“Great StarClan!” breathed Sandstorm.
The other two cats grunted2 in agreement, but Fireheart was speechless with horror. He had instantly recognized the shining expanse of water, and now he recalled Spottedleaf’s ominous3 words: “Water can quench4 fire.”
Fear chilled him as he struggled to understand how this flood could threaten his Clan1, so that he was hardly aware of Graystripe trying to attract his attention until the big gray cat pressed up close to his side. Panic flared5 in Graystripe’s amber6 eyes, and Fireheart didn’t need to ask why. His friend was afraid for Silverstream.
The land was lower on the RiverClan bank, so the floodwaters could spread much farther. As for the camp on the island…Fireheart wondered how much of that was underwater. He had grown to like Silverstream in spite of his concerns, and he felt a grudging7 respect for Mistyfoot and Graypool, too. He didn’t want to imagine them driven out of their camp, or worse, drowned.
Runningwind had padded right to the water’s edge and was gazing out across the river. “RiverClan isn’t going to like this,” he remarked. “And a good thing, too. It’ll keep them off our territory.”
Fireheart felt Graystripe tense at the note of satisfaction in Runningwind’s voice. He shot his friend a warning glance. “Well, we can’t patrol the border now,” he pointed8 out. “We’d better get back to camp and report this. Come on, Graystripe,” he added firmly, seeing the warrior9 look once more with anguish10 across the swollen11 river.
As soon as Bluestar heard the news she leaped to the top of the Highrock and gave the familiar call: “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey12 join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting.”
At once cats began to pour out of their dens14 and into the clearing. Fireheart took his place at the front of the crowd, noticing with a prickle of annoyance15 that Cloudkit had come bouncing along after Brindleface, although he was too young to attend the meeting. He saw Yellowfang and Cinderpaw listening from the mouth of the fern tunnel. Even Brokentail emerged from his den13, nudged along by Mousefur.
The bright morning was coming to an end. Clouds were massing to cover the face of the sun, and the gentle breeze had strengthened until a stiff wind blew across the clearing, flattening17 the fur of the cats who crouched18 around the Highrock. Fireheart shivered, and didn’t know whether it was from cold or apprehension19.
“Cats of ThunderClan,” meowed Bluestar. “Our camp may be in danger. The snow has gone, but the river has burst its banks. Part of our territory is already flooded.”
A chorus of dismay rose from the Clan, but Bluestar raised her voice above the yowls. “Fireheart, tell the Clan what you have seen.”
Fireheart stood up and described how the river had overflowed20 near the Sunningrocks.
“It doesn’t sound that dangerous to us,” meowed Darkstripe when he had finished. “We have plenty of territory left for prey. Let RiverClan worry about the floods.”
A murmur21 of approval broke out, although Fireheart noticed that Tigerclaw stayed silent. He sat at the base of the Highrock, motionless except for the twitching22 tip of his tail.
“Silence!” spat23 Bluestar. “The water could spread here before we know it. Something like this is bigger than Clan rivalry24. I don’t want to hear that any RiverClan cats have died from these floods.”
Fireheart noticed a hot glow in her eyes as she spoke25, as if her words meant more than she had said. Puzzled, he remembered how angry Bluestar had been with him for speaking to RiverClan warriors26; yet now her strength of feeling suggested a current of sympathy running deep within her.
Patchpelt spoke up from among the elders. “I remember the last time the river overflowed, many moons ago. Cats from all Clans27 drowned. Prey drowned, too, and we went hungry even though our paws stayed dry. This is not just RiverClan’s problem.”
“Well said, Patchpelt,” meowed Bluestar. “I remember those days, too, and I hoped I would never have to see such times again. But since it has happened, these are my orders: No cat is to go out alone. Kits28 and apprentices29 must not leave the camp without at least one warrior. Patrols will go out to discover how far the floods reach—Tigerclaw, see to it.”
“Yes, Bluestar,” meowed the deputy. “I’ll send out hunting patrols, too. We must build up a stock of prey before the water rises any farther.”
