Only a short interval1, a score of seconds elapses, when the door, once more opening, admits the expected visitor. The adjutant, after ushering2 him into the room, withdraws, and commences pacing to and fro in the patio3.
Colonel Gil Uraga feels very much inclined to laugh as he contemplates5 the new-comer, and reflects on the precautions he has taken. A poor devil of an Indian peon, in coarse woollen tilma, tanned sheepskin trousers reaching only to the knee, bare legs below, guaraches upon his feet, and a straw hat upon his head; his long black hail hanging unkempt over his shoulders; his mien6 humble7 and looks downcast, like all of his tribe. Yet it might be seen that, on occasion, his eyes could flash forth8 a light, indicative of danger—a fierce, fiery9 light, such as may have shone in the orbs10 of his ancestors when they rallied around Guatimozin, and with clubs and stakes beat back the spears and swords of their Spanish invaders11.
At the entrance of this humble personage, into the splendidly furnished apartment, his first act is to pull off his tattered12 straw hat, and make lowly obeisance13 to the gorgeously attired14 officer he sees sitting behind the table.
Up to this time Uraga has presumed him to be a perfect stranger, but when the broad brim of the sombrero no longer casts its shade over his face, and his eyelids15 become elevated through increasing confidence, the colonel starts to his feet with an exclamatory speech that tells of recognition.
“Carrambo! You are Manuel—mule16 driver for Don Valerian Miranda?”
“Si, Señor; a servido de V (Yes, Sir; at your Excellency’s service),” is the reply meekly17 spoken, and accompanied with a second sweep of the straw hat—as gracefully18 as if given by a Chesterfield.
At sight of this old acquaintance, a world of thought rushes crowding through the brain of Gil Uraga—conjectures, mingled19 with pleasant anticipations20.
For it comes back to his memory, that at the time of Colonel Miranda’s escape, some of his domestics went off with him, and he remembers that Manuel was one of them. In the Indian bending so respectfully before him he sees, or fancies, the first link of a chain that may enable him to trace the fugitives22. Manuel should know something about their whereabouts? And the ci devant mule driver is now in his power for any purpose—be it life or death.
There is that in the air and attitude of the Indian which tells him there will be no need to resort to compulsory23 measures. The information he desires can be obtained without, and he determines to seek it by adopting the opposite course.
“My poor fellow,” he says, “you look distressed—as if you had just come from off a toilsome journey. Here, take a taste of something to recuperate24 your strength; then you can let me know what you’ve got to say. I presume you’ve some communication to make to me, as the military commandant of the district. Night or day, I am always ready to give a hearing to those who bring information that concerns the welfare of the State.”
While speaking the colonel has poured out a glass of the distilled25 mezcal juice. This the peon takes from his hand, and, nothing loth, spills the liquor between his two rows of white glittering teeth.
Upon his stomach, late unused to it, the fiery spirit produce! an effect almost instantaneous; and the moment after he becomes freely communicative—if not so disposed before. But he has been; therefore the disclosures that follow are less due to the alcohol than to a passion every whit26 as inflammatory. He is acting27 under the stimulus28 of a revenge, terrible and long restrained.
“I’ve missed you from about here, Manuel,” says the colonel, in kindly29 tones, making his approaches with skill. “Where have you been all this while, my good man?”
“With my master,” is the peon’s reply.
“Ah, indeed! I thought your master had gone clear out of the country?”
“Out of the settled part of it only, señor.”
“Oh! he is still, then, within Mexican territory! I am glad to hear that. I was very sorry to think we’d lost such a good citizen and patriot30 as Don Valerian Miranda. True, he and I differ in our views as regards government; but that’s nothing, you know, Manuel. Men may be bitter political enemies, yet very good friends. By-the-way, where is the colonel now?”
Despite his apparent stolidity31, the Indian is not so stupid as to be misled by talk like this. With a full knowledge of the situation—forced upon him by various events—the badinage32 of the brilliant militario does not for a moment blind him. Circumstances have given him enough insight into Uraga’s character and position to know that the tatter’s motives33 should somewhat resemble his own. He has long been aware that the Lancer colonel is in love with his young mistress, as much as he himself with her maid. Without this knowledge he might not have been there—at least, not with so confident an expectation of success in the design that has brought him hither. For design he has, deep, deadly, and traitorous34.
Despite the influence of the aguardiente, fast loosening his tongue, he is yet somewhat cautious in his communications; and not until Uraga repeats the question does he make answer to it. Then comes the response, slowly and reluctantly, as if from one of his long-suffering race, who has discovered a mine of precious metal, and is being put to the torture to “denounce” it.
“Señor coronel,” he says, “how much will your excellency give to know where my master now is? I have heard that there’s a large bounty35 offered for Don Valerian’s head.”
“That is an affair that concerns the State. For myself, I’ve nothing personally to do with it. Still, as an officer of the Government, it is my duty to take what steps I can towards making your master a prisoner. I think I may promise a good reward to anyone who, by giving information, would enable me to arrest a fugitive21 rebel and bring him before the bar of justice. Can you do that?”
“Well, your excellency, that will depend. I’m only a poor man, and need money to live upon. Don Valerian is my master, and if anything were to happen to him I should lose my situation. What am I to do?”
“Oh, you’d easily get another, and better. A man of your strength— By the way, talking of strength, my good Manuel, you don’t seem to have quite recovered from your journey, which must have been long and fatiguing36. Take another copita; you’re in need of it; ’twill do you good.”
Pressure of this sort put upon an Indian, be he bravo or manso, is rarely resisted. Nor is it in Manuel’s case. He readily yields to it, and tosses off another glass of the aguardiente.
Before the strong alcohol can have fairly filtered down into his stomach its fumes37 ascend38 to his skull39.
The cowed, cautious manner—a marked characteristic of his race—now forsakes40 him; the check-strings of his tongue become relaxed, and, with nothing before his mind save his scheme of vengeance41, and that of securing Conchita, he betrays the whole secret of Colonel Miranda’s escape—the story of his retreat across the Staked Plain, and his residence in the lone4 valley.
When he further informs Uraga about the two guests who have strayed to this solitary42 spot, and, despite his maudlin43 talk, minutely describes the men, his listener utters a loud cry, accompanied by a gesture of such violence as to overturn the table, sending bottle and glasses over the floor.
He does not stay to see the damage righted, but with a shout that reverberates44 throughout the whole house, summons his adjutant, and also the corporal of his guard.
“Cabo!” he cries, addressing himself to the latter in a tone at once vociferous45 and commanding; “take this man to the guard-house! And see you keep him there, so that he may be forthcoming when wanted. Take heed46 to hold him safe. If he be missing, you shall be shot ten minutes after I receive the report of it. You have the word of Gil Uraga for that.”
From the way the corporal makes prisoner the surprised peon, almost throttling47 him, it is evident he does not intend running any risk of being shot for letting the latter escape. The Indian appears suddenly sobered by the rough treatment he is receiving. But he is too much astonished to find speech for protest. Mute, and without offering the slightest resistance, he is dragged out through the open doorway48, to all appearance more dead than alive.
“Come, Roblez!” hails his superior officer, as soon as the door has closed behind the guard corporal and his captive, “Drink with me! Drink! First to revenge! I haven’t had it yet, as I’d thought; that has all to be gone over again. But it’s sure now—surer than ever. After, we shall drink to success in love. Mine is not hopeless, yet. Lost! she is found again—found! Ah, my darling Adela!” he exclaims, staggering towards the portrait, and in tipsy glee contemplating49 it, “you thought to escape me; but no. No one can get away from Gil Uraga—friend, sweetheart, or enemy. You shall yet be enfolded in these arms; if not as my wife, my—margarita!”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
ushering
|
|
| v.引，领，陪同( usher的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
patio
|
|
| n.庭院，平台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
lone
|
|
| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
contemplates
|
|
| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的第三人称单数 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
mien
|
|
| n.风采；态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
fiery
|
|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
orbs
|
|
| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
invaders
|
|
| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
tattered
|
|
| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
obeisance
|
|
| n.鞠躬，敬礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
attired
|
|
| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
eyelids
|
|
| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
mule
|
|
| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
meekly
|
|
| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
gracefully
|
|
| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
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： |
|
|
|
|
20
anticipations
|
|
| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
fugitive
|
|
| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
fugitives
|
|
| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
compulsory
|
|
| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
recuperate
|
|
| v.恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
distilled
|
|
| adj.由蒸馏得来的v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
whit
|
|
| n.一点，丝毫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
stimulus
|
|
| n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
patriot
|
|
| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
stolidity
|
|
| n.迟钝，感觉麻木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
badinage
|
|
| n.开玩笑，打趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
traitorous
|
|
| adj. 叛国的, 不忠的, 背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
bounty
|
|
| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
fatiguing
|
|
| a.使人劳累的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
fumes
|
|
| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
ascend
|
|
| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
skull
|
|
| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
forsakes
|
|
| 放弃( forsake的第三人称单数 )； 弃绝； 抛弃； 摒弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
maudlin
|
|
| adj.感情脆弱的，爱哭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
reverberates
|
|
| 回响，回荡( reverberate的第三人称单数 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
vociferous
|
|
| adj.喧哗的，大叫大嚷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
throttling
|
|
| v.扼杀( throttle的现在分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
contemplating
|
|
| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |