Again we were under way, and again our eyes encountered only the flat monotonous1 plain on all sides sweeping2 to the horizon, varied3 only in being more barren, rougher, and consequently more exhausting to our horses than any of the preceding. Many of the riders dismounted, that the poor brutes4 might be relieved as much as possible, and accomplished5 the remainder of the journey on foot. This occasioned a burning thirst, which the scant7 supply of water in our gourds8 was not sufficient to allay10; and it was not until noon had long passed, that our guides, pointing to a blue ridge11 of forest in the distance, informed us it marked the course of the river Portuguesa, our intended halting place, and on the borders of which we purposed spending several days. The cavalcade12, inspirited by this view, pressed forward as rapidly as their exhausted13 condition would permit, and fortunately reached the pass before nightfall.
This beautiful river has its rise in the mountains{100} of Trujillo, and connects the fertile province of Barinas with the sea, through the Apure and Orinoco, being in fact one of the principal tributaries14 of the former. Its commercial advantages, as may be imagined, are of great importance to the interior of a country so distant from the ocean, and whose principal products consist in the bulky yield of the plantations16. It is navigable during a great portion of the year, especially for steam vessels18, and I am happy to learn that the great civilizer19 of the world—steam—has at length been introduced there through the enterprising energy of some Yankee speculators.
The banks of the river, being both high and precipitous, a passage to it can only be accomplished at certain points, where the hand of man and the tramp of animals have cut deep trenches20, forming paths to the water’s edge. On this occasion, we sought the pass of San Jaime, where a ferryman is stationed with a canoe to take across any who desire it. Horses, however, being excellent swimmers, are left to ferry themselves over. Our first care on arriving of at the pass was to unload our beasts of burden, and unsaddle our steeds for the purpose of allowing them to cool before entering the water, a precaution which, if neglected, not unfrequently proves fatal to both man and beast. This duty fulfilled, we proceeded to hail the Canoero, whose ranch21 was perched upon the south bank of the river. The knowledge that he would receive a “real” for every man and beast that crossed, besides various perquisites23 from passengers whom he supplied with meals during their sojourn24 at his ranch, so expedited his motions, that in a few moments his frail{101} barge25 received its first load, each person taking his own chattels26 with him. A boy of fifteen, naked and sunburnt, paddled the canoe, while the ferryman steered27 it by means of his canalete. The utmost care was necessary to prevent the overturn of the crazy skiff, which reeled at every stroke of the paddle, threatening to pitch all its contents overboard. As soon as we landed on the opposite shore, the boat returned for a second load, and the trips were repeated until the whole party had crossed. There now only remained the horses, who being extremely shy of deep water, required to be forced to swim across, an operation demanding considerable skill on the part of the drivers. The only way was to give them an example; accordingly two expert swimmers, divesting28 themselves of clothes, jumped upon the bare back of their horses and plunged30 incontinently into the stream. Then, sliding off to one side, they allowed the horses to swim without encumbrance31, supporting themselves with one hand upon the animal’s haunches, while with the other they guided them by means of a halter. Meanwhile, those that remained on shore set up a tremendous shouting and yelling, at the same time shaking their ponchos32 violently with the intent to frighten all the rest of the troop down the steep embankment, where, encouraged at the sight of the two ahead, they all entered the stream and followed their leaders without further difficulty. Several large crocodiles, who had watched all these proceedings33 from the middle of the river, alarmed by the confusion, disappeared from view, and then the heads only of the leaders and their steeds rose, puffing34 and snorting,{102} above water. In spite, however, of all the uproar35, one of these men was instantly attacked by caribes, and very narrowly escaped serious injury from them. I was standing36 at the time on the opposite side of the river, watching this novel mode of ferrying, and observed that the man, abandoning his horse, endeavored to reach the bank by long strides, occasionally lashing37 himself with a coiled lazo he carried in his hand. It immediately occurred to me that he might have been attacked by crocodiles, a belief which was strengthened on seeing the poor fellow’s sides streaming blood as he stepped upon the beach. My first apprehension38 was quickly dispelled39 by his pointing to a circular wound on his shoulder, about the size of a quarter dollar, and to others as severe on various parts of his body, inflicted40 by caribes. Had the man been a less expert swimmer, or the water less agitated41, the accident would undoubtedly42 have proved more serious; as it was, we were considerably43 alarmed for the fate of the other man, who, however, happily escaped unhurt.
The surprising boldness of these diminutive44 fish, naturally increased my anxiety to examine more minutely into their peculiarities45, than I had yet the opportunity of doing. I therefore determined46 to procure47 fresh specimens49, if possible. On a former occasion I had lost most of my trout50 hooks, but I still preserved some larger ones, mounted with copper51 wire, to be used in the rivers of the Apure; these I supposed proof against the teeth of any fish, and no sooner were we established in the ranch of the ferryman, than, taking my lines I hastened to the river accompanied{103} by my English co-laborer, the artist. The hooks were baited with pieces of fresh beef, and dropped with great precaution near the shore. Scarcely did the bait touch the water, when it was seized by caribes. Without allowing them time, as it seemed, to get the whole of it between their jaws52, we pulled in the lines, but, alas53! minus hooks, as well as bait. On examination, we discovered that one of the hooks had been cut through, while the other was severed54 from the wire. Still, we persevered55, but invariably with the same unfortunate result.
Greatly annoyed, I turned to question a Llanero, who stood near laughing at what he considered my simplicity56. Another tapped me gently on the shoulder, and addressed me with “Ni?o, you might as well attempt to catch a rattlesnake by the tail” (a favorite expression among them) “as to think of hooking one of those chaps.” What is to be done, then? for I must have at least a couple of these scoundrels, said I. “Who ever saw a genteel young gentleman like yourself, with a taste for such disgusting creatures?” he replied, imagining that I wanted them for eating. On my explanation that my object was simply to sketch57 and preserve them in spirits, they advised me to procure a piece of tough skin from the head of an ox which was then being slaughtered58, and to suspend it from a strip of the same material. I immediately followed their instructions, and shortly repaired again to the river. Seating myself on the stern of the canoe, which was moored59 across the stream, I dropped my novel bait into the water, and watched for the result with the utmost interest. In{104} a moment a shoal of caribes collected around the bait and commenced attacking it voraciously60. Finding the thick cartilage too tough even for their sharp teeth, and unwilling62 to give it up, they continued gnawing63 at it like so many little hyenas64. When I imagined them to be fairly “stuck” through the thick skin, I lifted the whole concern over the side of the canoe, and had the satisfaction of seeing about a dozen of the fish dancing at the bottom of my barge. Finding this novel style of fishing rather easy and entertaining, I continued it until I was suddenly apprised65 into whose company I had thrust myself by feeling the heel of my left foot seized by one of the captives with such violence as caused me to drop my bait, with the vicious creatures that were hanging from it, into the river. My only thought now was how to contrive66 my escape, having the whole length of the canoe to traverse, and its floor paved with these ravenous67 little wretches68. My first impulse was to spring overboard; but a moment’s reflection convinced me that it would be a jump from the “frying pan into the fire.” Placed thus, as it were, between Scylla and Charybdis, I again appealed to the ingenuity69 of my former advisers70 for deliverance. This they readily accomplished by a very simple contrivance, consisting of a gunny bag, which they spread over the gaping71 draught72 of fish. In a moment their sharp teeth were again at work, this time among the tough fibres of the bag, to which they clung with the tenacity73 of bull-dogs, thus enabling us to fish them out again without difficulty.
My biting experience of these little pests left me{105} in no mood to spare them, and I never missed an opportunity of provoking a bloody74 conflict among them. With this view I made it my daily business to scatter75 pieces of flesh in the river, which never failed in attracting great numbers to the spot. These devoured78 the meat in a few moments, after which, being themselves of a red hue79, and mistaking each other for the meat, they continued the feast by devouring80 one another, until few of them remained alive. Thus I accomplished my revenge upon these cannibals of the finny tribe. The pike and the caribe are, I believe, the only fish which devour77 those of their own species when disabled. “As no one dares to bathe where it is found,” remarks Humboldt in his travels, “it may be considered as one of the greatest scourges81 of those climates, in which the sting of the mosquitoes and the general irritation82 of the skin, render the use of baths so necessary.”
Fortunately for mankind, these fish are subject to a yearly mortality during the heats of summer, when the water is deprived of a portion of the air it holds in solution. Their carcasses may then be seen floating on the water by thousands, while the beach is strewn with their bones, especially their bristling83 jaws, which render walking barefoot on the borders of lagoons84 extremely dangerous.