“Good idea,” agreed Bluestar. She raised her voice again to address the whole Clan. “The meeting is over. Go to your duties.” She leaped down lightly from the Highrock and padded across to talk with Patchpelt and the other elders.
Fireheart was waiting to see if Tigerclaw would choose him for a patrol when he noticed Graystripe edging away from the circle of cats. Fireheart headed after him, and caught up just as he broke for the gorse tunnel. “Where do you think you’re going?” he hissed30 in the gray warrior’s ear. “Bluestar just said that no cat should go out alone.”
Graystripe turned a panicky look on him. “Fireheart, I have to see Silverstream,” he protested. “I have to be sure she’s okay.”
Fireheart let out a long sigh of exasperation31. He understood how his friend was feeling, but he could hardly have chosen a worse time to go visiting his mate. “How will you get across the river?” he asked.
“I’ll manage,” Graystripe promised grimly. “It’s only water.”
“Don’t be such a mouse-brain!” Fireheart spat, remembering the time Graystripe had fallen through the ice, when Silverstream had rescued him. “You nearly drowned once before. Wasn’t that enough for you?”
Graystripe didn’t answer; he just swung around and made for the tunnel again.
Fireheart glanced over his shoulder. The other cats in the clearing were breaking up into small groups under Tigerclaw’s direction, ready to go out on patrol. “Stop, Graystripe!” he hissed, halting his friend at the entrance to the tunnel. “Wait there.”
Once he was sure Graystripe had done as he asked, he bounded across the clearing toward the deputy. “Hey, Tigerclaw,” he meowed. “Graystripe and I are ready to go. We’ll check the RiverClan boundary downstream of the Sunningrocks, all right?”
Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased32 that Fireheart had taken it upon himself to choose which area he was going to patrol. But he had no reason to refuse, especially with Bluestar in earshot. “All right,” he growled33. “Try to bring some prey back, as well.”
“Yes, Tigerclaw,” Fireheart replied, dipping his head before turning to race back to Graystripe. “Okay,” he panted. “We’re on patrol, so at least no cat will wonder where we’ve gone.”
“But you—” Graystripe began to protest.
“I know you have to go,” Fireheart meowed. “But I’m coming with you.”
He felt a prickle of guilt34 as he spoke. Even on patrol, he and Graystripe wouldn’t be expected to cross Clan boundaries. Bluestar would be furious if she knew that two of her warriors were risking their lives to go into enemy territory when their own Clan needed them so badly. But Fireheart couldn’t just stand there and let Graystripe go alone. His friend could be swept away in the floods and never return.
“Thanks, Fireheart,” murmured Graystripe as they left the tunnel. “I won’t forget this.”
Side by side, the two warriors scrambled36 up the steep, rocky slope. As they headed into the forest, retracing37 the steps of their earlier patrol, Fireheart noticed how muddy the ground was underpaw. The melted snow had soaked the earth like the heaviest rainfall, even without the deadly spread of floodwater from the river.
When they reached the edge of the trees Fireheart realized that the water had risen even farther. The Sunningrocks were almost submerged now, and the current swirled38 around them in tight circles. “We’ll never make it across there,” he meowed.
“Let’s head downstream,” Graystripe suggested. “We might be able to use the stepping stones.”
“We can try,” Fireheart mewed uncertainly. He was about to follow his friend when he thought he heard something—a thin, wailing39 sound, above the wind and the rushing of the torrent40. “Wait,” he called. “Did you hear that?”
Graystripe looked back, and both cats stood, ears pricked41, straining to catch the sound. Then Fireheart heard it again—the panic-stricken mewing of kits in distress42.
“Where are they?” he meowed, looking all around and up into the trees. “I can’t see them!”
“There.” Graystripe flicked43 his tail in the direction of the Sunningrocks. “Fireheart, they’ll drown!”
Fireheart saw that the current had driven a mat of twigs44 and debris45 up against the Sunningrocks. Two kits balanced precariously46 on it, their tiny mouths stretched wide as they wailed47 for help. Even as Fireheart watched, the current tugged49 at the mat, threatening to sweep it away. “Come on,” he yowled to Graystripe. “We’ve got to reach them somehow.”
