CHAPTER XXXIII. DICK HAYDEN MEETS WITH RETRIBUTION.

 Dick Hayden and Bob Stubbs, large and strong men as they were, looked puny¹, compared with the[Pg 163] giant who towered beside them, his face kindling² with righteous indignation.

 

"What are you going to do to the boy?" he demanded, sternly.

 

"I was going to flog him," answered Hayden in a surly tone.

 

"And you were helping³ him?" went on Achilles, turning to Stubbs.

 

"No, sir," answered Stubbs eagerly, for, big as he was, he was a coward. "I didn't want Dick to do it."

 

"You coward!" exclaimed Hayden, contemptuously. "You're as deep in it as I am."

 

"Is that true, Kit⁴?" asked Achilles.

 

"He isn't as bad as the other," said Kit. "That man Hayden thought of killing⁵ me, but his friend protested against it."

 

"It shall be remembered to his credit. Why did you wish to flog the boy?" he asked of Hayden.

 

"On account of what happened at the circus."

 

"The boy didn't touch you."

 

"He brought you on me."

 

"Then I was the one to punish."

 

"I couldn't get at you."

 

"Here I am, at your service."

 

Dick Harden measured the giant with a vindictive⁶ eye, but there was something in the sight of the mighty⁷ thews and sinews of the huge man that quelled⁸ his warlike ardor⁹.

 

"It wouldn't be a fair contest," he said sullenly¹⁰.

 

"There are two of you, as you said just before I came."

 

"No, there are not," interposed Stubbs, hastily. "I hain't any grudge¹¹ against you, Mr. Giant."

 

"You are willing to help me?"

 

"Yes."[Pg 164]

 

"Then untie¹² that boy."

 

Stubbs unloosed the cord that bound Kit to the tree, while Achilles Henderson watched Hayden narrowly, for he had no mind to let him go free.

 

"Are you that man's slave?" asked Hayden.

 

"I am willing to oblige him," said Stubbs, meekly¹³.

 

Kit straightened up on being released, and breathed a sigh of relief.

 

"Come along, Stubbs," said Hayden, with an ugly look at Kit and his protector. "Our business is through."

 

"Not quite," said Achilles, quietly, as he laid his broad hand with a detaining grasp on the shoulder of the ruffian. "I am not through with you."

 

"What do you want?" asked Dick Hayden with assumed bravado¹⁴, but with an uneasy look on his lowering face.

 

"I am going to give you a lesson. I gave you one at the circus ground, but you need another."

 

"Touch me if you dare!" said Hayden, defiantly¹⁵.

 

For answer, Achilles hurled¹⁶ him to the ground with less effort than Hayden would have needed to serve Kit in the same way. Then with the cowhide uplifted he struck the prostrate¹⁷ wretch¹⁸ three sharp blows that made him howl with rage and pain. Stubbs looked on with pale face, thinking that his turn might come next.

 

"Hit him, Stubbs! Kill him!" screamed Dick Hayden. "Would you stand by and see me murdered?"

 

"I can't help you," said Stubbs. "What can I do?"

 

Having administered justice to the chief ruffian, Achilles turned to Stubbs.

 

"Now," he said, "what have you to say for your[Pg 165]self? Why shouldn't I serve you in the same way?"

 

"Spare me!" whined¹⁹ Stubbs, panic stricken. "I am the boy's friend. It was Hayden who wanted to hurt him."

 

"My friend, I put very little confidence in what you say. Still I don't think you are as bad as this brute²⁰ here. I will spare you on one condition."

 

"What is it? Indeed, I will do anything you ask."

 

"Then take this cowhide and give your companion a taste of its quality."

 

Stubbs looked alarmed.

 

"Don't ask me to do that," he said. "Me and Dick are pals²¹."

 

"Just as I supposed. In that case you require a dose of the same medicine," and Achilles made a threatening demonstration²² with the rawhide²³.

 

"Don't do it," cried Stubbs, affrighted.

 

"Then will you do as I say?"

 

"Yes, yes."

 

"Will you lay it on well?"

 

"Yes," answered Stubbs, who, forced to choose between his own skin and Hayden's, was influenced by a regard for his own person.

 

Dick Hayden listened to this conference with lowering brow. He did not think Stubbs would dare to hit him. But he was destined²⁴ to find himself unpleasantly surprised.

 

Stubbs took the hide from the hands of the giant, and anxious to conciliate his powerful antagonist²⁵ laid it with emphasis on Hayden, already smarting from his former castigation²⁶.

 

"I'll kill you for that, Bob Stubbs!" he yelled, almost frothing at the mouth with rage.

 

"I had to do it, Dick!" said Stubbs, apologetically. "You heard what he said."[Pg 166]

 

"I don't care what he said. To spare your own miserable²⁷ carcass, you struck your friend. But I am your friend no longer. I'll have it out of you!"

 

"Come, Kit, you are revenged," said the giant. "Now let us hurry on to the circus. There's a team in the road below. I think I can make a bargain with Mr. Stover to carry us all the way."

 

They found Mr. Stover waiting for them.

 

"Well," he said, "how did you make out?"

 

"Suppose you look back and see!"

 

Stover did look, and to his amazement²⁸ he saw Dick Hayden and Bob Stubbs rolling on the ground, each holding the other in a fierce embrace. Hayden had attacked Stubbs, and though the latter tried hard to avoid a combat he was forced into it. Then, finding himself pushed, he fought as well as he could. Fortune favored him, for Dick Hayden tripped, and in so doing sprained²⁹ his ankle. He fell with a groan³⁰, and Stubbs, glad to escape, left him in haste, and made the best of his way home.

 

It was not until several hours afterwards that Hayden was found by another party, and carried home, where he was confined for a fortnight. This was fortunate for Kit and the giant, for he had intended to make a formal complaint before a justice of the peace which might have resulted in the arrest and detention³¹ of one or both. But his sprained ankle gave him so much pain that it drove all other thoughts out of his head for the time being.

 

Mr. Stover was induced by an unusually liberal offer to convey the two friends to the next town, where they found their circus friends wondering what had become of them. Kit was none the worse for his experience, though it had been far from pleasant, and performed that afternoon and evening with his usual spirit and success.[Pg 167]

 

He told Achilles how he had been rescued by Janet Hayden, and the latter said with emphasis: "The girl's a trump³²! She has probably saved your life! That brute, her father, wouldn't shrink from any violence, no matter how great. You ought to make her some acknowledgment, Kit."

 

"I wouldn't dare to," answered the young acrobat³³. "If her father should find out what she did for me, I am afraid her life would not be safe."

1 puny   

adj.微不足道的，弱小的

参考例句：

• The resources at the central banks' disposal are simply too puny.中央银行掌握的资金实在太少了。
• Antonio was a puny lad,and not strong enough to work.安东尼奥是个瘦小的小家伙，身体还不壮，还不能干活。

2 kindling   

n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• There were neat piles of kindling wood against the wall. 墙边整齐地放着几堆引火柴。
• "Coal and kindling all in the shed in the backyard." “煤，劈柴，都在后院小屋里。” 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

5 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

6 vindictive   

adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的

参考例句：

• I have no vindictive feelings about it.我对此没有恶意。
• The vindictive little girl tore up her sister's papers.那个充满报复心的小女孩撕破了她姐姐的作业。

7 mighty   

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。

8 quelled   

v.（用武力）制止，结束，镇压( quell的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Thanks to Kao Sung-nien's skill, the turmoil had been quelled. 亏高松年有本领，弹压下去。 来自汉英文学 - 围城
• Mr. Atkinson was duly quelled. 阿特金森先生被及时地将了一军。 来自辞典例句

9 ardor   

n.热情，狂热

参考例句：

• His political ardor led him into many arguments.他的政治狂热使他多次卷入争论中。
• He took up his pursuit with ardor.他满腔热忱地从事工作。

10 sullenly   

不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地

参考例句：

• 'so what?" Tom said sullenly. “那又怎么样呢？”汤姆绷着脸说。
• Emptiness after the paper, I sIt'sullenly in front of the stove. 报看完，想不出能找点什么事做，只好一人坐在火炉旁生气。

11 grudge   

n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做

参考例句：

• I grudge paying so much for such inferior goods.我不愿花这么多钱买次品。
• I do not grudge him his success.我不嫉妒他的成功。

12 untie   

vt.解开，松开；解放

参考例句：

• It's just impossible to untie the knot.It's too tight.这个结根本解不开。太紧了。
• Will you please untie the knot for me?请你替我解开这个结头，好吗？

13 meekly   

adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地

参考例句：

• He stood aside meekly when the new policy was proposed. 当有人提出新政策时，他唯唯诺诺地站 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He meekly accepted the rebuke. 他顺从地接受了批评。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 bravado   

n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能

参考例句：

• Their behaviour was just sheer bravado. 他们的行为完全是虚张声势。
• He flourished the weapon in an attempt at bravado. 他挥舞武器意在虚张声势。

15 defiantly   

adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地

参考例句：

• Braving snow and frost, the plum trees blossomed defiantly. 红梅傲雪凌霜开。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• She tilted her chin at him defiantly. 她向他翘起下巴表示挑衅。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 hurled   

v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂

参考例句：

• He hurled a brick through the window. 他往窗户里扔了块砖。
• The strong wind hurled down bits of the roof. 大风把屋顶的瓦片刮了下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 prostrate   

v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的

参考例句：

• She was prostrate on the floor.她俯卧在地板上。
• The Yankees had the South prostrate and they intended to keep It'so.北方佬已经使南方屈服了,他们还打算继续下去。

18 wretch   

n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人

参考例句：

• You are really an ungrateful wretch to complain instead of thanking him.你不但不谢他，还埋怨他，真不知好歹。
• The dead husband is not the dishonoured wretch they fancied him.死去的丈夫不是他们所想象的不光彩的坏蛋。

19 whined   

v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨

参考例句：

• The dog whined at the door, asking to be let out. 狗在门前嚎叫着要出去。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He whined and pouted when he did not get what he wanted. 他要是没得到想要的东西就会发牢骚、撅嘴。 来自辞典例句

20 brute   

n.野兽，兽性

参考例句：

• The aggressor troops are not many degrees removed from the brute.侵略军简直象一群野兽。
• That dog is a dangerous brute.It bites people.那条狗是危险的畜牲，它咬人。

21 pals   

n.朋友( pal的名词复数 )；老兄；小子；（对男子的不友好的称呼）家伙

参考例句：

• We've been pals for years. 我们是多年的哥们儿了。
• CD 8 positive cells remarkably increased in PALS and RP(P CD8+细胞在再生脾PALS和RP内均明显增加(P 来自互联网

22 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

23 rawhide   

n.生牛皮

参考例句：

• At his belt he carried a rawhide whip.他腰间别着生牛皮制成的鞭子。
• The drum skin was tightly strapped over the circle rawhide laces.鼓皮的一圈被生牛皮紧紧地勒住了。

24 destined   

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。

25 antagonist   

n.敌人，对抗者，对手

参考例句：

• His antagonist in the debate was quicker than he.在辩论中他的对手比他反应快。
• The thing is to know the nature of your antagonist.要紧的是要了解你的对手的特性。

26 castigation   

n.申斥，强烈反对

参考例句：

• Marx never lost an opportunity to castigate colonialism.马克思抓住每一个机会严厉谴责殖民主义。
• She castigated him for having no intellectual interests.她斥责他没有智识兴趣。

27 miserable   

adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的

参考例句：

• It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
• Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。

28 amazement   

n.惊奇，惊讶

参考例句：

• All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
• He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。

29 sprained   

v.&n. 扭伤

参考例句：

• I stumbled and sprained my ankle. 我摔了一跤，把脚脖子扭了。
• When Mary sprained her ankles, John carried her piggyback to the doctors. 玛丽扭伤了足踝，约翰驮她去看医生。

30 groan   

vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音

参考例句：

• The wounded man uttered a groan.那个受伤的人发出呻吟。
• The people groan under the burden of taxes.人民在重税下痛苦呻吟。

31 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

32 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

33 acrobat   

n.特技演员，杂技演员

参考例句：

• The acrobat balanced a long pole on his left shoulder.杂技演员让一根长杆在他的左肩上保持平衡。
• The acrobat could bend himself into a hoop.这个杂技演员可以把身体蜷曲成圆形。