“THIS HOUSE IS, as I have said before, surrounded by a huge estate, and wild and uncultivated gardens.
“Away at the back, distant some three hundred yards, is a dark, deep ravine — spoken of as the ‘Pit,’ by the peasantry. At the bottom, runs a sluggish1 stream, so overhung by trees, as scarcely to be seen from above.
“In passing, I must explain that this river has a subterranean2 origin, emerging, suddenly, at the East end of the ravine, and disappearing, as abruptly3, beneath the cliffs that form its Western extremity4.
“It was some months after my vision (if vision it were) of the great Plain, that my attention was particularly attracted to the Pit.
“I happened, one day, to be walking along its Southern edge, when, suddenly, several pieces of rock and shale5 were dislodged from the face of the cliff, immediately beneath me, and fell, with a sullen6 crash, through the trees. I heard them splash in the river, at the bottom; and then silence. I should not have given this incident more than a passing thought, had not Pepper, at once, begun to bark, savagely7; nor would he be silent when I bade him, which is most unusual behaviour on his part.
“Feeling that there must be some one or something in the Pit, I went back to the house, quickly, for a stick. When I returned, Pepper had ceased his barks, and was growling8 and smelling, uneasily, along the top.
“Whistling to him, to follow me, I started to descend10, cautiously. The depth, to the bottom of the Pit, must be about a hundred and fifty feet, and some time, as well as considerable care, was expended11 before we reached the bottom in safety.
“Once down, Pepper and I started to explore along the banks of the river. It was very dark there, due to the overhanging trees, and I moved warily12, keeping my glance about me, and my stick ready.
“Pepper was quiet now, and kept close to me all the time. Thus, we searched right up one side of the river, without hearing or seeing anything. Then, we crossed over — by the simple method of jumping — and commenced to beat our way back through the under-brush.
“We had accomplished13, perhaps, half the distance, when I heard, again, the sound of falling stones on the other side — the side from which we had just come. One large rock came thundering down through the tree-tops, struck the opposite bank, and bounded into the river, driving a great jet of water right over us. At this, Pepper gave out a deep growl9; then stopped, and pricked14 up his ears. I listened, also.
“A second later, a loud, half-human, half-pig-like squeal15 sounded from among the trees, apparently16 about half-way up the South cliff. It was answered by a similar note from the bottom of the Pit. At this, Pepper gave a short, sharp bark, and, springing across the little river, disappeared into the bushes.
“Immediately afterwards, I heard his barks increase in depth and number, and, in between, there sounded a noise of confused jabbering17. This ceased, and, in the succeeding silence, there rose a semi-human yell of agony. Almost immediately, Pepper gave a long-drawn howl of pain, and then the shrubs18 were violently agitated19, and he came running out, with his tail down, and glancing, as he ran, over his shoulder. As he reached me, I saw that he was bleeding from what appeared to be a great claw wound in the side, that had almost laid bare his ribs20.
“Seeing Pepper thus mutilated, a furious feeling of anger seized me, and, whirling my staff, I sprang across, and into the bushes from which Pepper had emerged. As I forced my way through, I thought I heard a sound of breathing. Next instant, I had burst into a little clear space, just in time to see something, livid white in colour, disappear among the bushes on the opposite side. With a shout, I ran towards it; but, though I struck and probed among the bushes with my stick, I neither saw nor heard anything further; and so returned to Pepper. There, after bathing his wound in the river, I bound my wetted handkerchief round his body; having done which, we retreated up the ravine and into the daylight again.
“On reaching the house, my sister inquired what had happened to Pepper, and I told her he had been fighting with a wild cat, of which I had heard there were several about.
“I felt it would be better not to tell her how it had really happened; though, to be sure, I scarcely knew, myself; but this I did know, that the thing I had seen run into the bushes, was no wild cat. It was much too big, and had, so far as I had observed, a skin like a hog’s, only of a dead, unhealthy white colour. And then — it had run upright, or nearly so, upon its hind21 feet, with a motion somewhat resembling that of a human being. This much, I had noticed in my brief glimpse, and, truth to tell, I felt a good deal of uneasiness, besides curiosity as I turned the matter over in my mind.
“It was in the morning that the above incident had occurred.
“Then, it would be after dinner, as I sat reading, that, happening to look up suddenly, I saw something peering in over the window-ledge the eyes and ears alone showing.
“ ‘A pig, by Jove!’ I said, and rose to my feet. Thus, I saw the thing more completely; but it was no pig — God alone knows what it was. It reminded me, vaguely22, of the hideous23 Thing that had haunted the great arena24. It had a grotesquely25 human mouth and jaw26; but with no chin of which to speak. The nose was prolonged into a snout; this it was, that, with the little eyes and queer ears, gave it such an extraordinarily27 swine-like appearance. Of forehead there was little, and the whole face was of an unwholesome white colour.
“For, perhaps a minute, I stood looking at the thing, with an ever growing feeling of disgust, and some fear. The mouth kept jabbering, inanely28, and once emitted a half-swinish grunt29. I think it was the eyes that attracted me the most; they seemed to glow, at times, with a horribly human intelligence, and kept flickering30 away from my face, over the details of the room, as though my stare disturbed it.
“It appeared to be supporting itself, by two claw-like hands upon the window-sill. These claws, unlike the face, were of a clayey brown hue31, and bore an indistinct resemblance to human hands, in that they had four fingers and a thumb; though these were webbed up to the first joint32, much as are a duck’s. Nails it had also, but so long and powerful that they were more like the talons33 of an eagle than aught else.
“As I have said, before, I felt some fear; though almost of an impersonal34 kind. I may explain my feeling better by saying that it was more a sensation of abhorrence35; such as one might expect to feel, if brought in contact with something superhumanly foul36; something unholy — belonging to some hitherto undreamt of state of existence.
“I cannot say that I grasped these various details of the brute37, at the time. I think they seemed to come back to me, afterwards, as though imprinted38 upon my brain. I imagined more than I saw, as I looked at the thing, and the material details grew upon me later.
“For, perhaps a minute, I stared at the creature; then, as my nerves steadied a little, I shook off the vague alarm that held me, and took a step towards the window. Even as I did so, the thing ducked and vanished. I rushed to the door, and looked round, hurriedly; but only the tangled39 bushes and shrubs met my gaze.
“I ran back into the house, and, getting my gun, sallied out to search through the gardens. As I went, I asked myself whether the thing I had just seen, was likely to be the same of which I had caught a glimpse in the morning. I inclined to think it was.
“I would have taken Pepper with me; but judged it better to give his wound a chance to heal. Besides, if the creature I had just seen, was, as I imagined, his antagonist40 of the morning, it was not likely that he would be of much use.
“I began my search, systematically41. I was determined42, if it were possible, to find and put an end to that swine-thing. This was, at least, a material Horror!
“At first, I searched, cautiously; with the thought of Pepper’s wound in my mind; but, as the hours passed, and not a sign of anything living, showed in the great, lonely gardens, I became less apprehensive43. I felt almost as though I would welcome the sight of it. Anything seemed better than this silence, with the ever present feeling, that the creature might be lurking44 in every bush I passed. Later, I grew careless of danger, to the extent of plunging45 right through the bushes, probing with my gun-barrel as I went.
“At times, I shouted; but only the echoes answered back. I thought thus, perhaps to frighten or stir the creature to showing itself; but only succeeded in bringing my sister Mary out, to know what was the matter. I told her, that I had seen the wild cat that had wounded Pepper, and that I was trying to hunt it out of the bushes. She seemed only half satisfied, and went back into the house, with an expression of doubt upon her face. I wondered whether she had seen or guessed anything. For the rest of the afternoon, I prosecuted46 the search, anxiously. I felt that I should be unable to sleep, with that bestial47 thing haunting the shrubberies, and yet, when evening fell, I had seen nothing. Then, as I turned homewards, I heard a short, unintelligible48 noise, among the bushes to my right. Instantly, I turned, and, aiming quickly, fired in the direction of the sound. Immediately afterwards, I heard something scuttling49 away among the bushes. It moved rapidly, and, in a minute, had gone out of hearing. After a few steps, I ceased my pursuit, realising how futile50 it must be, in the fast gathering51 gloom; and so, with a curious feeling of depression, I entered the house.
“That night, after my sister had gone to bed, I went round to all the windows and doors on the ground floor; and saw to it, that they were securely fastened. This precaution was scarcely necessary as regards the windows, as all of those on the lower storey are strongly barred; but with the doors — of which there are five — it was wisely thought, as not one was locked.
“Having secured these, I went to my study; yet, somehow, for once, the place jarred upon me; it seemed so huge and echoey. For some time, I tried to read; but, at last, finding it impossible, I carried my book down to the kitchen, where a large fire was burning, and sat there.
“I dare say, I had read for a couple of hours, when, suddenly, I heard a sound that made me lower my book, and listen, intently. It was a noise of something rubbing and fumbling52 against the back door. Once the door creaked, loudly; as though force were being applied53 to it. During those few, short moments, I experienced an indescribable feeling of terror, such as I should have believed impossible. My hands shook; a cold sweat broke out on me, and I shivered, violently.
“Gradually, I calmed. The stealthy movements outside, had ceased.
“Then, for an hour, I sat, silent, and watchful54. All at once, the feeling of fear took me again. I felt as I imagine an animal must, under the eye of a snake. Yet, now, I could hear nothing. Still, there was no doubting that some unexplained influence was at work.
“Gradually, imperceptibly almost, something stole on my ear — a sound, that resolved itself into a faint murmur55. Quickly, it developed, and grew into a muffled56, but hideous, chorus of bestial shrieks57. It appeared to rise from the bowels58 of the earth.
“I heard a thud, and realised, in a dull, half comprehending way, that I had dropped my book. After that, I just sat; and thus the daylight found me, when it crept wanly59 in through the barred, high windows of the great kitchen.
“With the dawning light, the feeling of stupor60 and fear left me; and I came more into possession of my senses.
“Thereupon, I picked up my book, and crept to the door, to listen. Not a sound broke the chilly61 silence. For some minutes, I stood there; then, very gradually and cautiously, I drew back the bolt, and, opening the door, peeped out.
“My caution was unneeded. Nothing was to be seen, save the grey vista62 of dreary63, tangled bushes and trees, extending to the distant plantation64.
“With a shiver, I closed the door, and made my way, quietly, up to bed.
收听单词发音 |
1
sluggish
|
|
| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
subterranean
|
|
| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
shale
|
|
| n.页岩，泥板岩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
savagely
|
|
| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
growling
|
|
| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
growl
|
|
| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
expended
|
|
| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
warily
|
|
| adv.留心地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
squeal
|
|
| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
jabbering
|
|
| v.急切而含混不清地说( jabber的现在分词 )；急促兴奋地说话；结结巴巴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
shrubs
|
|
| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
ribs
|
|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
arena
|
|
| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
grotesquely
|
|
| adv. 奇异地,荒诞地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
jaw
|
|
| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
extraordinarily
|
|
| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
inanely
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
grunt
|
|
| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
flickering
|
|
| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
joint
|
|
| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
talons
|
|
| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
impersonal
|
|
| adj.无个人感情的，与个人无关的，非人称的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
abhorrence
|
|
| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
brute
|
|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
imprinted
|
|
| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
tangled
|
|
| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
antagonist
|
|
| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
systematically
|
|
| adv.有系统地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
apprehensive
|
|
| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
lurking
|
|
| 潜在 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
plunging
|
|
| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
prosecuted
|
|
| a.被起诉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
bestial
|
|
| adj.残忍的；野蛮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
unintelligible
|
|
| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
scuttling
|
|
| n.船底穿孔，打开通海阀（沉船用）v.使船沉没( scuttle的现在分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
futile
|
|
| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
fumbling
|
|
| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
watchful
|
|
| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
muffled
|
|
| 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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
shrieks
|
|
| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
bowels
|
|
| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
wanly
|
|
| adv.虚弱地；苍白地，无血色地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
stupor
|
|
| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
chilly
|
|
| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
plantation
|
|
| n.种植园，大农场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |