All night long Hamersley and the hunter remain upon the summit of the mound2. It is a night of dread3 anxiety, seeming to them an age.
They think not of taking sleep—they could not. There is that in their minds that would keep them wakeful if they had not slept for a week. Time passing does not lessen5 their suspense6. On the contrary, it grows keener, becoming an agony almost unendurable.
To escape from it, Hamersley half forms the resolution to descend7 the hill and endeavour to steal past the sentinels. If discovered, to attack them boldly, and attempt cutting a way through; then on into the valley, and take such chances as may turn up for the rescue of the refugees.
Putting it to his companion, the latter at once offers opposing counsel. It would be more than rashness—sheer madness. At least a dozen soldiers have been left on picket8 at the summit of the pass. Standing9 or sitting, they are scattered10 all over the ground. It would be impossible for anyone going down the gorge11 to get past them unperceived; and for two men to attack twelve, however courageous12 the former and cowardly the latter, the odds13 would be too great.
“I wouldn’t mind it for all that,” says Walt, concluding his response to the rash proposal, “ef thar war nothin’ more to be did beyont. But thar is. Even war we to cut clar through, kill every skunk14 o’ ’em, our work ’ud be only begun. Thar’s two score to meet us below. What ked we do wi’ ’em? No, Frank; we mout tackle these twelve wi’ some sort o’ chance, but two agin forty! It’s too ugly a odds. No doubt we ked drop a good grist o’ ’em afore goin’ under, but in the eend they’d git the better o’ us—kill us to a sartinty.”
“It’s killing15 me to stay here. Only to think what the ruffians may be doing at this moment! Adela—”
“Don’t gie yur mind to thinkin’ o’ things now. Keep your thoughts for what we may do arterward. Yur Adela ain’t goin’ to be ate up that quick, nor yet my Concheeter. They’ll be tuk away ’long wi’ t’others as prisoners. We kin4 foller, and trust to some chance o’ bein’ able to git ’em out o’ the clutches o’ the scoundrels.”
Swayed by his comrade’s counsel, somewhat tranquillised by it, Hamersley resigns himself to stay as they are. Calmer reflection convinces him there is no help for it. The alternative, for an instant entertained, would be to rush recklessly on death, going into its very jaws16.
They lie along the ground listening, now and then standing up and peering through the branches at the sentries17 below. For a long while they hear nothing save the calls of the card-players, thickly interlarded with carajoz, chingaras, and other blasphemous19 expressions. But just after the hour of midnight other sounds reach their ears, which absorb all their attention, taking it away from the gamesters.
Up out of the valley, borne upon the buoyant atmosphere, comes the baying of bloodhounds. In echo it reverberates20 along the façade of the cliff, for a time keeping continuous. Soon after a human voice, quickly followed by a second; these not echoes or repetitions of the same; for one is the coarse guttural cry of a man, the other a scream in the shrill21 treble of of a woman. The first is the shout of surprise uttered by Chico, the second the shriek22 of alarm sent forth23 by Conchita.
With hearts audibly beating, the listeners bend their ears to catch what may come next, both conjecturing24 the import of the sounds that have already reached them, and this with instinctive25 correctness. Walt is the first to give speech to his interpretation26 of it.
“They’re at the shanty27 now,” he says, in a whisper. “The two houn’s guv tongue on hearin’ ’em approach. That fust shout war from the Injun Cheeko; and the t’other air hern—my gurl’s. Durnation! if they hurt but a he’r o’ her head—Wagh! what’s the use o’ my threetenin’?”
As if seeing his impotence, the hunter suddenly ceases speech, again setting himself to listen. Hamersley, without heeding28 him, is already in this attitude.
And now out of the valley arise other sounds, not all of them loud. The stream, here and there falling in cataracts29, does something to deaden them. Only now and then there is the neigh of a horse, and intermittently30 the bark of one of the bloodhounds, as if these animals had yielded, but yet remain hostile to the intruders. They hear human voices, too, but no shout following that of Chico, and no scream save the one sent up by Conchita.
There is loud talk, a confusion of speakers, but no report of firearms. This last is tranquillising. A shot at that moment heard by Hamersley would give him more uneasiness than if the gun were aimed at himself.
“Thank God!” he gasps31 out, after a long spell of listening, “Miranda has made no resistance. He’s seen it would be no use, and has quietly surrendered. I suppose it’s all over now, and they are captives.”
“Wal, better thet than they shed be corpses,” is the consolatory32 reflection of the hunter. “So long as thar’s breath left in thar bodies we kin hev hope, as I sayed arready. Let’s keep up our hearts by thinkin’ o’ the fix we war in atween the wagguns, an’ arterwards thet scrape in the cave. We kim clar out o’ both in a way we mout call mirakelous, an’ we may yit git them clar in someat the same fashion. ’Slong’s I’ve got my claws roun’ the stock o’ a good gun, wi’ plenty o’ powder and lead, I ain’t a-goin’ to deespar. We’ve both got that, tharfor niver say die!”
The hunter’s quaint33 speech is encouraging; but for all, it does not hinder him and his comrade from soon after returning to a condition of despondency, if not actual despair.
A feeling which holds possession of them till the rising of the sun, and on till it reaches meridian34.
When the day breaks, with eyes anxiously scrutinising, they look down into the valley. A mist hangs over the stream, caused by the spray of its cataracts.
Lifting at length, there is displayed a scene not very different from what they have been expecting.
Around the ranche they see horses picketed35 and soldiers moving among them or standing in groups apart; in short, a picture of military life in “country quarters.”
Their point of view is too far off to identify individual forms or note the exact action carried on. This last, left to conjecture36, is filled up by fancies of the most painful kind.
For long hours are they constrained37 to endure them—up to that of noon. Then, the notes of a bugle38, rising clear above the hissing39 of the cascades40, foretell41 a change in the spectacle. It is the call, “Boots and saddles!” The soldiers are seen caparisoning their horses and standing by the stirrup.
Another blast gives the order to “Mount!” Soon after, the “Forward!” Then the troop files off from the front of the jacal, disappearing under the trees like a gigantic glittering serpent. The white drapery of a woman’s dress is seen fluttering at its head, as if the reptile42 had seized upon some tender prey—a dove from the cote—and was bearing it off to its slimy lair43.
For another half-hour the two men on the mound wait with nervous impatience44. It requires this time to make the ascent45 from the centre of the valley to the upper plain. After entering among the trees, the soldiers and their captives are out of sight; but the clattering46 of their horses’ hoofs47 can be heard as they strike upon the rock-strewn path. Once or twice a trumpet48 sound proclaims their movements upon the march.
At length the head of the troop appears, the leading files following one after the other along the narrow ledge49. As they approach the summit of the pass the track widens, admitting a formation “by twos.” At the trumpet call they change to this, a single horseman riding at their head.
He is now near enough for his features to be distinguished50, and Hamersley’s heart strikes fiercely against his ribs51 as he recognises them. If he had any doubt before, it is set at rest now. He sees Gil Uraga, certain of his being the man who caused the destruction of his caravan52. His own horse, ridden by the robber, is proof conclusive53 of the crime.
He takes note that the lancer colonel is dressed in splendid style, very different from the dust-stained cavalier who the day before passed over the desert plain. Now he appears in a gorgeous laced uniform, with lancer cap and plume54, gold cords and aiguillettes dangling55 adown his breast; for he has this morning made his toilet with care, in consideration of the company in which he intends travelling.
Neither Hamersley nor the hunter hold their eyes long upon him; they are both looking for another individual—each his own. These soon make their appearance, their white dresses distinguishable amid the darker uniforms. During the march their position has been changed. They are now near the centre of the troop, the young lady upon her own mare56 Lolita, while the Indian damsel is mounted on a mule57. They are free, both hand and limb, but a file in front, with another behind, have charge of them. Farther rearward is another group, more resembling captives. This is composed of three men upon mules58, fast bound to saddle and stirrup, two of them having their arms pinioned59 behind their backs. Their animals are led each by a trooper who rides before. The two about whose security such precaution has been taken are Don Valerian and the doctor, the third, with his arms free, is Chico. His fellow-servant Manuel, also on mule-back, is following not far behind, but in his attitude or demeanour there is nothing to tell of the captive. If at times he looks gloomy, it is when he reflects upon his black treason and infamous60 ingratitude61. Perhaps he has repented62, or deems the prospect63 not so cheerful as expected. After all, what will be his reward? He has ruined his master and many others beside, but this will not win him the love of Conchita.
The spectators feel somewhat relieved as Colonel Miranda comes in sight. Still more as the march brings him nearer, and it can be seen that he sits his horse with no sign of having received any injury; and neither has Don Prospero. The elaborate fastenings are of themselves evidences that no hurt has happened to them. It has been a capture without resistance, as their friends hoped it would, their fears having been of a conflict to end in the death of the exiles.
One by one, and two by two, the troops come filing on, till the leader is opposite the spot where the two spectators stand crouching64 among the trees. These are dwarf65 cedars66, and give the best cover for concealment67. Thoroughly68 screened by their thickly-set boughs69 and dense70 dark foliage71, Hamersley and the hunter command a clear view of everything below. The distance to the summit of the pass is about two hundred yards in a slanting72 direction.
As the lancer colonel approaches the spot where the picket is posted, he halts and gives an order. It is for the guard to fall in along with the rest of the troop.
At this moment a similar thought is in the minds of the two men whose eyes are upon him from above. Wilder is the first to give expression to it. He does so in an undertone,—
“Ef we ked trust the carry o’ our rifles, Frank.”
“I was thinking of it,” is the rejoinder, equally earnest. “We can’t I’m afraid it’s too far.”
“I weesh I only had my old gun; she’d a sent a bullet furrer than that. A blue pill inter18 his stomach ’ud simplerfy matters consid’rable. ’Tall events it ’ud git your gurl out o’ danger, and mayhap all on ’em. I b’lieve the hul clanjamfery o’ them spangled jay birds ’ud run at hearin’ a shot. Then we ked gie ’em a second, and load an’ fire half a dozen times afore they could mount up hyar—if they’d dar to try it. Ah! it’s too fur. The distance in these hyar high purairas is desprit deceivin’. Durned pity we kedn’t do it. I fear we can’t.”
“If we should miss, then—”
“Things ’ud only be wuss. I reck’n we’d better let’m slide now, and foller arter. Thar boun’ straight for the Del Norte; but whether or no, we kin eesy pick up thar trail.”
Hamersley still hesitates, his fingers alternately tightening73 on his gun, and then relaxing. His thoughts are flowing in a quick current—too quick for cool deliberation. He knows he can trust his own aim, as well as that of his comrade. But the distance is doubtful, and the shots might fall short. Then it would be certain death to them; for the situation is such that there could be no chance to escape, with fifty horsemen to pursue, themselves mounted upon mules, and therewith be reached without difficulty. They might defend themselves on the mound, but not for long. Two against fifty, they would soon be overpowered. After all, it will be better to let the troop pass on. So counsels the ex-Ranger, pointing out that the prisoners will be carried on to New Mexico—to Albuquerque, of course. He and his comrade are Americans, and not proscribed74 there. They can follow without fear. Some better opportunity may arise for rescuing the captives. Their prison may offer this; and from what they have heard of such places it is probable enough. A golden key is good for opening the door of any gaol75 in Mexico.
Only one thought hinders Hamersley from at once giving way to this reasoning—the thought of his betrothed76 being in such company—under such an escort, worse than unprotected!
Once more he scans the distance that separates him from the soldiers, his gun tightly grasped.
Could their colonel but suspect his proximity77 at that moment, and what is passing through his mind, he would sit with little confidence in his saddle, bearing himself less pompously78.
Caution, backed by the ex-Ranger’s counsel, asserts its sway, and the Kentuckian relaxes his grasp on the gun, dropping its butt79 to the ground.
The last files, having cleared the gap, are formed into a more compact order; when, the bugle again sounding “Forward,” the march is resumed, the troop striking off over the plain in the direction whence it came.
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收听单词发音
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1
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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7
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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picket
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| n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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skunk
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| n.臭鼬，黄鼠狼；v.使惨败，使得零分；烂醉如泥 | |
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15
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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18
inter
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| v.埋葬 | |
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19
blasphemous
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| adj.亵渎神明的，不敬神的 | |
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20
reverberates
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| 回响，回荡( reverberate的第三人称单数 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
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21
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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23
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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24
conjecturing
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| v. & n. 推测，臆测 | |
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25
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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shanty
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| n.小屋，棚屋；船工号子 | |
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28
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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29
cataracts
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| n.大瀑布( cataract的名词复数 )；白内障 | |
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30
intermittently
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| adv.间歇地；断断续续 | |
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31
gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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32
consolatory
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| adj.慰问的，可藉慰的 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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35
picketed
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| 用尖桩围住（picket的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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36
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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39
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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40
cascades
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| 倾泻( cascade的名词复数 )； 小瀑布（尤指一连串瀑布中的一支）； 瀑布状物； 倾泻（或涌出）的东西 | |
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41
foretell
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| v.预言，预告，预示 | |
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42
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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43
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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44
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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45
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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46
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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47
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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48
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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49
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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50
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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51
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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52
caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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53
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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54
plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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55
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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56
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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57
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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58
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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59
pinioned
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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62
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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64
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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65
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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66
cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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67
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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68
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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69
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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70
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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71
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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72
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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73
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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74
proscribed
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| v.正式宣布（某事物）有危险或被禁止( proscribe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
gaol
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| n.(jail)监狱；(不加冠词)监禁；vt.使…坐牢 | |
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76
betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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77
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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78
pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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79
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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