And tell me the craft of bold Allen-a-Dale.
The imperfect light which streamed through the chinks of the slabbed partitions between the place of confinement2 in the lock-up house and the room occupied by the constables4 enabled Rashleigh to see that the other confine was a very tall and bulky man, who lay upon the rude floor, wrapped up in an opossum-skin cloak. He scarcely deigned5 any reply to Ralph’s salutation of good-evening, but aroused himself, after a little while, upon observing that our adventurer had brought in a lighted pipe with him, and asked the other to fill one for him, which the stranger could not do for himself, as he was handcuffed.
This little piece of kindness, being performed, seemed to abate6 something of the stranger’s sullen7 reserve, for he sat up, and in reference to the mirth of his captors, who, it appeared by their jovial8 conversation, were now getting merry over their grog, the new-comer observed, in a tone of grim irony9, “Aye, booze away, my boys. You think you’re all right now; but my turn will come again yet.”
This remark exciting Rashleigh’s curiosity, he asked what his companion in captivity10 was confined for, but received only an evasive reply; and finding that the other eschewed11 any conversation, Ralph made a sort of bed with a few articles lent to him for that purpose by the lock-up keeper, on which he lay down and soon fell asleep.
Far in the night he was awakened13 by someone who said, “Get up, and come along,” shaking him as he did so. Not being thoroughly14 aroused, he could only at the moment notice that the door of the lock-up was open, and that a tall figure was going towards it. He involuntarily arose to dress himself; but before he had got his jacket on, the same figure reappeared, saying, “Why the hell don’t you make haste?”
Rashleigh thereupon went forth15 into the outer apartment, where he saw half a dozen men, in various dirty dresses, but all armed to the teeth. The two constables were fast asleep, with their arms resting on the table.
“Now,” said a voice which Ralph recognised as being that of the late captive, “get some fire sticks. We’ll set light to the hut and burn both it and these blasted dogs together.”
“Aye, aye!” responded his companions, thronging16 around the fireplace to obey the cruel mandate17.
“For God’s sake,” cried Rashleigh, “don’t burn the men, but go away. As you’ve got out, they won’t know anything about it, and you may be far enough before they awaken12.”
“Hold your infernal tongue!” retorted the other. “Or else we’ll handcuff you and chuck you neck and heels into the lock-up again, to be roasted like a snake in a log.”
Ralph was about to reply; but the man, whose strength was equal to his tremendous size, put one hand over his mouth, and gripping him by the collar with the other, led him out. They walked to a small distance in front of the hut, when Rashleigh’s companion halted and released him. Turning towards the lock-up, Ralph could see the roof was already in a light blaze; and as it was thatched with reeds, that combustible19 covering was rapidly consuming with a loud crackling noise, which contrasted fearfully with the perfect stillness of all around, and which, as our adventurer hoped, could not fail of awakening20 the slumbering22 inmates23.
Apparently24 his huge captor thought so too, for he asked of those standing25 near, “Has anyone fastened the jigger and the jumps (door and windows)?”
“Yes, I did,” responded another. “I took blasted good care not to leave the rascals26 a hole to creep out of.”
“Heavens!” said the horror-stricken Rashleigh. “You surely will not let the poor wretches28 die such a dreadfully lingering death.”
“You mind your own business, and be damned to you,” was the reply.
“At least, then,” persisted Ralph; “save the woman and her children. Think of your own mothers,”
“Now by hell and the devils!” roared the former captive. “If you breathe another whisper, I’ll blow your head off!” And as he said so, he cocked a horse-pistol, which he held close to his prisoner’s ear.
The stern determination of this ferocious30 ruffian’s countenance31, rendered plainly visible by the light of the burning hut, which cast a ruddy glare around, told Rashleigh he was not to be trifled with, and he wrung32 his hands in an agony of horror. Still, though the thatch18 of the lock-up house was now all consumed, and the flames had seized upon the slabbed ceiling, the doomed33 inmates slept on. Ralph supposed the men were insensible through intoxication34, but knew not how to account for the sound sleeping of the woman, who, with her two children, had retired35 to rest at the same time that he was himself locked up. In a few minuters more, a portion of the roof that had stood over their sleeping-room fell in, blazing up bright and fiercely just before its fall, its concussion36 scattering37 myriads38 of burning flakes39, which flew far up into the sky.
The next instant arose such a shrill40 and piercing scream that it agonised Rashleigh’s inmost soul, for he knew it emanated41 from the hapless mother just awakened to behold42 this dire43 calamity44. Next came the wailing45 cry of the children, shriek46 upon shriek, and the vain attempts of the men to break the clumsy fastenings of the door and windows, accompanied by many oaths and exclamations47 of despair. The timber walls now began to blaze, when Ralph, seizing an opportunity that offered by his guard’s relaxed vigilance for an instant, rushed towards the hut, bent48 on rescuing the inmates by forcing the door. At this moment one of the constables, having succeeded in breaking down the window shutter49, jumped out of the flames. In an instant four or five guns were discharged. The half-escaped wretch27 leaped convulsively up and fell to the earth, and immediately afterwards, Rashleigh received a violent blow from behind on the back part of his head, which stretched him, bleeding and insensible, on the ground.
When he recovered, he felt very stiff and sore; but on attempting to rise, he found himself fastened down to the earth so strongly as to prevent his doing so. His struggles apparently had the effect of attracting the attention of some watchful51 guard, who in a menacing tone bade him, “Lie still, and be damned to you, if you don’t want another knock on the head that will settle you altogether!”
This language effectually put an end to the attempts of our captive, who remained passive in his painful posture52 until the dawn of morning; in fact, from the mode in which he was bound, he was unable even to turn himself.
As soon as it became light he cast his eyes around and discovered that the party of men, whom he had seen at the lock-up house the night before, now lay in various positions upon the ground near him. The spot they occupied seemed to be only sheltered partially53 by an overhanging rock, and to be open to the bush on all sides save one, and from the edge of this semi-cavern54 the ground appeared to dip or sink into a valley. It was late in the morning when some of the party arose, made a fire, and commenced preparing breakfast, which consisted of tea made in tin quart pots, meat broiled55 upon the coals, and dough56 cakes cooked in the same way.
The remainder of the party, having now got up from their various lain, assembled round the fire, and Rashleigh then perceived that they were seven in all, variously dressed, some clad in government slops, and others in better habiliments, obviously unsuited to their station in society and most probably stolen from some settler. The nature of their avocation57 was now plain to Ralph. Their arms and the outrage58 they had committed after rescuing their captive leader from the lock-up spoke59 them to be one of those bands of ruthless bushrangers who then roamed at large in the wilds of Australia, carrying terror and devastation60 wherever they made their appearance.
While he was thus commenting upon the character of his guards or captors, and puzzling himself by vain conjectures61 as to what they could propose to do with him, the party had discussed their breakfast, which done, one of them approached our adventurer, and casting loose part of his fastenings, bade him get up. Rashleigh complied, and guided by the other, now approached the leader, who had seated himself on a small hillock near the entrance of the cavern. This man, whose name was Foxley, was of stature64 far above that of his fellows, and muscular in proportion; he was dressed in a fustian65 shooting-coat, with a broad riding-belt round the middle, containing two large pistols. Shaggy cloth trousers, a blue woollen shirt, fur cap and pampoos or rough hide boots completed his costume.
His first salute66 to the captive was, “Stand off, and don’t come too close. What were you in the lock-up for?”
“I gave myself up to complain of my master,” replied Rashleigh.
“Oh, you’re one of the complaining sort, eh? Who was your master?” demanded the other.
“One Arlack of Airds,” was the rejoinder.
“Well and what did he do to you?” enquired67 the bushranger.
“He wanted to starve me to death and work the flesh off my bones,” responded Ralph.
“Why the devil didn’t you knock the beggar’s brains out and take to the bush?” asked Foxley.
“Why, I thought it better to get away quietly,” was the answer.
“But wouldn’t you like to be revenged of the old tyrant69?” demanded the outlaw70.
“Why, yes,” returned Rashleigh, with some hesitation71; “if 1 could without murdering him or his family.”
“Murder be damned!” said the other fiercely. “If it was me, I’d set fire to the old brute72’s hut and burn both him and all that belonged to him in it. Bad egg, bad bird, as we used to say long ago in Tipperary!”
Ralph made no answer to this speech; but the truculently73 diabolical75 look that accompanied it, and a remembrance of the dreadful catastrophe76 of the last night, which it naturally excited, shot athwart his mind, and upon the recollection, too, of the woman’s piercing cry of horror, a shuddering77 fit seized our adventurer, which was plain enough to the bushranger, who added, with a strong expression of contempt, “But 1 can see you are a regular chicken-hearted crawling fool, who would stand anything and be trampled78 upon like a dog rather than turn out like a man. I wish I’d left you in the lockup, for you an’t worth saving; and maybe you’d hang us all if we was taken.”
“Aye, I told you so,” said another of the party, whose name was O’Leary. “I knew he was a cur.”
“Let’s knock the beggar on the head, to make sure of him,” said a third. And many threatening expressions burst from the rest of the party, who began to handle their weapons and eye poor Rashleigh with looks of the most hostile import.
“Silence!” cried the leader in a commanding voice. “I’ll not have him hurt, and you know I will have my way. We want somebody to carry our swag (plunder79) and cook our grub, for you all grumble80 like hell to take it in your turns; and this fellow shall do that. It is damned hard if seven men can’t watch one; and if we find him out in any treachery, he shall die like a dog, if he were twenty times my own father.”
To this the rest grumbled81 a surly sort of acquiescence82, and one of them was told by the chief that for one day he should be answerable for the captive, while another was warned to take charge of him at night, this duty being thus destined83 to all in turns.
Ralph was now completely unbound and informed that he might get his breakfast and then gather up the utensils84 and food in readiness to move off when he had done. In a very short time, all being prepared, the party set forward, Rashleigh bearing a heavy load and being closely followed by the person who had been directed to guard him. With this exception, no particular order appeared to be observed, nor were they very scrupulous85 in preserving silence. Indeed, from the nature of the country through which they passed, little danger was apprehended86. They travelled on some hours over a succession of broken ranges and at nightfall they found themselves near a small running creek87, the course of which they followed for a considerable distance. Having chosen a commodious88 spot, the fire was quickly kindled89 and Ralph prepared a meal, which all sat down together to partake of.
The conversation turned on their recent exploits. And now, for the first time, Rashleigh had reason to believe that the whole of the wretched inmates of the lock-up had perished miserably90 in the flames, for from words dropped in broken sentences, he learned that the man who had broken out in his sight and another who followed him through the same outlet91 had both been remorselessly shot dead, and their lifeless remains92 hurled93 into the blazing ruins. The fate of the woman and children was left to conjecture62; but as he gathered that some of the bushrangers had stayed by the burning lock-up house until it was completely consumed, there remained not the slightest hope that any had escaped with life.
After the band had finished their meal, Rashleigh was directed to prepare some dough for baking in the ashes, and on the flour bag being produced, Foxley remarked that it was getting low, but it was no matter, they would soon fill it again. From this remark and other expressions which fell from individuals of the party, our adventurer concluded they contemplated94 the commission of some fresh act of violence very soon. It was wearing late before the party lay down to rest; and when they did so the man who now took charge of Rashleigh for the night handcuffed his prisoner to himself.
Early the next morning they arose and after taking a meal, proceeded on their route. About midday one of the men observed he knew, by the shape of a certain hill close by, that they were not far from Campbelltown, which rather surprised our adventurer, as, from his idea of the distance they had walked, he imagined they were much nearer to Sydney, or to Liverpool at least, towards the sea-coast; but he afterwards found that in order to avoid the settled districts the bushrangers had made a very wide circuit, first going towards the east and then returning westward95,
The party now lay still in the heart of a very luxuriant scrub, or thicket96 of bushes, which was in fact so dense97 that nothing could be seen at the distance of a couple of yards. Here the men prepared their arms, made masks to conceal98 their features, and then lay quiet until dusk.
Shortly after nightfall they were again in motion, and having proceeded about four miles through a tract50 of open forest land, they again halted, two of the party being now sent forward to observe the intended object of attack. On their return they communicated their intelligence to Foxley, and all proceeded with stealthy caution in the way indicated by these spies. The bushrangers soon came to a narrow lane, and a dog was heard to bark at a very small distance. After a short consultation99 the body was divided, four of them getting over the right fence of the lane, along which the others continued to proceed in silence, Rashleigh being attached to the last-mentioned, who after proceeding100 a few rods farther, arrived before a small cottage, which Ralph, to his great pain, soon discovered was the neat little abode101 of Marshall, in which he had passed so pleasant a night a few weeks before. His consternation102 increased when he discovered, by the threatening execrations of their leader, that Bob, who had once been Foxley’s overseer, had in that capacity procured104 him the punishment of a flogging, for which the latter was now come to exact revenge according to his own brutal105 code of undiscriminating vengeance106.
Ardently107 did Rashleigh pray that some lucky chance might defeat the vindictive108 object of this ruthless ruffian, whose cold-blooded atrocity109, on the former occasion, had made a deep and heart-felt impression upon the mind of our adventurer; but all seemed as peaceful as the grave within and about the doomed dwelling110. Not a light glimmered111 through any opening, nor did even a dog bark outside — a circumstance which much surprised Rashleigh, who knew that the owner had more than six of these animals, some of whom were tied up all day, but allowed liberty to roam about the yards at night. And Marshall had boasted to him respecting the vigilance of two of them in particular, who, he asserted, would not suffer even a leaf to fall without giving the alarm, and were so ferocious that they would tear a stranger limb from limb after dark. He afterwards found that all these faithful guardians113 had been fastened up for this occasion in a distant shed by the family, in order to avoid any accidental rencontre with the company they had invited to celebrate the christening of their youngest child. Of this gathering114, of course, the bushrangers knew nothing; and they were consequently most amazed, while waiting the appointed signal from their detached confederates, to hear a peal116 of merry laughter emanating117 from some building in the rear of the cottage, whence also soon after issued the notes of a fiddle118 and tambourine119, the staple120 music of a colonial sheevo, or merry-making. There was an open gate beside the dwelling, through which the bushrangers cautiously passed into a stockyard that seemed to contain the building the sounds proceeded from; and on passing round some smaller sheds, they found this to be the case, for just before them was a large barn, through the chinks of which much light streamed, and other indications of revelry were manifested which audibly proclaimed the occupants of the barn were amusing themselves with a dance. The marauders were now joined by their four companions, who had approached by some back way.
The leader, Foxley, now issued his commands, that all the outbuildings should be searched to secure any stragglers and prevent them from escaping. This being done and no person discovered, the bushrangers now approached the only door of the barn, where they knocked some time without being heard; but when at length the door was opened, and the grim array of armed and masked figures in their uncouth121 and dirty dresses met the gaze of the festive122 party gathered within, a scene of universal consternation ensued. The women shrieked123, the children screamed with affright, and the men huddled124 themselves together.
Foxley now advanced into the middle of the floor, which terror had completely cleared, and he shouted out in loud and savage125 tones, “What! Are you all scared at a few young fellows that have come to your spree without being invited? Won’t anybody welcome us? No! Why, where’s the master of the house? Ha, I see you, Mr Marshall! Come out here”
And with that he very deliberately126 cocked his gun, which he levelled at the unfortunate man, while those who were near him slunk away, and he, seeing escape hopeless, reluctantly advanced towards the bushranger, saying as he did so, “You an’t a-going to murder an unarmed man, are you?”
Foxley deigned him no reply, but made a sign to one of his comrades whose name was O’Leary, who came to his side and having received a whispered command from his leader, produced a pair of handcuffs, with which he secured Marshall’s wrists and then retired with his prisoner.
Foxley now ordered all the terrified inmates of the barn to get together on one side of the door; and two of the other bushrangers coming in, one proceeded to search the pockets of the festive group, and laid whatever he found upon the floor at Foxley’s feet. The demented ones, after having been thus closely examined, were passed over to the other side of the barn, where they were strictly127 guarded.
It chanced however that one of the females was attacked by some sort of unusual fit, which produced a considerable degree of confusion, during which a young man and woman had the address to escape through die open door unobserved by any of the bushrangers. Rashleigh saw them, and going round the barn, suddenly confronted them as they were about to get over the fence.
The young woman, seeing him masked, shrieked; but our adventurer made a deprecatory motion and was about to approach her when her male companion said, “Stand back. I dare say you are armed; but by the heaven above us, you shan’t lay a finger on that girl, unless you do so over my dead body.”
“Be quiet,” returned our compulsory128 outlaw. “It seems the noise the young woman has made was drowned by the shrieks129 of that poor creature inside, or else you would find others who might not be inclined to let you go.
“Well,” replied the youth; “here’s all the money I’ve got, and my watch. I’ll give you that to let her go. I don’t care for myself.”
“No,” rejoined Rashleigh, suddenly making up his mind. “Go, both of you. I don’t want your money; but for the sake of heaven, make haste in to Campbelltown and tell the chief constable3 that Foxley the Murderer is here. Beg him to hurry; or Marshall will be slaughtered130 and all his family. Do not delay, as you hope for salvation131.”
“I’ll run every step,” said the girl, now recovered from her terror; and, jumping, over the fence, both disappeared, while Rashleigh, fearing lest he might have been missed, crept back in the shade of the barn to the spot where he had been placed by the bushranger who had the care of him.
In the mean time the sufferers in the barn having been reduced to order by the stern threats of Foxley, the ceremony of fleecing them proceeded anew. Both sexes underwent this ordeal132, being stripped of their money, trinkets, watches, and in several cases of their silk handkerchiefs, coats and waistcoats to boot, until there was a great heap of these articles of spoil upon the floor. All were plundered133 in this way, which, however, was not done without some delay, and a vast deal of tears, lamentations and entreaties134 from the females, as a cherished trinket or valued scrap135 of finery was snatched from its possessor by the rude hands of this unwonted toilet assistant; but Foxley was inexorable to all the prayers, entreaties, or all the soft artillery136 of blandishments with which he was plied63 by the fair victims, and in reply to their most moving supplications only ordered them to stand off.
At length, the whole party had been completely shorn of their disposables and the robber now directed the clothing to be stowed in some wheat sacks, loading his own pockets and filling his hat with the watches money and jewellery. When this was accomplished137, the sacks were put outside the door, and all — but two, to whom was deputed the task of guarding the prisoners in the barn — the bushrangers withdrew into the stockyard, where O’Leary and poor Marshall were standing. Foxley directed them to accompany him and Rashleigh to follow with his provision bags; they then all went to the back door of the dwelling-house.
This entrance was fastened in some way; but a blow from the butt138 end of Foxley’s piece made it fly open, and all the party went in. The interior was in darkness, and O’Leary was dispatched to the barn for a light. When he returned they saw a goodly store of poultry139 and other eatables, ready dressed, together with many bottles of wine and spirits, apparently prepared for transmission to serve as a supper for the party assembled in the barn.
Foxley, directing his address to Marshall, said, “What money have you got in the house?”
“Only about four pounds,” was the reply.
“Where is it?” was the next brief demand of the bushranger; and on being informed it was in the bedroom, he ordered Marshall to point it out and they both withdrew.
Presently the noise of breaking woodwork was heard, and loud curses from Foxley, apparently produced by disappointment at the meagre amount of the plunder. The door being left open when they came out, Rashleigh cast a glance into the once neat bedroom, which was now strewn with articles of dress and bedding, broken drawers, boxes, etc., in dire confusion.
“Where’s your tea and sugar?” now demanded Foxley; and the chest of tea and cask containing sugar being indicated, Ralph, under the direction of O’Leary, began to fill the bags he had brought with him for this purpose.
While this was doing, Foxley demanded of their unwilling140 host what had become of the money he had lately received for the wheat he had sold, and was answered that it had been all paid away, except the sum Foxley had got.
“I know that’s a damned lie,” was the rejoinder. “But no matter. Though I can’t get it, I’ll take precious good care you don’t live to enjoy it!”
The poor man, upon whom the stern brutality141 of Foxley began to produce an effect of fear, now again asked with a tremulous voice, “surely you will not murder a defenceless man, who has not done you any harm.”
“Silence, liar142!” was all the reply.
“For God’s sake, think of my poor wife and helpless children!” persisted Marshall.
“Think of your damned tyranny!” now roared Foxley, suddenly removing the crape from his face. “Look in my face, wretch! I am Philip Foxley, that you got flogged for neglect of work. Don’t you know me?” And then, sinking his voice to a sort of half whisper of concentrated malignity143. “If you had as many lives as I got lashes144 through you, aye, ten times told, I’d take them every one tonight. So you may make up your mind to die . . . I’ve already slaughtered eleven of my old masters and overseers, and you shall make up the dozen!! For I’m a good mark. I never forget to pay my debts.”
Marshall’s whole frame shook with terror at the sight of a man whose face he knew too well and whose bloodthirsty name was a terror to the whole country; but after a, strong effort, apparently perceiving the inutility of more entreaties, he calmed his outward demeanour.
In the mean time Rashleigh had got a quantity of tea, sugar and flour put up, to which some of the cooked food and four bottles of spirits were added by Foxley, who then withdrew into the yard with his prisoner. Here they were met by Mrs Marshall and her sister, who had but just ascertained145 that Bob was a prisoner, and who, driven to desperation by the idea of his probable fate, had rushed past the guards, who did not know what to do, not liking147 to fire upon two women, whom however they could not otherwise stop. They now clung to the doomed man with frantic148 eagerness, demanding what the wretches were going to do with him.
“Drag those women away!” roared Foxley, absolutely foaming149 at the mouth with fury at this further delay of his revenge; and after a severe struggle they were brutally150 torn from the arms of Marshall and forced back into the barn.
Foxley now directed McCoy to take charge of our adventurer and lead him to a certain place. Next, addressing O’Leary, he demanded, “Is your piece loaded with ball?”
“It is,” was the reply.
“Then, Marshall, kneel down and pray as if you mean it,” continued Foxley in a very cool tone. “I’ll give you ten minutes to make your peace with God!” And he took out the poor man’s watch, which he held near a light carried by another bushranger.
By this time Rashleigh, urged by McCoy, had taken up his load to depart, and turning away, could still hear the prayers and entreaties for mercy made by the wretched man, who seemed to increase the intensity151 of his supplications as the awful moment drew nearer. Just as our adventurer and his guide had got on a fence and were about to cross it, the former looked back, aroused by a yell from Foxley, which reached him like the blast of a clarion152 on the breeze.
“Down! Down on your knees! Here, O’Leary. He won’t pray. So be ready; and when I give the word, aim right between his eyes.”
The wretched man appeared still to be imploring153 his murderers for mercy when flashes close at hand, followed by the reports of a dozen or more muskets155, appalled156 the bushrangers, one of whom, the man who held the light close by Foxley’s face, fell with a piercing cry.
“Surrender, in the King’s name!” Was vociferated by many tongues.
“Fire at the beggars and keep close together, my lads. ’Tis your only chance!” roared out Foxley in reply; and again a stream of brilliant flashes gleamed on the darkness, followed by cries of pain, rage, anger and exultation157, according to the different fortunes of those who uttered them.
After the bushrangers had fired their pieces, they thronged158 round Foxley and all made their way to the fence, on which McCoy and Rashleigh had remained, as it were entranced by the suddenness of the surprise; but now, joined by the others, they were urged into a rapid flight by the exclamations and example of Foxley, who, with all his haste, forgot not to enquire68 whether their slavey — meaning Ralph — had escaped; and on finding he had not, he told McCoy it was a good job, for if that beggar had got away, his life should have answered for it, an asseveration which produced the effect of making McCoy doubly anxious for the security of the captive.
The darkness of the night and the confusion of those who had attacked them favoured the escape of the bushrangers, and having run across Marshall’s clearing, they gained the covert159 of the standing timber unpursued. Halting now to breathe awhile, the first care of the discomfited160 ruffians was to ascertain146 how many of their body were missing. Three of the party were accordingly found absent, two of whom were known to have fallen at the first fire, but whether dead or only wounded was uncertain. After a brief rest, they pursued their way with as much speed as possible, directing their course eastward161 by the guidance of the stars; and when daylight came they sought a deep and rugged162 gully, in which they concealed163 themselves. But the food had been lost, together with all their plunder, in the hurry of their flight, except the more portable articles taken from the festive group, which had been deposited on the persons of Foxley and McCoy.
Rashleigh might certainly have escaped from the bushrangers at the time he had spoken to the two runaways164 behind the barn; but he then preferred remaining until the police, whom he hoped they would send, should arrive, thinking that perhaps something might occur in the interim165 to enable him to save the poor man Marshall. His being placed under the strict charge of McCoy and hurried away before the constables came prevented his either doing this or joining them later and helping166 to capture the ruffianly crew, whom he had come to hate. We have seen that during their retreat, hasty as it was, he was too closely looked after to run in any other direction than the one pointed115 out to him. Deeming that at any rate Marshall’s life was saved for the present, he was the more readily consoled for this disappointment, because he hoped some opportunity must certainly occur before long to enable him to bid adieu to his ruthless companions.
The party of bushrangers, after having slept a few hours, awoke in very ill humour, as they were exceedingly hungry; and they all united in venting167 their spleen upon Rashleigh, whom they asserted might, if he had chosen, have retained and preserved the bag of provisions. O’Leary, who from the first had appeared to dislike the prisoner, never allowed any opportunity of showing that he did so to escape him, and now not only abused him heartily168, but struck him violently, and was about to repeat the blow when Foxley interfered169 to prevent him. An angry altercation171 then ensued between O’Leary and the leader, who seemed to be ready to fight over it. At the instance of the rest, who soothed172 and separated them, a hollow kind of peace was restored, though Rashleigh observed the former long afterwards muttered revengeful threats against both himself and Foxley, casting malignant173 glances at them from time to time.
The party, towards evening, began to consult who should venture into Campbelltown or Liverpool, from which places they were about equidistant, in order to purchase some necessary supplies of food. Prior to this being arranged, Foxley called up McCoy to produce the different articles of spoil he had carried, which being complied with and united to those in his own custody174, the whole was divided into four parts and apportioned175 by lot among the surviving bushrangers, Rashleigh not being allowed any portion. After this distribution was over, lots were again drawn176 for the purpose of ascertaining177 who should be their messenger, and O’Leary being pitched upon, he received from each a sum of money, divested178 himself of his arms, and departed.
Shortly after he was gone, Foxley, McCoy and Smith — the other bushranger — held a sort of consultation together, from part of which, overheard by our adventurer, it appeared to consist of invectives against their absent confederate O’Leary; and many dark hints of apprehended treachery on his part were thrown out by the leader, who proposed they should remove from the place in which they then were, and seek some more secluded179 spot before he came back, so that, in case he should prove faithless, they might witch him as he returned, and if he was accompanied by any one, they might thus be enabled to fly. This being acceded180 to, in a little while they all removed more than half a mile farther away, into the bottom of a narrow valley overhung with trees. By this time it was nearly night, and Foxley went back to lie in wait near their first camping-ground, so that, if all was right, he might guide O’Leary to their new retreat.
Time wore on. Rashleigh and the remaining two bushrangers were dozing181 near the fire; and it seemed to be late in the evening when O’Leary, conducted by Foxley, returned. They brought a good store of tea, sugar, bread, and salt pork, also four bottles of rum. Some of the meat being hastily cooked in a calabash, in another of which some water was boiled and tea prepared, the whole party made a hearty182 and most welcome meal. After this, O’Leary proposed they should have some grog, and produced the tip of a bullock’s horn to serve as a drinking-cup.
The present manners of this man seemed to excite some surprise in the minds of the others, one of whom remarked that he was getting mighty183 good all at once, as he pressed the others continually to drink and did not seem anxious to do so himself, alleging184 that he had drunk half a pint185 to his own share at Campbelltown, where he had purchased the supplies. Rashleigh noticed that in proportion as O’Leary increased in gaiety, Foxley became more gloomy and taciturn, until at last he wrapped himself up in his skin cloak and lay down to rest, which Ralph also did soon after. Having drunk a little of the rum, the latter quickly fell asleep; but a sudden squall of wind, that caused the fire near which he was lying to roar very loudly, again awoke him. He now got up in order to remove to a greater distance from the huge burning pile of wood. Before he again lay down, he observed that the two men he had left sitting with O’Leary now lay, stretched at full length, snoring loudly and apparently insensible from the effects of intoxication. O’Leary himself lay at a little distance, and Rashleigh fancied that he was not asleep; indeed, as the latter passed him, a ruddy glare of light appeared to sparkle from beneath his bushy brows, as if he had been watching the movement of our adventurer, who, however, once more disposed himself to rest, and was half asleep when he observed O’Leary raise his head and look furtively186 around towards himself and Foxley, who was obviously deeply buried in slumber21.
Ralph, willing to observe what O’Leary’s intentions were, settled himself to watch, but pretended to snore, counterfeiting187 sleep with all his might. In a few minutes O’Leary arose and taking in his hand the calabash in which the pork had been boiled, he crept slowly and stealthily towards McCoy and Smith, whose pieces lay beside them. Over the locks of these he dropped a small portion of the pot liquor, and then spilt some more upon the pistols which they wore in their belts. O’Leary now more cautiously approached Foxley, creeping along upon one hand and his knees, carrying the calabash in his right hand and an open knife in his mouth. When he had thus got dose to Foxley’s back, he raised himself a little and peered cautiously into the other’s face. Foxley lay with his gun secured fast between his knees, but still remained soundly asleep. After a pause, O’Leary took something out of his pocket, and appeared to the watchful Rashleigh bent upon turning the screw that secured the flint which lay conveniently exposed for his machinations, and which at last he effected, as Ralph could see by the firelight that the flint fell out when this was done. O’Leary made some futile188 attempts to possess himself of Foxley’s pistols, but fearing apparently to arouse the sleeper189, he again desisted, and after a short delay, on reattempting, managed to open both the pans and shut them softly, thus permitting the priming to fall out. He next wetted the whole of both the locks, after which he arose, and glancing around, took up his musket154 and stealthily withdrew in the direction of Campbelltown.
Rashleigh made no doubt from these proceedings190 that O’Leary was playing the traitor191, as the pains he took to render their arms useless proved that he expected an attack from someone whom he was now most probably going to seek, that he might guide them to the capture of his betrayed companions. Our adventurer was now much inclined to adopt the opportunity afforded him by the relaxed vigilance of his oppressors to withdraw and deliver himself into the hands of the police; but he reflected that if O’Leary’s plan proved successful, as there was every prospect192 of its doing, unless he should take steps to prevent it, they would all be tried together, in which case the traitor would unquestionably be accepted as an approver; and his well-known hatred193 to Rashleigh left no doubt of his evidence being directed to criminate the other, no matter how guiltless, as being actively194 concerned in the robbery and attempted murder of Marshall. Independent of the certain punishment to which he would be consigned195 if his guilty accession to this crime should be considered proved — and he knew too well the weakness of any exculpatory196 defence he could make, as it would be unsupported by any other evidence than his assertion, therefore he had every just cause, to dread29 such a result on the mere112 ground of fearing an ignominious197 death — he could not besides for a moment endure the idea that Marshall’s wife and sister-in-law, who had treated him with so much kindness, should suspect him of the base ingratitude198 of joining in an attempt so nefarious199 against them.
Actuated therefore by these double motives200, he resolved upon denouncing the traitor to Foxley, whom he awakened for the purpose by touching201 him with his foot. The bushranger sprang up at once, gun in hand, and presenting his weapon at Rashleigh’s head, hurriedly exclaimed, “Stand off, or I’ll fire! I’ll never be taken alive!” Then, seeing who it was, he demanded angrily what he wanted.
Rashleigh now briefly202 acquainted him with the conduct of O’Leary and his suspicions of this man’s treacherous203 intention, which the missing gun flints and wet pistols of Foxley too abundantly confirmed. McCoy and Smith were now awakened and made to comprehend their danger with some difficulty, owing to the drunken confusion of their thoughts.
Their fire-arms were now put in proper order, loaded and primed anew. It was then resolved that they should all withdraw a short distance within the covert of the thickest neighbouring shrubs204, there to await the issue of the event, Foxley’s opossum-skin rug and part of the other men’s clothing being disposed in such a manner where they had previously205 lain as to afford a slight resemblance to sleeping men, that might deceive any one approaching hastily, with only the fitful glare of the firelight to guide him.
They spent more than an hour, shivering for lack of their usual covering, in thus watching their late place of bivouac; and the intensity of the cold, together with their eager anxiety, made the time seem interminable. At length the noise of crackling twigs207 and a slight rustling208 in the brushwood denoted the approach of someone. Foxley stood next to our hero, who could not help remarking the diabolically209 savage expression of his features, the compressed lips and glaring eye-balls of the desperado evincing a ferocity and thirst for blood which were truly appalling210.
O’Leary first approached with cautious and stealthy steps, like those of a cat endeavouring to surprise her winged prey211. He bore a gun in his hand, and was followed by four other well-armed men, who emerged into the open space and looked around upon what they thought were the sleeping robbers. After a whispered consultation they separated and approached the places where the men seemed to lie. Foxley now motioned the other two to follow him, and while his opponents were still intent upon their supposed capture, the three bushrangers levelled their pieces and fired at the constables, one of whom fell, pierced by a ball in the forehead; and a second dropped directly afterwards. Foxley then clubbed his piece, and rushing upon O’Leary before the latter, amazed at this sudden surprise, could present his gun, he dealt the traitor such a fell blow that the stock of the musket broke short off and O’Leary sank on the ground without a groan212. In the mean time the other two constables, having partially recovered from their alarm, fired their muskets at random213 and hastily made off in safety.
Foxley and his mates now surrounded O’Leary.
“He an’t dead,” cried Smith.
“Stand on one side and I’ll blow his brains out!” said McCoy, cocking and presenting his gun.
“Hold!” shouted Foxley, knocking up his comrade’s piece with the musket barrel he still retained. “Don’t hurt him for your life! I would not for a thousand pounds the traitor should die so easy a death! I’ll pay him off better than that.” And fetching some water, he bathed O’Leary’s head, until the wounded man recovered consciousness.
The banditti now examined the other fallen men, one of whom they found quite dead. While they were stripping the body naked, the other, whose thigh214 was broken, got partially up, and deliberately resting his gun on the log, took a steady aim at McCoy, who stood beside O’Leary and was not aware of the danger. Rashleigh saw it, but would have cared nothing if all the three were shot, so did not interfere170; but unluckily, the bullet only whizzed close by the bushranger, burying itself deep in the bark of a tree against which he leaned. Foxley sprang upon the wounded wretch with his knife and stabbed him repeatedly until the yells of the dying man, which had at first rung through the forest, died away in inarticulate sobs215, whereupon McCoy, who had stood threateningly over the prostrate216 wretch with the broken musket barrel but feared to strike while Foxley was engaged in his brutal work, now rained a shower of blows upon the victim’s skull217 until it was actually smashed into a shapeless pulp218 of hair and brains. Both bodies were now stripped and hauled to a deep waterhole close by, into which they were finally thrown and a number of large loose masses of stone piled on them.
The ruffians then turned their attention to their living captive, whom, traitor as he was, and ruffianly as had been his conduct towards himself, Rashleigh could scarcely help pitying, as he concluded the truculent74 wretches who had captured him no doubt designed a fearful fate and dreadfully lingering death in expiation219 of his attempted treachery. At present, however, he was safely tied to one of the party and driven forward amid the blows and execrations of the other two, which he endured with a sulky silence. Rashleigh, loaded with their remaining provisions, was obliged to accompany them, marching along in their front. In this guise220 they shortly after daylight crossed the Great South Road, one of the bushrangers first exploring the way so as to assure his confederates that the path was free from impediment and that no travellers were near. They now entered a tract of very gloomy and sterile221 country, which seemed to descend222 perpetually and bore scarcely any other than that kind of trees which in the Colony are called forest oak, from what reason seems totally unintelligible223, as nothing, at any rate in external appearance, can be more dissimilar than this denizen224 of the Australian woods from the oak of old England.
At long past noon the party halted in a spot which to Rashleigh’s foreboding eyes appeared at any rate a fitting scene for the horrid225 tragedy he feared would here ensue. Not a blade of grass concealed the naked barrenness of the sod, which consisted of gravel226 only. Not a sunbeam could penetrate227 the umbrageous228 canopy229 of boughs230, whose formation and evergreen232 hue233 bore a striking resemblance to that of the funereal234 cypress235 or yew236. Not a sound disturbed the silence of the mighty world of forest, and all nature seemed hushed in horrid anticipation237 of the scene of barbarity which was about to disgrace the men here assembled, who, though they possessed238 the outward semblance206 of humanity, yet proved their hearts might vie with that of the tiger in ferocity.
Rashleigh was directed to make a fire and prepare some food, and O’Leary, being partially unbound, was confronted with Foxley, who eyed him with stern malignity for a few minutes, and at length broke silence, saying, “Well, have you got anything to say for yourself, you blasted wretch?”
The other replied with a voice of concentrated hatred, “No! I’m only sorry that you wasn’t all grabbed; for there’s nothing on earth I’d rather see than all three of you cowardly, blasted murdering dogs hanging.”
On this, McCoy, who was standing close by, raised his piece, and striking the scurrilous239 captive on the mouth, drove his front teeth down his throat with the brass-bound butt end of the musket. Of course O’Leary fell. But the remorseless Foxley cried out, “Fetch some water. Throw it on him . . . When he comes to, we’ll make him fast to a tree and flog him first as long as we can stand over him. After that we’ll hang him up to feed the crows.”
Soon after he was raised up perforce, as he refused to stand, and was bound to a neighbouring tree. Foxley, now taking off a broad leathern belt which he wore, flogged him with the buckle240 that secured it until to Rashleigh’s sickened sight it appeared as if large pieces of flesh were actually knocked off his back at each of the last blows. When Foxley was tired, he resigned the instrument of torture to Smith, who again applied241 the scourge242 until O’Leary, ceasing gradually his dreadful shrieks and the terms of bitter execration103 and abuse he had been heaping on his tormentors, suffered his head to sink on one side and hung, apparently lifeless, in his bonds.
McCoy next took the belt, saying, “Oh, you’re fainting, are you? Blast you, I’ll bring you to.” And he administered a sound thrashing in his turn to the now apparently insensible corpse244, until all present really thought O’Leary was dead.
“Hold your hand,” said Foxley; “or he won’t have life enough left to be worth hanging.”
Some moments after he was taken down from the tree and Foxley again directed water to be brought. McCoy gave him some, which he threw over O’Leary’s head; but Smith scraped a piece of salt pork into some water in which Rashleigh had washed other slices; and this wretch now brought it to the seemingly lifeless sufferer, saying, “Clear the way. I have something will revive him with a vengeance!” And he began to rub their victim’s lacerated back with the saline fluid.
O’Leary almost instantly returned to consciousness, and the intolerable anguish245 occasioned by this smarting application made him howl with torment243, he mingling246 his yells with the direst reproaches and most biting sarcasms247 against his tormentors.
“Gag the brute!” at last said Foxley; and a short stick having been forced into his mouth, it was tied fast at the back of his head.
A cord was next made of some supple248 green vines, and a tree having been selected, one of whose vast arms stretched out horizontally at a distance of about twelve feet from the ground, the most agile249 of the bushrangers climbed up with one end of the rope, which he fastened round the limb, a running noose250 being formed at the other extremity251. A pile of logs was next made up immediately under the bough231 in such a manner that a slight push would throw them down again.
The wretched captive had watched all these movements with foreboding eyes. He now struggled violently to rid himself from his bonds, but in vain, biting furiously at the stick in his mouth and speaking incoherently in his abortive252 rage. The dread preparations being all made, Foxley came towards the detected traitor and began to drag him towards the place destined for his final exit; but O’Leary forcibly threw himself on the earth, and it was as much as the united exertions253 of Foxley and Smith could effect to bear the struggling ruffian to his death, and no sooner had they placed him on the logs, than his struggles knocked them all down. At length he seemed somewhat exhausted254 and they contrived255 to secure the rude noose around his neck. Foxley, with O’Leary in his arms, next got on a fallen tree and called out to his confederates above to tighten256 the rope. When this was done, the robber chief cast his burden rudely away, and O’Leary swung to and fro, distorting his limbs in convulsive spasms257 of agony.
Twice, through the stretching of the green vines, the rope lengthened258 so much that the feet of the dying victim touched the ground; and twice did Foxley hold his body up on high, so that his life might at last be ended, while Rashleigh, in pity to his prolonged agony, prayed that at least they would blow the quivering ruffian’s brains out.
“No!” was the brutal declaration of the leader. “I would not shorten his well-deserved struggles a single second, for a thousand pounds! He did worse than a dog’s deed. and he is now dying a dog’s death., as he ought!”
This truly dreadful scene, which harrowed every fibre in the body of our adventurer, was at length brought to a close. The awful death rattle259 and a final quivering convulsion that shook his whole frame announced that last dread struggle of nature to be over, and O’Leary was a rigid260 breathless corpse.
A meal was now prepared by Rashleigh, to which his three ruffianly companions did ample justice, making during its progress many coarse jests and brutal allusions261 to the death pangs262 of their treacherous associate, whose lifeless body hung within a very few feet of the spot they had selected for their repast.
It may easily be conceived that our adventurer had no appetite after the appalling scene of mortal suffering he had so recently witnessed, and he waited most anxiously for the signal to commence their march, so that he might at least be relieved from the sight of the dead ruffian. But he had a task to complete that he did not anticipate; for Foxley, seeing that he had put together the fragments of food and their humble263 cooking materials, ordered him to gather a pile of dry wood and place it beneath the body of O’Leary as it hung. This being quickly done, as there was abundance of fuel at hand, one of the party applied fire to the pile, and when it was alight another got on the limb to which the rope was fastened, which he cut through, and the corpse fell into the midst of the flames, while the bystanders laughed, and Foxley remarked, “The damned scoundrel has got a warmer bed now he’s dead than ever he had during his life!”
An additional quantity of dry timber being now thrown into the fire, until the corpse was completely concealed from view, the desperadoes only waited until the roaring progress of the devouring264 element assured the dead bushranger’s combustion265, when they withdrew.
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1
riddle
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| n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜 | |
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2
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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3
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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constables
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| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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5
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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7
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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10
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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11
eschewed
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| v.（尤指为道德或实际理由而）习惯性避开，回避( eschew的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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13
awakened
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| 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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14
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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15
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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thronging
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的现在分词 ) | |
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17
mandate
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| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
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18
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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19
combustible
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| a. 易燃的,可燃的; n. 易燃物,可燃物 | |
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20
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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21
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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23
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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24
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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25
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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27
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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29
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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30
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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31
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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32
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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33
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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34
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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35
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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36
concussion
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| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
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37
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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38
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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39
flakes
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| 小薄片( flake的名词复数 )； （尤指）碎片； 雪花； 古怪的人 | |
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40
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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41
emanated
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| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的过去式和过去分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
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42
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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43
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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44
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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45
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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46
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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47
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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48
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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49
shutter
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| n.百叶窗；(照相机)快门；关闭装置 | |
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50
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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51
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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52
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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53
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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54
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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55
broiled
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| a.烤过的 | |
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56
dough
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| n.生面团；钱，现款 | |
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57
avocation
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| n.副业，业余爱好 | |
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58
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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59
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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60
devastation
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| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
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61
conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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62
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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63
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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64
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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65
fustian
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| n.浮夸的；厚粗棉布 | |
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66
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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67
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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68
enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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69
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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70
outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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71
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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72
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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73
truculently
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74
truculent
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| adj.野蛮的，粗野的 | |
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75
diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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76
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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77
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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78
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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79
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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80
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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81
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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82
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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83
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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84
utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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85
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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86
apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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87
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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88
commodious
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| adj.宽敞的；使用方便的 | |
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89
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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90
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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91
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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92
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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93
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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94
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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95
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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96
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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97
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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98
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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99
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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100
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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101
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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102
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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103
execration
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| n.诅咒，念咒，憎恶 | |
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104
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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105
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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106
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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107
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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108
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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109
atrocity
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| n.残暴，暴行 | |
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110
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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111
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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112
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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113
guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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114
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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115
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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116
peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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117
emanating
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| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的现在分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
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118
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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119
tambourine
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| n.铃鼓，手鼓 | |
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120
staple
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|
| n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类 | |
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121
uncouth
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|
| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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122
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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123
shrieked
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|
| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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125
savage
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|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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126
deliberately
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|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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127
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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128
compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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129
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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130
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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132
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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133
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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134
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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135
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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136
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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137
accomplished
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|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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138
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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139
poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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140
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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141
brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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142
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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143
malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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144
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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145
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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146
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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147
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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148
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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149
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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150
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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151
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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152
clarion
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| n.尖音小号声；尖音小号 | |
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153
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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154
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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155
muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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156
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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157
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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158
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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159
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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160
discomfited
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| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
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161
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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162
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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163
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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164
runaways
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| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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165
interim
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| adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间 | |
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166
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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167
venting
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| 消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风 | |
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168
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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169
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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170
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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171
altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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172
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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173
malignant
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|
| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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174
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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175
apportioned
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| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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176
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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177
ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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178
divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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179
secluded
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|
| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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180
acceded
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|
| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
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181
dozing
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|
| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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182
hearty
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|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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183
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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184
alleging
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| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
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185
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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186
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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187
counterfeiting
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| n.伪造v.仿制，造假( counterfeit的现在分词 ) | |
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188
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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189
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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190
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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191
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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192
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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193
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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194
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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195
consigned
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| 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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196
exculpatory
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| adj.辩解的，辩明无罪的 | |
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197
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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198
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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199
nefarious
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| adj.恶毒的，极坏的 | |
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200
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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201
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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202
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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203
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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204
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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205
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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206
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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207
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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208
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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209
diabolically
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210
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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211
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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212
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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213
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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214
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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215
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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216
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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217
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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218
pulp
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| n.果肉，纸浆；v.化成纸浆，除去...果肉，制成纸浆 | |
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219
expiation
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| n.赎罪，补偿 | |
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220
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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221
sterile
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| adj.不毛的，不孕的，无菌的，枯燥的，贫瘠的 | |
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222
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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223
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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224
denizen
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| n.居民，外籍居民 | |
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225
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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226
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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227
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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228
umbrageous
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| adj.多荫的 | |
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229
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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230
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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231
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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232
evergreen
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| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
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233
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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234
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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235
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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236
yew
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| n.紫杉属树木 | |
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237
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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238
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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239
scurrilous
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| adj.下流的，恶意诽谤的 | |
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240
buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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241
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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242
scourge
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| n.灾难，祸害；v.蹂躏 | |
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243
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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244
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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245
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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246
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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247
sarcasms
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，挖苦( sarcasm的名词复数 ) | |
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248
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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249
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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250
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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251
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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252
abortive
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| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
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253
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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254
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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255
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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256
tighten
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| v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧 | |
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257
spasms
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| n.痉挛( spasm的名词复数 )；抽搐；（能量、行为等的）突发；发作 | |
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258
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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259
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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260
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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261
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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262
pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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263
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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264
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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265
combustion
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| n.燃烧；氧化；骚动 | |
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