CHAPTER VII. — PARTING COMPANY.

 "I mistrust that man Fletcher," said Obed to Harry¹ Vane the next day, taking the opportunity when, at one of their rests, the man referred to had sauntered into the woods.

 

"I don't like him myself," said Harry. "Have you any particular reason for mistrusting him?"

 

"He was searchin' my pockets last night when he thought I was asleep," answered Obed, and he related the incident of the night before.

 

"It looks suspicious," said Harry. "I have not much money, but I don't care to lose what I have."

 

"I should like to shake him, but I don't see how we can very well. He's a reg'lar member of the party."

 

"We can be on our guard at any rate," said Harry. "I'll tell Jack², and advise him to be careful also."

 

At this point Dick Fletcher returned. He looked suspiciously from one to the other, under the impression that something had been said about him. He asked no questions, however, and no information was volunteered. He could not but observe, however, that there was more or less restraint in the manner of his companions toward him, and that they were not disposed to be social.

 

That day they made nine miles, the road being slightly better than the day before. About five o'clock they reached a rude wayside inn, over the door of which was a swinging sign, on which was printed:

 

TRAVELLERS' REST.

 

"We might as well stop here, instead of camping out," said Fletcher.

 

"I'm agreeable," said Obed, "if the tax isn't too high."

 

"Oh, Linton is moderate in his charges," said Fletcher. "I've known him a good while. He's a good fellow."

 

This was not a very valuable recommendation in the opinion of Obed and the two boys, but they had no objection to becoming guests of the establishment.

 

It was a rude building, and the accommodations were very limited. In fact, there were but two sleeping rooms. One of these Fletcher occupied, and the other was given up to the other members of the party, there being two beds.

 

"I'd rather bunk³ in with you, if you don't mind," said Stackpole to Harry. "I don't feel easy in the same room with Fletcher."

 

"We shall be very glad of your company, Mr. Stackpole."

 

"If I snore, just come and turn me over. I don't want to disturb nobody."

 

"I think Jack and I will be too sound asleep to be disturbed by your snoring," said Harry with a laugh. "However, if there is any occasion, I will follow your directions."

 

The landlord was a broad-shouldered man of moderate stature⁴, who had lost the sight of one eye. The other, being covered with a green shade, gave him an ill look. His manner, however, was hearty⁵, and showed a bluff⁶, off-hand cordiality, as he welcomed the party to the hospitalities of the Travellers' Rest. He was familiarly called "Larry," by Fletcher, who greeted him like an old comrade.

 

The supper consisted in part of their own supplies, with some small additions from the larder⁷ of the inn. It was, at any rate, an improvement upon their camp fare, and the boys enjoyed it.

 

After supper they sat down on a settle in front of the inn, but presently Fletcher strayed away into the woods at the back of the house. Some fifteen minutes later Larry Linton also got up, but ostentatiously went in a different direction.

 

"I'm going a little ways to a squatter's to speak about some vegetables," he said.

 

"If you don't mind company, I'll go along too," said Obed.

 

"Better not," answered Larry. "There's a boggy⁸ spot which a stranger is likely to fall into."

 

"I've had enough of bogs⁹," said Obed, shrugging his shoulders. "Seems to me you haven't got much besides bogs out in Australy."

 

So Linton went off by himself. After he was fairly out of the way, Obed said, turning to the two boys. "Did you think I wanted to go off with Linton?"

 

"I supposed so, as you made the proposal."

 

"I only wanted to find out if he wanted me or not. I have my suspicions."

 

"What kind of suspicions?"

 

Harry was the speaker, as usual, for Jack never took the lead when Harry was present.

 

"Fletcher and Linton are too thick together to suit me," answered the Yankee. "Looks as if they was in league together."

 

"Do you think they have arranged a meeting?"

 

"That's just what I do think."

 

"But they have gone in different directions," objected Jack.

 

"Bless your simple heart, my boy, that's done on purpose," said Obed. "Can't they fetch round together without our knowing it?"

 

"I didn't think of that," Jack admitted.

 

"Mr. Stackpole," said Harry after a moment's thought, "if you and Jack will keep each other company, I will explore a little myself. I may happen to be at the conference."

 

"Be careful if you do, Harry," said Obed. "Don't run no risk."

 

"I'll look out for that."

 

In the rear of the house, and almost reaching to it, was a forest of eucalyptus¹⁰ trees. It was unfavorable to Harry's purpose that these trees rise straight from the ground, and are not encumbered¹¹ by underbrush. It was very pleasant walking though, and Harry sauntered along at his leisure. He almost forgot the object of his enterprise, until some half an hour later, in the stillness of the woods, his quick ear caught the sound of voices.

 

He was instantly on the alert. The voices, he doubted not, were those of Dick Fletcher and Larry Linton. He moved forward cautiously, and soon espied¹² the speakers. They were sitting on the ground, under the overreaching boughs¹³ of a gigantic tree. Harry managed to get near enough to listen to the conversation, being himself concealed¹⁴ from view behind the trunk of a neighboring tree.

 

"Is there much money in the party?" he heard Linton ask.

 

"I can't tell you. The boys haven't got much, but that long-legged Yankee has probably got considerable."

 

"What sort of a man is he?"

 

"He's likely to prove a troublesome customer. He is muscular, as you can see, and not easily scared."

 

"Has he any suspicion of you?"

 

"Yes; I put my foot in it the other night."

 

"How's that?"

 

"I saw him sleeping like a boy, and thought there was no danger of his waking up, so I took the liberty to explore his pockets. Before I could say Jack Robinson he had me by the throat, and wanted to know what I was after."

 

"That was awkward. How did you get out of it?"

 

"Lied out! Told him I was looking for matches, as I wanted a smoke."

 

"Did he swallow it down?"

 

"He didn't contradict me, but it has made him watchful¹⁵ and suspicious. If I'd got the money, I was ready to make tracks, and leave them to find their way as they could."

 

At this point the two rose and walked away, leaving Harry in his position behind the tree. As soon as he thought it was safe he came out, and made the best of his way to the inn, getting there about fifteen minutes before Fletcher appeared, but without the landlord. During that interval¹⁶ he had time to communicate what he had heard to Obed Stackpole.

 

"Just what I expected!" said Obed. "The treacherous¹⁷ skunk¹⁸! So he's in league with the landlord, is he? I'll fix him."

 

He cautioned the two boys not to show by their manner that they had made any discovery, but to appear as usual.

 

The next morning the party started as usual. They plodded¹⁹ on for almost a mile, when Obed, turning quickly to Fletcher, said:

 

"Let me look at that weapon of yours a minute."

 

Fletcher unsuspiciously handed it over.

 

"I think I shall keep this, Fletcher," said Obed, eying him steadily²⁰. "I'm pained to have to bid you good-by."

 

"What does all this mean?" blustered²¹ Fletcher.

 

"It means that your room is better than your company. We'd better part."

 

"Would you rob me? That revolver is mine, and I paid for a share of the things in the cart."

 

"I'll allow you the vally of them and pay you on the spot, but we can't go on together."

 

Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Stackpole handed over a handsome sum of money.

 

"But I don't want to sell my revolver," repeated Fletcher. "What am I to do out here alone, and unarmed."

 

"You'd better go back to your friend Larry Linton. He'll look out for you."

 

"You will regret this high-handed proceeding²²!" exclaimed Fletcher angrily.

 

"Maybe I shall, and maybe I shan't," answered Obed indifferently. "I'll risk it."

 

Fletcher halted a moment as if undecided, then turned back, and was soon out of sight.

1 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

2 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

3 bunk   

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。

4 stature   

n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材

参考例句：

• He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。
• The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。

5 hearty   

adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的

参考例句：

• After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了，他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
• We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。

6 bluff   

v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗

参考例句：

• His threats are merely bluff.他的威胁仅仅是虚张声势。
• John is a deep card.No one can bluff him easily.约翰是个机灵鬼。谁也不容易欺骗他。

7 larder   

n.食物贮藏室，食品橱

参考例句：

• Please put the food into the larder.请将您地食物放进食物柜内。
• They promised never to raid the larder again.他们答应不再随便开食橱拿东西吃了。

8 boggy   

adj.沼泽多的

参考例句：

• Of, resembling, or characterized by a marsh or marshes; boggy. 沼泽般的，湿软的：类似沼泽地的，沼泽地所特有的；多沼泽的。 来自互联网
• The boggy is out of order, would be instead another one! 球车坏了，需要更换一部。 来自互联网

9 bogs   

n.沼泽，泥塘( bog的名词复数 )；厕所v.（使）陷入泥沼， （使）陷入困境( bog的第三人称单数 )；妨碍，阻碍

参考例句：

• Whenever It'shows its true nature, real life bogs to a standstill. 无论何时，只要它显示出它的本来面目，真正的生活就陷入停滞。 来自名作英译部分
• At Jitra we went wading through bogs. 在日得拉我们步行着从泥水塘里穿过去。 来自辞典例句

10 eucalyptus   

n.桉树，桉属植物

参考例句：

• Eucalyptus oil is good for easing muscular aches and pains.桉树油可以很好地缓解肌肉的疼痛。
• The birds rustled in the eucalyptus trees.鸟在桉树弄出沙沙的响声。

11 encumbered   

v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The police operation was encumbered by crowds of reporters. 警方的行动被成群的记者所妨碍。
• The narrow quay was encumbered by hundreds of carts. 狭窄的码头被数百辆手推车堵得水泄不通。 来自辞典例句

12 espied   

v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• One day a youth espied her as he was hunting.She saw him and recognized him as her own son, mow grown a young man. 一日，她被一个正在行猎的小伙子看见了，她认出来这个猎手原来是自己的儿子，现在已长成为一个翩翩的少年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• In a little while he espied the two giants. 一会儿就看见了那两个巨人。 来自辞典例句

13 boughs   

大树枝( bough的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The green boughs glittered with all their pearls of dew. 绿枝上闪烁着露珠的光彩。
• A breeze sighed in the higher boughs. 微风在高高的树枝上叹息着。

14 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

15 watchful   

adj.注意的，警惕的

参考例句：

• The children played under the watchful eye of their father.孩子们在父亲的小心照看下玩耍。
• It is important that health organizations remain watchful.卫生组织保持警惕是极为重要的。

16 interval   

n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息

参考例句：

• The interval between the two trees measures 40 feet.这两棵树的间隔是40英尺。
• There was a long interval before he anwsered the telephone.隔了好久他才回了电话。

17 treacherous   

adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的

参考例句：

• The surface water made the road treacherous for drivers.路面的积水对驾车者构成危险。
• The frozen snow was treacherous to walk on.在冻雪上行走有潜在危险。

18 skunk   

n.臭鼬，黄鼠狼；v.使惨败，使得零分；烂醉如泥

参考例句：

• That was a rotten thing to do, you skunk!那种事做得太缺德了，你这卑鄙的家伙！
• The skunk gives off an unpleasant smell when attacked.受到攻击时臭鼬会发出一种难闻的气味。

19 plodded   

v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作）

参考例句：

• Our horses plodded down the muddy track. 我们的马沿着泥泞小路蹒跚而行。
• He plodded away all night at his project to get it finished. 他通宵埋头苦干以便做完专题研究。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

21 blustered   

v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹

参考例句：

• He blustered his way through the crowd. 他吆喝着挤出人群。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The wind blustered around the house. 狂风呼啸着吹过房屋周围。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

22 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。