In the dense1 fog up on the plateau of Floing Gaude, the bugler2, sounded reveille at peep of day with all the lung-power he was possessed3 of, but the inspiring strain died away and was lost in the damp, heavy air, and the men, who had not had courage even to erect4 their tents and had thrown themselves, wrapped in their blankets, upon the muddy ground, did not awake or stir, but lay like corpses7, their ashen8 features set and rigid9 in the slumber10 of utter exhaustion11. To arouse them from their trance-like sleep they had to be shaken, one by one, and, with ghastly faces and haggard eyes, they rose to their feet, like beings summoned, against their will, back from another world. It was Jean who awoke Maurice.
"What is it? Where are we!" asked the younger man. He looked affrightedly around him, and beheld12 only that gray waste, in which were floating the unsubstantial forms of his comrades. Objects twenty yards away were undistinguishable; his knowledge of the country availed him not; he could not even have indicated in which direction lay Sedan. Just then, however, the boom of cannon13, somewhere in the distance, fell upon his ear. "Ah! I remember; the battle is for to-day; they are fighting. So much the better; there will be an end to our suspense14!"
He heard other voices around him expressing the same idea. There was a feeling of stern satisfaction that at last their long nightmare was to be dispelled16, that at last they were to have a sight of those Prussians whom they had come out to look for, and before whom they had been retreating so many weary days; that they were to be given a chance to try a shot at them, and lighten the load of cartridges17 that had been tugging18 at their belts so long, with never an opportunity to burn a single one of them. Everyone felt that, this time, the battle would not, could not be avoided.
"Where is the firing?"
"Faith," replied Maurice, "it seems to me to be over toward the Meuse; but I'll be hanged if I know where we are."
"Look here, youngster," said the corporal, "you are going to stick close by me to-day, for unless a man has his wits about him, don't you see, he is likely to get in trouble. Now, I have been there before, and can keep an eye out for both of us."
The others of the squad20, meantime, were growling22 angrily because they had nothing with which to warm their stomachs. There was no possibility of kindling23 fires without dry wood in such weather as prevailed then, and so, at the very moment when they were about to go into battle, the inner man put in his claim for recognition, and would not be denied. Hunger is not conducive24 to heroism25; to those poor fellows eating was the great, the momentous26 question of life; how lovingly they watched the boiling pot on those red-letter days when the soup was rich and thick; how like children or savages27 they were in their wrath28 when rations29 were not forthcoming!
"No eat, no fight!" declared Chouteau. "I'll be blowed if I am going to risk my skin to-day!"
The radical31 was cropping out again in the great hulking house-painter, the orator32 of Belleville, the pothouse politician, who drowned what few correct ideas he picked up here and there in a nauseous mixture of ineffable33 folly34 and falsehood.
"Besides," he went on, "what good was there in making fools of us as they have been doing all along, telling us that the Prussians were dying of hunger and disease, that they had not so much as a shirt to their back, and were tramping along the highways like ragged35, filthy36 paupers37!"
Loubet laughed the laugh of the Parisian gamin, who has experienced the various vicissitudes38 of life in the Halles.
"Oh, that's all in my eye! it is we fellows who have been catching39 it right along; we are the poor devils whose leaky brogans and tattered40 toggery would make folks throw us a copper41. And then those great victories about which they made such a fuss! What precious liars42 they must be, to tell us that old Bismarck had been made prisoner and that a German army had been driven over a quarry43 and dashed to pieces! Oh yes, they fooled us in great shape."
Pache and Lapoulle, who were standing44 near, shook their heads and clenched45 their fists ominously46. There were others, also, who made no attempt to conceal47 their anger, for the course of the newspapers in constantly printing bogus news had had most disastrous48 results; all confidence was destroyed, men had ceased to believe anything or anybody. And so it was that in the soldiers, children of a larger growth, their bright dreams of other days had now been supplanted49 by exaggerated anticipations51 of misfortune.
"_Pardi_!" continued Chouteau, "the thing is accounted for easily enough, since our rulers have been selling us to the enemy right from the beginning. You all know that it is so."
"For shame! what wicked people they must be!"
"Yes, sold, as Judas sold his master," murmured Pache, mindful of his studies in sacred history.
It was Chouteau's hour of triumph. "_Mon Dieu!_ it is as plain as the nose on your face. MacMahon got three millions and each of the other generals got a million, as the price of bringing us up here. The bargain was made at Paris last spring, and last night they sent up a rocket as a signal to let Bismarck know that everything was fixed54 and he might come and take us."
The story was so inanely55 stupid that Maurice was disgusted. There had been a time when Chouteau, thanks to his facundity of the faubourg, had interested and almost convinced him, but now he had come to detest56 that apostle of falsehood, that snake in the grass, who calumniated57 honest effort of every kind in order to sicken others of it.
"Why do you talk such nonsense?" he exclaimed. "You know very well there is no truth in it."
"What, not true? Do you mean to say it is not true that we are betrayed? Ah, come, my aristocratic friend, perhaps you are one of them, perhaps you belong to the d--d band of dirty traitors58?" He came forward threateningly. "If you are you have only to say so, my fine gentleman, for we will attend to your case right here, and won't wait for your friend Bismarck, either."
The others were also beginning to growl21 and show their teeth, and Jean thought it time that he should interfere59.
"Silence there! I will report the first man who says another word!"
But Chouteau sneered60 and jeered62 at him; what did he care whether he reported him or not! He was not going to fight unless he chose, and they need not try to ride him rough-shod, because he had cartridges in his box for other people beside the Prussians. They were going into action now, and what discipline had been maintained by fear would be at an end: what could they do to him, anyway? he would just skip as soon as he thought he had enough of it. And he was profane63 and obscene, egging the men on against the corporal, who had been allowing them to starve. Yes, it was his fault that the squad had had nothing to eat in the last three days, while their neighbors had soup and fresh meat in plenty, but "monsieur" had to go off to town with the "aristo" and enjoy himself with the girls. People had spotted64 'em, over in Sedan.
"You stole the money belonging to the squad; deny it if you dare, you _bougre_ of a belly-god!"
Things were beginning to assume an ugly complexion65; Lapoulle was doubling his big fists in a way that looked like business, and Pache, with the pangs66 of hunger gnawing67 at his vitals, laid aside his natural douceness and insisted on an explanation. The only reasonable one among them was Loubet, who gave one of his pawky laughs and suggested that, being Frenchmen, they might as well dine off the Prussians as eat one another. For his part, he took no stock in fighting, either with fists or firearms, and alluding68 to the few hundred francs that he had earned as substitute, added:
"And so, that was all they thought my hide was worth! Well, I am not going to give them more than their money's worth."
Maurice and Jean were in a towering rage at the idotic onslaught, talking loudly and repelling69 Chouteau's insinuations, when out from the fog came a stentorian70 voice, bellowing71:
And Lieutenant73 Rochas appeared upon the scene, in his old _kepi_, whence the rain had washed all the color, and his great coat, minus many of its buttons, evincing in all his lean, shambling person the extreme of poverty and distress74. Notwithstanding his forlorn aspect, however, his sparkling eye and bristling75 mustache showed that his old time confidence had suffered no impairment.
Jean spoke76 up, scarce able to restrain himself. "Lieutenant, it is these men, who persist in saying that we are betrayed. Yes, they dare to assert that our generals have sold us--"
The idea of treason did not appear so extremely unnatural77 to Rochas's thick understanding, for it served to explain those reverses that he could not account for otherwise.
"Well, suppose they are sold, is it any of their business? What concern is it of theirs? The Prussians are there all the same, aren't they? and we are going to give them one of the old-fashioned hidings, such as they won't forget in one while." Down below them in the thick sea of fog the guns at Bazeilles were still pounding away, and he extended his arms with a broad, sweeping78 gesture: "_Hein_! this is the time that we've got them! We'll see them back home, and kick them every step of the way!"
All the trials and troubles of the past were to him as if they had not been, now that his ears were gladdened by the roar of the guns: the delays and conflicting orders of the chiefs, the demoralization of the troops, the stampede at Beaumont, the distress of the recent forced retreat on Sedan--all were forgotten. Now that they were about to fight at last, was not victory certain? He had learned nothing and forgotten nothing; his blustering79, boastful contempt of the enemy, his entire ignorance of the new arts and appliances of war, his rooted conviction that an old soldier of Africa, Italy, and the Crimea could by no possibility be beaten, had suffered no change. It was really a little too comical that a man at his age should take the back track and begin at the beginning again!
All at once his lantern jaws80 parted and gave utterance81 to a loud laugh. He was visited by one of those impulses of good-fellowship that made his men swear by him, despite the roughness of the jobations that he frequently bestowed83 on them.
"Look here, my children, in place of quarreling it will be a great deal better to take a good nip all around. Come, I'm going to treat, and you shall drink my health."
From the capacious pocket of his capote he extracted a bottle of brandy, adding, with his all-conquering air, that it was the gift of a lady. (He had been seen the day before, seated at the table of a tavern84 in Floing and holding the waitress on his lap, evidently on the best of terms with her.) The soldiers laughed and winked85 at one another, holding out their porringers, into which he gayly poured the golden liquor.
"Drink to your sweethearts, my children, if you have any and don't forget to drink to the glory of France. Them's my sentiments, so _vive la joie_!"
"That's right, Lieutenant. Here's to your health, and everybody else's!"
They all drank, and their hearts were warmed and peace reigned86 once more. The "nip" had much of comfort in it, in the chill morning, just as they were going into action, and Maurice felt it tingling87 in his veins88, giving him cheer and a sort of what is known colloquially89 as "Dutch courage." Why should they not whip the Prussians? Have not battles their surprises? has not history embalmed90 many an instance of the fickleness91 of fortune? That mighty92 man of war, the lieutenant, added that Bazaine was on the way to join them, would be with them before the day was over: oh, the information was positive; he had it from an aid to one of the generals; and although, in speaking of the route the marshal was to come by, he pointed93 to the frontier of Belgium, Maurice yielded to one of those spasmodic attacks of hopefulness of his, without which life to him would not have been worth living. Might it not be that the day of reckoning was at hand?
"Why don't we move, Lieutenant?" he made bold to ask. "What are we waiting for?"
Rochas made a gesture, which the other interpreted to mean that no orders had been received. Presently he asked:
"Has anybody seen the captain?"
No one answered. Jean remembered perfectly94 having seen him making for Sedan the night before, but to the soldier who knows what is good for himself, his officers are always invisible when they are not on duty. He held his tongue, therefore, until happening to turn his head, he caught sight of a shadowy form flitting along the hedge.
"Here he is," said he.
It was Captain Beaudoin in the flesh. They were all surprised by the nattiness95 of his appearance, his resplendent shoes, his well-brushed uniform, affording such a striking contrast to the lieutenant's pitiful state. And there was a finicking completeness, moreover, about his toilet, greater than the male being is accustomed to bestow82 upon himself, in his scrupulously96 white hands and his carefully curled mustache, and a faint perfume of Persian lilac, which had the effect of reminding one in some mysterious way of the dressing97 room of a young and pretty woman.
But no one laughed, for they all knew him to be a man with whom it was not well to joke. He was stiff and consequential98 with his men, and was detested99 accordingly; a _pete sec_, to use Rochas's expression. He had seemed to regard the early reverses of the campaign as personal affronts100, and the disaster that all had prognosticated was to him an unpardonable crime. He was a strong Bonapartist by conviction; his prospects102 for promotion103 were of the brightest; he had several important salons104 looking after his interests; naturally, he did not take kindly105 to the changed condition of affairs that promised to make his cake dough106. He was said to have a remarkably107 fine tenor108 voice, which had helped him no little in his advancement109. He was not devoid110 of intelligence, though perfectly ignorant as regarded everything connected with his profession; eager to please, and very brave, when there was occasion for being so, without superfluous111 rashness.
"What a nasty fog!" was all he said, pleased to have found his company at last, for which he had been searching for more than half an hour.
At the same time their orders came, and the battalion112 moved forward. They had to proceed with caution, feeling their way, for the exhalations continued to rise from the stream and were now so dense that they were precipitated113 in a fine, drizzling114 rain. A vision rose before Maurice's eyes that impressed him deeply; it was Colonel de Vineuil, who loomed115 suddenly from out the mist, sitting his horse, erect and motionless, at the intersection116 of two roads--the man appearing of preternatural size, and so pale and rigid that he might have served a sculptor117 as a study for a statue of despair; the steed shivering in the raw, chill air of morning, his dilated118 nostrils119 turned in the direction of the distant firing. Some ten paces to their rear were the regimental colors, which the sous-lieutenant whose duty it was to bear them had thus early taken from their case and proudly raised aloft, and as the driving, vaporous rack eddied122 and swirled123 about them, they shone like a radiant vision of glory emblazoned on the heavens, soon to fade and vanish from the sight. Water was dripping from the gilded124 eagle, and the tattered, shot-riddled tri-color, on which were embroidered125 the names of former victories, was stained and its bright hues126 dimmed by the smoke of many a battlefield; the sole bit of brilliant color in all the faded splendor128 was the enameled129 cross of honor that was attached to the _cravate_.
Another billow of vapor121 came scurrying130 up from the river, enshrouding in its fleecy depths colonel, standard, and all, and the battalion passed on, whitherward no one could tell. First their route had conducted them over descending131 ground, now they were climbing a hill. On reaching the summit the command, halt! started at the front and ran down the column; the men were cautioned not to leave the ranks, arms were ordered, and there they remained, the heavy knapsacks forming a grievous burden to weary shoulders. It was evident that they were on a plateau, but to discern localities was out of the question; twenty paces was the extreme range of vision. It was now seven o'clock; the sound of firing reached them more distinctly, other batteries were apparently132 opening on Sedan from the opposite bank.
"Oh! I," said Sergeant133 Sapin with a start, addressing Jean and Maurice, "I shall be killed to-day."
It was the first time he had opened his lips that morning; an expression of dreamy melancholy134 had rested on his thin face, with its big, handsome eyes and thin, pinched nose.
"What an idea!" Jean exclaimed; "who can tell what is going to happen him? Every bullet has its billet, they say, but you stand no worse chance than the rest of us."
"Oh, but me--I am as good as dead now. I tell you I shall be killed to-day."
The near files turned and looked at him curiously135, asking him if he had had a dream. No, he had dreamed nothing, but he felt it; it was there.
"And it is a pity, all the same, because I was to be married when I got my discharge."
A vague expression came into his eyes again; his past life rose before him. He was the son of a small retail136 grocer at Lyons, and had been petted and spoiled by his mother up to the time of her death; then rejecting the proffer137 of his father, with whom he did not hit it off well, to assist in purchasing his discharge, he had remained with the army, weary and disgusted with life and with his surroundings. Coming home on furlough, however, he fell in love with a cousin and they became engaged; their intention was to open a little shop on the small capital which she would bring him, and then existence once more became desirable. He had received an elementary education; could read, write, and cipher138. For the past year he had lived only in anticipation50 of this happy future.
"Yes, it is too bad; I shall be killed to-day."
No one spoke; the uncertainty140 and suspense continued. They knew not whether the enemy was on their front or in their rear. Strange sounds came to their ears from time to time from out the depths of the mysterious fog: the rumble141 of wheels, the deadened tramp of moving masses, the distant clatter142 of horses' hoofs143; it was the evolutions of troops, hidden from view behind the misty144 curtain, the batteries, battalions145, and squadrons of the 7th corps6 taking up their positions in line of battle. Now, however, it began to look as if the fog was about to lift; it parted here and there and fragments floated lightly off, like strips of gauze torn from a veil, and bits of sky appeared, not transparently147 blue, as on a bright summer's day, but opaque148 and of the hue127 of burnished149 steel, like the cheerless bosom150 of some deep, sullen151 mountain tarn152. It was in one of those brighter moments when the sun was endeavoring to struggle forth30 that the regiments153 of chasseurs d'Afrique, constituting part of Margueritte's division, came riding by, giving the impression of a band of spectral154 horsemen. They sat very stiff and erect in the saddle, with their short cavalry155 jackets, broad red sashes and smart little _kepis_, accurate in distance and alignment156 and managing admirably their lean, wiry mounts, which were almost invisible under the heterogeneous157 collection of tools and camp equipage that they had to carry. Squadron after squadron they swept by in long array, to be swallowed in the gloom from which they had just emerged, vanishing as if dissolved by the fine rain. The truth was, probably, that they were in the way, and their leaders, not knowing what use to put them to, had packed them off the field, as had often been the case since the opening of the campaign. They had scarcely ever been employed on scouting158 or reconnoitering duty, and as soon as there was prospect101 of a fight were trotted159 about for shelter from valley to valley, useless objects, but too costly160 to be endangered.
Maurice thought of Prosper161 as he watched them. "That fellow, yonder, looks like him," he said, under his breath. "I wonder if it is he?"
"Of whom are you speaking?" asked Jean.
"Of that young man of Remilly, whose brother we met at Osches, you remember."
Behind the chasseurs, when they had all passed, came a general officer and his staff dashing down the descending road, and Maurice recognized the general of their brigade, Bourgain-Desfeuilles, shouting and gesticulating wildly. He had torn himself reluctantly from his comfortable quarters at the Hotel of the Golden Cross, and it was evident from the horrible temper he was in that the condition of affairs that morning was not satisfactory to him. In a tone of voice so loud that everyone could hear he roared:
"In the devil's name, what stream is that off yonder, the Meuse or the Moselle?"
The fog dispersed162 at last, this time in earnest. As at Bazeilles the effect was theatrical163; the curtain rolled slowly upward to the flies, disclosing the setting of the stage. From a sky of transparent146 blue the sun poured down a flood of bright, golden light, and Maurice was no longer at a loss to recognize their position.
"Ah!" he said to Jean, "we are on the plateau de l'Algerie. That village that you see across the valley, directly in our front, is Floing, and that more distant one is Saint-Menges, and that one, more distant still, a little to the right, is Fleigneux. Then those scrubby trees on the horizon, away in the background, are the forest of the Ardennes, and there lies the frontier--"
He went on to explain their position, naming each locality and pointing to it with outstretched hand. The plateau de l'Algerie was a belt of reddish ground, something less than two miles in length, sloping gently downward from the wood of la Garenne toward the Meuse, from which it was separated by the meadows. On it the line of the 7th corps had been established by General Douay, who felt that his numbers were not sufficient to defend so extended a position and properly maintain his touch with the 1st corps, which was posted at right angles with his line, occupying the valley of la Givonne, from the wood of la Garenne to Daigny.
"Oh, isn't it grand, isn't it magnificent!"
And Maurice, revolving164 on his heel, made with his hand a sweeping gesture that embraced the entire horizon. From their position on the plateau the whole wide field of battle lay stretched before them to the south and west: Sedan, almost at their feet, whose citadel165 they could see overtopping the roofs, then Balan and Bazeilles, dimly seen through the dun smoke-clouds that hung heavily in the motionless air, and further in the distance the hills of the left bank, Liry, la Marfee, la Croix-Piau. It was away toward the west, however, in the direction of Donchery, that the prospect was most extensive. There the Meuse curved horseshoe-wise, encircling the peninsula of Iges with a ribbon of pale silver, and at the northern extremity166 of the loop was distinctly visible the narrow road of the Saint-Albert pass, winding167 between the river bank and a beetling168, overhanging hill that was crowned with the little wood of Seugnon, an offshoot of the forest of la Falizette. At the summit of the hill, at the _carrefour_ of la Maison-Rouge, the road from Donchery to Vrigne-aux-Bois debouched into the Mezieres pike.
"See, that is the road by which we might retreat on Mezieres."
Even as he spoke the first gun was fired from Saint-Menges. The fog still hung over the bottom-lands in shreds169 and patches, and through it they dimly descried170 a shadowy body of men moving through the Saint-Albert defile171.
"Ah, they are there," continued Maurice, instinctively172 lowering his voice. "Too late, too late; they have intercepted173 us!"
It was not eight o'clock. The guns, which were thundering more fiercely than ever in the direction of Bazeilles, now also began to make themselves heard at the eastward174, in the valley of la Givonne, which was hid from view; it was the army of the Crown Prince of Saxony, debouching from the Chevalier wood and attacking the 1st corps, in front of Daigny village; and now that the XIth Prussian corps, moving on Floing, had opened fire on General Douay's troops, the investment was complete at every point of the great periphery175 of several leagues' extent, and the action was general all along the line.
Maurice suddenly perceived the enormity of their blunder in not retreating on Mezieres during the night; but as yet the consequences were not clear to him; he could not foresee all the disaster that was to result from that fatal error of judgment176. Moved by some indefinable instinct of danger, he looked with apprehension177 on the adjacent heights that commanded the plateau de l'Algerie. If time had not been allowed them to make good their retreat, why had they not backed up against the frontier and occupied those heights of Illy and Saint-Menges, whence, if they could not maintain their position, they would at least have been free to cross over into Belgium? There were two points that appeared to him especially threatening, the _mamelon_ of Hattoy, to the north of Floing on the left, and the Calvary of Illy, a stone cross with a linden tree on either side, the highest bit of ground in the surrounding country, to the right. General Douay was keenly alive to the importance of these eminences178, and the day before had sent two battalions to occupy Hattoy; but the men, feeling that they were "in the air" and too remote from support, had fallen back early that morning. It was understood that the left wing of the 1st corps was to take care of the Calvary of Illy. The wide expanse of naked country between Sedan and the Ardennes forest was intersected by deep ravines, and the key of the position was manifestly there, in the shadow of that cross and the two lindens, whence their guns might sweep the fields in every direction for a long distance.
Two more cannon shots rang out, quickly succeeded by a salvo; they detected the bluish smoke rising from the underbrush of a low hill to the left of Saint-Menges.
"Our turn is coming now," said Jean.
Nothing more startling occurred just then, however. The men, still preserving their formation and standing at ordered arms, found something to occupy their attention in the fine appearance made by the 2d division, posted in front of Floing, with their left refused and facing the Meuse, so as to guard against a possible attack from that quarter. The ground to the east, as far as the wood of la Garenne, beneath Illy village, was held by the 3d division, while the 1st, which had lost heavily at Beaumont, formed a second line. All night long the engineers had been busy with pick and shovel179, and even after the Prussians had opened fire they were still digging away at their shelter trenches180 and throwing up epaulments.
Then a sharp rattle181 of musketry, quickly silenced, however, was heard proceeding183 from a point beneath Floing, and Captain Beaudoin received orders to move his company three hundred yards to the rear. Their new position was in a great field of cabbages, upon reaching which the captain made his men lie down. The sun had not yet drunk up the moisture that had descended184 on the vegetables in the darkness, and every fold and crease185 of the thick, golden-green leaves was filled with trembling drops, as pellucid186 and luminous187 as brilliants of the fairest water.
"Sight for four hundred yards," the captain ordered.
Maurice rested the barrel of his musket182 on a cabbage that reared its head conveniently before him, but it was impossible to see anything in his recumbent position: only the blurred188 surface of the fields traversed by his level glance, diversified189 by an occasional tree or shrub190. Giving Jean, who was beside him, a nudge with his elbow, he asked what they were to do there. The corporal, whose experience in such matters was greater, pointed to an elevation191 not far away, where a battery was just taking its position; it was evident that they had been placed there to support that battery, should there be need of their services. Maurice, wondering whether Honore and his guns were not of the party, raised his head to look, but the reserve artillery192 was at the rear, in the shelter of a little grove193 of trees.
"_Nom de Dieu!_" yelled Rochas, "will you lie down!"
And Maurice had barely more than complied with this intimation when a shell passed screaming over him. From that time forth there seemed to be no end to them. The enemy's gunners were slow in obtaining the range, their first projectiles194 passing over and landing well to the rear of the battery, which was now opening in reply. Many of their shells, too, fell upon the soft ground, in which they buried themselves without exploding, and for a time there was a great display of rather heavy wit at the expense of those bloody195 sauerkraut eaters.
"Well, well!" said Loubet, "their fireworks are a fizzle!"
"They ought to take them in out of the rain," sneered Chouteau.
Even Rochas thought it necessary to say something. "Didn't I tell you that the dunderheads don't know enough even to point a gun?"
