“What do you make of her, Allardyce?” I asked.
My second mate was standing1 beside me upon the poop, with his short, thick legs astretch, for the gale2 had left a considerable swell3 behind it, and our two quarter-boats nearly touched the water with every roll. He steadied his glass against the mizzen-shrouds4, and he looked long and hard at this disconsolate5 stranger every time she came reeling up on to the crest6 of a roller and hung balanced for a few seconds before swooping8 down upon the other side. She lay so low in the water that I could only catch an occasional glimpse of a pea-green line of bulwark9. She was a brig, but her mainmast had been snapped short off some 10ft. above the deck, and no effort seemed to have been made to cut away the wreckage10, which floated, sails and yards, like the broken wing of a wounded gull11 upon the water beside her. The foremast was still standing, but the foretopsail was flying loose, and the headsails were streaming out in long, white pennons in front of her. Never have I seen a vessel12 which appeared to have gone through rougher handling. But we could not be surprised at that, for there had been times during the last three days when it was a question whether our own barque would ever see land again. For thirty-six hours we had kept her nose to it, and if the Mary Sinclair had not been as good a seaboat as ever left the Clyde, we could not have gone through. And yet here we were at the end of it with the loss only of our gig and of part of the starboard bulwark. It did not astonish us, however, when the smother13 had cleared away, to find that others had been less lucky, and that this mutilated brig staggering about upon a blue sea and under a cloudless sky, had been left, like a blinded man after a lightning flash, to tell of the terror which is past. Allardyce, who was a slow and methodical Scotchman, stared long and hard at the little craft, while our seamen15 lined the bulwark or clustered upon the fore7 shrouds to have a view of the stranger. In latitude16 20 degrees and longitude17 10 degrees, which were about our bearings, one becomes a little curious as to whom one meets, for one has left the main lines of Atlantic commerce to the north. For ten days we had been sailing over a solitary18 sea.
“She’s derelict, I’m thinking,” said the second mate.
I had come to the same conclusion, for I could see no signs of life upon her deck, and there was no answer to the friendly wavings from our seamen. The crew had probably deserted20 her under the impression that she was about to founder21.
“She can’t last long,” continued Allardyce, in his measured way. “She may put her nose down and her tail up any minute. The water’s lipping up to the edge of her rail.”
“What’s her flag?” I asked.
“I’m trying to make out. It’s got all twisted and tangled22 with the halyards. Yes, I’ve got it now, clear enough. It’s the Brazilian flag, but it’s wrong side up.”
She had hoisted23 a signal of distress24, then, before her people had abandoned her. Perhaps they had only just gone. I took the mate’s glass and looked round over the tumultuous face of the deep blue Atlantic, still veined and starred with white lines and spoutings of foam26. But nowhere could I see anything human beyond ourselves.
“There may be living men aboard,” said I.
“There may be salvage27,” muttered the second mate.
“Then we will run down upon her lee side, and lie to.” We were not more than a hundred yards from her when we swung our foreyard aback, and there we were, the barque and the brig, ducking and bowing like two clowns in a dance.
“Drop one of the quarter-boats,” said I. “Take four men, Mr. Allardyce, and see what you can learn of her.”
But just at that moment my first officer, Mr. Armstrong, came on deck, for seven bells had struck, and it was but a few minutes off his watch. It would interest me to go myself to this abandoned vessel and to see what there might be aboard of her. So, with a word to Armstrong, I swung myself over the side, slipped down the falls, and took my place in the sheets of the boat.
It was but a little distance, but it took some time to traverse, and so heavy was the roll that often when we were in the trough of the sea, we could not see either the barque which we had left or the brig which we were approaching. The sinking sun did not penetrate28 down there, and it was cold and dark in the hollows of the waves, but each passing billow heaved us up into the warmth and the sunshine once more. At each of these moments, as we hung upon a white-capped ridge29 between the two dark valleys, I caught a glimpse of the long, pea-green line, and the nodding foremast of the brig, and I steered30 so as to come round by her stern, so that we might determine which was the best way of boarding her. As we passed her we saw the name Nossa Sehnora da Vittoria painted across her dripping counter.
“The weather side, sir,” said the second mate. “Stand by with the boat-hook, carpenter!” An instant later we had jumped over the bulwarks31, which were hardly higher than our boat, and found ourselves upon the deck of the abandoned vessel. Our first thought was to provide for our own safety in case — as seemed very probable — the vessel should settle down beneath our feet. With this object two of our men held on to the painter of the boat, and fended32 her off from the vessel’s side, so that she might be ready in case we had to make a hurried retreat. The carpenter was sent to find out how much water there was, and whether it was still gaming, while the other seaman33, Allardyce and myself, made a rapid inspection34 of the vessel and her cargo35.
The deck was littered with wreckage and with hen-coops, in which the dead birds were washing about. The boats were gone, with the exception of one, the bottom of which had been stove, and it was certain that the crew had abandoned the vessel. The cabin was in a deck-house, one side of which had been beaten in by a heavy sea. Allardyce and I entered it, and found the captain’s table as he had left it, his books and papers — all Spanish or Portuguese36 — scattered37 over it, with piles of cigarette ash everywhere. I looked about for the log, but could not find it.
“As likely as not he never kept one,” said Allardyce. “Things are pretty slack aboard a South American trader, and they don’t do more than they can help. If there was one it must have been taken away with him in the boat.”
“I should like to take all these books and papers,” said I. “Ask the carpenter how much time we have.”
His report was reassuring38. The vessel was full of water, but some of the cargo was buoyant, and there was no immediate39 danger of her sinking. Probably she would never sink, but would drift about as one of those terrible unmarked reefs which have sent so many stout40 vessels41 to the bottom.
“In that case there is no danger in your going below, Mr. Allardyce,” said I. “See what you can make of her and find out how much of her cargo may be saved. I’ll look through these papers while you are gone.”
The bills of lading, and some notes and letters which lay upon the desk, sufficed to inform me that the Brazilian brig Nossa Sehnora da Vittoria had cleared from Bahia a month before. The name of the captain was Texeira, but there was no record as to the number of the crew. She was bound for London, and a glance at the bills of lading was sufficient to show me that we were not likely to profit much in the way of salvage. Her cargo consisted of nuts, ginger42, and wood, the latter in the shape of great logs of valuable tropical growths. It was these, no doubt, which had prevented the ill-fated vessel from going to the bottom, but they were of such a size as to make it impossible for us to extract them. Besides these, there were a few fancy goods, such as a number of ornamental43 birds for millinery purposes, and a hundred cases of preserved fruits. And then, as I turned over the papers, I came upon a short note in English, which arrested my attention.
It is requested (said the note) that the various old Spanish and Indian curiosities, which came out of the Santarem collection, and which are consigned44 to Prontfoot & Neuman of Oxford45 Street, London, should be put in some place where there may be no danger of these very valuable and unique articles being injured or tampered46 with. This applies most particularly to the treasure-chest of Don Ramirez di Leyra, which must on no account be placed where anyone can get at it.
The treasure-chest of Don Ramirez! Unique and valuable articles! Here was a chance of salvage after all. I had risen to my feet with the paper in my hand when my Scotch14 mate appeared in the doorway47.
“I’m thinking all isn’t quite as it should be aboard of this ship, sir,” said he. He was a hard-faced man, and yet I could see that he had been startled.
“What’s the matter?”
“Murder’s the matter, sir. There’s a man here with his brains beaten out.”
“Killed in the storm?” said I.
“May be so, sir, but I’ll be surprised if you think so after you have seen him.”
“Where is he, then?”
“This way, sir; here in the maindeck house.”
There appeared to have been no accommodation below in the brig, for there was the after-house for the captain, another by the main hatchway, with the cook’s galley48 attached to it, and a third in the forecastle for the men. It was to this middle one that the mate led me. As you entered, the galley, with its litter of tumbled pots and dishes, was upon the right, and upon the left was a small room with two bunks49 for the officers. Then beyond there was a place about 12ft. square, which was littered with flags and spare canvas. All round the walls were a number of packets done up in coarse cloth and carefully lashed51 to the woodwork. At the other end was a great box, striped red and white, though the red was so faded and the white so dirty that it was only where the light fell directly upon it that one could see the colouring. The box was, by subsequent measurement, 4ft. 3ins. in length, 3ft. 2ins. in height, and 3ft. across — considerably52 larger than a seaman’s chest. But it was not to the box that my eyes or my thoughts were turned as I entered the store-room. On the floor, lying across the litter of bunting, there was stretched a small, dark man with a short, curling beard. He lay as far as it was possible from the box, with his feet towards it and his head away. A crimson53 patch was printed upon the white canvas on which his head was resting, and little red ribbons wreathed themselves round his swarthy neck and trailed away on to the floor, but there was no sign of a wound that I could see, and his face was as placid54 as that of a sleeping child. It was only when I stooped that I could perceive his injury, and then I turned away with an exclamation55 of horror. He had been pole-axed; apparently56 by some person standing behind him. A frightful57 blow had smashed in the top of his head and penetrated58 deeply into his brains. His face might well be placid, for death must have been absolutely instantaneous, and the position of the wound showed that he could never have seen the person who had inflicted59 it.
“Is that foul60 play or accident, Captain Barclay?” asked my second mate, demurely61.
“You are quite right, Mr. Allardyce. The man has been murdered — struck down from above by a sharp and heavy weapon. But who was he, and why did they murder him?”
“He was a common seaman, sir,” said the mate. “You can see that if you look at his fingers.” He turned out his pockets as he spoke62 and brought to light a pack of cards, some tarred string, and a bundle of Brazilian tobacco.
“Hello, look at this!” said he.
It was a large, open knife with a stiff spring blade which he had picked up from the floor. The steel was shining and bright, so that we could not associate it with the crime, and yet the dead man had apparently held it in his hand when he was struck down, for it still lay within his grasp.
“It looks to me, sir, as if he knew he was in danger and kept his knife handy,” said the mate. “However, we can’t help the poor beggar now. I can’t make out these things that are lashed to the wall. They seem to be idols63 and weapons and curios of all sorts done up in old sacking.”
“That’s right,” said I. “They are the only things of value that we are likely to get from the cargo. Hail the barque and tell them to send the other quarter-boat to help us to get the stuff aboard.”
While he was away I examined this curious plunder64 which had come into our possession. The curiosities were so wrapped up that I could only form a general idea as to their nature, but the striped box stood in a good light where I could thoroughly65 examine it. On the lid, which was clamped and cornered with metal-work, there was engraved66 a complex coat of arms, and beneath it was a line of Spanish which I was able to decipher as meaning, “The treasure-chest of Don Ramirez di Leyra, Knight67 of the Order of Saint James, Governor and Captain-General of Terra Firma and of the Province of Veraquas.” In one corner was the date, 1606, and on the other a large white label, upon which was written in English, “You are earnestly requested, upon no account, to open this box.” The same warning was repeated underneath68 in Spanish. As to the lock, it was a very complex and heavy one of engraved steel, with a Latin motto, which was above a seaman’s comprehension. By the time I had finished this examination of the peculiar69 box, the other quarter-boat with Mr. Armstrong, the first officer, had come alongside, and we began to carry out and place in her the various curiosities which appeared to be the only objects worth moving from the derelict ship. When she was full I sent her back to the barque, and then Allardyce and I, with the carpenter and one seaman, shifted the striped box, which was the only thing left, to our boat, and lowered it over, balancing it upon the two middle thwarts70, for it was so heavy that it would have given the boat a dangerous tilt71 had we placed it at either end. As to the dead man, we left him where we had found him. The mate had a theory that, at the moment of the desertion of the ship, this fellow had started plundering72, and that the captain, in an attempt to preserve discipline, had struck him down with a hatchet73 or some other heavy weapon. It seemed more probable than any other explanation, and yet it did not entirely74 satisfy me either. But the ocean is full of mysteries, and we were content to leave the fate of the dead seaman of the Brazilian brig to be added to that long list which every sailor can recall.
The heavy box was slung75 up by ropes on to the deck of the Mary Sinclair, and was carried by four seamen into the cabin, where, between the table and the after-lockers76, there was just space for it to stand. There it remained during supper, and after that meal the mates remained with me, and discussed over a glass of grog the event of the day. Mr. Armstrong was a long, thin, vulture-like man, an excellent seaman, but famous for his nearness and cupidity78. Our treasure-trove had excited him greatly, and already he had begun with glistening79 eyes to reckon up how much it might be worth to each of us when the shares of the salvage came to be divided.
“If the paper said that they were unique, Mr. Barclay, then they may be worth anything that you like to name. You wouldn’t believe the sums that the rich collectors give. A thousand pounds is nothing to them. We’ll have something to show for our voyage, or I am mistaken.”
“I don’t think that,” said I. “As far as I can see, they are not very different from any other South American curios.”
“Well, sir, I’ve traded there for fourteen voyages, and I have never seen anything like that chest before. That’s worth a pile of money, just as it stands. But it’s so heavy that surely there must be something valuable inside it. Don’t you think that we ought to open it and see?”
“If you break it open you will spoil it, as likely as not,” said the second mate.
Armstrong squatted80 down in front of it, with his head on one side, and his long, thin nose within a few inches of the lock.
“The wood is oak,” said he, “and it has shrunk a little with age. If I had a chisel81 or a strong-bladed knife I could force the lock back without doing any damage at all.”
The mention of a strong-bladed knife made me think of the dead seaman upon the brig.
“I wonder if he could have been on the job when someone came to interfere82 with him,” said I.
“I don’t know about that, sir, but I am perfectly83 certain that I could open the box. There’s a screwdriver84 here in the locker77. Just hold the lamp, Allardyce, and I’ll have it done in a brace85 of shakes.”
“Wait a bit,” said I, for already, with eyes which gleamed with curiosity and with avarice86, he was stooping over the lid. “I don’t see that there is any hurry over this matter. You’ve read that card which warns us not to open it. It may mean anything or it may mean nothing, but somehow I feel inclined to obey it. After all, whatever is in it will keep, and if it is valuable it will be worth as much if it is opened in the owner’s offices as in the cabin of the Mary Sinclair.”
The first officer seemed bitterly disappointed at my decision.
“Surely, sir, you are not superstitious87 about it,” said he, with a slight sneer88 upon his thin lips. “If it gets out of our own hands, and we don’t see for ourselves what is inside it, we may be done out of our rights; besides —”
“That’s enough, Mr. Armstrong,” said I, abruptly89. “You may have every confidence that you will get your rights, but I will not have that box opened to-night.”
“Why, the label itself shows that the box has been examined by Europeans,” Allardyce added. “Because a box is a treasure-box is no reason that it has treasures inside it now. A good many folk have had a peep into it since the days of the old Governor of Terra Firma.”
Armstrong threw the screwdriver down upon the table and shrugged90 his shoulders.
“Just as you like,” said he; but for the rest of the evening, although we spoke upon many subjects, I noticed that his eyes were continually coming round, with the same expression of curiosity and greed, to the old striped box.
And now I come to that portion of my story which fills me even now with a shuddering91 horror when I think of it. The main cabin had the rooms of the officers round it, but mine was the farthest away from it at the end of the little passage which led to the companion. No regular watch was kept by me, except in cases of emergency, and the three mates divided the watches among them. Armstrong had the middle watch, which ends at four in the morning, and he was relieved by Allardyce. For my part I have always been one of the soundest of sleepers92, and it is rare for anything less than a hand upon my shoulder to arouse me.
And yet I was aroused that night, or rather in the early grey of the morning. It was just half-past four by my chronometer93 when something caused me to sit up in my berth94 wide awake and with every nerve tingling95. It was a sound of some sort, a crash with a human cry at the end of it, which still jarred on my ears. I sat listening, but all was now silent. And yet it could not have been imagination, that hideous96 cry, for the echo of it still rang in my head, and it seemed to have come from some place quite close to me. I sprang from my bunk50, and, pulling on some clothes, I made my way into the cabin. At first I saw nothing unusual there. In the cold, grey light I made out the red-clothed table, the six rotating chairs, the walnut97 lockers, the swinging barometer98, and there, at the end, the big striped chest. I was turning away, with the intention of going upon deck and asking the second mate if he had heard anything, when my eyes fell suddenly upon something which projected from under the table. It was the leg of a man — a leg with a long sea-boot upon it. I stooped, and there was a figure sprawling99 upon his face, his arms thrown forward and his body twisted. One glance told me that it was Armstrong, the first officer, and a second that he was a dead man. For a few moments I stood gasping100. Then I rushed on to the deck, called Allardyce to my assistance, and came back with him into the cabin.
Together we pulled the unfortunate fellow from under the table, and as we looked at his dripping head we exchanged glances, and I do not know which was the paler of the two.
“The same as the Spanish sailor,” said I.
“The very same. God preserve us! It’s that infernal chest! Look at Armstrong’s hand!”
He held up the mate’s right hand, and there was the screwdriver which he had wished to use the night before.
“He’s been at the chest, sir. He knew that I was on deck and you were asleep. He knelt down in front of it, and he pushed the lock back with that tool. Then something happened to him, and he cried out so that you heard him.”
“Allardyce,” I whispered, “what could have happened to him?”
