Had I a plantation1 of this Isle2, my lord —
* * *
I’ the Commonwealth3 I would by contraries
Execute all things; for no kind of traffic
Would I admit . . . riches, poverty
And use of service, none.
SHAKESPEARE
How quaint5 seems the demand for details of life on this Isle of Scent6 and Silence! Lolling in shade and quietude, was I guilty of indiscretion when I babbled7 of my serene8 affairs, and is the penalty so soon enforced? Can the record of such a narrow, compressed existence be anything but dull? Can one who is indifferent to the decrees of constituted society; who is aloof9 from popular prejudices; who cares not for the gaieties of the crowd or the vagaries10 of fashion; who does not dance or sing, or drink to toasts, or habitually11 make any loud noise, or play cards or billiards12, or attend garden parties; who has no political ambitions; who is not a painter, or a musician, or a man of science; whose palate is as averse14 from ardent15 spirits as from physic; who is denied the all-redeeming vice4 of teetotalism; who cannot smoke even a pipe of peace; who is a casual, a nonentity16 a scout17 on the van of civilisation18 dallying19 with the universal enemy, time — can such a one, so forlorn of popular attributes, so weak and watery20 in his tastes, have aught to recite harmonious21 to the, ear of the world?
Yet, since my life — and in the use, of the possessive pronoun here and elsewhere, let it signify also the life of my life-partner — is beyond the range of ordinary experience, since it is immune from the ferments22 which seethe23 and muddle24 the lives of the many, I am assured that a familiar record will not be deemed egotistical, I am scolded because I did not confess with greater zeal25, I am bidden to my pen again.
An attempt to fulfil the wishes of critics is confronted with risk. Cosy26 in my security, distance an adequate defence, why should I rush into the glare of perilous27 publicity28? Here is an unpolluted Isle, without history, without any sort of fame. There come to it ordinary folk of sober understanding and well-disciplined ideas and tastes, who pass their lives without disturbing primeval silences or insulting the free air with the flapping of any ostentatious flag. Their doings are not romantic, or comic, or tragic29, or heroic; they have no formula for the solution of social problems, no sour vexations to be sweetened, no grievance30 against society, no pet creed31 to dandle. What is to be said of the doings of such prosaic32 folk — folk who have merely set themselves free from restraint that they might follow their own fancies without hurry and without hindrance34?
Moreover, if anything be more tedious than a twice-told tale, is it not the repetition of one half told? Since a demand is made for more complete details than were given in my “Confessions,” either I must recapitulate35, or, smiling, put the question by. It is simplicity36 itself to smile, and can there be anything more gracious or becoming? Who would not rather do so than attempt with perplexed37 brow a delicate, if not difficult, duty?
I propose, therefore, to hastily fill in a few blanks in my previous sketch38 of our island career and to pass on to features of novelty and interest — vignettes of certain natural and unobtrusive features of the locality, first-hand and artless.
This, then, is for candour. Studiously I had evaded39 whensoever possible the intrusion of self, for do not I rank myself among the nonentities40 — men whose lives matter nothing, whose deaths none need deplore41. How great my bewilderment to find that my efforts at concealment42 — to make myself even more remote than my Island — had had by impish perversity43 a contrary effect! On no consideration shall I part with all my secrets. Bereave44 me of my illusions and I am bereft45, for they are “the stardust I have clutched.”
One confessedly envious47 critic did chide48 because of the calculated non-presentation of a picture of our humble49 bungalow50. So small a pleasure it would be sinful to deny. He shall have it, and also a picture of the one-roomed cedar51 hut in which we lived prior to the building of the house of comfort.
Who could dignify52 with gilding53 our utterly54 respectable, our limp history? There is no margin55 to it for erudite annotations56. Unromantic, unsensational, yet was the actual beginning emphasis by the thud of a bullet. To that noisy start of our quiet life I meander58 to ensure chronological59 exactitude.
In September of the year 1896 with a small par13 of friends we camped on the beach of this Island — the most fascinating, the most desirable on the coast of North Queensland.
Having for several years contemplated60 a life of seclusion62 in the bush, and having sampled several attractive and more or less suitable scenes, we were not long in concluding that here was the ideal spot. From that moment it was ours. In comparison the sweetest of previous fancies became vapid63. Legal rights to a certain undefined area having been acquired in the meantime, permanent settlement began on September 28, 1897.
For a couple of weeks thereafter we lived in tents, while with clumsy haste — for experience had to, be acquired — we set about the building of a hut of cedar, the parts of which were brought from civilisation ready for assembling. Houses, however, stately or humble, in North Queensland, are sacrificial to what are known popularly as “white ants” unless special means are taken for their exclusion64. Wooden buildings rest on piles sunk in the ground, on the top of which is an excluder of galvanised iron in shape resembling a milk dish inverted65. It is also wise to take the additional precaution of saturating66 each pile with an arsenical solution. Being quite unfamiliar67 with the art of hut-building, and in a frail68 physical state, I found the work perplexing and most laborious69, simple and light as it all was. Trees had to be felled and sawn into proper lengths for piles, and holes sunk, and the piles adjusted to a uniform level. With blistered70 and bleeding hands, aching muscles, and stiff joints71 I persevered72.
While we toiled73 our fare, simplicity itself, was eaten with becoming lack of style in the shade of a bloodwood-tree, the tents being reserved for sleeping. When the blacks could be spared, fish was easily obtainable, and we also drew upon the scrub fowl75 and pigeon occasionally, for the vaunting proclamation for the preservation76 of all birds had not been made. Tinned meat and bread and jam formed the most frequent meals, for there were hosts of simple, predestined things which had to be painfully learned. But there was no repining. Two months’ provisions had been brought; the steamer called weekly, so that we did not contemplate61 famine, though thriftiness78 was imperative80. Nor did we anticipate making any remarkable81 addition to our income, for the labour of my own hands, however eager and elated my spirits, was, I am forced to deplore, of little advantage. I could be very busy about nothing, and there were blacks to feed, therefore did we hasten to prepare a small area of forest land, and a still smaller patch of jungle for the cultivation82 of maize83, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Fruit, being a passion and a hobby, was given special encouragement and has been in the ascendant ever since, to the detriment84 of other branches of cultural enterprise.
I have said that our Island career began with an explosion. To that starting-point must I return if the narration85 of the tribulations86 our youthful inexperience suffered is to be orderly and exact.
While we camped, holiday-making, the year prior to formal and rightful occupancy, in a spasm87 of enthusiasm, which still endures, I selected the actual site for a modest castle then and there built in the accommodating air. It was something to have so palpable and rare a base for the fanciful fabric88. All in a moment, disdaining89 formality, and to the, accompaniment of the polite jeers90 of two long-suffering friends, I proclaimed “Here shall I live! On this spot shall stand the probationary91 palace!” and so saying fired my rifle at a tree a few yard’s off. But the stolid92 tree — a bloodwood, all bone, toughened by death, a few ruby93 crystals in sparse94 antra all that remained significant of past life — afforded but meagre hospitality to the, soft lead.
“Ah!” exclaimed one of my chums, “the old tree foreswears him! The Island refuses him!”
But the homely95 back gate swings over the charred96 stump97 of the boorish98 tree burnt flush with the ground. Twelve months and a fortnight after the firing of the shot which did not echo round the world, but was merely a local defiant99 and emphatic100 promulgation101 of authority, a fire was set to the base of the tree, for our tents had been pitched perilously102 close. Space was wanted, and moreover its bony, imprecating arms, long since bereft of beckoning103 fingers, menaced our safety. I said it must fall to the north-east, for the ponderous104 inclination105 is in that direction, and therein forestalled106 my experience and delivered the whole camp as hostages into the hands of fortune.
In apparent defiance107 of the laws of gravity the tree fell in the middle of the night with an earth-shaking crash to the south-east. There was no apparent reason why it did not fall on our sleeping-tent and in one act put an inglorious end to long-cogitated plans. Because some gracious impulse gave the listless old tree a certain benign108 tilt109, and because sundry110 other happenings consequent upon a misunderstanding of the laws of nature took exceptional though quite wayward turnings, I am still able to hold a pen in the attempt to accomplish the task imposed by imperious strangers.
And while on the subject of the clemency111 of trees, I am fain to dispose of another adventure, since it, too, illustrates112 the brief interval113 between the sunny this and the gloomy that. Fencing was in progress — a fence designed to keep goats within bounds. Of course, the idea was preposterous114. One cannot by mere33 fencing exclude goats. The proof is here. To provide posts for the vain project trees were felled, the butts115 of which were reduced to due dimensions by splitting. A dead tree stood on a slope, and with the little crosscut we attacked its base, cutting a little more than half-way through. When a complementary cut had been made on the other side, the tree, with a creak or two and a sign which ended in “swoush,” fell, and as it did so I stepped forward, remarking to the taciturn black boy, “Clear cut, Paddy!” The words were on my lips when a “waddy,” torn from the vindictive116 tree and flung, high and straight into the inoffensive sky, descended117 flat on the red stump with a gunlike report. The swish of the waddy down-tilted the frayed118 brim of my cherished hat!
The primary bullet is not yet done with, for when the tree which had reluctantly housed it for a year was submitted to the fires of destruction among the charcoal119 a blob of bright lead confirmed my scarcely credited story that the year before the datum120 for our castle, then aerial and now substantial, had been established in ponderous metal.
What justification121 existed for the defacement of the virginal scene by an unlovely dwelling122 — the, imposition of a scar on the unspotted landscape? None, save that the arrogant123 intruder needed shelter, and that he was neither a Diogenes to be content in a tub nor a Thoreau to find in boards an endurable temporary substitute for blankets.
It was resolved that the shelter should by way of compensation be unobtrusive, hidden in a wilderness124 of leaves. The sacrifice of those trees unhaply in prior occupation of the site selected would be atoned125 for by the creation of a modest garden of pleasant-hued shrubs126 and fruit-trees and lines and groves127 of coconut-palms. My conscience at least has been, or rather is being, appeased128 for the primary violation129 of the scene, for trees perhaps, more beautiful, certainly more useful, stand for those destroyed. The Isle suffers no gross disfigurement. Except for a wayward garden and the most wilful130 plantation of tropical fruit-trees, no change has been wrought131 for which the genius of the Isle need demand satisfaction.
Though of scented132 cedar the hut was ceilingless. Resonant133 corrugated134 iron and boards an inch thick intervened between us and the noisy tramplings of the rain and heat of the sun. The only room accommodated some primitive135 furniture, a bed being the denominating as well as the essential feature. A little shambling structure of rough slabs136 and iron walls contrived138 a double debt to pay — kitchen and dining-room.
From the doorsteps of the hut we landed on mother earth, for the verandas140 were not floored. Everything was as homely and simple and inexpensive as thought and thrift79 might contrive137. Our desire to live in the open air became almost compulsory141, for though you fly from civilisation and its thralls142 you cannot escape the social instincts of life. The hut became the focus of life other than human. The scant143 hut-roof sheltered more than ourselves.
On the narrow table, under cover of stray articles and papers, grey bead-eyed geckoes craftily144 stalked moths145 and beetles146 and other fanatic147 worshippers of flame as they hastened to sacrifice themselves to the lamp. In the walls wasps148 built terra-cotta warehouses149 in which to store the semi-animate carcasses of spiders and grubs; a solitary150 bee constructed nondescript comb among the books, transforming a favourite copy of “Lorna Doone” into a solid block. Bats, sharp-toothed, and with pin-point eyes, swooped151 in at one door, quartered the roof with brisk eagerness, and departed by the other.
Finding ample food and safe housing, bats soon became permanent lodgers152. For a time it was novel and not unpleasant to be conscious in the night of their waftings, for they were actual checks upon the mosquitoes which came to gorge153 themselves on our unsalted blood. But they increased so rapidly that their presence became intolerable. The daring pioneer which had happened during its nocturnal expeditions to discover the very paradise for the species proclaimed the glad tidings, and relatives, companions, and friends flocked hither, placing themselves under our protection with contented154 cheepings. Though the room became mosquitoless, serious objections to the scavengers developed. Before a writ155 of ejection could be enforced, however, a sensational57 cause for summary proceedings156 arose.
In the dimness of early morning when errant bats flitted home to cling to the ridge-pole, squeaking157 and fussy158 flutterings denoted unwonted disturbance159. Daylight revealed a half concealed160, sleeping snake, which seemed to be afflicted161 with twin tumours162. A long stick dislodged the intruder, which scarce had reached the floor ere it died violent death. Even the snake spectre did no seriously affright the remaining bats, though it confirmed the sentence of their immediate163 banishment164. In the eye of the bats the sanctuary165 of the roof with an odd snake or two was preferable to inclement166 hollow branches open to the raids of undisciplined snakes. Definite sanitary167 reasons, supplemented by the fact that where bats are there will the snakes be gathered together, and a pious168 repugnance169 to snakes as lodgers, made the casting out of the bats a joyful170 duty.
So we lived, more out of the hut than in it, from October, 1897, until Christmas Day, 1903. We find the bungalow, though it, too, has no ceiling, much more to our convenience, for the hut has become crowded. It could no longer contain our content and the portable property which became caught in its vortex.
In the designing of the bungalow two essentials were supreme171, cost and comfort — minimum of cost, maximum of comfort. Aught else was as nothing. There was no alignment172 to obey, no rigid173 rules and regulations as to style and material. The surroundings being our own, we had compassion174 on them, neither offering them insult with pretentious175 prettiness nor domineering over them with vain assumption and display. Low walls, unaspiring roof, and sheltering veranda139, so contrived as to create, not tickling176, fidgety draughts177 but smooth currents, “so full as seem asleep,” to flush each room so sweetly and softly that no perceptible difference between the air under the roof and of the forest is at any time perceptible.
Since the kitchen (as necessary here as elsewhere) is not only of my own design but nearly every part of the construction absolutely the work of my unaided, inexperienced hands, I shall describe it in detail — not because it presents features provocative178 of pride, but because the ideas it embodies179 may be worth the consideration of others similarly situated180 who want a substantial, smokeless, dry, convenient appurtenance to their dwelling. Two contrary conditions had to be considered — the hostility181 of white ants to buildings of wood, and the necessity for raising the floor but slightly above the level of the ground.
A bloodwood-tree, tall, straight, and slim, was felled. It provided three logs — two each 15 feet long and one 13 feet. From another tree another 13-foot log was sawn. All the sapwood was adzed off; the ends were “checked” so that they would interlock. Far too weighty to lift, the logs were toilfully transported inch by inch on rollers with a crowbar as a lever. Duly packed up with stones and levelled, they formed the foundations, but prior to setting them a bed of home-made asphalt (boiling tar46 and seashore sand) was spread on the ground where they were destined77 to lie. Having adjusted each in its due position, I adzed the upper faces and cut a series of mortices for the studs, which were obtained in the bush — mere thin, straight, dry trees which had succumbed182 to bush fires. Each was roughly squared with the adze and planed and tenoned.
Good fortune presented, greatly to the easement of labour, two splendid pieces of driftwood for posts for one of the doors. To the sea also I was indebted for long pieces to serve as wall plates, one being the jibboom of what must have been a sturdily-built boat, while the broken mast of a cutter fitted in splendidly as a ridge-pole. For the walls I visited an old bean-tree log in the jungle, cut off blocks in suitable lengths, and split them with maul and wedges into rough slabs, roughly adzed away superfluous183 thickness, and carried them one by one to the brink184 of the canyon185, down which I cast them. Then each had to be carried up the steep side and on to the site, the distance from the log in the jungle being about three hundred yards.
Within the skeleton of the building I improvised186 a rough bench, upon which the slabs were dressed with the plane and the edges bevelled so that each would fit on the other to the exclusion of the rain. Upon the uprights I nailed inch slats perpendicularly187, against which the slabs were placed, each being held in place temporarily until the panel was complete, when other slats retained them. The rafters were manipulated of odd sorts of timber and the roof of second-used corrugated iron, the previous nail holes being stopped with solder189. A roomy recess190 with a beaten clay floor was provided for the cooking stove. Each of the two doors was made in horizontal halves, with a hinged fanlight over the lintel, and the window spaces filled with wooden shutters191, hinged from the top. The floor (an important feature) is of asphalt on a foundation of earth and charcoal solidly compressed. But before carting in the material boards were placed temporarily edgeways alongside the bedlogs round the interior. Then when the earthen foundation was complete the boards were removed, leaving a space of about an inch, which was filled with asphalt, well rammed192, consistently with the whole of the floor space.
All this laborious work — performed conscientiously193 to the best of my ability — occupied a long time, and from it originated much backache and general fatigue194, and at the end I found that I had been so absorbed in the permanence rather than the appearance of the dwelling that one of the corner posts was out of the perpendicular188 and that consequently the building stood awry195. Grace of style it cannot claim; but neither “white ants” nor weather trouble it.
And to what sweet uses has adversity made us familiar! When I bought a boat to bring hither I knew not the distinguishing term of a single halyard, save the “topping lift,” and even that scant knowledge was idle, for I was blankly ignorant of the place and purpose of the oddly-named rope. Necessity drove me to the acquirement of boat sense, and now I manage my home-built “flattie”— mean substitute for the neat yacht which necessity compelled me to part with — very courageously196 in ordinary weather; and I am content to stay at home when Neptune197 is frothy at the lips.
A preponderant part of the furniture of our abode198 is the work of my own unskilled hands — tables, chairs, bookshelves, cupboards, &c. There is much pleasure and there are also, many aches and pains in the designing and fashioning serviceable chairs from odd kinds of bush timber.
In the making of a chair, as in the building of a boat by one who has had no training in any branch of carpentry, there is scope for the personal element. Though the parts have been cut and trimmed with minute care and all possible precision, each, according to requirements, being the duplicate of the other, when they come to be assembled obstructive obstinacy199 prevails. One of the most fiendish things the art of man contrives200 is a chair out of the routine design made by a rule-of-thumb carpenter. Grotesque201 in its deformities, you must needs pity your own mishandling of the obstinate202 wood. Have you courage to smile at the misshapen handiwork, or do you cowardly, discard the deformity you have created? How it grunts203 and groans204 as pressure is applied205 to its stubborn bent206 limbs! Curvature of the spine207 is the least of its ills. It limps and creaks when fixed208 tentatively for trial. Tender-footed, it stands awry, heaving one leg aloft — as crooked209 and as perverse210 as Caliban. In good time, botching here, violent constraint211 there, the chair finds itself or is forced so to do, for he is a weak man who is not stronger than his own chair. So, after many days’ intense toil74 — toil which even troubled the night watches, for have I not lain awake with thoughts automatically concentrated on a seemingly impossible problem, plotting by what illicit212 and awful torture it might be possible for the tough and stubborn parts to be brought into juxtaposition213 — there is a chair — a solid, sitable chair, which neither squeaks214, nor shuffles215, nor shivers. May be you are ashamed at the quantity of mind the dull article of furniture has absorbed; but there are other reflections — homely as well as philosophic216.
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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babbled
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| v.喋喋不休( babble的过去式和过去分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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vagaries
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| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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nonentity
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| n.无足轻重的人 | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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dallying
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| v.随随便便地对待( dally的现在分词 )；不很认真地考虑；浪费时间；调情 | |
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watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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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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ferments
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| n.酵素( ferment的名词复数 )；激动；骚动；动荡v.（使）发酵( ferment的第三人称单数 )；（使）激动；骚动；骚扰 | |
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seethe
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| vi.拥挤，云集；发怒，激动，骚动 | |
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muddle
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| n.困惑，混浊状态；vt.使混乱，使糊涂，使惊呆；vi.胡乱应付，混乱 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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grievance
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creed
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| n.信条；信念，纲领 | |
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prosaic
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| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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hindrance
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| n.妨碍，障碍 | |
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recapitulate
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| v.节述要旨，择要说明 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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nonentities
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| n.无足轻重的人( nonentity的名词复数 )；蝼蚁 | |
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deplore
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| vt.哀叹，对...深感遗憾 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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bereave
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| v.使痛失(亲人等)，剥夺，使丧失 | |
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bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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46
tar
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| n.柏油，焦油；vt.涂或浇柏油/焦油于 | |
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47
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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48
chide
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| v.叱责；谴责 | |
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49
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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50
bungalow
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| n.平房，周围有阳台的木造小平房 | |
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51
cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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52
dignify
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| vt.使有尊严；使崇高；给增光 | |
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53
gilding
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| n.贴金箔，镀金 | |
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54
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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55
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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56
annotations
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| n.注释( annotation的名词复数 )；附注 | |
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57
sensational
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| adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的 | |
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58
meander
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| n.河流的曲折，漫步，迂回旅行；v.缓慢而弯曲地流动，漫谈 | |
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59
chronological
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| adj.按年月顺序排列的，年代学的 | |
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60
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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61
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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62
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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63
vapid
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| adj.无味的；无生气的 | |
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64
exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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65
inverted
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| adj.反向的，倒转的v.使倒置，使反转( invert的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
saturating
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| 浸湿，浸透( saturate的现在分词 )； 使…大量吸收或充满某物 | |
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67
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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68
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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69
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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70
blistered
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|
| adj.水疮状的，泡状的v.（使）起水泡( blister的过去式和过去分词 )；（使表皮等）涨破，爆裂 | |
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71
joints
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|
| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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72
persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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74
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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75
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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76
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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77
destined
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|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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78
thriftiness
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| 节俭，节约 | |
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79
thrift
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|
| adj.节约，节俭；n.节俭，节约 | |
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80
imperative
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|
| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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81
remarkable
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|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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82
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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83
maize
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| n.玉米 | |
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84
detriment
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| n.损害；损害物，造成损害的根源 | |
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85
narration
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| n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体 | |
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86
tribulations
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| n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 )；艰难；苦难的缘由；痛苦 | |
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87
spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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88
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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89
disdaining
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|
| 鄙视( disdain的现在分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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90
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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91
probationary
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| 试用的，缓刑的 | |
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92
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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93
ruby
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| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
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94
sparse
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| adj.稀疏的，稀稀落落的，薄的 | |
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95
homely
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|
| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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96
charred
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|
| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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97
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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98
boorish
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|
| adj.粗野的，乡巴佬的 | |
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99
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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100
emphatic
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|
| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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101
promulgation
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| n.颁布 | |
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102
perilously
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| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
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103
beckoning
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|
| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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104
ponderous
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|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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105
inclination
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|
| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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106
forestalled
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|
| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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107
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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108
benign
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|
| adj.善良的，慈祥的；良性的，无危险的 | |
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109
tilt
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| v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜 | |
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110
sundry
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|
| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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111
clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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112
illustrates
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| 给…加插图( illustrate的第三人称单数 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明 | |
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113
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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114
preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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115
butts
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| 笑柄( butt的名词复数 )； （武器或工具的）粗大的一端； 屁股； 烟蒂 | |
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116
vindictive
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|
| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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117
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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118
frayed
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|
| adj.磨损的v.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
charcoal
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| n.炭，木炭，生物炭 | |
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120
datum
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| n.资料；数据；已知数 | |
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121
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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122
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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123
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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124
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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125
atoned
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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126
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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127
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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128
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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129
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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130
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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131
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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132
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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133
resonant
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| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
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134
corrugated
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|
| adj.波纹的；缩成皱纹的；波纹面的；波纹状的v.（使某物）起皱褶(corrugate的过去式和过去分词) | |
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135
primitive
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|
| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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136
slabs
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| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
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137
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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138
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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139
veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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140
verandas
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| 阳台，走廊( veranda的名词复数 ) | |
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141
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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142
thralls
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| n.奴隶( thrall的名词复数 )；奴役；奴隶制；奴隶般受支配的人 | |
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143
scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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144
craftily
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| 狡猾地，狡诈地 | |
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145
moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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146
beetles
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| n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 ) | |
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147
fanatic
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| n.狂热者，入迷者；adj.狂热入迷的 | |
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148
wasps
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| 黄蜂( wasp的名词复数 )； 胡蜂； 易动怒的人； 刻毒的人 | |
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149
warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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150
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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151
swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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152
lodgers
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| n.房客，租住者( lodger的名词复数 ) | |
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153
gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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154
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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155
writ
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| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
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156
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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157
squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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158
fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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159
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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160
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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161
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
tumours
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| 肿瘤( tumour的名词复数 ) | |
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163
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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164
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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165
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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166
inclement
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| adj.严酷的，严厉的，恶劣的 | |
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167
sanitary
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| adj.卫生方面的，卫生的，清洁的，卫生的 | |
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168
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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169
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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170
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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171
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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172
alignment
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| n.队列；结盟，联合 | |
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173
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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174
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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175
pretentious
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| adj.自命不凡的，自负的，炫耀的 | |
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176
tickling
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| 反馈，回授，自旋挠痒法 | |
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177
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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178
provocative
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| adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的 | |
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179
embodies
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| v.表现( embody的第三人称单数 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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180
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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181
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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182
succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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183
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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184
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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185
canyon
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| n.峡谷，溪谷 | |
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186
improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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187
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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188
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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189
solder
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| v.焊接，焊在一起；n.焊料，焊锡 | |
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190
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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191
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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192
rammed
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| v.夯实（土等）( ram的过去式和过去分词 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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193
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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194
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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195
awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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196
courageously
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| ad.勇敢地，无畏地 | |
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197
Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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198
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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199
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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200
contrives
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的第三人称单数 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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201
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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202
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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203
grunts
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈 | |
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204
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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205
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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206
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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207
spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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208
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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209
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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210
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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211
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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212
illicit
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| adj.非法的，禁止的，不正当的 | |
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213
juxtaposition
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| n.毗邻，并置，并列 | |
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214
squeaks
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| n.短促的尖叫声，吱吱声( squeak的名词复数 )v.短促地尖叫( squeak的第三人称单数 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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215
shuffles
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| n.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的名词复数 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的第三人称单数 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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216
philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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