When Professor Morgan made his appearance in the morning, not quite as early as before, Bunk saw he was not in such buoyant spirits as on his last call. Something had gone wrong. He made no replies to the lad’s questions, but when about to leave him for the day, explained:
“Things haven’t come out as I anticipated; I shall have to go to Albany again to get a new chemical; the last was not pure; do you understand?”
“Yas, sir.”
“You don’t understand a word I said to you,” snorted the man; “why do you pretend you do?”
[248]“Yas, sir.”
With an angry grunt4 the aviator5 mounted his seat, started the uplifter revolving6 and sailed away without another word.
Several days now passed so similar in all respects that it is not worth while to dwell upon them. The Professor remained glum7 and sour and Bunk held him in too great awe8 to repeat any questions after his first curt9 snubbing. He made his sleeping quarters in the cavern, ate and wandered through the neighborhood, watching people at a distance and always keeping out of their sight. Had he possessed10 a field glass like Harvey Hamilton, he would have made some discoveries that would have interested and alarmed him.
We come now to the day of the disastrous11 search made by the Hamilton brothers. Bunk was sitting at the mouth of the cavern and beginning to feel drowsy12 when his nerves were set tingling13 by the whistled signal of the young man, who had almost come upon him. Had Dick refrained from giving that warning he would have been face to face with Bunk within the following five minutes.
“Dat’s him!” gasped14 the negro, scooting behind the cavern and among the undergrowth, where he crouched15 low.
[249]He not only heard every signal, but caught a glimpse of the young man. Had it been Harvey whom he saw he probably would have gone forward in response to the calls, but he dared not let the elder brother see him.
“I’d doot,” muttered Bunk, whose conscience reproved him, “if I could be sure he wouldn’t butt16 in and make trouble.”
One fact lifted the spirits of Bunk to the highest notch17. That morning Professor Morgan exultingly18 told him that he had attained19 complete success at last. The new chemical had done its work perfectly20; the last obstacle had been overcome, and the start for distant Africa would be made the next day without fail. It was this announcement which caused the youth to guard against discovery by his friend. Of course he did not dream that Harvey Hamilton was in the vicinity.
Bunk was in such a fluster21 over the knowledge that his dismal23 days in this mountain retreat were ended that he slept little. This was his last night in the cave and the wonderful voyage was to begin on the morrow.
Upon what trivial incidents do the most important events often turn! Professor Morgan told the truth when he asserted that he had reached the[250] end of his experimentation24. He had solved the magical combination of chemical agents by which the supply of fuel for his helicopter would serve for more than two days without renewal25. Having done this, all that remained was to finish his preparations for leaving the continent and voyaging over the Atlantic. His machine worked so superbly that he had no fear of any storm he might encounter, though he wisely decided26 to study weather probabilities before making his venture. Repeated tests convinced him that an average speed of eighty miles was easy to maintain. This would require a trifle less than thirty-three hours to go from Quebec to Liverpool, his intention from the first being to start from the former city.
The change he made in his programme was this: instead of leaving Quebec, he would make his starting point on the New Jersey27 coast, not far below Sandy Hook, with his destination the island of St. Vincent, of the Cape28 Verde group, off the coast of Africa. This route is three hundred miles longer than the other, but as he viewed it the fact was not worth considering because of the new fuel he had invented. It was not far from St. Vincent to the African coast, and he preferred not to land in England because of the excitement his feat29 would cause.
[251]So long as his purpose was to depart from Quebec, he intended to lay in the necessary stock of provisions in that city, deferring30 the work until the last moment. But this was sure to bring unpleasant notoriety, and he now saw an easy escape from it. No large amount of supplies would be needed and he could procure31 them at the Washington Hotel in Dawson. As for himself, he did not mind fasting for a couple of days, but he knew how it was with his assistant. He therefore proceeded to stock up in the little country town, because of which his usual morning call upon Bohunkus Johnson was delayed, and it was that same delay which gave the necessary time for the happening of more than one important event.
Had Bunk not been impatient over the tardiness32 in the return of Professor Morgan, he would have paid attention to the two persons in the canoe at the end of the lake. He would have seen them leave the craft and disappear among the trees and undergrowth that lined the sheet of water, but he noted33 nothing of the kind. It is doubtful which emotion was the stronger within him,—the desire for satisfying his craving34 for food, or his eagerness to start upon the aerial voyage to the Dark Continent. He took his station in front of the cavern and scanned the heavens to the south,[252] wondering what could keep the aviator away so long.
“He oughter hurry up, ’cause it am a long way and we’ve waited so many days dat dere ain’t no sense ob waiting longer.”
Hark! What was that which fell upon his ear? It sounded like the whistle which he had heard so many times when he and Harvey or Dick Hamilton were calling to each other.
“Can’t be Harv,” he whispered, “’cause he am ten thousand miles away; must be dat Dick is poking35 round here agin.”
This time there was no mistake. The signal was so clear and sharp that Bunk turned sharply and stared at the point whence it came. He was struck speechless when he saw the smiling Harvey walk toward him.
“Hello, Bunk! I’m glad to see you.”
For one moment the lad stood transfixed, and then overwhelmed by the threatened calamity36, as it seemed to him, he wheeled and made a dash for the other side of the open space, where was the pile of rocks that had served him as headquarters for a number of days. He had almost reached them when to his consternation37 Dick Hamilton stepped forth38 and confronted him. Escape was shut off.
[253]“Well, my blooming idiot, what have you to say for yourself? I have a great mind to kick you all the way from here to Mootsport. This is a pretty chase you have given us; you aren’t worth half the trouble you have caused.”
Bunk gaped39, but did not attempt reply. Suddenly he turned to run in the opposite direction, but Harvey had drawn40 nigh and was within arm’s reach.
“Try it if you want to,” said Dick, pretending to raise his Winchester; “I should like to prove how quick I can drop you.”
For the first time the lad found his tongue, though both listeners noted the quaver in his voice:
“What yo’ want to shoot me fur, Dick? I hain’t done nuffin to yo’.”
Harvey was softer hearted than his brother.
“We are not going to hurt you, Bunk, but you deserve to have the worst trouncing you ever received in your life. It seems to me you have been a long time getting started for Africa.”
“I’m expecting de Perfesser, Harv, ebery minute; dis am de morning dat we am to go.”
This declaration roused Bunk. He knew the brothers would interfere42 with him if they gained[254] the chance, and now they were doing so, for of a surety the two were in accord.
“See yere, Dick, yo’ hain’t got nuffin to do wid dis; you ain’t my boss.”
“Do you want me to prove that I am; here, Harv, hold my gun for a minute while I show Bunk that I’m his boss.”
The words of revolt had roused the temper of the younger, who accepted the weapon from Dick’s hand, quite content that he should chastise43 the ungrateful lad.
But the dusky youth had no liking44 for a struggle of that nature. It would have been fun for the young athlete, figuratively speaking, to wipe the ground with him. Dick had demonstrated his ability in that direction more than once. He doubled his fists and stepped in front of Bunk.
“Put up your hands and we’ll settle the question in the next three minutes.”
“I doan’ want nuffin to do wid yo’,” growled45 the negro, edging to one side; “but I’d like to know if I hain’t de right to do as I blamed please.”
“No; for you haven’t the sense of a one-eyed owl22 with the pip. Why didn’t you ask permission of Mr. Hartley to go on this tomfool trip?”
“I didn’t hab de chance.”
“When you wrote that letter to Harv and told[255] him you were in this part of the country, you could have asked Mr. Hartley’s consent.”
“What’s dat?” demanded Bunk; “I didn’t tell yo’ nuffin; what yo’ talkin’ ’bout?”
Harvey interposed just then and showed the thick-witted lad how his second letter gave the clue they needed, as proof of which the young man was here on the ground, with his aeroplane but a few miles away. When the absurd truth penetrated46 Bunk’s head his self-disgust was amusing.
“Gee! I neber thunk ob dat; warn’t I a big fool?”
“You have never been anything else,” replied Dick; “when you get back home I shall advise Mr. Hartley to tie a rope round your leg and fasten the other end to a fence post; you are not fit to be trusted alone.”
Bunk did not resent these disrespectful allusions47, but it galled48 him sorely to see his life ambition snatched from him.
“I doan’ see why yo’ try to stop me.”
“We’re not trying, Bohunkus,—we’re doing it,” replied Dick with a meaning grin; “if you have any doubt remaining I shall be glad to remove it.”
Bunk was in a torturing dilemma49. He saw the one enrapturing50 dream of his life, just on the verge51 of fulfillment, about to be dissipated like[256] a wreath of vapor52. If Professor Morgan had kept his promise and come to this meeting place at the usual hour, they would now be on their way to the “land of hope.” And, as we know, he would have arrived on time but for his change of plan which led him to stock up at the little hotel in Dawson instead of doing so at another stage of the trip.
On the other hand a lion stood in the path in the person of Dick Hamilton, who left no doubt of his purpose of checking the mad scheme before the first real step could be taken. Bunk was well enough acquainted with the young man to know he was in earnest and would carry out every threat he had made. The lad began to wheedle53. In a whimpering voice he asked:
“What’s de use ob treating me dis way?”
“What way?” demanded the implacable Dick.
“Stopping my going to Afriky; I neber done nuffin to yo’, so why do yo’ use me so blamed mean?”
Dick was fast losing patience, but Harvey felt sympathy for the misguided lad.
“Bunk, do you know that Professor Morgan is crazy?” he asked.
The negro started as if stung.
“Yo’ doan’ mean dat, Harv!”
Plainly Bunk was impressed. He stared at his friend and then administered a sharp reproof55 by asking:
“Why didn’t yo’ tell me dat afore?”
“I ought to have done so, and am sorry I didn’t.”
“If you hadn’t been the champion idiot you would have found it out in five minutes for yourself.”
It was Dick who said this.
“I knowed he acted mighty56 qu’ar sometimes and said cur’ous tings dat I didn’t understand, but I neber thought he was out of his head.”
“Sometimes he has as much sense as you—”
“Umph! if he doesn’t have a hundred times as much,” interrupted Dick, “he’s not only crazy but the biggest fool in Christendom. Now I suppose you are ready to turn your back on him and go home with us.”
“Dunno ’bout dat.”
“Well, here comes the Professor, Dick, and you must settle with him,” said Harvey.
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收听单词发音
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1
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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2
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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4
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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5
aviator
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| n.飞行家，飞行员 | |
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6
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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7
glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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8
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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9
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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10
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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12
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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13
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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14
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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15
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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17
notch
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| n.(V字形)槽口，缺口，等级 | |
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18
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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19
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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21
fluster
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| adj.慌乱，狼狈，混乱，激动 | |
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22
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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23
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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24
experimentation
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| n.实验，试验，实验法 | |
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25
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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26
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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27
jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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28
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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29
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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30
deferring
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| v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的现在分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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31
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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32
tardiness
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| n.缓慢；迟延；拖拉 | |
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33
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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34
craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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35
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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36
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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37
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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38
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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39
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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40
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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41
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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42
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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43
chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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44
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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45
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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46
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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47
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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48
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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49
dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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50
enrapturing
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| v.使狂喜( enrapture的现在分词 ) | |
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51
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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52
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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53
wheedle
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| v.劝诱，哄骗 | |
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54
bug
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| n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器 | |
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55
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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56
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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