On the second night from our arrival at the Mata, just as most of our party in their hammocks were swinging off into dreamland, the ominous1 cry of El Tigre!—the tiger—was heard in the direction of the camp fires, where a few of the men still lingered. As if lifted by a gust2 of the pampero, every man dropped from his a?rial couch, and in an instant the whole camp became a scene of the wildest confusion. Firebrands flew in every direction, by the uncertain glare of which we gained occasional glimpses of the jaguar3, for such was the intruder, prowling near us like a huge cat. The horses snorted in terror, the men shouted vociferously4, while our brave Mónico commenced drumming upon his pots and kettles as if they were so many gongs, with which in his capacity of cook he summoned us to dinner, creating such an uproar5 as drowned the voices of men and beasts, and was horrible enough to frighten away a legion of jaguars6. The odor of the savory7 spits, at all hours faithful to their posts around the camp fires, had
Image unavailable: THE JAGUAR.
THE JAGUAR.
{223}
doubtless proved the magnet of attraction to his spotted8 majesty9, who, probably disgusted with the style of his reception, made a precipitate10 retreat to his stronghold in the forest, growling12 indignation at our want of hospitality.
Although among the natives he is commonly known by the name of the tiger, this animal is actually the jaguar or Felix Onza of naturalists14, no real tigers existing in any part of America. It nevertheless exerts the same tyranny over other animals as does the tiger or leopard15 in the hot regions of the Old World, differing from its congener principally in the form of the marks upon his skin, which in the jaguar of America are rounded or in rings, therein unlike the long stripes of the Bengal tiger. In another species common to the forests of Guayana, the skin is nearly black, the spots being invisible except in the broad sunlight. This is considered the most sanguinary and ferocious16. Some jaguars attain17 a great size, measuring seven feet from the nose to the tail. They are sufficiently18 powerful to kill an ox or horse and drag them off over the highest fences.
When the excitement occasioned by the intrusion of the nocturnal thief had subsided19, few of us were inclined for sleep; several of our men, therefore, who had been at different times active participators in similar adventures, volunteered entertaining us for the remainder of the night with some interesting stories concerning this lord of South American forests. From them I gathered many useful facts respecting his habits and disposition20, which I shall recount as nearly as possible verbatim.{224}
Although, perhaps, the most powerful among wild beasts of this continent, the jaguar is by no means as terrible as might be supposed from the renown21 of his prowess. Occasionally when hard pressed by hunger he ventures within the precincts of man, robbing the corrals of the farmhouse22 of their defenceless inmates23. Many instances are also related of his having attacked and carried off a solitary24 traveller to his lair25 in the woods; but he usually evinces the profoundest respect for man unless driven to extremities26, when he has been known to set at defiance27 the combined efforts of a host of men and dogs. When thus, by a too intimate acquaintance with the people and flocks of some particular community, he has gone so far as to levy28 blackmail29 upon them, the appellation30 of cebado—as in the case of the crocodile—is given to the jaguar. An animal of this description is said to possess wonderful daring and instinct, making him by far the most dangerous of the class, attacking not only tame animals in the corrals, but even individuals are frequently assailed31 and devoured32 by him. It is said also that when he has once tasted human blood, he becomes insatiable in his eagerness to procure33 this luxury. They are then so dangerous, that the owners of cattle farms usually call a meeting of all the hateros in the vicinity, capable of handling lazo or lance—firearms being rarely used in expeditions of this kind—and with the assistance of a pack of well-trained hounds of a peculiar34 breed, called tigreros in consequence, they surround the wood supposed to harbor the tiger, and beating carefully about the jungle, drive him out into the open plain, where men on horseback are stationed ready to{225} lazo the game as it breaks cover. To ensure success, it is only requisite35 that the horses be steady and well trained to the sport; and as the tiger, conscious of his danger, frequently refuses to quit the jungle, a number of daring matadors36 are also needed to drive him out or attack him in his lair, assisted in this by the dogs, which, by harassing37 him on all sides, divert him from the assailants.
Jaguars were at one time so numerous in the Llanos, that their ravages38 upon the calves39 and young foals were truly frightful40. This circumstance, in addition to the value attached in other countries to their beautiful skins, have contributed to reduce the numbers very considerably41, as whenever they make their appearance they are eagerly pursued.
In its wild state the jaguar is an exceedingly beautiful animal; his motions particularly easy and graceful42, and possessing wonderful agility43 in bounding among the trees and tall grass of the savannas44. When watching for prey45, he generally crouches46 upon the ground, the fore11 paws stretched out, resting his head between them in a manner very similar to that of the domestic cat; and as he climbs trees with a facility almost equal to that of monkeys, these are in exceeding dread47 of him on that account.
The haunts usually preferred by the jaguar appear to be swampy48 borders of marshes49 and lagoons50 overgrown with reeds and wild plantain, where they are sure of finding plenty of game. Water hogs51 or capyvaras especially, are easy prey, as they cannot move except in short jumps. It is asserted that where these animals abound52, there is little to be feared from the{226} jaguar, which always prefers the wild animals of the field for food, becoming bolder and more dangerous to man in proportion as these disappear.
My earliest recollection of the jaguar dates from the time when the famous town of Achaguas was head-quarters for the patriot53 army commanded by my father. I was a little fellow not more than three years of age, when a foraging54 party fell in with a tigress and her cub55; the latter they secured and brought to Achaguas after a desperate struggle with the mother. The extreme beauty and youth of the captive soon gained the sympathies and favor of a host of admirers, especially those of the female department, in the household of Colonel Mujica, who purchased it and consigned56 it to their care. Under their special protection and good treatment it quickly grew strong enough to take part in all squabbles among the dogs and cats of the family, which animals always form a prominent feature in all well-regulated Llanero establishments. At first the new pet was allowed the entire freedom of the premises58, associating very readily with every stranger who visited the house, and evincing none of the disagreeable traits ascribed to these animals. I, who participated in all its juvenile59 antics, and who supposed it to be only a large cat, very soon became its favorite playmate, until on one occasion it carried its pranks60 so far as to throw me down, at the same time tearing my clothing to rags with its claws. From this moment it was considered expedient61 to chain up my playfellow, and accordingly he was secured to a pillar{227} in the corridor of the house. It is related of this favorite, that having afterward62 broken its chain, it speedily found the way to the poultry63 yard where the Colonel kept his game chickens, not one of which was left to fight its battles over. For this unpardonable breach64 of discipline the young tiger received so sound a castigation65 as to cripple the poor fellow for life.
Numberless are the tricks recorded of the lame66 tiger of Colonel Mujica, they for a time constituting the principal amusement of those of the army who were in the habit of frequenting the Colonel’s quarters to while away their idle hours at the favorite game of monte. What finally became of my uncouth67 playfellow, I am unable to state; the probability is that he, as well as most of the brave champions of that memorable68 epoch69, is dead; at all events, they are buried ... in the dust of the past.
In a solitary ranch70, not far from San Jaime, there once lived a poor widow, who, out of compassion71 for a young cub which had been picked up by some vaqueros undertook to raise it with the milk of her own goats, sheltering it at night from the damp under the folds of her bed, covering and treating the foundling with as much affection as though it were her child. In return, the little fellow became so attached to its adopted mother, that it could not endure a moment’s separation from her, and would lie like a cat by the fireside while she devoted72 herself to the occupations of the kitchen. As it grew older and stronger, the woman’s slender stock of goats was rapidly diminished by its repeated depredations73; it was therefore{228} deemed prudent74 to give it wider range than the widow’s little farm-yard, and it was encouraged to seek for game in the neighboring woods. Whenever successful in these excursions, the intelligent creature invariably brought some home, and with seeming pride laid it at the feet of its benefactress. On one occasion, some of her neighbors having come to pass the day with her, she thought that as game was plentiful75 and easily obtained, she would spare such of her goats as had thus far escaped the teeth of her favorite, and, instead, procure with its assistance a supply of venison with which to treat her guests. Accordingly, leaving the hut in their charge, she and her efficient hunter started for the woods, proposing to be back in time to cook the dinner; but to the astonishment76 of her visitors, the dinner-hour arrived, then the night, but no tidings of the hunters; and up to this time, I believe, nothing has been heard about either of the former tenants77 of the solitary ranch, although it is not difficult to imagine the poor widow’s fate.
