CHAPTER 17
Sunhigh came and wentas the cats made their way through WindClan’s old hunting grounds. Their heavy silence showed that they were still sore after the rat fight. Firepaw felt scratched and bitten all over. He could see Graypaw was limping, occasionally hopping2 on three legs to protect his injured back leg. But it was Bluestar who worried him most. Her pace was even slower now, but she refused to stop and rest. The grim look on her face, clouded by pain, told Firepaw how much she wanted to reach the ThunderClan camp.
“Don’t worry about ShadowClan warriors3,” she meowed through gritted5 teeth as Tigerclaw paused to sniff6 the air. “You won’t find any here today.”
How could she be so sure? Firepaw wondered.
They picked their way carefully down the steep, rocky hillside that led to Fourtrees and joined the familiar trail that led home. It was late afternoon, and Firepaw began to think longingly7 of his nest, and a plump helping8 of fresh-kill.
“I can still smell the stench of ShadowClan,” Graypaw muttered to Firepaw as they trekked9 through ThunderClan’s hunting grounds.
“Perhaps the breeze has carried it down from WindClan’s territory,” Firepaw suggested. He could smell it too, and his whiskers were trembling.
Suddenly Ravenpaw stopped. “Can you hear that?” he mewed in a hushed voice.
Firepaw strained his ears. At first he heard only the familiar sounds of the forest—leaves rustling11, a pigeon calling. Then his blood ran cold. In the distance he could hear battle-hungry yowls, and the shrill12 squeal13 of terrified kits14.
“Quick!” Bluestar howled. “It is as StarClan warned me. Our camp is being attacked!” She tried to leap forward, but stumbled. She pushed herself up and limped onward15.
Tigerclaw and Firepaw pelted16 forward side by side. Graypaw and Ravenpaw followed, their tail fur bristled18 to twice its usual size. Firepaw forgot his soreness as he charged toward the camp. His only concern was to protect the Clan1.
The sounds of battle grew louder and louder as he neared the camp entrance, and the stench of ShadowClan filled his nostrils19. He was right behind Tigerclaw as the cats dashed through the tunnel and into the clearing.
They were met by a frenzy21 of fighting, ThunderClan cats battling furiously with ShadowClan warriors. The kits were out of sight, and Firepaw hoped they were safely hidden in the nursery. He guessed the weakest elders would be sheltering inside the hollow trunk of their fallen tree.
Every corner of the camp seemed alive with warriors. Firepaw could see Frostfur and Goldenflower clawing and biting at a huge gray tom. Even the young tabby queen Brindleface was fighting, though she was very close to kitting. Darkstripe was locked in a fierce tussle22 with a black warrior4. Three of the elders, Smallear, Patchpelt, and One-eye, were nipping bravely at a tortoiseshell that fought with twice their speed and ferocity.
The returning cats hurled23 themselves into the battle. Firepaw caught hold of a tabby warrior queen, much larger than him, and sank his teeth deep into her leg. She yowled with pain and turned on him, lashing24 out with sharp claws and lunging at his neck with her teeth bared. He twisted and ducked to avoid her bite. She couldn’t match his speed, and he managed to grasp her from behind and pull her down into the dirt. With his strong hind20 legs he clawed at her back till she squealed25 and struggled away from him, running headlong into the thick undergrowth that surrounded the camp.
Firepaw glanced around to see that Bluestar had arrived. Despite her injuries, she was fighting another tabby. Firepaw had never seen her fight before, but even wounded, she was a powerful opponent. Her victim struggled to escape but she held him tightly and clawed him so fiercely that Firepaw knew he would bear the scars of this fight for many moons.
Then he saw a white ShadowClan cat with jet-black paws dragging a ThunderClan elder away from the nursery. Firepaw remembered those unusual dark paws from the Gathering26. Blackfoot! The ShadowClan deputy made quick work of killing27 the elder, who had been guarding the kits, and began to reach into the bramble nest with one massive paw. The kits were squealing28 and mewling, undefended now as their mothers wrestled29 with other ShadowClan warriors in the clearing.
Firepaw prepared to spring toward the nursery, but a claw sliced painfully down his side and he whipped around to see a scrawny tortoiseshell leap on top of him. As he slammed into the ground, he tried to call out to the other ThunderClan cats that the kits were in danger. Fighting with all his strength to escape the tortoiseshell’s grip, he wrenched30 his head around so he could see the bramble nest.
Firepaw saw no more as the tortoiseshell raked his belly32 with her hind claws. Firepaw scrabbled onto his feet and crouched33 low, as if in defeat. The trick had worked before and it worked now. As the tortoiseshell gripped him triumphantly34 and began to sink her teeth into Firepaw’s neck, Firepaw sprang upward as hard as he could and flung the warrior away. He spun35 around and was on the winded warrior in an instant. This time he showed no mercy, plunging36 his teeth deep into the cat’s shoulder. The bite sent the she-cat howling into the undergrowth.
Firepaw jumped up, dashed over to the nursery, and thrust his head through the nursery entrance. Blackfoot was nowhere to be seen. Inside the nest, crouching37 over the terrified kits, was Yellowfang. Her gray fur was spattered with blood, and one of her eyes was painfully swollen38. She looked up at Firepaw with a ferocious39 hiss40, then, realizing it was him, she yowled, “They’re okay. I’ll protect them.”
Firepaw looked at her as she calmed the helpless kits, and Brokenstar’s dire41 warning about the ShadowClan rogue42 flashed through his mind. He didn’t have time to think about that now. He would have to trust Yellowfang. He nodded quickly and ducked back out of the brambles.
There were now only a few ShadowClan cats left in the camp. Ravenpaw and Graypaw were fighting side by side, lashing out at a black tom until he fled howling into the bushes. Whitestorm and Darkstripe chased the last two intruders out of the camp, sending them off with a few extra scratches and bites.
Firepaw sat down, exhausted43, and stared around the camp. It was devastated44. Blood spattered the clearing, and tufts of fur drifted in the dust. The surrounding wall of undergrowth was ripped open where the invaders45 had crashed through.
One by one, the ThunderClan cats gathered beneath the Highrock. Graypaw came to sit by him, his sides heaving and blood trickling46 from a torn ear. Ravenpaw flopped47 down and began to lick a wound on his tail. The queens ran to the nursery to check on their kits. Firepaw found himself waiting tensely for their return, his view blocked by the other cats. He relaxed when he heard squeals48 and purrs of joy coming from the bramble nest.
Frostfur wove her way back through the crowd, followed by Yellowfang. The white queen stepped forward and addressed them. “Our kits are all safe, thanks to Yellowfang. A ShadowClan warrior killed brave Rosetail and was trying to steal them from their nest, but Yellowfang fought him off.”
“It was no ordinary ShadowClan warrior either,” Firepaw put in. He was determined49 to let the Clan know how much they owed Yellowfang. “I saw him. It was Blackfoot.”
“The ShadowClan deputy!” meowed Brindleface, who had fought so bitterly to protect the unborn kits in her swollen belly.
There was a stir at the edge of the group, as Bluestar limped forward and made her way over to the apprentices50. The grave expression on her face was enough to tell Firepaw that something was wrong.
“Spottedleaf is with Lionheart,” she murmured. “He was injured in the battle. It looks bad.” She turned her head toward the shadow on the far side of the Highrock where the warrior lay, a motionless bundle of dusty golden fur.
A high-pitched wail53 rose from Graypaw’s throat and he raced over to Lionheart. Spottedleaf, who had been leaning over the ThunderClan deputy, stepped back to let the young apprentice51 share tongues for the last time with his mentor54. As Graypaw’s howl of grief echoed around the clearing, Firepaw’s fur tingled55 and his blood ran cold. It was the cry he had heard in his dream! For a moment his head swam; then he gave himself a shake. He had to keep calm, for Graypaw’s sake.
Firepaw looked at Bluestar, who nodded, and he padded over to join his friend by the Highrock. He stopped for a moment beside Spottedleaf.
She looked exhausted and dull-eyed with grief. “I can’t help Lionheart now,” she mewed quietly to him. “He is on his way to join StarClan.” She pressed her body against Firepaw’s side, and he felt comforted by the touch of her warm fur.
The other cats looked on in silence as the sun slowly set behind the trees. Finally Graypaw sat up and cried out, “He’s gone!” He lay down again beside Lionheart’s body and rested his head on his front paws. The rest of the Clan walked silently forward to carry out their own grieving rituals for their beloved deputy.
Firepaw joined them. He licked Lionheart’s neck and murmured, “Thank you for your wisdom. You taught me so much.” Then he sat down beside Graypaw and began gently to groom56 his friend’s ears.
Bluestar waited until the other cats had left before padding quietly up. Graypaw didn’t even seem to notice his leader’s presence. Firepaw looked away as Bluestar spoke57 her last words to her old friend.
“Oh, what am I going to do without you, Lionheart?” she whispered. Then she limped back to her den10 and crouched down outside, staring grief-stricken into the distance. She didn’t even try to lick clean her bloody58, matted fur. It was the first time Firepaw had seen her look utterly59 defeated, and he felt a chill run through him.
He sat with Graypaw and Lionheart until the moon rose high. Ravenpaw joined him and together they kept company with their grieving friend. Tigerclaw strode over and briefly60 shared tongues with Lionheart. Firepaw waited to hear what words he would share with his warrior friend, but Tigerclaw remained silent as he licked the matted fur. To Firepaw’s confusion, the dark tabby’s eyes seemed to be fixed61 on Ravenpaw rather than the fallen deputy.
Spottedleaf padded lightly around the camp, tending to wounds and battered62 nerves. Firepaw watched her approach Bluestar twice, but each time the leader sent her away to see to the others. Only when Spottedleaf had attended to the wounds of all the other cats did Bluestar allow her to treat her bites and scratches.
When she had finished, Spottedleaf turned and walked back to her den. Bluestar stood and slowly hauled herself up onto the Highrock. The Clan cats seemed to have been waiting for her. As soon as she had settled herself in her usual spot, they began to gather in the clearing below, unusually silent and somber-faced.
Firepaw and Ravenpaw got stiffly to their paws and joined them, leaving Graypaw behind with Lionheart’s body. The gray apprentice was still lying with his nose resting against Lionheart’s cooling golden pelt17. Firepaw guessed Bluestar would excuse Graypaw from the Clan meeting this time.
“It is nearly moonhigh,” meowed Bluestar as Firepaw slipped into place next to Ravenpaw. “And it is once more my duty—much, much too soon—to name ThunderClan’s new deputy.” Her voice was tired and cracked with sadness.
Firepaw looked from warrior to warrior. They were all looking expectantly at Tigerclaw. Even Whitestorm had turned to watch the dark tabby. From the bold expression on his face, and the way his whiskers twitched63 in anticipation64, Tigerclaw seemed to agree with them
Bluestar took a deep breath and continued. “I say these words before the body of Lionheart, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice.” She hesitated. “I have not forgotten how one cat avenged65 the death of Redtail and brought his body back to us. ThunderClan needs this fearless loyalty66 even more now.” Bluestar paused again and then meowed the name loud and clear. “Tigerclaw will be the new deputy of ThunderClan.”
There was a yowl of approval, with the loudest voices belonging to Darkstripe and Longtail. Whitestorm sat calmly, his eyes closed, his tail wrapped neatly67 around him. He was nodding slowly and approvingly.
Tigerclaw lifted his chin proudly, his eyes half-closed as he listened to the Clan. Then he stalked through the crowd, accepting tributes with the smallest of nods, and leaped up onto the Highrock beside Bluestar. “ThunderClan,” he yowled, “I am honored to accept the position of Clan deputy. I never expected to gain such high rank, but by the spirit of Lionheart, I vow68 to serve you as best I can.” He gravely dipped his head, fixing the crowd with his wide yellow eyes, and jumped down from the Highrock.
Firepaw heard Ravenpaw murmur52, “Oh, no!” under his breath beside him. He turned to look curiously69 at his friend.
Ravenpaw’s head was hanging low. “She should never have chosen him!” he muttered.
“Are you talking about Tigerclaw?” Firepaw whispered.
“He’s wanted to be deputy ever since he took care of Redtail—” Ravenpaw mewed. He stopped abruptly70.
“Took care of Redtail?” Firepaw echoed. His mind suddenly raced with questions. What did Ravenpaw know? At the Gathering, had his account of the battle with RiverClan been true? Was Tigerclawresponsible for Redtail’s death?
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1
clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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gritted
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| v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的过去式和过去分词 )；咬紧牙关 | |
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sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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trekked
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| v.艰苦跋涉，徒步旅行( trek的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在山中）远足，徒步旅行，游山玩水 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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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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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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squeal
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| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
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kits
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| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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pelted
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| （连续地）投掷( pelt的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续抨击； 攻击； 剥去…的皮 | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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tussle
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| n.&v.扭打，搏斗，争辩 | |
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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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lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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squealed
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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squealing
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
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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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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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scooped
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| v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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46
trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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47
flopped
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| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
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48
squeals
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| n.长而尖锐的叫声( squeal的名词复数 )v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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53
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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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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58
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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67
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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68
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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69
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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70
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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