CHAPTER VI. A CRITICAL SITUATION.

 Ernest turned and regarded the tramp in amazement¹.

 

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

 

"I want that money you just dug up," replied Tom Burns boldly.

 

Instantly Ernest comprehended his danger. He was a stout² boy, but the tramp was a large man, weighing probably fifty pounds more than himself. Moreover, he looked desperate and reckless. The boy felt that in strength he was no match for the thief who confronted him.

 

Yet he could not bear the thought of allowing himself to be robbed. Left penniless, how could he carry out the plans which he had in view? He tried to gain time.

 

"Do you want to rob me?" he asked.

 

"I have just as much right to that money as you," said the tramp.

 

"How do you make that out?"

 

"The man who put it there owed me money."

 

"Do you think I am a fool to believe that ridiculous story?"

 

"You'd better be careful how you talk," said Burns menacingly. "What I say I mean."

 

"Then all I can say is that you have told a falsehood. You are the man, I suppose, who entered our cabin at night and stole money out of a trunk."

 

"I don't know anything about your trunk," said Burns mendaciously³. "But I have no time to talk--I want that money."

 

Ernest looked about him, hoping to see some one to whom he could appeal for help, but no one appeared in sight. Next he looked at the tramp, to note if he were armed. To his relief Burns did not appear to have any weapon with him. Rapidly he determined⁴ not to give up the money without a struggle.

 

"I won't give up the money to a thief," he said boldly.

 

As he spoke⁵ he turned and ran as fast as he was able.

 

Tom Burns uttered an execration⁶ and prepared to pursue him.

 

Winged with fear of losing his gold, Ernest flew rather than ran, not heeding⁷ the direction he was taking. The tramp accepted the challenge and put forth⁸ his utmost speed in the hope of overtaking him.

 

"You'll pay for this, boy," he growled⁹. "Just let me catch you."

 

But Ernest did not mean to be caught. Being a fast runner for a boy of his size, he bade fair to out-distance his pursuer. But directly in his path was an excavation¹⁰ of considerable size and depth. Ernest paused on the brink¹¹ to consider whether to descend¹² the sloping sides or to go round it. The delay was fatal. The tramp saw his advantage, and, pushing forward, seized him by the collar.

 

"I've caught you!" he cried, triumphantly¹³. "Now give me the money."

 

There was a brief struggle, but a boy, even a strong boy, was no match for a man taller and heavier than himself. The gold pieces were snatched from him, and the tramp, releasing his hold, was about to make off in triumph when he found himself seized in turn.

 

"Why, you contemptible¹⁴ thief!" exclaimed Luke Robbins, for it was he whose opportune¹⁵ coming had saved Ernest from being plundered¹⁶. "Are you trying to rob the boy?"

 

He seized the tramp by the collar, forced him to give up the gold he had just snatched from Ernest, and flung him on his back.

 

The tramp's surprise deepened to dismay when, looking up, he saw the stalwart hunter with stern face looking down upon him.

 

"It was my money," he whined¹⁷.

 

"Your money, you owdacious liar¹⁸! Don't tell me that or I'll treat you worse."

 

"But it was. I had hidden it under a tree. I came along just as the boy dug it up. I told him to give it to me, for it was mine, but he wouldn't, and then I chased him."

 

"What's the truth of the matter, Ernest?" asked Luke.

 

"It was money that Peter Brant had hidden away. He told me on his deathbed where to look for it."

 

"I thought it was Peter's."

 

"I had just dug it up and put it in my pocket when this man came along. He ordered me to give it him."

 

"Did he say he hid it there?"

 

"No. He said that Peter owed him money, and he wanted it."

 

"You appear to be a very ingenious liar," remarked Luke, turning to the tramp. "Which of these stories do you want me to believe?"

 

"I hid it there!" said the tramp, doggedly¹⁹.

 

"Then why did you tell the boy that Peter owed you money?"

 

"Because I didn't think he would believe that I hid it."

 

"You are right there. He don't believe it, nor do I. One thing more--were you the man that broke into his cabin and stole two gold pieces from his trunk?"

 

"No. I don't know anything about it."

 

"Of course you would deny it. All the same, I have no doubt that you were the man."

 

"If I had done it he would have seen me."

 

"That won't go down. He was asleep. Ernest, what shall I do with this fellow? Shall I shoot him?" and Luke Robbins pulled out a revolver, which he handled in a significant way.

 

"Don't shoot! Spare my life, Mr. Robbins!" cried the tramp, in great alarm.

 

"Humph! I don't see the good. Your life is of no value to the world."

 

"Let him go, Luke," said Ernest, "but tell him to clear out of this neighborhood."

 

"It is treating him too well. Still, I will do as you say. Hark, you fellow, what is your name?"

 

"Tom Burns."

 

"You are a disgrace to the name of Burns. If I spare your life will you leave this neighborhood and never come back?"

 

"Yes, yes," answered the tramp, earnestly.

 

"You'd better keep that promise. If I ever catch sight of you again, I'll shoot with out asking you any questions. Now get!"

 

Tom Burns got up and started away with celerity. He thought it wise to put as great a distance as possible between himself and the tall and stalwart hunter, fearing that he would repent²⁰ his leniency²¹ and end his life by a stray bullet.

 

"I'll scare him a little," said Luke.

 

He fired after the fugitive²², taking care not to hit him, however. Tom Burns heard the bullet whistling by his head, and with a cry of terror increased his speed till he reached a place where he felt secure. Then, sinking down on the ground, he uttered an ejaculation of relief.

 

"That is a terrible man!" he panted. "He'd as soon take my life as not. I won't get in his way again if I can help it."

 

Luke Robbins laughed.

 

"That is my parting message," he said. "Well, Ernest, where do you want to go? What are your plans?"

 

"I don't know," answered Ernest, gravely. "I am not sure that I have any plans. I feel upset completely."

 

"Sit down here and I'll talk to you."

 

He pointed²³ to a little ridge²⁴ which would serve as a seat.

 

The two sat down together.

 

"Now, how much money have you got?"

 

"A hundred dollars,"

 

"It isn't much. Is that all your uncle left?"

 

"I think so. He said nothing about having more."

 

"It isn't much to begin the world with. I wish for your sake, boy, that I had some to give you, but I never knew how to get together money."

 

"I guess it will do, Luke. I have health and strength. I think I can make my way."

 

"But you have no trade."

 

"Have you?"

 

"No, Ernest. You've got me there. I am only a hunter, but I don't make much of a living. I don't recommend you to follow in my steps. I'd like to keep you with me, but it wouldn't pay you."

 

"One thing is certain, Luke. I must get away from here. There is nothing I can do in Oak Forks."

 

"Where do you want to go, lad?"

 

"I don't know. I might go eastward²⁵ to Chicago or New York, or I might go West to California. Have you ever been to either place, Luke?"

 

"No, lad, but if I had my choice I'd go westward²⁶. I've heard fine stories of California. I think I should like to see that land, and push on to the Pacific ocean."

 

"Why don't you go?"

 

"Stop a minute! Let me think!"

 

The hunter assumed a thoughtful look. He remained silent for five minutes. Then he said, as if to himself, "Why not?"

 

Ernest still kept silence, but his eyes were fixed²⁷ upon the face of the hunter.

 

Finally Luke looked up.

 

"How do you want to go, lad?" he asked. "Do you want to go by the railroad, or are you in for a tramp over the mountains and plains?"

 

"That depends on whether I am to go alone or not. If I go alone I shall prefer to go by rail."

 

"Are you in for a long tramp with me?" asked Luke, his face glowing with new-born enthusiasm.

 

"I will go anywhere with you, Luke."

 

"Then it is agreed. We will start to-morrow."