We had once in our employ a stout78 and powerful sambo, who on account of his name—Bolívar—and his great muscular development, had received the sobriquet79 of Bolivote, or big Bolívar. Great was his pride in possessing not only the same patronymic as the distinguished80 General of his name, but also some deep scars on his right arm, inflicted81 by the claws of a jaguar, which he improved every opportunity of displaying.
Bolivote had been riding hard during a whole day, and feeling rather weary, sought repose82 under{229} the shade of a clump83 of palm trees, allowing his horse meanwhile to crop the grass near by. He had lain down at the foot of a palm, and almost fallen asleep, when he was roused by a rustling84 of the leaves overhead, and looking up to ascertain85 the cause, beheld86 with astonishment a large jaguar in the act of springing upon him. He started to his feet, but was within the tiger’s grasp ere he could unsheath his sword. Without losing a moment he plunged87 his finger into one of the fiery88 eyeballs glaring upon him, and succeeded in forcing it from its socket89. The pain thus inflicted was so acute, that the tiger retreated with fearful yells; yet not before he had mangled90 with teeth and claws the sturdy arm which had punished him so severely91.
During our journey across the pampas, we were shown the spot where not long before a jaguar had attacked a woman. Her preservation92, also, was due to presence of mind, and to the fact of being armed with a machete or cutlass, with which she had intended cutting a load of wood for domestic uses. The wood being near at hand, she was in the daily habit of fearlessly traversing the plain alone. On one occasion she went al monte, to the fields, as they say there, with the intention of collecting her usual load of fagots. No sooner did she commence breaking the sticks, than a deep rumbling93 growl13 which seemed to shake the ground beneath her feet, almost paralyzed her movements. Although the sound was somewhat familiar, yet she never before had heard it so near at hand, and she was therefore instantly conscious{230} of her perilous94 situation. Knowing that an attempt at precipitate flight would only contribute to increase the anger of the tiger, she decided95 accordingly upon concealing96 herself and remaining perfectly97 quiet behind a large tree. Vain endeavor! in a few moments a large jaguar glided98 from the tangled99 jungle and stood before the terrified woman, his eyes shooting fire, his open mouth parched100 with thirst of blood. At the dread sight she gave herself up for lost, and began reciting aloud a prayer to her patron saint, which the tiger answered with another fearful roar. The jaguar then commenced tearing up the roots of the nearest tree, looking the while like a huge cat sharpening his claws. Then gradually approaching the woman’s hiding-place until within a few yards, with a bound he cleared the space separating them, and alighted at the foot of the tree behind which she was sheltered. Without a moment’s loss, the woman aimed a blow with her machete, severing101 one of the paws which grasped the tree. This partly disabling him, he retreated a few paces; but soon returning to the attack, received a second blow, this time on his head, with such good effect that he fell stunned102 upon the ground. It is needless to add that our heroine did not wait to see what might have been the final result of this blow, but springing from her hiding-place, she so belabored103 him with her machete as to completely spoil his skin for marketable purposes.
Among the troop of idlers and adventurers always following the camp, we were favored at Mata Gorda with the company of a famous story teller104 of the{231} Apure, who, in wonderful encounters with wild beasts, and marvellous adventures, might almost rival the celebrated105 Baron106 Munchausen, or even the sailor of Arabian Nights celebrity107. His real name was B.; but owing to his diminutive108 stature109 and cunning, he had been honored with the familiar appellation of Tio Conejo.[30] Indeed, so small was he, that if we credit his statement, he was often mistaken for his own baby, usurping110 its place in the cradle for the purpose of enjoying the kisses and other petites caresses111 usually lavished112 by the female sex upon these tender innocents. Among the various incidents of his eventful life, he had, as a matter of course, something to say concerning tigers.
“Once upon a time,” said our humorous companion, “I was by the banks of the river Uribante, and there had an opportunity of cheating Tio Tigre in his endeavors to make mince113 meat of my humble114 self. Returning one day from a successful fishing excursion, I was enjoying my usual siesta115 when El Tio made up his mind, as it seemed, to pay me an unexpected visit, doubtless with the intention of robbing me of the products of my industry, which I had dressed and salted a few minutes before. Happily I have for obvious reasons accustomed my eyes to keep alternate watch when camping out alone, as was the case in this instance, so that if approached by any evil-disposed individual, I am always able to avoid{232} danger through the watchfulness116 of the one on duty; when this sentinel becomes weary, I allow it to sleep and rouse its fellow.
“Well, Se?ores, as I have said already, one of my watchmen observing the tiger coming toward me, I sprang from my hammock with the intention of giving him a warm reception; but, luckily for the spotted vagabond, my cuchillo, which is always by my side, was left forgotten among the heap of fish I had been dressing117. Thus cut off from my only means of defence, and observing near by an immense gourd118 of a size such as is rarely seen in these parts, I slipped into it just when Tio Tigre thought he had me.”
The narrative119 was here interrupted by a sceptical individual from the audience insisting upon being enlightened as to the precise dimensions of that gourd; the reply was, “Why, Sirs, here is nothing extraordinary. I have seen squashes at the foot of the Cordilleras, each of which would be a load sufficient for a bongo. I once lost a pack of mules121 during the night, and after searching for them around the base of what I supposed a hillock, I found the sagacious animals inside one of these squashes—for such was the seeming hillock—supping at leisure on the succulent pulp122, having gnawed123 for themselves a passage to the interior. But to return to my story. The tiger, enraged124 at my sudden disappearance125, commenced a deliberate attack with teeth and claws upon the tough and slippery shell, with no other result than that of rolling the gourd with me in it further from him.
“It was hugely amusing to watch from my stronghold the tactics of my assailant; at one moment
Image unavailable: THE PUMA126.
THE PUMA.
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crouched127 a short distance off upon the ground, he would watch the mysterious object much as a cat watches a mouse; then with a sudden spring pounced128 again upon the gourd, thus causing it to roll before him like a ball. My only fear was, that the tiger in one of these furious onsets129 might precipitate me into the stream below. I was not then aware that water in deep rivers reaches no lower than the base of their steep banks, which act as support for the whole body of water above, thus leaving a clear expanse underneath130 and the bed of the river entirely131 dry, a remarkable132 fact which I discovered on another occasion when diving in the Orinoco for a lost treasure belonging to the monks133.
“That which I feared at last came to pass. The gourd, pushed by the tiger, fell spinning into the water, and I found myself sailing down the stream escorted by a band of hungry crocodiles, who watched me with eager eyes and open jaws134, until my patron saint in the form of a humane135 porpoise136 came to my assistance, frightened off the ugly wretches137, and receiving me on his back, landed me in safety on a desert shore, where, amigos, you will have to leave me for the present, as it is almost morning, and we must sleep an hour or two before starting for the Rodeo.”
THE PANTHER-TIGER.
Although principally a sojourner138 in the more elevated parts of the country, the panther is occasionally seen descending139 toward the plains in search of{234} the abundant fare of the pampas. He resembles the jaguar in many respects, and is called in consequence, tigre de serrania, or mountain tiger. He is, however, easily distinguished from the former by the shape of his head, which in the panther is more acute toward the snout, while the spots on his skin are smaller and more closely set.
The panther is by far the bolder and more sanguinary of the two; he frequents the mountain passes, waylaying140 stray animals and solitary travellers; and there are many cases on record in which he has displayed his bloodthirsty propensities141 by boldly seeking food even in the very haunts of man.
Some of the mountain districts of Venezuela are so infested142 with them, that few travellers ever venture to journey alone there; as, for instance, the monta?a de Capaya, east of Caracas, and the Cerro de Aroa to the west, both famed for the number and boldness of these animals. Under cover of the dense143 forests with which those mountains are clothed to the very summit, they lie in wait. Not long since, a traveller from the village of Aroa, finding the distance greater than he had anticipated, was compelled to pass the night in the forest. Fearing the panthers, he slung144 his hammock between two palm trees as high as possible from the ground, hoping doubtless thereby145 to escape them, but his precautions proved of no avail; the poor traveller fell a prey to one of these sanguinary beasts. A few days after, a party of muleteers passing along the same route, found on the spot where the sad tragedy had been enacted146, evidence of the bloody147 assault. Deep furrows{235} ploughed in the ground between the palm trees, showed that the panther must have made frequent and tremendous leaps to reach the unfortunate traveller; but with the exception of the torn hammock, there remained no vestige148 of the victim.
My first vacation trip from the terrors of a South American school and the angry visage of a harsh preceptor, is still fresh in my mind, as is also the fright I received upon the road from an imaginary panther while endeavoring to reach before daylight the nearest inn upon the route.
The road from the capital to the Valleys of Aragua—our destination—lies for the most part over a high ridge149 of mountains with precipitous sides, interspersed150 here and there with deep ravines and almost impenetrable thickets151 of forest trees, fit lurking-places for wild beasts and banditti. The extreme steepness of the road renders the aid of mules, or horses of superior mettle153, imperative154, and for this exigency155 our attentive156 guides had well provided before leaving Caracas.
The party was principally composed of young gentlemen and their attendants, all like myself bound to the fertile regions of Aragua, where we purposed passing the holidays with our families; and a wilder set of madcaps it would have been difficult to find. Every moment witnessed a malicious157 trick, sometimes tickling158 the mules under the cruppers with whips, until, worried into frenzy159, they plunged fearfully along the road, placing us in danger of being hurled160 into eternity161 through the yawning chasms162 beneath.{236} Sometimes jerking the tail of a neighbor’s mule120, causing the animal to whirl so violently as to almost destroy its balance. Occasionally some of the party might be seen scrambling163 up the rugged164 side of a mountain after bright colored insects or wild berries. At length, the steepness of the ascent165 no longer permitting the continuance of our pranks, the guides entertained us with frightful stories of a tiger said to lurk152 in these mountains; but chiefly with accounts of horrid166 murders perpetrated at various points along our route, which, judging from the many crosses and stone mounds167 raised to the victims by the piety168 of wayfarers169, must have been truly appalling170 in number. In those parts it is customary to mark the spot where a crime of the kind has been committed, with a wooden cross, at whose foot every passer-by casts a stone, muttering at the same time a prayer for the repose of the unshriven soul. One of these memorials was erected171 to a poor fellow, whose throat had been cut and body frightfully mutilated for a new poncho172 and a few reals. At another, a tiger had seized a wearied poultry carrier imprudently asleep by the side of his coop, and devoured him and his chickens. In another instance, the tiger appeared suddenly among a group of muleteers quietly refreshing173 themselves by the murmuring waters of a mountain stream, and after scattering174 the affrighted group, helped himself to their repast.
These stories, told with great vivacity175 and much embellishment, excited in a high degree the fervid176 imaginations of the youthful cavalcade177, causing them as night approached to keep close together. They, however, did not deter178 me, who had ever a peculiar{237} fondness for the beautiful in nature, from loitering somewhat in the rear of my companion to gaze in wondering admiration179 upon the grandeur180 and wild luxuriance of the scene which on all sides met my eyes. Absorbed in contemplation I was riding slowly along, when suddenly, and to my great horror and dismay, I found myself in presence of, apparently181, the dreaded182 tiger of the mountains. My imagination, roused by the exciting stories of the muleteers, showed me the spotted brute183 seated upon his haunches, his sinister184 eyes gazing steadily185 at me over his right shoulder. Notwithstanding this pacific attitude, a thrill of terror chilled my veins186, while in spite of the cold prevailing187 on those mountain ranges, heavy drops of perspiration188 streamed from my trembling body. The tiger seeming spell-bound with my sudden apparition189, I endeavored to cry aloud for help; but terror had deprived me of voice. I then concluded to dismount and place the mule between myself and the tiger, which impulse was suddenly checked as I caught sight of the yawning precipice190 beside me. I had therefore no alternative, other than the ignominious191 one of sliding down in the rear of my mule, a feat57 I rapidly accomplished192 without in the least inconveniencing the patient creature, which all the while stood quietly awaiting my pleasure. At this moment the moon, until then partially193 obscured by the dense fog, shone brilliantly upon the scene, when, to my great mortification194 and greater relief, I discovered that the ferocious tiger of my imagination was only the fallen branch of a tree covered with leaves, which last my fertile fancy had mistaken for the spotted skin of the dreaded mountain tiger.
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1
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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jaguar
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| n.美洲虎 | |
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vociferously
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| adv.喊叫地，吵闹地 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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jaguars
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| n.（中、南美洲的）美洲虎( jaguar的名词复数 ) | |
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savory
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| adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的 | |
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spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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naturalists
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| n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者 | |
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leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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levy
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| n.征收税或其他款项，征收额 | |
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blackmail
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| n.讹诈，敲诈，勒索，胁迫，恫吓 | |
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appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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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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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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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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requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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matadors
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| n.斗牛士( matador的名词复数 ) | |
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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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ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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39
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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40
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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41
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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42
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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43
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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44
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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45
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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46
crouches
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| n.蹲着的姿势( crouch的名词复数 )v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的第三人称单数 ) | |
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47
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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48
swampy
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| adj.沼泽的，湿地的 | |
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49
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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50
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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51
hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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52
abound
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| vi.大量存在；(in，with)充满，富于 | |
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53
patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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54
foraging
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| v.搜寻（食物），尤指动物觅（食）( forage的现在分词 )；（尤指用手）搜寻（东西） | |
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55
cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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56
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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57
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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58
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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59
juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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60
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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61
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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62
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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63
poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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64
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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65
castigation
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| n.申斥，强烈反对 | |
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66
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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67
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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68
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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69
epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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70
ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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71
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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72
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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73
depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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74
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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75
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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76
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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77
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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79
sobriquet
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| n.绰号 | |
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80
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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81
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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82
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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83
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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84
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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85
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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86
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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87
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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88
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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89
socket
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| n.窝，穴，孔，插座，插口 | |
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90
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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91
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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92
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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93
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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94
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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95
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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96
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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97
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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98
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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99
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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100
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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101
severing
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的现在分词 )；断，裂 | |
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102
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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103
belabored
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| v.毒打一顿( belabor的过去式和过去分词 )；责骂；就…作过度的说明；向…唠叨 | |
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104
teller
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| n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员 | |
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105
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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106
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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107
celebrity
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| n.名人，名流；著名，名声，名望 | |
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108
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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109
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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110
usurping
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的现在分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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111
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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112
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
mince
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| n.切碎物；v.切碎，矫揉做作地说 | |
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114
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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115
siesta
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| n.午睡 | |
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116
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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117
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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118
gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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119
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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120
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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121
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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122
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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123
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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124
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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125
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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126
puma
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| 美洲豹 | |
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127
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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129
onsets
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| 攻击，袭击（onset的复数形式） | |
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130
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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131
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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132
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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133
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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134
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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135
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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136
porpoise
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| n.鼠海豚 | |
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137
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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138
sojourner
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| n.旅居者，寄居者 | |
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139
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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140
waylaying
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| v.拦截，拦路( waylay的现在分词 ) | |
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141
propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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142
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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143
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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144
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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145
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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146
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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147
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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148
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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149
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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150
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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151
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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152
lurk
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| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
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153
mettle
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| n.勇气，精神 | |
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154
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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155
exigency
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| n.紧急；迫切需要 | |
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156
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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157
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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158
tickling
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| 反馈，回授，自旋挠痒法 | |
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159
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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160
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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161
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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162
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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163
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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167
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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168
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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169
wayfarers
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| n.旅人，（尤指）徒步旅行者( wayfarer的名词复数 ) | |
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170
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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171
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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172
poncho
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| n.斗篷，雨衣 | |
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173
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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174
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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175
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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176
fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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177
cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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178
deter
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| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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179
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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180
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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181
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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182
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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183
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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184
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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185
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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186
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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187
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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188
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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189
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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190
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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191
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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192
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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193
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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194
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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