All this was evidence of the great number of ravenous5 creatures that must have their home in that quarter,—evidence, too, that game animals abounded6, for where these are not numerous the beasts of prey7 cannot exist. Indeed, from the quantity of tracks that were seen upon the shores of the vley, it was evident that animals of various kinds had drunk there during the night. There was the round solid hoof8 of the quagga, and his near congener the dauw; and there was the neat hoof-print of the gemsbok, and the larger track of the eland; and among these Von Bloom did not fail to notice the spoor of the dreaded9 lion. Although they had not heard his roaring that night, they had no doubt but there were plenty of his kind in that part of the country. The presence of his favourite prey,—the quaggas, the gemsboks, and the elands,—were sure indications that the king of beasts was not far off.
Not much work was done that day. The heavy labour of curing the biltongue, that had occupied them the whole of the preceding day, and their disturbed rest, had rendered them all listless; and neither Von Bloom nor the others had any inclination10 for work. So they moved around the camp and did very little.
Swartboy took his elephant’s feet from the oven, and cleaned them; and also let down the biltongue and arranged it so as to be better exposed to the sun. Von Bloom himself shot the three remaining horses, having driven them to a good distance from the camp. He did this to put an end to the suffering of the poor brutes,—for it was plain to every one that they could survive but a day or two longer; and to send a bullet through the heart of each was an act of mercy to them.
Out of all the live-stock of the field-cornet, the cow alone remained, and she was now tended with the greatest care. Without the precious milk, which she yielded in such quantity, their diet would have been savage11 enough; and they fully12 appreciated the service she rendered them. Each day she was driven out to the best pasture, and at night shut up in a safe kraal of wait-a-bit thorns, that had been built for her at a little distance from the tree. These thorns had been placed in such a manner that their shanks all radiated inward, while the bushy tops were turned out, forming a chevaux-de-frise, that scarce any animal would have attempted to get through. Such a fence will turn even the lion, unless when he has been rendered fierce and reckless by provocation13.
Of course a gap had been left for the cow to pass in and out, and this was closed by one immense bush, which served all the purpose of a gate. Such was the kraal of “old Graaf.” Besides the cow, the only living thing that remained in camp was Trüey’s little pet, the fawn14 of the gazelle.
But on that very day another pet was added, a dear little creature, not less beautiful than the springbok, and of still more diminutive15 proportions. That was the fawn of an “ourebi,”—one of the elegant little antelopes16 that are found in such variety over the plains and in the “bush” of Southern Africa.
It was to Hendrik they were indebted not only for this pet, but for a dinner of delicate venison, which they had that day eaten, and which all of them, except Swartboy, preferred to elephant-beef. Hendrik had procured18 the venison by a shot from his rifle, and in the following manner. About midday he went out—having fancied that upon a large grassy19 meadow near the camp he saw some animal. After walking about half a mile, and keeping among bushes, around the edge of the meadow, he got near enough to be sure that it was an animal he had observed, for he now saw two in the place he had marked.
They were of a kind he had not met with before. They were very small creatures,—smaller even than springboks,—but, from their general form and appearance, Hendrik knew they were either antelopes or deer; and, as Hans had told him there were no deer in Southern Africa, he concluded they must be some species of antelope17. They were a buck20 and doe,—this he knew because one of them only carried horns. The buck was under two feet in height, of slender make, and pale tawny21 colour. He was white-bellied, with white arches above the eyes, and some long white hair under the throat. Below his knees were yellowish tufts of long hair, and his horns—instead of being lyrate, like those of the springbok—rose nearly vertical22 to the height of four inches. They were black in colour, round-shaped, and slightly ringed. The doe was without horns, and was a much smaller animal than her mate.
From all these marks Hendrik thought the little antelopes were “ourebis;” and such they were.
He continued to stalk in upon them, until he was as close as he could get. But he was still more than two hundred yards from them, and of course far from being within shooting distance with his small rifle.
A thick jong dora bush concealed23 him, but he dared not go farther else the game would have taken the alarm. He could perceive that they were shy creatures.
Every now and gain the buck would raise his graceful24 neck to its full stretch, utter a slight blearing call, and look suspiciously around him. From these symptoms Hendrik drew the inference that it was shy game, and would not be easily approached.
He lay for a moment, thinking what he should do. He was to leeward25 of the game, as he had purposely gone there; but after a while, to his chagrin26, he saw that they were feeding up the wind, and of course widening the distance between them and himself.
It occurred to Hendrik that it might be their habit to browse27 up the wind, as springboks and some other species do. If so, he might as well give it up, or else make a long circuit and head them. To do this would be a work of labour and of time, and a very uncertain stalk it would be in the end. After all his long tramping, and creeping, and crouching28, the game would be like enough to scent29 him before they came within shot—for it is for this very reason that their instinct teaches them to browse against, and not with the wind.
As the plain was large, and the cover very distant, Hendrik was discouraged and gave up the design he had half formed of trying to head them.
He was about to rise to his feet, and return home, when it occurred to him that perhaps he might find a decoy available. He knew there were several species of antelopes, with whom curiosity was stronger than fear. He had often lured30 the springbok within reach. Why would not these obey the same impulse?
He determined31 to make trial. At the worst he could only fail, and he had no chance of getting a shot otherwise.
Without losing a moment he thrust his hand into his pocket. He should have found there a large red handkerchief which he had more than once used for a similar purpose. To his chagrin it was not there!
He dived into both pockets of his jacket, then into his wide trousers, then under the breast of his waistcoat. No. The handkerchief was not to be found. Alas32! it had been left in the wagon33! It was very annoying.
What else could he make use of? Take off his jacket and hold it up? It was not gay enough in colour. It would not do.
Should he raise his hat upon the end of his gun? That might be better, but still it would look too much like the human form, and Hendrik knew that all animals feared that.
A happy thought at length occurred to him. He had heard, that with the curious antelopes, strange forms or movements attract almost as much as glaring colours. He remembered a trick that was said to be practised with success by the hunters. It was easy enough, and consisted merely in the hunter standing35 upon his hands and head, and kicking his heels in the air!
Now Hendrik happened to be one of those very boys who had often practised this little bit of gymnastics for amusement; and he could stand upon his head like an acrobat36.
Without losing a moment he placed his rifle upon the ground, between his hands, and hoisting37 his feet into the air, commenced kicking them about, clinking them together, and crossing them in the most fantastic manner.
He had placed himself so that his face was turned towards the animals, while he stood upon his head. Of course he could not see them while in this position, as the grass was a foot high; but, at intervals38, he permitted his feet to descend39 to the earth; and then, by looking between his legs, he could tell how the ruse40 was succeeding.
It did succeed. The buck, on first perceiving the strange object, uttered a sharp whistle, and darted41 off with the swiftness of a bird—for the “ourebi” is one of the swiftest of African antelopes. The doe followed, though not so fast, and soon fell into the rear.
The buck, perceiving this, suddenly halted—as if ashamed of his want of gallantry—wheeled round, and galloped42 back, until he was once more between the doe and the odd thing that had alarmed him.
What could this odd thing be? he now seemed to inquire of himself. It was not a lion, nor a leopard43, nor a hyena1, nor yet a jackal. It was neither fox, nor fennec, nor earth-wolf, nor wild hound, nor any of his well-known enemies. It was not a Bushman neither, for they are not double-headed as it appeared. What could it be? It had kept its place—it had not pursued him. Perhaps it was not at all dangerous. No doubt it was harmless enough.
So reasoned the ourebi. His curiosity overcame his fear. He would go a little nearer. He would have a better view of the thing before he took to flight. No matter what it was, it could do no hurt at that distance; and as to overtaking him, pah! there wasn’t a creature, biped or quadruped, in all Africa that he could not fling dust in the face of.
So he went a little nearer, and then a little nearer still, and continued to advance by successive runs, now this way and now that way, zigzagging44 over the plain, until he was within less than a hundred paces of the odd object that at first light had so terrified him.
His companion, the doe, kept close after him; and seemed quite as curious as himself—her large shining eyes opened to their full extent, as she stopped to gaze at intervals.
Sometimes the two met each other in their course; and halted a moment, as though they held consultation45 in whispers; and asked each other if they had yet made out the character of the stranger.
It was evident, however, that neither had done so—as they still continued to approach it with looks and gestures of inquiry46 and wonder.
At length the odd object disappeared for a moment under the grass; and then reappeared,—but this time in an altered form. Something about it glanced brightly under the sun, and this glancing quite fascinated the buck, so that he could not stir from the spot, but stood eyeing it steadily47.
Fatal fascination48! It was his last gaze. A bright flash shot up—something struck him through the heart, and he saw the shining object no more!
The doe bounded forward to where her mate had fallen, and stood bleating49 over him. She knew not the cause of his sudden death, but she saw that he was dead. The wound in his side—the stream of red blood—were under her eyes. She had never witnessed death in that form before, but she knew her lover was dead. His silence—his form stretched along the grass motionless and limber—his glassy eyes—all told her he had ceased to live.
She would have fled, but she could not leave him—she could not bear to part even from his lifeless form. She would remain a while, and mourn over him.
Her widowhood was a short one. Again flashed the priming,—again cracked the shining tube—and the sorrowing doe fell over upon the body of her mate.
The young hunter rose to his feet, and ran forward. He did not, according to usual custom, stop to load before approaching his quarry51. The plain was perfectly52 level, and he saw no other animal upon it. What was his surprise on reaching the antelopes, to perceive that there was a third one of the party still alive!
Yes, a little fawn, not taller than a rabbit, was bounding about through the grass, running around the prostrate53 body of its mother, and uttering its tiny bleat50.
Hendrik was surprised, because he had not observed this creature before; but, indeed, he had not seen much of the antelopes until the moment of taking aim, and the grass had concealed the tiny young one.
Hunter as Hendrik was, he could not help feeling strongly as he regarded the tableau54 before him. But he felt that he had not wantonly destroyed these creatures for mere34 amusement, and that satisfied his conscience.
The little fawn would make a famous pet for Jan, who had often wished for one, to be equal with his sister. It could be fed upon the cow’s milk, and, though it had lost both father and mother, Hendrik resolved that it should be carefully brought up. He had no difficulty in capturing it, as it refused to leave the spot where its mother lay, and Hendrik soon held the gentle creature in his arms.
He then tied the buck and doe together; and, having fastened a strong cord round the horns of the latter, he set off dragging the two antelopes behind him.
As these lay upon the ground, heads foremost, they were drawn55 with the grain of the hair, which made it much easier; and as there was nothing but grass sward to be passed over, the young hunter succeeded in taking the whole of his game to camp without any great difficulty.
The joy of all was great, at seeing such a fine lot of venison, but Jan’s rejoicing was greater than all; and he no longer envied Trüey the possession of her little gazelle.
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1
hyena
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| n.土狼，鬣狗 | |
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hyenas
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| n.鬣狗( hyena的名词复数 ) | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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10
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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12
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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antelopes
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| 羚羊( antelope的名词复数 )； 羚羊皮革 | |
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antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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23
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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leeward
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| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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browse
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| vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草 | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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34
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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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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acrobat
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| n.特技演员，杂技演员 | |
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hoisting
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| 起重，提升 | |
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38
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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39
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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40
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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41
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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42
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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43
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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44
zigzagging
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| v.弯弯曲曲地走路，曲折地前进( zigzag的现在分词 )；盘陀 | |
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45
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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46
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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47
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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48
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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49
bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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50
bleat
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| v.咩咩叫，(讲)废话，哭诉；n.咩咩叫，废话，哭诉 | |
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51
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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52
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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53
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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54
tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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55
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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