4 The terms morning and evening, which I have made use of to avoid confusion in my narrative13, as far as possible, must not, of course, be taken in their ordinary sense. For a long time past we had had no night at all, the daylight being continual. The dates throughout are according to nautical14 time, and the bearing must be understood as per compass. I would also remark, in this place, that I cannot, in the first portion of what is here written, pretend to strict accuracy in respect to dates, or latitudes15 and longitudes18, having kept no regular journal until after the period of which this first portion treats. In many instances I have relied altogether upon memory.
January 19. — To-day, being in latitude16 83 degrees 20’, longitude17 43 degrees 5’ W. (the sea being of an extraordinarily19 dark colour), we again saw land from the masthead, and, upon a closer scrutiny20, found it to be one of a group of very large islands. The shore was precipitous, and the interior seemed to be well wooded, a circumstance which occasioned us great joy. In about four hours from our first discovering the land we came to anchor in ten fathoms, sandy bottom, a league from the coast, as a high surf, with strong ripples21 here and there, rendered a nearer approach of doubtful expediency22. The two largest boats were now ordered out, and a party, well armed (among whom were Peters and myself), proceeded to look for an opening in the reef which appeared to encircle the island. After searching about for some time, we discovered an inlet, which we were entering, when we saw four large canoes put off from the shore, filled with men who seemed to be well armed. We waited for them to come up, and, as they moved with great rapidity, they were soon within hail. Captain Guy now held up a white handkerchief on the blade of an oar23, when the strangers made a full stop, and commenced a loud jabbering24 all at once, intermingled with occasional shouts, in which we could distinguish the words Anamoo-moo! and Lama-Lama! They continued this for at least half an hour, during which we had a good opportunity of observing their appearance.
In the four canoes, which might have been fifty feet long and five broad, there were a hundred and ten savages26 in all. They were about the ordinary stature27 of Europeans, but of a more muscular and brawny28 frame. Their complexion29 a jet black, with thick and long woolly hair. They were clothed in skins of an unknown black animal, shaggy and silky, and made to fit the body with some degree of skill, the hair being inside, except where turned out about the neck, wrists, and ankles. Their arms consisted principally of clubs, of a dark, and apparently30 very heavy wood. Some spears, however, were observed among them, headed with flint, and a few slings31. The bottoms of the canoes were full of black stones about the size of a large egg.
When they had concluded their harangue32 (for it was clear they intended their jabbering for such), one of them who seemed to be the chief stood up in the prow33 of his canoe, and made signs for us to bring our boats alongside of him. This hint we pretended not to understand, thinking it the wiser plan to maintain, if possible, the interval34 between us, as their number more than quadrupled our own. Finding this to be the case, the chief ordered the three other canoes to hold back, while he advanced toward us with his own. As soon as he came up with us he leaped on board the largest of our boats, and seated himself by the side of Captain Guy, pointing at the same time to the schooner, and repeating the word Anamoo-moo! and Lama-Lama! We now put back to the vessel, the four canoes following at a little distance.
Upon getting alongside, the chief evinced symptoms of extreme surprise and delight, clapping his hands, slapping his thighs35 and breast, and laughing obstreperously36. His followers37 behind joined in his merriment, and for some minutes the din2 was so excessive as to be absolutely deafening38. Quiet being at length restored, Captain Guy ordered the boats to be hoisted39 up, as a necessary precaution, and gave the chief (whose name we soon found to be Too-wit) to understand that we could admit no more than twenty of his men on deck at one time. With this arrangement he appeared perfectly satisfied, and gave some directions to the canoes, when one of them approached, the rest remaining about fifty yards off. Twenty of the savages now got on board, and proceeded to ramble40 over every part of the deck, and scramble41 about among the rigging, making themselves much at home, and examining every article with great inquisitiveness42.
It was quite evident that they had never before seen any of the white race — from whose complexion, indeed, they appeared to recoil43. They believed the Jane to be a living creature, and seemed to be afraid of hurting it with the points of their spears, carefully turning them up. Our crew were much amused with the conduct of Too-wit in one instance. The cook was splitting some wood near the galley44, and, by accident, struck his axe45 into the deck, making a gash46 of considerable depth. The chief immediately ran up, and pushing the cook on one side rather roughly, commenced a half whine47, half howl, strongly indicative of sympathy in what he considered the sufferings of the schooner, patting and smoothing the gash with his hand, and washing it from a bucket of seawater which stood by. This was a degree of ignorance for which we were not prepared, and for my part I could not help thinking some of it affected48.
When the visitors had satisfied, as well as they could, their curiosity in regard to our upper works, they were admitted below, when their amazement49 exceeded all bounds. Their astonishment50 now appeared to be far too deep for words, for they roamed about in silence, broken only by low ejaculations. The arms afforded them much food for speculation, and they were suffered to handle and examine them at leisure. I do not believe that they had the least suspicion of their actual use, but rather took them for idols51, seeing the care we had of them, and the attention with which we watched their movements while handling them. At the great guns their wonder was redoubled. They approached them with every mark of the profoundest reverence52 and awe53, but forbore to examine them minutely. There were two large mirrors in the cabin, and here was the acme54 of their amazement. Too-wit was the first to approach them, and he had got in the middle of the cabin, with his face to one and his back to the other, before he fairly perceived them. Upon raising his eyes and seeing his reflected self in the glass, I thought the savage25 would go mad; but, upon turning short round to make a retreat, and beholding55 himself a second time in the opposite direction, I was afraid he would expire upon the spot. No persuasion56 could prevail upon him to take another look; throwing himself upon the floor, with his face buried in his hands, he remained thus until we were obliged to drag him upon deck.
The whole of the savages were admitted on board in this manner, twenty at a time, Too-wit being suffered to remain during the entire period. We saw no disposition57 to thievery among them, nor did we miss a single article after their departure. Throughout the whole of their visit they evinced the most friendly manner. There were, however, some points in their demeanour which we found it impossible to understand; for example, we could not get them to approach several very harmless objects — such as the schooner’s sails, an egg, an open book, or a pan of flour. We endeavoured to ascertain58 if they had among them any articles which might be turned to account in the way of traffic, but found great difficulty in being comprehended. We made out, nevertheless, what greatly astonished us, that the islands abounded59 in the large tortoise of the Gallipagos, one of which we saw in the canoe of Too-wit. We saw also some biche de mer in the hands of one of the savages, who was greedily devouring60 it in its natural state. These anomalies — for they were such when considered in regard to the latitude — induced Captain Guy to wish for a thorough investigation61 of the country, in the hope of making a profitable speculation in his discovery. For my own part, anxious as I was to know something more of these islands, I was still more earnestly bent62 on prosecuting63 the voyage to the southward without delay. We had now fine weather, but there was no telling how long it would last; and being already in the eighty-fourth parallel, with an open sea before us, a current setting strongly to the southward, and the wind fair, I could not listen with any patience to a proposition of stopping longer than was absolutely necessary for the health of the crew and the taking on board a proper supply of fuel and fresh provisions. I represented to the captain that we might easily make this group on our return, and winter here in the event of being blocked up by the ice. He at length came into my views (for in some way, hardly known to myself, I had acquired much influence over him), and it was finally resolved that, even in the event of our finding biche de mer, we should only stay here a week to recruit, and then push on to the southward while we might. Accordingly we made every necessary preparation, and, under the guidance of Too-wit, got the Jane through the reef in safety, coming to anchor about a mile from the shore, in an excellent bay, completely landlocked, on the southeastern coast of the main island, and in ten fathoms of water, black sandy bottom. At the head of this bay there were three fine springs (we were told) of good water, and we saw abundance of wood in the vicinity. The four canoes followed us in, keeping, however, at a respectful distance. Too-wit himself remained on board, and, upon our dropping anchor, invited us to accompany him on shore, and visit his village in the interior. To this Captain Guy consented; and ten savages being left on board as hostages, a party of us, twelve in all, got in readiness to attend the chief. We took care to be well armed, yet without evincing any distrust. The schooner had her guns run out, her boarding-nettings up, and every other proper precaution was taken to guard against surprise. Directions were left with the chief mate to admit no person on board during our absence, and, in the event of our not appearing in twelve hours, to send the cutter, with a swivel, around the island in search of us.
