To travel with one’s mouth and eyes opened to nearly their utmost width in a state of surprised stupefaction, may be unavoidable, but it cannot be said to be either becoming or convenient. Attention in such a case is apt to be diverted from the business in hand, and flies have a tendency to immolate2 themselves in the throat.
Nevertheless, inconvenient3 though the condition was, our friend Disco Lillihammer was so afflicted4 with astonishment5 at what he heard and saw in this new land, that he was constantly engaged in swallowing flies and running his canoe among shallows and rushes, insomuch that he at last resigned the steering-oar6 until familiarity with present circumstances should tone him down to a safe condition of equanimity7.
And no wonder that Disco was surprised; no wonder that his friend Harold Seadrift shared in his astonishment and delight, for they were at once, and for the first time in their lives, plunged9 into the very heart of jungle life in equatorial Africa! Those who have never wandered far from the comparatively tame regions of our temperate10 zone, can form but a faint conception of what it is to ramble11 in the tropics, and therefore can scarcely be expected to sympathise fully with the mental condition of our heroes as they ascended12 the Zambesi. Everything was so thoroughly13 strange; sights and sounds so vastly different from what they had been accustomed to see and hear, that it seemed as though they had landed on another planet. Trees, shrubs14, flowers, birds, beasts, insects, and reptiles15, all were unfamiliar16, except indeed, one or two of the more conspicuous17 trees and animals, which had been so imprinted18 on their minds by means of nursery picture-books that, on first beholding19 them, Disco unconsciously paid these books the compliment of saying that the animals “wos uncommon20 like the picturs.”
Disco’s mental condition may be said, for the first two or three days, to have been one of gentle ever-flowing surprise, studded thickly with little bursts of keen astonishment.
The first part of the river ran between mangrove21 jungle, in regard to which he remarked that “them there trees had legs like crabs,” in which observation he was not far wrong, for, when the tide was out, the roots of the mangroves rose high out of the mud, forming supports, as it were, for the trees to stand on.
But it was the luxuriance of the vegetation that made the most powerful impression on the travellers. It seemed as if the various groups and families of the vegetable kingdom had been warmed by the sun into a state of unwonted affection, for everything appeared to entertain the desire to twine22 round and embrace everything else. One magnificent screw-palm in particular was so overwhelmed by affectionate parasites23 that his natural shape was almost entirely24 concealed25. Others of the trees were decked with orchilla weed. There were ferns so gigantic as to be almost worthy26 of being styled trees, and palm-bushes so sprawling27 as to suggest the idea of huge vegetable spiders. Bright yellow fruit gleamed among the graceful28 green leaves of the mangroves; wild date-palms gave variety to the scene, if that had been needed, which it was not, and masses of umbrageous29 plants with large yellow flowers grew along the banks, while, down among the underwood, giant roots rose in fantastic convolutions above ground, as if the earth were already too full, and there wasn’t room for the whole of them. There was an antediluvian30 magnificence, a prehistoric31 snakiness, a sort of primeval running-to-seedness, which filled Harold and Disco with feelings of awe32, and induced a strange, almost unnatural33 tendency to regard Adam and Eve as their contemporaries.
Animal life was not wanting in this paradise. Frequently did our seaman34 give vent35 to “Hallo!” “There they go!” “Look out for the little ’un wi’ the long tail!” and similar expressions, referring of course to his favourite monkeys, which ever and anon peered out upon the strangers with looks of intensity36, for whatever their expression might be—sadness, grief, interrogation, wrath37, surprise—it was always in the superlative degree. There were birds also, innumerable. One, styled the “king-hunter,” sang wild exultant38 airs, as if it found king-hunting to be an extremely exhilarating occupation, though what sort of kings it hunted we cannot tell. Perhaps it was the king of beasts, perhaps the kingfisher, a bright specimen39 of which was frequently seen to dart40 out from the banks, but we profess41 ignorance on this point. There were fish-hawks also, magnificent fellows, which sat in regal dignity on the tops of the mangrove trees, and the glossy42 ibis, with others of the feathered tribe too numerous to mention.
Large animals also were there in abundance, though not so frequently seen as those which have been already mentioned. Disco occasionally made known the fact that such, or something unusual, had transpired43, by the sudden and violent exclamation44 of “What’s that?” in a voice so loud that “that,” whatever it might be, sometimes bolted or took to flight before any one else caught sight of it.
“Hallo!” he exclaimed, on one such occasion, as the canoes turned a bend of the river.
“What now?” demanded Harold, looking at his companion to observe the direction of his eyes.
“I’m a Dutchman,” exclaimed Disco in a hoarse45 whisper that might have been heard half a mile off, “if it’s not a zebra!”
“So it is; my rifle—look sharp!” said Harold eagerly.
The weapon was handed to him, but before it could be brought to bear, the beautiful striped creature had tossed its head, snorted, whisked its tail, kicked up its heels, and dashed into the jungle.
“Give way, lads; let’s after him,” shouted Disco, turning the canoe’s bow to shore.
“Hold on,” cried Harold; “you might as well go after a needle in a haystack, or a locomotive.”
“So I might,” admitted Disco, with a mortified46 air, resuming his course; “but it ain’t in reason to expect a feller to keep quiet w’en he sees one o’ the very picturs of his child’ood, so to speak, come alive an’ kick up its heels like that.”
Buffaloes47 were also seen in the grassy48 glades49, but it proved difficult to come within range of them; also wart-hogs, and three different kinds of antelope50.
Of these last Harold shot several, and they were found to be excellent food.
Human beings were also observed, but those first encountered fled at the sight of the white men, as if they had met with their worst foes51; and such was in very truth the case,—if we may regard the Portuguese52 half-castes of that coast as white men,—for these negroes were runaway53 slaves, who stood the chance of being shot, or drowned, or whipped to death, if recaptured.
Other animals they saw—some queer, some terrible, nearly all strange—and last, though not least, the hippopotamus54.
When Disco first saw this ungainly monster he was bereft55 of speech for some minutes. The usual “Hallo!” stuck in his throat and well-nigh choked him. He could only gasp56, and point.
“Ay, there goes a hippopotamus,” said Harold, with the easy nonchalance57 of a man who had been to the Zoological Gardens, and knew all about it. Nevertheless it was quite plain that Harold was much excited, for he almost dropped his oar overboard in making a hasty grasp at his rifle. Before he could fire, the creature gaped58 wide, as if in laughter, and dived.
“Unfortunate!” said Harold, in a philosophically59 careless tone; “never mind, we shall see lots more of them.”
“Ugliness embodied60!” said Disco, heaving a deep sigh.
“But him’s goot for eat,” said Antonio, smacking61 his lips.
“Is he?” demanded Disco of Jumbo, whose enjoyment62 of the sailor’s expressive63 looks was so great, that, whenever the latter opened his lips, the former looked back over his shoulder with a broad grin of expectation.
“Ho yis; de hiputmus am fust-rate grub for dis yer boy,” replied the negro, rolling his red tongue inside his mouth suggestively.
“He never eats man, does he?” inquired Disco.
“Nevair,” replied Antonio.
“He looks as if he might,” returned the seaman; “anyhow, he’s got a mouth big enough to do it. You’re quite sure he don’t, I ’spose?”
“Kite sure an’ sartin; but me hab seen him tak mans,” said Antonio.
“Tak mans, wot d’ee mean by that?”
“Tak him,” repeated Antonio. “Go at him’s canoe or boat—bump with him’s head—dash in de timbers—capsize, so’s man hab to swim shore—all as got clear ob de crokidils.”
While Disco was meditating64 on this unpleasant trait of character in the hippopotamus, the specimen which they had just seen, or some other member of his family, having compassion65, no doubt, on the seaman’s ignorance, proceeded to illustrate66 its method of attack then and there by rising suddenly under the canoe with such force, that its head and shoulders shot high out of the water, into which it fell with a heavy splash. Harold’s rifle being ready, he fired just as it was disappearing.
Whether he hit or not is uncertain, but next moment the enraged68 animal rose again under Disco’s canoe, which it nearly lifted out of the water in its efforts to seize it in its mouth. Fortunately the canoe was too flat for its jaws69 to grip; the monster’s blunt teeth were felt, as well as heard, to grind across the planks70; and Disco being in the stern, which was raised highest, was almost thrown overboard by the jerk.
Rising about two yards off, the hippopotamus looked savagely72 at the canoe, and was about to dive again when Harold gave it a second shot. The large gun being fortunately ready, had been handed to him by one of the Makololo men. The heavy ball took effect behind the eye, and killed the animal almost instantaneously. The hippopotamus usually sinks when shot dead, but in this case they were so near that, before it had time to sink, Zombo, assisted by his friend Jumbo, made a line fast to it, and it was finally dragged to the shore. The landing, however, was much retarded74 by the crocodiles, which now showed themselves for the first time, and kept tugging75 and worrying the carcase much as a puppy tugs76 and worries a ladies’ muff; affording Disco and his friend strong reason to congratulate themselves that the canoe had not been overturned.
The afternoon was pretty well advanced when the landing was accomplished77 on a small sandy island, and as the spot was suitable for encamping, they determined78 to remain there for the night, and feast.
There are many points of resemblance between savage71 and civilised festivities. Whether the performers be the black sons of Africa, or the white fathers of Europe, there is the same powerful tendency to eat too much, and the same display of good-fellowship; for it is an indisputable fact that feeding man is amiable79, unless, indeed, he be dyspeptic. There are also, however, various points of difference. The savage, owing to the amount of fresh air and exercise which he is compelled to take, usually eats with greater appetite, and knows nothing of equine dreams or sleepless80 nights. On the whole, we incline to the belief that, despite his lack of refinement81 and ceremony, the savage has the best of it in this matter.
Disco Lillihammer’s visage, during the progress of that feast, formed a study worthy of a physiognomist. Every new achievement, whether trifling82 or important, performed by the Makololo triad, Jumbo, Zombo, and Masiko—every fresh hippopotamus steak skewered83 and set up to roast by the half-caste brothers José and Oliveira—every lick bestowed84 on their greasy85 fingers by the Somali negroes Nakoda and Conda, and every sigh of intense satisfaction heaved by the so-called “freemen” of Quillimane, Songolo and Mabruki, was watched, commented on, and, if we may say so, reflected in the animated86 countenance87 of the stout88 seaman, with such variety of expression, and such an interesting compound of grin and wrinkle, that poor Jumbo, who gazed at him over hippopotamus ribs89 and steaks, and tried hard not to laugh, was at last compelled to turn away his eyes, in order that his mouth might have fair-play.
But wonderful, sumptuous90, and every way satisfactory though that feast was, it bore no comparison whatever to another feast carried on at the same time by another party, about fifty yards off, where the carcase of the hippopotamus had been left half in and half out of the water—for, of course, being fully more than a ton in weight, only a small portion of the creature was appropriated by the canoe-men. The negroes paid no attention whatever to this other festive91 party; but in a short time Disco turned his head to one side, and said—“Wy, wot’s that splashin’ I hears goin’ on over there?”
“I suspect it must be some beast or other that has got hold of the carcase,” replied Harold, who was himself busy with a portion of the same.
“Yis, dat am krokidils got ’im,” said Antonio, with his mouth full—very full.
“You don’t say so?” said Disco, washing down the steak with a brimming cup of tea.
No one appeared to think it worth while to asseverate92 the fact, for it was self-evident. Several crocodiles were supping, and in doing so they tore away at the carcase with such violence, and lashed93 the water so frequently with their powerful tails, as to render it clear that their feast necessitated94 laborious95 effort, and seemed less a recreation than a duty. Moreover, they sat at their meat like insatiable gourmands96, so long into the night that supper became transmuted97 into breakfast, and Harold’s rest was greatly disturbed thereby98. He was too sleepy and lazy, however, to rise and drive them away.
Next morning the travellers started early, being anxious to pass, as quietly as possible, a small Portuguese town, near to which it was said a party of runaway slaves and rebels against the Government were engaged in making depredations99.
When grey dawn was beginning to rise above the tree-tops, they left their encampment in profound silence, and rowed up stream as swiftly as possible. They had not advanced far, when, on turning a point covered with tall reeds, Zombo, who was bowman in the leading canoe, suddenly made a sign to the men to cease rowing.
“What’s the matter?” whispered Harold.
The negro pointed100 through the reeds, and whispered the single word “Canoe.”
By this time the other canoe had ranged up alongside, and after a brief consultation101 between Harold and Disco, it was decided103 that they should push gently into the reeds, and wait till the strange canoe should pass; but a few seconds sufficed to show that the two men who paddled it did not intend to pass down the river, for they pushed straight out towards the deepest part of the stream. They were, however, carried down so swiftly by the current that they were brought quite near to the point of rushes where our travellers lay concealed—so near that their voices could be distinctly heard. They talked in Portuguese.
Antonio muttered a few words, and Harold observed that there was a good deal of excitement in the looks of his men.
“What’s the matter?” he asked anxiously.
Antonio shook his head. “Dat nigger goin’ to be drownded,” he said; “bad nigger—obstropolous nigger, suppose.”
“Wot!” exclaimed Disco in a whisper, “goin’ to be drownded! wot d’ee mean?”
Antonio proceeded to explain that it was a custom amongst the Portuguese slave-owners there, when they found any of their slaves intractable or refractory104, to hire some individuals who, for a small sum, would bind105 and carry off the incorrigible106 for the purpose of making away with him. One method of effecting this was to tie him in a sack and throw him into the river, the crocodiles making quite sure that the unfortunate being should never again be seen, either alive or dead. But before Antonio had finished his brief explanation he was interrupted by an exclamation from the horrified107 Englishmen, as they beheld108 the two men in the canoe raise something between them which for a moment appeared to struggle violently.
“Shove off! give way!” shouted Harold and Disco in the same breath, each thrusting with his paddle so vigorously that the two canoes shot out like arrows into the stream.
At the same instant there was a heavy plunge8 in the water beside the strange canoe, and the victim sank. Next moment one end of the sack rose to the surface. Both Harold and Disco made straight towards it, but it sank again, and the two murderers paddled to the shore, on which they drew up their canoe, intending to take to the bush, if necessary, for safety.
Once again the sack rose not more than three yards from Disco’s canoe. The bold seaman knew that if it disappeared a third time there would be little chance of its rising again. He was prompt in action, and daring to recklessness. In one moment he had leaped overboard, dived, caught the sack in his powerful grasp, and bore it to the surface. The canoe had been steered109 for him. The instant he appeared, strong and ready hands laid hold of him and his burden, and dragged them both inboard.
“Cut the lashin’s and give him air,” cried Disco, endeavouring to find his clasp-knife; but one of the men quickly obeyed the order, and opened the sack.
A groan110 of horror and pity burst from the seaman when he beheld the almost insensible form of a powerful negro, whose back was lacerated with innumerable ragged73 cuts, and covered with clotted111 blood.
“Where are the—”
He stopped short on looking round, and, observing that the two men were standing112 on the shore, seized a double-barrelled gun. The stream had carried the canoe a considerable distance below the spot where the murder had been attempted, but they were still within range. Without a moment’s hesitation113 Disco took deliberate aim at them and fired.
Fortunately for him and his party Disco was a bad shot—nevertheless the bullet struck so close to the feet of the two men that it drove the sand and pebbles114 into their faces. They turned at once and fled, but before they reached the cover of the bushes the second barrel was fired, and the bullet whistled close enough over their heads greatly to accelerate their flight.
The negroes opened their great round eyes, and appeared awe-struck at this prompt display of a thirst for vengeance115 on the part of one who had hitherto shown no other disposition116 than hilarity117, fun, and good-humour.
Harold was greatly relieved to observe Disco’s failure, for, if he had hit either of the fugitives118, the consequences might have been very disastrous119 to their expedition.
On being partially120 revived and questioned, it turned out that the poor fellow had been whipped almost to death for refusing to be the executioner in whipping his own mother. This was a refinement in cruelty on the part of these professedly Christian121 Portuguese, which our travellers afterwards learned was by no means uncommon.
We are told by those who know that region well, and whose veracity122 is unquestionable, that the Portuguese on the east coast of Africa live in constant dread123 of their slaves rising against them. No wonder, considering the fiendish cruelties to which they subject them! In order to keep them in subjection they underfeed them, and if any of them venture to steal cocoa-nuts from the trees the owners thereof are at liberty to shoot them and throw them into the sea. Slaves being cheap there, and plentiful124, are easily replaced, hence a cruel owner never hesitates. If a slave is refractory, and flogging only makes him worse, his master bids the overseer flog him until “he will require no more.” Still further to keep them in subjection, the Portuguese then endeavour to eradicate125 from them all sympathy with each other, and all natural affection, by the following means. If a woman requires to be flogged, her brother or son is selected to do it. Fathers are made to flog their daughters, husbands their wives, and, if two young negroes of different sexes are observed to show any symptoms of growing attachment126 for each other, these two are chosen for each other’s executioners. (See Travels in Eastern Africa, by Lyons McLeod, Esquire, FRGS, and late Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul102 at Mozambique, volume one pages 274 to 277, and volume two page 27.)
The poor wretch127 whom we have just described as having been saved from death, to which he had been doomed128 for refusing to become the executioner of his own mother, was placed as tenderly and comfortably as circumstances would admit of in the bottom of the canoe, and then our travellers pushed on with all haste—anxious to pass the town before the two fugitives could give the alarm.
They were successful in this, probably because the two men may have hid themselves for some time in the jungle, under the impression that the exasperated129 Englishmen might be searching for them on shore.
Giving themselves time only to take a hurried meal in the middle of the day, our travellers rowed continuously till sunset when, deeming it probable that pursuit, if undertaken at all, must have been abandoned, they put ashore130 on the right bank of the river and encamped.
When the sufferer had been made as comfortable as circumstances would allow—for he was much weakened by loss of blood as well as agonised with pain—and after he had been refreshed with food and some warm tea, Harold questioned him, through the interpreter, as to his previous history.
At first the man was brusque in his manner, and inclined to be sulky, for a long course of cruelty had filled him with an intense hatred131 of white men. Indeed, an embittered132 and desperate spirit had begun to induce callous133 indifference134 to all men, whether white or black. But kind treatment, to which he was evidently unaccustomed, and generous diet, which was obviously new to him, had a softening135 influence, and when Harold poured a small glass of rum into his tea, and Antonio added a lump of sugar, and Disco pressed him tenderly to drink it off—which he did—the effect was very decided; the settled scowl136 on his face became unsettled, and gradually melting away, was replaced by a milder and more manly137 look. By degrees he became communicative, and, bit by bit, his story was drawn138 from him. It was brief, but very sorrowful.
His name, he said, was Chimbolo. He belonged to a tribe which lived far inland, beyond the Manganja country, which latter was a country of hills. He was not a Manganja man, but he had married a Manganja woman. One night he, with his wife and mother, was paying a visit to the village of his wife’s relations, when a band of slave-hunters suddenly attacked the village. They were armed with guns, and at once began to murder the old people and capture the young. Resistance was useless. His relatives were armed only with bows and spears. Being taken by surprise, they all fled in terror, but were pursued and few escaped. His wife, he said—and a scowl of terrible ferocity crossed Chimbolo’s face as he said it—was about to become a mother at the time. He seized her in his arms on the first alarm, and fled with her into the bush, where he concealed her, and then hurried back to aid his relations, but met them—old and young, strong and feeble—flying for their lives. It was not possible to rally them; he therefore joined in the flight. While running, a bullet grazed his head and stunned139 him. Presently he recovered and rose, but in a few minutes was overtaken and captured. A slave-stick was put on his neck, and, along with a number of Manganja men, women, and children, he was driven down to the coast, and sold, with a number of other men and women, among whom was his own mother, to a Portuguese merchant on the coast, near the East Luavo mouth of the Zambesi. There he was found to be of a rebellious140 spirit, and at last on positively141 refusing to lash67 his mother, his master ordered him to be whipped to death, but, changing his mind before the order had been quite carried out he ordered him to be bound hand and foot and taken away in a sack. As to his wife, he had never heard of her since that night which was about two years past. He knew that she had not been found, because he had not seen her amongst the other captives. If they had found her they would have been sure to carry her off, because—here Chimbolo’s visage again grew diabolical—she was young, he said, and beautiful.
When all this had been translated into bad English by Antonio, Harold asked if Chimbolo thought it probable that his wife was still alive in the Manganja highlands. To this the former said that he thought it likely.
“W’y, then,” said Disco, giving his right thigh142 a powerful slap, which was his favourite method of emphasising a remark, “wot d’ye say, sir, to lay our course for these same highlands, and try for to find out this poor critter?”
“Just what was running in my own mind, Disco,” said Harold, musing143 over his supper. “It does not make much difference what part of this country we go to, being all new to us; and as Antonio tells me the Manganja highlands are up the Shire river, which was explored by Dr Livingstone not long ago, and is not distant many days’ journey from this, I think we can’t do better than go there. We shall have a good as well as a definite object in view.”
“Wery good, sir; I’m agreeable,” returned Disco, reaching forth144 his pewter plate; “another hunk o’ that pottimus, Jumbo; it’s better than salt-junk any day; and I say, Jumbo, don’t grin so much, else ye’ll enlarge yer pretty little mouth, which ’ud be a pity.”
“Yis, saar,” replied Jumbo, becoming very grave all of a sudden, but on receiving a nod and an expressive wink145 from the seaman, he exploded again, and rolled backward on the grass, in the performance of which act he capsized Zombo’s can of tea, whereupon Zombo leaped upon him in wrath, and Masiko, as in duty bound, came to the rescue.
“Clap a stopper on yer noise, will ’ee?” cried Disco sternly, “else you’ll be bringin’ all the wild beasts in these parts down on us to see wot it’s all about.”
“That reminds me,” said Harold, when quiet was restored, “that we must now organise146 ourselves into something of a fighting band—a company, as it were, of soldiers,—and take our regular spell of watching by night, for, from all that I hear of the disturbed state of the country just now, with these runaway slaves and rebels, it will be necessary to be on our guard. Of course,” he added, smiling, “I suppose I must be captain of the company, and you, Disco, shall be lieutenant147.”
“Not at all,” replied the seaman, shaking his head, and frowning at Jumbo, whose brilliant teeth at once responded to the glance, “not at all, none of your sodgerin’ for me. I never could abide148 the lobsters149. Fust-mate, sir, that’s wot I am, if I’m to be expected to do my dooty.”
“Well then, first-mate be it,” rejoined Harold, “and Antonio shall be serjeant-major—”
“Bo’s’n—bo’s’n,” suggested Disco; “keep up appearances wotiver ye do, an’ don’t let the memory of salt water go down.”
“Very good,” said Harold, laughing; “then you shall be boatswain, Antonio, as well as cook, and I will instruct you in the first part of your duty, which will be to keep watch for an hour while the rest of us sleep. My first-mate will teach you the whistling part of a boatswain’s duty, if that should be required—”
“Ah, and the roar,” interrupted Disco, “a bo’s’n would be nothin’ without his roar—”
At that moment the woods around them were filled with a tremendous and very unexpected roar, which caused the whole party to spring up, and induced the new bo’s’n to utter a yell of terror that would have done credit to the whistle of the most violent bo’s’n on the sea. Next moment the travellers were surrounded by a large and excited band of armed negroes.
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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immolate
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| v.牺牲 | |
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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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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temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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ramble
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ascended
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thoroughly
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shrubs
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reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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imprinted
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beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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uncommon
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mangrove
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| n.(植物)红树，红树林 | |
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twine
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| v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕 | |
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parasites
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| 寄生物( parasite的名词复数 )； 靠他人为生的人； 诸虫 | |
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24
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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25
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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26
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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27
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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28
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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29
umbrageous
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| adj.多荫的 | |
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30
antediluvian
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| adj.史前的，陈旧的 | |
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31
prehistoric
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| adj.（有记载的）历史以前的，史前的，古老的 | |
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32
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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33
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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34
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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35
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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36
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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37
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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38
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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39
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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40
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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41
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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42
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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43
transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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44
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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45
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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46
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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47
buffaloes
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| n.水牛（分非洲水牛和亚洲水牛两种）( buffalo的名词复数 )；（南非或北美的）野牛；威胁；恐吓 | |
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48
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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49
glades
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| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
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50
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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51
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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52
Portuguese
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| n.葡萄牙人；葡萄牙语 | |
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53
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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54
hippopotamus
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| n.河马 | |
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55
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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56
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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57
nonchalance
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| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
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58
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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59
philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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60
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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61
smacking
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| 活泼的，发出响声的，精力充沛的 | |
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62
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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63
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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64
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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65
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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66
illustrate
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| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
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67
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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68
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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69
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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70
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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71
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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72
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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73
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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74
retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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75
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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76
tugs
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| n.猛拉( tug的名词复数 )；猛拖；拖船v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的第三人称单数 ) | |
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77
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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78
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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79
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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80
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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81
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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82
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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83
skewered
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| v.（用串肉扦或类似物）串起，刺穿( skewer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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86
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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87
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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89
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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90
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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91
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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92
asseverate
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| v.断言 | |
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93
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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94
necessitated
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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95
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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96
gourmands
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| n.喜欢吃喝的人，贪吃的人( gourmand的名词复数 )；美食主义 | |
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97
transmuted
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| v.使变形，使变质，把…变成…( transmute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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98
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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99
depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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100
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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101
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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102
consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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103
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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104
refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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105
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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106
incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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107
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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108
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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109
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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110
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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111
clotted
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| adj.凝结的v.凝固( clot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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112
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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113
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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114
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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115
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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116
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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117
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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118
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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119
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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120
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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121
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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122
veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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123
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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124
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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125
eradicate
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| v.根除，消灭，杜绝 | |
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126
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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127
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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128
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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129
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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130
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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131
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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132
embittered
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| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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133
callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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134
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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135
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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136
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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137
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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138
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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139
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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140
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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141
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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142
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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143
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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144
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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145
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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146
organise
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| vt.组织，安排，筹办 | |
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147
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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148
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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149
lobsters
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| 龙虾( lobster的名词复数 )； 龙虾肉 | |
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