The homestead rested upon the southern slope of a wood-crowned hill, which was merely one of a swarm1 of hills of lesser2 or greater magnitude. Westward3, away in the distance, the silver sheen of the main mountain range still continued to reflect the rainbow tints6 of a radiant sunset.
It was a homestead to associate with hands less than 'prentice. There was neither imagination nor very definite purpose in its planning. It rather gave the impression of the driving of sheer necessity than the enthusiasm of effort toward the achievement of a heartily7 conceived purpose. Furthermore, it bore evident signs of a desire to escape as far as possible the burdens of the life it represented.
The squalid two-roomed house was sunk into the backing to the sloping hill. Its front and sides were of green logs and a mud plaster. Its roof was of a primitive8 thatch9, held secure from winter storms by sapling logs lashed10 fast across it. The central doorway11 was filled by a rough-boarded door, and the apertures12 left for added light were covered with thin cotton material. They were left wide open in summer, and in winter only served to shut out the worst of the driven snows and most of the daylight.
The adjacent barn was of far greater extent, but of considerably13 less degree. Still, it was sufficiently14 weather-proof, which was all that could be reasonably hoped for by the toughened creatures, who found shelter beneath its crazy roof. Higher up the slope stood a couple of corrals of sorts. Their position was at the southern extremity15 of the woodland crown, their placing probably inspired by the adjacency of the material required for their construction.
Below the house stretched a sloping patch of growing wheat, perhaps about thirty acres in extent. This was the real business of the homestead, and, in spite of the crazy fencing of barbed wire about it, it looked to be richly flourishing.
For all the general ineffectiveness of the place, however, it was not without significance. For it gave that human touch which at once breaks up the overpowering sensation which never fails to depress in the silent heart of Nature's immensity. It spoke16 of courage, too. The reckless courage of early youth, plunging17 for the first time into independence. Furthermore, it suggested something of the first great sacrifice which the hot tide of love, surging through youthful veins18, is prepared to make for the object of its passionate19 regard. In any case it symbolized20 the irresistible21 progress of man's effort when pitted against the passive resistance of Nature's most fiercely rugged22 frontiers.
A wonderful harmonious23 peace reigned24 over the scene which was bathed in the light of a drooping25 sun. It was the chastened pastoral peace, than which there is no more perfect in the world. Cattle were grazing their way homeward; the cows bearing their burden of laden26 udders to yield it for the benefit and prosperity of the community; the steers27 lingering at the banks of the murmuring mountain stream, or standing28 knee-deep in its waters, their sleek29 sides sheathed30 in rolls of fat, only waiting to yield up their humble31 lives as their contribution to the insatiable demands of the dominant32 race.
Two or three horses stood adjacent to the doorway of the humble barn, patiently flickering33 their long, unkempt tails in a vain effort to ward4 off the attacks of swarming34 flies. A few chickens moved about drowsily35, just outside the hutch which had been contrived36 for their nightly shelter. While stretched upon the dusty earth, side by side, lay two great rough-coated dogs slumbering37 their hours of watch and ward away in the shade, with the indifference38 of creatures whose vain hopes of battle have been all too long deferred39.
Out of the west, down the slope of a neighboring hill came a figure on horseback. It was moving at a rapid gallop41. The horses at the barn turned about and raised their heads watchfully42. They whinnied at the approach. The two dogs were on their feet startled into alertness, vain hope rising once more in their fierce hearts. The hens cackled fussily44 at the prospect45 of their deferred evening meal. The last of the cattle ambled46 heavily from the water's edge. It was rather like the obscure movement of a mainspring, setting into motion even the remotest wheel of a mechanism47.
Effie galloped48 up to the house. Nothing of the gentle waking her coming had inspired attracted her observation. Her handsome eyes were preoccupied49, and their gaze wandered back over the way she had come, searching the distance with the minutest care. Finally she dismounted and off-saddled, turning her pony50 loose to follow the promptings of its own particular requirements. Then she set about releasing the carcase of the deer upon her saddle, and bore it away to a lean-to shed at the side of the house. Emerging therefrom she picked up her saddle and bridle51 and took them into the house. Then she took up her stand within the doorway and, once more, narrowly searched the surrounding hills with eyes as eager and doubtful as they were beautiful.
The calm of evening had settled once more upon the place. The peace of it all was superlative. It was peace to which Effie was something more than averse52. She dreaded53 it. For all her two years of life in the meagre home her husband had provided her with, it required all her courage and fortitude54 to endure it. The hills haunted and oppressed her, and her only hope lay in the active prosecution55 of her work.
She breathed a profound sigh. There was relief in the expression of her face. The drooping corners of her mouth and the tight compression of her well-formed lips told their own story of her emotions. She had passed through an anxious time, and only now was she beginning to feel reassured56.
Yes. All was well, she believed. She had lost her pursuers, thanks to the staunchness of her pony, and her knowledge of the country about her. With another sigh, but this time one of weariness, she left her doorway and moved over to the barn. There was still the dreary57 round of "chores" to which her life seemed dedicated58.
* * * * * *
A solitary59 horseman sat gazing out through a leafy barrier across the narrow valley of the little mountain stream. His eyes were fixed60 upon the dejected homestead on the slope of the hill beyond. He was be-chapped, and carried the usual complement61 of weapons at his waist. His horse was an unusually fine creature, and well up to the burden it was called upon to bear. Nor was that burden a light one, for the man was both massive and muscular.
The watchful43 eyes were deep set in a mahogany-hued setting. It was a hard face, brutal62, and the eyes were narrow and cruel.
For a long time he sat there regarding the homestead. He beheld63 the graceful64 form of the woman as she moved swiftly about her work. Judging from his expression, which was by no means pleasant, two emotions were struggling for dominance. For some time doubt held chief place, but slowly it yielded to some more animal emotion. Furthermore temptation was urging him, and more than once he lifted his reins65, which became a sign of yielding.
But all these emotions finally passed. It was evident that some even stronger force was really governing him. For, with a sharp ejaculation that conveyed every feeling suggested by disappointment, he swung his horse about and galloped off in a southeasterly direction--toward Orrville.
* * * * * *
It was past midnight. Effie, flushed with an unusual excitement, was gazing up into her husband's face. She was listening almost breathlessly to the story he was telling her. The little living-room, more than half kitchen, was bathed in the yellow light of a small tin kerosene66 lamp. For the time at least her surroundings, the poverty and drudgery67 of her life, were forgotten in the absorbing feelings consuming her.
"I tell you, Effie, I was scared--plumb scared when I saw what it was," Bob Whitstone ended up. "Guess we've known long enough the whole blamed countryside is haunted by cattle rustlers, but--that's the first time I've seen 'em, and I guess it's the first time any one's seen 'em at work. Say, I'm not yearning68 for the experience again."
But Effie had no interest beyond his story. His feelings on the matter of his experience were of no concern whatever at the moment. There were other things in her mind, things of far greater import. She returned to the rocker chair, which was the luxury of their home, and sat down. There was one thing only in Bob's story which mattered to her just now.
"Ten thousand dollars," she murmured. "Ten thousand! It's a--fortune."
Bob moved across to a rough shelf nailed upon the wall and picked up a pipe.
"A bit limited," he observed contemptuously, as poured some tobacco dust into the bowl.
"I was thinking of--ourselves."
The man ceased his operation to gaze swiftly down upon the gently swaying figure in the chair.
"What d'you mean, Effie?" he demanded sharply.
The girl's steady eyes were slowly raised in answer to the challenging tone. They met her husband's without a shadow of hesitation69.
"It sounds like a fortune to me, who have not handled a dollar that I could spend without careful thought--for two years," she declared with warmth.
Bob completed the filling of his pipe. He did not answer for a few moments, but occupied himself by lighting70 it with a reeking71 sulphur match.
"That's a pretty hard remark," he said at last, emitting heavy clouds of smoke between his words.
"Is it? But--it's just plain facts."
"I s'pose it is."
The girl had permitted her gaze to wander. It passed from her husband's face to the deplorable surroundings which she had almost grown accustomed to, but which now stood out in her mind with an added sense of hopelessness. The lime-wash over the cracked and broken plaster which filled the gaps between the logs of the walls. The miserable72 furnishing, much of it of purely73 home manufacture, thrown up into hideous74 relief by the few tasteful knickknacks which had been wedding presents from her intimate friends and relatives in the east. The earthen floor, beaten hard and kept scrupulously75 swept by her own hands. The cook-stove in the corner, with its ill-set stovepipe passing out of a hole in the wall which had been crudely covered with tin to keep out the draughts76 in winter. The drooping ceiling of cotton material, which sagged77 in great billows under the thatch of the roof. It was all deplorable to a woman who had known the comfort of an almost luxurious78 girlhood. Into her eyes crept a curious light. It was half resentful, half triumphant79. It was wholly absorbed.
"Suppose? There's no supposition," she cried bitterly. "I have had the experience of it all, the grind. Maybe you don't know what it is to a woman, a girl, to find herself cut off suddenly from all the little luxuries she has always been used to. I don't mean extravagances. Just the trifling80 refinements81 which count for so much in a young woman's life. The position is possible, so long as the hope remains82 of their return later, perhaps fourfold. But when that hope no longer exists--I guess there's nothing much else that's worth while."
The man continued to smoke on for some silent moments. Then, as the girl, too, remained silent, he glanced at her out of the corners of his eyes.
"You gave up a good deal for me--for this," he said in gentle protest. "But you did it with your eyes open--I mean, to the true facts of my position. Say, Effie, I didn't hold you up for this thing. I laid every card on the table. My father threatened us both, to our faces, if we persisted in marrying. Well, I guess we persisted, and he--why, he just handed us what he promised--the dollars that bought us this--farm. That was all. It was the last cent he figured to pass our way. You know all that, and you never squealed--then. You knew what was in store. I mean--this." He flung out one arm in a comprehensive gesture. "You guessed you'd grit83 enough to face it--with me. We hoped to win out." Then he smiled. "Say, I guess I haven't given up a thing--for you, eh? I haven't quit the home of millionaire father where my year's pocket money was more than the income of seventy per cent. of other folks! I, too, did it for this--and you. Won't you stick it for me?"
The man's appeal was spoken in low earnest tones His eyes were gentle. But the girl kept hers studiously turned from his direction, and it was impossible for him to read that which lay behind them.
Again some silent moments passed. The girl was gently rocking herself. At last, however, she drew in her feet in a nervous, purposeful movement, and sat forward.
"Bob," she exclaimed, and now there were earnestness and kindness in the eyes that gazed up at the man, "it's no use for us to talk this way," she cried. "I began it, and I ought to be sorry--real sorry. But I'm not. I wouldn't have acted that way under ordinary circumstances. But it's different now, and it was your own talk made me. You sneered84 at that ten thousand dollars, which seems to be a fortune to me. Ten thousand dollars!" she breathed. "And we haven't ten dollars between us in this--house. Bob, it makes me mad when I think of it. You don't care. You don't worry. All yon care for is to get away from it all--from me--and spend your time among the boys in Orrville. You've been away ever since dinner to-day, and now it's past midnight. Why? Why, when there's a hundred and one things to do around this wretched shanty86? No--you undertake this thing, and then--spend every moment you can steal--yes, that's the word--steal, hanging around Ju Penrose's saloon. I'm left to fix things right here--to do the work which you have undertaken. Then you sneer85 when I see a fortune in that ten thousand dollars reward."
The girl's swift heat was not without effect. She had not intended to accuse in so straight a fashion. It was the result of long pent-up bitterness, which never needs more than a careless word to hurl87 into active expression. Bob's mild expression of contempt looked to be about to cost him dear.
A moody88 look not untouched with some sort of fear had crept into the man's eyes. Now he tried to smooth the threat of storm he saw looming89. Furthermore, an uncomfortable feeling of his own guilt90 was possessing him.
"But what if it can be called a fortune, Effie?" he demanded swiftly. "It don't concern us. I don't guess it's liable to come our way."
"Why not?"
The girl's challenge came short and sharp, and her beautiful eyes were turned upon him full of cold regard.
The man was startled. He was even shocked.
"How?" he demanded. "I don't get you."
The girl sprang from her chair in a movement of sup-pressed excitement. She came toward him, her eyes shining. A glorious ruddy tint5 shone through the tanning of her fair cheeks. She was good to look at, and Bob felt the influence of her beauty at that moment just as he had felt it when, for her, he had first flung every worldly consideration to the four winds.
"Will you listen, Bob? Will you listen to me while I tell you all that's been churning around in my head ever since you told me of that reward? You must. You shall. I have lived through a sort of purgatory91 in these hills for too long not to make my voice heard now--now when there's a chance of making our lives more tolerable. Oh, I've had a day while you've been away. It's been a day such as in my craziest moments I've never even dreamed of. Bob, I've discovered what they've all been trying to discover for years. I've found Lightfoot's camp!"
"And then?"
The girl's enthusiasm left her husband caught in a wave of apprehension92. He saw with a growing sense of horror the meaning of that sudden revolt. This was displayed in his manner. Nor was Effie unobservant of it. Nor unresentful.
"That reward--those ten thousand dollars are mine--ours--if I choose. And--I do choose."
There was no mistaking the firmness, the decision in her final words. They came deliberate and hard, and they roused the man to prompt and sharp denial.
"You--do--not."
He was no longer propped94 against the table. He was no longer gentle. He stood erect95 and angry, and their regard was eye to eye. But even so there was no disputing the woman's dominance of personality. The man's eyes, for all their anger, conveyed not a tithe96 of the other's decision. His whole attitude was subjective97 to the poise98 of the woman's beautiful head, her erect, sculptured shoulders. Her measuring eyes were full of a fine revolt. There was nothing comparable between them--except their anger.
"Who can stop me? You?"
The scornful challenge rang sharply through the little room. Then a silence fraught99 with intense moment followed upon its heels.
The man nodded. His movement was followed by Effie's mocking laugh.
Perhaps Bob realized the uselessness, the danger of retaining such an attitude. Perhaps his peculiar100 nature was unequal to the continuous effort the position called for. In a moment he seemed to shrink before those straight gazing eyes, and the light of purpose behind them. When he finally spoke a curious, almost pleading tone blended with the genuine horror in his words.
"No, no, Effie, you can't--you daren't!" he cried passionately101. "Do you know what you're doing? Do you know what that reward means to you--to us? Look at your hands. They're clean, and soft, and white. Say, girl, that's blood money, blood money that'll surely stain them with a crimson102 you'll never wash off 'em all your life. It's blood money. Man's blood. Human blood. Just the same as runs through our veins. Oh, say, girl, I've no sort of use for rustlers. They're crooks103, and maybe murderers. Guess they're everything you can think of, and a sight more. But they're men, and their blood's hot, warm blood the same as yours and mine. And you reckon to chaffer that blood for a price. You're going to sell it--for a price. You're going to do more. Yes. You're going to wreck104 a woman's conscience for life for those filthy105, blood-soaked dollars. The price? Effie, things are mighty106 hard with us. Maybe they're harder with you than me. But I just can't believe we've dropped so low we can sell the life blood of even a--murderer. I can't believe it. I just can't. That's all. Tell 'em, Effie. Tell 'em all you know and have discovered if you will. Tell 'em in the cause of justice. But barter107 your soul and conscience for filthy blood money--I--bah! It makes me turn sick to think that way."
But Effie was in no mood to listen to the dictates108 of squeamish principles from a man who lacked the spirit and power--the will to raise her out of the mire109 of penury110 into which he had helped to plunge111 her. The hours of dreary, hopeless labor112; the weeks and months of dismal113 and grinding poverty had sunk deeply into her soul. No price was too high to pay to escape these things. In a moment her reply was pouring forth114 in a passionate torrent115.
"Blood money?" she cried. "Bob, you're crazier than I'd have thought. Where's the difference? I mean between handin' these folks over to justice for justice sake, and taking the reward the folks who're most to benefit by it are ready to hand out to me? Say, you can't talk that way, Bob. You can't just do it. Aren't the folks who carry out the justice in the land paid for it--from the biggest judge to the fellow who handles the levers of the electric chair? Doesn't the country hand out thousands of dollars every year for the punishment of offenders116, whether it's for the shedding of their life blood, or merely their heart's blood in the cruel horrors of a penitentiary117? Do you think I'm going to hand out my secret to a bunch of cattlemen for their benefit and profit, and reap no comfort from it for myself in the miserable life I'm condemned118 to endure? Your scruples119 are just crazy. They're worse. They're selfish. You'd rather see me drudging all the best moments of my life away, so you can lounge around Ju Penrose's saloon spending dollars you've no right to, than risk your peace of mind on an honest--yes, honest--transaction that's going to give me a little of the comfort that you haven't the grit to help me to yourself."
The girl was carried away with the force of her own purpose and craving120. Every word she said was meant from the bottom of her soul. There was not a shadow of yielding. She had no illusions. For two years her heart had been hardening to its present condition, and she would not give up one tittle of the chance that now opened out before her hungry eyes.
Bob was clay in her hands. He was clay in any hands sufficiently dominating. He knew from the moment he had delivered his appeal, and he had heard only the tones of her reply, that it was he who must yield or complete irrevocably the barrier which had been steadily121 growing up between them. Just for a moment the weakly, obstinate122 thought had occurred of flinging everything to the winds and of denying her once more with all the force at his command. But the moment passed. It fled before the charm of her presence, and the memory of the loved which he was incapable123 of shutting out of his heart. He knew he was right, and she was utterly124 wrong. But he knew, equally well, from her words and attitude, that it was he who must give way, or----
He shook his head with a negative movement which Effie was quick enough to realize meant yielding. She wanted him to yield. It would simplify all her purpose. She desired that he should participate in the transaction.
"You'll regret it, Effie," he said, in his usual easy tones. "You'll regret it so you'll hate to think of this moment all the rest of your life. It's not you talking, my dear, it's just--the experience you've had to go through. Can't you see? You've never been like this before. And it isn't you. Say, I'd give my right hand it you'd quit the whole thing."
But the girl's resolution was unwavering.
"You--still refuse--to countenance125 it?" she demanded.
Again Bob shook his head. But now he moved away and struck a match to relight his pipe.
"No," he said. Then he slowly puffed126 out great clouds of smoke. "No, my dear, if you're bent127 on it." Then he moved to the cook-stove and supported one foot upon it.
"Say--you guess I'm selfish. You guess I haven't acted as I ought to help push our boat along. You reckon I've become a sort of saloon-loafing bum128. Guess you sort of think I'm just about the limit. Well, maybe I'm nothing to shriek129 about. However, I've told you all I feel. I've told you what you're going to feel--later. Meanwhile it's up to me to help you all I know. Tell me the whole thing, and I'll do the business for you. I'll see Dug McFarlane for you, and fix things. But it's on one condition."
"What is it?"
Something of the coldness had passed from the girl's eyes. She was smiling because she had achieved her purpose.
"Why--just this. That I don't touch one single dollar of the price you're to receive for those poor devils' blood. That's all."
Just for a moment a dull flush surged up under the tan of the girl's cheeks, and her eyes sparkled ominously130. Then she returned to her rocker with great deliberation.
"You're crazy, Bob," she said frigidly131, but without any other display. "Still--just sit around, and--I'll tell you it all."
And while the man listened to the story of his wife's adventures his mind went back to the scene in Ju Penrose's saloon, and the denial he had flung so heatedly at that philosophic132 cynic.
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1
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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lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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4
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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6
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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7
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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8
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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9
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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10
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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apertures
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| n.孔( aperture的名词复数 )；隙缝；（照相机的）光圈；孔径 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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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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plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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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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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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symbolized
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| v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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steers
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| n.阉公牛，肉用公牛( steer的名词复数 )v.驾驶( steer的第三人称单数 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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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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sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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30
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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32
dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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34
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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35
drowsily
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| adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地 | |
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36
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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37
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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38
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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39
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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40
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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41
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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42
watchfully
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| 警惕地，留心地 | |
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43
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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44
fussily
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| adv.无事空扰地，大惊小怪地，小题大做地 | |
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45
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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46
ambled
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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47
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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48
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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49
preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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50
pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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51
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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52
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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53
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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54
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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55
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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56
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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57
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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58
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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59
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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60
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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61
complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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62
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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63
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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64
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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65
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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66
kerosene
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| n.(kerosine)煤油，火油 | |
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67
drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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68
yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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69
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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70
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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71
reeking
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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72
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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73
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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74
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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75
scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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76
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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77
sagged
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| 下垂的 | |
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78
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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79
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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80
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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81
refinements
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| n.（生活）风雅；精炼( refinement的名词复数 )；改良品；细微的改良；优雅或高贵的动作 | |
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82
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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83
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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84
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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86
shanty
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| n.小屋，棚屋；船工号子 | |
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87
hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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88
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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89
looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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90
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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91
purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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92
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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93
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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94
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
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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96
tithe
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| n.十分之一税；v.课什一税，缴什一税 | |
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97
subjective
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| a.主观(上)的，个人的 | |
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98
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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99
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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100
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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101
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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102
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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103
crooks
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| n.骗子( crook的名词复数 )；罪犯；弯曲部分；（牧羊人或主教用的）弯拐杖v.弯成钩形( crook的第三人称单数 ) | |
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104
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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105
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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106
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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107
barter
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| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
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108
dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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109
mire
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| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
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110
penury
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| n.贫穷，拮据 | |
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111
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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112
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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113
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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114
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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115
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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116
offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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117
penitentiary
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| n.感化院；监狱 | |
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118
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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119
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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120
craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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121
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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122
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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123
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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124
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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125
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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126
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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127
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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128
bum
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| n.臀部；流浪汉，乞丐；vt.乞求，乞讨 | |
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129
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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130
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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131
frigidly
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| adv.寒冷地；冷漠地；冷淡地；呆板地 | |
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132
philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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