Hollypaw yawned and stretched in theden entrance. The early morning sun felt warm on her paws. She looked over her shoulder. Lionpaw was still asleep in his nest.
Cinderpaw was already at the fresh-kill pile.
“Anything there?” Hollypaw called to her friend.
“Only a mouse.” Cinderpaw pawed it uncertainly. “A bit stale, but not too bad.”
Hollypaw padded toward her. “Perhaps we should see if Daisy wants it for the kits2 first.”
“No, thank you!” Daisy was sunning herself outside the nursery while Ferncloud’s kits tumbled around her. “They can wait for the dawn patrol to return and have something warm and fresh.”
“I don’t mind eating a stale mouse!” Foxkit offered.
“No,” Daisy mewed, “you’ve got a cold. Only warm food for you.”
“But I’m hungry!”
“Greedy, more like!” Icekit teased. The fluffy4 white kit3 cuffed5 her brother around his ear. He turned on her at once and pounced6. She squealed7 and pummeled him with her hind8 legs.
Daisy moved her tail out of the way as they rolled past her. “It’ll be a relief when they move into the apprentices10’ den1,” she mewed. Hollypaw knew that she didn’t mean it. Ferncloud would move back to the warriors11’ den, and Daisy would be alone in the empty nursery. She’d always made it clear she wasn’t cut out to be a warrior12 but, without kits to nurse, what would she be? Hopefully the spring would bring a new litter.
“Hollypaw! Cinderpaw!” Leafpool was looking out from the elders’ den. “Come and clean out the bedding in here.”
“Okay!” Cinderpaw bounded over to her, abandoning the mouse
“I’ll get fresh moss13!” Hollypaw knew that Leafpool kept a fresh stock beside the medicine den. She raced to grab a wad of it, then carried it to the elders’ den.
The honeysuckle that trailed over the elder bush where Longtail and Mousefur slept was bright with new leaf. Fresh tendrils swayed in the light breeze. Buds were forming that would flower come greenleaf and fill the hollow with a wonderful smell. Hollypaw ducked inside and dropped the moss. Cinderpaw was already busy scrabbling through the bedding, bundling out stale bits.
Leafpool looked up from where she was crouched15 at Longtail’s side. “Longtail has an infected tick bite.” The tangy aroma16 of herbs filled the den. “I’m putting a poultice on it, but I want the bedding freshened up so he doesn’t get another one.”
“Okay.” Hollypaw nodded.
Mousefur sat up stiffly. “Good to see newleaf again.”
Longtail winced17 as Leafpool washed more herbs into his wound. “The forest smells good,” he meowed. “I’ve been thinking about going out.”
Hollypaw blinked in surprise. Since he had lost his sight, Longtail rarely left camp.
“Only if I can come with you,” Mousefur croaked18. “You’ll need someone to keep an eye out for foxes.”
“Foxes!” Hollypaw tucked her tail close to her.
Cinderpaw tossed a wad of moss toward the entrance. “Foxes aren’t that bad.”
“Aren’t that bad?” Hollypaw gasped19. “What about the ones that chased me? They almost had my tail!”
“You were only a kit,” Cinderpaw pointed20 out. “They wouldn’t seem so scary if you met them now.”
Hollypaw wasn’t convinced.
“Foxes are just a nuisance,” Cinderpaw went on. “It’s badgers21 you have to watch out for.” The gray tabby’s eyes grew wide. “Theyare terrifying.” The fur along her spine22 rippled23. “I hope I never meet another one as long as I live.”
“Anotherbadger?” Hollypaw sat up. “You’ve never even met one.”
Cinderpaw tipped her head to one side. Confusion clouded her gaze. “You’re right.” She reached out and tugged24 some stale moss from beside Mousefur. “I must have dreamed it.”
Cinderpaw could be so mouse-brained!
As Hollypaw began to reach for fresh moss, she noticed Leafpool staring at Cinderpaw. The medicine cat’s mouth was open as though frozen mid-lick. What had surprised her so much? It wasn’t the first time Cinderpaw had been muddled25.
Longtail started to fidget. “Have you finished, Leafpool?”
“No.” Leafpool bent26 her head quickly. “Hold still, I’m nearly done.”
Firestar’s call sounded from outside the den. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey27 gather here beneath the Highledge.”
“A Clan28 meeting?” Mousefur narrowed her eyes. “I hope everything’s okay.” She got slowly to her paws. Hollypaw glanced at Cinderpaw, excitement fluttering in her chest. Had something happened? She darted30 out of the den ahead of the others and saw Firestar leaping down the tumble of rocks from Highledge.
The fresh-kill pile was well stocked. “The dawn patrol’s back,” Hollypaw whispered to Cinderpaw as her friend caught up. “Perhaps they’ve brought news.”
Stormfur and Brook31 settled at the edge of the clearing. Graystripe and Millie padded out from behind the warriors’ den. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight sat down in the shadow of Highledge while Lionpaw padded after Ashfur and settled beside his mentor32. Daisy stayed by the nursery, whisking Icekit and Foxkit back with her tail as they tried to see what was happening.
Once the Clan had settled, Firestar sat down in the center of the clearing. He gazed around, his eyes shining.
“Doesn’t look like anything bad,” Hollypaw murmured to Cinderpaw.
“There is something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” Firestar began. “And now that newleaf is here it seems like a good time for new beginnings.”
Hollypaw leaned forward excitedly.
“It is time Millie became a ThunderClan warrior!”
Hollypaw froze. Millie had been a kittypet when Graystripe had met her. He’d given her some warrior training and she’d helped him on the long journey back to his Clan. But did that make her a warrior? Hollypaw didn’t even know if Millie believed in StarClan.
Mews of approval rippled around the edge of the clearing.
“About time!” Whitewing called.
Birchfall kneaded the ground. “She has the heart of a warrior!”
Hollypaw stared at them in surprise. Surely it wasn’t that simple? The daylight Gathering33 had helped to smooth the ruffled34 fur of the other Clans35, but making a kittypet a warrior? Wouldn’t that stir up hostility36 again? Millie was a good hunter and had proved her bravery and loyalty37 in battle, but to make her a ThunderClan warrior…
“Millie.” Firestar beckoned38 the striped gray tabby.
She stepped forward, chin high. Hollypaw couldn’t help admiring her. And yet she had never trained as an apprentice9. How could she possibly have a warrior name? Hollypaw felt her chest tighten39 with anxiety.
“You have fought bravely in battle,” Firestar meowed. “You have made sure the Clan has been fed through a bitter leaf-bare. No cat here doubts your loyalty or your skill. You have earned the warrior name I give you.” He paused for a moment. “From this day on you shall be known as—”
“Wait!”
Mews of surprise rippled among the Clan as Millie interrupted Firestar.
She gazed steadily40 around the cats, her blue eyes glowing. “I’m privileged to be considered a ThunderClan warrior,” she meowed. “I could ask for no greater honor. And I am grateful to Graystripe for rescuing me from my life as a kittypet.” She blinked warmly at her mate. “If I’d stayed my whole life as a Twoleg companion, it would have been only half a life. But—”
Graystripe stepped forward. “Millie?” His eyes were clouded with anxiety. “You’re not going to leave, are you?”
“Never.” Millie padded toward him and brushed her muzzle41 against his. Then she turned back to Firestar. “You can rely on my loyalty until the day I join StarClan, and you must believe that I will live and die to protect ThunderClan. But I don’t want to change my name. I have always been Millie, and I see no shame in it.”
A shocked silence gripped the Clan. Ashfur flicked42 his tail. Sandstorm narrowed her eyes, studying the former kittypet. Brambleclaw’s whiskers twitched43.
Graystripe lifted his chin. “Millie is right. It doesn’t matter what she’s called. It only matters how she acts, and I know that she will always put the Clan first.”
Hollypaw watched Firestar, wondering what he would do. The ThunderClan leader shifted his paws uneasily, glancing from Graystripe to Millie.
Suddenly, another mew sounded. “May I speak?”
Hollypaw spun44 around. Daisy was padding forward. The cream-colored queen slid between Spiderleg and Birchfall and stepped into the center of the clearing. Hollypaw pricked45 her ears. Daisy had never spoken at a Clan meeting before.
“I am glad Millie has chosen to keep her name,” the she-cat began. Her soft mew trembled a little. “I am no warrior, but I am a ThunderClan cat. I stay in the nursery rather than hunt and fight because that is what I do best. I care for our young as though each kit were my own. This is my gift to the Clan, but I do it in my own chosen name.”
“She is right!” Brook stepped forward. “My loyalty lies with ThunderClan, but I would never give up the name given to me by the Tribe.”
Stormfur padded forward and ran his tail along his mate’s flank. “Is there any cat here who would not trust Millie or Daisy or Brook to fight on their side?” He stared challengingly around the Clan.
“No!” Graystripe led the call and Brambleclaw, Cloudtail, Whitewing, and the others quickly took it up. Daisy’s kits, Berrypaw, Hazelpaw, and Mousepaw cheered loudest of all.
Hollypaw watched uneasily.
Suddenly, Thornclaw’s mew rose above the others. “Stop! What would the other Clans say if they could see us now?”
Dustpelt nodded. “ShadowClan has already tried to take territory from us because we are no longer a pure forest-born Clan.”
Spiderleg narrowed his eyes. “Naming ceremonies are part of the warrior code. Can we ignore them and still keep the respect of the other Clans?”
Hollypaw swept her tail over the ground. Dustpelt and Spiderleg were right. Millie, Daisy, and Brook were important to the Clan, but unless they accepted all the customs of the Clan, how could they truly be part of it?
Firestar’s eyes flashed. “Silence!” he snapped. “Don’t forget you’re talking about your Clanmates! I invited Daisy, Brook, and Millie to join ThunderClan because they make us stronger.” He glared around the clearing. “You are happy to eat their fresh-kill and to have them fight beside you. Do you want me to throw them out because they have the wrong names? Do you want the other Clans to tell us what to do?”
“Of course not!” Graystripe meowed.
“Millie and Brook arewarriors already,” Brambleclaw put in. “Names make no difference.”
That’s not true!Hollypaw dug her claws into the earth. They had not had proper naming ceremonies; the Clan was ignoring a ritual that had been followed for countless47 moons. What would StarClan think?We must live by the warrior code!She stared at Thornclaw, willing him to speak, but he only dipped his head to their leader.
Firestar blinked at him and turned once more to Millie. “You may keep your name. We have seen your courage in battle and your skill at hunting. You are ThunderClan now. May StarClan recognize you as a true warrior.”
“ThunderClan! ThunderClan!” Birchfall began the chant and the others quickly joined in. Hollypaw watched in silence, noticing Dustpelt and Thornclaw exchange anxious glances.
“Don’t you feel like cheering?” Squirrelflight had weaved her way to Hollypaw’s side.
Hollypaw’s whiskers quivered. “What if StarClan doesn’t recognize her as a true warrior?”
“Do you really think StarClan is narrow-minded?” Squirrelflight murmured.
“We have the warrior code for a reason and this goes against it.” Hollypaw’s fur rippled along her spine. “Brambleclaw should have spoken out. He knows how important it is to follow the code.”
Squirrelflight smoothed Hollypaw’s fur with her tail. “Brambleclaw is Clan deputy. He must support Firestar.” Her green eyes glittered. “And don’t forget that Firestar was a kittypet once.”
“But he still took a warrior name!” Hollypaw mewed hotly. “He followed the warrior path and trained as an apprentice.” The cheers were dying away as the cats began to return to their duties. He never tried to change the warrior code!
“Hollypaw!”
Brackenfur’s mew jerked her from her thoughts. He was standing48 beside Cloudtail and Spiderleg. Their apprentices, Cinderpaw and Mousepaw, were pacing back and forth49.
“It’s time we assessed your progress,” Brackenfur told her. “I want you, Cinderpaw, and Mousepaw to go hunting. Catch as much prey as you can.”
Squirrelflight’s eyes glowed. “An assessment50 already?”
Hollypaw forgot her unease, excitement pulsing through her pelt46. At last she would have a chance to show everything she had learned.
Brackenfur flicked his tail. “Don’t forget I’ll be watching, out of sight.”
“Good luck!” As Squirrelflight padded away, nerves fluttered in Hollypaw’s belly51. What if she let Brackenfur down?
No!She wouldn’t let that happen.
Mousepaw and Cinderpaw hurried to join her.
“I don’t know who I want to impress more—Cloudtail or Brackenfur!” Cinderpaw glanced anxiously at the two warriors. Brackenfur was her father.
“I’m going to show Spiderleg that I really can catch a squirrel,” Mousepaw vowed52.
“You may as well start now.” Cloudtail padded over. “You must each hunt alone. We’ll be keeping an eye on you, so do your best.”
“Of course we will!” Hollypaw promised.
Cinderpaw shot away, Mousepaw hurrying after her. Hollypaw caught up with them as they raced through the thorn tunnel, each pushing to be first out. Hollypaw had never hunted alone before. Her whiskers twitched with anticipation53.
“Where are you going to hunt?” she asked as they burst out of the camp.
“I’m hunting by the stream near the ShadowClan border,” Cinderpaw announced. “There’s always prey there.”
“It’s a bit open, isn’t it?” Hollypaw mewed.
“I’m good at jumping,” Cinderpaw reminded her. “Even in the open, the prey won’t see me coming till it’s too late.”
“I think I’ll stick to the undergrowth,” Hollypaw decided54. “I prefer stalking my prey.” She glanced at Mousepaw. “What about you?”
“I’m with you,” he announced. “Undergrowth is easier. But once I’ve caught a couple of mice, I’m going to get a squirrel.”
“Come on, then!” Cinderpaw charged up the slope away from the camp.
Hollypaw and Mousepaw sped after her, leaves fluttering in their wake. As they neared the stream, Cinderpaw veered55 away toward the bank. Hollypaw headed for a small dip where the ferns grew thickly, and Mousepaw bounded away in the other direction.
Hollypaw halted at the edge of the dip. Steadying her breath, she dropped into a hunting crouch14 and crept down the slope. She wound her way through the thick fern stems, careful not to set any of them rustling56. Is Brackenfur watching me already?she wondered as she drew herself forward, one slow paw step at a time. Don’t think about that. Concentrate on the hunt.She focused her senses on the foliage57 ahead, opening her mouth slightly to taste the breeze. Rabbit scent58 hung stale in the air, but the smell of mouse was fresh. Good!She halted and pricked her ears. The ferns were shivering up ahead. Narrowing her eyes she peered through the lush stalks and saw a small brown shape dart29 across over the leafy earth. A shrew! It began rooting among the leaf litter.
She crept closer.
The shrew stiffened59.
Mouse dung!Her tail had brushed against a leaf.
The shrew glanced around.
Don’t move!Hollypaw held her breath and pressed her tail to the ground.
The shrew began rummaging60 again.
Good! It’s busy looking for food.
Moving as slowly as a snail61, Hollypaw drew herself forward. The shrew went on rummaging. One more paw step!
A twig62 cracked beneath her paw. The shrew darted away. Hollypaw sprung and shot out her forepaws, catching63 the shrew in her claws before it had time to escape. One quick nip to the back of the neck and it was dead. Heart pounding, she carried it to the roots of a beech64 and buried it quickly before turning back for her next catch.
Before long she had caught another shrew and a mouse. As she safely buried the last of her catch beneath the beech, she saw golden fur flash among the brambles at the top of the slope. How long had Brackenfur been watching her? She hoped he was impressed.
Ferns rustled65 and Mousepaw exploded from the woods behind her
“I’ve caught my two mice,” the gray-and-white tom declared. “Now for that squirrel!”
“Shh!” Hollypaw snapped. “You’ll scare the prey away!”
“Sorry.” Mousepaw flicked his tail. “Are you still hunting?”
“I think I’ve got enough,” Hollypaw conceded.
“Any sign of Cinderpaw?” Mousepaw asked. “I hope she’s done okay.”
“I’ve done fine!” Cinderpaw emerged from the ferns, four water voles dangling66 by their tails from her jaws67. She dropped them next to Hollypaw. “Can I bury them with yours?”
“Won’t they get mixed up?”
“Cloudtail already knows what I caught.”
“Have you spoken to him?” Hollypaw was surprised. Mentors68 weren’t meant to help in an assessment.
“Of course not,” Cinderpaw assured her. “But I could see him watching the whole time. It’s hard to hide in anything but snow with a pelt as white as his.” She purred with amusement.
“Mousepaw’s still determined69 to catch a squirrel,” Hollypaw told her.
“Really?” Cinderpaw stared at the gray-and-white tom in surprise. “Didn’t you get enough mice?”
“I got plenty,” Mousepaw mewed indignantly. “I just want to show Spiderleg I can catch squirrels, too.”
“There are usually some upstream,” Hollypaw suggested.
“I think I’ll climb the Sky Oak,” Mousepaw announced.
“No way!” Cinderpaw looked amazed. “It’s the tallest tree in the forest!”
“There’ll be squirrels in other trees,” Hollypaw cautioned. Mousepaw was Daisy’s kit, born outside the Clan, and keen to impress his Clanmates. But surely after the latest Clan meeting, he shouldn’t feel he had anything to prove.
“I’m going to climb the Sky Oak!” Mousepaw insisted. “I’ve been practicing and I want Spiderleg to see how good I am now.”
“Wow,” Cinderpaw breathed, “that’s brave!”
“Come on.” Mousepaw darted among the trees. Cinderpaw, kicking up leaves, scooted after him. Hollypaw glanced once more at the beech to make sure she would remember where she had buried her catch, and raced after them.
At the base of the Sky Oak, Hollypaw gazed up through the branches. The trunk seemed to stretch up forever, the blue sky glinting between the bright green leaves. Mousepaw was staring up too, and Hollypaw felt sure she saw his tail tremble.
“You’re scared,” Cinderpaw teased.
Hollypaw dug her claws into the earth. Don’t dare him into doing something he doesn’t want to do.“Why not just catch a few more mice instead?” she suggested. “There’ll be plenty around here.”
The fur along Mousepaw’s spine was spiked70 like a hedgehog. “No. I’m going to catch a squirrel,” he muttered determinedly71. He sprang up and stretched out his forelegs to grip the wide trunk with his claws. Dragging himself upward, he managed to clamber onto the lowest branch. “There!” he called. “Easy.” He looked up, searching for his next perch72.
Hollypaw suddenly heard paws pounding toward them.
“Mousepaw!” Brackenfur hurtled out of the trees. He was panting and his eyes were wide with alarm. “Get down!”
Spiderleg skidded73 after him. “Leave him alone!” he snapped at Brackenfur. “If he wants to do it, let him!”
Cloudtail padded out from the trees. “I thought we weren’t meant to help—” He stopped when he spotted74 Mousepaw scrambling75 up to the next branch.
“I really think you should tell him to come down,” Brackenfur advised.
“Are you saying my apprentice isn’t good enough?” Spiderleg flattened76 his ears.
“He’s still young,” Brackenfur argued. “I wouldn’t let Hollypaw climb it.”
“Hollypaw’s not been training as long as Mousepaw,” Spiderleg pointed out.
“Look, it’s easy!” Mousepaw called. The branches were close together now and he was leaping nimbly upward.
“Not too high,” Spiderleg cautioned. Even he was beginning to look worried as Mousepaw hopped77 from branch to branch.
Leaves rustled just above him. A squirrel was scrambling up the tree.
“Look!” Cinderpaw called excitedly. “There’s one!”
Mousepaw darted after it. Hollypaw’s neck began to ache from looking up. She could see leaves shivering far above as the squirrel kept climbing, staying just a few tail-lengths ahead of Mousepaw, almost as if it were enticing78 him upward.
Be careful, Mousepaw!
Suddenly, the squirrel leaped out of the Sky Oak and landed in the tree next to it, sending twigs79 showering down.
Mousepaw froze.
He was so far away he looked the size of a mouse. But even from this distance, Hollypaw could see that his fur was bushed80 out from nose to tail-tip. The gray-and-white apprentice was terrified.
“Good try. You may as well come down,” Spiderleg called encouragingly.
“I can’t!” Mousepaw’s mew came out as a squeak81. “I’m stuck!”
Brackenfur sighed. “What are we going to do now?”
“I could go up after him,” Cloudtail offered. Every cat knew he was one of the best climbers in the Clan.
“He’s not going to get down by himself,” Spiderleg agreed.
“I’ll fetch him!” mewed Cinderpaw.
“Wait!” Hollypaw yelped83 as the gray apprentice began to scramble84 up the tree trunk.
“Get down at once!” Brackenfur hissed85 at his daughter.
Cinderpaw paused on the lowest branch. “But I can see an easy route to get him down,” she argued.
Cloudtail exchanged worried glances with Brackenfur.
“I’ll go slowly,” Cinderpaw promised when they didn’t say anything. “And if I feel like I’m getting too high, I’ll stop.”
Brackenfur nodded. “Okay, but be careful.”
Cautiously, Cinderpaw began to climb the tree, taking her time between jumps, making sure that she only reached up a little at a time. Hollypaw watched, her mouth dry. She’ll be all right,she told herself again and again.
She felt Brackenfur trembling beside her. He was watching Cinderpaw with round, frightened eyes.
“She’s nearly reached him,” Cloudtail reported.
Cinderpaw was only a few branches from her denmate now. Mousepaw was watching her, his fur slowly flattening86.
“It’s okay, Mousepaw,” Cinderpaw called up to him. “There’s nothing to be frightened of.”
Hollypaw held her breath as Cinderpaw began to guide Mousepaw down, one branch at a time.
“That’s it,” Cinderpaw mewed. “The next branch is really close. Just make sure you grip with your claws and you’ll be fine.”
The two cats were easier to see now, getting closer and closer to safety with every uneasy jump.
They’re going to make it!
Suddenly, a bird shrieked87 and flapped out of the tree just below them. Mousepaw squealed in shock and slipped from the branch.
Quick as a flash, Cinderpaw lunged forward and reached for him. She caught him and hauled him back onto the branch, her hind legs scrabbling for a hold. Mousepaw grabbed at the branch and clung to the bark, his tail lashing88 in panic.
Relief flooded Hollypaw.
Then she saw Cinderpaw wobble. The gray tabby’s hind paws were slipping over the back of the branch. Her forepaws churned desperately89 at the air. With a yelp82 she slid over the edge and fell. Hollypaw stared in horror as Cinderpaw dropped through the leaves like a stone and landed with a sickening thud.
“No!” Brackenfur’s mew cracked as he darted forward. “Cinderpaw? Cinderpaw!” He crouched over the limp body lying awkwardly on the ground.
“Get Leafpool!” Spiderleg hissed in Hollypaw’s ear.
Hollypaw glanced once more at her friend’s twisted body before hurtling away through the trees. Cinderpaw can’t be dead!
She mustn’t be dead!
点击
收听单词发音
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1
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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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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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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fluffy
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| adj.有绒毛的，空洞的 | |
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cuffed
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| v.掌打，拳打( cuff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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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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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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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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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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crouch
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| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
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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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aroma
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| n.香气，芬芳，芳香 | |
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winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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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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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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badgers
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| n.獾( badger的名词复数 )；獾皮；（大写）獾州人（美国威斯康星州人的别称）；毛鼻袋熊 | |
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spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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rippled
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| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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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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muddled
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| adj.混乱的；糊涂的；头脑昏昏然的v.弄乱，弄糟( muddle的过去式)；使糊涂；对付，混日子 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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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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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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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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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tighten
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| v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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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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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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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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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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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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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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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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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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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow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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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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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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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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rummaging
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| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的现在分词 )； 海关检查 | |
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snail
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| n.蜗牛 | |
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twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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mentors
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| n.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的名词复数 )v.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor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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spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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determinedly
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| adv.决意地；坚决地，坚定地 | |
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perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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skidded
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| v.（通常指车辆） 侧滑( skid的过去式和过去分词 )；打滑；滑行；（住在）贫民区 | |
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spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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enticing
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| adj.迷人的；诱人的 | |
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79
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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bushed
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| adj.疲倦的 | |
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81
squeak
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| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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82
yelp
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| vi.狗吠 | |
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83
yelped
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| v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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85
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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86
flattening
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| n. 修平 动词flatten的现在分词 | |
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87
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
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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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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