And, truly, the scene which met their gaze was of a nature calculated to arouse enthusiasm in a much less ardent1 bosom2 than that of Captain Trench3. A wide undulating country, studded with lakelets and rich with verdure, stretched away from their feet to the horizon, where a range of purple hills seemed to melt and mingle4 with cloudland, so that the eye was carried, as it were, by imperceptible gradations from the rugged5 earth up into the soft blue sky; indeed, it was difficult to distinguish where the former ended and the latter began. The lakes and ponds were gay with yellow water-lilies, and the air was musical with the sweet cries of wildfowl; while the noon-tide sun bathed the whole in a golden glory.
The effect of such a sight on our wanderers was at first too powerful for words, and when words did burst forth6 they served to show how wonderfully diverse are the spirits of men. Captain Trench, as we have seen, was moved by this vision of beauty to shout, almost to dance, with delight, while in thought he bounded over the length and breadth of the new land, taking bearings, and making notes and charts with the view of extending the geographical7 knowledge of mankind! His son Oliver, on the other hand, allowed his imagination to revel8 freely through the forests and over the hills and across lakes and savannahs in powerful sympathy with the aspirations9 which must have animated10 Nimrod; while to Paul Burns, whose temperament11 was sedate12 and earnest, as well as cheerful and hearty13, the glorious vision at once suggested thoughts of that tranquil14 home in which man’s lot was originally cast by the loving heart of God.
“Now it is quite plain,” said Trench, as they slowly descended15 into this beautiful scene, “that this land is no collection of small islands, as we have been led to suppose, but a great land full of all that is needful to make it the happy abode16 of man.”
“Just so, daddy!” exclaimed the enthusiastic Oliver, “and we have been sent to explore it and carry home the news—perhaps to bring out the first settlers and show them the way!”
“Why, Olly, you carry too much sail for so small a craft; you look out rather too far ahead. And what mean ye by saying we are sent? Nobody sent us on this journey that I know of, unless you mean that Swinton—the big scoundrel!—sent us.”
“Whatever Olly meant by the expression,” interposed Paul, “I think he is right; for all men are sent by the Almighty17, no matter where they go.”
“What! d’ye mean that men are sent by the Almighty whether they go to do good or evil?”
“Ay, Master Trench, that is what I mean; they are sent by Him, though not sent to do evil. Look here, don’t you admit that God created all men and sent them into this world?”
“Of course I do.”
“And that He made you an Englishman, and so sent you to England; and that He made you a sea-captain, and among other places sent you to Newfoundland.”
“Well—I—I suppose He did,” returned the captain, with that puzzled expression of countenance18 which was wont19 to indicate that his mind was grappling difficulties.
“Well, then,” continued Paul, “being good, of course the Almighty sent us to do good; but He also gave us free wills, which just means permission to do as we please; so it remains20 to be seen whether we will use our free wills in working with Him, or in trying to work against Him, for, strange to say, we cannot really work against God, we can only try to do it, and in so trying we establish the fact of our own wickedness; but His grand and good purposes shall be carried out in spite of us notwithstanding, for he can bring good out of evil.”
“Now, Paul, I’ve lost soundings altogether, and it’s my opinion that you are foolishly talking about things that you, don’t understand.”
“I never heard, Master Trench, that it was foolish to talk about what one does not understand! On the contrary, it is by talking of things that we don’t understand that we manage at last to understand them. You had a deal of talking about navigation, had you not, before you understood it?”
“Look ’ee here, lad,” said Trench, stopping suddenly, with his legs planted firmly apart as though on the quarter-deck of his ship in a cross sea, while he drove his right fist into the palm of his left hand argumentatively. “Look ’ee here. How can it be possible that—that—pooh! Come along, we’ll never get on with our survey of the land if we dispute at this rate.”
The stout21 mariner22 turned away with an air of exasperation23, and resumed his walk at a rapid pace, closely followed by his amused friend and son.
This irreverent mode of dismissing a grave and difficult subject was not peculiar24 to Captain Trench. It has probably been adopted by those who shrink from mental effort ever since the days of Adam and Eve. Minds great and small have exercised themselves since the beginning of time on this perplexing subject—God’s sovereignty and man’s free will—with benefit, probably, to themselves. We recommend it in passing, good reader, to your attention, and we will claim to be guiltless of presumption25 in thus advising, so long as the writing stands, “Prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.”
Before the sun went down that night our explorers had plunged26 into the very heart of the beautiful country which we have described—now pushing through tangled27 underwood, or following the innumerable deer-tracks with which the country was seamed, or breasting the hill-sides, or making détours to get round small lakes, being guided, in a westerly direction, by a small pocket-compass which Captain Trench was fortunately in the habit of carrying with him wherever he went. No large lakes or broad rivers had yet been met with, so that up to this point the divergencies from the direct line had not been great.
Thus they advanced for several days, subsisting28 on game and fish, chiefly the last, however; for their shooting powers were very defective29, and Oliver was an ardent—too ardent—fisher. Their inability to shoot became at last a serious matter, for many arrows and bolts were lost, as well as much game.
“Look, now, there’s another chance,” whispered Paul, pointing to a plump willow-grouse that sat in a bush in front of them. “You try first, Master Trench.”
“An’ don’t miss, daddy,” said Oliver entreatingly30; “there’s only the bones of a rabbit left from this morning’s breakfast.”
The captain took a fervently31 careful aim, but went far wide of the mark, to his intense chagrin32. Paul then bent33 his bow, but without success, though his arrows stuck in a branch close under the bird, which, being very tame, only glanced down inquiringly. Oliver’s arrow went over it, and the stone which he afterwards slang made such a rattling34 in the bush that the puzzled creature finally retired35.
“This is becoming serious,” remarked the captain, with a face so solemn that Paul burst into a fit of laughter.
“Ha! you may laugh, lad,” continued Trench, “but if you were as hungry as I am you’d be more inclined to cry. D’ye think a stout man like me can sup heartily36 on rabbit bones?”
“So I have, Olly; well, come and let’s have ’em cooked at once.”
The fish, which were really more than sufficient without the rabbit bones, were soon grilling38 over a huge fire under the canopy39 of a spreading birch-tree.
When the skipper had disposed of enough to allay40 the pangs41 of hunger, he turned and said to his comrades, in a tone of marked decision—
“Now, mess-mates, I’ve been rummagin’ my brains a bit, and the outcome of it is as follows:— ‘Whatever is worth doin’ is worth doin’ well,’ as the old proverb puts it. If we are to explore this country, we must set about learning to shoot, for if we don’t, we are likely to starve in the midst of plenty, and leave our bones to bleach42 in this beautiful wilderness43.”
“True, Master Trench,” remarked Paul, for the seaman44 had paused at this point; “thus far you and I think alike. What more have you to say?”
“This I have to say, that I am resolved not to explore another fathom45 o’ this land until I can make sure of hittin’ the crown o’ my cap with a cross-bow bolt at a reasonable distance; and I would advise you both to make the same resolution, for if you don’t you will have to do your exploring without me.”
“Just so, captain,” said Paul, putting the last morsel46 of fish into his mouth, with a sigh of contentment; “you are commander of this expedition. I will obey orders.”
“But what do you call a ‘reasonable’ distance, daddy?” asked Oliver, with that pert cock of the head peculiar to insolent47 youths; “a yard, or a fathom?”
“Well, now,” continued Trench, ignoring the question, “we will set about it to-morrow morning, first thing after breakfast; stick up a target, retire to a reasonable distance, and work away from morning till night, and every day till we become perfect.”
“Agreed, captain,” said Paul; “but what about food?”
“We will give Olly leave of absence for an hour or two daily to go and fish,” said the captain; “that will keep us alive, coupled with what birds or beasts may come accidentally in front of our arrows.”
This plan, although proposed at first half in jest, was carried into operation next day, during the whole of which they practised shooting at a mark most diligently48. At supper-time, over a couple of fine trout, it was admitted sadly by each that the progress made was very slight—indeed, scarcely perceptible. Next night, however, the report was more favourable49, and the third night it was felt that the prospect50 ahead was becoming hopeful; for, besides the improvement in shooting, two rabbits graced their supper, one having been arrested by an almost miraculous51 bolt when bolting; the other having been caught, unintentionally, by a stone similar to that which brought down the giant of Gath. The fact that skill had nothing to do with the procuring52 of either did not in the least detract from the enjoyment53 with which they consumed both.
“Nothing is denied,” they say, “to well-directed labour, and nothing can be done without it.” Like most of the world’s maxims54, this is a partially55 erroneous statement; for many things are denied to well-directed labour, and sometimes amazing success is accorded to ill-directed and blundering efforts. Still, what truth does exist in the saying was verified by our three friends; for, after two weeks of unremitting, unwearied, persistent56 labour, each labourer succeeded in raising enormous blisters57 on two fingers of his right hand, and in hitting objects the size of a swan six times out of ten at a “reasonable distance!”
Having arrived at this state of proficiency58 with their weapons, they resumed their journey, fortified59 with a hearty breakfast, the foundation of which was fish, the superstructure willow-grouse interspersed60 with rabbit, and the apex61 plover62.
Not long after that the first deer was shot. It occurred thus:—
They were walking one beautiful morning slowly along one of the numerous deer-tracks of which we have already made mention, and were approaching the summit of a ridge63 at the very time that a herd64 of deer, headed by a noble stag, were ascending65 the same ridge from the opposite side. The little air that moved was blowing in the right direction—from the deer towards the travellers. As they topped the ridge about the same instant, the two parties stood suddenly face to face, and it would be difficult to determine which party looked most amazed.
Facility in fitting arrows, etcetera, had been acquired by that time. The hunters were ready in a couple of seconds. The deer, recovering, wheeled about; but before they could take the first bound, “burr, twang, and whizz,” sounded in their ears. The stone struck an antler of the stag, the arrow pierced his flank, the bolt quivered in his heart, and the monarch66 of the woods, leaping wildly into the air, fell dead upon the ground.
“Well done, Master Trench!” shouted Paul, with a hearty cheer. As for Oliver, he uttered a squeal67 of delight, threw an uncontrollable somersault, and landed, sittingwise, on a bed of soft moss68.
This was a tremendous triumph and source of jubilation69, and it soon became obvious to each that the other two had a hard struggle to keep their expressions of satisfaction within the limits of moderation; for not only had they now obtained the crowning evidence of their skill, but they were provided with a supply of meat which, if properly dried, would furnish them with food for many days to come.
It was a striking and picturesque70, though perhaps not an agreeable, sight to witness the party that night, in the ruddy light of the camp-fire, with sleeves rolled to the shoulders, and bloody71 knives in hands, operating on the carcase of the deer, and it was several hours past their usual supper-time before they felt themselves at liberty to sit down on a bed of spruce-fir branches and enjoy the luxury of rest and food.
Next day, while proceeding72 slowly through the woods, chatting merrily over the incidents of the previous day, a sudden silence fell upon them; for out of the thick shrubbery there stalked a tall, noble-looking man of middle age. He was dressed in the garb73 of a hunter. Long yellow curls hung on his shoulders, and a heavy beard and moustache of the same colour concealed74 the lower part of a bronzed and handsome countenance. His bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle with good humour as he gazed inquiringly, yet sadly, at the astonished faces of the three travellers.
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1
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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geographical
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| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
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revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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aspirations
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| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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16
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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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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27
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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28
subsisting
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的现在分词 ) | |
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29
defective
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| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
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entreatingly
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| 哀求地，乞求地 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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34
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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35
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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grilling
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| v.烧烤( grill的现在分词 )；拷问，盘问 | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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42
bleach
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| vt.使漂白；vi.变白；n.漂白剂 | |
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43
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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44
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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46
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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47
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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48
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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49
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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50
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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51
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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52
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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53
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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54
maxims
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| n.格言，座右铭( maxim的名词复数 ) | |
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55
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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56
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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57
blisters
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| n.水疱( blister的名词复数 )；水肿；气泡 | |
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58
proficiency
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| n.精通，熟练，精练 | |
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59
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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60
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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61
apex
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| n.顶点，最高点 | |
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62
plover
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| n.珩，珩科鸟，千鸟 | |
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63
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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64
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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67
squeal
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| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
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68
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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69
jubilation
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| n.欢庆，喜悦 | |
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70
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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71
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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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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73
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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