Months passed away, and Miss Pritty, sitting in her little boudoir sipping1 a cup of that which cheers, received a letter.
“I know that hand, of course I do. How strange it is there should be such a variety of hands—no two alike, just like faces; though for my part I think that some faces are quite alike, so much so that there are one or two people who are always mistaken for each other, so that people don’t know which is which. Dear me! What an awful thing it would be if these people were so like that each should forget which was the other! Nobody else being able to put them right, there would be irretrievable confusion. What do you want, eh?”
The first part of Miss Pritty’s mutterances was a soliloquy; the query3 was addressed to her small and only domestic with the dishevelled head, who lingered at the door from motives4 of curiosity.
“Nothink, ma’am. Do you wish me to wait, ma’am?”
“No;—go.”
She went, and Miss Pritty, opening the letter, exclaimed, “From my nephew, Edgar! I knew it. Dear fellow! I wonder why he writes to me.”
The letter ran as follows:—
“Dear Aunt,—You will doubtless be surprised to receive a letter from me. It must be brief; the post leaves in an hour. Since I saw you we have had a charming voyage out, but at the last we ran on a rocky island off the coast of China, and became a total wreck5 in a few minutes.”
At this point Miss Pritty gasped6 “oh!” and fainted—at least she went into a perfect semblance7 of the state of coma8, but as she recovered suddenly, and appealed to the letter again with intense earnestness, it may have been something else that was the matter. She resumed her perusal:—
“We succeeded in getting a hawser9 on shore, by means of which, through God’s mercy, nearly all the passengers were saved, including, of course, your friend Miss Hazlit and her father. It is mournful to have to add, however, that before the work was finished the wreck slipped into deep water and sank with all her crew on board. We remained only one day on the rock, when a passing ship observed our signals, took us off, and carried us safely into Hong-Kong.
“Mr Hazlit and his daughter immediately left for—I know not where! I remained here to make some inquiries11 about the wreck, which I am told contains a large amount of gold coin. Now, I want you to take the enclosed letter to my father’s old servant, Joe Baldwin; help him to read it, if necessary, and to answer it by return of post. It is important; therefore, dear aunt, don’t delay. I think you know Baldwin’s address, as I’ve been told he lives in the district of the town which you are wont12 to visit. Excuse this shabby scrawl13, and the trouble I ask you to take, and believe me to be your loving nephew, Edgar Berrington.”
Miss Pritty was a prompt little woman. Instead of finishing her tea she postponed14 that meal to an indefinite season, threw on her bonnet15 and shawl, and left her humble16 abode17 abruptly18.
Joe Baldwin was enjoying a quiet pipe at his own fireside—in company with his buxom19 wife and his friends Mr and Mrs Rooney Machowl—when Miss Pritty tripped up to his door and knocked.
She was received warmly, for Joe sympathised with her affectionate and self-denying spirit, and Mrs Joe believed in her. Woe20 to the unfortunate in whom Mrs Joe—alias Susan—did not believe.
“Come away, Miss,—glad to see you—always so,” said Joe, wiping a chair with his cap and extinguishing his pipe out of deference21; “sit down, Miss.”
Miss Pritty bowed all round, wished each of the party good-evening by name, and seating herself beside the little fire as easily and unceremoniously as though it had been her own, drew forth22 her letter.
“This is for you, Mr Baldwin,” she said; “it came enclosed in one to me, and is from my nephew, Edgar Berrington, who says it is important.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” said Joe, taking the letter, opening it, and looking at it inquiringly.
“Now Miss,” said he, “it’s of no manner o’ use my tryin’ to make it out. You mustn’t suppose, Miss, that divers23 can’t read. There’s many of ’em who have got a good education in the three R’s, an’ some who have gone further. For the matter of that I can read print easy enough, as you know, but I never was good at pot-hooks and hangers24, d’ee see; therefore I’ll be obliged, Miss, if you’ll read it to me.”
Miss Pritty graciously acceded25 to the request, and read:—
“Dear Baldwin,—My aunt, Miss Pritty, who will hand this letter to you, will tell you about our being wrecked26. Now, in regard to that I have a proposal to make. First, let me explain. The wreck of the Warrior27, after slipping off the ledge28 on which she struck, sank in twenty fathoms29 water. On our arrival at Hong-Kong, the agent of the owners sent off to see what could be done in the way of recovering the treasure on board—there being no less than fifty thousand pounds sterling31 in gold in her treasure-room, besides valuables belonging to passengers. A Lloyds’ agent also visited the place, and both came to the conclusion that it was utterly32 impossible to recover anything from such a depth by means of divers. This being so, and I happening to be on the spot, offered to purchase the right to recover and appropriate all the gold I could fish up. They laughed at me as a wild enthusiast33, but, regarding the thing as hopeless themselves, were quite willing to let me have the wreck, etcetera, for what you would call ‘an old song.’ Now, although nominally34 a ‘penniless man,’ I do happen to possess a small property, in the form of a block of old houses in Newcastle, which were left to me by an uncle, and which I have never seen. On these I have raised sufficient money for my purpose, and I intend to make the venture, being convinced that with the new and almost perfect apparatus35 now turned out in London by our submarine engineers, bold divers may reach even a greater depth than twenty fathoms. My proposal then is, that you should come to my aid. I will divide all we bring up into three equal portions. One of these you shall have, one I’ll keep to myself, and the third shall be shared equally by such divers as you think it advisable to employ. What say you? Do the prospects36 and terms suit, and will you come without delay? If so, reply at once, and send all the requisite37 material to this place. Be particular to bring dresses made by the first makers38 in London. I wish this to be a sort of semi-scientific experiment—to recover property from a great depth, to test the powers and properties of the various apparatus now in use and recently invented, and, while so doing, to make my fortune as well as yours, and that of all concerned! Perhaps you think the idea a wild one. Well, it may be so, but wilder ideas than this have been realised. Remember the noble house of Mulgrave!—Yours truly,—
“Edgar Berrington.”
The last sentence in the letter referred to a fact in the history of diving which is worthy39 of mention. In or about the year 1683 a man named Phipps, the son of an American blacksmith, was smitten40 with a mania41, then prevalent, for recovering treasure from sunken wrecks42 by means of diving. He succeeded in fishing up a small amount from the wreck of a Spanish galleon43 off the coast of Hispaniola, which, however, did not pay expenses. Being a man of indomitable perseverance44 as well as enthusiasm, Phipps continued his experiments with varying success, and on one occasion—if not more—succeeded in reducing himself to poverty. But the blacksmith’s son was made of tough material—as though he had been carefully fashioned on his father’s anvil46. He was a man of strong faith, and this, in material as well as spiritual affairs, can remove mountains. He was invincibly47 convinced of the practicability of his schemes. As is usual in such men, he had the power to impart his faith to others. He had moved Charles the Second to assist him in his first efforts, which had failed, but was unable to similarly influence the cautious—not to say close-fisted—James the Second. The Duke of Albemarle, however, proved more tractable48. Through his aid and influence, and with funds obtained from the public, Phipps was enabled in 1687 once more to try his fortune. He set sail in a 200-ton vessel49, and after many fruitless efforts succeeded in raising from a depth of between six and seven fathoms, (considered but a small depth now-a-days) property to the value of about 300,000 pounds. Of this sum the usurious Earl obtained as his share 90,000 pounds while Phipps received 20,000 pounds. Although James the Second had refused to aid in the expedition, he had the wisdom to recognise the good service done to mankind in the saving of so much valuable property at so great personal risk. He knighted Phipps, who thus became the founder50 of the house of Mulgrave—now represented by the Marquis of Normanby.
When Miss Pritty had concluded the letter, Joe Baldwin turned to Rooney Machowl:—
“What think you, lad,” he said, “would you venture down to twenty fathom30?”
“To twenty thousand fathom, if you’ll consint to watch the pumps and howld the life-line,” replied the daring son of Erin.
“Will you let me go, Susan?” said Baldwin, turning to his wife.
“How could I hinder you, Joe?” answered Mrs Baldwin, with a face reddened by suppressed emotion at the bare idea.
“And will you go with me, Susan?”
“I’d sooner go to the—” she stopped, unable to decide as to what part of earth she would not sooner go to than China, but not being versed51 in geography she finished by asserting that she’d sooner go to the moon!
Pretty little Mrs Machowl, on the contrary, vowed52 that no power on earth should separate between her and her Rooney, and that if he went she should go, and the baby too.
“Well then, Miss,” said Baldwin to his visitor, “if you’ll be so kind as to write for me I’ll be obliged. Say to Mister Eddy—I can’t forget the old name, you see—that I’m agreeable; that I’ll undertake the job, along with Rooney Machowl here, and mayhap another man or two. I’ll get all the dresses and apparatus he requires, and will set sail as soon as I can; but, you see, I can’t well start right off, because I’ve a job or two on hand. I’ve a well to go down an’ putt right, an’ I’ve some dock repairs to finish. However, to save time I’ll send Rooney off at once with one dress and apparatus, so that they can be tryin’ experiments till I arrive—which will be by the following steamer. Now, Miss, d’you think you can tell him all that?”
“I will try,” said Miss Pritty, making rapid entries in a small note-book, after completing which and putting a few more questions she hurried home.
Meanwhile Rooney’s wife went off to make arrangements for a long voyage, and a probably prolonged residence in foreign parts, and Joe Baldwin went to visit the well he had engaged to descend53, taking Rooney as his assistant. During his visit to this well, Joe underwent some experiences, both physical and mental, which tried his nerve and courage more severely54 than any descent he had ever made in the open sea.
It is a well-known fact among divers that various temperaments55 are suited to various works, and that, among other things, many men who are bold enough in open water lose courage in confined places such as wells. They say—so powerful is imagination!—that they “cannot breathe” down in a well, though, of course, the means of breathing is the same in all cases. Joe Baldwin, being gifted with cool blood and strong nerves, and possessing very little imagination, was noted56 among his fellows for his readiness and ability to venture anywhere under water and do anything.
The well in question was connected with the waterworks of a neighbouring town. Having got himself and his apparatus conveyed thither57 he spent the night in the town and proceeded on the following morning at day-break to inspect the scene of his operations.
The well was an old one and very deep—about fifteen fathoms. That, however, was a matter of small importance to our diver. What concerned him most was the narrowness of the manhole or entrance at the top, and the generally dilapidated state of the whole affair.
The well, instead of being a circular hole in the ground lined with brick, like ordinary wells, was composed of huge iron cylinders58 four feet in diameter, fitted together and sunk ninety feet into the ground. This vast tube or circular iron well rested on a foundation of brick-work. When sunk to its foundation its upper edge was just level with the ground. Inside of this tube there were a variety of cross-beams, and a succession of iron ladders zigzagging61 from top to bottom, so that it could be descended62 when empty. At the time of Joe’s visit it was found nearly full of water. Down the centre of the well ran two iron pipes, or pumps, each having a “rose” at its lower end, through which the water could be sucked and pumped up to a reservoir a hundred feet high for the supply of the town. These two pumps were worked by an engine whose distinguishing features were noise and rickets63. It could, however, just do its work; but, recently, something had gone wrong with one of the pumps—no water was thrown up by it. Two results followed. On the one hand the water-supply to the town became insufficient64, and, on the other, the surplus water in the well could not be pumped out so as to permit of a man descending65 to effect repairs. In these circumstances a diver became absolutely necessary. Hence the visit of Baldwin and Machowl.
“Now then, diver,” said the managing engineer of the works to Joe, after he had examined everything above ground with care, “you see it is impossible to pump the well dry, because of the defective66 pump and the strength of the spring which feeds it. Water is admitted into the great cylinder59 through a number of holes in the bottom. These holes therefore must be stopped. In order to this, you will have to descend in the water with a bag of wooden pegs67 and a hammer—all of which are ready for you—and plug up these holes. You see, the work to be done is simple enough.”
“Ay,” asserted Baldwin, “but the way how to set about it ain’t so simple or clear. How, for instance, is a man of my size to squeeze through that hole at the top?”
“You are large,” said the engineer, regarding the diver for a moment, “but not too large, I should think, to squeeze through.”
“What! With a divin’ dress on?”
“Ah, true; I fear that is a puzzling difficulty at the outset, for you see the well is frail68, and we dare not venture to enlarge the hole by cutting the beams that support the pumps.”
While he was speaking the diver put his head through the hole in question, and gazed down into darkness visible where water was dripping and gurgling, and hissing69 a sort of accompaniment to the discordant70 clanking and jarring of the pump-rods. The rickety engine that worked them kept puffing71 close alongside—grinding out a horrible addition to the din10. As his eyes became more accustomed to the subdued72 light, Baldwin could see that there was an empty space between the surface of the water and the top of the well, great part of the first length of zigzag60 ladder being visible, and also the cross-beams on which its foot rested. He also observed various green slimy beams, which being perpetually moistened by droppings from the pumps, seemed alive like water snakes.
“Well,” said the diver, withdrawing his head, “I’ll try it. I’ll dress inside there. You’re sure o’ the old ingine, I fancy?”
“It has not yet failed us,” answered the engineer, with a smile.
“What would happen if it broke or stopped working?” asked Joe.
“The well would fill to the brim and overflow73 in a minute or two.”
“So that,” rejoined the diver, “if it caught me in the middle o’ dressin’, me and my mate would be drownded.”
“You’d stand a good chance of coming to that end,” replied the engineer, with a laugh. “Your mate might get out in time, but as you say the dress would prevent you getting back through the hole, there would be no hope for you.”
“Well then, we’ll begin,” said Baldwin; “come, Rooney, get the gear in order.” So saying, the adventurous74 man went to work with his wonted energy. The air-pumps were set up, and two men of the works instructed in the use of them. Then Baldwin squeezed himself with difficulty through the manhole, and the dress was passed down to him. Rooney then squeezed himself through, and both went a few steps down the iron ladder until they stood on the cross-beams behind and underneath75 it. The position was exceedingly awkward, for the ladder obliged them to stoop, and they did not dare to move their feet except with caution, for fear of slipping off the beams into the water—in which, even as it was, they were ankle-deep while standing76 on the beams. They were soon soaked to the skin by the drippings and spirtings from the pipes, and almost incapable77 of hearing each other speak, owing to the din. If Rooney had dropped the lead-soled boots or the shoulder-weights, they would have sunk at once beyond recovery, and have rendered the descent of the diver very difficult if not impossible.
Realising all this, the two comrades proceeded with great care and slowness. Dressing78 a diver in the most favourable79 circumstances involves a considerable amount of physical exertion80 and violence of action. It may therefore be well believed that in the case of which we write, a long time elapsed before Baldwin got the length of putting on his helmet. At last it was screwed on. Then a hammer and a bagful of wooden pins were placed in his hands.
“Now, Joe, are ye aisy?” asked Rooney, holding the front-glass in his hand, preparatory to sealing his friend up.
“All right,” answered Baldwin.
“Set a-goin’ the air-pumps up there,” shouted Rooney, from whose face the perspiration81 flowed freely, as much from anxiety about his friend as from prolonged exertion in a constrained82 attitude.
In a few seconds the air came hissing into the helmet, showing that the two men who wrought83 it were equal to their duty, though inexperienced.
“All right?” asked Rooney a second time.
The reply was given, “Yes,” and the bull’s-eye was screwed on.
Rooney then sprang up the ladder and through the manhole; took his station at the signal-line and air-pipe, while the engineer of the works watched the air-pump. The rickety steam-engine was then stopped, and, as had been predicted, the water rose quickly. It rose over Baldwin’s knees, waist, and head, and, finally, rushed out at the manhole, deluging84 Rooney’s legs.
Our diver was now fairly imprisoned85; an accident, however trifling86 in itself, that should stop the air-pump would have been his death-knell. Fully45 impressed with this uncomfortable assurance, he felt his way slowly down the second ladder, knocking his head slightly against cross-beams as he went, holding on tightly to his bag and hammer, and getting down into darkness so profound as to be “felt.” He soon reached the head of the third ladder, and then the fourth.
