Shows how Maggot made a Desperate Venture, and what Flowed from it.
“A wilful1 man must have his way” is a proverb the truth of which was illustrated2 by the blacksmith on the following day.
David Trevarrow again attempted to dissuade3 him from his purpose, and reiterated4 his offer to go in his stead, but he failed to move him. Mrs Maggot essayed, and added tears to her suasion, as also did little Grace; but they failed too—the obdurate5 man would not give way. The only one of his household who did not attempt to dissuade him (excepting, of course, the baby, who cared nothing whatever about the matter) was Zackey. That urchin6 not only rejoiced in the failure of the others to turn his father from his purpose, but pleaded hard to be allowed to go with him, and share his danger as well as glory. This, however, was peremptorily7 denied to the young aspirant8 to fame and a premature9 death by drowning in a dark hole.
Early in the forenoon Maggot and his friends proceeded to the shore, where they found a number of miners and others assembled near the adit mouth—among them our hero Oliver Trembath, Mr Donnithorne, and Mr Cornish, at that time the purser and manager of Botallack mine.
The latter gentleman accosted10 Maggot as he came forward, and advised him to be cautious. Of course the smith gave every assurance that was required of him, and immediately prepared himself to make the dangerous experiment.
Supplying himself with a number of tallow candles, a mining hammer, and other tools, Maggot stripped to the waist, and jestingly bidding his friends farewell, entered the mouth of the tunnel, and disappeared. The adit level, or tunnel, through which he had to pass to the scene of his operations, was, as we have said, about a quarter of a mile in length, about six feet high, and two and a half feet wide. It varied12 in dimensions here and there, however, and was rough and irregular throughout.
For the first hundred yards or so Maggot could see well enough to grope his way by the daylight which streamed in at the entrance of the adit, but beyond this point all was intense darkness; so here he stopped, and, striking a light by means of flint, steel, and tinder, lit one of his candles. This he attached to a piece of wet clay in the usual fashion, except that he placed the clay at the lower end of the candle instead of round the middle of it. He then stuck it against the rock a little above the level of his head. Lighting13 another candle he advanced with it in his hand. Walking, or rather wading14 onward15 (for the stream was ankle-deep) far enough to be almost beyond the influence of the first candle, he stopped again and stuck up another. Thus, at intervals16, he placed candles along the entire length of the adit, so that he might have light to guide him in his race from the water which he hoped to set free. This precaution was necessary, because, although he meant to carry a candle in his hat all the time, there was a possibility—nay, a strong probability—that it would be blown or drowned out.
Little more than a quarter of an hour brought him to the scene of his intended adventure. Here he found the water spirting out all round, much more violently than it had been the day before. He did not waste much time in consideration, having made up his mind on the previous visit as to which part of the rock he would drive the hole through. Sticking his last candle, therefore, against the driest part of the wall that could be found, he seized his tools and commenced work.
We have already said that Maggot was a strong man. As he stood there, naked to the waist, holding the borer with his left hand, and plying11 the hammer with all his might with the other, his great breadth of shoulder and development of muscle were finely displayed by the candlelight, which fell in brilliant gleams on parts of his frame, while the rest of him was thrown into shadow, so deep that it would have appeared black, but for the deeper shade by which it was surrounded—the whole scene presenting a grand Rembrandt effect.
It is unnecessary to say that Maggot wrought17 with might and main. Excited somewhat by the novelty and danger of his undertaking18, he felt relieved by the violence of his exertion19. He knew, besides, that the candles which were to light him on his return were slowly but surely burning down. Blow after blow resounded20 through the place incessantly21. When the smith’s right arm felt a very little wearied—it was too powerful to be soon or greatly exhausted—he shifted the hammer to his left hand, and so the work went on. Suddenly and unexpectedly the borer was driven to its head into the hole by a tremendous blow. The rock behind it had given way. Almost at the same instant a large mass of rock burst outwards22, followed by a stream of water so thick and violent that it went straight at the opposite side of the cavern23, against which it burst in white foam24. This, rebounding25 back and around, rushed against roof and sides with such force that the whole place was at once deluged26.
Maggot was knocked down at the first gush27, but leaped up and turned to fly. Of course both candles—that in his hat as well as that which he had affixed28 to the wall—were extinguished, and he was at once plunged29 in total darkness, for the rays of the next light, although visible, were too feeble to penetrate30 with any effect to the extremity31 of the adit. Blinded by rushing water and confused by his fall, the smith mistook his direction, and ran against the side of the level with such violence that he fell again, but his sturdy frame withstood the shock, and once more he sprang to his feet and leaped along the narrow tunnel with all the energy of desperation.
Well was it for Maggot at that hour that his heart was bold and his faculties32 cool and collected, else then and there his career had ended. Bending forward and stooping low, he bounded away like a hunted deer, but the rush of water was so great that it rapidly gained on him, and, by concealing33 the uneven34 places in the path, caused him to stumble. His relay of candles served him in good stead; nevertheless, despite their light and his own caution, he more than once narrowly missed dashing out his brains on the low roof. On came the water after the fugitive35, a mighty36, hissing37, vaulting38 torrent39, filling the level behind, and leaping up on the man higher and higher as he struggled and floundered on for life. Quickly, and before quarter of the distance to the adit mouth was traversed, it gurgled up to his waist, swept him off his legs, and hurled40 him against projecting rocks. Once and again did he succeed in regaining41 his foothold, but in a moment or two the rising flood swept him down and hurled him violently onward, sporting with him on its foaming42 crest43 until it disgorged him at last, and cast him, stunned44, bruised45, and bleeding, on the seashore.
Of course the unfortunate man’s friends had waited for him with some impatience46, and great was their anxiety when the first of the flood made its appearance. When, immediately after, the battered47 form of their comrade was flung on the beach, they ran forward and bore him out of the stream.
Oliver Trembath being on the spot, Maggot wae at once attended to, and his wounds bound up.
“He’ll do; he’s all right,” said Oliver, on completing the work—“only got a few cuts and bruises48, and lost a little blood, but that won’t harm him.”
The expression of anxiety that had appeared on the faces of those who stood around at once vanished on hearing these reassuring49 words.
“I knaw’d it,” said John Cock energetically. “I knaw’d he couldn’t be killed—not he.”
“I trust that you may be right, Oliver,” said old Mr Donnithorne, looking with much concern on the pale countenance50 of the poor smith, who still lay stretched out, with only a slight motion of the chest to prove that the vital spark had not been altogether extinguished.
“No fear of him, he’s sure to come round,” replied Oliver; “come, lads, up with him on your backs.”
He raised the smith’s shoulder as he spoke51. Three tall and powerful miners promptly52 lent their aid, and Maggot was raised shoulder-high, and conveyed up the steep, winding53 path that led to the top of the cliff.
“It would never do to lose Maggot,” murmured Mr Donnithorne, as if speaking to himself while he followed the procession beside Mr Cornish; “he’s far too good a—”
“A smuggler54—eh?” interrupted the purser, with a laugh.
“Eh, ah! did I say smuggler?” cried Mr Donnithorne; “surely not, for of all vices55 that of smuggling56 is one of the worst, unless it be an overfondness for the bottle. I meant to have said that he is too valuable a man for St. Just to lose—in many ways; and you know, Mr Cornish, that he is a famous wrestler57—a man of whom St. Just may be justly proud.”
Mr Donnithorne cast a sly glance at his companion, whom he knew to be partial to the ancient Cornish pastime of wrestling. Indeed, if report said truly, the worthy58 purser had himself in his youthful days been a celebrated59 amateur wrestler, one who had never been thrown, even although he had on more than one occasion been induced in a frolic to enter the public ring and measure his strength with the best men that could be brought against him. He was long past the time of life when men indulge in such rough play, but his tall commanding figure and huge chest and shoulders were quite sufficient to warrant the belief that what was said of him was possible, while the expression of his fine massive countenance, and the humorous glance of his clear, black eye, bore evidence that it was highly probable.
“’Twould be foul61 injustice,” said the purser with a quiet laugh, “if I were to deny that Maggot is a good man and true, in the matter of wrestling; nevertheless he is an arrant60 rogue62, and defrauds63 the revenue woefully. But, after all he is only the cat’s-paw; those who employ him are the real sinners—eh, Mr Donnithorne?”
“Surely, surely,” replied the old gentleman with much gravity; “and it is to be hoped that this accident will have the effect of turning Maggot from his evil ways.”
The purser could not refrain from a laugh at the hypocritical solemnity of the old gentleman, who was, he well knew, one of the very sinners whom he condemned64 with such righteous indignation, but their arrival at Maggot’s cottage prevented further conversation on the subject at that time.
Mrs Maggot, although a good deal agitated65 when her husband’s almost inanimate and bloody66 form was carried in and laid on the bed, was by no means overcome with alarm. She, like the wives of St. Just miners generally, was too well accustomed to hear of accidents and to see their results, to give way to wild fears before she had learned the extent of her calamity67; so, when she found that it was not serious, she dried her eyes, and busied herself in attending to all the little duties which the occasion required. Little Grace, too, although terribly frightened, and very pale, was quite self-possessed, and went about the house assisting her mother ably, despite the tendency to sob68, which she found it very difficult to overcome. But the baby behaved in the most shameful69 and outrageous70 manner. His naughtiness is almost indescribable. The instant the door opened, and his father’s bloody face was presented to view, baby set up a roar so tremendous that a number of dogs in the neighbourhood struck in with a loud chorus, and the black kitten, startled out of an innocent slumber71, rushed incontinently under the bed, faced about, and fuffed in impotent dismay!
But not only did baby roar—he also fell on the floor and kicked, thereby72 rendering73 his noise exasperating74, besides exposing his fat person to the risk of being trod upon. Zackey was therefore told off as a detachment to keep this enemy in check, a duty which he performed nobly, until his worthy father was comfortably put to bed, after which the friends retired75, and left the smith to the tender care of his own family.
“He has done good service anyhow,” observed Mr Donnithorne to his nephew, as he parted from him that evening; “for he has cleared the mine of water that it would have cost hundreds of pounds and many months to pump out.”
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1
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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aspirant
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| n.热望者；adj.渴望的 | |
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premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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10
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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13
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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14
wading
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的现在分词 ) | |
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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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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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17
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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21
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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outwards
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| adj.外面的，公开的，向外的；adv.向外；n.外形 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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rebounding
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| 蹦跳运动 | |
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deluged
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| v.使淹没( deluge的过去式和过去分词 )；淹没；被洪水般涌来的事物所淹没；穷于应付 | |
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27
gush
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| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
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28
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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29
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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38
vaulting
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| n.（天花板或屋顶的）拱形结构 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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40
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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41
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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42
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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43
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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44
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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45
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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46
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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47
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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48
bruises
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| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
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49
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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50
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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51
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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52
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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53
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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54
smuggler
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| n.走私者 | |
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55
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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56
smuggling
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| n.走私 | |
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57
wrestler
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| n.摔角选手，扭 | |
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58
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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59
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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arrant
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| adj.极端的；最大的 | |
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61
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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defrauds
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的第三人称单数 ) | |
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64
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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65
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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66
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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67
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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68
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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69
shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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71
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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72
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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73
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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74
exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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