At every step we took inland the conviction forced itself upon us that we were in a country differing essentially64 from any hitherto visited by civilized65 men. We saw nothing with which we had been formerly66 conversant67. The trees resembled no growth of either the torrid, the temperate68, of the northern frigid69 zones, and were altogether unlike those of the lower southern latitudes we had already traversed. The very rocks were novel in their mass, their color, and their stratification; and the streams themselves, utterly70 incredible as it may appear, had so little in common with those of other climates, that we were scrupulous71 of tasting them, and, indeed, had difficulty in bringing ourselves to believe that their qualities were purely72 those of nature. At a small brook73 which crossed our path (the first we had reached) Too-wit and his attendants halted to drink. On account of the singular character of the water, we refused to taste it, supposing it to be polluted; and it was not until some time afterward74 we came to understand that such was the appearance of the streams throughout the whole group. I am at a loss to give a distinct idea of the nature of this liquid, and cannot do so without many words. Although it flowed with rapidity in all declivities where common water would do so, yet never, except when falling in a cascade75, had it the customary appearance of limpidity77. It was, nevertheless, in point of fact, as perfectly limpid76 as any limestone78 water in existence, the difference being only in appearance. At first sight, and especially in cases where little declivity79 was found, it bore re. semblance80, as regards consistency81, to a thick infusion82 of gum arabic in common water. But this was only the least remarkable83 of its extraordinary qualities. It was not colourless, nor was it of any one uniform colour — presenting to the eye, as it flowed, every possible shade of purple; like the hues84 of a changeable silk. This variation in shade was produced in a manner which excited as profound astonishment in the minds of our party as the mirror had done in the case of Too-wit. Upon collecting a basinful, and allowing it to settle thoroughly86, we perceived that the whole mass of liquid was made up of a number of distinct veins87, each of a distinct hue85; that these veins did not commingle88; and that their cohesion89 was perfect in regard to their own particles among themselves, and imperfect in regard to neighbouring veins. Upon passing the blade of a knife athwart the veins, the water closed over it immediately, as with us, and also, in withdrawing it, all traces of the passage of the knife were instantly obliterated90. If, however, the blade was passed down accurately91 between the two veins, a perfect separation was effected, which the power of cohesion did not immediately rectify92. The phenomena93 of this water formed the first definite link in that vast chain of apparent miracles with which I was destined94 to be at length encircled.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
din
|
|
| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
fathoms
|
|
| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
speculation
|
|
| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
schooner
|
|
| n.纵帆船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
ridicule
|
|
| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
vessel
|
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
hawthorn
|
|
| 山楂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
flopped
|
|
| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
nautical
|
|
| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
latitudes
|
|
| 纬度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
latitude
|
|
| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
longitude
|
|
| n.经线，经度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
longitudes
|
|
| 经度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
extraordinarily
|
|
| adv.格外地；极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
scrutiny
|
|
| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
ripples
|
|
| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
expediency
|
|
| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
oar
|
|
| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
jabbering
|
|
| v.急切而含混不清地说( jabber的现在分词 )；急促兴奋地说话；结结巴巴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
stature
|
|
| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
brawny
|
|
| adj.强壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
slings
|
|
| 抛( sling的第三人称单数 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
harangue
|
|
| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
prow
|
|
| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
thighs
|
|
| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
obstreperously
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
deafening
|
|
| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
hoisted
|
|
| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
ramble
|
|
| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
scramble
|
|
| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
inquisitiveness
|
|
| 好奇，求知欲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
recoil
|
|
| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
galley
|
|
| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
axe
|
|
| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
gash
|
|
| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
whine
|
|
| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
idols
|
|
| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
awe
|
|
| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
acme
|
|
| n.顶点，极点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
beholding
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
persuasion
|
|
| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
abounded
|
|
| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
devouring
|
|
| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
investigation
|
|
| n.调查，调查研究 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
prosecuting
|
|
| 检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
essentially
|
|
| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
civilized
|
|
| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
conversant
|
|
| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
temperate
|
|
| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
frigid
|
|
| adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
scrupulous
|
|
| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
purely
|
|
| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
brook
|
|
| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
cascade
|
|
| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
limpid
|
|
| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
limpidity
|
|
| n.清澈，透明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
limestone
|
|
| n.石灰石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
declivity
|
|
| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
semblance
|
|
| n.外貌，外表 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
consistency
|
|
| n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
infusion
|
|
| n.灌输 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
hues
|
|
| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
veins
|
|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
commingle
|
|
| v.混合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
cohesion
|
|
| n.团结，凝结力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
obliterated
|
|
| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
accurately
|
|
| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
rectify
|
|
| v.订正，矫正，改正 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
phenomena
|
|
| n.现象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |