When the lad awoke it was quite dark in the house, but there was no sound of rain. He went to the door and looked out upon a fairly clear night. The storm was gone and he heard only a light wind rustling1 through palms. There was no thunder of beating surf in the distance. It was a quiet sky and a quiet island.
He went back and looked at the slaver. The man was asleep on his couch, but he was stirring a little, and he was hot with fever. Robert felt pity for him, cruel and blood-stained though he knew him to be. Besides, he was the only human companion he had, and he did not wish to be left alone there. But he did not know what to do just then, and, lying down on the floor, he went to sleep again.
When he awoke the second time day had come, and the slaver too was awake, though looking very weak.
"I've been watching you quite a while, Peter," he said. "You must have slept fifteen or sixteen hours. Youth has a wonderful capacity for slumber2 and restoration. I dare say you're now as good as ever, and wondering where you'll find your breakfast. Well, when I built this house I didn't neglect the plenishings of it. Open the door next to you and you'll find boucan inside. 'Boucan,' as you doubtless know, is dried beef, and from it we got[Pg 124] our name the buccaneers, because in the beginning we lived so much upon dried beef. Enough is in that closet to last us a month, and there are herds4 of wild cattle on the island, an inexhaustible larder6."
"But we can't catch wild cattle with our hands," said Robert.
The slaver laughed.
"You don't think, Peter," he said, "that when I built a house here and furnished it I neglected some of the most necessary articles. In the other closet you'll find weapons and ammunition7. But deal first with the boucan."
Robert opened the closet and found the boucan packed away in sheets or layers on shelves, and at once he became ravenously8 hungry.
"On a lower shelf," said the slaver, "you'll find flint and steel, and with them it shouldn't be hard for a wilderness9 lad like you to start a fire. There are also kettles, skillets and pans, and I think you know how to do the rest."
Robert went to work on a fire. The wood, which was abundant outside, was still damp, but he had a strong clasp knife and he whittled10 a pile of dry shavings which he succeeded in igniting with the flint and steel, though it was no light task, requiring both patience and skill. But the fire was burning at last and he managed to make in one of the kettles some soup of the dried beef, which he gave to the captain. The man had no appetite, but he ate a little and declared that he felt stronger. Then Robert broiled11 many strips for himself over the coals and ate ravenously. He would have preferred a greater variety of food, but it was better than a castaway had a right to expect.
His breakfast finished, he continued his examination of[Pg 125] the house, which was furnished with many things, evidently captured from ships. He found in one of the closets a fine fowling12 piece, a hunting rifle, two excellent muskets13, several pistols, ammunition for all the fire-arms and a number of edged weapons.
"You see, Peter, you're fitted for quite an active defense14 should enemies come," said the slaver. "You'll admit, I think, that I've been a good housekeeper15."
"Good enough," said Peter. "Are there any medicines?"
"You'll find some salves and ointments16 on the top shelf in the second closet, and you can make a poultice for this hurt of mine. Between you and me, Peter, I've less pain, but much more weakness, which is a bad sign."
"Oh, you'll be well in a few days," said Robert cheerfully. "One wound won't carry off a man as strong as you are."
"One wound always suffices, provided it goes in deep enough, but I thank you for your rosy17 predictions, Peter. I think your good wishes are genuinely sincere."
Robert realized that they were so, in truth. In addition to the call of humanity, he had an intense horror of being left alone on the island, and he would fight hard to save the slaver's life. He compounded the poultice with no mean skill, and, after bathing the wound carefully with fresh water from a little spring behind the hut, he applied18 it.
"It's cooling, Peter, and I know it's healing, too," said the man, "but I think I'll try to go to sleep again. As long as I'm fastened to a couch that's about the only way I can pass the time. Little did I think when I built this house that I'd come here without a ship and without a crew to pass some helpless days."
He shut his eyes. After a while, Robert, not knowing[Pg 126] whether he was asleep or not, took down the rifle, loaded it, and went out feeling that it was high time he should explore his new domain19.
In the sunlight the island did not look forbidding. On the contrary, it was beautiful. From the crest20 of the hill near the house he saw a considerable expanse, but the western half of the island was cut off from view by a higher range of hills. It was all in dark green foliage21, although he caught the sheen of a little lake about two miles away. As far as he could see a line of reefs stretched around the coast, and the white surf was breaking on them freely.
From the hill he went back to the point at which he and the captain had been swept ashore22, and, as he searched along the beach he found the bodies of all those who had been in the boat with them. He had been quite sure that none of them could possibly have escaped, but it gave him a shock nevertheless to secure the absolute proof that they were dead. He resolved if he could find a way to bury them in the sand beyond the reach of the waves, but, for the present, he could do nothing, and he continued along the shore several miles, finding its character everywhere the same, a gentle slope, a stretch of water, and beyond that the line of reefs on which the white surf was continually breaking, reefs with terrible teeth as he well knew.
But it was all very peaceful now. The sea stretched away into infinity23 the bluest of the blue, and a breeze both warm and stimulating24 came out of the west. Robert, however, looked mostly toward the north. Albany and his friends now seemed a world away. He had been wrenched25 out of his old life by a sudden and unimaginable catastrophe27. What were Tayoga and Willet doing now? How was the war going? For him so far as real[Pg 127] life was concerned the war simply did not exist. He was on a lost island with only a wounded man for company and the struggle to survive and escape would consume all his energies.
Presently he came to what was left of their boat. It was smashed badly and half buried in the sand. At first he thought he might be able to use it again, but a critical examination showed that it was damaged beyond any power of his to repair it, and with a sigh he abandoned the thought of escape that way.
He continued his explorations toward the south, and saw groves28 of wild banana, the bushes or shrubs29 fifteen or twenty feet high, some of them with ripe fruit hanging from them. He ate one and found it good, though he was glad to know that he would not have to depend upon bananas wholly for food.
A mile to the south and he turned inland, crossing a range of low hills, covered with dense30 vegetation. As he passed among the bushes he kept his rifle ready, not knowing whether or not dangerous wild animals were to be found there. He had an idea they were lacking in both the Bahamas and the West Indies, but not being sure, he meant to be on his guard.
Before he reached the bottom of the slope he heard a puff31, and then the sound of heavy feet. All his wilderness caution was alive in a moment, and, drawing back, he cocked the rifle. Then he crept forward, conscious that some large wild beast was near. A few steps more and he realized that there were more than one. He heard several puffs32 and the heavy feet seemed to be moving about in an aimless fashion.
He came to the edge of the bushes, and, parting them, he looked cautiously from their cover. Then his apprehensions33 disappeared. Before him stretched a wide,[Pg 128] grassy34 savanna35 and upon it was grazing a herd5 of wild cattle, at least fifty in number, stocky beasts with long horns. Robert looked at them with satisfaction. Here was enough food on the hoof36 to last him for years. They might be tough, but he had experience enough to make them tender when it came to fire and the spit.
"Graze on in peace until I need you," he said, and crossing the savanna he found beyond, hidden at first from view by a fringe of forest, the lake that he had seen from the crest of the hill beside the house. It covered about half a square mile and was blue and deep. He surmised37 that it contained fish good to eat, but, for the present he was content to let them remain in the water. They, like the wild cattle, could wait.
Feeling that he had been gone long enough, he went back to the house and found the slaver asleep or in a stupor38, and, when he looked at him closely, he was convinced that it was more stupor than sleep. He was very pale and much wasted. It occurred suddenly to Robert that the man would die and the thought gave him a great shock. Then, in very truth, he would be alone. He sat by him and watched anxiously, but the slaver did not come back to the world for a full two hours.
"Aye, Peter, you're there," he said. "As I've told you several times, you're a good lad."
"I can take a little I think, though I've no appetite at all."
"And I'd like to dress your wound again."
"If it's any relief to you, Peter, to do so, go ahead, though I think 'tis of little use."
"It will help a great deal. You'll be well again in a[Pg 129] week or two. It isn't so bad here. With a good house and food it's just the place for a wounded man."
"Plenty of quiet, eh Peter? No people to disturb me in my period of convalescence40."
"Well, that's a help."
Robert dressed the wound afresh, but he noticed during his ministrations that the slaver's weakness had increased, and his heart sank. It was a singular fact, but he began to feel a sort of attachment41 for the man who had done him so much ill. They had been comrades in a great hazard, and were yet. Moreover, the fear of being left alone in a tremendous solitude42 was recurrent and keen. These motives43 and that of humanity made him do his best.
"I thank you, Peter," said the wounded man. "You're standing45 by me in noble fashion. On the whole, I'm lucky in being cast away with you instead of one of my own men. But it hurts me more than my wound does to think that I should have been tricked, that a man of experience such as I am should have been lured46 under the broadside of the sloop47 of war by an old fellow playing a fiddle48 and a couple of sailors dancing. My mind keeps coming back to it. My brain must have gone soft for the time being, and so I've paid the price."
Robert said nothing, but finished his surgeon's task. Then he made a further examination of the house, finding more boucan stored in a small, low attic49, also clothing, both outer and inner garments, nautical50 instruments, including a compass, a pair of glasses of power, and bottles of medicine, the use of some of which he knew.
Then he loaded the fowling piece and went back toward the lake, hoping he might find ducks there. Beef, whether smoked or fresh, as an exclusive diet, would become tiresome51, and since they might be in for a long stay[Pg 130] on the island he meant to fill their larder as best he could. On his way he kept a sharp watch for game, but saw only a small coney, a sort of rabbit, which he left in peace. He found at a marshy52 edge of the lake a number of ducks, three of which he shot, and which he dressed and cooked later on, finding them to be excellent.
Robert made himself a comfortable bed on the floor with blankets from one of the closets and slept soundly through the next night. The following morning he found the slaver weaker than ever and out of his head at times. He made beef broth for him once more, but the man was able to take but little.
"'Tis no use, Peter," he said in a lucid53 interval54. "I'm sped. I think there's no doubt of it. When that sloop of war lured us under her guns she finished her task; she did not leave a single thing undone56. My schooner57 is gone, my crew is gone, and now I'm going."
"Oh, no," said Robert. "You'll be better to-morrow."
The man said nothing, but seemed to sink back into a lethargic58 state. Robert tried his pulse, but could hardly feel its beat. In a half hour he roused himself a little.
"Peter," he said. "You're a good lad. I tell you so once more. You saved me from the sea, and you're standing by me now. I owe you for it, and I might tell you something, now that my time's at hand. It's really come true that when I built this house I was building the place in which I am to die, though I didn't dream of it then."
Robert was silent, waiting to hear what he would tell him. But he closed his eyes and did not speak for five minutes more. The lad tried his pulse a second time. It was barely discernible. The man at length opened his eyes and said:[Pg 131]
"Peter, if you go back to the province of New York beware of Adrian Van Zoon."
"Beware of Van Zoon! Why?"
"He wants to get rid of you. I was to put you out of the way for him, at a price, and a great price, too. But it was not intended, so it seems, that I should do so."
"Why does Adrian Van Zoon want me put out of the way?"
"That I don't know, Peter, but when you escape from the island you must find out."
His eyelids59 drooped60 and closed once more, and when Robert felt for his pulse a third time there was none. The slaver and pirate was gone, and the lad was alone.
Robert felt an immense desolation. Whatever the man was he had striven to keep him alive, and at the last the captain had shown desire to undo55 some of the evil that he had done to him. And so it was Adrian Van Zoon who wished to put him out of the way. He had suspected that before, in fact he had been convinced of it, and now the truth of it had been told to him by another. But, why? The mystery was as deep as ever.
Robert had buried the bodies of the sailors in the sand in graves dug with an old bayonet that he had found in the house, and he interred61 the captain in the same manner, only much deeper. Then he went back to the house and rested a long time. The awful loneliness that he had feared came upon him, and he wrestled62 with it for hours. That night it became worse than ever, but it was so acute that it exhausted63 itself, and the next morning he felt better.
Resolved not to mope, he took down the rifle, put some of the smoked beef in his pocket, and started on a long exploration, meaning to cross the high hills that ran[Pg 132] down the center of the island, and see what the other half was like.
In the brilliant sunshine his spirits took another rise. After all, he could be much worse off. He had a good house, arms and food, and in time a ship would come. A ship must come, and, with his usual optimism, he was sure that it would come soon.
He passed by the lakes and noted64 the marshy spot where he had shot the ducks. Others had come back and were feeding there now on the water grasses. Doubtless they had never seen man before and did not know his full destructiveness, but Robert resolved to have duck for his table whenever he wanted it.
A mile or two farther and he saw another but much smaller lake, around the edge of which duck also were feeding, showing him that the supply was practically unlimited65. Just beyond the second lake lay the range of hills that constituted the backbone66 of the island, and although the sun was hot he climbed them, their height being about a thousand feet. From the crest he had a view of the entire island, finding the new half much like the old, low, hilly, covered with forest, and surrounded with a line of reefs on which the surf was breaking.
His eyes followed the long curve of the reefs, and then stopped at a dark spot that broke their white continuity. His blood leaped and instantly he put to his eyes the strong glasses that he had found in the house and that fortunately he had brought with him. Here he found his first impression to be correct. The dark spot was a ship!
But it was no longer a ship that sailed the seas. Instead it was a wrecked67 and shattered ship, with her bow driven into the sand, and her stern impaled69 on the sharp teeth of the breakers. Then his heart leaped again. A second long look through the glasses told him that the[Pg 133] lines of the ship, bruised70 and battered71 though she was, were familiar.
It was the schooner. The storm had brought her to the island also, though to the opposite shore, and there she lay a wreck68 held by the sand and rocks. He descended72 the hills, and, after a long walk, reached the beach. The schooner was not broken up as much as he had thought, and as she could be reached easily he decided73 to board her.
The vessel74 was tipped partly over on her side, and all her spars and sails were gone. She swayed a little with the swell75, but she was held fast by sand and rocks. Robert, laying his clothes and rifle on the beach, waded76 out to her, and, without much difficulty, climbed aboard, where he made his way cautiously over the slanting77 and slippery deck.
His first motive44 in boarding the wreck was curiosity, but it now occurred to him that there was much treasure to be had, treasure of the kind that was most precious to a castaway. A long stay on the island had not entered into his calculations hitherto, but he knew now that he might have to reckon on it, and it was well to be prepared for any event.
He searched first the cabins of the captain and mates, taking from them what he thought might be of use, and heaping the store upon the beach. He soon had there a pair of fine double-barreled pistols with plenty of ammunition to fit, another rifle, one that had been the captain's own, with supplies of powder and ball, a half dozen blankets, a medicine chest, well supplied, and a cutlass, which he took without any particular thought of use.
Then he invaded the carpenter's domain, and there he helped himself very freely, taking out two axes, two[Pg 134] hatchets78, two saws, a hammer, two chisels79, several augers, and many other tools, all of which he heaped with great labor80 upon the beach.
Then he explored the cook's galley81, gleaning82 three large bags of flour, supplies of salt and pepper, five cured hams, four big cheeses, several bottles of cordial and other supplies such as were carried on any well-found ship. It required great skill and caution to get all his treasures safely ashore, but his enthusiasm rose as he worked, and he toiled83 at his task until midnight. Then he slept beside the precious heap until the next day.
He lighted a fire with his flint and steel, which he made a point to carry with him always, and cooked a breakfast of slices from one of the hams. Then he planned a further attack upon the schooner, which had not altered her position in the night.
Robert now felt like a miser84 who never hoards85 enough. Moreover, his source of supply once gone, it was not likely that he would find another, and there was the ship. The sea was in almost a dead calm, and it was easier than ever to approach her. So he decided to board again and take off more treasure.
He added to the heap upon the beach another rifle, two muskets, several pistols, a small sword and a second cutlass, clothing, a considerable supply of provisions and a large tarpaulin86 which he meant to spread over his supplies while they lay on the sand. Then he launched a dinghy which he found upon the ship with the oars87 inside.
The dinghy gave him great pleasure. He knew that it would be an arduous88 task to carry all his supplies on his back across the island to the house, and it would lighten the labor greatly to make trips around in the boat. So he loaded into the dinghy as much of the most precious of[Pg 135] his belongings89 as he thought it would hold, and began the journey by water that very day, leaving the rest of the goods covered with the tarpaulin in the event of rain.
It was a long journey, and he had to be careful about the breakers, but fortunately the sea remained calm. He was caught in currents several times, but he came at last to the opening in the rocks through which he and the captain had entered and he rowed in joyfully90. He slept that night in the house and started back in the morning for another load. One trip a day in the dinghy he found to be all that he could manage, but he stuck to his work until his precious store was brought from the beach to the house.
He could not make up his mind even then to abandon the schooner entirely91. There might never be another magazine of supply, and he ransacked92 her thoroughly93, taking off more tools, weapons, clothing and ammunition. Even then he left on board much that might be useful in case of emergency, such as cordage, sails, and clothing that had belonged to the sailors. There was also a large quantity of ammunition for the Long Tom which he did not disturb. The gun itself was still on board the ship, dismounted and wedged into the woodwork, but practically as good as ever. Robert, with an eye for the picturesque94, thought it would have been fine to have taken it ashore and to have mounted it before the house, but that, of course, was impossible. He must leave it to find its grave in the ocean, and that, perhaps, was the best end to a gun used as the Long Tom had been.
Part of his new treasures he took across the island on his back, and part he carried around it in the boat, which he found to be invaluable95, and of which he took the utmost care, drawing it upon the beach at night, beyond the reach of tide or storm.[Pg 136]
More than two weeks passed in these labors96, and he was so busy, mind and body, that he was seldom lonely except at night. Then the feeling was almost overpowering, but whenever he was assailed97 by it he would resolutely98 tell himself that he might be in far worse case. He had shelter, food and arms in plenty, and it would not be long before he was taken off the island. Exerting his will so strongly, the periods of depression became fewer and shorter.
But the silence and the utter absence of his own kind produced a marked effect upon his character. He became graver, he thought more deeply upon serious things than his years warranted. The problem of his own identity was often before him. Who was he? He was sure that Benjamin Hardy99 knew. Jacobus Huysman must know, too, and beyond a doubt Adrian Van Zoon did, else he would not try so hard to put him out of the way. And St. Luc must have something to do with this coil. Why had the Frenchman really pointed100 out to him the way of escape when he was a prisoner at Ticonderoga? He turned these questions over and over and over in his mind, though always the answer evaded101 him. But he resolved to solve the problem when he got back to the colonies and as soon as the great war was over. It was perhaps typical of him that he should want his own personal fortunes to wait upon the issue of the mighty102 struggle in which he was so deeply absorbed.
Then his thoughts turned with renewed concentration to the war. Standing far off in both mind and body, he was able to contemplate103 it as a whole and also to see it in all its parts. And the more he looked at it the surer he was that England and her colonies would succeed. Distance and perspective gave him confidence. The French generals and French soldiers had done wonders, nobody[Pg 137] could be braver or more skilful104 than they, but they could not prevail always against superior might and invincible105 tenacity106.
Sitting on the ground and looking at the white surf breaking on the rocks, he ended the war in the way he wished. The French and Canada were conquered completely and his own flag was victorious107 everywhere. Braddock's defeat and Ticonderoga were but incidents which could delay but which could not prevent.
But he did not spend too much time in reflection. He was too young for that, and his years in the wilderness helped him to bear the burden of being alone. Rifle on shoulder, he explored every part of the island, finding that his domain presented no great variety. There was much forest, and several kinds of tropical fruits were for his taking, but quadruped life was limited, nothing larger than small rodents108. Well-armed as he was, he would have preferred plenty of big game. It would have added spice to his life, much of which had been spent in hunting with Willet and Tayoga. Excitement might have been found in following bear or deer, but he knew too well ever to have expected them on an island in summer seas.
