He heard all I said without attempting to controvert6 any of my arguments, and I had begun to hope that he would be prevailed upon to do as I desired. But when I had ceased speaking, he said that he knew very well all I had said was true, and that to resort to such a course was the most horrible alternative which could enter into the mind of man; but that he had now held out as long as human nature could be sustained; that it was unnecessary for all to perish, when, by the death of one, it was possible, and even probable, that the rest might be finally preserved; adding that I might save myself the trouble of trying to turn him from his purpose, his mind having been thoroughly7 made up on the subject even before the appearance of the ship, and that only her heaving in sight had prevented him from mentioning his intention at an earlier period.
I now begged him, if he would not be prevailed upon to abandon his design, at least to defer8 it for another day, when some vessel9 might come to our relief; again reiterating10 every argument I could devise, and which I thought likely to have influence with one of his rough nature. He said, in reply, that he had not spoken until the very last possible moment, that he could exist no longer without sustenance13 of some kind, and that therefore in another day his suggestion would be too late, as regarded himself at least.
Finding that he was not to be moved by anything I could say in a mild tone, I now assumed a different demeanor14, and told him that he must be aware I had suffered less than any of us from our calamities15; that my health and strength, consequently, were at that moment far better than his own, or than that either of Peters or Augustus; in short, that I was in a condition to have my own way by force if I found it necessary; and that if he attempted in any manner to acquaint the others with his bloody16 and cannibal designs, I would not hesitate to throw him into the sea. Upon this he immediately seized me by the throat, and drawing a knife, made several ineffectual efforts to stab me in the stomach; an atrocity17 which his excessive debility alone prevented him from accomplishing. In the meantime, being roused to a high pitch of anger, I forced him to the vessel’s side, with the full intention of throwing him overboard. He was saved from his fate, however, by the interference of Peters, who now approached and separated us, asking the cause of the disturbance18. This Parker told before I could find means in any manner to prevent him.
The effect of his words was even more terrible than what I had anticipated. Both Augustus and Peters, who, it seems, had long secretly entertained the same fearful idea which Parker had been merely the first to broach19, joined with him in his design and insisted upon its immediately being carried into effect. I had calculated that one at least of the two former would be found still possessed20 of sufficient strength of mind to side with myself in resisting any attempt to execute so dreadful a purpose, and, with the aid of either one of them, I had no fear of being able to prevent its accomplishment21. Being disappointed in this expectation, it became absolutely necessary that I should attend to my own safety, as a further resistance on my part might possibly be considered by men in their frightful22 condition a sufficient excuse for refusing me fair play in the tragedy that I knew would speedily be enacted23.
I now told them I was willing to submit to the proposal, merely requesting a delay of about one hour, in order that the fog which had gathered around us might have an opportunity of lifting, when it was possible that the ship we had seen might be again in sight. After great difficulty I obtained from them a promise to wait thus long; and, as I had anticipated (a breeze rapidly coming in), the fog lifted before the hour had expired, when, no vessel appearing in sight, we prepared to draw lots.