But they were less inclined to laugh when a shell burst only ten yards from them and sent a shower of earth flying over the company; Loubet affected196 to make light of it by ordering his comrades to get out their brushes from the knapsacks, but Chouteau suddenly became very pale and had not a word to say. He had never been under fire, nor had Pache and Lapoulle, nor any member of the squad, in fact, except Jean. Over eyes that had suddenly lost their brightness lids flickered197 tremulously; voices had an unnatural, muffled198 sound, as if arrested by some obstruction199 in the throat. Maurice, who was sufficiently200 master of himself as yet, endeavored to diagnose his symptoms; he could not be afraid, for he was not conscious that he was in danger; he only felt a slight sensation of discomfort201 in the epigastric region, and his head seemed strangely light and empty; ideas and images came and went independent of his will. His recollection of the brave show made by the troops of the 2d division made him hopeful, almost to buoyancy; victory appeared certain to him if only they might be allowed to go at the enemy with the bayonet.
"Listen!" he murmured, "how the flies buzz; the place is full of them." Thrice he had heard something that sounded like the humming of a swarm202 of bees.
"That was not a fly," Jean said, with a laugh. "It was a bullet."
Again and again the hum of those invisible wings made itself heard. The men craned their necks and looked about them with eager interest; their curiosity was uncontrollable--would not allow them to remain quiet.
"See here," Loubet said mysteriously to Lapoulle, with a view to raise a laugh at the expense of his simple-minded comrade, "when you see a bullet coming toward you you must raise your forefinger203 before your nose--like that; it divides the air, and the bullet will go by to the right or left."
"But I can't see them," said Lapoulle.
"Oh, crickey! he says he can't see them! Open your garret windows, stupid! See! there's one--see! there's another. Didn't you see that one? It was of the most beautiful green."
And Lapoulle rolled his eyes and stared, placing his finger before his nose, while Pache fingered the scapular he wore and wished it was large enough to shield his entire person.
"Children, there is no objection to your ducking to the shells when you see them coming. As for the bullets, it is useless; they are too numerous!"
At that very instant a soldier in the front rank was struck on the head by a fragment of an exploding shell. There was no outcry; simply a spurt206 of blood and brain, and all was over.
"Poor devil!" tranquilly207 said Sergeant Sapin, who was quite cool and exceedingly pale. "Next!"
But the uproar208 had by this time become so deafening209 that the men could no longer hear one another's voice; Maurice's nerves, in particular, suffered from the infernal _charivari_. The neighboring battery was banging away as fast as the gunners could load the pieces; the continuous roar seemed to shake the ground, and the mitrailleuses were even more intolerable with their rasping, grating, grunting210 noise. Were they to remain forever reclining there among the cabbages? There was nothing to be seen, nothing to be learned; no one had any idea how the battle was going. And _was_ it a battle, after all--a genuine affair? All that Maurice could make out, projecting his eyes along the level surface of the fields, was the rounded, wood-clad summit of Hattoy in the remote distance, and still unoccupied. Neither was there a Prussian to be seen anywhere on the horizon; the only evidence of life were the faint, blue smoke-wreaths that rose and floated an instant in the sunlight. Chancing to turn his head, he was greatly surprised to behold211 at the bottom of a deep, sheltered valley, surrounded by precipitous heights, a peasant calmly tilling his little field, driving the plow212 through the furrow213 with the assistance of a big white horse. Why should he lose a day? The corn would keep growing, let them fight as they would, and folks must live.
Unable longer to control his impatience214, the young man jumped to his feet. He had a fleeting215 vision of the batteries of Saint-Menges, crowned with tawny216 vapors217 and spewing shot and shell upon them; he had also time to see, what he had seen before and had not forgotten, the road from Saint-Albert's pass black with minute moving objects--the swarming218 hordes219 of the invader220. Then Jean seized him by the legs and pulled him violently to his place again.
"Are you crazy? Do you want to leave your bones here?"
And Rochas chimed in:
"Lie down, will you! What am I to do with such d----d rascals, who get themselves killed without orders!"
"But you don't lie down, lieutenant," said Maurice.
"That's a different thing. I have to know what is going on."
Captain Beaudoin, too, kept his legs like a man, but never opened his lips to say an encouraging word to his men, having nothing in common with them. He appeared nervous and unable to remain long in one place, striding up and down the field, impatiently awaiting orders.
No orders came, nothing occurred to relieve their suspense. Maurice's knapsack was causing him horrible suffering; it seemed to be crushing his back and chest in that recumbent position, so painful when maintained for any length of time. The men had been cautioned against throwing away their sacks unless in case of actual necessity, and he kept turning over, first on his right side, then on the left, to ease himself a moment of his burden by resting it on the ground. The shells continued to fall around them, but the German gunners did not succeed in getting the exact range; no one was killed after the poor fellow who lay there on his stomach with his skull221 fractured.
"Say, is this thing to last all day?" Maurice finally asked Jean, in sheer desperation.
"Like enough. At Solferino they put us in a field of carrots, and there we stayed five mortal hours with our noses to the ground." Then he added, like the sensible fellow he was: "Why do you grumble222? we are not so badly off here. You will have an opportunity to distinguish yourself before the day is over. Let everyone have his chance, don't you see; if we should all be killed at the beginning there would be none left for the end."
"Look," Maurice abruptly223 broke in, "look at that smoke over Hattoy. They have taken Hattoy; we shall have plenty of music to dance to now!"
For a moment his burning curiosity, which he was conscious was now for the first time beginning to be dashed with personal fear, had sufficient to occupy it; his gaze was riveted224 on the rounded summit of the _mamelon_, the only elevation that was within his range of vision, dominating the broad expanse of plain that lay level with his eye. Hattoy was too far distant to permit him to distinguish the gunners of the batteries that the Prussians had posted there; he could see nothing at all, in fact, save the smoke that at each discharge rose above a thin belt of woods that served to mask the guns. The enemy's occupation of the position, of which General Douay had been forced to abandon the defense225, was, as Maurice had instinctively felt, an event of the gravest importance and destined226 to result in the most disastrous consequences; its possessors would have entire command of all the surrounding plateau. This was quickly seen to be the case, for the batteries that opened on the second division of the 7th corps did fearful execution. They had now perfected their range, and the French battery, near which Beaudoin's company was stationed, had two men killed in quick succession. A quartermaster's man in the company had his left heel carried away by a splinter and began to howl most dismally227, as if visited by a sudden attack of madness.