 

1 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。

3 mendaciously   

参考例句：

4 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

5 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。

6 execration   

n.诅咒，念咒，憎恶

参考例句：

• The sense of wrongs, the injustices, the oppression, extortion, and pillage of twenty years suddenly and found voice in a raucous howl of execration. 二十年来所深受的损害、压迫、勒索、掠夺和不公平的对待，一下子达到了最高峰，在一阵粗声粗气的谩骂叫嚣里发泄出来。 来自辞典例句

7 heeding   

v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• This come of heeding people who say one thing and mean another! 有些人嘴里一回事，心里又是一回事，今天这个下场都是听信了这种人的话的结果。 来自辞典例句
• Her dwarfish spouse still smoked his cigar and drank his rum without heeding her. 她那矮老公还在吸他的雪茄，喝他的蔗酒，睬也不睬她。 来自辞典例句

8 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

9 growled   

v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说

参考例句：

• \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道：“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 excavation   

n.挖掘，发掘；被挖掘之地

参考例句：

• The bad weather has hung up the work of excavation.天气不好耽误了挖掘工作。
• The excavation exposed some ancient ruins.这次挖掘暴露出一些古遗迹。

11 brink   

n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿

参考例句：

• The tree grew on the brink of the cliff.那棵树生长在峭壁的边缘。
• The two countries were poised on the brink of war.这两个国家处于交战的边缘。

12 descend   

vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降

参考例句：

• I hope the grace of God would descend on me.我期望上帝的恩惠。
• We're not going to descend to such methods.我们不会沦落到使用这种手段。

13 triumphantly   

ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地

参考例句：

• The lion was roaring triumphantly. 狮子正在发出胜利的吼叫。
• Robert was looking at me triumphantly. 罗伯特正得意扬扬地看着我。

14 contemptible   

adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的

参考例句：

• His personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.他气貌不扬，言语粗俗。
• That was a contemptible trick to play on a friend.那是对朋友玩弄的一出可鄙的把戏。

15 opportune   

adj.合适的，适当的

参考例句：

• Her arrival was very opportune.她来得非常及时。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

16 plundered   

掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Many of our cultural treasures have been plundered by imperialists. 我国许多珍贵文物被帝国主义掠走了。
• The imperialists plundered many valuable works of art. 帝国主义列强掠夺了许多珍贵的艺术品。

17 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

18 liar   

n.说谎的人

参考例句：

• I know you for a thief and a liar!我算认识你了，一个又偷又骗的家伙！
• She was wrongly labelled a liar.她被错误地扣上说谎者的帽子。

19 doggedly   

adv.顽强地，固执地

参考例句：

• He was still doggedly pursuing his studies.他仍然顽强地进行着自己的研究。
• He trudged doggedly on until he reached the flat.他顽强地、步履艰难地走着，一直走回了公寓。

20 repent   

v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔

参考例句：

• He has nothing to repent of.他没有什么要懊悔的。
• Remission of sins is promised to those who repent.悔罪者可得到赦免。

21 leniency   

n.宽大（不严厉）

参考例句：

• udges are advised to show greater leniency towards first-time offenders.建议法官对初犯者宽大处理。
• Police offer leniency to criminals in return for information.警方给罪犯宽大处理以换取情报。

22 fugitive   

adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者

参考例句：

• The police were able to deduce where the fugitive was hiding.警方成功地推断出那逃亡者躲藏的地方。
• The fugitive is believed to be headed for the border.逃犯被认为在向国境线逃窜。

23 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

24 ridge   

n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭

参考例句：

• We clambered up the hillside to the ridge above.我们沿着山坡费力地爬上了山脊。
• The infantry were advancing to attack the ridge.步兵部队正在向前挺进攻打山脊。

25 eastward   

adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部

参考例句：

• The river here tends eastward.这条河从这里向东流。
• The crowd is heading eastward,believing that they can find gold there.人群正在向东移去，他们认为在那里可以找到黄金。

26 westward   

n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西

参考例句：

• We live on the westward slope of the hill.我们住在这座山的西山坡。
• Explore westward or wherever.向西或到什么别的地方去勘探。

27 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。