It is with extreme reluctance24 that I dwell upon the appalling25 scene which ensued; a scene which, with its minutest details, no after events have been able to efface26 in the slightest degree from my memory, and whose stern recollection will embitter27 every future moment of my existence. Let me run over this portion of my narrative28 with as much haste as the nature of the events to be spoken of will permit. The only method we could devise for the terrific lottery29, in which we were to take each a chance, was that of drawing straws. Small splinters of wood were made to answer our purpose, and it was agreed that I should be the holder30. I retired31 to one end of the hulk, while my poor companions silently took up their station in the other with their backs turned toward me. The bitterest anxiety which I endured at any period of this fearful drama was while I occupied myself in the arrangement of the lots. There are few conditions into which man can possibly fall where he will not feel a deep interest in the preservation32 of his existence; an interest momentarily increasing with the frailness33 of the tenure34 by which that existence may be held. But now that the silent, definite, and stern nature of the business in which I was engaged (so different from the tumultuous dangers of the storm or the gradually approaching horrors of famine) allowed me to reflect on the few chances I had of escaping the most appalling of deaths — a death for the most appalling of purposes — every particle of that energy which had so long buoyed35 me up departed like feathers before the wind, leaving me a helpless prey36 to the most abject37 and pitiable terror. I could not, at first, even summon up sufficient strength to tear and fit together the small splinters of wood, my fingers absolutely refusing their office, and my knees knocking violently against each other. My mind ran over rapidly a thousand absurd projects by which to avoid becoming a partner in the awful speculation38. I thought of falling on my knees to my companions, and entreating39 them to let me escape this necessity; of suddenly rushing upon them, and, by putting one of them to death, of rendering41 the decision by lot useless — in short, of every thing but of going through with the matter I had in hand. At last, after wasting a long time in this imbecile conduct, I was recalled to my senses by the voice of Parker, who urged me to relieve them at once from the terrible anxiety they were enduring. Even then I could not bring myself to arrange the splinters upon the spot, but thought over every species of finesse42 by which I could trick some one of my fellow-sufferers to draw the short straw, as it had been agreed that whoever drew the shortest of four splinters from my hand was to die for the preservation of the rest. Before any one condemn43 me for this apparent heartlessness, let him be placed in a situation precisely44 similar to my own.
At length delay was no longer possible, and, with a heart almost bursting from my bosom45, I advanced to the region of the forecastle, where my companions were awaiting me. I held out my hand with the splinters, and Peters immediately drew. He was free — his, at least, was not the shortest; and there was now another chance against my escape. I summoned up all my strength, and passed the lots to Augustus. He also drew immediately, and he also was free; and now, whether I should live or die, the chances were no more than precisely even. At this moment all the fierceness of the tiger possessed my bosom, and I felt toward my poor fellow-creature, Parker, the most intense, the most diabolical46 hatred47. But the feeling did not last; and, at length, with a convulsive shudder48 and closed eyes, I held out the two remaining splinters toward him. It was fully49 five minutes before he could summon resolution to draw, during which period of heartrending suspense50 I never once opened my eyes. Presently one of the two lots was quickly drawn51 from my hand. The decision was then over, yet I knew not whether it was for me or against me. No one spoke11, and still I dared not satisfy myself by looking at the splinter I held. Peters at length took me by the hand, and I forced myself to look up, when I immediately saw by the countenance52 of Parker that I was safe, and that he it was who had been doomed53 to suffer. Gasping54 for breath, I fell senseless to the deck.
I recovered from my swoon in time to behold55 the consummation of the tragedy in the death of him who had been chiefly instrumental in bringing it about. He made no resistance whatever, and was stabbed in the back by Peters, when he fell instantly dead. I must not dwell upon the fearful repast which immediately ensued. Such things may be imagined, but words have no power to impress the mind with the exquisite56 horror of their reality. Let it suffice to say that, having in some measure appeased57 the raging thirst which consumed us by the blood of the victim, and having by common consent taken off the hands, feet, and head, throwing them together with the entrails, into the sea, we devoured58 the rest of the body, piecemeal59, during the four ever memorable60 days of the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth of the month.
On the nineteenth, there coming on a smart shower which lasted fifteen or twenty minutes, we contrived61 to catch some water by means of a sheet which had been fished up from the cabin by our drag just after the gale62. The quantity we took in all did not amount to more than half a gallon; but even this scanty63 allowance supplied us with comparative strength and hope.
On the twenty-first we were again reduced to the last necessity. The weather still remained warm and pleasant, with occasional fogs and light breezes, most usually from N. to W.
On the twenty-second, as we were sitting close huddled64 together, gloomily revolving65 over our lamentable66 condition, there flashed through my mind all at once an idea which inspired me with a bright gleam of hope. I remembered that, when the foremast had been cut away, Peters, being in the windward chains, passed one of the axes into my hand, requesting me to put it, if possible, in a place of security, and that a few minutes before the last heavy sea struck the brig and filled her I had taken this axe67 into the forecastle and laid it in one of the larboard berths68. I now thought it possible that, by getting at this axe, we might cut through the deck over the storeroom, and thus readily supply ourselves with provisions.
When I communicated this object to my companions, they uttered a feeble shout of joy, and we all proceeded forthwith to the forecastle. The difficulty of descending70 here was greater than that of going down in the cabin, the opening being much smaller, for it will be remembered that the whole framework about the cabin companion-hatch had been carried away, whereas the forecastle-way, being a simple hatch of only about three feet square, had remained uninjured. I did not hesitate, however, to attempt the descent; and a rope being fastened round my body as before, I plunged71 boldly in, feet foremost, made my way quickly to the berth69, and at the first attempt brought up the axe. It was hailed with the most ecstatic joy and triumph, and the ease with which it had been obtained was regarded as an omen12 of our ultimate preservation.
We now commenced cutting at the deck with all the energy of rekindled72 hope, Peters and myself taking the axe by turns, Augustus’s wounded arm not permitting him to aid us in any degree. As we were still so feeble as to be scarcely able to stand unsupported, and could consequently work but a minute or two without resting, it soon became evident that many long hours would be necessary to accomplish our task — that is, to cut an opening sufficiently73 large to admit of a free access to the storeroom. This consideration, however, did not discourage us; and, working all night by the light of the moon, we succeeded in effecting our purpose by daybreak on the morning of the twenty-third.
Peters now volunteered to go down; and, having made all arrangements as before, he descended74, and soon returned bringing up with him a small jar, which, to our great joy, proved to be full of olives. Having shared these among us, and devoured them with the greatest avidity, we proceeded to let him down again. This time he succeeded beyond our utmost expectations, returning instantly with a large ham and a bottle of Madeira wine. Of the latter we each took a moderate sup, having learned by experience the pernicious consequences of indulging too freely. The ham, except about two pounds near the bone, was not in a condition to be eaten, having been entirely75 spoiled by the salt water. The sound part was divided among us. Peters and Augustus, not being able to restrain their appetite, swallowed theirs upon the instant; but I was more cautious, and ate but a small portion of mine, dreading76 the thirst which I knew would ensue. We now rested a while from our labors77, which had been intolerably severe.
By noon, feeling somewhat strengthened and refreshed, we again renewed our attempt at getting up provisions, Peters and myself going down alternately, and always with more or less success, until sundown. During this interval78 we had the good fortune to bring up, altogether, four more small jars of olives, another ham, a carboy containing nearly three gallons of excellent Cape40 Madeira wine, and, what gave us still more delight, a small tortoise of the Gallipago breed, several of which had been taken on board by Captain Barnard, as the Grampus was leaving port, from the schooner79 Mary Pitts, just returned from a sealing voyage in the Pacific.
In a subsequent portion of this narrative I shall have frequent occasion to mention this species of tortoise. It is found principally, as most of my readers may know, in the group of islands called the Gallipagos, which, indeed, derive80 their name from the animal — the Spanish word Gallipago meaning a fresh-water terrapin81. From the peculiarity82 of their shape and action they have been sometimes called the elephant tortoise. They are frequently found of an enormous size. I have myself seen several which would weigh from twelve to fifteen hundred pounds, although I do not remember that any navigator speaks of having seen them weighing more than eight hundred. Their appearance is singular, and even disgusting. Their steps are very slow, measured, and heavy, their bodies being carried about a foot from the ground. Their neck is long, and exceedingly slender, from eighteen inches to two feet is a very common length, and I killed one, where the distance from the shoulder to the extremity of the head was no less than three feet ten inches. The head has a striking resemblance to that of a serpent. They can exist without food for an almost incredible length of time, instances having been known where they have been thrown into the hold of a vessel and lain two years without nourishment83 of any kind — being as fat, and, in every respect, in as good order at the expiration84 of the time as when they were first put in. In one particular these extraordinary animals bear a resemblance to the dromedary, or camel of the desert. In a bag at the root of the neck they carry with them a constant supply of water. In some instances, upon killing85 them after a full year’s deprivation86 of all nourishment, as much as three gallons of perfectly87 sweet and fresh water have been found in their bags. Their food is chiefly wild parsley and celery, with purslain, sea-kelp, and prickly pears, upon which latter vegetable they thrive wonderfully, a great quantity of it being usually found on the hillsides near the shore wherever the animal itself is discovered. They are excellent and highly nutritious88 food, and have, no doubt, been the means of preserving the lives of thousands of seamen89 employed in the whale-fishery and other pursuits in the Pacific.
The one which we had the good fortune to bring up from the storeroom was not of a large size, weighing probably sixty-five or seventy pounds. It was a female, and in excellent condition, being exceedingly fat, and having more than a quart of limpid90 and sweet water in its bag. This was indeed a treasure; and, falling on our knees with one accord, we returned fervent91 thanks to God for so seasonable a relief.
We had great difficulty in getting the animal up through the opening, as its struggles were fierce and its strength prodigious92. It was upon the point of making its escape from Peter’s grasp, and slipping back into the water, when Augustus, throwing a rope with a slipknot around its throat, held it up in this manner until I jumped into the hole by the side of Peters, and assisted him in lifting it out.
The water we drew carefully from the bag into the jug93; which, it will be remembered, had been brought up before from the cabin. Having done this, we broke off the neck of a bottle so as to form, with the cork94, a kind of glass, holding not quite half a gill. We then each drank one of these measures full, and resolved to limit ourselves to this quantity per day as long as it should hold out.
During the last two or three days, the weather having been dry and pleasant, the bedding we had obtained from the cabin, as well as our clothing, had become thoroughly dry, so that we passed this night (that of the twenty-third) in comparative comfort, enjoying a tranquil95 repose96, after having supped plentifully97 on olives and ham, with a small allowance of the wine. Being afraid of losing some of our stores overboard during the night, in the event of a breeze springing up, we secured them as well as possible with cordage to the fragments of the windlass. Our tortoise, which we were anxious to preserve alive as long as we could, we threw on its back, and otherwise carefully fastened.
点击收听单词发音
1 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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2 extremity | |
n.末端,尽头;尽力;终极;极度 | |
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3 intensity | |
n.强烈,剧烈;强度;烈度 | |
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4 dissuade | |
v.劝阻,阻止 | |
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5 supplicating | |
v.祈求,哀求,恳求( supplicate的现在分词 ) | |
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6 controvert | |
v.否定;否认 | |
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7 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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8 defer | |
vt.推迟,拖延;vi.(to)遵从,听从,服从 | |
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9 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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10 reiterating | |
反复地说,重申( reiterate的现在分词 ) | |
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11 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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12 omen | |
n.征兆,预兆;vt.预示 | |
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13 sustenance | |
n.食物,粮食;生活资料;生计 | |
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14 demeanor | |
n.行为;风度 | |
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15 calamities | |
n.灾祸,灾难( calamity的名词复数 );不幸之事 | |
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16 bloody | |
adj.非常的的;流血的;残忍的;adv.很;vt.血染 | |
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17 atrocity | |
n.残暴,暴行 | |
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18 disturbance | |
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调 | |
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19 broach | |
v.开瓶,提出(题目) | |
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20 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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21 accomplishment | |
n.完成,成就,(pl.)造诣,技能 | |
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22 frightful | |
adj.可怕的;讨厌的 | |
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23 enacted | |
制定(法律),通过(法案)( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24 reluctance | |
n.厌恶,讨厌,勉强,不情愿 | |
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25 appalling | |
adj.骇人听闻的,令人震惊的,可怕的 | |
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26 efface | |
v.擦掉,抹去 | |
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27 embitter | |
v.使苦;激怒 | |
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28 narrative | |
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
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29 lottery | |
n.抽彩;碰运气的事,难于算计的事 | |
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30 holder | |
n.持有者,占有者;(台,架等)支持物 | |
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31 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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32 preservation | |
n.保护,维护,保存,保留,保持 | |
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33 frailness | |
n.脆弱,不坚定 | |
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34 tenure | |
n.终身职位;任期;(土地)保有权,保有期 | |
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35 buoyed | |
v.使浮起( buoy的过去式和过去分词 );支持;为…设浮标;振奋…的精神 | |
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36 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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37 abject | |
adj.极可怜的,卑屈的 | |
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38 speculation | |
n.思索,沉思;猜测;投机 | |
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39 entreating | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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40 cape | |
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风 | |
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41 rendering | |
n.表现,描写 | |
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42 finesse | |
n.精密技巧,灵巧,手腕 | |
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43 condemn | |
vt.谴责,指责;宣判(罪犯),判刑 | |
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44 precisely | |
adv.恰好,正好,精确地,细致地 | |
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45 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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46 diabolical | |
adj.恶魔似的,凶暴的 | |
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47 hatred | |
n.憎恶,憎恨,仇恨 | |
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48 shudder | |
v.战粟,震动,剧烈地摇晃;n.战粟,抖动 | |
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49 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
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50 suspense | |
n.(对可能发生的事)紧张感,担心,挂虑 | |
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51 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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52 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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53 doomed | |
命定的 | |
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54 gasping | |
adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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55 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
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56 exquisite | |
adj.精美的;敏锐的;剧烈的,感觉强烈的 | |
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57 appeased | |
安抚,抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 ); 绥靖(满足另一国的要求以避免战争) | |
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58 devoured | |
吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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59 piecemeal | |
adj.零碎的;n.片,块;adv.逐渐地;v.弄成碎块 | |
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60 memorable | |
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的 | |
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61 contrived | |
adj.不自然的,做作的;虚构的 | |
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62 gale | |
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等) | |
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63 scanty | |
adj.缺乏的,仅有的,节省的,狭小的,不够的 | |
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64 huddled | |
挤在一起(huddle的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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65 revolving | |
adj.旋转的,轮转式的;循环的v.(使)旋转( revolve的现在分词 );细想 | |
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66 lamentable | |
adj.令人惋惜的,悔恨的 | |
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67 axe | |
n.斧子;v.用斧头砍,削减 | |
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68 berths | |
n.(船、列车等的)卧铺( berth的名词复数 );(船舶的)停泊位或锚位;差事;船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 );占铺位 | |
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69 berth | |
n.卧铺,停泊地,锚位;v.使停泊 | |
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70 descending | |
n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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71 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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72 rekindled | |
v.使再燃( rekindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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74 descended | |
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
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75 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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76 dreading | |
v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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77 labors | |
v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 );苦干;详细分析;(指引擎)缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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78 interval | |
n.间隔,间距;幕间休息,中场休息 | |
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79 schooner | |
n.纵帆船 | |
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80 derive | |
v.取得;导出;引申;来自;源自;出自 | |
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81 terrapin | |
n.泥龟;鳖 | |
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82 peculiarity | |
n.独特性,特色;特殊的东西;怪癖 | |
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83 nourishment | |
n.食物,营养品;营养情况 | |
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84 expiration | |
n.终结,期满,呼气,呼出物 | |
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85 killing | |
n.巨额利润;突然赚大钱,发大财 | |
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86 deprivation | |
n.匮乏;丧失;夺去,贫困 | |
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87 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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88 nutritious | |
adj.有营养的,营养价值高的 | |
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89 seamen | |
n.海员 | |
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90 limpid | |
adj.清澈的,透明的 | |
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91 fervent | |
adj.热的,热烈的,热情的 | |
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92 prodigious | |
adj.惊人的,奇妙的;异常的;巨大的;庞大的 | |
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93 jug | |
n.(有柄,小口,可盛水等的)大壶,罐,盂 | |
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94 cork | |
n.软木,软木塞 | |
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95 tranquil | |
adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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96 repose | |
v.(使)休息;n.安息 | |
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97 plentifully | |
adv. 许多地,丰饶地 | |
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