat that was being propelled toward the shore, or simply fell short when sent after the destroyer, they could not say, but nevertheless it was a close shave.
Jack1 did not answer immediately. His heart was fluttering with suspense2, since there could be no telling what might happen next. If the Turks had really discovered the boat through the mists of the early morning there was nothing to hinder them from sending a hail of missiles that way through the medium of a rapid-fire gun.
The two boys were not the only ones who
[174]
waited with more or less anxiety to discover what their fate was to be. When nothing happened, and seconds passed, with the shore line drawing constantly closer, they began to breathe more freely.
“I guess it’s going to be all right after all,” ventured Amos, in a relieved tone that found an echo in Jack’s heart.
“You see we get the benefit of that bluff4 now,” the latter explained. “It hides us from the eyes of the Turkish sentries5. Perhaps they think they’ve driven the destroyer off before she could drop a boat, and they’re giving all their attention to her right now.”
Whatever the reason might be, both of them felt pleased not to attract the notice of the vigilant6 enemy. They could by this time see a number of figures dressed in khaki waiting for them on the beach. They were, doubtless, members of the Territorial7 forces who had effected this landing some little time before, and who yearned8 to welcome the boat that might be bringing them letters from their far-away homeland.
[175]
Presently the keel ran up on the beach, and as several stout9 fellows laid hold of the bow the boat was quickly dragged well along, so that those aboard could jump ashore10 without even getting their feet wet.
The officer from the destroyer did not mean to stay any longer than he could help. That friendly mist might clear away at any minute, when the task of getting back to his boat would present new difficulties.
He said a few words to one of the men, and the newcomers were told to accompany the latter up the bank. The two seamen11 from the destroyer were ordered to stand by the boat, as their services would be needed presently.
When they made their way up the little bluff, the boys noticed that the path led along what seemed to be a gully. They could easily understand why the Territorials12 had selected this particular route, since it afforded them a certain measure of protection from the vigilant eyes of the ever-wakeful enemy.
Bending low, they soon found themselves on
[176]
a little plateau. It was sheltered from above by rocks and trees. At the same time the boys noticed that everyone who crossed this level always did so in more or less haste, bending part way over through excessive caution.
“It’s become a regular habit hereabouts, seems like,” whispered Amos, always noticing things that appeared strange to him, “to duck as you walk. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that a lot of fellows have paid dearly for standing13 up too straight and making targets of themselves. Then again it may be these Kangaroos from the other side of the world have some queer ways of their own. All the same, I’m doing it myself, thank you.”
In a short time they had reached a tent that stood under an overhanging rock. Undoubtedly14 this might be called “Headquarters,” for as the Territorials were just “hanging on,” as they called it, at this stage in the invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula, they could not think of comfort, safety being the first consideration.
An officer was standing at the flap of the khaki
[177]
tent waiting for them. Information must have been carried to him with regard to the presence of the destroyer, and he could readily guess that the boat carried mail as well as instructions for his guidance.
The officer who had come ashore was anxious to start back. He quickly handed over the mail sack he carried, and received in turn what letters were waiting to go, at the same time remarking:
“These two lads are American boys who are turned over to your care, Colonel. They will be glad to explain how they happened to be aboard the Thunderer. The Vice-Admiral confides15 them to your guardianship16, and begs that you will render them all the assistance in your power. You will pardon me, I am sure, for my brevity, but if I am to get back safely to my boat, I shall have to be in haste.”
“I trust that you will not linger a minute longer,” remarked the stalwart Territorial officer whom the boys had heard addressed as Colonel. “Give my regards to the Vice-Admiral, and
[178]
assure him I shall take great pleasure in doing as he requests.”
Without waiting any longer, the young officer turned and began to retrace17 his way down to the beach, though he did think to shake hands with both of the boys before leaving them, wishing them the best of good luck.
No sooner had he left than the Colonel spoke18 to his guests.
“If you will be seated I may be able to give you attention in a short time. My brave fellows are fairly wild to hear from home, and this is the fattest lot of mail we have had for many days. I shall take great pleasure in listening to your story while we eat our breakfast together; and rest assured that if there is anything I can do to assist you, my services are at your command.”
His manner was so extremely hearty19 that it was not strange for the two boys to notice it. After he had left them Amos was the first to make a remark.
“Somehow I reckon there’s a considerable difference
[179]
between these Territorials and the Britishers. It strikes me they resemble us Americans a whole lot, being frank, hearty and breezy. Anyway, I want to say right in the start I like that Colonel first rate, and I hope he lives to go back home again to his wife and family when this cruel war is over; for chances are ten to one that he has a family.”
Jack felt pretty much the same way, though not accustomed to giving vent3 to his feelings as readily as his cousin. The Colonel struck him as being a fine chap, and he felt sure everything possible would be done to advance their cause while they were the guests of these gallant20 Australians.
“I’m glad we managed to run the gauntlet safely,” Jack remarked, after a little time had passed, “for when that single shot struck the water so close to our boat I was afraid the Turks had discovered us, and would proceed to riddle21 us with a hail of bullets. It was about as thrilling a minute as we’ve ever passed through.”
[180]
“By now the boat must be heading out from the shore again,” said Amos, jumping to his feet to look, immediately adding excitedly: “Yes, there she is as sure as anything, with the men pulling like horses. I’m afraid the mist is rising some, and if that is so they’ll surely be seen.”
Jack at that got upon his feet to look, and after a pause went on to remark:
“No, I think you’re mistaken there, Amos, for it has swept down again. It seems to come and go in flukes. You can hear the stroke of the oars22 in spite of the care they use to hide the sound.”
“There goes a gun up on the hill!” exclaimed Amos. “Perhaps the Turks have such fine hearing that they too have caught the sound of oars, and are firing at random23 in hopes of striking the boat, for that shot struck some distance away. They could hardly hit a barn, anyway, I’m told, except by accident.”
“There,” said Jack in turn, “some of the troops are shouting, but between you and me I believe all that row is started to hide the sound
[181]
of the oars. Besides, it may divert the attention of the watching gunners, who are always expecting a rush from these wide-awake Territorials.”
The boys had heard more or less about the Australian and New Zealand troops when on board the Thunderer. The brilliant work that had already been done by the men from the antipodes seemed to give the British the most intense satisfaction. Backed by such stalwart hosts from the various territories claimed by the Mother country, from Canada, South Africa, India and the other parts of the world, they believed the future was certain.
There were no further shots fired up on the hillside, which went to prove that the attention of the vigilant gunners must have been diverted by those loud yells that would have done credit, Jack said, to a band of Western cow-punchers galloping24 madly into a plains settlement after pay day for their monthly picnic.
The small boat had vanished from view, and the boys began to feel that the three occupants
[182]
were pretty sure to get aboard the destroyer presently. Relieved by this cheering fact, they felt that they could once more begin to pay attention to other affairs.
“If these fellows have only managed to get a foothold here,” remarked Amos, “I’m mighty25 sure they don’t mean to be dislodged. You can see they’ve got quick-firers a-plenty, and in time some big guns will be put ashore. What does it all mean, do you think?”
“Nobody seems to care to discuss it with us,” replied Jack, “but I can read between the lines that already the losses in warships26 the British have suffered has begun to make them fear the job of forcing the straits is going to be a lot harder than was first figured on. So they’re beginning to get ready to undertake the thing in a different fashion.”
“By cutting a way across the peninsula, and commanding the strait beyond, when they can clean out the nest of Turks, and control things—of course that’s what you mean; and, Jack, I think myself that’s the only way to do it.”
[183]
Amos spoke lightly at the time, as though he believed that when there were sufficient forces ashore the obstacles that confronted the Allies could be easily brushed aside. It took months of desperate hand-to-hand fighting, with frightful27 losses on both sides, to convince the Allies that they had one of the most difficult tasks on their hands that ever confronted an army.
The Gallipoli peninsula has been admirably fitted by nature for defense28, since it consists of elevations29 and gullies, with comparatively little shelter. In these days of murderous rapid-fire guns and explosive shells an advance under such difficulties presents a grim choice of death, with very little certainty of any gain save in yards dearly purchased.
All this was to be learned as the summer progressed, and fall coming on found the problem far from solved.
“Listen!” cried Amos, suddenly, “that must have been some sort of signal from the destroyer. I wonder if they have taken the boat aboard, and started back to where the big fleet
[184]
lies, with anchors up, waiting for the day’s work to begin?”
“I think that was what it meant,” remarked Jack. “For one, I’m glad, for that young officer was a pretty genial30 fellow—for an Englishman. As a rule they’re a queer lot, and so reserved that until you get to understand them well you’re apt to think them cold-blooded and uppish. But we know different, don’t we?”
“From K. of K. down we’ve met with only kindness from them,” declared Amos, with sincerity31 in his voice. “I only hope and pray that we’re fated to come on my brother Frank ashore here.”
“If not, we’ll get back to the Thunderer tomorrow night, if possible, and then try to reach that Greek island where some of the seaplanes start from when doing their little daily stunt32. But here comes the Colonel. Perhaps he’s found time to listen to what we have to tell him.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
suspense
|
|
| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
vent
|
|
| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
bluff
|
|
| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
sentries
|
|
| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
vigilant
|
|
| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
territorial
|
|
| adj.领土的，领地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
yearned
|
|
| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
seamen
|
|
| n.海员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
territorials
|
|
| n.（常大写）地方自卫队士兵( territorial的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
13
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
confides
|
|
| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的第三人称单数 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
guardianship
|
|
| n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
retrace
|
|
| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
riddle
|
|
| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
random
|
|
| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
galloping
|
|
| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
warships
|
|
| 军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
frightful
|
|
| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
elevations
|
|
| （水平或数量）提高( elevation的名词复数 )； 高地； 海拔； 提升 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
sincerity
|
|
| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
stunt
|
|
| n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |