Supposing I escaped suspicion, Laputa and Henriques would meet in the outhouse, and I must find some means of overhearing them. Here I was fairly baffled. There was no window in the outhouse save in the roof, and they were sure to shut and bolt the door. I might conceal3 myself among the barrels inside; but apart from the fact that they were likely to search them before beginning their conference, it was quite certain that they would satisfy themselves that I was safe in the other end of the building before going to the outhouse.
Suddenly I thought of the cellar which we had built below the store. There was an entrance by a trap-door behind the counter, and another in the outhouse. I had forgotten the details, but my hope was that the second was among the barrels. I shut the outer door, prised up the trap, and dropped into the vault4, which had been floored roughly with green bricks. Lighting5 match after match, I crawled to the other end and tried to lift the door. It would not stir, so I guessed that the barrels were on the top of it. Back to the outhouse I went, and found that sure enough a heavy packing-case was standing6 on a corner. I fixed7 it slightly open, so as to let me hear, and so arranged the odds8 and ends round about it that no one looking from the floor of the outhouse would guess at its existence. It occurred to me that the conspirators9 would want seats, so I placed two cases at the edge of the heap, that they might not be tempted10 to forage11 in the interior.
This done, I went back to the store and proceeded to rig myself out for my part. The cellar had made me pretty dirty, and I added some new daubs to my face. My hair had grown longish, and I ran my hands through it till it stood up like a cockatoo’s crest12. Then I cunningly disposed the methylated spirits in the places most likely to smell. I burned a little on the floor, I spilt some on the counter and on my hands, and I let it dribble13 over my coat. In five minutes I had made the room stink14 like a shebeen. I loosened the collar of my shirt, and when I looked at myself in the cover of my watch I saw a specimen15 of debauchery which would have done credit to a Saturday night’s police cell.
By this time the sun had gone down, but I thought it better to kindle16 no light. It was the night of the full moon — for which reason, I supposed, Laputa had selected it — and in an hour or two the world would be lit with that ghostly radiance. I sat on the counter while the minutes passed, and I confess I found the time of waiting very trying for my courage. I had got over my worst nervousness by having something to do, but whenever I was idle my fears returned. Laputa had a big night’s work before him, and must begin soon. My vigil, I told myself, could not be long.
My pony17 was stalled in a rough shed we had built opposite the store. I could hear him shaking his head and stamping the ground above the croaking18 of the frogs by the Labongo. Presently it seemed to me that another sound came from behind the store — the sound of horses’ feet and the rattle19 of bridles20. It was hushed for a moment, and then I heard human voices. The riders had tied up their horses to a tree and were coming nearer.
I sprawled22 gracefully23 on the counter, the empty bottle in my hand, and my eyes fixed anxiously on the square of the door, which was filled with the blue glimmer24 of the late twilight25. The square darkened, and two men peered in. Colin growled26 from below the counter, but with one hand I held the scruff of his neck.
‘Hullo,’ I said, ‘ish that my black friend? Awfly shorry, old man, but I’ve f’nish’d th’ whisky. The bo-o-ottle shempty,’ and I waved it upside down with an imbecile giggle28.
Laputa said something which I did not catch. Henriques laughed an ugly laugh.
‘We had better make certain of him,’ he said.
The two argued for a minute, and then Laputa seemed to prevail. The door was shut and the key, which I had left in the lock, turned on me.
I gave them five minutes to get to the outhouse and settle to business. Then I opened the trap, got into the cellar, and crawled to the other end. A ray of light was coming through the partially29 raised door. By a blessed chance some old bricks had been left behind, and of these I made a footstool, which enabled me to get my back level with the door and look out. My laager of barrels was intact, but through a gap I had left I could see the two men sitting on the two cases I had provided for them. A lantern was set between them, and Henriques was drinking out of a metal flask30.
He took something — I could not see what — out of his pocket, and held it before his companion.
‘Spoils of war,’ he said. ‘I let Sikitola’s men draw first blood. They needed it to screw up their courage. Now they are as wild as Umbooni’s.
Laputa asked a question.
‘It was the Dutchmen, who were out on the Koodoo Flats with their cattle. Man, it’s no good being squeamish. Do you think you can talk over these surly back-veld fools? If we had not done it, the best of their horses would now be over the Berg to give warning. Besides, I tell you, Sikitola’s men wanted blooding. I did for the old swine, Coetzee, with my own hands. Once he set his dogs on me, and I don’t forget an injury.’
Laputa must have disapproved31, for Henriques’ voice grew high.
‘Run the show the way you please,’ he cried; ‘but don’t blame me if you make a hash of it. God, man, do you think you are going to work a revolution on skim milk? If I had my will, I would go in and stick a knife in the drunken hog32 next door.’
‘He is safe enough,’ Laputa replied. ‘I gave him the chance of life, and he laughed at me. He won’t get far on his road home.’
This was pleasant hearing for me, but I scarcely thought of myself. I was consumed with a passion of fury against the murdering yellow devil. With Laputa I was not angry; he was an open enemy, playing a fair game. But my fingers itched33 to get at the Portugoose — that double-dyed traitor34 to his race. As I thought of my kindly35 old friends, lying butchered with their kinsfolk out in the bush, hot tears of rage came to my eyes. Perfect love casteth out fear, the Bible says; but, to speak it reverently36, so does perfect hate. Not for safety and a king’s ransom37 would I have drawn38 back from the game. I prayed for one thing only, that God in His mercy would give me the chance of settling with Henriques.
I fancy I missed some of the conversation, being occupied with my own passion. At any rate, when I next listened the two were deep in plans. Maps were spread beside them, and Laputa’s delicate forefinger39 was tracing a route. I strained my ears, but could catch only a few names. Apparently40 they were to keep in the plains till they had crossed the Klein Labongo and the Letaba. I thought I caught the name of the ford41 of the latter; it sounded like Dupree’s Drift. After that the talk became plainer, for Laputa was explaining in his clear voice. The force would leave the bush, ascend42 the Berg by the glen of the Groot Letaba, and the first halt would be called at a place called Inanda’s Kraal, where a promontory43 of the high-veld juts44 out behind the peaks called the Wolkberg or Cloud Mountains. All this was very much to the point, and the names sunk into my memory like a die into wax.
‘Meanwhile,’ said Laputa, ‘there is the gathering45 at Ntabakaikonjwa.8 It will take us three hours’ hard riding to get there.’
8 Literally46, ‘The Hill which is not to be pointed47 at’.
Where on earth was Ntabakaikonjwa? It must be the native name for the Rooirand, for after all Laputa was not likely to use the Dutch word for his own sacred place.
‘Nothing has been forgotten. The men are massed below the cliffs, and the chiefs and the great indunas will enter the Place of the Snake. The door will be guarded, and only the password will get a man through. That word is “Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”’
‘Well, when we get there, what happens?’ Henriques asked with a laugh. ‘What kind of magic will you spring on us?’
There was a strong contrast between the flippant tone of the Portugoose and the grave voice which answered him.
‘The Keeper of the Snake will open the holy place, and bring forth48 the Isetembiso sami.9 As the leader of my people, I will assume the collar of Umkulunkulu in the name of our God and the spirits of the great dead.’
9 Literally, ‘Very sacred thing’.
‘But you don’t propose to lead the march in a necklace of rubies,’ said Henriques, with a sudden eagerness in his voice.
Again Laputa spoke50 gravely, and, as it were, abstractedly. I heard the voice of one whose mind was fixed on a far horizon.
‘When I am acclaimed51 king, I restore the Snake to its Keeper, and swear never to clasp it on my neck till I have led my people to victory.’
‘I see,’ said Henriques. ‘What about the purification you mentioned?’
I had missed this before and listened earnestly.
‘The vows52 we take in the holy place bind54 us till we are purged55 of them at Inanda’s Kraal. Till then no blood must be shed and no flesh eaten. It was the fashion of our forefathers56.’
‘Well, I think you’ve taken on a pretty risky57 job,’ Henriques said. ‘You propose to travel a hundred miles, binding58 yourself not to strike a blow. It is simply putting yourself at the mercy of any police patrol.’
‘There will be no patrol,’ Laputa replied. ‘Our march will be as secret and as swift as death. I have made my preparations.’
‘But suppose you met with opposition,’ the Portugoose persisted, ‘would the rule hold?’
‘If any try to stop us, we shall tie them hand and foot, and carry them with us. Their fate will be worse than if they had been slain59 in battle.’
‘I see,’ said Henriques, whistling through his teeth. ‘Well, before we start this vow53 business, I think I’ll go back and settle that storekeeper.’
Laputa shook his head. ‘Will you be serious and hear me? We have no time to knife harmless fools. Before we start for Ntabakaikonjwa I must have from you the figures of the arming in the south. That is the one thing which remains60 to be settled.’
I am certain these figures would have been most interesting, but I never heard them. My feet were getting cramped61 with standing on the bricks, and I inadvertently moved them. The bricks came down with a rattle, and unfortunately in slipping I clutched at the trap. This was too much for my frail62 prop49, and the door slammed down with a great noise.
Here was a nice business for the eavesdropper63! I scurried64 along the passage as stealthily as I could and clambered back into the store, while I heard the sound of Laputa and Henriques ferreting among the barrels. I managed to throttle65 Colin and prevent him barking, but I could not get the confounded trap to close behind me. Something had jammed in it, and it remained half a foot open.
I heard the two approaching the door, and I did the best thing that occurred to me. I pulled Colin over the trap, rolled on the top of him, and began to snore heavily as if in a drunken slumber66.
The key was turned, and the gleam of a lantern was thrown on the wall. It flew up and down as its bearer cast the light into the corners.
‘By God, he’s gone,’ I heard Henriques say. ‘The swine was listening, and he has bolted now.’
‘He won’t bolt far,’ Laputa said. ‘He is here. He is snoring behind the counter.’
These were anxious moments for me. I had a firm grip on Colin’s throat, but now and then a growl27 escaped, which was fortunately blended with my snores. I felt that a lantern was flashed on me, and that the two men were peering down at the heap on the half-opened trap. I think that was the worst minute I ever spent, for, as I have said, my courage was not so bad in action, but in a passive game it oozed67 out of my fingers.
‘He is safe enough,’ Laputa said, after what seemed to me an eternity68. ‘The noise was only the rats among the barrels.’ I thanked my Maker69 that they had not noticed the other trap-door. ‘All the same I think I’ll make him safer,’ said Henriques.
Laputa seemed to have caught him by the arm.
‘Come back and get to business,’ he said. ‘I’ve told you I’ll have no more murder. You will do as I tell you, Mr Henriques.’
I did not catch the answer, but the two went out and locked the door. I patted the outraged70 Colin, and got to my feet with an aching side where the confounded lid of the trap had been pressing. There was no time to lose for the two in the outhouse would soon be setting out, and I must be before them.
With no better light than a ray of the moon through the window, I wrote a message on a leaf from my pocket-book. I told of the plans I had overheard, and especially I mentioned Dupree’s Drift on the Letaba. I added that I was going to the Rooirand to find the secret of the cave, and in one final sentence implored71 Arcoll to do justice on the Portugoose. That was all, for I had no time for more. I carefully tied the paper with a string below the collar of the dog.
Then very quietly I went into the bedroom next door — the side of the store farthest from the outhouse. The place was flooded with moonlight, and the window stood open, as I had left it in the afternoon. As softly as I could I swung Colin over the sill and clambered after him. In my haste I left my coat behind me with my pistol in the pocket.
Now came a check. My horse was stabled in the shed, and that was close to the outhouse. The sound of leading him out would most certainly bring Laputa and Henriques to the door. In that moment I all but changed my plans. I thought of slipping back to the outhouse and trying to shoot the two men as they came forth. But I reflected that, before I could get them both, one or other would probably shoot me. Besides, I had a queer sort of compunction about killing72 Laputa. I understood now why Arcoll had stayed his hand from murder, and I was beginning to be of his opinion on our arch-enemy.
Then I remembered the horses tied up in the bush. One of them I could get with perfect safety. I ran round the end of the store and into the thicket73, keeping on soft grass to dull my tread. There, tied up to a merula tree, were two of the finest beasts I had seen in Africa. I selected the better, an Africander stallion of the blaauw-schimmel, or blue-roan type, which is famous for speed and endurance. Slipping his bridle21 from the branch, I led him a little way into the bush in the direction of the Rooirand.
Then I spoke to Colin. ‘Home with you,’ I said. ‘Home, old man, as if you were running down a tsessebe.’10
10 A species of buck74, famous for its speed.
The dog seemed puzzled. ‘Home,’ I said again, pointing west in the direction of the Berg. ‘Home, you brute75.’
And then he understood. He gave one low whine76, and cast a reproachful eye on me and the blue roan. Then he turned, and with his head down set off with great lopes on the track of the road I had ridden in the morning.
A second later and I was in the saddle, riding hell-for-leather for the north.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
miscreant
|
|
| n.恶棍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
incapably
|
|
| adj.无能力的，不会的；不能的；[法]没有资格的；不舞之鹤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
vault
|
|
| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
odds
|
|
| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
conspirators
|
|
| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
forage
|
|
| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
crest
|
|
| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
dribble
|
|
| v.点滴留下，流口水；n.口水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
stink
|
|
| vi.发出恶臭；糟透，招人厌恶；n.恶臭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
specimen
|
|
| n.样本，标本 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
kindle
|
|
| v.点燃，着火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
pony
|
|
| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
croaking
|
|
| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
bridles
|
|
| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
sprawled
|
|
| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
gracefully
|
|
| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
glimmer
|
|
| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
growl
|
|
| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
giggle
|
|
| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
partially
|
|
| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
flask
|
|
| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
disapproved
|
|
| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
hog
|
|
| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
itched
|
|
| v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
reverently
|
|
| adv.虔诚地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
ransom
|
|
| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
Ford
|
|
| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
ascend
|
|
| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
promontory
|
|
| n.海角；岬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
juts
|
|
| v.（使）突出( jut的第三人称单数 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
prop
|
|
| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
acclaimed
|
|
| adj.受人欢迎的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
vows
|
|
| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
vow
|
|
| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
bind
|
|
| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
purged
|
|
| 清除（政敌等）( purge的过去式和过去分词 )； 涤除（罪恶等）； 净化（心灵、风气等）； 消除（错事等）的不良影响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
forefathers
|
|
| n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
risky
|
|
| adj.有风险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
binding
|
|
| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
slain
|
|
| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
cramped
|
|
| a.狭窄的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
eavesdropper
|
|
| 偷听者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
scurried
|
|
| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
throttle
|
|
| n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
oozed
|
|
| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的过去式和过去分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
eternity
|
|
| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
maker
|
|
| n.制造者，制造商 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
outraged
|
|
| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
killing
|
|
| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
thicket
|
|
| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
brute
|
|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
whine
|
|
| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |