"I've got ye at last!" repeated Bickford tightening2 his grasp of Kit's coat collar.
"Let go my collar!" cried Kit, not struggling, for he knew that it would be useless.
"I'll let go your collar when I've got ye in the wagon3," answered the blacksmith, "and not till then. You, Bill, bring along his valise. I'll take ye home in the wagon, though it would be only right if I let ye walk."
"Mr. Bickford," said Kit, "you have no right to touch me. You have no authority over me."
"I ain't, hey? Well, we'll argy that matter when we get home."
And he commenced dragging Kit in the direction of the wagon.
It certainly seemed as if Kit's plans were destined4, if not for defeat, to postponement5. Unconditional6 surrender was his only choice against the superior strength of Aaron Bickford. It was certainly very vexatious.[Pg 61]
But help was nearer than he anticipated.
They were now within sight of the circus tents, and Kit, to his joy, descried7 the giant, Achilles Henderson, taking a morning walk, and already within hearing distance.
"Mr. Henderson!" he called out, eagerly.
"Who is that you're calling?" asked the blacksmith sharply.
Achilles heard, and instantly recognized the boy who had talked with him at Smyrna.
"What does this mean?" he asked.
"This man is dragging me away without authority," answered Kit.
"Who is he?" asked the giant.
"He is a blacksmith, and claims me as an apprentice9, but I never agreed to work for him."
"I would believe the boy sooner than you," said Achilles, not favorably impressed by the blacksmith's bull dog look.
"It doesn't make any difference what you believe," said Bickford, rudely; and he began to pull Kit in the direction of the wagon.
"Let go that boy's collar," cried Achilles, sternly.
"I won't!" retorted the blacksmith. "I advise you to mind your own business."
Achilles Henderson, like most big men, was good natured, but he was roused by the other's insolence11. He carried war into the enemy's camp by seizing the blacksmith and shaking him till he was compelled to release his grasp.
"It's only a gentle hint," said Achilles, smiling. "Now, my friend, I've got a piece of advice to give you. If that is your wagon back there you'd better get into it as soon as convenient—the sooner the better—and get out of my way or I'll give you a stronger hint."
The blacksmith was too indignant to be prudent13. What! Confess himself vanquished14, and go home without the boy! The idea was intolerable to him.
"I'm goin' to take the boy," he said, angrily, and darting15 forward he essayed to seize Kit by the collar again.
"Oho! You need a stronger hint," said Achilles. With this he grasped the blacksmith about the middle, and tossed him over the fence into the adjoining field as easily as if he were a cat.
Aaron Bickford did not know what had happened to him. He lay motionless for a few seconds, and then picked himself up with some difficulty, and confronted the giant with mingled16 fear and anger.
"I'll have the law of ye for this," he shouted.
Achilles laughed.
"It's as you like," he said. "I've got my witnesses here," pointing to the two boys.
"You'll hear from me again, all of you!" he shouted, shaking his fist.
"Don't trouble yourself to write," said the giant, jocosely19. "We can worry along without a letter."
The blacksmith was too full of wrath20 for utterance21. He kept on his way, muttering to himself, and shaking his fist at intervals22.
Kit explained.
"So you don't want to be a blacksmith? Where are you going, if I may inquire?"
"I'm going to join the circus," answered Kit.
"In what capacity—as a lion tamer?"
He had not heard of Kit's practice with the Vincenti brothers on the day of his first visit to the circus.
"I am pretty well qualified already," answered Kit, "I saw Mr. Barlow yesterday morning, and he promised me an engagement at ten dollars a week."
"Good!" said Achilles, heartily26. "I am pleased to hear it. I took a liking27 to you the other day, and I'm glad you're going to join us. But do you think it wise to choose such a life?"
"You have chosen it," said Kit.
"Yes; but what could I do—a man of my size? I must earn more than a common man. My board and clothes both cost more. What do you think I paid for this suit I have on?"
"I couldn't tell, sir."
"Sixty dollars. The tailor only charges thirty dollars to a man of ordinary size, but I am so absurdly large that I have to pay double price."
"Why don't you buy your suits ready made?" asked Kit, smiling.
Achilles laughed heartily at the idea.
"Show me a place where I can get ready made clothes to fit me," he answered, "and I will gladly accept your suggestion."
"That may be a little difficult, I admit."[Pg 64]
"Why, you have no idea how inconvenient28 I find it to be so large. I can't find a bed to suit me in any hotel. If I go to the theater I can't crowd myself into an ordinary seat. I have to have all kinds of clothing, inside and outside, made to order. My hats and shoes must also be made expressly for me."
"I suppose you get very well paid," suggested Kit.
"Seventy-five dollars a week sounds pretty large, and would be if my expenses were not so great. You wouldn't be a giant for that money, would you?"
"I am not so ambitious," replied Kit, smiling. "But there was a moment when I wished myself of your size."
"When was that?"
"When the blacksmith grasped me by the collar."
"You don't have to work very hard," said William Morris.
"My boy, it is pretty hard work to be stared at by a crowd of people. I get tired of it often, but I see no other way of making a living."
"You would make a pretty good blacksmith."
"I couldn't earn more than a man of average strength, and that wouldn't be enough, as I have explained."
"Were your parents very tall?" asked Kit.
"My father was six feet in height, but my mother was a small woman. I don't know what put it into me to grow so big. But here we are at the lot. Will you come in?"
"When can I see Mr. Barlow?" asked Kit, anxiously.
"He is at the hotel. He won't be round till half-past nine. Have you two boys had breakfast?"
"Come round to the circus tent. You are to be[Pg 65] one of us, and will board there. I guess we can provide for your friend, too."
Never was invitation more gladly accepted. Both Kit and William felt as if they had not broken their fast for a week.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
kit
|
|
| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
tightening
|
|
| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
wagon
|
|
| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
postponement
|
|
| n.推迟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
unconditional
|
|
| adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
descried
|
|
| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
captivity
|
|
| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
apprentice
|
|
| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
runaway
|
|
| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
insolence
|
|
| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
outrage
|
|
| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
prudent
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
vanquished
|
|
| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
sullenly
|
|
| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
jocosely
|
|
| adv.说玩笑地，诙谐地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
20
wrath
|
|
| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
utterance
|
|
| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
intervals
|
|
| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
acrobat
|
|
| n.特技演员，杂技演员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
qualified
|
|
| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
liking
|
|
| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
inconvenient
|
|
| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
famished
|
|
| adj.饥饿的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |