“IT WAS NOW about three a.m., and, presently, the Eastern sky began to pale with the coming of dawn. Gradually, the day came, and, by its light, I scanned the gardens, earnestly; but nowhere could I see any signs of the brutes1. I leant over, and glanced down to the foot of the wall, to see whether the body of the Thing I had shot the night before was still there. It was gone. I supposed that others of the monsters had removed it during the night.
“Then, I went down on to the roof, and crossed over to the gap from which the coping stone had fallen. Reaching it, I looked over. Yes, there was the stone, as I had seen it last; but there was no appearance of anything beneath it; nor could I see the creatures I had killed, after its fall. Evidently, they also had been taken away. I turned, and went down to my study. There, I sat down, wearily. I was thoroughly2 tired. It was quite light now; though the sun’s rays were not, as yet, perceptibly hot. A clock chimed the hour of four.
“I awoke, with a start, and looked round, hurriedly. The clock in the corner, indicated that it was three o’clock. It was already afternoon. I must have slept for nearly eleven hours.
“With a jerky movement, I sat forward in the chair, and listened. The house was perfectly3 silent. Slowly, I stood up, and yawned. I felt desperately4 tired, still, and sat down again; wondering what it was that had waked me.
“It must have been the clock striking, I concluded, presently; and was commencing to doze5 off, when a sudden noise brought me back, once more, to life. It was the sound of a step, as of a person moving cautiously down the corridor, towards my study. In an instant, I was on my feet, and grasping my rifle. Noiselessly, I waited. Had the creatures broken in, whilst I slept? Even as I questioned, the steps reached my door, halted momentarily, and then continued down the passage. Silently, I tiptoed to the doorway6, and peeped out. Then, I experienced such a feeling of relief, as must a reprieved7 criminal — it was my sister. She was going towards the stairs.
“I stepped into the hall, and was about to call to her, when it occurred to me, that it was very queer she should have crept past my door, in that stealthy manner. I was puzzled, and, for one brief moment, the thought occupied my mind, that it was not she, but some fresh mystery of the house. Then, as I caught a glimpse of her old petticoat, the thought passed as quickly as it had come, and I half laughed. There could be no mistaking that ancient garment. Yet, I wondered what she was doing; and, remembering her condition of mind, on the previous day, I felt that it might be best to follow, quietly — taking care not to alarm her — and see what she was going to do. If she behaved rationally, well and good; if not, I should have to take steps to restrain her. I could run no unnecessary risks, under the danger that threatened us.
“Quickly, I reached the head of the stairs, and paused a moment. Then, I heard a sound that sent me leaping down, at a mad rate — it was the rattle8 of bolts being unshot. That foolish sister of mine was actually unbarring the back door.
“Just as her hand was on the last bolt, I reached her. She had not seen me, and, the first thing she knew, I had hold of her arm. She glanced up quickly, like a frightened animal, and screamed aloud.
“ ‘Come, Mary!’ I said, sternly, ‘what’s the meaning of this nonsense? Do you mean to tell me you don’t understand the danger, that you try to throw our two lives away in this fashion!’
“To this, she replied nothing; only trembled, violently, gasping9 and sobbing10, as though in the last extremity11 of fear.
“Through some minutes, I reasoned with her; pointing out the need for caution, and asking her to be brave. There was little to be afraid of now, I explained — and, I tried to believe that I spoke12 the truth — but she must be sensible, and not attempt to leave the house for a few days.
“At last, I ceased, in despair. It was no use talking to her; she was, obviously, not quite herself for the time being. Finally, I told her she had better go to her room, if she could not behave rationally.
“Still, she took not any notice. So, without more ado, I picked her up in my arms, and carried her there. At first, she screamed, wildly; but had relapsed into silent trembling, by the time I reached the stairs.
“Arriving at her room, I laid her upon the bed. She lay there quietly enough, neither speaking nor sobbing — just shaking in a very ague of fear. I took a rug from a chair near by, and spread it over her. I could do nothing more for her, and so, crossed to where Pepper lay in a big basket. My sister had taken charge of him since his wound, to nurse him, for it had proved more severe than I had thought, and I was pleased to note that, in spite of her state of mind, she had looked after the old dog, carefully. Stooping, I spoke to him, and, in reply, he licked my hand, feebly. He was too ill to do more.
“Then, going to the bed, I bent13 over my sister, and asked her how she felt; but she only shook the more, and, much as it pained me, I had to admit that my presence seemed to make her worse.
“And so, I left her — locking the door, and pocketing the key. It seemed to he the only course to take.
“The rest of the day, I spent between the tower and my study. For food, I brought up a loaf from the pantry, and on this, and some claret, I lived for that day.
“What a long, weary day it was. If only I could have gone out into the gardens, as is my wont14, I should have been content enough; but to be cooped in this silent house, with no companion, save a mad woman and a sick dog, was enough to prey15 upon the nerves of the hardiest16. And out in the tangled17 shrubberies that surrounded the house, lurked18 — for all I could tell — those infernal Swine-creatures waiting their chance. Was ever a man in such straits?
“Once, in the afternoon, and again, later, I went to visit my sister. The second time, I found her tending Pepper; but, at my approach, she slid over, unobtrusively, to the far corner, with a gesture that saddened me beyond belief. Poor girl! her fear cut me intolerably, and I would not intrude19 on her, unnecessarily. She would be better, I trusted, in a few days; meanwhile, I could do nothing; and I judged it still needful — hard as it seemed — to keep her confined to her room. One thing there was that I took for encouragement: she had eaten some of the food I had taken to her, on my first visit.
“And so the day passed.
“As the evening drew on, the air grew chilly20, and I began to make preparations for passing a second night in the tower — taking up two additional rifles, and a heavy ulster. The rifles I loaded, and laid alongside my other; as I intended to make things warm for any of the creatures who might show, during the night. I had plenty of ammunition21, and I thought to give the brutes such a lesson, as should show them the uselessness of attempting to force an entrance.
“After that, I made the round of the house again; paying particular attention to the props22 that supported the study door. Then, feeling that I had done all that lay in my power to insure our safety, I returned to the tower; calling in on my sister and Pepper, for a final visit, on the way. Pepper was asleep; but woke, as I entered, and wagged his tail, in recognition. I thought he seemed slightly better. My sister was lying on the bed; though whether asleep or not, I was unable to tell; and thus I left them.
“Reaching the tower, I made myself as comfortable as circumstances would permit, and settled down to watch through the night. Gradually, darkness fell, and soon the details of the gardens were merged23 into shadows. During the first few hours, I sat, alert, listening for any sound that might help to tell me if anything were stirring down below. It was far too dark for my eyes to be of much use.
“Slowly, the hours passed; without anything unusual happening. And the moon rose, showing the gardens, apparently24 empty, and silent. And so, through the night, without disturbance25 or sound.
“Towards morning, I began to grow stiff and cold, with my long vigil; also, I was getting very uneasy, concerning the continued quietness on the part of the creatures. I mistrusted it, and would sooner, far, have had them attack the house, openly. Then, at least, I should have known my danger, and been able to meet it; but to wait like this, through a whole night, picturing all kinds of unknown devilment, was to jeopardise one’s sanity26. Once or twice, the thought came to me, that, perhaps, they had gone; but, in my heart, I found it impossible to believe that it was so.
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1
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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2
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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doze
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| v.打瞌睡；n.打盹，假寐 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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reprieved
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| v.缓期执行（死刑）( reprieve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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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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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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hardiest
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| 能吃苦耐劳的，坚强的( hardy的最高级 )； （植物等）耐寒的 | |
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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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lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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props
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| 小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋 | |
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merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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24
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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sanity
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| n.心智健全，神智正常，判断正确 | |
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