Taking a deep breath, he waded50 into the flood. The water soaked into his fur at once, and a paralyzing, icy chill crept up his legs. The tug48 of the current made it harder to stay on his paws with every step he took.
Graystripe splashed in behind him, but when the water reached his belly51 fur he stopped. “Fireheart…” he choked out.
Fireheart twisted around to give him a comforting nod. He could understand how the river might terrify Graystripe, after his near-drowning a few moons ago. “Stay there,” he meowed. “I’ll try to push the mat over to you.”
Graystripe nodded, trembling too violently to speak. Fireheart waded forward a few more paces, then launched himself into the current and began to swim, thrashing his legs instinctively52 to push himself through the black water. They were upstream of the Sunningrocks; if StarClan was kind, he should be carried down toward the kits.
For a moment he lost sight of them in the wind-ruffled waves, though he could still hear their terrified cries. Then the smooth gray bulk of a Sunningrock loomed53 up beside him. He kicked out strongly, fearing for one panic-stricken heartbeat that he would be swept right past.
The current swirled; Fireheart’s paws worked furiously, and the river tossed him against the rock, driving the breath out of his body. He scrabbled at the rough surface, bracing54 himself against the rushing water, and found himself face-to-face with the two kits.
They were both very small—still suckling from their mother, Fireheart guessed. One was black and one gray, their fur plastered against their tiny bodies, and their brilliant blue eyes wide with terror. They were crouched on a tangled55 mat of twigs, leaves, and Twoleg rubbish, but when they saw Fireheart they started to scramble35 toward him. The mat lurched and their wails56 grew louder as river water sloshed over them.
“Keep still!” Fireheart gasped57, paddling madly against the current. Briefly58 he wondered if he could climb onto the rock and haul the kits up with him, but he was not sure how long it would be before the Sunningrocks were completely submerged. His best plan was still to push the mat over to Graystripe. Looking back, he saw that his friend had already moved downstream, into a good position to catch the mat as it was swept toward him.
“Here we go,” Fireheart muttered. “StarClan help us!” He pushed himself off from the rock, thrusting at the mat with his muzzle59 to guide it into the current. The two kits whimpered and flattened60 themselves against the twigs.
Fireheart put every last scrap61 of energy into pushing the mat ahead of him with his nose and paws. He could feel exhaustion62 draining the strength from his limbs. His fur was soaked, and he was so cold he could hardly breathe. Raising his head and blinking water out of his eyes, he realized with horror that he had lost sight of Graystripe and the bank. It seemed as if there was nothing in the world but the churning water, the fragile mat of twigs, and the two terrified kits.
Then he heard Graystripe’s voice, sounding close by. “Fireheart! Fireheart, here!”
Fireheart thrust again at the mat, trying to propel it toward the voice. It spun63 away from him, and his head went under. Coughing and choking, he clawed his way back to the surface, to see Graystripe pacing on dry land just a few tail-lengths away.
For a heartbeat Fireheart felt relief that he was nearly there. Then he focused his blurred64 eyes on the kits again, and fear pulsed through him. The mat was beginning to break up.
Fireheart watched helplessly as the twigs underneath65 the gray kit16 gave way and the tiny creature was plunged66 into the torrent.
点击
收听单词发音
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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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grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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Flared
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| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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grudging
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| adj.勉强的，吝啬的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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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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12
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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13
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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14
dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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15
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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17
flattening
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| n. 修平 动词flatten的现在分词 | |
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18
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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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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22
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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24
rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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25
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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26
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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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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apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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30
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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33
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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34
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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37
retracing
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| v.折回( retrace的现在分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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38
swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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40
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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41
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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42
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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43
flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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44
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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45
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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46
precariously
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| adv.不安全地；危险地；碰机会地；不稳定地 | |
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47
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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49
tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
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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51
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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52
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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53
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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54
bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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55
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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56
wails
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| 痛哭，哭声( wail的名词复数 ) | |
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57
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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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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59
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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60
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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61
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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62
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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63
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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64
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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65
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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66
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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