The arrival of the Rangers3 at that particular time is certainly a contingency4 of the strangest kind. Ten minutes later, and they would have found the jacal deserted5; for Hamersley and Wilder had made up their minds to set off, taking the traitor6 along with them. The Texans would have discovered signs to tell of the place having been recently occupied by a large body of men, and from the tracks of shod horses these skilled trailers would have known the riders were not Indians. Still, they would have made delay around the ranche and encamped in the valley for that night. This had been their intention, their horses being jaded7 and themselves wearied making their way up the canon. Though but ten miles in a direct line, it was well nigh twenty by the winding8 of the stream—a good, even difficult, day’s journey.
On going out above they would have seen the trail of Uraga’s party, and known it to be made by Mexican soldiers. But, though these were their sworn foemen, they might not have been tempted10 to follow them. The start of several hours, their own animals in poor condition, the likelihood of a larger force of the enemy being near—all this would have weighed with them, and they would have continued on to the cave whither the renegade was guiding them—a direction altogether different. A very singular coincidence, then, their coming up at that exact instant. It seemed the hand of Providence11 opportunely12 extended; and in this light Hamersley looked upon it, as also the ex-Ranger2.
Briefly13 as may be they make known to the new-comers all that had transpired14, or as much as for the time needs to be told. Then appeal to them for assistance.
By the Texans their cause is instantly espoused—unanimously, without one dissenting15 voice. On the contrary, all are uttered with an energy and warmth that give Hamersley a world of hope. Here are friends, whose enemies are his own. And they are in strength sufficient to pursue Uraga’s troop and destroy it. They may overtake it that very night; if not, on the morrow. And if not then, they will pursue it to the borders of New Mexico—to the banks of the Del Norte itself.
His heart is no more depressed16. The chance of rescuing his friends from death and saving his betrothed17 from dishonour18 is no longer hopeless. There is now a probability—almost a certainty—of its success. Backed by Wilder, he proposes instant pursuit.
To the Texans the proposal is like an invitation to a ball or frontier fandango. Excitement is the breath of their life, and a fight with Mexicans their joy; a pursuit of these their supremest delight. Such as this, moreover, having for its object not only the defeat of a hated foe9, but the recovery of captives, beautiful women, as their old comrade Walt enthusiastically describes them, is the very thing to rouse the Rangers to energetic action, rekindling19 in their hearts the spirit of frontier chivalry—the same which led them to become Rangers.
Notwithstanding their wild enthusiasm they do not proceed rashly. Haynes, their captain, is an old “Indian fighter,” one of the most experienced chiefs of that Texan border warfare21, so long continued.
Checking their impatience22 to pursue at once, he counsels prudence23 and deliberate action. Cully also recommends this course.
“But why should we lose a moment?” inquires the hot-blooded Kentuckian, chafing24 at the delay; “they cannot yet be more than ten miles off. We may overtake them before sunset.”
“That’s just what we mustn’t do,” rejoins the Ranger chief. “Suppose they get sight of us before we’re near? On the naked plain, you say it is, they’d be sure to do that. What then? Their horses, I take it, are fresh, compared with ours. They might gallop25 off and leave us gazing after them like so many April fools. They’d have time, too, to take their prisoners along with them.”
This last speech makes an impression upon all. Even Hamersley no longer offers opposition26.
“Let the sun go down,” continues the Texan captain; “that’s just what we want. Since they’re bound due west I reckon we can easily keep on their trail, clear night or dark one. Here’s Nat Cully can do that; and if our friend Walt hasn’t lost his old skill he can be trusted for the same.”
The Ranger and ex-Ranger, both standing20 by, remain modestly silent.
“Our plan will be,” pursues Haynes, “to approach their camp under cover of night, surround, and so make certain of them. They’ll have a camp; and these Mexican soldiers are such greenhorns, they’re sure to keep big fires burning, if it is only to give them light for their card-playing. The blaze’ll guide us to their squatting-ground, wherever they may make it.”
The captain’s scheme seems so rational that no one opposes it. Walt Wilder in words signifies assent27 to it, and Hamersley, with, some reluctance28, is at length constrained29 to do the same.
It is resolved to remain two hours longer in the valley, and then start for the upper plain. That will give time to recruit their horses on the nutritious30 gramma grass, as themselves on the game they have killed before entering the canon. This hangs plentifully31 over the horns of their saddles, in the shape of wild turkeys, haunches of venison, and pieces of bear meat.
The fire on the cabin hearth32 and those kindled33 by the soldiers outside are still smouldering. They are quickly replenished34, and the abandoned cooking utensils35 once more called into use. But pointed36 saplings, and the iron ramrods of their rifles—the Ranger’s ordinary spit—are in greater demand, and broiling37 is the style of cuisine38 most resorted to.
The turkeys are plucked and singed39, the venison and bear meat cut into collops, and soon two score pieces are sputtering40 in the flames of half-a-dozen bivouac fires, while the horses, unbridled, are led out upon their lariats, and given to the grass.
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收听单词发音
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1
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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3
rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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jaded
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| adj.精疲力竭的；厌倦的；（因过饱或过多而）腻烦的；迟钝的 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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14
transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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15
dissenting
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| adj.不同意的 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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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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dishonour
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| n./vt.拒付（支票、汇票、票据等）；vt.凌辱，使丢脸；n.不名誉，耻辱，不光彩 | |
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rekindling
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| v.使再燃( rekindle的现在分词 ) | |
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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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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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23
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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24
chafing
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| n.皮肤发炎v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的现在分词 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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25
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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27
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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29
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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30
nutritious
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| adj.有营养的，营养价值高的 | |
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31
plentifully
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| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
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32
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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33
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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34
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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35
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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36
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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37
broiling
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| adj.酷热的，炽热的，似烧的v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的现在分词 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
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38
cuisine
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| n.烹调，烹饪法 | |
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39
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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40
sputtering
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| n.反应溅射法；飞溅；阴极真空喷镀；喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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