There was some sport in fishing. Plenty of tackle had been found among the ship's stores, and he caught good fish in the larger lake. He also tried deep sea fishing from the dinghy, but the big fellows bit so fast that it soon ceased to be of interest. The fish, though, added freshness and variety to his larder, and he also found shellfish, good and wholesome109 when eaten in small quantities, along the shore.
He went often to the highest hill in the center of the island, where he would spend long periods, examining the sea from horizon to horizon with his strong glasses,[Pg 138] searching vainly for a sail. He thought once of keeping a mighty bonfire burning every night, but he reconsidered it when he reflected on the character of the ship that it might draw.
Both the Bahamas and the West Indies—he did not know in which group he was—swarmed then with lawless craft. For nearly two hundred years piracy110 had been common, and in a time of war especially the chances were against a ship being a friend. He decided that on the whole he would prefer a look at the rescuer before permitting himself to be rescued.
The weather remained beautiful. He had been a month on the island, and the sea had not been vexed111 by another storm since his arrival. The schooner was still wedged in the sand and on the rocks, and he made several more trips to her, taking off many more articles, which, however, he left in a heap well back of the beach covered with a tarpaulin and the remains112 of sails. He felt that they could lie there awaiting his need. Perhaps he would never need them at all.
His later visits to the schooner were more from curiosity than from any other motive. He had a strong desire to learn more about the captain and his ship. There was no name anywhere upon the vessel, nor could he find any ship's log or manifest or any kind of writing to indicate it. Neither was the name of the slaver known to him, nor was there any letter nor any kind of paper to disclose it. It was likely that it would always remain hidden from him unless some day he should wrench26 it from Adrian Van Zoon.
Robert went into the sea nearly every morning. As he was a powerful swimmer and the weather remained calm, he was in the habit of going out beyond the reefs, but one day he noticed a fin3 cutting the water and com[Pg 139]ing toward him. Instantly he swam with all his might toward the reefs, shivering as he went. When he drew himself up on the slippery rocks he did not see the formidable fin. He was quite willing to utter devout113 thanks aloud. It might not have been a shark, but it made him remember they were to be expected in those waters. After that he took no chances, bathing inside the reefs and going outside in the dinghy only.
A few days later he was upon his highest hill watching the horizon when he saw a dark spot appear in the southwest. At first he was hopeful that it was a sail, but as he saw it grow he knew it to be a cloud. Then he hurried toward the house, quite sure a storm was coming. Knowing how the southern seas were swept by hurricanes, it was surprising that none had come sooner, and he ran as fast as he could for the shelter of the house.
Robert made the door just in time. Then the day had turned almost as dark as night and, with a rush and a roar, wind and rain were upon him. Evidently the slaver had known those regions, and so he had built a house of great strength, which, though it quivered and rattled115 under the sweep of the hurricane, nevertheless stood up against it.
The building had several small windows, closed with strong shutters116, but as wind and rain were driving from the west he was able to open one on the eastern side and watch the storm. It was just such a hurricane as that which had wrecked the shattered schooner. It became very dark, there were tremendous displays of thunder and lightning, which ceased, after a while, as the wind grew stronger, and then through the dark he saw trees and bushes go down. Fragments struck against the house, but the stout117 walls held.
The wind kept up a continuous screaming, as full of[Pg 140] menace as the crash of a battle. Part of the time it swept straight ahead, cutting wide swathes, and then, turning into balls of compressed air, it whirled with frightful118 velocity119, smashing everything level with the ground as if it had been cut down by a giant sword.
Robert had seen more than one hurricane in the great northern woods and he watched it without alarm. Although the house continued to rattle114 and shake, and now and then a bough120, wrenched from its trunk, struck it a heavy blow, he knew that it would hold. There was a certain comfort in sitting there, dry and secure, while the storm raged without in all its violence. There was pleasure too in the knowledge that he was on the land and not the sea. He remembered the frightful passage that he and the slaver had made through the breakers, and he knew that his escape then had depended upon the slimmest of chances. He shuddered121 as he recalled the rocks thrusting out their savage122 teeth.
The storm, after a while, sank into a steady rain, and the wind blew but little. The air was now quite cold for that region, and Robert, lying down on the couch, covered himself with a blanket. He soon fell asleep and slept so long, lulled123 by the beat of the rain, that he did not awaken124 until the next day.
Then he took the dinghy and rowed around to the other side of the island. As he had expected, the schooner was gone. The storm had broken her up, and he found many of her timbers scattered125 along the beach, where they had been brought in by the waves. He felt genuine sadness at the ship's destruction and disappearance126. It was like losing a living friend.
Fortunately, the tarpaulin and heavy sails with which he had covered his heap of stores high up the beach, weighting them down afterward127 with huge stones, had[Pg 141] held. Some water had entered at the edges, but, as the goods were of a kind that could not be damaged much, little harm was done. Again he resolved to preserve all that he had accumulated there, although he did not know that he would have any need of them.
When he rowed back in the dinghy he saw a formidable fin cutting the water again, and, laying down the oars, he took up the rifle which he always carried with him. He watched until the shark was almost on the surface of the water, and then he sent a bullet into it. There was a great splashing, followed by a disappearance, and he did not know just then the effect of his shot, but a little later, when the huge body of the slain128 fish floated to the surface he felt intense satisfaction, as he believed that it would have been a man-eater had it the chance.
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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fin
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| n.鳍；(飞机的)安定翼 | |
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herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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ravenously
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| adv.大嚼地，饥饿地 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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whittled
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| v.切，削（木头），使逐渐变小( whittle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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broiled
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| a.烤过的 | |
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12
fowling
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| 捕鸟，打鸟 | |
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13
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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14
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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15
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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16
ointments
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| n.软膏( ointment的名词复数 )；扫兴的人；煞风景的事物；药膏 | |
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17
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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18
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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19
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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20
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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21
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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22
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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23
infinity
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| n.无限，无穷，大量 | |
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24
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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25
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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26
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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27
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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28
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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29
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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30
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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31
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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32
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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33
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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34
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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35
savanna
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| n.大草原 | |
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36
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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37
surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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38
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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39
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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40
convalescence
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| n.病后康复期 | |
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41
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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42
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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43
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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44
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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45
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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46
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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47
sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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48
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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49
attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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50
nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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51
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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52
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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53
lucid
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| adj.明白易懂的，清晰的，头脑清楚的 | |
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54
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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55
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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56
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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57
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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58
lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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59
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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60
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
interred
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| v.埋，葬( inter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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63
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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64
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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65
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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66
backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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67
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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68
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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69
impaled
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| 钉在尖桩上( impale的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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71
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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72
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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73
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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74
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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75
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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76
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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78
hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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79
chisels
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| n.凿子，錾子( chisel的名词复数 )；口凿 | |
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80
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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81
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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82
gleaning
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| n.拾落穗，拾遗，落穗v.一点点地收集（资料、事实）( glean的现在分词 )；（收割后）拾穗 | |
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83
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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84
miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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85
hoards
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| n.（钱财、食物或其他珍贵物品的）储藏，积存( hoard的名词复数 )v.积蓄并储藏（某物）( hoard的第三人称单数 ) | |
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86
tarpaulin
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| n.涂油防水布，防水衣，防水帽 | |
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87
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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88
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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89
belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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90
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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91
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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92
ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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93
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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94
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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95
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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96
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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97
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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98
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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99
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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100
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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101
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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102
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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103
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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104
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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105
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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106
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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107
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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108
rodents
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| n.啮齿目动物( rodent的名词复数 ) | |
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109
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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110
piracy
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| n.海盗行为，剽窃，著作权侵害 | |
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111
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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112
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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113
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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114
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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115
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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116
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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118
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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119
velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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120
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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121
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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122
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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123
lulled
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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124
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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125
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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126
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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127
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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128
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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