In explanation of some portions of this narrative18, wherein I have spoken of the stowage of the brig, and which may appear ambiguous to some of my readers who may have seen a proper or regular stowage, I must here state that the manner in which this most important duty had been per formed on board the Grampus was a most shameful20 piece of neglect on the part of Captain Barnard, who was by no means as careful or as experienced a seaman21 as the hazardous22 nature of the service on which he was employed would seem necessarily to demand. A proper stowage cannot be accomplished23 in a careless manner, and many most disastrous24 accidents, even within the limits of my own experience, have arisen from neglect or ignorance in this particular. Coasting vessels26, in the frequent hurry and bustle27 attendant upon taking in or discharging cargo28, are the most liable to mishap29 from the want of a proper attention to stowage. The great point is to allow no possibility of the cargo or ballast shifting position even in the most violent rollings of the vessel25. With this end, great attention must be paid, not only to the bulk taken in, but to the nature of the bulk, and whether there be a full or only a partial cargo. In most kinds of freight the stowage is accomplished by means of a screw. Thus, in a load of tobacco or flour, the whole is screwed so tightly into the hold of the vessel that the barrels or hogsheads, upon discharging, are found to be completely flattened30, and take some time to regain31 their original shape. This screwing, however, is resorted to principally with a view of obtaining more room in the hold; for in a full load of any such commodities as flour or tobacco, there can be no danger of any shifting whatever, at least none from which inconvenience can result. There have been instances, indeed, where this method of screwing has resulted in the most lamentable32 consequences, arising from a cause altogether distinct from the danger attendant upon a shifting of cargo. A load of cotton, for example, tightly screwed while in certain conditions, has been known, through the expansion of its bulk, to rend14 a vessel asunder33 at sea. There can be no doubt either that the same result would ensue in the case of tobacco, while undergoing its usual course of fermentation, were it not for the interstices consequent upon the rotundity of the hogsheads.
It is when a partial cargo is received that danger is chiefly to be apprehended34 from shifting, and that precautions should be always taken to guard against such misfortune. Only those who have encountered a violent gale35 of wind, or rather who have experienced the rolling of a vessel in a sudden calm after the gale, can form an idea of the tremendous force of the plunges36, and of the consequent terrible impetus37 given to all loose articles in the vessel. It is then that the necessity of a cautious stowage, when there is a partial cargo, becomes obvious. When lying-to (especially with a small bead38 sail), a vessel which is not properly modelled in the bows is frequently thrown upon her beam-ends; this occurring even every fifteen or twenty minutes upon an average, yet without any serious consequences resulting, provided there be a proper stowage. If this, however, has not been strictly39 attended to, in the first of these heavy lurches the whole of the cargo tumbles over to the side of the vessel which lies upon the water, and, being thus prevented from regaining41 her equilibrium42, as she would otherwise necessarily do, she is certain to fill in a few seconds and go down. It is not too much to say that at least one-half of the instances in which vessels have foundered43 in heavy gales44 at sea may be attributed to a shifting of cargo or of ballast.
When a partial cargo of any kind is taken on board, the whole, after being first stowed as compactly as may be, should be covered with a layer of stout45 shifting-boards, extending completely across the vessel. Upon these boards strong temporary stanchions should be erected46, reaching to the timbers above, and thus securing every thing in its place. In cargoes47 consisting of grain, or any similar matter, additional precautions are requisite48. A hold filled entirely49 with grain upon leaving port will be found not more than three fourths full upon reaching its destination — this, too, although the freight, when measured bushel by bushel by the consignee50, will overrun by a vast deal (on account of the swelling51 of the grain) the quantity consigned53. This result is occasioned by settling during the voyage, and is the more perceptible in proportion to the roughness of the weather experienced. If grain loosely thrown in a vessel, then, is ever so well secured by shifting-boards and stanchions, it will be liable to shift in a long passage so greatly as to bring about the most distressing54 calamities55. To prevent these, every method should be employed before leaving port to settle the cargo as much as possible; and for this there are many contrivances, among which may be mentioned the driving of wedges into the grain. Even after all this is done, and unusual pains taken to secure the shifting-boards, no seaman who knows what he is about will feel altogether secure in a gale of any violence with a cargo of grain on board, and, least of all, with a partial cargo. Yet there are hundreds of our coasting vessels, and, it is likely, many more from the ports of Europe, which sail daily with partial cargoes, even of the most dangerous species, and without any precaution whatever. The wonder is that no more accidents occur than do actually happen. A lamentable instance of this heedlessness occurred to my knowledge in the case of Captain Joel Rice of the schooner56 Firefly, which sailed from Richmond, Virginia, to Madeira, with a cargo of corn, in the year 1825. The captain had gone many voyages without serious accident, although he was in the habit of paying no attention whatever to his stowage, more than to secure it in the ordinary manner. He had never before sailed with a cargo of grain, and on this occasion had the corn thrown on board loosely, when it did not much more than half fill the vessel. For the first portion of the voyage he met with nothing more than light breezes; but when within a day’s sail of Madeira there came on a strong gale from the N. N. E. which forced him to lie-to. He brought the schooner to the wind under a double-reefed foresail alone, when she rode as well as any vessel could be expected to do, and shipped not a drop of water. Toward night the gale somewhat abated57, and she rolled with more unsteadiness than before, but still did very well, until a heavy lurch40 threw her upon her beam-ends to starboard. The corn was then heard to shift bodily, the force of the movement bursting open the main hatchway. The vessel went down like a shot. This happened within hail of a small sloop58 from Madeira, which picked up one of the crew (the only person saved), and which rode out the gale in perfect security, as indeed a jolly boat might have done under proper management.
The stowage on board the Grampus was most clumsily done, if stowage that could be called which was little better than a promiscuous59 huddling60 together of oil-casks1 and ship furniture. I have already spoken of the condition of articles in the hold. On the orlop deck there was space enough for my body (as I have stated) between the oil-casks and the upper deck; a space was left open around the main hatchway; and several other large spaces were left in the stowage. Near the hole cut through the bulkhead by Augustus there was room enough for an entire cask, and in this space I found myself comfortably situated61 for the present.
1 Whaling vessels are usually fitted with iron oil-tanks — why the Grampus was not I have never been able to ascertain62.
By the time my friend had got safely into the berth63, and readjusted his handcuffs and the rope, it was broad daylight. We had made a narrow escape indeed; for scarcely had he arranged all matters, when the mate came below, with Dirk Peters and the cook. They talked for some time about the vessel from the Cape17 Verds, and seemed to be excessively anxious for her appearance. At length the cook came to the berth in which Augustus was lying, and seated himself in it near the head. I could see and hear every thing from my hiding-place, for the piece cut out had not been put back, and I was in momentary64 expectation that the negro would fall against the pea-jacket, which was hung up to conceal65 the aperture66, in which case all would have been discovered, and our lives would, no doubt, have been instantly sacrificed. Our good fortune prevailed, however; and although he frequently touched it as the vessel rolled, he never pressed against it sufficiently67 to bring about a discovery. The bottom of the jacket had been carefully fastened to the bulkhead, so that the hole might not be seen by its swinging to one side. All this time Tiger was lying in the foot of the berth, and appeared to have recovered in some measure his faculties68, for I could see him occasionally open his eyes and draw a long breath.
After a few minutes the mate and cook went above, leaving Dirk Peters behind, who, as soon as they were gone, came and sat himself down in the place just occupied by the mate. He began to talk very sociably69 with Augustus, and we could now see that the greater part of his apparent intoxication70, while the two others were with him, was a feint. He answered all my companion’s questions with perfect freedom; told him that he had no doubt of his father’s having been picked up, as there were no less than five sail in sight just before sundown on the day he was cut adrift; and used other language of a consolatory71 nature, which occasioned me no less surprise than pleasure. Indeed, I began to entertain hopes, that through the instrumentality of Peters we might be finally enabled to regain possession of the brig, and this idea I mentioned to Augustus as soon as I found an opportunity. He thought the matter possible, but urged the necessity of the greatest caution in making the attempt, as the conduct of the hybrid72 appeared to be instigated73 by the most arbitrary caprice alone; and, indeed, it was difficult to say if be was at any moment of sound mind. Peters went upon deck in about an hour, and did not return again until noon, when he brought Augustus a plentiful74 supply of junk beef and pudding. Of this, when we were left alone, I partook heartily75, without returning through the hole. No one else came down into the forecastle during the day, and at night, I got into Augustus’ berth, where I slept soundly and sweetly until nearly daybreak, when he awakened76 me upon hearing a stir upon deck, and I regained77 my hiding-place as quickly as possible. When the day was fully broke, we found that Tiger had recovered his strength almost entirely, and gave no indications of hydrophobia, drinking a little water that was offered him with great apparent eagerness. During the day he regained all his former vigour78 and appetite. His strange conduct had been brought on, no doubt, by the deleterious quality of the air of the hold, and had no connexion with canine79 madness. I could not sufficiently rejoice that I had persisted in bringing him with me from the box. This day was the thirtieth of June, and the thirteenth since the Grampus made sad from Nantucket.
On the second of July the mate came below drunk as usual, and in an excessively good-humor. He came to Augustus’s berth, and, giving him a slap on the back, asked him if he thought he could behave himself if he let him loose, and whether he would promise not to be going into the cabin again. To this, of course, my friend answered in the affirmative, when the ruffian set him at liberty, after making him drink from a flask80 of rum which he drew from his coat-pocket. Both now went on deck, and I did not see Augustus for about three hours. He then came below with the good news that he had obtained permission to go about the brig as be pleased anywhere forward of the mainmast, and that he had been ordered to sleep, as usual, in the forecastle. He brought me, too, a good dinner, and a plentiful supply of water. The brig was still cruising for the vessel from the Cape Verds, and a sail was now in sight, which was thought to be the one in question. As the events of the ensuing eight days were of little importance, and had no direct bearing upon the main incidents of my narrative, I will here throw them into the form of a journal, as I do not wish to omit them altogether.
July 3. — Augustus furnished me with three blankets, with which I contrived81 a comfortable bed in my hiding-place. No one came below, except my companion, during the day. Tiger took his station in the berth just by the aperture, and slept heavily, as if not yet entirely recovered from the effects of his sickness. Toward night a flaw of wind struck the brig before sail could be taken in, and very nearly capsized her. The puff82 died away immediately, however, and no damage was done beyond the splitting of the foretopsail. Dirk Peters treated Augustus all this day with great kindness and entered into a long conversation with him respecting the Pacific Ocean, and the islands he had visited in that region. He asked him whether be would not like to go with the mutineers on a kind of exploring and pleasure voyage in those quarters, and said that the men were gradually coming over to the mate’s views. To this Augustus thought it best to reply that he would be glad to go on such an adventure, since nothing better could be done, and that any thing was preferable to a piratical life.
July 4. — The vessel in sight proved to be a small brig from Liverpool, and was allowed to pass unmolested. Augustus spent most of his time on deck, with a view of obtaining all the information in his power respecting the intentions of the mutineers. They had frequent and violent quarrels among themselves, in one of which a harpooner83, Jim Bonner, was thrown overboard. The party of the mate was gaining ground. Jim Bonner belonged to the cook’s gang, of which Peters was a partisan84.
July 5. — About daybreak there came on a stiff breeze from the west, which at noon freshened into a gale, so that the brig could carry nothing more than her trysail and foresail. In taking in the foretopsail, Simms, one of the common hands, and belonging also to the cook’s gang, fell overboard, being very much in liquor, and was drowned — no attempt being made to save him. The whole number of persons on board was now thirteen, to wit: Dirk Peters; Seymour, the of the cook’s party; the mate, whose name I never learned; Absalom party; — besides Augustus and myself.
July 6. — The gale lasted all this day, blowing in heavy squalls, accompanied with rain. The brig took in a good deal of water through her seams, and one of the pumps was kept continually going, Augustus being forced to take his turn. just at twilight85 a large ship passed close by us, without having been discovered until within hail. The ship was supposed to be the one for which the mutineers were on the lookout86. The mate hailed her, but the reply was drowned in the roaring of the gale. At eleven, a sea was shipped amidships, which tore away a great portion of the larboard bulwarks87, and did some other slight damage. Toward morning the weather moderated, and at sunrise there was very little wind.
July 7. — There was a heavy swell52 running all this day, during which the brig, being light, rolled excessively, and many articles broke loose in the hold, as I could hear distinctly from my hiding-place. I suffered a great deal from sea-sickness. Peters had a long conversation this day with Augustus, and told him that two of his gang, Greely and Allen, had gone over to the mate, and were resolved to turn pirates. He put several questions to Augustus which he did not then exactly understand. During a part of this evening the leak gained upon the vessel; and little could be done to remedy it, as it was occasioned by the brigs straining, and taking in the water through her seams. A sail was thrummed, and got under the bows, which aided us in some measure, so that we began to gain upon the leak.
July 8. — A light breeze sprang up at sunrise from the eastward88, when the mate headed the brig to the southwest, with the intention of making some of the West India islands in pursuance of his piratical designs. No opposition89 was made by Peters or the cook — at least none in the hearing of Augustus. All idea of taking the vessel from the Cape Verds was abandoned. The leak was now easily kept under by one pump going every three quarters of an hour. The sail was drawn90 from beneath the bows. Spoke19 two small schooners91 during the day.
July 9. — Fine weather. All hands employed in repairing bulwarks. Peters had again a long conversation with Augustus, and spoke more plainly than he had done heretofore. He said nothing should induce him to come into the mate’s views, and even hinted his intention of taking the brig out of his hands. He asked my friend if he could depend upon his aid in such case, to which Augustus said, “Yes,” without hesitation92. Peters then said he would sound the others of his party upon the subject, and went away. During the remainder of the day Augustus had no opportunity of speaking with him privately93.
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1 narration | |
n.讲述,叙述;故事;记叙体 | |
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2 afterward | |
adv.后来;以后 | |
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3 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
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4 apprehensive | |
adj.担心的,恐惧的,善于领会的 | |
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5 impatience | |
n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
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6 detested | |
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7 confinement | |
n.幽禁,拘留,监禁;分娩;限制,局限 | |
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8 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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9 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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10 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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11 stupor | |
v.昏迷;不省人事 | |
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12 fatigue | |
n.疲劳,劳累 | |
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13 feat | |
n.功绩;武艺,技艺;adj.灵巧的,漂亮的,合适的 | |
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14 rend | |
vt.把…撕开,割裂;把…揪下来,强行夺取 | |
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15 inadequate | |
adj.(for,to)不充足的,不适当的 | |
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16 imminent | |
adj.即将发生的,临近的,逼近的 | |
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17 cape | |
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风 | |
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18 narrative | |
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
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19 spoke | |
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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20 shameful | |
adj.可耻的,不道德的 | |
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21 seaman | |
n.海员,水手,水兵 | |
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22 hazardous | |
adj.(有)危险的,冒险的;碰运气的 | |
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23 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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24 disastrous | |
adj.灾难性的,造成灾害的;极坏的,很糟的 | |
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25 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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26 vessels | |
n.血管( vessel的名词复数 );船;容器;(具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的)人 | |
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27 bustle | |
v.喧扰地忙乱,匆忙,奔忙;n.忙碌;喧闹 | |
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28 cargo | |
n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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29 mishap | |
n.不幸的事,不幸;灾祸 | |
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30 flattened | |
[医](水)平扁的,弄平的 | |
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31 regain | |
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复 | |
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32 lamentable | |
adj.令人惋惜的,悔恨的 | |
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33 asunder | |
adj.分离的,化为碎片 | |
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34 apprehended | |
逮捕,拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 ); 理解 | |
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35 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
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36 plunges | |
n.跳进,投入vt.使投入,使插入,使陷入vi.投入,跳进,陷入v.颠簸( plunge的第三人称单数 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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37 impetus | |
n.推动,促进,刺激;推动力 | |
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38 bead | |
n.念珠;(pl.)珠子项链;水珠 | |
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39 strictly | |
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地 | |
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40 lurch | |
n.突然向前或旁边倒;v.蹒跚而行 | |
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41 regaining | |
复得( regain的现在分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地 | |
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42 equilibrium | |
n.平衡,均衡,相称,均势,平静 | |
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43 foundered | |
v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44 gales | |
龙猫 | |
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46 ERECTED | |
adj. 直立的,竖立的,笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立,建立 | |
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47 cargoes | |
n.(船或飞机装载的)货物( cargo的名词复数 );大量,重负 | |
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48 requisite | |
adj.需要的,必不可少的;n.必需品 | |
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49 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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50 consignee | |
n.受托者,收件人,代销人;承销人;收货人 | |
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51 swelling | |
n.肿胀 | |
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52 swell | |
vi.膨胀,肿胀;增长,增强 | |
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53 consigned | |
v.把…置于(令人不快的境地)( consign的过去式和过去分词 );把…托付给;把…托人代售;丟弃 | |
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54 distressing | |
a.使人痛苦的 | |
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55 calamities | |
n.灾祸,灾难( calamity的名词复数 );不幸之事 | |
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56 schooner | |
n.纵帆船 | |
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57 abated | |
减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 ); 减去; 降价; 撤消(诉讼) | |
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58 sloop | |
n.单桅帆船 | |
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59 promiscuous | |
adj.杂乱的,随便的 | |
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60 huddling | |
n. 杂乱一团, 混乱, 拥挤 v. 推挤, 乱堆, 草率了事 | |
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61 situated | |
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
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62 ascertain | |
vt.发现,确定,查明,弄清 | |
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63 berth | |
n.卧铺,停泊地,锚位;v.使停泊 | |
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64 momentary | |
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的 | |
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65 conceal | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,隐蔽 | |
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66 aperture | |
n.孔,隙,窄的缺口 | |
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67 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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68 faculties | |
n.能力( faculty的名词复数 );全体教职员;技巧;院 | |
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69 sociably | |
adv.成群地 | |
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70 intoxication | |
n.wild excitement;drunkenness;poisoning | |
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71 consolatory | |
adj.慰问的,可藉慰的 | |
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72 hybrid | |
n.(动,植)杂种,混合物 | |
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73 instigated | |
v.使(某事物)开始或发生,鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74 plentiful | |
adj.富裕的,丰富的 | |
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75 heartily | |
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 | |
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76 awakened | |
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到 | |
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77 regained | |
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地 | |
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78 vigour | |
(=vigor)n.智力,体力,精力 | |
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79 canine | |
adj.犬的,犬科的 | |
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80 flask | |
n.瓶,火药筒,砂箱 | |
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81 contrived | |
adj.不自然的,做作的;虚构的 | |
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82 puff | |
n.一口(气);一阵(风);v.喷气,喘气 | |
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83 harpooner | |
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84 partisan | |
adj.党派性的;游击队的;n.游击队员;党徒 | |
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85 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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86 lookout | |
n.注意,前途,瞭望台 | |
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87 bulwarks | |
n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 );保障;支柱;舷墙 | |
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88 eastward | |
adv.向东;adj.向东的;n.东方,东部 | |
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89 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
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90 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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91 schooners | |
n.(有两个以上桅杆的)纵帆船( schooner的名词复数 ) | |
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92 hesitation | |
n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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93 privately | |
adv.以私人的身份,悄悄地,私下地 | |
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