Early in the morning of the fifth day, we left the Ranch1 at La Yegüera to journey southward, followed by our long train of baggage mules2 and relay horses, our good-natured host and keeper, Agapito, escorting us for some distance in the double capacity of guide and entertainer. Without his assistance it would have been difficult for us to proceed on our journey, which lay across a rolling prairie, covered in some places by magnificent groves4 of tall timber trees and a vast multitude of slender, towering palms, which, by the glimmering5 light of the stars, appeared like a mighty6 fleet of ships guarding the entrance to some giant harbor. Although the morning was dark, and there was properly speaking no road, but only a beaten track branching off in all directions, our guide, who knew every inch of the ground, led us on without once turning to the right or left, merrily chanting some of the lively ballads7 of the Llanos. Occasionally he was joined by other bards8 equally{86} distinguished9 for their powers of voice and versification, thus producing very animated10 choruses of a character peculiarly wild.
As the sun rose in the horizon, we came upon another extensive plateau, the Mesa del Rastro, stretching for several miles, unbroken by a single tree or shrub12, but alive with numberless herds13 of cattle roaming in all directions, while flocks of birds of every plumage, all new to me, flew affrighted at our approach, filling the air with their wild, peculiar11 cries. Among these, the Taro-taro, a large bird of the Ibis tribe, which derives15 its name from its bell-like notes, and the Carretero or carter, a beautiful species of goose with variegated16 plumage and crimson17 bill, particularly attracted my attention. The latter is named from the rumbling18 noise it makes when on the wing, similar in sound to the rumbling of cartwheels on hard ground.
Continuing our march over this seemingly interminable plain, we at length descried19 in the horizon the village of El Rastro, where we purposed breakfasting and spending the hottest part of the day. We were cordially received and entertained at the house of Se?or Llovera, a wealthy neighbor of ours, whose lands extended from the southern boundary of San Pablo to this village.
El Rastro is noted20 for the beauty and fresh complexion21 of the women, in spite of an ardent22 climate; and the males for their singular propensity23 to abstract the hair from the manes and tails of horses stopping at their village. This they often practise under the very noses of the unfortunate owners, for the purpose{87} of converting it into halters for their own steeds. Thus many a fine animal, which is supposed to be securely quartered for the night, is found next morning so shamefully24 disfigured that he can scarcely be recognized by his owner, who swears by all the saints in the calendar to take summary vengeance25 on the first rastrero[24] who may chance to cross his path. Fortunately we had no cause of complaint, as our droves were constantly under the surveillance of a dozen or more vigilant26 keepers, perfectly27 au fait to the peculiar taste of that community.
The beautiful complexion of the women is the more extraordinary from the fact that this village, which stands on the southern edge of the plateau, is entirely28 exposed to the glare of a tropical sun, and the hot breezes of the east. I nowhere met during my journey, such rosy29 cheeks and sparkling eyes as in this miserable30 hamlet. I could almost fancy them the fairies of the wilderness31, bewitching the unsuspecting traveller, while their perfidious32 helpmates practise their rascally33 tricks.
These high terraces possess the advantage of being free from those noxious34 exhalations which render the plains below so unhealthy at certain seasons. Owing to the nature of the soil, mostly composed of a loose conglomerate35 or shingle36, no permanent deposits of stagnant37 water are formed, endangering the health of the inhabitants, who are often blessed with a “green old age” and the possession of unimpaired mental and bodily faculties38. Many are the instances where{88} men attaining40 seventy and eighty years are still able to take part in the hardy41 ventures of the country along with their more youthful companions. Among our own party we had several individuals of this class who, after experiencing all the vicissitudes42 of a destructive war, had seen many a hot summer roll by, and camped out amidst the drenching43 showers of the rainy season, without any material change in their physique. Of these were Santos Nieves, the horse tamer, whose only food consisted of jerked beef, cheese, and papelon, upon which he had thrived admirably up to the age of seventy; Crisóstomo, the negro major domo of San Pablo, who had lost all recollection of his earlier days; Conrado, the horse driver, whose age and experience in conducting our refractory45 madrinas had entitled him to the revered46 appelation of taita or father. But the most extraordinary instance of longevity47 which has come to my ears, is in the Monagas family, also hailing from those regions, the age and number of whose members seriously alarmed the republic at one time; for the multitude of their rapacious48 demands appeared endless. The patriarch of the family is said to have attained49 the moderate age of one hundred and twenty years, yet was able to scour50 the savannas51 on horseback after the cattle up to the time of his death. The memorable53 José Tadeo, the late Dictator and tyrant54 of the republic, is yet in his prime at the age of seventy-nine, while his brothers Gregorio and José Francisco, whose vandalic career of plunder55 and assassination56 was—happily for the country that gave them birth—cut off by a late revolution, did not{89} show the least signs of unabated vigor57 at the time of their death, although one of them was considerably58 older than Tadeo. And last, though not least, the renowned59 zambo general, Sotillo, the pet bull-dog of the family, to which, however, he bears no other relationship than that existing among rogues60 of the same stamp: although then in his eightieth year, he was able to carry on a successful partisan61 warfare62 against the existing government. Without a roof to shelter him, and no other equipment of war than the lance and horse, this savage63 chieftain, for such he is by birth and education, has set at defiance64 all the forces sent in his pursuit, and nearly brought the country to the verge65 of barbarism in his strivings to uphold the iniquitous66 claims of this rapacious family. Fierce in looks and menacing in tone, with a head more like a polar bear than a South American savage, he has become for a long time the terror of the eastern provinces, which are in constant dread67 of his sudden attacks—now cutting off small detachments of troops and defenceless individuals, now retreating to his fastness amidst the arid68 plains of the Alto Llano at the approach of a superior force. He has even succeeded in defeating such on two or three occasions by his cunning man?uvring and the rapidity of his movements. During half a century, his favorite occupation has been hunting wild cattle and waging a guerilla warfare against society, which too often has been compelled to yield to the savage demands of this Bedouin of the Llanos.
Having partaken of a substantial breakfast, we{90} bade adieu to our kind host, and again betook ourselves to our long and weary journey across the Pampas. Descending70 to the plain, stretching for a thousand miles to the foot of the Bolivian Andes, we at once entered into an entirely different country, showing unmistakable proofs of a diluvial origin. The soil, mostly a mixture of clay and sand, no longer offended the feet of our horses with those extensive beds of pebbles71 so trying to the poor beasts. The vegetation, also, whenever favored by some accident of the ground, showed a marked difference in character. The thorny72 mimosas, which only thrive in a gravelly soil, here disappeared altogether, and were replaced by dense73 groves of laurel and other balsamiferous trees. The Copernicia palms, so extensively used for thatching and other economic purposes, re-appeared at first in a few scattered74 clumps75, and afterwards in countless76 multitudes, literally77 closing the perspective with their tall, slender trunks. This beautiful palm is known in the country under various names, according to the uses made of its separate parts. These are almost as numerous as the leaves of its dense, symmetrical foliage78. Thus, by the rural architect of the Llanos, it is called palma de cobija—thatch palm. When its leaves are plaited and neatly79 braided into hats that never wear out, it bears the name palma de sombrero; and when the same are employed in driving off the myriads80 of flies that infest81 the premises82, or in fanning the heated dweller83 in those regions, it is called palma abanico; and so on through a long catalogue.
A house thatched with this palm is not only impervious{91} to the pouring showers of the tropics, but against fire also, as it is nearly incombustible: a hot coal dropped on it will only burn slowly where it falls, without spreading or raising any flame. It is, moreover, very durable84 and cool throughout the hottest months. All the fences and corrals of the region where it abounds86 are made of the entire trunks of this palm, while the cattle find a grateful shelter under its dense shade. The slowness of its growth, observable even after centuries have elapsed, is another curious peculiarity87 of this palm. When Europeans first penetrated88 this wild region, they found extensive tracks covered with low, apparently89 stunted90 plants, a few inches only above ground. According to the recollection of the oldest inhabitants, of whom there are many in the country, as I have already stated, these dwarfish91 palm forests have not altered very perceptibly during their lives. It must therefore have taken a full-grown plant thousands of years to attain39 the height of twenty feet, which is their average size.
Emerging from these extensive palmares—palm forests—we again found ourselves in the midst of the boundless92 plain, assuming here as desolate93 an aspect as if fire had passed over its entire surface, a dreary94 waste of dried-up swamps, parched95 by the burning sun. Dismal96 tracts97 of these terroneros, as they are termed, lay before us, having the appearance of an extensive honey-comb, over which our jaded98 beasts stumbled at every step, increasing our weariness to a state almost bordering on desperation. The action of the rains washing the earth from around the grass tufts, which are afterwards parched and hardened by{92} the heat of the sun, leaves the surface of the ground covered with numerous little clumps of indurated clay, so closely packed that there was no footing for the animals.
Even the cattle seemed to have forsaken99 this inhospitable region, for, with the exception of a few stragglers, there were no signs of animation100. Most of the cattle are transferred at this season to the fertile shores of the Apure and Portuguesa; or they abandon of their own accord these dreary wastes for well-known streams where they allay101 their thirst. Ours was intense on this occasion, while the tantalizing102 mirage103, that singular atmospheric104 phenomenon so peculiar to arid deserts, haunted us incessantly105 with its rippling106, vapory phantom107, a feeling in which our poor beasts seemed to participate, as with outstretched necks and ears they snuffed in vain the far horizon in search of the reviving element. By an unpardonable oversight108, our men had neglected to fill their gourds109 with water, and now we felt the want of it.
These scenes have been described so graphically110 by the eloquent111 pen of Humboldt, in his “Tableaux de la Nature,” that I will not attempt it further, but refer my reader to the following:
“When under the vertical112 rays of the never-clouded sun, the carbonized tufty covering falls into dust, the indurated soil cracks asunder113 as if from the shock of an earthquake. If at such times two opposing currents of air, whose conflicts produce a rotary114 motion, come in contact with the soil, the plain assumes a strange and singular aspect. Like conical-shaped clouds, the points of which descend69 to the{93} earth, the sand rises through the rarified air in the electrically charged centre of the whirling current, resembling the loud waterspout dreaded115 by the experienced mariner116. The lowering sky sheds a dim, almost straw-colored light on the desolate plain; the horizon draws suddenly near; the steppe seems to contract, and with it the heart of the wanderer. The hot, dusty particles which fill the air, increase its suffocating117 heat, and the east wind blowing over the long-heated soil brings with it no refreshment118, but rather a still more burning glow. The pools, which the yellow, fading branches of the fan palm had protected from evaporation119, now gradually disappear. As in the icy north the animals become torpid120 with cold, so here, under the influence of the parching121 drought, the crocodile and the boa become motionless and fall asleep, deeply buried in the dry mud. Everywhere the death-threatening drought prevails, and yet, by the play of the refracted rays of light producing the phenomenon of the mirage, the thirsty traveller is everywhere pursued by the illusive122 image of a cool, rippling, watery123 mirror. The distant palm bush, apparently raised by the influence of the contact of unequally heated, and therefore unequally dense strata124 of air, hovers125 above the ground, from which it is separated by a narrow intervening margin126.”
Indeed, so perfect was this illusion of the mirage, that on one occasion Mr. Thomas and myself were entirely deceived by the appearance of a beautiful lake which we prepared to sketch127. But what was our surprise when, on climbing a tree to obtain a better view, the phantom disappeared as if by magic! This occurs{94} whenever the spectator places himself above the line of the natural horizon.
At length we reached a solitary128 pool of muddy water in the midst of the savanna52, which was hailed with joy by man and beast; but, on nearer inspection129, the thirsty travellers were seized with disgust and disappointment on seeing several dead and dying animals embedded130 in the mud. These quagmires131 form extensive barriers in some places, especially in dried-up creeks133 where hundreds of animals perish every year, being unable to extricate134 themselves from the adhesive135 quality of the clay. At our approach two hideous136 alligators137 rushed into the pond, and thus the scanty138 portion that had not been disturbed by the tramping of animals was in a moment thickened like the rest. However, there being no other alternative, we were compelled to follow the example of our sturdy Llaneros, who proceeded without much consideration to dip their calabashes into that species of mud soup; then covering the mouths of the totumas with our handkerchiefs, we sucked through them this miserable substitute for water.
About noon we descried a speck139 in the horizon, looking like a sail at sea. Increasing in size as we neared it, it soon appeared to be a solitary mound140 or promontory141; by degrees it assumed more distinctness, finally presenting to our view all the luxuriance of tropical vegetation. This was the Mata de San Pedro, a sort of island grove3 of splendid forest trees, which, like a veritable oasis142, stood in the midst of those desert plains, a relief to the parched and wayworn traveller. Mata is the name by which the{95} natives designate these lovely gems143 of the Pampas, no less cherished than are those of the famed African Desert by the wearied caravan144; like them, they receive appropriate names from some peculiarity of feature or other trivial cause, as Mata Gorda, Mata Redonda, &c. But whatever be the name, all hail with joy these verdant145 bowers146, a cool retreat to every species of animal in summer, and a safe refuge during the season of floods, for, being somewhat higher than the surrounding country, they are rarely overflowed147 by the periodical inundations.
It was entirely dark on our arrival at the Mata, and we were then so weary that there was little inclination148 evinced to make any preparations for supper, and we were also greatly in need of water. Although the earth was parched by the long drought, Providence149 has placed a few feet below the surface an unlimited150 supply of the purest water. This can be obtained at any time by merely digging for it with a wooden pole sharpened at one end. In the present instance we were spared this trouble, as some of our people, well acquainted with the place, knew where one of these primitive151 wells could be found. Our first business, therefore, was to seek for the jagüey in spite of the deadly rattlesnakes said to abound85 there. From this we obtained sufficient water for ourselves and riding horses, the other animals being left to shift for themselves, always under the close vigilance, however, of the watchmen appointed for the night. These men had a hard task: apart from the fatigue152 of keeping awake and on horseback all{96} night, they were in constant fear of a sudden stampede among the horses, which not unfrequently occurs. To provide against a contretemps of the sort, those in immediate153 use were secured nightly by straps154 attached to the feet, which prevented their straying far from the camp.
We rose very early, judging from the height of the Lucero or morning star—which in those solitudes155 takes the place of town clock—whose brilliancy almost equals that of the full moon. I nowhere recollect44 having seen this gorgeous luminary156 of morning shed such radiant streams of light as in the ever-cloudless sky of the Llanos during the summer months. In equal proportion all the other heavenly bodies seem there to vie with each other in heightening the splendor157 of that glorious firmament158, cheering the heart of the wanderer who finds himself, like the mariner on the high seas, encompassed159 only by the vault160 of heaven, whose glowing lamps were then our unerring guide towards the south, enabling us to dispense161 with compass or any landmarks162 by which to direct our course. Towards evening, we deviated163 a little from it, hoping to reach a cattle-farm, intending to pass the night there; but our horses being almost exhausted164 from the roughness of the ground, compelled us to stop by the banks of a treeless creek132 abounding165 in alligators; this we knew by the strong odor of musk166 which pervaded167 the air. In spite of their proximity168, which made me start more than once in my dreams, we slept soundly in our ponchos169 on the hard ground, for want of trees from which to sling170 our hammocks. This lack of firewood compelled us also
Image unavailable: A PRAIRIE ON FIRE.
A PRAIRIE ON FIRE.
{97}
to go supperless that night and without breakfast next morning. After a long search we finally succeeded in collecting a handful of drift wood along the banks of the creek, enabling Mónico to make us a stimulating171 cup of coffee in which to “drown our sorrows.”
Midday brought us to the cattle-farm we were in quest of, when immediate preparations were made for an ample meal, which should compensate172 us for previous privations. The overseer informed us that not far from the house was a herd14 of cattle bearing our brand. Thither173 we despatched two men in search of the fattest among them. In a short time they returned with a fine cow, which was speedily slaughtered174 and spitted before a blazing fire kindled175 under three stupendous mimosa trees bearing flat, kidney-shaped legumes or pods six inches in circumference176. Our hunger appeased177, we spread our ponchos under the shade of these giants of the vegetable world, and slept until noon, when we were again in our saddles prosecuting178 the journey through a less monotonous179 landscape. The plain, although still preserving the same rough character, was diversified180 with groves of other leguminous trees, (Ca?afistulos,) the pods of which were nearly three feet in length, and contain a black pulp181 valuable as a cathartic182.
Towards evening we were gratified by seeing, for the first time, that splendid spectacle, a prairie on fire. The grass, parched with the burning sun, is purposely fired by the natives to promote the growth of the new crop, which last, owing to the heavy dews, starts long before the rainy season sets in. The conflagration{98} extended for more than three miles, the strong evening breeze driving it onward183 in curling fiery184 billows. Volumes of smoke loaded with burning particles of grass, ascended185 in clouds, increasing the grandeur186 and beauty of the scene by their various tints187 of red, pink, and purple, diffused188 throughout the atmosphere. Aided by this illumination, we were enabled to discover a solitary ranch, where we tarried the remainder of the night, although there was nothing to be had there in the shape of edibles189. Fortunately one of our party had shot a number of wild ducks in a lagoon190, and a provident191 individual had saved some choice morsels192 of the cow. There was some difficulty in procuring193 wood enough for a fire, but a couple of rafters from the old ranch afforded the needful fuel, and thus we were happily prevented passing a supperless, as well as comfortless night.
Many hours before daybreak we were again up, saddling and loading our animals, which, owing to the darkness, was always the most irksome part of the journey. We were, however, most happy to bid adieu to the solitary ranch with its myriads of bats, the only tenants194 we encountered there.
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1
ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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ballads
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| 民歌，民谣，特别指叙述故事的歌( ballad的名词复数 )； 讴 | |
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bards
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| n.诗人( bard的名词复数 ) | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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derives
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| v.得到( derive的第三人称单数 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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perfidious
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| adj.不忠的，背信弃义的 | |
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rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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noxious
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| adj.有害的，有毒的；使道德败坏的，讨厌的 | |
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conglomerate
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| n.综合商社，多元化集团公司 | |
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shingle
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| n.木瓦板；小招牌(尤指医生或律师挂的营业招牌)；v.用木瓦板盖（屋顶）；把（女子头发）剪短 | |
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stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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drenching
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| n.湿透v.使湿透( drench的现在分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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refractory
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| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
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revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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longevity
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| n.长命；长寿 | |
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rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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50
scour
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| v.搜索；擦，洗，腹泻，冲刷 | |
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51
savannas
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| n.（美国东南部的）无树平原( savanna的名词复数 )；（亚）热带的稀树大草原 | |
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52
savanna
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| n.大草原 | |
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53
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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54
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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55
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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56
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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57
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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58
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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59
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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60
rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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61
partisan
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| adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒 | |
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62
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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63
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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64
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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65
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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66
iniquitous
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| adj.不公正的；邪恶的；高得出奇的 | |
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67
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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68
arid
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| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
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69
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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70
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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71
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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72
thorny
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| adj.多刺的，棘手的 | |
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73
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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74
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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75
clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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76
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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77
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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78
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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79
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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80
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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81
infest
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| v.大批出没于；侵扰；寄生于 | |
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82
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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83
dweller
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| n.居住者，住客 | |
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84
durable
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| adj.持久的，耐久的 | |
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85
abound
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| vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于 | |
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86
abounds
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| v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的第三人称单数 ) | |
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87
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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88
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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89
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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90
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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91
dwarfish
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| a.像侏儒的，矮小的 | |
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92
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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93
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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94
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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95
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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96
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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97
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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98
jaded
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| adj.精疲力竭的；厌倦的；（因过饱或过多而）腻烦的；迟钝的 | |
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99
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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100
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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101
allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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102
tantalizing
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| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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103
mirage
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| n.海市蜃楼，幻景 | |
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104
atmospheric
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| adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的 | |
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105
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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106
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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107
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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108
oversight
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| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
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109
gourds
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| n.葫芦( gourd的名词复数 ) | |
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110
graphically
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| adv.通过图表；生动地，轮廓分明地 | |
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111
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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112
vertical
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| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
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113
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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114
rotary
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| adj.(运动等)旋转的；轮转的；转动的 | |
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115
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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116
mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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117
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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118
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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119
evaporation
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| n.蒸发，消失 | |
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120
torpid
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| adj.麻痹的，麻木的，迟钝的 | |
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121
parching
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| adj.烘烤似的，焦干似的v.（使）焦干， （使）干透( parch的现在分词 )；使（某人）极口渴 | |
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122
illusive
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| adj.迷惑人的，错觉的 | |
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123
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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124
strata
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| n.地层（复数）；社会阶层 | |
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125
hovers
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| 鸟( hover的第三人称单数 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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126
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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127
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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128
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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129
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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130
embedded
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| a.扎牢的 | |
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131
quagmires
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| n.沼泽地，泥潭( quagmire的名词复数 ) | |
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132
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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133
creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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134
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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135
adhesive
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| n.粘合剂；adj.可粘着的，粘性的 | |
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136
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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137
alligators
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| n.短吻鳄( alligator的名词复数 ) | |
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138
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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139
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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140
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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141
promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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142
oasis
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| n.（沙漠中的）绿洲，宜人的地方 | |
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143
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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144
caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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145
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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146
bowers
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| n.（女子的）卧室( bower的名词复数 )；船首锚；阴凉处；鞠躬的人 | |
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147
overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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148
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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149
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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150
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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151
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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152
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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153
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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154
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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155
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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156
luminary
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| n.名人，天体 | |
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157
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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158
firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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159
encompassed
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| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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160
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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161
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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162
landmarks
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| n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址） | |
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163
deviated
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| v.偏离，越轨( deviate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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164
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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165
abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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166
musk
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| n.麝香, 能发出麝香的各种各样的植物，香猫 | |
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167
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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168
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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169
ponchos
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| n.斗篷( poncho的名词复数 ) | |
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170
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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171
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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172
compensate
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| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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173
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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174
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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175
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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176
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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177
appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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178
prosecuting
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| 检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师 | |
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179
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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180
diversified
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| adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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181
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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182
cathartic
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| adj.宣泄情绪的；n.泻剂 | |
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183
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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184
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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185
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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186
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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187
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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188
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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189
edibles
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| 可以吃的，可食用的( edible的名词复数 )； 食物 | |
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190
lagoon
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| n.泻湖，咸水湖 | |
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191
provident
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| adj.为将来做准备的，有先见之明的 | |
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192
morsels
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| n.一口( morsel的名词复数 )；（尤指食物）小块，碎屑 | |
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193
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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194
tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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