But here, at a depth of about thirty feet, an unexpected difficulty occurred which had well-nigh caused a failure. The head of the fourth ladder was covered with wood, through which a square manhole led to the bottom of the well. Of course Joe Baldwin discovered this only by touch, and great was his anxiety when, passing his hand round it, he found the hole to be too small for his broad shoulders to pass. At this point, he afterwards admitted, he “felt rather curious,” the whole structure being very frail. However, with characteristic determination he muttered to himself, “never mind, Joe, do it if you can,” and down he went through the hole, putting one arm down with his body, and holding the other up and drawing it down after him, by which process he squeezed his shoulders through at an angle. After reaching the bottom of the well, a feeling of alarm seized him lest he should be unable to force his way upwards87 through the hole. To settle this question at once he ascended88 to it, forced himself through, and then, being easy in mind, he redescended to the bottom and went to work with the hammer and wooden pegs.
At first he had some difficulty in finding the holes in the great cylinder, but after a dozen of them had been plugged it became easier, as the water rushed in through the remaining holes with greater force. While thus engaged his foot suddenly slipped. To save himself from falling—he knew not whither—he let go the bag of pegs and the hammer—the first of which went upwards and the latter down. To find the hammer in total darkness among the brick-work at the bottom was hopeless, therefore Joe signalled that he was coming up, and started for the top after the bag, but failed to find it. In much perplexity he went to the upper manhole and put up one of his hands.
To those who were inexperienced it was somewhat alarming to see the hand of an apparently89 drowning man with the fingers wriggling90 violently, but Rooney understood matters.
“Arrah, now,” said he, giving the hand a friendly shake, “it’s somethin’ you’re wantin’, sure. What a pity it is wan2 can’t spake wid his fingers!”
Presently the hand shut itself as if grasping something, and moved in a distinct and steady manner.
“Och! It’s a hammer he wants. He’s gone an’ lost it. Here you are, boy—there’s another.”
The hand disappeared, transferred the implement91 to the left hand, and reappeared, evidently asking for more.
“What now, boy?” muttered Rooney, with a perplexed92 look.
“Doubtless he wants more pegs,” said the engineer of the works, coming up at the moment.
“Sure, sur, that can’t be it, for if he’d lost his pegs wouldn’t they have comed up an’ floated?”
“They’ve caught somewhere, no doubt, among the timbers on the way up. Anyhow, I had provided against such an accident,” said the engineer, putting another bag of pegs into the impatient hand.
It seemed satisfied, and disappeared at once.
Joe returned to the bottom, and succeeded in plugging every hole, so that the water from the outside spring could not enter. That done, he ascended, and signalled to the engineer to begin pumping. The rickety engine was set to work, and soon reduced the water so much that Rooney was able to re-descend and undress his friend. Thereafter, in about five hours, the well was pumped dry. The engineer then went down, and soon discovered that one of the pump-rods had been broken near the foot, and that its bucket lay useless at the bottom of the pipe. The repairs could now be easily made, and our divers, having finished their difficult and somewhat dangerous job, returned home. (See Note 1.)
Next day Joe Baldwin paid a visit to the neighbouring harbour, where a new part of the pier93 was being built by divers. His object was to sound our surly friend David Maxwell about joining him in his intended trip to the antipodes, for Maxwell was a first-rate diver, though a somewhat cross-grained man.
Maxwell was under water when he arrived. It was Baldwin’s duty to superintend part of the works. He therefore went down, and met his man at the bottom of the sea. Joe took a small school-slate94 with him, and a piece of pencil—for, the depth being not more than a couple of fathoms, it was possible to see to read and write there.
The spot where Maxwell wrought was at the extreme end of the unfinished part of the breakwater. He was busily engaged at the time in laying a large stone which hung suspended to a travelling-crane connected with the temporary works overhead. Joe refrained from interrupting him. Another man assisted him. In the diver fraternity, there are men who thoroughly95 understand all sorts of handicrafts—there are blacksmiths, carpenters, stone-masons, etcetera. Maxwell was a skilled mechanic, and could do his work as well under water as many a man does above it—perhaps better than some! The bed for the stone had been carefully prepared on a mass of solid masonry96 which had been already laid. By means of the signal-line Maxwell directed the men in charge of the crane to move it forward, backward, to the right or to the left, as required. At last it hung precisely97 over the required spot, and was lowered into its final resting-place.
Then Baldwin tapped Maxwell on the shoulder. The latter looked earnestly in at the window—if we may so call it—of his visitor, and, recognising Joe, shook hands with him. Joe pointed98 to a rock, and sat down. Maxwell sat down beside him, and then ensued the following conversation. Using the slate, Baldwin wrote in large printed letters:—
“I’ve got a splendid offer to go out to dive in the China seas. Are you game to go?”
Taking the slate and pencil, Maxwell wrote—“Game for anything!”
“We must finish this job first,” wrote Joe, “and I shall send Rooney out before us with some of the gear—to be ready.”
“All right,” was Maxwell’s laconic99 answer.
Baldwin nodded approval of this, but the nod was lost on his comrade owing to the fact that his helmet was immovably fixed100 to his shoulders. Maxwell evidently understood it, however, for he replied with a nod which was equally lost on his comrade. They then shook hands on it, and Joe, touching101 his signal-line four times, spurned102 the ground with a light fantastic toe, and shot to the realms above like a colossal103 cherub104.
Note 1. A “job” precisely similar to this was undertaken, and successfully accomplished105 by Corporal Falconer of the Royal Engineers, and assistant-instructor in diving, from whom we received the details. The gallant106 corporal was publicly thanked and promoted for his courage and daring in this and other diving operations.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
sipping
|
|
| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
wan
|
|
| (wide area network)广域网 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
query
|
|
| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
wreck
|
|
| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
semblance
|
|
| n.外貌，外表 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
coma
|
|
| n.昏迷，昏迷状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
hawser
|
|
| n.大缆；大索 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
din
|
|
| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
inquiries
|
|
| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
scrawl
|
|
| vt.潦草地书写；n.潦草的笔记，涂写 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
postponed
|
|
| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
bonnet
|
|
| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
humble
|
|
| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
buxom
|
|
| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
woe
|
|
| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
divers
|
|
| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
hangers
|
|
| n.衣架( hanger的名词复数 )；挂耳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
acceded
|
|
| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
wrecked
|
|
| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
ledge
|
|
| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
fathoms
|
|
| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
sterling
|
|
| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
enthusiast
|
|
| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
nominally
|
|
| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
apparatus
|
|
| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
prospects
|
|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
requisite
|
|
| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
makers
|
|
| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
smitten
|
|
| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
mania
|
|
| n.疯狂；躁狂症，狂热，癖好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
wrecks
|
|
| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
galleon
|
|
| n.大帆船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
perseverance
|
|
| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
anvil
|
|
| n.铁钻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
invincibly
|
|
| adv.难战胜地，无敌地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
tractable
|
|
| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
Founder
|
|
| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
versed
|
|
| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
vowed
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
severely
|
|
| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
temperaments
|
|
| 性格( temperament的名词复数 )； （人或动物的）气质； 易冲动； （性情）暴躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
cylinders
|
|
| n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 )；圆柱；汽缸；（尤指用作容器的）圆筒状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
cylinder
|
|
| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
zigzag
|
|
| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
zigzagging
|
|
| v.弯弯曲曲地走路，曲折地前进( zigzag的现在分词 )；盘陀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
rickets
|
|
| n.软骨病，佝偻病，驼背 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
insufficient
|
|
| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
defective
|
|
| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
pegs
|
|
| n.衣夹( peg的名词复数 )；挂钉；系帐篷的桩；弦钮v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的第三人称单数 )；使固定在某水平 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
hissing
|
|
| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
discordant
|
|
| adj.不调和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
puffing
|
|
| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
overflow
|
|
| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
adventurous
|
|
| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
underneath
|
|
| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
incapable
|
|
| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
favourable
|
|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
exertion
|
|
| n.尽力，努力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
perspiration
|
|
| n.汗水；出汗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
constrained
|
|
| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
wrought
|
|
| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
deluging
|
|
| v.使淹没( deluge的现在分词 )；淹没；被洪水般涌来的事物所淹没；穷于应付 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
imprisoned
|
|
| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
wriggling
|
|
| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
implement
|
|
| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
perplexed
|
|
| adj.不知所措的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
pier
|
|
| n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
slate
|
|
| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
masonry
|
|
| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
laconic
|
|
| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
spurned
|
|
| v.一脚踢开，拒绝接受( spurn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
colossal
|
|
| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
cherub
|
|
| n.小天使，胖娃娃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |