Moon climbs the crystal walls of heaven, and o'er the horizon,
Titan-like, stretches its hundred hands upon mountain and meadow,
Seizing the rocks and the rivers and piling huge shadows together.—LONGFELLOW.
From a long distance the conflagration2 had been visible, its light throwing a red glare far up in the sky, and revealing the huge clouds that swept forward like crimson3 avalanches4, while the surrounding trees glowed as if their branches were burning hot. Those nearest had their bark blistered5 and their leaves curled and scorched6 from the intense heat. A conflagration at night, when viewed from a distance, always seems awful in its sublimity7. There is something calculated to inspire terror in the illuminated8 dome9 of the heavens and the onward10 sweep of this fearful element, when viewed in a civilized11 country; but it is only in the wilderness12, away from the abode13 of man, that such an exhibition partakes of all the elements of grandeur14 and terror.
The solitary15 hunter, as he stood upon the banks of some lonely stream, leaned on his rifle and gazed with a beating heart at the brilliant redness that lit up so much of the sky. The beasts in their lair16 turned their glowing eyeballs toward the dreadful illumination, and stood transfixed with fear until its light died away; while the dark face of the vengeful Shawnee grew darker and more terrible as he gazed upon this work of his own hands. A silence, deep and profound, rested like a pall18 upon the wilderness and remained there until darkness again held undisputed reign19.
Lieutenant20 Canfield had seen the glowing light from a great distance, when its appearance was much like that of the moon as it comes up in the horizon. Little did he suspect its true nature. It was not until the next morning that he encountered Oonomoo, the Huron, who related the particulars of the attack of the Shawnee party upon the house of Captain Prescott and the capture of his daughter. Had not the impulsive21 Lieutenant thus learned of his beloved's safety from massacre22, had he not received the assurance of an immediate23 attempt for her recapture, there is no telling to what imprudent lengths he might have gone in his blind devotion to the young captive. Oonomoo remained with him but a short time, when he departed on his mission to the Shawnee village, and the lover continued on toward the estate of Captain Prescott.
It was nearly noon when Lieutenant Canfield reached the place—now nothing but a mass of charred25 and blackened ruins. Leaving his horse in the woods, he dismounted and examined the remains27 of the mansion28 and smaller buildings. The ghastly corpses29 of the negroes still lay upon the ground, having been undisturbed, and with a feeling of heart-sickness the young soldier passed them by. In his profession, he had witnessed many revolting sights, but none that affected30 him more than this. He shuddered31, as he reflected that the very barbarians33 who had wantonly inflicted34 his woe35 were the captors of the adored daughter of Captain Prescott, and that they had inflicted as shocking outrages36 even upon such defenseless captives as she.
Walking thus moodily37 forward, he was suddenly brought to a standstill by coming in front of an awkward, odd-looking structure, which excited his wonder in no small degree. The charred remains of the logs of one of the buildings had been collected together and piled one above the other, so that they bore some resemblance to a rudely-fashioned oven. From the circumstances of the case, these must have been arranged in this manner subsequently to the visit of the Shawnees, and it was this fact which awakened39 the curiosity of the Lieutenant. His first supposition was that it was the doings of the Huron. But what reason could he have had for rearing such a structure? What possible purpose could it serve him?
All at once it flashed upon the Lieutenant that it was the work of the Shawnees themselves, and he began to view the contrivance with some apprehension40. This feeling was considerably41 strengthened when he either heard or fancied he heard the movement of some one within it. Prudence42 dictated43 that he should place a little more distance between it and himself. Accordingly he began to retreat, walking backward and keeping his gaze fixed17 upon it, ready for any demonstration44 from his concealed45 enemies.
Suddenly something within the hollow of the structure fell with a dull thump47 that nearly lifted the Lieutenant from his feet. At the same moment he heard a suppressed growl48, as if made by a caged bear. He now began to feel more wonder than fear.
"What in the name of creation is the meaning of that concern, and what sort of animal is caged in it?" he muttered, staying his retreat.
The Lieutenant debated whether or not to approach and examine the interior of the odd-looking hut. It seemed hardly possible that any human being could be within, although it was certain there was some living object there.
"At any rate I'll stir him up," he concluded, resolutely49 approaching. The growls50 were now redoubled, and he really believed some four-footed animal was the cause of all the uproar51.
"It may be the Shawnees have attempted a little pleasantry after their bloody52 work, and caged up some poor creature within those logs," thought he. "I'll let him loose if such be the case."
He placed his hand upon the stump53 of a log nearest to him, when a thunderbolt appeared to have exploded before him. He started back as though he had received an electric shock. A perfect battery of howls was leveled against him, and for a moment his ears were stunned54 with the deafening55 uproar. He determined56, however, to solve the mystery. Giving the structure a push that brought it tumbling to the ground, he sprung back and held his rifle prepared for any foe57, were he a four-footed or a two-footed one. Instead of either, what was his amazement58 to see a negro, as black as midnight, emerge from the ruins, and cringe at his feet.
"Oh, Mr. Injine, please don't shoot! please don't kill me! Nice, good Mr. Injine, don't hurt me! Please don't tomahawk poor Cato! He never hurt an Injine in all his life. Please don't! Oh, don't! don't! don't! boo-hoo! oo!-oo-oo!"
"Get up, get up, Cato, and don't make a fool of yourself," said the Lieutenant, recognizing in the frightened negro the favorite servant of Captain Prescott's family.
"Oh, please don't hurt me! Please don't kill poor Cato! He never hurt good Injine in all his life! Please, good, nice Mr. Injine, let me go, and I'll do anyt'ing you wants me to, and lubs you as long as I lib. Please, don't hurt poor nigger Cato," repeated the servant, fairly beside himself with terror.
"If you don't want to be killed, get up," said the young officer, sternly enough to bring Cato to his senses; but only after he had been assisted by what he supposed to be a ferocious59 Indian, ready to brain him, was he enabled to rise and to keep his feet.
"If you don't want to be killed, get up," said the young officer.]
[Illustration: "If you don't want to be killed, get up," said the young officer.]
"Don't you know me, Cato?" asked the Lieutenant, laughing heartily60 at the woe-begone appearance of the negro.
"Hebens, golly! ain't you an Injine, Massa Canfield?" he asked, his knees still shaking with terror.
"Do I look like one?"
"Guess you isn't, arter all," added the negro, with more assurance. "Hebens, golly! I ain't afeard!" he suddenly exclaimed, straightening up proudly. "Didn't t'ink Cato was afeard, Massa Canfield?"
"I must say that the circumstantial evidence of your cowardice61 is hard to resist."
The negro's eyes enlarged as he heard the large words of the soldier, and his looks showed that he had no idea of their meaning.
"Doesn't t'ink I's afeard?"
"Why did you build such a looking concern as that?"
"Why I build dat? To keep de rain off of me."
"It hasn't rained at all for several days."
"Know dat, but, den1, expect maybe 'twill. Bes' to be ready for it when does come."
"But, as there were no evidences of a storm coming very soon, why should you get in there just now?"
"Storms out in dese parts bust62 berry suddent sometimes. Oughter know dat, Massa Canfield."
"Yes, I do; but, why in the name of common sense did you set up such a growling63 when I came near your old cabin?"
"Did I growl at you?"
"Yes: made as much noise as a grizzly64 bear could have done."
"Done it jist for fun, Massa. Hebens, golly! wanted to see if you was afeard, too."
"But," said the soldier, assuming a more serious air, "let the jesting cease. When did you put those logs together, Cato?"
"Dis morning, arter dey went away," he replied, with a shudder32, casting a look of terror around him.
"And when did they—the Shawnees—go away?"
"Didn't stay long, Massa; come in de night, berry late—bust on de house all at once."
Lieutenant Canfield felt a painful interest in all that related to Mary Prescott. Although the Huron had given him the principal incidents of the attack and massacre, he could not restrain himself from questioning the negro still further.
"Had you no warning of their approach?"
"Nothing; didn't know dey war about till dey war among us."
"What was the first thing you heard, Cato? Give me the particulars so far as you can remember."
"Hebens, golly! I'll neber forgit dat night if I lib a fousand years. Wal, you see I and Big Mose had just gwane to bed and blowed de candle out——"
"Had Miss Mary retired66?"
"Yes—she'd been gone a good while. You see, me and Big Mose am generally de last niggers dat am up, specially67 myself. I goes around for to see if de t'ings am all right about de house. Wal, me and Mose had been around to see if eberyt'ing was right, and was coming back from de barn and got purty near de house, when Mose whispers, 'Cato, I see'd a man crawling on de ground back dar. I didn't say nuffin' for fear ob scaring ob you.' 'Oh! git out,' says I, 'you's skeart.' But I felt a little oneasy myself, 'cause I kind ob fought I heern somefin' when we was a little furder off. I commenced for to walk fast, and Big Mose commenced for to walk fast, and afore we knowed it, we bofe was a canterin', and when we come aginst de door, we'd like to 've busted68 it in, we was tearing along so fast. We tumbled in ober each oder, and fastened dat door in a hurry you'd better beliebe."
"Wal, we went to our room, and blowed out de candle and said our prayers and went to bed. We hadn't been laying dar long, when Big Mose turned ober toward me, and whispers, 'I tell you, Cato, dar am Inj'ines about de house. 'Cause why I see'd one, and I had a dream last night dat a whole lot ob dem comes here in de night and killed all of us niggers and burnt Missis Mary!' Hebens, golly! Massa Canfield, I begun to turn white about de gills when I heerd him say dat. I'd been shibering and shaking, and now I shook like de ager. I told Big Mose to be still and go to sleep, 'cause it seemed to me if I went to sleep when t'ings looked bad, dey would be all right agin in de mornin'. But, he wouldn't be still and says, 'I tell you, Cato, dar am Injines crawlin' around ob dis house dis very minute, 'cause I can hear dar knees and hands on de ground.' I couldn't make Big Mose keep quiet. Bimeby, he says, 'Cato, let's git up and be ready for 'em, for dey're comin'. I knows it, I ken26 feel it in my bones. Let's wake up Missis Mary and de niggers and fight 'em, for dey'll be here afore morning, sure.' Wal, dat nigger worrid me awful. I told him I wouldn't git up, but was going to sleep, and turned ober in bed, but I couldn't keep my eyes shet.
"Bimeby, I heard Big Mose crawling soft-like out de bed. He was trying to make no noise, so he wouldn't wake me, finking I was asleep. He stepped like a cat on de floor, and I listened to see what he was going to do. I heerd him move around and den all was still. 'What you doing, Mose?' I axed. 'I'm going to say my prayers,' he said, 'and it's de last time too, 'cause de Injines will soon be here.' I didn't try to stop him, for I felt so bad, I commenced saying mine in de bed.
"Big Mose kept mumbling69 and crying for a long time, and I shaking more and more, when all at once, hebens, golly! I see'd somefin' bright-like shine trough de winder, and I looked out and de barn was all afire. Den dar come a yell dat nearly blowed de roof off de house. Big Mose gib a screech70 and run, and bang-bang went a lot ob guns all around us. De Injines was dar, burnin', tomahawkin', screechin', shoutin', and killin' de poor niggers as fast as dey showed demselves. I see'd Miss Mary——"
"Did they harm her?"
"No! She didn't 'pear skeart a bit. She tried to keep de Injines from killing71 de poor niggers, not t'inking anyt'ing about herself."
"How was it that you escaped?"
"I stayed where I was till I was nearly burnt up, when I sneaked72 out and none of 'em didn't 'pear to notice me. I hid in de woods and stayed dar till mornin'."
"Did you see anything more of Miss Mary?"
"Yes, I see'd de Injines go away purty soon, and take her along. Dey didn't take any ob de niggers, 'cause dey had killed 'em all but me, and I was already dead, but I comed to agin."
"None of Captain Prescott's family were in the house besides Mary, were they?" asked the Lieutenant, asking a question of which he well knew the answer.
"Nobody else wan't dar—bress de Lord! Missis Prescott and Helen went off on a visit to de settlement, t'ree, four days ago."
"How was it Miss Mary remained behind?"
"Ki-yi! you doesn't know, eh?" said Cato, grinning vastly, in total forgetfulness, for the moment, of his dreadful surroundings.
"How should I know? Of course, I do not."
"Wal, den, Oonymoo, dat red Injine, told her as how maybe you'd be 'long dese parts 'bout65 dis time, and she 'cluded she'd be't home when you called. Dat's how she was heah!"
A thrill went through the gallant73 Lieutenant at this evidence of the affection of the fair maiden74 he had journeyed so far to see. Despite the heart-sickness which had come over him at sight of the revolting scenes around, he experienced a sort of pleasure from the words of the negro, and felt anxious for him to say more.
"How do you know, Cato, that this was the reason she remained behind?"
"Hebens, golly! didn't I hear her tell Missis so?"
"Her mother? And what did she say?"
"Oh! she and Missis Helen kinder laughed, and showed all dar white teef, and dey didn't try to persuade her to go, 'cause dey knowed dar wan't no use ob tryin' to do nuffin' like dat. She lubs the Leftenant altogeder too much. Yah! yah!" and Cato kicked up his heels, hugely delighted.
"Have you told me when you built this house of yours?"
"T'ought I hahd. Done dat ar workmanship dis mornin', arter all de Injines had gone. T'ought dar'd be somebody 'long dis way afore long."
"There has been nothing saved," said the Lieutenant, looking around and speaking apparently75 to himself.
"Noffin' but dis poor nigger, and I don't know what will become of him now dat he's all alone," said Cato, with a woe-begone demeanor76.
"Have no anxiety upon that account. You shall be attended to. Captain Prescott and all his family are living, and, depend upon it, you will not suffer if he can prevent it."
"But de house am gone—de horses—de corns—eberyt'ing but me."
The young soldier continued musing77 for a moment and then asked:
"How far from here is the settlement to which Mrs. Prescott has gone?"
"Ten, fifteen or forty miles."
"Can't you tell me more precisely78 than that?"
"Somewhere atween ten and forty or fifty—dat's all I can tell."
"Have you ever been there yourself?"
"Offin—horseback."
"You know the way?"
"Jes' as well as did from de house to de barn."
"How would you like to go there?"
"What! alone?" asked Cato, the old look of terror coming back to his countenance79.
"Certainly—you have been there and back you said, didn't you?"
"Yes, but bress your soul! de Injines wan't about den."
"I guess there were as many as there are this minute."
"Oh! gracious! I don't want to go alone. What made ye ax me dat queshun?"
"Why, I thought this, Cato. You see I expect Oonomoo to return to this place by nightfall, when I intend to accompany him to the Shawnee village where Miss Mary is held captive——"
"Goin' to git her?"
"We hope to. I was going to propose that you should make your way to the settlement and carry the news of this sad affair to Mrs. Prescott and her daughter, assuring her that the Huron and myself will do all we can to rescue Mary. They must have seen the light, last night, and no doubt are dreadfully anxious to learn whether it was their mansion or not. Besides, I doubt whether the Huron will be willing that you should accompany us."
"Why won't he? I guess Cato knows enough to take care of his self. Allus has done it. Done it last night."
"We will let the matter rest until his return. It shall be as he says."
"What time 'spect him?"
"In the course of a few hours. In the meantime, there is another matter that must be attended to. Do you know whether there is a spade or shovel80 lying about?"
"Dunno; guess dar is dough81. I'll see in a minute."
Cato ran some distance to where the charred remains of another building were heaped together, and searching among the ruins, brought forth82 a spade with a portion of the handle still left.
"What ye want to do dat ar?" he asked, as he brought it to the Lieutenant.
"We must bury those bodies, Cato. It would be wrong to deny them a decent burial when we possess the time and means."
Cato had a mortal horror of touching83 any creature that was dead, but more than once he had wished that the corpses were placed in the ground, although he had not the courage to put them there. He showed no reluctance84 now to the performance of his portion of the task.
"You know how to dig, I presume?" asked the Lieutenant.
"Yis, I offin dug wid dis berry same spade. Whar'd you want thar graves?"
"One grave will answer for the four, and this spot will do as well as any other."
The soldier gave the proper directions, and the negro commenced his labor85 at once. In an hour or two, he had hollowed out a grave, ready for the reception of the dead bodies. He could not conceal46 his repugnance86 to touching them, although he did not refuse to do so.
"Dat ar is poor Big Mose," said he, as they took hold of a Herculean negro, who had been brained by the keen tomahawk. "And he knowed the Injines war a-comin' a long time afore dey did. Poor Mose," he added, as the big tears trickled87 down his cheek, "he neber will eat any more big suppers or come de double-shuffle or de back-action-spring by moonlight. Poor feller! he had a big heel and knowed how to handle it."
The body was carefully lowered into the grave, and the others, one by one, were placed beside it. It was a sight which haunted Lieutenant Canfield for many a night—those black, upturned corpses—awful evidences of the terrible passions of the Shawnees. The earth was carefully deposited over them and the last sad rites88 performed.
The sun was now past the meridian89, and the young soldier began to look momentarily for the appearance of the Huron. An hour or two had passed, when Cato spoke90:
"Massa Canfield, 'tain't noways likely dat ar Injine will be along afore dark. Dat's de time dem critters likes to travel, so what's de use ob our waitin' here so long. Oder Injines mought be around dese parts and wouldn't it be a good idee to git in de woods whar dey wouldn't be so apt to see us?"
It struck the Lieutenant that there was some sense in the advice of the negro; so he concluded to act upon it. Moving away toward the wood, his foot struck and scattered91 a pile of black cinders93 lying near the ruins of the house. Looking down, he saw something glitter. What was his surprise to discover in the ashes a gold watch and chain which he had often seen upon the neck of Mary Prescott. A portion of the chain had been melted by the intense heat, but by some singular means, the watch had been so well preserved that there was scarcely a blemish94 upon it. As he picked it up, Cato exclaimed, with rolling eyes:
"Dat is Miss Mary's! dat is Miss Mary's!"
"It couldn't have been around her neck, certainly, when it was lost."
"No, she allers laid it on de stand aside her bed, and dat's de way it got dar. See, dar's de legs ob de stand."
It was as the negro said, and in the hope of finding some more of the valuables of the family, the soldier kicked the ashes and cinders hither and thither95 and searched among them for a considerable time. Nothing further rewarded him, however. Placing the watch upon his own person, he went on, across the edge of the clearing, into the woods beyond. He led his horse further into their protection, and then beckoned96 the negro to his side.
"Do you feel sleepy, Cato?"
"No! what'd you ax that fur?"
"Well I do, and I am going to try to get a little sleep. I wish you to keep watch of the clearing while I do."
"Don't 'spect none of dem Injines will be back here?"
"No, but Oonomoo will probably soon be. I want you to see him the minute he comes, and awaken38 me so that there shall be no unnecessary delay."
Cato promised to obey, and took his station nearer the clearing, while the fatigued97 soldier stretched himself upon the ground and was soon wrapped in a dreamless slumber98.
Lieutenant Canfield slept until nearly sunset, and would have slept even longer had he not been aroused by Cato roughly shaking his shoulder.
"Why, what's the matter?" he asked, looking up in the terror-stricken countenance of the negro.
"Hebens, golly! dey've come!"
"Who has come? what are you talking about?"
"De Injines. Dar's forty fousand of 'em out dar in de clearing!"
Considerably flurried by the husky words of his sable99 friend, Lieutenant Canfield arose and walked stealthily toward the clearing to satisfy himself in regard to the cause of the negro's excessive fear.
"Be keerful, or dey'll see you," admonished100 the latter, following several yards behind.
Approaching as near the edge of the wood as he deemed prudent24, he was rewarded by the sight of some six or eight Indians—undoubtedly Shawnees—who were examining the ruins that lay around them with considerable curiosity. They were ugly-looking customers in their revolting war-paint and fantastic costumes, and the Lieutenant felt that the wisest plan he could adopt was to give them a wide berth101. Withdrawing further into the wood, he asked the negro when he had first seen them.
"Massa Canfield, I stood and watched out dar for two, free hours till I fell asleep myself and come down kerwollup on de ground. I laid dar a good while afore I woke, and de fust t'ing I see'd when I looked out dar, war dem Injines walking round, kickin' up t'ings and makin' darselves at home ginerally. You'd better beliebe I trabeled fast to tell you ob it."
"From which direction do you think they come?"
"Dunno, but I finks de way dey looks dat dey come purty near from dis way, mighty102 clus to whar we's standin'; and I t'inks dey'll take de same route to git back agin."
Somehow or other, the Lieutenant had the same impression as the negro. It was so strong upon him that he resolved to change their position at once. Accordingly, he proceeded to where his horse was tied, and unfastening, led him into the wood. Making a détour, he came back nearly upon the opposite side of the clearing, where, if possible, the wood was still thicker. Here they carefully screened themselves from observation and watched the Shawnees.
Hither and thither they passed, searching among the ruins for plunder103, occasionally turning up some trifle upon which they pounced104 with the avidity of children, and examining the half-burnt remnants of chairs, tables and stands, etc. Here and there they pulled the black, twisted nails forth, that looked like worms burnt to a cinder92, and carefully preserved them for future use. Every metallic105 substance was seized as a prize, and some of the wooden portions of instruments were also appropriated. Thin twists of smoke still ascended106 from different spots in the clearing, and the ashes when stirred showed the red live coals beneath them.
"Yah! yah! dat feller's got sumkin' nice," said Cato, laughing heartily and silently at one of the Indians, who had pulled forth a long board with evident delight. Turning it over, he balanced it on his shoulder and was walking rapidly away, when suddenly he sprung several feet in the air with a yell of agony, and jumped from beneath it, rubbing his shoulder very violently as if suffering acute pain.
"Yah! yah! knowed 'twould do dat. Lower part all afire, and reckoned it burnt him a little."
The Indian continued dancing around for several moments, not ashamed to show to his companions how much he suffered. He by no means was the only one who was caught in this manner. Very often, a savage107 would spring from the ground, with a sharp exclamation108, as some coal pierced through his moccasin, and now and then another could be seen, slapping his fingers against his person, after he had hastily dropped some object. One eager Shawnee attempted to draw a red-hot nail from a slab109 with his thumb and finger, and roasted the ends of both by the operation, while a second seated himself upon a board which set fire to the fringe of his hunting-shirt. He did not become aware of it until a few minutes later, when, in walking around, the fire reached his hide. Placing his hand behind him, he received unmistakable evidence of its presence, when he set up a loud whoop110 and started at full speed for the spring, reaching which, he seated himself in it, before he felt entirely111 safe.
These, and many other incidents, amused the Lieutenant for the time being, while the delight of Cato was almost uncontrollable. He seemed in danger of apoplexy several times from the efforts he made to subdue112 his laughter. But, all at once there was a sudden cessation in his mirth, and a visible lengthening113 of his visage. Grasping the shoulder of the soldier, he exclaimed:
"Look dar! Look dar! See dem!"
"I see nothing to alarm us."
"Look dar whar we went into the clearin'. Don't you see dem Injines dar?"
Lieutenant Canfield did see something that alarmed him. The whole eight Indians had followed the track of himself and the negro to the edge of the wood, where they had halted and were consulting together. They certainly must have noticed it before, but had probably been too busy to examine it particularly. It had never once occurred to the white man that this evidence of his presence would tell against him, but he now saw the imminent114 peril115 in which he and the negro were placed.
"We must flee, Cato," said he. "Fortunately it will soon be dark, when they cannot follow us."
"Will we bofe git on de hoss?" asked the frightened negro.
"No; it will do no good. Let us take to the woods. Hush116! What's that?"
Just as they were about moving, the sharp report of a rifle came upon their ears, and with a loud whoop the Shawnees rushed off in a body, taking an easterly direction, which was different from that followed by the soldier and negro. Now that all immediate danger was gone, the two remained behind, to learn, if possible, the cause of the mysterious shot and subsequent action of the Shawnees.
It was not until night, when Oonomoo, the Huron, returned, that the cause was made known. He had approached several hours before, and seen the savages117 in consultation118, and divined the cause of it. To divert them from pursuing his two friends, whom they would most certainly have captured, he discharged his piece among them, and then purposely showed himself to draw them after him. The stratagem119 succeeded as well as he could have wished. He easily eluded120 them, until they had followed him some distance in the woods, when he made his way back again to the clearing, where he rejoined the Lieutenant and the negro.
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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avalanches
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| n.雪崩( avalanche的名词复数 ) | |
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blistered
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| adj.水疮状的，泡状的v.（使）起水泡( blister的过去式和过去分词 )；（使表皮等）涨破，爆裂 | |
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scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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sublimity
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| 崇高，庄严，气质高尚 | |
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illuminated
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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21
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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22
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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23
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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24
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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25
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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26
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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27
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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28
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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29
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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30
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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31
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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32
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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33
barbarians
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| n.野蛮人( barbarian的名词复数 )；外国人；粗野的人；无教养的人 | |
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34
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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36
outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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37
moodily
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| adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地 | |
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38
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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39
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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40
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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41
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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42
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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43
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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44
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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45
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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46
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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47
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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48
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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49
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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50
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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51
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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52
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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53
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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54
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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55
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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56
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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57
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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58
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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59
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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60
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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61
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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62
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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63
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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64
grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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65
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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66
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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67
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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68
busted
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| adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词 | |
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69
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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70
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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71
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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72
sneaked
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| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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73
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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74
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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75
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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76
demeanor
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| n.行为；风度 | |
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77
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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78
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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79
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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80
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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81
dough
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| n.生面团；钱，现款 | |
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82
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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83
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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84
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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85
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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86
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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87
trickled
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| v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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88
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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89
meridian
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| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
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90
spoke
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| 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 | |
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91
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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92
cinder
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| n.余烬，矿渣 | |
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93
cinders
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| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
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94
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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95
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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96
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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98
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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99
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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100
admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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101
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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102
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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103
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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104
pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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105
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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106
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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107
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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108
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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109
slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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110
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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111
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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112
subdue
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| vt.制服，使顺从，征服；抑制，克制 | |
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113
lengthening
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
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114
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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115
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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116
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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117
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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118
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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119
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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120
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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