Robert came out of his benumbed state. It had all seemed a fantastic dream, but he had only to look around him to know that it was reality. Three or four battle lanterns were shining and they threw a ghostly light over the deck of the schooner1, which was littered with spars and sails, and the bodies of men who had fallen before the fire of the sloop2. Streams of blood flowed everywhere. He sickened and shuddered3 again and again.
The captain, a savage4 figure, stained with blood, showed ruthless energy. Driving the men who remained unwounded, he compelled them to cut away the wreckage5 and to throw the dead overboard. Garrulous7, possessed8 by some demon9, he boasted to them of many prizes they would yet take, and he pointed10 to the black flag which still floated overhead, unharmed through all the battle. He boasted of it as a good omen11 and succeeded in infusing into them some of his own spirit.
Robert was still unnoticed and at first he wandered about his strait territory. Then he lent a helping12 hand with the wreckage. His own life was at stake as well as theirs, and whether they wished it or not he could not continue to stand by an idler. Circumstance and the sea forced him into comradeship with men of evil, and as long as it lasted he must make the best of it. So he fell[Pg 105] to with such a will that it drew the attention of the captain.
"Good boy, Peter!" he cried. "You'll be one of us yet in spite of yourself! Our good fortune is yours, too! You as well as we have escaped a merry hanging! I'll warrant you that the feel of the rope around the neck is not pleasant, and it's well to keep one's head out of the noose14, eh, Peter?"
Robert did not answer, but tugged15 at a rope that two other men were trying to reeve. He knew now that while they had escaped the sloop of war their danger was yet great and imminent16. The wind was still rising, and now it was a howling gale17. The schooner had been raked heavily. Most of her rigging was gone, huge holes had been smashed in her hull18, half of her crew had been killed and half of the rest were wounded, there were not enough men to work her even were she whole and the weather the best. As the crest19 of every wave passed she wallowed in the trough of the sea, and shipped water steadily20. The exultant21 look passed from the captain's eyes.
"I'm afraid you're a lad of ill omen, Peter," he said to Robert. "I had you on board another ship once and she went to pieces. It looks now as if my good schooner were headed the same way."
"Blame the sloop of war, not me. You would lay her aboard, and see what has happened!"
The captain frowned and turned away. For a long time he paid no further attention to Robert, all his skill and energy concentrated upon the effort to save his ship. But it became evident even to Robert's inexperienced eye that the schooner was stricken mortally. The guns[Pg 106] of the sloop had not raked and slashed23 her in vain. A pirate she had been, but a pirate she would be no more. She rolled more heavily all the time, and Robert noticed that she was deeper in the water. Beyond a doubt she was leaking fast.
The captain conferred with the second mate, a tall, thin man whom he called Stubbs. Then the two, standing together near the mast, watched the ship for a while and Robert, a little distance away, watched them. He was now keenly alive to his own fate. Young and vital, he did not want to die. He had never known a time when he was more anxious to live. He was not going to be sold into slavery on a West India plantation25. Fortune had saved him from that fate, and it might save him from new perils26. In a storm on a sinking vessel28 he was nevertheless instinct with hope. Somewhere beyond the clouds Tayoga's Tododaho on his great star was watching him. The captain spoke29 to him presently.
"Peter," he said, "I think it will be necessary for us to leave the ship soon. That cursed sloop has done for the staunchest schooner that ever sailed these seas. I left you on board a sinking vessel the other time, but as it seemed to bring you good luck then, I won't do it now. Besides, I'm tempted30 to keep you with me. You bore yourself bravely during the battle. I will say that for you."
"Thanks for taking me, and for the compliment, too," said Robert. "I've no mind to be left here alone in the middle of the ocean on a sinking ship."
"'Tis no pleasant prospect31, nor have we an easy path before us in the boats, either. On the whole, the chances are against us. There's land not far away to starboard, but whether we'll make it in so rough a sea is another matter. Are you handy with an oar6?"[Pg 107]
"Fairly so. I've had experience on lakes and rivers, but none on the sea."