The second mate put his hand upon my sleeve and drew me into his cabin.
“We can talk here, sir, and we don’t know who may be listening to us in there. What do you suppose is in that box, Captain Barclay?”
“I give you my word, Allardyce, that I have no idea.”
“Well, I can only find one theory which will fit all the facts. Look at the size of the box. Look at all the carving101 and metal-work which may conceal102 any number of holes. Look at the weight of it; it took four men to carry it. On top of that, remember that two men have tried to open it, and both have come to their end through it. Now, sir, what can it mean except one thing?”
“You mean there is a man in it?”
“Of course there is a man in it. You know how it is in these South American States, sir. A man may be president one week and hunted like a dog the next — they are for ever flying for their lives. My idea is that there is some fellow in hiding there, who is armed and desperate, and who will fight to the death before he is taken.”
“But his food and drink?”
“It’s a roomy chest, sir, and he may have some provisions stowed away. As to his drink, he had a friend among the crew upon the brig who saw that he had what he needed.”
“You think, then, that the label asking people not to open the box was simply written in his interest?”
“Yes, sir, that is my idea. Have you any other way of explaining the facts?”
I had to confess that I had not.
“The question is what we are to do?” I asked.
“The man’s a dangerous ruffian, who sticks at nothing. I’m thinking it wouldn’t be a bad thing to put a rope round the chest and tow it alongside for half an hour; then we could open it at our ease. Or if we just tied the box up and kept him from getting any water maybe that would do as well. Or the carpenter could put a coat of varnish103 over it and stop all the blow-holes.”
“Come, Allardyce,” said I, angrily. “You don’t seriously mean to say that a whole ship’s company are going to be terrorised by a single man in a box. If he’s there, I’ll engage to fetch him out!” I went to my room and came back with my revolver in my hand. “Now, Allardyce,” said I, “do you open the lock, and I’ll stand on guard.”
“For God’s sake, think what you are doing, sir!” cried the mate. “Two men have lost their lives over it, and the blood of one not yet dry upon the carpet.”
“The more reason why we should revenge him.”
“Well, sir, at least let me call the carpenter. Three are better than two, and he is a good stout man.”
He went off in search of him, and I was left alone with the striped chest in the cabin. I don’t think that I’m a nervous man, but I kept the table between me and this solid old relic19 of the Spanish Main. In the growing light of morning the red and white striping was beginning to appear, and the curious scrolls104 and wreaths of metal and carving which showed the loving pains which cunning craftsmen105 had expended106 upon it. Presently the carpenter and the mate came back together, the former with a hammer in his hand.
“It’s a bad business, this, sir,” said he, shaking his head, as he looked at the body of the mate. “And you think there’s someone hiding in the box?”
“There’s no doubt about it,” said Allardyce, picking up the screwdriver and setting his jaw107 like a man who needs to brace his courage. “I’ll drive the lock back if you will both stand by. If he rises let him have it on the head with your hammer, carpenter. Shoot at once, sir, if he raises his hand. Now!”
He had knelt down in front of the striped chest, and passed the blade of the tool under the lid. With a sharp snick the lock flew back. “Stand by!” yelled the mate, and with a heave he threw open the massive top of the box. As it swung up we all three sprang back, I with my pistol levelled, and the carpenter with the hammer above his head. Then, as nothing happened, we each took a step forward and peeped in. The box was empty.
Not quite empty either, for in one corner was lying an old yellow candle-stick, elaborately engraved, which appeared to be as old as the box itself. Its rich yellow tone and artistic108 shape suggested that it was an object of value. For the rest there was nothing more weighty or valuable than dust in the old striped treasure-chest.
“Well, I’m blessed!” cried Allardyce, staring blankly into it. “Where does the weight come in, then?”
“Look at the thickness of the sides, and look at the lid. Why, it’s five inches through. And see that great metal spring across it.”
“That’s for holding the lid up,” said the mate. “You see, it won’t lean back. What’s that German printing on the inside?”
“It means that it was made by Johann Rothstein of Augsburg, in 1606.”
“And a solid bit of work, too. But it doesn’t throw much light on what has passed, does it, Captain Barclay? That candlestick looks like gold. We shall have something for our trouble after all.”
