CHAPTER XXIII. MR. PEABODY'S TROUBLES.

 When the party camped for the night the custom was to arrange the baggage wagons¹ in a semicircle, and provide a resting-place for the women and children inside. As they were passing through a country occupied by Indians it was necessary to post one or more sentinels to keep watch through the night, and give notice of any who might be seen lurking² near the camp. Fortunately, however, an Indian attack was seldom made at night. The time generally selected was in the morning, when the party were preparing to start on their day's march. Tom, as a boy, would have been excused taking his turn; but this did not suit him. He requested as a favor, that he might stand watch with the rest.

 

"Can he be relied upon? Is he not too young?" asked Fletcher, the leader, of Mr. Ferguson.

 

"You can depend upon him," said the[185] Scotchman confidently. "There's more manliness³ in Tom than in many men of twice his years."

 

"Then I will put his name on the list," said Fletcher.

 

"That's right. I'll answer for him."

 

But there was one of the travelers who was by no means eager to stand on watch. This was Lawrence Peabody, the young man from Boston. He sought an interview with Fletcher, and asked to be excused.

 

"On what grounds, Mr. Peabody?" asked Fletcher, surprised.

 

"It doesn't agree with me to lose my night's sleep," said Peabody. "I am naturally delicate, and——"

 

"Your excuse is not satisfactory, Mr. Peabody. We are banded together in a little community, having mutual⁴ rights and mutual obligations. In the arrangements made for the common safety it is your duty to bear your part."

 

"I am willing to provide a substitute," said Peabody eagerly.

 

"Where will you find a substitute?"[186]

 

"I have been talking with Tom Nelson. He says he is willing to serve in my turn."

 

"He will serve when his own turn comes; that will be all we can expect of him."

 

"But he is only a boy. Why should he be expected to take his turn?"

 

"If he is old enough to be a substitute, he is old enough to stand watch for himself."

 

"But, Mr. Fletcher, I am very delicate," protested Lawrence Peabody. "I must have my regular sleep, or I shall be sick."

 

"We must take our chances of that, Mr. Peabody."

 

"I shall be very likely to go to sleep on my post."

 

"I wouldn't advise you to," said Fletcher seriously. "It might be dangerous."

 

"Dangerous!" ejaculated Peabody nervously⁵.

 

"Precisely⁶. If a lurking Indian should surprise you, you might wake up to find yourself scalped."

 

"Good gracious!" exclaimed the Bostonian, his teeth chattering⁷, for he was not of the stuff of which heroes are made. "Do you—think there is any danger of that?"[187]

 

"Considerable, if you neglect your duty."

 

"But perhaps I can't help falling asleep."

 

"Mr. Peabody," said Fletcher sternly, "you must keep awake. Not only your own safety, but that of the whole camp, may depend upon your vigilance. If you choose to risk your own life, I don't complain of that, but you shall not imperil ours. I therefore give you notice, that if you fall asleep on guard you will be drummed out of camp, and left to shift for yourself."

 

"But I couldn't find my way on the prairie," said Peabody, very much alarmed.

 

"You had better think of that when you are tempted⁸ to close your eyes, Mr. Peabody," replied Fletcher.

 

Lawrence Peabody walked off, feeling very much disconcerted. Fervently⁹ he wished himself back in Boston, where there are no Indians, and a man might sleep from one week's end to another without any danger of losing his scalp.

 

"What's the matter, Mr. Peabody?" asked Tom, observing his melancholy¹⁰ appearance.

 

"I don't think I shall ever live to see California," answered Mr. Peabody plaintively¹¹.[188]

 

"Why, what's the matter now?" asked Tom, checking an inclination¹² to laugh; "are you sick?"

 

"I don't feel very well, Tom. I'm very delicate, and this journey is almost too much for my strength."

 

"Oh, cheer up, Mr. Peabody! Think of the gold that awaits you at the end of the journey."

 

"It's all that keeps me up, I do assure you. But I am afraid I shall never live to get there," said Peabody, with a groan¹³.

 

"Don't think of such things, Mr. Peabody. Of course none of us is sure of living, but the chances are, that we shall reach California in health, make our fortunes, and go home rich. At any rate, that's what I am looking forward to."

 

"I wouldn't mind so much but for one thing, Tom."

 

"What is that?"

 

"Fletcher insists that I shall take my turn in standing¹⁴ guard. If I were not so delicate I wouldn't mind; but I know I can't stand it. I'll give you two dollars to take my place, every time my turn comes."[189]

 

"I am willing, if Mr. Fletcher is," said Tom, who was by no means averse¹⁵ to making a little extra money.

 

"But he isn't. I proposed it to him, for I was sure I could arrange with you; but he refused."

 

"I suppose," said Tom slyly, "he thought I couldn't fill your place. You are a brave, resolute¹⁶ man, and I am only a boy."

 

"Tom—I—I don't mind telling you; but I am afraid I am not brave."

 

"Oh, nonsense, Mr. Peabody! that is only your modesty¹⁷."

 

"But I assure you," said the young Bostonian earnestly, "I am speaking the truth. If I should see an Indian crawling near the camp I'm really afraid I should faint."

 

"You won't know how brave you are till you are put to the test."

 

"But do you think there is any chance of my being put to the test? Do you think there are any Indians near?" asked Lawrence Peabody, wiping the damp perspiration¹⁸ from his brow.

 

"Of course there must be," said Tom.[190] "We are passing through their hunting-grounds, you know."

 

"Why did I ever leave Boston?" said Mr. Peabody sadly.

 

"You came, as I did, to make your fortune, Mr. Peabody."

 

"I'm afraid I can't keep awake, Tom; Mr. Fletcher tells me, if I don't, that he will turn me adrift on the prairie. Isn't that hard?"

 

"I am afraid it is a necessary regulation. But you won't fall asleep. Your turn will only come about once in two weeks, and that isn't much."

 

"The nights will seem very long."

 

"I don't think so. I think it'll be fun, for my part."

 

"But suppose—when you are watching—you should all at once see an Indian, Tom?" said Peabody, with a shiver.

 

"I think it would be rather unlucky for the Indian," said Tom coolly.

 

"You are a strange boy, Tom," said Mr. Peabody.

 

"What makes you think so?"

 

"You don't seem to care anything about the danger of being scalped."[191]

 

"I don't believe I should like being scalped any more than you do."

 

"You might have got off from standing watch; but you asked to be allowed to."

 

"That is quite true, Mr. Peabody. I want to meet my fair share of danger and fatigue¹⁹."

 

"You can stand it, for you are strong and tough. You have not my delicacy²⁰ of constitution."

 

"Perhaps that's it," said Tom, laughing.

 

"Would you mind speaking to Fletcher, and telling him you are willing to take my place?"

 

"I will do it, if you wish me to, Mr. Peabody."

 

"Thank you, Tom; you are a true friend;" and Mr. Peabody wrung²¹ the hand of his young companion.

 

Tom was as good as his word. He spoke²² to Fletcher on the subject; but the leader of the expedition was obdurate²³.

 

"Can't consent, my boy," he said. "It is enough for you to take your turn. That young dandy from Boston needs some discipline to make a man of him. He will never do anything in a country like California unless he[192] has more grit²⁴ than he shows at present. I shall do him a favor by not excusing him."

 

Tom reported the answer to Peabody, who groaned²⁵ in spirit, and nervously waited for the night when he was to stand watch.

1 wagons   

n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车

参考例句：

• The wagons were hauled by horses. 那些货车是马拉的。
• They drew their wagons into a laager and set up camp. 他们把马车围成一圈扎起营地。

2 lurking   

潜在

参考例句：

• Why are you lurking around outside my house? 你在我房子外面鬼鬼祟祟的，想干什么？
• There is a suspicious man lurking in the shadows. 有一可疑的人躲在阴暗中。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 manliness   

刚毅

参考例句：

• She was really fond of his strength, his wholesome looks, his manliness. 她真喜欢他的坚强，他那健康的容貌，他的男子气概。
• His confidence, his manliness and bravery, turn his wit into wisdom. 他的自信、男子气概和勇敢将他的风趣变为智慧。

4 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

5 nervously   

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。

6 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

7 chattering   

n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• The teacher told the children to stop chattering in class. 老师叫孩子们在课堂上不要叽叽喳喳讲话。
• I was so cold that my teeth were chattering. 我冷得牙齿直打战。

8 tempted   

v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）

参考例句：

• I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
• I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。

9 fervently   

adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地

参考例句：

• "Oh, I am glad!'she said fervently. “哦，我真高兴！”她热烈地说道。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• O my dear, my dear, will you bless me as fervently to-morrow?' 啊，我亲爱的，亲爱的，你明天也愿这样热烈地为我祝福么？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

10 melancholy   

n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的

参考例句：

• All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
• He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过，他感到很郁闷。

11 plaintively   

adv.悲哀地，哀怨地

参考例句：

• The last note of the song rang out plaintively. 歌曲最后道出了离别的哀怨。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Birds cry plaintively before they die, men speak kindly in the presence of death. 鸟之将死，其鸣也哀；人之将死，其言也善。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 inclination   

n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好

参考例句：

• She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
• I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。

13 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。

14 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

15 averse   

adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的

参考例句：

• I don't smoke cigarettes,but I'm not averse to the occasional cigar.我不吸烟，但我不反对偶尔抽一支雪茄。
• We are averse to such noisy surroundings.我们不喜欢这么吵闹的环境。

16 resolute   

adj.坚决的，果敢的

参考例句：

• He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
• The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。

17 modesty   

n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素

参考例句：

• Industry and modesty are the chief factors of his success.勤奋和谦虚是他成功的主要因素。
• As conceit makes one lag behind,so modesty helps one make progress.骄傲使人落后，谦虚使人进步。

18 perspiration   

n.汗水；出汗

参考例句：

• It is so hot that my clothes are wet with perspiration.天太热了，我的衣服被汗水湿透了。
• The perspiration was running down my back.汗从我背上淌下来。

19 fatigue   

n.疲劳，劳累

参考例句：

• The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
• I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。

20 delicacy   

n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴

参考例句：

• We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
• He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。

21 wrung   

绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水）

参考例句：

• He has wrung the words from their true meaning. 他曲解这些字的真正意义。
• He wrung my hand warmly. 他热情地紧握我的手。

22 spoke   

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。

23 obdurate   

adj.固执的，顽固的

参考例句：

• He is obdurate in his convictions.他执着于自己所坚信的事。
• He remained obdurate,refusing to alter his decision.他依然固执己见，拒不改变决定。

24 grit   

n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关

参考例句：

• The soldiers showed that they had plenty of grit. 士兵们表现得很有勇气。
• I've got some grit in my shoe.我的鞋子里弄进了一些砂子。

25 groaned   

v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦

参考例句：

• He groaned in anguish. 他痛苦地呻吟。
• The cart groaned under the weight of the piano. 大车在钢琴的重压下嘎吱作响。 来自《简明英汉词典》