"'Twill serve. We'll launch three boats. Hooker, the boatswain, takes one, Stubbs has the other, and I command the last. You go with me."
"It would have been my choice."
"I'm flattered, Peter. I may get a chance yet to sell you to one of the plantations32."
"I think not, Captain. The stars in their courses have said 'no.'"
"Come! Come! Don't be Biblical here."
"The truth is the truth anywhere. But I'm glad enough to go with you."
One of the boats was launched with great difficulty, and the boatswain, Hooker, and six men, two of whom were wounded, were lowered into it. It capsized almost immediately, and all on board were lost. Those destined34 for the other two boats hung back a while, but it became increasingly necessary for them to make the trial, no matter what the risk. The schooner rolled and pitched terribly, and a sailor, sent to see, reported that the water was rising in her steadily.
The captain showed himself a true seaman35 and leader. He had been wounded in the shoulder, but the hurt had been bound up hastily and he saw to everything. Each of the boats contained kegs of water, arms, ammunition36 and food. A second was launched and Stubbs and his crew were lowered into it. A great wave caught it and carried it upon its crest, and Robert, watching, expected to see it turn over like the first, but the mate and the crew managed to restore the balance, and they disappeared in the darkness, still afloat.
"There, lads," exclaimed the captain, "you see it can be done. Now we'll go too, and the day will soon come[Pg 108] when we'll have a new ship, and then, ho! once more for the rover's free and gorgeous life!"
The unwounded men raised a faint cheer. The long boat was launched with infinite care, and Robert lent a hand. The pressure of circumstances made his feeling of comradeship with these men return. For the time at least his life was bound up with theirs. Two wounded sailors were lowered first into the boat.
"Now, Peter, you go," said the captain. "As I told you, I may have a chance yet to sell you to a plantation, and I must preserve my property."
Robert slid down the rope. The captain and the others followed, and they cast loose. They were eight in the boat, three of whom were wounded, though not badly. The lad looked back at the schooner. He saw a dim hulk, with the black flag still floating over it, and then she passed from sight in the darkness and driving storm.
He took up an oar, resolved to do his best in the common struggle for life, and with the others fought the sea for a long time. The captain set their course south by west, apparently37 for some island of which he knew, and meanwhile the men strove not so much to make distance as to keep the boat right side up. Often Robert thought they were gone. They rode dizzily upon high waves, and they sloped at appalling38 angles, but always they righted and kept afloat. The water sprayed them continuously and the wind made it sting like small shot, but that was a trifle to men in their situation who were straining merely to keep the breath in their bodies.
After a while—Robert had no idea how long the time had been—the violence of the wind seemed to abate39 somewhat, and their immense peril27 of sinking decreased. Robert sought an easier position at the oar, and tried to see something reassuring40, but it was still almost as dark as[Pg 109] pitch, and there was only the black and terrible sea around them. But the captain seemed cheerful.
"We'll make it, lads, before morning," he said. "The storm is sinking, as you can see, and the island is there waiting for us."
In another hour the sea became so much calmer that there was no longer any danger of the boat overturning. Half of the men who had been rowing rested an hour, and then the other half took their turn. Robert was in the second relay, and when he put down his oar he realized for the first time that his hands were sore and his bones aching.
"You've done well, Peter," said the captain. "You've become one of us, whether or no, and we'll make you an honored inhabitant of our island when we come to it."
Robert said nothing, but lay back, drawing long breaths of relief. The danger of death by drowning had passed for the moment and he had a sense of triumph over nature. Despite his weariness and soreness, he was as anxious as ever to live, and he began to wonder about this island of which the captain spoke. It must be tropical, and hence in his imagination beautiful, but by whom was it peopled? He did not doubt that they would reach it, and that he, as usual, would escape all perils.
Always invincible41, his greatest characteristic was flaming up within him. He seemed to have won, in a way, the regard of the captain, and he did not fear the men. They would be castaways together, and on the land opportunities to escape would come. On the whole he preferred the hazards of the land to those of the sea. He knew better how to deal with them. He was more at home in the wilderness42 than on salt water. Yet a brave heart was alike in either place.
"We'd better take it very easy, lads," said the captain.[Pg 110] "Not much rowing now, and save our strength for the later hours of the night."
"Why?" asked Robert.
"Because the storm, although it has gone, is still hanging about in the south and may conclude to come back, assailing43 us again. A shift in the wind is going on now, and if it hit us before we reached the island, finding us worn out, we might go down before it."
It was a good enough reason and bye and bye only two men kept at the oars44, the rest lying on the bottom of the boat or falling asleep in their seats. The captain kept a sharp watch for the other boat, which had gone away in the dark, but beheld45 no sign of it, although the moon and stars were now out, and they could see a long distance.
"Stubbs knows where the island is," said the captain, "and if they've lived they'll make for it. We can't turn aside to search all over the sea for 'em."
Robert after a while fell asleep also in his seat, and despite his extraordinary situation slept soundly, though it was rather an unconsciousness that came from extreme exhaustion46, both bodily and mental. He awoke some time later to find that the darkness had come back and that the wind was rising again.
"You can take a hand at the oar once more, Peter," said the captain. "I let you sleep because I knew that it would refresh you and we need the strength of everybody. The storm, as I predicted, is returning, not as strong as it was at first, perhaps, but strong enough."
He wakened the other men who were sleeping, and all took to the oars. The waves were running high, and the boat began to ship water. Several of the men, under instructions from the captain, dropped their oars and bailed48 it out with their caps or one or two small tin vessels49 that they had stored aboard.[Pg 111]
"Luckily the wind is blowing in the right direction," said the captain. "It comes out of the northeast, and that carries us toward the island. Now, lads, all we have to do is to keep the boat steady, and not let it ship too much water. The wind itself will carry us on our way."
But the wind rose yet more, and it required intense labor50 and vigilance to fight the waves that threatened every moment to sink their craft. Robert pulled on the oar until his arms ached. Everybody toiled51 except the captain, who directed, and Robert saw that he had all the qualities to make him a leader of slavers or pirates. In extreme danger he was the boldest and most confident of them all, and he stood by his men. They could see that he would not desert them, that their fortune was his fortune. He was wounded, Robert did not yet know how badly, but he never yielded to his hurt. He was a figure of strength in the boat, and the men drew courage from him to struggle for life against the overmastering sea. Somehow, for the time at least, Robert looked upon him as his own leader, obeying his commands, willingly and without question.
He was drenched52 anew with the salt water, but as they were in warm seas he never thought of it. Now and then he rested from his oar and helped bail47 the water from the boat.
A pale dawn showed at last through the driving clouds, but it was not encouraging. The sea was running higher than ever, and there was no sign of land. One of the men, much worse wounded than they had thought, lay down in the bottom of the boat and died. They tossed his body unceremoniously overboard. Robert knew that it was necessary, but it horrified53 him just the same. Another man, made light of head by dangers[Pg 112] and excessive hardships, insisted that there was no island, that either they would be drowned or would drift on in the boat until they died of thirst and starvation. The captain drew a pistol and looking him straight in the eye said:
"Another word of that kind from you, Waters, and you'll eat lead. You know me well enough to know that I keep my word."
The man cowered55 away and Robert saw that it was no vain threat. Waters devoted56 his whole attention to an oar, and did not speak again.
"We'll strike the island in two or three hours," the captain said with great confidence.
The dawn continued to struggle with the stormy sky, but its progress was not promising57. It was only a sullen58 gray dome59 over a gray and ghastly sea, depressing to the last degree to men worn as they were. But in about two hours the captain, using glasses that he had taken from his coat, raised the cry:
"Land ho!"
He kept the glasses to his eyes a full two minutes, and when he took them down he repeated with certainty:
"Land ho! I can see it distinctly there under the horizon in the west, and it's the island we've been making for. Now, lads, keep her steady and we'll be there in an hour."
All the men were vitalized into new life, but the storm rose at the same time, and spray and foam60 dashed over them. All but two or three were compelled to work hard, keeping the water out of the boat, while the others steadied her with the oars. Robert saw the captain's face grow anxious, and he began to wonder if they would reach the island in time. He wondered also how they would land in case they reached it, as he knew from his[Pg 113] reading and travelers' tales that most of the little islands in these warm seas were surrounded by reefs.
The wind drove them on and the island rose out of the ocean, a dark, low line, just a blur61, but surely land, and the drooping62 men plucked up their spirits.
"We'll make it, lads! Don't be down-hearted!" cried the captain. "Keep the boat above water a half hour longer, and we'll tread the soil of mother earth again! Well done, Peter! You handle a good oar! You're the youngest in the boat, but you've set an example for the others! There's good stuff in you, Peter."
Robert, to his own surprise, found his spirit responding to this man's praise, slaver and pirate though he was, and he threw more strength into his swing. Soon they drew near to the island, and he heard such a roaring of the surf that he shuddered. He saw an unbroken line of white and he knew that behind it lay the cruel teeth of the rocks, ready to crunch63 any boat that came. Every one looked anxiously at the captain.
"There's a rift54 in the rocks to the right," he said, "and when we pass through it we'll find calm water inside. Now, lads, all of you to the oars and take heed64 that you do as I say on the instant or we'll be on the reef!"
They swung to the right, and so powerful were wind and wave that it seemed to Robert they fairly flew toward the island. The roaring of the surf grew and the long white line rose before them like a wall. He saw no opening, but the captain showed no signs of fear and gave quick, sharp commands. The boat drove with increased speed toward the island, rising on the crests65 of great waves, then sinking with sickening speed into the trough of the sea, to rise dizzily on another wave. Robert saw the rocks, black, sharp and cruel, reaching out their long, savage teeth, and the roar of wind and surf together was[Pg 114] now so loud that he could no longer hear the captain's commands. He was conscious that the boat was nearly full of water, and when he was not blinded by the flying surf he saw looks of despair on the faces of the men.
An opening in the line of reefs disclosed itself, and the boat shot toward it. He heard the captain shout, but did not understand what he said, then they were wrenched66 violently to the left by a powerful current. He saw the black rocks frowning directly over him, and felt the boat scrape against them. The whole side of it was cut away, and they were all hurled67 into the sea.
Robert was not conscious of what he did. He acted wholly from impulse and the instinctive68 love of life that is in every one. He felt the water pour over him, and fill eye, ear and nostril69, but he was not hurled against rock. He struck out violently, but was borne swiftly away, not knowing in which direction he was taken.
He became conscious presently that the force driving him on was not so great and he cleared the water from his eyes enough to see that he had been carried through the opening and toward a sandy beach. His mind became active and strong in an instant. Chance had brought him life, if he only had the presence of mind to take it. He struck out for the land with all his vigor70, hoping to reach it before he could be carried back by a returning wave.
The wave caught him, but it was not as powerful as he had feared, and, when he had yielded a little, he was able to go forward again. Then he saw a head bobbing upon the crest of the next retreating wave and being carried out to sea. It was the captain, and reaching out a strong arm Robert seized him. The shock caused him to thrust down his feet, and to his surprise he touched bot[Pg 115]tom. Grasping the captain with both hands he dragged him with all his might and ran inland.
It was partly an instinctive impulse to save and partly genuine feeling that caused him to seize the slaver when he was being swept helpless out to sea. The man, even though in a malicious71, jeering72 way, had done him some kindnesses on the schooner and in the boat, and he could not see him drown before his eyes. So he settled his grasp upon his collar, held his head above the water and strove with all his might to get beyond the reach of the cruel sea. Had he been alone he could have reached the land with ease, but the slaver pulled upon him almost a dead weight.
Another returning wave caught him and made him stagger, but he settled his feet firmly in the sand, held on to the unconscious man, and when it had passed made a great effort to get beyond the reach of any other. He was forced half to lift, half to drag the slaver's body, but he caught the crest of the next incoming wave, one of unusual height and strength, and the two were carried far up the beach. When it died in foam and spray he lifted the man wholly and ran until he fell exhausted73 on the sand. When another wave roared inland it did not reach him, and no others came near. As if knowing they were baffled, they gave up a useless pursuit.
Robert lay a full half hour, supine, completely relaxed, only half conscious. Yet he was devoutly74 thankful. The precious gift of life had been saved, the life that was so young, so strong and so buoyant in him. The sea, immense, immeasurable and savage might leap for him, but it could no longer reach him. He was aware of that emotion, and he was thankful too that an Infinite Hand had been stretched out to save him in his moment of direst peril.[Pg 116]
He came out of his cataleptic state, which was both a mental and physical effect, and stood up. The air was still dim with heavy clouds and the wind continuously whistled its anger. He noticed for the first time that it was raining, but it was a trifle to him, as he had already been thoroughly75 soaked by the sea.
The sea itself was as wild as ever. Wave after wave roared upon the land to break there, and then rush back in masses of foam. As far as Robert could see the surface of the water, lashed24 by the storm, was wild and desolate76 to the last degree. It was almost as if he had been cast away on another planet. A feeling of irrepressible, awful loneliness overpowered him.
"Well, Peter, we're here."
It was a feeble voice, but it was a human one, the voice of one of his own kind, and, in that dreary77 wilderness of the ocean, it gave welcome relief as it struck upon his ear. He looked down. The slaver, returned to consciousness, had drawn78 himself into a sitting position and was looking out at the gray waters.
"I've a notion, Peter," he said, "that you've saved my life. The last I remember was being engulfed79 in a very large and very angry ocean. It was kind of you, Peter, after I kidnapped you away from your friends, meaning to sell you into slavery on a West India plantation."
"I couldn't let you drown before my eyes."
"Most men in your place would have let me go, and even would have helped me along."
"Perhaps I felt the need of company. 'Twould have been terrible to be alone here."
"There may be something in that. But at any rate, you saved me. I'm thinking that you and I are all that's left. I was a fool, Peter, ever to have mixed in your business. I can see it now. When I carried you away[Pg 117] from New York I lost my ship. I kidnap you away again from Albany, and I lose my ship and all my crew. I would have lost my own life, too, if it had not been for you. It was never intended by the fates that I should have been successful in my attempts on you. The first time should have been enough. That was a warning. Well, I've paid the price of my folly80. All fools do."
He tried to stand up, but fresh blood came from his shoulder and he quickly sat down again. It was obvious that he was very weak.
"I'll do the best I can for us both," said Robert, "but I don't know the nature of this land upon which we're cast. I suppose it's an island, of course. I can see trees inland, but that's all I can discover at present."
"I know a deal more," said the slaver. "That's why I had the boat steered81 for this point, hoping to make the little bay into which the opening through the reefs leads. It's an island, as you say, seven or eight miles long, half as broad and covered thickly with trees and brush. There's a hut about half a mile inland, and if you help me there we'll both find shelter. I'll show the way. As trying too steadily to do you evil brought me bad luck I'll now try to do you good. You can put it down to logic82, and not to any sudden piety83 in me."
Yet Robert in his heart did not ascribe it wholly to logic. He was willing to believe in a kindly84 impulse or two in everybody, there was a little good hidden somewhere deep down even in Tandakora, though it might have to struggle uncommonly85 hard for expression. He promptly86 put his arm under the man's and helped him to his feet.
"Give me the direction," he said, "and I'll see that we reach the hut."
"Bear toward the high hill ahead and to the right.[Pg 118] And between you and me, Peter, I'm glad it's inland. I've had enough of the sea for a while and I don't want to look at it. How is it behaving now?"
Robert, looking back, saw a great wave rushing upon the beach as if it thought it could overtake them, and it gave him an actual thrill of delight to know the effort would be in vain.
"It's as wild, as desolate and as angry as ever," he said, "and we're well away from it for the present."
"Then go on. I fear I shall have to lean upon you rather hard. A bit of grape shot from that cursed sloop has bitten pretty deep into my shoulder. I've been doubly a fool, Peter, in kidnapping you a second time after the first warning, and in allowing myself to be tolled87 up under the broadside of that sloop. It's the last that hurts me most. I behaved like any youngster on his first cruise."
Robert said nothing, but did his best to support the wounded man, who was now bearing upon him very heavily. His own strength was largely factitious, coming from the hope that they would soon find shelter and a real place in which to rest, but such as it was it was sufficient for the time being.
He did not look back again. Like the slaver, he wanted to shut out the sea for the present. It was a raging, cruel element, and he felt better with it unseen. But he became conscious, instead, of the rain which was driving hard. He suddenly realized that he was cold, and he shivered so violently that the slaver noticed it.
"Never mind, Peter," he said. "We're going to a palace, or at least 'twill seem a palace by power of contrast. There you'll be snug88 and warm."
"Aye, we can bind it up again, but it's not so sure about my getting back my strength. I tell you again, lad, that the grape bit deep. It hurts me all the time to think I was lured90 under those guns by a silly old fiddler and a couple of silly sailors dancing to his silly tune13. You're a good lad, Peter, I give you credit for it, and since, beside myself, only one on board the schooner was saved, I'm glad it was you and not a member of the crew."
"We don't know that others were not saved. We haven't had time yet to see."
"I know they weren't. It's only a miracle that we two came through the reefs. Miracles may happen, Peter, but they don't happen often. Nobody else will appear on the island. Keep steering91 for the hill. I'll be glad when we get there, because, between you and me, Peter, it will be just about as far as I can go and I'll need a long, long rest."
He bore so heavily upon Robert now that their progress was very slow, and the lad himself began to grow weak. It was impossible for any one, no matter how hardy92 of body and soul, to endure long, after going through what he had suffered. He too staggered.
"I'm leaning hard on you, Peter," said the slaver. "I know it, but I can't help it. What a difference a whiff of grapeshot makes!"
Robert steadied himself, made a mighty93 effort, and they went on. The wind shifted now and the rain drove directly in his face. It was cold to him, but it seemed to whip a little increase of vigor and strength into his blood, and he was able to go somewhat faster. As he pulled along with his burden he looked curiously94 at the region through which he was traveling. The ground was rough, often with layers of coral, and he saw on all sides of him dense95 groves96 of bushes, among which[Pg 120] he recognized the banana by the fruit. It gave him a thrill of relief. At all events here was food of a kind, and they would not starve to death. It was the first time he had thought of food. Hitherto he had been occupied wholly with the struggle for immediate33 life.
A belt of tall trees shut out the hill toward which he had been steering, and he was uncertain. But the man gave him guidance.
"More to the right, Peter," he said. "I won't let you go astray, and it's full lucky for us both that I know this island."
A half hour of painful struggle and Robert saw the dark shape of a small house in the lee of a hill.
"It's the hut, Peter," said the slaver, "and you've done well to bring us here. You're not only a good lad, but you're strong and brave, too. You needn't knock at the door. No one will answer. Push it open and enter. It really belongs to me."
Robert obeyed while the man steadied himself sufficiently97 to stand alone. He thrust his hand against the door, which swung inward, revealing a dark interior. A musty odor entered his nostrils98, but the hut, whatever its character, was dry. That was evident, and so it was welcome. He went in, helping the wounded man along with him, and standing there a moment or two everything became clear.
It was more than a hut. He was in a room of some size, containing articles of furniture, obviously brought across the sea, and clothing hanging from the wall on hooks. A couch was beside one wall, and two doors seemed to lead to larger chambers99 or to small closets. The captain staggered across the room and lay down on the couch.[Pg 121]
"Well, how do you like it, Peter?" he asked. "'Twill serve in a storm, will it not?"
"It will serve grandly," replied Robert. "How does it come to be here?"
"I had it built. The islands all the way from the Bahamas to South America and the waters around them are the great hunting ground for people in my trade, and naturally we need places of refuge, secluded100 little harbors, so to speak, where we can commune with ourselves and refresh our minds and bodies. Even rovers must have periods of relaxation101, and you'll find a lot of such places scattered102 about the islands, or, rather, you won't find 'em because they're too well hidden. I had this built myself, but I never dreamed that I should come back to it in the way I have."
"It's a palace just now," said Robert, "yes, it's more than a palace, it's a home. I see clothing here on the wall, and, by your leave, I'll change you and then myself into some of those dry garments."
"You're lord of the manor103, Peter, by right of strength. I'm in no condition to resist you, even had I the wish, which I haven't."
Assisted by the man himself, he removed the captain's garments and put him in dry clothing, first looking at the wound in his shoulder, which his experience told him was very serious. The piece of grapeshot had gone entirely104 through, but the loss of blood had been large, and there was inflammation.
"I must bathe that with fresh water a little later and devise some kind of dressing," said Robert. "I've had much experience in the wilderness with wounds."
"You're a good lad, Peter," said the slaver. "I've told you that before, but I repeat it now."
Robert then arrayed himself in dry garments. He[Pg 122] was strangely and wonderfully attired105 in a shirt of fine linen106 with lace ruffles107, a short, embroidered108 jacket of purple velvet109, purple velvet knee-breeches, silk stockings and pumps, or low shoes, with large silver buckles110. It was very gorgeous, and, just then, very comfortable.
"You look the dandy to the full, Peter," said the slaver. "The clothes have hung here more than a year. They came from a young Spaniard who had the misfortune to resist too much when we took the ship that carried him. They've come to a good use again."
Robert shuddered, but in a moment or two he forgot the origin of his new raiment. He had become too much inured111 to deadly peril to be excessively fastidious. Besides, he was feeling far better. Warmth returned to his body and the beat of the rain outside the house increased the comfort within.
"I think, Peter," said the slaver, "that you'd better go to sleep. You've been through a lot, and you don't realize how near exhaustion you are."
Without giving a thought to the question of food, which must present itself before long, Robert lay down on the floor and fell almost at once into a sound slumber112.
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schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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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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wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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8
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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9
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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10
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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11
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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12
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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13
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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14
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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15
tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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17
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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18
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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19
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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20
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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21
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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22
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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23
slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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24
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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25
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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26
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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27
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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28
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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29
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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30
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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31
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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32
plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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33
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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34
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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35
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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36
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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37
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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38
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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39
abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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40
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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41
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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42
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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43
assailing
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| v.攻击( assail的现在分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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44
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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45
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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46
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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47
bail
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| v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人 | |
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48
bailed
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| 保释，帮助脱离困境( bail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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50
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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51
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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52
drenched
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| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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53
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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54
rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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55
cowered
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
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56
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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57
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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58
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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59
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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60
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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61
blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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62
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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63
crunch
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| n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声 | |
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64
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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65
crests
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| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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66
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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67
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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68
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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69
nostril
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| n.鼻孔 | |
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70
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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71
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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72
jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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73
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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74
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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75
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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76
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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77
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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78
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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79
engulfed
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| v.吞没，包住( engulf的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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81
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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82
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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83
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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84
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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85
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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86
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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87
tolled
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| 鸣钟（toll的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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88
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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89
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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90
lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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91
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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92
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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93
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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94
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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95
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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96
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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97
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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98
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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99
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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100
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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101
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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102
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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103
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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104
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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105
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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107
ruffles
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| 褶裥花边( ruffle的名词复数 ) | |
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108
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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109
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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110
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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111
inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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112
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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