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首页 » 儿童英文小说 » Adrift in New York » CHAPTER XX. A MIDNIGHT RIDE.
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CHAPTER XX. A MIDNIGHT RIDE.
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 Curtis Waring had entrapped1 Dodger2 for a double purpose.
 
It was not merely that he thought it possible the boy had the will, or knew where it was. He had begun to think of the boy’s presence in New York as dangerous to his plans.
 
John Linden might at any time learn that the son, for whose appearance he had grieved so bitterly, was still living in the person of this street boy. Then there would be an end of his hopes of inheriting the estate.
 
Only a few months more and the danger would be over, for he felt convinced that his uncle’s tenure3 of life would be brief. The one essential thing, then, seemed to be to get Dodger out of the city.
 
The first step had already been taken; what the next was will soon appear.
 
Scarcely had Dodger failed in his attempt to obtain outside assistance when an unaccountable drowsiness4 overcame him, considerably5 to his surprise.
 
“I don’t know what’s come to me,” he said to himself. “It can’t be more than seven or eight o’clock, and yet I feel so sleepy I can hardly keep my eyes open. I haven’t worked any harder than usual to-day, and I can’t understand it.”
 
Dodger had reason to be surprised, for he didn’t usually retire till eleven o’clock.
 
In a city like New York, where many of the streets are tolerably well filled even at midnight, people get in the way of sitting up much later than in the country, and Dodger was no exception to this rule.
 
Yet here he was ready to drop off to sleep before eight o’clock. To him it was a mystery, for he did not know that the cup of tea which he had drunk at supper had been drugged by direction of Curtis Waring, with an ulterior purpose, which will soon appear.
 
“I may as well lie down, as there is nothing else to do,” thought Dodger. “There isn’t much fun sitting in the dark. If I can sleep, so much the better.”
 
Five minutes had scarcely passed after his head struck the pillow, when our hero was fast asleep.
 
At eleven o’clock a hack6 stopped in front of the house, and Curtis Waring descended7 from it.
 
“Stay here,” he said to the driver. “There will be another passenger. If you are detained I will make it right when I come to pay you.”
 
“All right, sir,” said the hackman. “I don’t care how long it is if I am paid for my time.”
 
Curtis opened the door with a pass-key, and found Julius dozing8 in a chair in the hall.
 
“Wake up, you sleepy-head,” he said. “Has anything happened since I left here?”
 
“Yes, sir; the boy tried to get away.”
 
“Did he? I don’t see how he could do that. You kept the door bolted, didn’t you?”
 
“Yes, sir; but he throwed a piece of paper out’n de window, sayin’ he was kep’ a prisoner here. A young man picked it up, and came to de house to ax about it.”
 
Curtis looked alarmed.
 
“What did you say?” he inquired, apprehensively9.
 
“Told him de boy was crazy as a loon—dat he tried to kill his mother las’ week, and had a carvin’-knife hid in his room.”
 
“Good, Julius! I didn’t give you credit for such a fertile imagination.
 
“What’s dat, massa?” asked Julius, looking puzzled.
 
“I didn’t know you were such a skillful liar10.”
 
“Yah! yah!” laughed Julius, quite comprehending this compliment. “I reckon I can twis’ de trufe pretty well, Massa Curtis!”
 
“You have done well, Julius,” said Curtis, approvingly. “Here’s a dollar!”
 
The negro was quite effusive11 in his gratitude12.
 
“What did the young man say?”
 
“He looked scared. I tol’ him he could go up and see de boy if he wasn’t afeared of the carvin’-knife, but he said he guessed he wouldn’t—he didn’t like crazy folks.”
 
Curtis laughed heartily13.
 
“So it all ended as it should. Did the boy make any more trouble?”
 
“Yes; he pounded and kicked till I had to go up and see what was the matter. I didn’t give him no satisfaction, and I guess he went to bed.”
 
“He ought to be in a deep sleep by this time. I will go up and see. Go up with me, Julius, for I may have to ask you to help me bring him down.”
 
Though Julius was naturally a coward, he felt quite brave when he had company, and he at once went upstairs with Curtis Waring.
 
Curtis drew the bolt, and, entering the chamber14, his glance fell upon Dodger, fast asleep on the bed.
 
“I am glad the boy did not undress,” he said. “It will save me a great deal of trouble. Now, Julius, you can take his feet and I will lift his head, and we will take him downstairs.”
 
“S’pos’n he wakes up, Massa Curtis?”
 
“He won’t wake up. I took care the sleeping potion should be strong enough to produce profound slumber15 for eighteen hours.”
 
“Seems as if he was dead,” said Julius, nervously16.
 
“Tush, you fool! He’s no more dead than you or I.”
 
The hackman looked curious when the two men appeared with their sleeping burden, and Curtis felt that some explanation was required.
 
“The boy has a very painful disease,” he said, “and the doctor gave him a sleeping draught17. He is going abroad for his health, and, under the circumstances, I think it best not to wake him up. Drive slowly and carefully to Pier18 No. —, as I don’t want the boy aroused if it can be helped.”
 
“All right, sir.”
 
“Julius, you may lock the door and come with me. I shall need your help to get him on board the ship.”
 
“All right, Massa Curtis.”
 
“And, mind you, don’t go to sleep in the carriage, you black rascal19!” added Curtis, as he saw that the negro found it hard to keep his eyes open.
 
“All right, massa, I’ll keep awake. How am I to get home?”
 
“I will instruct the hackman to take you home.”
 
“Yah, yah; I’ll be ridin’ like a gentleman!”
 
The journey was successfully accomplished20, but it took an hour, for, according to directions, the hackman did not force his pace, but drove slowly, till he reached the North River pier indicated.
 
At the pier was a large, stanch21 vessel—the Columbia—bound for San Francisco, around Cape22 Horn.
 
All was dark, but the second officer was pacing the deck.
 
Curtis Waring hailed him.
 
“What time do you get off?”
 
“Early to-morrow morning.”
 
“So the captain told me. I have brought you a passenger.”
 
“The captain told me about him.”
 
“Is his stateroom ready?”
 
“Yes, sir. You are rather late.”
 
“True; and the boy is asleep, as you will see. He is going to make the voyage for his health, and, as he has been suffering some pain, I thought I would not wake him up. Who will direct me to his stateroom?”
 
The mate summoned the steward23, and Dodger, still unconscious, was brought on board and quietly transferred to the bunk24 that had been prepared for him.
 
It was a critical moment for poor Dodger, but he was quite unconscious of it.
 
“What is the boy’s name?” asked the mate.
 
“Arthur Grant. The captain has it on his list. Is he on board?”
 
“Yes; but he is asleep.”
 
“I do not need to see him. I have transacted25 all necessary business with him—and paid the passage money. Julius, bring the valise.”
 
Julius did so.
 
“This contains the boy’s clothing. Take it to the stateroom, Julius.”
 
“All right, Massa Curtis.”
 
“What is your usual time between New York and San Francisco?” asked Curtis, addressing the mate.
 
“From four to six months. Four months is very short, six months very long. We ought to get there in five months, or perhaps a little sooner, with average weather.”
 
“Very well. I believe there is no more to be said. Good-night!”
 
“Good-night, sir.”
 
“So he is well out of the way for five months!” soliloquized Curtis. “In five months much may happen. Before that time I hope to be in possession of my uncle’s property. Then I can snap my fingers at fate.”

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 entrapped eb21b3b8e7dad36e21d322e11b46715d     
v.使陷入圈套,使入陷阱( entrap的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He was entrapped into undertaking the work. 他受骗而担任那工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He felt he had been entrapped into marrying her. 他觉得和她结婚是上了当。 来自辞典例句
2 dodger Ku9z0c     
n.躲避者;躲闪者;广告单
参考例句:
  • They are tax dodgers who hide their interest earnings.他们是隐瞒利息收入的逃税者。
  • Make sure she pays her share she's a bit of a dodger.她自己的一份一定要她付清--她可是有点能赖就赖。
3 tenure Uqjy2     
n.终身职位;任期;(土地)保有权,保有期
参考例句:
  • He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
  • Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。
4 drowsiness 420d2bd92d26d6690d758ae67fc31048     
n.睡意;嗜睡
参考例句:
  • A feeling of drowsiness crept over him. 一种昏昏欲睡的感觉逐渐袭扰着他。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • This decision reached, he finally felt a placid drowsiness steal over him. 想到这,来了一点平安的睡意。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
5 considerably 0YWyQ     
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上
参考例句:
  • The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
  • The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
6 hack BQJz2     
n.劈,砍,出租马车;v.劈,砍,干咳
参考例句:
  • He made a hack at the log.他朝圆木上砍了一下。
  • Early settlers had to hack out a clearing in the forest where they could grow crops.早期移民不得不在森林里劈出空地种庄稼。
7 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
8 dozing dozing     
v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡
参考例句:
  • The economy shows no signs of faltering. 经济没有衰退的迹象。
  • He never falters in his determination. 他的决心从不动摇。
9 apprehensively lzKzYF     
adv.担心地
参考例句:
  • He glanced a trifle apprehensively towards the crowded ballroom. 他敏捷地朝挤满了人的舞厅瞟了一眼。 来自辞典例句
  • Then it passed, leaving everything in a state of suspense, even the willow branches waiting apprehensively. 一阵这样的风过去,一切都不知怎好似的,连柳树都惊疑不定的等着点什么。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
10 liar V1ixD     
n.说谎的人
参考例句:
  • I know you for a thief and a liar!我算认识你了,一个又偷又骗的家伙!
  • She was wrongly labelled a liar.她被错误地扣上说谎者的帽子。
11 effusive 9qTxf     
adj.热情洋溢的;感情(过多)流露的
参考例句:
  • Every visitor noticed that her effusive welcome was not sincere.所有的客人都看出来她那过分热情的欢迎是不真诚的。
  • Her effusive thanks embarrassed everybody.她道谢时非常激动,弄得大家不好意思。
12 gratitude p6wyS     
adj.感激,感谢
参考例句:
  • I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
  • She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。
13 heartily Ld3xp     
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很
参考例句:
  • He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
  • The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
14 chamber wnky9     
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所
参考例句:
  • For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说,牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
  • The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。
15 slumber 8E7zT     
n.睡眠,沉睡状态
参考例句:
  • All the people in the hotels were wrapped in deep slumber.住在各旅馆里的人都已进入梦乡。
  • Don't wake him from his slumber because he needs the rest.不要把他从睡眠中唤醒,因为他需要休息。
16 nervously tn6zFp     
adv.神情激动地,不安地
参考例句:
  • He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇,努力忍着不哭出来。
  • He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。
17 draught 7uyzIH     
n.拉,牵引,拖;一网(饮,吸,阵);顿服药量,通风;v.起草,设计
参考例句:
  • He emptied his glass at one draught.他将杯中物一饮而尽。
  • It's a pity the room has no north window and you don't get a draught.可惜这房间没北窗,没有过堂风。
18 pier U22zk     
n.码头;桥墩,桥柱;[建]窗间壁,支柱
参考例句:
  • The pier of the bridge has been so badly damaged that experts worry it is unable to bear weight.这座桥的桥桩破损厉害,专家担心它已不能负重。
  • The ship was making towards the pier.船正驶向码头。
19 rascal mAIzd     
n.流氓;不诚实的人
参考例句:
  • If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做,我就认为他是个恶棍。
  • The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。
20 accomplished UzwztZ     
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的
参考例句:
  • Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
  • Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。
21 stanch SrUyJ     
v.止住(血等);adj.坚固的;坚定的
参考例句:
  • Cuttlebone can be used as a medicine to stanch bleeding.海螵蛸可以入药,用来止血。
  • I thought it my duty to help stanch these leaks.我认为帮助堵塞漏洞是我的职责。
22 cape ITEy6     
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风
参考例句:
  • I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
  • She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。
23 steward uUtzw     
n.乘务员,服务员;看管人;膳食管理员
参考例句:
  • He's the steward of the club.他是这家俱乐部的管理员。
  • He went around the world as a ship's steward.他当客船服务员,到过世界各地。
24 bunk zWyzS     
n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位;废话
参考例句:
  • He left his bunk and went up on deck again.他离开自己的铺位再次走到甲板上。
  • Most economists think his theories are sheer bunk.大多数经济学家认为他的理论纯属胡说。
25 transacted 94d902fd02a93fefd0cc771cd66077bc     
v.办理(业务等)( transact的过去式和过去分词 );交易,谈判
参考例句:
  • We transacted business with the firm. 我们和这家公司交易。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Major Pendennis transacted his benevolence by deputy and by post. 潘登尼斯少校依靠代理人和邮局,实施着他的仁爱之心。 来自辞典例句


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