“It’s eleven o’clock, Dick,” he announced. “One hour to go. If they aren’t here by twelve, they won’t come at all.”
“Yes,” said Dick miserably1. “Eleven o’clock. But they may come, Sandy.”
The suspense2 was difficult to endure. In the last half hour, Sandy’s watch had been jerked from his pocket no less than seven times. The three boys sat in their billet and marked the slow passing of time. All through the morning they had experienced a nervous tension, which was becoming rapidly more and more acute. Toma paced up and down the floor, paying little heed3 to what his two chums said. Occasionally, he looked out through one of the frosted windows, straining his ears for the shout that would announce the safe return of the two captives.
206
In his heart, Toma half-believed that Dick’s plan would work. He knew the awe4 and reverence5 in which the mounted police were held. If Dr. Brady and Father Bleriot were not sent back, it would be because the Indians had come to the conclusion that Dick’s statement regarding Corporal Rand was merely a bluff6.
Sandy’s watch ticked off the seconds. Dick stepped forward to stir up the fire. There came a timid knock at the door.
It was Father Michaud. He shuffled7 through the doorway8, his robes rustling9 about him, his thin bare hands rubbing each other to restore their sluggish10 circulation.
“Ah, monsieurs,” he broke forth11, “I have slept but ill. Et ees most difficult theese slow waiting. Do you not think, monsieurs? All night I worry veree much. Zen I pray, monsieurs. Et ees a great help.”
Sandy pulled forward a chair for their unhappy visitor.
“Sit-down, father. Take a place here close to the fire.”
“Merci. You are kind, monsieur.”
He half-turned in his chair.
“Do you think zey will come?” he asked, addressing Dick.
“I do not know.” Dick’s face was tragic12. “I’m afraid, father, they may not come.”
207
For twenty minutes the priest kept alive a failing conversation. Occasionally, Sandy consulted his watch. Time slipped by.
“Twenty minutes to twelve,” said Sandy, at the end of what seemed like an eternity13.
Toma continued his pacing back and forth. Dick sat huddled14 in his chair. The priest rambled15 on.
“Ten minutes to twelve,” Sandy informed them.
Dick could endure the suspense no longer. He rose, crossed the room, and flung open the door. A cold draft of air whirled in across the floor. Toma hurried over to where Dick stood and peered over his shoulder. They heard a shout. It brought Sandy and Father Michaud to their feet. Villagers were running in the street. A crowd had gathered.
“They—they’ve come back,” blurted16 Dick, darting17 through the door, Toma right behind him. They joined the throng18.
In the center of the crowd stood, not Dr. Brady and Father Bleriot, but—and Dick’s heart sank at the sight of him—their captive of the night before. In his hand he waved something—something white. With Toma acting19 as his interference, and employing football tactics, Dick plunged20 through, gaining a place by the side of the messenger. He seized the piece of birch bark and scanned it eagerly. It was covered thickly with Indian signs and symbols.
“Toma,” cried Dick, “can you make this out? Tell me, what does it say here?”
208
Toma took the birch bark in his own trembling hands, studied it for a moment, then in a fit of anger threw it at his feet, where with one foot he trampled21 it in the snow.
“What does it say?” Dick’s voice was shrill22, plaintive23.
“It say,” stormed Toma, “that you tell ’em big lie about mounted police; that Corporal Rand no come here at all. They make you big laugh.”
At that instant Dick bethought him of the messenger. Defy him, would they? Well, he’d see about that. At least, he’d seize their messenger. He sprang forward with this purpose in view, but the Indian slipped under his arm, dodged24 behind the tall figure of one of the gaping25 natives, and before anyone could prevent it, had made his escape. At that moment, Sandy came plowing26 through the ranks of the spectators, shouting hoarsely27.
“Where is Dr. Brady?”
“He didn’t come back.”
“What’s all this rumpus about then?”
“That Indian prisoner I released last night came back with a defiant28 message, which says that they, the Indians, don’t believe that the policeman is here.”
“And the messenger?”
“He slipped away from me.”
209
Dick ordered the crowd back with an authoritative29 wave of his arm. His feeling of hopelessness and despair had given place to anger, to a consuming, burning rage. The Indians had defied him openly. They were making a fool out of him. They had called his bluff.
It occurred to him that he could recruit another attacking party and go to the doctor’s rescue. But the memory of his experience of the night before still rankled30 in his mind. No—if he were to accomplish anything, it would be through his own efforts, and with the assistance of only Sandy and Toma. He beckoned31 to his chums.
“Let’s go back to the billet,” he suggested, “and talk this thing over.”
As his two friends came up, he linked his arms in theirs and began:
“I can see now, Sandy, that I have made a terrible mistake. I’ve got myself in a hole and may never be able to get out of it. Just the same, I don’t intend to give up. I’m not licked yet. I want to know if you boys will stand behind me.”
“Yes, Dick, we’re with you,” Sandy assured him.
“You depend on us,” added Toma.
210
Back in the billet again, they commenced to lay their plans. On the previous night they had tried, by the superiority of their numbers, to intimidate33 the enemy. They had failed. Now they would employ stealth. That night, they decided34, the three of them would creep up to the Indian village and attempt a rescue.
“We may be successful,” said Sandy. “We have a chance, at any rate.”
“Our last chance, too,” declared Dick. “If we fail in this, it is all over.”
A little later, Sandy went over to the mission store to purchase a few supplies. Toma remained behind, his head bowed deep in thought. Silence had come to the room, broken only by the breathing of the boys and the crackling of the logs in the fireplace. After a time, Dick rose.
“I suppose we’d better be thinking about lunch.”
Of a sudden, Toma darted35 to his feet. He had sprung from his chair so quickly, that Dick, who was looking at him, could scarcely follow the lightning movement. Toma hugged himself in ecstacy. He seized Dick in a smothering36 embrace, whirling him around and around.
“Dick, listen me,” he shouted. “I know what we do now. I think it all out. It come to me in flash. Sandy no need go at all. Jus’ you, me go. We go this afternoon. Hurry—you follow me quick!”
211
Blindly Dick followed the other. He trotted37 down the street in the wake of his excited chum, wondering what it was all about. They hurried past the mission school, reaching, finally, a low dwelling38, into which, without a moment’s hesitation39, without even the preliminary of a knock, Toma darted.
It was the house which harbored Corporal Rand. Upon the afternoon of their arrival, the policeman had been placed here with an Indian woman in attendance. He was here now, sitting propped40 up in a chair in front of a pleasant fire.
“Good morning, corporal,” both boys greeted him.
The policeman turned his head. As he did so, the boys stopped abruptly41. A remarkable42 change had taken place in him. His cheeks were fuller now. His eyes burned less brightly. The heavy beard-growth had been removed. He smiled a wan32 greeting.
“Dick and Toma, as I live! Where did you come from?”
“We have a billet down the street,” answered Dick.
“Ah, yes; and I have been ill. Very ill. I can remember—it is so difficult to remember—but I was on the trail, wasn’t I? A difficult trail. And what is the name of this place, Dick?”
“Keechewan.”
“Keechewan! Keechewan!” Corporal Rand repeated the name. “It sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”
212
Toma was beside him now—standing very close, looking down into the sick man’s eyes. He suddenly stooped and whispered something into Rand’s willing ears, then drew back smiling.
“It is all right,” he announced to Dick, who had come closer. “Corporal Rand he say all right. Him willing we go. We must hurry very fast, Dick. You go back to billet an’ pretty soon I go there too.”
And almost before he realized it, Toma had seized his arm and was dragging him toward the door.
“Quick!” he commanded. “You go back to billet. I know place where I find two horses. You get us something to eat in plenty hurry. Two rifles, cartridge43 belts, revolvers——You work quick—plenty fast. So me too.”
“But Toma,” protested his bewildered companion, “I don’t see. I don’t know——What——”
“No time ask ’em questions now. Do like I say. Quick! Hurry!”
Through the open doorway Dick was bundled, pushed, treated somewhat roughly, considering that Toma was his friend. Outside in the chill air, he had started to protest again, but the door was slammed in his face.
“You be good fellow. Hurry now!” the inexorable voice boomed at him through the heavy barrier. “I be along mebbe eight, ten minutes.”
213
There was nothing left for him to do except obey. Shaking his head, wondering what new form of insanity44 had seized hold of his friend, he wheeled about and struck back towards the billet. There he gathered up a bundle of food, secured the rifles, cartridges45 and revolver—exactly as he had been instructed—and sat down to wait.
In a remarkably46 short time Toma appeared. His coming was heralded47 by the clatter48 of hooves. Dick heard a voice calling to him.
Toma did not even dismount, as Dick thrust his head through the doorway.
“Is that my horse?” asked Dick, feeling a little foolish.
“Your horse. Bring ’em rifles an’ grub an’ jump up into saddle quick.”
Sandy was just coming down the street, his arms loaded with provisions, when the two horses, their flanks quivering, nostrils49 dilated50, leaped from the trodden snow around the doorway and galloped52 away like mad.
They turned off on the north trail, whirling past an open-mouthed sentry53, who, in his hurry to get out of the way, stepped back in a huge snowdrift and sat down. They streaked54 over a narrow bridge, spanning a creek55, shot up the steep embankment on the farther side and, at break-neck speed, headed for the open country in the direction of the Indian village. It was not until they were two miles out, that Toma drew in his horse.
214
“We stop here for a few minutes,” he informed Dick.
“What for?”
Toma produced a bulky package, deftly56 opened and shook out—a frayed57 crimson58 tunic59 of the mounted police.
“What’s that for?” Dick gasped60.
“You put ’em on—quick! You Corporal Rand now. Indians be much afraid when we ride up.”
Trembling, Dick removed his own coat and put on the crimson garment. They rode on again.
It was all that Dick could do to sit erect61 in his saddle, much less simulate a quiet determination, a bravery he did not feel. The two miles dwindled62 into one. The remaining mile to the village—how quickly did it seem to slip away past them, bringing them closer and closer to that unwavering row of brown tepees.
Their horses went forward at a walk. From the tiny dwellings63 emerged human figures. Malevolent64 eyes were watching them. Dick caught the flash of sunlight on some bright object, probably a rifle barrel, and he grew rigid65 in the saddle, instinctively66 reaching toward the holster at his side. Toma detected the motion and soberly shook his head.
215
“No do that,” he advised promptly67. “Mounted police never pull gun ’til other fellow get ready to use his. What you say we make horses go fast? Gallop51 right up to village.”
Dick approved the suggestion. For one thing, a flying mark is more difficult to hit. Another thing, it gave a touch of realism to their bluff. It was exactly what a mounted policeman would do.
So, when less than fifty yards from the nearest tepee, they dug their heels into their ponies’ flanks and cantered briskly up. They approached the first two tepees and passed them without mishap68. But Dick’s heart was in his throat now. His cheeks were drained of color. With increasing difficulty, he kept his place astride his plunging69 horse.
Indians were pouring out of their domiciles, like disturbed bees from a hive. A low murmur70 came to the boys’ ears. Form after form they flashed by, scarcely conscious of where they were going until, by chance, they perceived that toward the center of the encampment there had gathered an excited crowd of natives, who were watching their approach. Toward this crowd, they made their way at a quick gallop.
Dick felt a little dazed as they came to a sudden halt. The Indians had fallen back, yet did not disperse71. Deep silence greeted them. It was so deeply and intensely quiet that Dick could almost believe that the Indians were statues of stone.
216
He tried to speak, but his tongue clove72 in his mouth. Fear had settled upon him and he seemed powerless to shake it off. At the crucial moment, when everything depended upon his actions and deportment, he was failing miserably. Fortunately, he had the good sense to see this and tried desperately73 to control himself. He sat up more rigidly74 in the saddle, his mittened75 hands clenched76.
“Make ’em talk,” whispered Toma.
Dick flung up one arm in a commanding gesture.
“Bring the two white men here at once,” he ordered.
Then suddenly his gaze seemed to waver. The crowd became a blur—a shadowy something before his eyes. In their place rose up the stern figure of Inspector77 Cameron—the worn, austere78 face, the steel-gray eyes, the decisive chin. Again Dick threw up his arm. A strange calmness pervaded79 him.
“Bring them here,” he repeated in a voice of gathering80 impatience81.
A murmur rose from the crowd. Suddenly it fell back, hesitated for a brief interval82, then hurried away to do the white chief’s bidding. The tension had relaxed. As he slowly turned in his saddle to meet the gaze of his friend, a ray of sunlight fell across Toma’s face.
“Bye-’n’-bye they come!” he cried happily.
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收听单词发音
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1
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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2
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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3
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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4
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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5
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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6
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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7
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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8
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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9
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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10
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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11
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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12
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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13
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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14
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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15
rambled
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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16
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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18
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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19
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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20
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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21
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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22
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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23
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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24
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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25
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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26
plowing
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| v.耕( plow的现在分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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27
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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28
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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29
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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30
rankled
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| v.（使）痛苦不已，（使）怨恨不已( rankle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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33
intimidate
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| vt.恐吓，威胁 | |
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34
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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35
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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36
smothering
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的现在分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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37
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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38
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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39
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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40
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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42
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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43
cartridge
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| n.弹壳，弹药筒；(装磁带等的)盒子 | |
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44
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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45
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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46
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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47
heralded
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| v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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48
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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49
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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50
dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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52
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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53
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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54
streaked
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| adj.有条斑纹的，不安的v.快速移动( streak的过去式和过去分词 )；使布满条纹 | |
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55
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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56
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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57
frayed
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| adj.磨损的v.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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59
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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60
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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61
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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62
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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64
malevolent
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| adj.有恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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65
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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66
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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67
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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68
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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69
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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70
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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71
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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72
clove
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| n.丁香味 | |
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73
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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74
rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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75
mittened
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| v.（使）变得潮湿，变得湿润( moisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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78
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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79
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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81
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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82
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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