To judge from the incessant85 turmoil86 in the river at all hours of the night, besides evident proofs of their depredations87 during the day, I concluded that the havoc88 they commit on the other denizens89 of the water must be very great. Even the armor-clad crocodiles are not exempt90 from their attacks, when{106} wounded in their own quarrels, as they sometimes are, during the season of their loves, for even crocodiles are subject to jealousy91, that other “green-eyed monster.”[25]
The Waraun Indians, whom the first tribe of cannibals, the Caribs, compelled years ago to seek a refuge among the flooded lands of the great Delta92 of the Orinoco river, and who in consequence live in huts raised on posts above the water, without even the allotted93 space of dry ground to deposit their mortal remains94, have adopted the curious custom of preserving the bones of their deceased relations suspended from the roof of their aerial dwellings95; but having no skilful96 anatomists among themselves to strip the body of the more perishable97 flesh, they avail themselves of the voracious61 habits of this fish for so essential a performance. For this purpose they tie the corpse98 with a strong rope, and plunge29 it in the water, securing the other end of the rope to one of the pillars upon which their dwellings rest: in less than twenty-four hours the skeleton is hauled out of the water perfectly99 clean, for the teeth of the caribe have stripped it of flesh, arteries100, tendons, etc. Now all that the mourners have to do is to separate the bones, which they arrange with much care and nicety in baskets made for the purpose, gaudily101 ornamented102 with beads103 of various colors; and so well have they calculated beforehand the space the bones will occupy in the funereal104 urn6, that the skull105, tightly adjusted against the sides of the basket at top, comes to be the lid of it.{107}
During the annual inundation106 of the savannas107, when quadrupeds perish by thousands in the vernal deluge108, the caribes have ample field for their voracity109; but living animals are not exempted110, for they prey111 with equal fierceness upon the young calves112 when wading113 through the marshes114, and upon the mothers, whose udders they so mutilate, that the young ones frequently perish from lack of nourishment115. The poor cattle lead about this season a truly miserable116 life. Those that escape the teeth of the caribe, the coil of the anaconda, that great water serpent, or the jaws of the equally dreaded117 crocodile, are in continual danger of falling a prey to the lion or the jaguar118, while congregated119 upon the bancos and other places left dry amidst the rising waters. None, however, escape the tormenting120 sting of myriad121 insects which, until the waters subside122, fill the air they breathe. Even at night, when all created beings should rest in peace, enormous vampires123, issuing from the gloomy recesses124 of the forest, perch22 upon the backs of the sufferers and suck their life blood, all the while lulling125 them with the flapping of their spurious wings. In fact, it seems as if in these regions all the elements conspired126 against these useful creatures; for, after these varied evils have abated127 with the return of the dry season, the hand of man is also continually against them in harassing128 hunts, or in firing the ripe pastures which sweep their realms in devastating129 fury, driving them in consternation130 from the fields of their enjoyment131.
The crocodiles of this river are noted132 for being the most savage133 and daring in the Llanos. Although{108} usually styled yellow caymans, to distinguish them from the common alligator134, which is of a darker hue, they are in fact real crocodiles, with an acute snout, like those inhabiting the Nile and other celebrated135 rivers of Africa.
While walking along the banks of the Portuguesa, one may see these huge lizards136 collected in groups of half a dozen or more, basking137 in the sunshine near the water, with their jaws wide open until their ghastly palates are filled with flies or other creatures alighting within them. We tried in vain shooting them with guns; the reptiles139 were so wary140, that the moment we took aim they rushed into the water. Being at a loss how to procure a subject for my pencil, I sought the advice of an old man, an angler by profession, who lived in one of the huts near the river. He agreed to let me have his canoe with his son to paddle it, and the requisite141 number of harpoons143, providing I could obtain the assistance of an Indian boy from the neighborhood, who was a capital marksman with the bow and arrow. “What!” I exclaimed in astonishment144, “do we expect to kill one of these monsters with so slight a thing as an arrow?” “No, Se?orito,” he calmly answered; “but you must first know where to find him under water before you can strike him with the harpoon142; the arrow of which I speak is the kind we use in catching145 turtles.” These arrows are constructed so as to allow the head, affixed146 to the shaft148 somewhat in the manner of a lance, to come off the moment it strikes an object in the water. A slender cord, several feet in length,{109} connects it with the shaft, which last is made of a light, buoyant reed; around this the cord is wound closely until it reaches the point where the head is, then fastened securely. The shaft being extremely light, floats on the surface of the water the moment it is set free from the head by the struggles of the animal, thus acting76 as a guide for its recovery.