He leant forward to grasp it, and from that moment I have never doubted as to the reality of inspiration, for on the instant I caught him by the collar and pulled him straight again. It may have been some story of the Middle Ages which had come back to my mind, or it may have been that my eye had caught some red which was not that of rust109 upon the upper part of the lock, but to him and to me it will always seem an inspiration, so prompt and sudden was my action.
“There’s devilry here,” said I. “Give me the crooked110 stick from the corner.”
It was an ordinary walking-cane with a hooked top. I passed it over the candlestick and gave it a pull. With a flash a row of polished steel fangs111 shot out from below the upper lip, and the great striped chest snapped at us like a wild animal. Clang came the huge lid into its place, and the glasses on the swinging rack sang and tinkled112 with the shock. The mate sat down on the edge of the table and shivered like a frightened horse.
“You’ve saved my life, Captain Barclay!” said he.
So this was the secret of the striped treasure-chest of old Don Ramirez di Leyra, and this was how he preserved his ill-gotten gains from the Terra Firma and the Province of Veraquas. Be the thief ever so cunning he could not tell that golden candlestick from the other articles of value, and the instant that he laid hand upon it the terrible spring was unloosed and the murderous steel pikes were driven into his brain, while the shock of the blow sent the victim backward and enabled the chest to automatically close itself. How many, I wondered, had fallen victims to the ingenuity113 of the mechanic of Ausgburg? And as I thought of the possible history of that grim striped chest my resolution was very quickly taken.
“Carpenter, bring three men, and carry this on deck.”
“Going to throw it overboard, sir?”
“Yes, Mr. Allardyce. I’m not superstitious as a rule, but there are some things which are more than a sailor can be called upon to stand.”
“No wonder that brig made heavy weather, Captain Barclay, with such a thing on board. The glass is dropping fast, sir, and we are only just in time.”
So we did not even wait for the three sailors, but we carried it out, the mate, the carpenter, and I, and we pushed it with our own hands over the bulwarks. There was a white spout25 of water, and it was gone. There it lies, the striped chest, a thousand fathoms114 deep, and if, as they say, the sea will some day be dry land, I grieve for the man who finds that old box and tries to penetrate into its secret.
收听单词发音 |
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standing
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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shrouds
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| n.裹尸布( shroud的名词复数 )；寿衣；遮蔽物；覆盖物v.隐瞒( shroud的第三人称单数 )；保密 | |
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disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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swooping
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的现在分词 ) | |
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bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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gull
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| n.鸥；受骗的人；v.欺诈 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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smother
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| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
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scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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longitude
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| n.经线，经度 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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spout
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| v.喷出，涌出；滔滔不绝地讲；n.喷管；水柱 | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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31
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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fended
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| v.独立生活，照料自己( fend的过去式和过去分词 )；挡开，避开 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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34
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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35
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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36
Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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38
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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41
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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42
ginger
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| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
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ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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tampered
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| v.窜改( tamper的过去式 )；篡改；（用不正当手段）影响；瞎摆弄 | |
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47
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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bunks
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| n.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的名词复数 )；空话，废话v.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的第三人称单数 )；空话，废话 | |
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50
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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51
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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52
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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53
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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59
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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62
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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63
idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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67
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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68
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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thwarts
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| 阻挠( thwart的第三人称单数 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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71
tilt
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| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
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72
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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73
hatchet
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| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
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74
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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75
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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76
lockers
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| n.寄物柜( locker的名词复数 ) | |
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77
locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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78
cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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79
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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squatted
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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81
chisel
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| n.凿子；v.用凿子刻，雕，凿 | |
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82
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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83
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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84
screwdriver
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| n.螺丝起子；伏特加橙汁鸡尾酒 | |
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85
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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86
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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87
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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88
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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89
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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90
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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91
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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92
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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93
chronometer
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| n.精密的计时器 | |
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94
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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95
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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96
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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97
walnut
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| n.胡桃，胡桃木，胡桃色，茶色 | |
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98
barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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99
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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100
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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101
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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102
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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103
varnish
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| n.清漆；v.上清漆；粉饰 | |
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104
scrolls
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| n.（常用于录写正式文件的）纸卷( scroll的名词复数 )；卷轴；涡卷形（装饰）；卷形花纹v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕 | |
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105
craftsmen
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| n. 技工 | |
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106
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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107
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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108
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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109
rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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110
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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111
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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112
tinkled
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| （使）发出丁当声，（使）发铃铃声( tinkle的过去式和过去分词 )； 叮当响着发出，铃铃响着报出 | |
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113
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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114
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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