On the 26th, under an atmosphere perfectly2 clear and dry, the thermometer fell to 12 degrees F. below zero. Of the present distance of Gallia from the sun, and the number of leagues she had traversed since the receipt of the last mysterious document, there were no means of judging; the extent of diminution3 in the apparent disc of the sun did not afford sufficient basis even for an approximate calculation; and Captain Servadac was perpetually regretting that they could receive no further tidings from the anonymous4 correspondent, whom he persisted in regarding as a fellow-countryman.
The solidity of the ice was perfect; the utter stillness of the air at the time when the final congelation of the waters had taken place had resulted in the formation of a surface that for smoothness would rival a skating-rink; without a crack or flaw it extended far beyond the range of vision.
The contrast to the ordinary aspect of polar seas was very remarkable5. There, the ice-fields are an agglomeration6 of hummocks7 and icebergs8, massed in wild confusion, often towering higher than the masts of the largest whalers, and from the instability of their foundations liable to an instantaneous loss of equilibrium9; a breath of wind, a slight modification10 of the temperature, not unfrequently serving to bring about a series of changes outrivaling the most elaborate transformation11 scenes of a pantomime. Here, on the contrary, the vast white plain was level as the desert of Sahara or the Russian steppes; the waters of the Gallian Sea were imprisoned12 beneath the solid sheet, which became continually stouter14 in the increasing cold.
Accustomed to the uneven15 crystallizations of their own frozen seas, the Russians could not be otherwise than delighted with the polished surface that afforded them such excellent opportunity for enjoying their favorite pastime of skating. A supply of skates, found hidden away amongst the Dobryna’s stores, was speedily brought into use. The Russians undertook the instruction of the Spaniards, and at the end of a few days, during which the temperature was only endurable through the absence of wind, there was not a Gallian who could not skate tolerably well, while many of them could describe figures involving the most complicated curves. Nina and Pablo earned loud applause by their rapid proficiency16; Captain Servadac, an adept17 in athletics18, almost outvied his instructor19, the count; and Ben Zoof, who had upon some rare occasions skated upon the Lake of Montmartre (in his eyes, of course, a sea), performed prodigies20 in the art.
This exercise was not only healthful in itself, but it was acknowledged that, in case of necessity, it might become a very useful means of locomotion21. As Captain Servadac remarked, it was almost a substitute for railways, and as if to illustrate22 this proposition, Lieutenant23 Procope, perhaps the greatest expert in the party, accomplished the twenty miles to Gourbi Island and back in considerably24 less than four hours.
The temperature, meanwhile, continued to decrease, and the average reading of the thermometer was about 16 degrees F. below zero; the light also diminished in proportion, and all objects appeared to be enveloped25 in a half-defined shadow, as though the sun were undergoing a perpetual eclipse. It was not surprising that the effect of this continuously overhanging gloom should be to induce a frequent depression of spirits amongst the majority of the little population, exiles as they were from their mother earth, and not unlikely, as it seemed, to be swept far away into the regions of another planetary sphere. Probably Count Timascheff, Captain Servadac, and Lieutenant Procope were the only members of the community who could bring any scientific judgment26 to bear upon the uncertainty27 that was before them, but a general sense of the strangeness of their situation could not fail at times to weigh heavily upon the minds of all. Under these circumstances it was very necessary to counteract28 the tendency to de-spond by continual diversion; and the recreation of skating thus opportunely29 provided, seemed just the thing to arouse the flagging spirits, and to restore a wholesome30 excitement.
With dogged obstinacy31, Isaac Hakkabut refused to take any share either in the labors32 or the amusements of the colony. In spite of the cold, he had not been seen since the day of his arrival from Gourbi Island. Captain Servadac had strictly33 forbidden any communication with him; and the smoke that rose from the cabin chimney of the Hansa was the sole indication of the proprietor34 being still on board. There was nothing to prevent him, if he chose, from partaking gratuitously35 of the volcanic36 light and heat which were being enjoyed by all besides; but rather than abandon his close and personal oversight37 of his precious cargo38, he preferred to sacrifice his own slender stock of fuel.
Both the schooner39 and the tartan had been carefully moored40 in the way that seemed to promise best for withstanding the rigor41 of the winter. After seeing the vessels42 made secure in the frozen creek43. Lieutenant Procope, following the example of many Arctic explorers, had the precaution to have the ice beveled away from the keels, so that there should be no risk of the ships’ sides being crushed by the increasing pressure; he hoped that they would follow any rise in the level of the ice-field, and when the thaw44 should come, that they would easily regain45 their proper water-line.
On his last visit to Gourbi Island, the lieutenant had ascertained46 that north, east, and west, far as the eye could reach, the Gallian Sea had become one uniform sheet of ice. One spot alone refused to freeze; this was the pool immediately below the central cavern47, the receptacle for the stream of burning lava48. It was entirely49 enclosed by rocks, and if ever a few icicles were formed there by the action of the cold, they were very soon melted by the fiery50 shower. Hissing51 and spluttering as the hot lava came in contact with it, the water was in a continual state of ebullition, and the fish that abounded52 in its depths defied the angler’s craft; they were, as Ben Zoof remarked, “too much boiled to bite.”
At the beginning of April the weather changed. The sky became overcast53, but there was no rise in the temperature. Unlike the polar winters of the earth, which ordinarily are affected54 by atmospheric55 influence, and liable to slight intermissions of their severity at various shiftings of the wind, Gallia’s winter was caused by her immense distance from the source of all light and heat, and the cold was consequently destined56 to go on steadily57 increasing until it reached the limit ascertained by Fourier to be the normal temperature of the realms of space.
With the over-clouding of the heavens there arose a violent tempest; but although the wind raged with an almost inconceivable fury, it was unaccompanied by either snow or rain. Its effect upon the burning curtain that covered the aperture58 of the central hall was very remarkable. So far from there being any likelihood of the fire being extinguished by the vehemence59 of the current of air, the hurricane seemed rather to act as a ventilator, which fanned the flame into greater activity, and the utmost care was necessary to avoid being burnt by the fragments of lava that were drifted into the interior of the grotto60. More than once the curtain itself was rifted entirely asunder61, but only to close up again immediately after allowing a momentary62 draught63 of cold air to penetrate64 the hall in a way that was refreshing65 and rather advantageous66 than otherwise.
On the 4th of April, after an absence of about four days, the new satellite, to Ben Zoof’s great satisfaction, made its reappearance in a crescent form, a circumstance that seemed to justify67 the anticipation68 that henceforward it would continue to make a periodic revolution every fortnight.
The crust of ice and snow was far too stout13 for the beaks69 of the strongest birds to penetrate, and accordingly large swarms70 had left the island, and, following the human population, had taken refuge on the volcanic promontory71; not that there the barren shore had anything in the way of nourishment72 to offer them, but their instinct impelled73 them to haunt now the very habitations which formerly74 they would have shunned75. Scraps76 of food were thrown to them from the galleries; these were speedily devoured78, but were altogether inadequate79 in quantity to meet the demand. At length, emboldened80 by hunger, several hundred birds ventured through the tunnel, and took up their quarters actually in Nina’s Hive. Congregating81 in the large hall, the half-famished creatures did not hesitate to snatch bread, meat, or food of any description from the hands of the residents as they sat at table, and soon became such an intolerable nuisance that it formed one of the daily diversions to hunt them down; but although they were vigorously attacked by stones and sticks, and even occasionally by shot, it was with some difficulty that their number could be sensibly reduced.
By a systematic82 course of warfare83 the bulk of the birds were all expelled, with the exception of about a hundred, which began to build in the crevices84 of the rocks. These were left in quiet possession of their quarters, as not only was it deemed advisable to perpetuate85 the various breeds, but it was found that these birds acted as a kind of police, never failing either to chase away or to kill any others of their species who infringed86 upon what they appeared to regard as their own special privilege in intruding87 within the limits of their domain88.
On the 15th loud cries were suddenly heard issuing from the mouth of the principal gallery.
“Help, help! I shall be killed!”
Pablo in a moment recognized the voice as Nina’s. Outrunning even Ben Zoof he hurried to the assistance of his little playmate, and discovered that she was being attacked by half a dozen great sea-gulls89, and only after receiving some severe blows from their beaks could he succeed by means of a stout cudgel in driving them away.
“Tell me, Nina, what is this?” he asked as soon as the tumult90 had subsided91.
The child pointed92 to a bird which she was caressing93 tenderly in her bosom94.
“A pigeon!” exclaimed Ben Zoof, who had reached the scene of commotion95, adding:
“A carrier-pigeon! And by all the saints of Montmartre, there is a little bag attached to its neck!”
He took the bird, and rushing into the hall placed it in Servadac’s hands.
“Another message, no doubt,” cried the captain, “from our unknown friend. Let us hope that this time he has given us his name and address.”
All crowded round, eager to hear the news. In the struggle with the gulls the bag had been partially96 torn open, but still contained the following dispatch: “Gallia!
Chemin parcouru du 1er Mars au 1er Avril: 39,000,000 1.!
Distance du soleil: 110,000,000 1.!
Capte Nerina en passant.
Vivres vont manquer et . . .”
The rest of the document had been so damaged by the beaks of the gulls that it was illegible97. Servadac was wild with vexation. He felt more and more convinced that the writer was a Frenchman, and that the last line indicated that he was in distress98 from scarcity99 of food. The very thought of a fellow-countryman in peril100 of starvation drove him well-nigh to distraction101, and it was in vain that search was made everywhere near the scene of conflict in hopes of finding the missing scrap77 that might bear a signature or address.
Suddenly little Nina, who had again taken possession of the pigeon, and was hugging it to her breast, said:
“Look here, Ben Zoof!”
And as she spoke102 she pointed to the left wing of the bird. The wing bore the faint impress of a postage-stamp, and the one word: “FORMENTERA.”
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收听单词发音
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1
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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3
diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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4
anonymous
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| adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的 | |
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5
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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6
agglomeration
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| n.结聚，一堆 | |
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7
hummocks
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| n.小丘，岗( hummock的名词复数 ) | |
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8
icebergs
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| n.冰山，流冰( iceberg的名词复数 ) | |
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9
equilibrium
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| n.平衡，均衡，相称，均势，平静 | |
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10
modification
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| n.修改，改进，缓和，减轻 | |
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11
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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12
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
stouter
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| 粗壮的( stout的比较级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
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15
uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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16
proficiency
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| n.精通，熟练，精练 | |
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17
adept
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| adj.老练的，精通的 | |
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18
athletics
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| n.运动，体育，田径运动 | |
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19
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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20
prodigies
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| n.奇才，天才（尤指神童）( prodigy的名词复数 ) | |
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21
locomotion
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| n.运动，移动 | |
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22
illustrate
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| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
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23
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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24
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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25
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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27
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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28
counteract
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| vt.对…起反作用，对抗，抵消 | |
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29
opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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30
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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31
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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32
labors
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| 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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33
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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34
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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35
gratuitously
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| 平白 | |
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36
volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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37
oversight
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| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
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38
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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39
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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40
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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41
rigor
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| n.严酷，严格，严厉 | |
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42
vessels
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| 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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43
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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44
thaw
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| v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和 | |
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45
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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46
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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48
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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49
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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50
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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51
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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52
abounded
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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54
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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55
atmospheric
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| adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的 | |
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56
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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57
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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58
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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59
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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60
grotto
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| n.洞穴 | |
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61
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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62
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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63
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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64
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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65
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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66
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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67
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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68
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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69
beaks
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| n.鸟嘴( beak的名词复数 )；鹰钩嘴；尖鼻子；掌权者 | |
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70
swarms
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| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
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71
promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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72
nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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73
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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75
shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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77
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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78
devoured
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| 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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79
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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80
emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
congregating
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的现在分词 ) | |
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82
systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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83
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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84
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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85
perpetuate
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| v.使永存，使永记不忘 | |
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86
infringed
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| v.违反（规章等）( infringe的过去式和过去分词 )；侵犯（某人的权利）；侵害（某人的自由、权益等） | |
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87
intruding
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| v.侵入，侵扰，打扰( intrude的现在分词)；把…强加于 | |
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88
domain
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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89
gulls
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| n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
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90
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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91
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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92
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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93
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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94
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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95
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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96
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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97
illegible
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| adj.难以辨认的，字迹模糊的 | |
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98
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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99
scarcity
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| n.缺乏，不足，萧条 | |
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100
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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101
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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102
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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