After walking about three miles, he at length reached a hamlet. Conscious that the common people were in general unfavourable to the cause he had espoused10, yet desirous, if possible, to procure11 a horse and guide to Penrith, where he hoped to find the rear, if not the main body, of the Chevalier’s army, he approached the alehouse of the place. There was a great noise within; he paused to listen. A round English oath or two, and the burden of a campaign song, convinced him the hamlet also was occupied by the Duke of Cumberland’s soldiers. Endeavouring to retire from it as softly as possible, and blessing12 the obscurity which hitherto he had murmured against, Waverley groped his way the best he could along a small paling, which seemed the boundary of some cottage garden. As he reached the gate of this little enclosure, his outstretched hand was grasped by that of a female, whose voice at the same time uttered, ‘Edward, is’t thou, man?’
‘Here is some unlucky mistake,’ thought Edward, struggling, but gently, to disengage himself.
‘Naen o’ thy foun, now, man, or the red cwoats will hear thee; they hae been houlerying and poulerying every ane that past alehouse door this noight to make them drive their waggons13 and sick loike. Come into feyther’s, or they’ll do ho a mischief14.’
‘A good hint,’ thought Waverley, following the girl through the little garden into a brick-paved kitchen, where she set herself to kindle15 a match at an expiring fire, and with the match to light a candle. She had no sooner looked on Edward than she dropped the light, with a shrill16 scream of ‘O feyther, feyther!’
The father, thus invoked17, speedily appeared — a sturdy old farmer, in a pair of leather breeches, and boots pulled on without stockings, having just started from his bed; the rest of his dress was only a Westmoreland statesman’s robe-de-chambre — that is, his shirt. His figure was displayed to advantage by a candle which he bore in his left hand; in his right he brandished18 a poker19.
‘What hast ho here, wench?’
‘O!’ cried the poor girl, almost going off in hysterics, ‘I thought it was Ned Williams, and it is one of the plaid-men.’
‘And what was thee ganging to do wi’ Ned Williams at this time o’ noight?’ To this, which was, perhaps, one of the numerous class of questions more easily asked than answered, the rosy-cheeked damsel made no reply, but continued sobbing20 and wringing21 her hands.
‘And thee, lad, dost ho know that the dragoons be a town? dost ho know that, mon? ad, they’ll sliver22 thee loike a turnip23, mon.’
‘I know my life is in great danger,’ said Waverley, ‘but if you can assist me, I will reward you handsomely. I am no Scotchman, but an unfortunate English gentleman.’
‘Be ho Scot or no,’ said the honest farmer, ‘I wish thou hadst kept the other side of the hallan. But since thou art here, Jacob Jopson will betray no man’s bluid; and the plaids were gay canny24, and did not do so much mischief when they were here yesterday.’ Accordingly, he set seriously about sheltering and refreshing25 our hero for the night. The fire was speedily rekindled26, but with precaution against its light being seen from without. The jolly yeoman cut a rasher of bacon, which Cicely soon broiled27, and her father added a swingeing tankard of his best ale. It was settled that Edward should remain there till the troops marched in the morning, then hire or buy a horse from the farmer, and, with the best directions that could be obtained, endeavour to overtake his friends. A clean, though coarse, bed received him after the fatigues28 of this unhappy day.
With the morning arrived the news that the Highlanders had evacuated29 Penrith, and marched off towards Carlisle; that the Duke of Cumberland was in possession of Penrith, and that detachments of his army covered the roads in every direction. To attempt to get through undiscovered would be an act of the most frantic30 temerity31. Ned Williams (the right Edward) was now called to council by Cicely and her father. Ned, who perhaps did not care that his handsome namesake should remain too long in the same house with his sweetheart, for fear of fresh mistakes, proposed that Waverley, exchanging his uniform and plaid for the dress of the country, should go with him to his father’s farm near Ullswater, and remain in that undisturbed retirement32 until the military movements in the country should have ceased to render his departure hazardous33. A price was also agreed upon, at which the stranger might board with Farmer Williams if he thought proper, till he could depart with safety. It was of moderate amount; the distress34 of his situation, among this honest and simple-hearted race, being considered as no reason for increasing their demand.
The necessary articles of dress were accordingly procured35, and, by following by-paths known to the young farmer, they hoped to escape any unpleasant rencontre. A recompense for their hospitality was refused peremptorily36 by old Jopson and his cherry-cheeked daughter; a kiss paid the one and a hearty37 shake of the hand the other. Both seemed anxious for their guest’s safety, and took leave of him with kind wishes.
In the course of their route Edward, with his guide, traversed those fields which the night before had been the scene of action. A brief gleam of December’s sun shone sadly on the broad heath, which, towards the spot where the great north-west road entered the enclosures of Lord Lonsdale’s property, exhibited dead bodies of men and horses, and the usual companions of war, a number of carrion-crows, hawks38, and ravens39.
‘And this, then, was thy last field,’ said Waverley to himself, his eye filling at the recollection of the many splendid points of Fergus’s character, and of their former intimacy40, all his passions and imperfections forgotten — ‘here fell the last Vich Ian Vohr, on a nameless heath; and in an obscure night-skirmish was quenched41 that ardent42 spirit, who thought it little to cut a way for his master to the British throne! Ambition, policy, bravery, all far beyond their sphere, here learned the fate of mortals. The sole support, too, of a sister whose spirit, as proud and unbending, was even more exalted43 than thine own; here ended all thy hopes for Flora44, and the long and valued line which it was thy boast to raise yet more highly by thy adventurous45 valour!’
As these ideas pressed on Waverley’s mind, he resolved to go upon the open heath and search if, among the slain46, he could discover the body of his friend, with the pious47 intention of procuring48 for him the last rites49 of sepulture. The timorous50 young man who accompanied him remonstrated51 upon the danger of the attempt, but Edward was determined52. The followers53 of the camp had already stripped the dead of all they could carry away; but the country people, unused to scenes of blood, had not yet approached the field of action, though some stood fearfully gazing at a distance. About sixty or seventy dragoons lay slain within the first enclosure, upon the highroad, and on the open moor54. Of the Highlanders, not above a dozen had fallen, chiefly those who, venturing too far on the moor, could not regain55 the strong ground. He could not find the body of Fergus among the slain. On a little knoll56, separated from the others, lay the carcasses of three English dragoons, two horses, and the page Callum Beg, whose hard skull57 a trooper’s broadsword had, at length, effectually cloven. It was possible his clan58 had carried off the body of Fergus; but it was also possible he had escaped, especially as Evan Dhu, who would never leave his Chief, was not found among the dead; or he might be prisoner, and the less formidable denunciation inferred from the appearance of the Bodach Glas might have proved the true one. The approach of a party sent for the purpose of compelling the country people to bury the dead, and who had already assembled several peasants for that purpose, now obliged Edward to rejoin his guide, who awaited him in great anxiety and fear under shade of the plantations59.
After leaving this field of death, the rest of their journey was happily accomplished60. At the house of Farmer Williams, Edward passed for a young kinsman61, educated for the church, who was come to reside there till the civil tumults62 permitted him to pass through the country. This silenced suspicion among the kind and simple yeomanry of Cumberland, and accounted sufficiently63 for the grave manners and retired64 habits of the new guest. The precaution became more necessary than Waverley had anticipated, as a variety of incidents prolonged his stay at Fasthwaite, as the farm was called.
A tremendous fall of snow rendered his departure impossible for more than ten days. When the roads began to become a little practicable, they successively received news of the retreat of the Chevalier into Scotland; then, that he had abandoned the frontiers, retiring upon Glasgow; and that the Duke of Cumberland had formed the siege of Carlisle. His army, therefore, cut off all possibility of Waverley’s escaping into Scotland in that direction. On the eastern border Marshal Wade65, with a large force, was advancing upon Edinburgh; and all along the frontier, parties of militia66, volunteers, and partizans were in arms to suppress insurrection, and apprehend67 such stragglers from the Highland5 army as had been left in England. The surrender of Carlisle, and the severity with which the rebel garrison68 were threatened, soon formed an additional reason against venturing upon a solitary69 and hopeless journey through a hostile country and a large army, to carry the assistance of a single sword to a cause which seemed altogether desperate. In this lonely and secluded70 situation, without the advantage of company or conversation with men of cultivated minds, the arguments of Colonel Talbot often recurred71 to the mind of our hero. A still more anxious recollection haunted his slumbers72 — it was the dying look and gesture of Colonel Gardiner. Most devoutly73 did he hope, as the rarely occurring post brought news of skirmishes with various success, that it might never again be his lot to draw his sword in civil conflict. Then his mind turned to the supposed death of Fergus, to the desolate74 situation of Flora, and, with yet more tender recollection, to that of Rose Bradwardine, who was destitute75 of the devoted76 enthusiasm of loyalty77, which to her friend hallowed and exalted misfortune. These reveries he was permitted to enjoy, undisturbed by queries78 or interruption; and it was in many a winter walk by the shores of Ullswater that he acquired a more complete mastery of a spirit tamed by adversity than his former experience had given him; and that he felt himself entitled to say firmly, though perhaps with a sigh, that the romance of his life was ended, and that its real history had now commenced. He was soon called upon to justify79 his pretensions80 by reason and philosophy.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
bagpipes
|
|
| n.风笛；风笛( bagpipe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
scrambling
|
|
| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
trumpets
|
|
| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
cavalry
|
|
| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
highland
|
|
| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
precluded
|
|
| v.阻止( preclude的过去式和过去分词 )；排除；妨碍；使…行不通 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
deviating
|
|
| v.偏离，越轨( deviate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
espoused
|
|
| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
procure
|
|
| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
waggons
|
|
| 四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 )； 铁路货车； 小手推车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
kindle
|
|
| v.点燃，着火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
invoked
|
|
| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
brandished
|
|
| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
poker
|
|
| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
sobbing
|
|
| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
wringing
|
|
| 淋湿的，湿透的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
sliver
|
|
| n.裂片，细片，梳毛；v.纵切，切成长片，剖开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
turnip
|
|
| n.萝卜，芜菁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
canny
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，节俭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
refreshing
|
|
| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
rekindled
|
|
| v.使再燃( rekindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
broiled
|
|
| a.烤过的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
fatigues
|
|
| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
evacuated
|
|
| 撤退者的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
temerity
|
|
| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
retirement
|
|
| n.退休，退职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
hazardous
|
|
| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
procured
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
peremptorily
|
|
| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
hawks
|
|
| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
ravens
|
|
| n.低质煤；渡鸦( raven的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
intimacy
|
|
| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
quenched
|
|
| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
ardent
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
exalted
|
|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
flora
|
|
| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
adventurous
|
|
| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
slain
|
|
| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
pious
|
|
| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
procuring
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
rites
|
|
| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
timorous
|
|
| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
moor
|
|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
knoll
|
|
| n.小山，小丘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
skull
|
|
| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
clan
|
|
| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
plantations
|
|
| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
kinsman
|
|
| n.男亲属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
tumults
|
|
| 吵闹( tumult的名词复数 )； 喧哗； 激动的吵闹声； 心烦意乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
63
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
wade
|
|
| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
militia
|
|
| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
apprehend
|
|
| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
secluded
|
|
| 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) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
recurred
|
|
| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
slumbers
|
|
| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
devoutly
|
|
| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
desolate
|
|
| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
destitute
|
|
| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
queries
|
|
| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
justify
|
|
| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
pretensions
|
|
| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |