“I mean to go off to-morrow on a shooting trip to the lake,” said Dan Davidson to Archie Sinclair. “I’ve had a long spell at farming operations of late, and am tired of it. The double wedding, you know, comes off in six weeks. So I want to have one more run in the wilderness1 in all the freedom of bachelorhood. Will you go with me?”
“‘Unpossible,’ as Jenkins would say,” answered Archie. “Nothing would please me better, but, duty before pleasure! I’ve promised to spend a week along wi’ Little Bill at the Whitehorse Plains. Billie has taken a great fancy to that chief o’ the half-breeds, Cuthbert Grant, and we are goin’ to visit him. I’ve no doubt that Little Bill would let me off, but I won’t be let off.”
“Then I must ask Okématan to go with me,” said Dan.
“You needn’t trouble yourself, for I heard him say that he was goin’ off to see some o’ his relations on important business—a great palaver2 o’ some sort—and Elise told me this morning that she saw him start yesterday.”
“Morel is too busy with his new farm to go,” rejoined Dan, “and Jenkins is too busy helping3 Morel. Perhaps Dechamp or Bourassin may be more at leisure. I will go see.”
But on search being made, neither Dechamp nor Bourassin was to be found, and our hero was returning home with the intention of taking a small hunting canoe and going off by himself, when he chanced to meet with La Certe.
That worthy4 seemed unusually depressed5, and returned Dan’s greeting with very little of his habitual6 cheerfulness.
“What’s wrong with you, Fran?ois?” asked Dan, anxiously.
“Domestic infelicity,” answered La Certe, with a sorrowful shake of the head.
“What! surely Slowfoot has not taken to being unkind to you?”
“O no! Slowfoot could not be unkind, but she is unhappy; she has lost her cheerful looks; she does not take everything as she once did; she does not now let everything go anyhow with that cheerful resignation which was once her delightful7 characteristic. She no longer hands the pipe of peace to our little one—indeed she refuses to let it have the pipe at all, though the poor child cries for it, and comes to me secretly, when Slowfoot is out of the way, to beg for a draw. Then, she scolds me—no, she does not scold. Slowfoot cannot scold. She is too amiable—but she remonstrates9, and that is worse than scolding, for it enlists10 myself against myself. O! I am now miserable11. My days of peace are gone!”
“This is all very sad, La Certe,” said Dan, in a tone of sympathy. “What does she remonstrate8 about?”
“About my laziness! She does it very kindly12, very gently—so like her old self!—but she does it. She says, ‘Husband; we have gone on this way too long. We must change. You must change. You are lazy!’”
“Well, La Certe,” said Dan, “I’m afraid that Slowfoot is right.”
“I know she is right!” retorted the half-breed, with more of exasperation13 in his manner than his friend had ever before seen in him. “When that which is said of one is false, one can afford to smile, but when it is true what can one say? Yet it is hard—very hard. You are full of energy; you love to expend14 it, and you search for work. It is natural—and what is natural must be right. So, I am full of laziness. I love to indulge it, and I search for repose15. That is also natural, and what is natural must be right. Voilà!”
“Then I suppose your love for repose,” returned Dan, “will oblige you to decline an offer which I thought of making to you.”
“What is that?”
“To go with me on a shooting expedition to Lake Winnipeg for a week or two.”
“O no! I will not decline that,” returned La Certe, brightening up. “Shooting is not labour. It is amusement, with labour sufficient to make after-repose delightful. And I will be glad to leave my home for a time, for it is no longer the abode16 of felicity.”
This having been satisfactorily arranged, preparations made, and Slowfoot advised of her husband’s intention, Dan went to Ben Nevis Hall next morning to bid farewell to Elspie for a brief period. He found only old McKay in the Hall, Elspie having gone up the Settlement, or down the Settlement—the man did not know which—to call on a friend.
“See that ye will not be long o’ comin’ back, Tan,” he said. “There will be a good many arranchments to make, you see.”
“I hope to be back in three weeks at latest,” said Dan, “if all goes well.”
“Ay, if all goes well,” repeated the old man, thoughtfully. “As Elspie says sometimes, ‘We never know what a day may bring furth.’ Well, well, see that you will not be upsetting your canoe, for canoes are cranky things—whatever.”
In a short time our hero and La Certe found themselves floating once more on the calm breast of the mighty17 inland sea.
It was afternoon. The circumstances were eminently18 conducive19 to the felicity which is derivable20 from repose, and thus admirably suited to the tastes of La Certe. An unruffled sheet of glassy water lay spread out to the north-western horizon, which not only doubled the canoe and its occupants, but reflected the golden glory of the sun, and mirrored every fleecy cloudlet in the bright blue sky. A mere21 dip of the paddles now and then served to give impulse to the light, and literal, bark. Genial22 warmth pervaded23 the atmosphere, and little white gulls24 floated almost motionless on outspread wings, or sloped hither and thither25 with lazy flap, while ever and anon the whistling wings of passing wild-fowl gave promise of occupation to their guns, to say nothing of their kettles.
On their third day out, towards evening, they went ashore26 on the lee-side of a rocky point where some bushes and trees seemed to offer firewood and shelter.
“This will do,” said Dan, as he stepped lightly out on a shelving rock and held the canoe while his companion took out the lading. “Plenty dry sticks and lots of moss27 for bedding.”
“Truly, that is so,” returned La Certe. “It is a place in which Slowfoot would rejoice to repose, and the little one to smoke its pipe.”
“You forget,” said Dan. “The little one is no longer allowed that luxury.”
“No, I forgot not. But I reflect that it is possible to give her many a draw on the sly.”
The fire was soon kindled28, ducks were roasting in front of it, and the kettle boiling above it. The tea had been infused, and La Certe, while filling his pipe, was blinking good-will at all around, when the notes of a voyageur-song were heard like an echo in the far distance.
Gradually the song grew louder, and soon a canoe rounded the point, and came in sight of the camp-fire. It was what used to be called a north-canoe, of the largest size, made of birch-bark, and contained a crew of ten men.
The song and the paddling stopped simultaneously29 when the camp was observed, and the men appeared to hold a consultation30. Their hesitation31, however, was very brief. Suddenly, breaking again into song, they ran the canoe to shore, and landed.
“We are bound for Red River,” said their chief to Dan. “Just come from Canada. We suppose you don’t object to our camping beside you. It is a convenient spot.”
Of course the two hunters had no objection whatever to fraternise with the strangers from Canada, and in a short time another large fire was sending its myriad32 sparks up into the darkening sky like a gigantic roman-candle.
During supper the strangers made themselves very agreeable. After supper, two of the stoutest33 of them arose, as if to go into the bush for more firewood. Suddenly these threw themselves upon and seized Dan and his comrade, who were reclining quietly on the ground. Before either could make even an attempt at self-defence they were overpowered by the Canadians, and held forcibly down, while their arms were securely bound to their sides with strips of deerskin.
“It is useless to struggle, Dan Davidson,” said the chief, when this was being accomplished34. “We know you as a bitter opponent of the Nor’-westers, and we intend to carry you where your power to do mischief35 will be ended.”
“Who are you? and under whose authority do you act?” demanded Dan, angrily.
“Who I am is a matter of no interest to you, Dan. I act under my own authority, and I may just as well tell you, at the beginning, that if you and your comrade choose to submit peaceably, we will treat you reasonably well;—if not, we will find means to quiet you, even though we should be driven to do it wi’ that.”
The man pointed36 significantly to a gun which leant against a neighbouring tree. His meaning could not be misunderstood.
That night, Dan and La Certe were fastened to a tree by cords which allowed of their moving about freely within a small space, but their arms were not unbound. Here they were allowed to make themselves as comfortable as possible in the circumstances. Their bed, being mossy, was well enough, but the distracted state of their minds—especially Dan’s—may be imagined.
“La Certe,” said Dan, when the camp-fire had burned low, and the stars were shining on them through the leaves, and all was still, save an occasional snore from the Nor’-westers.
Poor Dan was not in a mood to comfort him or anybody else at that moment, and did not follow up his remark.
“La Certe,” he said again, after a quarter of an hour.
“Well?”
“Do you remember John Bourke?”
“Yes, yes. I remember him, but I care not for him. My own sorrows are too great.”
“Do you recollect,” continued Dan, regardless of this despairing remark, “that a good while ago the Nor’-westers took him prisoner, when he was wounded after a skirmish with them, and carried him to Canada—treating him with great barbarity on the way. There he was put in jail, but, as nothing could be proved against him, he was liberated38, and then tried to return to his family in Red River, but the Nor’-westers caught him again, imprisoned39 him, sent him a second time to Canada, and had him tried at the Court of the King’s Bench, although his only crime was that of resisting the North-West Company. He was acquitted40, and, after terrible sufferings from which he never quite recovered and a three years’ absence, he rejoined his family in Red River.”
“Yes, O yes! I know it all,” groaned La Certe.
“Well,” continued Dan, bitterly, “his fate is not unlikely to be ours.”
The poor half-breed made no reply to this. For some time he lay quite still, and his comrade had almost fallen into an uneasy slumber41, when he was awakened42 by La Certe breaking out into a soliloquy in which he apostrophised his absent wife.
“O my Slowfoot!” he murmured. “Shall we never meet again on earth? Yes, you are right. I have been lazy! I am lazy. I suppose that this is punishment for my sin. But it is hard to bear, and very heavy—is it not?—for only following one’s nature in longing43 for repose. O! why was I born? Why was our little one born, to enjoy for so brief a time the delights of smoke, and then have it denied her—except on the sly, when with her miserable father, who will never see her more—perhaps.”
He paused for a few minutes, and then broke out again.
“Yes, my Slowfoot—you are right. I must reform. I will cast off my sloth44 as a garment—even—even though I should go naked all the rest of my days! I will work—energise! I will—”
“Hold your tongue, La Certe, and listen,” said Dan in a low, stern voice.
“I am all attention,” returned the poor man in a similarly low tone.
“Are you game to fight, if you get the chance?”
“Game to fight!” echoed the other—“to fight for my Slowfoot, my little one, my smoke, and my repo— I mean my—my—new—”
“Speak lower, man, and listen to a plan I have in my head.”
Here Dan spoke45 so low that he could not be heard at all, save only by his companion; but that is of little consequence, for the plan, whatever it might have been, was never carried out.
Next day the Nor’-west party with their two prisoners paddled away towards the mouth of the grand turbulent Winnipeg River, and began to traverse the weary wilderness-route of rivers and lakes, which at that time formed the only direct means of communication between the frontiers of Canada and “Rupert’s Land.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
wilderness
|
|
| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
palaver
|
|
| adj.壮丽堂皇的；n.废话，空话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
helping
|
|
| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
depressed
|
|
| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
habitual
|
|
| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
remonstrate
|
|
| v.抗议，规劝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
remonstrates
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的第三人称单数 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
10
enlists
|
|
| v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的第三人称单数 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
exasperation
|
|
| n.愤慨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
expend
|
|
| vt.花费，消费，消耗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
eminently
|
|
| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
conducive
|
|
| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
derivable
|
|
| adj.可引出的，可推论的，可诱导的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
pervaded
|
|
| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
gulls
|
|
| n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
moss
|
|
| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
kindled
|
|
| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
simultaneously
|
|
| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
consultation
|
|
| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
myriad
|
|
| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
stoutest
|
|
| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
liberated
|
|
| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
imprisoned
|
|
| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
acquitted
|
|
| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
sloth
|
|
| n.[动]树懒；懒惰，懒散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |