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首页 » 儿童英文小说 » Rupert's Ambition » CHAPTER XXXVI. A LUCKY ENCOUNTER.
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CHAPTER XXXVI. A LUCKY ENCOUNTER.
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 Unsatisfied hunger is always a serious discomfort1. What it was to a young, healthy boy like Rupert, who had been working hard for several hours, may be imagined.
 
Even if there had been a prospect3 of his dining in two or three hours, it would have been inconvenient4, but he could have endured it. As it was, he did not know when he could satisfy his appetite, if at all.
 
He discovered in his pockets some silver change which Ben hadn't taken, but that could do him no good in the Colorado wilderness5.
 
Rupert was in general sanguine6 and light-hearted. But it must be owned that he felt terribly depressed7 about this time. He had his gun with him, but even if he should [Pg 316]succeed in shooting anything, how could he cook it? He had not even a match with which to light a fire.
 
Was he destined8 to starve in this out of the way region? he asked himself. A hundred miles off he had a rich friend. In New York he owned two valuable lots and had money in the bank besides, but neither of these could do him any good now.
 
The French speak of an uncomfortable quarter of an hour. Rupert had two hours at least that could be described in this way. All this while, faint as he was and tired as his exertions9 on an empty stomach had made him, he still paddled on. At last, to his great joy, there came light in the darkness. As the raft turned a corner in the windings10 of the river he saw on the bank, curiously11 regarding him, a tall, thin, dark-complexioned girl, in a calico dress too short for her.
 
A new hope was born in Rupert's heart? and he stopped paddling.
 
"Do you live around here?" he asked.
 
"Yes," answered the girl.
 
"Could I buy some food at your house?"
 
[Pg 317]
 
"Don't know. I reckon so."
 
"Then I'll stop, and you can show me the way to your house."
 
"Where did you come from?"
 
"From below—about ten miles down the river."
 
"Is that where you live?"
 
"No. I live in New York."
 
"Where is that? Is it in Colorado?"
 
"Didn't you ever hear of New York?" asked Rupert, in genuine surprise at the ignorance of his new acquaintance.
 
"No."
 
"It's a large city."
 
The girl seemed to take very little interest in the information he gave her.
 
"Did you always live here?" asked Rupert, becoming himself the questioner.
 
"Reckon so."
 
By this time Rupert had brought the raft to shore and tied it to a stump13. He obtained a nearer view of the girl, but did not find her attractive.
 
She was tall, thin, and had a sallow complexion12. Her dress hung straight down.[Pg 318] Moreover, it was not clean. The girl eyed him attentively14, and didn't seem in the least bashful. She seemed to arrive at a decision in regard to him.
 
"Say, you're good-lookin'," she said, in a matter-of-fact tone.
 
"Do you think so?" returned Rupert, blushing.
 
"Yes. How old be you?"
 
"Seventeen."
 
"I'm fourteen. If you lived round here I'd take you for my beau."
 
"But I don't live round here," said Rupert, with an air of relief. "What is your name?" he asked, with a sudden thought.
 
"Sal. That's what mam calls me. What's yours?"
 
"Rupert."
 
"That's a mighty15 cur'us name. Never heard it afore."
 
"I don't think it is a common name."
 
"You jest come along, if you want some dinner. You said you'd pay for it, didn't you?"
 
"Yes."
 
[Pg 319]
 
"Then I guess mam will give you some."
 
"Do you live far off?" asked Rupert, anxiously.
 
"No. Jest in the woods a little way."
 
Rupert followed the girl for about a quarter of a mile. Then, in a little clearing, he saw a rude cabin—just such a house as he fancied Sal would live in.
 
"That's our house, and there's mam at the door," said his young guide.
 
A tall, thin woman, between whom and Sal there was considerable resemblance, not only in appearance but in dress, stood in the doorway16, shading her eyes with her hand as she looked down the path.
 
"She's lookin' for me," explained Sal, with a grin.
 
"Here you, Sal!" called her mother. "Where've you been gallivantin' to?"
 
Then she stopped short, for she caught sight of Rupert.
 
"Who've you got with you?" she asked, abruptly17.
 
"A boy," answered Sal. "Ain't he nice lookin'?"
 
[Pg 320]
 
Rupert blushed again, as most of my boy readers would probably have done under like circumstances.
 
"No matter how he looks," said the mother, sharply. "What does he want here?"
 
"He wants somethin' to eat, and he's got money to pay for it," answered Sal.
 
"I am very hungry, madam," said Rupert, taking off his hat. "I shall consider it a great favor if you will give me some dinner."
 
"I reckon I kin2 scare up something," said the woman, more amiably18. "Jest come in."
 
Rupert entered the cabin. It was rudely and scantily19 furnished, but doubtless the occupants enjoyed it as much as a New York millionaire enjoys his elegant mansion20 on Fifth Avenue. There was a fire in the cooking-stove, and in a pantry Rupert noticed some cold remnants of the noonday meal.
 
"Sit down," said the woman. "I'll scare you up something in a jiffy."
 
"I'll sit down outside, if you don't mind," answered Rupert.
 
He sat down on a settee on one side of the door. Soon the odor of some meat which[Pg 321] was being fried assailed21 his nostrils22, and gave him the keenest delight.
 
In about twenty minutes Sal called him in, and he was glad to accept her rather unceremonious invitation.
 
On the table was a dish of meat. He didn't know what kind it was, but it smelled good. On another plate was some corn bread, but no butter was provided.
 
"We ain't got no whiskey," said the woman. "We're sort o' run out, but I can give you some tea."
 
"That will do just as well, madam."
 
Rupert might have said that it would do better, but he saw that the family were not prohibitionists and might take offense23 if he spoke24 against the use of whiskey.
 
Rupert had seldom enjoyed a meal more than the one he sat down to in that rude cabin.
 
"What kind of meat is this?" he asked.
 
"Bear meat. Didn't you ever eat any?"
 
"No, madam."
 
"We reckon it's good. My man killed the bear."
 
[Pg 322]
 
"It is excellent," said Rupert, and he really meant what he said.
 
"I'm glad you like it."
 
Rupert ate till he was ashamed. He had not asked the price of the meal in advance, for he was fully25 resolved to eat it, even if it took every cent he had left to pay for it. But when at last he laid down his knife and fork he summoned courage to ask how much he must pay.
 
"I reckon a quarter'll do," said the woman.
 
Rupert breathed a sigh of relief. It not only came within his means, but he would have fifty cents left after paying.
 
Then the woman began to ask questions.
 
"Where mought you be goin'?" she asked.
 
Rupert mentioned his destination.
 
"How far away is that?"
 
"Nearly a hundred miles."
 
"Are you travelin' alone?"
 
"I had a man with me till this morning."
 
"Where is he now?"
 
"He got up early, robbed me of all my money and ran off, taking the boat with him," Rupert answered in indignant tones.
 
[Pg 323]
 
"If he took all your money, how are you goin' to pay for your dinner?" asked the woman, frowning.
 
"I have a little money left in silver," said Rupert, producing the quarter.
 
"How are you goin' to get back?"
 
"I don't know. I have no money, and only a raft."
 
Then an idea came to him.
 
"If I could find a man who would go back with me, I would pay him well."
 
"But you have no money."
 
"Mr. Packard, of Red Gulch26, is my friend. He is a rich man and he would pay for me."
 
"Do you mean Giles Packard?"
 
"Yes."
 
"I know about him. He is rich. Is he your friend?"
 
"Yes."
 
Rupert followed up his advantage.
 
"If I could find a man who would take me to him I would promise him fifty dollars—and this gun."
 
The woman's eyes showed her interest.[Pg 324] She was fond of money, and fifty dollars seemed to her a large sum.
 
"I reckon my man would go along with you," she said slowly. "The fifty dollars would be sure?"
 
"Yes, and if I was satisfied with him, I would give him ten dollars more."
 
"Mam," said Sal, "you'd better say yes. We'll all be rich if dad gets sixty dollars."
 
"When will your husband be home?" asked Rupert, becoming hopeful.
 
"I reckon he'll be home directly—if you kin wait."
 
"Oh, yes, I can wait. Has he got a boat?"
 
"He has a canoe."
 
"That will do just as well."
 
"And will you give me the raft?" asked Sal. "You won't want it."
 
"Yes, you shall have the raft."
 
Sal was so delighted that she threw her arms round Rupert's neck and kissed him, much to his confusion.
 
"Quit that, you Sal. Ain't you got no[Pg 325] manners?" said her mother, sharply. "There's your dad comin' now."
 
Rupert raised his flushed face, and was indescribably astonished when a tall Indian entered the cabin.
 

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 discomfort cuvxN     
n.不舒服,不安,难过,困难,不方便
参考例句:
  • One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
  • She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。
2 kin 22Zxv     
n.家族,亲属,血缘关系;adj.亲属关系的,同类的
参考例句:
  • He comes of good kin.他出身好。
  • She has gone to live with her husband's kin.她住到丈夫的亲戚家里去了。
3 prospect P01zn     
n.前景,前途;景色,视野
参考例句:
  • This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
  • The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
4 inconvenient m4hy5     
adj.不方便的,令人感到麻烦的
参考例句:
  • You have come at a very inconvenient time.你来得最不适时。
  • Will it be inconvenient for him to attend that meeting?他参加那次会议会不方便吗?
5 wilderness SgrwS     
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠
参考例句:
  • She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
  • Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。
6 sanguine dCOzF     
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的
参考例句:
  • He has a sanguine attitude to life.他对于人生有乐观的看法。
  • He is not very sanguine about our chances of success.他对我们成功的机会不太乐观。
7 depressed xu8zp9     
adj.沮丧的,抑郁的,不景气的,萧条的
参考例句:
  • When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
  • His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。
8 destined Dunznz     
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的
参考例句:
  • It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
  • The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。
9 exertions 2d5ee45020125fc19527a78af5191726     
n.努力( exertion的名词复数 );费力;(能力、权力等的)运用;行使
参考例句:
  • As long as they lived, exertions would not be necessary to her. 只要他们活着,是不需要她吃苦的。 来自辞典例句
  • She failed to unlock the safe in spite of all her exertions. 她虽然费尽力气,仍未能将那保险箱的锁打开。 来自辞典例句
10 windings 8a90d8f41ef7c5f4ee6b83bec124a8c9     
(道路、河流等)蜿蜒的,弯曲的( winding的名词复数 ); 缠绕( wind的现在分词 ); 卷绕; 转动(把手)
参考例句:
  • The time harmonics can be considered as voltages of higher frequencies applied to the windings. 时间谐波可以看作是施加在绕组上的较高频率的电压。
  • All the vales in their manifold windings shaded by the most delightful forests. 所有的幽谷,都笼罩在繁茂的垂枝下。
11 curiously 3v0zIc     
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地
参考例句:
  • He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
  • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
12 complexion IOsz4     
n.肤色;情况,局面;气质,性格
参考例句:
  • Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
  • Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。
13 stump hGbzY     
n.残株,烟蒂,讲演台;v.砍断,蹒跚而走
参考例句:
  • He went on the stump in his home state.他到故乡所在的州去发表演说。
  • He used the stump as a table.他把树桩用作桌子。
14 attentively AyQzjz     
adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神
参考例句:
  • She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时,她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着,把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
15 mighty YDWxl     
adj.强有力的;巨大的
参考例句:
  • A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
  • The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。
16 doorway 2s0xK     
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径
参考例句:
  • They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
  • Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。
17 abruptly iINyJ     
adv.突然地,出其不意地
参考例句:
  • He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
  • I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。
18 amiably amiably     
adv.和蔼可亲地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • She grinned amiably at us. 她咧着嘴向我们亲切地微笑。
  • Atheists and theists live together peacefully and amiably in this country. 无神论者和有神论者在该国和睦相处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
19 scantily be1ceda9654bd1b9c4ad03eace2aae48     
adv.缺乏地;不充足地;吝啬地;狭窄地
参考例句:
  • The bedroom was scantily furnished. 卧室里几乎没有什么家具。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • His room was scantily furnished. 他的房间陈设简陋。 来自互联网
20 mansion 8BYxn     
n.大厦,大楼;宅第
参考例句:
  • The old mansion was built in 1850.这座古宅建于1850年。
  • The mansion has extensive grounds.这大厦四周的庭园广阔。
21 assailed cca18e858868e1e5479e8746bfb818d6     
v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 );困扰;质问;毅然应对
参考例句:
  • He was assailed with fierce blows to the head. 他的头遭到猛烈殴打。
  • He has been assailed by bad breaks all these years. 这些年来他接二连三地倒霉。 来自《用法词典》
22 nostrils 23a65b62ec4d8a35d85125cdb1b4410e     
鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Her nostrils flared with anger. 她气得两个鼻孔都鼓了起来。
  • The horse dilated its nostrils. 马张大鼻孔。
23 offense HIvxd     
n.犯规,违法行为;冒犯,得罪
参考例句:
  • I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
  • His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。
24 spoke XryyC     
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
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
25 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
26 gulch se6xp     
n.深谷,峡谷
参考例句:
  • The trail ducks into a narrow gulch.这条羊肠小道突然下到一个狭窄的峡谷里。
  • This is a picture of California Gulch.这是加利福尼亚峡谷的图片。


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