"Shut up, you great calf228!" said Rochas. "What do you mean by yelling like that for a little scratch!"
The man suddenly ceased his outcries and subsided229 into a stupid silence, nursing his foot in his hand.
And still the tremendous artillery duel230 raged, and the death-dealing missiles went screaming over the recumbent ranks of the regiments that lay there on the sullen, sweltering plain, where no thing of life was to be seen beneath the blazing sun. The crashing thunder, the destroying hurricane, were masters in that solitude231, and many long hours would pass before the end. But even thus early in the day the Germans had demonstrated the superiority of their artillery; their percussion232 shells had an enormous range, and exploded, with hardly an exception, on reaching their destination, while the French time-fuse shells, with a much shorter range, burst for the most part in the air and were wasted. And there was nothing left for the poor fellows exposed to that murderous fire save to hug the ground and make themselves as small as possible; they were even denied the privilege of firing in reply, which would have kept their mind occupied and given them a measure of relief; but upon whom or what were they to direct their rifles? since there was not a living soul to be seen upon the entire horizon!
"Are we never to have a shot at them? I would give a dollar for just one chance!" said Maurice, in a frenzy233 of impatience. "It is disgusting to have them blazing away at us like this and not be allowed to answer."
"Be patient; the time will come," Jean imperturbably234 replied.
Their attention was attracted by the sound of mounted men approaching on their left, and turning their heads they beheld General Douay, who, accompanied by his staff, had come galloping235 up to see how his troops were behaving under the terrible fire from Hattoy. He appeared well pleased with what he saw and was in the act of making some suggestions to the officers grouped around him, when, emerging from a sunken road, General Bourgain-Desfeuilles also rode up. This officer, though he owed his advancement to "influence" was wedded236 to the antiquated237 African routine and had learned nothing by experience, sat his horse with great composure under the storm of projectiles. He was shouting to the men and gesticulating wildly, after the manner of Rochas: "They are coming, they will be here right away, and then we'll let them have the bayonet!" when he caught sight of General Douay and drew up to his side.
"Is it true that the marshal is wounded, general?" he asked.
"It is but too true, unfortunately. I received a note from Ducrot only a few minutes ago, in which he advises me of the fact, and also notifies me that, by the marshal's appointment, he is in command of the army."
"Ah! so it is Ducrot who is to have his place! And what are the orders now?"
The general shook his head sorrowfully. He had felt that the army was doomed238, and for the last twenty-four hours had been strenuously239 recommending the occupation of Illy and Saint-Menges in order to keep a way of retreat open on Mezieres.
"Ducrot will carry out the plan we talked of yesterday: the whole army is to be concentrated on the plateau of Illy."
And he repeated his previous gesture, as if to say it was too late.
His words were partly inaudible in the roar of the artillery, but Maurice caught their significance clearly enough, and it left him dumfounded by astonishment240 and alarm. What! Marshal MacMahon wounded since early that morning, General Ducrot commanding in his place for the last two hours, the entire army retreating to the northward241 of Sedan--and all these important events kept from the poor devils of soldiers who were squandering242 their life's blood! and all their destinies, dependent on the life of a single man, were to be intrusted to the direction of fresh and untried hands! He had a distinct consciousness of the fate that was in reserve for the army of Chalons, deprived of its commander, destitute243 of any guiding principle of action, dragged purposelessly in this direction and in that, while the Germans went straight and swift to their preconcerted end with mechanical precision and directness.
Bourgain-Desfeuilles had wheeled his horse and was moving away, when General Douay, to whom a grimy, dust-stained hussar had galloped244 up with another dispatch, excitedly summoned him back.
"General! General!"
His voice rang out so loud and clear, with such an accent of surprise, that it drowned the uproar of the guns.
"General, Ducrot is no longer in command; de Wimpffen is chief. You know he reached here yesterday, just in the very thick of the disaster at Beaumont, to relieve de Failly at the head of the 5th corps--and he writes me that he has written instructions from the Minister of War assigning him to the command of the army in case the post should become vacant. And there is to be no more retreating; the orders now are to reoccupy our old positions, and defend them to the last."
General Bourgain-Desfeuilles drank in the tidings, his eyes bulging245 with astonishment. "_Nom de Dieu!_" he at last succeeded in ejaculating, "one would like to know-- But it is no business of mine, anyhow." And off he galloped, not allowing himself to be greatly agitated246 by this unexpected turn of affairs, for he had gone into the war solely247 in the hope of seeing his name raised a grade higher in the army list, and it was his great desire to behold the end of the beastly campaign as soon as possible, since it was productive of so little satisfaction to anyone.
Then there was an explosion of derision and contempt among the men of Beaudoin's company. Maurice said nothing, but he shared the opinion of Chouteau and Loubet, who chaffed and blackguarded everyone without mercy. "See-saw, up and down, move as I pull the string! A fine gang they were, those generals! they understood one another; they were not going to pull all the blankets off the bed! What was a poor devil of a soldier to do when he had such leaders put over him? Three commanders in two hours' time, three great numskulls, none of whom knew what was the right thing to do, and all of them giving different orders! Demoralized, were they? Good Heavens, it was enough to demoralize God Almighty248 himself, and all His angels!" And the inevitable249 accusation250 of treason was again made to do duty; Ducrot and de Wimpffen wanted to get three millions apiece out of Bismarck, as MacMahon had done.
Alone in advance of his staff General Douay sat on his horse a long time, his gaze bent on the distant positions of the enemy and in his eyes an expression of infinite melancholy. He made a minute and protracted251 observation of Hattoy, the shells from which came tumbling almost at his very feet; then, giving a glance at the plateau of Illy, called up an officer to carry an order to the brigade of the 5th corps that he had borrowed the day previous from General de Wimpffen, and which served to connect his right with the left of General Ducrot. He was distinctly heard to say these words:
"If the Prussians should once get possession of the Calvary it would be impossible for us to hold this position an hour; we should be driven into Sedan."
He rode off and was lost to view, together with his escort, at the entrance of the sunken road, and the German fire became hotter than before. They had doubtless observed the presence of the group of mounted officers; but now the shells, which hitherto had come from the front, began to fall upon them laterally252, from the left; the batteries at Frenois, together with one which the enemy had carried across the river and posted on the peninsula of Iges, had established, in connection with the guns on Hattoy, an enfilading fire which swept the plateau de l'Algerie in its entire length and breadth. The position of the company now became most lamentable253; the men, with death in front of them and on their flank, knew not which way to turn or which of the menacing perils254 to guard themselves against. In rapid succession three men were killed outright255 and two severely256 wounded.
It was then that Sergeant Sapin met the death that he had predicted for himself. He had turned his head, and caught sight of the approaching missile when it was too late for him to avoid it.
"Ah, here it is!" was all he said.
There was no terror in the thin face, with its big handsome eyes; it was only pale; very pale and inexpressibly mournful. The wound was in the abdomen257.
"Oh! do not leave me here," he pleaded; "take me to the ambulance, I beseech258 you. Take me to the rear."
Rochas endeavored to silence him, and it was on his brutal259 lips to say that it was useless to imperil two comrades' lives for one whose wound was so evidently mortal, when his better nature made its influence felt and he murmured:
"Be patient for a little, my poor boy, and the litter-bearers will come and get you."
But the wretched man, whose tears were now flowing, kept crying, as one distraught that his dream of happiness was vanishing with his trickling260 life-blood:
"Take me away, take me away--"
Finally Captain Beaudoin, whose already unstrung nerves were further irritated by his pitiful cries, called for two volunteers to carry him to a little piece of woods a short way off where a flying ambulance had been established. Chouteau and Loubet jumped to their feet simultaneously261, anticipating the others, seized the sergeant, one of them by the shoulders, the other by the legs, and bore him away on a run. They had gone but a little way, however, when they felt the body becoming rigid in the final convulsion; he was dying.
"I say, he's dead," exclaimed Loubet. "Let's leave him here."
But Chouteau, without relaxing his speed, angrily replied:
"Go ahead, you booby, will you! Do you take me for a fool, to leave him here and have them call us back!"
They pursued their course with the corpse5 until they came to the little wood, threw it down at the foot of a tree, and went their way. That was the last that was seen of them until nightfall.
The battery beside them had been strengthened by three additional guns; the cannonade on either side went on with increased fury, and in the hideous262 uproar terror--a wild, unreasoning terror--filled Maurice's soul. It was his first experience of the sensation; he had not until now felt that cold sweat trickling down his back, that terrible sinking at the pit of the stomach, that unconquerable desire to get on his feet and run, yelling and screaming, from the field. It was nothing more than the strain from which his nervous, high-strung temperament263 was suffering from reflex action; but Jean, who was observing him narrowly, detected the incipient264 crisis in the wandering, vacant eyes, and seizing him with his strong hand, held him down firmly at his side. The corporal lectured him paternally265 in a whisper, not mincing266 his words, but employing good, vigorous language to restore him to a sense of self-respect, for he knew by experience that a man in panic is not to be coaxed267 out of his cowardice268. There were others also who were showing the white feather, among them Pache, who was whimpering involuntarily, in the low, soft voice of a little baby, his eyes suffused269 with tears. Lapoulle's stomach betrayed him and he was very ill; and there were many others who also found relief in vomiting270, amid their comrade's loud jeers271 and laughter, which helped to restore their courage to them all.
"My God!" ejaculated Maurice, ghastly pale, his teeth chattering272. "My God!"
Jean shook him roughly. "You infernal coward, are you going to be sick like those fellows over yonder? Behave yourself, or I'll box your ears."
He was trying to put heart into his friend by gruff but friendly speeches like the above, when they suddenly beheld a dozen dark forms emerging from a little wood upon their front and about four hundred yards away. Their spiked273 helmets announced them to be Prussians; the first Prussians they had had within reach of their rifles since the opening of the campaign. This first squad was succeeded by others, and in front of their position the little dust clouds that rose where the French shells struck were distinctly visible. It was all very vivid and clear-cut in the transparent air of morning; the Germans, outlined against the dark forest, presented the toy-like appearance of those miniature soldiers of lead that are the delight of children; then, as the enemy's shells began to drop in their vicinity with uncomfortable frequency, they withdrew and were lost to sight within the wood whence they had come.
But Beaudoin's company had seen them there once, and to their eyes they were there still; the chassepots seemed to go off of their own accord. Maurice was the first man to discharge his piece; Jean, Pache, Lapoulle and the others all followed suit. There had been no order given to commence firing, and the captain made an attempt to check it, but desisted upon Rochas's representation that it was absolutely necessary as a measure of relief for the men's pent-up feelings. So, then, they were at liberty to shoot at last, they could use up those cartridges that they had been lugging274 around with them for the last month, without ever burning a single one! The effect on Maurice in particular was electrical; the noise he made had the effect of dispelling275 his fear and blunting the keenness of his sensations. The little wood had resumed its former deserted276 aspect; not a leaf stirred, no more Prussians showed themselves; and still they kept on blazing away as madly as ever at the immovable trees.
Raising his eyes presently Maurice was startled to see Colonel de Vineuil sitting his big horse at no great distance, man and steed impassive and motionless as if carved from stone, patient were they under the leaden hail, with face turned toward the enemy. The entire regiment120 was now collected in that vicinity, the other companies being posted in the adjacent fields; the musketry fire seemed to be drawing nearer. The young man also beheld the regimental colors a little to the rear, borne aloft by the sturdy arm of the standard-bearer, but it was no longer the phantom277 flag that he had seen that morning, shrouded278 in mist and fog; the golden eagle flashed and blazed in the fierce sunlight, and the tri-colored silk, despite the rents and stains of many a battle, flaunted279 its bright hues defiantly280 to the breeze. Waving in the breath of the cannon, floating proudly against the blue of heaven, it shone like an emblem281 of victory.
And why, now that the day of battle had arrived, should not victory perch282 upon that banner? With that reflection Maurice and his companions kept on industriously283 wasting their powder on the distant wood, producing havoc284 there among the leaves and twigs285.
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1
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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bugler
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| 喇叭手； 号兵； 吹鼓手； 司号员 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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ashen
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| adj.灰的 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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conducive
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| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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paupers
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| n.穷人( pauper的名词复数 )；贫民；贫穷 | |
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vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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liars
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| 说谎者( liar的名词复数 ) | |
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quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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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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45
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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49
supplanted
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| 把…排挤掉，取代( supplant的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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52
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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53
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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54
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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55
inanely
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56
detest
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| vt.痛恨，憎恶 | |
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57
calumniated
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| v.诽谤，中伤( calumniate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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59
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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60
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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62
jeered
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| v.嘲笑( jeer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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64
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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65
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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66
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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67
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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68
alluding
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| 提及，暗指( allude的现在分词 ) | |
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69
repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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70
stentorian
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| adj.大声的，响亮的 | |
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71
bellowing
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的现在分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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72
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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73
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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74
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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75
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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76
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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77
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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78
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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79
blustering
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| adj.狂风大作的，狂暴的v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的现在分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹 | |
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80
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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81
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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82
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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83
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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85
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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86
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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87
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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88
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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89
colloquially
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| adv.用白话，用通俗语 | |
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90
embalmed
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| adj.用防腐药物保存（尸体）的v.保存（尸体）不腐( embalm的过去式和过去分词 )；使不被遗忘；使充满香气 | |
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91
fickleness
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| n.易变；无常；浮躁；变化无常 | |
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92
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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93
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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94
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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95
nattiness
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| n.整洁，帅 | |
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96
scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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97
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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98
consequential
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| adj.作为结果的，间接的；重要的 | |
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99
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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100
affronts
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| n.（当众）侮辱，（故意）冒犯( affront的名词复数 )v.勇敢地面对( affront的第三人称单数 )；相遇 | |
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101
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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102
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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103
promotion
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| n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传 | |
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104
salons
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| n.（营业性质的）店( salon的名词复数 )；厅；沙龙（旧时在上流社会女主人家的例行聚会或聚会场所）；（大宅中的）客厅 | |
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105
kindly
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|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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106
dough
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| n.生面团；钱，现款 | |
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107
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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108
tenor
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| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
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109
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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110
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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111
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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112
battalion
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| n.营；部队；大队(的人) | |
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113
precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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114
drizzling
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| 下蒙蒙细雨，下毛毛雨( drizzle的现在分词 ) | |
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115
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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116
intersection
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| n.交集，十字路口，交叉点；[计算机] 交集 | |
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117
sculptor
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| n.雕刻家，雕刻家 | |
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118
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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120
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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121
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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122
eddied
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| 起漩涡，旋转( eddy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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125
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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126
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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127
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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128
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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129
enameled
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| 涂瓷釉于，给…上瓷漆，给…上彩饰( enamel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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130
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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131
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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132
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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133
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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134
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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135
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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136
retail
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| v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格 | |
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137
proffer
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| v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议 | |
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138
cipher
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| n.零；无影响力的人；密码 | |
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139
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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140
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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141
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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142
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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143
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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144
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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145
battalions
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| n.（陆军的）一营（大约有一千兵士）( battalion的名词复数 )；协同作战的部队；军队；（组织在一起工作的）队伍 | |
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146
transparent
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|
| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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147
transparently
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| 明亮地，显然地，易觉察地 | |
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148
opaque
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| adj.不透光的；不反光的，不传导的；晦涩的 | |
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149
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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150
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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151
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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152
tarn
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| n.山中的小湖或小潭 | |
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153
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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154
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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155
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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156
alignment
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| n.队列；结盟，联合 | |
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157
heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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158
scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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159
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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160
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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161
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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162
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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163
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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164
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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165
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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166
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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167
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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168
beetling
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| adj.突出的，悬垂的v.快速移动( beetle的现在分词 ) | |
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169
shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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170
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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171
defile
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| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
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172
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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173
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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174
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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175
periphery
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| n.(圆体的)外面；周围 | |
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176
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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177
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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178
eminences
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| 卓越( eminence的名词复数 )； 著名； 高地； 山丘 | |
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179
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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180
trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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181
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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182
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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183
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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184
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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185
crease
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| n.折缝，褶痕，皱褶；v.(使)起皱 | |
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186
pellucid
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| adj.透明的，简单的 | |
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187
luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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188
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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189
diversified
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| adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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190
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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191
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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192
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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193
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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194
projectiles
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| n.抛射体( projectile的名词复数 )；（炮弹、子弹等）射弹，（火箭等）自动推进的武器 | |
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195
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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196
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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197
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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198
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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199
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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200
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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201
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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202
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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203
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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204
guffaw
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| n.哄笑；突然的大笑 | |
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205
jocosely
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| adv.说玩笑地，诙谐地 | |
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206
spurt
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| v.喷出；突然进发；突然兴隆 | |
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207
tranquilly
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| adv. 宁静地 | |
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208
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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209
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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210
grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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211
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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212
plow
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| n.犁，耕地，犁过的地；v.犁，费力地前进[英]plough | |
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213
furrow
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| n.沟；垄沟；轨迹；车辙；皱纹 | |
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214
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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215
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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216
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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217
vapors
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| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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218
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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219
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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220
invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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221
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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222
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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223
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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224
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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225
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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226
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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227
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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228
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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229
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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230
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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231
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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232
percussion
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| n.打击乐器；冲突，撞击；震动，音响 | |
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233
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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234
imperturbably
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| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
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235
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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236
wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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237
antiquated
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| adj.陈旧的，过时的 | |
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238
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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239
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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240
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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241
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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242
squandering
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的现在分词 ) | |
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243
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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244
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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245
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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246
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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247
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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248
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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249
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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250
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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251
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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252
laterally
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| ad.横向地；侧面地；旁边地 | |
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253
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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254
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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255
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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256
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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257
abdomen
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| n.腹，下腹(胸部到腿部的部分) | |
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258
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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259
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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260
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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261
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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262
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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263
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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264
incipient
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| adj.起初的，发端的，初期的 | |
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265
paternally
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| adv.父亲似地；父亲一般地 | |
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266
mincing
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| adj.矫饰的；v.切碎；切碎 | |
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267
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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268
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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269
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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270
vomiting
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| 吐 | |
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271
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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272
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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273
spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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274
lugging
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| 超载运转能力 | |
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275
dispelling
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的现在分词 ) | |
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276
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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277
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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278
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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279
flaunted
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| v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的过去式和过去分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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280
defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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281
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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282
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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283
industriously
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284
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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285
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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