The old angler then proceeded to explain that the operation must be conducted first by sending one of these arrows into the body of the crocodile to mark his position under water; and then, if practicable, we might plunge a harpoon into the only vulnerable spot we could hope to reach, viz., the nape of the neck, after which the animal could be easily dragged on shore by means of strong ropes attached to the harpoon.
Accordingly, I went in search of the Indian boy, whom I found under a tree, seated like a toad149 on his haunches, skinning a porcupine150 he had just killed. At my approach he raised his head and fixed147 on me his unmeaning eyes. When spoken to, he only replied to all my questions with the monosyllables, si, no. After a little coaxing151, and the promise of some fish hooks, he followed me to the canoe without uttering a word more. We were not long in getting a chance to test the skill of my new acquaintance. As we approached the river banks, a large crocodile hove in sight, floating down the stream like a log of wood. Our position was most favorable to send an arrow rattling152 through his scales, and my young Nimrod lost no time in improving the opportunity. Stepping a few paces in advance, and bending gracefully153 over{110} the precipice155, he let fly at the reptile138’s head his slender, yellow reed, por elevacion, viz., shooting the arrow up into the air at an angle of forty-five, which causes it to descend156 with great force upon the object, after describing an arc of a circle in the manner of a bomb-shell. Although the distance was fully154 three hundred paces, the arrow struck the mark with the precision of a rifle ball. A violent plunge of the huge reptile was my first intimation that the trial had been successful, and a moment after I perceived the golden reed, now attached to him, skimming swiftly over the surface of the water. We hastened for the canoe, and immediately gave chase up the stream, as the crocodile had taken that direction. We were rapidly gaining upon him, when, alarmed at the sound of the paddles, he sunk in very deep water, as was indicated by the reed. This circumstance rendered it impossible to employ our harpoon. We tried in vain to start him; he stuck to the muddy bottom whence neither pulls nor curses could move him. We hoped that in time he would come to the surface to breathe, and then we might strike him with a harpoon; but in this we were equally disappointed. After waiting for him two hours, we gave him up, along with the arrow head sticking in his own.
I made various other attempts to secure a specimen48, but with no better result, as the river was yet too high to sound for them.
While in this place, I was told several incidents in relation to the cunning and instinct of these saurians, one of which appeared to me most remarkable157 in an animal of the reptile tribe. The ferryman here{111} possessed158 at one time a great many goats. One day he perceived that several of them had disappeared, and not being able to account for it in any other way, he at once laid the blame on the hated crocodiles, although these creatures seldom carry their attacks beyond their own element. His suspicions, he discovered in the end, were well founded, having witnessed the destruction of one of his goats in a very singular manner. It appeared that a crocodile had in some mysterious way discovered that goats delight in jumping from place to place, but more especially from rocks or mounds159. Rocks, however, being rather scarce in the country, their treacherous160 enemy undertook to gratify their taste for this innocent pastime, and at the same time cater161 to his own. Approaching the water’s edge to within a few feet from the bank, he swelled162 out his back in such a manner as gave it the appearance of a small island or promontory163. The stupid goats perceiving this, varied their gambols164 by jumping from their secure places on shore upon the seeming island, which they, however, never reached, for the crocodile, tossing up his head at the right instant, received them into his open jaws, and swallowed them without difficulty.
Crocodiles have a special penchant165 for dogs also, and never miss an opportunity of gratifying their taste for the canine166. In this, however, they are often balked167 by the superior cunning of their intended tit-bits. One day I observed a couple of tiger-hounds quietly enjoying a cool bath in the river. Struck with their apparent nonchalance168 when in such a dangerous proximity169, I found on inquiry170 that these animals{112} never approach the water, either to drink or to bathe, without previously171 attracting the crocodiles by means of repeated howlings to some distant spot. This instinct of the dog with regard to crocodiles seems to be rather of antique date, for I find it recorded in the writings of both ancient and modern travellers in different parts of the world.
No person can venture near the water without danger from their attacks, being so treacherous that they approach their intended victim near enough to strike him with their powerful tails before he is even aware of their proximity. The bubbling sound of a gourd9 being filled in the water by some imprudent person, specially17 attracts them. To obviate172 this danger, a calabash bowl with a long wooden handle is usually employed for the purpose; yet, even this is not unfrequently snatched from the hands of the water-carrier. If by accident a human being falls a prey to this tyrant173 of the river, the reptile is then called cebado, which appellation174 implies every thing that is bold, ferocious175, and treacherous in an animal of the species, as from that time they not only waylay176 persons, but follow them in the canoes, in hopes of again securing this dainty morsel177. There are, however, men bold enough to meet the enemy face to face in his own element. The man who makes up his mind to this encounter is well aware that this must be a conflict to the death for one of the antagonists178. The ferryman related to us a feat179 of gallantry worthy180 of a better cause, performed here by a Llanero with one of these monsters. The man was on his way to San Jaime on a pressing errand. Being in haste{113} to get there the same day, he would not wait for the canoe to be brought to him, but prepared to swim across, assisted by his horse. He had already secured his saddle and clothes upon his head, as is usual on similar occasions, when the ferryman cried out to him to beware of a caiman cebado, then lurking181 near the pass, urging upon him, at the same time, to wait for the canoe. Scorning this advice, the Llanero replied with characteristic pride, “Let him come; I was never yet afraid of man or beast.” Then laying aside a part of his ponderous182 equipment, he placed his two-edged dagger183 between his teeth, and plunged fearlessly into the river. He had not proceeded far, when the monster rose and made quickly towards him. The ferryman crossed himself devoutly184, and muttered the holy invocation of Jesus, Maria y José! fearing for the life, and, above all, for the toll185 of the imprudent traveller. In the mean time, the swimmer continued gliding186 through the water towards the approaching crocodile. Aware of the impossibility of striking his adversary187 a mortal blow unless he could reach the armpit, he awaited the moment when the reptile should attack him, to throw his saddle at him. This he accomplished so successfully, that the crocodile, doubtless imagining it to be some sort of good eating, jumped partly out of the water to catch it. Instantly the Llanero plunged his dagger up to the very hilt into the fatal spot. A hoarse188 grunt189 and a tremendous splash showed that the blow was mortal, for the ferocious monster sunk beneath the waves to rise no more.
Proud of this achievement, and scorning the tardy{114} assistance of the ferryman, who offered to pick him up in his canoe, he waved his bloody dagger in the air, exclaiming, as he did so: “Is there no other about here?” and then turning, he swam leisurely190 back to take his horse across.
The canoero who related this adventure then added: “So delighted was I on that occasion, that I killed my fattest hen to treat the man to a good sancocho, for the caiman had devoured all my goats.”
But this is only one of the many exploits constantly being enacted191 in these regions, by the bold race of men inhabiting them.
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There is still living at San Fernando, a town at the confluence192 of the Apure and Portuguesa rivers, another individual equally bold in attacking crocodiles, in which warfare193 he uses only a wooden mace194 or club. He is possibly one of the greatest swimmers{115} in that or any other country, having repeatedly accomplished the run between San Fernando and El Diamante—a plantation15 which he owns three miles below the town—without once stopping on the way. Armed with his heavy club in one hand, and a bottle of rum in the other, to keep himself in good spirits, this modern Hercules will, for the fun of it, during a spree, provoke a fight with a caiman cebado; and so effectual has been his warfare, that he has actually succeeded in driving them away from the pass, formerly195 so infested196 by them, that scarcely a year elapsed in which numbers of persons were not carried off by them, helpless washerwomen especially.
I observed, also, at La Portuguesa, a great number of fresh-water porpoises197 or toninas, as they are called there, swimming with rapidity against the current, and bending their backs gracefully like their congeners of the sea. Crocodiles appeared to avoid them, and would invariably dive out of the way at their approach. It is probable that from this circumstance arose the current belief that toninas will befriend persons when they chance to fall into the water, against the attacks of crocodiles. It is, moreover, asserted that these cetacea will rescue a man from drowning, pushing him on to the shore with their snouts. In acknowledgment of this animal philanthropy, the hand of man is there never raised against these inoffensive creatures; and so conscious are they of this, that they seem rather to delight in his neighborhood, sporting around the canoes which ascend198 the river, and spouting199 jets of water and compressed air like miniature whales.
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1
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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urn
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| n.（有座脚的）瓮；坟墓；骨灰瓮 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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gourds
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| n.葫芦( gourd的名词复数 ) | |
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gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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tributaries
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| n. 支流 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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plantations
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| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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civilizer
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| vt.使文明；使开化；教化；启发vi.变得文明 | |
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trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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perquisites
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| n.（工资以外的）财务补贴( perquisite的名词复数 )；额外收入；（随职位而得到的）好处；利益 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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barge
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| n.平底载货船，驳船 | |
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chattels
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| n.动产，奴隶( chattel的名词复数 ) | |
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steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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divesting
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| v.剥夺( divest的现在分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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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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encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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ponchos
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| n.斗篷( poncho的名词复数 ) | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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35
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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36
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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37
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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38
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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42
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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43
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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44
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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45
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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46
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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47
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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48
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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49
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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50
trout
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| n.鳟鱼；鲑鱼(属) | |
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51
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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52
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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53
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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54
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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55
persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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57
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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58
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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59
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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60
voraciously
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| adv.贪婪地 | |
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61
voracious
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| adj.狼吞虎咽的，贪婪的 | |
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62
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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63
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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64
hyenas
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| n.鬣狗( hyena的名词复数 ) | |
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65
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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66
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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67
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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68
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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69
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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70
advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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71
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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72
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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73
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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74
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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75
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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76
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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77
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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78
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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79
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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80
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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81
scourges
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| 带来灾难的人或东西，祸害( scourge的名词复数 )； 鞭子 | |
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82
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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83
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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84
lagoons
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| n.污水池( lagoon的名词复数 )；潟湖；（大湖或江河附近的）小而浅的淡水湖；温泉形成的池塘 | |
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85
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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86
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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87
depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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88
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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89
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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90
exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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91
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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92
delta
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| n.（流的）角洲 | |
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93
allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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94
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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95
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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96
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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97
perishable
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| adj.（尤指食物）易腐的，易坏的 | |
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98
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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99
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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100
arteries
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| n.动脉( artery的名词复数 )；干线，要道 | |
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101
gaudily
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| adv.俗丽地 | |
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102
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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104
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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105
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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106
inundation
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| n.the act or fact of overflowing | |
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107
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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108
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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109
voracity
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| n.贪食，贪婪 | |
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110
exempted
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| 使免除[豁免]( exempt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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112
calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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113
wading
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的现在分词 ) | |
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114
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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115
nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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116
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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117
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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118
jaguar
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| n.美洲虎 | |
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119
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
tormenting
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| 使痛苦的，使苦恼的 | |
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121
myriad
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| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
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122
subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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123
vampires
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| n.吸血鬼( vampire的名词复数 )；吸血蝠；高利贷者；（舞台上的）活板门 | |
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124
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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125
lulling
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的现在分词形式） | |
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126
conspired
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| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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127
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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128
harassing
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| v.侵扰，骚扰( harass的现在分词 )；不断攻击（敌人） | |
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129
devastating
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| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
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130
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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131
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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132
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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133
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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134
alligator
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| n.短吻鳄(一种鳄鱼) | |
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135
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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136
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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137
basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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138
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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139
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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140
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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141
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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142
harpoon
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| n.鱼叉；vt.用鱼叉叉，用鱼叉捕获 | |
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143
harpoons
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| n.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的名词复数 )v.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的第三人称单数 ) | |
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144
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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145
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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146
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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147
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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148
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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149
toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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150
porcupine
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| n.豪猪， 箭猪 | |
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151
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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152
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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153
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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154
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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155
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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156
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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157
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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159
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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160
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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161
cater
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| vi.(for/to)满足，迎合；(for)提供饮食及服务 | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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163
promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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gambols
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| v.蹦跳，跳跃，嬉戏( gambol的第三人称单数 ) | |
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165
penchant
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| n.爱好，嗜好；（强烈的）倾向 | |
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166
canine
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| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
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167
balked
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| v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的过去式和过去分词 )；（指马）不肯跑 | |
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168
nonchalance
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| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
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169
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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170
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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171
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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172
obviate
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| v.除去，排除，避免，预防 | |
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173
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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174
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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175
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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176
waylay
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| v.埋伏，伏击 | |
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177
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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178
antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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179
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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180
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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181
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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182
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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183
dagger
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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184
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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185
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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186
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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187
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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188
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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189
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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190
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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191
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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confluence
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| n.汇合，聚集 | |
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193
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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194
mace
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| n.狼牙棒，豆蔻干皮 | |
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195
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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196
infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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197
porpoises
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| n.鼠海豚( porpoise的名词复数 ) | |
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198
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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199
spouting
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| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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